A Hidden Threat

Chapter 7

So the next chapter is here! Can't wait to see what you guys think! Thank you for sticking with this but please review, good or bad I appreciate it more than you know. Anyway on with the story, I'm sure the chapters are getting longer each time. Maybe I should set a word limit? Let me know if they're getting too long, I know I can get carried away sometimes! Like I am with these A/Ns! So without further ado, here it is chapter 7…

"How? How do you know my name?" By this time she was screaming, the walls threatening to tumble as the echo of her voice screeched through the hall.

The sorcerer simply smiled a cruel sadistic smile. An expression that could have turned armies.

This made Carmen's blood boil, she could feel the rage bubbling up inside her. She wanted to kill him, he hadn't even done anything yet, but she wanted to kill him. There was something about this man that made her head spin, a deep rooted fury that went further than defending the young Pendragon. Resentment so pure and so filled with hate that it could have made Satan himself cringe. How could she feel this about a stranger? She didn't understand it. But the most bizarre part was that he didn't feel like a stranger. It was like she knew this villain from past experience.

At that moment one of the knights entered the hall, Carmen cursed under her breath, she couldn't slit the sorcerer's throat with this many witnesses. She didn't look round but felt Sir Leon's hand on her arm, pulling her away from the sorcerer before she really did something stupid.

"How's Arthur?" Came the familiar voice of Gwaine.

"I don't know, we haven't heard from them." Leon said all this without taking his eyes off the sorcerer. By this stage Carmen had stalked away from Leon and was now glaring at the stranger from a distance. Gwaine could sense the tension in the room and in attempt to counteract it continued.

"Well that's good isn't it?" Gwaine began optimistically, "I mean if you haven't heard from them it must mean that Arthur's alright." Gwaine quickly realised that no amount of optimism was going to improve the mood in the room. Sir Leon and Carmen were staring daggers at the stranger, it didn't change the situation but it made them feel better. The sorcerer seemed to recognise this based on his next comment.

"You can give me all the filthy looks in the world, it won't change what happens next." He started smugly.

"I'd like to see you try anything." Gwaine offered, laughing. "You wouldn't even get close to escaping. We're Camelot's finest."

"Well I'm sure even Camelot's finest would struggle when they're outnumbered almost three to one." He retorted with a callous grin.

Before Gwaine could comment on this numerical inaccuracy the sorcerer had begun to incant a spell, his enchanting eyes fading to an impossible shade of gold.

"Ácumendlicnes se suhtergan sylfum undéadlicnes hércyme." The air twisted and folded as a great wind blew through the hall, a gold mist appeared at the sorcerer's feet and gradually moved behind him as the age old magic filled the space. Everyone in the room felt the dark magic fill their minds. It now felt as if a full scale hurricane was brewing up inside the room.

The air behind the sorcerer rippled and distorted and when it settled the knights were presented with a disturbing vision. Thirteen men appeared all in black cowls, their faces cast in shadows. Everyone internally thanked that they could not see the men's faces, for they knew that if they could they would be met with an unbearable sight. Gwaine felt a shiver run down his back as he looked upon the men.

"Allow me to introduce the brotherhood of immorality. And may I just say if you were scared of me," The sorcerer began, an air of contempt about him, "Then you'll be terrified of them."

"What do you want?" Gwaine demanded, raising his sword and taking three steps forward.

Within a second of doing so he felt a monstrous pain rush through his head, it felt as if his mind was on fire. He dropped his sword and fell to his knees with a scream.

"How dare you!" The sorcerer bellowed, "You are not worthy to speak to the brotherhood! You shall be punished for your arrogance!" The sorcerer raised his hand and his eyes glowed gold yet again. In response Gwaine screamed in pain, collapsing on his back. He mentally begged for unconsciousness, but the sorcerer would not let him go that easily. If the pain wasn't killing him before it certainly was now.

"Stop! You cannot do this!" This time it was Leon who had spoken up, and instantly Gwaine was released "How dare you invade Camelot torturing and threatening its subjects? You are nothing more than a coward, hiding behind sorcery and magic. It's just smoke and mirrors." Leon would not admit it, but the silence that followed was intimidating. He felt his heart hit his ribs as he attempted to stare down the sorcerer, the stranger's face twisted with rage and bemusement.

"I admire your loyalty," The sorcerer eventually spat, "Even if you are defending an idiot." This last statement was aimed at Gwaine, who was now standing, all the knight could do was glare back on account of the monumental pain.
"But I would be more careful what you say, next time it won't be smoke and mirrors." Came the reprisal, fringed with malice.

"Enough!" The sound was incredibly frightening, like some sort of demonic enchantment. "Where is the prince?" Thirteen voices chorused. The chorale was met with stunned silence. It took Leon a few seconds to realise that the question was aimed at him. His mouth dried and his hands began to shake. His voice shook as he replied.

"I don't know." Leon replied less than convincing.

"Well we both know that's a lie." The sorcerer replied as if talking to a child who had misbehaved.

Leon felt his heart race, he'd forgotten about the sorcerer's presence during his orders. The sorcerer smiled at him, his charming demeanour made Leon want to wretch. The sorcerer didn't tear his eyes away from Leon but simply called over his shoulder to the brotherhood.

"He's with Gaius, the physician. He was practically unconscious so he won't put up much of a fight." The sorcerer added with a grin.

…

Arthur was sat up on the bench, his head spinning. At first Gaius thought he was recovering but now he was not so sure. Merlin was still in pain and exhausted, he was curled up in a chair on the other side of the room. Gaius was becoming worried about the prince and his manservant.

Merlin had managed to fall asleep for a short time, but he was fitful. After waking up he refused to let himself fall asleep again, he'd had bloodcurdling nightmares convincing him that exhaustion was better than terror. Although this worked in theory, it is very difficult to stay awake when you've just survived a full scale mental assault.

Arthur had given up on Merlin, at first he tried to cheer him up but now he had realised that neither of them had the strength. Arthur hadn't realised how much the sorcerer's attack had affected Merlin. But looking at him now, passed out in the chair opposite, he seemed drawn and in pain. The prince wondered whether what he was doing was right, he may not have had a choice but Arthur had been prepared from childhood for the trials he would face as a knight and as a prince. Merlin on the other hand was most certainly not prepared. Merlin had put his life on the line for Arthur more times than he cared to imagine. Arthur pretended not to notice, but he'd have to have been blind to be truly ignorant of his servant's deeds for that long. Until now the idiot had survived through sheer luck, and soon his luck was bound to run out. Arthur had lost so many friends over the years, he didn't want to lose another one.

Arthur was suddenly pulled out of his musings as an almighty crash from behind him indicated that someone had just cannoned through the door. He turned round to see Leon, Gwaine and Carmen out of breath and terrified.

Arthur stood up when he saw them, he felt the whole room tip as he did so. He heard Leon's voice, focusing on his voice at least made it easier to stay conscious.

"Sire, it's the sorcerer, he's coming." Leon stated his voice thick with command and authority.

"Well, didn't you try to fight him off?" Elyan asked, he didn't mean for the question to sound as abrupt as it came across.

"Don't you think we tried?" Gwaine commented sharply, revealing a deep cut across his forearm. This is when Elyan also noticed the bruise developing on Leon's cheek and Carmen's split lip. Elyan instantly felt terrible. "He's too strong and there are more of them."

Arthur snatched up his sword, preparing himself for the coming onslaught. Leon protested but Arthur simply brushed it off.

"He's right sire," Gaius interjected, "You can't fight, you're too weak. There's no way you could hold off the sorcerer a second time."

"Well I can't just sit here and do nothing!" Arthur yelled, his frustration rearing its head.

"Sire what use are you to anyone dead?" Carmen spoke up. She was also frustrated, confronted with a small army and a stubborn prince.

This time Arthur listened, just to stop them from harassing him, but he didn't put down his sword. Gwaine suggested getting him out of the chambers, but Leon pointed out that the sorcerer and the brotherhood were only a minute or two behind them, if Arthur tried to get out that way then he would run straight into them.

"Upstairs." Gaius suggested.

Arthur followed Gaius towards Merlin room. Passing Merlin Arthur noticed he was still asleep, curled up in the chair, he hadn't moved. Arthur gave him a shake.

"Merlin!" Arthur almost shouted he stirred slightly, "Merlin! Come on you lazy idiot!" The servant groaned slightly but apart from that there was little or no reaction. Arthur knew time was of the essence and Merlin was in trouble. So the prince grabbed his servant by the arms and hauled him up the stairs to his bedroom. Now Merlin may not have been heavy and Arthur was strong, but the effort taken to support Merlin made Arthur's stomach lurch. Gaius pushed the door open to the bedroom and Arthur put Merlin down on the floor. He sat with his back against the wall in a vain attempt to regain his breath.

…

Meanwhile outside the others were preparing for the sorcerer's attack, they had no idea what to expect so were preparing for the worst. They were now all facing the door, swords drawn their faces expressionless. Right on cue the sorcerer entered, bordered by the thirteen members of the brotherhood.

"So we meet again." The sorcerer declared playfully, "Sorry I've always wanted to say that." He laughed.

No one reacted.

"Oh, is no one talking?" He asked mock offended, "Was it something I said?"

Still no one reacted. The sorcerer now put all jokes aside, if no one was going to play along then what was the point?

"Ok, I'll cut to the chase." His eyes suddenly became so much darker, "Hand over the prince and no one has to get hurt. But get in my way then I will destroy you."

"That's quite a threat, considering you need a whole entourage to take on four of us." Gwaine commented his voice lined with contempt.

The sorcerer came to the conclusion that this particular knight was either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. He was beginning to assume the latter. He had repeatedly challenged him despite his obvious power and the fact that he had almost burned his mind out. The sorcerer asked himself: "Why on earth had he allowed the annoying wretch to survive this long?" But then he realised that it would be much more fun to watch him die slowly, he wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of a quick and dignified death, he would make sure that Gwaine suffered a particularly nasty demise. But for now he would humour him.

"Oh them," He replied nonchalantly, as if he had only just noticed the hooded men, "No they're just here as spectators. There are a lot of people that want to see Arthur Pendragon dead, these are but a few. And believe me they will get their wish."

The sorcerer and the hooded men advanced a step and so did the knights. On seeing this a smile played across the sorcerer's face. "Loyalty to the point of stupidity!" He mentally sneered.

"Oh," He commented laughing, "So you want to play it like that do you?"

He pulled out a sword. The brotherhood all did the same, revealing massive two handed blades. Gwaine looked down at his own smaller weapon, he thought about cracking a joke but then decided against it, now wasn't the time.

The sorcerer may have admired their bravery but that didn't mean he was going to put up with it.
"I can't be bothered with this." He put simply, he raised his hand and, "Clynnan híe út." He incanted casually and with this Gwaine, Elyan, Leon and Carmen all found themselves knocked off their feet by a wall of power. Gwaine was thrown against a bookcase, Elyan and Leon the wall opposite and Carmen over a table and onto the floor. The sorcerer followed by two of the hooded figures then proceeded to the door opposite, stepping over a now unconscious Elyan.

…

Arthur watched through the crack in the door, although he couldn't see much of what was going on he had seen enough to realise that it was going badly. He watched as the sorcerer approached the door in front of him. This seemed to make Arthur forget about any pain he had been suffering from before. Arthur was angry, no one treated his friends like that, and he had decided that the best way to relieve some of his anger was to batter this sorcerer. Even if he was ridiculously outnumbered. Arthur stood up drew back his shoulders and tightened his grip on his sword and stood back as the door was kicked in. Merlin was now fully conscious and standing behind Arthur and Gaius behind him. He'd faced worse, Arthur told himself and truthfully he had but most of the time he was not completely exhausted and surpassed in numbers by this much.

The sorcerer strode in flanked by two hooded men that Arthur did not recognise. The prince raised his sword in defiance, refusing to be intimidated. Merlin was now leaning against the wall looking deathly pale, his eyes flickering. The sorcerer walked straight up to Arthur, he was nose to nose with the prince. Arthur could feel the magic bleeding from the sorcerer's eyes.

"So," The sorcerer began, a morbid enjoyment dripping from his words, "Now the real fun begins."