Chapter 11: Cairon's Brutality
It had now been almost two weeks since I was confined to my room. The king had been busy so he hadn't been able to check on me. Today, however, he found that time.
"I see you're doing fine here alone. I suppose two weeks of confinement wouldn't be enough time for your bad deeds to sink into that thick head of yours...?"
"I assure you, your highness, I have learned my lesson."
"Good, so that means you won't be busy this evening?"
"No...?" I was confused as to what was happening. If there was another feast, I was not going, no matter what he said.
"Good, because you are going to tell me everything that happened in Actica, and the story of how you found out you were of royal blood. My scribe will be there and shall record everything. Come to the throne room before sundown, and don't be late." With that, he swept out of the room. I'd noticed the king rarely walks anywhere. He'd march out, sweep out, or storm out, but he wouldn't just walk out. I sighed. Reciting the tragic tale of my life so far wasn't an activity I would have chosen for myself, but I supposed it was better than sitting alone in my room all day.
I didn't even bother to change when I went down to the hall to meet the king, and as he had said, the scribe was already there, writing something down. The king sat on his throne and talked while the scribe scribbled down every word he said. I bowed as I entered, and the king stopped talking. There was no chair for me so I just stood in front of the king as he questioned me.
"You know, I hadn't heard that King Hadrian's wife had a third child."
"She didn't," I said bluntly. "It was a maid. According to my father anyway." Uther looked astonished, and a little disgusted. That hurt.
"So your mother was a... maid?" He asked me that as if it was a joke to him. Honestly, I had the same question.
"Yes, sire." Well, at least I think so. Hadrian's dying words rang in my head, and I knew it had something to do with my questions about my mother. "But before then, I'd always been led to believe that my father was a blacksmith. He was the man who raised me, and in some ways, he is my true father. Unfortunately," I started to choke up a little. "He was killed in a fire. That was when King Hadrian took me in and told me I was his daughter..." I went on to tell him the rest of my story, not leaving one detail out. When I got to the part about Cairon, he asked me if I had known he was my uncle.
"No. I had never heard of him before. I had only known of my own heritage as princess for a few weeks. I don't think my father would have wanted me to know the dark side of our family."
"He is powerful, Hale, and he is a great threat to every kingdom. Don't do something that might jeopardize your life. I think you should know that even though you left Actica, Cairon killed all of those who wouldn't abide by his rules. That would be most of the women and children." He stated it so baldly, so distantly that at first what he said didn't really register. Then, a chill went down my spine as I realized Cairon, my uncle, had murdered innocent people to defend his pride. Rage and horror welled up in me like rough seas. I would get revenge, if not for myself, then for those hundreds of lives he took. I was also terrified because I recalled what I had recently learned about my uncle's shady past. I was so upset I was visibly shaking, and Uther noticed.
"Have I frightened you?" he asked, concerned.
"Frightened? No. Exactly the opposite," I spat between gritted teeth. "That filthy, despicable, MONSTROUS little -"
"That's enough!" the king bellowed. "I understand this is disturbing news, but you will not talk in front of a king like that. Now, off you go." I stormed out of the room, practically knocking over anyone who was in my way. As I turned a corner, I slammed into something solid and nearly fell backwards. Strong hands caught me and helped me up. I looked up to see Arthur peering worriedly at me.
"You seem to be in a hurry. You look upset," he said. "Did my father yell at you?"
"No. He just told me that Cairon," I snarled as I said the monster's name. "Murdered all those who resisted his rule in Actica, so hundreds of women and children are now dead. Not to mention what he did before..." Arthur's face turned white, and I seriously thought he was going to faint until I realized he was almost as furious as I was.
"He... murdered...?" Arthur spluttered, speechless. "Hundreds?" I just nodded mutely. We both stood in silence for a while.
"We can't just let this happen!" he exclaimed suddenly, surprising me. I looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
His face was determined. "We have to stop him!"
"Woah, woah, woah there, hold your horses! We can't just go charging off to battle an extremely powerful and extremely EVIL sorcerer alone!"
The crown prince of Camelot just smiled darkly and said, "Who said anything about doing this alone?"