A few days had passed since the feast and I had promised Merlin and Gaius I would help out today without the people's medicine today. It was lovely to greet the people of Camelot and I could tell they appreciated what I had done. Along our way Merlin and Gaius spotted a man lying face down and decided to investigate. I caught up with them and saw Gaius about to examine the man. "Aren't you scared?" Merlin's face held nerves causing Gaius to look up and answer his question. "Of what?" Silence fell while Merlin seemed to contemplate on saying what was in his mind.
"Well, that you might catch whatever it is!" it was true I couldn't do what he does I'd be too frightened for myself which is so selfish. "I'm called a physician Merlin, it's part of my job." His blunt reply gave Merlin the signal to be quest a let Gaius continue. "Most of the time there's nothing really to be afraid of". He used his strength to turn the body onto its back revealing a dead man with ice white skin and clouded eyes. It was horrific and caused me to step back in fear Merlin came over and reassured me to not worry. But I saw the look they shared and there was fear. "You were saying?" Merlin was pretty straight was his statement and it was true this really was awful and caused us all to feel distressed, some more than others.
"People mustn't see this, they'll panic!" Merlin pulled a blanket off from a washing line covering the poor man's body just in time before another group of villagers walked by. The too lifted the body onto a cart in order to transport it to the castle.
Along the way we met Gwen who held some flowers in her hand. "What are you doing?" she was so cheerful as usual and held the biggest smile upon her face. Merlin walked toward the back of the cart to stop her looking at the bodies underneath the covers.
"Ur, just moving something" she peeked over his shoulder still trying to catch a look "Looks heavy!"
"Oh, it's nothing really. Has someone got you some flowers?" Merlin finally managed to change the topic. "oh no.... would you like one? A purple one." Merlin took the delicate flower into his had a looked a little embarrassed. "Purple suits you, not that I'm saying red doesn't suit you!" Poor Gwen was feeling the same and I could see the smile Merlin had wiped all over his face. "Thanks" He then looked for a place to put the flower his good friend had given him and decided at the top of his shirt near his scarf. The tow stared at each other, I glanced over at Gaius and the two of us shared a look.
"Ur well see you" and Gwen said her goodbye so the three of us set off again.
We arrived at Gaius and Merlin' chambers and set the man upon the table. "I have never seen anything like this before" He held his magnifying glass close to the ghostly skin. I was stood behind Merlin but I knew that wouldn't solve anything. "Do you think it could be some kind of plague?" Merlin' question was brilliant and if it was yes then Camelot could be in serious trouble.
"No, I fear something like this could never come from nature." I knew immediately what he was stating. "But who has this kind of power?" the two men shared a concerned look. Both Merlin and I asked the same question at the same time "do you think it was caused by magic?"
"MERLIN!" Arthur's voice boomed through the stone corridors and Merlin quickly went to the door trying desperately to block off the dead and body. "I'm on my way, sorry I'm late" Arthur's dull face glared at Merlin. His voice held no emotion. "Don't worry I'm getting used to it." until he had spotted the purple flower Gen gave him hanging out of his top. "Oh, Gwen... she gave it to me". Arthur did not care one bit. "Tell Gaius my father wants to see him now".
Merlin waited till Arthur had got to the other side of the corridor before closing the door. "Gaius-"
"I heard" Merlin seemed a bit confused. "Then why couldn't he tell you himself."
"Because that's the way it is you're a servant". It was true even though I didn't agree in the slightest that that should be the way a court is run. "If he knew who I was, what I've done-" He was cut mid-sentence before interrupted by Gaius which was becoming a regular thing these days. "You'd be a dead servant". Silence engulfed the room. I had no idea what to say but he was right Merlin could never reveal his secret espically while Uther was King. Right let's get this covered up"
"Hey, I'm not your servant!" Merlin should know by now there is no use in trying to back chat Gaius. "No, you're my dogs body, c'mon hurry up" There was no way I couldn't laugh at that and the look Merlin gave me was pure evil.
There was no questioning the King so the three of once again walked to together to the main hall where councils were held.
We entered into the room and I instantly spotted another ghostly pale body. Uther spotted me "Row you shouldn't be in here this is not appropriate for you to see". There was no way I was getting banished from this room. "With all due respect Sire, I would like to stay please, I would like to understand what is going on to". He seemed to stare into my eyes to check for any uncertainty but all he found was courage and strength.
"What's happened to him?" Silence filled the court waiting for answers form the physician who always had answers. "I don't know sire, it's the second case I've seen today". Gaius was calm but I could tell he was worried. Uther's voice was quiet, scared "Why didn't you report it to me?" The two friends looked at each other. "I was attempting to find the cause".
"What did you conclude?" Arthur and I found each other's eyes, he was so serious but caring he listened intently to what was being said. "I don't think it is time to hurry to conclusions, the scientific process is a long one". The king began to take small steps around the body. "What are you concealing from me?" Gaius held a straight face attempting to hide his assumptions of the use of magic. "Sire I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in 24 hours and its spreading fast". This was no longer a calm conversation the pair were beginning to answer quickly. "But what is the cause?"
"I think you should say, the most likely cause is sorcery!" The people who remained in the council room began to whisper amongst themselves I could hear the fright in their voices. Arthur seemed just as shocked as his father and simply looked down to the floor.
Uther pulled Arthur aside and spoke to him sternly about something. Arthur couldn't stop looking at the victim and nor could his father. The people around more were caressing the women who were totally distraught and horrified at what they had seen.
Arthur walked over to me and asked me to come with him.
"Row you have to stay in your room, who knows where this sorcerer could be. We need to keep safe and away from anyone suspicious". A frown overcame my usual happy features. "You can't lock me away, I want to help!".
"Row, please don't fight me on this one, the way you can help is to stay out of harm's way. The same for Morgana! I will walk you to your room". I couldn't win this one but there was no way I was not going to help in any way.
We approached my door and I entered the room. "Stay in here Row, my father has also wished you to do the same". Before I could reply he was gone. Guards followed closely behind him in his search for anything out of the ordinary which would start in the castle.
I ran up to my tower room and watched as Arthur paraded through the small dirty streets barging into all the houses checking all the villager's homes. He was even speaking to villagers probably asking them for anyone who was out of the ordinary.
The day had already passed and morning had arrived. I looked out of the window as I usually did to find bodies lined up in the courtyard. My had raised to my mouth in shock and tears formed in my eyes. All the lives lost, the families broken such a traded needed to stopped way before this point. I left the room and began to run down the corridor to find Uther. I was desperate to find out if anything had been found a cure, the source? Anything!
The guards opened the two solid oak doors to reveal Uther staring out to the courtyard as well he clearly felt the same way. "Sire, I'm sorry I just couldn't take it anymore I had to come and ask if anything had been found. Their bodies laying out there cause me to feel such agony. I feel for their families and who's to be next!".
Uther had quickly turned to face me realising the state in which I had brought myself into. He embraced me like I dreamed my father would. "We will find a cure Row we will! Now why don't you spend the day with someone to occupy yourself, you're too daring to be cooped up just please be safe".
I backed up to see his face. "Let me help in some way please!" he nodded and a left to see if I could help anyone. I saw Gwen and met her halfway down the corridor "Oh Gwen I heard about your father I'm so sorry I'm sure Gaius will find a cure!" "Row its incredible he's already healed, it's a miracle and I have no idea how it happened but I'm glad it did he's all I have" before the we could talk about the excellent news any further Arthur approached us and let's just say he didn't look to pleased!
"Seize her!" I heard Gwen whisper a no. Why was he doing this!
"Guinevere I'm arresting you for crimes and contraventions to the laws of Camelot, for using and practiceing enchantments!" What was he thinking Gwen's no sorcerer!
"Gwen!" "Row!" we shouted out our names in desperation.
"Row, I haven't done anything" the fear n her voice was adamant how could he be so oblivious!
"Arthur what are you doing she's innocent!" he waked away from me not even bothering to look at me. "I found a magic poultice in her house."
"That's nonsense Gwen is no sorcerer and I can vouch for that!" he didn't even care but at least this time he actually looked at me. "How else would you explain her father's recovery?" How could he believe such a thing? "You must know what nonsense your speaking, I know she's innocent can't you take my word for it?" he sighed. "No Row, I can't turn a blind eye. I must follow the laws of Camelot!"
Gwen's cries could be heard the whole way to the dungeon.