Chapter 1
Arthur awoke at the first light of dawn. He sat up quickly and pushed his bed curtains aside. Through his window he could see the soft, violet ray of the morning sun barely peaking over the mountains in the horizon. Here to the start of another day being king, Arthur thought to himself.
Merlin stumbled into the chambers with Arthur's royal attire in one hand and his list of tasks in the other. On his way to Arthur's table, he trips over the rug and items are flung in all directions.
Arthur cringed at the loud racket. "Merlin you idiot." Arthur gave Merlin an irritated glance.
"I'm sorry." Merlin hurried and gathered the fallen items. Merlin noticed Arthur seemed distracted as he helped Arthur prepare for the council meetings.
"After the meeting with the royal council, the Queen wishes to speak with you privately and Gaius has expressed concern on a recent outbreak of disease in the lower towns."
Arthur let out long sigh as he watched a pair of swallows fly across his window. How he envied their freedom. Able to fly anywhere they wanted with no burdens holding them back.
"Is something wrong sire?"
"You wouldn't understand Merlin." He turned to look at his servant. "Some days I wish that I wasn't king, I want to live a life where no one knew how I really was. A life unburdened by the responsibilities of being a leader."
Merlin laughed quietly as he imagined Arthur as a commoner.
"What?"
"Nothing." Merlin replies trying to hide his smile as he helped Arthur get dressed.
Both remained hushed as Merlin finished preparing the king for his meeting.
Arthur was the first the break the silence. "Let's go on a hunt." Arthur said. He needed to take some time the clear his mind before starting the long day of meetings.
"But sire, the council expects you to attend the meetings. We should stay." Merlin urged.
"I'm the king Merlin. You can't tell me what to do."
"But-"
"Trust me; it'll only be a short hunt. We'll be back in time for the meetings." Arthur smiled as he gathered his sword and headed for the door.
Merlin was reluctant to follow but complied. He could feel that this hunt was going to be a bad idea.
Small streams of sunlight illuminated the forest grounds as Merlin and Arthur travelled deeper into the forest. The screeches of crows sent a chilling shiver down Merlin's spine. There was a sense of uneasiness as the path drew darker.
"We should head back" Merlin warned. Something wasn't right.
"You worry too much Merlin." Arthur replied.
Before Merlin had a chance to respond, an arrow whizzed from the trees above and landed inches from his horse's feet. The steed reared in panic and sent Merlin tumbling to the ground. His head banged against the rubble path.
"Merlin!" Arthur cried out as he dismounted his horse and ran to his fallen friend.
A blood curling scream echoed and creatures jumped down from the branches above. Arthur's path to Merlin was blocked. The drool oozed out from their fanged mouths as they surround Arthur. Merlin desperately wanted to help Arthur but could not conjure his magic. He yelled out for Arthur to run but no sound came out. Merlin stared helplessly as the creatures charged Arthur.
Armed with swords forged from bones, the creatures attacked Arthur. But even with ferocity the creatures were no match for the skilled swordsman. Slashing and parrying, Arthur managed to fight through the hoard and reach Merlin.
From the corner of his eye, Merlin saw one of the creatures prepare a blow dart. He reached his arm and tugged at Arthur's feet to get his attention but it was too late. The dart hit Arthur's neck and sent the king to the ground.
He wouldn't let his friend be killed. He summoned his remaining strength and tried to raise his arm once more. The creatures were upon Arthur once again. The largest one pushed through the crowd and raised his sword over the fallen king. Merlin tried to target him but all he could see were blurred shapes. With vision fading quickly, Merlin was powerless. The creature jabbed his sword down and Merlin turned away.
"No" a voice boomed, the sword stopped inches from Arthur heart. The creatures retreated as the looming figure approached. Her hair as blue as the sky, she had the appearance of serenity but Merlin could sense something evil about her.
"Pitiful. Such a weak person for one with such a great destiny." She bent down and moved Arthur's hair from his face. "If it up to me, I would kill you right now" she grinned. Her fangs glistened in the light as she looked down upon Arthur's throat.
"Instead, I'll leave you with a parting gift of our first meeting" she said. Her face next to his she smelt Arthur and licked the sweat from his cheek. She placed an amulet around his neck. "Enjoy the new world."
Merlin couldn't bear the pain much longer. Who was this woman and what was that amulet? Merlin was left only with questions as he succumbed to his injuries.
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