The journey to Caer Lerion took another day.
⸻ The closer they came— the stranger the land became.
⸻ Ruins stood everywhere.
⸻ Half-buried towers.
⸻ Broken roads.
⸻ Collapsed stone walls reclaimed by nature.
⸻ Everywhere Arthur looked.
⸻ History lingered.
⸻ Morgan looked ready to explode.
⸻ “There are ruins beside the ruins.” ⸻ “Yes.” Evangelos said.
⸻ “And ruins behind those ruins.” ⸻ “Also yes.” ⸻ Morgan looked offended.
⸻ “How has nobody explored all of this?” ⸻ “They have.” ⸻ “Oh.” ⸻ “They usually don’t come back.” ⸻ Morgan looked considerably less excited.
⸻ Thomas looked considerably more amused.
⸻ Signs of War Eventually.
⸻ The road widened.
⸻ Then Arthur noticed something else.
⸻ Soldiers.
⸻ Dozens of them.
⸻ Some patrolled the roads.
⸻ Others escorted refugee wagons.
⸻ Some carried supplies.
⸻ Everyone looked tired.
⸻ Very tired.
⸻ A young soldier stumbled past.
⸻ Armor scratched.
⸻ Dark circles beneath his eyes.
⸻ He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
⸻ Arthur approached him.
⸻ “Are things really that bad?” ⸻ The soldier laughed.
⸻ Not because something was funny.
⸻ Because he didn’t know what else to do.
⸻ “You’re not from around here.” ⸻ “No.” ⸻ “Then let me give you some advice.” ⸻ The young man pointed toward the city in the distance.
⸻ “If you can avoid Caer Lerion.” ⸻ “Do it.” ⸻ Arthur frowned.
⸻ “Why?” ⸻ The soldier looked toward the horizon.
⸻ “Because something’s coming.” ⸻ Silence followed.
⸻ The man adjusted his helmet.
⸻ Then continued walking.
⸻ Arthur watched him go.
⸻ And didn’t like the feeling settling in his stomach.
⸻ The Gates of Caer Lerion By late afternoon.
⸻ They finally arrived.
⸻ The fortress city stood before them.
⸻ Massive walls.
⸻ Ancient stone.
⸻ Towers rising toward the sky.
⸻ Time had scarred the city.
⸻ Parts of the walls had clearly been repaired countless times.
⸻ Some towers leaned slightly.
⸻ Others bore marks from battles long forgotten.
⸻ Yet despite everything— the city still stood.
⸻ Arthur stared.
⸻ “It’s beautiful.” ⸻ Thomas blinked.
⸻ “Beautiful?” ⸻ Arthur nodded.
⸻ “It’s old.” ⸻ Silence.
⸻ “It’s falling apart.” Thomas clarified.
⸻ Arthur looked confused.
⸻ “Exactly.” ⸻ Nobody understood what he meant.
⸻ Not even Arthur.
⸻ The Long Line The gates remained open.
⸻ But entry was slow.
⸻ A line of refugees stretched before them.
⸻ Soldiers questioned everyone.
⸻ Examined wagons.
⸻ Recorded names.
⸻ The atmosphere was tense.
⸻ As the group waited— they listened.
⸻ “…Another village disappeared.” ⸻ “…Monsters this time?” ⸻ “…Nobody knows.” ⸻ “…My brother never came back.” ⸻ “…The duke hasn’t slept in days.” ⸻ “…I heard demons were seen near the old ruins.” ⸻ The conversations repeated.
⸻ Again.
⸻ And again.
⸻ The fear was palpable.
⸻ Eidra’s expression gradually darkened.
⸻ Arthur noticed.
⸻ “You okay?” ⸻ Eidra blinked.
⸻ Then smiled.
⸻ “I’m fine.” ⸻ She wasn’t.
⸻ Arthur knew she wasn’t.
⸻ He simply didn’t know why.
⸻ The Captain at the Gate Eventually.
⸻ Their turn arrived.
⸻ A knight approached.
⸻ Tall.
⸻ Well-built.
⸻ Brown hair.
⸻ Sharp green eyes.
⸻ A long scar crossed his cheek.
⸻ Unlike the exhausted soldiers around him— this man looked completely awake.
⸻ Which was frankly impressive.
⸻ He studied the group carefully.
⸻ Then looked at Arthur.
⸻ Then at Morgan.
⸻ Then at Thomas.
⸻ Then at Jakel.
⸻ Then at Eidra.
⸻ Then at Evangelos.
⸻ The man blinked.
⸻ “…You’re an unusual group.” ⸻ Thomas nodded.
⸻ “We’ve heard that.” ⸻ The knight sighed.
⸻ “I’m Captain Gareth.” ⸻ He glanced at their travel packs.
⸻ “Travelers?” ⸻ Arthur nodded.
⸻ “Mostly.” ⸻ Gareth looked confused.
⸻ He decided not to ask.
⸻ Probably for his own sanity.
⸻ “What brings you to Caer Lerion?” ⸻ Arthur smiled.
⸻ “We heard people needed help.” ⸻ Silence.
⸻ Gareth stared.
⸻ He had expected: Money.
Adventure.
Treasure.
Employment.
⸻ Not that.
⸻ “You came here…” ⸻ The captain paused.
⸻ “…To help?” ⸻ Arthur nodded.
⸻ “Yes.” ⸻ Another long silence.
⸻ Thomas quietly ate an apple.
⸻ Morgan looked around.
⸻ Jakel had already accepted this was normal.
⸻ Evangelos simply observed.
⸻ Finally.
⸻ Gareth laughed.
⸻ Not mockingly.
⸻ Just tired.
⸻ Very tired.
⸻ “Then you’ve chosen the worst possible time.” ⸻ An Invitation Gareth’s expression became serious.
⸻ “The duke has been asking for adventurers.” ⸻ “Mercenaries too.” ⸻ “Anyone willing to help.” ⸻ Arthur blinked.
⸻ “Really?” ⸻ “Really.” ⸻ The captain looked toward the city.
⸻ “Truthfully…” ⸻ He hesitated.
⸻ “We need it.” ⸻ Silence followed.
⸻ Arthur looked past the gates.
⸻ At the old city.
⸻ At the people.
⸻ At the soldiers.
⸻ Everyone looked exhausted.
⸻ Everyone looked worried.
⸻ Everyone looked like they had been fighting for a long time.
⸻ Arthur smiled.
⸻ “Then we’ll help.” ⸻ Gareth stared.
⸻ Then sighed.
⸻ Again.
⸻ Because somehow— he believed him.
⸻ “Right.” ⸻ He stepped aside.
⸻ “Welcome to Caer Lerion.” ⸻ The gates opened.
⸻ And for the first time— Arthur Pendragon stepped into the city that would change his life forever.
⸻ Somewhere deep within the fortress.
⸻ Lancelot Caer Lerion suddenly looked up from his desk.
⸻ A strange feeling washed over him.
⸻ As though something important had just entered the city.
⸻ He frowned.
⸻ Then returned to his reports.
⸻ There was simply too much work to do.
⸻ Outside.
⸻ Arthur looked around with wide eyes.
⸻ The old city stretched before him.
⸻ Ancient.
⸻ Beautiful.
⸻ Wounded.
⸻ And waiting.
End of Chapter 17