Silence spread throughout the banquet hall. Guests and servants alike stared in horror as dark smoke, the colour of pitch, snaked its way between the cracks of doors and windows to spread across the floor and walls. A general panic cut the bonds that held everyone frozen and the people ran towards the northern end of the hall and the throne where King Uther sat watching in disbelief as, in a matter of moments, the room was sealed. Guards, lead by the prince, rushed to protect the frightened masses. Some panicked and started to wards the doors, but they didn't get very far. As soon as the mist touched them, it spread over them; consuming them. Their screams of agony were only choked off into nothing when it reached their heads, filling their mouths. Their bodies crumbled into dust.
The people cried out, the King bellowed orders as Arthur and the guards clattered about the slowly constricting space but the ever-moving enemy that was the air itself made no sound. In all the chaos only two people were still. Two sets of eyes, blue and grey, were locked in an endless stare that connected one side of the room with another. Neither Merlin nor Gaius knew what this new threat was but they both knew the cause: Magic. In a fraction of a moment Merlin reacted, his eyes flashed gold as he muttered an incantation under his breath. An invisible barrier shimmered slightly as it settled into place to protect the rapidly diminishing numbers who scrambled to get further away from imminent death. In the confusion, no one noticed a mere boy had already halted its approach.
Merlin stood, ignoring Arthur's call to come help erect an unnecessary barrier of tables and chairs against the smoke. He made his way past Morgana and Gwen who tried to soothe frightened women and children to crouch next to Gaius. His body radiated tension as he stared fixedly at the encroaching darkness. "What the hell is that?" Merlin demanded. The old man shook his head. "I've never seen its like."
"You mean you don't know?"
"I remember… There once was a sorcerer, a dark sorcerer who could turn his enemies into dust. But it was rumoured he was killed in the great Purge twenty years ago. And this, this…. if this is him, then…he's got more powerful." Merlin's head snapped to look at his friend, his incredulous stare cut short as Uther summoned Gaius to his side. Seeing Arthur next to his father, Merlin followed. His mind full of the problem that faced them, he came to stand unnoticed by the group of nobility. Dimly he hard Gaius repeat his theory on the sorcerer, one he called Caddug. Merlin listened with a half ear to the King's demands for more information and the Prince's strategies for fighting a sorcerer. But deep down something stirred and sense of trepidation uncurled itself in his gut. This would not, could not be ended by sovereignty or by force. Merlin stood behind Arthur, only now noticing the uneasiness that surrounded him. In an instant the black smoke had drawn back from his protection, filling the windows and swirling around the walls and doors like a layer of invidious paint. This should be cause for breathing easier but now shapes could be seen, moving behind the shifting surface; lurking. The silence was deafening as no one dared to move.
Morgana edged over slowly to stand with the men, her eyes drawn to the dark. "Arthur…" She trailed off on a strangled gasp as misshapen creatures took form, stepping from the mist that had made them. Sightless, faceless they lurched towards the people huddled at the far end of the room. Moving swiftly Arthur called his men to him as he strode across Merlin's barrier. 'Damn it! I only made it to keep the smoke from getting in, I never thought anyone would be stupid enough to try to get out!' Merlin thought as the men drew their swords and crossed his magic with ease and followed their prince into combat. Merlin watched the battle, apprehension for the Prince's wellbeing worried at him as he saw the strength of the monsters. As they tore one man apart and bludgeoned another to death only Arthur's skill persuaded Merlin not to reach into the fray and drag him to safety.
Merlin's concentration faltered as a wave of power rolled over him. Uncontrollable fear ran up his spine and lodged itself in his brain. Panicked, he shouted; not caring who heard him. "Arthur!" The Prince turned. "Get back, something's coming!" Barely hesitating, Arthur ducked a creature's wild swing then neatly beheaded it, calling for the Guards to retreat. Panting, bloody sword in hand Arthur jogged up to his father's throne. "They're too strong. We might be able to hold them back but only just." Uther seemed to take this on board then turned to Gaius. "What do they want? What does this… bloody sorcerer want?!" He spat the hate filled word out.
"Your crown." Came a deep voice that echoed around the room. Faces turned in a multitude of different directions as they searched to the source of that haunting voice. The darkness on one wall parted as a man dressed in black stepped through the curtained shadows. His appearance was one of a skeleton after a good meal, pale skin and gaunt features. The truly horrific thing about him however was his eyes: they if anything resembled the dead; devoid of mercy, of hope or love. Devoid even of humanity. "I want your crown, Uther Pendragon," he repeated. "Your throne and your life. Give me these things and I swear by the old law that all here and all in your kingdom shall be safe from harm." Uther stood, "Caddug, I presume." The sorcerer smiled thinly and gave a mocking bow, Uther walked forward. Silently Merlin was begging the king to stop where he was as another two steps and he would be outside the protection. "Why should I? The lives of a few are not worth the freedom of many." Uther declared. Caddug just smirked, "Not even the life of your precious son? Hmm, yes; I would spend special care to make sure his death was long and painful. My pets will kill everyone here, you can't stop them with weapons forged by man- they simply return to the shadows to be reborn." Indeed the slices of the creatures left on the ground had stared to creep towards the darkness lining the walls. "After they have I will start on the rest of the castle, then the kingdom. Thousands upon thousands will die. But I suppose I am being a little unfair, So I'll give you one chance. Send in a champion and if they can defeat ME then you and your people are safe from my pets. You have fifteen minuets to decide." And with that he melted back into the dark.
Murmurs went threw the crowd of nobles as the King returned to the throne. Arthur, Gaius, Morgana and Merlin still stood around it awaiting him. "Father, please let me fight him-" Arthur was cut off but Uther's glare.
"No!" he hissed. "If anyone is to survive then it must be you! I will fight myself, he asks for my life anyway." The Prince argued against this and this lead to a frenzy of whispers between father and son. Merlin however had only one thought. No weapon forged by man can kill the shadow creatures, no blade would get with in striking distance of Caddug's heart. Only Magic could defeat both these opponents and only he had magic running through his veins. Eyes closed he searched himself and found only one answer, a rightful feeling of destiny. There was no other way: they were trapped, Arthur's life threatened, the kingdom under attack. No other way, no other option. Settled by this finality, Merlin centred himself and opened his eyes. He knew what had to be done.