In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young girl. Her name: Merlynn.
-0-
Merlynn was walking down the corridor, when a cry echoed through her head. She winced in pain.
What the hell was that?
It reminded her of when the dragon talked to her. But the voice was different, it was younger, weaker.
"Help!" The voice cried again. Merlynn quickly followed the voice into the square.
"Help me! Please," the voice was getting louder, as if she was getting closer. She looked around until she spotted a young boy crouching behind a pillar. His face was mostly obscured by his cloak, but she could see his eyes. They were a bright blue and seemed to cut right through her. Looking at him she felt... strange. It was as if something was shifting inside of her. Forming some kind of connection. In some ways it felt stronger than her link to Arthur. It felt older, if that were possible, as if the connection had been formed thousands of years ago.
The young boy locked eyes with her. "Please. You have to help me." Merlynn finally realised that the boy was using telepathy.
"Help me."
Merlynn looked away from the boy, looking for the threat and saw the guards, they were moving around the square searching for something.
"They're searching for me," The boy told her.
Merlynn closed her eyes and focused her power on communicating with him. "Why are they after you?"
The poor boy looked scared out of his mind. "They're going to kill me."
Merlynn looks around, the guards were being very thorough, it wasn't going to be easy to get him past. She noticed the side door was open and no one was there. She quickly moves to the doorway and locks eyes with the boy again.
"This way. Run. Run!" She encourages.
The boy makes a run for her, clutching his arm to his chest the whole way. But the guard spots him and immediately gives chase.
"Hey. There he is! Alert the rest of the guards!"
As soon as the boy was in reach, Merlynn grabbed his hand and tugged him through the castle, and up the Griffin Stairway. Merlynn didn't know where she was taking the boy, she only knew that she couldn't allow any harm to come to him. Merlynn paused in their run trying to think of somewhere she could take him.
"In here. Quick, down there." The calls of the guards were too close. Far too close. Merlynn looked at the little boy who was clutching her arm in fear. She only had one option. She just hoped that Morgana would help them.
Merlynn tugged the boy into Morgana's chambers, bursting through the doors as she
did.
"Have you forgotten how to knock, Merlin?" Morgana asked as the girl interrupted her and Gwen. She then went silent as she saw the little boy shaking in Merlynn's arms.
"The guards are after him. I didn't know what to do," she told her friends.
"My Lady?" A guard knocked on the door. "My Lady?" Morgana was just staring at the boy. She seemed to snap out of it and pointed to a curtain.
"In there."
Merlynn quickly followed her instruction and pulled the boy behind the curtain. She looked down at him. His whole body was trembling. She reacted without thinking and pulled him into her arms. He nuzzled into her slightly, as they listened to Morgana talking to the guards.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, My Lady."
Suddenly the boy collapsed into Merlynn's arms, forcing her onto her knees. She rested her hand against his cheek, he was warm and clammy. It was then she noticed the blood covering his arm, the same one he had been clutching as he ran.
Merlynn jumped when Morgana pulled back the curtain. She had been so wrapped in the boy she didn't either hear the rest of the conversation between Morgana and the guards.
Merlynn immediately shows Morgana her blood covered hand, and the Lady's face contorts into worry.
-0-
A few hours later the boy had woken up, but he had terrible timing. His father was about to be executed.
Morgana and Merlynn were both stood at the window watching Square below as the druid was waiting to be executed. Uther and Arthur were stood on the balcony, looking down.
"People of Camelot," the King addressed his subjects. "the man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death. We're still searching for his accomplice. Anyone found harbouring the boy is guilty of conspiracy, and will be executed as a traitor. Let this serve as a warning to your people."
The druid man showed no fear. "You have let your fear of magic turn to hate. I pity you." He told the King. Uther looked at him in disgust and signalled for the execution to start.
Morgana shook her head. "I can't watch this," she told Merlynn before going to the boy and sitting with him, offering what little comfort she could.
Merlynn looks down at the poor man with his head on the chopping block. She had to do something. She focused her power once again, and sent the man a message. "I will protect your son, I swear."
The druid lifted his eyes and met hers. She offered him a little smile. He gave her a little smile back, suddenly he looked at peace. "Thank-you My Lady."
Then the axe fell and cut off his head.
"No!" The boys voice echoed through her head, and the mirror next to her smashed.
Morgana looked at the mirror her breathing quick and fearful at such a raw display of magic. Merlynn quickly joined her with the boy and he cried into her shoulder.
-0-
That evening Merynn was sat on the stairs to her room with Will at her feet. She was scratching his ear when couldn't stop herself from asking Gaius about the Druids. "Do you know much about the Druids?" She asked him.
Gaius barely looked up from his work as he answered. "Very little. They're very secretive people. Especially now they're being hunted by Uther." He suddenly froze and looked up at his niece advancing on her. "Merlynn, please tell me you haven't got yourself mixed up in this."
Merlynn quickly denied his fears. "Me? No. Mixed up in what?"
Gaius gave her a look. "For someone with such a big secret, you are a terrible liar."
"Well, I haven't done anything," she lied.
"Merlynn..." Gaius warned but she just put on her best innocent face.
"I heard the boy calling out. He was nowhere to be seen, but I could hear him... like he was inside my mind." She told him quietly, looking down at Will as she did.
"Yes, I've heard of this ability. The Druids look for children with such gifts to serve as apprentices. While they're searching for this boy, you must be especially careful otherwise it'll be your head on the chopping block."
Merlynn shrugged, "I'm always careful. You know me."
Gaius gave her yet another look, something he seemed to always be doing. "Yes, Merlynn, unfortunately I do."
-0-
The next day Merlynn walked through the square, with Will at her side, on the way to Morgana's and was alarmed to see a Guard poking their pole arms through a hay cart. They were looking for the boy. It also looked like they were being very thorough.
She continued on to Morgana's chambers.
"How is he?" she asked as soon as Morgana opened the door.
Morgana let her in and they walked to the boy. "He's sleeping. He's very pale. I worry he may have lost a lot of blood," she told Merlynn. She then looked down and noticed the dog at Merlynn's side. "Why have you brought your dog?"
Merlynn shrugged shyly, "I thought the boy might find some comfort in him. He is a very nice dog." Morgana smiled at her resting her hand on Morgana's shoulder.
Merlynn smiled back at her friend. "Has he said anything at all?" she asked.
Morgana's smile left her face. "Nothing. He won't even tell me his name."
Will wondered away from Merlynn's side and advanced on the boy. He gave the boy a sniff, before he nuzzled his head against the boys shoulder and lay down beside the boy, resting his head on the boys hand.
Merlynn smiled at her dog. He was a good boy. She then looked at the King's ward hesitantly. "You know, er, for a moment there earlier, I- I thought you were going to hand us over to the guards."
Morgana turned her head and glared at Merlynn. "I'm glad you have so much faith in me, Merlynn."
Merlynn then realised how that sounded. "No, no, sorry. Erm, I meant, you're the King's ward. You're taking a huge risk helping the boy."
Morgana's glare disappeared and softened looking down at the boy. "I wouldn't see an innocent child executed. What harm has he ever done anyone?"
"Uther believes he has magic, and that makes him guilty," Merlynn muttered bitterly.
Morgana shook her head, "Uther's wrong."
Merlynn looked at her in shock. "You believe that?"
Morgana looked at Merlynn quizzically. "What if magic isn't something you choose? What if it chooses you?" Merlynn couldn't stop the smile that stretched across her face. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Merlynn quickly looked away. "Nothing."
There was a pause.
"Why are you helping him?" Morgana asked.
Merlynn shrugged, "It was a spur of the moment decision." She stared down at the boy. "He just looked like he needed help. What do you think we should do with him? He can't stay here."
Morgana thought about it for a minute before turning to Merlynn, determination on her face. "We have to find a way to get him back to his people."
-0-
The next day Merlynn was hovering over the boy, her hand resting on his cheeks, feeling his temperature.
"He's burning up. How long has he been like this?" she asked.
"Since early this morning. I think his wound may be infected. We need Gaius before it gets any worse," Morgana told her.
Merlynn shook her head. "No. We can't involve Gaius. It's too dangerous. Besides, if he finds out about this, he'll execute me himself."
"We need to get him out of Camelot, and we can't do that while he's sick. We need a physician," Morgana argued.
Merlynn looked down at the boy. He was real sick, he was pale and the skin around his eyes was red. "I'll treat him."
Morgana looked at her doubtfully. "Merlynn, do you know how to treat an infected wound?"
"Not exactly, but I'm a fast learner."
There was a sudden knock at the door. Morgana closes the curtain, hiding Merlynn and the boy, and opened the door.
"Arthur! To what do I owe this pleasure?" Morgana called loudly, alerting Merlynn.
"Don't get all excited. It's not a social call. I'm looking for the Druid boy. I'm afraid I'm going to have to search your chambers."
Morgana was quick to argue. "You're not searching my chambers."
"Don't take it personally." Merlynn could just picture him rolling his eyes. "I have to search the entire castle. Only take a few minutes."
"I'm not having you mess up my things."
"I'm not interested in your things, I'm just looking for any evidence that the Druid boy's in the castle."
Merlynn peeked through the curtain and was horrified to see that the boy's boots were sitting in plain sight.
"Perhaps the Druid boy's hiding in your chambers. They're usually such a mess, you'd never know," Morgana said.
"It's hardly my fault I have such a lazy idiot for a servant." Merlynn glared at Arthur through the gap. She glanced behind her and saw something that made her smirk. Oh she knew exactly how to get back at him.
Morgana was terrified when she saw the curtain open, but relaxed and even smirked when she saw what came out.
"If you can't even find your own servant, what hope do you have of finding the boy?" She continued to mock.
"Really, I'm touched by the confidence you have in my abilities. And, as much as I'd love to stay and talk, the sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be finished."
"Well, I'll save you the trouble," said Morgana.
"Trust me, if I could find him, I would," Arthur assured her.
"The Druid boy's hiding behind the screen." Arthur looked at the screen and was shocked to see Merlynn's dog sat in front of it. "I'm sure your father would love to know how you wasted your time by rifling through my things. Go on." Morgana had advanced on Arthur and was now stood in front of him smirking.
"So you can have the satisfaction of making me look a fool?" he asked angrily.
"In my experience, you don't need any help looking like a fool. What are you waiting for? Take a look."
Arthur took a step towards the curtain but the dog let out a little growl. Arthur wasn't going through this again. "Why don't you go back to brushing your hair, or whatever it is that you do all day?" he snarled.
"Bye, Arthur. Good luck with the search!" Morgana called mockingly as Arthur left.
Merlynn smiled at Will, he had retrieved the shoes for her before he sat himself down in front of the curtain protecting her and the boy.
-0-
Merlynn looked through Gaius' books, hoping to find the answers she needed.
"Bites, bruises, burns, wounds... Infections..." She muttered as she scanned the books.
She ran over to the table and started to collect a few bottles and herbs.
"Ah, there you are. I need you to pick some heather for me," Gaius told her as he walked into the room.
"Er, can I do it later? I was just going out," Merlynn asked as she tried to hide the bag with her herbs and bottles in.
"Who set this book out?" Gaius asked as he noticed the open book on the table.
"It was me. I was doing some reading," Merlynn quickly said.
"Oh? I'd given up hoping you might take more of an interest in my work." Gaius commented smiling at her.
She put on her best innocent face. "No. It's fascinating."
Gaius gave her an inquisitive smile. "Merlynn, you are riddle wrapped up in a mystery."
"That's me. I was just getting some cleaning supplies. Arthur's been complaining about the state of his chambers," she explain motioning to the door.
"I think Arthur's chambers can wait. I'm not missing the chance to begin your education." Gaius told her, pointing to a seat at his desk.
"Really. I should go," she tried to walk past but Gaius' strong voice stopped her.
"Sit!" She took her seat at the desk.
"We'll start with some basic anatomy..." Gaius then slammed a heavy book onto the table in front of her.
She was going to be here a while.
-0-
A few hours later Merlynn finally escaped her uncle's grasp and was able to go to Morgana's chambers.
The Lady answered quickly. "What took you so long?"
"Sorry. Once Gaius gets talking about anatomy, there's no stopping him," Merlynn commented walking to the boy. When she reached him Will barely acknowledged her, he was to be whimpering in sympathy for the druid boy.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Morgana asked as Merlynn started treating the boy.
Merlynn let out an exasperated sigh, "I'm doing my best."
That comment made Morgana back off. "I'll get you some more water."
Once she was gone Merlynn started wiping the boys head. His eyes were open and flicking around her face, dazedly.
"Thank you, Emrys."
The voice in her head made a pause. She looked down at him in confusion.
"Emrys? Why do you call me that?"
"Among my people, that is your name." The boy informed her.
Merlynn looked down at him in shock. "You know who I am. How?"
When he didn't reply she couldn't stop herself from pushing for an answer.
"Speak to me."
Morgana knelt beside her once more holding a pitcher in her hand. "I don't know if he can't speak, or... he's just too scared to." Both women stared down at the boy in sympathy and fear for his health.
-0-
Merlynn needed answers. That night, she had more trouble getting down to the cave then she normally would, what with all the guards being on high alert looking for the boy.
"Hello?" Merlynn called when she reached the cave.
It's silent.
She looked around looking for him, and let out a small cry as the dragon had been clinging to the wall right by her head. He let out a roar, making her jump again.
"Do you have to do that? You scared the life out of me," Merlynn cried.
The dragon flew to his normal perch and stared down at the young witch. "The young warlock. No doubt you're here about the Druid boy."
Merlynn looked at him in shock. "How did you know?"
The dragon gave her his usual all-knowing look. "Like you, I hear him speak."
"Why does he call me Emrys?"
"Because that is your name," he said.
"I'm pretty sure my name's Merlynn, always has been," she told him.
The dragon smiled at her. "You have many names."
Merlynn looked at him in confusion. "Do I? How does the boy know who I am? I've never even met any Druids."
"There is much written about you that you have yet to read. You should not protect this boy."
The blood froze in her veins.
"Why? He has magic. He's just like me."
Any smile that Merlynn thought she might have seen on the dragon's face was definitely no longer there. "You and the boy are as different as day and night."
"What do you mean?"
"Heed my words, Merlynn," The dragon ordered.
"Why should I not protect him? He's just a boy!" she argued.
The dragon didn't answer he just flew off.
-0-
Merlynn knocked on the door, waiting for Gwen or Morgana to open it.
"It's Merlynn," she called through the door.
Gwen was quick to let her in.
"How is he?" Merlynn asked. She had been filled with this worry for him. It was as if she feared that the dragon had escaped and killed the boy.
Morgana looked at her from her place, kneeling on the floor, wiping the boys brow. "He's getting weaker. Whatever you did yesterday, it hasn't worked. We have to ask Gaius for his help," she told Merlynn.
Merlynn looked down at the little boy, he needed her. Screw what the dragon said. She nodded. "I'll get him now."
Morgana exhaled in relief, as Merlynn turned and left.
Merlynn practically ran through the castle and got to her chambers in record time. A soon as she burst in and acknowledged that her uncle was both there and alone, the words escaped her mouth. "Morgana's hiding the Druid boy in her chambers."
Gaius stopped whatever it was he had been doing and turned to face his niece. A disappointed frown spreading across his face. "When you say that Morgana's hiding the Druid boy, I take that means that you're helping her?"
"Yes," she declared, unashamed. He would not make her feel bad for protecting the boy.
"Merlynn, you promised me that you wouldn't get involved."
"I know. I'm sorry. I had no choice," she informed him.
Gaius shook his head at her. "Every guard in Camelot is searching for this boy, and you're harbouring him under their very noses. Can't you see how dangerous that is? What were you thinking of?"
"Was I supposed to hand him over to the guards to be executed?" she asked him sarcastically.
"You think you can save this boy? What happens if you're caught? Who's going to save you?"
Merlynn looked at him smugly. "You're saying it's wrong to harbour a young magician?"
"The difference is, Merlynn, that your magic is still secret. Though it's a wonder how, considering how careless you are."
Merlynn rolled her eyes, they were wasting time. "The boy's hurt. He's really sick. I've tried to treat him. We need your help," she informed him.
Gaius rose one of his eyebrows. "So, now you want me to risk my neck, too? I wish the boy no harm, but it's too dangerous."
Merlynn looked at him in shock. "But if you don't, we may as well hand him over to the guards, because he'll die anyway. You didn't turn your back on me. Please don't turn your back on him. Please!" She begged him. Gaius observed his niece. Her blue eyes were large and desperate, to the point that they were filling with tears. He had never seen her like this. So desperate. He sighed. He couldn't deny her this.
-0-
Gaius examined the Druid boy, as Merlynn and Morgana paced anxiousy behind him.
He looked at up them. "I will treat the boy, but as soon as he's well, you must get him out of Camelot. And woe betide anyone caught helping him. Well, one thing we know for certain."
Merlynn stepped forward anxiously. "What's that?"
Gaius turned to her with a small smirk.
"You're no physician."
-0-
The next day, the boy was feeling much better so Merlynn, Morgana and Gwen had come up with a plan to get him out. Despite Merlynn's attempts to be the one to get him out of the city, Morgana had shot her down, telling her how she would be at more should Uther catch her. So now Merlynn found herself in Arthur's chambers, looking for the opportune moment to take the key, which lead to the passageway Morgana was going to use. The problem was, he was wearing the key on his belt.
Arthur was sat at his table, eating some soup. This seemed as good a moment as any.
"Inbringe, cume mec." She whispered. The spell caused the key to float the keys off of his belt and it hovered behind his head.
Arthur suddenly turned to her. "Is there any bread?" He asked. His sudden question knocked Merlynn's concentration causing the keys to jangle.
"What was that?"
Merlynn looked at him feigning confusion. "What?"
Arthur looked at her as if she was an idiot. "There was a sound."
Merlynn shrugs. "Was there?"
She continues floating the keys behind Arthur's head as he stands up to search for the sound.
"What is that? Can't you hear it?!"
"I can't hear anything."
Arthur rounded on her. "Are you deaf? It's like a... jangling sound," he says waving a hand around his ear, as if mimicking the sound.
Arthur walks towards Merlynn, listening intently for the sound.
Merlynn suddenly points behind Arthur. "There!"
"What?" Arthur moves himself between Merlynn and whatever she had seen.
"I thought I saw something," she lied. As he searched for something that wasn't there, Merlynn dropped the key into the soup.
Arthur turns back to Merlynn. "What was that?"
"What was what?"
"A different sound, like a...like a splash." The prince insisted.
Merlynn shrugs and picks up some bread from the table. "Bread?"
Arthur, frustrated shoves past her. He rubs his ears as he walks away, maybe he needed to go and see Gaius. As soon as he was out of eyesight Merlin grabs the keys from the soup.
She ran to Morgana's chambers and knocked on the door. "It's Merlynn."
Gwen opens the door, letting her in.
Merlynn looked at Morgana who was stood in Gwen's clothes. "Are you ready?"
Morgana nods, Merlynn looked down to the boy who also offered a little nod, making Merlynn smile.
"Did you get the keys?" Morgana asked.
Merlynn nodded. "Yeah. Er, the door is behind the shield at the far end of the armoury."
"I'll pack you some food and water for the journey. Be careful." Gwen was saying to Morgana. Merlynn took this moment to kneel down and hug the Druid boy. He clutched her tight. She may not get another chance to say a proper goodbye.
"Goodbye Emerys."
-0-
They had failed. Morgana had been stopped.
"I promised that I wouldn't let anything bad happen." Morgana was leaning against a pillar in her room. Merlynn had never seen her look so devastated. She wasn't the only one.
"So, did I." Merlynn whispered. Seeing the look on Morgana's face she knew she needed to say something. "You can't blame yourself. You tried your best." Merlynn tried to comfort her.
"It's not enough."
"He's in jail now. There's nothing more we can do." Merlynn whispered to herself.
Morgana marched forward determinedly. "I will not let him die. Can I count on your help?"
Merlynn didn't hesitate to nod.
Morgana let out a breath of relief and hugged the servant tightly. "Thank you."
-0-
Later that day, Merlynn enters Arthur's chambers. She is surprised to see Morgana and Arthur at the table they both looked up and fell silent at her entrance.
"Sorry. Was I interrupting something?"
Arthur was quick to dismiss her. "Nothing you need concern yourself with. Go make yourself useful, muck out my horses."
Well that was nice wasn't it. After all this time... Arthur didn't trust her. Dejectedly she went to leave but Morgana's voice stopped her.
"I trust Merlynn."
Merlynn turned to her and smiled.
Arthur motioned for her to come in, which she did.
"We're going to break the Druid boy out of the dungeons," Arthur told her.
"What can I do to help."
"Uther's going to execute him at dawn." Morgana informed her.
Merlynn cast a worried look at the Lady.
"Maybe you shouldn't be involved. You've already been caught once, and if the King catches you a second time he'll never forgive you," she tells Morgana.
"I'm not worried for myself," Morgana argued.
Arthur was quiet for a few seconds. "Merlynn's right. When my father finds out the boy's escaped, he will suspect you being involved."
"Blimey you can tell Arthur's worried, he said I was right." Merlynn joked. Making Morgana smile for the first time in days.
"Shut-up Merlynn." Arthur ordered. But there was a definite upturn to his lips. "You must go to my father and apologise. Dine with him, he cannot hold you responsible if you're with him when the boy escapes."
Morgana shook her head. "You need me if the plans to work. You can't do this on your own."
Arthur cast his eyes to his servant. "Merlynn will take your place."
Merlynn looked at him in surprise. "Me?"
Arthur walked towards her. "I'm going to take the boy out through the burial vaults. There's a tunnel that leads beyond the city walls. Get my horse from the stables and meet me there. There's a grate that covers the entrance to the tunnel. Bring a rope and a grappling hook to pull it off."
"But what if I'm late. No- no, I can't..." She would mess it up. Something this important, she would ruin it all and they would all get in trouble. Plus, as much as she didn't want to admit it, the Dragon's words were niggling away at her mind.
Arthur rested his hands on her shoulders. "Merlynn you can do this. Do you understand? If you're not there to meet us, we'll surely be caught."
Merlynn nodded, and Arthur smiled at her. Neither noticed Morgana smiling knowingly at them.
-0-
"I need to know why you told me not to protect the boy," Merlynn cried as she entered the cave.
The dragon rolled his eyes. "You seek my counsel and yet you choose to ignore it."
"Just tell me why." Merlynn ordered.
"If the boy lives, you cannot fulfil your destiny."
Merlynn looked at him confused. "What's he got to do with my destiny? You said it's my destiny to protect Arthur."
"Then you have the answer you seek."
Merlynn looked at him in shock. "You're telling me that little boy is going to kill Arthur?"
"It seems that is up to you."
"No. You can't know that for certain." Merlynn shook her head at him in denial.
"You have it in your power to prevent a great evil."
"There must be another way! The future isn't set in stone!" She argued.
"You must let the boy die." The dragon ordered her.
She stared at the dragon right in the eye, with a strength and determination that he had not seen in the young witch before her.
"No." With that she left the dragon not even casting a look back at him as he yelled her name.
-0-
Merlynn did her best to sneak past the guards on the drawbridge. But there were so many that she was late and reached the gate just in time.
"Hey!" She alerted Arthur to her arrival.
Arthur rounded on her. "Where the hell have you been?!"
"I had trouble getting out of the castle," she told them.
The little boy smiles at her in relief.
"Well, get this grate off, they're coming!" Arthur ordered her.
Merlynn is quick to attach the grappling hook and pulls off the grate. She, Arthur and the boy run to the horse, Merlynn gets on quickly hoisting the boy up in front of herself with Arthurs help. She had convinced Arthur that since the boy knew her better and she wouldn't be missed.
"Go quick before the guards find you." She adjusted the reins in her hands, when Arthur placed his hand on her knee. She looked down at him in surprise. "Be careful." He ordered her.
She smiled at him and nodded, and then she rode off into the night, clutching the boy to her chest.
-0-
Merlynn and the boy rode for hours until a group of men in robes suddenly appeared in the road.
"It's them." The boy whispered into her head.
Merlynn got off the horse and pulled the boy down. He ran to the Druids and was embraced by them. They looked up at Merlynn before they all suddenly bowed, leaving Merlynn confused.
"We are forever indebted to you, Emerys, for returning the boy to us."
She smiled at them. Before looking at the boy. "You must not let it be known that it was Arthur who helped you."
The Druid leader nodded. "We will tell no one. You have my word."
The druids turned to leave, and the boy ran back to Merlynn, giving her a hug.
"I don't want you to go." He told her.
She knelt down in front of him. "Hey, we'll see each other again. I promise."
He nodded and went back to the Druids.
"Wait, I don't even know your name!" She called after him. "At least tell me your name." She cried.
The Druid leader looked down at the boy. "It's all right."
The boy looked at her. "My name is Mordred." He said, for the first-time out loud.
She smiled at him. "Good luck, Mordred."
She would change his destiny or die trying.