The light of dawn broke through the fog in the air, slowly but surely bringing the warmth of the sun to the many fields and forests. Dew dripped off the slick strands of grass and in the cool morning breeze the scent of the wet weed flew through the sky. It smelled like it would on a warm summers day after a light rain. The green grass would drift in the gushes of wind and let their aroma fly. Wet grass, there is no sweeter more delicate scent.
Blue birds chirped a song in a nearby birch tree and it awakened Merlin in the most simplistic way. His eyes slowly fluttered opened and he blinked trying to rid of the haziness. There was a slight chill in the air, and he tried pulling the thin blanket on top of him even closer. The fire had gone out and all that was left in its place was a mere pile of coals, smoke still rising into the air. Ignoring the cold, Merlin got up and walked into the nearby trees to find wood. If the wood wasn't damp it was still too green, and eventually the young warlock got fed up, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and with a quick golden glow of his eyes he dried all the wood he had gathered before bringing it back and using magic once again to secretly start the fire itself. Arthur snored, and Gwain constantly rolled around uncomfortably because of the roots under his back. On the other hand, Leon's only movement was the slight shiver from cold, and Percival seemed to sleep rock solid, while Elyan was oddly spread out completely as if the cool air didn't bother him at all. His arm was twisted around Leon's leg. They all seemed to sleep so peacefully - excluding Gwain - so different from the way they were when awake. Yet the same overall. Merlin let out a chuckle while staring at their faces, he could tell they were all in good dreams. Dreams... They haunted Merlin. Every night he feared they were getting more and more powerful, every time he slept they became more intense. If they were visions or premonitions, he had no idea, but the fact that they could be, frightened him more than it should.
"Merlin," Arthur moaned suddenly, "What time is it?"
"Early morning, sire. I was soon going to wake you."
"You were on watch? I though Percival was suppose to have last shift last night." Arthur commented plainly. He didn't really care as to who kept watch, only that it was done.
"When I woke, everyone was asleep. Nothing was stolen nor is anyone dead or kidnapped." Merlin was so calm about the matter he surprised himself. It was definitely an odd thing to say.
"Your telling me, that no one was on watch!?" Arthur jumped up and started kicking the knights awake. "You lazy fools. What if something happened?" The king complained, still trying not to sound too harsh.
"Sorry sire, it was my job, I fully take the blame..." Percival sat up and bowed his head in apology. Arthur glared at him with a look of rage I his eyes, but after a long, awkward silence, the king let out a long sigh and sat down on a nearby log.
"Nothing was taken, so there is no true need to continue being angry. However, if you are to fail in such a simple task again, a task that could have our lives depending on it, there will be repercussions." Arthur pointed at Percival in recognition before putting his fingers to the bridge of his nose. Everyone was tired and wanted to return to Camelot, but they had to start the search for the evil sorcerer so they could only hope it wouldn't take long.
"If I may ask, sire?" Leon asked politely. Leon - always so polite.
"Of course, sir Leon. What is it?" Arthur let out yet another sigh. Merlin was starting to realize just how tired his master was.
"Where are we to begin our search, for we have no leads. We haven't a place to start." Leon stated wisely. Elyan nodded in agreement and soon, so did Percival.
"I can find him," Merlin blurted out before he knew what he had just said. He didn't usually slip up like that, but perhaps it wasn't just the king who was tired.
"And how are you suppose to do that, Merlin? Using your 'special feelings', I doubt it." Arthur snorted. Merlin, after all the years of lying, was exceptionally good at making up false stories.
"Giaus thought we may have difficulties tracking the sorcerer down. He gave a location the magic user might be. If I know anything, it's that we can trust Giaus' information, and hopefully, the sorcerer will still be there." It wasn't a complete lie. Giaus did mention they might have a troublesome time finding the sorcerer so suggested that Merlin use his magic to find him.
"Well then, where are we off to, mate?" Gwain asked. They were all staring at the servant now. Merlin looked to Arthur for an approval and the king nodded his head in turn.
"The sorcerer should be within the village of Corinth... But if whoever this is knows we are coming, they'll be long gone."
"It is still the only lead we have. Let us take leave to Corinth." Arthur always seemed to stay calm and collected in matters such as the one they were in. He was looked up to by many just for this very reason. He was smart, a strategist, and held his head high at the face of danger - especially if it meant protecting his people. Arthur was prepared to die for the kingdom and all who lived there, he was willing to sacrifice himself for the grater good. Merlin was the same in this aspect, even if no one knew it to be the truth. The warlock would give up anything for Camelot and all his friends whom lived there. If there were an award given to the most selfless person to ever walk within Camelot - Merlin and Arthur would be neck and neck for it.
For Arthur, unlike some knights and snobbish nobles, he did what was expected of him and more, not for the glory and respect, but for the welfare of those he cared about. Uther had never taken the kingdoms citizens to heart. The old king considered it his duty, rather than a privilege, to protect his people. So when Arthur was crowned the new king, many respected the new rule, all but those with magic who believed a Pendragon was a Pendragon and that would never change no matter who sat upon the thrown (except perhaps Morgana).
Merlin in a sense was only protecting Arthur, and the great prophecies that came with his name. Deep down in the midst of the man-servants destiny, he was not required to protect anyone else, but with his kind heart at play, many peoples lives were saved. Merlin only wondered how much longer he could take the suffering, the secrets, and the loss. So many people were gone because he couldn't help them. The blood of many stained the warlocks hands and it was almost beginning to become too much to bare.
So as the small group of six saddled their horses in preparation to head to Corinth, Merlin buckling the straps, and Arthur tying on supplies, the knights knew that although the king himself was mighty and fearless, there was another among them who held great bravery. His name, Merlin.
Agravain's recruitment the day before...
Agravain was heading down toward the armory to grab his sword before taking his leave. The traitor of an uncle had many ideas as to whom to hire - one struck more interest than the others. He planned on traveling to a camp of bandits said to be settled, momentarily, just a ways North of Camelot. Their ruthless leader was a force to be reckoned with and before he took to being a bandit, was well known for his many assassination jobs. Adding on to the fact that they were already trained killers - most of them being trained by their leader - their large number would surely overtake Arthur's men.
A small bit of blood trickled from Agravain's index finger after he touched his blade to see if dull. It's sharpness was perfect as usual and a menacing grin found itself planted on his face.
He strode out of the castle, a horse waiting for him in the courtyard as well as what Agravain considered to be an 'annoying' old man.
"Sir Agravain," Giuas bowed quickly, "may I ask as to where you are headed at such an hour. Night is nearly upon us."
"I'm sorry Giaus, but the information to my whereabouts are to only be known by myself. I wish not to trouble you, but there is business that needs tending to. I shall be back before long." Agravain mounted his horse and with a slight kick of his foot and a loud 'hah' he was trotting away. Gwen appeared from the corridors and stood next to the physician, she could see the worry in his eyes.
"What's troubling you, Giaus?" Guinevere asked, trying to bring some comfort.
"Oh - nothing my dear. Now if you would excuse me, I have some things I must get on with."
"Why of course. I'll see you later, Giaus." Gwen stated before watching the old man stride away towards his chambers.
Agravain, once past the city gates, began to pick up speed, quickly advancing nearer to his destination. The bandits camp was larger than expected, tents were scattered about everywhere and various fires were lit, illuminating the faces of those who sat by them. There were fifty to a hundred of men just within Agravain's eyesight, all of which he knew to be murderous thieves. Suddenly a knife was at his throat and a a raspy slither of a voice followed.
"Bayard will be 'appy t' see you's ere Agravain..." The owner of the crude voice dropped the knife and pushed the traitor forward toward the leader of the camp. They slowly made their way to a large tent in the middle of it all and Agravain was pushed inside to find himself face-to-face with the exact man he wanted to see.
"Agravain... Old friend! What is the pleasure?" Bayard was sharpening an ornamental dagger, one of the more valuable thing he had stolen in his time. Agravain didn't respond at first and glared at the man who inconveniently brought him to the tent. With a wave of Bayard's hand, the man was gone and the two were then left alone to make business
"I have a favor to ask. Then again it's not so much a favor, for I'll be paying you for your time." That got Bayard's attention.
"And... What is this 'favor' you ask for?"
A smirk suddenly appeared on Agravain's face, "I want you to kill the king." He said it so bluntly it made Bayard laugh.
"How, must I ask, do you propose I do that?"
For the next ten minutes Arthur's uncle and the ruthless bandit conversed about the plan, and what was to be done. Bayard gained an obvious, greedy glare when Agravain mentioned the price he was willing to pay.
"The risk we take of going into the Ebony forest is definitely confiscated by your payment..." Bayard paused to ponder the facts, "I must agree the plan seems sturdy. Your price is well fitting... And I seem to remember my sudden hatred of the Pendragons. Uther had my mother executed, you know?"
"I know. Which is why I saw fit to come to you first."
Another silent pause.
"I accept. All you must do is send news as to when Arthur is planning on returning home. There will be a surprise for him in that forest he'll never forget." Bayard sneered.
"I'll let you know as soon as I can. Thank you for your services, Bayard." Agravain turned to leave.
"No. Thank you, Agravain. For such an amazing opportunity."
Arthur, his knights, and a tired servant made their way toward Corinth and were soon reaching the villages's borders. It was merely midday and yet they all seemed exhausted - Merlin especially.
Finally they reached one of the largest villages in Camelot's territory. It was bustling with shops, and children playing out on the dirty streets. Men were seen working in the small crops and woman were washing the clothes and nursing crying infants. All seemed normal, most of all the tavern. Which held the brute of the men and bar-winches who seemed to 'think' they were better than any other girl. Gwain was having a particular good time with one of them in the corner whilst Arthur and the rest of the knights asked around for the evil sorcerers location. Leon finally came around to finding an older gentleman who had seen the sorcerer pass through the day before. Apparently his name was Radulf and was said to have threatened a few of the villagers. Those who didn't give to him what he asked, were attacked by some sort of purple smoke. Two of the villagers now had terrible looking burns on their arms that their physician said would scar.
Before long, and after a dozen failed attempts from Gwain who was trying to convince them to stay a while longer at the tavern, the group was headed off toward the forest on the edge of the village. It was said that there was a cave not to far in, that Radulf had retreated to. Now that they found the sorcerer, their only hope was that it wouldn't be too difficult to dispose of him.
Hey guys! I hope you liked this chapter! I am so happy people are enjoying this story! Please review. ;)