"Pathetic."
That was the last insult the Red Knight Mordred spat on the Castle Guards - with most of them not having the strength to lift a finger off the ground.
'After weeks of training them to tip top shape, they still managed to find new ways to disappoint.' Thought a grim Mordred.
"If you can't even face me, what good are you lot defending the likes of that bastard?!" Referring to Drecken. "Do you no good sons of bitches even know why the hell I put up with you?!"
"If it is not to kill them before Drecken could, then I have no answer. Sir Mordred."
As the Red Knight turned around, she was greeted to the sight of her King. Armor and Crown and everything. The afternoon glow made her half diadem- half crown glimmer in all its golden beauty while it made her silver armor with blue accents look more majestic. She was wearing a white cape with blue edges and a fur collar that is draped upon her shoulders; foregoing that instead of her regal red cape.
"Your Majesty!" As she said that, Mordred proceeded to kneel.
"Arise, Sir Mordred." as her King commanded, the Red Knight did so. And after the Red Knight stood up, she assumed her usual regal stance before speaking,
"I could not help but see that your… vigorous training with the men brought upon… unsavory results." The King of Knights while looking at the exhausted Guards had to carefully choose her words to avoid embarrassing her Knight in front of everyone.
Mordred caught the hidden meaning. And she tried to explain the situation.
"My Liege." she started calmly, "I simply desire for the Castle Guards to be sharp in mind and body. Dark times are already on Camelot. I was simply doing my part to prepare for it. War is upon us, and we have too few to stand with us. If I can just do one thing to help, it would be bringing these men to proper fighting order. So that they can protect the castle."
The dark times of Camelot started nearly a year ago. When the Anglo/Saxon invasions from the mainland began. Camelot lost valuable allies during this incursion of the British Isles; one of these lost allies was the Kingdom of Londinium. A country that was still as Roman as it was centuries prior - it has been less than 60 years since the Western Empire fell after all. Their cowardly leader, Lucius Dominicus, decided to align himself with the Saxons after the invasions.
Said Saxons invasions were the conquests of the Southwest countries of Eastland, Kent, Sussex, West Magance and the last invasion - the one battle that broke Lucius' resolve - which was the Sack of Wessex. The sacking of the country that resulted in the mass murder of 20 thousand lives.
The death and destruction from the event brought vivid memories upon the King and his Knights - who were present for all these attacks but couldn't do anything but the evacuation of the loyal peoples in those lands. Other than Drecken, this hostile foreign power led by Hengist occupied the minds of the high command of Camelot.
But that reason alone does not give Mordred a pass to leave these poor men half-dead from exhaustion.
"I agree, Sir Mordred. Dark times truly are upon us all. And with that, everything must be done to protect our people. So you were right in training the Guards" Said the King.
But she was not done.
"The problem with this, however. Is that you are training them to death. I am sure that you are aware of this, correct?" A stern glare was pointed to the Red Knight.
"Your Majesty." Mordred said. "They are the only line of defense we have when all is lost! When the Round is not here, when the City Garrison is gone, when all else fails, these men," she said that word with contempt , "Will be the only ones who can defend you."
The King can only sigh at that. Mordred truly is a stubborn one. Even more so than herself. Arturia can only wonder which parent the Red Knight inherited his stubbornness from. Thinking of another way to explain to Mordred why what he's doing is wrong is tough. The King has to also factor in the Red Knight's stubbornness, hard-headedness, and even his impatience. After a few seconds of thinking, the King has a solution.
"Stubbornness can only get you so far, Sir Mordred." She said exasperatedly.
The King's expression then changed into a stern one. Her eyes glowing with authority. "Very well. I did not wish for you to be dealt this hand. Unfortunately, you have left me with no choice."
The atmosphere suddenly became ice-cold. Everyone began cold-sweating at the sight of a slightly angry King. Especially Mordred, who was currently frozen in place. Filled with fear at the prospect of a terrible punishment. Deep down she prayed to God that she would be saved from the King's wrath.
"Sir Mordred…"
Good thing she had a helmet on, because the Red Knight's teeth were chattering.
"...I wish of you…"
Her praying speed increased to lightspeed. Praying for salvation.
"...to walk with me."
"Eh?"
She was confused. She expected she would do something horrible like cleaning the horse shit in the stables, feeding the pigs, or worse, cleaning the latrines. But no, it was just a wal-
"Walk with me to my office, Sir Mordred. Once we arrive there, I will see fit to give you a punishment suited to your stubbornness."
Oh, scratch that. She was fucked. Super fucked.
Somewhere…
"How is she?"
"Still unconscious. The wounds are healing with no signs of infection. Thank the Lord."
"Don't thank the Lord just yet, Gaheris. We must stay alert. She could wake up any moment soon. We just have to be there when that happens."
"Gareth is right, Gaheris. Keep an eye out while she sleeps. Gareth. Come here."
"Yes, brother."
These were the voices of the Orkney Brothers. Gawain , Gareth, and Gaheris. After discovering the injured lady, they did everything in their power to clean and cover up her wounds. They spent the rest of the night tending to her until she became stable enough that her wounds aren't bleeding out often. So far, they only found slices on her neck, a few bumps and scratches here and there, and nothing else. Should this lady wake up, she might not be able to speak for a while after.
When sunrise came, Gawain and Gareth walked down the road in search of a town that they can get help from - leaving Gaheris to tend to the lady. After 2 hours of walking, they saw a small town named Averre. It was a farming centred town. With as many plots of wheat as the eye can see. Wagons filled with barley to be transported to the neighboring villages to be sold. They were also a herding village. Sheep, goats, cows, and even horses are abundant here. Just what the Brothers needed.
Gawain and Gareth approached a farmer who owned a covered wagon with two horses pulling it, and they began negotiating for the wagon. They had the upper hand in negotiations since it dawned on them that the farmer knew who they were - I guess being the Knights of Round would do that to you. Using their reputation as honorable and reputable knights, the two managed to convince the farmer that not only will they use his horse-wagon with utmost care, but they will also return it with a bag of silver for the farmer's troubles. The farmer couldn't say no to such a lucrative deal, so he accepted.
And now here they are, in a wagon, now half-way through Glouchedon. Even though their travel speed doubled, Camelot is still 3 days away. The elder of the trio of knights decided that once they find a town to rest in, they will do so.
As Gareth went to his brother at the front of the wagon, he asked.
"What is it, brother?"
"What have you found from the lady's belongings? Does it say anything about how she ended up like she is right now?" asked Gawain.
"Ah! Yes, of course. I almost forgot. Fortunately I have the parchment right here."
As he finished, Gareth pulled out the lady's bloody parchment that he got from the night before. He then gave it to Gawain who after he got the parchment examined it.
"It's… a bow? The paper is bloody all over. Except this one line… Gareth, what does, 'Winter shall meet its death,' mean to you?"
"Personally, nothing. I've never heard of such a phrase - uttered or written - like that before. It almost sounds like a line from a fairy tale, if you ask me."
"Hm… This just became more and more suspicious." As he looked towards the unconscious lady, Gawain thought of the possibilities of who this woman could be.
A nun is plausible since she's wearing clothes from a monastery. He also concluded that she was a victim of something. Considering her wounds, it's very evident enough for consideration. But the question is, what tragedy could have befallen on her to have warranted such wounds. The fact that he couldn't find any information about anything tragedy-related in Averre just made him frustrated. Well, he was expecting that when walking into the farming town. What with them being so far from everyone else and all.
Ah, so much thinking for a lady he just met is catching up to the Knight. He was so occupied with his thoughts that he almost didn't hear his brother's cry that a village was ahead.
"Brother! Didn't you hear me? I said there's a-"
"I heard, Gareth. We're now on our way there."
After they entered the village they found an inn they could stay in. As they entered, the innkeep was the first thing they saw. Not caring for their surroundings. The trio were wearing hooded cloaks to hide themselves and their armor and swords. While the lady is wearing a hood draped over her head. With Gareth and Gaheris carrying their important belongings from the wagon and Gawain carrying the lady bridal-style. As they neared the inkeep's booth, said inkeep greeted them.
"Good evening to all you lot! Welcome to the Leaping Hare. Now, what can I do for ya?"
"Two rooms for two." Said Gawain.
"Ah! You're in luck. We only have two rooms left. How many days will you stay?"
"One night. With dinner for tonight and breakfast for tomorrow. Both to be brought in our rooms"
"Alright then! That will be 5 silver shillings for the room expenses, 2 for dinner and 2 for breakfast. That will be 9 shillings."
As Gaheris handed the coins, he added 2 more shillings and Gawain said.
"Don't say a word about our stay and I'll make it eleven."
Secrecy is needed. In order to protect themselves while resting in the town, The trio of Knights must hide their presence here if they want a peaceful stay.
"Deal! If Mr. Smith will come with me, I'll take you and your friends to your rooms."
After keeping the coins, the inkeep guided them to their rooms up on the second floor. They were eventually led to the rooms furthest from the staircase. As they neared the rooms, the inkeep spoke.
"Here you are. Two rooms for two. I'm guessing that your friends over here will take one room so that you and your sleeping spouse will take the other, correct?"
As Gawain heard a few snickers from his brothers, he became annoyed. And his annoyance was evident in his voice when he said.
"You are correct, inkeep. But you are mistaken, she is not my spouse."
"Oho!" His tone had a hint of teasing in it, "Then you must be quite the ladies' man to pick up such a fine woman." he said while glancing at the person on Gawain's arms
"That is not the case, inkeep," the Knight's tone was beyond annoyance now, it was filled with irritation.
"Ah, well. None of my business anyways. Just an inkeep. That's all. Now go take your rooms before we start a commotion with the other guests, why don't' ya?"
And so, they did. Gawain took the first room while his brothers took the second. He placed the lady on a bed at the right side of the room while dropping his belongings on the bed to the left. 40 minutes later, while he was cleaning his sword, a knock was heard. He stopped what he was doing and headed to the door only to be greeted by the inkeep.
"Now, I'd tell you to have a good night's rest but since you clearly aren't from around here, I'll tell you something." he said while inviting himself inside.
'Well, This was unexpected.' Gawain thought as he closed the door. He then replied
"Oh? And pray tell, why bother me? We're clearly none of your business."
"Well, it is now." arms crossed and defiant while leaning on the wall beside the door, the inkeep continued while raising a thumb to point at something. "Because of her."
Turns out it was someone, i.e. the unconscious lady Gawain's with.
An eyebrow raised, it was Gawain's. His senses kicking in, he stiffened and became a little hostile at the man. The Knight of the Sun then said, suspicion laced in his voice,
"And who is she to you?"
"I've just received word that a monastery in Glouchedon was destroyed with no survivors to tell the tale, I've also been told to look out for potential suspects connected to the event. And seeing that you, a man with a very dangerous blade in his hands, is with an unconscious and wounded woman that looks exactly like a nun is very suspicious." The inkeep was emotionless at this point. Keeping calm and showing no fear at this very strange man. He then continued.
"Plus it's bad business to keep a mass murderer in my inn. Now before you go on and try to leave, I only need one thing from you. One thing, and I won't say a thing."
"You won't get a thing from me, nor will you even have anything to say to make me do so, inkeep." Gawain said. "This woman is a person I rescued in a forest. If she truly was a victim of such a tragedy, and that I was its cause, I wouldn't have thought of saving her. Now, would I?"
The inkeep just held his cheek at that. The inkeep was expecting to blackmail his tennant with what he told him. But after realizing he made a wrong assumption, the inkeep decided to backpedal from his plan. By simply saying,
"Oh, wait. So you didn't kill all those monks?"
"No. I did not." came the reply.
It was filled with such honesty that the innkeep can't trace a lie in it. Pretending to sigh in relief to hide the fact that he was about to blackmail the tennant, the inkeep then continued,
"Oh, that's a relief. Although, considering that the real killer was a madman, I should've expected you to attack me while I am right here. Defenseless and all." The inkeep hoped that he sounded genuine enough to pass that lie through without suspicion. And to his luck, it did.
"You need not fear me, inkeep." Gawain said with calmness so as to not scare the man, "I am merely a tenant who wishes to sleep in peace. Which I now desire to do." His tone translated to: 'I had enough, get out of my room'. The Knight simply walked to the door and gestured a 'get out' motion to the innkeep.
"Ah, yes. I believe I should go now. Have a good night, good sir."
"And to you as well." As he closed the door Gawain thought to himself.
'Good night… hm… I guess it's been a while since I had those. Maybe I will have a good night. But only this once.'
Gawain's version of a good night was a trip to the pub and catching an hour or two with a lady friend somewhere. As he grabbed his coin pouch and his cloak and sword, he went off to the door. Expecting to have a good time for himself.
Only to be stopped when he heard a cough from within his room.
Gawain's 'good night' will have to wait. The Knight has a nun to take care of.
Elsewhere...
"Argh! This is fucking pointless. I hate this damn job."
"Maybe if you weren't so stubborn in front of the King of all people, you wouldn't be doing this, Mordred."
"Archer's right. Mordred. Take this time as a lesson. The lesson being - don't piss off the King. And if you learn from it, you might actually become a better person."
"Fuck off, Kay. And what the hell are you even doing here anyways? Did you come here just to piss me of- Aw, fuck! Goddamn it, I got dust all over."
The trio of Archer, Mordred and Kay are currently in the library. After going to the King's office to be given a punishment. Mordred's punishment was cleaning the Royal Library and joining a mission to apprehend an embezzler with Captain Faust.
After an hour of cleaning, Archer and Kay arrived at the Library. Archer was finding Mordred because he hadn't thanked Mordred for her recommendation of him as a good cook. And after thanking her, the redhead decided to help her out in cleaning. While taking advantage of all the knowledge he can get about… Well, anything! Kay was here to research about the Sword Mordred currently owns - Rhindon. As he was ordered to by the King.
"You have to be careful, Mordred." Archer said, "You're dealing with books that cost more than your house, after all."
"I know. I know." Mordred replied, irritatingly. "What're you, a mom?"
Kay snickered at that while Archer grimaced. The redhead replied.
"That's not how it works, Mordred. In any case. I should be a father, don't you think?"
Suddenly, the room became chilly. It's as if the life in it was sucked out only to be replaced by a somber, sad, depressed atmosphere. And both Archer and Kay realized one thing - The redhead stepped on a landmine,
"...Yeah right… As if I would know. I never had a father to know that." Mordred began slowly. Her voice is jittery. Her helmet is doing nothing to hide what she's feeling right now.
"Mordred…" Archer didn't know what to say. He was shocked at Mordred's attitude change. He then realized that right now, Mordred didn't know about his real 'father'.
"Look, Mordred. I admit, I've probably said a lot of... bad things to you." Said Kay, carefully trying to talk the Red Knight out of her current mood.
"But if this means anything to you. I'm sorry for your loss."
Kay was assuming that the Red Knight's father died before getting to know Mordred. So, he simply thought that offering condolences would at least calm her down.
"Don't be. I never knew him in the first place." She then changed the subject as swiftly as it came, "Archer! Take a look at this."
And so, Archer did. He went towards the Red Knight and was shown… a book. It was a book titled, "The Lion and the Witch." The redhead was confused. Why did he need to see this, so he asked.
"And what is that, Mordred?"
"Look at the woman holding the sword. What do you see?"
The cover of the book consisted of a lion glaring fiercely towards the woman. The woman was
wearing a silver white gown that stretched to her feet, effectively covering them. The woman wore a crown that's the same color as her attire. In one hand, she was holding a broken long pole with metal attached to it. It looked like an elongated wand to anyone seeing it. On the other hand was a sword. A sword the redhead became accustomed to seeing. It was no mistake. The long sword, the cross hilt, the lion head pommel, and above all the runes on the flat of the blade...
It was Rhindon.
"Okay… this just became very confusing." Said Kay, who went to the two after seeing Archer's look of surprise and saw the cover himself.
Little did they know… That the kingdom of Camelot would forever change because of this...