Mordred was having a 'splendid' day.
First and foremost. She failed in bringing down the tyrant - Drecken - that tried to burn a village southwest of Camelot. Leaving not only 500 people homeless, but the tyrant on the loose. She is going to have to spend her journey back trying to explain her mess to the King. And she just knows Sir Kay won't forget to remind her of her mess up!
Secondly, she broke her great sword in the battle against Drecken. It was a tough battle, sure. She got thrown around by him at first. Getting the bad side of his black spear and got blasted towards some of the houses of the village. Landing on the mayor's house and almost getting impaled was not how she wanted to die. So dusted off the dust from the impact and ferociously surge towards her enemy. She even had the advantage when she brought the fight towards open area.
That is until, she used her sword to protect herself. Causing it to break on the spear tip's impact. And got kicked in the head. The Red Knight for the second time got thrown by the kick and into a building. This time, she didn't recover.
And finally-
"Um, Sir Knight? Are you alright over there?"
'Speak of the devil' Mordred thought.
Right now, is her 3rd annoyance of the day. A redhead that doesn't know when to shut up.
She met him after waking up in his tent and beat the crap out of him once she saw him as he went out of the tent. She only spared him after he told her who he was and why she was in his tent.
Turns out after Mordred went unconscious, he stepped in and somehow fought off the bastard Drecken to retreating. It's been 3 hours since then and right now she's trying to leave the redhead's camp only to be stopped by him.
"What!?" She spat, luckily, she still has her helmet on. That way, the red head was spared from her blood-draining glare.
"All I'm saying is that you aren't fully recovered yet!" Said the redhead. "The wounds on your arm are open and uncleaned yet, you have to take a rest and patch up before you go."
"And when did this concern you! This is none of your business so don't stop me."
If looks could kill, the redhead would've returned to Heaven by now. But somehow, he was unfazed. Probably because he couldn't see the red Knights expression.
Determined, he continued. "I agree. But let me look at your wounds. It could get infected if leave it like that."
As he approached Mordred and just then when he was in reach, the blonde grabbed his right arm and pinned him to the grass ground below her.
"Don't you ever think to do that again! I won't warn the second time." As she said that. She let him go.
Why was she distrustful towards her savior from the last battle? Because of her pride. She couldn't accept for the living life of her that someone not only defeated the guy she couldn't, but also saved her. It was damning her pride as a knight and a warrior. And she's distrustful towards men in general - thank the Knights of the Round for that. So of course, she's defensive against him...him...
Mordred suddenly realized that she spent her time with the man without even knowing his name.
So, for blackmail purposes, should she see him again after this. She spoke.
"I'll forgive you this time. No one lived to tell the tale after the touched me. Especially men. But I want something in return."
Recovering from getting pinned. The redhead slowly got off the dirt and as he was dusting himself, he asked.
"What could that be, Sir Knight"
He asked calmly. Seemingly unfazed by the display of force.
"Simple," Mordred grinned behind her helmet. "Give me your name and your sword."
He looked at her as if she grew a new head. He then concluded she had just a few minutes ago. And while scratching the back of his head. sheepishly he replied.
"Oh! That's right. I forgot to tell you. With all that arguing we were doing I forgot to say. Very well then. I am he who is called... Archer. My name is Archer."
Mordred knew he was lying but couldn't care less since her main priority is to get the heck out of this "Archer's" camp.
"And the sword?"
'Archer' looked around and gave her a sword from one of his bags at the side of the tent she stayed in. And what he pulled was a weird looking sword she's never seen before.
It was a normal looking longsword. But there were these weird looking runes etched onto the side that she couldn't read -not that she could read runes to begin with.
The pommel of the sword was a lion head made of gold. The edges were sharp and unchipped. And in further inspection, she found that the sword overall is an amazing one. Durable for the hard swings she used to do in her fights. And sharp enough to cut down anything in its path. And it is here that Mordred finds a
problem.
"Where did you get this?" Said Mordred.
"I found it in the temple you fell in when I saved you from that spearman. " Archer said. "I presumed it belongs to you, so I brought it with me after my duel. "
Suddenly irritated at the mention of her loss. She began to walk out of the camp only to be stopped Again by this redhead.
"Hold on." He spoke. "At least allow me to accompany you your journey. Even though you have that sword with you it is clearly obvious your wounds will hinder you from fighting. At least-"
"So, you're call me weak now. Is that what you're saying!" Mordred had enough of this prick. If he stops her one more time, she's cutting him down where he stands. Savior or not.
"What- uh, no!" Archer countered. "I just think that we can help each other that's all. If I accompany you in your travel, not only can you get healed up to full strength, but you also get meals too. Free of charge! And once we get to the end of the journey- to a city I presume- I can set up shop there and start a business. It's a beneficial offer for the both of us."
Mordred pondered this for a minute. He did have a point. She knew her wounds aren't deep. But they were enough to draw blood. And having a lot of them won't help her in the long run. She had fast healing compared to the Knights of the Round. But for some reason it isn't working as it should have. They were still there 3 hours after having them. So, she's considered that part of Archer's offer.
The food somewhat bought Mordred in. Sure, she can cook. But for love of all thing's holy she knew she wasn't a good on. Much less great. The only other worst cook she knew was Gawain. And when you have a choice to pick between the two cooks and their food. The Red Knight will be chosen as the least bad. So, she isn't complaining.
But when she thought of Archer's side of the deal...
Bah! She knew it wasn't harmless. It was just a man wish of trying make a living for himself. So, she was magnanimous enough to accept it as that. Although there is an issue with the redhead's wishes.
"Deal. I accept your offer. But know this, I can only give my opinion of you to my King of your wish to set up shop when you've proven your worth. So don't be stupid enough to piss me off. Otherwise, you'll be living outside the walls once we get there."
Mordred had to threaten Archer to make sure he wasn't a threat. Once he decides to attack her, she could just kill him with the sword he gave to her. But if not. Then he could live...for now.
Archer paused for a moment. He was contemplating what the Red Knight had told him. He knew it was a threat to test him if he was a bad guy or not. He wasn't. But he understood where his acquaintance was coming from anyways. Speaking of coming from ...
"I understand your skepticisms good knight. But you need not fear. I am only a blacksmith that can fend off foes with my works. I am just a simple man who wishes for a living. And I simply believe that you will help me in my desire as I had in your duel with that spearman from before. Although... There is something that worries me. Who is your King? I have never heard of a king that denies a man his desire to work. Not in my lifetime at least."
He had to ask this. Before he realizes that he was dealing with a tyrant ruler before he arrives to wherever his acquaintance might send him off to.
And he was not alone in that conclusion. Because Mordred replied.
"If you're thinking that King Arthur is a tyrant then you are damn wrong. Sir Archer"
She spat his name out with contempt because why wouldn't she. This redhead in front of her assumed the worst of her King. Granted, he obviously didn't know who She was, so it was obvious he didn't assume that Mordred was in league with Arthur. But that was beside the point.
"Oh! You're a knight of King Arthur. Now I understand. But I've never heard of a knight like yourself who travels on his own. Are you in a mission ordered by your King? One can tell you are one of the King's closest knights. It's obvious. What with your very expensive armor and all. Pray tell, who might you be? "
"Ok, first. Stop talking like that! You talk like those stick up their ass nobles for God's sake. And. It's Mordred. I am Mordred, Knight of the Round Table."
She didn't sound as confident as she was hoping. Rather annoyed. She needs to finish this as fast as possible to get back to Camelot. And with the idiot joining her she knew her speed will drop. So, the earlier they leave the better. And so, she left.
"If you're still interested in the idea of having a life you better catch up. I'm leaving now and I'm not waiting for you to pack your stuff. So, take what you need and follow me."
Mordred shouted to him from afar. She wasn't fast per say. But her speed walking surprised Archer as she's already 300 feet from the camp as he finished taking what he needs. He only took one bag and left the rest. He didn't even bring his tent. Because of the feeling he has that he won't have time to use it in the journey.
And how right he was.