Kara was woken by the loud sounds of clanging under ground. She groaned loudly banging her head against the pillow of her bed multiple times, wishing for the noises to stop. She climbed out of bed and left the room. She had been given her own room after Morgana found out she was sharing with Gaius and Merlin, claiming a woman must have her privacy.
She was not complaining at all, of course.
She spotted Merlin walking down the corridor, 'please tell me you going to tell them to shut up' she begged the boy and he nodded, she sighed in relief.
'I'm coming with you' she stated and Merlin looked at her strangely 'why?'
'So I can give those workers a piece of my mind' she spoke walking down the steps leading underground, hearing the raven haired boy sigh behind her before he caught up.
Merlin grabbed a torch and they made their way down only to have workers run last them screaming and yelling.
'What was that about?' She questioned, wondering what had made the workers run for the hills. Merlin shrugged before he walked the way the workers came from, Kara quickly followed.
The came to a gap in the brick wall and walked inside, eyes widening in amazement at the sight of gold and valuable objects. In the middle of what looked life a tomb, with a giant gorgeous blue crystal in the centre. Merlin walked towards it and Kara continued to spin looking around in amazement.
'Hello?' She heard Merlin say and she turned to see on of the workers kneeling by the tomb. Merlin tapped his shoulder only for the miner to fall to the ground. Kara couldn't stop the shriek that escaped her when she saw the man grey faced and terrified. Not even looking human any longer.
Kara fetched Gaius eager to escape the tomb only to find herself back in there. She stayed far away from the miner though, it freaked her out to no end. She had never seen someone die like that before.
'How do you think he died? Gaius?' Merlin questioned Gaius who had been staring at the tomb, more importantly the crystal since he had arrived.
'Hmm?' He hummed the he didn't take his eyes off the Jewel.
'Do you know whose tomb it is?' Kara questioned standing closer to the two men.
'Not sure' gaius said looking up at a Raven statue,
'Do you think it might be cursed?' Merlin whispered but gaius shrugged stepping forward. His foot pressed down on a stone and there was the sound whizzing acting fast, kara's eyes burned gold as she raised her hand and stopped the arrow just before it hit gaius. She let the arrow fall and gaius turned to her.
'You just save my life. Thank you' he said gratefully and Kara nodded, not being able to say anything else as voices were heard from behind.
Uther and Arthur entered the tomb and Merlin quickly stepped out of the way.
'Well this is quite a find. You see, Gaius, I was right. There is treasure to be found under Camelot. Which of my predecessors do I have to thank for all this? Gaius?' Uther asked looking down at the blue gem.
'Uh, I'd have to look into it, Sire.' Gaius said looking at a ring.
'How did he die?' Uther asked looking down seeing a worker by the coffin.
'He seems to have unwittingly triggered a trap here.' Gaius pointed out and uther nodded.
'To deter grave robbers' Arthur pointed out.
'Well there's plenty in here people would want to steal. Have them secure the tomb. Guarding it is your responsibility, Arthur.'
'Yes, Father.' Arthur nodded, Kara decided then that was enough fun for her tonight and with a whispered good night to Merlin and gaius she disappeared upstairs and soon found herself falling into her bed, falling asleep quickly.
Kara made her way down into gaius's chambers, after Morgana sent her down. Kara had been suffering from a headache all day from the lack of sleep and Morgana had finally told her to stop what she was doing and go to gaius and who was she to argue with the Kings ward.
'Morning gaius you wouldn't happen to have a tonic for headaches would you' 'second cabinet, top shelf' the older man said.
Kara rummaged through the shelf pulling the tonic and drank a bit of it, instantly feeling the relief from her pounding head. She sat down in front of gaius at the table.
'Whatcha looking at?' She questioned, seeing a book of symbols on the table and a magnifying glass in his hands.
'I believe it's a symbol of whose tomb it is' he explained passing her the ring in his hand and the magnifier. 'What does that look like to you?' He asked and Kara had a look.
'It looks like a bird' she shrugged and he nodded 'a Raven to be exact, the symbol of sigan' e name meant absolutely nothing to her so she was confused on why it was so important.
'I need to check something' he said rising out of his seat, he turned back around once 'don't you have chores to get back to?' He asked before closing the door.
Kara groaned at the reminder, resting her head against the wooden table for a moment before getting up and walking downstairs to fetch Morgana's clean laundry, ready to be folded and put away.
Kara laid in one of the beds, just resting her eyes while gaius shifted through an old book. When the door opened, she sat up and looked to see Merlin enter, looking positively dejected.
'What's wrong?' Gaius questioned the boy as he dropped his bags on a nearby table.
'I saved Arthur's life, someone else got the credit. Just the usual. What are you doing?' He asked moving closer and Kara sat up, because now Merlin was here gaius would finally tell her what he was looking up.
'I found this inscription on the sceptre.'
'What language is that?' Merlin questioned, asking the same thing Kara did when gaius showed her earlier.
'I don't know. Sigan would have known many languages.' Gaius informed.
'Sigan?'
'It's his tomb.'
'Who's he?' Merlin asked, taking a chair and sitting at the table.
'Merlin, he was the most powerful sorcerer to have lived.' Gaius told him
'Really?' Kara questioned and gaius nodded.
'You both didn't grow up in Camelot, but for those of us that did, Cornelius Sigan was a figure of nightmare.' Gaius said and they both furrowed their eyebrows in confusion.
'Why?' They both asked.
'Sigan's powers. He could change day into night, turn the tides, and legend has it, his spells helped build Camelot itself.' Kara couldn't help but be impressed, this sigan fellow most of been pretty powerful.
'What happened?'
'In the end he grew to powerful and the king at that time ordered his execution.' Gaius said and Kara shrugged as it didn't surprise her, all throughout history sorcerers have been executed by those who feared someone more powerful then themselves.
'If he's dead, why are you so worried?' Merlin asked, seeing the hidden emotion in gaius's eyes.
'Sigan couldn't bear the thought that his wealth and power would die with him, so he became obsessed with finding a way to defeat death itself.'
'Was he successful? Kara asked.
'Let's hope not, for all our sakes.' Gaius spoke and in that moment both Kara and Merlin realised how bad it would truly be if sigan did.
Kara had the night watch that night, Morgana's nightmares were unpredictable and she had asked if one of them be there at all times. The look of fear and terror in her eyes made Kara agree, though she was slightly regretting it as it meant another night with no sleep.
She jumped out of her chair the minute she heard Morgana scream.'kara? Kara!' She heard her cry out, fear and panic clear in her voice.
The girl in question hurried out her seat and walked towards Morgana. She immediately received an armful of Morgana and Kara tried her best to comfort the frightened woman, stoking her hair and whispering words of comfort 'It's alright, it's alright. I'm here. I'm here. There's nothing to be frightened of. Shh, shh, shh.'
Morning came and Kara watched the sun rise, unable to sleep. Morgana had been extremely frightened and hadn't fallen asleep until the late hours. Kara had the fear she would have another night terror so she stayed by her side, holding the woman's hand. After all, Morgana had been nothing but kind to her since she arrived and she felt she owed the woman that much.
She was absolutely relieved when gaius showed up, though it ended with him asking her to fetch some supplies from the market. She was buying gaius some weird herb that he had on the list when loud neighs erupted into the market place.
Four horses stormed through the market place. Kara' sees widened when she saw a small child directly in the path of one of the white mares. She raced forward dropping her things and snatched the child up and out of the way of the horse's stampede just in time.
'Thank you, thank you' the mother of the little girl came rushing forward and hugged her daughter close to her.
'It's not a problem' Kara said and waved off any forms of payment, merely happy the little girl was safe and out of harm way. She returned to find her things had been trodden on by one of the horses. She took in a deep breath and tried to salvage as much as she could. Unaware that Arthur had seen what she had done.
She returned to gaius, a poling and explaining what had happened. Gaius merely waved it off saying it was fine and that she did the right thing. Merlin entered not soon after, covered in muck and dirt. It also looked like had manure encrusted on the side of his face.
'What's that on your face?' Gaius questioned.
'nothing'
'What's wrong?' Kara asked
'Nothing' he said, walking into his room and shutting the door behind him. Kara looked at gaius who shrugged before standing up grabbing a cloth.
'Get some sleep child. Your eyes are becoming dark circles' he said to her and she felt underneath her eyes before nodding. She left the room and walked into her own chambers, collapsing against the bed and she tried to fall asleep.
The minute she was finally able to she was jolted away by the sound of a raven's screech. Dread filled her as she remembered gaius words about the soul of sigan being encased in the heart Jewel back in the tomb. She wondered whys he had the sinking feeling that it had just been stolen?
That's right because it did. Standing in the tomb, Kara kept her eyes on the hole in the grave, where the Jewel and soul used to be.
'Sound the warning bell.' Arthur spoke before leaving the to,b.
'Whoever did this got more than they bargained for.' Gaius spoke to the two remaining in the tomb holding up another clear heart jewel.
'I don't understand how they got in. The gate's not even damaged.'
'Magic?' Kara suggested.
'Perhaps but I think it's more the work of a key' Gaius said.
'But Arthur's got the only key.' Merlin protested.
'Where does he keep it?'
'On his belt with the others.' Merlin replied.
'Does he ever take it off?' Kara asked.
'Only when he's asleep. He keeps it next to his bed.'
'Who had access to his chambers last night?' Gaius asked
'Just me. And...' He paused for a moment his eyes widening 'Cedric.' Merlin bolted out of the room and Kara wondered where exactly he was going.
Night fell and once again Kara found she couldn't sleep so she went for a walk in the courtyard. However she stood frozen when she heard a loud roar. She turned to see a winged creature fall right in front of her and bare his teeth.
She pulled out her sword and stood her ground, though fear shone in her eyes. She attacked the creature only to jump back out of range of its claws. She calmed herself down before charging again with a battle cry. She managed to slice the creatures legs before she felt blinding pain as the creatures claws ripped across her shoulder
She screamed out loudly in pain, clutching her arm as she fell back. The pain overwhelmed her and she only glanced up to see the creature looming over her.
'Ástríce!' She screamed her eyes burning gold, extending her good arm casting a line of fire at the creature who flew away. She collapsed back against the ground clutching her shoulder.
'Kara!' She heard someone yell and she blinked bleary fly seeing Arthur in front of her. She merely groaned in response. 'Come on' he said helping her to her feet. He stared down at her though seeing the blood fall from her shoulder.
Kara could see he too was bleeding but on the chest. She heard another loud roar, 'look out!' She screamed, pushing Arthur to the ground, only for herself to be flung across the courtyard as the creature barrelled into her.
She groaned loudly in pure agony as everything went blurry before she leaned to the side and coughed up blood, that wasn't good.
'Kara, are you alright?' She heard Arthur ask and she looked up at the blonde prince.
'What do you think?' She groaned sarcastically.
'Come on' he said and helped her up to her feet again and lead her inside as she leaned heavily on the prince. Gwen immediately rushed to them assessing the damage before hurrying away to get bandages and something to stop the bleeding.
'I don't understand you' Arthur muttered and she huffed a laugh.
'I'm not that hard to understand' 'no it's just you always manage to surprise me, I mean first it was Guinevere, then the little girl in the market and now you just risked your life for me even though you look like your on the brink of death yourself. It's like ever since you came to camelot, your just saving people' Arthur stated and she glanced up at him.
'What was I meant to do just let them die? The way I live my life is that if there is something I can do to help and stop anything bad things happening to someone, I'll do it without a moments hesitation' she explained and Arthur nodded, a thoughtful look crossing over his face.
'Thank you' he muttered and she couldn't help the small smile that graced her lips 'don't mention it'.
Before anymore words could be exchanged Gwen and Morgana appeared and began bandaging the two up. Uther stormed in and immediately flocked to his son.
'Arthur.' 'It's nothing. Others have far worse' he said wincing, thinking back to the sight of kara's wound.
'Have we driven the creatures out?' Uther asked.
'They have control of the lower town. The market has been all but destroyed.' Arthur informed his father.
'How many dead?'
'Too many to number.' Arthur sighed.
'I'm sealing the citadel.' Uther stated and the four around him stared in shock.
'You can't.' Arthur protested.
'I have no choice. I have to protect those who have a chance. If I don't, we will all fall.' Arthur merely stood at his father's words 'Where are you going?' Uther questioned seeing the action.
'There are people trapped on the drawbridge.' Arthur stated beginning to walk away to the exit.
'I forbid you.' Uther tried to protest.
'I'm not leaving them to die.' Arthur yelled
'It's suicide!'
'It's my duty to Camelot! And to myself!' Arthur argued before he left. Kara sat in slight ... awe? She had never seen Arthur go up against his father. She wondered if it was what she had said or maybe if this was just who the real Arthur pendragon was. Either way she liked this Arthur a whole lot better then the prat she meet a few weeks ago.
Kara continued to sit on the bed, having ushered Gwen and Morgana away to help others. She let her magic go and she could feel how powerful sigan was. It frightened her, she had never met anyone with so much power. She muttered a healing spell quietly, her eyes flashing gold and she stood. She moved quietly and left the ward.
There was no way she was just going to sit there and watch people die. She moved through the courtyard trying to find survivors and when she did, she would heal them just enough for them to wake and be in less enough pain for them to walk to the ward for proper healing.
She could feel herself growing weaker as she cats each spell but seeing the look on people's faces was enough for her. She reached the square only to see Arthur fall.
'Arthur!' She yelled and threw her hand up 'Astrice!' She yelled and the monster in front of the prince blew up into pieces. She rushed forward and kneeled down beside the man.
She heard the screech of another monster before the same spell she just used echoed through the square. She covered her head as rocks rained down on her. She looked up to see Merlin running towards her.
'Is he-' 'still alive yeah' she said feeling a pulse and hearing Arthur groan a minute later.
'Who would've believed it? You, a sorcerer, and a powerful one.' She turned to look as a man walked forward through the mist. Cedar or sigan she presumed.
'I won't let you hurt him' Merlin stated
'And you're going to stop me?' Sigan said and Merlin stood up and faced the sorcerer. Kara watched from her place next to Arthur.
'I'll stop you.' Merlin promised.
'He does not deserve your loyalty. He treats you like a slave.' Sigan stated.
'That's not true.' Merlin shook his head.
' He cast you aside without a moment's thought.' The sorcerer added.
'That doesn't matter.'
'But it must hurt so much to be so put upon, so overlooked, when all the while you have such power.'
'That's the way it has to be.'
'Does it? You're young, Merlin. Look inside yourself. You have yet to discover your true power. I can help you. '
'Merlin don't listen to him!' Kara yelled but sigan continued his speech.
'Think, Merlin. To have the world appreciate your greatness. To have Arthur know you for what you are.'
'That can never be' Merlin shook his head.
'It can, if you join me.' Kara could almost see the gears turning in merlin's head and she only hoped he would make the right choice cause she knew there was no way Camelot could survive an attack from two of the most powerful sorcerers ever existed.
'Together we can rule over this land. Arthur will tremble at your voice, he will kneel at your feet.'
'I don't want that.' Merlin stated at Sigans words.
'You'd rather be a servant?' Sigan asked disbelieving.
'Better to serve a good man that to rule with an evil one.' Merlin proclaimed.
'So be it. If you will not join me, I will become you and your power will be harnessed to my will.' Sigan threatened before he choked, his rolling into the back of his head. He fell to the floor, and Kara waited in confusion.
A blue smoke appeared out of cedric's mouth, moving towards Merlin, wrapping around him.
'Ic þín sáwol hér beléac, abide þæt ic þé álíese!' Merlin began to chant but Sigan's soul entered his body.
'Merlin!' Kara screamed as the boy feel to the ground, his body jerking for a while. Most appeared out of nowhere and Kara waited in fear.
'Merlin?' She heard gaius question and she looked up to the older gentleman standing there. She stood up as Merlin appeared walking through the mist. She was preparing herself for a fight when Merlin smile, holding up a glowing heart shaped gem, sigan's soul trapped inside once again.
A smile broke her face and she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips as she was brought into a hug with Merlin and gaius. The three celebrating the victory.
Merlin and Kara sat at the table as gaius served them lunch.
'You know, you won't get any thanks, Merlin.' Gaius stated.
'I'm not a complete idiot.' Merlin sighed.
'There you go. It's not much, but you deserve something.' Gaius said with a smile placing two bowls in front of the sorcerers. Kara grinned when there was a knock on the door.
Arthur entered the cuts on the side of his eyes still healing and Kara could see the bandage around the wound in his chest from where she sat.
'I've come to see Merlin. I've not forgotten about your lazy, insolent ways, or the fact that you called me a clotpole,' Kara snorted a laity quickly ducking her head when the men looked at her. Arthur continued despite the interruption 'but I do have to admit that there was some truth in your accusations against Cedric.'
'Does this mean you're admitting that in this occasion I was actually right?' Merlin asked with a smile.
'Not exactly, no. It means that I have a knighthood to bestow first thing tomorrow and no one to clean my armour.' Arthur said grabbing the bag by his side and tipping out the around onto the table, Kara managed to move her bell just in time.
'All that?' Merlin questioned
'Yep' Arthur said and Kara rolled her eyes, prat Arthur was back.
'Clotpole...?' Gaius said and the three broke out into a laugh.