Hey, everyone my amazing beta hasn't had time to go over this yet but I'll fix all the mistakes once she does.

Hours later

Merlin

I cannot believe how many stairs are between Arthur's chambers and the armory. It does help that I'm carrying Arthur's armor and sword either. How can he move yet alone fight wearing this? It weighs a ton (tonne.) I wish I could use my magic to carry my load to the armory. I can't really complain, however. Since, Arthur won the first round this morning, he's been in a good mood. Well, a good mood for Arthur anyway. I've only had one object thrown at me, and that was surprisingly a pillow. I "gently" lay down, the heavy load on the table.

"Hissss"

"Hello? Is there someone there?"

I scan the armory but I don't see anyone. The only thing that grabs my attention is a shield. The shield has three green snakes entwined with each other. I recognize it as the one Valiant used earlier today. Wait, did one of the snakes just blink?

I quickly walk over to examine the shield closer. I reach to touch one of the painted snake, but suddenly, there is a sword pointed at my chest. The sword cuts through my thing shirt and pricks my skin. I look up to find the owner of the shield looking angrily at me.

"Can I help you with something, boy?" Valiant demands

"Nope, I'm good. I, I was just... I was, erm, gathering my master's armor." I babble

Great excuse Merlin. A voice in my mind states that sounds suspiciously like a certain prat.

Valiant does not look pleased with my response. I suddenly find myself against a wall.

"I could have you arrested, boy. Do you know what the punishment is for trying to stealing from a noble? I don't think you would survive twenty lashes." He purrs.

"I didn't try to steal anything." I exclaim

"Maybe not, but no one will believe the word of a peasant over the word of a noble".

My stomach drops at his statement. I've seen this too many time in the past. I know he is right. The noble always wins and the peasant is always punished. It's how the world works.

I try onto flinch as his face comes closer to mine.

"I'm therefore going to be lenient." He mocks.

Oh, I'm in trouble. I feel my magic start to come to the surface but I push it down.

Valiant throws me to the floor., like a sack of laundry. I barely miss the table. I land on my stomach. For a few moments I can't breathe. I turn over to my right side, hoping that I'll soon get my breath back. It takes a few seconds but I start to breath normally.

"Don't think you'll get off that easily." Valiant sneers

I try to get up and run but Valiant it too fast.

I don't have time to do anything before I feel a kick to my stomach. I bit my lip to keep from crying out. Just like with Morgana, I won't give him the satisfaction by crying out. I curl myself into a ball the best I can but I'm not doing too good of a job.

The kicks keep coming. I try to keep track but soon lose track. My body is overfilled with magic that is demanding to be released. I try to focus on pushing my magic down and forget about everything else. It works somewhat but not as much as I would like. Finally, the kicking stops.

Is it over?

"Get up" Valiant orders.

I force myself off the ground but cannot hold in a short cry of pain.

Valiant looks pleased. "Get down on your knees and beg me for forgiveness."

"I won't" I rather be beaten again then beg this man for anything, yet alone for forgiveness for something I haven't done.

"You really must be stupid, boy. If you don't I'll tell the king you attacked me. Surely, you know the punishment for harming a knight."

"I do." The punishment is death. Not only that, but the knight that was "harmed" gets to chose the method of death. I have the feeling that Valiant would chose the worse method. It's what I have been avoiding my whole life. Wouldn't it be sickly ironic that I burned not because of my magic but because of this man.

I slowly get on my knees ignoring my pain this time.

"Go one then." Valiant looks like a cat that got into the cream.

"Please forgive me."

"I'm afraid that won't do. You have to mean it after all."

He wants me to give a traitor's plea. Just get it over with.

I lean forward till my forehead is touching the cold floor and place my hand behind my back.

"Forgive me for the wrong I have committed against you…. my lord."

"Very well but there is one last thing"

Valiant places his foot on my left shoulder and puts his full weight down. I me knees slip and I crash to the floor. I feel my should pop out of place and I muffle a scream.

"Let that be a lesson to you. Next time I won't be so lenient."

I hear the armory door shut but I still don't move. Everywhere hurts. I just want to lay here and not move but I still need to do something. What is it? Drat, I still have to take care of Arthur's armor and sword. He'll need it for tomorrow. I once again, force myself up and painfully walk over, to where I left Arthur's things. I pick up Arthur's sword and a rag and start to work.