Warriors of Camelot

Chapter 24: Magic In The Air

Merlin would always the first person to admit that he wasn't the fastest runner in the kingdom, but what he lacked for in stamina he more than made up  for in determination. Before he knew it, the great city of Camelot had materialised before him. 

Filled with new hope, Merlin spurred on- but as he reached the citadel gates, his pace slowed to a trot. There was no way that the guards were going to let him pass them by without stopping to question the staff in his hands.

He couldn't return to the dungeons the way he came. That much was certain- but perhaps...?

Merlin's deep blue eyes scanned the high wall surrounding the citadel. Presently, they came to rest on a secret opening, which stood to his left, half-hidden  by ivy. He'd seldom used this tunnel himself before now, but every time he did, it was always for a very secretive purpose.

They say that desperate times  for desperate measures- and that saying was certainly true at this particularly moment in time. If Merlin was going to escape into the dungeon without the guards questioning his move, then he would have to act as quickly as possible- even if it meant risking his life. 

Merlin stole a quick glance over his shoulder. Then, as swiftly as a fox stalking his prey, he made his move. With baited breath, he tried the latch. His heart sank. It was locked- but Merlin knew that he couldn't give up now. Not when he was so close to the dungeons- and Raven...

His heart was pounding in anticipation, but somehow Merlin managed to keep his cool. Time of the essence,  and he knew that panicking was not going to get him anywhere. He stretched out his hand towards the gate and muttered a word that he knew could have him executed if anyone heard it. 

"Tospringe."

With a great clatter, the gate slowly rose of its own accord. Without hesitation, Merlin dived for cover. Once he was safely inside the tunnel, he muttered a second incarnation, and the gate immediately closed itself to the outside world.

Still clutching the staff, Merlin shot down the tunnel like an arrow that had just been released from a bow. In no time at all, he reached the steps at the far end. On his right stood a passageway which Merlin had travelled down numerous times before now. Two soldiers with sharp, shining spears barricaded the entrance but thankfully, they were too preoccupied in their friendly conversation to notice Merlin. 

Under the cover of darkness, Merlin swiftly dived towards the tunnel on his left. Though he would never admit it to anyone, he had no idea where he was supposed to go and it was purely by chance that he managed to find his way down to the dungeons without getting lost. In fact, he burst upon Raven's cell so suddenly that Gaius leapt back in surprise.

"Merlin!" he gasped, clutching his chest with one hand. 

Merlin winced inwardly, fearing that the old man was about to have a heart attack, but thankfully, Gaius recovered quickly from the initial shock. Seconds later, his eyebrows narrowed in concern.

"Did you find everything?"

Merlin simply nodded in reply and held the bag out to his for inspection. Whilst Gaius was checking through its contents, Merlin stole a glance around the dungeons. Seconds later, his heart jolted in surprise: someone was missing- and it only took Merlin a matter of seconds to work out precisely who it was.

"Where's Raven Of Old?"

His question was met by a deadly silence. 

Until now, Gwen had been kneeling beside the dungeon, tending to Raven, but when Merlin spoke, she stood up and wandered over to greet him. As their gazes met, Merlin noticed that Gwen's gentle brown eyes were dark with fear.