Chapter VI
Merlin hid behind a column. He could sense that Morgause had entered the building the minute she crossed the threshold and he was sure she felt the same when he intruded. He had felt a faint magic in there, probably a guarding spell so that she would know when to appear. It would explain how she got the jump on them the first time. Merlin just had to wait a bit longer. He had found a set of tunnels that led to the forest so all he had to do was hide out long enough to start the fire. The fire would be fueled by magic and lead from one bomb to the next similar to the blaze he used back in Ealdor that ran straight towards Kanen and his men. After the first bomb went off Merlin would make a dash towards the exit hopefully just pausing long enough to see if the blow affected the knights or if he were lucky enough to knock out Morgause.
"Do you really think you can hide?" Her sharp voice questioned as she motioned for the knights to look around. She paused using her magic and her senses. She could hear someone breathing. Morgause smirked moving closer to a column armed raised "ASTRICE." she called out to her magic and pushed her arm out watching as the column started crumbling. She rounded the corner and frowned seeing a blue cloth on the floor. It almost looked like a poultice of sorts. Morgause kicked it softly with her foot.
She moved on the next column holding back her magic deciding it be easier to deal with the intruder the old fashioned way.
Merlin did everything he could to prevent from sighing in relief as the sorceress continued on searching, leaving the cloth behind. As she moved Merlin muttered a barely audible "Baern" and washed as the fire started its course. It wasn't fast enough for it to go on unnoticed as the witch smelt the flames and turned around watching in shock as the fire ran towards the exact spot she had just stood and then there was a ringing in her ears and the earth started to shake.
Merlin took that as his cue to run towards the tunnels however even in the midst of the chaos the knights of Medhir were relentless. One knight spotted him and started after him sword raised. Morgause quickly tried to regain her senses but moments after the first explosion another followed and then another. Morgause could just make out a familiar outline running away her knights following.
"Don't let him get away!" She screeched as she threw up a protection spell soon after and followed behind them.
Merlin ran through the halls his eyes flashing gold he made a sharp turn behind another column before turning round and looking at the ceiling. The fire he set spread fast but he needed to do more damage. With an outstretched hand he roared loudly hoping the loudness of the current flames and running knights was enough to hide the magic words from Morgause. "Cume hay forbearnar" Flames spread faster from Merlin's hand towards the ceiling engulfing the whole place in fire and smoke.
One of the knights quickly caught fire, but their dark magic was too strong and they continued on with only a slight pause.
The knights were spread out over the woods with Arthur and two others sticking closer to the ruins awaiting the missing manservant. The black smoke escaping from the top letting them know that what explosions that Merlin set off were still burning.
While waiting Arthur recalled all the exits they barricaded. They never got to do an internal sweep, but all castles and ruins were bound to have some sort of underground tunnel or backdoor exit for people to hide off or escape in the midst of an imminent attack. He only hoped Merlin wasn't killed before finding it he was practically defenseless not having even thought to give him a sword or armor. Arthur made a mental note to always bring a spare sword or chainmail for the idiot for the next time he planned to put his life at risk.
As Arthur berated himself again for letting a servant go in alone and unaided in a situation that his knights have been more then qualified for. He spotted a figure rushing out covered in soot and the familiar neckerchief covering his face to prevent from inhaling the smoke.
"Arthur!" Merlin called out rushing towards his king coughing harshly. "They're right behind me!"
As the servant finally reunited with his master Arthur could just make out figures in dark armor making their way towards them. The king nodded towards the two knights about to suggest a swift retreat. Whatever happened in their was enough to cause serious damage to an mere mortal, but these things were definitely anything, but normal.
"Arthur, we should go. Like right now we need to get to Camelot."
"Sire." Sir Cyrus said motioning to himself and Sir Anders, who had already unsheathed his sword and was keeping an eye on the enemy closing in. "We'll hold them off while you go reach the others."
Arthur nodded turning to Merlin. "Go! The other knights are back at camp. I'll be right behind you."
Merlin nods and makes it a good way out before pausing and turning back to wait. He didn't get out of that burning inferno just so the prat could stay behind and get himself killed.
"Merlin! Go! What are you...?!" Arthur trailed off and sighed shaking his knowing that he wouldn't leave alone. He turned back to knights taking turns grasping each of their arms quickly. "Thank you. We'll see each other again. Meet us in Camelot if you get the chance. I won't forget this."
"It was an honor, Sire." Sir Cyrus said.
"Till we meet again." Sir Anders spoke before motioning to knights mere yards away now.
The future king grabbed his servant and started running. Merlin recapping a rehearsed situation of what had happened inside. Letting him know that the knights were impervious to fire.
As Arthur and Merlin reached the camp the three remaining knights, Sirs Tom, Phineas, and Wilson rushed towards Arthur checking if he's okay.
"Where are the others?"
Merlin frowned shaking his head.
"They stayed behind to buy us time. We need to head back to Camelot and gather reinforcements." The prince told his men moving to climb up on his horse.
A/N
Hi! I haven't done an author's note in a while, but I feel like this is the right time for one as the story is coming to an end. First off, as always I want to say thanks to everyone who has interacted with this story either with a review, fav, follow etc. Thank you. I really appreciate seeing just how much traction this story has especially since before writing this story the last time I published something on here was back in December 2023/Jan 2024 which in retrospect doesn't seem that long but in reality feel like a life time ago.
When I first started this story I had a feeling it might be somewhat 'popular' but actually seeing the numbers is amazing. I know my writing is far from perfect, but being able to share it and being able to see it be received in a positive way as well means a lot that putting into words will probably cheapen the feeling of giddiness that I feel each time I receive a notification or see the number of views of this story.
Anyway here's a few things I wanna let ya'll know before I sign off. I know this chapter was short, but it is sort of a filler to get everyone back to Camelot. This story has two more chapters to go and they will more than make up for the shortness of this one. With that said... I have been working on them, but they are still currently in progress. I am hoping to finish them on time and still stay on track with publishing but with it being May a lot of stuff has piled on so I might be a bit late for the next update. But on the bright side because there is only two chapters left I am planning (and hopefully this doesn't fall through) on publishing both chapters in June. One chap will be on June 13-15 and the other on June 27-30. Again this is hopefully but if things do not work out I will make sure to let yall know the new dates to expect on my profile.
Thank you again for reading and here's a shout out to:
Akikoe, lclose, jmood, vidula, MDogg135, DutchGirl01, abooksrbest, Fangirl1701, godric777, ascott19, Traveler52, Mediatrix, neilmartis9, emrysmorgan, Sabine1894, Nordsoe, , Akrttn, adelinevincent13, Niculina-Gabriela Stanculescu, XxMaraudersxX, Super Squashman, Mairai688, Rycarl, Stranger-chan, smilingliketheresnothingwrong, and silverowl286
Thank you all so much for sticking around. I hope you will continue to do so :)
Till next time!
~Agent C.