Golden sunlight streamed through leaded glass windows. The late afternoon light caused the shadows to lengthen and grow. A few of the windows were opened to allow the late summer breeze to flow into the room, carrying the salty aroma of fresh sea air.
Arthur sent for Sir Leon to meet him in his solar under the assumption of discussing their next move after landing in the north. "Sit down please," he offered the commander of his knights the seat across from him at the desk, provided by Queen Annis.
Arthur studied the knight, a man who had served him longer than anyone. Leon looked around the room and shifted in his chair, realizing it was just the two of them. "Is there something wrong, Sire?"
"I believe I know who Morgana's informant is." He stated bluntly. "If my suspicion proves correct, I would like to use it to our advantage, if possible."
Leon's eyes widened. He had a feeling that Arthur knew, but was grateful the king had finally confided in him. "Tell me who, Sire. I will have the person dealt with immediately."
"First, I need you to answer some questions for me." He watched as Leon leaned back, curiosity etching his features as he nodded, waiting for his king to continue. "A couple weeks back, I was on my way to the armory when I overheard a conversation about magic and manipulation."
Leon's eyes filled with guilt and surprise. He quickly lowered them to the floor. "Arthur, forgive me. I meant nothing by…"
Arthur held up his hand, "I know, Leon. I trust you and I'm the one who asked you to mentor him. But I must know...have you seen anything suspicious from him?...Any inconsistencies?"
"You suspect Mordred?"
"Sorry to say, but I do. Did you say anything to him around the time Sir Gwaine and Merlin left?"
Leon took a deep breath, looking Arthur straight in the eyes. "I would never do such a thing, Sire." The elder knight sat in quiet contemplation. It was hard for him to believe the young man would do anything against Arthur. Then, as he thought about it more, small instances began to make themselves clear in his mind. "The morning of their departure, he was in the stables. Perhaps he could have overheard something."
"Anything else?"
"I have wondered, if he knew Merlin had magic, Sire. It's nothing concrete, but a few times when we've spoken, he has said odd things concerning your servant. Also, Elyan mentioned to me that before we left Camelot, Mordred was acting a bit odd – he appeared to be talking to the birds near the castle wall."
"He was raised amongst the druids. I've heard tell, they talk to animals," Arthur commented offhandedly with a shrug. "His father was killed by Uther. Morgana, Merlin, and I kept him safe and snuck him out of the city. He then returned to the castle around the time the crystal was stolen from the vaults."
"I had no idea, Sire. We went after the sorcerer Alvarr, and destroyed his camp."
"Yes, and Mordred was also in the camp, where we found Morgana after she had run away."
"The boy is loyal to you, Sire. I can see it in his eyes." Leon pursed his lips, an idea coming to him. "It was Merlin's trail we followed, when Morgana was in the druid camp. Do you think, perhaps, this has nothing to do with you? If he does know Merlin's…abilities and knew Merlin could have helped, but didn't...?"
Recent events were beginning to strain Leon's personal beliefs. When he was younger, and not as jaded, he would have accepted the change in welcoming magic. At one point, he would have rejoiced in it. However, years of service to the kingdom and bearing witness to the atrocities that Uther fought against, had changed his perspective. Deep inside, he knew there was some good to be had and that those accused may not have always been guilty, but that was little comfort when he watched people like Morgana killing innocent bystanders...just to make a point. Even if she hadn't used magic, when she did it.
Finally, he sighed and shook his head. It was all too confusing, "This type of situation is why I'm having a difficult time accepting it all, and why many others will, as well. The games these magic users play are…"
"…Are games we all must play at some point, just with different weapons," Arthur responded. The realization of what he said, hit something deep in the king's core. He was beginning to see what Merlin's life must have been the past years. Arthur cupped his chin, elbow resting on the arm of his chair. "From what Queen Annis has told me, my father was one of the most ruthless players ever. He died with his pieces still standing on the board, and expected me to continue the match."
If it had been just Morgana and Merlin, Arthur could have dealt with it, but Mordred threw an unknown factor into the game. As the sunset began, the colors inside the room changed; casting an orange glow on the men as they sat in contemplation.
Leon silently reflected on his own life for a while, before finally asking, "What is our next move, Arthur?"
(*~*~*~*)
The rain fell in sheets and the wind that blew through the narrow strait between the Isle of Anglesey and Snowdonia, pressed against the abbey doors. Gregorian chants could be heard from the inner sanctum, as the men tended to their evening prayers. Brother Jonah sat on a bench near the main entrance, a blanket bundled around his robes to help cut down the draft from under the solid wood doors. He fingered his rosary with reverence, as he silently went through his prayers. On a night such as this, with the weather beating heavily down, he expected no visitors. So, Jonah was shocked out of his reverie when he heard a light knocking on the exterior of the door.
He moved quickly to open it; no one should be left standing out in the storm when comfort was available in the monastery walls. He removed the bar that kept the wind from breaking through and opened it just enough to admit a cloaked figure.
"In the name of God, I welcome you stranger, please come in." He stood back to allow the person room. "Make yourself at home, please. If I may ask, what brings you out on such a night?"
A woman's voice spoke softly under the hood while handing the man a small parchment bearing Camelot's royal seal. "Is this the Abbey where King Constanus' son took his vows?"
"Yes it is. Father Constans passed into our Lord's graces many years ago, so if you are seeking his wisdom,I'm afraid you are much too late." Jonah took the letter and made a sign of reverence for the departed. Inside, he chuckled a little. He had met Father Constans a few years before the old man's passing and had been assigned to care for the aging monk. Originally, he had balked at the idea. He came to the monastery to do God's work and spread the word, not to be a nurse-maid. It hadn't taken him long, however, to warm up to the old man with laughing blue eyes.
"Pity." The woman's voice spoke without emotion. "Did he leave any records behind of his family?"
Jonah felt a seed of fear taking root in his stomach, as he noticed the seal had been tampered with. "The holy brotherhood was his family, My Lady."
He crossed himself in dread, as he felt the first tendrils of energy come from the visitor. Her hands moved to the cowl of her cloak and pushed it back slowly. Her gray eyes seethed with hatred. He barely had a moment to realize how much trouble his brotherhood was in, before her hand shot out. Her eyes glowed with the inner fire of magic, and he felt himself slammed against the wall. "Wrong. Answer." ...were the only words he heard, before he blacked out.