Nero's Palace… Londinium… Dusk… One day after the events of the last chapter…
"Uncle Morholt, why can't we be with mother in the meeting?"
"Because, Little Iseult. It's too dangerous for you to be there."
"But I am old enough to protect myself. And this is Londinium, Uncle. Surely my safety is well and secure."
"Little Iseult… There are more than just outsiders desiring your demise. Others are more… discreet and well hidden. Who knows, they might be listening in to our conversation as we speak."
Iseult of Eire. Known as "the Fair" and "the Younger". But to her family, she's "Little Iseult". A young princess and gifted healer. In legend, she's first seen as a young princess who magically heals Tristan from the wounds he received from fighting her uncle, Morholt. But she has not met him yet at this point in time. In fact, she isn't even known to be a healer at the moment. Right now, she's just a young woman who's aching for something to do.
And right now, she's very very bored.
And that is why her Uncle Morholt is here to guard her in her room. Lest she does something rash.
"Uncle, I've come of age now. I'm also the heir to the throne. Can't you let me be part of the politics at least as a spectator and nothing else?" the princess pleaded. Even going so far as to rise up from her chair beside the window and clasp her uncle's hands with her own.
"Little Iseult…" Morholt said. Still trying to find the right words to try and convince his niece that what she wants isn't best for her yet. But how can he when those cobalt blue eyes are looking at him so pleadingly?
"Yeah. Why can't she go to the meeting? Her mother's there. And by the time I get into this room, so will I! Hey, do you want to come with me to the meeting?" A voice coming from the window said. The Uncle and niece pair suddenly turned to the window to see a strange man wearing a white hood over his head trying to climb into Iseult's room.
"Who are you! What are you doing here?" Morholt shouted as he left Iseult's side and drew his sword towards the stranger. He gasped as he saw the face under the stranger's hood and snarled in anger as he realised who it was.
"Alright. Calm down. I mean you no harm. I just didn't have any choice. The guards won't let me in because I can't prove to them I'm who I am. The whole palace's filled with anti-magic charms, so I couldn't cast a simple fire." The stranger explained. Still struggling to get into the room. Morholt then drew his sword towards the stranger's neck. Stopping the stranger's attempt.
"I will not ask again. What are you doing here? Have you come to take my niece like all those women you've slept with?!" Morholt growled. He then dug his sword deeper into the stranger's neck.
"What are you talking about?! I'm just here because I really need to be at that meeting. And if I don't, something very bad will happen." The stranger quickly said as he feared that his grip on the window was loosening.
"Uncle!" Iseult shouted from the other side of the room. While it was not right for the man to climb up to her room due to common sense, it was equally wrong of her uncle to threaten the man whilst he was hanging onto it for dear life. As she approached her uncle and the stranger, said stranger slipped. And were it not for the staff that he had hooked onto the window sill, he would've fallen from a height of 4 stories.
"Woah! Damn idiot guards making me do this. They don't have the brains to know who I am! If Morien were here, he would've vouched for me." Merlin cursed. He managed to regain his hold on the windowsill. But that meant that Morholt's sword was on his neck once more.
"I have the situation controlled, my dear. If this man tries anything, I'll cut his hands off. Make sure you stay where you are, Little Iseult." Morholt replied. Merlin's hood fell off at that moment. And Iseult saw the man's face and was surprised.
"No, you don't understand Uncle-" Morholt heard footsteps from behind him. A sign that Iseult is getting closer.
"Don't come closer sweetheart. This man is very, very dangerous. I will deal with this threat now-" Morholt warned but he couldn't stop his niece from what she's going to do.
"Uncle. Look." Iseult said as she pointed down at the stranger's head. And all that Morholt could say as he retracted his sword was.
"That is exactly why he needs to be dealt with." Morholt said as he allowed his niece to bring the stranger up into her room. Once Iseult decided to do something, all he could do was step aside. That was why he wanted the princess to stay away. So that he could dislodge Merlin without Iseult interfering. But he was too late.
"Look, I know I slept with your wife many years ago, Morholt. But it was a one time thing! She wasn't even engaged to you yet. And now I get to hear about it all over again." Merlin said as he grabbed his staff from the windowsill.
"YOU KNEW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WERE DOING BACK THEN!" Morholt shouted. The veins popping out of his forehead and all.
"And so did she! Mind you, your wife isn't exactly the most loyal of the bunch-"
"Enough!" Iseult screamed at the two men.
"I don't understand why the great Merlin of Camelot climbed into my window. Nor do I want to understand what… that was." Iseult said concerning the part where her aunt slept with Merlin.
"But I will be more than happy to ignore it for now. Even though you are the infamous Merlin of Camelot. I won't do anything hurtful against you. Since I'm not like that." Iseult said with a calm expression. She was thinking that once she's declared her non-aggression towards the Mage, he would gladly allow her to be part of the meeting. Since the word of the Magus of Flowers - the most powerful advisor of King Arthur's court - very much outranked her Uncle's in every regard. In her mind, at least.
"I'm happy that you think of me that way. I just wish all of Arthur's court thought the same as well." Merlin said as he patted himself down. All the muck and dirt and soot went onto his clothes. And since the anti magic charms affected him outside of the palace. Who's to say that his magic would work inside the palace?
"So it really is you… The Merlin himself? The Great Seer of Camelot? The one who famously prophesied the coming of King Arthur himself? It is a pleasure to meet you Lord Merlin. " Iseult asked with a hidden glee to it. She suddenly grabbed his hand and began shaking it up and down.
"Well. Yes, I am grateful to meet you too. Who are you by the way?" Merlin asked as he smiled at the happy princess. He was very flattered that someone thought of him in such a high regard after all the shit he's got from Camelot. No one likes an all powerful womaniser after all. So, to have an admirer was kind of nice for once.
However, the one who replied to his question was all stern and stiff. Definitely not as big of a fan. Morholt grabbed Iseult's elbow and dragged her towards him. Effectively placing himself between the mage and the princess.
"She is my niece. And I would appreciate that you were to distance yourself from her." Morholt replied. He's never met this man face to face. But his wife did. And the stories of the mage… philandering with all the many women he's come across doesn't place the mage in Morholt's good books. That, and the fact that Merlin slept with his wife before him. Nonetheless, he's already sworn to protect his niece from this wizard's advances.
"Iseult's daughter then. I met her once when King Anguish invited Arthur and I to the Isle of Mon for a diplomatic summit a few years ago. I have to say, Arthur and Iseult became the best of friends after that… I wonder why." Merlin said as his mind wandered off to wherever.
"You mean the Summit of the Leaves? I couldn't go with my parents because I was too young. I didn't know you would be there, however. Such a shame. I would've liked to have met you when I was younger." the Princess said. Trying to get Merlin to add her in his good books to let her go with her into the meeting.
"I know what you want, Princess. Trying to get into my good graces so that I would let you come with me to the meeting." Iseult's face fell when she heard this. So much for that, she thought.
"Keep at it, by the way. Because it's working." Merlin smiled. Iseult's face lit up when she heard this from the mage.
"Once I get in, I won't be denied like at the gates. Everyone in there knows my face all too well after all. Do you want to go with me?" Merlin offered. He then began walking towards the door to Iseult's room and opened it.
"I'll come with!" Iseult shouted as she practically skipped her way towards the hall and to Merlin's side. But the moment she was out of her room. Morholt grabbed her wrist.
"Don't follow him, my dear. He's nothing but trouble." Morholt said. Iseult turned around and tried to convince him to let her.
"Uncle, this is what I want. I want to be like mother and take part in politics in the same way as she is doing right now! That's why I'm here in the first place."
"Little Iseult-"
"No! I will go to the meeting whether you want me too or not. I want this uncle. And you can not stop me." Iseult then forcefully shook her wrist off of Morholt's grip and proceeded to walk towards the meeting room. Even passing by a stunned Merlin who watched the whole conversation.
"Feisty… I like her- OW!" Merlin said as Morholt's fist met the back of the mage's head. Merlin then rose his head up to where Morholt was to ask why he punched him before he was met with the coldest glare ever.
"This. Is why I hate you, Merlin of Camelot. You make the women of my family distance themselves from me." Morholt said as he began catching up to Iseult. Merlin followed suit.
"Wasn't my fault… If only you chose the right women to marry, then you wouldn't hate me as much." Merlin reasoned to himself.
The group stayed silent. Iseult stayed silent because she didn't have anything to say. Morholt was still cold and distant. And Merlin was still nursing his hurt head. After like a minute or so, he suddenly asked something to the uncle and niece pair.
"Now then! To pass the time as we walk. How about I tell you a tale, young Iseult? A King's tale, that is. The War… of the 12 Lords. And how Arthur Pendragon won and earned the High Kingship of Britannia" Both Iseult and Morholt piqued at this.
"I can tell you two the truth concerning this period. Not a lot of people knew about what really went on behind the scenes. I can even tell you… about Vortigern's last ever War. If you are willing to listen, that is?" Merlin offered. To which the princess eagerly accepted. But with a sombre tone.
"I'm willing to listen. Uncle over here never took part in either war, so he must be willing to as well. My father however… I've only heard so little from my father about that latter war. He never spoke much about it."
"As he should. He's pretty shaken because of it. Trauma from the war is something that never leaves you." Merlin replied.
"What happened during that war?" Morholt asked.
"Well, it went like this…"
At another place…
Currently, Nero has come to the conclusion that nothing would get done with this summit. Nero has spent the day and night convincing the rulers of the land to raise up arms against the Saxon horde. To drive them out of the Isles once and for all. King Arthur on the other hand, was effectively denying Nero every chance to start a war. No one would dare defy the High King once he's set upon a goal during the meeting. And it's pissing her off. Who knew that being a King - no, Imperatrix - wouldn't immediately get what you want? Nero thought.
So, a change in strategy had to be done. Instead of convincing the rulers en masse, why not in piecemeal? The first ones she had in mind are those who either had a grudge against Arthur and those who are ambitious and opportunistic enough to stand with her. And that's left her with Urien of Cornwall, Maelgwn of Gwynedd, and Cnebba of Mercia. There's a fourth one who will arrive later, but they're planning to meet with Nero alone. So, Nero decided to talk with these 3 first and converse with the last later.
They were in a well lit room filled with candle stands all around at the corners. It was a modest room furniture wise. There are 4 wooden chairs exquisitely crafted for the nobles' comfort arranged in a diamond formation at the centre of the room. No beds to speak of. 4 pieces of art strewn about to fill the room. And finally, there was a table with refreshments on it right beside the middle of the 3 big windows the room had. There's even a balcony within that room for guests to breathe the fresh air from. But no one is going to go there.
"20 years ago, 5 years after the Pictish war that led to the death of Vortigern and the collapse of the Kingdoms of Logres, Gales and Albany, the Kingdom of Camelot was reduced to nothing but a little town a few miles off the coast of Bristol channel. Uther Pendragon has been dead for 15 years at that point. And with his death came the rapid decline of Camelot. With no heir in sight, the vultures gathered." Nero explained as she poured herself a cup of wine.
"I heard this story before. My father curses the name, 'Pendragon' whenever he shares his stories. Why are you telling us this now?" An impatient Cnebba who was sitting down on the seat closest to the table asked as he crossed his arms in dismay.
"Because I want you to know how to get what you desire. What each of you desire." Nero smiled as she drank from her cup. Her eyes never left Cnebba. The Mercian heir looked away when Nero licked her lips after she finished drinking. Nero's smile burned brighter at that moment.
"And what is this that which I desire? You are nothing but talk the moment you came here and had nothing to show for it. What do you want from me?" Urien demanded. A scowl clearly present in his features.
"Very straight to the point, King Urien. And very demanding too. I guess that's why your 'beloved wife' wouldn't do so much as look at you in the eyes whenever you talk. Well, at least whenever she did want to talk to you." Nero said. Urien's mind was at full alert at this point.
"What are you talking about-" Urien asked but was then silenced when Nero's finger touched his upper lip.
"I know everything about you, Urien of Cornwall. Married to Morgan le Fay by your father in an arranged marriage but soon fell deeply in love with her. But she never returned your feelings. Every Time you profess your feelings to her, you are shot down time and time again. That's why you came here. To make things right." Nero said.
"What are you saying?" Urien, now calm, asked Nero. The red clad empress smiled inside. She's got the Cornish King wrapped around her finger.
"I know about the failure of your father during the War of the 12 Lords all those years ago. He started it after all. He, along with the many alliances he's cultivated throughout the years, declared war on King Arthur because of Morgan's claim to the throne. And you promised her Camelot in exchange for her love. Do you still remember that?" Nero asked innocently. Urien was angry at her however.
"How do you know so much?" Urien glared at her.
"It doesn't matter. But what does matter is that you now have the chance to fulfil that promise. All you need to do is join my cause. And once the war begins, King Arthur might accidentally get killed in a battle gone wrong. And suddenly, Camelot is yours. Well, it's Morgan's actually. But once she hears of your heroic deeds whilst trying to save the High King, she'll be as good as yours then." Nero offered as she placed the cup down on the table of refreshments. Urien was a bit surprised that she was already there, but didn't comment on it. He was too busy thinking about the offer. Cnebba on the other hand…
"You're insinuating an assassination of Arthur Pendragon himself?! What madness are you planning?" Cnebba asked as he leapt from his seat and walked towards Nero.
"I'm not insinuating anything. You just made that conclusion. Also, don't think you won't get any benefits from this." Nero then pushed her finger on Cnebba's chest. That made the Mercian freeze in place. A blush creeping on his cheeks.
"Don't think I didn't do my research on you, Cnebba. The youngest son of Icel. You had to fight against your 4 brothers for Mercia. You planned to kill them all. However, 2 of them escaped to the north before you realised it. But that didn't matter. You're the heir now that your elder brothers are dead. The throne is all yours.
But you're naive, lustful, and stupid. You waste your father's riches on women and sex and you placed your equally stupid friends on positions they never should've gotten. Spiralling your Kingdom down into self-destruction. Your supporters are starting to doubt you because of it and your enemies are just in the next room. Waiting for the right time to end your short life." Nero looked towards the wall where the supposed assassins were.
"All of them were hired by your brothers, by the way. I can protect you from them. Only if you give me what I want." Nero ended with a cold smile. Her eyes gazing at the Mercian with apathy and disinterest. All while Cnebba was thinking how hot Nero looked right now. What with her body pressed on his because of her attempts to throw Cnebba off guard. Her warmth seeped into his chest. Making feel a different kind of heat-
A cold wind suddenly threw him out of that train of thought.
"So, what do you want from me then? Support you like what you said to King Urien over there?" Cnebba asked as he took a step back from Nero.
"Of course! What else would I want from you? Although…" Nero said as she looked the Mercian up and down. He had auburn hair that covered his black eyes. His handsome face suited Nero's tastes. He was wearing his nightgown like Urien was. Just like Urien, he was as fit as a horse. His body isn't robust, but it was obvious that he was hale. Handsome, strong and a future heir to one of the powerful Kingdoms in the realm does sound good to Nero. But from what she's learned… the Mercian heir was a foolish deviant who thinks with his second head rather than his brain. Stupidly placing his cronies on top and angering the nobility under him.
"If you got your act together. I think it's possible that we can do something in the future." Nero suggested with a seductive smile and wink. But that was all a ruse. Cnebba was too pathetic for her.
"So! What are your answers?" Nero asked Urien and Cnebba.
"...I, King Urien of Cornwall, support you in your war against the Saxon heathen." Urien relented. Finally accepting Nero's offer. He rose up from his seat and formally addressed the woman like a King would swearing an oath.
"And I, Cnebba, heir to the throne of Mercia. Swear to follow you as well." Cnebba said as he grabbed a cup from the table, raised it towards Nero and downed its contents in one go.
"Excellent! Now, it's better if you leave now. Don't want anyone arousing suspicion." Nero said as she ushered the two royals towards the door. Once they were outside, Nero closed the door. And looked at the last one within the room. Maelgwn of Gwynedd. Who stayed quiet throughout the whole thing. His aged face was stone cold as he gazed at Nero. His eyes are calculating and menacing.
"You played those two like a fiddle. There were no assassins waiting for the boy now, are there?" He said.
"And you just watched. And also, no. The other room is simply where the King of Dyfed will rest. No other assassins or the like. But let's get back to the fact that you didn't say a word as those two fools were, as you said, 'played' by me." Nero countered as she returned to her seat.
"You do not reign for 5 decades because you care for your fellow kings. No. You prey on their weakness. Strike them at their weakest. And take the spoils from their battered corpses." The cold wind from the windows blasted the room. Causing some of the candles to flicker.
"Is that what you thought all those years ago? When you joined Urien's father in the War? I should tell you, that was not a good idea. A simple claims dispute escalated into a terrible disaster that lost you your precious Kingdom and the lives of your sons to none other than Arthur Pendragon himself… You caused your own demise. " Nero said. The light from the candles started to burn brighter than before. With the wind picking up strength as it did.
"I should've won that war! I routed Lancelot du Lac's army back to the heartland of Camelot in the battle of Caerdyf. Arthur Pendragon suffered a defeat from my second son in the 3rd battle of the Blackwoods… at the cost of his life. My army was set to siege the walled capital and there was nothing Uther's bastard could do about it…" The wind was carrying snow inside the room now. The candles are slowly losing their light. Nero wasn't fazed however. And started to like the fact that the wine she was drinking was cold now.
"If it weren't for that demon Regulus and his Legions coming to save that accursed Pendragon. Then we would've won." Maelgwn finished. The wind lost its strength as his anger died down.
"King Maelgwn. I am offering you a chance. A chance to regain everything you had lost-" Nero offered but was cut off by the Welsh King.
"I know what you seek. You want my armies for your petty war. And you think that what you can offer can convince me to give them to you. Well, let me tell you this. I've seen your kind come and go. The dreamers who wish for the impossible. In your case, the restoration of the Roman Empire in the west. 'Imperatrix Nero', your dream will never come to fruition. And your ambition will be your downfall." Maelgwn rose up from his seat and began walking out of the room when he stopped to look at Nero who was facing the window.
"Come to me if you have a better proposal than the bullshit you promised the fools." He said. Referring to both Urien and Cnebba. And then he left.
Nero stayed silent. But the candles around the room roared in anger. A sign of the Roman's internal thoughts. Things were looking up for her now that she had 2 potential allies in Cornwall and Mercia. But with Gwynedd's rejection, she needs to gain the approval of the minor rulers if she has a shot at getting a unified war effort. Otherwise, Londinium is left alone to burn under the hordes of the Saxons. No longer having the opportunity to restore the Empire like she had wished.
"60 years of planning and it all comes down to diplomacy. When I was emperor, I never had to face this kind of issue." Nero said as she rose from her seat to refill her cup.
"No matter! I am Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. The greatest amongst the Emperors of Roma. This measly issue is nothing to me. The Light of Rome would soon be restored in the West if it's the last thing I do." She declared to herself.
Suddenly. A gust of wind entered the room. A gust so strong that it put off every single candle in the room. With the exception of the one candle on the table. Nero felt a presence behind her. And when she turned around. She saw a person. It was the dignitary from Powys. The one that shouldn't be here in the first place. The dignitary was a black haired man wearing armour of the Welsh kind. But his face was blank. His eyes were soulless. And his body was scrawny. As if he was starving and he hasn't eaten for days.
"Wait… I saw you yesterday. You looked well then, what happened to you now?" Nero asked. Unconcerned about the fact that the man was holding a strange object in his hand.
"Message… for you…" Croaked the man from Powys.
"Huh?" Nero asked bluntly. She then looked at the hand of the man. That was slowly rising up. The man then opened his hand to show a black piece of parchment. Nero grabbed it and opened it up. The parchment's contents were in Latin.
"'Greetings Imperatrix Nero… I hope that my letter has been received by you. I wrote it in Classical Latin - the language only you know as of this time period. Yada yada yada… I hope that the information I gave you concerning the three Kings has helped you'… wait."
"That was you?! I got the secrets you gave me through the mail, why are you sending it to me through this man?" Nero shouted at the man. Whose body was frozen in place still. His body looked all enchanted and the like. Nero wasn't exactly yelling at the man exactly, she was just addressing the one who sent the man.
"Too dangerous now… Letters can get intercepted… Meeting face to face even more dangerous.'' Briefly explained the man.
"Right. And you took the body of a dignitary from Powys, a duchy under Camelot, as a messenger to distract them from the real location you're from. Correct? Anyways. 'Now that I've shared these secrets to you, I should also ask one thing from you. Once the war begins, I want you to place King Arthur in the frontlines. Do whatever it takes. My men will take care of him then. That is all I ask of you.' Signed by…
No one. Signed by no one." Nero said out loud. Good thing no one else was near the room at the time. The man from Powys doesn't count. He's not in his right mind at the moment.
Suddenly, he fell to the ground. Nero looked at the man and saw that he was looking healthy again. Just like the last time she saw him. She realised that there was a crystal blue smoke coming out of his mouth. As if a ghost that possessed the man was leaving the body. Nero decided that he's probably alright and went out of the room. Her destination being her own private quarters. She's gotten what she wanted for tonight.
Somewhere…
Merlin and co. have been walking for 3 minutes trying to find the meeting room. But so far, they've been led astray by the workers of the palace who didn't know much about things. Iseult was becoming a bit peeved. But didn't show it because she was very hooked onto Merlin's tale. Morholt begrudgingly acknowledged that the mage was a very good story teller at this point. He too was entranced by Merlin's tale.
"... After the Battle of the White Cliffs, King Arthur ended the war victorious. He gathered all the rulers of Britannia - except for the Angles of Northumbria and Hengist's Saxons - and made them swear an oath of loyalty to him. Thus crowning him as their High King. A position that was left vacant for years after Vortigern's death. Hm… it was said that Vortigern's death was caused by 'fire from heaven'... Might have to look into that again." Merlin said as he finished his story.
"So that concludes the War of the 12 Lords. But where does my father fit in all of this? What happened to my father after the Ambush at Luguvalium? I asked you earlier but you never went back to that." Iseult asked.
"Princess Iseult. What you don't understand about Vortigern's war - the one where your father fought - and Arthur's war is that they both shaped the current state of Britannia. The same state that we're living in.
But to answer your question. After the Ambush, Prince Anguish urged his father to tell Vortigern that the combined armies of the 3 Kingdoms must retreat back to the highlands so that they could get a defensive advantage there. He agreed because he saw that the threat of Hengist and his forces combined with the Picts and the Scots were too much for a direct assault. Vortigern chose Dun Phris - the Fort of the Thicket - to take his stand. Little did they know, a spy of Hengist found out "
"And a trap was now in place for them there…" Morholt realised.
"Exactly. Hengist trapped one half of the combined forces on one half of the River Nith so that he could slaughter the other half unimpeded. The entire Army of Logres and half of Gales' was destroyed during this trap. Broken in spirit. Vortigern ordered a last stand against the enemy while allowing those who wanted to escape to leave immediately. Anguish's father wanted to escape. But Anguish himself was defiant." Merlin said as he paused. As if remembering something terrible.
"What happened, Lord Merlin?" Iseult asked in suspense.
"He decided to leave his father's camp alongside a couple of his most able men. While he was a General commanding his own troops, the enemy scarcely knew of his face since he was forced by his father to be at the rear at all times during battle. And realising this, he decided to act. He alongside Captain Faust, a former soldier of Eire now serving Camelot, planned sabotage against the enemy's food and water storages located deep within the Scottish camp. And they succeeded." Merlin replied. His face contorted in a look of thoughtfulness and doubt.
"Now that I think about it, Faust didn't tell me what happened when they sabotaged the supplies. He only told me that whatever they did, it caused the Pict's numbers to dwindle to less than while the Scots were all but wiped out because of it. It just seemed so absurd to me that a simple sabotage could do that much damage-"
"Merlin?" A voice called out to him. A voice filled with confusion, irritation, and a little bit of dread. Causing the trio to turn around and see who it was. Completely setting aside the storytelling. For now.
"Arthur! How nice to see you again. I managed to get in, despite your many attempts to stop me." Merlin said cheerfully as he approached a sullen Arturia. Both Iseult and Morholt perked up when they heard this. But while the latter kept it to himself, the former was more than happy to be vocal about it.
"Lord Merlin, are you saying that the reason why you weren't in the palace in the first place was because of-" Iseult was suddenly held by the shoulder by her uncle and was forced to bow like him.
"High King Arthur. It is an honour to meet you. Forgive my niece for her lack of tact and awareness. She too is very pleased to see you. Isn't that right dear?" Morholt's piercing gaze towards the princess told her that being defiant at this moment wouldn't do her any good, so she simply nodded in silence.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Sir Morholt. And did you say niece? Then that must mean…" Arthur said as he looked expectantly towards the princess after giving them permission to rise up from the bowing.
"My name is Iseult "the Younger", your Majesty. It is an honour to meet you face to face." the princess said as she smiled at the High King. Who returned the gesture with a small smile.
"She looks like her mother, doesn't she? Acts like her mother too. Very defiant and strong. Wouldn't have any other way except for hers." Merlin commented from behind Arthur.
"I will take that as a compliment, Lord Merlin." Another voice said. The voice came from beside the right side of the hall and as the group looked to see who it was, they saw 2 bronze doors that were 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide. They also saw that one of the doors was opened. And who opened it was Iseult's mother, Queen Iseult.
"Mother!" the Princess shouted as she ran towards her mother's invitation for an embrace.
"You stubborn little girl, I thought I told you to stay inside your room." the Queen asked as she let go of the Princess. Her tone wasn't filled with scolding but rather a fondness only a mother can have for her daughter.
"I couldn't just sit there, mother. I wanted to be part of the meeting. Just like you." Little Iseult said in a pleading manner.
"Sigh… Alright then. But only if you promise me that you will not interfere or speak about anything while you are there. Is that clear?"
"I promise, mother."
"Good. Morholt, never leave her side." The Queen commanded her brother. Who was conversing with King Arthur at that moment. He paused his conversation with a 'please excuse me' and answered.
"I don't suppose we should ask the High King for permission. After all, he isn't the High King for nothing, sister." Morholt suggested. Arturia gave it a thought and replied.
"If she behaves, then I will allow it."
"Perfect! Now that everything's settled, let's all go inside. I think I saw a very interesting person that I would like to spend time with later." Merlin said as he passed by Queen Iseult and made his way into the room. Arturia's eyes widened just a bit in alarm. Morholt saw this since he was the nearest to Arturia amongst all the group. He couldn't help but be sympathetic towards the High King.
Because if the 'very interesting person' that Merlin saw was a woman. Things would definitely go bad for Arturia.
20 Miles outside of Chelmsford… days later…
The raids of the Saxons were going well. And the reason for that going well was because of the ferocity of Aedilhild and his Forest Mauraders. They have successfully broken the spirits of the defenders of Londinium, who hastily retreated back towards the wooden walls of their shared border. Leaving everyone outside of the walls to their mercy.
But Londinium would not be cowed to submission. They still hold the upper advantage through their sheer size, population, and natural defences.
First, Londinium was inflated to the size of what we now know as the Greater London Area due to the conquests of Aurelius Dominicus, the dead son of Regulus and former father of Lucius, against Hengist and Horsa 13 years ago. Aurelius was wise in fortifying the 4 Gates of the South. A series of walled settlements that secured Londinium proper from invasion and raiding. That was why the raids were concentrated at the northeast border, where Chelmsford was. Because the South was too difficult to attack.
Second, the population of Londinium consisted of 200,000 Gallo-Romans. A subset of Romans who mingled with the local populations of Gaul. These Romans were but few in number 50 years ago. But in time, the rest of the Gallo-Romans from the mainland travelled to Britannia after the Frankish people took over. But that's not important. Yet.
The children of Londinium were trained to fight from an early age and were taught the strategies Rome used to defeat their enemies. Making their soldiers razor sharp and deadly. Just like their ancestors. They are able to field tens of thousands of soldiers who fight like veterans on day one. A very useful perk in times like these.
However, this strength has its own weakness. Their food supply - that consisted of beef, poultry, fish, seafood, and grains - could not keep up with their population size. It's not like they can't live without meat, but the one thing they can't live without is Grain. The one resource that Chelmsford and its surrounding area is bountiful with. Should the grain from this area be taken away from them, mass panic will ensue. And the Saxons know all too well about the power of grain. That's why the raids began. Every single raid focused on a town that had ample grain storages that was waiting to be brought to Londinium. Sure, they failed to raid one of the towns (Hullbridge, was it?) but it didn't matter in the grand scheme of things. The Saxons now have enough grain to ride the winter on. And the Romans don't.
Well, that last statement has yet to become true. But it will come true once the Saxons enact their plan of capturing Chelmsford.
Third and finally, natural defences. When Aurelius Dominicus built the 4 Gates of the South, he envisioned that the enemies of Londinium would invade from there. And he was right. The battle of Durobrivae - where Rochester now stands - is proof of that. A battle where both water and land invasions against one of the 4 Gates were repelled because of the staunch Roman defences and defenders in place.
That battle told Hengist and Horsa that it would be a bloodbath should the war be opened there. That was why Horsa planned to go to Colchester. The flat terrain of the northwest Londinium territory was best suited for his army there. The flat terrain also negated the impact of the fortification made by Londinium. Making it easier to attack compared to the south. The only thing stopping the Saxon invasion was Chelmsford. The one city built on top of the Roman road that connects Londinium and Colchester itself.
If Chelmsford falls, Londinium falls. That was what Aedilhild was thinking inside his tent. He was tasked to formulate a plan to take the city. But he couldn't decide where its weak spot could be. He wanted to secretly infiltrate the city and open the gates from there. But with each passing day, his plan was becoming more and more unfeasible. Chelmsford is gaining strength in their defence. More elaborate trenches, walls, and towers were being built. Every time he found a weak spot, that same spot was patched up with defences the next day. If only a miracle would show up and help him out…
"Lord Aedilhild, my men and I have captured a man that claims to have valuable information. He's from Chelmsford, my Lord." Hansa announced as he dragged a man by the collar. 2 men followed him from behind.
"Impressive Hansa. Now, who are you?" Aedilhild asked the man who was forcefully thrown onto the ground. The man tried to get up but was stopped when he felt a leather boot push his head down to the ground. He immediately spilled the beans. Panic for his life spreading across his chest.
"I-i-i-i- um- I am a citizen of Hullbridge. I escaped alongside the rest of my people to Chelmsford." The citizen stammered.
"Haven't done the escaping part well enough I see. Now, what are you doing outside the walls?" Aedilhild asked. His question more pointed to Hansa than the citizen.
"We captured him weeks before. He was on the road to Londinium. Holding a message that was addressed to Romula Claudia Augusta." Hansa then brought out the bag that the message was contained in and gave it to Aedilhild. He dropped everything else inside the bag onto the floor.
"Hmmm… a report on the events at Hullbridge… the ending of the 2 battles was caused by a hail of arrows from the heavens… a red headed…!" Aedilhild paused his reading when he realised that he knew who caused the decisive loss in Hullbridge.
"You! What was the red haired man's name? Do you know what it is? Tell me!" Aedilhild lifted the man by his shirt and drew a knife out and planted it on the citizen's neck.
"H-h-h-is name's i-i-is Archer. His name is Archer! Please don't kill me-ugh!" The man gasped as his heart was crushed by the knife. He was let go and left to die on the ground. Not a single tear was dropped for him.
"We sent a spy in his stead, Lord Aedilhild. We also changed the contents of the letter the spy was holding to remove the Hail of Arrows part. The spy is now within the Palace of Romula. She's reported that the meeting will take place for another 2 days before it is adjourned. She also managed to infiltrate the meeting itself as one of the maids working there." Hansa explained.
"Good. Keep her there until further notice. You are dismissed. Report to me once things develop once more. And get someone to clean this filth off my tent." Aedilhild commanded.
Once Hansa left, Aedilhild went back to his maps of Chelmsford and its surrounds. The city was defended by its natural landscape. The west of the city was defended by the River Can, and the east was defended by the River Chelmer. The Roman Road that the city was built on was defended by 2 large Iron gates on each side and the walls are made of stone. The ideal area to attack was either the North or the South. Where the gates and walls of the city were made of wood. But with the defences now in place, it's going to be more than difficult to take the city from that approach.
Suddenly, Aedilhild had an idea. If he could just send a spy into Chelmsford itself… They can weaken the defences just enough for the army to get inside and ransack the city. But who to send?
"...Where is Hansa?" Aedilhild asked himself as he went outside of his tent.
Chelmsford… The Town Hall… The next day…
Archer woke up feeling refreshed and ready to work. He was delegated into the work of being a cook for the food of the townspeople. Ever since rationing began the moment the people of Hullbridge entered the city, he's been doing everything related to kitchen work. He wanted to go be part of the hunting group, but Mordred and the brothers of Gawain are already doing a stellar job at that. So, here he was. Preparing the makeshift kitchen within the town hall to begin his day. He heard one of the side doors to the hall open and saw Mordred carrying bales of wheat on one arm and a dead hog on the other.
"Here." Mordred coldly said as she dropped the foodstuffs beside the table where he was cutting up the ingredients. Archer frowned at her. She's been like this ever since she killed those bears back then. And every time he sees her, she's become more reclusive and silent. He knows that he made the mistake of hiding his secret from the Red Knight and that she has every right to give him the cold shoulder. But something in his gut is telling him that something other than that is at play.
"Wait." Archer said as Mordred held the handle to the door. The Red Knight knows this tone. She knew Archer wanted to talk.
"What?" Mordred asked as she locked the door. Knowing full well that this conversation would not do them both good should someone hear it.
"Sit here. We need to talk." Archer said as he addressed the Red Knight. He was pointing at one of the seats that was placed under the table he was working on.
"Look. Before you say anything-"
"Fuck you, Archer." Mordred told Archer. Her voice sounded angry. But the redhead heard an undertone that he couldn't quite pin an emotion to.
"Right. Now we got that out of the way. I just want to say that I'm sorry." Archer bluntly said. He figured that Mordred was the type who hates beating around the bush. If he apologised immediately, Archer thought, he could probably get out of this with his skin intact.
Mordred's helmet retracted the moment Archer apologised. Her face contorted into a distrustful frown.
"You want to do this now?!" Mordred scowled.
"Now is better than never." Archer explained.
"I trusted you ever since we fought off those bandits on the way back to Camelot. I even vouched for you in front of everyone back then. Hell, I let you live after you found out that I was a girl! But you kept your secret of being a magus from me. Fuck you." Mordred said as her piercing glare became ever sharper. Anger and another indiscernible emotion present in her emerald eyes which now became evident to the redhead - hurt.
Archer realised what he was dealing with. An angry and hurt Mordred. Who saw their friendship as a sign of mutual trust. She was risking a lot in befriending him. Her secret for the most part. And him not telling her the truth about him being a magus betrayed that trust. While it was weird for someone to act like how the Red Knight is acting at the moment, it kind of made sense to the redhead.
He was her first friend after all. So no hidden things between them was very important for her.
"I know. And I'm telling you now that I never planned to hide it from you. Things happened and I sort of had to keep it to myself." Archer explained. Honesty radiating from his voice. Mordred knew what was genuine and what was a lie. So far, the redhead wasn't lying. But she was not convinced.
"What things? As far as I know,we were together the whole mission. You never left my sight. What things were stopping you from telling me that you had the power to create weapons out of thin air, destroy an entire army with exploding arrows, and… I don't know, beat Drecken when even I couldn't?!" Mordred demanded.
"You want answers. Alright. I understand. But know this, what you're going to hear is something you wouldn't immediately comprehend." Archer said but before he could elaborate, Mordred piped up and said.
"I just witnessed the impossible from you. Is there anything else that would surprise me?" Mordred asked.
"Sigh… you asked for it. Weeks ago, when we were still in Weymouth, I had a dream. A dream of someone… someone who told about a catastrophe. That will wipe out everything and everyone that gets caught in it." Archer said.
"And you think that this catastrophe is connected to you?" Mordred asked. Slowly getting what the redhead was trying to tell her.
"Yes. And trust me when I say this, nothing is ever a coincidence. Fate has a way that always makes disasters strike whenever I'm around. After that dream, I became cautious. I realised that using my true strength would set up a series of events that would lead to the eventual disaster that my dream foretold."
"And that's why you kept it from me. Because you thought that if people knew about it would also be one of the causes of the disaster you're talking about." Mordred realised.
"You of all people know about the power of words. You served King Arthur for years." Archer said. Causing a bubble of pride to inflate within Mordred's chest. But she quickly brushed it off.
The Red Knight then looked at the man she's called her friend for the past few weeks. His posture is calm and his words are filled with nothing but the truth. She glared at him. Trying to cow him into telling her more, but he would not relent. Her blood boiled because of the explanation. That was it?! She thought. That's why Archer wouldn't tell her? That's bullshit!
"It does sound like I'm lying to you, Mordred. But please believe me in this: It was nothing but the truth." Archer said.
Mordred's eyes widened in surprise because she didn't realise she said that last part out loud. She returned to her musings and thought whether or not to accept Archer's reason. After a minute of silence and internal debating. Mordred decided to trust him. With the current situation they're in and the looming threat of the Saxons hanging over the city, their argument was nothing but a petty squabble when in comparison. Much to Mordred's chagrin.
"It's a stretch. I don't fully believe you. But I'll allow it." Mordred said. Still tense and hostile. But slowly warming up the redhead. Something Archer sighed in relief for.
"Anything else you want to ask? In order to make things right with you, I'll tell you anything about me. Just try to avoid the more… personal types of questions." Archer offered.
Mordred's interest piqued at this. Sure, she was hella mad at him for what he's done. But this is her chance to get to know him on a deeper level other than the surface level. He's already found who she really is, so why can't she do the same with the redhead? She then realised something very crucial at that moment.
"Uptil now, the only thing I know about you is your name. And ever since the beginning, when we first met, I knew that it was a fake. Fuck… I can't believe I made friends with someone I barely knew.
…To hell with it. Tell me, 'Archer' who really are you?" Mordred asked. Her voice is filled with nothing but curiosity. Her anger set aside. For now.
"... I only know about your name as well. And your job. So, we both are strangers to each other. Moving on. I use the alias 'Archer' because I mainly use a bow as my primary weapon." And also the fact that he was a Servant of the Bow once upon a time. But the redhead never said that part out loud.
"My real name. Is Shirou. In my language, 'Shiro' means snow. I used to live in a country very far away. I have a talent in cooking because I started at a young age. I dislike many things… War is one of them. Don't have any more goals in life other than surviving and helping people whenever I can. But there is one dream I want to achieve… an impossible dream, but a dream nonetheless. And that's about it, really." Shirou explained.
"Shirou… sounds way better than Archer. I can tell you're still hiding something from me though." Mordred said as she stared at the redhead.
"I guess we'll have to come to an agreement that not everything can be shared between us. We both have skeletons we would rather want to keep hidden." Shirou shrugged.
Mordred nodded in understanding. She's pissed at him, sure. But what he told her was right. While people would call what she did 'overreacting', she was simply shaken by what Archer did because she wasn't used to the whole friend thing… even though she spent weeks with the redhead over here. Fighting side by side all throughout. Trust was built during those times, yes. But when he being a magus was revealed. She felt… hurt that she wasn't told sooner. That was basically why she was mad at him all this time.
"So are we alright now? Are you no longer mad at me, Mordred?" Shirou asked.
"Hell no. I'm still mad. But I understand. You think that your dream of yours is the sign of worse things to come and you hid the fact that you're a magus because you thought that if you told me, things would get from worse to terrible. It's a pretty stupid reason." Mordred replied. Her grin came back after a long period of coldness.
"Well, you would think it's stupid-"
"And it is. But I'm going to let it slide. Got more shit to focus on than our petty argument. War's coming around, and all." Mordred said. Steering the conversation away from their earlier topic. Something the redhead felt grateful for.
"Right. How are things outside the walls? Haven't been outside because of all this cooking I've been doing." Shirou asked. He was continuing his ingredient preparations while he was talking. The sound of a knife chopping up meat filled the air.
"Gawain's been leading the construction. Didn't feel like helping out since he's too much of an asshole to work with. That's why I stayed with the twins. Being a hunter is more fun than all that construction work." Mordred explained
"Anything else you saw?"
"Yeah… There are refugees coming and going from the east. Gareth and I found them trailing the road to Chelmsford. They told us that the Saxons took their towns and their food supplies and burned everything else. I got refugees from the northwest telling me the same thing. It made me realise something: Chelmsford was the only place untouched by those bastards." Mordred elaborated.
"Well, I'm guessing our defences are making them rethink their approach to this city." Archer surmised.
"Maybe. But whatever it is. The upcoming battle will be one hell of a shitshow. Because there is no way in hell are the Saxons gonna bypass Chelmsford. It's too important."
"The battle to decide who gains the upper hand in this war will take place here…" Archer added. Mordred nodded in acknowledgement.
"By the way, don't call me Shirou in public. I would like to keep that part a secret only we know." Archer requested
"Whatever you say." Mordred acquiesced.
Suddenly, the pair heard a knock on the door where Mordred came in from. And a voice that was all too familiar called out to them from the outside.
"Mordred? Archer? Are you there? It's Gaheris. You have to come and see this." Gaheris said as he stopped pounding on the door. The redhead and the Red Knight looked at each other before running towards the door and out of the town hall they went.
They saw Gareth speeding toward Gaheris and was speaking to him about something. It became evident to Archer that Gareth was talking about him and Mordred. Because Gaheris then pointed towards the pair's general direction and Gareth then ran up to them as if he had news to share.
"Sir Mordred and Sir Archer. Thank goodness you're here. You're being called by Lord Regulus and Elder Brother concerning the plans for the defence of the town."Gareth explained.
"Well, let's get to it then. Where the hell are they now?" Mordred asked.
"If you would follow me." Gareth said as he nodded to Gaheris. The twins then began sprinting towards the stone church at the northwestern part of Chelmsford. The redhead and the Red Knight managed to get to their destination without breaking a sweat. While the twins were a bit winded from all the running.
"There… in you go now. Gareth and I have something to do… See you around." Gaheris said he and Gareth laid down on the grassy patch underneath the tree that was beside the church.
Mordred and Archer went in and what they saw was that the church was converted into a war room. Maps of all kinds strewn about everywhere. Little wooden figures were organised in an orderly fashion on top of a medium sized drawing of the city and its surround which was itself on top of an oak table. The same table used for communion and whatnot. On one side of the table was Sir Gawain and Captain Faust conversing with the rest of 15th Cavalry who were stationed there as the Sun Knight's personal guard. While the other side consisted of Regulus Dominicus, his friend and fellow soldier the Lord Mayor of Chelmsford, and a group of soldiers that were wearing a legionnaire's attire. Both sides are discussing how they should approach the defence of the city.
"Looks like they are at an impasse. Can't decide on what to do." Archer said as he closed the door behind him. Effectively gathering the attention of all those within the room
"Sir Archer. And Sir Mordred, you've arrived. Welcome, you are needed here." Gawain said as he approached the two.
"Hey, Gawain." Mordred said sourly. Clearly not pleased with seeing the Sun Knight at all.
"Good day to you too as well, Sir Mordred. Like I said before, your opinion on this matter would very much be appreciated. Now, if you could walk with me to the table, I'll let you know of what we all have agreed on while you weren't here."
Archer was taking mental notes of everything that Gawain was telling him at this point. There are 12,500 troops within Chemsford's walls. 5 thousand of them are ill trained and ill equipped farmers, workers, and refugees not adequate enough against the threat of the Saxon veterans. 3 thousand of them are well trained and are what makes up the core of the Army. But like the 5 thousand, they are ill equipped. Their weapons are no better than blunt bars of steel. They need smithing to get those fixed. Finally, the 4000 are Mercenaries who were either stationed there or escaped to the city after the towns they came from were attacked. They are disloyal to the defence and would run away if things get bad. The 500 were part of Gawain's Company who travelled with him to Chelmsford under King Arthur's orders.
"We have our work cut out for us." Mordred said as she sat on a chair. Feeling exhausted at the many problems that plagued the city's standing defence force.
"With your help, we can find a solution to these problems. If only you would open your mind to them." Regulus Dominicus said.
"What the hell could we do then? 5000 men can't even lift a sword properly and you expect them to get in top shape in the shortest amount of time possible?! That's never gonna happen." Mordred said.
"Not if you train them. Not if you show them the way." Regulus said.
"What? Me? Train them? You must be joking."
"I'm not asking you to do it. I'm merely stating that you could help through that way. If you don't want to, there are many other other ways you can solve our problems. Just consider it." Regulus said before moving on to Archer.
"Sir Archer. I heard many tales of your powers. One of them being that you can make weapons appear out of thin air."
"If you are asking if I can make ten thousand swords for the army, do not bother. I cannot do that. And if I can, the weapons would be fragile and brittle" Archer explained.
"Then I guess we can use your powers in other matters."
"What do you mean?" Archer asked. His eyes narrowed as he sensed something he didn't like.
"The people need someone to look to for hope. A symbol of light that shines through the darkness of our times."
No….
"The people need a person who is brave and strong. Someone who is willing to do what it takes to protect them from the vile Saxons who threaten our city.
.no…
"The people need someone who has incredible powers that would make them assured and their resolve strengthened."
No. no. no. no. NO!
"The people need someone who would rise up and face this terror… this injustice… a Hero. If you will. And you, Sir Archer, are someone who can qualify for that position."
Archer's eyes widened at what Regulus just said. Him… a Hero? As in, like a Hero of Justice?
"No." Archer said as he glared at the old man. The temperature in the room dropped by a couple of degrees.
"I do not want to be you 'Hero'" Archer said. Ice penetrated his words.