Author's note: This is the second chapter. Please review and tell me whether you enjoyed/didn't enjoy my story and why so that I can improve my writing techniques. Thankyou.
Morgana watched from her window in her chambers. Arthur, Merlin and eight knights set out for the caves of Maridor; Morgana watched them leave and turned to her maid. Guinevere, who was waiting for her chores for the day. She gave her maid a friendly smile - how she manages to hide her true nature is a mystery - and walked over to her. "Gwen, I was wondering if you could go into the lower town and find me some new dresses…" Guinevere smiled politely and replied to her mistress, "Of course, my Lady." She gave a hasty courtesy and left for the lower town. Morgana walked over to her dressing table and placed a small piece of parchment in front of her and took hold of her peacock quill standing in a small pot of black ink. On that piece of parchment she wrote the words of her betrayal against the king and kingdom. She wrote to her sister, Morgause; Morgana wrote "Dear sister, I need to speak to you. On something that may be of use to us; I will meet you in the woods tonight, by the old arrowed oak tree. Morgana." She folded the parchment and sealed it with a wax seal, she walked casually over to her window. She then proceeded to open the window and summon a crow; she gave the crow the letter, the crow then took off to Morgause. Morgana closed the window and smirked.
M~M~M~M
"MERLIN, WILL YOU SHUT UP?" Arthur exploded, Merlin was stunned by his friend's sudden outburst; he decided that it may be wise to stop his banter and take in the scenery. The knights behind them wasn't stunned by Arthur's outburst, they had seen it coming and prepared themselves for it. Merlin closed his eyes and listened to the steady rhythm of the horse's hooves, the whispering of the trees and bushes that surrounded them and Arthur's angry low muttering. He enjoyed going out on quests, especially when they don't have any trouble. The first league of the journey has been quiet, peaceful and safe much to Merlin's surprise; though he certainly wasn't complaining. They had managed to avoid outlaws and revengeful sorcerers and their followers. The knights talked quietly among themselves while following the prince, mainly about other knights and going to the tavern when this quest was done with. Although this atmosphere was not long lasting, much to Merlin's displeasure, they were ambushed when entering a small clearing. "Here we go, had to happen eventually." Said Merlin as the knights and outlaws collided, steel smashing steel. Merlin tried to get out of the centre of the battle. Arthur seemed to be the main target, he skilfully swung his sword taking out most of the attackers in one. He didn't the one approaching from behind, which Merlin took out with his magic; it had become almost an instinct to take out those that Arthur hadn't registered during battle.
M~M~M~M
Soon the battle was over, Arthur has taken one of the younger ones prisoner. Arthur stared menacingly at the boy, " Why did you attack us? For some reason, I don't think you were after our valuable possessions. Were you?" The boy looked around at his dead comrades and shook his head, not wanting to join them. The boy was being restrained by to knights which had him on his knees in front of the Prince the other six where blocking off any escape routes that may be open to the young outlaw. Arthur knelt to the same height as the outlaw, and said quietly "What was this battle, killing us going to achieve? How would it have benefited them?"
The outlaw was only thirteen, Arthur being a man of honour, would release the outlaw as soon has he had the information he needed; also Merlin wouldn't let him kill him. The boy began explaining, "Not a day ago, a peasant, Brad I think he called himself. Told our leader about a pendant – a magical pendant. That is worth a lot to people who know how to use it. Brad told us that Uther had sent you out to claim the pendant, my leader thought killing you would be better than trying to beat you to it." With that the boy looked at the ground and prepared for death. Arthur cursed that sneaky peasant, then he replied "One more question, did you leader pay him for this information?" the boy looked up and nodded. Arthur looked at the ground and cursed under his breath again. "Release him." With that the knights took their hands off the boy's shoulders and stepped back out of the way. The boy got his feet thanking Arthur for being merciful and sparing him and turned to leave into the depths of the forest. Before he could get far Arthur called out "One thing. Stay out of trouble. Next time you may not be so lucky." The boy turned and nodded, "You have my word, sire." With that the boy disappeared.
Arthur stood and walked in the direction of his horse, which was grazing peacefully near a bush at the edge of the clearing. Merlin followed him, his horse was roughly in the same place as Arthur's horse. "What's wrong?" Said Merlin curiously. Arthur stopped and turned to his servant.
"This peasant, Brad. He's giving out information in exchange for money, who knows who's he's told. He could have told sorcerers for all we know." When he finished his sentence, he turned and continued over to his horse. Soon they were heading off towards the caves once again.