Merthur - Love in the Time of War

Chapter 15 - The Seven Knights

Merlin's POV

I follow Arthur towards the castle. The towns people all look on with worry as we pass. Thankfully, there hasn't been an attack on the lower town. We burst through the main gates into the courtyard causing us both to gasp at the utter decimation before us.

Knights of Camelot lay scattered on the ground, many of them lie in pools of their own blood. I walk over to the closest man and kneel down beside him. I place two fingers upon the mans neck to feel for a pulse. There's nothing. Not even a faint beat. Arthur looks at me with worry when I stand. I simply shake my head. I see the pain flash across his face briefly before its replaced with anger. He strides forward towards the castle and I follow suit but Arthur suddenly pushes me back. I raise an eyebrow at him.

"You're not coming," he says bluntly, his emotions are suddenly hidden behind a mask.

"What do you mean 'you're not coming'?! Of course I'm coming to help!" I yell back, my hand already wrapped around the hilt of my sword.

Arthur's eyes betray nothing. "No you're not. This is Camelot's problem and I am not allowing you to get hurt because of it!"

My eyes flare with anger. "Does it matter? There are innocent lives at stake here! Camelot or not. I. Am. Helping."

"Merlin," Arthurs voice is steady but commanding, "you are turning around and heading back to the lower town. Find a place to hide and stay there."

I growl at him. "Fine."

"Good." Arthur turns and runs up the steps to the citadel.

I let a few minutes roll by before running in after him. Like I'm going to take orders from a prat. I turn the corner and gasp once more. There are even more bodies littering the floor here then outside.

I carefully step over them before heading up the steps to the left. I walk slowly through the castle, my sword drawn in case the enemy makes an appearance. I stalk through the halls for some time before I finally hear footsteps. I leap to the side and press my back to an alcove. I peer around the corner to get a look at who's coming my way when two tall knights emerge from the corner. This wouldn't be a problem if they had been Knights of Camelot. No, these men did not wear the bright red capes or bear the Pendragon crest. These men wear mostly black. Shining silver armour covers their chests while dark hoods are pulled over their heads and a stone mask obscures their faces.

I instantly tense when they walk past, frozen in fear of the mysterious Knights. I wait till I can no longer hear their footsteps to finally peer out from my hiding spot. I let out a sigh of relief. Those things are most certainly not human or, at least, no longer human. I had sensed a strong magic emitting from them when they passed. If they're magical creatures then I need to find Arthur quickly.

I turn and dash down the hall, hoping Arthur hadn't fallen prey to one of the knights when a voice calls out to me in my head.

"Merlin..." The voice coos. I stop in my tracks. Kilgharrah? Why's he contacting me and why now?

"What do you want?" I ask.

I hear him chuckle in my head. "I am here to make a request."

"And what is that?"