Summary: Everyone has a mask, masks are design to hide our fear, sadness, failures, and flaws. No mask of money, muscles or makeup can truly cover our sins. But our perception of others makes the difference, makes us better people, to accept others, we must realise that we are all different, so we must be aware that our ability to see, hear, understand, regard, intercept or become aware of something through our senses, is different and unique from others, that's why we have masks to hide ourselves.

Katarina or also known as Kat Redfox has been wearing masks all her life, she is after all a creature of magic called, a Kitsune. Her family has served the family of a young man since she was born, since the very same man who saved her grandfather. Now she is serving the great-great-great-great-great grandson of the man that saved her grandfather. And that great-great-great or something grandson is no other than, the greatest warlock himself, Merlin.

"Family is a word that is only created by trust, experience, and love. Like life and real love, family has no shortcuts. To truly earn someone's trust and love one must first must be called a family."

-Katarina 'Kat' Redfox

Third POV

The dark blue headed girl's eyes were fully closed, she was only sleeping at the dirty ground without any cloths or such. Her pale blue dress was a bit ragged, her once soft curly raven black hair was has now held great similarities to a bird's nest. But light complexion and peaceful, gentle, and beautiful face was like a princess at a fairy tale only much more beautiful.

"Kat!" Said a boy shacking the girl, trying to wake her up. "Kat wake up or I will make you~" Taunt the boy.

Sadly, she did not move a bit, the boy groaned. "Kat wake up!"

The boy folded his arms, and smirk. "Kat~ If you don't wake up I'll tickle you or worse, I'll bring a dog."

Amazingly the girl did not move. "Wow, I don't know if you're going deaf or you're just really asleep."

He then folded up his sleeves and smirk evilly. "Fine if you won't wake up, then I think I have to put this at my own hands."

He then started to tickle her. Tickling her at the neck, shoulders, and her ticklish spots.

"AHHHHH!" Giggle the girl. She turned and turned trying to get out of the boy's reach, but it was no use, the boy has a locked grip on her.

"Don't. Master Merlin. Please~!"

The boy laughed. "I told you to wake up." He then stop.

The girl rubbed her teary eyes, and stretch her arms to the air while giving a long yawn. She then crosses her leg, sitting at the dirty ground comfortably.

"Master Merlin, why are you awake in such an early morning?" she yawned, asking the boy rather suspicious. "I mean no offense, but you have never awoken in such an early morning beforeeeee…" She again yawned feeling tired.

"Yeah, Kat did you forget again?!" The boy shook his head. "We're going to Camelot today!" The boy cheered.

But the girl frowned watching her master's happiness. "I'd rather you study with us Master Merlin." She stated. "Father was already furious and held such great anxiety when your mother, Master Hunith, left, the family behind. Now, that I think about it I think he would faint at his bed and be sick. If he found out that the great-great-great grandson of his father's best friend is at the very place that disgust, hated and forbidden magic, itself. He won't-"

But the boy already covers her mouth, he sighed. "Seriously. Kat, you worry too much. I just don't get how you do it."

He then turned to her with the most determine eyes, the girl has ever seen. His sapphire blue eyes glimmered with hope, the girl cower in the cuteness. "Kat, I want to go to Camelot not just because my mother asked me to, but because want to. You get me Kat?"

The girl raised her eyebrows as if not knowing what in the world he is talking about.

"Don't give me that look." He pouted. "I just want to do my own thing, be me. I don't want my decision to be dictated by my great-great-great whatever grandfather's actions. I don't want my life to be all about the Master Merlin things!"

He then let go of her mouth. The girl then quickly wiped her mouth with the sleeves of her dress.

"But Master-" The boy then held up a finger to her silencing her immediately.

"And I want to live my own life. And I can't do that if everyone keeps me hidden. If I study at Camelot under Gaius, apprentice ship, then I would get to know other things. And I know that the family could also do that, if not only better, but the family keeps me sheltered like I'm a fragile toy." He then stood up, his fist curled to a ball, his eyes burning in determination.

"And I'm not fragile or a toy!"

The girl pursed her lips and then sighed heavily. "Fine, I think you've made your point already, Master Merlin."

She then stood up and dusted her dress. "Why don't we say our goodbyes to your mother and the family, hmmm...?" She suggested.

The boy nod in agreement. "Yeah! I'm okay with that."

As they walk the boy asked. "Hey Kat."

"Yes, Master Merlin." The girl replied.

"Why were you sleeping at the ground?"

"Hey, Kat, what do you think Camelot would be like?" Asked Merlin Gwaredwrhud or Gwaredwr excited, as they walked down the hill.

Katarina Redfox sighed, following him. "It would have probably been much more liverier than Ealdor."

Merlin smiled, "You're right. It would be. I hope it's better than home."

"Master Merlin, I don't really know what you mean by 'better', but I hope you're right." Kat pursed her lip.

Then they passed a passed through some bushes, pushing branches away to pass.

"By the way why are you wearing that?" Asked Merlin looking at Kat's attire, which consist of a green cloak, shirt and trouser and a belt which holds some pockets, which Merlin theorised held knives, her magical sword, or some smoke bombs. Her black soft curls were tied in a ponytail, her light complexion was stunning, if she cut her hair she would have looked like a pretty Kitsune boy. But the most important thing was that she is so out of place, women don't wear shirts or, for god's sake, trousers.

"This?" She asked looking at her clothes, "It's just something that the family just gave me. I thought if we were going to somewhere new I should have a change of clothes. Do I look out of place?" she asked completely oblivious.

Merlin slapped his forehead, "Oh dear Camelot. You don't see it don't you?"

As the two walked they finally reached the tall entrance of Camelot, two knights were guarding both of the side of the gate, standing tall.

Both entered and saw the tall castle, the castle was beautiful, even Kat has to admit it herself.

"At least it's something." She smiled.

Merlin smiled and grabbed Katarina's hand, dragging her to the market place. The market was full of peasants selling some goods like fruits, eggs, pots, animals and more, it was quite a sight. Together, both Katarina and Merlin were enjoying themselves greatly.

"Where do you think Gaius is?" Asked Merlin, remembering his mother's friend.

Kat shrugged, "That, I don't know."

"It's fine we could look for him later." He then again grabbed Kat's hand and led her to the castle which was where many people gather, confuse Kat let herself be dragged there, trying to see what's the fuss was about.

When they got there was a huge crowd of people who was whispering to themselves. There was something or rather someone in the middle. Then the horns being blown filled the crowds' ears, then the sound of drums being played soon followed after.

Both turned to the front curious on what's happening. But what comes up made Katarina's skin stand up and her eyes widening. There were two guards holding tightly on a man, with his hands in chains as he walked like he has a limp. They led him up in a to the stairs of the platform, Kat then put her hand at her mouth covering it, trying to supress her gasps. The man was going to be executed.

A voice then boomed the crowd "Let this serve as a lesson to you all." Kat then turned to her left and saw a man at the balcony, with a stern face, Sam speculate that he must be the king since he has rather expensive clothing and a crown at his head.

"This man, Thomas James Collins, is judged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death."

Katarina then grabbed Merlin's hand, Merlin then looked at her in the eyes, witnessing her terror, he has barely seen Katarina this scared before.

"I pride myself a fair and just king. But for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass." After the speech her then turned to the guards giving them a small nod as a sign to continue.

The drums were now beating faster. Kat closed her eyes tightly. A gasp could be heard along the crowd. The was a loud thud indicating the axe has fallen, sadly Kat could hear it very clearly since she has heightened senses.

She slowly opened her eyes. her dark brown eyes at a brink of crying. "When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos." Kat looked up to him clenching her fist in anger.

If you really are a wise king, then you should know that magic is not evil, it's the one who holds the power. Thought Kat, anger consuming her.

"But with the people's help, magic was driven from the realm. So, I declare a festival, to celebrate 20 years from when the Great Dragon was captured, and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery… let the celebrations begin!" When he finished everyone started to turn to their business and leave.

Merlin then sighed and lowered his head and whispered to Kat's ear, "Come on Kat, this is disgusting."

Katarina, silently nod, numb not exactly knowing what to do.

But then everyone including Kat and Merlin stopped to their tracks when the wailing and weeping of a woman was heard. People moved out of her way, making her stand in the middle of the crowd, getting all the attention. The woman was old wearing ragged clothes and tears were falling from her eyes.

Kat narrowed her eyes. Could this be Thomas'…...

"There is only one evil in this land and it is not magic…..." Kat sighed, here we go. "It is you! With your hatred, and your ignorance! You took and killed my son!" The woman sobbed, pointing at the body of the man who was executed.

She is Thomas' mother. How sad.

Kat bite her lip, feeling sorry for her. It was an unforgiving sin for someone to take away someone's life, just because they were born that way. This kingdom is cruel. Kat do hope in her and this hopeless kingdom's sake that the woman doesn't take revenge.

"But I promise you, before the celebrations are over you'll share my tears! An eye for and eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a son for a son!" The woman threatened, her voice cracking at each word. Kat sighed, the woman is really taking revenge of her son's death, not that she could blame her. Kat would do the same if Merlin was killed somehow.

Kat looked at the king, wondering what he would do. But King Uther's face was angry and scared, but somehow, he managed to order, "Seize her!"

The guards started running towards her, but before they could get to her the old woman grabbed her necklace and whispered in her cold raspy voice an unusual spell, which Kat couldn't understand. The wind started to blow hard, Kat then covered Merlin with her cloak which she outstretches to cover his eyes, so dust won't get into his or her eyes. A few seconds later the wind slowed down, Kat let go of her cloak and found that the old woman was gone.

Katarina sighed. "This is going to be a problem." She mutters.