Merlin's POV

I was dragged through the halls of the castle. The bandits pulled me by my arms while my legs dangled along the floor. I finally got a good look at where I was. It seemed to be an abandoned castle. Where the castle was, I did not know. The walls were crumbling and the ceiling of many of the rooms seemed to be collapsing. It was certainly not a place I would have chosen as a secret base.

We arrived in front of a set of large double doors. I was shoved into the room, landing hard on my right side. I looked up to see that I was now in, what use to be, a throne room. The old paint that decorated the walls and roof were now peeling. A single stone throne was located in the centre of the room on a low pedestal, on which a lone figure sat. He was a large, buff, man. A few teeth seemed to be missing and he had scars running along most parts of his face. I shivered at the sight of the man. He terrified me, especially when my magic was currently out of commission.

"Chief. We have the prisoner," said one of the men that had brought me here.

The Chief glared down at me, an evil grin on his face. He chuckled, "So what's your name boy?"

I stayed silent.

"Let me ask you again. What. Is. Your. Name?" He leaned in closer towards me.

Again, I refused to speak.

The Chief stood and kicked me in the gut. I groaned loudly. "Answer."

"Merlin. My name's Merlin."

"Alright Merlin...I have noticed that you are a sorcerer. A very powerful one at that. So I would like to offer you a deal."

I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Work for me and you won't get hurt."

"No. Never."

He laughed. "Let's see how long your resistance will last."

The man started to beat me. He kicked, punched, and whipped me without a single shred of guilt. I didn't understand how someone could be this cruel.

After a couple more minutes, the man finally stopped. My body ached all over, my voice had gone hoarse from screaming. I collapsed on the floor. My eyelids started to get heavy, I could hardly keep them open. Eventually, I was enveloped into darkness.

-----

Arthur's POV

I heard a loud scream echo through the corridor. I grabbed the bars of my cell. "MERLIN!" I shouted into the void. There was no way he could hear me.

I turned to face the door to my cell. I examined the lock, thinking of different ways I could break out. I tried bashing my shoulder against the door in hopes to break it off its hinges. No such luck. There was nothing I could use to pick the lock either.

My thoughts were interrupted at the sound of the dungeon doors being forced open. I watched in shock as the bandits dragged a lifeless Merlin through the door. They throw him into his cell and attach the manacles back onto the wall. The bandits leave the dungeon. I hurry over to his side, or at least as close as I could get.

"Merlin? Please wake up Merlin!" I ask worriedly. I couldn't let him die. I reached a hand through the bars. I felt his pulse. He heart was still beating. Thank goodness.

I sat by the bars that separated the two cells. I started to formulate ideas of ways we could escape.

-----

I woke with a start. A loud banging noise ringing in my ears. I looked up to see one of the bandits holding up a tray of food. The man slides it inside. It consisted of water and bread. Not exactly the most filling meal. Before the man made it out the door I decided to speak.

"My father is going to kill all of you."

The man turns and sneers at me. "After we reach Cenred's kingdom he'll never be able to find you."

"Cenred's kingdom?"

"Indeed. Cenred's willing to pay a high price for you. We're heading out at first light." The man chuckled and left.

These bandits were indeed idiots. They really enjoyed hearing themselves talk didn't they? We were going to be taken to Cenred's kingdom. That means we will most likely be pulled along behind the horse. An idea slowly formed in my mind. I knew a way we may be able to escape. I turned to look at Merlin. I just have to hope he wakes before then.