As I rode through the forest, a sense of peace set over me. Many of the things I did to please the knights and Arthur were no longer necessary. I would not need to cook anyone's meal; I could do everything by magic. I sometimes wondered what my life would have been like if I had been able to do magic freely.

I looked over the map, realizing this was too much ground to cover on my own. I only had about a week before Arthur would come up with some excuse to check up on me, though he would say Gwen was worried, not him.

I rode until I came to a clearing. I tied up my horse. I didn't want to frighten the horse and cause it to run away.

I called Kilgharrah.

In about ten minutes he arrived. He flew over the tree line and bowed in front of me.

"Why did you summon me young warlock?"

I wanted to demand answers about Aithusa, but I need his help. I would wait to take action because, if Kilgharrah feels threatened or forced, he would think of a way to sabotage me.

"I need to find a group of Druids that have been involved in forging rings and selling them to bandits." I pulled out the map and showed it to him.

"So you intended to use me like a horse." I could see that he was unhappy. He had too much pride.

"I just need you to spot them. I will do the rest." I could see that he was about to argue. "If Arthur finds out about the Druids he will honor his father's legacy." I let that sink in.

"Fine, young warlock, but I am warning you that commanding the Druids could have consequences. Just because you have magic does not mean that they must obey you."

I nodded. He flew away. I shouldn't have been surprised. Kilgharrah was never full of sunshine, but why did he have to make me doubt such a simple task. He seemed more tired and pessimistic than ever.

I waited patiently until he returned. After all, patience is a strong suit of mine.

"Finally," I thought, laughing at the irony if the situation.

"They dwell over the ridge and across the river of Tam."

I nodded. It was only a half a day's ride. I would have asked Kilgharrah for a ride, but I could not leave the horse.

"One thing, Kilgharrah. Have you seen Aithusa around?" Perhaps he would be honest.

"Young dragons roam the kingdoms by themselves for many years. I would not know."

Before I could ask him another question he flew away.

I let him go, but next time I would not make such a short conversation. I was going to get answers.

I mounted my horse again and rode off.

About three hours into the ride I could feel my horse getting tired. I slowed down to a trot. Hopefully it could handle the hour we had left to make. I was hoping to make this a short journey, then perhaps I could spend the rest of the week curing Aithusa. It did not seem like a simple task. I would need all the time I could get.

Thankfully, my horse did feel up to the journey. I would meet the Druids, discuss things and then head back only to the ridge and rest for the night.

I tied up my horse and headed off on foot. I was beginning to feel the magic in the air. This group was quite powerful. I wondered how they had remained undetected for so long. Then I remembered what Mordred said. They had been discovered at least once before.

The camp came into view. There were many tents, all of them green to blend in. One other thing, they seemed to be light and easily transportable. Everything was light including the basket of food. They seemed ready to leave on a moment's notice, as if they had no ties to the land, which could be good for me.

I finally saw people. Many of them were gathered around the fire. Unlike most Druid groups, there were no children. All of them were adults.

As I came forward no one said anything or even moved. Usually when I was near Druids they did something to acknowledge that I was there.

So I spoke. "Hello. My name is Emrys."

No response. But a group of four came out of a tent. Three of them were men, older than me but still having many years ahead of them. As usual, they were covered in tattoos and wore hoods, and their faces were very similar. Black hair, dark eyes, slight but not sickly. They all had delicate features, but their faces had a weathered look, as if they had survived many wars. I thought they were brothers. The other was a beautiful girl. She was perhaps my age, or a year or two older. She too bore a resemblance to the others. Perhaps a family led the group.

"What is your business here, Emrys?" Unlike what I was use to, the man was hostile towards me.

"I'm here to ask you to stop selling the power rings to bandits." With a gentle tone, I thought it was best to get to the point.

The man who addressed me smiled. "And why should we? Our kind has few opportunities to make money. The rings brought us a great sum."

I understood what he meant but the dangers were too great. "I know that there are other ways to use magic to make money. These rings are dangerous and could bring great misfortune to you."

That was meant to be supportive, but he did not look pleased.

I quickly asked, "What is your name?"

He replied, "My name is not your concern, and neither is what we use our magic for."

I did not know what I did to deserve this hostility.

"You look surprised, Emrys, that we dare ignore your will." That got many of them to laugh.

I noticed the crowd had been paying attention. All of them seemed to have great respect for the group in front of me but no respect for me.

"What wrong have I done you? I seek to help those with magic." I wanted to explain that I was on their side.

This wasn't the best thing to say apparently. He disagreed.

"HELP! YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR YOUR KIND EXCEPT PROTECT A MAN WHO CONDEMNS MAGIC!"

So that was the problem. The leader and all his followers had identical looks of hatred and betrayal. I needed to explain my reasoning.

"I know Arthur has not done as much as you hope, but he is the Once and Future King. He will learn to accept magic. Just give him time and no other reason to condemn magic. Be patient."

I understood their bitterness, but they needed to be patient. The magical community needed to have faith in destiny.

"Patient? He has been on the throne for three years, and you have been in Camelot for eight, protecting the very people who kill your kind." He didn't yell it. Instead he barely raised his voice. This hurt more than his previous words.

"Arthur made peace with the Druids and he has much to learn. He spent his whole life being told magic is evil. His own sister hunts him," I pleaded, hoping he could hear the honesty in my voice.

"And you would protect a man who would kill his own sister rather than change his laws," with disgust written on his face.

"Morgana went about it the wrong way. She attempted to destroy Camelot and her friends rather than tell anyone the truth," though I felt guilty, because I knew but I was unable to help her.

"Your ideas and wishes have no weight here. If we want to sell magical items we will sell magical items." He said it in a way that I knew meant reasoning would not work on him. He was attempting to prove his point by whatever means necessary. He had lost hope and, without hope, people did desperate and dangerous things.

The only thing I could do to change his mind was to win over Arthur. I would have to contain the situation here and begin to work harder on changing Arthur's mind on magic.

"You are endangering the peace that Arthur has made with the Druids. I cannot let that happen."

"This peace is worthless. And what are you going to do? Tell the knights? We welcome the challenge."

I would not let them hurt my friends. I noticed that many of the people smiled at his words. I knew that the knights would not stand a chance against that many experienced sorcerers. They were hoping for that. They wanted to get caught. If they wanted a fight they could have one but not with the knights. I would not allow that.

"No, you will contend with me, and all of you together are still no match for me."

It was just a threat. I had never fought so many people with magic, but perhaps my reputation was enough to ensure they complied. I felt horrible for this, but I need to think of the kingdom as a whole and stop worrying about individuals. Albion had to come first.

"You are too arrogant. You are just like the king!"

I ducked as he sent a fireball at me, similar to the one Nimueh had used but not as strong.

Unfortunately for him, I had no intention of getting hit again. I sent a wave of energy to knock him aside. It had just knocked him to the ground, no real harm had been done, but the reaction was clear. His family dropped their hoods and freed their hands. The whoosh from their cloaks would have been comical if I hadn't known that they were all preparing to kill me. The remaining Druids were just as ready.

I used the river water to create a barrier. I could feel spells rebounding against the water. The hiss of the spells rebounding was audible even over the rushing of the water.

"YOU WILL NO LONGER SELL TO BANDITS OR I WILL RETURN! AND I WON'T BE AS FRIENDLY!"

Truthfully, I was getting tired and I didn't know how long I could hold out. I could hear coughing. The water was having its intended effect. I was pleading in my head for them to agree. I hated this.

"FOR NOW WE AGREE BUT YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS ONE DAY!" someone shouted. I think it was the brother. I dropped the wave.

"I can be your friend or enemy, but I warn you I am a deadly enemy," I said in a neutral tone.

"You preach friendship after this?" the girl hissed for the first time. Her voice was full of contempt that I hadn't even considered. I realized I was now the bigger enemy.

People with magic saw me as an obstacle to removing Arthur. I was no longer an ally. This hurt me in a way I had never imagined.

Maybe there still was a chance? I would not stop trying because, one day, I would ensure magic was free.

"I do. I did not attack first or threaten. All I am asking is for you to give me time and to allow destiny to take its course. But, if you need help, I can direct you to many places that will allow you a life."

Some of the Druids made money in the outer kingdoms, or used magic to craft things without disclosing the fact that they used magic in making them.

From the anger in the air, I thought it was best to leave before I made things worse.

I hurried across the river and mounted my horse. I rode off as quickly as I could.

I was surprised at the reaction I had provoked. Normally I was respected in the magical community. Did people really feel as if I had failed them? Did they really think that I could change a lifetime of hate in only a few years? Did all magical people feel like this?

I did not like this at all, Morgana could easily convince the Druids to join her, and my identity would no longer be secret. Morgana would tell Arthur without hesitation.

I was still speeding through the forest I did not want the Druid group to catch up with me. Perhaps they had realized that I was bluffing. Fighting twenty sorcerers was a lot, even for me.

I doubted the forest was safe for me then. I headed back toward Camelot. I didn't want to risk anything. I could no longer afford to take a week off. I have a feeling Camelot will need me now more than ever.

As per usual beta read by frostygossamer

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