"But I don't understand… why do I have to learn those boring stuff?", Arthur - the meanwhile adolescent unknown king – complained brooding over a parchment of Suetonius De vita Caesarum. Merlin sighed. Sometimes it was hard to enthuse the boy for his lessons. "Because it is important to know about the past.", Merlin answered. "But what do I care for former emperors?", the boy asked. "And into the bargain in Latin!", he shouted. Merlin chuckled. "Believe me my boy; it is only for your best. Only by seeing the past mistakes of the so glorious leaders we can learn to make a better future." But Arthur only stared unbelievingly at him. "Merlin, I am a stable boy" Now finally a laugh got caught of Merlin. Of course, how should the boy know the destiny he had planned for him? Directly after his birth Arthur had been given to Sir Hector a lower cavalryman. Hector and his wife had been raising the king together with their own son Kay, without ever telling him his true heritance. Just sometimes Arthur wondered, why a simple boy like him was taught by his own private teacher - especially after this teacher was also connected with the king's court. There even were rumors about Merlin being involved in the battle of Dinas Emrys where Vortigern had found his death.

"Ok, you are right.", Merlin stated, "it is enough for today. You still have to help your brother with the wood chopping " "Wonderful… out of the frying pan into the fire.", Arthur muttered and took off. And as if the older man wanted to anger him a little more, he called: "And don't forget, next week we'll read Livius' Ab Urbe Condita Libri!" The boy was at a loss for words, and turned around again searching for an adequate curse, but Merlin had already gone.


The same time Frik was busy tidying up the crystal chambers of Mabs realm. This had been his activity since noon. Now he felt sun setting behind the walls of their cavern. He felt awkward about Mab. She had not yet returned. He knew her mission was not the easiest one. She had left in the morning with the aim of finding new allies. She had to find more people who would follow the Old Ways. But this had become even more difficult the last decades - especially in the Romanized parts of Britain. There were only a few tribes left, consisting of people who still where connected to the roots of the British island and its old pagan ways. A few days ago she had mentioned her decision to him. She wanted to gain the Picts and the Scots for their cause. After Vortigern's defeat they needed someone else who would fight against Merlin and Uther.

He hoped Mab and the Pictish leader would come to an agreement, for her mood had grown increasingly worse the more influence she had lost. He guessed this mission had proved more difficult than they had hoped. The chieftain probably was a tough negotiant. Maybe this was why she had not returned yet. Even though she never stayed away from her realm for longer than a few days, which was because of the strength it gave to her. He assumed that these negotiations would keep her up for a few days. Perfect, he thought considering the work he had done today. "I guess that's an evening off.", he said aloud as if he expected a tingle by his master. When no answer came he whistled satisfied and made his way to his chambers. There he poured himself a goblet of fine Roman vine, seated himself on his settee and read quite a while until he became tired. He fell asleep over his parchment not bothering himself anymore with thoughts about his duties.