“My Queen, do you understand now? I do. Iunderstand why you were all chosen. Eventually we will see all your skills and powers. I believed you were all underpowered humans but you all can become extraordinary.”

Merlin to Georgia

Georgia hugged each friend in turn and also Mrs Hodge before she headed for her room. "Stay strong everyone." Her breathing had started to quicken so she tried to calm herself. When she finally allowed herself to get into bed she rubbed her eyes. She definitely felt tired but she was also concerned she dreaded what their nighttime wanderings might uncover.

She exhaled deeply, without her would they come to harm? She felt so much pressure pushing down on her and yet she had no choice did she?

"I can do this," she said, outloud to no one as she tried to convince herself. "I have to do this, don't I?" Would a conversation with herself make sense of what had happened and was going to continue to happen.

She slowed her breathing with great difficulty but as she closed her eyes with purpose, she had decided she could do this.

As sleep overtook her body it felt like she woke in a forest clearing thick with a dense fog. The fog felt like it had a personality of its own. She pulled at invisible ribbons though to her they had form. One by one, each of her friends appeared. She was struggling to take in solid breaths through the soupy fog that seemed to be getting worse as she tugged people to them.

"Have we been attacked yet?" Graham asked, who seemed serene. "Time feels good here, an overnight in our world should give us a week here we can do a lot in a week can't we?"

"We can," she said softly as she felt something grab at her ankles and she squeaked before kicking randomly. "We need to get out of here."

They started to run, they all headed in one direction and just hoped it got them away from the fog and grabby hands. Were they hands she was trying to think and had failed as they kept moving until they were clear of the fog that had engulfed them and become hard to breath in and hit dappled sunlight that filtered through the trees.

"I'm sorry I got to you late." Merlin almost jumped out from behind a tree. They all gasped then sighed. "You're all a little jumpy. What have I missed?"

Georgia wafted her hand towards the fog that seemed to have a solid wall where it ended. "It was hard to breathe in there and then something grabbed my ankles."

"Hmm, it seems that the darkness tried to grab you as you landed here." He frowned. "I'd hoped they wouldn't start so early in your quests. Now we know you must be prepared that everytime you land here they must have a portal spell set, a bit like an alarm that tells them you're here."

"Well we're out. What would you have us do while we're here? Graham thinks our overnight should give us about a week here."

Merlin grinned, his lips pulled thin.

"A week gives you time to set up a camp and for people to visit you. People who can help each one of you learn how to use your skills." Merlin cackled a laugh. "You are going to have so much fun."

"Camp?" Sophia asked a question and passed so much judgment in one word.

"Nah that's not something I have any skills for." Aiden chipped in. "What about food, does that mean we have to hunt?"

"Not happening." Sophia managed to say two words this time.

"Can you help us Merlin? Please." Georgia asked carefully. "If I'm meant to be of royal descent then I very much hope you can help given you were sworn to help all people of Arthur's bloodline."

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"You have asked the right question in the right way my queen." As Merlin started walking. "We do need to find another clearing."

They followed Merlin, who seemed to walk at super speed even though he looked serene. Georgia felt like she was jogging to keep up with him.

Without warning they halted it was as if Merlin had applied the brakes.

"This will do." Merlin said as he twirled, pulling out a wand from his robes. He moved to the centre of the clearing and seemed to waft his wand and speak random strange words.

From the air, the ground, the trees as real as their breaths a small camp appeared. She was watching trying to understand just what Merlin was doing. Then she exhaled as she understood from his glance, that she actually didn't need to understand what he was doing. It wasn't her skill.

"Okay camp looks okay." Sophia said.

Georgia chuckled as a stranger entered the clearing. The tall man was lean but had broad shoulders.

"I'm looking for Arthur's descendent. I believe they will need training to help them wield Excalibur as the sword is meant." His voice boomed out.

"Ah Galahad, so glad you could make the trip." Merlin as he turned to David. "David, would you mind building a campfire? I think you have the necessary skills. Georgia lets go and find you somewhere to work with Galahad."

Georgia stepped towards the tall man who frowned at her. "No disrespect my queen but you don't look strong enough to wield a sword of power."

She hmmphed but followed Merlin who moved faster than he had done earlier so she had to sprint to keep up. The knight kept pace easily; she'd started to fall behind as she heaved in deep breaths and her legs burned harder than the fire Graham was working on.

They waited for her in a strip clearing, the knight shook his head in pity at her but his eyebrows shot skyward on his forehead as she pulled out the fountain pen from her pocket and it turned into the stunning sword Arthur would have swung so many years ago.

"Go easy on her Galahad." Merlin said as the knight drew his sword.

"I don't know if this is a good idea," she said as her voice wobbled through her words.

"Nonsense, my queen. I won't hurt you." Galahad said gravely as he took some practice swings through the air. Her eyes opened wide but she tried a couple of practice swings herself; they looked unsure and not easy at all.

He lunged the sword in her direction, she didn't have time to parry the blow so dropped heavily to the ground.

"Use the sword." Merlin laughed as he helped her to her feet. The next time Galahad lunged the sound of two swords connecting filled the space.

Galahad kept sparring with her until she was exhausted. Everytime he won he would help her back to her feet. Proud at first she wouldn't take his hand but in the end as tiredness took over her pride could go and jump because the effort to get to her feet was almost too much for her.

Galahad smiled at her as they finished. "Perhaps, just perhaps you can do it."

She scowled and as she was about to say something impolite she bit her tongue and offered him the smallest smile.

"Where did Merlin go?" She hadn't noticed the wizard leave because of the amount of concentration and effort needed to not get herself killed.

"He went a while back to make sure your friends are ok. I'm guessing he wants to make sure none of you end up dead or starved."

She laughed flatly. "Well you managed to not kill me so there's that. I am thirsty, I guess I'm out of shape."

He shrugged, then sighed. "I'm guessing you've not had the need to go about your usual life fighting with a sword."

She nodded. "Truth. I usually run from a fight." Not the entire truth.

"I very much doubt that standing up for what is right is a good thing even if it goes against all self preservation. You are definitely of Arthur. Again not a bad thing. Now let's go and see if your friends have been killed or if there's some food and drink to revive you. We've been training for hours."

They walked in silence back to camp, thankfully at her pace not the sprint, Merlin had led them in.

When they arrived back at camp she was surprised, there were lots of people she'd never seen before. She smelled amazing food and noticed everyone seemed happy.

Perhaps she and they could do what was needed.