Uther looked at him closely. "You look familiar," he said slowly. "Why?"
Merlin glanced over at Arthur before answering. "My father was Balinor."
Uther froze. "Yes, I can see it. And Balinor was one of the few who knew," he continued, "from when we were taught together, as children. It's almost a pity he is dead. He would have made a great slave. But you could easily take his place," he said coldly to Merlin.
"You are forgetting something," the warlock responded. "Everyone here has seen that you have magic."
"That is easily remedied."
Against the wall, Arthur tensed.