A/N:

Hello! I'm still here! Sorry for the lack of updates I threw my self into my original writing, and this fell to the wayside. But I'm ecstatic to say that I finished Draft 1 of my first original novel! So, I'll be back writing this while it stews before I throw myself into editing and likely rewriting most of it.

Anyhow I'll put a bit of a recap after this just in case anyone can't be bothered to re-read the earlier chapters. Also, I realised I made a bit of a mistake in the earlier chapters in regard to Mel's age. Mel has just turned twelve and I'm going to stick with that.

Enjoy!

Ilandrae

Disclaimer: I know its been a while but I still don't own anything Merlin related.

RECAP:

Someone tried to kill Merlin in Camelot and Gwen forbade Merlin from meddling. So, he's gone to Gwynedd with Bedivere and Myara to meddle there. Turns out some idiot stole a super powerful magical stone and Merlin needs to find it before it can fall into the wrong hands.

Isolde returned dramatically but Tristan was a worrywart and told her to 'rest'. So, she recruited Mithian and Mel (who are also feeling meddlesome) to hunt down whoever tried to kill Merlin. They checked in with the druids who told them a poison was used to murder the sorcerer who'd been an accomplice in the dastardly attempted crime. They also identified Councilman Willis as a key suspect and now are trying to gather the evidence to expose him.

CHAPTER 27 – JUST EVILING

The Camelot Slums, Camelot

Mel had worn her scruffiest shawl—even rubbed some more dirt in it—but still she felt too clean. Sitting in a shadowing alleyway which gave her a clear view of her target, she watched. She'd been assigned to watch the suspicious building in the Camelot slums for the day.

The building itself was looked as rundown as the old Ameldry stables which had been unused for the past five years. In the light of day, she saw the drapes were the same crimson shade as the robes of those who entered it. It reminded her of the dried blood from the day she'd learned her father's fate and she pushed the memories from her mind to focus on her task. The only somewhat new looking thing about the building was the scorched outline of a knife on the door.

She'd already been sitting here for most the day since dawn. Lady Isolde had checked in on her three times while still trying to track down the source of the mystery drug, as if making sure she'd stayed put. During her hours of steadfast vigil, Mel had seen several crimson cloaked people enter and leave. She just wished she knew what they were doing inside. She huffed, she hated just sitting here. It wasn't her. But Lady Isolde's words whispered through her mind: You are to observe only Little Griff. Do not approach anyone. Do not talk to anyone. You sit right here and watch…

But as the skies began to darken with the coming of night, her patience ran out. Passing a street salesman she pinched a handful of the pamphlets he was handing out: Circinus! The Group that Must be Seen to Be Believed! Magicless Magic and a Day to Remember! See You There!

Some advertisement for an entertainment group that was starting up in the coming weeks. The content didn't really concern her, these were just a cover anyway. After a quick glance to make sure Lady Isolde wasn't coming to check on her, and before her nerves could betray her, she marched straight up to the scorched knife door and knocked the secret knock that she'd already learnt by watching those who entered. Her heart hammered. Was she really doing this? This was stupid she knew it, but it was too late now. The curtains pulled back a fraction and the face in it looked at her in surprise. She shot back her most innocent girl smile and waved, holding up the flyers in her other hand. The face disappeared and a second later the door opened a sliver.

"What are you doing here?" a voice hissed out, the only thing she saw of the speaker a single eye in the gap of the door. She cursed inwardly; she'd hoped to get a glimpse inside.

Mel just widened her smile, "Good afternoon, Sir! I'm going door to door to promote the Circinus Group. Magicless Magic and people that have to be seen to be believed! Here! Have a flyer!"

She shoved a flyer at the man, pushing the door open a little wider as she did. Enough to see the whole surprised face of the one eyed-man who'd answered it and the small group of crimson cloaked people gathered around a table in the room. She managed to catch a glimpse of a map on the table, what looked to be Camelot in excessive detail. Figuring she'd pushed her luck enough she made to leave. "Well thank you see you ther—ack."

Before she could leave, surprised one eyed man grabbed her arm and dragged her inside the room slamming the door shut solidly behind her.

Oh dear… that didn't go as planned.

"Who are you little girl?" One eyed man shoved her into a chair. The others previously looking at the map also moved to surround her. She counted about eight crimson cloaked people including the one-eyed man.

"I-I told you." She stammered out, "I'm promoting the Circinus Group. Magicless m-magic and people that have to be b-believed."

Her eyes darted every which way. The room was small, the only places to go being upstairs or back out the front door. But the crimson cloaked people stood between her and all hope of exit. She wondered if she could reach her dagger hidden on the inside of her belt, but she dismissed the thought instantly. She wouldn't last long against this many people.

"I don't think so…" one eyed man snarled.

"Rikan… she knew the knock." A woman said.

"What knock?" Mel figured her best bet was to continue trying to bluff her way out. "I was doorknocking every house promoting the Circinus Group. Magicless mag—"

"Stop saying that!" Rikan raised his hand and Mel closed her eyes against the incoming blow.

Knock knock knockety knock… knock knock

Everyone froze and Mel couldn't supress her sigh of relief. "Someone gonna get that?"

"Watch her!" Rikan snarled at the others and went to the door. After a quick peak through the window, he hurried to the door and answered it with a bow. "Purge Master."

Purge Master? What kind of name is that? But Mel froze as the new arrival entered and she recognised the face of Councilman Willis, crooked nose and all. She hadn't spoken to him before, she hadn't even met him face to face before, only observed from the shadows. She didn't think he would recognise her, but she hadn't exactly been quiet in the castle. She didn't know how far word of her had spread. Her hammering heart increased its tempo.

"Who's this little fish?" Willis asked eyeing her as if she was indeed a fish flopping about on the floor. She breathed an internal sigh of relief; he hadn't recognised her.

But it was obvious there was something else going on here. Something she and her team wouldn't figure out by merely watching from the outside. Another plan started forming in her mind. It was risky, but if she walked the edge carefully enough… it might just work. If it did go wrong… well, maybe Mithian could help. She was following Willis so if he was here, she was likely outside, no doubt wandering where on earth Mel was.

"She knew the knock Purge Master." The knock obsessed woman hissed.

"Did she now… " Willis walked over to stand before Mel. "But that doesn't answer my question. Who are you little fish?"

And she realised this was her opportunity.

She hadn't been tied up, so she threw herself from the chair, hoping that the others wouldn't have the reflexes to stop her. Luckily she knelt at Willis' feet unimpeded.

"Purge Master I confess! I've been watching from outside that's how I learnt the knock. But I couldn't just watch. I want in. Let me serve the cause!" She held her breath waiting for a response. It was achingly long in coming.

"Stand up little fish."

Hesitantly, she obeyed. Willis eyed her critically, "You want into Albion's Purge little fish? What can you bring to my group?"

Albion's Purge? But she was glad that he hadn't instantly dismissed or killed her. She let her smile spread across her face trying to look the obsessed fanatic that everyone else seemed to be.

"I'm ready to serve whatever way you wish Purge Master. But I can also get into a lot of places and people don't see me. I can recruit more people for you. Bring them into the truth of your teachings!"

She chose her words carefully. Based on how everyone was acting, this seemed like the cults her father told her about. Her uncle had joined one and it had been the death of him. So, her father had made sure to teach her about them. About how they talked people into being fanatics, usually under the leadership of a single person.

The Purge Master here looked like he was that person.

She held her breath once more waiting for his verdict. For some reason he didn't question how she knew about his group. Which she didn't really. Then again, she could have been watching them for weeks.

Finally, he smiled. It was a crazed smile, as crooked as his nose and likely as wicked as his heart. It filled her with terror even as his words proved her plan to be working.

"I like you girl. I will allow you to swear the Purge Oath. Rikan, bring the flag."

Scowling Rikan brought over a piece of fabric the size of a large book. She made out the image of a dagger on fire over the outline of Albion. Above it the words: To Purge Albion of Magic as Demanded by our Kings

"Palm on Albion and repeat after me." She did as he said, dread filling her heart as she realised what it was she had just found.

"I swear this oath as one of the pure ones, as one who sees the truth. I reject magic and the plague that it brings against our land and our people. I swear to never rest until it has been stamped out of existence and the world free of its curse. I give my loyalty to the Purge Master, the first to see this truth and take this oath. I declare the demons that are warlocks and witches are my enemies and shall strive to wipe them from this plain. Until my last breath I swear it so."

Outside Albion's Purge Headquarters, Camelot

Unease was eating at Mithian's stomach. Mel should be here.

Mithian had followed Willis all day as he met with multiple unsavoury characters. Unsurprisingly they'd ended back here at the building that Mel was meant to be watching. But the girl was nowhere to be found.

Now Mithian sat, blending in with the street and trying to figure what to do. There was no sign of trouble. The girl may have merely gotten bored and wandered off. But though she hadn't known Mel long, it seemed unlikely. Other than his friends in Camelot, Mithian hadn't seen anyone so fiercely protective of Merlin before. She'd seen an anger in the girl's eyes. Anger that someone had tried to kill the closest thing she had to family since her father's passing. And with that anger came a dogged determination that she could've only learnt from the warlock himself.

Just as Mithian had made up her mind to start tracking down the girl. The daggered door eased open and Mithian's already stressed heart nearly stopped as Councilman Willis walked out with his arm around Mel. Mithian's brain stopped functioning for a few moments and she stood, nearly ready to rip the girl from his grip. Willis' attention was drawn back inside for a second, during which Mel met her eye. The girls subtle shake of her head made Mithian pause.

What on earth was going on?

Councilman Willis turned back to Mel, putting a hand on her shoulder. He smiled down at the girl who beamed back at him with what Mithian could only describe as adoration. The Princess's confusion only increased.

Willis returned to the building and Mel, after another warning glance at Mithian, started walking back towards the castle. Mithian waited until they were a safe distance from the building and that no one had followed Mel before snatching the girl. "What on earth was that Melisandrae!" she ignored Mel's face twist at her full name, "Why were you in there! What happened to watch and don't touch."

Mel at least had the sense to look sheepish. "I admit it didn't go fully to plan but I got bored, and I think we are going to be better off with me on the inside anyway. You won't believe what they're doing, but I'll wait til we talk with Lady Isolde. It's a bit of a story."

That night the women secreted their dinners to their unofficial meeting place in Mithian's chambers. Mithian and Isolde sat across from Mel, and Isolde was tight lipped, looking at Mel with thinly veiled anger.

"Well Mel" Mithian said tersely realising that Isolde was one wrong word away from exploding, "We're all here now. What on earth did you do?"

As the girl told them of her—Mithian wasn't sure if it was an ingenious plan or spate of good luck, probably a bit of both in reality—their jaws dropped. They'd known something was going on but hadn't even dreamed the extent of it.

"Councilman Willis leads an anti-magic cult whose sole purpose is to purge Albion of magic?" Isolde was surprised enough to forget her anger.

"Yep. A cult which I may have just accidentally joined. Nearly threw up when I took that oath, but I crossed my toes so hopefully that's okay. From what I heard and saw of their planning he's been taking bribes too. He's in charge of the city guards, right?"

"This is huge." Mithian murmured her mind racing. Willis did indeed control the city guards… and if he was taking bribes to fund and further his cult, who knew what could happen. Or what he'd already done.

"Was there any evidence that he had a hand in the attempt on Merlin's life?" Mithian asked.

"Nothing certain." Mel said. "But that oath I took labelled all witches and warlocks as their greatest enemy. It's not much of a stretch."

"Yes…" Isolde grew serious again, looking at Mel with a furrowed brow. "Want to explain that again? I gave you some very specific instructions Melisandrae."

Mel bit her lip before sighing and saying quietly, "I'm sorry. I know I was lucky this time and I won't do something like that again."

She turned a suddenly hard gaze to Isolde, "But I'm not going to stop Lady Isolde."

"Mel." Isolde growled.

"No Lady Isolde. I'm not, just listen. There's something more going on here and I've ended up in the perfect position to figure out what."

"It's too dang—"

"NO!" she clenched her fists as she continued to stare Isolde down and even Mithian took a step back at Mel's determination. "They tried to kill Emrys! It's people like them that have hunted him for his entire life! They are everything he stands against, and I will do everything I can to make sure they don't do it to anybody else! I don't care how dangerous it is, I can handle myself long enough for help to come if I have to. Trust me." Isolde looked at her a moment longer and Mithian shifted uneasily. She felt that this was between Isolde and Mel, leaving her stuck awkwardly in the tense atmosphere.

Isolde sighed, "Fine Little Griff. Have it your way. But the second you are in any danger I am ripping you out of there no matter who gets in my way."

The Forests Skirting Rhuddlan, Gwynedd

The air was cool under the trees, their canopy a welcome reprieve from the earlier city heat. But despite the trees shelter there was an uneasiness in the forest. Animals hid away in their dens and burrows, and it seemed even the bugs had found better places to be. Merlin felt the same unease creep down his spine as he and Bedivere tracked their quarry. Dead leaves underfoot muffled their footsteps, and an odd silence permeated the trees.

"Are we close?"

Merlin jumped as the knight's words broke the quiet.

"Hells Bed." Merlin muttered. "Don't startle me like that. I won't know we're close until we see signs of their passage. Non magical ones that is."

The knight nodded before adding, "Did you just call me Bed?"

Merlin paused; it had been completely unconscious. "I could do Bedi if that's better?"

The knight opened his mouth as if to reply but then snapped it shut and pointed to a broken branch nearby.

Merlin looked at it closer, and at the area around it. Soon he too saw the signs that someone had passed through here. Not too long ago either. Maybe they were close enough that he could… Closing his eyes he reached out again. Sorting through the natural magic for what he was looking for.

There. Not a hundred meters ahead of them.

The Blood Rose.

Relief flooded him as he opened his eyes. They hadn't lost it. But now he had a whole new set of problems. "They're up ahead." He said quietly.

"What are they doing?"

"What are they— oh they're just eviling about the clearing." He gave the knight a pointed look. "How am I meant to know that? I sense magic, I'm not all seeing." He sighed. "You need to stay out of sight." Bedivere started to protest but Merlin cut him off.

"Swords aren't going to be much help here Bed. Whoever it is, they have the Blood Rose and I'm going to need all of my magic and all of my focus to fight them. I can't have a protection spell on you draining my reserves or be distracted with making sure you don't get blasted. So just do as I say, please."

Bedivere held his eyes for a moment longer before his shoulders slumped, "Fine. But if you're about to die, I'm not going to just stand there. I have a job to do remember?"

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Thanks for the vote of confidence Bed."

"You know what I mean."

Merlin shook his head as he moved forward once more. "Your concern is touching Sir Bedivere. But I think you'll find I'm not as fragile as I was ten years ago. And even if this lout does have the Crystal of War, he's nothing compared to some of the things I've faced since leaving Camelot."

That said, Merlin murmured a spell and faded into the shadows of the woods, trusting Bedivere to keep his word and stay hidden. Another hushed spell activated one of the amulets around his neck. His breathing, his footfalls, and sound that may have signaled his passing ceased to be, drawn into the amulet before it reached any ears. At least it would until the amulet ran out of magic. He estimated half an hour at most.

Despite his bold words to Bedivere, he was conserving his magic, relying on the already spelled amulet to help conceal his passage. He had no idea who, or what, he would face when he found his quarry. He cleared his mind, running through options, plans, and spells. Anything that would help him with the upcoming battle. One he knew was not going to be easy.

He shifted his grip on his combat stave. The worn wood a familiar comfort in his hand. The stave itself had been Myara's old one. It has character, she'd told him when she'd gifted it to him. Splinters and charred bits and all. He'd had to go to Alator to renew the enchantments and re-carve the runes etched shallowly into the pale wood. He'd also, of course forged his own Bloodfire stone upon his graduation. The red stone, the size of his two fists, sat proudly atop the shoulder height stave. And despite the occasional splinter and bit of charred wood, Merlin had grown attached to the weapon. The only major flaw was that there was no way to stop the crystal emitting that soft crimson glow whenever he touched it. Glad for the lingering daylight he did his best to conceal the glow as he crept towards where he'd sensed the Rose earlier. The woods were still eerily quiet and not just from his silent passage. It was as if even the trees were holding their breaths.

"The Master will be so proud." A gleeful voice broke the silence. "So many doubted me. Doubted that I could do it. Called me cursed and foul. But Master believed in me, said I could use the disgusting filth of magic that I possessed to cleanse its taint from this world. I proved all those others wrong. Now I have to deliver it to him... Back to the Castle… back to him…"

The voice continued to murmur endlessly and Merlin at last caught sight of the man in the clearing ahead. He was crouched next to a smouldering fire, hunched over with his crimson cloaked back to the warlock. Merlin crept a little closer, angling himself so he could see what the man was endlessly whispering to.

In the man's hands sat the Crystal of War, cradled like a child. Three times the size of the stone which sat atop his own stave, it's shimmering shade of crimson made it look as if it was coated in blood. Fashioned like a rose, Merlin knew its delicate looking petals were nigh indestructible. The thief's eyes held a gleam of madness as he gazed upon it. Even where he stood, nearly ten meters away, Merlin didn't even need to use magic to sense the sheer power that the gem was emitting.

Suddenly the thief's eyes cut to where he stood, "Who are you?"

The Blood Rose must have allowed him to see past his camouflage, so Merlin dropped the spells. "I'm someone who needs what you took back."

The thief clutched the Rose to his chest. "Do you even know what this is? I have taken it for the Master, and I must complete the mission he gave me. I'm going to give it to he who supports us."

"And who is that?" Merlin wasn't sure what was going on in this man's mind. If it had been driven to the point of breaking before, or if the sheer power of the Blood Rose had driven him over the edge.

"If you do not know then you are not part of the Purge. If you are not part of the Purge, then the Purge Master has not given you his blessing, and if you have not had his blessing... You cannot know."

He wasn't going to get anything out of the man in this state, so Merlin returned to the task at hand. "I cannot allow you to leave with that stone."

"You are going to stop me from completing my mission?" The man tilted his head and the Rose shrunk and somehow became attached to a chain which the thief slipped onto his wrist like a bracelet. Merlin braced himself, magic already flooding through his veins and pounding in his skull as he prepared for what he knew was coming.

Then the clearing burst into flame.

A/N:

Hope everything makes sense still and as another apology for being away so long, I'm gonna put up the next chapter too! This will conclude the Merlin Murder Attempt Arc and the next arc is going to be so much fun (our two little ones may be bringing their learnings into the open).

Anywho, thanks, and stay strong,

I ;)