Author's Note: Hmmm, just noticed I haven't been putting paragraph partitions in the past few chapters : S Ah well, sounds like you guys managed. And yet another long chapter for you guys : ) Well, I've had a lot of good reviews from the last chapter so I'm getting very excited now! The big battle is coming ever closer! Excited! Although I'm starting to think that certain moments in these chapters are starting to get a little longwinded… But hope you guys like it anyway! Bit of a spooky chap this. Well, hope you like it and please review! x

Disclaimer: I still do not own any characters of Shine and the BBC's TV programme Merlin (wish I did!) but any added characters and plotlines were completely my genius! All mistakes and splelnig errrors are also my own, which are not so genius…

Chapter Forty Five

Negotiable

Sunlight was strained through the tightly packed trees and only a couple of rays managed to fight their way through to illuminate the way forward for the pair. The two horses picked their way cautiously through the leaf litter, their riders carefully avoiding and ducking under any low hanging branches. Emrys was glancing around on high alert. These woods were known throughout the kingdom as being riddled with deadly creatures and lethal traps. They were nearing the middle of the forest now. The light had been more or less completely extinguished. Ceira was following Emrys closely, keeping Kelpie moving on through the darkness. Suddenly Emrys pulled Griffin into a halt and stared round the trees. Emrys was sure he had heard something. It had been like a whoosh of violent wind but there had been something else in there. Like a whisper, like the trees were hissing words in his ear. Although Emrys couldn't quite make out what they were saying, he was sure they had been there. He searched through the shadows, studying every inch of darkness. His eyes had become accustom to the shadowy blackness quite quickly after years of being concealed in the dark, making sure he was completely hidden from any passing person. After scouring the blackness under the trees for a moment he was sure that no one was hiding in the shadows. Ceira was staring round the trees also, looking for what had caught Emrys' attention. He hesitantly squeezed on Griffin into a tentative walk. He was sure that something had been there but he didn't want to stop for too long. They needed to keep moving if they were going to find what they were looking for. Ceira was also on high alert now. She hadn't asked Emrys why he had stopped, she seemed scared of the answer. She was just concentrating on keeping her eyes peeled. The trees unexpectedly thinned out into a clearing. Emrys was reluctant to enter it, it was all too…abrupt. Ceira stopped behind him and leaned forwards to see why he had halted. Not wanting to stop again, Emrys spurred Griffin on into the clearing. As soon as he had he knew that something wasn't right. The temperature dropped dramatically, making the air icy and unnatural feeling and there was an eerie mist floating around. Ceira brought Kelpie up beside Griffin and Emrys, not wanting to be left behind in this unnerving place. Suddenly, there was a petrifying, bloodcurdling scream that filled the clearing and infiltrated into Emrys' mind. It echoed round his head, making him flinch away. He squeezed his eyes closed, as did Ceira as if that would help keep the sound out. It didn't work. But when they opened their eyes, they realised that the sound wasn't the only terrifying thing filling the clearing. Eerie figures were suddenly crowding round the clearing, at least twenty of them. They were strange though. It was as if they were there but then…nonexistent. They were white silhouettes of people. Neither men nor women, just pearly figures. Ghosts.

Emrys dismounted silently and let Griffin retreat to the side of the clearing, glad to be away from the spooking figures. Ceira did the same with Kelpie although he was more reluctant to leave his rider. Ceira then came close up behind Emrys and had her first proper look at the ghostly figures. It was as if someone had been trying to draw someone with white paint but had smudged the paint so it looked like they were just silvery blurs. Their whiteness contrasted dramatically with the black backdrop of the dark forest. They didn't have any faces, just white outlines. They were surrounding the clearing, encircling them to investigate who had disturbed their territory. Emrys seemed just as surprised as herself and didn't go to make a move. Silence settled itself in between the figures and stayed there for a moment, just enjoying the atmosphere it was casting across them all. Finally, after what seemed like an age, Emrys moved forwards into the middle of the clearing and addressed the figures; this time in a language she could understand.

"I am Emrys, the Thief and Sorcerer of Camelot and this is my companion, Ceira, the Shape Shifter and Sorceress of Camelot. We come to ask you for your help. You are the Spectres, the powerful and magical spirits that haunt the depths of the Forest of Balor. I hope that you can help us in our endeavours," Emrys stated, bowing low. The figures didn't move, simply stood there. Ceira couldn't quite tell if they were staring at him or not as they didn't have any visible eyes; but Ceira was confident they had heard him despite not having any apparent ears. After a few nerve-wracking seconds one of the Spectres stepped forward…well, it was more of a float than a step.

"We know who you are Emrys. You are known by many in this kingdom. You are indeed powerful, we Spectres know that. We have waited for a while for you to come into our midst. We also know what you wish us to do. You want us to help you in your reprisal against Arthur Pendragon. He has hurt you, hurt you badly. You are scarred inside, Emrys. He has hurt you and so many others close to you. You have become tired of running…and now you want our help, to fight back," the Spectre said in a whispery, ghostly voice that sounded like it was only in Ceira's own head but Emrys had evidently heard it as he was staring intently at the spirit. Ceira was sure that a sly smile had crept across Emrys' face as the Spectre had spoken.

"I had almost forgotten about your mind reading abilities. You are of course correct. I wish you to assist me in my revenge against Arthur. He has indeed wounded those closest to me as well as myself. I am sure that you understand of all people," Emrys replied. Ceira felt a sudden chill behind her. She turned her head slightly, reluctant to take her eyes off Emrys. What she saw made her limbs go instantly rigid and her blood run cold. The circle of Spectres around them had moved silently forward, trapping both Emrys and Ceira even tighter into the clearing. Their presence behind her was enough to stop her breathing for a full minute. When she finally exhaled shakily her breath was frozen and transformed into icy smoke as it escaped into the freezing mist.

"Why would the Spectres want to help you, Emrys?" The breathy voice was back. Emrys looked like he had been expecting this question.

"I am indeed aware of your great magical power and unique abilities and I know that could help me in my plot. I am also aware that Arthur has never posed any threat to you but you must have heard of his and his father's hatred of magic? I want to show Arthur the true might of magic and make him regret any word he may have spoken against it. I know that you have great knowledge and somewhere in all that knowledge must be some wish to prove to Arthur that magic can be stronger than armies of swords and Knights," implored Emrys. The Spectres acknowledged Emrys' plead with great interest.

"I see that you have great want for us to assist you in seizing Arthur's power. But I still see no reason for us to help you. Although…there may be someway in which you could persuade us to help you. You must promise us something in return," the Spectre said. Emrys' shoulders sank a little in frustration.

"Like what?" This was the first time Ceira had spoken in the presence of the Spectres and she instantly regretted it. They moved in on her immediately, the group that had been surrounding the clearing behind her suddenly glided forwards and encircled her. Ceira stared round at them alarmingly.

"You said that this girl, Ceira, was a shape shifter? Tell me…how did you meet her? It's not like Emrys to have an accomplice. Let alone a girl…" The Spectre questioned curiously. Emrys spun round and glowered at the Spectres now laying their icy hands on her skin.

"What are you doing to her? Call them off! What are you doing? She hasn't done anything!" Emrys called to what seemed to be the leader.

"You are very protective of the girl," he waved his blurred hand casually and the circle retreated, but a couple still held her wrists behind her so she couldn't move forward, "although, you still haven't answered my question." Emrys reluctantly turned back to the head Spectre.

"She was a servant girl…of Prince Arthur. I got captured and she came to visit me. We talked and…" Emrys trailed off, not wanting to share what had happened next, but the Spectre finished his sentence for him.

"You found out that you had more in common that met the eye. Interesting… But tell me, how did you find out she was a shape shifter?" the Spectre asked. Emrys looked down at the ground, beginning to get annoyed with these constant questions that touched raw nerves.

"We were being attacked by Arthur and Ceira got scared, then she…" Emrys couldn't finish that sentence either but the Spectre didn't need to finish this one for him. It just nodded.

"I see…" it said thoughtfully. "So tell me, what sort of a shape shifter are you?" This question was directed at Ceira this time. She looked alarmingly at Emrys for help but he was still string at the ground fixedly. She swallowed and brought her attention back to the Spectre.

"I…I've never known much about my…abilities. Just that I turn into some sort of… sort of like a wolf with wings. I don't know if it has a name…"

"A Lysitha. Interesting…Very rare but extremely powerful. You have unbelievable magical abilities, even though you haven't realised them yet Ceira. You will learn to use them when the time is right Ceira…" the Spectre interrupted. He turned back to Emrys and carried on his previous conversation, acting as of there had been no interval. "So, as I was saying, you will need to give us something in return. Something of high value." Emrys narrowed his eyes.

"Name your price."

"Something that is hard to find and even harder to get to."

"I'm listening."

"The blood of a Lysitha." If the Spectre had eyes, they would be nothing but narrow slits right now. Emrys took sharp breath in and spun around again to stare at Ceira.

"You want…my blood?" Ceira asked shakily.

"There is no other price we will accept. Only the blood from your veins will satisfy us," the Spectre clarified coldly. Emrys just stared. Ceira swallowed, her hands trembling, and stepped forwards, holding her arm out in front of her so the blue veins in her wrist stood out against the pale skin. She lowered her other hand over her wrist and opened her mouth to cast a spell that would cut through the skin.

"No," the Spectre stopped her just before she could utter the incantation. "The price can be paid after the battle. You are free to go now. The Spectres will help you in your fight. On the second day in the agreed place. We will see you then Emrys," the Spectre uttered. Emrys looked back to the Spectre and bowed low. He then made his way out of the circle of spirits to where Griffin was nervously waiting. Ceira followed, the Spectres behind her letting her go. She took Kelpie's reins and hoisted herself onto his back. He snorted anxiously and followed Griffin away from the clearing, glad to be away from the presence of the spirits. Although they had passed the clearing, there was still an eerie, ominous glow of white behind them showing that the Spectres were still there waiting for them to be out of sight before they retired to wherever they had come from.

Author's Note: Hmmm, Spectres eh? I think we'll have to keep our eyes out for them… So, any thoughts on these mysterious ghostly figures? Would love to hear what you think! Reviewwwww? x