Hello readers,

well, have been sat having a think and Price of a Kingdom doesn't seem to be getting the same response as Recovering Magic and I don't know if it's because the story doesn't work or my writing's just not up to scratch although people do seem to be reading the story still so I'm going to give this chapter a go and see how we get on but Kingdom may not continue.

Chapter Seven

The next morning found Morgana sitting at the large oak dresser that lay in all its stately grandeur under the window ledge. Sunlight shone brightly through the casement, warming the young woman's face and making her smile. For a little while, at least, she was quite content to watch the busy to-ings and fro-ings of the servants in the square below. She had been awake since dawn, electing to watch the Sun make his sleepy ascent over the horizon bringing a spectacular burst of colour to the mysterious dark the Moon reigned over. It was only while witnessing this everyday miracle of nature that she remembered the prayer that Morgause had taught her during her training. The older Priestess had encouraged her to say it every morning as they rose to exercise as well as the corresponding prayer to the Lady when they retired at night. A trip to Avalon was due; she would go as soon as the tournament was over. She missed the easy peace of the lapping waters and the affectionate company of Isilda and little Alastrine.

A knock at the door reminded the Queen of the mission she had given her Squire early that morning;

"Come in Coel"

The young squire entered, still appearing nervous within the witch's presence despite having been in the Queen's service these many months now. He was slight of build but already Morgana could see a difference when she thought of the small, boyish lad that had first been presented to her as a suitable candidate for training. One of the knights had noticed his natural ability with blade in-hand while taking a ride through the some of the outlying villages. Initially when she had taken him on he had had the dietary habits of a sparrow but gradually, as he became accustomed to courtly life he gained more confidence, started eating well and the more he handled the Lady's bits of armour and weaponry the more defined his arms grew with Morgana coming to view him as one of the more useful members of the household. Now, however, he looked almost as anxious as he had on their first meeting;

"My Lady, I come bearing...unfortunate news."

"Sir Derryth refused my offer?"

The Queen's expression was incredulous to say the least. She had sent Coel out to the tavern in the lower town where some of the less wealthy competitors had been staying for the duration, there to impress the youth who had wounded her the day before, giving a more than worthy performance despite the knowledge that he was battling the Queen of Camelot herself. She had believed, quite rightly, that her proposed income as well as the generous benefits that would come with the post of 'Knight of Camelot' should be more than enough to tempt any up-and-coming man to lay his allegiance and his sword with this most powerful of rulers.

"That's correct My Lady." The fair-haired Coel looked up as if trying to dredge some great knowledge from the depths of his mind and spoke slowly, making sure to get his little speech out properly; "he said...to tell you...that...he...sends his regrets but was...was...was approached by another man...with a very...now what was it, oh yes, a very attractive offer." He allowed himself one little nod of satisfaction on conveying his part without error but the look of his mistress' face made him quake and look at the floor.

The reply that came was icy. While Coel knew that Morgana's ire was not directed at himself he could not help but feel as though he was about the bear the brunt of the regal wrath he had heard about from some of the other...more native servants. "Did Sir Derryth tell you who had made this offer?"

It was a simple enough question but the intent behind it was full of venom. Only then did the poor man realise the exact implications of what he had told the raven-haired Lady. Someone was poaching fighters, perhaps to rally an opposing force...perhaps a force against Camelot and they were doing it right under the Queen's nose in her tournament! Surely the sheer embarrassment would be too much to take if the news came out. The city was not weak but its young ruler was untested, an unknown quantity- if ever there were to be an attack on Uther's shining city, now would be the time- the very reason said ruler was doing everything in her Earthly power to cement alliances. Unwittingly Coel affected a stutter that had gradually been lost over time spent in his new home;

"Well, M-miss...I d-did ask him that, on account of I thought you'd l-like to k-know. He said only that the m-m-man's name was a Sir Cadeyrn."

The Queen merely nodded and looked strange, gazing off into a distance that apparently only she could see. Absently waving him away the young lad concealed his relief at being dismissed admirably while Morgana turned in her chair to stare deep into the small mirror on the dresser, desperately searching for answers. When none were forthcoming she slumped forward, allowing the heavy timber to absorb her weight. Her mind became lost in some sort of daze, possibly the throbbing wound was making her dizzy or possibly her head had simply taken in all it could. Moments, minutes, it could have even been hours but her awareness peaked when a soft and musical voice floated above her;

"Morgana..." it came gently at first but became more insistent at the lack of response- after all, had she not come all this way at her daughter's summoning? She was damned if she was going to be ignored now, "Morgana!"

At the sudden shout the young witch jumped and looked up before grabbing the small mirror. The face that looked back at her was not her own but still, she recognised the reflection instantly;

"Mother! I am so sorry I have not looked for you before, I just...I..."

"You have been letting your magic slip"

The reply was not quite what the young woman had been expecting and she was momentarily taken aback but her Mother's almost terse response. She did, however, have the good grace to look abashed- after all, her the other woman was only speaking the truth.

"My Daughter, I do not have much time. I have come to warn you, your suspicions do not deceive you; someone is indeed working against you. You must be cautious. Your sister and I are working together to try and help you but you must tread carefully- you have an enemy in Camelot."

Morgana could only nod, totally unaware that she had even had such suspicions but supposed that since her Mother had known about them then she must have! She regarded the older woman closely; the fine lines, the narrow lips that she had seen create such beautiful smiles...a perfect mixture of herself and her sister and told her Mother the only thing that came to mind, "I miss you", tracing the delicate features just as she had done so many times before when getting to know Morgause's and recognising something of herself in them.

"I know my darling girl and the sooner you return to the safety of Avalon the better- there you can be protected by the same magic that protects the Island itself." then the mists that had been threatening from the edges of the glass began to cloud the image, blurring Viviane's face. "Morgana, I must go, I am losing the connection. Stay safe my darling girl."

Then she was gone.

Morgana, left alone with her thoughts began to ponder this mysterious Sir Cadeyrn. It was an ancient name that meant 'Battle King'. Surely it could be no coincidence- the name must have been chosen by the user...

To be continued? You tell me...