A/N:
Hello! New chapter here you go. This arc was fun to write so enjoy!
Ilandrae
Disclaimer: Still don't own Merlin.
CHAPTER 24 – RED FLOWERS
Darkling Woods
Merlin smiled in satisfaction as Mel deflected another globe of fire and turned to slice a creeping vine in two. She dodged the next vine that Merlin lazily flicked her way and deflected Art's next fireball back into the boy's hastily projected shield.
Merlin took the following lull to call a halt.
"Good work you two we're done for the day" the two children gave him tired grins as they let their swords drop to the ground. It was the end of their second week of lessons during which the two had urged each other on, daring the other to be faster, be stronger, be better. Each day Art's confidence with his spells grew and Mel's sword work improved with leaps and bounds.
Even now, Merlin suspected that the two of them would already be forces to reckon with.
"See you tomorrow morning Emrys!" Mel said after she handed back her practise sword.
"Ahh, likely not" he said remembering his chat with Myara the night before, "My week of laying low for Gwen was over weeks ago and I'm getting restless; and I tend to meddle when I'm restless. As it stands now, the only thing of interest in Camelot is the hunt for the assassin and I have no desire to get into Gwen's bad books again. She seems to be looking for any chance to lock me in a nice safe room after the last assassination attempt, so I don't think it wise for me to meddle with that investigation."
"So, you're going where?" Mel's tone told him to hurry it along.
"Myara dropped by this morning. Something happened in Gwynedd last night and they need my help. I leave today. Lancelot has agreed to oversee your training."
"You told Sir Lancelot! About this!" Art shifted uneasily.
"Don't worry Art" Merlin smiled, "If anyone can be trusted with a secret about breaking rules it's Lance. He kept mine until death last time. However, your magic practise is paused unless one of the Magic Council drops by and feels like giving you lesson. Lance will just continue your sword training until I can return."
"What!" Art's disappointment hit Merlin like a hammer.
"Relax Art. That doesn't stop you practising on your own. Just be careful where you do it. And no sparing matches we don't want anyone getting hurt."
The warlock held the boy's eye making sure the message sunk in, "Understood?"
"Yes Merlin" the boy said solemnly.
"And you?" Merlin was a little surprised to see the excitement in Mel's eyes, "Are you really that excited to see me go?"
Mel didn't even hide her glee, "A real knight's going to teach me sword training!"
Bedivere trailed after his charge as the warlock accompanied his two young trainees back to the castle.
He had no doubt that Merlin knew he followed him on his morning outings to the forest clearing. Just as he knew that the warlock would not appreciate it if he interrupted either his help sessions or his training lessons with the two children.
As the prince and the girl walked back into the castle grounds the warlock queried him, "You haven't said what you think about my mornings Bedivere?"
Leaving his shadowy patch in the bushes the knight came to stand by his side, "About you teaching the girl swordcraft or about helping those secretly coming to you for magic?"
"Both." the warlock cast a glance at him, "You seem to keep most of your thoughts to yourself. To an almost maddening degree for a person who relies on knowing what people are thinking in order to stay alive."
Bedivere shrugged as he conceded, "Everyone should do what they can to help those that need it. Magic or not. As for the girl…" the big knight smiled, "from what I've seen she's picking up the skills at a breakneck pace, and any knight squad would be blessed to have her in their numbers. Not to mention the unique training she's getting at fighting against magic."
Merlin again gave him an incredulous look, "How on earth did Camelot manage to create a knight as open minded as you?"
Merlin shook his head as Bedivere once again, merely shrugged in response, "Let's go, Myara's probably waiting for us."
Indeed, the aged mage in question gave them a disgruntled look as they appeared in Magic's Hollow.
"You're late."
"You never gave me a time Myara" Merlin took his seat, "By that definition I could have turned up at a minute to midnight and I'd still be on time."
Bedivere took little notice of their bickering as the tranquillity of Magic's Hollow once again took over him. The drooping willow trees adorned in purple flowers and the lush carpet of grass cushioning their footfalls seemed to cocoon his soul. Though he could not feel magic like the others, he thought he could almost hear it, a soothing tone that wormed it's way into his mind to calm the mere mention of unsettled thoughts. Apparently, it wasn't having quite the same effect on Myara.
"Idiot Warlock, I said noon at the latest! Do you think I'd be calling you if it wasn't urgent! I bet this stave that you were doing something foolish-" she slammed the stave in question on the table, slumping into her chair and wearily running a hand across her face.
Unlike last time, Bedivere took a seat at Merlin's side eyeing the runic engravings etched into the table with some interest.
However, he had no time to study them further as at Myara's outburst all jollity left Merlin.
"What's happened Myara?"
"The Blood Rose. It's been taken from the Tivr Temple in Gwynedd."
"The Crystal of War? How? Who took it?"
"If I knew that Merlin you wouldn't be here now, would you? Idiot warlock!"
"So, am I right in my assumption that someone taking this Blood Rose is bad?" Bedivere asked.
"If you think that an unknown person stealing a magical relic that has the ability to enhance all magic cast by its wielder in addition to channelling and boosting the attack power of an uncountable number of sorcerers. Then yes its bad."
"I'm sorry what?" Bedivere hoped he'd heard wrong.
"You see the stone atop my staff?" Myara explained, "It's what we call a Bloodfire Stone. All combat staves have one. A mage, when creating his stave, goes to a sacred temple and through the mixing of their blood with an ancient flame the stone is born. All blood fire stones have the power to enhance the combat magic of its wielder."
"Years ago, it's unsure exactly how it happened, the Blood Rose was created. It does the same thing as any other Bloodfire stone but on a much, much larger scale. It also can channel multiple sorcerers magics into a single spell before enhancing it's might. In the wrong hands, namely a sorcerer with ill intent, it could prove disastrous."
"That's why," Merlin continued, "It has been guarded by the Sisterhood of the Tivr. They are a sect of women warrior druids, sister sect to the Catha. Myara is one of their elders. How was it taken Myara?"
"Yesterday in the early hours someone broke into the temple. Four Sisters were slain but it wasn't until midday that it was noticed and the Blood Rose reported missing" she looked to Merlin, "My face is too well known in Gwynedd and you know my tracking magic isn't the best. I'll need your help to track down the stone."
Bedivere was more than a little surprised when Merlin turned to him, "What do you think? You in?"
"Of course, Sir."
Leon couldn't help but glance around warily as he and Tristan entered the darkling woods. The air of this woodland had always seemed to be heavy to him, muffling any sound and concealing the presence of others.
After the assassination attempt Gwen had hurriedly knighted Tristan, though he protested that he really didn't need it, before appointing the two knights to lead the hunt for the Camelot assassin who had targeted Merlin. A task which would likely have undertaken without her orders anyway.
Tristan still chaffed at his new title, refusing to wear the long red cloak and opting for an armband with the Camelot crest instead.
The two knights had spent the past few days making enquiries throughout the castle and lower town seeking the sorcerer who'd spelled the blade that had been used.
Alice had explained that it would have taken an extremely powerful and unethical sorcerer to create the weave of spells she had found. If they weren't the assassin themselves, the sorcerer would likely lead them to the culprit.
Unsurprisingly, people in the castle were reluctant to talk about magic or about where they might find any sorcerer, much less a dark and unethical one. However, the day before, after making the rounds through the city for the fifth time, they had returned to the barracks to find a note had been slipped under the door of the physician's office which Renshaw had then hurriedly delivered to them.
Sirs Leon and Tristan,
Forgive us for fear is still rampant throughout Camelot when it comes to magic. We know nothing of the sorcerer who you are seeking. But we do know someone else who might know. Seek out the druids of Darkling Woods. If anyone has heard of a sorcerer for sale, they will.
After much deliberation, sealed by the fact that they had no other leads, the knights had decided to trust the note, heading into the Darkling Woods the next morning in search of the druids.
"How does one find a technically illegal group of druids in a forest?" Tristan muttered quietly, also glancing around at the uneasy silence of the trees.
"Leon and I managed to find Merlin didn't we" Leon realised he was trying to reassure himself as much as his companion, "Surely we can track down a group of sorcerers if we managed to track down one."
Tristan sighed, "There has to be better way than just wandering through the trees?"
"You could just ask."
The knights jumped as the voice came out of the eery silence. Leon's hand went to his sword hilt but as the speaker emerged from the trees with an amused smile on his face Leon almost laughed at how skittish they had been.
"Iseldir wasn't it" he greeted dismounting from his horse, "what a surprise to find a Council member in our backyard."
Again, Iseldir smiled, "If you cast your mind back Sir Knight you might recall that Emrys introduced me as the High Druid of Darkling Woods. I've been here for quite a while."
Leon groaned inwardly; the druid was right. What idiots they'd been wandering around the city looking for help.
"Come Sir Knights" the druid motioned for them to follow, "My sources in the city say you have something you need help with. I am happy to oblige."
After sharing a sheepish look with Tristan, Leon followed the druid as he led them through the trees.
They followed Iseldir to a campsite. Numerous tents were set up haphazardly around a large bonfire and people roamed about doing household chores.
Leon nearly tripped over a child as they dashed past him and he couldn't help it but stare wide eyed at a small girl playing at the edge of the bonfire, her eyes aglow and the sparks in front of her shaping themselves in a bird which she sent flying around the embers.
Eyes followed them as they trailed after the druid. They were not hostile looks, merely curious, but nevertheless Leon's tension eased as they entered one of the larger tents.
"What is it I can help you with Leon, Tristan" Iseldir asked once they were seated on the rug of what Leon realised was the High Druid's tent.
"We've been appointed to the investigation for the assassin who tried to kill Merlin" Leon explained, "We're after the sorcerer who spelled the knife and have been told that if there was a someone who would do that nearby, you might know."
Iseldir thought for a moment, "You spoke with Alice correct?" and after Leon confirmed, "What did she tell you about the magic used?"
"She said it was dark spirit magic woven seamlessly with distortion charms" Leon wasn't sure how Tristan remembered her words so exactly, "And that the sorcerer who created it would have been powerful and without moral if they hadn't confirmed what it was going to be used for before selling it or used it themselves."
Again, Iseldir thought, "I have heard some rumours."
"About?" Leon barely concealed his excitement.
"Animals are fleeing a certain area of the forest here." Iseldir pulled out a map circling an area near the eastern border of the woods, "Dark magics like Etere be drýcræft drive away lighter energies, sometimes even corrupting the land. Some of our more… reckless young ones have also reported a man walking there. They say they've seen him performing forbidden magics and meeting with less than hospital persons. I was actually going to investigate this today however some trouble has come up within the clan."
"We'd be happy to take a look." Tristan offered, "Sounds like what we're looking for anyway."
Iseldir nodded, "I was thinking the same thing. But I won't send you alone."
"Master, you called?" a teenage boy entered the tent.
He looked to be about sixteen though Leon guessed if they stood near each other the boy would be likely be taller than him. Surprised eyes stared out of a freckled face when he saw the two knights sitting on the floor and he ran a hand through his messy dark hair with unease.
"Relax Marcus they are friends" Iseldir reassured.
"If you say so Master. Though it'll be your head before mine." he flashed a grin at the druid leader as he sat next to him.
"One of these days your wit will land you in trouble Marcus" Iseldir shook his head and Leon smiled inwardly.
"Sir Leon, Sir Tristan, this is Marcus. He's one of my apprentices graduated about a month ago. He grew up here and knows these woods like the back of his hand."
"Greetings Marcus" Leon hoped to allay any trepidation the boy felt at talking with knights of Camelot.
"I'm not used to speaking with knights" the boy said almost curiously, "I'm usually hiding from them."
"Marcus!" Iseldir admonished.
Marcus smiled sheepishly, "Apologies, sometimes I don't think before I speak, it can come off…" he thought for a second, "well… rude. Sometimes it just comes off rude. It is always exciting to experience new things. And hopefully make new friends."
"Suppose that's as good as we are going to get" Iseldir sighed, "Marcus remember that matter we were going to do today?"
"The sorcerer in the east quarter? I thought that was off after Christa gave birth?"
"I would like you to lead Sir Tristan and Sir Leon there. They think that the sorcerer may be involved in the attempt on Emrys' life. Help them investigate."
Instantly Marcus' expression changed, "Of course Master. Anything to catch the bastard who tried to harm Emrys."
"You agreed quickly" Tristan said and Marcus shot him a surprisingly intense look.
"Would you not do the same if someone had tried to kill your King?"
King of the Druids… Leon had forgotten that it was one of Merlin's titles, one which the druids seemed to take seriously judging by Marcus' reaction.
After a hurried discussion with his master Marcus turned to the knights, "We can go now, if you are ready?"
"Lead the way" Leon and Tristan followed the young mage from the tent.
For the next half an hour Marcus led them through the woods, never hesitating and keeping up a surprisingly fast pace. As they travelled the dark sense of unease that Leon felt in the woods returned.
Once again in their hunt for a sorcerer they'd forgone their Camelot colours in favour of some more discreet clothing. However, unlike last time they'd hunted for a sorcerer, he doubted this one would be as friendly as Merlin.
The further they travelled the heavier the air seemed. The eery silence returned and one by one all sound of wildlife faded away.
Marcus halted, "We've just entered his domain" he murmured when they drew level with him. Then the mage frowned, "Something's different to the last time I was here. The darkness in the land remains, but… something isn't right…"
They set off again, emerging silently into a clearing in which stood a small wooden shack. Scattered about the clearing were the remains of who knows what and a palatable reek hung in the air. Leon had the distinct feeling that he should leave as soon as he was able.
"Marcus wait" Leon held the boy back before he could go further, "Look at the door."
The ramshackle wooden door hung wide open from only one hinge and an ominous dark stain splattered across it.
Marcus' eyes narrowed further and together the two knights and the mage approached the shack, footfalls quiet and nerves on edge.
Leon stepped ahead of Marcus, surmising that if they needed magic it would likely be better from a distance, and peered through the dim light into the hut.
Instantly he knew there was no threat.
"There's no mage here" he said quietly putting his sword away, "none alive at least."
As Tristan and Marcus filed in behind him, he heard their own exclamations of surprise.
"Holy Goddess…" Marcus swore.
They trod carefully, avoiding the deep red puddles that pooled on the floor. Someone seemed to have painted the walls haphazardly with the crimson shade as well as the floor, the furniture and anything else in view. Nothing was untouched with what, in some places appeared almost like red flowers splattered on the walls.
And in the centre of it all, the source of the artist's work. With a surprised look on his shredded face and torn open not unlike a flower in bloom, lay the sorcerer they sought.
A/N:
Till next time and stay strong!
I ;)