A/N: A big shout out to Aldaine. Thanks for reviewing! Glad you like it.
A/N2: Sorry this took so long. I hope you like it. I'm hoping to get back on track with my schedule shortly. Thanks for hanging with me.
Chapter 19
Merlin walked towards the main gates. There was only about three feet of bridge that remained after his little stunt with the dragon and he hoped that would be enough to keep him from harm's way. It wasn't that he doubted Amelia's aim but that once she let the arrow fly she had no control over it. He had seen the look in her eyes before she walked away from him, in search of a high perch to hide. The other perch they used for the giant crossbow was now useless. It didn't give her many options but maybe it gave enough.
The wizard opened the gates and then closed them behind him. Eugene shook his head as he watched the brave sorcerer go.
"I hope he knows what he's doing," Hook-hand said.
"I hope you're right," Eugene told him as they loaded the catapult.
"Fire when ready boys," the former thief told them.
"Yes, sir!" With that the boulder was let loose.
"We're running low on boulders. Any suggestions?" Vlad asked.
"In the old days my grandpa said they used dead livestock," Hook-Hand said.
"I don't have any of that laying around and I'm not about to make any," Eugene told them.
"What about cannon balls?" One of the soldiers suggested.
"Not sure they would hit the enemy but I like where you're heads at. Who is the tensioner?" Eugene asked.
"I am sir," a burly man stepped forward.
"Can you adjust these to fire cannon balls?" The Prince Consort wondered.
"Wouldn't be worth half a salt if I couldn't," the man said proudly.
"Then convert this one and the one on the end. The middle two fill fire boulders," Eugene smiled.
"Yes, sir," the man quickly got to work but before he was able to complete his task, there were shouts to cease fire. Eugene looked at General Webster who shrugged and looked to General DeWitt who in turn pointed to the main gates. The Prince Consort told the tensioner to continue with his task. Should this attempt fail they would need to be ready.
"Malik! You coward, come and fight me!" The challenge had been issued. Silence fell, everyone listening for the reply. It came as Malik used his magic to float himself to the bridge.
"Did you not think I could take you? You are as weak as your father," Malik smirked, thinking he'd already won.
Up on her perch, Amelia cursed at him, hoping he'd get out of the way. Merlin was blocking her shot and she could not take the chance he'd get out of the way in time. She kept her bow at the ready and prayed her opportunity would come soon.
"My father died ten years ago in an epic battle between good and evil. His death secured Arthur's final victory. You I seem to remember were running with your tail between your legs," Merlin gave him his own smirk. The evil wizard stepped back, a look of confusion on his face.
"Oh I'm sorry. You thought you had the great Merlin, Protector of Arthur and great Wizard of Camelot. Instead you got me," the son of Merlin continued to smirk, "and I'm more powerful than my father." With that he conjured a spell that blasted Malik squarely in the chest, he was unprepared for it and it knocked him backwards.
From up on her perch, Amelia saw her opportunity. She aimed her arrow and fired. Once. Twice. Three times in rapid succession. The arrows sailed through the air on a direct course for her target.
To Be Continued…