Aithusa bows slightly and the two men repay the gesture. Arthur immediately goes to her to stroke her head. Compared with that Merlin stays there and looks at her anxiously. "Did you feel it? The displacement of the magic? What was that? Was it, what I think it was? Was it a human sacrifice?" The dragon bows his head down to Arthur, who is now approaching him. For a moment she closes her eyes to enjoy the caress. Then she answers objectively. "I felt it. And yes, it was a human sacrifice. Such a distortion of magic can only be caused by a human sacrifice. " Merlin shakes his head. "I feard it." He looks up to Aithusa again. "But why? Who does that today, and for what reason?" Aithusa answers hesitantly. "The question of who I don't need to answer. I think you know." Merlin nods. "Mordred."
The dragon adds: "And the question of why I can't answer exactly to you. However, I've been watching for some time, a continual stream of people. All these people have one thing in common and they have a common aim. They are walking to the Grange Stone Circle at Lough Gur." "The Grange Stone Circle?" "Yes, young wizard. This stone circle is the center of a great meeting. It is a great druid meeting, which takes place every few decades, when the moon, the sun and the earth are having a certain constellation. The people there are really peaceful. There are whole families with women and children. And all these people unites the magic. All these people have magic."
Now even Arthur frightens. He makes several steps back and stands next to Merlin. "How many are they? And why it happens without us noticing it? I can't believe that we didn't notice such a large stream of people." Aithusa shakes her head. "No, because the stone circle is located in Lot's Kingdom. And they are hundreds." Arthur wonders. Hundreds? But I always thought my father had almost killed all magicians?" He looks briefly at Merlin. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I.." "It is alright. I know what you want to say." Aithusa nods. "Yes, your father has killed many wizards. But the Druids have always lived very secluded. Not even he could find them all. Many people were hiding and have denied themselfes for years. Many people with magic have never used their gift. And many people don't know that they have magic. They just have the feeling that they should go there. It is the magic that makes them go there. Merlin looks down at himself. "What about me? Why I'm not feeling this?" Aithusa looks at him. "I don't know. But it seems that there today the ritual of human sacrifice has rised again. "
Merlin is still not satisfied. "But why does he do it? Why does he sacrifice a human? What can it?" The dragon hesitates before answering. "A human sacrifice in connection with the right spell is very powerful. Whatever Morderd has planned, it's something very big and important. Unfortunately, I can not tell you more about that to you dragonlord and to you king of Camelot. But I can tell you that most of the people there have nothing to do with the human sacrifice. They believe, they are coming to a big feast together to honor a particular constellation. They aren't a threat to you. But I'm sure whatever Mordred plans will be a danger." Then the dragon spreads its wings. "Farewell, I'm sure we will meet again soon." And with momentum and elegance she takes off and flies away. Merlin and his king just stay there and watch her leaving.
On the way to Camelot king and servant riding silently side by side until Merlin finally asks: "Arthur? What are you going to do?" Arthur looks over at his servant. "I do not know. I have yet to think about. The Grange Stone Circle at Lough Gur is located in Lot's Kingdom. Whatever we intend, first we have to inform him and hope for his help and his agreement." Merlin nods. "I understand." Arthur adds."Besides, we don't know what Mordred really plans. If I march in Lot's kingdom, I could risk a war. What if he is in league with Mordred?" "Do you believe that?" Arthur sighs. "No, but I can't exclude it. Yeah, we have concluded a peace treaty with king Lot. But he always was very fickle." Merlin nods again. "At first we should find out more about this meeting and this stone circle. I'm questioning Gaius about it tomorrow and then I'll search the chronicles for information." Arthur smiles. "Thank you Merlin."
Just now they ride through the city gate. "But not until morning. We should go to bed. The day was long and very exhausting." In the courtyard they stop and Arthur jumps off his horse. Tired, he stretches and yawns. "Good night, Merlin. Bring even the horses away, I manage the rest alone. See you tomorrow morning." Merlin also jumps off his horse. He takes the reins of his king and bows. "I also wish you a good night. Sleep well My Lord." Arthur nods and runs up the stairs into the castle. Merlin watches him disappearing and smiles, before he goes with the horses in direction of the stables.