Win or lose today I am proud of the way my boys have played in the tournament.
~ Imran Khan
Chapter 46: The Surprise Champion
The tournament soon came down to eight participants. The eight were brought in to be celebrated in a banquet at the castle. They were each allowed to bring two guests. For Nowe and Cobin, this meant they could invite all their friends with them. The six of them walked into the throne room and their eyes rose a bit at the sight.
"Wow," Cobin mumbled as he took it in. "Not bad."
But Jaden shrugged his shoulders. "I've seen better." He looked over at Nowe who fought the urge to laugh at him.
"Really?" Rafe moved his head around. "Because it all looks the same to me."
That made the five of them looking over at him, or rather the blindfold covering his eyes. Rafe then smiled at them and they broke into snickers. Rafe always found some way to make light the fact that he was blind.
"You're an idiot Rafe," Nowe said as he rolled his eyes.
Emir looked over at Galen as he kept a tight hold on his sleeve to make sure his arm was completely covered so he didn't expose his triskelion tattoo. "Hey," he said lightly elbowing him. "Relax. You'll be fine. No one is looking at you."
Emir was actually wrong. There was someone watching, not just their druid friend, but watching all six of them. He was holding out a tray of chalices and was approached by a knight who took one as he nodded before he returned to hover near the group.
"Sorry," Galen lightly coughed. "I guess it's just nerves."
"That's good," said Nowe as he let his expression harden a bit. "Something tells me we're going to need that when we head west after this. Isn't that the whole reason we're even here? Practice for over there."
The other five went silent as the thought passed into their minds.
"Nowe," Jaden called out as he pointed on ahead. "There's the line-up for tomorrow. We already know you're fighting Uther tomorrow, but who are you fighting Cobin?"
Across the room, Arthur was looking at the line up that was drawn up. The winner of the first match would go on to face him after he won his. The problem was that the first match was his father's match. That means they would be meeting in the first semi-final bout. If he won, then he would go on and embarrass his father in front of the kingdom. But he couldn't just lose to him on purpose as that would insult him and he knew his father didn't like for Arthur to appear weak. No matter the outcome, Arthur was trapped. One of the reasons he loved sparring with Lancelot so much was because he didn't feel the same pressure and need to make sure he won all the time like some of his other knights did because he was their prince.
"Arthur?" It was Lancelot.
"Lancelot," he grumbled. "I see you're fighting in the third match."
Lancelot nodded. "Against a knight from Carleon's land. I can say that the pressure is mounting." His opponents thus far have been the rough sort and not actually noble knights.
Arthur just went and put a firm hand to his shoulder. "You'll do fine. Just keep your chin up out there though. Carleon's men are known to be quite aggressive."
"I appreciate the warning," Lancelot sighed. "What about you?" He looked and saw the name paired with Arthur's. "I see that you're fighting Cobin first tomorrow."
"Cobin? Do you know him?" Arthur had been so consumed about his opponent for his second match tomorrow that he hadn't given thought to his first one.
"Only in passing. Seems like he's a decent enough young man." Lancelot looked over to the opposite side of the room. "Him and his friends."
Arthur saw them. His future opponent Cobin and he was standing with his father's future opponent, Nowe. They were off taking in the throne room with four others, one that he remembered had fought Lancelot earlier in the tournament. "They're an odd looking bunch."
"Compared to all the others that have come to Camelot before?" Lancelot asked with a side grin.
Arthur smiled. "Fair point."
Nearby, Gaius was silently standing and listening to what the prince and his servant had just been saying. He then went to give the boy and his friends another look. They seemed to be mingling about like all the other guests here. Gaius also spotted the other young magic user, Gilli. The lone boy was off in a corner, nodding his head at anyone that noticed him and shaking a few hands of men that approached him. He became more interested when he noticed that Nowe's group was starting to head over to Gilli.
"Gilli," Nowe said as he stepped over to him with his friends beside him. "You remember my friends, don't you?"
"Yes I remember Nowe," Gilli said with a small nod. He wouldn't quickly forget the ones that stood up for him against those two bullies in the woods. He looked over at Cobin. "Congratulations on your win."
"Thank you."
"I didn't see the pairings for tomorrow yet. You know who you're going up against?" he asked.
Cobin nodded. "Arthur."
Gilli's eyes widened. "Prince Arthur?"
"Unfortunately," Nowe mumbled.
He looked over to where the man himself was standing, right next to Lancelot. He saw that the two were looking in his direction. Nowe took this moment to really take the prince in, even though they had already crossed paths at Aglain's camp, Nowe hadn't really been able to study him. The one whom was born by Uther making a magical pact with Nimueh so that his wife could bare him an heir. His father and Kilgharrah had told him and his siblings the truth a few years ago. Nowe had to say that seeing him again, now knowing the truth, it made everything that happened that day and before even worse. Add in the fact that Arthur had a royal mission to seek out and kill his brother. His mind was so caught up in it all that he couldn't hear his friends were still talking to him.
"Nowe," Cobin said to him but noticed that his gaze was elsewhere. He then tapped him on his shoulder. "Nowe," he repeated.
"What?" Nowe asked blinking his eyes a bit and snapping out of it.
Cobin narrowed his eyes. "I just said that the winners of our two matches go on to face each other in the following round."
"Oh, right. Well, you'll beat Arthur," he said with a small smile. "I know you can, then we'll meet in the next round."
Cobin nodded. "Yeah, and...I'm fairly sure you could beat Uther," he said as he put on a face that made it seem like he doubted that was true.
Nowe narrowed his eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence friend," he said with a lazy dose of sarcasm. "But, don't worry, I'm sure I can handle him."
"Just sure?" Gilli asked him. "Someone like you?" He then tensed. "I mean..." He trailed off when he gave the others a small look.
Nowe straightened himself up. "They know," he grunted out.
Gilli's eyes nearly popped. "Know?" The other five nodded and Gilli took a moment to let that sink in. "Wait, then, do they know about-"
Nowe nodded. "Yes."
Gilli glared at him. "You told them about me?!" he hissed at him.
"No, we told him," said Galen. "Well, I told him."
Emir rolled his eyes. "Yes Galen, you're so smart. We get it." That made them all snicker while Galen just rose his head up in a show of mocking arrogance.
Gilli didn't smile at the sarcasm like the others. He was looking tensely at Galen. "How?"
"I recognized your ring, and the symbol. I'd seen it in my studies many times over the years."
"Plus, I also sensed you back at the ring," Rafe told him. "I might not be able to see but that's not the kind of thing you need eyes to detect for people like us."
Gilli's breath was caught in his throat. The way they just explained all of that could only mean one thing. "Wait, are you say, that you...that you're all-" He stopped as he gave the room full of people a nervous look.
They didn't need him to finish though. They understood what he was asking.
"No, not all of us," Jaden told him. "Not me."
"Or me," Emir told him.
"But the rest of us...definitely," Cobin muttered to him. Rafe and Galen nodded.
"And no, I'm not going to use that. We can't and shouldn't. Not for here or for this."
"Why not? The rules say we could use anything," Gilli threw in. "No weapon is illegal."
"Except that one. It's just an unwritten rule that no one likes to mention around here. Besides, I won't be needing it. Not for them," Nowe said to him with a small smile.
But Gilli went and glared at Nowe. "What are you trying to pull with me Nowe?"
"What makes you think I'm trying to do anything?" Nowe asked him as he quickly sobered up.
Gilli didn't answer. He just went off and moved to leave.
"What's with him?" Jaden asked.
Nowe shook his head. "i don't know." He watched as Gilli went off to distance himself from them before his gaze went off, back to Arthur and then going off to Uther.
Gaius was sitting nearby as he watched the small scuffle. It looked like there was some kind of issue brewing between those boys and Gilli. He hoped that it was one that didn't have disastrous consequences. According to the lineup, Nowe would be facing against Uther tomorrow and his friend Cobin would be fighting Arthur. If what he suspected about them all was right, then the two Pendragons would be going up against two magic users who seemed to be friends. He also can see the small look of contempt on Nowe's face as he looked in Arthur's direction. He supposed it was typical for someone Nowe's age to have ill feelings towards the Pendragon family but Gaius didn't want to believe that he had come to deliberately cause harm. So far, all their actions seemed innocent enough and they seemed to just be like the other competitors. Save for the tragic event that happened during Gilli's last match, their actions and intentions all seemed innocent enough. But Gaius just couldn't fathom why these young sorcerers would risk coming to Camelot for only a tournament. It can't be for simply the gold or the glory. No, something told him that there was something bigger at play here. He just hoped it wasn't something that would bring unnecessary grief.
But Gaius wasn't the only one who was paying attention to Nowe, or who had caught that look he threw the Pendragons' way either.
The people of Camelot gazed down at the eight people gathered at the center of the ring. They were standing side by side as they stared forward at the royal box. Uther, Arthur, Lancelot, Gilli, Nowe and Cobin and two others were standing in a straight line across the arena, facing the royal box. Jaden had gone to sit in the stands alongside Galen, Emir and Rafe. The four friends managed to find themselves at the front this time and their two friends were smiling over in their direction. Nowe then turned over to look down the line and noticed Gilli was looking at him. Nowe gave a small nod in his direction and Gilli simply turned away. Nowe sighed before he looked over at Cobin who just shrugged.
Arthur was just one person away from his father in the line as he stood next to Lancelot. He looked over at his father but he was keeping his poise and just looking straight ahead with his helmet firmly under his arm, looking as dignified as he possibly could. Arthur straightened himself up and did his best to maintain a dignified pose himself. Lancelot was smiling slightly as he stood ahead and caught the eye of Guinevere who was sitting next to Morgana. She was staring softly back at him and was grinning softly down at him.
Lady Morgana gave each warrior a long look as they stood there. Her gaze lasted a bit longer on Lancelot, Arthur and Uther when her eyes fell on them. But, as she got to Nowe, her gaze really went to the sword he was holding at his side. She could still see it, slashing through Camelot's banner, shredding it to ribbons. She felt a small tap from Gwen and Morgana snapped out of her stupor and realized that everyone was waiting on her. She cleared her throat and stood up.
"People of Camelot, today we gaze upon the valiant eight that remain in this tournament. Royal to commoner. Knight to peasant. Yet, through days of contest and brutal competition they have all persevered through the use of their skill and strength. Today, the eight you see before you will be reduced to two. Two who will be left to do battle tomorrow for the honor of being crowned champion. May you eight fight with wisdom, skill and valor. Let it begin!"
After the speech, the eight contestants looked around at the cheering crowds who were screaming out their support for their favorites. Uther was looking at the crowds with a proud lift of his chin while Arthur kept his gaze in his direction. Lancelot wasn't looking at the crowds, but rather at Guinevere, who he sent a small nod to and was responded with a smile from her.
The contestants then began to clear out, as to have the arena get set up for the first fight of the day.
Morgana stood up at the front of the royal box and everyone watched her with bated breath.
"For our first match, I introduce a man that requires no introduction for he is our king! Uther Pendragon of Camelot!"
At the Morgana's powerful introduction, Uther headed into the field, at the applause of the audience. When he got to his spot, he looked around and gave a dignified smile to the crowd before he moved to put his helmet on.
In the stands, there were four who weren't clapping or smiling.
"This ought to be good," Jaden said a little eagerly.
"How is that good?" asked Emir skeptically.
Galen scratched at the bridge of his nose. "Well, look at him Emir. It looks like Uther already believes that this match is won."
"And?" Emir said, still not following.
Rafe chuckled. "And, that can only work in Nowe's favor."
Morgana cleared her throat before she moved to proceed. "And, his opponent. A boy who has shown that he can fight as good as any seasoned man. Nowe!"
Nowe's friends noticed that Morgana, while giving their friend praise, it didn't seem to have as much energy as the introduction that Uther was given. Naturally, as it was in his city that the tournament was being held, he was meant to be the fan favorite. Well, him and his son, Arthur. As they looked to see their friend walking into everyone's sight, they saw that the crowd was cheering though it wasn't with the same energy as they had for Uther. They could make out Nowe's face and he seemed to shrink a little at the apparent favoritism the crowd had for Uther over him. However, they weren't upset. Each of them was smiling at Nowe's reaction.
Nowe wasn't intimidated. As a matter of fact, he was happy, though he was putting extra energy to not show it and look the part of an overwhelmed boy. He was sure that he looked like a real pathetic sight to his opponent. A boy with just a sword in his hand, not wearing any armor or carrying a shield, and had an uneasy look in his eyes. It would only help keep Uther right where he wanted him. He went and stood before the King of Camelot. When the bell was rung to start the fight, Uther charged first and Nowe moved his sword to intercept the blow. He took a step back and Uther moved to strike at him again, making him take another step back as he let out a relieved gasp that was more audible than normal.
Morgana watched from her seat as Uther seemed to take the early offensive by taking the first strike at Nowe and was now keeping up a steady barrage. Uther's attacks seemed to not allow for Nowe to get an opening in on him. The boy was backing away and seemed too overwhelmed by both nerves and opposing skill to make a single attack. It seemed like Uther was going to claim an easy victory, but Morgana could knew that it was anything but. She knew that this boy was anything but normal, even if she hadn't been had her visions. She'd been paying close attention to Nowe since before the match started and he didn't seem worried. In fact, he seemed focused, even as he kept parrying and backing away from each of Uther's strikes.
Arthur folded his arms as he watched his father's fight. "It looks like my father is about to take another win. This boy was good but it seems he might be too intimidated fighting against the king."
Lancelot narrowed his eyes. "I wouldn't be too sure."
Arthur finally tore his eyes away to look over at his servant/friend. "What do you mean?"
As Nowe backed away from the latest strike, he let himself have a moment to appreciate his current situation. He was actually face to face with the man that many back home called The Butcher. The one that had tried to kill his father and thankfully failed but had gone on and killed so many others all because he couldn't face the fact that he had to suffer the consequences of toying with things he shouldn't have. His brother did the same thing when he tried to save their sister and it wound up nearly killing their mother but Merlin learned his lesson. Uther didn't. Instead, he hid behind his position as king and blamed magical people, his people, his family, and tried to make them suffer instead. Not only that, he flaunted his son about, his magically sired son, openly and proudly like it was okay. His...abomination. And yet, anyone else who'd been similarly graced by magic Uther would've had them arrested, persecuted and then executed and feel proud to do it too. Uther was selfish, prideful, arrogant, hypocritical and at this moment careless as his guard was now completely non-existent thanks to him thinking that he would be as entitled to beating him as he no doubt expects everyone to be. With that thought burning inside him, Nowe then acted.
Morgana, Gaius, Arthur and Lancelot all gasped when Uther charged at straight at Nowe and froze. Nowe had moved and just avoided the strike but had wrapped his right arm around Uther's wrist and locked it in his armpit, trapping him. Uther tried to pull his arm free Nowe kept his arm tucked into his side tight, too tight for him to free his hand. Nowe then sent a good kick into Uther's side and it sent him falling onto his back to the audible awes of the crowd. Uther grunted and he opened his eyes to find that there was a point of a sword in front of his face. His eyes looked over to see that a foot was on the flat of his blade, keeping him from lifting it and he had let go of his shield in the fall. He tried to back himself up but a sharp pain spread out from his side from where Nowe had kicked him. He was defenseless and helpless as his opponent had him at swordpoint.
Nowe didn't know how long he had Uther at swordpoint. It could've been a few seconds or a few minutes, but it still felt like a lifetime. He actually had the man that had caused so much suffering and death in his mad purge of magic and that wanted to wipe out his people and his family. But, as much as he wanted to run this man through, he remembered what he told Gilli. This wasn't the time. Uther would get his, but not here and not now.
"I think this is the part where you're supposed to say something, your highness," he said, hissing the last two words out.
The crowd was watching with bated breath. This was an outcome they hadn't been expecting to happen. To actually see someone have the king at their mercy in front of the whole city.
Uther kept his eyes at the sword's tip hovering over his chest before he looked up at Nowe's glaring eyes. Uther's expression momentarily softened. He didn't know why but he had a feeling he'd seen these eyes before. He was so caught up in them that he seemed to forget the situation and Nowe moved the blade closer and quickly snapped him back to reality. "I yield," he muttered.
Nowe narrowed his eyes at him. The man had mumbled it, like it physically hurt him to say those words. Nowe was fighting from keeping a grin on his face. He just raised the blade higher so that the edge was pointing towards his throat. "Louder," he said to the king. "For it to be over, I think they have to hear you, sire."
Uther now was glaring. The boy was mocking him, and Uther could see that he was taking some mild pleasure from it. His face looked like it was focused but Uther could see his eyes were dancing with amusement. He was tempted to not say anything and deny the boy the satisfaction but his eyes looked over and saw that the city was still watching their king being held at swordpoint by a peasant boy and remembered that they had been watching this whole time. The longer this went on then the worst it would get and he wanted this to end. "I yield!" he said louder.
At that, the bell rang and Nowe backed away and turned to leave the arena without a second thought. For a moment, there was silence from everyone. But after Nowe had gotten a good ten paces away from Uther, in the stands erupted clapping. Jaden, Emir, Galen and Rafe were standing and cheering for their friend in the stands and Cobin was clapping hard for him off at the side. Soon, the people started to slowly join in with polite clapping which then went into a decent and energetic bout of praise. Nowe found his way to where Cobin was standing and got a congratulatory slap to the shoulder and they both smiled at each other. Quickly, two guards quickly moved to help Uther get to his feet and moved him over to where Gaius was and he directed them to the nearest tent so that he could check him. He tried very hard to keep himself looked dignified, or as close as he could given that his soreness couldn't let him walk or stand upright.
As the king was being helped out, Gilli was watching with a mix of fear, shock and anger as he wasn't sure which of them he should truly be feeling at the moment. What was it with this guy? Him and his friends? He remembered Nowe's proposal, don't use magic and he would tell him. Should he listen?
But, for another face out in the crowd, he was looking at the still alive king with clenched teeth and bitter feelings going through his mind at both him and the young opponent who didn't kill him when he had the chance. He didn't understand. Clearly, the young warlock had no love loss for that man, yet he let him live? This tournament would've served as the perfect cover and protection for him to kill the king, but he just gave it up? Why?
At the royal box, Morgana was sitting at the edge of her seat, recalling her vision. The sight of that very sword slashing through a banner of Camelot. Merlin had told her that sometimes a seer's visions weren't direct or literal but symbolic. Was this what it meant?
Arthur was off to the side, staring off in a somewhat stupefied daze. His father lost. He lost his match. And it wasn't to a knight or even to him.
"Arthur." Lancelot looked over at Arthur. "Are you okay?" he muttered to him.
"I...I don't know." Arthur's gaze stayed on his father who was disappearing into a tent with Gaius right behind him. "I just can't believe that someone actually defeated my father in this tournament." He finally tore his gaze away and looked at Lancelot. "You saw what was going to happen, didn't you?"
Lancelot's eyes looked back over at Nowe. "I had a hunch. I noticed how sloppy Nowe's moves were and could tell it was all on purpose. He was playing up an act of a scared and overwhelmed kid to catch your father off guard. I saw through it though."
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Because that's the same tactic you used with that man Gwaine to help us escape from Jarl when we were all captured by him."
"And it worked just as well for Nowe as it did for us." Lancelot was actually surprised that Uther had fallen for the boy's act, given that Nowe had made it this far. But, he guessed the sight of an unarmored peasant boy with just a sword made him extra susceptible to the ruse. He then looked and saw that Arthur looked a bit stiff as he was staring unblinkingly. "Arthur, are you okay?" Lancelot asked.
Honestly, Arthur wasn't sure. He didn't know how he felt at that moment. On one hand, he had just seen his father defeated. Beaten publically, in front of the whole kingdom, by a boy and it hadn't been pleasant to watch. But...this meant that he wouldn't have to fight him now and find himself in that dreaded situation where he either was beaten by him or humiliated him. He just stayed silent as he found that he couldn't answer.
The gong then rang which brought everyone's attention back to the center of the ring. The next match was to begin. It was Arthur's match.
"I'm off," Arthur mumbled as he went to grab his helmet from where it was sitting nearby.
"Good luck," Lancelot called after him.
Arthur started clapping long and hard when Lancelot raised his sword high after he had been declared the victor. He was now in the top 4 bracket and would go on to fight in the tournament's semi finals.
"Congratulations Lancelot!" he said as he moved to give his hand out to him.
Lancelot shook it. "Thank you Arthur," he said a little winded.
"Looks like you had some trouble with that one."
"Yeah, well he was a knight so I expected as much."
Arthur patted him on the back. "But you won. You actually won."
"I did," he smiled until he remembered that Arthur couldn't say the same. "I'm sorry," he quickly apologized.
"No," Arthur said in a low tone. "There's no need to apologize. You should be happy with your win. I know that I am."
Lancelot went and lay his sword down as he leaned forward as his eyes gazed as the last two warriors began to walk into the arena for the last match of the quarter finals. Yet, his mind was still with Arthur. "You can talk about it if you want Arthur," he said softly.
Arthur saw that Lancelot was trying to cheer him up but he started shaking his head. "No, it's alright Lancelot. It's a tournament and people win and people lose."
"And I know you wanted to win in this tournament very much," Lancelot mumbled. "Cobin may be good but your match against him looked one-sided. What happened?"
Arthur really couldn't answer that. When he went against Cobin, he had lost his match. For Arthur, recalling it was a haze. All he knew was that one moment, he was facing his opponent, the next thing he knew was being on the ground and at swordpoint. He just kept silent as his eyes looked over as the he watched the one called Gilli prevailing in his match.
Morgana leaned back in her chair as she looked over to see Gwen's hands were somewhat shaking in front of where she was resting them on her hips.
"Gwen, are you alright?"
She quickly nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. It's...well Lancelot. He's actually one of the final four."
Morgana nodded. "I know." She personally was surprised. Not just that Lancelot managed to get this far, but of who he was joined by. Three young boys and they, along with Lancelot, all being commoners. Despite some still lingering confusion and wonder about the Nowe boy, Morgana had to say that she found herself actually looking forward to seeing how the rest would all play out now. "And I'm going to be rooting for him," she told Gwen.
Gwen smiled before she looked down and spotted Lancelot standing off to the side with Arthur. He was actually looking right at her and he smiled when she caught his eye. She gave him a shy little wave and he nodded back to her.
With the quarter finals done with, Morgana called for a brief intermission before the two semi final matches would begin. Quickly, they went off to go and see Arthur and Lancelot as they went into their shared tent.
"Lancelot, that was amazing," Gwen said as she went to him.
Lancelot took her hug with grace as he squeezed back lightly. "I owe it all to you Guinevere. I could hear you cheering through the crowd. That's what helped me win my match."
"Quite the charmer," Arthur mumbled humorously to himself as he watched them.
"Yes, you should probably take some notes," Morgana smirked at him.
Arthur gave her a look of mocking amusement before he looked out at the flap of the tent. Morgana went to follow his gaze and saw that he was facing the direction of where the finalists, Nowe and Cobin were. The ones who defeated Uther and Arthur respectfully. They looked to be lightly talking to one another before they saw them reaching out and shaking hands with a smile.
"What do you think of them Morgana?" Arthur asked her.
She looked away from them back to Arthur. "Uh, honestly, I don't know. They're a puzzle. Especially that young Nowe." Her eyes went back to him. "There's...something about him."
Arthur narrowed his eyes at him. The one that actually beat his father in front of the whole kingdom, and didn't seem to have much care for it. "Yes," he mumbled as he kept staring at the boy. The way he seemed so calm and nonchalant, as if he hadn't just beat his father, the king, in the ring. It was as if it was a feat hardly recognizing his attention. There was something about him. "And I'm not sure I like it," he mumbled to her.
"Surprising," Morgana sighed before she cleared her throat. "Well, I have to get ready to begin the semi final rounds."
Cobin had been stretching his arms out while Nowe was looking toward the drawing board. For the semi final matches, they had paired him and Cobin together. Lancelot would be going up against Gilli. He looked over and noticed Gilli not too far off, staring at his hand, where his magical ring was. He looked deep in thought.
"Uh, Nowe," Cobin said snapping him out of it.
"Cobin?" he said looking back at his friend.
"Let's have a good fight out there," his friend said with a smile.
Nowe shook his head. "No," he said making Cobin's eyes rise up in surprise. He then moved to hold his hand out to him. "Not just good. The best."
Cobin sighed and shook his head in amusement. But he went to take his hand. "The best," he agreed, shaking it. "Or, at the very least, better than I had against Arthur."
Nowe's grin lowered a bit. "Yeah, I was surprised at that."
Cobin rose an eyebrow at him. "What? You were expecting me to lose?"
Nowe rolled his eyes. "No, I had faith in you Cobin. It's just that you didn't seem to have too much trouble in your fight. I mean, according to my brother, Arthur Pendragon is a prat, but he's no amateur. You shouldn't have won that fast."
His friend nodded. "Yes...I was surprised at that too. But when we fought, he didn't seem to be very focused. He seemed distracted so I took advantage of it and brought him down quickly, before he could snap himself out of whatever it was and get into stride."
"Hmm, I think I may know what the prince might've been thinking about. Seems my win against Uther helped you win against Arthur. Now, I feel even more accomplished."
That made Cobin snort at him. "And you didn't before? You beat Uther Pendragon, in front of his kingdom. I'd say that's quite the accomplishment."
Now it was Nowe's turn to snort. "I knocked around a self indulged old man, what's so accomplished about that?"
The two of them broke into a small fit of laughter, that was picked up by the prince from his tent. Arthur didn't know why but he was feeling a bit of raged heat from it. Like he just knew that this laughter was somehow at his own expense. And there was another who was not only watching them, but had heard what they said.
But Morgana's voice cut in before they could say any more. She was announcing that the two semi final matches would begin shortly and for the four remaining warriors to come to the center of the ring. Nowe and Cobin sighed before they headed off. They were the first to arrive, right before Lancelot joined them, and Gilli arriving a short moment later. Morgana then explained to them, and the entire city, that there would be two more matches where the four would be reduced down to two. Then, tomorrow, the two remaining fighters would battle to become the Ten Year Champion.
The first match was Nowe and Cobin. Their friends were at the edge of their seats as they watched both Nowe and Cobin face each other. The two of them were smiling at each other as they stared each other down and it didn't fade even after the gong rang to start their match. The two went and began to hammer at each other and clashed their steel. The crowd was screaming in excitement, but none were as loud as their four friends. Rafe, being blind, was given a verbal play by play from the others as they watched in turns. Nowe and Cobin never lost their smiles as they clashed, but they didn't falter against each other, which seemed to make the crowd even more excitable. Lancelot and Gilli both were off to the sides, watching the match as one of them would face the winner of this fight. Lancelot was smiling as he saw how good the two of them were. He felt that either one of them would be a great opponent. Outside Arthur, he never got to spar with anyone of any real skill. It made him become driven to prevail in his next match. As for Gilli, he let his gaze look from the fighters to the crowd. They were all cheering and had looks of admiration and respect for them. He let himself be dazed by all of it.
The fight went on for about three minutes before Cobin got knocked down and Nowe had him at swordpoint. Cobin let himself breathe out a tired sigh before his declaration of 'I yield' was said out to everyone, loud and firm. Nowe then lowered the sword down and extended his hand to his friend who grabbed it. Nowe then pulled him to his feet before Cobin went and raised it up high where the crowd broke into hard cheers. The two of them were laughing and smiling as they turned to face the direction of their screaming friends in the stands.
Lancelot moved to block the hit that Gilli threw at him before he jumped back to avoid a slam from the younger man's shield. The two of them were fighting in the final match of the semi-finals and the day. The winner of this match would go on to fight in the final match tomorrow against Nowe.
Gwen was watching next to Morgana at the box where she was grasping her hands tightly as her eyes followed after Lancelot intently. Next to her, Morgana was tense herself as she tried not to outwardly look like she was rooting for Lancelot to win as she had to appear impartial.
Arthur was standing off to the side, following Lancelot's battle. It seemed to him that Lancelot clearly had the advantage. This boy, Gilli, had a good amount of skill but Lancelot clearly held experience which he believed would be his winning edge.
"Hello Arthur."
Arthur looked over and saw that Gaius was approaching him. "Gaius, how is my father?" He hadn't seen his father since he had been helped out after his match.
Gaius bowed his head slightly. "He will be suffering some bruising and no doubt will be sore for perhaps a week or so but he will recover. I'm sure that it's not his injuries that are giving him the most pain though."
Arthur nodded in understanding as he moved to look over to where Nowe and his friend were standing. They were leaning on the fence as they watched the match in front of them. He could see the young man was watching with complete concentration. No doubt to study the fighting styles of both his potential opponents. Arthur looked back over at Lancelot. He prayed for Lancelot to win so that he could see his friend knock the one that humiliated his father out.
Gilli took a step to the left as he blocked a strike from Lancelot's sword with his shield but Lancelot pulled the strike back and tackled into him instead. Gilli started to stomp wildly off from the unexpected force but managed to keep on his feet. Gilli was finding his hands and legs getting heavier and he was slightly panting deep breaths. He was getting worn out from Lancelot's attacks but the man didn't seem to be losing much stamina himself. If this kept up any longer, Gilli knew that he was going to lose. He had to end this quickly while he still had a good bit of his strength left. Yet, Lancelot's stance seemed perfect. He couldn't find any openings or vulnerable spots to take advantage of. As he moved to try to strike at Lancelot again, his eyes flew down to his sword hand and caught a shine from his ring. He knew what he could do then.
Lancelot pushed against Gilli's attack and felt that the boy's stance was starting to falter. Gilli wobbled back a few steps and Lancelot moved in to try and disarm him and end this but his sword suddenly heavy. He dropped the blade down as if it felt like it became three times heavier for some reason. It was so sudden that Lancelot twisted his wrist as he rested his sword to stand on the ground. He grit his teeth as he bared the pain down and he looked back up to find Gilli moving for him. He tried to lift his sword in defense but Gilli instinctively made his fingers loosen and the sword fell out of his hand. Gilli was still moving for him so Lancelot quickly brought his other hand around and threw his shield. It flew for Gilli's head which both shocked and surprised him as it struck him. Lancelot then moved to try and reach for his sword with his now free other hand but it seemed to move over a foot away. Lancelot narrowed his eyes at that but didn't get much time to dwell as he was pushed down from behind. He landed face first into the dirt and turned around quickly, in time for Gilli to have him at swordpoint. The boy now had a small bleeding cut below his hairline at the left side of his face where edge of his shield scraped him and he was breathing a little hard. Lancelot's gaze then fell to the boy's eyes, and his own widened slightly.
"Well?" Gilli panted.
"I yield!" Lancelot called out.
At that, Gilli went and rose his sword up high in a victorious stance as the crowd erupted into high cheers. His eyes were bright and dancing in happiness at the praise and adulation he was being given.
Lancelot stood up and nodded his head. "Congratulations," he told him. Gilli turned his gaze to him but didn't say anything. He continued. "I wish you luck in the final match." With that Lancelot grabbed his sword and shield and made his way out of the ring.
"Lancelot," Arthur said when his friend got to him. "What happened out there? I thought you had that boy beat."
Lancelot was silent for a moment but then he shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I didn't."
"You know, there was a moment, but it seemed almost like your sword was-"
Arthur couldn't say anymore as Lancelot was practically ambushed by a frantic Guinevere.
"Lancelot, are you okay?!" she shrieked.
"I'm fine," he said with a wince as she squeezed him in a tight hug. "It's just my wrist. I think I twisted it out there."
Gwen moved to look at his wrist and told him that it didn't seem so bad and could just use a small soak in hot water. Arthur let Gwen lead Lancelot away as he wished him to get well. Arthur looked over at the boy Gilli, who seemed to be quite proud of himself as he took in the praise from the crowd and the other fighters around him. He couldn't help but feel that should've been Lancelot, not him. Back there, Arthur could've sworn that Lancelot's fallen sword looked like it had been yanked away from him before he could get it.
As Lancelot went off, he quietly thought on what he knew Arthur was about to say before Guinevere had appeared. His sword, it looked like it had been pulled away from him as he was going for it, like an invisible hand pulled it out of his reach. And before, when his sword suddenly got heavy, Lancelot had looked up and caught something. It was for a moment, but he had seen that Gilli's eyes had been glowing. The boy had been using magic.
And Lancelot wasn't the only one watching the match that had realized that.
Gilli was sitting in his room, cleaning his head cut when there was a knock on his door.
"Come in," he told them. He then heard the door open but didn't look back to see who it was as he already knew. "I hope you're ready for tomorrow," he said as he kept wiping and cleaning his blade for tomorrow. "I will be."
Gilli's tone was a pleasant one but Nowe narrowed his eyes and folded his arms at him. "I saw what you did out there."
"What are you talking about?" Gilli asked, finishing with dabbing the wet cloth over his cut.
"Against Lancelot. You made him to lose his sword out there."
Gilli shook his head. "I didn't do anything. He was just too excited and lost his grip and I took advantage-"
"Gilli, I'm not an idiot so please, don't talk to me as if I am," he huffed at him.
Gilli finally got up and faced him. "Alright, so I used it. I didn't hurt him."
But Nowe shook his head. "That's not the point. You could've exposed yourself out there. Actually, there's a chance that some might even be suspicious already, especially with that stunt you pulled on the sword when Lancelot lost it. If it got back to Uther that magic had been used in this tournament, he would go on one of his rampages. There's no telling what he would do or how many people would be caught in his crossfire." He knew from his brother's past incursions of how Uther went around and struck at every out of place and odd circumstance when he was on a heated hunt for magic. "I thought we made a deal. No using magic here."
"Actually, I never said that I wouldn't use magic again, you just assumed I wouldn't," Gilli said in his defense. "Besides, if I hadn't used it when I did then Lancelot would've beaten me. I would've lost and out of the tournament."
Nowe's eyes widened. Was that really his priority? "Is winning this tournament really that important to you?"
"Yes!" he spat out. He was looking at Nowe with somewhat shiny eyes.
"Really? You put yourself, maybe even a few other people in the city in danger just to win a tournament match? Why?" Nowe asked very scoldingly.
Gilli shook his head. "You...you just don't understand."
"Well, you're right. I don't."
"You wouldn't. Not when you, and your friends, all have each other. Are able to be yourselves around each other. I don't have that. Now...I have respect. There are people that actually like me." An angry tear fell from the side of Gilli's left eye. "I've never had any of that before. All I ever had is just my magic. Without it, I'm nothing."
"That's not true," Nowe quickly said.
But Gilli just narrowed his eyes at him. "What do you know of me?!" he spat at Nowe.
"Gilli-" Nowe tried.
But Gilli cut him off. "Just please, go. I have to get ready for tomorrow. And so do you," he said pointedly as he went and turned his back to him.
Nowe spared him a final look before he went and left the room. Nowe stomped out of the Rising Sun with an intent look on his face, so intent that he didn't notice someone around the corner, watching. He rejoined his friends where they were still camping out in the outskirts.
"How did your meeting with Gilli go?" asked Emir. Nowe just silently looked at him. "That good huh?"
Jaden shook his head. "Gilli is using his magic to win himself fame and gold. If it ends up working for him, he could think that its okay and who knows what he'll end up doing."
"You're facing him tomorrow Nowe," his druid friend Galen needlessly reminded him. "Gilli is letting himself be corrupted into trying to get fame and riches. What are you going to do?"
Nowe sighed. Gilli's anger and self-loathing etched into his mind. "The only thing I can do," he simply told them.
The tournament arena was filled to the brim with spectators to see the final match of the Ten Year Tournament. Everyone was excited as the competitors were two virtual unknowns and they had gotten quite popular with many of the common citizens in the city.
Lancelot was standing off to the side as he rubbed at his wrapped wrist. Guinevere had taken him to Gaius who had given him some ointment for the pain while he soaked his wrist in a bowl of warm water to ease his sprain. It was doing okay but he was asked to not strain it for the next few days. But right now, he was here to keep an eye on Gilli. He hadn't told anyone about what he had seen, not even Guinevere or Arthur. Arthur seemed to have noticed something but Lancelot shrugged it off and claimed that he had accidentally kicked his sword away as he was reaching for it because he had lost his footing after tossing his shield at the boy. Technically, Gilli hadn't broken any rules, as Arthur had told them that were none and any weapon was allowed, but he knew that if the wrong people learned about a sorcerer competing, then Uther would be on the warpath rules or not. But the boy looked smug and very eager, so Lancelot knew he had to keep an eye on him. However, as long as Gilli wasn't here to cause trouble or hurt anyone, then Lancelot didn't see a reason to say anything and involve the king or Arthur, but if that changed, he would be left with no choice.
As for Arthur, since he was no longer competing, he took to sitting up on the top box alongside Morgana to oversee the final match of the Ten Year Tournament. His father was still resting from the injury he sustained in his match the previous day. He looked down at the one who injured him, Nowe, who standing none too far from his soon to be opponent. The boy didn't seem as heightened or energetic as he looked yesterday. Arthur found he didn't like that look on him. It felt as if the boy was trying to look like being in the championship battle had no merit, especially when he had beaten his father to get there and many, including Arthur himself, would give almost anything to be where he was standing right now.
"Arthur," Morgana mumbled to him. He was unresponsive so Morgana tapped him at his elbow a little harder than usual to snap him out of it. "Everyone's waiting for you," she hissed at him.
Arthur blinked and saw that the whole arena was silent and waiting for him to officially begin the final match. Arthur sighed and stood up as he faced the crowd. "People of Camelot!" he began to shout. "It has been a fierce and trying past few days. Out of all the brave men that have come and battled before us all, we are finally down to the final two. Gilli!" He took a moment to let the crowd cheer for the first finalist before he began again. "And Nowe!" he chanted out a little stiffly but the crowd cheered just the same. "Both of these contenders have braved and triumphed over all that have come before and now they will face each other in one final bout. When it is done, only one of these warriors will walk away from here with the esteemed title of champion!" The crowd roared high as most of them stood up and started to cheer out with the greatest energy yet.
Nowe sighed as he looked up at Arthur. "I will say this for the abominable prat, he knows how to ignite the crowd," he muttered to himself. He then looked over at Gilli and saw that his eyes were gazing intently at the crowds of cheering people. Nowe could see how intoxicating it all was for him. That was why he had to do what he did next.
Arthur gave the signal for the gong to ring and begin the final match. Gilli and Nowe faced each other as soon as it sounded. Gilli moved into a guarded posture but Nowe stayed completely at ease. He then looked down at his sword and shield, before he went and let them drop to the ground. Gilli narrowed his eyes at that before Nowe mumbled something.
"What?" Gilli asked.
"You win," Nowe said clearer to him. He then looked out to the top box and shouted out. "I yield!"
Arthur, Morgana, Lancelot, Guinevere, Gaius and everyone else in the crowd was looking at Nowe with wide and shocked eyes but none were more so than Gilli.
"You yield?!" Gilli choked out.
Nowe nodded. "Yes. I yield. I give up. You win Gilli." He then looked over at the man by the gong and gave him a nod. The man seemed to shake himself out of it. He picked up his mallet and hit the gong.
Nowe didn't waste a single second after that as he moved to pick up his sword and shield and make his way out of the ring. He didn't give the shouts and boos from the crowd a single thought as he walked out without turning to give Gilli another look. He just kept walking until he left the ring where he finally smiled as he caught sight of his friends, who were all waiting for him together.
"Why did he do that?" Morgana asked Arthur.
Arthur's eyes followed Nowe as he stepped out of the ring. "I...I don't know." He felt that Nowe had some real nerve to do this and he seemed completely unfazed by all the boos from the crowd. He then watched the boy join back with his friends and could make out that they were smiling as they moved to leave, together. They looked quite cocky to him. "But I would like to know just who he thinks he is," he mumbled as he narrowed his eyes after him.
Lancelot watched as Nowe got back to his friends before he looked over at Gilli. He saw that the boy looked awestruck and seemed completely stuck in his shock and surprise. Gilli didn't seem to have that suspicious look over him any longer and seemed to be the timid looking boy he had seen at the beginning of the tournament. He had to wonder if that was the real reason that Nowe had given up. And, did Nowe have a certain 'secret' himself?
After Nowe had left, Prince Arthur had settled the crowd down and then declared Gilli the winner of both the round and tournament. He had been presented the gold by Morgana and Arthur even shook his hand in front of the kingdom which made them all burst into applause at the crowning of the new champion. As Gilli looked at the standing ovation, he found that it wasn't as appealing as it was yesterday. With his new money, he went and purchased a horse and then began to ride out slowly from the city gate.
'Gilli' he suddenly heard at the back of his mind.
He kept hearing it, like a whisper, and he found him moving his horse in a certain direction. It took a while but he found himself in a closed off area in the woods far from the city. He caught sight of smoke from a mild fire and he rode into it to find that it was Nowe and his five friends. They were all sitting together as a small deer was roasting on a makeshift spit over the fire. They looked up as Gilli came into their view.
"You're here," Nowe said to him.
Gilli blinked. "What are you-" But he stopped to consider how he had led himself here. "How did you get me here?"
'By me,' he heard in his mind again. But then it was audible. "I guided you here," said Galen as he pointed to his temple. "An old druid guiding trick."
Gilli gave a nod before looking over at Nowe. "Why? Why did you do that? Just quit the match. You turned the whole city against you."
"Quite the fickle crowd then," Nowe shrugged. "Why does that matter you anyway Gilli? This is what you wanted, isn't it? Every one of those people to respect you and looks at you as the best. You got the gold, the glory, and the title."
Gilli lowered himself off of his horse as he looked back at the future dragonlord. "Then why does it feel like I lost and you won?" he mumbled.
"I think that's something only you could answer Gilli," said Nowe. Gilli looked away from him. "Or maybe you already know the answer."
Jaden cleared his throat. "Food's ready," he called out.
Nowe nodded before he looked over at Gilli. "You want to join us? We have plenty."
Gilli found himself slowly heading for them and took a seat around the fire as Galen went and cut a piece of the cooked deer meat and gave it to Gilli on a stick. The seven of them settled into a relaxing time as the sun started to set. When they were all done, Gilli went to the bag at his saddle and pulled out the money box.
"Maybe you all should take this," he said as he held it out.
"Gilli, that's yours. You won it," Rafe said as his blindfold covered eyes looked at him.
"But, I didn't earn it. Not really."
"Then why don't we change that," said Nowe.
"What do you mean?"
Nowe went over to his bag and pulled his sword out, letting the blade shine in the fire's light. "Why don't we have final match of the Ten Year Tournament, right here, right now."
Gilli's eyes widened. "Here? In the woods, in the middle of nowhere?"
"Why not?" asked Cobin. "Fight here or fighting in the middle of Camelot's ring, what's the difference? A crowd of a half dozen or half a city, it's still you against him."
"Better," said Emir. "Because now, it will truly be all weapons allowed. Even magic."
"Yeah," Nowe mumbled out. "That's true. What do you say Gilli?"
Gilli was silent for a moment before he shook his head. "No, it's okay. Personally, I'd like to see how I'd have done without it."
Nowe smiled and he nodded. Gilli then went into a guarded stance and Nowe followed suit. They then went at it. Jaden, Cobin and Emir were drawn to it while Galen and Rafe stayed calm behind them.
"I think Nowe's found a new friend," Galen mumbled to his blind friend.
Rafe nodded. "He does have that effect. I guess its the prince in him."
"Yes, I think so too. I just hope it fairs us well when we head to Amata. If any land needs one of the Dragon Royals, its there."
"This tournament was good practice. We'll have to learn how to be completely discreet and sparingly rely on magic in that hellhole."
Arthur was standing outside on a terrace, gazing down towards where the arena could still be seen in the dimming light of dusk. He had to admit, before yesterday, Arthur wanting more than anything to avoid having to face his father in the ring. He didn't think that his wish would actually come true, well, certainly not like this anyway. Not only did his father lose, but he lost as well. Neither of their opponents even going on to win the tournament.
"Lost in thought Arthur?" he suddenly heard.
Arthur turned around and saw that his father was slowly approaching him. "Father? How are you?"
"Feeling better," he said as he rubbed at his side where Nowe had kicked him. "That boy I faced certainly didn't hold back. Gaius gave me a fresh vial of his best tonic and now I'm out and about again, though he said I would have to be careful to not overexert myself any time soon." He then walked over until he was at his son's side. "I'm sorry I wasn't well enough to witness the close of the tournament."
He quickly turned to look back out at the distance. "Well father, you didn't miss much. The final match was somewhat anticlimactic, mainly because there was a lack of one."
"I heard." Uther narrowed his eyes slightly. "And I heard about your own last match. I was deeply surprised when I got the news."
Arthur's gaze dropped a bit more as his eyes fell back on the arena. "I wasn't at my best out there."
"Yes. From the details of how it was done, I would say that it was nowhere near half your best form Arthur. I know you're more capable than that. You shouldn't have lost so easily, or at all. Even your servant got farther than you in the rankings."
Arthur could pick up the disappointment in his tone. "I'm sorry father. I underestimated my opponent. He surprised me."
"It wasn't the first time you've been taken by surprise, yet I've seen you pull through before." This time, his father didn't sound scolding or condescending. He was simply curious. "You were thinking about my match, weren't you?"
Arthur shook his head. "I've never seen you lose before. I guess it was so much on my mind that I became too distracted in my match. I'm sorry."
"Sorry that I lost, or sorry for being happy to have avoided facing me in the tournament." Arthur's eyes widened and Uther rolled his own. "Come now Arthur, you didn't think I hadn't noticed how you've been acting lately? When I had arrived at the opening or after every time I won a match? You were hoping that we wouldn't fight against each other in the tournament."
Arthur kept his gaze away. "I...I just didn't want to risk defeating you in front of the whole kingdom. Either I won and embarrassed you, or I had to throw the fight and let you win."
"Which you've never done before." Uther's own face softened. "Yes. I can understand. Well, it seems you did get your wish and were spared having to make that decision, though not in the way you had expected I'm sure."
Arthur shook his head. "No. There's still a part of me that can't believe what I saw was even real. You, surrendering to someone even younger than I am."
Uther sighed. "I have to admit, it's been a long time since I've been at the opposite end of a sword. Since I was younger than you actually." His eyes fell. "Seems like the years are starting to catch up with me faster than I'd like. To be beaten by a boy. A common boy at that." Uther shook his head. "One that didn't even go on to win the tournament." He straightened up. "You know, I do believe this is the first time in over a century that this tournament had non noble contenders closing it off. Both of them boys, and on top of that, one forfeits the final fight before it started." The irony was flooding out in his tone.
"At least it was memorable," Arthur threw in amusingly. "I can say that my first time in this tournament had made history."
That made Uther chuckle. "Quite. Though, I hope to see that in your second tournament, it'll be you who makes history then."
"Thank you father, and I will," he promised.
The people of Camelot who had been at the arena were somewhat disappointed with the rather lackluster way the tournament ended. They had been pumped and excited to see two young unknowns fight in a final great clash before the winner was put through their crowning as the new Ten Year Champion. Instead, it passed without any incident or action and many felt somewhat robbed of their expectations. One of the spectators however wasn't too fazed by it. He simply rode his horse with his hooded cloak up out of the kingdom and preceded to head back to Cornwall. When he reached the gates of the castle there, he removed his hood to reveal his face to the guards.
"I believe the Lady Morgause is expecting me," he told them calmly.
They bowed to him. "Yes. She left us word of your imminent arrival Lord Danton."
The gates then opened and Danton strolled right on through. He moved through the polished halls of the keep until he got to Morgause's study where she was standing over a fireplace, watching the flames.
"Any new developments?" she said, not taking her gaze from the fire.
"Well, we have a new champion," Danton said dryly.
Morgause finally looked away from the flames. "I meant the prince."
Danton's eyes sparked mischievously. "Which one?"
"Both of them."
"Perhaps this is something that I should say to him personally," he slyly suggested. "He'll want to know how everything is progressing nicely." That made his mistress' nostrils flare heatedly as she reached into her robes and pulled out a small red stone. Danton's smugness quickly evaporated at the sight of it. "Mistress," he quickly spurted out.
Morgause gave the stone a small squeeze and the stone glowed a bright red shimmer. Immediately, Danton fell to one knee as he grit his teeth and let out a small pained cry. His hands flew to his collar and pulled it down to reveal a silver band around his neck with a matching red stone at the center. The stone was glowing in response to the one in Morgause's hand. As Danton fell to his knees, Morgause narrowed her eyes at him. After the incident with Jarl and his capture of Arthur, his knights and Balinor's men, Morgause had deduced that her attendants were somehow involved with that whole thing. She confronted them, playing the part of being impressed and Danton was quick to take credit for the plan. Morgause then 'rewarded' him with that band and the moment he put it on, she brought out the stone and revealed the true nature of her 'gift'. It was a mystical slave collar that Nimueh had forged herself, along with the stone, to use as a subjugation tool for her enemies. She'd shown it to Morgause but hadn't been given an opportunity to test on an enemy before her demise. Morgause had been saving it for the right person to give it to and she felt she found the right candidate in Danton. He tried to rip it off even though he logically knew it was futile. Only when Morgause deemed it time, or her master stone was destroyed, would the collar release him.
After a few more moments, she ceased the torture and allowed him to catch his breath. "Danton, I thought you had learned the cost for your overreaching. Apparently, you still need some work in losing that habit."
"Yes, forgive me mistress," Danton said as he kneeled on the floor and bowed his head to her, though he glared heatedly at the floor.
The doors opened again and they turned to see that it was Davik. "Forgive me my lady, but he is asking for Danton," he said meekly.
"What?" Morgause said somewhat shocked.
Davik bowed his head slightly. "He sensed his return to the castle and would like him to report on everything that happened in Camelot."
"Of course," Danton said as he rose to his feet. "I should've known that the master would like to hear on how the plans are progressing," He said as he looked over at Morgause blankly. He then turned to look at Davik. "I'll go and see him immediately."
Davik then moved out of the room and Danton followed after him, with a smug look on his face. Morgause glared at Danton's back for a mild second before she moved to go with them. The three journeyed to a grand set of doors and Davik brought out a key and unlocked it. They then stepped inside and headed over to a makeshift altar where there was a small makeshift shrine in the center. On the shrine, was a stone device with runes carved into it and had a hole that housed a bright blue gem. It glowed bright blue as they got to it.
Immediately, the three of them stopped walking and moved to kneel on one knee before the altar and bowed their heads slightly before looking back up at the glowing jewel. "Master Sigan," the three said together.
After securing Cornelius Sigan's soul gem from Emrys, Morgause saw perhaps a chance to harness Sigan's knowledge and magic for their own ends and dived into old animation and scrying enchantments. It worked better than she could've hoped as she now had an intelligent and powerful teacher, advisor and ally behind her. Already, her power was showing signs of improvement and strength. Even her attendants were showing improvement themselves.
A deep, echoing voice sounded in the room. "You have returned Danton."
Danton straightened himself as he began to speak solely. "Yes master, I have returned from Camelot. The tournament has been concluded and there is a new champion. A common peasant boy."
Davik and Morgause couldn't help but find great humor and pleasure at that news. Uther had been succeeded in his title by a nobody.
"I care not for some insignificant title," Sigan's voice sounded out a little impatiently, making them all stiffen back in obedient tension. "The boy is what I find important at the moment. King Balinor's second son and Emrys' younger brother."
"Nowe," Morgause muttered.
With the last two years, they saw a rise of activity against the efforts of Uther's purge that seemed separate from Balinor's. They were also much more physical and consistent than the Dragon King's random inputs. At first, they thought it was just some rogues. But, after some investigating, reconnaissance and scrying, they learned that it was the work of the younger Dragon prince. A prince named Nowe.
Danton quickly nodded. "Yes, he did. Not only him but two of his companions. He actually ended up being paired off against Uther himself."
That made Morgause stare away from the altar and look at him. "He did? Did he win?"
Danton nodded again though it wasn't with as much enthusiasm as before. "He did though he didn't destroy Uther as we hoped he would."
"Did he at least cripple that prideful fool?" Davik asked wishfully.
That made Danton scoff. "No. He wasn't what I would call 'delicate' with Uther but the only real crippling Nowe delivered was to his pride. From what I could make out, that seemed to be enough to satisfy the young princeling." He glared slightly at the opportunity that was wasted to finally be rid of their hateful enemy. "His son Arthur was also paired off against one of his friends. A magic user himself."
Morgause's featured loosened somewhat at the mention of Arthur. "What happened with him? Was he injured?"
"Not any more than his father," Danton said in a dull tone. "I disguised myself as a servant to infiltrate the gala for the final eight. The young prince and his friends didn't seem to have any more love for the Pendragons as we do. In fact, I could make out true scorn in the young prince's eyes as he eyed Arthur. Yet...they did nothing. Nowe didn't even win the tournament. He made it to the final match but gave up without even a fight." Davik's eyes narrowed as disgust started to build up in his throat at the thought. "Looks like he's just like his weak-willed father and foolish older brother."
"Perhaps," Sigan said to him. "Yet from what you've said, it's clear that a seed of scorn is sown. Young Nowe has met the Pendragons and has left them with a sour note to remember him by and he has just as much contempt, if not more of them. There is no love loss between any of them. All seems to be progressing nicely."
"I must confess master, I am confused." Danton was at a loss for what Sigan's plan was here with the younger Dragon Prince.
A faint chuckling could be heard from Sigan's soul gem. "It's understandable. This is all a small step in a far grander design than you could comprehend."
"What sort of grand design?" asked Morgause. The High Priestess wondered just what it was the ancient sorcerer had planned.
"In due time my lady. You will have to have patience. I can now admit that was my earlier folly which cost me against Emrys. I was too eager for revenge and acted rashly. I won't be repeating that mistake. My mind is now clear and I have created a plan that none of my enemies will be able to predict. Rest assured, they will be destroyed."
"How?" she pressed.
"First, I must know of the young Ambrosius and his friends' current movements. Danton?"
Danton went firm. "Yes master. I managed to overhear them. They're planning to head west."
"West?" said Davik. "Where could they be going?"
It was Sigan who answered. "They are heading for Amata."
"Amata?" Morgause narrowed her eyes. "What makes you so sure that is where they intend to go?"
"To challenge it's king, The Sarrum," he answered.
The three magic users shared some looks. They knew of Sarrum all too well. All magic users did. His actions against magic actually rivaled those of Uther. Perhaps even more so in terms of his brutality.
"Sarrum of Amata?" Davik rose his eyes at that one. Then, he remembered something. "Master...you had me masquerade as a refugee that escaped from Amata a few months ago and spread fresh tales of what the Sarrum was doing."
"Yes," Sigan said in an amused tone. "It seems that it made its way to that young prince as I had hoped it would."
Morgause shook her head. "But why? I'm sorry master but I fail to see how making the younger Dragon Prince coming to Camelot for a tournament and then going off to Amata helps us with conquering Camelot. I don't see the point."
"Of course not. You don't achieve great power and immortality without having an imaginative sense of vision. In the long run, everything shall fall into place as I have forseen. For now, we can start to focus on more immediate pursuits."
End of Chapter 46
A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait. I was busy with other projects which made me bump this one to the side. To make it up to you, this chapter was extra longer than usual. Well, Merlin and Liana seem to have okay relationships with Arthur, it looks like Nowe is not liking the blonde prat at all. Also, it seems like that feeling might be getting reciprocated. Maybe this helps tie in to Sigan's plan. I wanted to include Sigan in the overall story because it looked he could've actually have been a potentially powerful and dangerous enemy. Now, in this chain of events, he is.
The next chapter will have word coming to Camelot of people being mauled by some kind of mysterious animal in villages and settlements. Arthur prepares to set out to investigate but Morgana sends word to Merlin of this news. The trail leads them to a bounty hunter that is on the hunt for a particularly interesting druid girl.
