"Hey, Serving boy!" I heard one of our guests call out, and I found his tone to be irritated and demanding. So, I looked to who he was speaking to and it was Merlin.
"Yes?" Merlin answered with a fake smile, I decided to silently wait and watch to see what would happen.
"Take these up to my chambers and have them properly washed, oh and polish my armor and sharpen my sword."
I had already asked Merlin to do all of that for me today. "Excuse me, Lord Harlow was it? You're fairly new to Camelot are you not?"
"Ah, King Arthur! Why...yes I am and you have such a wonderful kingdom so far."
"Thank you, but as it is...you are new here, so let me introduce you to my personal manservant, Merlin. He has already been tasked with his orders for today, but I know just the servant for a man of your stature. GEORGE!" About twenty seconds later George showed up ready to serve.
"Yes, Sire?"
I smiled and looked at Merlin briefly who wore a small grin of his own. "This is Lord Harlow. You are to give him whatever he needs. I'm sure he will appreciate your expertise."
"Ah, very well. What would you have of me Lord Harlow?"
"Well, um...I need these brought up to my room, they need a proper wash, I need my armor polished and my sword sharpened."
"Very well, right away. Would you like me to show you where you'll be staying as well?"
"Yes, I would."
Once they walked away I turned back to Merlin who was grinning like a fool. "Well, aren't you popular today? That has to be the third noble to request your services with something."
"I guess I have one of those faces. Remind me again what this feast is for?"
"It's to honor my Father. Today would've been his birthday."
"Ah, I'm sorry..."
"Why are you sorry? It's not like you killed him." He nodded his head and for some reason something immediately caught his attention at the gate. I rose an eyebrow at him and this curious sight. "Merlin, is everything alright?"
"Hmm? Yeah, I thought I saw something. Never mind, I finished everything you've asked."
"Everything? It's not even mid-day yet."
"I know. So, what now?"
"Now, we have to make sure that Gwen's little surprise to the servants holds well."
"Surprise?" I heard the confusion in his voice which let me know that Gwen kept her word in not telling Merlin about what the servants would be allowed to do tonight.
"Yes a surprise. However, we both need to see her to make sure it's holding well."
"Alright then."
Once we made it to the seamstress I could practically hear the added confusion merlin had on his face. "Hello, Sarah."
"Ah, hello again, Sire." She smiled at me and I nodded.
"Is everything ready for tonight?"
"I have my best girls working on the last few outfits for the men and then everything should be good to go."
"Outifts?"
"Yes, Merlin, and you get one as well. Yours will be different though...wait...has no one told you?"
"No." I interrupted quickly. "It was meant to be a surprise...for all the servants, but Merlin finished his tasks too quickly."
"Ah...I see. Well, no harm in telling him now."
I pinched the bridge of my nose and gave a heavy sigh. "Right, well, Merlin...tonight we are not only holding a feast we are having a bit of masquerade party. Do you know what that is?"
"Not...completely..."
"Of course...well, a masquerade is where everyone dresses up and wears masks. I believe it will be a first for Camelot but it should be interesting. It is an opertunity for everyone to be equal regardless of rank or status. You will be dressed up as well. Gaius gave us your measurements and we gave them to the seamstress."
"Wow...how..." I could tell he was a bit shocked and I expected that but this a better a reaction than I thought I would get. "How did you come up with the idea?"
"You, actually, and Gwen might have helped...a lot." I beamed with a sort of pride as he had to hold himself up against a wall. I don't know why he's reacting like this but it's a good reaction.
"Me?"
"Are you deaf? Yes, you."
"What about me?"
"I don't think I can recall a time where you ever addressed me as you're supposed to without there being dripping sarcasm, or immense concern about something. All the other times you treat me as if I'm your equal which is quite frankly ridiculous, but it had me thinking...What would happen if I did that for everyone else?"
"What about the noble's feast, and their cups needing refilling?"
"We are going to gather all of the servants and ask who wishes to attend and who wish to serve. Those who wish to serve will do so, but they will still wear their outfits being made. The noblemen have brought their own outfits but we had to have some made for the servants and knights who didn't have any such attire."
"That's wonderful!"
"I thought you might say that." I laughed. Gwen truly had a great idea. I had presented it all to her and she came up with all of this. Even Merlin looks excited.
"But, what about all the people? There are an awful lot of servants between Camelot and the other noblemen"
"The dancing and festivities will not be held in the banquet hall tonight. It will be held out in the courtyard and parts of the lower town if necessary."
He let out a joyful laugh and he still held the look of astonishment at the news. "What do you want me to do?"
"Nothing." I said simply. "I know this celebration is to celebrate my father's would have been birthday and that this is not how he would've done things in the slightest but I believe it will be interesting. Our work is done for the day, well, unless you want to join me for a short hunt to get more food just in case."
"Um, yeah sure!"
"Alright then. Maybe you can actually kill something today."
"Um...Gwen...what has gotten into Arthur?"
"Hey, I'm perfectly fine!" I shout.
"I don't quite know myself but I'm enjoying it while it lasts. You shouldn't turn your nose at something that you should be grateful for. I wish I had this opportunity back when I was a serving girl."
"Well, just let me know when the two of you are done talking and then Merlin and I will be on our way to hunt for more food for the feast tonight."
"Sorry to keep the two of you." Gwen said as her words were laced with sarcasm. "You two be safe."
"When aren't we?" Merlin grinned as he made his way to the horses.
"Would you like a list?" She shouted back as we distanced ourselves. I couldn't help but chuckle a little at her words.
oOoOoOoOo
We made it to the middle of the forest and on our way I managed to kill two rabbits and a deer. "Surely we have enough now." Merlin huffed as he was carrying the fish he decided to go catch. He's a better fisher than hunter. He can't catch one wild animal but he can fish up a dozen fish from a busy stream.
"Yes, this should do nicely, let's head back. We've been out here for what must've been two or three hours. The decorations should be done by now."
"Decorations?"
"Of course, Merlin. We had to decorate the courtyard and the lower town for the feast that is being held outside."
"Right..." Something got his attention again just like it did earlier. "Sire, we're being watched." This version of him calling me Sire was coated in concern and he seemed ready to fight although I've never seen him even try.
I heard a few twigs breaking and my attention was caught in the same direction he was looking. "Show yourself!" I shout with my hand ready at the hilt.
"Hello, my name is Jacus."
I looked at the back of his right hand and noticed a druid marking. "You're a druid."
"Aye, that I am, and you are a king of Camelot."
"What do you want from us?" Merlin questioned and Jacus seemed to step back slightly.
"Nothing at all."
"Then why are you following us?" Merlin questioned as he got off his horse, and I followed him. This attitude was strange even for Merlin. "You were first behind the smith's forge, then you were at the castle gates, and now you're here. why are you following us?"
"I'm not following both of you...just you." He pointed at Merlin and I found myself completely confused.
"Why are you following me?"
"I was told to deliver this to you. I was told there is a spell on it, casted by my clan's leader. Only two people are allowed to read it. That two being the two of you. However, I was still told I had to deliver it to you and only you and that the spell would only activate after you read it. There is also a warning I must give you...Morgana is on the move again and my leader suspects that she will come after the throne once again."
"Druids don't want Morgana on the throne?"
"No, we do not. She is not worthy of it and she is twisted and evil."
"Then who would you want to seat the throne?" I asked knowing it wouldn't matter whatever he said.
"Honestly, Emrys, but he is your protector so that wouldn't work. You have also proven to be a great king so far."
"Who...who is Emrys?" I asked as I was suddenly intrigued by his strange answer.
He glanced between the two of us and smiled mischievously. "It is not for me to say completely, but he is highly revered and respected amongst those with magic or connections to the old religion. You could say we treat him as anyone would a king, though...he doesn't like it." He laughed lightly and sighed a little. "But, I have already said too much. I was given my orders and I have followed through with them. Now, if you don't mind, I have to go help my clan."
"Hold a moment...help them with what? Who exactly is Emrys?"
"Emrys may be your protector but my clan leader suspects that there will be a great many sorcerers hidden at your feast tonight. We will be there to...help. We will not harm your people You have my word, but we will be hidden as well. Only Emrys will know where we are among other druids, and he will no doubt be hidden himself amongst your crowd of masks."
"What makes you think there would be sorcerers at the feast and that this Emrys person would protect me?"
"I can not speak anymore of Emrys, but we know of the sorcerers because we had seen Saxons two days ago and we were already on our way to Camelot and with them were already at least ten sorcerers practicing their target practice. My wife casted an invisibility spell over our entire group and we moved on. I have to go now, and I will see you soon." He said an incantation and from his toes to his head he turned invisible and ran away.
"Um...Merlin, what do you make of all this?" I looked at him as he held the small scroll in his hands and he seemed so much paler than normal. It was like all of the life was just drained from him. "Merlin?"
"I um..." He shook his head and some color returned as he looked back at the scroll once more before getting back on his horse. "I think we should heed his warning. If there are that many sorcerers coming to Camelot, we need to be ready and have all the help we can get."
"But they are druids!"
"Yes, and they can help. They are a peaceful people, and he said he was on your side."
"I know they are a peaceful people but you heard what he said. He's on the side of this Emrys person who is apparently some King of all magic users."
"Arthur, he's already seen them...which means he can help get rid of them."
I sighed in irritation as I realized I have few options in this argument. "What do you think he'll do after he gets rid of the sorcerers?"
"I believe he'll go back to his people."
"Have you met many druids?"
"I...no...not many, but I know they are a peaceful people and they have their ways. If they want to help...especially when the enemy will be invisible..."
"Fine, but no one is to know about this. It seems I have no other choice...if this ends badly I will blame you."