Weymouth...1 day later...3 hours after dusk...
"Captain, so you're telling us that the Saxons cursed Andrus through a witch to spy on Camelot and took his wife as a hostage to make him comply? And now we're on a mission to save his wife in exchange for the information already given to the Saxons?"
"Yes Levi. And I am inclined to believe him in this. Should they take advantage of what Andrus already told them, the King would be in a state of grave danger."
"But he's a criminal! Isn't he the same man who stole the King's riches? Captain, how can you be sure that he wasn't actually being manipulated to do the crimes he commited as you claim him to be? What if he's luring us into a trap?"
"Bartholemew, I know that this is a stretch. But the letters I found paints a completely different story from what we know."
It's evening. The 15th Cavalry and their newest member are currently residing in a tavern per the Captain's orders. According to Andrus, the Saxons have summoned him to report in person about the information about the weaknesses of Camelot he's managed to find. The date of their meeting is tomorrow noon at the pier - where Horsa's escort of 4 ships will be anchored. Everything went by so fast that the Captain didn't get the chance to fully explain the current situation to his lieutenants. And as of now, Faust is trying to convince his closest men to support him in this.
"Levi. Bartholomew. I ask only that you trust me in this. If I am right, then we would not only save an innocent man and his wife, but uncover a scheme that threatens the very safety of the King we swore our lives to protect. We must act upon this plot before it happens." Faust said pleadingly towards his lieutenants.
"...Alright. I'll trust you in this, Captain." Levi took a sip at his drink, as he did so, he thought.
'Not that I had a choice in the matter. Everything the man says is basically an order that must be followed. But if the Captain himself is asking for this, it must really be important.'
'If Andrus really is who he says he is, and that even Captain is vouching for him, I guess I have no choice but to believe.' Bart thought.
"As will I, Captain." Bart said after making his decision. "I just hope that you're right about this…" Bart said before chucking a piece of bread into his mouth.
'I wish I knew Bart… I wish I knew.' The Captain thought.
As the conversation ended, the Captain turned his attention towards 3 people currently engaged in a very interesting discussion.
"So, you're a Knight? Why the hell did you steal the money then?"
"As much as I understand the confusion that comes with my armor, no. I am not a knight."
"But you wield a Knight's sword."
Archer, Mordred, and Andrus are currently sitting at a table situated at the corner near where the Captain is sitting. The Red Knight was the one who started the conversation. The redhead came later to ease the tensions that might arise should any of the two say something hostile. The ravenhead was just relaxing with his drinks before all this. Contemplating on what to do tomorrow in meeting with Horsa.
"My father was just a carpenter and a woodworker, Sir Archer. His father before him was the Knight." Andrus answered before taking a swig at his drink. Archer heard the last part said with a tone of...animosity, to say the least.
'Looks like someone has a grudge' The redhead thought
"Who did your grandfather serve?" Archer asked
"The father of Urien, the current King of Cornwall." the ravenhead replied
"Cornwall?" Mordred said in surprise.
'He came from there?!' she thought
"It's strange, I know. Knowing that Camelot and Cornwall aren't on the best of terms even during my grandfather's time. It would indeed be strange to see me working for Arthur Pendragon himself."
"But you were forced to work there." Archer said quizzically
"At the beginning, I wasn't. I truly did want to serve Camelot's King. Arthur Pendragon was everything I expected of him - benevolent, just, and wise. A complete opposite of Cornwall's King. A bastard, that man.`` Andrus drank from his drinks once more.
"You seem to dislike Cornwall." Archer said
"You should see King Urien in person to find out why." Mordred said with distaste
"You from Cornwall too?" Andrus asked the Red Knight
"Born and raised." Mordred said unproudly
"We are equals in suffering them." The ravenhead offered a toast to Mordred.
"Aye!" Mordred enthusiastically replied as she slammed her mug towards Andrus'. Both drank the mugs in turn.
"Well, it seems that you two finally got along nicely." Archer commented
"On the surface at least. But I still hate his kind." Andrus said pointing to Mordred who was drinking; she opened half of her helmet so that her mouth was free.
"You mean people from Cornwall?"
"I don't have to explain myself to you." Andrus said, gritting his teeth while glaring at a group of people that coincidentally the rest of the 15th Cavalry - who were enjoying what little break they had. Afterwards, he downed another of his drinks.
"..." Archer looked towards the Red Knight thinking she also caught the oddity of Andrus' actions and what the ravenhead said but was met with his friend flirting with the bar waitress.
'Now that's new.' Archer thought before moving back into the matter at hand.
'So he dislikes knights. And his grudge stems not only from that but his grandfather too … his grandfather must've done something shady using Knights…' He was about to ask about it before the Red Knight butted in.
"So, how the hell did you get involved with this shit?!" Mordred asked, after the barmaid left
"If you mean how did I become an unwilling spy with my wife taken hostage-"
"Yeah yeah, that fucking part." Mordred interrupted. "How the hell did you get tangled up with the Saxons?!"
"Mordred…" Archer sighed but then thought,
'While Mordred is indeed tactless about it, she makes sense. Judging by his weapons and many letters connecting him to the Saxons, he should be someone of importance for them to use him like this.'
"Well…" Andrus took a swig at his last drink and sighed, "I need more drinks to answer that, hold on. Oi! Innkeep. I need 2 mugs of your strongest drink o'er here."
"Coming right up!" Said the inkeep.
'He's an alcoholic… Archer thought while looking at the 5 mugs of ale Andrus finished; with his gaze finally resting upon the mug the ravenhead just finished.
3 minutes later, with all the drinks ordered, he started his story.
"It was three months ago. Cyrille - my wife - and I were traveling by wagon to Camelot. We had half of all we had packed in that same wagon. The rest are in Dorchester. We received word that Arthur Pendragon heard our wishes to work in the Capital, and that if we went there in 2 weeks time, we'd have not only a job, but a house of our own as well."
"Sounds like a scam to me." Mordred said dismissively
"Well, it wasn't. The whole thing was true. I have the King's letter with his seal and everything." Said Andrus. Remembering the Captain holding the letter with the black seal.
"I'm guessing this is the part where things go to hell…" Archer said
"Hell was nothing compared to what I've seen." Andrus took a big gulp at his drink.
"What was it? An attack by the Saxons?" Archer asked, with Mordred curiously waiting for an answer.
"Worse." A dark scowl appeared on the ravenhead's face. "The wi - COUGHS"
The effects of the curse of silence came forth. Bringing coughing fits filled with blood upon the poor man after just one word about the witch. The redhead stood up and grabbed a cup of water to give to the ravenhead but was met with a raised hand.
"No need." Andrus grimaced. "That's what the drinks are here for."
"She ambushed you alongside the Saxons while you and your wife were en route to Camelot." Archer speculated while bringing down the cup and sitting back down. The reply was a nod of agreement from the ravenhead
"So, how the fuck did that bitch even know where you were? It's too much of a coincidence to find you just like that." Mordred said.
"Before Cyrille and I left, we made it our goal to keep the news of our departure as hidden as possible. Only sharing the news to our most intimate peoples."
"But Dorchester is no Camelot or Londinium. It is very connected because of its small size. Everyone knows each other there. And while we did tell our loved ones - my brother included- of the news and to keep it secret, I believe a few of them weren't tight lipped as I had hoped."
Andrus took another swig at his drink. Emptying its contents before grabbing the second one he ordered.
"I think, there was a spy from the- COUGH" Andrus coughed for a whole minute before dying down, when he was about to continue, Archer said.
"It's either the Saxons or the witch. So don't talk about them anymore. You'll end up dead because of your curse. As long as you don't mention them directly, you're good."
"Fine." Andrus replied sitting straight after his coughing fit, "Anyways. Somehow, I think a spy caught wind of my journey. And proceeded to tell you-know-who. And that's how they found me and my wife."
"Fire from out of nowhere struck a wheel of our wagon. Causing my wife and I to get thrown off of our wagon. I was dazed for a few seconds when I fell. I had little to no time to recover before my wife shook me up and started screaming in my ears. As soon as I gathered my bearings to listen to what she was saying, shouts from all directions came. As I turned to my wife, I saw men rushing towards her. As I went in front of my wife to defend her, I pulled out my sword and cut down the nearest brute. I tried again on the next enemy but I was kicked to the ground. This repeated 7 times to 7 different men all aiming to maim me."
"Sounds strange coming from a carpenter's son." Archer mused.
"My ...grandfather... taught me a few tricks." Andrus cautiously replied
"Sounds like your gramps is the real deal if you can do that shit without losing a limb." Mordred said
'If only you knew…' Andrus thought distastefully
"Moving on." Andrus said, taking a sip from his second drink. "I fought them back for over 3 minutes before fire struck once more. It landed in front of me, causing the S- men fighting against me to fall back just a little. When the lightning flash died down, and you-know-who appeared."
"The bitch!" Mordred exclaimed
"What did you do?" Archer asked, leaning forward towards the table, clearly invested in the story.
"I tried swinging at he- it. I swung my sword against it but it broke-"
Mordred said as she slammed a hand down on a table, "You used your sword and it fucking broke against the bitch?! Is she that strong?!"
"Probably so," Andrus said, sipping a bit of his current drink, "She used lightning to destroy it."
"L-lightning?" Mordred asked, she was stuttering at the revelation. Archer caught the Red Knight's pause and asked
"You remember something, Mordred?"
"...It's nothing." Came the reply. Remembering a certain lightning user while doing so.
Continuing the conversation, Archer asked,
"So after your sword broke, you then your shield to protect you and your wife, right"
"No, Archer." Andrus said in a tone that both the redhead and the Red Knight can't quite place, "To clarify, I did not have these during that time." Pointing at his weapons. First his sword, then Paravel - his shield - that was resting on the chair beside him
"What the hell?! Why?" Mordred exclaimed.
"But why?" Archer asked, eyes filled with surprise. with his jaw a little open from the shock.
The redhead and the Red Knight knew the power the sword and shield wielded (While not the specific effects it has on the wielder, Archer knew they were powerful), he also knew that Andrus probably did too. And even in the chance that the ravenhead was not enlightened to the fact, he should've brought them with him during the journey to Camelot. So why didn't Andrus do that?
"..." Andrus looked away from their questioning gaxes. As the ravenhead turned, Archer observed that in the ravenhead's eyes was a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, disdain, contempt. The question about him leaving two powerful weapons behind must've been connected to something. But what? A bad memory? A childhood trauma? A soul-breaking calamity?
'That's a bit of a stretch, but anything is possible.' Thought Archer
Whatever the target for these feelings were, it must've done something to him. Since he doesn't want to continue this conversation anymore. If his standing up and downing of his last drink had anything to say about the matter.
"I do not want to answer that. Maybe next time." A mug slammed onto the table, shaking it a little. The raven head proceeded to leave the table and head for the second floor - where the rooms are.
"What the fuck was that about?" Mordred said incredulously
"I don't know…" Archer said as he stood up from his seat, he then thought,
'Looks like the sword and shield must've been tied to a grudge. And if I'm right, the origin of his grudge must be his grandfather - the Knight. But why?'
" We'll talk about it sometime in the future anyways." Archer said, grabbing his sheathed sword resting beside his chair, "Want to join me in going to our room?"
The redhead alone is who Red Knight can only trust to hide her gender. Being the only friend she has, she's given him the luxury of getting the chance to share rooms. Archer couldn't care less about the fact he's sharing rooms with a woman. He's not the type to take advantage of anyone, much less women, anyways. Plus, it's Mordred. He is definitely not gonna think about doing something as stupid as that. He chooses life, after all.
"Hell no, I'll drink some more ale and then I'll head there." Mordred said nonchalantly.
"Suit yourself." The redhead left the Red Knight to her own devices. As the redhead reached the stairs, he heard a familiar voice say.
"Innkeep! 5 Mugs o'er here."
"Coming right up!" replied the innkeep.
Weymouth… the docks…
A man of great stature sits on a makeshift throne. He was inside his magnificent ship anchored at the lame excuse of a port. Currently he is discussing issues with his 'ally'. He was displeased by her blatant ignorance of the agreed rule that only she can come along.
"What is this filth doing on my ship, wench. And why are you here?" The man asked. Glaring at the chained servant and at the woman who brought him.
"Oh this? He is merely a tool for me to use." the woman smiled. Or did she? She was covered in a veil of black that does wonders in hiding her identity. Not even the numerous torches that the ship has can allow the man to see her face. But even so, he knows she's smirking.
"And as for the reason I am here. Is it not common for allies to assist each other?"
"We are no allies, wench. I do not trust you or your kind." replied the man,
The woman simply laughed at the man.
"Such unneeded animosity." she said as she neared him, "It is, after all, in my best interest to protect the brother of Hengist-"
"Do not speak the name of my brother, wench!" The man roared as he slammed the armests of his throne.
"You may have deceived my brother by your seduction, but I will not fall as he did." He then changed the subject, "Why are you here? We have only agreed on you capturing a spy for my bidding. Whatever I do with him does not concern you. Nor are you allowed to know."
"It became my concern when I wanted it to be. That spy of yours has something for me." The woman replied, giving no direct answer.
But the man in chains did.
The man beside the woman began shaking. He tried to release himself from the restraints on his arms and legs after hearing the woman talk about the spy. He struggled for a bit until an electric shock ran through his entire body. He began writhing in pain as every part of his body was electrocuted. He then went on his knees after the shock died down. His strength all but left him.
"Don't want to talk? Fine then. I do not care for what you want. Just leave him alive and talking by the time you're done with him." The man on the throne now revealed as Horsa - Hengist's brother -said. He became curious about the earlier reaction of the man beside the woman when she said something valuable. So following his curiosity, Horsa asked.
"But tell me about that." Pointing at the chained man beside the woman, "What is that cur doing here in my ship."
"Drecken over here," the woman paused as she pulled the chain attached to the neck of the man. "Is willing to serve you in any way possible."
A grunt of irritation came from the chained man.
"Interesting." Horsa said, stroking his beard, "The Bane of Camelot is on his knees because of a witch."
"A fine catch, don't you agree." Said the woman as she looked at him like a hunter would for his quarry. "I would gladly allow you to use him as an olive branch of peace between the two of us."
"I will not accept anything from you, witch. While you have my brother wrapped around your finger, I will not bow like he did." the man on the throne angrily replied.
"Then it is your loss, Horsa. Do not blame me should you die so suddenly." the woman calmly said.
But to any onlooker, it would sound like a threat towards Horsa. Reacting to that, the second in command of Horsa's men drew his axe and moved in front of his leader to protect him. Horsa placed a hand on his soldier to calm him and succeeded in doing so. Afterwards, Horsa did a death glare towards the veiled woman and said.
"Do not tempt me to kill you, Morgan le Fay. I am not my brother nor amI as bewitched by you as he was. I do not accept your deal. SO LEAVE MY SHIP NOW!" He said, ending with a roar that could be heard from the docks.
The reply came in the form of the witch and her servant disappearing in a blink of an eye.
'Teleportation magic' Horsa thought, he then looked to his second in command.
"When will the boy come here?"
"He sent a message not too long ago. He said that he will arrive here by noon tomorrow." , the second in command replied.
"Good." Horsa said, "Tell the men to start preparing for a quick departure around the same time as that spy will come."
"Where will our chartered course be, sire?" Asked the second in command
"Eastland, Corvus." Horsa said, "Anywhere far from here. That Bitch from Cornwall cannot reach us there."
Knowing that he will get reprimanded for pointing out that teleportation magic - which Morgan le Fay is well capable of - can allow a person to reach anywhere in the world as long as they know where they want to go, the second in command named Corvus just kept silent. He decided to just trust his leader to fully know what he's trying to do. Plus, Eastland is Hengist's territory. After its conquest, the man basically made the country his Kingdom. Surely they can be safe from the scheming hands of the witch there.
"It shall be done, my lord." Corvus said as he bowed
"Send a letter to the spy detailing the change in plans. And leave me. I will now rest in my chambers."
And with that, Horsa left his throne and went to rest with his women.
Somewhere in the depths of the ship, a woman wide awake is about to rest. Her clothes were torn and worn. She stares at the ring in her finger longingly. Thinking about the one who gave it to her. She prays to God to save her from this misery, and that if there was one thing she would want above all, it's that her husband be safe from all harm.
And after that, she slept.
Camelot...the King's Castle...
"Finally! We're home."
"I can't wait to see my bed again. I can sleep for days on end right now."
"Set those thoughts aside Gareth. We still have to report to the King."
The brothers three finally made it to Camelot. Even though they took a day longer than expected to get to the Kingdom. The trio - with healthy but still mute Agatha in tow - walked through the castle halls to the room of the Round Table. The trio and the lady were halfway there towards their destination when a voice called out to them from behind them.
"Yo! Gawain is back."
"And you've brought your brothers along as well."
"Ah. Sir Kay and Sir Percival. A pleasure to see you both once more."
The Tall Knight and The Holy Knight of the Dove came from the library spending what little break time they had catching up. Kay was busy with the quarter-annual tax collection. He was tasked with making sure that not one coin was stolen by embezzlers. The usual stuff he had to deal with ever since his sister became King.
Percival on the other hand, was dealing with Lady Leila's problem about the low quality clothes that came in. It was his mission to find the person responsible for this occurrence and make them pay for it. As he dived into investigating everyone who was supposed to be in charge of spending the funds, he found that the man who was supposed to order the delivery made the wrong order. Instead of buying from the intended company, the man ordered from a lower quality establishment, causing the clothes given to the maids and butlers to be subpar. The man responsible confessed to all this and is now fired from his job. He wasn't imprisoned since incompetence was the only crime he was guilty of.
Currently, these two are talking to Gawain about what he's done throughout his journey. The two squires of the Sun Knight on the other hand…
"Brother! We've decided to bring Lady Agatha to the infirmary." Gareth said whilst holding the nun by the arm.
"Same goes for me! You do your thing and tell His Majesty about the situation. See ya soon brother." Gaheris said while holding the nun's free hand. And with that, the Squires left the trio of Knights.
"...I'm guessing that you'll explain to us what that was all about." Kay said while glancing at the Sun Knight. Percival did the same and is waiting for an answer.
"Yes, I do. But we must find the King for me to fully explain things." Gawain replied.
"You need not find me, Sir Gawain. For I am here." Said a voice.
"Your Majesty!" The trio of Knights said while kneeling to their King - who was passing by the hall where the three Knights were and wanted to greet them.
"Arise." After the Knights have done so, the King said with a,
"Welcome home, Sir Gawain."
"It is an honor to see you once more, my King." said the Sun Knight in turn
"While I do wish to let you spend some time to rest, I am afraid we have no time for such things." The King said with a tone of dismay.
"Hengist's Saxons are gearing up for war again." Kay explained for Gawain - who was expectedly unsurprised about the development.
"That's nothing new, Sir Kay." Gawain said as he looked towards his comrade, "I just returned from Orkney because of Saxon encroachment. A war for dominance had to come some day."
"But the thing is," Percival said, beating Kay to it, "We aren't their targets."
"...What?" Now at this point, Gawain was shocked. Why, you ask? For all the years that he's known the man, Hengist is the natural enemy of his King. He's the reason why Avalon was lost all those years ago. He's the reason for the loss of all the Southeast Countries last year .And for months since then the Saxon has threatened the safety of all of Camelot's allies. Even Orkney wasn't safe because of him. So after all these acts, why wouldn't the man wage war against his King this time around?
"Shocking, I know. But it's the truth." Kay said seeing the Sun Knight's expression.
"But we should not discuss this matter here." The King said, catching the attention of all the Knights, "Follow me. We shall converse in the Round Table."
"As you wish, Your Majesty," said the trio.
Meanwhile…
"Lady Janice~! We're here~."
"Ah, Sir Gareth. And Sir Gaheris. Welcome home you two!"
"It's good to see you too, Janice. How've you been?"
As the Squires walked into the infirmary with the nun alongside they were greeted by a dozen or so men resting on the beds. Each of them wearing the uniform of a Castle Guard. Few were sleeping, some were awake but silent, while the rest were having a joyful conversation with each other as the healer in question served them the usual rejuvenating tea she serves to everyone else that needs it.
"Well if it isn't the Squires of the Sun Knight." said one of the Castle Guards
"What brings you here, Good Sirs?" asked his friend.
"Nothing much, really. Just dropping our friend here for some healing." Replied Gareth who was then pointing at the nun.
"Nevermind that, what brought you guys here?" Asked Gaheris.
"Take a wild guess." Said the first guard with a grimace to his face
The Squire took a moment to enlighten the man and took time to come up with a valid conclusion. The first one Gaheris thought of was that it was because of rigorous training. But he knew their commander, Fergus, wouldn't push his men so far into needing medical attention. So what did this to them?
"My guess is something related to training." Said Gaheris.
"Well, you're not far from it. We were training when we had these injuries." Said the second guard pointing out the many scars and the little marks of were once large bruises.
"It was because of Sir Mordred, apparently." Added Janice, who was carrying 3 cups of tea to serve to newcomers, "He came to the training grounds when they were sparring and challenged all of them into separate duels. Every time they lost, they had to fight the Red Knight again and again until they couldn't even lift a finger due to the exhaustion."
"Good Lord! You poor, poor people. For what it's worth, I apologize for the mistreatment caused " Gareth said to the men. Eyes filled with empathy for their suffering.
"So what happened next?" Gaheris asked
"Well. That was all that happened, really. Nothing much has occurred when Sirs Mordred and Archer left on a mission."
When the two Squires heard the second name mentioned after the Red Knight, their minds asked one question.
"Who's 'Sir Archer'?" the Squires asked in unison.
Looks like the night will be spent on explaining the events of the past few days that the Orkney siblings were away. But to keep things brief, the lady of the monastery was given one of these rejuvenating tea-filled cups that the healer went out of her way to personally tailor to Agatha's tastes and went to bed as the healer and the castle guards told the story of the redhead who garnered the favor of the King. As the nun rested herself on one of the beds that had its own cover for privacy, she felt her throat tugging and twisting in a not really painful way. But it was odd enough to warrant suspicion from the nun. Thinking of it as nothing problematic, she slept.
It was the most peaceful one she has had since the tragedy in Glouchedon.