Chapter 48

[A/N: Sorry this is so short. More coming soon!]

Even as the combined armies struggled with manpower issues, Meleagant's situation within the walls deteriorated as well. Issues that had remained under his control unraveled much as a carpet might from pulled threads….

Upon hearing that their rightful king and queen were entrenched outside of the gates, the citizenry revolted. They grabbed whatever weapons in addition to tools and implements which could serve the same function. They seized control of the lower town pushing the Cawdorian agents and tax collectors back into the citadel. There they formed a ring around the palace and bellowed for Meleagant's surrender.

Attrition among the occupiers hit them hard. Despite having the second most fearsome army in Britain before taking Whitgate, the retaking of the city by Merlin and his friends devastated their numbers. Efforts at recruitment, both voluntary and forced, had failed. Deserters had slipped away after sunset every night upon realizing the inevitable.

With only sixty knights remaining, Meleagant felt the vice's squeeze between outside and inside forces.

Certainly with patience, the city would fall….if only certain parties would've been so….

Kilgarrah surveyed the crenelated walls as he and his passengers soared overhead. Expecting a legion of knights, he quirked an eyebrow in surprise at the barren ramparts. "It seems our enemy does not think much of our numbers. Surprising tact considering there is an enemy at the gates."

"Perhaps they were drawn away," Mithian noted. Then she pointed beneath them. "LOOK!"

Merlin peered down to see a mob surging through the square. "The people have had enough here as well. Let's end this even more quickly." He allowed his eyes to glint golden and commanded, "Gheataichean fosgailte!" Then he smiled with satisfaction as his spell went to work.

Within seconds, the sorcerous energies vaporized the beams holding the massive doors in place. Then a loud BOOM echoed as said doors swung open at the Main and West Gates exposing the city to the invasion force outside.

She nodded with approval. "You do have your moments, Merlin. Some times," she added teasingly.

"Everyone's a critic. Still even Arthur won't turn down an opportunity like that!" Merlin noted.

"Not with the Amazons and King Rodor pressing to end this matter as well," Kilgarrah presumed.

Her eyes went wide. She sucked in a pained breath. She trembled before nearly slipping off the Great Dragon's back.

Instinctively Merlin's arms snaked around her waist, pulling her tightly against his chest. Through the link, his mind burned with pain and agony. "Wh….what is it?"

"No…no…no. NO!" she screamed in anguish. Tears ran down her face. She grasped his arms seeking their support. "Kay, WHY?"

Realizing that she had perceived something about her brother, he queried pointedly, "What about the Prince? Can you find him?"

"He and the others are in the citadel! Kay tried to….oh no…." she mumbled almost incoherently as the bitter chill settled throughout her body. MELEAGANT!

Merlin shivered as the frigid aura extended to him as well. "K…Kilgarrah, what?"

"I will drop you both on the balcony. You can make your way from there. BE CAREFUL!" Kilgarrah advised almost impatiently. "The future of Albion depends upon you both as well!" He alighted on the balcony.

"We will be. Don't worry! I have my little brother to find!" she insisted while lowering herself onto the granite stones on the balcony. Her eyes glinted yellow and wrenched the doors open. She hefted her crossbow and insisted, Let's go! Keep your sword ready, Merlin!

Mithian, now what? Merlin glanced toward the square below and hoped that the combined armies would contain the standoff there. Torn between two fronts, he knew he had no choice. May you all be safe! With that he sprinted in hot pursuit of the desperate Princess.