Of Magic And Men
Chapter Nineteen

Peter walked quietly beside Silicont and Alaya, every once in a while he looked up at her to make sure she was still with them. Had she planned on ever telling him, he wondered, he wan’t mad at her but he was upset at the thought that she could have died and he never would have known. Approaching the edge of the swamp, he spotted a wooden walk-way. He could see in the distance peaking out from the dead trees the tip of a tower. They had arrived, hopefully this wasn’t another trap, hopefully this would be the real thing. “Please look after her, and keep her warm.” Peter requested. Silicont just nodded in response. Peter held Alayas hand for a moment, kissing it gently before facing the swamp, he walked forward. He was glad to have his filter spell active still, however he felt it slowly drain his magic as the miasma got thicker in the trees. How could anything survive in this cloud? Even if they were Morgans minions you would think they would eventually succumb to the corruption. Peter did his best to watch his footing, not wanting to step in any of the puddles that over-lapped the walk-way. He could see the dark green liquid bubble, producing the foul air. Peter drew his sword, if he ran into any drow, goblins, or pseudodogs he didn’t want to waste time fumbling for his weapon. Walking slowly and carefully, he noticed the fog starting to grow thicker and thicker, he was barely able to see his sword he held out in front of himself. Taking another step forward, it was suddenly clear, peter was in a open field. The only thing in it was a small grey brick building and a giant tower. He looked behind him and saw what looked like a barrier holding back the corruption. How peculiar he thought, so morgan had come up with a way to hold back the sickness so he didn’t get infected by his own curse. Taking a step away from the bog, he searched the surrounding area to make sure he was alone and no one had seen him. This really was peculiar, no guards, no dogs, no enemies to fight? Did Morgan want him to just walk in uninvited? Well, even if it wasn’t an invitation peter would take advantage of the quiet. Step after step he approached the small building hoping there would be a door and he wouldn’t have to climb the tower to the window above. Walking around to the other side of the building he saw a rickety wooden door. He hoped he could open it quietly and sneak up on Morgan. Reaching for the handle he had to jump backwards as the door flew open outward. Merlin stood at the door holding a cup of steaming tea. “Come in, Peter, I’ve been expecting you.” Said Merlin, as he turned and walked back inside. Peter followed but kept his sword at the ready, in case Morgan made his appearance known. “Merlin what are you doing, let’s get you out of here before Morgan shows up, Alaya is waiting for us.” Peter was suspicious this all seemed way too easy. Merlin chuckled into his tea as he took a sip. “My goodness boy, you are a slow one, Morgan is already here.” Peter spun around looking for morgan, but saw no one besides Merlin. “Do I really have to spell it out for you? I’m Morgan. Merlin is locked up in the tower and has been for many years now.” “But how?” peter lowered his sword, had merlin really been morgan all along? If that was true what about alaya, did she betray him? did she lie to him about loving him? His world came crashing down around him. “What about Alaya?” Peter questioned, feeling his heart break. “No, Alaya doesn’t know about this, oh, oh, haha, that’s good, the boy is in love with the girl, how pathetic. You know it won’t work out for you two, you’re both destined to die alone. Her by the hands of my corruption and you here when you give me the power you absorbed from the crystal.” “She does love me.” Peter hadn’t listened to the rest of what Morgan had said, he had only heard that Alaya didn’t know, she does love me, and I won’t let her die alone. He felt invigorated, she loves me, raising his sword at Morgan, he would take on the world for her. “Oh, you foolish farm boy, you’re not a hero, I only used you to get that power from that stupid dragon.” Morgan said with a smirk. “I don’t care what you say, for her I will be a hero.” swinging his sword down at his enemy, morgan blocked with a magic shield. Peter need to find his weak spot. Swinging again and again they began a dance around the room, Peter wanted to back him into a corner but every time he thought he had gotten close at the last minute morgan would quick step out of the way. Morgan wasn’t even attacking back, peter knew he needed to take the advantage before he got tired, he decided to use his only trick up his sleeve. He quickly jumped to the ground swinging his leg out and catching morgans legs. Morgan fell but peter was there above him before he could do anything. Peter grabbed his collar and forced him to the ground, pointing his blade to morgans neck. “Enough, enough, I submit, you win peter.” “I don’t believe you, you wouldn’t hold back just to give up.” “No, I swear here, this is a spell I made to reverse the corruption, it won’t bring back the dead but it will heal the sick just uncork it and the spell will start, please just don’t kill me.” Morgan pleaded Peter let go of morgan, taking the vial, he stood up and put his sword away. If he truly was giving up peter didn’t need his sword out any longer.

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