If you lost a child, please take breath and skip the Arthur scene... I am not trying to stir up old pain...
" What is that?" Morgana asked, curious as to why Mika was pouring a small vial of Ash into a Boiling but Fireless Pot. "It is too light to be Rowan, and it doesn't smell of any kind of wood." She could feel a slight hum of ... something from it. Unlike most Magical Substances though, it wasn't her inner magic that felt it's power... it was her Mind. The Part of her soul that could peer into the Future, the part that got her Labeled a seer...
Mika smiled at her, however unlike his previously kind and stoic smiles... this one was full of satisfaction, bloodlust and smugness. " This is ash from the Pyre Uther has used to burn Sorcerers and those innocents accused of Magic." She just gaped at him, utterly shocked and confused. From what she had been taught thus far, she knew that that Ash would be immensely powerful in the Darkest of Magics. However it would also be nearly impossible to control... " I plan on extracting the Lingering essence in it, the curses and oaths of vengeance... the sadness and pain, the hatred and fear... all of which lingers within the Ash... "
Gulping, she turned her head nervously to Marie, who was unconscious and in the Bath. It was spelled to heal her, strengthen her and the baby thanks to a bevy of enchanted Herbs Mika had placed with in. The Girl was very much aware of their magic, seeing as when Mika learned of her rape his eyes turned Gold in anger, but didn't really care due to how Much Mika had helped her. She was so pure it honestly felt wrong to talk about Such Dark Magic around her... she could only be grateful that she was unconscious...
" To what end do you wish to use the Ash... " She didn't bother keeping the Fear from her tone, knowing that this magic was something only the most skilled and powerful of beings could bother to cast. Mika certainly had the skill, but not the power... she worried for him.
Mika smiled at her, this time full of compassion as he placed a hand on her cheek. " I know you are worried, but this time you don't have to be. I have Sigund's soul to draw from... I need to see how much I can take from him before I try to save Kilgarah. Don't worry though, the Soul Vessel has it's own Safety Measures. If I draw out too much power it will create a temporary barrier so I do not endanger Sigund's Soul. As for What I am using it for... well This time it is a test, This spell is one of my own creation and I need to ensure that it is effective. I plan on eventually cursing Uther to Terrible nightmares, to slowly weaken him and help get him removed from his seat. His Knights are too loyal, but if he is incapable of ruling... well it will put things into Our favor. I also wish to use it on Merlin, to weaken his magic so that when the time comes we can deal with him safely."
Her eyes were wide, amazement and a little fear in her mind. " Ingenious... But cannot Dream Spells be easily Broken? You told me about the Mandrake and it's effects, and despite it's power nearly anyone could dispel it by destroying it."
Chuckling, Mika grabbed pouch that he opened to reveal a powdered Mandrake root. " Yes, but in this case the Spell doesn't need to be near the person I am casting it on... at least not permanently. As long as they are introduced to the Spell, it will transfer and the Memories of those that died will become like a parasite, lingering in the Victims Soul... bound to their guilt and the fear. At first it will show as Restlessness, then they will feel a subtle surge o Dread around those that they victimized... eventually the Nigthmares will start. Every day they will grow just a little until they consume every ounce of rest and once they lose too much sleep... they will hallucinate the same dreams, so that are always haunted by their crimes. After a while, only the Cauldron of Arianrhod would be able to purify the victim."
Morgana shivered, seeing for the first time just how Skilled her teacher was... the complexity of the Spell would have to be incredible. It seemed to be like Summoning a shade via Necromancy, Cursing someone using a Mandrake Root, Hexing them with a Nightmare curse, and weakening their body via mental torture. All Powerful, Complex and Rare branches of magic that few understood and even less dared to try to understand.
" Who are trying the spell on..." The Experimental Part of her wanted to watch... the Vengful part of her couldn't wait to see it's effects on Uther.. .but her compassionate side worried about whom would be cursed to such a fate.
" Arthur."
Her Jaw dropped. " Why, I thought the Plan was to use him as a Puppet or just kill him off?"
Mika gave her a sort of amused look which actually angered her a little. " The Spell can be reversed by my hands, all my spells can... this one, for Arthur, will be weaker then what I would curse Merlin or Uther with. The Way out for this Spell is Guilt and Penance... the Victim must accept their fault and do something about their actions. However the memories will still be apart of him, so it will return should he not do anything. If the spell is a success, then Perhaps I may place it on all of Albion... all of those guilty of the genocide against magic, whether it is by choice like Uther or through inaction like most."
Morgana let out a breath. " By Doing this, you have ensured that Arthur is always on our side and that Uther will be destroyed since he cannot feel Guilt..." She smirked deeply. " Anyway I can Help?"
" That is why I love you so deeply... Yes, you can help. I need some of Ygraine's. Incorporating something significant of hers will ensure that Uther's Mind is open to the Spell and it's effects... Ygraine was his snapping point, her Death played a hand in warping him into what he has become. Visions of her, scatters throughout the various nightmares will ensure his mind weakens." Mika's smirked was ridiculously bloodthirsty. " Oh and I will need something to bind the spell to him... something he has on his person... his crown perhaps. Or maybe the Throne itself... something innocuous..."
" I never knew you were so Ruthless... I love it. " Morgana knew she was nearly purring, but didn't care a bit. She was very much pleased with this little spell. " What are you Binding Arthur With?"
A Snort from Mika just made her more curious. " His Belt, it was the only thing he brought from the Castle. He is slimmer then Tom was so he needs it... Once this potion is complete, I will Curse the Belt. Since Merlin won't be around him for nearly a week, he won't be able to stop the spell kicking in... "
" Brillant...how long have you been planning this?"
Mika just shrugged. " Since he walked into my Story last Night."
She just shook her head, such a powerful Spell created in such a time... it was honestly amazing... and more then a little terrifying. " Hmmm, We have Patients coming soon, So one last question... When will we free Kilgarah?"
Mika turned to her with a considering look. " Well, if this spell is a success... Tomorrow Night. But he won't leave the Cavern for another three days, to avoid casting suspicion to us."
She smiled deeply, feeling a rush of pleasure filling her entire body. " Perfect." A Small flicker of Magic told her that the spell on Mary was breaking. " Oh, about time for her Exam. No more talk of such things, she doesn't need the Stress if it."
Arthur looked in Horror was the Clothes, Food and Health of those around him. Guenevere, after her third Delivery, had taken him to a part of Camelot that he had never been too... one that would fill his Nightmares for decades to come. " How..?" He didn't care that his voice was rough, broken with Grief and Disbelief... this was just too much.
All around him, there were people covered in their own filth... many missing teeth, even children. The Smell they produced was horrid, a mixture of Human Filth and Rotting Flesh. Several of the girls, some even younger then Mary were clearly pregnant... absolutely no one had any kind of spark in their eyes. They were the Living Dead...all happiness, hope and Humanity burned out of them...
" This Arthur, is the result of Nobility." He turned to her, burning with anger that she would accuse people like him for this, but it was her sad stare that stopped him from speaking. " Nobles hog most of the supplies, food and power... someone has to pay for it... a Balance to everything Arthur... " He couldn't wouldn't believe this..." Many of these people resort to Crimes to feed their children, and even then many of their children have to wait days between meals... most of the children are not even named until they are ten. Their parents are too afraid to get attached to their children in case they lose them..."
He choked a little, hopelessness and denial waging in his mind as he took everything in. " Why did you take me here?"
Gwen pulled out a small wrapped Package from her Bag and walked towards the center of the ... Section of Camelot they were in. " Children." Every single child in the Area turned to her, giving her a look of glee far greater then anything he could have imagined from these broken people. " I Brought your Package." All of the children stampeded towards her, looking desperate as she opened the package to reveal a Large Loaf of Bred, at least five apples and several Vials of an Elixir. " Girls, here are your Tonics and apples. " The Pregnant Girls all were given the biggest portion of Bread and an Apple each, while all of the other children took a single hunk of the Bread, which he realized had Meat and Fruit baked into it.
" Thank you Gwen..." One of the Pregnant Girls smiled at Gwen, happy at that tiny amount of food... an amount of food he would have spent hours raving about angrily...
" No problem Sweetie... How are you today. Any Nausea or complications?" Gwen rubbed the Girl's belly, examining her in a casual way.
" No Gwen, that Garlic Tonic Mika gave us helps."
AN Hour and Several Exams later
Arthur's mind hurt, his soul hurt... seeing such devastation in the Kingdom he swore to protect... and never having even had heard of it. He felt like a Failure, like a Monster for ever complaining about his food, clothes or well... anything. Still, he had to know...
" Gwen... how... why are these people like this... "
The Women had just returned in time to hear his words, but instead of answering she lead him away from the area and once they were far enough she practically whispered into his ear. " Most of them are either descendants of Criminals, those who disagreed with your Father, or those related to those accused of Magic. People fear being associated with magic, so they shun the families of those accused of magic... many of them cannot enter shops, taverns or Inns... She sighed, looking miserable. " The Worst part is that they get stuck in Ruts, never able to leave since no one will train them in skills needed to thrive... this affliction passes onto their children. Few ever escape this kind of inherited poverty..."
Despair filled Arthur. " Why didn't I hear about this... I am the Crown Prince, I can help them!"
Gwen gave him a sweet, mildly condescending smile. " The Poor are us, without our Clothes or Good Fortune... it scares us so much that we try to ignore them...Your Father would never allow it, he would see it as a waste. The Only way you could change their lives is as King... and even then you would be fought by your Advisors, who want to keep the money and Power all in their control."
" So you are saying it is hopeless?"
She snorted at him. " Nothing is hopeless Arthur... all you need is Time, Patience, Faith, Ambition and the Power to make your Ambitions come true."
He didn't plan on dying any time soon so he had time, he was used to boring meeting and the Quiet of the Hunt so he had patience, he had the ambtion to make Camelot the Greatest Kingdom in Albion, and as King he would have absolute power... he would fix Camelot...he would help those people and all those that needed it.
" Gwenevere... what else am I unaware of... If I am to help my Kingdom, I can't remain so... so... ignorant."
Gwen's smiles was beyond radiant and it made him love her even more. " I am glad you asked...You will be a far better King then Uther ever was." For whatever reason, Arthur wasn't mad at the insult towards his Father... if anything, he kind of agreed...
Myror the Assassin was furious, he could not find Arthur anywhere. No one seemed to know where he was, yet no one was panicked so clearly he was safe. He refused to fail now, he had never done so before. He just had to find Arthur... Perhaps he should speak to the Servants... " Servants... of course, Merlin... Arthur's Manservant... Perfect."
Now he just had to get some Servant Clothing... so many victims to chose from.
Chapter End, Tell me what you think in the Reviews...
I am very proud of the Spell I created ( which we will see in action in the next chapter which should be up soon) and want to see what you think of it. I would also like to hear your thoughts on my interpretation of the Poor and what happens to those who's families are killed due to Uther's Reign.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.
