"Arthur," Amara greeted as she found him stalking through the halls.
"My servant is an idiot," he groaned.
"What happened?" Amara smirked.
"I was trying to practise for the tournament. He's useless. I need some real competition."
"You could ask sir Leon?" Amara suggested. "It is only the boy's first day and I doubt he has any fighting experience. He may improve, but I don't think he'll be much use to you right now.."
"Well, he better improve quickly. I can't believe Father stuck me with him," Arthur grumbled.
"He did save your life," Amara rolled her eyes. "Although with how rude you are I don't know why he would."
"Hang on!" Arthur protested.
"Well did you say thank you to him?" Amara smiled sweetly at him.
"I don't think we're meant to thank servants, Amara."
"I think you do when they save your life."
"And what are you doing today? Brushing your hair 100 times?" Arthur teased his younger sister.
"No," Amara glared. "I wanted to go riding but Father said no."
"He's just being cautious."
"The woman who tried to kill you is dead, I don't know what he's worried about."
"Knights are travelling into Camelot for the tournament. It always increases the bandits in the woods," Arthur shrugged. "Ask again after the tournaments finished, he'll probably say yes then."
"I never get to have any fun," Amara pouted
"Of course not," Arthur smirked before he turned and walked away.
"I hope you lose tomorrow!" she called out after him.
Amara sat alone in the royal box as she watched all the knights walk in.
"Knights of the realm," the king greeted them as he approached. "It's a great honour to welcome you to the tournament at Camelot. Over the next three days, you will come to put your bravery to the test, your skills as warriors, and of course, to challenge the reigning champion, my son, Prince Arthur. Only one can have the honour of being crowned champion, and he will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces. It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature, whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward. The tournament begins," he threw his arm in the air and the crowd erupted into cheers.
Morgana leaned over from the stands to talk to Amara. "Is it just me or does Arthur look even more grumpy than usual?"
"He was grumbling about his new servant Merlin yesterday," Amara explained. "Apparently he's an idiot."
"Merlin didn't know how to put armour on," Gwen explained. "I spent yesterday trying to teach him. He didn't catch on quickly," she giggled.
"Amara," her father greeted as he came and sat beside her.
"Father," Amara replied, sitting back in her seat. "How big do you think Arthur's head will get if he wins?" Amara asked.
"I suppose we'll find out," he confidently smiled. "Arthur will win," he assured as Arthur prepared to open the tournament.
Amara rolled her eyes but clapped loudly as she watched her brother put on his helmet and raise his sword.
"I think you're right," Amara agreed with her father's sentiments after her brother made quick work of defeating his opponent.
"That's my boy," Uther said quietly.
Amara stood beside her father in the throne room as all the knights in the tournament came forward in a line to introduce themselves.
"Knight Valiant of the Western Isles, my Lord," Valiant said as he stepped up for his turn.
"I saw you fighting today, you have a very aggressive style," Uther complimented.
"As my Lord said, to lose is to be disgraced."
"I couldn't agree more," Uther smirked before turning to Amara. "Knight Valiant, may I present my daughter, Princess Amara."
"Your Highness," Valiant greeted, taking her hand and kissing it.
"Your fighting style is entertaining to watch, knight Valiant," Amara complimented politely. "I believe you may very well make the final."
"I hope to be there," he replied cockily.
"And the Lady Morgana, my ward," Uther walked Valiant over to introduce him to Morgana.
Valiant moved away from Amara and over to Morgana. His gaze changed as he looked at the Lady, it was much more lecherous. He smirked as he lifted Morgana's hand to kiss it. "My Lady."
Amara turned around and made eye contact with Arthur who was observing the situation with just as much amusement as Amara.
"I saw you competing today," Morgana flirted.
"I saw you watching," he replied. "I understand the tournament champion has the honour of escorting my lady to the feast."
"That's correct," Morgana nodded with a smile.
"Then I will give everything to win the tournament," he said before turning back to Amara, "Your Highness, My Lady," he farewelled the two girls before walking away.
Next up was Arthur, he bowed to their father quickly, clearly eager to talk to the girls. "Arthur," Uther nodded.
"Father," he replied before moving over to Morgana.
Amara stepped away from her father's side and hurried over to Arthur and Morgana so she could join in the teasing of Morgana. "Did you see?" she giggled to Arthur. "I saw you competing today," Amara mimicked.
"It was pretty hard to miss," Arthur smirked, both ignoring Morgana's glare.
"They all seem rather impressed by Knight Valiant," Morgana gestured to the other Knights who were gathering around the newcomer.
"They're not the only ones," Arthur smirked.
"You're not jealous he likes me more than he likes you, are you?" Morgana tried to get a rise out of Arthur.
"I don't see there's anything to be jealous of," he retorted, making Morgana's smirk drop quickly. Arthur just smirked in victory, hurrying away before Morgana could come back with an insult.
"Could you two be any more annoying?" Morgana scowled at Amara.
"Arthur definitely could be more annoying," Amara pointed out.
"I so hope Knight Valiant wins the tournament," Morgana snarked.
"You don't really mean that," Gwen smiled.
"Yes, I do."
"No you don't," Amara smiled. "Trust me, no one will enjoy the feast if Arthur loses. He's such a sulk."
"Amara," Uther called, summoning his daughter over to meet the next knight.
"Perhaps his ego needs to be brought back down," Morgana suggested to Gwen.
Arthur walked up to the royal seat after he won his fight the following morning and greeted their father with a bow.
"You seem in a much better mood this morning," Amara noted.
"Yes, well my servant was actually able to get me into my armour this morning without forgetting my sword," he rolled his eyes.
"Ah so he's not an idiot then," Amara smiled.
"Well that remains to be seen," Arthur shook his head.
"I said he'd improve and he did. I think that means I am always right and you should always listen to me."
"Don't read too much into it," Arthur frowned before walking off.
Knight Valiant's fight was next, and they watched as he beat his opponent to the ground with ease. He leant down over his opponent and slashed him with a sword, leaving the man unconscious on the ground. Amara applauded his win with a frown on her face. It wasn't a very sportsmanlike win. The knight was already on the ground, there was no need to continue.
Morgana was eagerly clapping though. She wanted to see Arthur lose just to bring his ego down to a healthier level.
Amara took her seat at the tournament for the third day. She was nervous about today's round. The knight Arthur was facing was double his size. As the two men walked into the arena, Lilia gasped from behind Amara.
Amara turned to look at her maid, she'd barely said a word during the entire tournament. "Are you alright, Lilia?" Amara asked.
"That knight, he's so big," Lilia breathed. "How will Prince Arthur ever beat him?"
"Arthur is fast," Amara explained quietly, not wanting Uther to hear her speaking with her maid, he didn't exactly approve of friendships with servants. "The other knight is as strong as a bear but he's slow. Arthur can't beat him in strength, but he can attack faster, get the upper hand."
"Are you worried?" Lilia asked.
"About Arthur? Maybe slightly. But he'll be fine," Amara smiled before turning back to watch the fight begin.
"He'll win," Uther tapped Amara's hand as he noticed her tense up beside him.
The king wasn't wrong. Arthur managed to get on top of his opponent and send a punch into his face with his shield, knocking him out
"Yes!" Amara cheered excitedly. Uther stood to applaud his son, as did the whole crowd. The prince was the crowd favourite.
After another round, it was determined that Valiant would fight Arthur in the final. Now Amara was worried. This man was a threat. He was strong, he was aggressive and he wouldn't take it easy on the kingdom's prince.
"Do you think Valiant might win?" Amara asked as she and her father walked back to the castle.
Uther sighed, he was nervous as well. "I hope not. For Arthur's sake. Valiant looks as though he could be a good knight. Maybe I will ask him to stay."
Amara could only laugh.
"What?" Uther smiled.
"Arthur won't like that at all."
"No, he probably won't," Uther had to admit. "But the newest recruits we've had try out for knighthood have been disappointing. No one has the calibre we require. Valiant does."
"Sir Leon said something about that to me the other day. Maybe they need more training. Talent is not always immediate, it does need nurturing."
"The threat to Camelot is ever-present," Uther reminded her. "We must ensure our men are always at the standard where they can defend Camelot from enemies. I believe Valiant will add greatly to the knights."
"I agree, Father. I'm just saying if he and Arthur clash it may just cause more tension than it's worth"
"Gaius?" Amara asked, knocking on the door to his room.
"Ah, Your Highness," the physician smiled as he watched her walk in. "Walk can I do for you?"
"I came to check on Sir Ewan, to see if his condition has improved from yesterday."
Gaius hesitated. "No, it appears it has not improved. He's getting worse it would appear."
"How could he be getting worse?" Amara asked, stepping up to the cot that the unconscious knight was lying on. "He got hit hard, but not that hard. I would have thought we'd see improvement by now. He's so pale."
"I've got it, I've got it," Merlin yelled running through the door to Gaius' room.
"Merlin!" Gaius chastised.
"Hmm?" he asked before noticing Amara. "Your Highness," he quickly bowed to her.
"Is that a snake?" Amara gasped as she watched him hide something behind his back.
"What? No? I mean, yes. Sort of," he stuttered. "It's just the snake's head," he pulled it out from behind his back.
"Merlin, what on earth do you do in your spare time?" Amara frowned. "There are no snakes in the castle."
Merlin hesitated, looking over at Gaius who nodded his approval. "Valiant is using magic," he explained.
"I beg your pardon?"
"The snakes in his shield, they come alive. This is the head of one of the snakes," he passed it to Gaius. "He used them to beat Sir Ewan, he's not injured, he's been poisoned by the snakes."
"And from this snake, we can derive an antidote," Gaius told her. "We can save him and he can explain to Uther that Valiant is using magic. Otherwise…"
"Otherwise Valiant will fight Arthur in the final," Amara realised. "If he's using magic it'll be for evil, he'll try and kill Arthur."
"I've extracted the venom," Gaius said to them. "I'll get started preparing the antidote."
"I'm going to tell Arthur," Merlin went to leave.
"You'll need this," Gaius called him back, handing over the snake's head. "And, Merlin, what you did was very brave."
"I'll come with you," Amara followed Merlin out of the room.
"You don't have to.." Merlin began to protest.
"I do," Amara said firmly. "My family has worked for two decades to eradicate magic. I won't let it be used to kill my brother." They walked in silence for a few moments before Amara broke the awkwardness. "You seem to be getting better at your job as Arthur's servant. He seems happier with how you're preparing him for the tournament," Amara smiled, changing the subject. "Are you enjoying it?"
"It's not as deplorable as I thought it would be," Merlin grinned. "Although my back is agony," he stretched.
"Arthur can be a bit obtuse at times. But he means well. Or he mostly means well. He has an interesting way of expressing that at times," Amara explained as they reached Arthur's chambers.
Merlin reached out and knocked once before barging into his chambers. "Merlin, you're meant to wait for me to tell you to come in," Arthur snapped. "Amara," he stood up as he noticed his sister follow his servant into the room. "What are you doing here?"
"She came with me," Merlin explained and Arthur raised his eyebrows. "She was with Gaius, checking on Sir Ewan. I have something to tell you."
"Well, what is it?" Arthur asked as he reached over and pulled out a chair for Amara to sit down on.
"Valiant's using magic. I have proof."
"You can't accuse a knight of sorcery!" Arthur scoffed incredulously.
"I said I had proof," Merlin retorted, throwing the snake head down on the table. "I cut its head off. It came out of Valiant's shield."
"You?" Arthur snorted. "You chopped its head off?"
"Ewan was bitten by a snake from the shield when he was fighting Valiant. You can talk to Gaius you can see the puncture wounds on Ewan's neck where the snake bit him. Ewan was beating him. He had to cheat."
"I saw the wounds myself, Arthur. It's true, there are two puncture wounds on his neck. There are no other injuries significant enough to cause him to be so unwell. It's poison from a snake bite," Amara supported Merlin's claim.
"Valiant wouldn't dare to use magic in Camelot," Arthur denied, not fully believing his servant.
"How did no one see it happen?" Amara looked to Merlin for his theory, it did seem strange.
"Ewan was pinned under Valiant's shield. No one could see the snake bite him," Merlin explained.
"I don't like the guy, but that doesn't mean he's cheating," Arthur shook his head.
"I never would have guessed you didn't like Valiant," Amara muttered sarcastically. "Morgana certainly likes him."
"Gaius is preparing an antidote to the snake venom," Merlin interrupted."When Ewan's conscious, he'll tell you what happened. If you fight Valiant in the final, he'll use the shield. It's the only way he can beat you."
"Arthur, if this is true and he is using magic, perhaps his whole plan was to fight you in the final? Magic users despise our family, we've seen it so many times, just the other night…" reminded him
"I know," Arthur sighed, he didn't know whether to believe this or not.
"Look at it," Merlin pushed, lifting the snake's head off the table. "Have you ever seen any snakes like this in Camelot?"
Arthur sighed and took the snake head from Merlin so he could look at it.
"I know I'm just a servant and my word doesn't count for anything. I wouldn't lie to you."
Arthur looked over at Amara and she nodded. She believed Merlin.
"I want you to swear to me, that what you're telling me is true," Arthur stared Merlin down.
"I swear it's true."
"Father won't listen to the word of a servant," Amara reminded them. "But if Ewan can testify, that will be enough."
Arthur nodded and looked at Merlin. "Then I believe you. I'll request an audience with the king in the morning. Amara, you should go to your chambers, Father won't like you walking around the castle at this hour on your own."
Amara nodded and stood up. "If Ewan can't speak, don't go for it, Arthur. Without Sir Ewan, there's no case. I don't believe a servant's word counts for nothing, but Father has a different view, and he's the one you need to prove it to."
"Why have you summoned the court?" Uther asked as he walked into the courtroom the next morning.
Arthur took a breath to summon his courage and stepped forward. "I believe Knight Valiant is using a magic shield to cheat in the tournament."
"Valiant what do you have to say to this?" the king demanded immediately, magic was no laughing matter to him.
Morgana looked at Amara. "How could that be?" she whispered.
"I believe it to be true," Amara whispered back. "Merlin saw a snake come alive from the shield, I saw the head he cut off. It's not any species I know to be native to Camelot. The King won't take the word of a servant alone though. We need Sir Ewan to confirm it, to substantiate Arthur's claim," Amara explained and Morgana's eyes widened in shock. How had she been so charmed by a sorcerer?
"My lord, this is ridiculous," Valiant denied. "I have never used magic. Does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?"
"Do you have evidence?"
"I do," Arthur nodded, gesturing Merlin to come forward with the decapitated snake head. He handed it to Uther, who turned around to examine it.
"Let me see the shield," Uther requested of Valiant.
"What if the snakes come alive?" Morgana grabbed Amara's arm.
"Surely Valiant couldn't attack the king in court," Amara bit her lip. "He wouldn't make it two steps before he'd be struck down. It would be stupid".
"Be careful, my Lord," Arthur warned their father, drawing his sword in case he had to defend the king.
The courtroom doors opened and Amara looked over to see Gaius arrive walking in. Merlin hurried over to him and Amara turned her attention back to her father, she didn't trust Valiant, no matter what she told Morgana.
"That doesn't look good," Morgana whispered.
"What doesn't?" Amara asked.
"Look at Merlin," she pointed out. "It doesn't look like Gaius gave him good news."
Amara turned to look over at them and noticed the anxious look on their faces. Something must have happened to Sir Ewan. The whole case was about to fall apart in front of the king.
"As you can see my Lord, it's just an ordinary shield," Valiant shrugged.
"He's not going to let everyone see the snakes come alive," Arthur defended his accusations to the court.
"Then how am I to know that what you say is true?" Uther asked of his son.
"I have a witness. Knight Ewan was bitten by one of the snakes from the shield. The venom made him grievously ill. However, he has received an antidote. He will confirm that Knight Valiant is using magic," Arthur sneered at Valiant.
Amara could only grimace. She didn't think Knight Ewan was going to be making that promised appearance.
"Where is this witness?" the king huffed.
"He should be here," Arthur trailed off as he noticed Merlin and Gaius whispering amongst themselves. He quickly hurried over to see what was taking so long.
"I'm waiting!" Uther snapped.
Arthur turned to look at Amara, but she could only shake her head. She couldn't help him. She hadn't seen the snakes, she only believed the story Merlin told them. Arthur nodded and slowly began walking towards their father. "I'm afraid the witness is dead."
"So you have no proof to support these allegations," Uther scowled. "Have you seen Valiant using magic?"
"No. But my servant fought the snakes…"
As soon as he said that, Amara cringed. She knew exactly how Uther would take that defence, he didn't put much stock in the word of a servant.
"Your servant?" he sneered. "You make these outrageous accusations against a knight, on the word of your servant?"
"I believe he's telling the truth," Arthur defended.
"My Lord, am I really to be judged on some hearsay from a boy?" Knight Valiant queried.
Merlin stormed forward to the centre of the court to defend himself. "I've seen those snakes come alive."
"How dare you interrupt!" Uther raged. "Guards!" he ordered the guards forward to drag Merlin out of court.
"My Lord," Valiant spoke up.
"Wait!" Uther ordered the guards to halt.
"I'm sure he was merely mistaken. I wouldn't want him punished on my account," Valiant said, successfully garnering back the goodwill of the court.
"You see?" the king turned to Arthur. "This is how a true knight behaves. With gallantry and honour."
"My Lord, if your son made these accusations because he's afraid to fight me, then I will graciously accept his withdrawal," Valiant offered.
"Can you believe this?" Amara whispered to Morgana. Valiant was just baiting Arthur now.
"Arthur will have no choice but to fight him now," Morgana gripped Amara's arm tighter.
"I told him to wait for knight Ewan. He should have waited," Amara dropped her head.
"Is this true?" Uther walked up to Arthur, thinking his son was a coward. "Do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?"
"No," Arthur firmly assured.
"Then what am I to make of these allegations?"
Arthur looked around the court, he had no choice but to revoke the accusation publically.
"Obviously there has been a misunderstanding. I withdraw the allegation against Knight Valiant. Please accept my apology," Arthur reluctantly apologised as he looked down at the floor.
"Accepted," Valiant smirked.
Arthur swallowed before he turned and stormed out of court. He'd been publically humiliated.
Morgana went to try to say something to him when he stormed past them, but Amara held her back.
"He doesn't want to hear anything right now."
"Court dismissed," the king yelled. He was furious.
Amara quickly grabbed Morgana's hand and went to hurry out when she heard the call from her father.
"Amara!"
Amara had to release Morgana's hand, she hadn't been able to race outside fast enough to avoid her father's ire.
"I'll wait outside," Morgana promised before exiting with Gwen.
"Father," Amara walked towards him.
"Did you have a hand in this as well?" he asked, gripping the back of his throne. "I saw Arthur look to you."
"I told Arthur not to bring the accusation forward without Knight Ewan here to support it," she confessed.
"So you encouraged this behaviour?"
"I believe what Merlin says he saw is true!" Amara defended.
"He is a servant!"
"A servant that saved Arthur's life only a few days ago. You personally appointed him to the royal household as a reward. What if he is trying to save Arthur again?" Amara snapped.
"I take the crime of magic seriously…"
"I think everyone knows that."
"Do not interrupt!" he yelled. "I take it seriously, but I will not have the good name of any knight or noble besmirched in my court without the proper evidence, do you hear me?"
"I do," Amara grumbled.
"Dismissed," Uther waved his hand. Amara curtsied to her father before turning around and marching out of the room.
"I could hear," Morgana hurried up to Amara as soon as the courtroom doors were opened for her.
"He was screaming, I'm sure everyone heard," Amara hissed. "Has anyone seen Lilia?" she snapped. "What is the point in a maid if they're never around?"
"Amara, it's fine," Morgana placed her hand on her back to try to calm her down.
"No," Amara shrugged her off. "My maid never showed up this morning. I had to send the guards to get my breakfast, I had to dress myself, and Gwen did my hair. This is unacceptable. I'm going to my chambers," she pulled away from Morgana and stormed towards her rooms.
As soon as she got there, she threw open the doors to her chambers to see her breakfast plates still sitting at her table and her nightdress still lying on the floor.
"Lilia!" she yelled at the top of her lungs. She was in an absolutely foul mood after being lectured.
She walked back out the doors to her chambers and turned to the guards who were stationed in the corridor.
"Have you seen my maid?" she snapped
"No, Your Highness," they replied.
Amara pursed her lips as she stared up at the ceiling, blinking her eyes to try to clear away the tears. "Very well," she muttered before she slammed the chamber doors behind her.
She marched right over to her window seat and threw herself down on it, reluctantly letting the sob wrack through her chest. She hated being yelled at by her father, it so rarely happened, but each time it did it tore at her heart.
Despite what occurred in the courtroom, she believed Merlin. She believed Valiant was using magic, and he was in the final with Arthur. He would try to kill her brother tomorrow and there was nothing so could say to make their father interfere.
Amara sat at the table in Arthur's chambers, both of them picking at their dinner in silence.
"I'm going to practise," Arthur stood up. "You can stay here if you want, finish your dinner. I'll be back soon."
"Okay," she muttered as he left the room.
Half an hour later, Arthur returned.
"You haven't touched your dinner," he noted as he stood by the fire.
"You didn't have any of yours either," she argued back.
"Don't snap at me, Amara," he groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Sorry," she sighed, throwing down her fork. "I'm scared and I'm angry. I don't know what's going to happen to you tomorrow and that terrifies me. I don't know where my maid is either. I haven't seen her today and my chambers are a mess." Amara leaned her head back against her chair. "Father yelled at me today after he dismissed the court," she admitted why she was in such a bad mood.
Arthur huffed as he looked at her. She'd gotten in trouble because he'd brought the accusation without any evidence. "I heard about Father yelling at you, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for him to know you were involved. That was my fault."
"It's not your fault. It's Valiants," Amara turned to look at him.
He looked like he was going to reply when they heard someone enter the room. Both of them turned their heads to see Merlin.
"I thought I told you to get out of my sight," Arthur scowled.
"Don't fight Valiant in the final tomorrow," Merlin pleaded. "He'll use the shield against you."
"I know," Arthur huffed.
"Then withdraw. You have to withdraw."
"Don't you understand?" Arthur snapped. "I can't withdraw. The people expect their prince to fight, how can I lead men into battle if they think I'm a coward?"
"Valiant will kill you. If you fight, you die."
"Then I die," Arthur accepted his fate.
Amara jumped up from her seat in anger. "Make sure Gaius has more of the antidote on hand Merlin," she scowled. "He'll need it. The people need their prince alive, not dead in some stupid tournament," she stormed out of his chambers and back to her own.
She walked in the door only to see the same mess still in her room. Lilia still missing hadn't shown up today.
"Lilia!"
"Amara," Uther chastised as he walked into her chambers. "I could hear you down the hall."
"Sorry. My maid has been gone all day," she snapped. "My room is a mess, I had to go have dinner in Arthur's chambers, I didn't have anyone to go get mine and I have no one to help me prepare for bed," she sulked as she sat down at her table.
Uther nodded once before quickly leaving the room. Amara relaxed thinking her father had left, only for him to return a moment later. "I have sent for a new maid, she will be here shortly."
"I like Lilia though."
"This maid will do until Lilia can be found," Uther tried to calm her mood as he sat opposite her. "I came to apologise. I yelled at you today, I shouldn't have done that. I was angry, but it wasn't fair of me to lose my temper at you."
"I forgive you," Amara replied quietly, it was very unlike her father to apologise.
Uther nodded before standing up, "I will see you at the tournament tomorrow then, goodnight Amara."
"Goodnight Father," Amara stood giving her father a nod before he left the room.
"Your Highness," a nervous voice came from the doorway.
"Come in," Amara replied as her substitute maid entered. "What is your name?"
"Juliana," she curtsied.
"It's nice to meet you, Juliana," Amara smiled, feeling more comfortable now that she had some company.
Amara was sat in her seat, watching silently as Arthur entered the arena. She was barely able to applaud alongside the crowd, she was too worried. Morgana seemed to be in the same distress, worry etched on her face. She was no longer rooting for Valiant to be victorious.
Arthur and Valiant both put on their helmets and touched swords, showing they were ready to begin.
"He'll be fine, Amara," Uther assured, he could feel the anxiety rolling off his daughter.
"I hope so," she breathed.
"Arthur always wins."
Both men raised their swords and Valiant charged.
The fight had much more malice in it than the previous fights. It was growing increasingly violent. Arthur knew this was a fight for his life.
Arthur was managing to get in a few good hits. He was the most skilled knight Camelot had, but how he would fair against Valiant's magical shield, no one could know.
Valiant fought back, knocking Arthur a few feet backward with the shove. Uther was still oblivious to the danger Valiant posed to his son and leaned forward in excitement. This was the closest fight Arthur had in years.
Valiant's overly aggressive fighting style started to get the better of Arthur as he used his sword to hit fast. Arthur spun out of the attack against him and got a strong hit on Valiant's shield.
"Yes!" Uther cheered.
With Arthur's next hit, Valiant's helmet came sailing off. Arthur didn't even hesitate, he removed his helmet as a show of sportsmanship.
"What's he doing?" Amara asked frantically as the crowd cheered louder.
"Giving the people what they want," Uther smiled. "A good show."
Valiant one-upped Arthur, by pulling off the chainmail protecting his head. Arthur didn't look happy, but he had to follow suit. He was trying to prove to everyone who witnessed the argument in the courtroom that he was not a coward.
The king's clapping slowed down at this. He wanted a good show, but this was also the heir to the throne.
Valiant charged once more, hitting Arthur's exposed head back with his shield, and knocking him to the ground. Amara gasped and grabbed her father's arm. Arthur's vulnerability didn't slow Valiant, he charged towards him yet again. Valiant loomed over Arthur, standing on his shield, pinning him to the ground.
Arthur had no choice but to let go of his shield to roll out of the attack, quickly jumping to his feet.
With no shield to protect him, it didn't take long for Valiant to knock Arthur's sword from his hand. Arthur was left with no choice but to tackle a man who still had possession of both his sword and his shield.
Valiant shoved Arthur into a wall, letting close enough to him that Arthur was able to knee him in the stomach and push him off. Arthur raced back to the middle of the arena when something caught Amara's eye.
She looked over at it and let out a scream.
"What?" Uther panicked as he grabbed onto her hand.
"Magic!" she yelled, pointing towards Valiant. Two snakes had just come alive from Valiant's shield. "His shield! Look!"
Everyone else in the crowd quickly noticed and stood up in fright.
"What are you doing?" Valiant spoke to the snakes. "I didn't summon you."
"He is using magic," Uther growled.
"Arthur has no sword," Amara stuttered.
"And now they all see you for what you really are," Arthur sneered at his opponent.
Valiant chuckled before his eyes landed on Arthur and the snakes slithered out of the shield. "Kill him!" Valiant ordered his snakes.
Arthur backed towards the royal box, not sure how to defend himself with no weapons.
"Arthur!" Morgana yelled, snatching a sword from the waist of one of the guards. Arthur spun around and caught it as she tossed it to him.
Arthur swung the sword, quickly decapitating the snakes. Then he turned to Valiant. Valiant was not going to give up. But Arthur was angry now, it didn't take long for him to disarm Valiant and run him through.
He released his hold on Valiant and the dead man quickly tumbled to the ground. Amara released a breath she wasn't aware she was holding as the crowd began cheering their champion and prince.
Uther turned to Amara. "Arthur was right," he breathed. "You were right to support your brother, Amara," he remorsefully turned his gaze back to his victor son.
"He's safe," Amara smiled in relief. "Like you said. Arthur always wins."
Amara stood at her father's side at the feast, having already been escorted in by him. "My honourable guests," he addressed the congregation. "I give you Prince Arthur, your champion," he said before starting a round of applause.
Morgana waited at the entrance for Arthur to escort her in. They seemed to be having a pleasant conversation for a moment before they started arguing. That followed their usual pattern of conversation. Morgana huffed with a glare before she turned away from Arthur and stormed up to Amara, pulling her away from the king to join Gwen.
"What was that about?" Amara asked with a smirk.
"Arthur won't accept that I saved him," Morgana scowled.
"But you did save him," Amara smiled.
"Yes, well he's too proud to admit it," she crossed her arms in frustration.
"He may not admit it, but he knows it. Besides, it's just one more thing to use to taunt him," Amara smirked before leaving and walking over to her brother.
"Don't listen to a word Morgana says," he said immediately.
"Oh I don't need to," she smiled, "I was there. I saw it all."
"Exactly," he agreed.
"I saw Morgana save you."
"No," he argued. "That is not what happened."
"It's what I saw from where I was sitting."
"Well, then your view was obstructed," Arthur argued.
"I was in the royal box, you can't get better seats," Amara laughed. "Did you at least thank her?" Arthur just scoffed, as if. "Did father apologise to you?" she asked. "Tell you he was sorry for not believing you?"
"You know he won't," Arthur sipped his drink, already resigned to the fact his father would never mention it again. "He doesn't apologise to me. He'll only ever apologise to you and Morgana."
"We are his favourites," Amara nudged him.
"No point in even denying that."
"Princess Amara," Leon greeted her as he approached up to the pair.
"Sir Leon," Amara smiled.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news."
"What is it?" Arthur frowned.
"I was supervising the clearing of Valiant's chambers, in case there were any magical artefacts hidden, and I'm afraid to say I made a grim discovery."
"Which was?" Amara pushed when he hesitated.
"Your maid, Lilia. It appears she may have stumbled upon Valiant using the shield. We found her dead with snake bites on her neck," he said quietly and Amara froze.
"Valiant killed my maid?"
"It appears so, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Your Highness," Leon apologised, bowing before he walked away.
"Amara, I'm sorry," Arthur sympathised.
"I'm glad you killed him," she took a deep breath. She'd never managed to maintain a consistent maid like Morgana had. Amara and Arthur always ran through several servants, but Lilia had been a particular favourite, she had been kind and sweet. She didn't deserve her fate.