Modern Magic 9
While Bors and Ryan were catching their breath and the flickering lights of the garage returned to normal. "What the fuck was that?" the elder knight whispered. "No clue it was on the bottom of the SUV." Ryan told him.
Samantha heard a man's voice in her head now, not quiet Uncle Theodore's but close.
"Eldritch Horror, a creature created through the use of magic and nature spirit. This one fused the blood of a sacrifice and a spirit from the Well of Souls and manifested here. It was considered dark magic and nothing a Merlin or Emrys would ever use." then the voice went silent.
“Eldritch Horror.” Sam whispered. Her hands lowered and she looked up to both men.
The light in what had been the thing's head dimmed and went out leaving the body to turn to ash, almost like ashes left after a campfire. Ryan shook his head, "Does that mean it's dead?" Bors looked at him, "I've never seen anything like that. Most anything serving Modred leaves a body behind or a withered husk if it's been corrupted long enough." Ryan came over and helped to her feet, "You okay Sam?"
She nodded as she got to her feet. “I heard voices. A man and woman.” Sam told him. Then she began to tell them what she had heard from each voice.
Bors listened, "The woman was most like the person Modred fused with the nature spirit, the sacrifice. I heard Theodore say once that he would hear the others who held Merlin's powers speak to him about things he saw or heard, a kind of helpful reference."
Ryan looked at them both, "There were three women, four men and a couple kids in that group of hikers. Does that mean there are almost a dozen more of these out there?"
Sam swallowed harder than normal, “I think so.” She answered Ryan. “But they hate me now, I could feel it.”
"It is not that easy, the human sacrificed was crying out for help. The twisted nature spirit was enraged and unable to control itself." the voice replied to her.
“So what are we suppose to do now?” Sam said out loud and waited for the voice to reply. She held up a hand to the men to show that something was speaking to her.
The voice was not forthcoming, Bors and Ryan waited for Sam to say something else. "So, there is a chance that there are more of these up there?" Bors asked. "Or are they trying to make more and have the rest of the hiker's up there?"
“The human was sacrificed so I’m willingly to bet that the hikers are the sacrificed.” Sam said to the men. “We need to find them before they get turned into those creatures.”
Ryan looked at them both, "So, back to the campsite right now?"
“Yes, it’s the best place to start.” Sam looked to Ryan and gave him a nod. She dusted off her legs and went to the SUV.
They stowed their swords and got back into the SUV and headed back towards the campsite. Ryan called the ROund Table and advised them of what was happening.
Sam sat quietly and pondered the current event that had just taken place, she had never thought it would go this far in using a human sacrifice and using manipulation of a creature. This was to new and honestly becoming scary. But, she wasn’t one to be scared so easily till now. She looked to Ryan as he spoke on the phone with the Round Table.
"I understand Mr. Archer, backup will be forty minutes behind us by helicopter. Yes, sir we understand the safety of Emrys is paramount." He then hung up. "Archer thinks we should wait for two more knights before heading into the fray." he looked to Bors and then to Sam for their thoughts.
“I understand his concern but I’m afraid for the well-being of the hikers.” Sam admitted. “But we will do as instructed.” She added looking out the window of the SUV.
"If you are more concerned with their well being then we do not wait." Bors commented. He turned the SUV off the access road and started up the trail towards the campsiite.
Sam looked to Bors and then to Ryan, her eyes then shifted to the window again but her eyes closed and she took in a deep breath. If more of those creatures were there she feared for everyone’s safety.
As they crested the hill they saw two of Modred's men and the children bathed in firelight. There were no adults to be seen and Bors slammed on the brakes, "Emrys get the children, we will handle them."
Ryan nodded and both of them drew their weapons as they exited the SUV, "Release the children, we will fight as Merlin set forth."
Sam stepped out of the SUV last and took a step ahead of Ryan and Bors. “Release them!” She pointed to the children and demanded to the men.
The man in charge, at least he spoke laughed, "You do not command us Emrys, but do come forward as your men engage in combat you may take the children."
Bors and Ryan came back to her side and began to walk forward toward the group.
Sam followed the men and engaged into coming closer to the children. “I suggest unless you have a death wish you leave now!” She ordered to Modred a men.
Both men produced swords,
"In ministerium Modred!" they both called out and moved forward to the knights.
Bors was quick to bark out, "Emrys get them and the SUV and go, no matter what happens to us."
Both sets of men collided and steel on steel rang out through the campsite, the children were frightened, Sam could tell, but she had a clear path to them.
Making her way to the children she knelt down and spoke to them quickly, “Come with me quick!” She would lead them to the SUV and close the door.
When she turned she realized the trap that had been set for them, two of those tree monsters lumbered out of the trees one immediately engaging with Ryan and the other heading for her. ANother of Modred's men stepped out and held up a hand to slow it's progress, "Enough of this Emrys, there is no escape and no one is coming to help you or them. Modred does not wish for anymore senseless killing, now is a time for unity. Now is the time to drag them to a new way of being, not to quietly guide from the shadows but to lead in the light and force them to obey."
She turned and put the children behind her and stood strong. “This is pointless to discuss any further or ever again. There is nothing you can do to change my mind.” Sam said in a form voice.
"Pity." he said letting his hand drop and going to join the man on Bors. Truly they were outnumbered; Bors had two men on him, Ryan a man and a Horror and Sam had her own Horror closing in on her and the children. The Round Table wouldn't arrive for almost twenty minutes, and she doubted they had that long.
Samantha almost panicked as she saw the Horror coming toward her and the children. She began to repeat over and over something that would protect her some kind of shield. She knelt down and wrapped her arms around the kids and tucked them in against her.
Modern Magic 11
Stumble!