Edited.
Artemis sat with Jack, Ajax, Rhian and Ava in Ajax's chambers. Ajax would be leaving in a few days times to meet the Electus at the Isle of the Blessed. Jack would be staying in Camelot. He was not a fully trained, so by the Servants laws, he could not be involved in the war. Ava was sitting still and was rather serious though Artemis had known her long enough to know she was actually excited for this. She still hadn't learned that battle wasn't something to be excited for. Rhian was twitching. Artemis had asked her to tell what she knew. So she told her story. She took a deep breath.
"The Masters and the Servants have been enemies for as long as I've been alive… for as long as me eldest brother has been alive. The Servants have always helped us. They protect my family because of my father. He's united magic and non-magic beings in a way no one else could. Kind of weird to see him as an idiot Prince unaware of Merlin's powers. I am never respecting him after this," she laughed. "Anyway, they are led by Erus, who is a great friend of my mum's."
"You're mum's got rotten taste," Artemis muttered.
"While the Northeast Region is led by Saoirse. The Northeast is based at the Gorion Mountains, but it is also shared by the Electus, who wish to stay close to Camelot, the prophet Cassandra especially. The Masters of the World have taken the Caves of Vectus. Their base is there. There puppet leader is Loki, but that's not their true leader. My mother knows who the true leader is, but she refuses to tell me. Sometimes she treats me like a child. Anyway, all I know is that he's feared by even the Electus. He's a dark, mysterious man. He claims to want power to bring peace, but it's a lie. He wants powerful to control and ultimately destroy the world."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I only know what I've been told. My parents keep me away from the really intense stuff. Something about my safety or mental health or whatever. Anyway, I do know for a fact that someone in each reason betrayed the Servants. In the northeast, it is Eleanor and Tynan." Artemis swore under her breath. "Anyway, what I do know about the Masters of the World now is that they are trying to gather supporters. Also, I know that they would do anything to gain your allegiance, Artemis."
"Why?" Artemis questioned.
"Because Erus may be the formal leader of the Servants of the World, but people will follow you. It's always been that way. In a way, you are the leader behind the Servants."
"I'm not their leader. I have never made a big decision like Erus is forced to."
"It started when you challenged Erus to fight you to save Galen, Saoirse, and Gwydion. You refused to let them die even if it meant your life. It won't be the last time you stop Erus from making a decision to kill someone you care about. This causes the Servants to view you as a leader of sorts." Artemis nodded. She thought for a moment.
"I think the best strategy would be to go back to the Gorion Mountains," Artemis said. "We need to be careful though not to draw attention to ourselves. We need a plan…"
"This stupid ritual," Artemis muttered looking into the empty counsel hall with Merlin. Arthur was kneeling there all in white.
"You know of it?" Merlin asked.
"Yes, yes. It's rather idiotic if you ask me. Arthur supposedly transcending his body to the spirit realm or whatever."
"What's going on?" Merlin asked. "You clearly came down here for a reason."
"Yeah, I was going to talk to Arthur about something. Ava and I have decided to move out in a few days. We're going back to the Gorion Mountains."
"Are you insane?"
"A little, yes," Artemis replied.
"Arthur's not going to let you," Merlin said.
"Funny you say that," Artemis said. "We're leaving the same day he's leaving for his quest. He can do nothing."
"You are too clever for your own safety."
"Don't I know it," Artemis said with a laugh. "Don't fall asleep," Artemis told him putting a hand on his shoulder before walking away.
"I wouldn't," Merlin replied. Artemis rolled her eyes.
Artemis stood outside Arthur's chamber doors a few days timed. Ava was preparing the horses. Jack and Everett would be going with as well. The four of them together would be headed to the Gorion Mountains. Arthur would be headed to, idiot, the Perilous Lands without her or Merlin to save his stupid ass. Sigh. This was not good, but she just had to leave it to Merlin to make sure Arthur stayed alive. Dear Gods, they were in trouble.
"Artemis," he said surprised to see her.
"I thought I would say good bye before we headed out just in case. You know I'm just pessimistic like that. Looks like you're about to head out as well." Arthur nodded in confirmation.
"Be careful," he said.
"You too." They stared at each other before Arthur kissed her quickly surprising her. They stared at each other for a moment. Artemis smiled. "Have a nice trip." He smiled and walked off. Artemis headed to find Gwen. She needed to talk to her quickly.
"Gwen," Artemis said grabbing her into a secluded room. "I need a favor while I am gone."
"What?"
"Watch Morgana."
"What?"
"Just trust me. Watch Morgana." Gwen nodded in confirmation to the order. Artemis made her way out of the castle and to the outside of Camelot where the others were waiting for her.
"Let's move out," Artemis said.
A few days of fast riding later, they arrived at the Gorion Mountains. Artemis stopped at the foot of the mountains and dismounted. She held out three medallions. They looked just like the coin she had given Arthur. They gave her a questioning look.
"You think I wouldn't be prepared for something like this?" she questioned. "These coins are extremely rare to come by, but I had a contact and… persuaded him to give me a few."
"You mean you threatened him?" Ava teased taking one.
"I would never do such a thing," Artemis retorted. "They'll protect you from anything that can't be physically dodged." Everett and Jack took their coins. "As long as it's on your person, you can't be magically flung over the side of the mountain."
"And Arthur's? I'm pretty sure he's been affected by magic?" Everett asked. He's seen the coin around Arthur's neck while he trains.
"The magic wears off after a little time. All that coin will do now is tell me if he's in sever danger. I plan to swap Arthur's for a new one soon when he's not looking."
"You mean when you're seducing him?" Ava teased again.
"You've just missed teasing me, haven't you?" Artemis asked.
"What can I say? You're such an easy target, teach," Ava said with a grin that reminded Artemis that Ava was still the girl that she had taught not to long ago. Artemis rolled her eyes.
"This is the plan. We are going to capture a member. Jack, here, is going to use a sort of soul spell. He'll be able to use his soul to enter the person, and then Jack in the person's body will then go gather information for us. Any questions?"
"Yeah," Everett said. "Wh-"
"None?" Artemis said ignoring Everett. "Good. Let's go," Artemis said. They climbed the mountain easily. They stood at the entrance to the Caves in the Mountains of Gorion. There weren't as many Masters of the World as originally, but still there was a decent amount.
Artemis waited patiently and silently. A member dressed all in black was unfortunate enough to walk too close to them. Artemis lunged and grabbed him dragging him behind the rocks they were hiding behind. She had his mouth covered, so he couldn't chant a spell or scream. "Now, Jack," she hissed. He chanted a spell and the man's body became limp. Suddenly, it switched. Jack's body became limp and the members became alive.
"I'll be back," Jack said in the member's body.
"Wait, wear you're coin," Artemis said grabbing the member/Jack's hand. She pulled it off Jack's body and handed it to him.
"If I wasn't in a stranger's body, I'd kiss you right now," he teased.
"Stop ruining it. I was just starting to like you again." Jack laughed and walked away. Artemis breathed in. "And now we wait?" Artemis relaxed against the rock. Ava and Everett were being… well some people's definition it would be cutesy, but Artemis thought it was sick. "Oi! Not in front of me," Artemis warned.
"Don't be mad, because you can't be with Arthur," Ava teased. "You're just jealous."
"You," Artemis accused Everett.
"Oh, no. Look what you did Ava. Now I'm a target."
"Ha ha," Artemis said sarcastically. "When are you two just going to get married? Jesus, you annoy me." Ava rolled her eyes.
"If I was engaged, you would yell at me, and say something about me being too young." Artemis shrugged.
"You're the age I was when I was engaged. What do I care what you do? You're your own person now. You aren't the little girl I had to reprimand for messing with my things." Ava stared at her rather confused.
"You… where is this coming from?"
"Perhaps I'm tired of seeing people doing or not doing things for others' approval."
"You're scaring me," Ava admitted.
"I'm scaring me too."
"Who's there!" a voice asked suddenly. They must have heard their voices.
"Get down; stay quiet," Artemis muttered. They did as she said. The rock in front of Artemis blew to pieces.
"I know you're there!" the voice demanded. "Come out! Or I'll blow you to pieces!" Artemis stood despite Ava's objections. She put her hands up in a mock surrender.
"I come in peace," Artemis said dully. There was silence as the figure seemed to be deciding something.
"Artemis?" the female voice questioned. Artemis frowned.
"Do I know you?"
The woman put her hood down to reveal pale blonde hair and kind brown eyes that danced with magic. She had powerful magic. That much was obvious. She was around Artemis's age. She was a very beautiful woman.
"Amice?" Artemis questioned in surprise. They stared at each other. "Well this is a surprise. You're not going to kill me are you?"
"Why are you here?" Amice asked avoiding her question all together.
"Why am I here? I'm here to gather information about the Masters of the World. Why are you here?"
"I am a Master of the World." They stared at each unsure what to do.
"Why?" Artemis asked breaking the silence.
"I believe the Masters of the World are right. Humanity is… it crumbles because of what they do. Magic doesn't kill people; people kill people. It's time we interfere"
"This isn't the way Amice. They kill people. The Masters are violent."
"What are you talking about? They're non-violent."
"Amice, the Servants of the World have been attacked by them. Gwydion is dead."
"You lie."
"You think I would lie about my own teacher, about a man I consider family? Look me in the eye, and tell me I'm so cold-hearted." She was silent. "Amice, we trained together. We're practically sisters."
"Stop trying to talk me down. You haven't seen me in seven years." Again silence. Artemis sighed. She was right. Seven years was a long time. She barely knew the woman in front of her. She was practically a stranger.
"I doesn't matter, Amice! Listen to me! You don't have to join me, but don't join them. Amice, please for the love of the Gods, trust me. You know me, and I know you. Amice… they tried to kill me. They aren't here for tea Amice. They want humanity to fall. They're using you."
"It's always been like that with you. You have always thought you were better than others! You always think you know everything, but you don't Artemis!" Ava stood tired of this.
"We don't have time for this," Ava said. "We don't have time for a reunion, and frankly, who is this girl!"
"It's a long story," Artemis said. "Amice, look… you are like my sister, but… for love of all that's sacred, think about it! Think about everything! You really think they want peace, Amice?" She was silent. "Amice, they trapped my soul in another dimension."
"That's forbidden," Amice said.
"I know," Artemis replied. "Amice, just please… give me a chance to show you that you're wrong. I need your help." Silence between them. A bell chimed. Whistles blew. They were found out. "Ava, Everett! Go with Jack's body! Get the hell out of here!"
"No way!"
"That's an order!" They were hesitant, but Ava knew Artemis well. She went with Everett and Jack. She was immediately thrown to the ground by a few of the Masters of the World.
Artemis was brought into a cell. There she waited. Jack was probably back in his body about now. Artemis didn't know what would happen, but to see Amice after all these years… Artemis rubbed her eyes in frustration. This was not good.
"Ambrosine," a soldier said opening the cell.
"Our Master will see you now." She was led to a elaborately decorated room with expensive furniture and large carved out fireplace. The walls and the ceiling were carved into beautiful designs and patterns. It was rathe beautiful. Artemis found herself staring at the carvings as she waited in a beautifully carved chair padded with satin. Loki and Amice stood there waiting for the leader as well. Loki said nothing, and as the puppet leader, he would say nothing. Artemis knew without a doubt why Amice was allowed to know the true master when others were not.
"Beautiful room, no?" A voice asked catching her attention. He lingered in the shadows.
"Show your face, coward," Artemis demanded. The man laughed amused.
"Ah, I expect nothing less," the man said. "To be worthy of my name, you must be something." Out of the shadows, the man step. Artemis was unprepared for who she was face to face with. He was a tall, attractive man. He only looked her age, but she knew this was a false youth. He had chestnut colored hair and rather cool, wise gray eyes. He was calm and not cruel looking at all. Artemis's eyes widened in shock.
"You are…"
"I am Ambrose, the founder of the Servants of the World," he said. Artemis stared in shock and awe.