Mordred did not know what to feel. His movements were mechanical and his actions were characterized by duty. He did not take the right path to the king at all. Suddenly he stood in front of the door and wanted to get in. The guards said that they had instructions that the king should only be awakened in urgent cases.
Mordred came out between clenched teeth: 'This is urgent!' and went into the room. He saw that the king was not asleep, but enjoying dinner with his queen. He looked up and immediately recognized on Mordred's face that something had happened.
"What had happened? Is anyone hurt?" Arthur asked immediately.
Mordred had to force himself to speak: "There was an incident in the kitchen. A guard was slightly injured and the attacker was rendered harmless for the time being. A cook and a sentry can tell you more about it. I came in later and saw that Gareth took out the woman with a blow to the back of the head - he was lime white with fear. Mordred said the last sentence more to himself.
"Who was the woman?" Arthur asked further.
"Her name is Kara and she seems to be the woman who helped poison you."
"What have I done to her?" Arthur asked in shock.
"Nothing," replied Mordred.
"Nothing?" asked Gwen. "Then why would she want Arthur dead?"

"He is his father's son," Mordred whispered.
"My father's? I am nothing like my father! This is about magic again, isn't it? She is a sorceress?" Arthur asked resignedly.
Mordred nodded and pulled his face in agony. "I know her," he whispered. "I grew up with her," he confessed further.
The room remained silent, since no one knew what to say about this opening. Mordred's thoughts ran wildly through the room. What could he possibly do? What would Kara say? What had happened to Kara? How would Arthur act? What would the sentry report? The sentry ... Mordred cleared his throat, took up his posture again and said monotonously: "The sentry and the cook were able to observe the events and were brought into the throne room. You are expected there."
Arthur was glad that he could at least eat something for a short time and that he had taken the trouble to dress himself properly after getting up - with Gwen's help, of course. He gave Gwen a determined nod and went with her and Mordred to the throne room. The last few days had been too emotionally stirring for his taste... As he stepped into the throne room, he was not surprised to see not only Merlin patching up a sentry, but also some knights and both Tea and Bronwen next to the cook. Arthur took a seat on his throne.

"It has come to my attention that there was an incident in the kitchen. Reported," Arthur began the interrogation.
"A few hours ago I saw a stranger in my kitchen and the description matched the woman I was looking for. I approached her and she told me her name Kara, that she was looking for a job in the kitchen and her mother was dead. The guard couldn't catch her because she disappeared from one second to the next. A few hours later she was in the kitchen again. Unfortunately I can't tell you exactly what she wanted, suddenly everything happened so fast. I stumbled and tore a jug of pig's blood with me, which must have made the scene very threatening. Suddenly, she started screaming, talking about revenge and the fall of Camelot." Seeking help, she looked around for Warrick. It made her very nervous to see the king right in front of her.
Warrick's arm was now bandaged and he cleared his throat: "My King, I am Warrick, the head of the castle guard. I can confirm the cook's report. It was the second time today that the sorceress Kara", a murmur went through the row, because just the confirmation was heard that magic was involved, "had entered the castle kitchen. I came into the kitchen the second time and saw Berta lying on the floor covered in blood, the kitchen maids and young ones crouching frightened on the wall. The witch screamed that we should all pay, and that we do not deserve to live. She wanted to take everything from us, just as we had taken everything from her. She muttered words I have never heard before and that is when the knives were pointed at the children. She was mad and wanted to kill everything and everyone. I could barely stop the knives from hurting anyone."
"Except yourself, you idiot," Berta said softly to Warrick.
Warrick smiled at her dreamily.
"How could you overpower her?" Gwen asked.
"I didn't overpower her at all - Gareth did," Warrick explained.
Arthur searched the room for Gareth, and indeed, he stood

at the back of the room. "Gareth, come forward," Arthur commanded.
Gareth looked up at Arthur as if spellbound. "I ... I had to try, even if it was probably just luck that I survived the attack. But I had to make it up to him. She wanted to destroy you and all of Camelot. I..."
Arthur waved away. "Thank you. The prisoner is interrogated and receives a fair trial, which will take place in the next days. For now the matter is settled. You may leave."

The throne room emptied slowly. Arthur saw that Tea ran to the guard Warrick and excitedly bombarded him with questions. There was much speculation as to who the sorceress was and what punishment she deserved. But Sir Mordred did not move. He was still fighting with himself. What should he do? Would Kara Arthur betray Arthur in the trial that he possessed magic? Would he be relieved if the secret was out? Can he still be trusted at all? This was not the first time he asked himself this question. By now he was glad that Merlin had only now revealed to him why he had always distrusted him before. He decided to leave the question to Arthur, whether he could still be trusted or not. He went to Arthur and said, "My King, I must speak with you.
Arthur looked Mordred in the eyes for a long time and sighed. He was pretty sure that he didn't want to hear what Mordred had to say, since it probably didn't make the situation any easier. Out loud, he said, "Leave us alone, now." He nodded apologetically at Gwen, but he thought it would make it easier for Mordred. Merlin reluctantly made his way out of the throne room until he heard a 'Merlin, stay! He turned around and was astonished that this request had not come from Arthur. Sir Mordred also addressed Sir Leon. "You too, Sir Leon, should stay," Mordred asked.

Sir Gwaine overheard the conversation and demanded, "If the curly head stays, then I will stay too.
"Mordred, what is this?" Arthur asked annoyed.
Mordred waited until everyone else had left the room and the doors were closed. "You are too trusting, my king. I have just told you that I know the sorceress Kara, that I even grew up with her, and yet you wanted to have the conversation with me alone.
"Of course, you are a knight of Camelot, why should I fear you?" Arthur asked, shocked.
"Just as Sir Fewon was a knight of Camelot? You will probably never learn a healthy dose of suspicion. What makes you so sure that I could not attack you?" Mordred followed up.
"I know and trust you," Arthur said confidently.
"Are you so sure?" Mordred asked challengingly. Merlin held his breath. He feared or hoped that Mordred would either turn against Arthur or confess to him that he possessed magic. Arthur waited, but Mordred did not speak. You could tell he was still wrestling with himself. But then he looked Arthur confidently in the eyes and said into the silence: "I also possess magic. Even though I have been renouncing these abilities for years, they are still a part of me.
All present held their breath. Merlin watched Arthur closely. When he suddenly started laughing out loud, he must have had Mordred's frown. Mordred had expected many reactions, but this one was definitely not one of them. The king couldn't stop his laughing fit at all, he turned all red in the face with laughter and tried desperately to catch his breath.

"What's so funny?" Mordred demanded to know.
Arthur needed a moment to catch his breath and then answered seriously: "Sir Mordred, you are a knight and a magician at the same time. You have fought by my side in battles and protected me and Camelot. I have learned in recent days that there are also good wizards who use their power to protect Camelot, only that until now they have had to act in secret. I am not laughing at you, but at my inability to recognize magic. I would never have thought it possible that I am surrounded by it and that wizards protect me without my knowledge. But I simply do not see how I could have earned your loyalty. You are knights, fighting for Camelot, a kingdom where wizards used to be slaughtered for no reason, why do you remain loyal to me of all people? The self-doubt in Arthur's voice could only be recognized by those who really knew him.
Mordred shook his head inwardly. Here he stood, before his king, confessing to him that he was a traitor under the present law, and the king did not question Mordred's loyalty, but whether the king himself would even deserve this loyalty. It strengthened him in his decision to save Arthur from the prophecy. He did not yet know exactly how, but the king was not allowed to die by his hand under any circumstances. He had to prevent this and no price seemed too high for him. It was a relief that the secret of his magic no longer stood between him and Arthur. Furthermore, he no longer had to fear that Kara could betray him. Mordred's face darkened at the thought of her. He could not reconcile the young, lovely girl from the past with the mad witch of today. He could not imagine what circumstances, lies or dark magic had made Kara the inwardly dead woman. He had the tiny hope that maybe he could get through to her and at the same time he was afraid to talk to her. He still loved the friendly Kara from his childhood and was aware that this illusion was already crumbling. A conversation with the cold Kara of the present would completely destroy the old image of her. And yet he owed it to her to find out whether she had really acted of her own free will and whether even Morgana was behind Kara's changed behavior. Even though he did not feel comfortable with his request, as he did not want to put Arthur's trust to the test any more.

"Mordred?," the king asked uncertainly.
Mordred scared out of his thoughts and he realized that he had not yet answered the king's question. "You are just and fair. You really care about Camelot and especially about your subjects. You are not blinded by hatred, you take advice and can even admit mistakes and act accordingly. Since you have ruled, no sorcerer has been executed, which gives me hope. I have always hoped that one day magic will be freed and I can continue to fight by your side and help you not only with my swordsmanship but also with my magic," he concluded.
Arthur had expected that Mordred would use a phrase like 'It's an honor' or 'My duty is to serve you' to avoid having to express his sincere thoughts and hopes in front of Merlin, Sir Leon, and Sir Gwaine. Arthur did not know exactly how to answer. A thrust from Merlin into his side made him even more aware that he had to respond to it. "Mordred, I thank you from my heart for your sincere words. As Fewon's reaction showed me, the idea of allowing magic to work again is being resisted by some people, so I ask everyone in the room to talk about the possession

of magic still to keep silence. My charming wife just told me at dinner that not only a new bill concerning assistance to magicians is available, but also a change in the law concerning magic in general has already been discussed. At first I thought that this might have been a bit hasty, but your revelation reinforces the urgency of this undertaking. We will continue to discuss it in the next council meeting and hopefully we will already have a change in the law. I can't say whether wizards and knights will ever fight together, but it does not seem impossible anymore.
Mordred made big eyes. He could hardly believe that his dream might come true. All the more he had to force himself to make the following request: "My king, would I be allowed to speak to the prisoner? I..." Mordred fell silent because he could not put his feelings into words.
Arthur looked at him in surprise and pondered over his request. "You grew up with her?" Arthur asked.
Mordred nodded.

"She used to be like a sister to you?" Arthur surmised quietly, but the people in the room could still understand his question.
"At first, I'm sure, but later, as we grew older... I... She..." Mordred broke off tortured. There was an uncomfortable silence in the room.
Arthur tried to order his thoughts. He really wanted to be a just and fair king, but he didn't know what harm this Kara could do. She was definitely dangerous and yet he would do everything in his power if this was about his Gwen. Only if he was absolutely sure that the love of his life would turn against him of his own free will, he might not defend her anymore, and even then he was not sure of that. He could hardly imagine a crime that could stop him from saving his Gwen from execution. So how far would Mordred go for Kara? He could not refuse his request, however, because that would prove his words wrong. He trusted Mordred, and even if he was too trusting, he certainly didn't want to see an enemy in every friend.
"Surely you may talk to the prisoner. But since she is a witch, you should not go alone and take at least one knight of your choice with you," Arthur decided.
"I will go with him if Sir Mordred so wishes," Merlin said emphatically.

Arthur looked at Merlin without understanding and asked: "Merlin, why should Sir Mordred choose you instead of a knight?
Sir Leon and Sir Gwaine smiled and shook their heads at the same time. Sir Mordred also amused Arthur's question. Merlin just looked at Arthur and raised an eyebrow, questioning and disbelieving. When Arthur still did not respond, Merlin said, "I can spell it out for you, if you like!
"MERLIN! I am your king and you can at least have a little respect for your king," Arthur replied irritated and was about to give Merlin a slap on the back of the head with his flat hand when he suddenly stumbled and missed. All but Arthur could clearly see the golden flash of Merlin's eyes. The King regained his balance and looked into Merlin's pointy-faced and guilty face.
"Merlin?," Arthur said suspiciously.
"Yes, my King?" replied Merlin and could not help but grin.
"What... exactly... was... THAT... right now?", Arthur asked and he himself did not know whether he was angry or whether he should laugh.

"Because you asked so nicely, I am happy to tell you, and so that you understand, I will spell it out for you: It was M-A-G-I-E."
All those present held their breath as they expected an outburst of rage. Arthur, however, gave Merlin a lightning-fast pat on the back of the head. He looked stunned and laughingly rubbed the affected area.
Although Mordred had followed the scene with a slight smile, he slowly became restless and said, "It's a good idea for Merlin to accompany me. He doesn't need to come with me to the cell either, since I can call him with my thoughts at any time".
Arthur nodded absently.

There was this thought language again. There was so much about magic that he did not know. He urgently needed to reduce his ignorance. Towards Merlin and Sir Mordred he did not want to admit his helplessness at first. He also doubted that Gwen could tell him much. Then Gaius came to his mind. If Merlin was sent to Camelot to be instructed by his court physician, then Gaius probably knew a great deal about magic. He noticed how his eyes became heavy and he could only with difficulty suppress a yawn. It was late by now and he knew that tomorrow would be another exhausting day. "Sir Mordred, you can go with Merlin to the prisoner tomorrow. Merlin will probably look at your head, then the conversation will be appropriate. I will go to bed now, as my wife will miss me already and will surely wonder about my long absence.
The king slowly stepped out of the room and was bid farewell by his friends. Sir Gwaine steered immediately towards Sir Mordred and gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder. The latter flinched at first, but caught up quickly. "Well, well! So are you a knightly wizard now, or would you rather be a magical knight? And did you also often save us with magic without us noticing? That would also explain your talent with the sword. Who wouldn't be outstanding with such tricks," he asked quietly, but teasingly.
Arthur paused in his movement and turned to the conversation. Mordred looked seriously at his friend Gwaine and replied, "I never saved you with my magic, only my skill, training and reflexes decided the battle. With Merlin, magic may look simple and intuitive, but it's not really like that. It takes concentration, the right words and the right emphasis, a lot of practice and a certain talent to cast spells successfully. Merlin is the only magician I know who can cast spells only with his thoughts and feelings. He is not for nothing considered by the druids to be the most powerful wizard that ever existed and will ever exist".

Merlin's face blushed slightly at these words and he stared embarrassed at the floor.
Arthur looked once again unbelievingly in Merlin's direction. Merlin should be the most powerful wizard? Only now did Arthur realize how superior Merlin actually was to him. Arthur considered him a friend, yes, but still he was the King of Camelot and Merlin was his servant. He mended his clothes, scrubbed the floor, served him, and obeyed - sometimes with disagreement - his command. Merlin did this not because he had to, but because he wanted to!
Arthur couldn't handle this realization properly, so he said to Merlin, "Merlin, move it, or how long should I wait for you?
Merlin just shrugged his shoulders and hurried to follow Arthur. It a silence arose again. Mordred was still waiting for a reaction from Sir Leon, since he had been very quiet. He was looking for eye contact to the knight and he had to force himself not to look away immediately.
Sir Leon cleared his throat and finally said: "Well, that's a lot of confessions within a few days. I'm sorry, but I have yet to learn that magicians are not fundamentally evil. It's good that you told Arthur yourself about this and it didn't come out any other way. We seem to be surrounded by sorcerers without us knowing it." Sir Leon shook his head in disbelief and said goodbye.

Sir Gwaine tapped Sir Mordred on the shoulder with a comforting tap and said, "Give him some time. Some knights see magicians as deadly enemies and this attitude has been reinforced for years or even decades. Wizards like Merlin and you will be able to change their minds.
Mordred just nodded and wondered if he really belonged to this kind of wizards. He really wanted to, but doubt reentered his mind. Perhaps fate had never given him a chance and he was doomed to kill his king. He shook his head vigorously and uttered a "No! He would not allow this prophecy to make him a bad person. Even though the vision left little room for interpretation, he would still manage to ensure that Arthur would not die. He would also not allow Kara to make him hate and even more doubt. He would listen to her and find out if she really acted of her own free will and try to avoid an execution. But he would not get his hopes up. A death sentence was very likely. That's why it was so important for him to talk to her himself and see if his beloved Kara was still alive or if the woman Kara became really deserved to die... He tightened up and finally left the throne room. Tomorrow would probably be even more disturbing than today and he desperately needed a good night's sleep. But he was relieved that Arthur finally knew about his magic. He wondered if he should also tell Arthur about the prophecy. From Merlin's conversation he had learned that knowing about a vision was not necessarily an advantage, quite the contrary. He decided to seek the conversation with Merlin first and then decide. Meanwhile his mind was booming with all the thoughts, decisions and fears, and he went to his room to find some peace. For a moment he was inclined to use a calming spell, but quickly discarded the thought. One should not unnecessarily tempt fate.

Hey Guys,

It´s been a while since I updated here. 10 days without a update!

But I´m having a rough time here, doing my work, drawing as a job too and selling my book offers on my online store.

But anyways, I´m really happy since I noticed that so many others are reading this book and keep commenting on it:)

I was surprised :)

Hope you like this chapter aswell, and keep commenting to let me know:)

Lele Dezember