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"Um..." Merlin said cautiously, "Maybe... We shouldn't kill those four sorcerers?"
"Any particular reason why, Merlin?"
Arthur sounded shocked and angry. Well, he didn't yell. Yet. He was already taking this better than Merlin thought he would.
"Preferably one that doesn't include your natural tendency for being an idiot," Arthur added. Normally, such words from Arthur would be used in a more light tone. Asking Merlin to not be an idiot most often meant 'Don't lie to me.' The meaning hadn't changed. However, Arthur was being completely humorless this time.
Merlin sighed. "The information I got last night—"
"Are you referring to your mysterious sorcerer friend?" Still hasn't lost his temper. Getting closer though. "Do you even trust this person?"
"Ah," Merlin said tensely. "Sort of."
"SORT OF!" There. The explosion.
"Yes," Merlin pulled a nervous smile, "about as far I can throw him."
Arthur looked livid. "Merlin! The whole kingdom is in jeopardy, and you want me to rely on information from a source you don't trust!" Not the angriest Merlin had ever seen his friend, but very nearly so.
"The funny thing is, I'm fairly certain the information is true."
Arthur clutched his face in frustration. We're doomed, he thought. He was doomed. His father was doomed. Gwen was—possibly not doomed. But the knights were definitely doomed. This was all because there was no decent way to get help.
"Merlin, just because some blithering sor—" Arthur faltered for some reason. (But it had nothing to do with the look on Merlin's face.) "Enemy of Camelot!" he burst. "Said to protect a band of dangerous criminals doesn't mean—"
"Actually, he was all for killing them. Kept talking about how much easier it would be."
Sounds like he has more sense than you, Arthur thought. "What are you suggesting? Become friends with them?" he asked waspishly.
"No!" Merlin refused to be friends when the crazy crew first sought his help. Since then, they hadn't done anything to warm him to the idea.
"Because if you try that, I'll—"
"I wasn't thinking it." Merlin waved his hands to emphasize his point. "I swear."
"Well? What were you thinking then?"
"We need to kidnap them."
"Why? Merlin, we barely have adequate shelter. Where are we going to stash four magical, rampaging lunatics?"
The Legend of the Seeker group left Camelot within the half hour of returning. They had informed Morgana of their intention to immediately search some nearby villages. They couldn't waste anymore time.
Richard, Kahlan, Cara, and Zedd approached the cave they had congregated at earlier. Being a cave just out of scout range made this an incredibly convenient rendezvous point.
They entered the dark, empty cave.
"Stay here until we get back," Richard told Zedd.
Zedd did as he was told. He simply stood there while the rest of his group trekked to a town.
Merlin had somehow convinced Arthur that kidnapping the crazy crew was an excellent idea. Actually, that was a slight exaggeration. He wasn't convinced that countless people would die if those sorcerers didn't make it home. If this was a joke, it was a sick one. Arthur was only going along with Merlin's crazy plan because he agreed that they needed supplies and help. It had nothing to with being concerned that Merlin was serious. Because Arthur wasn't going to believe a word of it.
They were now in a nearby town. Merlin was spending the afternoon and early evening buying ingredients he didn't want to forage for to "send the crazy crew away," and sending word in various directions. (Hopefully, they could get Lancelot and Gwaine's help.) And Arthur found himself financing this insane scheme with what little money he had on him.
Whilst Merlin went about his business, Arthur set about getting basic hunting gear. They would starve if foliage was all they could eat.
After Arthur found some decent gear, he discovered that Merlin had sent word in an absurd number of directions. Apparently, Merlin had no clue where Gwaine was! Arthur had to stop him from sending word in a thirteenth direction. Merlin had suppressed a scoff when Arthur had called the money "not much," but even then Arthur hadn't expected this type of idiocy. Not only was Merlin's endeavor expensive, but also probably a hopeless cause and incredibly risky.
Now, night had nearly fallen, and they were haggling over a loaf of bread. Arthur and Merlin would still go hunting and foraging, but both wanted to eat now. Neither of them had eaten anything since the day before.
About then Arthur noticed three suspicious figures coming around a corner.
Trying to act casual, Arthur grabbed the scruff of Merlin's neck. He told the man they'd been haggling with that he'd "forgotten something." Luckily, Merlin had enough sense to wait until they were concealed behind a nearby cart before making any stupid remarks.
"What are you doing?" Merlin hissed irritably.
The prince silently indicated that now was the time to shut up.
Zeddicus Zu'ul Zorander considered himself very wise and knowledgeable on the subject of magic and magical items. Now, all that magical information was doing about squat for him. Apart from Camelot currency, he recognized nothing in these dank vaults. Almost everything appeared to be the regular treasures any royal could want.
Almost all of the items looked normal. A few looked a bit odd. Two of them simply confused Zedd. He couldn't understand the need for a golden trident. (Who would go fishing with something made of solid gold? Or put this thing on display, seeing as Camelot didn't seem to pride itself on fishing?) Nor could he understand the crystal. It didn't look like anything special, just a lump of quartz. However, Camelot certainly disagreed. The thing had its own pedestal and cushion!
Zedd started going through the crates. Only coins. Nothing special. He had no interest in stealing a fortune for himself.
Ironically, the only box that seemed to house anything interesting was the one Zedd refused to open. He would first need an excellent reason to believe that it would get him home. Unlatching a grunting box very well could get Zedd possessed. For all he knew, somebody's bones (and spirit along with them) could be trapped in there. Of course, the coffin Richard had once opened didn't grunt. However, that didn't mean much. The dead did usually like to make their presences known, but not always.
After checking every nook and cranny (except the creepy box), Zedd finally started pocketing items. He figured that he'd just borrow anything that looked remotely promising. He didn't have the time to stew and research before taking. Something in here had to be helpful.
Zedd started by grabbing the trident and crystal. They were oddest items in the bunch. Odd didn't necessarily mean magical or useful. However, eccentric looking items tended to be more promising.
Having finished ransacking the vaults, Zedd resealed the gate on his way out. Hopefully, that would buy him some extra time after the guards woke.
Zedd barely found the agreed upon hiding spot inside the castle when the warning bells began clanging.
"I wonder if you could help us find some friends of ours?" Kahlan's sickly sweet voice drifted through the air.
Merlin's blood ran cold. Something told him that she wasn't looking for any "friends." He was validated when Richard began describing Arthur and Merlin's physical features.
"Well," said the man whom Arthur and Merlin had just tried to buy bread from a moment ago, "there was two men just here that looked like that. The big blonde one said he'd forgotten somethin'. Grabbed his friend and left just like that. Must've been mighty important."
"Do you expect them to come back," Cara asked brashly.
"I'd think they'd come back," the man said.
"Do you mind if we wait here for them?" Richard inquired.
"Have at it. But while you're waitin', could I interest you in buyin' a loaf of bread?"
Merlin had to stop himself from fidgeting. The place Arthur chose to hide them was far too close to the baker's stall for comfort. If they were caught, they'd be at a distinct disadvantage. Arthur and Merlin were outnumbered. At least two of the present enemy had magical powers that disconcerted Merlin. When he did kidnap them, Merlin wanted to take them separately. And to be closer to finishing the preparations of their return spell.
Time for a distraction.
Richard was considering whether or not he'd buy bread just to humor the baker. Just then he heard several cries of dismay. He and his companions whipped around to see the thatching being blow off of several stalls by a freak gust of wind.
While the crazy crew was distracted, Arthur and Merlin made a run for it. They flattened themselves along the side of a house a safe distance from their enemies.
"We've got to get out of here," Merlin breathed hastily.
"No, we take them hostage," Arthur declared pompously.
"Arthur, the preparations for the spell will take at least a week."
Arthur clenched his jaw, but didn't say anything.
"Of course," Merlin continued, "if you really want to keep an eye on—"
"Merlin!"
"Let's go then."
Arthur and Merlin hurried away as discretely as possible. Occasionally, Arthur grumbled something about losing opportunities.
When they returned to the cave, they found a surprise waiting for them. An old man was standing there. He turned to face them. To their horror, they were facing a smiling Zedd.
One thing was certain. They had walked into a trap.
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Now, for those of you who are confused, we won't leave you in suspense. But if you don't want it spoiled for you, don't decipher the with the backwards words (and skip straight to reviewing (if you would like to review.)). ddez si ton ni eht evac. taht si a teppup.