Pendragon the Truth

Merlin, sprinted down the dull grey castle halls, pushing page boys and courtiers out the way, taking no notice if their rank, He burst into Arthurs chambers  shouting "Arthur, we have been undone, The Celts are attacking from the north, and the Saxons from the south, they have brought great war machines and many magicians we cannot escape, we must use the gate. Tintagel will be raised, as fortold!"

Arthur calmly looked up from his desk, looking into Merlin's strange coloured eyes one blue one green, "now slow down Merlin, I have had no reports from my scouts", " that is because they are dead Arthur, please head my warning, the armies are less than 10 miles away, the towns of Coalhall and Drongan are already alight, we have planned for this, The reason i created the gate was for this very moment".

Arthur, stood up and pulled his sword excalibur from the stand where it rested, and called the guards. "Send the scouts out to Drongan, and get master Isla to start the peperations for the move"

 The guards both visibly paled, they had all been through the gate drill without seeing the gate in action. The guards both saluted and left the chamber. Once out the chamber Doric looked at Dart "do you really think we are using the Gate?", Dart looked at the much younger guard, and patted his  belly," well if we are I am sure to bring some of Gretal's beer, this belly is not going to feed itsself, and of course i get so see the stunning Gretal now get on with it go see master Isla, I will get the scouts orders to them."

 The Castle burst into activity bakers were stripping the bakery, dismantling grinding stones, packing yeast, blacksmiths were packing tools, unfinished work. the castle house staff were packing riding clothes, along with tents. In the kitchens Logan was helping the cooks pack knifes, into specially prepared  canvas bags, his eyes glittering with excitement, while his brother Alexander was stuffing food into barrels ready for transport. "Remember the drill only what is needed" the head chef bellowed,  Logan turned to Alexander, "do you think its real? are we really going to try the gate?, what if it doesn't work?" Alexander stopped packing " Well if it is real, and the gate doesn't work then I guess we will have to fight, and as they say, we will die, If the gate works we will be in transported just outside castle Doonfoot, where we will be able to raise an army and  take our castle back, as Merlin has foretold". Logan sagely nodded his head, seeming much wise than his 15 years suggested, " I hope it is another drill, and if not why don't the army just stay and fight", Alexander put packed the last of the dried beef into the barrel "because, if what Merlin has predicted it true and there is a horde of over 100,000 Celts and Saxons attacking our castle, our 5,000 solders would have no chance, this is our only hope."  

The castle bells rang loud and clear,  everyone stopped working , picked up what they could,and trundled down to the depths of the castle,  some people carrying personal items in bags, where as tradesmen having items carried on carts. The passage to the gate was built wide enough for 3 horses to ride abreast, and indeed that was the purpose. The stream of people going down the tunnel was orderly,just as drilled, that was until the first sounds of battle could be heard, and the smell of smoke slowly but surley started to waft down to the tunnels followed by the screams of pain.