King Simon's Journey

“I can take them off, but the tools I need are back at the castle.”

The Pict’s dark eyes narrowed. “Your king’s hunger for power and dominance has caused great suffering to my people. Do you know he claims lands that are not rightfully his? Have you any idea how he and his noble knights quash perceived rebellion? In vile and brutal ways, I assure you.”

"But you planned the battle. I'm sure that my companions will agree with me that this fact invalidates you as commander of the army."

"I don't know about you, but I'm starving. And then I believe I have an old master of ours to try and convince not to go to the king. Oh, and you're coming with me for that."

After leaving the blacksmith's shop, he was, as always, amazed by the number of people still living who had known his father and having completed his business, returned to the ship. Unwilling to spend the remainder of his day confined to his cabin, he decided to nose about the ship until he finally ended up on the bridge where he found Rowland at the helm.

"Though you do not want to challenge the throne, how about your subjects? They might put the imperial yellow robe on you!"

“I will have none of it!“ His clenched fist strikes the wall beside them startling the horses across the stable. “We must get back to work before Elizabeth gets home, I can’t have her finding out about us.”

“Don’t harass me, Merlin!” barked Arthur, pacing the floor from bed to window. “I need some honest advice and help. You’re the only one who can give it to me. See me later for supper, here in my quarters. All right?”

Lionel held up his hand. “We’ve had enough, thank you. But if you’d be so kind, please pack that up and the extras. I’ll stop by the kitchens later to retrieve the leftovers. However, I will accept that pitcher of mead.”

“How will you solve our problem? Of course, you’re aware that I’m not going to move or allow a group of women to repair my house. Also, you should realize they are not going to demolish it. Now, there’s nothing more to discuss,” he boasted.

“Just do not get mad. It either has to be a prince from another country to help keep our bonds strong with our allies or preferably someone from the soon to be your court.”

“As the goddess wishes, I shall perform my duty for the greater good,” Freya noted. She glanced at Merlin and offered him a brief smile. Then, with only a small curtsey, she returned to her place near Gwen and the Camelot contingent.

I had hired a small residence when I first arrived in London. It consisted of only two rooms, the larger which I used as my laboratory and the other my sleeping quarters. With luck— or quite possibly misfortune— Clerval informed me that he would be traveling to a town near the coast of Britain in order to discuss sea-trade with several well-versed merchants. Furthermore, he informed me that he would be absent from my presence for, at the minimum, three months. I was both relieved and distraught; the time I possessed while Clerval would be gone was more than enough to fulfill my promise to the wretched creature, but it was a task I dreaded dearly. Nevertheless, as soon as he commenced on his quest, I commenced on my own.

“ Your Grace, I must be thankful for your generosity. I am your humble servant, and I will be pleased if I am guided to the doings that can serve the King and the people. Swann is the best man to handle this warrior era, and your worries are reasonable, the guards must stay disciplined and our aim is to build the city and restore our glory. We must not blind us from a matter of such importance” Lord Torrance Said.