The king smirked wickedly as his people tried to avoid his gaze. It had been around 8 years since he had taken away this kingdom, slaughtered some of his knights and crushed the hopes of everyone here. He had to say that the King and prince were dead, or the people would not yield. They were loyal to their king and loved their prince. The knights were hard to convince to join him. At first he had to say that they had plead their allegiance to this kingdom, no matter who the ruler. He had to convince them that they could go nowhere. Go to no one. And would disgrace their families if they did leave. So, most of the knights stayed. They weren't happy about it but they stayed, and that was all that counted.
King Gevalan put on his coat and started going down the many flights of stairs in his castle, probably built using magic, towards the court yard, where he would be meeting a prince from a neighbouring kingdom to sign a peace treaty. He sighed, this sort of thing always took too much time. He should be hunting for sorcerers, he should be burning them, chopping off their heads or even drowning them.
The kingdom was fantastic, it had so many sorcerers around that he actually had fun at first rounding them all up. They were inexperienced and quickly dealt with. That was six years ago, and now only the most stupid sorcerers dare show their faces. He ruled with an iron grip. And his people respected him for that.
Well, they feared him but respect and fear were the same in his books. When you showed that you were not to be trifled with you were feared. And in fear, people don't act against you. Unless they are desperate, then they are confused and easy to kill.
He smiled at the prince that rode through his gates. He had heard that this prince was one of the best swordsmen in the five kingdoms, though he doubted he would beat the prince that had ruled this land before king Gevalan. What was his name? Robin? Some kind of bird.
Gevalan didn't care about who ruled before him, the boy would probably be dead by now. And king Balinor? He was definitely dead. No way could Balinor outrun the patrols and hunting dogs.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he almost missed the prince riding in. His servant and a few of his knights at his side.
King Gevalan smiled and stepped forward, ignoring the servant completely.
"Arthur Pendragon, what an honour it is to meet you." He said, spreading his arms.
"I hope you like my humble castle. I saved it from a horrid sorcerer many years ago."
If king Gevalan had turned to his left to face the servant, he would have seen a boy who looked like he might jump off his horse and kill the king. But, a servant would never do that. They were ignorant fools who took up space and money. But they were necessary. But if he had studied this one closely he would have seen a face that if you look close enough. Was the face of the lost prince Merlin.
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