"Dear Sophia,
The Captain has given out his orders. I, alongside the rest of the Cohort save for Levi and the Captain himself, will be tasked to head for Eastland. I am not told of the whole reason behind this decision, that distinction will go to Bartholomew. You've met him once, he was the one who gave you those Lilacs on the eve of our wedding. He's a good man, that Barthomew. While a bit of an over drinker, that is.
That aside. One day, when all this is over. I get to come home to you. To spend our time together like we've always dreamed of back then. One day-"
"Hey, Davis. What're you writing about?"
"Don't mind him, Andrew. It's the man's personal life he's writing about there. We should respect that, for his sake."
"I get it, I get it Bart. I understand that. … Who's it for?"
"Andrew, for crying out loud."
Davis is a man around the same age as Bart and Andrew. All three of them are in their mid twenties. But Davis is a few months older than both of the two. He was well known and well thought of by not only the men in the 15th Cavalry, but by most of Camelot. But his life back then would make you question my earlier statement about the man.
He used to be a high ranking member of a criminal's guild that was destroyed by a certain lightning and fire magus when she attacked Davis' HQ. But Davis and his guild didn't know about the magus. They were too concerned with saving their own lives to care about her. To this day, Davis did not understand what truly happened on that day when he saw his comrades killed indiscriminately. Nor does he desire to know. He's moved on from that moment in his life and never looked back on it since. And right now, he wants to keep it that way.
Things happened and Davis found himself being the only man of his guild to have survived the attack that was not captured by the certain lightning and fire magus. Davis, after the whole debacle, found himself ruined and penniless. So, he did the only thing his talents and skills could afford him; he robbed an unsuspecting bank of its money. But he was thwarted by none other than Gawain, the Sun Knight, himself.
Gawain planned to have Davis killed for his crimes until the King stepped in and made a deal with Davis. Repent of his actions, repay his crimes to the Bank owner by serving under him, and joining the King's Army. Or. Rot in jail. Guess which path Davis chose.
That entire debacle happened a full 2 years ago. With today being the anniversary. So far, his decision to choose the King's offer benefitted him greatly. He's become an upstanding citizen under Camelot's flag, a great soldier and compatriot to his fellow soldiers, an inspiration to the people he protects, and best of all he's gotten married! And expecting a baby! Ironically to the daughter of the Bank owner he robbed years ago. But that's all behind us now.
It has been 4 hours since the Captain briefed them about their current situation and have given them their current orders which is to head to Eastland. The reason behind the journey is kept private to only one man - Bart. and quite understandably so. The risk of the secret spilling the beans to an enemy is high when everyone knows about it.
The three men, Davis, Andrew, and Bart are currently resting beside the horses in a forest just outside of Dorchester. Bart decided that the city has too many prying eyes. So, he ordered the men to set up camp here in the thick woods. Bart, with Davis and Andrew as support, is in charge of planning the route to Eastland and to set up camp - which they've already done - while the others scout the area to make sure they are safe from any harm and unwanted eavesdroppers.
As Bart was about to grab ahold of Andrew's shoulder to stop the man from snooping into Davis' journal, Davis said,
"It's alright, Bart. There's no problem in seeing it."
Bart was about to argue against that until he saw the reassuring smile Davis made towards him. Knowing that Davis fully consents to Andrew's snooping, Bart lets the issue slide.
"Who's Sophia?." Andrew asked, causing Davis to place all his attention on the man, "Oh! I remember now… she's your wife right?"
"The one and only. " Davis replied happily whilst remembering the woman.
"But isn't she the one who you robbed from?" Andrew asked densely. Which caused Bart to flinch and palm his face.
'This idiot…' Bart thought
Davis laughed at that and explained, "When you've stayed over at another woman's family's house with her always being there for 2 years, there's a chance that you'll one day fall in love with her. Same thing went for me."
"Ah… I see." Andrew said with realization. He then asked, "So, when are you going to go back for her?"
"What do you mean, Andrew?", Davis asked.
"Well." Andrew started, "you're going to have to leave us one day to live with her. I'm just wondering when that'll be. There's always a risk of death whenever we set out on missions, and this one we're in has a greater risk than anything we've ever gone to!"
"Ahem." Bart fake coughed at the other said of the camp, "Wessex?"
"That's not the point though," Andrew continued while setting up a stool for himself to sit on, "The point is, Sophia needs you soon, Davis. You have to settle someday…"
"As much as I hate to agree to it, Andrew's right." Bart said as he plotted down the map of southern Britannia onto the makeshift table he was working on for the entirety of the conversation. "You're better off leaving us by the end of this mission to take care of your wife. You have a bloody kid coming soon, for crying out loud."
"I know that, you two." Davis reassured them, "Which is why I've requested a letter of leave from the Captain a few weeks back."
"A few week's back?!" Andrew exclaimed, "Then why are you still here? You were supposed to be with your wife by then."
"Because the deal was that I would show up for duty the whole year. And since we're nearing the end of it, this mission will be my last." Davis explained, "Once this mission is over with, I'll take a year or 2 off to settle with my wife. The Captain is well informed of this, which is why the letter of leave doesn't have an expiration date."
"I see." Andrew said.
"I'm happy that you're having the chance to live with your wife, Davis." Bart said as he kept his eyes on the map he was working on, "The only thing I have a problem with is that you're still here, not being with your wife."
"I feel the same way, Bart." Davis replied as he moved on to another topic, "What're you doing over there, anyway?"
"Plotting a course for Eastland." Bart casually replied, "More specifically, the city of Camulodunum - the Kingdom's capital. If we're to get to Eastland as soon as possible, we need to plan on which roads to use. I'm currently plotting down every possible route with Roman built roads."
"Because it would be better to use those than dirt one's right?" Andrew asked as he neared Bart and the map to take a look at it.
"Correct." Bart replied, "As of now, there are 2 main routes I have in mind that can benefit our cause. Both of them lead straight into the heart of Camelot. Into the King's city itself."
"Whaddy know, Davis!" Andrew said as he patted the back of the man, "You get to see your wife soon enough."
"Unfortunately, we cannot allow anyone to know we're in Camelot, Andrew." Bart explained, "We'll only pass through Camelot, not stay there. We'll only make our visit brief and leave immediately. We need to get to Eastland on time, after all."
"When is 'on time' exactly?" Davis asked suspiciously. He, unlike his now-in-command friend, was kept in the dark about the current plans the Captain has made. He understands the secrecy in all this. But it doesn't make it easier to understand why the Captain split the team in two while taking Levi, Sir Mordred, Archer the Scot with him. Not being in the know also doesn't help answer the question why not Andrus isn't behind bars yet, as well as the Captain's plans with him.
"4 days from now." Bart answered briefly. The less anyone knows the reason of the mission, the better
"Y'know." Andrew started looking strangely pensive. "If you set aside your heavy drinking, Bart. You're actually a great leader."
The reply to that was a back slap to his head.
"Not. Funny." Bart said to Andrew, who was currently massaging the area where he got hit.
"Oh, come on! Can't you take a joke? Your attitude changes whenever you get off your hangover. It's not healthy." Andrew jokingly asked after the pain subsided. "But seriously though. I worry for you. You drink like a King would! Isn't that dangerous?"
"Wait a second." Andrew said, again grabbing the attention of the other 2, "Speaking of, We have to tell the King what's going on! As far as I know, the Captain hasn't sent a messenger bird yet."
"He hasn't done so because that would lead to a paper trail that can risk the operation as a whole." Davis answered for Bart who was about to reply Andrew
"But he is right, Bart." Davis said as he turned to his de jure commander, "We should capitalize on this moment to tell the King ourselves. Who knows, we might be a little too out of our depth here."
"... I guess you two are right about that." Bart said as he made a circle on the dot that marks Camelot's location, "Very well, we'll stay in Camelot just for as long as it takes to fully report to the King of our findings."
"So, can Davis meet his wife when we get there?" Andrew asked Davis who was wondering the same thing.
"...I don't know… It might be too risky…" Bart said as he thought deep into the question.
"If I allow Davis to go to his wife, then everyone else will feel like they can go to their families. It increases the chance of accidentally spilling the secret to people we most definitely want to keep in the dark…"
"I say no to this." Bart answered with finality.
"I feel reluctant to agree…" Davis started, "But I understand the need for secrecy in this mission."
"So much for a happy reunion." Andrew said with a hint of sadness in his expression. He then went on to ask,
"After Camelot, where will the 2 routes you mentioned go? You mentioned that there were 2 possible routes that we can take after going to Camelot."
"That's where it becomes complicated." Andrew said as he shifted the map for the other 2 to see. "The first route will take us through the Saxon occupied territories of East Magance, Sussex, and Kent. While the second one will take us straight through the heart of the Kingdom of Londinium. Literally into the capital city itself."
"I don't see the problem here." Andrew said as he pointed at the Londinium route. "We should obviously take Londinium over the Saxon territories on any day of the week. So why bother questioning it now?"
"Because of the new Ruler of Londinium, Andrew." Davis answered whilst pointing at the city on the map, "If we were to enter her realm without prior notice, we would be arrested. No nation would want a foreign force prancing around their lands unabated and unannounced, after all."
"Now think of what would happen if the Ruler of Londinium questioned us on our reason for being there." Bart added as he crossed his arms. "We would definitely start a political issue between them and Camelot. That is something we would never want in our current situation."
"So, that leaves us the Saxon route…" Andrew said as he pointed it out on the map. "What would we lose if we went with that?"
…
…
…
'Our lives, for the most part.' Everyone silently agreed.
"We should talk to the King for the next course of action." Davis said to Bart, "Who knows, he might have a solution for this problem."
"Agreed." Bart said to Davis as he folded his map and placed it on his bag. "Tell the rest we'll be setting off for Camelot after we eat our rations."
"Yes, Sir." Davis said as he went on to find them all.
"And Andrew." Bart said to his friend.
"Yeah?" Andrew answered.
"Feed the horses. Make sure that they're in top shape to run as fast as they can. We won't stop until we get to Camelot after all."
"Got it!" Andrew replied
And with that, the 15th Cavalry have made their move.
—-
2 minutes before noon…
—-
SPLASH
"Lord Horsa! He's here."
"Excellent, Hansa. Set a course for Tilbury Port, Corvus."
"But my Lord, Andrus is not alone…"
The brother of Hengist, on the bridge of his docked frigate* ship, looked to the docks to see the ravenhead he 'hired' as a spy being flanked by 4 hooded men. With one of them - the one to Andrus' right side - donning what seems to be a combination of a red scarf, cape, and hood. The rest of them had black hoods covering their whole body save for the feet.
Speaking of…
"You sure this is gonna fucking work?" Mordred - who was at Andrus' left openly asked in a hushed voice.
"For the umpteenth time, it will work Mordred." Archer replied in an equally silenced tone.
"All we need to do is keep our lips sealed and let Andrus do the talking." Levi, from the back of Andrus, added. "The less we speak, the better our chances of slipping in."
"All of you be quiet." Ordered the Captain who was beside Levi, "Horsa's on the move."
As our protagonists looked on from the pier that they were standing on, they saw Horsa walk to them in a cumbersome but loud manner. His footsteps rang across the wooden deck of the ship. With each step Horsa takes, our main leads realized that it garners the attention of his men - who were attending to the matters of the ship. Some look on in curiosity only to be yelled at to go back to work, others just stare at their boss in apathy, while the rest - the weak-willed ones - tremble at the sight of him.
And who wouldn't be afraid at the sight of him? Horsa is a six and a half feet tall, 300 pound warrior. With a body fit enough to be mistaken as a Norse god's. Wearing a black sleeveless tunic that is underneath the worn down but still sturdy black iron armor set inherited from his father Vitta - who got it from a raid against Uther Pendragon's treasure a couple decades back. To make himself even more menacing, Horsa's currently wearing a large wolf pelt on his person. And when I say big, imagine like, really, really big. The largest wolf I know out there is an Arctic wolf. The wolf pelt Horsa's currently wearing is twice as big as that species. If the fact that Horsa's wearing the wolf's head like a helmet with the rest of the body as a robe doesn't convince you about the sheer size of the wolf he killed, then I don't know what else to say to convince you.
"Andrus." Horsa said as he neared the ravenhead and his group, "You're here."
"Not one minute late." Andrus replied.
"And that is good." Horsa said as he stepped into the pier and moved toward the ravenhead, blatantly showing to everyone near the massive difference in physique he and the ravenhead have.
"But who is this?" The frowning Saxon continued, "I don't recall having sent more spies with you to Camelot?"
"They are my mercenaries." Andrus replied coldly, showing no emotion whatsoever as he looked up to meet the menacing gaze of the large Saxon head on. "I paid them to protect me during my journey to get here. And as you can see. They 've done their job very well."
"Yes… I can see that." Horsa absentmindedly commented. He was busy glaring daggers at the 4 hooded 'mercs' to pay much attention to Andrus.
"You there." Pointed Horsa to Archer. "Are you their boss?" he asked, referencing the two Cavalrymen and the Knight of the Round.
Looking to the Captain for advice, he only got a nod that basically means, 'say yes.'. The redhead replied,
"I am." Archer replied briefly.
"Well, then take off your hood. Afterwards, show me your guild mark." Horsa ordered as he glared suspiciously at the redhead, "If you're a mercenary as you say you are, then you must have your guild mark with you, yes?"
Guild Marks are used like modern day I.D.'s. It's a sign that you're truly a member of a mercenary guild. You don't need to be a member of a guild to be a mercenary, but it helps when you're starting off and have no idea where to get a job.
"I don't need that to be a sword for hire." Archer said as he took off his crimson hood to show his scarlet red hair and golden eyes.
"Oh ho!" Bellowed Horsa as his eyes shone in surprise while sporting a toothy grin. An action that sent shivers to his crew as that is a sign of something bad to come. And not only did the crew tense up because of Horsa's voice, the Camelotian group swiftly grabbed their weapons just in case anything happened.
Luckily for the Camelotians, nothing bad happened. Yet.
"To think there'd be a Scot in these parts this far south." Horsa said as he walked towards the redhead - subsequently shoving aside Andrus who almost fell into the waters below had it not been for Mordred's hold on him.
"You got a problem with that?" Archer coldly asked Horsa. To which the Saxon inched back a little.
"..." The Large Saxon paused at that. His gears in his mind slowly but surely making its own conclusion to the strange reaction the redhead put on.
After coming to said conclusion, Horsa smiled wickedly, a smile which caused the onlookers from both the ship and the pier to look away in fear of the Saxon. It was so off putting that it caused the rest of the Camelotians - Archer included - to tense up in preparation for what seems to be an untimely brawl with the Saxon. But none of that came.
"Forget about it." Horsa said. Completely dismissing the issue. He then moved to Andrus and ordered.
"Get on the ship. We're leaving for Tilborne's Port.
…Later… inside the ship …
"Stay here until you are called for. Lord Horsa will be available for your meeting with him soon."
"And what about my wife? Can I see her before then?"
"..."
"Answer me, Corvus."
The Camelotians found themselves a floor below the ship deck. A ship that Archer couldn't help but notice to be a bit too… modern for the times. They were led to a big room that contained 5 hammocks and some furniture. 2 hammocks arranged vertically from one another are at the left side of the room. Another one placed opposite the first two. And with the final two directly beside the ship's 2 windows that were installed at the hull; the windows are currently open. Essentially, the hammocks are like makeshift bunk beds when you look at it.
Currently, while Andrus - who was at the door - is still inquiring about his wife to Corvus, the rest are choosing their hammocks to sleep on. With Mordred taking the top hammock that was beside the window (Literally jumping high enough to land on it), Archer choosing the hammock below the Red Knight, and lastly, Levi and the Captain choosing the hammocks to the left.
"Even though the Saxons are pieces of shit," Mordred said to Archer as she moved around her hammock , "They do know how to make their ships nicely."
"We're in the belly of the beast, Mordred." Archer passively reminded her while he removed his red hood-scarf-cape and placed it on his bed, "This is no time to outright insult them. Especially when the second command is just right at the door."
"Hm! You really think you should be saying that?" Morded, puffed, clearly annoyed."What do you mean?" Archer said, confused.
"You sound like you like the Saxons." Mordred said suspiciously, "Everytime I talk about those shits, you always stop me from saying anything more."
"That's because whatever you say about them can surely get us in an untimely fight with one of them!" Archer said as he took care of his stuff.
"So fucking what?!" Mordred said in a quiet voice that only Archer can hear, "They're clearly the bad guys, and we should goddamn treat them like it."
"But not when it can blow our cover." Archer said in a finality that finally shut Mordred up.
But the Red Knight merely changed the subject.
"That Horse-shit guy seems to be onto you." She said remembering the strange way the Saxon Lord acted towards the redhead.
"I know." Archer replied. "Something about his words makes me curious about what he did with the Scots. He seems to know some of them I suppose."
"Yeah." Mordred said, snickering a bit when she spoke. "He totally did know some of them. Probably because he's one of the reasons why there are so few of you redheads out in these parts."
Archer froze at that blunt explanation.
'If Mordred thinks what I think she means…'
"Hey Mordre-" Archer said before he was cut by the abrupt change of topic.
"I have to say, this ship is strangely large. Kinda the largest I've ever seen the Saxons use."
"Now that you mentioned it." Archer said to Mordred as he stood to Mordred's level, "This ship is very-." the redhead cut himself off at that in fear of getting questioned.
"Very… what?" Mordred asked.
'Very Modern.' Archer thought to Himself as he faced away from the Red Knight to look around the room, 'A ship in this day and age should not even be half the size of this one. In fact, it can make the next largest ship of the age look like a dwarf in comparison. It also has technology that shouldn't exist as well. If the large sails attached to the very tall masts and the cannons that I saw lined up in a row when we walked to our room had anything to say about the matter.'
Completely leaving Mordred's question unanswered, Archer then went to the door - where Andrus and Corvus were conversing.
'I'll catch up with Mordred later, I guess.' the redhead thought as he left the Red Knight - who tilted her head in confusion at the redhead's actions.
But as Archer neared the pair standing by the door, he realized that he probably shouldn't butt in at the moment.
"All I want to know is that she's okay. Let me see her for just a while, please."
"You know I can't do that, Andrus. The deal was you get her back after your talk with Lord Horsa."
"Please! Corvus. I just want to know if she's alright. Just a minute, and I'll be on my way."
"She is, Andrus… I made sure of it…"
'They seem close. Looks like I shouldn't be here, interrupting and all. It's too late to back off now…" Archer thought dismayingly. Putting on a passive look that betrayed no emotions of his, the redhead spoke.
"Hey. Corvus, was it? Can I have a word?"
Both the ravenhead and the Saxon deputy stopped their conversation and looked towards him. Then they looked back at each other. As if conveying a few thoughts using just their eyes. Finally, they broke eye contact as Corvus spoke to the redhead.
"Can I help you?" Corvus asked.
"Yeah." Archer replied, "I was wondering about this ship. It's easily the largest I've ever seen in my life. Do you mind if a… tour of some sorts can be arranged. I'm very interested in your ship and what's in it."
"... A what?"
…Somewhere…3 hours after noon…
"Arthur~!"
"Sigh… What did you do this time, Merlin."
"What~? Me? I did nothing bad today. Well, not now. At least."
"Then why was I woken up in the middle of the night to the news that a portion of the castle went up in flames? More specifically, your tower?"
"Well…"
"And also, what is this report that I've been given concerning Lady Janice from the Infirmary. I trust that you have a solid and valid answer for this, Merlin."
"Now, now. I was getting to that, y'know. Well. Yes, about that time..."
The Mage of Flowers and the King of Knights are currently conversing in the latters' office. For the former's got burnt down because of the resulting fire from his tower. Before this, Merlin was prancing around the halls of the castle doing his thing - indiscriminately flirting with all of the female staff he came across. His first victim was Lady Leila from the castle servantry. The mage of flowers had the gall to ask her out while she was tending to her duties in the King's personal garden. Wooing her with cheap pickup lines we the modern day populace would consider "corny" or "cheesy". It's safe to assume that he got a well deserved slap in the face from it. But that did not deter him in the slightest. Oh no. For the Mage of Flowers proceeded to go after another woman.
And that woman is the reason why he has been summoned to his former student/ward's office. That, and the whole situation with the explosion from the Mage's tower.
"Before I ask of you to tell me your story about the fire." Arturia started whilst aiming at the mage a heated glare, "I want you to tell me what happened with Lady Janice just a few hours prior."
"Well.. I was getting to that, you know?" Merlin replied as he sheepishly glanced around the King's office, "It all started with…"
2 hours ago… the infirmary…
"Lady Janice~! Are you here today?"
"Huh?!"
"Oh? I didn't expect this."
After getting viciously slapped by Lady Leila for his crude and unrefined advancements, Merlin has found it in himself to use the slap as a lame excuse to go to Janice in an attempt to woo her with his 'irresistible charms'. (Even if he wasn't slapped, he'd still go. But moving on.) As he barged into the infirmary, he was greeted to the sight of what looks like a Nun eating lunch whilst sitting on one of the beds in the infirmary. But the nun's presence was not the only thing that caught his attention.
As he neared the nun - who immediately cringed away in reaction - he felt a strange magic emanating from her. More specifically, the magic was coming from the Nun's neck; where a certain speartip grazed upon it once upon a time.
It was faint. But there. Not really noticeable until you really, really looked for it. Well, to be fair, you would have a harder time than most in finding the magic. Since you are untrained for such a thing. But don't worry, even the most gifted mages of the Camelotian Period - save for Merlin of course - would have a difficult time sensing the magic coming from the Nun.
The magic the Flower Mage felt was old. And cold. It was unnerving. For Merlin, at least. He did not expect that he would encounter something like this today. And it showed. For the face he was making was as dark as the midnight sky. It made the nun cower even more in fear.
Now why would I say that Merlin was unnerved by this revelation? You ask. Well, let me tell you. There are many things the Flower Mage has seen in his very long and unnatural life. And yes, you heard me. This man has lived a long life. No one knew this, but Merlin celebrated his 435th birthday just a few weeks prior. Coincidentally, the week where he celebrated his birthday was when Mordred was sent out to deal with Drecken and met our beloved redhead, Archer.
Another thing that no one but the man himself knows, is that Merlin fought alongside many kings and chieftains before he met the Pendragons. When he isn't working for any King or Chieftain, he travels. A lot. Mainly within the British Isles. Giving out prophecies to all peoples in the land and lame pickup lines to women of all backgrounds. But whenever he was not doing that, he went on to fight for anyone who he deems worthy of his time. He has fought many a beast that came from the moonlit side of the world. Monsters in all shape and form have fallen by the Flower Mage's power.
But there was one who had successfully brought him down to his knees in a terrible victory a long time ago.
And it is here where we go back to the present. For the magic Merlin felt from this seemingly normal and rightfully afraid Nun brought up a buried memory from the Flower Mage's past. A magic that had caused him so much pain. So much anguish. So much grief and regret. A magic that he had assured to have been destroyed ages ago. A magic that once casted dark clouds upon the British Isles before the radiant reign of his greatest protege, Arturia.
A magic belonging to the witch that killed his first student.
"To think that a remnant of her survived in you…" Merlin said as he grabbed Nun's neck to better see the multiple scars on it.
'If she survived in this Nun,' Merlin speculated,(keyword: speculated.) 'Then I have no choice other than making sure any trace of her is truly destroyed.'
Merlin, for the first time in centuries, is now driven by fear to act upon this new revelation. Not once in this situation has he been thinking straight. He is so overcome by the memory of the witch that he doesn't even care how paralyzed by fear the Nun had become. Neither has he cared to think about the other alternatives other than nearly killing her in the process of eliminating the 'witch inside'.Nor had he noticed the very weird position he was in. (He was straddling her on the bed.) If someone were to go inside the room, they would think about something else contrary to his true purpose.
The Mage noticed the scars were fading a bit, but he chalked it up to the "fact" that this woman is a vessel of the witch.
"...!" The Nun couldn't say a word. (Well, of course she can't. Not yet, at least.) What is this weird looking man doing? What is his goal? And can he get off of her before things get even
more out of hand?
Breaking news: things got out of hand.
As Merlin made a firm grip upon the Nun's neck in an attempt to 'purify' her, the door swung open. As it opened. 3 people came in.
It was Lady Janice. Gareth and Gaheris. The first was holding what seems to be a potted plant, while the others aren't holding anything at the moment.
It was the moment the potted plant dropped to the floor in a spectacular fashion did the two Squires have anything in hand. More specifically, their sheathed weapons.
"MERLIN!" was all the Flower Mage heard before being knocked out.
…Present time…
"...So why exactly were you witnessed to be lying on top of Lady Janice's patient?" Arturia asked inquisitively.
"She was hot~~" Merlin replied, wearing a mask of lust and being swooned. "I couldn't help it, you know? How can you let me, an incubus, resist my natural side?"
As he stared at the state of exasperation and tiredness from it all Arturia is currently expressing. He thought to himself.
'Sorry, Arthur. But you're not going to know about the truth until I resolve it. Even if you look down on me like that. But even then, it still hurts!'
After Merlin woke up from his manually induced sleep. He realized that he had tackled the situation a bit too… suddenly. If not irrationally. He realised that he hadn't thoroughly examined the Nun to fully explain why he felt the magic of the certain witch of old within her. The Flower Mage also realized. That he cannot bring Arturia into this matter. No. Not until he can completely understand what he's going up against.
As the Flower Mage watch his student morph into a stoic and calm figure compared to her slouched and 'done-with-it-all' look from before, he waited for her to speak her final verdict on the matter. And if what his vision about this event told him was right…
"I will thoroughly deal with this…issue… for another time. Leave me, Merlin. I have more pressing matters to attend to."
And with a wave of a hand, he was dismissed just like that. It might be cheating (It is) but the Flower Mage uses his future reading powers as a way to figure out which words to say to get out of a scolding from Arturia every now and then. He knows it's wrong. He knows that Arturia will be aggravated once she finds out about it. But hey, he's basically doing her a favour by personally dealing with a certain situation that she will probably never know about. But it counts as something! Right?
As he made a turn to his now burnt tower and study, the Flower Mage brought out his two hands and held his staff using both of them. Raising his staff as high as he could, he began to chant. And chant. And chant. It wouldn't take a few minutes for stuff to be flying around the mage's tower. With a couple more minutes of chanting, the tower was rebuilding itself. A couple of minutes after that, we now see the walls that were once blown away returning to its former place. And it won't take long for the whole structure to be fully rebuilt.
"I don't usually do this." Merlin spoke to himself as he climbed the stairs to his tower. "Most of the time, I just use my broken down tower as an excuse to leave and do some…personal matters." he giggled at the thought of his personal times with the ladies he knew.
"But unfortunately, I'll have to deal with this matter before it escalates. What was that human phrase, again? 'Nipped in the bud?' Yes. That sounds fitting." Merlin said as he opened his door to his tower.
"Now." Merlin said as he walked towards his crystal ball. "To find the one who will help me…"
It does not need to be said who the 'one' is. But I'll give you a hint if you haven't catched up: His hair is red.
Dusk… Far out into the English Channel…
"So here are the loos. Once you need to take a shite or a piss, you go here."
"And it'll simply drop into the ocean. Just like that?!"
"It surprised me the first time, as well. But yes. It will drop into the ocean just like that."
"Amazing…"
Currently, the Camelotians are following Corvus - the ship's second in command - around the parts of the ship. They're in the mid-deck of the ship (where their quarters are.) To say they were amazed is one thing. But in fact, they were mesmerised. They've never seen a ship like this before! How many ships have weapons that can down an enemy with just one hit? How many ships have sails that are taller and wider than whole buildings? How many ships can boast to have 4 floors/decks? How many ships can boast that they're akin to a moving fortress? None! I'll tell you. None!
"So, what do you call this whole ship?" Levi asked again. He's been all over the place with his non-stop questioning. But it's not because he's interested, no. He's been taking notes about it all. These notes are to be sent as secret information to Camelot once they go home. He couldn't help feeling afraid that this behemoth is an arsenal for the Saxons.
"What do you mean?" Corvus asked.
"We have never seen a ship this size before." Levi explained as the rest of the Camelotians were exploring the loos, "It's ten times larger than the largest ship I've seen in my life. And all the ships I've seen have their own name. Not to mention ship type."
"Ah." Corvus said in realization, "I get what you mean to say. But I can't tell you without Lord Horsa's permission."
"Come on, Corvus." Andrus said after taking a peak or two at the loos, "You can trust the man. I trust him. So, you should too."
"But, that does not justify giving a mercenary vital information that can ruin us all in the long run." Corvus argued to the ravenhead.
"Aw, come on. Corvus." Andrus said as he neared the Saxon with a bag of coins. "What are friends for other than trusting each other?"
Andrus has spent months on end trying to stay on good terms with Corvus. When his wife was taken from him and was put in another cell himself, there was Corvus as his cell guard. Their first conversation was… let's say, not on par with how normal first conversations are. It involved a lot of swearing from the ravenhead as he screamed his heart out at the Saxon second in command.
Things happened after that. With the two of them occasionally bumping shoulders because of the nature of the ravenhead's job. After several journeys to Horsa for debriefing, Andrus gathered the courage to ask Corvus out on a drink. The second in command was admittedly surprised by the invitation. But his doubts were silenced once Andrus decided that he'll be the one to pay the bill.
And it was at the bar where they drank to their fullest did Corvus let Andrus figure out his love for money. The drunken Saxon blabbed to the ravenhead his desire to be something more than another man's lackey. He wished to be rich! Rich beyond all measure. To live in luxury and pleasure for all his life. But to do that, he needed money. And in his drunken state, he told the ravenhead that he was not below getting it by any means possible.
Which now brings us to our current time. Where Andrus is blatantly bribing the Saxon second in command in the middle of the damn ship. If anyone were to see this, they would cry treason in the blink of an eye. For Saxon officers aren't allowed to accept bribes. Fortunately, there was no one at the area the Camelotians and Corvus were in.
"No… I don't want it…" Corvus replied. But no one was convinced. To Levi, it looked like the Saxon was about to cave in. It was when Andrus brought out the second bag when Corvus began to spill.
"Alright. Fine." The Saxon said as he swiftly pocketed the bags of coins. "The ship's name is the Abomination. Coined by none other than the great Hengist himself. It was a gift to him by-" the Saxon stopped all of a sudden. But it was no wonder why.
For the brother of Hengist himself - Horsa - was nearing them. They didn't realize where he came from since the group was either enamoured by the loos or talking to themselves about the ship.
"Lord Horsa." Corvus saluted. "How may I help you?"
"Corvus." The Saxon in question replied. "You're just in time. Come. We're almost ready for the evening feast. I see that Andrus and his mercenaries are with you. Good. Bring them to my grand hall. I will meet you shortly."
"As you command, my Lord." Corvus said as he bowed. And with a stoic and stern face, he called out to the Camelotians. "Follow me! We're now summoned to the grand hall. We are to be there as quickly as possible."
"Is there meat? Mordred bluntly asked.
"Yes." Corvus replied.
"Then let's not waste time then! I'm fucking starving." Mordred then proceeded to be at the front of the pack.
The group's been there before. During the tour, the grand hall was one of the last places they would go to - before the loos of course. It's at the stern side of the ship. Just right below the captain's quarters. Which is currently fashioned as Horsa's room.
It contains a large rectangular table at the centre . With 10 handcrafted chairs fixed into it. The walls and corners of the room had torches inside iron containers to reduce the risk of uncontrolled fire. Food was placed on the table, mostly lamb mutton and local meat from Weymouth. Barrels of wine are situated at the right corner of the stained glass window that allowed the afternoon sun to illuminate the rest of the room - something that the torches couldn't do on their own. All in all, this ship is grandiose.
As the Camelotians went inside the grand hall, they discovered that they weren't alone. 10 men of all ages were there chatting with each other. Corvus - who was the last to enter after Andrus - recognized them all. Some of these men were the lieutenants in charge with keeping the men in the ship in check. Others were the definition of the modern day's 'yes men' . Who were there for the sole purpose of boosting Horsa's ego. Oh, and did I mention that these 'yes men' are the commanders for Horsa's personal Armies? I think it won't matter even if i say so.
"Look at all the high profile people here…" Levi whispered to the Captain. "We can take them all on in one fell swoop-"
"And risking a full blown retaliation from Hengist!" the Captain scream-whispered. "We are in no circumstances prepared to fight against them. And even if we are, we won't. Remember that, Levi."
Meanwhile…
"Mordred, don't."
"You're not my fucking dad. Don't tell me what to do."
"You're risking our damn lives if I allow you to do what you want."
"I fucking know that, Archer. I was just looking at it."
"Looking at the food is fine. But what's your excuse for the lamb meat on your hand?"
"Fuck."
Mordred and Archer are currently arguing about matters of food. Namely, the fact that Mordred took some from the table without anyone but Archer knowing. Well… I say that Archer is the only one who caught her in the act. However…
"What the hell are you doing?!" Andrus said as he whispered into the ears of the redhead and the Red Knight. "Don't screw things up or else Horsa will have our heads!"
"I know that." Mordred growled as she discreetly tossed the lamb piece she got under the table. "But the fucker's taking too long and I'm getting damn hungry."
"Well, you're in bad luck." Corvus butted in, "I've been told that Lord Horsa will arrive here later than expected."
'How much did he hear?!' Mordred, Archer, and Andrus screamed in their heads. Their panicked expressions clear as day. Fortunately for them…
"You all look like a deer seeing an arrow aimed at them." Corvus replied jokingly at their stark looking Camelotians. "If you're all that hungry, then you can take some of the bread. No one will care about it after all."
'Phew… we're safe.' the three thought to themselves. Without any prompting, Mordred proceeded to take a loaf and devour it like a lion. Andrus went to the Captain and Levi for a brief talk. Archer was about to go grab a piece of bread until a man approached him from behind.
"Well, would you look at that! A redheaded Scot. Never thought I'd live to see one of your kind again."
Archer turned around to see a man in his 40s. Wearing a scarlet shirt that covers his bloated stomach. His entire body reeks of stench and wine. On his hand is a goblet of fine craftsmanship filled to the near brim with the same wine that permeated his body. As the redhead saw the man's face, he could not help but feel repulsed by what he saw. The man is the most unkempt and unclean person to ever don a beard. And it showed. Stains and crumbs littered the man's unruly blonde facial hair. His breath is one that death envies. And the worst part about the man - to Archer at least - is the toxic waste of a smell the man is emitting. The wicked gleam that shone in the man's eyes couldn't compare to the stench.
'Great… attention I didn't ask for…' Archer thought to himself. "What is it?" Asked the redhead to the stranger.
"Oh ho!" the stranger shouted in glee, "You're a patient one, aren't ya? Well, it won't work with me laddie. I know an assassin when I see one."
"And why would I want to kill you?" coldy asked the bowman. It caused a slight shiver in the stranger's spine when he saw the darkened expression the redhead made. But it won't make him chicken out in this war of words.
"Who said anything about killing me?" the stranger deflected , "I have done nothing but be the best warrior I could be. Why would anyone want to kill me?"
"Because you're Aedilhild of the Forest Marauders. You're a man of great infamy after holding a role in the slaughter of the Scots at the Northumberland Massacre."
In came Captain Faust. With Levi at his side. Archer cannot help but feel relieved at that.
"So you knew who I was." Aedilhild said in glee. "Not a lot of men lived to tell my tale. But to see someone who did is surprising."
"I would too when I explicitly order my men to kill anyone who's seen what you've done to the surviving Scots that tried to flee." Faust coldly replied as he glared at Aedilhild. "But I will not judge. I too have had my days as a devil's spawn."
"So you understand." Aedilhild said before taking a huge gulp from his goblet. "You lot don't look like you're from around here. Who are you?"
"They're my mercenaries." Andrus replied as he approached his allies. "Good evening Aedilhild."
"Andrus." said the Saxon in return. "How's my Lord's favourite spy doing in this wonderful ship?"
Gritting his teeth at that jeer, the ravenhead managed to keep his voice level when he spoke again.
"I am doing well, actually. Though the air is filled with this pungent smell that can make even horse dung a pleasant aroma."
"Guh!" Aedilhild was surprised at the insult. Almost shook. But not to worry. He thinks of himself as a 'master of comebacks' after all. Surely, he can manage to bounce back with a clever, well-thought, and uniqu-
"W-well, Your breath stinks! Ha!"
…Nevermind. I forgot that Aedilhild is a man who's very sensitive about his body. And in this case, his odour.
Moving on from that embarrassment, Aedilhild focused on Archer again. "You better watch yourself, Scot. I've killed your kind before… cross me in any way. You're dead! Dead before you even know it."
"And you too, Andrus!" Aedilhild said as he pointed at the ravenhead. "I know about you and your wife. Insult me like that again, and it's your head on the pike!"
It sounded threatening to an onlooker wondering what's going on. Heck, even I would start shitting myself at the notion of my head hanging on a speartip. But not Andrus and the Camelotians and Archer. The second and the latter have heard more terrifying threats from equally terrifying creatures than this oaf. On the other hand, the former knows Saxon rules.
When Aedilhild threatened to kill Horsa's favourite spy, the head of the Forest Marauders unknowingly broke an old rule that no Saxon would ever dare break: fuck with their leader's favourites.
And unfortunately for Aedilhild, he had done just that.
"I will not allow anyone - and I mean you as well, Aedilhild - to promise death upon my Lord Horsa's chosen pawns." Corvus declared as he drew his hatchet. "And even if Andrus is a pathetic excuse for a human being, he is still Lord Horsa's chosen spy. And any of those who Lord Horsa chooses is to be protected by me."
As the second in command brandished his axe upon Aedilhild, the Forest Marauder began to sweat and spat an apology in supersonic speed.
"S-s-s-Sir Corvus! Please don't misunderstand. I- uh… was just joking! Yes. Joking with Andrus here. Oh, would you look at that, someone's calling me. See you around, Sir Corvus!"
And with that, Aedilhild proceeded to speed his way towards anywhere in the room that's far enough from Corvus' axe. He then decided to talk to the other people in the area of the room with him. Much to the dismay of said people's noses. One of them couldn't help but gag at the smell of the Forest Marauder.
"...A pathetic excuse for a human being?" Andrus questioned the Saxon remaining with them.
"Is that all I get after saving your life?" Corvus disappointedly said, "I thought we were friends. Aren't friends supposed to have each other's back?"
"We are. But that does not mean you can call me that." Andrus argued. But he set his misgivings aside afterward. After all, Aedilhild is one of Horsa's yes men and a vicious warrior with no remorse when it comes to killing. That's why he's the best of the Forest Marauders. Speaking of…
"How do you know about the Forest Marauders?" Andrus asked Faust. "I thought they were a myth at one point. So how did you recognize Aedilhild?"
"You have your secrets." Faust cryptically replied. "And I have mine."
Faust was about to leave it at that until he saw the look on Levi's face. Which was dumbfoundedness. Before the Lieutenant could even open his mouth to say something. Faust whispered in his ear which sounded like 'We'll talk later.' to Archer's enhanced hearing.
"If you dumbfucks are done yapping, then get over here." Mordred said with a loaf of bread in hand as she leaned onto the table. "There's something going on and I don't know what."
Just as the Red Knight pointed it out, the door opened. And with it opening came in Horsa. Wearing a scarlet toga with a white sash tied around his torso. After walking to his place at the table - where the host usually sits - he bellowed.
"Brothers! Today is a fine day to feast like any other. Now. LET'S FEAST!"
"YEAH!"
And with that, the yes men and the leaders of the sip sections went to the table and eat. The Camelotians on the other hand…
"I didn't expect the feast to happen so quickly." Levi commented, "Usually, there's a speech whenever a host comes in."
"Don't care." Andrus said. "The only thing we need to do now is to wait at the corner until the feast is over. After that… is the real shit about to happen."
"Aight then." Mordred nonchalantly said as she began to walk to the table. "I'll go grab something to eat while we wait."
"...someone stop her before we all die." Andrus said as he facepalmed.
"On it." Archer replied.
Two hours after sunset…
"We're here."
"Finally! I don't know how much my horse can take until she collapses."
"They'll live. Davis. Tell the men to feed and rest the horses. Andrew, come with me."
The 15th Cavalry finally made it to Camelot after a forced march across 62 miles of Roman Road. It took them a while. What with the horses needing rest and food every now and then. It would be criminal to let them die of exhaustion after all. But anyways. They managed to get to Camelot in record time. And that is all that matters at this point.
As Bart and Andrew speedwalk their way through the King's halls, the servants who were there gracefully stepped aside to let them pass unabated while giving their salutations.
"Quite the reputation we have. Don't you say, Bart?" Andrew asked as he gave his own greetings back to the castle servants.
"You say that everytime we go here. Andrew." Bart replied not caring for the greetings passed to him. "Of course we're renowned here. We protected the King's life. After all."
"You're right. You're right." Bart said as he increased his pace to match Bart's speed. "What will we say to the King, again."
"What I will say to the King is simply this." Bart said with the emphasis on tht "I". "I will tell him about the discoveries the Captain made, the current mission at hand, and what the Cohort will do next."
"Which is to head for Eastland asap." Andrew said.
"Exactly." Bart replied. As he took a right down the hall he saw the King's personal office. As they were a couple of steps from reaching the door. Said door swung open. Revealing Sir Bedivere holding the recent paperwork given to him by the King.
"Ah. If it isn't the Sirs Bartholomew and Andrew of the 15th Cavalry." the Teal Knight said. "What brings you two here?"
"Sir Bedivere." Bart said as he saluted the Knight with Bart following suit. "We're here to report on our mission to Summer Country."
"Ah, that's right." The Teal Knight said as he rubbed his chin while in thought. "That mission was to apprehend the embezzler, Andrus Jensen. Correct?"
"Yes, Sir Bedivere." Bart said in finality. A tone that the Teal Knight noticed immediately. Bart then asked.
"If you would mind. Might my colleague and I speak to the King to report?"
"Yes. You may." Bedivere replied. "Though I suppose I shall join you since this report must be very important for you to end the conversation like that."
Without letting Bart explain himself, Bedivere opened the door to the King's office.
"My liege." Bedivere called out. "The 15th Cavalry returned. Bearing news of their mission to Summer Country."
"Very well then. Let them in." the King commanded.
And with that. Bart and Andrew went in.
…Later…
A single finger tapping the table was heard throughout the silent office. Everyone in the room was silent. Because the King is taking a while to digest the information given to her.
"So you're telling me." the King started, which caused Bart and Andrew to involuntarily sit straight. "That Andrus was not actually an embezzler but instead an unwilling captive cursed with a spell of silence. To spy on my castle in an attempt by Horsa himself to sabotage it?"
"It sounds crazy to hear at first. But it is indeed true, my King. I was the first one to be told about this development by the Captain himself. Though there were other people with him that found out before I did."
"And who were those 2?" the king asked.
"Sirs Mordred and Archer. My King." Bart replied.
"I see… and you trust Andrus to be true to his word?"
"I not only trust him in this, but believe him as well." Bart then proceeded to grab the stack of letters that was in the bag he brought with him.
"These letters are a testament to Andrus' story. Each and every one of them are authentic. They are coded like most letters. But the seal used to close the letters are marked with Saxon markings."
"But not a clear indication that it was Horsa who sent them." Agravain - standing by at the corner after being summoned- commented.
"Peace. Agravain." the King requested. Which the Black Knight obliged.
Bart then continued. "As of now. The decision Captain Faust made was to trust in Andrus and rescue his wife. I was told that in rescuing his wife, Andrus will pledge complete fealty to Camelot and will divulge all of the information he's gathered about the Saxons."
"A nice bargaining chip. But I'm doubtful of what he can offer." Lancelot spoke out as he leaned on one of the King's bookshelf.
"This man has spent years within our walls without any of us noticing. Sir Lancelot. I would not doubt his skills in gathering information on anyone." Bart said to the Lake Knight.
"Bart has a point. Even though Andrus did commit a crime against Arthur. I believe that this is a chance to find any weak spots that we can exploit should we fight the Saxons again." Kay said while leaning on the wall beside the door.
"I agree. No matter how much I dislike the notion. I am afraid that war is on the horizon. And that we must do everything in our power to have the winning edge. But I will avoid conflict so long as I have an option for peace… Quite the conundrum I have here…" the King said to all the occupants in the room.
"Then what is our course of action, my Liege?" Percival asked.
"..." the King was silent for a moment. All the occupants stayed silent for a while to respect the King's thought process. Finally. She spoke.
"I shall divide the 15th Cohort. Lancelot. Bedivere. Take 4 men with you and head for Londinium. See if you can secure a promise of a truce between them and the Saxons. Percival. Find Gawain and take Sirs Andrew, Bart, and whoever is left with you to-"
The King glanced at Bart in which he said.
"Camulodunum." in response.
"Take your assigned men there. And extract Sir Mordred and his party out of the city. You are to return to Camelot in haste. Lest anyone find out your whereabouts."
"As you command, my King/Liege." They all said as they either stood up or stood straight in salute to their King.
"You are dismissed."
As everyone was about to leave, the King spoke once more.
"Agravain. You stay."
The Black Knight did as ordered. And after closing the door shut, he took a seat. Specifically. Where Andrew sat.
"In light of recent events. I have realized that the security of the Castle, and at some point the city as a whole, has been compromised with spies wandering about." the King told Agravain as she walked to her window to view the night sky.
"And what is it that you wish of me, my King?" Agravain asked. Knowing the answer. He's become a master of counter espionage over the years. And he's been asked to do dome dirty work every now and then. But it's surprising to see that even the King would ask him of this. Since the King is never below asking anyone to do anything dishonourable.
"Find a means to peacefully remove any spies. Without disrupting the trust we have cultivated with our people. Do not go below what we as knights have sworn to uphold."
"... as you wish. My King." Agravain said as he saluted his King. He was expecting the King to go the honourable route. But it sure didn't stop him from being disappointed. Since it was ordained by his King. He is now obliged to be go 'good cop' on them spies.
"Excellent. Now leave me. For I have more things to do." the King commanded.
After hearing the door shut behind her. Arturia returned to her seat. The weight of all the events bringing her down into a tired, burnt out shell of herself. As she laid her arms and head down on her desk. She began to think subconsciously.
'I hope that SIr Archer will be okay…'
Not even having the strength to even question why the heck that came out nowhere. Arturia began to dream.
Meanwhile… A certain redhead couldn't help but sneeze for some reason.