In his campaign to conquer Camelot, the warlord Uther creates a special division of his army called 'Recruits': sorcerers forced into servitude and controlled through powerful, binding magic. Arthur, on his first mission, is scoping out new recruits when he meets Merlin. Not surprisingly, things go awry quite quickly from there. Pre-Canon Slave!AU. COMPLETE.

Merlin, Arthur and the Knights are kidnapped by an aging warlord, but what's his end goal and why does he only seem interested in questioning Merlin? Rated T for violence (Merlin!whump) and language. Magic reveal. Complete.