"You, Sorcerer, have been found guilty of using magic in the court of Camelot. Do you have any final requests?"
I smirked. He remained silent.
"No? None at all?"
Probably trying to save what little dignity he has left, I thought. Fool.
"Very well." I snapped my fingers, and at once my trusty guards threw him forward onto the splintered wooden decking. He remained impassive and indifferent, a feat which only the strongest of character could achieve.
"Secure him." My voice boomed across the courtyard, reverberating against the walls. How powerful I sound! As if nothing can stop me… Of course this was a childish thought, but in my heart of hearts I knew it was true. Nothing, and no-one could stand in my way. A cold sense of controlled euphoria rose up inside me.
Not even my irrational sister, I sneered. My attention snapped back to the present. The captive was secured, his neck vulnerable and exposed. It was open to the elements, open to the shining sliver of steel in the executioner's icy grip.
"Wait." His whisper was louder than a thousand screams. It sent a cold shiver down my spine; it was so full of pain, anguish, fear, but above all, hurt. He could not believe that I would do such a thing to him, he who had cared for me since I was a mere child, who had embraced my presence in his castle as if I were his own daughter. How ignorant I had been.
"What? Found your tongue, Warlock?"
"You know I possess no magical powers, that I condemned all those who practiced magic in my kingdom to death. Why would I wound my own son? You know how much love I have for him, and for you too. Please don't take out your anger on me, you know why I outlawed magic. There is no way I could come to possess any of its secrets, it is just impossible."
As if. I couldn't believe he had loved me, not for one moment. Of course he had loved Arthur. But me? Never. Some could say it was cruel, framing him for something he despised so. I liked to think of it as revenge.
"On this day, the city of Camelot is present to witness the execution of a most powerful… and evil sorcerer. Many of you gathered as witnesses do not believe that he would betray you so. Well, think again." I nodded my head, the final signal to my guards.
There was no going back now.
"Due to the use of Dark Magic and Sorcery within these castle walls, I, Queen Morgana Pendragon, condemn you, Uther Pendragon to execution by beheading. This will set an example across the land: sorcery is wrong." I dropped my hand. I heard the blade swish through the air. I felt the triumph blossom in my heart.
This is the beginning of the end.