CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
THE WITCH'S QUICKENING ( ii. )

Calliope doesn't think much about the crystal as she spars underneath rolling clouds. Her trip with Morgana was a success, both of them returning safely and without a scratch.

The guard across from her drops his sword with a hiss, clutching the incision on the back of his hand. Calliope sheaths her sword, quirking an eyebrow, "Your grip is too stiff. The blade should feel like an extension of your arm."

"Anyone else feeling up to sparring with Cal today?" Leon extends his arms to the handful of guards standing on the grassy training field. "Really, no takers?"

The assassin chuckles to herself, eyes drifting to the sky, "Maybe they want to watch us spar."

"Is that a challenge?"

The corner of her lip turns up, "Possibly."

His eyes are filled with contemplation and the glint of having a chance to best her in a fight. Leon places his hands on his hips, prepared to agree, but then a servant calls out to them from the path to the courtyard.

"The King requires everyone's presence in the Throne Room immediately."

Calliope sighs, "What now?"

Helping Morgana take the crystal to the druids was a decision Calliope made in order to protect someone she cares about. This artifact is of crucial importance to Alvarr, and he wouldn't have stopped until it was in his hands. But now, Calliope knows exactly where their camp is along with its weak points, and she knows innocent women and children are there too. If some sort of conflict were to arise, she has all the knowledge she needs to intervene.

And there's no doubt in her mind that Merlin has some plan of his own brewing in the background.

She takes her usual place near the far wall in the Throne Room. Murmuring whispers from the members of the council mix in the air. The King is seated on his throne with Prince Arthur at his right hand and Morgana on his left. Across the room, standing in front of one of the hanging, red banners, Merlin meets her gaze. His eyebrows are drawn together, his eyes pinched and tight with worry. He tilts his head towards Morgana, but Calliope only shrugs and tears her eyes away. She didn't meet up with Merlin after returning this morning, and she knows the sorcerer must have questions for her, but Calliope's first priority was never the crystal.

When Gaius stands before the King, Calliope leans forward to listen to every word, likely a crafted plan made in the physician's chambers beforehand to endure the crystal's return to Camelot.

"Sire, I have information regarding the Crystal Neahtid."

Uther stands, "You know the whereabouts of the crystal?"

"I believe so."

There's a subtle shift in Morgana's posture. Her body stiffens, her eyes widening ever so slightly as she risks a quick glance to Calliope.

"I see. How did you come by this information?"

Merlin, it had to be. He had followed them, and of course he had.

"In my capacity as a physician, I have dealings with many people. They hear things, Sire, and they see things. Last night, I was confronted by one such man who told me that the crystal had been stolen by a band of renegades led by a man called Alvarr."

"Who exactly was this informant?"

Gaius hesitates, "I think it would be only be fair to protect their identity, Sire. If news of the betrayer were to reach the renegades, it could endanger their life."

Calliope can't blame Merlin for following them. It was a smart move, and he was doing everything he could to protect Camelot. That's how things work here. Calliope watches out for those close to her, and Merlin watches out for the whole kingdom.

"Very well," Uther says.

The Prince steps around his chair to stand in front of Gaius, "Where is this Alvarr hiding?"

"He was last seen in the Valley of Chemary, Sire."

"Summon the guards, Arthur. I want this matter investigated without delay."

"Yes, Sire."

The room blazes into motion. Guards following their Prince, taking in orders while Calliope strides across the floor to Merlin. He greets her with a half-smile, words already forming on his lips before she can even stop in front of him.

"Why didn't you take the crystal when you had the chance?" He hisses in a small whisper enveloped by the loudness around them.

Calliope rolls her eyes, "Alvarr probably sleeps with the damn thing. He'd come right back to Camelot. I was the only person there he didn't trust!"

"Well, you could've..."

"Killed him?" Calliope breathes out a scoff. "And who do you think his little band of blinded followers would blame for that one? They'd storm the city for revenge." Merlin can't deny that one. "Look, this is the best outcome. You and I already know the layout of the camp and where the crystal is. The guards will overpower the renegades, and Alvarr will get taken prisoner."

"You're right," Merlin says with a hollow breath.

"There are kids in the camp, though," Calliope tells him. "I know Arthur won't hurt them, but they don't deserve to see a bloodbath if it comes to that."

"Morgana will warn them that Arthur's coming," Merlin looks over his shoulder where the King's ward is no where in sight. "They'll have time to get out."

The assassin hopes he's right because she won't have time to ride ahead. Not with Leon and a few others lingering by the door, awaiting her to go with them to the armory.

Calliope pats Merlin on the shoulder, "Time to go, wizard boy."

♛ ♛ ♛

The procession of guards and knights stretches down the dirt path through the valley. It's a sea of red and sparkling chainmail contrasting the hazy morning light. A thin layer of fog drifts above them and waking insects sing through the surrounding trees. Prince Arthur rides at the very front with Merlin on his left and Calliope on his right. Everyone is armed and ready to raid the camp for the crystal. Morgana's head start wasn't a long one, but Calliope hopes it was enough. The only person that needs to go down is Alvarr, but a snake like him will drag as many people with him as possible for the fallout.

As Calliope rides, her mind wanders to the crystal—seeing it in Alvarr's hands and the alluring glow that drew her in. There were whispers in the back of her mind, telling her to steal it for herself. That the object had something to show her. The feeling is still within her chest as they draw near to the camp. She tries to forget, but it's ever present, like a fly buzzing near her ear that she can't seem to swat away.

The assassin chews on her lip, but is brought out of her thoughts by Arthur as he calls out to Merlin from his horse.

"I don't know why I bring you on these expeditions. You spend the whole time terrified."

"I'm not terrified."

"Yes, you are. I can tell you are."

Merlin shakes his head, "No, you can't."

"If you weren't scared, you'd be talking rubbish as usual."

"I am talking rubbish as usual—I mean, I am talking, as usual so clearly I'm not scared."

Arthur and Calliope share an amused look, "Yeah, real convincing, Merlin," she says through a small laugh. "It's okay if you're scared. I'm here to protect you."

"Shut up, Cal."

They continue down the path until the trees draw closer in, branches brushing up against Calliope's shoulder. She ducks under a thick limb and spots a serene clearing just ahead, but the road forks into three different paths.

The entire procession comes to a halt. It's up to Merlin to guide them in the right direction, but his eyebrows are pinched as he observes the options. Calliope thinks back to her trip with Morgana. She's fairly certain the dirt path to the right is the one that will lead them to the druids' camp, but Merlin is the one who is supposed to know the way, and she doesn't want to have to explain that she only knows because she went on a secret mission with Morgana to deliver the crystal to the druids.

Prince Arthur's head turns to the sorcerer, "Where now?"

"No idea."

"I thought you said Gaius gave you directions."

Merlin nods, "He did. He, uh, just didn't tell me about this part."

Calliope looks to the sky for patience, sighing as Merlin jumps down from his horse and approaches the spot where the road forks.

"Merlin, this is your fault!" yells Arthur, but Merlin doesn't turn around. His feet stay planted as he leans forward, and Calliope is puzzled at first, but then she realizes he must be listening for his connection with Mordred. Arthur refuses to wait, though, and he jumps down from his horse, storming up to him. "Merlin! Merlin, are you listening to me?"

"The renegade camp..." Arthur stops, and Merlin's head snaps up, pointing to the path farthest right "is that way."

Calliope jumps down from her horse to join them as Arthur throws up his hands, "And you know this because?"

"I know it because—because of..."

Come on, Merlin, come up with something. Arthur's frustration grows, and he turns around, "I give up."

"Arthur, hang on and hear him out—"

"Because of this!" Merlin suddenly exclaims.

When the assassin looks to the mud in front of Merlin, she spots a footprint that definitely wasn't there before. She meets Merlin's gaze, and he shrugs.

"So? It's a footprint. Who says it belongs to a renegade?" the Prince asks.

Merlin's eyes glow as several more appear further down the path.

"Look, there's more!" Calliope says, and when Arthur walks up to them, he can't deny the evidence before him. "Definitely signs of the renegades."

The Prince beckons to his procession, "Follow me!"

The druids' camp is only a few minutes away from the forked road. It's concealed by trees and heavy foliage, but easy to surround from all sides. Calliope ducks behind the thick trunk of a tree with Arthur and Merlin across from her.

With her sword in hand, she waits for Arthur's signal to move in, but from her vantage point, she can't see any druids in the camp. Morgana must have gotten there just in time, but her instincts teel her that Alvarr wouldn't run from a fight. He and his most devoted followers are still lingering around here somewhere, so Calliope's guard stays up and rigid.

Quickly, Arthur makes his move. He runs into the center of the camp with everyone else close behind, but there's no one there to meet them. Just a dying fire and abandoned tents and the wail of surrounding winds. The guards with them begin to spread out and search the camp as Arthur leans down to the fire.

"Well, whoever was here, they're not here anymore."

Calliope leans down next to him, "Or just watching from close by."

A beat of silence passes before arrows begin whizzing through the air. Arthur leaps forward, covering Calliope's body with his own as an arrow speeds right through where she previously was crouched.

Both of them jump to their feet, "Take cover!"

The druids descend on them like wild animals. Calliope barely has time to think before her sword is colling with one from a druid's grip. While she fights the burly man attacking her, she also has to dodge arrows coming from every direction. Calliope parries a blow and then rolls to the left. An arrow lodges in the tree next to her head, and her sword comes up to meet the man's.

Calliope kicks in his right knee and surges forward, barreling into his chest, which allows her just long enough to regain her stance. When the man swings again, she dodges his blow and sends her own blade into his side. He falls over, and her head swirls as she tries to locate Arthur. There's too many bodies in her path—too much chaos, and more armed men coming right for her.

She does spot Alvarr fighting with a knight. Calliope focus snaps into place as Leon steps in beside her to fight off the approaching druids.

"I see Alvarr!" Calliope sword slices through a man's chest.

"Go!" Leon says. "I got this."

Camelot's small army is overpowering the druids, but Alvarr is a strong fighter, and he's taken out a few knights. When he sees Calliope coming for him, he stabs a guard in the stomach, and shoves his body away.

"I see you've finally chosen a side."

"There was never much of a choice," Calliope answers.

Steel rings through the forest as their swords collide. Calliope manages a quick jab to his jaw to make him stumble back, and she swings at his throat. He dodges quickly, but doesn't attack again with his blade. His eyes glow and Calliope feels her feet fall out from under her. Damn druids and their magic.

She rolls through leaves to avoid his blade coming down on her. They stick to her clothes as she tries to jump to her feet, but Alvarr's magic keeps tripping her up. Calliope curses under her breath. Her sword lurches forward and hits Alvarr's. He has the assassin on her back, pushing down with his blade and magic. Her arm muscles ache as she cries out, her own blade coming closer and closer to her neck. Panic seeps into her mind, she can't hold out much longer, and she needs a way out.

There's one chance to strike, and she takes it in one, clean motion. Calliope lets go of her sword with one hand, which causes the blade to pierce the skin of her neck, but she's able to reach the dagger sticking out of her boot before he applies deadly pressure. She knows they need him alive, so her dagger sinks into the back of his right shoulder.

He cries out, and Calliope gasps as he stumbles away. She feels hot blood slinking down her neck from the wound, and she quickly covers it with her palm to apply pressure.

She gets to her feet, and Alvarr is suddenly surrounded by Camelot red.

Alvarr lurches for Calliope again, but is unsuccessful because Prince Arthur breaks through guards and grabs him by the collar of his shirt with his own blade pressed against the druid's throat.

"Not another step," His grip on Alvarr is tight and threatening, his voice rough and filled with anger as he speaks. "Give me the crystal."

"What do you care?" Arthur nods to two guards to hold Alvarr. "What use is it to you?"

Arthur shoves his sword down and finds the sack that holds the crystal in Alvarr's jacket.

"You're a fool. How many lives have been lost this day?"

Alvarr grimaces, "There should've been one more," he motions to where Calliope stands. "I should've tried harder to kill your little smart-mouthed bitch."

There is a collective, audible gasp from the knights and guards standing around. Arthur's eyes narrow and fill with boiling rage. His grip grows even stronger.

Then, he punches Alvarr right across the face. Hard.

His knees give out, but the guards keep him standing. Arthur grabs Alvarr's jaw in his hand and forces the druid to look him right in the eyes.

"If you insult her again, I won't hesitate to run you through with your own blade."

Calliope steps forward, her free hand on Arthur's shoulder, "It's alright, Arthur. He'll get what he deserves when he faces justice in Camelot."

With a shaky hand, he nods and lets go of Alvarr, the Prince's focus suddenly on her bleeding cut.

"You're hurt."

"I'll be okay. It's just a scratch."

He reaches out, his fingers moving her own to check out the wound. The blood flow has slowed significantly, and it definitely looks worse than it actually is.

"When we get back, it's straight to Gaius," he glances over his shoulder. "Leon, patch Cal up. I need to secure the crystal."

The Prince plants a quick kiss on her forehead before walking away with the sack that holds the crystal.

Across the clearing, Calliope sees Merlin. His eyes are fixed on the sack, and she knows that he too is affected by its presence, but much more than she ever could be.

It's a sign that they both need to stay far, far away from that magical object.

♛ ♛ ♛

The group from Camelot has to make camp for the night. Alvarr is chained up and under constant watch from the knights, but Calliope stays close by, always aware of his movements. She couldn't even dream of sleep right now, not with a magical weapon and a dangerous druid so near. She sits on a log across from where the captured druid sits, warming her hands by the fire.

Her fingers drift up to adjust the bandage around her neck. Luckily, the cut is on the side of her throat, just shy of her windpipe. It shouldn't need stitches, but it might turn into a tiny scar.

"That was a risky move," Leon plops down beside her. "One more second, and he would've slit your throat wide open."

"I'm still here, aren't I?" she jokes, lightly shoving his shoulder with her own.

Leon nods, silence overtaking him for a moment as his eyes move to the crackling flames, "I don't want to live with a world without you in it, Cal," her eyebrows furrow as she ponders his words, his tone more serious than she's ever heard before. Leon looks to her in the firelight. "So don't make me."

"Leon, where is this coming from? I'm fine, it's just a little cut."

"I always watch you take these dangerous risks, usually for Arthur, and every time I wonder if I'll be the one having to carry your body back to Camelot."

"You take risks for him too! You'd die for him, and you know it."

"I would, gladly," Leon says.

Calliope lets out a small breath, "It's the same for me, Leon, and just because I don't wear a knight's cape doesn't make it matter any less."

"I know, that's not what I'm saying, Cal," he answers. "You don't even realize it, do you?"

"Realize what?"

Yes, what exactly is he saying? Leon has always been by Calliope's side, many times in battle, and he's aware of what Arthur means to her. Of course she'll always do whatever it takes to protect him.

After a moment, Leon's eyes return to the fire, "What everyone in Camelot seems to know but you," Calliope motions for him to continue, and he sighs lightly. "One day, Arthur will be King, and you'll be his Queen. By protecting the both of you, I'm protecting the entire future of Camelot."

She wants to say that his statement is absolutely preposterous because Uther would never allow that, but then again, she never thought he'd allow them to be together in any way, but yet, here they are.

Before she can say anything else on the subject, Leon stands. He tosses something into her lap—the sack that holds the crystal.

"It's your turn with that thing. Merlin came to me all weird saying I needed to take it, but I'm about to have my watch with the deranged druid, and that doesn't need to go near him."

Calliope nods, and she listens as his footsteps fade, but his words stick in her mind.

Her hand wraps around the outline of the crystal. She knows she shouldn't take it out of the brown sack, but there's a tug in her chest. She has so many unanswered questions about Arthur—about Sepharin and her past and everything in between. A whisper echoes in her thoughts. The answers you seek are in your hands. Just one peek.

"Bloody hell," Calliope breathes, closing her eyes. "Okay, one peek."

She looks around her. Everyone is either sleeping or preoccupied by their duties. Arthur and Merlin are on the opposite side of camp, both of them look like they're snoring and in deep slumbers.

It feels like if she doesn't look, she'll be driven made. Calliope can't fight against the pull of the magic. It's like a wave overtaking her as her hands shake slightly. She reaches into the sack, and as soon as her fingers wrap around the cool crystal, she feels a rush of adrenaline. The sparkling white gem is in her palms, and she is entranced as the inside spirals into a clearing fog, creating pictures for her to see.

She sees herself first. She's arguing with someone...it's Kazimir? Why him? She hasn't seen him in months.

You can't do this, Calliope.

Oh, I can, and I will. It's what he deserves!

It won't change the past. What's done is done. Revenge won't solve this! It's why I never sought him out.

This isn't revenge. It's justice.

The pictures change, and it's night time. She watches as she walks through the castle in Camelot. Even though it's only a mirror of her future self, she feels the seething rage radiating. Calliope can only stare in shock as she sees herself bust into the Throne Room and face King Uther.

She watches herself kill him.

When the scene changes again, it's something she's seen before. Her face painted in blood, her body clothed in midnight armor, and she's seated on a black throne. Kazimir stands beside her, his hand on her shoulder.

Calliope gasps as she drops the crystal.

What...what did that mean? Is that really the future? It can't be. That version of herself was unrecognizable. Full of hatred and fury and wrath.

She remembers the time her ancestor visited her as a ghost, and everything she said. We're cursed to be killers, forever.

There is something stronger than love.

Death.

Calliope shakes her had. She fumbles around for a second, and then she throws the crystal back into the sack.

She wraps her arms around herself and shuts her eyes. It's just a trick. It's not real.

It can't be.

♛ ♛ ♛

so sorry for how long this one took! grad school has been completely kicking my ass for the last two months lmao. in my free time, i've just been mentally exhausted, but i finally had a relatively calm week and decided to write while i could! i'm so so happy that we are reaching the final stretch. all the chapters ahead are very exciting!

ch 60-61: 2x12 the fires of idirsholas
ch 62-63: 2x13 the last dragonlord
ch 64-65 (possibly 66): the red dragon finale titled: child of the blood moon