Moonlight Secret

Curse of Cornelis Sigan

Merlyne was spending the day with Gwen for as long as Arthur was out on a hunt with his knights, servants not allowed to go with them.

The maidservants were sitting in the grass field where the knights usually trained.

"You think the hunt will take long?" the dark skinned maid asked while she was looking up to the bright sky.

"I don't know. It's just whatever Arthur's mood was this morning and whatever duties he has to attend." the witch replied. She was reading a book Gaius had given her on their family history, a history which went back to the beginning of druidic practice in the land of Albion.

"You're always reading, can't you take a break?" Gwen asked.

Merlyne turned her head, unamused. "Some people make use of their brains. I advise you to do the same sometimes."

"Sorry girl, I don't really like reading. Not my thing."

Just that moment, a beautiful brown and red sparrow flew low, dropping a sealed letter on Merlyne's lap.

"Huh? Airmail?" the young witch raised her eyebrow.

It turned out to be from her uncle Gaius, asking her to meet him at the entrance of the catacombs underneath the castle. "It seems my uncle needs me this time. I see you later!" and as quick as she could, she stood up and ran in the direction of the catacombs, where Gaius was waiting.

"Didn't that bird fly faster? I was almost arrested!" the physician grumbled.

"What is so important you need me here?" Merlyne asked.

Gaius waved her over as he entered the catacombs, so she followed him. "Uther has decided to check all of the graves, against the librarians advice. One of those graves is cursed, in particular, it is the grave of a rather greedy sorcerer named Cornelis Sigan, he was Court Sorcerer under King Ambrosias, Uther's great-grandfather."

"I don't know anything about curses, uncle."

"And that's why I'm going to teach you what I know."

Both Dragonborns went into the underground maze of catacombs holding torches.

Soldiers had already been inside, several iron fences were opened and the graves possessing nothing but the stone tomb with the body.

"Uncle, what can you tell about this Cornelis Sigan?" the young witch asked.

The court physician grunted. "He was the first man alive who could turn the tides, change day into night and back again. and even helped build Camelot itself. His life's mission was to defeat death and he swore to one day return from the grave. Sigan became too powerful and the King at the time ordered him to be executed. Before his death, Sigan cursed Camelot, saying that he would one day return and raze the city to the ground. It was said that he didn't want his wealth and power to die with him and that up until his execution he worked on a way to cheat death."

Merlyne shuddered. "Gosh, that is just creepy."

"As if I don't know that!"

The two sorcerers ended up in a hallway still unraided, the wall they faced rather strange as if magic was forming the illusion.

"Uhm... is that wall real or just an illusion?" the female Dragonborn asked.

"Definitely an illusion." Gaius mumbled, his eyes flashing golden for a little while.

The old man's magic caused the wall to fade and reveal a tunnel underneath. "That's the entrance. Watch my back, I don't think such a sorcerer would just let his stuff be taken."