Recruiting

"How many men could Camelot have?" Lot threw over his shoulder.

Tor looked at Kanelinques before answering.

"At the height of the purge, Uther could call … easily 50,000 men. Arthur would have more than that if you count the druids. I would say, something like, 80,000."

They saw Lot tense.

"You have to remember that he could call that number with just the people inside Camelot's lands. To be fair, Gawant wouldn't be able to spare many men. Maybe a thousand but a war like this they would want to have as many men as possible at home to protect themselves." Tor continued. "Caerleon and Nemeth would be in a better position to spare more men. Whether they would or not is another matter."

"You forget Powys as well Tor."

The two friends looked at each other. This is where they wished they could read minds because they had no idea if what they had just said was right. Lot was a man that could change his mood very quickly. But he had asked them and they had been honest with him. They just hoped that he could see that.

"You need not to worry yourselves." Lot said, obviously feeling their discomfort. "I asked, you answered. I would rather know now than to turn up at the spot and find myself outnumbered. Camelot has always had a good army, in size and skill. We just have to beat them at one to hopefully stand a chance."

"Milord, are you suggesting that the war is already lost before it has even begun?" Kanelinques asked

Lot turned around and glared at him.

"That isn't what I meant." He said, stressing every word. "I mean that we have to play it more tactically. Even if we have another 10 years, we still won't be able to touch Camelot in skill. But we can match them in numbers."

The two men held their tongues and hoped that he would carry on.

"Enforce compulsory conscription. Every man above the age of 15 will be a part of the guard that will march from here. Every boy above the age of 10 will stay here to protect the keep if we happen to be losing and have to fall back. Sometimes it doesn't matter how skilled the warrior is, it matters how brutal he is. We will make sure that these are the most. I want it to start immediately. They have no choice."

Lot walked away from the window and walked out of the room.

"And you said that he wasn't a ruthless as Uther." Kanelinques said.

Tor leant back and nibbled at the skin around the nail of his thumb.

"I will give you that. I was wrong."


Merlin smiled as he went down the familiar path. To him, Ealdor would always be home, even if he hadn't lived there for about 25 years. There was always going to be a part of him that was the village boy.

"You know what. I am glad we sent them in the other direction."

He smiled.

"Well if too many people crossed the border then it would look suspicious. Just us being here would send alarm to Essetir."

"Good thing I like a bit of trouble."

Merlin smiled widely at Gwaine. It was times like this that he missed the adventure that his son craved for so long. All the Courage, Strength and Magic stories, as their children called them, were some of Merlin's best memories and he was glad that he had met Gwaine.

"It's not far now."


Merlin had no idea what to expect when he reached his home village but the scene before him was terrible.

"Unhand them now." Merlin said as he jumped off his horse and pulled the sword from the scabbard.

Gwaine quickly followed after him.

"And who the hell do you think you are?" The guard asked as he threw one of the crying boys into the cart.

"I am Lord Merlin Wyllt, Court Warlock to Camelot. I don't care that I am in the wrong kingdom but this village is protected by me as I demand that you unhand them right now."

The guards all started to laugh. And it was probably a laughable situation. A Lord from another kingdom trying to order them about. But then again, Merlin was no ordinary Lord.

Most of the guards found themselves on their backs.

"Sorry, did I forget to mention that I am the one that the druids call Emrys. I would run if I was you."

The ones that fell down scrambled up and took to their horses.

"Stand and fight you idiots." The leader yelled.

He turned and drew his sword.

"I wouldn't if I was you." Merlin said.

The guard lunged forward and Merlin sidestepped to the left, thrusting his sword into his chest.

"I would have run." He whispered as the man let out shaky, shallow breathes.

The other guards that were there quickly jumped onto their horses and galloped away.

Merlin pulled his sword out of him. "Well it is nice to know that we have the upper hand."

A woman ran up and threw her arms around him.

"Thank you, thank you for saving my son." She said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"It was nothing." He stammered out. "What was going on?"

The woman let him go looking a bit sheepish. "Lot has enforced compulsory conscription. Every man and boy over the age of 10 is eligible. We believe he is building his army up."

Merlin sighed and turned to Gwaine.

"That is never good." Gwaine commented.

"You don't need to tell me that."

Merlin used his stubble to scratch his hand. "We need to go back. Arthur needs to know this." He started to walk back to his horse.

"What about your …" Gwaine started.

"It is better that Camelot is prepared. I will find them. I know I will but for now this war is more important." He threw over his shoulder.

Gwaine shook his head before following. If he was being honest, he was quite upset that all the guards ran. He wouldn't have minded a fight.