A Story in 26 parts - Q

Quizzically Albert sat up.  His head felt sore – and he knew that he wasn’t in the court anymore.  He slowly looked round – and saw Merlin.  Merlin raised his finger to lips to ask that Albert didn’t say anything.  Arthur signed to Merlin “What’s going on?”
Merlin replied (also through signage) “We’ve been captured by someone.  Wait – a guard is coming past”

The splash sound of wet sandals on watery sand flopped past.
“That’s good” said Merlin aloud. “It will give us a few moments before he comes back”
“Who? What? Where are we?” enquired Albert.

“I had a feeling this would happen.  As soon as the court was created, Aquanaut spies crept into the court.  Now they have captured me, they will expect that Rashmir, Bernice and a few others with try and find us. They will capture them and hold them to ransom. “
“But surely Arthur will stop them” said Albert
“Err no” said a voice from the dark corner of the cell.  An aquanaut soldier drew himself up to full height. “Arthur’s strength is legendry – but we know about his loyalty and chivalry too.  He would not attack us if he knew your lives were at stake – and also Bernice and the Kalphite woman as well. Oh – and Merlin – this cell is built with an enchantment spell that you designed yourself to hold wizards so that they could not escape.”

“The Control cell? But that was never built!”  exclaimed Merlin.
“Try” said the Aquanaut “The construction, the lining, the embedded herbs, plants and tree roots will stop any spell that you may try.  Oh – we also added some additional herbs that means that within these walls any injuries you sustain will affect you like a mortal.  You are at our mercy now.”

Merlin sank to the floor.  “The aquanaut tells the truth.  I’ve just tried a couple of spells and they’ve not worked,  Might as well sit here…. He Albert, would you like some whisky?”  Saying that Merlin brought out a small hipflask and presented it to Albert.  Albert raised it to his lips – then fell to the floor, convulsing and twitching…. Then laid still.
“What’s up with him?” said the Aquanaut
“Oh he’s totally allergic to whisky.  If you don’t do something quickly he’ll die.  I’m guessing your job is to ensure that neither of come to harm…. So the ball’s in your court, fish-face!” And with that Merlin took a long drink from the  hipflask.

The Aquanaut ran to the cell door and started banging and yelling loudly
“Cell 4! Cell 4! Assistance Needed Cell 4! Cell 4!!”
David, Michael, Bernice and Rashmir strode towards the door.
“Hang on” called Arthur “Lets not be in a hurry…”
“But – Merlin, Albert – they’ve been captured” said the green-skinned creature.
“Yes they have… but there’s something not right.  The Spartanites are still sat here.  I would have expected something else.  You – David – excuse my distrust, but you turn up and our friends disappear.  If nothing else, you have to admit it’s all a little strange…”
“… plus a little whiffy” said Michael. Bernice and Rashmir looked at Michael.  “Look!” said Michael “His clothes?  He’s trying to look upclass and noble and not from round here… but everyone knows that the fashion outside this small kingdom has moved to a more casual look – and ‘nobody’ wears those boots these days.  I think the last time I saw those were about 15 years ago… and I know retro isn’t back yet.  Also – they seem to have some water damage to them….”

Michael was interrupted as David drew his sword. 
Bernice drew her dagger, Bernice drew her sword – but Arthur was already leaping across the court bench.  David raised his sword and parried Arthurs sweep.  One or two of the Spartanites reached for their swords, but Rashmir leaped over the benches and very quickly slashed the belts from the soldiers, causing the swords to clatter to the floor. “Don’t try it” she menaced.  The soldiers sat down.

David and Arthur dodged each others precision sword movements, not needing to stop the sword slashes with their own swords.  David made a sweeping curve with his sword, but Arthur was quicker and with a dextrous flick of the broadsword (not an easy task) flicked the lighter sword away.  They watched the sword arch through the air  - then land in the end of a sandal of a Spartanite soldier.  Smorga yelped in pain “that’s caught my stubbed toe! Watch what you’re doing over there!”
Arthur grabbed David and held the sword across his throat.  “Spill the trap” he said…..