Queen of Camelot ~~~ON HIATUS~~~

Chapter Nine (III)

Merlin's eyes followed hers eyeing the flower. "Oh, er... Gwen, she gave it to me." Merlin explained gesturing to the flower a small blush appearing.

She rolled her eyes again. "Tell Gaius my father wants to see him now." she ordered. She had a feeling he could hear her, but she was annoyed with Merlin so he got what he was asking for.

Merlin gives her a fake smile, "Okay." Merlin closed the door slowly.

Sighing Artura went down the stairs racing towards the council room curious as to what was so important that Gaius was needed.
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Everyone waited for Gaius avoiding looking at the dead man in the middle of the room. Artura stood near her father lost in thought.

Getting everyone's attention the door swinger open and in walked Gaius and Merlin. "What's happened to him?" Uther demanded.

Gaius walked over to the body shrugging a little. "I don't know, Sire. It's the second case I've seen today."

Uther's eyes widened. "Why didn't you report it to me?"

"I was attempting to find the cause." Gaius explained calmly.

Uther placed his hand on his hips expectantly. "What did you conclude?"

"I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions. The scientific process is a long one." Gaius sighed.

"What are you concealing from me?" Uther asked eyebrows pinched together.

Again Gaius sighed, "Sire, I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in 24 hours, and it's spreading fast."

"What is the cause?"

Gaius fidgeted a little glancing around. "I think you should say that the cause, the most likely cause, is sorcery." he whispered the last word as if to keep it a secret from all in the room.

Uther's eyes widened but he waved everyone off pulling Artura aside. "We must find who did this."

Giving an obedient nodded she vowed, "I will, Father."

He gave her a small smile. "Conduct door to door searches. Increase your presence in the town. Double the guards on all the gates. And lend the physician your servant."

Artura was taken back. Why Merlin of all people. "Merlin? But..." she began to protest. She needs his help practicing a new strike.

Uther cut her off explaining his reasoning. "We need Gaius to find a cure. He needs all the help we can give him. If Gaius is right, believe me, this city will be wiped out. This is the kind of magic that undermines our authority, challenges all we've done. If we cannot control this plague, people will turn to magic for a cure. We have to find this sorcerer, and quickly."

"Yes, Father." she bowed knowing the fight was over before she had even tried.
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Merlin watched Gaius anxiously as he worked. He had just seen a man he felt he could've saved, but Gaius had Merlin disregard the man and instead place their hope in science.

Gaius swirled a bottle over a flame. Merlin raises a brow curious. "What are you doing?"

He looked over at Merlin before raising the bottle a little explaining, "I'm examining the contents of that man's stomach."

Merlin face scrunched up a little uncomfortable. "Will that tell you who did it?" Merlin wanted to find who did it get rid of them and whatever else was behind it, he could stand to watch someone, especially someone close to him die.