A quick bridge chapter. This chapter may be triggering so proceed with caution. Cenred makes me nauseous and I'm having to break him up more than I intended to. Bite-sized. Very small bites.
He crumpled the report angrily. It was a month since that boy escaped and still there was no sign of him. They had to be careful in their search near the border but that knowledge did little to ease his anger at Edwin's continued failure. More than that, he had a growing suspicion that Edwin's reports were incomplete; he had a bad habit of "forgetting" things. When he returned, Cenred intended to teach him a lesson.
Remembering lessons to be learned, he made his way to Mordred's room. With Morgause and Edwin gone, the boy had been left to continue some of his studies alone which made Cenred nervous. He could feel the small power draws but he felt uncomfortable with the lack of supervision in the room. The other captured druid, Cerdan, could not be trusted to be alone with Mordred. He always found loopholes in Cenred's orders and had been found, on more than one occasion, spouting that druidic nonsense to Mordred. He could not afford to have anything corrupting Mordred. His absolute loyalty must be to Cenred. The only other option of instructors was Tauren but no matter how deep his knowledge of alchemy, he was practically useless for other magic.
Cenred paused outside Mordred's room to listen. The room only nominally belonged to Mordred; even before the escape fiasco, Cenred made sure that they knew their place. They owned nothing except what he allowed. They had no privacy except what Cenred allowed. It was a lesson he was intent on renewing; Cenred had been keeping Mordred closer since Emrys' escape. Mordred was only allowed his room for his studies and lessons. The collar prevented him from using his magic without permission but during lessons, the instructor could allow him to use it. If he practiced alone, only the most basic of spells were allowed. Any advanced training was conducted in Cenred's presence.
He barged in without knocking, wanting to catch the occupants by surprise. Mordred was alone in the room. Tauren was probably in the library. Several objects crashed around the room as Mordred startled. Cenred nodded, satisfied, when Mordred immediately kneeled at his feet.
"What were you working on?"
Mordred didn't even attempt to speak, Cenred noted with satisfaction. Instead, he resumed the spell. At the flash in his eyes, which he kept averted, all of the fallen objects rose and moved in the air. Occasionally, one or more would slip only to rise again a moment later when Mordred glanced at them. Cenred recognized the concentration exercise and begrudgingly acknowledged Mordred's progress. A few years ago, Mordred had struggled to levitate just two objects in different paths. This was just one example of his power's growth. Perhaps a small reward was in order.
Mordred had fought his control much more than Emrys, but once broken he had worked hard to please Cenred. He was living proof, and one of many, that Cenred could bend sorcerers to his will. Mordred would be the shining example that the younger he acquired them, the better trained they would be.
Cenred had Mordred demonstrate his progress, including the combat exercises with soldiers. He was satisfied with his men's ability to fight alongside the sorcerer. By the time they marched forth, they would be unstoppable.
He was pleased to watch Mordred in action. The boy was finally developing from a pitiful waif into quite a lean young man. Cenred had grudgingly allowed his diet to include meat once weekly if he behaved and it appeared to be providing an excellent incentive for obedience. Now, as he watched him engage in hand to hand combat, he thought perhaps Mordred would benefit from a better diet. The vigorous training would keep him lean, but with added muscle mass… yes, he would like to see that. Perhaps dinner would be more enjoyable, too, if he could watch Mordred savor his food.
He sent his orders to the kitchen and settled to watch the rest of the session. At the end of it, Mordred kneeled in front of him. "You did well. I see the physical training agrees with you. You will have to apply yourself harder to magical training. Perhaps if I supervise you, you would be more disciplined." He enjoyed Mordred's faint wince. It would not be obvious to anyone else, but Cenred could read his boy well. "I have one last task for you now. Edwin neglected to mention his location in the latest report. As he appears to be failing at his task, I will send Valiant to retrieve him. Find him."
Mordred bowed and followed Cenred to the throne room. Placing his palms on the map, he chanted a spell. On the second repetition, his collar glowed and a dot appeared on the map. Cenred watched as it moved closer to the border towards a village on Camelot's lands. He could hear Mordred gasping and he relented his tight hold on Mordred's magic. He meant to strangle Edwin, but the distance left the strain on Mordred instead. "Let it go." He marked the place on the map and sent for Valiant. Seating himself in his chair, he gestured for Mordred. The boy hesitantly sat on his lap.
He traced a finger around the collar. "It's too bad Morgause did not think to apply the tracker spell on your collars until after Emrys escaped. It would have been so much easier to find him, wouldn't it?" Mordred nodded. "He did not deserve my kindness, but you, you have earned some. And you will continue to do so, won't you boy?" Mordred nodded again. Cenred did not miss the apprehensive swallow. He gripped Mordred's arm tightly. "I was pleased by your performance and have decided that you may dine with me, as long as you continue to please me." Mordred made a confused sound. Cenred tapped the collar in warning but answered anyway. "You will eat what I eat. If you show me your appreciation well – "Cenred traced the boy's lips, "- then perhaps you also be allowed to eat alongside me. In light of Emrys' betrayal, I see that you are better suited to be my right hand man. Prove me right and I will reward you accordingly." He traced a bruise along Mordred's ribs before applying pressure suddenly, pleased when Mordred whimpered but did not resist. "Anything less than absolute obedience and you know what to expect."
A knock interrupted them. He shoved Mordred off his lap and watched as the boy knelt beside the throne. Their fun would continue soon. "Enter."