Chapter 10 The Wretched Cried Aloud
"Sorcery brings only chaos!" Al-Sayyid Al-Ajal Badawi Zahir's voice boomed over the concurring and dissenting opinions rippling amongst those allied with him and those vehemently opposed. His silk purple long-coat, fastened to the high-collared neck rustled as he took measured steps around the chamber, sleek black boots marking his noble status. "It is the work of the devil!" The councilors in the Lesser Hall surged to their feet in outcry.
Merlin rubbed sweaty palms against his trousers as the angry shouts echoed off the stone walls. His gaze darted between arguing merchants, clerics, lords, and commoners. He glanced at an impassive Arthur observing the arguments erupting around him. Flanking him and Gwen – set apart from the councilors in high chairs – the knights stood vigilant and poised for action. Gwaine rolled his eyes.
"We must not abandon the good works undertaken by King Uther thirty years ago," Bishop Joseph protested, cheeks flushed as red as his hair. With a slow blink, Gwen pressed her lips into a thin line.
"A child perished today thanks to your sanctioned magic! Not two days before, fire sparked by a novice witch burned down a farmer's barn and fields." Lord Badawi thrust an accusing finger at Arthur. "This sorcerous menace must be stopped!"
Arthur's head turned a fraction quicker than normal, his eyes slightly narrowed. Elyan shifted uneasily and Lord Badawi's bold accost of his sovereign sent prickles down Merlin's spine. The man's exploitation of recent misfortunes made magic appear to be wreaking havoc.
Arthur's jaw cinched almost imperceptibly. "Those were tragic accidents, Lord Badawi," he replied, his tone level. "Not intentional attacks. The patrols found no evidence of foul play in either case."
The Egyptian lord straightened his shoulders, black waves of silver-streaked hair touching them. "No one knows their capabilities, sire," Badawi sneered, "nor how much power they possess or the extreme damage they could inflict now that they are sanctioned to practice their devilry. You invite vile powers into the heart of Camelot!"
Arthur's shoulders visibly tense, his back ramrod straight. Merlin's lips thinned.
Magic is in the fabric of the world, he thought. It has never left Camelot.
Geoffrey said, "The spilling of innocent blood will cease because of the king's decree."
"Innocent?" retorted Badawi. "We were cleansing the land! Now it will rot ever faster with magic unleased!"
A muscle in Arthur's cheek feathered as his eyes trailed Badawi. Fredrick frowned deeply, a groan escaping.
"Magic can be used for good," Gaius stressed from his seat, and shouts of opposition and agreement rose again.
"There is nothing good about sorcery!" Lord Badawi pinned Gaius with a scornful stare before he shifted his gaze to Arthur. "I beseech you, King Arthur. Do not allow magic to flourish in our great kingdom."
"It is done, Lord Badawi," Arthur replied, a slight bite in his voice. "That issue is not up for debate."
Badawi's lips twitched between his finely trimmed beard and mustache and black eyes blazed with contempt upon the king.
"Magic is a gift to the world," Seamus spoke. The clothmaker pushed through an opening to face off with the Egyptian.
"Allah himself declared that sorcerers shall not be permitted to live," replied Badawi. "King Uther recognized this evil and forbade its corruption to spread amongst the righteous."
As shouting escalated, Arthur's knights stepped forward, hands on sword hilts as Seamus and Badawi exchanged heated words.
Heaven help us!" implored Bishop Joseph.
Merlin exhaled softly, his shoulders slightly slumping as built-up tension leaked from his body. Arthur's fists clenched on the armrest but then relaxed immediately.
"No one deserves to be persecuted for what they believe," shouted Viscount Pierrefonds. "Can you not show tolerance, Lord Badawi?"
"The new law is fair and just, Your Majesty," Geoffrey said.
"They should be rounded up and executed!" shouted Aelfric, the reeve.
Seamus seized the floor, water brimming in his eyes. "My … my son of fifteen summers has magic." Gasps and whispers flowed across the room. "He's never harmed a soul. Would you execute him, my lord?"
"'Do not turn to mediums or necromancers –'" Badawi began, reciting biblical scripture to defend the righteousness of his faith.
As the knights stepped back to position, Gwaine shook his head, Percival remaining rigid in place. Arthur and Gwen exchanged a solemn glance while Merlin lowered his gaze, his lips clamped. Scripture of condemnation was a favorite weapon for dissenters of magic.
"'Do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them!'" Badawi bellowed.
"I can no longer live by the old ways," Seamus cried. "We must accept change."
"'I am the Lord your God!'" Badawi swung his sword without relent, spinning on his heels to face the room.
"Enough!" Arthur slammed a fist on his armrest, his anger unleased and startling everyone. Merlin caught his breath; the grumbling ceased, and all eyes turned to the king.
"Return to your seats at once," commanded Arthur, restraint barely caging the steel in his voice.
Badawi's hard gaze remained on Arthur for a moment before he looked away and seated himself. The other men returned to their sections and, after a moment, the Lesser Hall settled into an uneasy silence.
Arthur made a slow perusal of the room, his gaze sharp, his authority demanding everyone's attention. Merlin rubbed his thumbs against his fingers anxiously, his hands in a loose fist. Elyan glanced at him with sullen eyes. Things hadn't been the same between them since Elyan learned of his magic, their friendship now strained. He regretted that – he still admired his fortitude and sense of honor.
"Lord Badawi," Arthur said. "You believe that all sorcerers are evil."
Badawi stood to address the king, his chin high. "I do, my lord liege."
"And if a child who has seen only a few summers is discovered to have magical gifts, your solution is to execute him or her without feeling or consideration? To drown them in a well, perhaps?" Merlin's heart cinched. Those were unmerciful orders Arthur had also been commanded to do by his father.
"Allah –"
"Has mercy – which is far greater than our cruel deeds of the past. All of us has sinned, yet He has forgiven us – sorcerers and men alike. Do you have more authority to judge than He?" The tone in Arthur's voice deepened to the one with the most authority in the room. "Or me?"
"Allah does not suffer sorcerers nor their pagan gods." Badawi's reply was weak and Merlin smiled inwardly.
"And I will no longer suffer the ignorance of men blinded by hatred and prejudice. One of God's greatest commandments is to love thy neighbor, is it not, Lord Badawi?"
He shifted uncomfortably. "It is, King Arthur."
"And we shall do so henceforth. Be seated."
Merlin released a breath and smiled at the finality of Arthur's words. Badawi sat, deflated, yet simmered in defeat.
Arthur's focus returned the councilors. "Gentlemen, magic has become entwined in all our lives, though often shrouded in superstition and fear. This ignorance has pitted brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor. Too many have perished over virtues they cannot control.
"I wish for us all to examine our sensibilities, to heal wounds from within so enemies cannot devour us from without.
"To those who have lost loved ones in my father's war on sorcery, I appeal to your compassion. Apprehension will not vanish instantly. But in time, I urge you will embrace the unique gifts in every citizen.
"The new century nears. Dark clouds have long covered Camelot, but a new dawn is possible. There is no going back – only forward into light."
Hope surged within Merlin as Arthur's stirring words lingered in the air. A small, proud smile pulled at his lips. This was the Once and Future King he had waited for.
"The persecutions have ended," stated Gwen. "The bloodshed has ceased. We desire nothing more than peace within our communities, especially our magical ones."
"Magic has always been in the world," Gaius added. "And always will be." Merlin's smile broadened having had that thought not five minutes ago.
"Gaius." Badawi's tone turned hostile again and Merlin's smile dropped as the man stood up, leveling his dark eyes on his mentor and friend.
"You and my father were supporters of Uther during the Great Purge. I was a young man when we arrived in Camelot, but I do remember. My father embraced you as a sword of Allah because you held to the same principles as he. Now look at you, lapping at another king's heels and waving the banner of the Lord's enemy. You're a traitor and a coward."
Murmurs of disapproval swelled, heads shaking at the brazen insult flung so crudely. Gaius' jaw dropped in shock, his cheeks flushing on his paling face. Merlin clenched his jaw, his hands curled into fists. He glared at the nobleman.
Lord Badawi's got a foul mouth, he thought. Some quality time as a pig might silence him for a spell.
Arthur raised a placating hand and the room quieted.
"You will show courtesy in my court, Lord Badawi," Arthur warned, a cutting edge to his voice. "Temper your words or find yourself expelled from the affairs of this council."
Badawi stiffened, his sensitivity to expulsion evident on his face. Many knew that his family was driven from their home in Alexandria after a failed rebellion against Arab conquerors and that they could never return to Egypt.
"Forgive my disrespect, King Arthur – Gaius." He bowed stiffly, his scorn unveiled and palpable.
"I…" Gaius began, casting pensive glances around. His eyes finally rested on Badawi. "I've always done what was best for the kingdom."
"And you think that pardons you, physician?"
"It can when we open our hearts to reconciliation," said Gwen. "Gaius has proven his loyalty time and again - though all have moments we come to regret."
Elyan scoff quietly beside him and Merlin eased a skewed glance his way. Something was terribly wrong with him and unsettled Merlin.
Badawi paused a beat as he sharpened his blade for Gwen. "As you have done, my queen? After so many assaults against you and your family? In front of Allah and all here, you are willing to forgive the sorcerers responsible for your suffering?"
Shocked gasps echoed around the hall. Merlin thinned his lips, Arthur jerked forward, and Gwen placed a gentle hand on his forearm. Fredrick glanced with worry to her.
Gwen raised her chin, her voice steady and sure. "I must." Her eyes did not leave Badawi's, nor did she reveal any weakness in her countenance. "For the sake of my kingdom and my citizens."
"We could not have asked for a worthier testimony." Arthur reached for Gwen's hand, his gaze sober. "The queen and her family have suffered much at the hands of sorcery. Let her bravery and her virtuous heart be a testament to all." Elyan sighed with a soft groan, shuffled his feet.
Releasing Gwen's hand, Arthur returned his attention to the councilors. "We are not ignorant toward magic nor the dangers that we face, but if we allow this state of constant fear to continue to fester, we blind ourselves from seeing what magic truly has to offer."
Arthur gazed steadily around the chamber; his hands gripped the armrests. "There is a man among us that can enlighten us on the virtues of magic."
Merlin froze, his heart raced. The moment was finally here, but was the world ready for Emrys? Was he?
"What do you mean, sire?" Badawi asked slowly.
"I've recently learned that there is someone who has watched over Camelot for many years, protecting us without us ever knowing. A sorcerer by the name of Emrys."
"That is outrageous!" Badawi bristled with the sudden outburst of other voices. Merlin's knees knocked as he laced his shaking hands, hoping no one noticed.
"It is indeed," Arthur said, his voice competing with the uproar, "considering that we've tried to execute him on several occasions – Silence!" Arthur shouted, glaring around the room until all went quiet. "Another outburst and this meeting is over."
Arthur waited another moment in the tense stillness. When he spoke, his voice was composed, his features relaxed. "It must be known that our pursuit of this man has never stopped him from believing in the ideals of what Camelot will one day become."
"You speak as if you know him." Badawi was genuinely confused.
Merlin suddenly couldn't breathe; his knees became watery. Steadying his stance, he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"We all know him," he said with certainty, "but I chanced a parley with him a few months ago in search of information, before my father died."
"You've consorted…?"
"I have," Arthur challenged, his expression and tone daring anyone to object.
"You believe this sorcerer is good?" Badawi asked incredulously.
"I do." Arthur leaned forward, elbows on knees and fingers laced. "He cured the sleeping curse of '94 when we were rendered defenseless by a dark sorceress. He opposed her, fought against his own kind to save Camelot. He has done this repeatedly, my lords, I assure you."
Merlin tensed, his eyebrows knitted together. How could Arthur know the details of that incident? His eyes slide to Excalibur. Did Arthur also know what he had been forced to do to save them?
Badawi appeared flabbergasted when Merlin looked back up. "He is responsible for such salvation?" the lord asked, his fire diminished.
"He carries the hope of many – that magic will flourish again." Arthur extended a scroll to him. "This is a chronicle of Emrys' deeds that has come to my attention, Lord Badawi. Read it. You will find it interesting and enlightening. It is not fiction."
Badawi stepped forward to receive the scroll. He unrolled it and read the boldly scripted title across the top. "Emrys." His eyes flicked to Arthur before he scanned the rest of the words silently.
"There will be copies available for each of you," Arthur said, "as well as postings around the kingdom."
Badawi studied the scroll, people murmuring around him. He closed it, clutched it in his fist. "Will this sorcerer be summoned before the council?"
"We're searching for him. When found, I'll embrace him as friend and court sorcerer."
Those words washed over Merlin, affirming how profoundly Arthur had transformed. This was not the close-minded prince he'd met all those years ago.
"Abandon your father's legacy?" Badawi asked, stunned.
Arthur stood tall, taking Gwen's hand as she rose. "We'll build a new legacy – with courage, compassion and justice."
Breathing rampant as they left the hall and the voices rumbling behind them, Merlin focused on one thing: Badawi's provocations were troublesome, but his dream was at last coming true.
Al-Sayyid Al-Ajal – lord, sir