The dust settled in the clearing of the forest, the seven bodies of the company strewn in the undergrowth from the force of the creature who made his way to his first and nearest victim. In its wake the creature crept slightly forwards, its skin mingling in the grass as it surveyed its prey. A guard of high honour, the first meal of this beast's feast, was dragged by the leg back towards the darkness in which the creature thrived. The noise of the rustles, low growling breaths and the rain which had begun to lightly fall finally stirred Théa enough to open her eyes. Her focus was blurred at first, the aching of her head and limbs efecting her eyesight - but when her vision settled on that of a sliming, bloodied mouth latched onto the guard sliding alongside her she suddenly wished she was blind altogether. The shock of it meant she remained perfectly still: the creature took its time in settling down which only drew out her torture, her long wait stiff and in agony. The healer was hidden from view by the heavy undergrowth which surrounded her but there was every chance the creature would see her. Was anyone else close by? Was anyone else even awake, alive? Though she was trying desperately not to move her lungs ached against her chest as she gasped for air, panic-striken as the beast's movements sent vibrations through the ground. As if in answer to her silent questions someone moved infront of her but it was not to aid - she heard their feet scamper away, their clothes snag on the branches as they retreated but who it was she couldn't see. A guard perhaps - someone alerting the King? It was another moment before Théa raised her head, moved her body and chanced to dart away like those before her. Taking refuge behind the base of a large oak Théa's fingers clawed at the bark as she attempted to steady herself, resting her head back. She had seen some sights in her time as a traveller, experienced things many did not even dream of, but nothing had ever been as horrid, real or dangerous as this. It would have been incredibly easy for her to panic, so simple for her to run and abandon searching for her friends. But somebody's weak yet harsh groans drew her attention to the left and she did not feel like running. With guided steps and light movements, Théa found the source: Arthur was slumped among the roots of a tree, rolling himself around so that his back was against the trunk. His sword lay beside him, scratches on his face and left side of his body and whilst Théa went to tend to him the sounds of slurring, gradual digestion echoed through the thicket.
"Arthur... are you alright?" Théa whispered, dropping down to her knees infront of him. It was clear he had just awoken, blinking as he tried to free himself from the dizziness of the fall. At first he could not distinguish the figure who had addressed him but the relief which flooded through him on seeing the woman was incredible. Instantly he was down to business, raising himself up but his right arm twinged horribly.
"Théa.... where's M... where are the others?"
"I don't know.." she began, but the beast growled from his lair and her heart plumetted. Feeling utterly useless what not very pleasant at a time like this. "....I... well I know where one person is.... the.... thing dragged a guard... I couldn't... he's being... and I think someone else has gone..."
"Gone..." Arthur tried to get up but his arm hurt even worse. He was careful to keep his groans to a minimum, checking the creature hadn't been alerted. Théa was more interested in tending to his wound. "Where's Merlin? Where's Morgana?"
"I don't know..."
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"I've just woken up, the same as you, don't start on me!" she hissed angrily and tore at his shirt without a warning. A large, deep cut was seeping blood and Théa frowned. "You need that binding..."
"There's no time.."
"And you're of no use with your sword arm injured." What Théa said was final and Arthur knew, even in this situation, there was to be no argument. The material she had just ripped was made into a cloth, and after producing a vial from her robes she dabbed some of the liquid onto his arm. Arthur hissed and found it difficult to suppress his pain at the sting which coursed through him, writhing as she continued. Théa wasn't impressed.
"It's only a cleanser..."
"It hurts."
"Well it wouldn't if you kept stil!"
Though both glared at each other in anger Théa still made quick work of binding Arthur's arm. There was no room in her mind to think of her manners around royalty at such a time like this but Arthur didn't seem to mind. His arm soon felt supported and fit enough to move, and Arthur took the hilt of his sword with little difficulty. "Find Merlin, find Morgana and get out of here as quickly as possible, understand? I'll distract the beast..."
Théa stared at him in horror. "What? You can't!"
"They may need your help! Now go!"
Without challenging him further Théa, despite her best judgement, headed off in the direction she had just come, treading lightly on the forest floor and leaving Arthur behind. Arthur was not afraid - he had learnt years ago to surpress any showings of fear and dread. He might have originally ran away with the rest but if that creature had dared to attack them, had dared to kill his men then he could not simply ignore it. It had to be stopped. The creature had come at an unfortunate time: unfortunate for the creature, that was. Arthur was at the pinnacle of both maturity and strength, and it was at this moment that he was also determined to fight not only for his honour but for the life of his friends.
In a desperate move Théa searched the undergrowth, only discovering Merlin when she spotted a flash of red material from beneath the bushes. Her elation on seeing him was short-lived, as whilst Arthur approached the cave in which the beast resided he was unaware it moved slowly towards its next, closest victim - the warlock and manservant, who was groggily raising his head in the midst of awakening from his trauma. Théa whispered for his attention which she got immediately, her attempts to get to him hampered by the brambles which pulled her back. Merlin attempted to move himself but his shoulder was not in the best of ways. Ever closer, the creature acted too fast for Théa or Arthur to retaliate - a mere moment before the healer launched herself forwards in a bid to save the man, Merlin was clamped up to his shin, the beast's teeth digging into his flesh as the warm mouth encompassed his leg. Merlin let out an almighty cry of pain, his hands clawing at the ground as the beast dragged him backwards quicker than before, its hind legs almost trampling the Prince as it caught him unawares. Théa's desperate cries were mingled with that of Merlin's and though Arthur raised his sword to strike the hide of this hideous creature the mere sight of seeing his best friend in such danger was far beyond anything he had expected. Realising this hesitation could cost Merlin his life Arthur wasted no more time - as soon as the blade was thrust into the beast's side the blood which emersed was thick and covered Arthur's hand. Arthur struck again, deeper and with more precision. The creature finally let Merlin go, leaving his leg to drop with an almighty bang delivering more anguish than the punctures of the teeth. With no thought for her own safety Théa darted forwards, taking the young warlock in her arms and shielding him from further attack. The mere smell of the blood was enough to make the three gag but their senses were focused on other things.
Whilst Théa attempted to move Merlin out of harm's way Arthur was putting himself directly into it, stabbing the creature's skin again, aggravating it to the point of blind rage. Its roar was enough to send Arthur's balance awry, his footing failing him as he stumbled to find solid ground. The advantage was to the beast, who raised its head preparing to strike - a gutteral cry echoed through the clearing, followed by the sound of metal. A painful roar from the beast signalled it was beaten and with its last breath it bared its teeth, falling to its side with a dull thud, weightless - and lifeless.
Gwen stood on the other side of its body, bloodied sword clutched in her hand with Morgana watching helplessly from the floor behind her. Gwen's skin appeared flushed, caused by both the exertion of running and the temperature she had ventured out despite having. To say Arthur was shocked was an understatement but his complete relief overshadowed his surprise. Merlin's small groans of agony was enough to remind them all of what had just happened and Arthur wasted no time in righting himself to rush over to the warlock.
"Help me get him back to the castle...." he ordered, but on seeing Merlin's pallour fading whilst they roused themselves he felt it right to bellow, "NOW!"