Arthur absentmindedly twirled a knife around his fingers while his eyes scanned the courtyard below his bedroom window, everything appearing almost like a blur as courtiers made their way out of the castle walls and towards the lower town, as servants ran up and down the main staircase while carrying buckets, platters, clothes, and cleaning supplies, as guards marched about while performing their patrolling duties … Nothing extraordinary. Nothing new. Nothing exciting.

A month has passed since the last time he saw Zephyr, and he misses her even more deeply than he did after the week they spent together.

It's as if the more time he spends with her, the harder it is to spend time without her.

He tried to get her to stay in Camelot when they woke up in the forest a month ago. He told her that she could lay low, and that he could pay for a house for her. She refused. She said that she couldn't risk it, and that she wouldn't take his money. He told her that she would be all right as long as she didn't use magic, and he reminded her that he's a Prince with lots of money to spare. But she still said 'no', and she returned to Duskend.

He has decided that, when he becomes King, he will instantly remove every single law that prevents her from being near him at all times.

A knock on his door made him avert his gaze from the courtyard, and he clenched his jaw in annoyance before he called out, "Yes?"

The door opened, and Sir Leon peeked inside. "Sire – your father needs you in the council chambers."

Arthur sighed, momentarily once again wishing that he wasn't a Prince so that he wouldn't be bothered with matters of the court, and he thanked Sir Leon as he exited his room, and began walking towards the council chambers.

He entered the room, and halted when he saw a dead body lying on the ground, some metres away from where his father stood before the throne with a frown on his face. Several courtiers were standing around, sporting looks of absolute fear. He let his eyes scan the corpse more closely as he took a few more steps forwards, and he recoiled when he noticed its bright blue veins, and its near-transparent skin, and its open dull eyes.

"Arthur – have your knights reported any similar occurrences?" Uther asked.

"No, Sire."

Uther sighed heavily, and he looked around at the courtiers for a moment before commanding, "Fetch Gaius. He needs to look at this immediately."

Arthur gave a respectful bow, and he promptly left the council chambers, walking the short distance towards the physician's home.

He knocked on the door, and patiently waited a few seconds until Merlin opened it.

"Sorry, Sire," Merlin said. "I know I'm late. I got caught up helping Gaius."

"That's all right, Merlin, there are more pressing matters at hand," Arthur responded. He looked past Merlin's shoulder to address Gaius, who seemed to be tending to a patient, "Gaius – my father wants to see you."

"Right away, Sire," Gaius replied.

Arthur waited for the pair to finish whatever they were busy with, and then he walked with them back to the council chambers.

Gaius sped up when they entered the room, and he knelt down beside the corpse, a hand circling its wrist to check the pulse (or obvious lack thereof).

"What's happened to him?" Uther inquired.

"I don't know, Sire," Gaius responded in a grievous tone as he lifted his gaze to meet Uther's expectant stare. "It's the second case I've seen today."

Arthur shifted uneasily on his feet, feeling concerned that this might be some sort of plague. He knows how entire populations have perished from widespread illnesses.

"Why didn't you report it to me?" Uther questioned.

"I was attempting to find the cause."

"And what did you conclude?"

"I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions," Gaius cautioned, "the scientific process is a long one."

Uther's stare hardened as he took a single step closer to Gaius. "What are you concealing from me?" he demanded.

"Sire – I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in twenty-four hours, and it's spreading fast."

Arthur's heart-rate accelerated as his gut twisted, and he clenched his jaw to avoid showing any emotions.

"But what is the cause?" Uther pressed.

"I think you should say that the cause … The most likely cause … Is sorcery," Gaius said slowly and hesitantly.

Arthur's breathing faltered as he gazed towards his father. He could see the weight taking over his expression as he tensed up. His father grabbed him by the arm, and pulled him towards a corner of the room to get out of the people's earshot.

"You must find who did this," Uther commanded.

"I will, father," Arthur assured him.

"Conduct door-to-door searches, increase your presence in the town, double the guards on all the gates, and lend the physician your servant."

"Of course."

Arthur could see the fear behind his father's eyes as he continued, "If Gaius is right, believe me, the city will be wiped out. This is the kind of magic that undermines our authority, challenges everything we've done. It is the kind of magic that took over Aetherburg. If we cannot control this plague, people will turn to magic for a cure."

Arthur wished that his father could see things from a different perspective. Perhaps fighting sorcery with sorcery would be the most sensible course of action. If science cannot find a cure, then what of the people? What of those who are already sick? He wished that he could bring Zephyr into Camelot, and have her heal everyone. Then his father might see reason, and change his laws. But he knows better than to try that. So he simply nodded in response.

"We have to find this sorcerer – and quickly," Uther added.

"Yes, father."

꧁ 𓃗 ꧂

As Arthur and some of his knights conducted the door-to-door searches that Uther had demanded, he kept part of his attention fixed on the clear sky above, and on the trees around, and on the gargoyles that ornament the castle, hoping to catch a glimpse of a black blur. A black blur that might connect him to Zephyr. He would never put her at risk of being discovered, but perhaps she could have an idea of how to deal with the disease. Or how he could locate the sorcerer behind it. Perhaps the whispers of nature that she mentioned hearing could help. But he was without luck.

Arthur felt especially bad when his search reached the physician's chambers, and he made a point of being quick inside, not wanting to interrupt for too long and set back the process for finding a cure.

He was amused to find a true mess in Merlin's room, and he wondered how someone as disorganised could do such a decent job of cleaning his chambers. It's not that Merlin is an especially good servant – he is leaps and bounds behind Darius. But he holds up well enough for Arthur to be content. Anyway, the room was such a mess that Arthur didn't even bother trying to search it properly. He glanced around long enough to be able to say that he looked, and then he left. In the humorously unlikely scenario that Merlin is a sorcerer, Arthur is certain that he wouldn't be the evil kind. He would be more like Zephyr.

After spending the entire day searching, without any luck whatsoever, Arthur reluctantly sought out his father so that he could report his lack of findings.

His heart shattered when he looked down at the courtyard as he walked past a window on his way to the council chambers, seeing a few dozen bodies covered with sheets laid about awaiting a safe disposal. He hates watching his people suffer. And, even more so, knowing that something could be done to manage the disease, but that his father wouldn't allow it.

"We've searched everywhere, the entire city," he announced as he reached his father.

"Nothing?" Uther questioned.

Arthur sighed, and shook his head. "I don't know where else to look."

Uther's face fell, and he began to slowly pace the width of the corridor. "I want you to impose a curfew," he commanded. "No one is to be allowed on the streets after the great bell."

"Father," Arthur responded in acknowledgment of the order.

"And cordon off the lower town."

Arthur recoiled. "Why?"

His stomach churned at the sight of the ice-cold look in his father's eyes as he turned to face him and replied, "Because that's where most of the victims are." Uther moved towards a table that had a pitcher and a cup on it. "Let's isolate it. Stop this disease from spreading."

"But what about the people who live there?" Arthur questioned.

Uther slammed down the pitcher, and the sound caused Arthur to jolt and tense up.

"Do you think I haven't considered it?" Uther inquired in a grave tone. "What else can I do? I have to protect the rest of the city."

Arthur despised the idea of locking in people who might be healthy with those who may be sick. But the familiar tone of finality in his father's voice let him know that there was no room for debate. So he simply bowed his head, and left the room, mentally praying that Gaius would find a solution soon.

꧁ 𓃗 ꧂

The next morning brought great news as Gaius asked for an audience with the King under the statement that he made some progress in figuring out what the disease is.

Arthur gladly postponed what was left of his breakfast meal to join the meeting, and he stood beside his father as Gaius presented a small glass vial that had a withered white flower inside it.

Unable to restrain his curiosity, Arthur reached for the vial, only for Gaius to stop him sharply – "Do not touch that."

Arthur froze as his eyes travelled to meet Gaius's, then he dropped his arm.

"I had this in the water for no more than a few hours," Gaius informed King Uther.

"Where is the water from?" Uther inquired.

"The pump from where the people take their daily supply."

"We have to stop the people from using it," Arthur declared.

"The city cannot survive without water," Gaius pointed out.

"Then we have to find this sorcerer!" Uther growled in frustration.

Arthur shifted on his feet, physically feeling the weight of the demand on his shoulders. "I don't believe that they're inside Camelot," he said.

"Then extend the search to the villages!" Uther raised his voice as he turned back to Arthur with a fierce flash in his eyes.

"We've started, but I can't search the entire kingdom," Arthur responded, remaining calm.

"And I can't stand by and watch our people die," Uther grunted, a challenging flame igniting in his eyes that dared Arthur to try to argue. Arthur bowed respectfully, and he exited the room.

Now, more than ever, he wishes that he could talk to Zephyr. Even if she couldn't truly help, it would be relieving to have her by his side. Where no harm can come to her, because harm would have to go through him first. He fears what might happen if the sorcerer isn't found, and the search extends all the way to Duskend. If his knights find his little sorceress … No. He will not let that happen.

He exited the castle, ready to get his horse from the stables and go further out to continue searching, only to be stopped by a pair of guards who informed him that Tom – a well-known blacksmith, who is also the father of Morgana's maidservant – miraculously woke up cured from the disease. The guards swore that magic had to be involved.

Arthur really didn't want to confront Tom. He has known him for many years, and he hasn't a single doubt in his mind that he's a good man. Even if there is magic involved, a magic that heals and saves a life isn't evil. What kind of hypocrite would he be to think otherwise?

However, he couldn't wave off the guards, or they might report the matter to his father. What's more, he didn't want to raise suspicions that he might be anything less than content with his father's laws, for he would surely get into a world of trouble. So he thanked the guards, and assured them that he would deal with this, and he made his way towards Tom's workshop.

Arthur carefully moved past a whispering crowd that was gathered nearby watching the man at work while undoubtedly speculating upon his miraculous recovery, and he approached him.

"Tom – I heard you were sick. I am glad to see that you've recovered," Arthur commented in a quiet tone, not wanting the gossipers to overhear the conversation.

"Thank you, Sire," Tom responded with a courteous bow. "I am blessed that the Lord has decided to spare me from that terrible disease."

"Perhaps you were suffering from some other ailment," Arthur suggested. That would be the perfect explanation, and the man would be left alone.

"You're joking," Tom replied. "I felt like death itself. Not enough strength in me to stir the air."

"Then … What happened?" Arthur inquired.

"I don't know. Suddenly it was gone. I'm fitter than I was before."

If Arthur's own experience with being healed by magic is anything to judge by, then he can safely assume that magic was involved in curing Tom. Does he have magic? But, if he does, wouldn't he know that his miraculous recovery would raise suspicion? Does anyone close to him have magic? Perhaps his daughter, and she healed him in an act of desperation?

"Was anybody with you when all this happened?" Arthur asked.

"Just my daughter, Gwen."

Arthur thanked Tom for his time, and he promptly took off jogging towards his house. If his suspicions are correct and Guinevere did, indeed, use magic to cure her father, he must find all traces of it and erase them before someone else comes across this finding, and turns her in. She is a kind girl who has always been a great friend to Morgana, and she works hard everyday to make a living. And she was simply saving her father. Arthur won't allow such actions to be punished if he can help it.

He conducted a thorough and careful search of Tom and Gwen's house, and it wasn't long before he found a glowing poultice hidden underneath a pillow on one of the beds. He retrieved it, and hid it in the pocket of his jacket. Then he carefully browsed through the cupboards and drawers in search of any sort of enchantment books that could have aided in the creation of such an object, but he couldn't find anything.

He left the house once he was satisfied that there was nothing that could connect Guinevere to sorcery, and then he headed straight towards his room, where he chose to hide the poultice, locked inside a coffer that contains coins, until he could find a more suitable way to dispose of it. He thought about burning it, or burying it in the forest, but he's not sure if that could have some sort of consequence.

Then he went in search of Gwen so that he could warn her to be more careful next time. However, when he confronted her, she swore that she didn't do anything as a panicked expression formed on her face. He quickly assured her that he would not arrest her, or say a word. On the contrary, he would do his best to make sure that she is never discovered by anyone else. But she continued to deny knowing anything about magic. After some insistence, he chose to believe her, and he left her alone to do her job.

A whole new ocean of questions flooded Arthur's mind. If not Gwen, then who saved Tom? Could Tom himself have done something, and he simply exaggerated the graveness of his disease to appear innocent? Could Zephyr have gotten involved? But why would she choose to heal just Tom? Arthur might not know her nearly as well as he wishes he did, but he suspects that, if she were involved, she would've saved everyone, and not just the blacksmith. Could there be another good sorcerer in Camelot, who's a close friend of Tom?

Whatever the truth of the situation, Arthur decided that it would be best if he left it alone, lest he accidentally uncover something that might place a good person in danger.

꧁ 𓃗 ꧂

Arthur stood on a balcony that overlooks the Darkling Woods as his eyes carefully scanned the evergreen treetops and the grey sky, his heart not losing hope that he might see Mavros somewhere. He feels lost as to what he should do to help his people, and he really wishes that he could ask Zephyr for some advice on how he could find the sorcerer, or how he could fix the water supply, or how he could prevent more people from dying.

His gaze jumped to the ground below, just beside the castle walls, when he detected some movement, and he saw none other than Gaius and Merlin walking along a path. A path towards the water reservoir, he realised. They must be going to investigate if there's anything there that could offer any clues!

Aching to stop the churning feeling of helplessness within him, Arthur took off running, and he flew down the staircase before crossing the courtyard in a sprint, and leaving the castle. He ran all the way to the reservoir, and he lit a torch before stepping into the dark and damp space.

"Gaius? Merlin?" he called out as he walked through the tunnels.

No response came, though he was able to make out some faint voices in the not-so-far distance. He sped up and jogged towards the sound, finding the pair standing over the water pit. Merlin pulled out a vial filled with it.

"Did you find anything?" Arthur asked.

Gaius and Merlin turned towards him with startled gasps, then they shared a stunned look, and Gaius responded, "We are gathering a sample, Sire, which might help us to figure out what is causing the disease."

Before Arthur could inquire how long that might take, a round and slimy brown thing with sharp teeth and long arms emerged from the water. Arthur gasped and jolted backwards, as did his two companions.

"What the hell was that?!" Merlin cried.

Arthur drew his sword, ready to go in the water and slay the creature if necessary, but Gaius grabbed him by the arm, and held him back.

"A creature of magic won't be slain by an ordinary sword," Gaius cautioned.

Arthur breathed heavily as he stared at the water pit. "Then what–?"

"We must figure out what sort of creature it is, and then we might be able to find a way to get rid of it."

Arthur slowly nodded, and he sheathed his sword. Then he followed Gaius and Merlin out of the water reservoir, and all the way to the physician's chambers. Perhaps it is unwise to defy his father's orders of searching the villages in favour of following his own gut, but he is confident that he can do more good by helping to figure out what is the monster that's contaminating the water, than by chasing his tail while invading the privacy of ordinary people.

He didn't miss the puzzled look that Gaius and Merlin exchanged as they reached the chambers, but he decided to ignore it as he asked, "What can I do to help?"

"I'm afraid there isn't much for you to do right now, Sire," Gaius responded. "There are many books to look through."

"I will help you look through books, then," Arthur declared.

Gaius and Merlin shared another look of astonishment, but neither said anything, and Gaius motioned for him to take a seat at the kitchen bench before he moved to retrieve several books from his shelves.

Arthur spent about an hour in the physician's chambers, helping to browse through startling pictures inside the endless rows of books in search of something that resembled the creature they saw in the water pit.

"Here," Gaius suddenly said, sliding one of his books over to the space between Arthur and Merlin on the table. "It was an 'afanc'."

Arthur raised an eyebrow as he scanned the picture on the book. It was, indeed, identical to what they saw.

"A … a what?" Merlin asked.

Gaius read from the book, "A beast born of clay and conjured up by only the most powerful sorcerer."

Arthur wondered how powerful Zephyr may be in comparison to others like her.

"How do we defeat it?" Arthur asked.

"It does not say," Gaius answered, and he gazed up at the seemingly infinite collection of books in his home.

"Reading through that will take days," Merlin pointed out. "The whole town could be dead by then."

"Have you got a better idea?" Gaius inquired.

Arthur sighed. He does have a better idea. But he does not know how to reach her. And, even if he could, there's no guarantee that Zephyr might know how to deal with the monster. Besides, he cannot reveal her existence to Gaius and Merlin, and he doesn't want to raise questions by trying to seek her out with them involved. So he simply said, "Let's get started, then."

Another two or so hours passed as the trio browsed through a mountain of books.

Arthur frowned when Merlin suddenly stood up, and left the chambers without uttering a single word, but he didn't ask. All that matters to him is fulfilling his duty as Camelot's protector by putting an end to this disease. Merlin's strange behaviour can wait to be addressed.

Merlin returned some ten minutes later, looking more energised than before, and he began to frantically rifle through the books, looking at the titles, and discarding them a second after.

"What are you doing?" Arthur questioned as he raised an eyebrow.

"Looking for a book," Merlin replied.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Really?"

"Which book are you looking for?" Gaius inquired.

"A book on elements," Merlin answered.

"Elements?"

"Which one would I find them in?"

"Well, most of them," Gaius said. "The study of base elements is at the very heart of the scientific process."

"But how would they help us kill the afanc?" Merlin posed.

Gaius quirked an eyebrow. "Well, the afanc is a creature made from earth and water. That's two of the four base elements."

"What about the other two?" Merlin asked.

"Well … perhaps they would destroy it!" Gaius claimed. Then he cast a wary glance towards Arthur.

"What do we need, then?" Arthur asked.

"We want fire. Wind and fire."

"All right, we can use a torch," Arthur proposed. "But where do we get wind from?"

He watched as Gaius and Merlin shared yet another look of hesitation, something that was beginning to make him feel uneasy. Do they know something that they're not telling him?

"I suppose air might be enough," Gaius finally responded.

"Right," Arthur said, feeling somewhat sceptical. But he quickly decided that it's a risk worth taking if he doesn't want to watch his people continue to wither away. So he grabbed his sword off the floor, and stood up. "Let's go, then."

"Be careful!" Gaius called out as Arthur and Merlin left the chambers.

Arthur and Merlin didn't speak a word as they decisively strode back towards the water reservoir, clad in determination, ready to put the chaos in Camelot to sleep.

"How did you know about the elements?" Arthur asked as they halted at the door to light a torch.

"Uh … It just came to me," Merlin replied.

Arthur raised an eyebrow as he asked, "Have you been talking to any birds?"

"What?" Merlin asked, and he snorted while tilting his head.

"Never mind," Arthur said as he shook his head, and they entered the tunnels. "I hope that you're right about this," he added.

"Me, too," Merlin whispered.

A deep growl echoed through the stone walls, and the pair shared a wide-eyed look. Arthur released a shaky breath, and kept walking, which prompted his companion to follow.

They advanced slowly in the direction of the water pit, and Arthur stopped at every corner to look around and ensure that the creature wasn't lurking in the shadows, ready to leap at them, and tear off their faces.

"Perhaps you should go back," he cautioned Merlin. "You do not have a weapon."

"I'm not leaving you alone," Merlin said.

Arthur's lips curved upwards at the display of loyalty from his servant.

He continued walking while tightening his grip on his sword, and his grip on the torch.

Another growl rumbled through the tunnels, causing the pair to halt for a moment.

They reached the water pit, and they gazed around at the three different passages that lead to it.

Arthur gestured for Merlin to look into one of the tunnels, then he moved towards another one, and took a few cautious steps forwards.

He froze when he heard a low snarl behind him, and he slowly turned around.

The slimy monster roared as it leaped towards him.

Arthur quickly ducked out of the way, and got into a defensive stance, but the creature simply fled the scene with squelching steps.

Merlin dashed towards him. "What happened?! Did you see it?!"

"Yes, but I don't know where it went."

The monster roared, and they swirled around to watch it stand on its hind legs as it swiped at them with its arms while showing off its deadly rows of teeth. Arthur swung his sword at it, but missed, and it ran away again.

"Come on!" Arthur grunted.

Another low snarl travelled the narrow space.

"I think it's gone this way!" Merlin said, and he darted into one of the tunnels. Arthur sprinted after him.

They slowed down, and huddled close together when they saw some faint shadows moving on the floor under the warm light of the torch. They shared a nod, and cautiously stepped closer.

The monster jumped at them, and Arthur rushed to the front, attempting to stab it with his sword. It swiped an arm at him, and shoved him backwards. He stumbled for a moment before recovering his composure, and he charged to attack once more.

Arthur remembered what Gaius and Merlin said about fire, and he dropped his sword to focus on using his torch against the creature. It seemed to cower away from its light, but it didn't seem to be affected beyond that, and it kept making violent moves with its arms when the flames occasionally faltered for a moment.

The sound of wind howling flooded the tunnels.

A strong gust hit Arthur's face, and he turned his head away from it while keeping his torch aimed at the afanc.

The wind pushed the fire forwards, and it enveloped the monster entirely, consuming it as it writhed and snarled until it was nothing but an insignificant pile of ash on the ground.

Arthur felt dazed as he stared at it while breathing heavily.

They're in an underground maze of tunnels. There is no way that wind got here naturally.

He slowly turned towards Merlin, and raised an eyebrow. "You have magic," he declared.

It makes sense. He has noticed that he is particularly close with Guinevere, which would have influenced him to help her father. He completes lengthy tasks way too quickly. He knew what to do to defeat the afanc. And the gust of wind could only have happened by sorcery.

"W-what?" Merlin stuttered, his features losing colour rapidly as his body tensed up, and he backed a few steps. "No … I … Why would you think that?"

"Wind like that doesn't appear from nowhere," Arthur stated, his jaw clenching slightly at Merlin's attempt to deceive him. "I know magic when I see it."

"M-maybe we left the door open," Merlin said.

"Merlin," Arthur said sternly while stepping closer.

Merlin shrunk into his frame, and he shifted on his feet while cowering away from Arthur.

"It's all right. You can admit it. I'm not going to arrest you," Arthur pressed him.

"B-but … your father …"

"I am not my father," Arthur stated firmly. "And I do not share his beliefs."

"S-so … you're not against … m-magic?"

"No. I know that magic can be used for good."

"Oh …" Merlin breathed out a chuckle and he smiled widely. "T-that is … That is certainly great to hear."

Arthur nodded, and stared at him for another minute or so, letting the thoughts settle in his brain. Yes, he knows that magic can be used for good. And Merlin just used it to save a man, and to end the haunt on Camelot. But he doesn't truly know his nature all that well yet, does he? Who's to say Merlin wasn't just doing it out of convenience? Every magic user he has encountered in the past has been corrupted, except for Zephyr, after all.

He should keep a close eye on Merlin for now, he decided. Just to make sure he won't use his magic to steal money, or seduce any ladies.

Arthur clapped him on the shoulder, and then he picked up his sword, which he promptly secured in its sheath. "Come on. Let us get out of here, and tell my father about the afanc. Then you can tell me how it is that you know magic."