Night's Watch
Meanwhile at the tavern in town. The atmosphere was lively with friends laughing all around telling stories and jokes. The fireplace roaring with excitement. Only one resident was in no merry mood.
He was in a booth by himself, his old figure hunched over so that no one might see him. It was Merlin and his trusty owl Archimedes was sitting on the ledge nearby. They'd been waiting for some time and in an effort to pass it Merlin pulled his pipe and matches from his pocket.
"Do you think he'll come?" asked Archimedes.
"He'll come." Nodded Merlin lighting a match. Then right on cue their guest had arrived.
"Merlin." Said a third voice. Wizard and owl looked up to see a stocky old man with a bald head standing there.
"Dalben." Said Merlin as he got up and extended his hand." My dear old friend thank you for coming." Dalben shook Merlin's hand. This was Merlin's informant whom he had told Yen Sid about and after meeting with his master Merlin thought it best to check up with the old famer.
"I wish I could have come sooner." He responded frantically." But the road was much more dangerous than I thought."
"Do sit down, do sit down." Fanned Merlin as he sat down and then Dalben across from him. It was now that the farmer saw Archimedes.
"Dalben." Addressed Archimedes." It's good to see you."
"Good to see you to." He responded taking a cloth out from his pocket and wiping his head." Thought I wish it was under better circumstances." Merlin lit another match and brought it to his pipe, puffing smoke into the air." It was a dangerous ride getting here."
"What do you mean?" asked Merlin." What did you see?" Dalben turned his head and took a careful glance around the room, Merlin and Archimedes did the same. Once they were sure the coast was clear they continued. Then the farmer leaned into towards the wizard.
"The road was block." He whispered." By a dark spirit who chased me down and off the road and into the woods." Merlin nodded his head intently knowing that this was no mere local superstition." But that is not all."
"Not all?" questioned wizard and Owl.
"Strange things have been lurking in the forest." Continued Dalben. " Strange noises in the night and in the morning strange tracks. I followed their trail and they led to the mountains."
"The mountains?" repeated Merlin taking his pipe from his mouth. Dalben nodded to him." Dalben." Said Merlin both frightened and frantic." You didn't go-"
"No." answered Dalben." I didn't have the stomach to pass even the edge of the forest." Merlin nodded his first fear put to rest and sat back with his pipe in his mouth. He was silent for several moments." What are we going to do?" Merlin cocked his head and made eye contact with him.
"You must return to your farm." Told Merlin standing up. Dalben stood up with him and Archimedes flew to Merlin's hat. Then they walked to the door." And keep an eye open for me there."
"Yes, I can do that." Said Dalben. Merlin pushed open the door of the Tavern and the two walked out." But what will you do?" Merlin turned and looked at Dalben and with the lighting from the tavern the farmer could see the sternness on the wizard's face.
"I must return to my study." He told." And learn whatever I can." Then he turned and stormed off.
"Be careful Merlin." Called Dalben.
"I'll be fine." Said Merlin turning back to him." You be careful out on your farm!" He waved his cane at him. At that notion Dalben smiled seeing despite his anger Merlin still meant well. Then the two parted ways and went back to their respective domains.
Meanwhile back at the house.
Everyone sat around in the living room and the conjoining rooms. Arthur and Cid, later joined by Yuffie had watched as Leon and Tifa went from room to room with Tifa following after him until finally they settled down in the living room. Then they all turned their attention towards the TV where an old movie just happened to be playing.
Yuffie sat legs crossed on the frame of the couch, Leon sat next to her on the couch with Tifa laying across it resting her head against his chest in her hands was a bowl of popcorn. Cid was nearby on his chair and Arthur on the couch next to him.
The female character ran up to the door sobbing as a man was about to leave.
"Where will I go, what shall I do?" she asked.
"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." Was the man's response and he headed out the door. The scene played out a few more moments and then the end credits rolled.
"I don't get it." Said Yuffie who was the first to speak." He stuck with her after all that and she just cries?! What a waste of time!"
"That movie is a classic!" said Cid.
"I'm afraid I didn't really understand it either." Spoke up Arthur. Cid turned and wrapped his arm around Arthur and brought him close.
"Boy let me tell you, one day you'll understand." The two were then distracted by the sound of a crunching noise. They slowly turned their heads to see Tifa laid out over Leon's lap thought he was stone-face as usual.
With a chip in hand she began pushing it against Leon's mouth, thought he didn't open it Tifa just kept slamming the chip against his face. Then she must have hit it to hard and the chip turned into crumbs and fell back down on her. She sat herself up with crumbs all over her face, hair, and chest. She looked to Leon who looked back at her creating a weird vibe in the air.
"Will I ever understand that?" asked Arthur pointing to the two.
"I'm gonna leave that talk to Merlin."
And just then the door flung open and Merlin stormed in with Archimedes flying overhead.
"Merlin." Said Arthur getting his attention.
"What?" asked Merlin turning to him quickly.
"Merlin" Said Arthur standing up and walking over to him." I've had the most exciting day today. I went around town and got to meet all different kinds of people and-"
"Very interesting, very interesting." Said Merlin quickly." Let me tell you something my lad. I've decided to give you the rest of the week off from your studies."
"Wha- really?" beamed Arthur.
"Of course. You've been working very hard recently, I think you've earned the rest." Said Merlin in one breath. And before anyone else could say anything Merlin marched onto into the backroom known as his office and closed the door.
"Well that was odd." Commented from Cid." Even from that old loon."
"Since it looks like you've been let off on the studies you have a new mission." Said Leon getting Arthur's attention.
"Another mission?" he asked. Leon nodded.
"You've got the night watch, remember? It's getting to be about that time."
"All by himself?" questioned Tifa." Leon he's not ready for that."
"He's been here for over a month and he needs the practice. I think he's ready."
"It could be too dangerous." Commented Cid." At least let Yuffie go with him." He pointed to the ninja." If for nothing else than to get her out of here for a while."
"I can go for some adventure." Said Yuffie as she appeared next to Wart." What do you say Kid?!" She said slapping him on the back.
"I-I'm not afraid." He said." I can go it alone."
"Are you sure?" asked Yuffie.
"Yea. I'll be fine." Then he turned to the door and headed out beginning his patrol.
So Arthur was sent on solo patrol. The last glimpse of the sun had disappeared beyond the edge of the mountains and night had come. It was calm and peaceful a soft breeze blowing every so often. Everyone he passed greeted him warmly with a 'Hello' or a 'Good Evening'. He saw no strange sights except for a long, lanky school master wandering down the road.
But then strange things started to happen when the soft cool breeze suddenly picked up and blew rapidly. The sudden wind nearly blew him off his feet but as soon as it was there it was gone and he paid it no mind and continued on his way.
But that was when something strange happened. He could hear no sounds. No voices from around the town, no laughter from the tavern, or mother's singing their children to sleep.
Arthur turned his head from side to side and scanned the area carefully. Not that silence wasn't strange but this one had an odd feel to it. The feeling that someone was lurking in the dark and watching him. Then one sound rang out. At first it was the sound of a hiss, like a snake. The following it was the sound of flapping and bare skin hitting the ground. It sounded as if it was at a distance but was getting closer.
Arthur didn't know what the sound was or how to explain it but it frightened him. So he continued on his way thinking the sound wouldn't follow, but he was wrong. The sounds appeared as if they were getting closer and closer.
He continued his pace only faster, hearing now the flat feet getting faster and faster along with him. His heart was bouncing along his ribcage and he broke into a run as fast as his skinny legs could carry him. He dared not look back for he could hear the sounds getting closer and closer and he felt as if something was breathing down his neck.
Arthur quickly turned around the corner and ran straight into something or rather someone. He lifted his head off the ground to see a very large man with a red beard and hair standing over him. The man turned and looked down at Arthur.
"Sorry lad." He said reaching down and helping the boy up." Didn't notice you come flying around that corner."
"S-Sorry sir." Said Arthur. The man reached over and helped dust wart off.
"Aye." Said another big man with black hair as he came up from behind the other." What are you doing now Lon? Bumpin into children are we? You've had too many tonight!" He laughed.
"Shut it Ben." Responded Lon. Two more men joined them now. One was much younger, probably as old as Kay but the other was a handsome man with a broad face and golden hair.
"What's going on men?" asked the second.
"Lon's had too many John. Stumbling into wee children." Laughed Ben while Lon grumbled at him. The man identified as John turned and looked at Arthur.
"Sorry about that son." He said leaning over and dusting off the boy's shoulders.
"It's alright." Responded Arthur.
"What's a boy your age doing out this late anyway?" asked John.
"Well I….I um.. I'm part of the restoration committee. My name is Arthur." Answered Arthur, but his eyes continued to scan the area all around him for whatever was following him. And that's when he saw it, two glowing yellow eyes from the bushes. Arthur gasped at the sight of it and jumped, causing the four men to look over.
"You got a friend over there?" asked John.
"That things been following me." Arthur pointed to it.
"Go and have a look Thomas." Said John. And then the other young man walked over to the bush. The two yellow eyes stayed and watched Thomas as he got closer with one arm stretched out before the other. He reached his arm towards the bush and a low growling sound could be heard. Then as Thomas pulled the bushes away whatever was in there leaped out and jumped at him.
Thomas fell back and squirmed as the thing landed down on top of him and…. Began licking his face. The sailors laughed at the sight of the dog as it slobbered all over Thomas' face.
"A great scary monster." Laughed Ben. Thomas got to his feet and petted the dog as he walked with him back to the others.
"It's just a dog." He said.
"It's a hound dog." Said John leaning over and petting him on the head. John looked the dog over and came to his collar." Copper." He read. The dog barked. John then turned over to Arthur." Why don't you take this dog, Arthur?" Arthur stammered a response." It can get scary out here in the dark alone, could never hurt to have a companion." John patted Arthur on the shoulder and scratched Copper's head as he turned to leave, his sailors following him.
Arthur was now left alone with Copper.
"Well I guess it's just us now." He said. Copper barked happily. The boy reached down and rubbed the dog along his back." Can't believe I let something like you frighten me, c'mon!" He called as he began walking." Let's go home." Copper barked and followed after Arthur.
The journey back home was much better since he had someone to accompany him. But Arthur couldn't help the feeling that he was still being watched.
He arrived back at the house later than expected, nearly close to midnight. Arthur opened the door slowly and as carefully and quietly as he could walked in the house, waving for Copper to follow and then after the dog had entered closed the door behind him.
Then Arthur made his way deeper into the house. He realized very quickly that he couldn't see so he decided to flip on the lights just for a while so he could at least see where he was going.
But the second Wart's fingers flicked the switch a voice cried out 'NO!' and in a sudden flash the lights were off. Arthur nearly jumped out of his skin from the yell and Copper was at his side growling at whomever it was.
Both man and dog looked across the room where they saw a small flame lit across the room. Then it slowly began to hover over to them. As it got closer Arthur could make out the figure of Merlin next to it.
"Merlin." Arthur breathed a sigh of relief." You nearly scared me half to death."
"Oh." Said Merlin." Oh well I'm very sorry about that lad, I didn't mean to scare you." The candle stick he held hovered away from him and over to the sink. Merlin then pointed to the cabinet and a single glass jumped out and into the sink, filling itself with water." I was just afraid is all." He turned down to Copper who was still growling. Merlin leaned over and extended his hand to the K-9 who after sniffing Merlin's hand licked it.
"Afraid of what?" asked Arthur. Merlin picked up his head and realized what he had said.
"Well um.." He stammered with his back to Arthur as he walked over to retrieve his cup of water." I.. umm..well I was afraid you'd wake someone in the house." He said arms over his head nearly spilling his cup."Be lucky it was only me who was up. Lot of people in this house you know and if you're going to live with people you've got to respect their living conditions understand?"
"Y-Yes, sir." Arthur nodded.
"Very good." Said Merlin. He brought the cup back down and took a long sip, ending with a refreshing 'ah' and then set it down. When he set it down he turned his head and looked out the window.
Outside one could see only darkness but Merlin could see something in the darkness. A figure moving, stalking left and right in the shadows. But the wizard remained firm and his two eyes watched it carefully as it lumbered across the road, two red eyes flashing everywhere. He continued to watch it until it was far out of his sight.
"Merlin?" questioned Arthur upon seeing him stare intensely outside. The wizard's only response was a grunt." Is something the matter?"
"No, no dear boy." Merlin turned back to him." I was just thinking how now is an opportunity for another important lesson for you."
"Right now?!"
"Yes." Merlin smiled." And that is how important it is to get at least eight hours of sleep." He waved Arthur off." Go on now, up to your room."
"Yes, sir." Said Arthur as he turned and walked up the stairs, Copper following at his heels. Merlin waited until the two were up the stairs and he heard the door close to react. Then he shut all the blinds on the windows, locked the doors, and for extra measure cast a magic spell for them to remain closed until morning.