Phoenix Fire

9 - Half Wild

KAENA

It was dark before the boys returned. Morgana had been in a state and it had taken at least an hour for me and Gwen to calm her down. The King was called out of his meeting and ordered a search party. Apparently they'd gone straight to see the King when they got back and stayed in a meeting with him for some time.

Gwen and I were sat by Morgana's bedside, not saying much, when there was a knock from the door.

"I'll get it," Gwen said, rising from her seat and going to the door. "Gaius," she announced, slightly taken aback, "what are you doing here?"

"I thought the Lady Morgana might be relieved to know that Arthur is back safely." Gaius replied.

"And Merlin?" Gwen asked hurriedly.

"Him too." Gaius replied. I felt the tension in the air reduce slightly.

From beside me Morgana spoke, "Do we know what has happened? What caused that man's injuries?"

"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to-" Gaius started.

"Gaius," Morgana's voice sounded stern, "I am the King's ward, I must have a right to know. If there is something dangerous in the lands I should be made aware of it."

Gaius looked around, before coming into the room and shutting the door behind himself.

"Have any of you heard of a chimera?" He asked.

"Yes." I was the only one to say anything. "Fire breathing lion, snake tail, goat head on its back. Venomous fangs."

Gaius nodded gravely, "There were sightings of a beast in the lower villages. Merlin and Arthur went to check the morning they found you. They didn't see any sign of it then, but it attacked a village so Uther sent out a patrol. Arthur was able to sever the goat's head from it's back but that was all."

"I really don't see the point of having a goat's head on your back." I mused. "That doesn't make you scary, it's just more energy being expelled, it's like a camel hump but...you know... more annoying." Everyone looked at me. "I promise I am taking things very seriously, but it's a good question."

"Uther has ordered Arthur not to try and defeat the beast, but is sending out men tomorrow. We must stay within the castle walls until it has been defeated." Gaius told us.

"How is Will?" I asked.

"Will it doing well thanks to your quick acting." He smiled. "He's been asking after his angel."

I blushed. "I'll go and see him now."

I said my goodbyes to Gwen and Morgana and hurried to Gaius' chambers. Merlin was sat on the opposite side of the room, flicking through pages of a book which he closed hurriedly when I walked in.

"Light reading?" I asked.

"Just checking up on some cures and remedies." He said hastily.

"But I thought Gaius had treated the burn?" I squinted at the title, trying to work out what he was reading. Merlin crossed his arms on top of the book so I couldn't see the text.

"Just expanding my knowledge." He smiled innocently.

I raised an eyebrow, "If you're sure."

I went to sit down by the bed on the other side of the room where Will was sleeping. The side of his face was a little scratched up, and his torso and arm were bandaged.

"He's been asking after you," Merlin said from behind my shoulder, a little amused, "calling you his angel."

"Yeah, because I look really angelic," I snorted. "Maybe he was so dazed he didn't see my scar."