Planeswalker Gothic
Part 14
Camelot. Albion.
Since becoming a Planeswalker I'd visited Canterlot, Carealot (shudder) and now I'd found a version of Camelot, which pleased me greatly. What didn't please me so much was the version I'd found myself in. This one was the main setting for the TV show Merlin. Which was bad because in this verse magic users were hunted and hated by the ruler of Camelot, and I was a magic user.
Sure I could have simply teleported back to my ship, which was cloaked and hidden away, but I was actually interested in seeing this place, as it was one of the worlds the Wraith Planeswalker had visited. His logs didn't say why he'd come here, but it hadn't been to feed. No doubt Jace would want a full report on this plane.
Even with that I might not have come to this city at all if not for the fact that I'd ran into a dark magic user, a young man who'd been doing some sort of demon summoning if I was any judge. I'd killed the summoner with Winter's Bane just in time for a group of knights to come riding in.
Thankfully they'd not seen me do any magic, and since I wore fine armour, and carried a finer sword, they'd assumed I was a noble. This had led to them escorting me to Camelot so that the Court Physician could check my wounds. Not that I needed healing, I could managed that myself, but I had been hurt in the fight so they'd just been trying to help.
Upon arrival a serving girl had been ordered to escort me to to the Court Physician, and now here I was. And it was at this point I started to wonder if I should stick around for a while and meet Merlin. Perhaps I could learn a few tricks form him
"Of course. Gaius, if you don't need anything else, I'll be getting home. It's getting late and my father will worry if I don't get back soon" the serving girl told the old man.
She then turned to me.
"It was nice meeting you, my lord" she said.
After she had departed, Gaius, who I knew to be a wizard as well as well as a healer, looked me up and down. This man was also a mentor to Merlin in his younger days.
"Well? Come on in," he said, while striding into his quarters.
The room I soon entered was dim and cluttered with books, papers, and scrolls. A few candles offered light to the room, causing eerie shadows to dance on the walls and ceiling. There were some odd objects about, such as a ferocious mask and some sort animal skulls lying on the table in the middle of the room. Also there were some things you'd expect a healer to have in his home, such as a sick bed, some cabinets full of herbs and points, as well as a small but quaint cooking area.
There was another room, set apart from the main area, where I assumed Gaius's slept. Aside from that there was a small set of stairs at the back of the room, leading to a small but sturdy looking door. Merlin's room I was sure.
The healer spent a few moments examining me in a way that involved a good understanding of medicine considering the time period. He felt my head for bumps, examined my pupils, and asked me about any pain. He even checked my pulse.
"Sit down if you'd like" the healer invited, once he was done " I've not got much to offer to eat, but I will make us some tea".
I sat down.
"That would be most welcome" I said.
It had been a while since I'd drunk British tea, although I doubted the stuff here would be like the stuff I'd used to drink.
"Sorry to say that I do not have any extra beds to offer. I will go and see if I can find some blankets" Gaius went on to say as he put the kettle on to boil "Tomorrow, after your audience with the King, your accommodations should improve considerably, he will no doubt be grateful for you defeating the Dreaded Summoner".
The Dreaded Summoner had been a young man messing about with demon summoning, or at least that was I'd guessed he'd been doing. Still he'd hardly seemed like someone to be dreaded. If hadn't attacked me I would have left him alone.
"And if my ward should return before I get back, make sure you tell him to wash up before he goes to bed" Gaius requested as he headed for the door.
I wasn't alone for long enough to even look around some more, as soon the door opened and I turned around, expecting to see Gaius, but instead, someone else entered the room, he was a tall, gangly young man. His dark hair was messy and his face was smudged. He had intense blue eyes and wore a red long-sleeved shirt with a brown jacket and an old, blue neckerchief. His face was narrow but handsome enough by my judgement, and he was pale, with prominent ears. He was also skinny, the kind of skinny that would make the women in my family try to force feed him extra food.
"And who exactly are you?" he asked, sounding a bit suspicious.
There was an armed and armoured stranger in his home, so it was no surprise that was cautious.
"My name is Gothic" I introduced, while sticking my hand out to shake "I'm a visitor to Camelot, your mentor is putting me up for the night".
Gaius's ward simply stared at my outstretched hand. Meanwhile I reached out with my Planeswalker senses. Merlin was not one of my kind, but he had a lot of power, it was impressive for a mortal. Not that he was mortal, at least not totally.
However while he was no Planeswalker I could sense one nearby, a Spark, dormant but not too far from here. This must have been what had drawn the Wraith to this place, it made sense that he'd want to study another of our kind.
"I'd rather not," the warlock said "I don't want to get my stench on you, if it's all the same".
The awkward silence that followed was broken as Gaius came through the door with several blankets. He handed them to me and soon added a pillow to the pile.
"Merlin, you smell like the stables, go clean up" he ordered the younger man.
He went and did just that, while Gaius prepared some tea, leaving me make up a bed as best I could.
(Line Break)
Camealot. Albion.
Merlin stood, bent over and sore, his wrists clasped in iron manacles, his head and arms trapped in the wooden stocks. Sweat beaded his brow and the stench of rotting vegetables stung is nostrils.
Being in the stocks was not all that bad; it was actually a bit of fun to see how well he could dodge the vegetables being flung at his face. He had made a game of it. The worst part of it all was the sun bearing down on him, making him sweat and his pale skin burn, and the aching that started in his back and legs after the first thirty minutes or so.
He had no idea how long Arthur planned on keeping him in the stocks today. Probably not long as Merlin had done nothing but come to work late and annoy prince a bit. Merlin figured Arthur had put him in the stocks as a reminder of who was boss. He didn't mean anything by it; it was just how Arthur dealt with things. Still, Merlin thought, shifting his position slightly, it would be nice if Arthur could assert his authority some other.
"Merlin? Is that you?" a voice enquired.
He craned his neck to see the man he'd met just last night standing to the side of the stocks, well out of the way of the flying veggies. He seemed quite surprised to see Merlin chained up in the middle of the square, being pelted with various bits of stinky plant matter.
"How did you end up like this" Gothic asked.
Merlin smiled.
"Eh, just enjoying the sunlight," he joked.
The man in strange armour looked up at the cloudless skies.
"What did you do?" he then asked.
Merlin soon told him.
"I was late for work. I'm the prince's man servant," he explained.
Gothic seemed confused, and the magic user misunderstood as to why.
"Yeah, I know it's hard to believe, right?" Merlin said in mock seriousness "But I am a lowly servant".
The young warlock then changed the subject.
"I thought you had an audience with King Uther" he said.
At this point people were starting to run out of rotten vegetables, which made talking easier.
"It's not until later" Gothic told him as he walked away "but I have to go and get ready, enjoy your sun bathing".
(Line Break)
Camealot. Albion.
I'd polished my armour and I was now heading for the throne room, when I ran into the prince.
"Greetings your highness" I said with a short bow "I am Lord Gothic, how may I serve".
I had a lot of experience dealing with royal types. I knew how to address them.
"Please, call me Arthur," he said "So you are the stranger my father was talking about. You killed an evil sorcerer, correct?".
I nodded my head.
"Forgive me for asking your highness, but why did you put Merlin in the stocks?" was my question.
The prince soon answered.
"Because he's terrible with a sword, always running late, and I swear, the man can be an idiot" he told me
That was more or less what I'd been expecting. What I didn't understand was why Merlin put up with it when he didn't have to. I wouldn't.
"Seems harsh" I said.
Cruel really.
"Why do you care?" Arthur asked "He's just a servant."
Now he sounded like a Westerosi noble, but this was Britain, sort of, we were better than that, or at least we should be.
"And he always will be, if that is how you keep looking at him" I replied "Your Highness, he may be a servant, but, I believe that given the chance, Merlin could be more than you ever imagined. He has great potential".
Plus he kept saving this kingdom. You shouldn't pelt your saviours with rotten vegetables, they might get annoyed and stop saving you.
"You are different than most nobles, Lord Gothic," the prince said softly, as if he feared being overheard "Although I feel obliged to inform you that I know Merlin, quite well. And is a twerp".
I was able to resist the the urge to sigh.
"Didn't he save your life?" I asked.
The prince nodded.
"And he was rewarded with a place at court" Arther said "Its an honour to serve the royal family".
Didn't seem like a reward to me.
"So he's bad at a job he didn't ask for, and wasn't trained to do" I said "and you punish him for that, seems odd to me".
The Prince spent a moment thinking.
"I have to get ready for court, but I trust I will see you again?" he asked "You have some interesting views".
With that the future king walked away.
(Line Break)
Throneroom. Camelot.
I stood before the King and although outwardly I hopefully appeared to be moderately calm and composed, in truth I was not at all peaceful. I had been anxious about meeting Uther, but now that I was actually standing before him, before this king who hated magic with such a blind passion that I wasn't sure what I should do.
Uther had executed dozens of druids, warlocks and witches alike, whether they were innocent of crimes or not, while at the same time failing to see anything wrong with how he ruled his kingdom. These evil actions were the rage-fuelled retaliation against a woman called Nimueh who had caused his wife's death after giving birth to their son Arthur. The Queen's life had been the price for the sorcery, due to a life for a life policy
This King had led a purge of magic users, who were kin to me in some sense, someone could even go as far to say he'd attempted genocide. It would be so easy for me to kill him, his knights wouldn't be able to stop me. I could snap his neck with my tk powers and then teleport away before anyone could even try stopping me, or I could just open up with my pulse pistol, which I had hidden on person, and slaughter the man, his son, and adopted daughter all in one go. Might improve things, or it might not if the prince did turn out to be a good king in the future.
Morals aside Uther Pendragon was a ruggedly handsome man. His eyes were dark and deep, yet not cruel. He was dressed regally, clad in leather, he had rings on his fingers and pendants around his neck. His mouth was set in a firm line. If I hadn't know his past I'd judge him as strict but fair.
The monarch sat with his son on one side and a beautiful, pale, raven-haired woman on the other. I knew who she was Morgana, the witch of the legends, the sorceress that in years to come would cause a lot of harm to many people. Also she was Arther's half sister, although neither of them knew that. Also she was a Planeswalker, one with an inactive Spark, but still it explained why she was so powerful.
I wondered if I should warn Merlin about the treachery in his future. If prepared he might be able to do something to bind her powers. On the other hand she was a hottie so I didn't want her harmed, besides Merlin had no reason to believe me. Also Jace had sent me here to find things and people that would be of interest to the Gateguard, an inactive Planeswalker was of interest.
Behind the nobles were Gwen, Merlin and Gaius, along with a few knights and some other servants.
"Your name?" the King wished to know.
I was sure he already knew as his son had not that long ago told that his father than mentioned me. So I assumed the King wanted a formal introduction.
"Sire, my name is Gothic" I told "I am a Lord of the Riverlands, which is part of Westeros, a kingdom far from here".
I wasn't going to mention my rank of Baron as Canterlot sounded too much like the name of this kingdom.
"What business do you have in Camelot?" Uther wanted to know "Where you hunting the mage whom you slew".
I had not been, I'd only come across the guy by chance, and if he hadn't attacked me I'd have let him get on with his business.
"No, your Majesty" I said, telling as much of the truth as I dare "I'm a traveller, an explorer, as well as a scholar, healer and warrior, I was passing through your kingdom during my travels and came across the one you call the Dreaded Summoner, I slew him as he attacked me first".
The king nodded as if he understood.
"You have done this kingdom a great favour even if you meant or not" Uther told me "I am sorry I can offer you much as a reward, but you shall be given a room in the castle for as long as you wish to stay".
Well this was going well so far. Although I was confused to the lack of questions, perhaps the king was distracted by important matters and planned to interview me further at a later date.
"You are dismissed," Uther then said to me, "Arthur, your servant can prepare our honoured guest a room".
I was so glad to leave.
(Line Break)
Camealot. Albion.
Merlin entered Arthur's chambers, wondering why his master had called him away from the stables that he had been mucking, and hoping that he wasn't about to get an even more repulsive job from the prince. After receiving his list of duties from Arthur, the prince had sent him off and not spoken another word.
He had no idea if Arthur was angry at him or simply mulling things over, but ever since their spat the day before, the prince had been distant to Merlin, which made the young warlock even more uneasy than when Arthur was visibly annoyed.
Arthur, who was standing at his favourite window, the window that looked over the expanse of the courtyard and the valleys, woods, and trees of the Darkling Woods that lay beyond.
It was just past noon and the sun was just now beginning to edge in a westward direction, still high overhead. Merlin knew that Arthur loved to gaze out of this window, drinking in the beauty and majesty of the great kingdom that would one day be his.
Although Arthur had never said anything about it to Merlin, the wizard could tell from the faraway look in his master's eyes that Arthur was thinking of the future, wondering if he will be the kind of king that Camelot needed.
Merlin knew that although Arthur could be arrogant and demanding that he had a good heart, a heart that was deeply in love with his kingdom. Which was good as Arthur's future was tightly meshed with the future of this land.
When Uther died, Arthur would be left to defend, to rule, and to take care of Camelot. Merlin knew that Arthur was afraid that he would not be the king that he needed to be.
If only he knew what Merlin knew. The young warlock had a nearly overwhelming urge to tell Arthur about his powers and about the great future that the two of them would build for the kingdom that the prince so cherished. Sadly it was too dangerous to mention such things.
"You are going to be a great king" the mage said.
Arthur didn't move for a few long moments. Then he turned and looked at Merlin strangely. Merlin assumed that the prince was going to make a smart retort, ragging on Merlin about his inferior intellect or strange behaviour. Instead, Arthur's expression softened as he turned back to the window.
"How did you know what I was thinking about?" he asked softly.
Merlin shrugged, acting as if had just been a guess.
"I don't know, sire. Just a feeling" he quickly said,
Arthur grunted, then straightened and turned back to Merlin.
"You never cease to surprise me, Merlin," the prince said. "Sometimes you make me wonder if you are actually smarter than you look."
Merlin grinned, knowing that the prince had just unwittingly complimented him. Arthur grimaced as he apparently came to the same realisation.
"Don't just stand there with a stupid grin on your face, Merlin!" he snapped. "It's times like these that I realise that you are as smart as you look. And don't look so happy about it, that's not a compliment!".
Merlin's mouth twitched slightly as he tried to refrain from smiling. Hardly believing that he was happy about his master teasing him, he tried to mask his smile.
"You wanted to see me, sire?" the warlock asked.
All business, Arthur nodded.
"Yes. I will be dining with our guest in my chambers tonight, Merlin, and I am going to give you the night off" he said.
Merlin opened his mouth to protest, wondering what on earth would inspire Arthur to dine alone with Gothic. He hoped that Arthur hadn't somehow figured out that the magic user was more than what he seemed was and hunting for information. Although he didn't think this would be something that Arthur would do, yet he could think of no other reason for the prince to dine with Gothic, and instantly sought to protect his new friends.
"Sire, perhaps I should be there" Merlin said.
"Oh, shut up, Merlin," Arthur said without any anger.
His voice was actually lighter than usual, friendlier than he normally spoke to Merlin.
"Just take the night off the prince insisted "I will have another servant come in and serve us for the night, and no, I am not replacing you, you idiot, so wipe that shocked look off your face. You are taking the night off because you need a break. Heaven forbid I ever give you one, you're looking pale, almost sickly, and need your rest. You'll be absolutely no help to me if you're dead on your feet from exhaustion, and what use is a servant who can't stay awake to do his chores?".
Merlin was going to remind Arthur that he was always pale, but then he realised something else that Arthur had spoken of earlier.
"If this is about me running late, it wasn't because I was sleeping in. I told you, I was running an errand for Gaius. And I feel fine, Arthur! I am not exhausted or sickly!".
Arthur sighed, annoyance beginning to creep into his voice
"Just do as you're told, Merlin. And I expect to see you at work on time first thing tomorrow morning. Am I clear?" he said.
Merlin nodded curtly.
"Yes, sire" he replied.
(Line Break)
Camelot. Albion.
A fabulous meal had been prepared for this dinner. There was pork, tender and juicy, the aroma so enticing that I almost found myself salivating. A variety of vegetables, cheeses, breads, and fruits surrounded the main course on smaller silver platters, as well as chalices of fine, red wine.
After the serving boy had left the room, closing the door behind him, Arthur began to eat and I followed suit. The meal was incredible, I hadn't eaten so well since the feast in Winterfell to celebrated King Robert's visit.
"I want to thank you for accepting my invitation," the Prince said, while popping a small piece of meat into his mouth.
After he had swallowed, he continued.
"I have to admit you intrigue me" he said.
Surely Arthur didn't suspect that there was something different about me. That I had magic? Perhaps my powers were influencing him in some fashion.
"The way you talk and behave" he went on to say "It's different than how other nobles act".
There were reasons for that.
"I wasn't born a noble" I admitted "My parents were healers, and my mother went on to become a teacher".
Well they'd been nurses when I was born, and mother taught at a college now.
"So how did you become a lord?" Arther asked.
It was rare for a commoner to become a noble, nearly all knight and lords came from families with a history of producing knights and lords. Uther cared about such things, from what I recalled of this show the prince was more liberal, he allowed commoners to become knights.
"While my family weren't nobles we're hardly poor" I told the royal "And I'm well educated. I started travelling and was lucky enough to befriend the bastard son of a great lord".
I was going to leave out the stuff about the ponies and just tell him about my time in Westeros, as that would far easier for him to understand.
"One of the lord's trueborn sons was pushed out of a window of a tower" I went on to say "He would have been crippled for life if I hadn't been able to use my knowledge of healing to save him. I also discovered who had pushed the boy from the window, the lord was grateful and granted me some land. After that I travelled some more, and made my way to Kingslanding, the city the royal family of that land rule from, there was a power struggle and I saved the life of the lord's daughter".
I still more to tell him.
"The lord was captured, and his eldest son raised an army to free his father, I assisted as best I could as they marched to Kingslanding. My fortunes grew into the young lord, who had been named king by his nobles, granted me more land and a castle".
It had all been a lot more complex, dangerous and thrilling than that, but since I didn't want to mention magic, I couldn't give to many details.
"Sounds like you've had quite the life" the prince commented "I'd like to hear more".
I spent a moment thinking about what was safe to tell his man about. I decided that as long as I left out some details that I could tell him more.