I struggled with how to order some of the things in this chapter. I was going to put some of it in the next chapter, but in the end I didn't so this is quite long. It's a little OC heavy which I'm sorry about, but it couldn't really be avoided at this stage. This should tie up the loose ends, such as the circumstances of Eadric's death, as well as introducing some of my baddies. Oh, and apologies towards the end for the dialect of one of by one-off background characters. He's not a local chap. I got a bit carried away there I think :D

Thanks again as usual for reviews/favs/alerts.

Btw, sorry for any mistakes. I keep correcting it but I've noticed it keeps losing my changes. Typical that it missed the middle out of one of the key sentences. I've finally got round to correcting that now I've spotted it.

Chapter 7

Boom! Matthew staggered backwards in shock as the door to his meagre home was thrown open. Technically it was his brother's home. He'd lived here since the cooperage where he'd lived and worked all his life had been rendered inhabitable during the dragon attack. With the main effort being directed the castle and its defences, particularly the rebuilding of the western section which had succumbed to inevitable collapse after the final night of onslaught, most of the town's buildings had yet to be repaired. He was grateful that his brother and his family were not currently at home. Matthew had known this would happen. He wasn't clever or experienced enough to get away with something like this. He'd been desperate. Now all the guilt he'd been experiencing has manifested itself in the form of this giant.

Sir Caradoc's immense frame blocked the doorway, darkening the room, His dark, short cut hair had become plastered to his forehead by the downpour outside. Stooping, he entered the room and was followed in by another knight and four ordinary guards. This second knight was clearly focussed on the job in hand, but beneath the seriousness he seemed to have a much kinder face.

Matthew cowered in what little space remained once Caradoc's entourage had entered. His eyes automatically flashed to a wooden chest in the corner of the room. It was only for a split second, but that was enough. Sir Caradoc motioned for Sir Hadwyn to open it, despite the fact that there were lesser ranked soldiers to order about. Hadwyn withdrew several pieces of blood-soaked attire and Caradoc, turning to Matthew, broke into a cruel grin.

Matthew's confession had been rambling and incoherent, but he'd said enough. Sir Caradoc had laughed callously at Sir Hadwyn when he explained he was going to personally inform the prince that his servant's killer had been caught. Hadwyn watched as Caradoc had Matthew dragged roughly down the corridors. The king would want to talk to him personally. Obviously his crime didn't compare to sorcery, but murder within the city walls was still taken very seriously. Hadwyn made his way to Arthur's chambers and knocked on the door.

"Hadwyn?" Arthur looked troubled. Merlin's death must have hit him harder than he'd thought. Sir Hadwyn bowed his head respectfully.

"I know you were close to your manservant," he began. "I thought you ought to know, a man has just confessed to the murder last night."

"They have?" Hadwyn didn't know why Arthur should be this surprised. He'd admit to himself that they'd been quite fortunate in clearing the matter up so quickly, but it wasn't so extraordinary.

Arthur pushed past him roughly and set off running down the corridor.

"Sire?"

"Thank you," Arthur shouted over his shoulder.

"If you don't mind me asking, Sire, the prisoner is being taken to the king, where are you rushing to?"

Arthur wasn't listening. He was on his way to speak to Merlin again.

He hesitated before entering Gaius workroom. He probably should knock, warn Merlin that it was only him, then he thought against it. Merlin never paid him that courtesy and princes shouldn't need to knock.

"Merlin."

"Arthur! Look, the illusion lifted on its own. It's Eadric."

"Eadric?" Arthur paused. "Look that's not important. Someone's just confessed to the murder."

"Which one?" Gaius asked.

"What do you mean. There's only been one."

"Who have they confessed to killing? Merlin or Eadric?"

Arthur tried to remember what hadwyn had told him and realised he didn't know.

"Does it matter?"

"In terms of the dangers facing Camelot, probably not. In terms of what will happen to Merlin, if this man has killed Eadric then that supports the evidence we have. If not then there is no guarantee that the king will not still suspect Merlin. We believe that Eadric's identity was hidden after his death. If he claims to have killed Eadric then he might be telling the truth, although I doubt he is the sorcerer if that is the case. If he claims to have killed Merlin he is lying and clearly involved. Either way I believe the threat to the kingdom is far greater than we could have imagined. Uther must be informed."

"I'll find out what he knows." Arthur made to leave again. Merlin was on his heels like an eager puppy. "What do you think you're doing?" he exclaimed

"I'm coming with you."

"No you're not. Tell him Gaius."

"He's right, Merlin," Gaius said.

"I can't stay here forever and you've just said we need to tell the king anyway. I'll take that chance."

"You never do anything anyone tells you, do you?" Arthur noted.

"Rarely," Merlin agreed.

Together they set off towards the Great Hall. Gaius shook his head and after going to Merlin's room and making sure the book of magic was hidden – Merlin had rather carelessly left it open on the bed – he followed them.

"I swear I never meant to kill anybody. I just wanted to scare him, to rob him. I thought he might have money on him. I lost everything, and my brother can't really afford to keep me, he has enough mouths to feed. I wanted to do my bit for them. I know it was wrong of me. I tried to frighten him and he starting acting crazy. Gibbering about creatures and voices. He panicked. I panicked. I had a knife."

"So you robbed and killed an innocent man?" Uther demanded an answer. Matthew realised there was no appealling to Uther's compassion. It didn't make any difference what he said anymore and frankly, he no longer cared. There was no getting out of his predicament now.

"I would hardly call him innocent. After what he'd put others through."

"He was a servant to the royal household."

Matthew obviously thought the king was speaking metaphorically because he continued regardless.

"I'm sure he served you well, my lord. Turning in people's family and friends. I never meant to kill him, but he still deserved it, after what he did to his wife."

"Wife?" This wasn't adding up. This didn't sound like his son's idiotic manservant in the slightest. What did that mean. That this man was just raving, or that there was another victim out there and another killer still at large. Uther didn't want to make his ignorance apparent.

"Everyone knows he killed her and got away with it. Course not everyone knew she was a witch. Dangerous wasn't it, with people like him around? I bet she's the reason he went mad in the end. Good for her. Couldn't happen to a more deserving bloke."

That got Uther riled."You've collaborated with sorcerer!"

"I had friends. Friends who were sorcerers. Me and many other people, until you killed them."

"You dare to question my laws. Those who practice magic are evil and those who consort with them are no better. You yourself have confessed to murder. You will be put to death at dawn." Uther gestured two guards to escort Matthew to the cells. He then spoke to Sir Caradoc who was stood at the side of the room.

"What was that about?"

"Your majesty?"

"You told me you'd brought me the man responsible for the death of my son's servant. His account bore no relation to that."

"Sire, the man was clearly a dangerous criminal who was in league with sorcery. Now he can be brought to justice. I thought you'd be pleased."

"Now it seems there has been another killing, under my very nose, without my knowledge. That is not pleasing news."

"I'm afraid I cannot explain that."

"I believe I can, father," Arthur interrupted with perfect timing. He was accompanied by Gaius and...

Merlin

"Guards!" Uther yelled. The remaining soldiers sprang to attention, but Arthur shielded Merlin.

"Father, let me explain."

"Who is that man? He cannot be your servant. I saw his lifeless body with my own eyes."

"This is Merlin, the body we found was not. It was Eadric who was killed."

Suddenly Matthew's story fell into context. Uther felt a twinge of regret. Eadric had been a trusted ally and close to being a friend. But that was a long time ago and he was no longer the same man. How could this be? Uther had seen them carry Merlin's body away. Arthur had believed too that he was dead, and Gaius. They knew Merlin better than anybody so what had caused them to change their minds? Perhaps they were bewitched.

"You have evidence of this?"

"The body was transformed by illusion," Gaius told him. "That enchantment lifted earlier today. This Merlin, the real Merlin, returned to his chambers shortly after the body was brought there, after you sent for me."

"How can you be sure he's not a sorcerer himself? He could be tricking you even now to infiltrate the very heart of Camelot itself. Uther felt the familiar, overwhelming sense of hatred that coursed through him whenever the subject of magic occurred. The feeling that barricaded his own personal grief in a tiny, dark corner of his mind where no-one, especially himself could ever reach it. "Why am I only hearing of this now?" the king asked Arthur.

"I feared your reaction. I assure you I have questioned him thoroughly and he hasn't shown any ill-intent towards me or others."

"But it is not logical for someone to fake the death of a servant."

Arthur had wondered about this too. He still didn't know what to make of it, but he had to tell his father something.

"I thought people who practised magic didn't make logical decisions? You told me that I was weak for showing my feelings, that people would seek to use that weakness against me. I believe you were correct. Perhaps someone believed they could get to Camelot's prince by exploiting his emotions." It was a flimsy explanation, but one which Uther seemed to buy.

"Typical underhand, sorcerer behaviour. I'm glad you've come to see that there is sense in what I ask of you, even if I can, at times, appear too harsh. This matter must be dealt with immediately. The sorcerer will be found and killed."

"There is more, sire," Gaius interjected. "We found a stone residue on Eadric's body. I believe it to come from the cliffs of Heolstor."

Uther fell silent. Behind Gaius, Arthur paled.

"There is nothing left of Heolstor, and the stories surrounding it were rumours and nothing more," Uther proclaimed with cautious certainty.

"The stories are true, sire. The town was built on a centre of raw magic."

"There's no such thing."

"And if someone is wielding that power, there is no telling what they could do."

For Uther the notion that magic could be a natural occurrence repulsed him, he still couldn't allow himself to believe that. However, if there was a powerful sorcerer out there, on the verge of attack, that was a threat he took very seriously indeed. "How can we stop them."

"The Pillar of Heolstor must be destroyed, thus removing the means by which the sorcerer is able to control its power."

"Last time we were there we found nothing."

"It must have been hidden by magic, but it was there. This is the only option I can think of."

"I can have a group of knights ready to leave at dawn," Arthur proposed.

"Very well," Uther said. He turned to Gaius. "If it were not for your experience regarding these matters I would deem this a fool's errand. I hope for Camelot's sake that I am wrong."

"I hope for Camelot's sake that you are right," Gaius murmured.

(Elsewhere, the same day)

Raindrops were peppering the murky grey surface of the river as the prow of a barge cut through it. This was the easiest way to transport the heavy cargo of stone from the nearest quarry to Camelot castle. However, this was as near as the waterways would allow. On the bank, piles of stone were accumulating, waiting to be taking via the forest road to the city. It was an arduous task, but at least the carters were prospering in these difficult times.

One such man was locked in conversation with one of his younger associates.

"They say this entire operation's cursed."

"Don't talk daft lad," the elder said.

"You must have spoken to people though?"

"Aye, some," he admitted, "Ah've never met such a superstitious lot. It's nobbut fairy stories."

"Some of them say they've blackouts, periods when they can't remember anything that happened. I say it's sorcery."

The older man laughed. "Or it could be summat to do with t'fact that t'King's Head serves best ale in Camelot. Ah wouldn' worry thissen abaht it."

"What about Simon of Langhithe?"

"What abaht 'im?"

"He was telling everyone who'd listen about a woman with two faces and then the next day they found him floating in the river."

"If brains wer water Simon wouldn' 'ave enough to drown a louse. If tha's askin' me, ee'd 'ad one too many an' fell in. These things 'appen."

"Well what about her?"

"Who?"

"Her," he said, indicating a blonde woman who looked in her mid-thirties and was coming over. "She's always here. The dock's not exactly a place for a woman."

"Looks to 'ave one face to me. Not a bad lookin' 'un though."

"Greetings gentlemen," she said politely.

"An' good day to thee Miss...?

"Ailith," she replied, "And indeed it is. They still have not finished the repairs at the the castle, I see."

"Nay lass, but it's a nice bit of work for some of us. Leggo me arm boy."

But the younger man was staring in terror at the woman's reflection in a puddle. The other followed his gaze.

"What the ruddy 'ell?!"

"Ofergitolest," she commanded.

The shock drained from his dark dark brown eyes in an instant and they became vacant. His companion bore a similar look. Ailith crouched beside a pile of building blocks and placed her palm flat on the nearest.

"Wiþerstede," she whispered. The surrounding air shimmered and the stone disappeared, crumbling into nothingness momentarily, before the dust re-materialised and reassembled in the exact same spot. The two men considered this perfectly routine behaviour. Immensely satisfied with her work, she wandered off, muttering something before disappearing down the street leading into woods.

The carters shook their heads and their faces returned to their normal expressions.

"As ah told thee," he resumed as if nothing had happened, "Tha's mithering abaht nowt."

"You're probably right," the younger said.

The rain continued to fall heavily, pattering on the dark green leaves overhead and cascading in mini waterfalls to the sodden earth below. The squelching of feet alerted Ailith to the presence of another.

"Well it's about time," she scolded.

Mildryd might have been shocked by her sister's abrupt manner, but now she'd become accustomed to it. That didn't mean she was comfortable with it, in fact this new Ailith terrified her at times, but she did as she was told – in a manner of speaking.

"Is it done?" Ailith asked.

"Yes, it's done," Mildryd replied, pulling her long cloak around her for warmth and wondering why they couldn't have met some place drier and warmer.

"Show me."

Mildryd had been dreading this moment. She knew that her sister would want evidence that her task was completed, especially as she'd been so vocal in her reservations to this entire scheme. She'd seen the future in her dreams. She knew that Arthur, as king, with Merlin at his side had the potential to bring peace and prosperity to the kingdom. She'd shared these visions with her two older siblings and they had listened, at least at first. But that was only one possible future, and if events unfolded as they had planned, it would not come to pass. She could see things from her sisters' perspective. She after all had also watched her people massacred at Heolstor ten years previous. She longed to witness Uther's demise, a part of her yearned to be the one responsible, to watch the mighty tyrant writhing in agony at the hand of magic he despised so much. In the end, what did a kingdom mean to her, she was just one person. Her own best interests would suffice for her for now. Uther, Arthur, Merlin, the people of Camelot, they were all strangers, but she had to live with her sisters and she hadn't the will to turn against them in the physical sense. She was conflicted, not cut out to make difficult choices. As she'd crept though the shadows the previous night, she still hadn't decided whether she would try to warn Merlin, or kill him when she finally confronted him. Both instances could have potentially resulted in her own death, but she had to choose. She remembered her delight and relief when the perfect opportunity threw itself into her lap, a third choice. This way she could trick Ailith, and as for Merlin, maybe they'd managed to figure out the illusion and prepare themselves, somehow. If not... well, at least the task she'd been assigned would have been completed in her absence. It was no longer her responsibility

"Show me."

Mildryd willed the image of Merlin's body to the forefront of her mind and using the same magical link that allowed sorcerers to communicate telepathically, projected it into Ailith's mind. She tried to conceal her emotions, hoping that her deception wouldn't be noticed. A fake memory would surely be detected but this was real enough.

A sly grin on Ailith's face indicated that she was satisfied. The presence of a sorcerer in Camelot could have compromised her plan, if he'd been as powerful as Mildryd claimed. That was a matter of considerable doubt in her mind, but it paid not to take chances. Now he was out of the way she was free to proceed with her schemes for revenge.

"We will proceed with the preparations immediately," she said.

"So soon?" Mildryd looked shocked.

"I have made another switch. There should now be sufficient for the magic to work. Not having second thoughts again are we?"

"No I..."

"Well then, we shall return. Edhwierfe oþ Heolstor." Ailith's eyes shone. A wind whipped up violently, encircling the pair and sending leaves flying around them. Then they vanished.

I couldn't find the actual teleportation spells used in the show and my iTunes eps don't have subtitles, thus I'm resorting to inaccurate Old English again to make up all the spells.

Please keep reviewing. It makes me happy when I know my efforts are appreciated!

While you're waiting for the next chapter there's a couple of teaser pictures I made for later on in the story with links on my profile.