Ok, as said before, this chapter is super short, hence it's referred to as an interlude. I have a few more of these planned into the story so far, which tbh has become longer than the original 25 chapters I planned for originally. Oops.

Chapter 7: Spy's Interlude

As Sefa waited in the dark of the servant's quarters, lying in her bed, she replayed the events from earlier in the day over and over in her mind. Her confrontation with Lord Gaheris, confiding in Gwen, and most of all, being defended by the Crown Prince of Camelot.

When Gwen had brought her to him, she hadn't known what she was even expecting the prince to do; perhaps disbelieve and dismiss her, or just offer empty show of forced sympathy at the best, but never in her wildest imagination would she think he would raise a sword to a visiting noble and fellow heir to a throne for the sake of a servant he hadn't even met before.

And yet that is what he had done.

Sefa rose from her bed, her mind still churning. Slipping on her shoes and her cloak, she tiptoed her way out of the servant's quarters.

As she had been told, there weren't many guards stationed along this route out of the castle, being composed of corridors for servant's use. Once she was out of the courtyard and into the middle town, no one was around to stop her. She made her way through the lower town without any difficulty and entered into the forest. From there, she walked for about fifteen minutes into the dark, the tall trees obscuring most of the light from the moon above until she reached the tall stone jutting up like a broken tooth.

Sefa reached out her hand and touched it, looking around her. "Father," she whispered, "are you there?"

"I'm here." Sefa whirled around as an older man stepped from behind the trees behind her. She rushed to him and threw her arms about her father in a tight hug. "There, there my girl. You've only been gone a day."

"I know," She said, releasing him. "It's just been a very eventful day. A lot to get used to."

Ruadan nodded. "Have you learned anything of use that I can tell Morgause?"

Sefa hesitated, thinking about how Prince Arthur had helped her. "Nothing, really," she said, which was the truth. "Mostly I learned how the job works today, although the Princess of Nemeth and her cousin the heir to the throne arrived today. I don't know how useful that is. But-" she paused, "I don't think what we're doing is right, Father. I met the prince, and he seems like a good and honorable man." Quickly, she filled her father in on what had happened with Lord Gaheris. When she finished her tale, her father reached out and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Oh my child," he said, looking her in the eyes, "you were very brave today. But you still have much to learn about the world. Prince Arthur is a Pendragon. He is his father's son. He will carry on his father's legacy of hatred in a heartbeat. He never would have defended you if he knew what I am, regardless of the fact that you didn't inherit my abilities, he would have you killed just for knowing me."

"But-" Sefa started.

"No buts. You were not alive for the worst of The Great Purge. I envy your naivety, but I cannot allow it." Her father said sternly.

Sefa nodded, looking to the ground. "I understand, Father." She said, "Perhaps King Uther is beyond saving, but shouldn't we at least give Prince Arthur a chance to prove himself? He listened to me and honored my word. Maybe he can be convinced to think differently."

Ruadan shook his head, and grasped Sefa firmly by the shoulders. "Listen very carefully. King Uther, Prince Arthur, they are the very same. The only difference is that Arthur has been raised with the belief that magic is evil from his birth. It would be an impossible feat to change his mind now. I dare say, Uther could be persuaded more easily than him, mad and hateful as he is, he still remembers what it was like before. But the Pendragons are a sickness on this land. They must be cut from it like a tumor. Only then can you and I be free." He continued, his voice softening; "If you can't do this, I can tell Morgause that and-"

"No! No, I can do it." Sefa exclaimed.

"Very well." Ruadan said, "keep your eyes open, any sign of troop movements, of anything we could use to get inside, you tell me."

"I will Father." She promised.

"That's my girl." and with that, he disappeared back into the forest, leaving Sefa once again, alone with her thoughts.

Next Chapter: I Can't Not Try (coming 5/1)

Back to our regularly scheduled 1-chapter-every-two-weeks programming!
Big thank you to everyone who's reviewed so far, and who keeps reviewing. I love you guys. I want you to imagine me giving you a tender little kiss on the forehead. Muawh.