Leon leaned forward, his eyes were almost clouded and his head down. "You heard them. They're calling him a sorcerer."
"Well, it's not true. Right? It's not true, Merlin?" said, Percival.
Merlin's voice was listless. "It doesn't matter if it's true," said Merlin. "And all that matters is the people think I'm magic, and that's enough."
"We'll guard him," said Percival, "scatter the crowd."
A massive crowd had gathered in the citadel. Some chanted loudly, others tipped barrels and sent people running.
Gwenevere sighed. "The people still fear magic. They want revenge, and there's no easier way to get it. They'll never stop," she whispered. She met Merlin's eyes.
Merlin lowered his head, avoiding eye contact.
"I'll go," said Merlin. "I'll lie low for a few months."
"And the dragon?" she huffed, pulling a finger to her lips.
"I'll kill him. I will kill the dragon," nodded Merlin.
The knights met Merlin outside the gates.
"If we're going to track the beast, we'll need a few more day's rations," said Leon.
Merlin sighed. "I don't need to track it," he said patiently. Merlin dismounted in the familiar outcrop beyond the forest outside the citadel and cried out a loud, deep roar. The call's energy purred low in his chest. The horses whinnied and kicked up dirt, their eyes rolling in fear.
A nervous sound escaped Percival. "Are you sure about this?"
The sound went hollow, and an unnatural stillness swallowed them in the star-blanketed clearing.
Leon pulled his reins and turned his horse. "It won't come. We've wasted our time. Let's take him home."
The sound of heavy footfall erupted in the brush, coming fast their way. The horses neighed, and the knights struggled to gain control. The dragon hissed and roared, a juvenile, screechy sound. It was breathy, and it almost echoed. It was followed by trotting horse's hooves, many of which surrounded them. The dragon looked sickly, and its frail body and sallow face reflected the moonlight so brightly it was shocking.
Merlin looked around. He glanced toward the sound as it passed parallel to his shoulder. Sir Leon let out a cry of alert.
A creature emerged from the forest. The girl sat back at a golden stag like a horse.
Merlin drew his sword toward the dragon.
A startled shout and the sound of sucked air rang clear. "—What are you doing?" It was a girl's voice. She darted into the clearing, looking between the knights, Merlin, and the dragon. Her mouth opened in awe at the sight of Aithusa's pale wings. The dragon recoiled and hunkered down towards the ground, its wings curved and folded in an unsettling way.
"Is that a dragon?" she said. "Is that the dragon I've been tracking for days –and you were just going to murder him?"
"Who is this?" said Percival. "Get her out of here," ordered Leon clearly. An unnamed knight with a young face swung his leg and dismounted his horse.
"Whoa, hold on," said Percival quickly.
The clearing filled with two or more silently approaching knights on horseback. They drew closer in white clothes with black and silver symbology.