Chapter 77

Balthazar withdrew his huge sword, grinning ruthlessly. "I could hope for no finer invitation, Wizard." it was Valyrian steel blade with bone shaped handle is garnished with artificial rubies and gold plate.

Merlin held his hand out as Excalibur appeared in his hand.

The crowd instantly drew away, creating a larger arena, as the Nubian charged forward without fear toward Merlin.

Merlin stood firm, gripping Excalibur in his hands as Balthazar, approached.

The fight was about to start, but for Merlin, time seemed to decelerate the moment his fingers wrapped around the leather-bound grip of Excalibur. The engraved characters at the base of the blade ignited with a brilliant blue hue, casting an eerie glow that matched the intensity of Merlin's eyes.

Balthazar roared, charging forward with his massive scimitar poised to strike. His strength was legendary, but Merlin felt the calm of precognition settle over him, a gift from the enchanted sword. He anticipated Balthazar's every move before it happened, reading the battle as if it were a well-worn map.

The first clash of their blades sent a shockwave through the air, rippling outwards and sending Balthazar staggering back. Balthazar's blade cracked slightly.

Balthazar was shocked, but he continued the fight.

Merlin swung Excalibur with a precision and force that belied his human limits. The fuller running down the blade caught the light, adding to the spectacle of each swing. Every strike created a visible shockwave, a testament to the sword's immense power.

Balthazar staggered back, his eyes widen with surprise and shock again. He had never faced an opponent like this. With a swift motion, Merlin spun Excalibur in a tight arc. The blade's double edges gleamed as they cut through the air, the crossguard's angled arms almost seeming to guide the blade towards its target.

With another powerful swing, Arthur sent a shockwave directly at Balthazar. The force lifted the warrior off his feet, slamming him into a food carts. Balthazar's sword started having more and more cracks.

Merlin's movements were a blend of practiced grace and raw power. As Balthazar rose, bruised but not beaten, he hurled his scimitar in a desperate attempt to close the distance. Merlin saw it coming in the slowed perception granted by Excalibur and sidestepped with ease. He brought the sword down in a two-handed strike, the engravings and pommel glowing fiercely. The impact created another shockwave, more powerful than the last, which knocked Balthazar's weapon from his hand and forced him to his knees.

"You fought bravely," Merlin said, his voice steady and resonant.

He held Excalibur high, its blue light illuminating the determination on his face. "But this ends now."pointed half staff was poised at the Nubian's throat, dimpling the flesh.

Around them, the bandit amphitheater had gone dead silent. Every man there—including, and especially, Balthazar—knew that in an instant, with a simple thrust, the king would be dead. But the Wizard, while keeping that point pressed to the king's throat, chose instead to speak. "Why hate me, we are fighting for same cause."

"Right?" the defiant warrior said bitterly. "You have brought death to my people—as surely as night follows day, Memnon will follow you."

"I have killed those he has sent; their bones bleach in the desert sand." The Nubian's eyes and nostrils flared. "Memnon will send more troops! He will not stop, until he has... his sorceress."

Though pinned to the wall, the big man managed to point toward the aghast Cassandra." Though Mohaim told you to retrive her alive, I was plainng on killing her. Since every breath she takes means death to my people."

"You think just by killing her things would end?" Merlin's voice was a blend of frustration and concern. "Memnon has control over the Melange deposits in the Red Waste. Can you guarantee that another seer won't come out?"

Balthazar, still nursing his wounds, frowned. He understood the wizard's point; Memnon's reach was vast, and his influence even more so. The death of one seer might not be enough to thwart his plans entirely.

Cassandra, her face etched with worry, added, "Memnon is looking for ways to attain another seer, since he believes my powers will leave me upon leaving my purity."

"Will you stand alone before the fury of his armies?" the king asked, laughter replaced by a somber timbre.

Without hesitation, Merlin gazed directly at Balthazar and said, "Yes." The refugee camp around him looked on in awed silence. Cassandra felt a chill—a voice within her said she had just witnessed the birth of a king. And even Balthazar seemed to regard the wizard in a new light.

The Nubian king heaved a sigh, having been granted his life, now granting a small concession. "I want to hear your plans, Wizard"

Merlin nodded and taking Balthazar's blade from the ground, he used magic to treat the cracks and threw it back to Balthazar, who gave small smile.

And the king disappeared back within his tent, as the guards fell away, and Merlin and his party joined the rest of the assembled tribes. As bandits, these people had raided and stung Memnon; but now, among them, they knew . .. one braver than themselves had proclaimed himself ready to face the warlord and all his minions, alone if need be.