Rising in the Dance of Flames [Editing]

Dragon's Call

A girl with red hair stood up in a field, dusting the dirt off of her light green dress. The birds chirped, flying above her. Lora looked up, using her right hand to shield her eyes from the bright sun. She smiled softly before looking down at her basket.

"Hmm. I have Chamomile, Coriander, Rosemary, and Sage. I need Yarrow. Gaius said that it should be beyond the trees just outside of the trail." She said, looking into her basket.

She was about to continue her way when she saw Forget-me-nots shining under the sun. Unable to resist, she walked over it and plucked one, admiring its beauty, twirling it between her fingers. 

°°°

Within Camelot, Merlin admired the kingdom, taking in every detail. He wandered around when a sound of a bugle was heard. A crowd of people went in its direction, and he decided to follow them into the courtyard.

Drums started drumming, and two guards led a man to the center, where there sat a chopping block. Merlin furrowed his eyebrows in concern. A voice booms across the courtyard from above, causing Merlin to turn towards King Uther on his balcony.

"Let this serve as a lesson to all-this man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death," Uther declares, "I pride myself as a fair and just King, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass."

The drums started beating faster. The guards pushed the man onto the chopping block as the executioner raised his ax above his head. Everyone watched in suspension before the executioner swung it down at Uther's command. The sound of cutting flesh made people gasp at the horrific sight.

"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help, magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate 20 years since the Great Dragon was captured and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin." Uther announced.

Suddenly, a sorrowful cry echoed. Everyone stepped away from an older woman in rags, watching her every movement.

"There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you! With your hatred and ignorance..." She lets out a sob, pointing at the dead man on the stage. "You took my son."

Her sadness became vengeful as she glared at the king, "I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth....a son for a son."

"Seize her!" Uther commands. When guards approached her, the woman hisses and disappeared in a gust of wind. The crowd disperses, going on with their lives like the event never happened.

Merlin gave a final glance at the dead man before he set off. Merlin approached a couple of guards standing at an entryway, "Where would I find Gaius, the court physician?" Merlin asked them.

"There." The one on the right said, pointing up the steps. Merlin nodded, walking his way up the stairs. The door was slightly open, but Merlin still decided to knock on it.

He peeked inside, "Hello?". Merlin opened the door completely.

Merlin looked around the room, letting his eyes wander up. He saw Gaius searching through a bookshelf on the second level.

"Gaius," Merlin called out, but no response. He cleared his throat, causing Gaius to turn around startled. Gaius stumbled backward, breaking the wooden railing, and fell off the patio.

Using magic, Merlin slowed time to get the bed from across the room underneath him. Time went back to normal, and Gaius landed on the bed safely.

"I--" Gaius started in shock before abruptly sitting up to turn to Merlin, "What did you just do?" Merlin avoided eye contact, thinking of an excuse.