Chapter Text
Day 1
Kara had been moving between worlds when it’d happened. It was like something hooked her behind the navel and pulled. She’d just seen the inside of her apartment and then the world had spun. It was like she could see her apartment being unmade. Mirage like versions of herself and her friends moving about, and then the previous tenants, the ones before them, the building itself being unbuilt. She tried to force herself out of the portal but she was powerless to generate thrust. Fighting she watched as national city seemed to run backwards. What she could see was moving faster and faster as it seemed to pick up speed.
There was no air for her to breath, so she was unable to call out for help. And then the tug strengthened and she realized she was no longer near National City. Struggling she watched woods and ocean and more woods and then it was just a blur of colors. And then she was toppling out. She crashed into the ground forcing the air out of her lungs as she the ground cracked below her.
It took Kara a long while to push herself up and to take a look around. Everything ached and hurt. Blinking the dust from her crash away she stared at where she’d landed. There were trees, great old ones. The air was crisp and clear...it was disorienting after having been in a city. Climbing out of the small crater she’d landed in she began to look around. She didn’t know where she was, she couldn’t hear familiar sounds. Panicking she floated up looking around. But all she could see for miles was more trees.
////
Morgana had been jittery since the druids had confirmed her fears that she had magic. It was both a blessing and a curse to understand what she was. Her throat felt tight with fear as Uther announced he was summoning the Witchfinder. It was just a single peasant woman seeing a bit of smoke that looked to be a horse. But after the troll it seemed Uther wasn’t taking chances with magic in the city.
What he didn’t know was that a witch was behind him, his ward. Hiding her fingers under the folds of her dress she tried to prevent the trembling from revealing herself. She had been his ward long enough to know it would not save her from his hatred of magic should the Witchfinder discover her. How many had she seen burned alive in the courtyard? So many begging for mercy, pleading their innocence. But none were spared for fear of the possibility of magic running through their veins. Yet here she was, someone he had promised to protect, but that would mean nothing if he knew that magic ran through her.
Her eyes flickered up as the great doors into the hall opened once more. A part of her half expected the Witchfinder to come striding in even as the pronouncement came to an end. Instead it was something almost as unbelievable. It was a knight, which wasn’t in and of itself remarkable at all, they were in a castle. The halls and city were full of knights. This particular knight was wearing a great red cape, a slightly different shade than those worn by the knights of Camelot. Shining plate armor over immaculately kept chainmail. There was a shield slung over the knight’s back with a blue leather strip. In fact all of the fabric visible was either a navy blue or red. All in all nothing more than a cleaner than average knight, except for one important fact; the knight was a woman.
She had golden hair spilling down her back. If that wasn’t enough of a clue, her face was clearly feminine and even with the armor there was a certain shape to her that made it impossible to deny. Morgana had to blink to reassure herself she wasn’t seeing things in her waking hours as well now. But still the woman strode forward before bowing in front of Uther. “Your Grace.”
Morgana quickly turned to see Uther’s reaction. Surely he would be furious at this breach of protocol. Instead he clapped his hands. “Welcome, I’ve been expecting you Ser Zorel.”
The woman straightened. “Thank you for your invitation to court.”
“You’re arrival is fortuitous as it turns out. I am grateful King Marcomer across the channel was willing to relieve you of your oaths to him.” Uther sounded truly pleased with this knights arrival. Morgana shared a confused look with Gwen and Arthur before looking back to the woman. She did know of Marcomer, he wasn’t exactly an ally but there was some trade between their kingdoms. His color was blue not red however which made this lady knight even more of an enigma.
“I am pleased to be here, and I am glad that my arrival is fortuitous to your court. But I was relieved of no oaths, I swore only to serve his grace King Marcomer for so long as I dwelled in his kingdom.” The woman said in a clear voice.
Arthur spoke from his throne, clearly as confused as Morgana was. “Father, who is this person?”
“Ah,” Uther stepped back while opening his arm out to including the woman. “This is Ser Zorel of Themyscira, the greatest knight of King Marcomer, king of the Frank’s kingdom. She is also the only female knight in the known world. Her prowess in the far eastern and southern kingdoms has spread wide and far. When I heard whispers of her existence I sent enquiries and then an invitation. She will be serving as a personal guard to the Lady Morgana. As a woman she will be able to better protect my dear ward.”
Morgana sucked in a breath. Closer scrutiny when she was already on the brink of breaking under the weight of magic would not help. “Is this truly necessary?”
Uther turned facing her, his face concerned and firm. “Of course, with witchcraft in the city, constant attacks on all fronts. Yes, your safety must be protected.” Turning back to the court he spoke. “Now, Ser Zorel will you swear to serve the kingdom of Camelot so long as you live within her borders?”
The knight clasped a hand over her chest firmly and lowered her head. “I swear.”
“And do you swear to protect the Lady Morgana with your very life, so long as you live inside these borders?” He continued.
“I swear.” The woman said, her eyes lifted up towards Morgana. Something flickered across her face before being hidden as quickly as it had come.
“Father?” Arthur asked sounding deeply confused. A common problem for him she found herself thinking uncharitably. Her mouth twitching up at it nonetheless. The day she stopped being amused by Arthur was the day she died.
Uther turned. “See to it that Ser Zorel is given lodging near Lady Morgana and is introduced into your forces.” He seemed to remember something as he returned his attention to the knight. “And Ser Zorel, anything I or my forces can do in your search for the magic user you seek will be given to you.”
“Thank you, your majesty.” Ser Zorel dipped her head.
Morgana could barely keep her entire self from shaking like a leaf. Her new guard would not be constrained by those small measures the knights of Camelot had to give her out of her dignity as a lady. Which was obviously why Uther had requested the woman. Afterall it would be the only reason for him to accept such a break in tradition. And this woman was searching for a magic user. Oh gods she was going to be found, and she would be burned at the stake just like all the others.
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“M’lady.” Ser Zorel bowed to her, her brow crinkled as she cocked her head to one side slightly. “Are you alright?”
Morgana spun from her window, her heart beating wildly in her chest at the presence of the woman. “Ser Zorel, you startled me.” She barely eased at Gwen’s gentle hand on her elbow in comfort.
“I’m sorry, and you may call me Kara if you like. It still feels odd to be called Ser Zorel, even if it is my title.” The woman shifted somewhat awkwardly, something like hope in her face as she focused on her completely.
She had to pull herself together, her fear alone was going to get her caught. Swallowing thickly she hid the shaking in her hands once more. If this knight was going to allow her any privacy she needed the woman to not be on her guard around her. But encouraging any bond between them would give the woman far too much access and chance to notice her magic. “You are to be my guard not my friend.”
“As you wish, M’lady.” The woman gave her a soft smile. She looked over at Gwen. “And you are? I’m afraid I don’t know anyone here yet.”
Gwen curtsied. “Gwen Ser, I’m the Lady Morgana’s maid.”
Kara moved an armored hand back as if to push something up her face only to fall away at it’s absence. Which was..odd. “You don’t need to curtsy to me, and it’s Kara, please.”
For the first time since the knight had entered the great hall Morgana eased slightly. At least she wasn’t a git; who would make her life hell with propriety. “Was there something you wanted?”
“Oh right.” Zorel fell into a more formal position. “I wished to inform you I have been assigned quarters at the base of the staircase to your chambers. If you need anything you, either of you are more than welcome to disturb me at any hour. My shift as your guard won’t begin formally till tomorrow, but I thought I should let you know.”
“Thank you for your consideration then.” Morgana gave a pointed look. “But my maid and I were attending to my dresses before you entered.”
“Of course.” Kara dipped her head. “I’ll take my leave then.”
As the door closed Gwen turned to her. “Well she doesn’t seem too bad at least.”
“For now.” Morgana let her eyes fall back to the courtyard, where the pyres would be built once the Witchfinder arrived.
////
Gwen knew it was a guilty pleasure, but she did enjoy watching the knights spar occasionally. But today she was more eager than usual. After all, the new lady knight would be training with the others for the first time today. She was also curious to see if she could get a closer look at the woman’s armor. It was clearly beautifully made, her curiosity was killing her to get a proper chance to examine it.
The bucket of water she was walking with to Merlin’s side was her excuse for coming to see the event. She smiled as she saw the larger than normal crowd. It seemed she wasn’t the only servant to have the idea. Sidling up to Merlin she took a pointed look around. “Training field is full today.”
“Yeah!” Merlin looked like he was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Gwen looked at him amused. “Hoping to see Arthur knocked down by a girl then?”
“Yup” Her friend unrepentantly admitted with his usual grin.
She looked at him, something was slightly off about his tone. If she hadn’t of been friends with him for as long as she had she doubted she’d have noticed. “Merlin, are you alright?”
“Me? Of course I’m alright.” His eyes darted about contradicting his words however.
She let herself fall serious. The brief reprieve of the new knight had been welcome, but it didn’t change the threat that was hanging over all their heads. “How many do you think will be burned when the Witchfinder arrives?”
Merlin stiffened, his face looking pained. “We’ll have to do what we can to not let anyone get arrested.”
“And if it turns out like my father?” She asked, the memory of his death, for false charges of sorcery, flashed through her mind. “What then? If Uther has killed so many who were innocent, how many will die when someone who’s job it is to find them comes?”
“I don’t know.” Merlin looked crushed under the weight of it all.
“Isn’t there anything Gaius can do?” Gwen asked desperately. Just the threat of the Witchfinder coming and the halls had been buzzing all morning with fear. Articles of clothing, small possessions, anything that had a pattern that could remotely be thought to be of magical origin were being burnt. She’d seen the cook burning an apron with weaving patterns that looked slightly like the symbols of the druids; if you tilted your head and squinted just right.
He seemed to jerk slightly. “Look, they’re starting.”
Gwen let the conversation end. She focused on the moment, her fears could be dealt with later. There was increased murmuring as Ser Zorel unsheathed her sword turning to face Sir Leon. Gwen noted that the sword was well made, but she was proud that it wasn’t as well made as the swords her father had forged. At least, to her eye it appeared so.
She watched as the two knights approached each other, seemingly measuring each other up. Sir Leon attached first, with an easy strike meant to prod at his opponent. Gwen watched fascinated as they fell into a series of strikes before Ser Zorel had her sword at his throat, his sword crashing into the dirt.
The crowd let out surprised sounds of shock. Gwen watched as the lady knight lowered her sword with a friendly smile. “Well fought. You’re as impressive as the stories told.”
Leon ducked grabbing his sword and readjusting his grip. “Another bout?”
“Of course!” She grinned happily.
Gwen watched in amusement and awe as the woman fought as an equal to the other knights. In the end Arthur was the only one able to make her concede, and even then it had been a near thing. She frowned slightly, there’d been a moment when she could have sworn Ser Zorel had purposely allowed Arthur to shove her back and off balance. But that couldn’t be right. The Witchfinder’s imminent arrival was making her see things.
Shaking her head she headed over to Morgana’s new guard with the bucket of water. Seeing as the knights were taking a water break it seemed now was as good a time as any to get to know the woman better. Afterall, they’d be seeing a lot of each other in the future. “Ser knight.”
Ser Zorel looked up at her beaming. “Gwen, it’s Kara please.”
“Very well, Kara. Do you want some water? I’m sure you’re exhausted after the sparring so far.” Gwen put the oddities out of her mind. She was a lady knight, of course there were oddities, it would take time for her to learn them.
Kara smiled at her accepting the water. “Thank you, you’re very kind.” She happily splashed water up over her face. “Is the Lady Morgana to come and watch the event today?”
Gwen shook her head and winced slightly at the mention of Morgana. “The lady has night terrors many nights. She won’t be joining us in the yard after one.”
“I see. Is there anything that helps her with them?” The knight had concern etched into her features.
“Gaius has a potion delivered to her to help her sleep that helps.” Gwen informed her, afterall no one needed Merlin getting roughed up because he was making a delivery. “Merlin or Gaius will bring a vile to her every night.”
Kara nodded. “Night terrors are not cured by potions though.” There was a knowing edge to her voice.
Gwen looked at the knight curiously. “You have experience with night terrors?”
“They’re why I don’t sleep.” Kara shifted back suddenly. “I mean don’t sleep a lot, because of course I sleep, everyone has to sleep.”
“You could request Gaius make some for you as well?” Gwen suggested concerned, no one deserved to suffer how the lady Morgana suffered.
Kara shook her head. “No, it wouldn’t do anything for me. Or well..you know best to be aware all the time. Guard duty and all that.”
Gwen stared at the woman carefully. There was something just...off about her. But at the same time she seemed kind. “If I may ask, where was your armor made?”
“Oh, Themyscira. The blacksmith Sarah works wonders with metal. Though I believe her apprentice may have taken over for a while now. She had just found out she was pregnant with her fifth child when I left.” Kara leaned in with a playful smile. “I happen to have it on good authority she’s having twins this time.”
“The blacksmith in your home is a woman? Are all the warriors women then as well?” Gwen asked fascinated. She’d never heard of such a thing before, but here was a woman knight.
Kara shook her head. “No, though I’m not the only one. Themyscira is home to the lost. It’s a small island off the coast of Greece. Many refugees of wars, famine, marriage, purges, any hardship of the like have come. We have built a city to be proud of I believe.”
“Are you one of those refugees to have found home there Ser?” Gwen asked curiously.
“My first home was burnt, my second taken from me. Themyscira is...it’s a place I may return when I have need of shelter.” The knight reached over and picked up her sword that had been resting against a log. “Do you have an interest in smithing?”
“Yes, my father was the royal smith here in Camelot.” Gwen said, her fingers itching to touch the sword the woman was holding.
Kara held out the hilt. “Here, I’m sure you’re a better judge than I then.”
Gwen reached out taking the hilt. Her hands brushed against the knights as she took the hilt. Something was off she thought, though she wasn’t sure quite what. Pushing that thought aside she swung the sword testing it’s balance. “It’s a beautiful sword, well used as well. Though I believe we have better here.”
“Just don’t let Sarah hear you say that if you ever visit Themyscira.” Kara said with a pleased sounding laugh as she accepted the sword back.
Gwen made it a point to grab the woman’s hand. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Kara squeezed her hand back before sheathing her sword and heading back to where the men were preparing to continue training.
A deep frown settled on Gwen’s face. At a concerned look from Arthur she plastered on a smile and nodded to him that she was alright before turning and heading in. She’d been right though, something was very wrong about that Ser Zorel. Her hands didn’t have calluses. She’d never met a knight, servant, or laborer of any kind that had the hands of a lady. Even Morgana had calluses from her sword work. And Morgana was attentive to use creams and gloves to protect her hands.
That wasn’t all either. Now that she thought about it, Kara hadn’t been sweating when she’d come over for water. The men had been sweating after the sparring, the woman should have been as well. It gave credence to her suspicion that she’d thrown her match against Arthur. No, something wasn’t right about this knight and she was going to find out what.
////
Morgana hated embroidery, but it was useful for the task of giving herself something to do; other than watch the sun as she waited for news of the Witchfinder’s arrival. The door to her room was opened and she didn’t bother to look up at the changing of the guards. Though she did pause realizing that the knight taking the duty would be her new knight, Ser Zorel. “Tell me Ser, why do you have only a large ‘S’ embossed onto your shield and affixed to your tunics?”
The knight cleared her throat. “It’s the symbol of my family. We did not speak the same language there as here. It is the letter ‘El’, it represents hope.”
“You speak as if your language is lost?” Morgana looked up at the knight. She wasn’t in armor as it was a peaceful day. Instead she was wearing a light blue jacket over a white, high collared shirt. Her hair was held up in a truly intricate braid.
Ser Zorel’s face was solome. “It is.”
Morgana almost pushed, but then decided not to. Afterall, she understood keeping things private. Instead she decided to change the subject. “Tell me Ser, do you embroider?”
The knight blinked and then looked a touch embarrassed. “No, I always thought it looked fun to learn though.”
“Well come sit, I’ll teach you.” She found herself offering.
“Really?” She looked at her brightly. “That’s very kind of you.”
“Yes well, get over here before I change my mind.” Morgana picked up a new hoop and began to plot a complicated pattern. Afterall, she wasn’t going to make it easy on the woman. It didn’t matter if she was oddly sad and happy at the same time. Or even interesting. She was still the most likely person after Gwen to discover her magic and send her to the pyre for it.
It was nearly the dinner hour when Morgana realized she’d been having fun. Kara was a kind person and was happy to continue to try no matter how many mistakes she made. There was a sadness to her that tugged at the edges and Morgana had enjoyed watching that sorrow dissipate as the woman struggled to try and sew a flower. She was hiding her smile behind her hand when the castle bells rang.
Morgana stood, her embroidery falling to the floor as she stepped quickly to the window. She could feel her heart thudding in her chest as she saw the caged cart of the Witchfinder rolling into the courtyard. A single day, the man hadn’t given them time to prepare at all. She could feel her magic, or what she assumed was her magic burning inside her, fighting to be let out as her terror mounted.
////
Terror had filled the castle. Even the air felt heavy and damp, the wait before the storm. What had begun as a single woman seeing a horse in the smoke had turned into a dozen tales of magic within the walls of the city. Morgana wished she could lock herself in her chambers and hide away her fear and magic. But she’d been summoned to the dungeons to be questioned by the Witchfinder, he’d even arrested Gaius. Gaius! The silent presence of Ser Zorel at her back added to her fear. What the Witchfinder did not see surely the knight would.
Passing the cells she caught a glance at Gaius in his cell. He was in nothing but his night gown, showing the signs of torture. The gaunt look, the dark circles, the filth from the cell sticking to him, all told a disturbing story. As he fell out of sight she ripped her gaze to away and saw that her knight’s jaw was clenched so hard the tendons in her neck stood out. Morgana wondered if it was hate of magic that made her so angry. Would the woman strike her down first if she discovered her magic? How silly it had been to teach the woman embroidery and to think that perhaps she wasn’t so bad if she was to have a guard with her at all times.
She didn’t have long to think as they entered the large chamber used for questioning the accused. Her eyes couldn’t help but spot the instruments of torture hanging about the dark and damp walls. Morgana almost startled out of her skin at the touch of a hand on her back guiding her to the chair. Reluctantly she accepted the prompt sitting down to wait. It was...it was something that she was not left alone in this chamber. The feel of where Kara’s hand was clenched on the back of the chair, her knuckles brushing against her shoulder ever so slightly, was both reassuring and terrifying. Every sound was a cry of accusation and she wished with all her heart she’d never discovered her magic.
Morgana was jittery as she watched the Witchfinder enter the room holding a large metal collar. She could easily tell it was not meant for a dog. The bolts screwed to the sides made her break out into a cold sweat. Hopefully none would see what this place was doing to her, as he hooked it to a chain from which other instruments of pain were hung.
He ignored her, instead looking at her knight. “I asked to speak to the Lady Morgana, alone.”
“And I was assigned to protect her. As such it is my duty to remain by her side. I will not interfere in your questions. But I will not leave this room without her or a direct order from the king.” Kara’s voice was hard and unflinching.
Morgana stared at shock between the two as they held a battle of wills. Finally, the Witchfinder seemed to decide to drop the matter. “I will speak to the King about this.” Turning his attention to her he dropped down into the chair across from her. “Now my lady, There’s no need to be worried, I won’t detain for you long. There’s just a small detail I wish to clarify.” He chuckled humorlessly.
She stared at the wooden table in horror, avoiding eye contact. How many witches and warlocks had heard that sound, these false words before being dragged to the stake? Aredian the Witchfinder was the stuff of nightmares for the innocent. As a witch there were no words for how terrified she was. There was a slight nudge on her shoulder blade. Morgana was reassured she wasn’t alone with this man. Her knight wouldn’t allow her to be harmed so long as there was no proof of magic. There couldn’t be any proof. She knew almost nothing of magic. She only hoped she could keep the buzzing under her skin inside of herself; so long as she was in front of these two beings. But she felt gratitude that Kara had not left her with this foul man.
“Now it is true, is it not,” Aredian continued casually as if he could not see the terror she was sure was radiating from her person. “That you have received treatment for nightmares?”
Just speaking would be too much. Quickly she nodded her head.
He made a humming sound of acknowledgment. “And it was Gaius the court physician who administered these treatments, these potions?” He pulled a piece of parchment out of his stacks of the things and picked up his quill from the ink well.
She was barely capable of whispering out her answer. “yes.”
“I’m sorry, could you speak up?” He tapped one ear.
It was like getting over a hill but she managed an audible answer. “Yes.”
“Thank you. Now you may go.” He smiled without his eyes at her, easily dismissing her.
Under any other circumstances she would have been infuriated that some small minded man had dragged her down into the dungeons just to ask a stupid question. But the all encompassing relief that he wasn’t onto her, that she wasn’t destined for the stake washed any irritation away. Instead she practically leapt from the chair heading for the door and freedom from the dungeons. She’d only made it halfway to the door when his voice stopped her.
“You don’t happen to know what was in those potions, I suppose?” He asked casually, too casually.
Halting she looked over her shoulder in confusion, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. “Oh, no.” She shook her head while smiling trying to brush it off with as close to humor as she could summon.
“No, of course not.” He continued with his fake geniality. “You’re not a physician after all.” He laughed as if he’d told some great joke.
She let out an attempt at a laugh, but it came out as more of a strangled exhale fighting to get past her teeth, trapped in a smile. Morgana made it a whole step before he spoke again.
His voice lost some of its geniality and that scared her and relieved her. He was playing a game with her and she feared she wasn’t just a pawn in his search. “So for all you know, these potions could be magical. Your dreams, the product of an enchanted elixir?”
Fear swirled in her stomach, but Gaius was her friend, he’d helped her. She couldn’t lie to save herself at his expense. “I had these dreams before the treatment.” There was a breathless quality to her voice that made her want to cringe.
“But these dreams, have they gotten better or worse, since Gaius started treating you?” He asked following a thread of thought that scared her.
With him staring at her, like he could see all, she knew she couldn’t lie. Her eyes stung from dryness, from the tears she’d shed the night before. Her skin prickled, alight just waiting for something to grab at her. “Worse.”
He nodded before pronouncing his thoughts. “As I thought.” There was a long pause where she didn’t dare move. “Thank you, you’ve been most helpful.”
She finally left the room, the door creaking shut behind her. As it shut her legs wanted to give out from beneath her, but she also wished to run from this dark place for the sun and the light of the upper castle. But there was no sun waiting for her, just clouds and thick air that was cold despite it’s weight. Morgana was startled at a thick, warm, weight being dropped around her shoulders. Looking behind her she saw the grim faced knight. Her eyes narrowed, and brow crinkled.
“Here, you look cold.” Kara stepped around in front of her carefully fastened the clasp of her cape at her throat and gently ensuring that the fabric was covering her shoulders. “That man knows nothing, he’s fishing for answers. You won’t become collateral damage in his witch hunt.”
In that moment she felt nothing but exhaustion and oddly relief. It was a false promise of protection. Her knight would turn on her at the first sign of magic, but in this moment she let herself soak up the warmth of the cape and the support. “Thank you for not leaving me with him.”
“Never, I promise.” Kara assured her before stepping to the side, allowing her to continue out of the dungeons.
////
Morgana’s night had been filled with dreams of fire and condemnation. She’d barely rested, fitfully tossing and turning. By the time she appeared in court she knew she looked like death warmed over. Still, the idea of not knowing what was happening was worse than having to set eyes on Aredian’s foul face.
The presence of Gwen in the hall was reassuring. Her maid servant was loyal, her friend. A voice whispered inside of her head that that wouldn’t last if she knew she had magic. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately her thoughts were distracted by Aredian marching into the hall, Gaius dragged behind him, bracketed by guards.
It made her want to be sick, bile rising in the back of her throat; as she watched a man she saw as an uncle humiliated in such a way. She desperately wished to help, but there was nothing to be done. Uther would not listen when it came to magic. So she sat by as Gaius confessed to crimes he surely had not committed. Aredian smirking down at his withered old frame, like breaking the kind old man was something to be proud of.
Morgana had to turn her eyes away, sorrow pulling at her. She was too lose yet another person she loved because of this. Aredian had set his trap, and he’d caught Gaius in it. Gaius who healed, and listened. She was numb as she listened to Uther pronounce the sentence of death, turning away from his betrayal of his friend and advisor. She was sick, that as she watched Gaius be dragged from the room, she also felt relief that it wasn’t her. And then Merlin was lunging forward calling Aredian a liar.
Finally Arthur stood, grabbing his manservant and hauling him out of the room, his cries still audible as they left. Morgana looked to Gwen praying her other friend was not as foolish as Merlin. Merlin who knew how to find druids, Merlin who knew she had magic.
////
From her window Morgana had a perfect view of the courtyard where the rolling cage for the condemned sat. Her friend, a man as close to family as she had, would be dragged to the stake in that cage like some kind of animal in the morning. And she would have to watch it. Watch it like she’d been forced to watch hundreds before him. How long since she’d learned that her pleading to Uther would change nothing?
“I have a few more questions for you.”
Morgana spun finding Aredian far too close. He was in her personal space looking down at her like he could see beneath her skin. Terror shook her as she realized he’d been able to sneak up on her like that, in her private rooms. How would she even be able to answer, when her terror left her voiceless?
A hand grabbed Aredian by the shoulder ripping him away several feet back and away from her. The furious blue eyes of Ser Zorel bore into him as she stepped between the two of them. Morgan realized distantly that she hadn’t seen her out of armor before. She was wearing a simple blue tunic and brown trousers. It was odd, even when not on duty she wore men’s clothing.
Kara’s voice was firm and commanding despite not being loud. “What do you think you’re doing in here?”
Aredian straightened his jerkin while glaring at the knight. “Fulfilling my duty, as I suggest you do yours by returning to your post, knight.” He practically spat her title.
“This is my post.” Kara crossed her arms, her surprisingly broad shoulders squaring up. “And I’m sure the King would like to hear how his Witchfinder with no title, was found alone, at night, in his Ward’s rooms. After attempting to be alone with her in the dungeons earlier today.”
“You suggest-”
“I do.” Kara stepped closer into the man’s space. “Now get out. You can ask her ladyship your questions in the morning as is proper or I’ll throw you out myself.”
Her stepped closer, their chests almost brushing. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Watch me.” Kara dropped her hands from where they were crossed and shoved him back a step.
Morgana watched in awe as Aredian was forced to give a final glare and leave, slamming the door behind him. She couldn’t help it, she was just wound so tight. The buzzing under her skin had been getting worse all day, and as she let herself breathe out some of it escaped. Even as her back hit the wall behind her the vase of flowers on her table exploded.
Spinning round Kara stared at her wide eyed and Morgana broke. There was no explaining that, Aredian was onto her, Ser Zorel knew, she couldn’t escape. It was over. Her legs gave out as she shook her head, sobs breaking free. As she hit the ground she pulled knees up to herself and hugged them close. Her shaking finally breaking free. Her panic and fear finally overwhelmed her, the sounds of wind and breaking objects barely registered.
Then hands were on her shoulders and she screamed. Her fingers digging into herself as she recoiled into the wall. Her nightmares made life. The very air felt too thin, she was unable to get it to her lungs. She didn’t want to die, she didn’t want to die. Words began tumbling out of her mouth as she rocked back and forth. “I don’t want to die, I just want to be good, I won’t hurt anyone, I just want to be good.” And then she didn’t have enough air in her lungs and the darkness claimed her.
////
Gwen panicked when she bumped into Ser Zorel outside of Gaius’s quarters. The knight couldn’t know what she and Merlin planned? Would the knight help? She didn’t know and they needed more than just to prove that the belladonna petals were what had caused the witnesses to ‘see’ magic. So she stood in the way of the knight. She didn’t think they had, but she was if anyone caught onto the evidence she and Merlin found they could be silenced before they brought it to the king. “Ser.”
“Gwen.” Kara’s eyes were bright and focused. “I was looking for you.”
“Me, how can I help?” Gwen took in the causal men’s clothing the woman wore. She wasn’t on duty at the moment. So it wasn’t Morgana.
Kara flicked her eyes over her shoulder before pulling them to the side and out of sight. “Aredian attempted to question Morgana again tonight. I believe he wishes to entrap her.”
Her heart stopped beating for a moment. She knew how close Morgana was to breaking from the stress. While she didn’t know what exactly had been weighing on her lady since the Druids she knew that nothing good could come of the woman breaking for a shark like Aredian. “Attempted?”
“I threw him out.” Kara’s eyes flashed. “He’s been walking around scaring everyone into doing exactly what he wants. We can’t let him entrap anyone else.”
“You think Gaius isn’t guilty? Why?” Gwen took a second look at the knight. She was full of a nervous energy.
Kara looked at her in disbelief. “You mean besides confessing to only vague ‘sorcery’ and to the spells that the witnesses saw? None of the magic served any purpose. Something isn’t right about all of this.”
“He’s a fraud.” Gwen blurted out. “The witnesses were given a drug that made them hallucinate. We can prove it.”
Kara focused on her silently for a moment before nodding. “I’ll take care of and protect Morgana tonight and tomorrow morning. Do whatever you need to do. I’ll cover for you.”
“Can you do hair?” Gwen asked in disbelief.
There was a pause as Kara pointed to her intricately braided hair pointedly. “I can assist her in getting ready for a single morning. But we need to get rid of Aredian before he gets his claws into her.”
Gwen stared at the knight for a long moment. She didn’t trust her, there was something not right about the woman. But she wasn’t the immediate threat. Nodding she decided. She would help Merlin tonight, tomorrow if they were successful she could worry about Ser Zorel. “Alright.”
////
Morgana woke up to the sound of birds and a beam of sunlight on her face. Her mattress was soft beneath her, her blankets over the top of her. She stared at the canopy above her bed, before closing her eyes and reopening them. When her view remained the same she felt herself melt in relief, it had been a nightmare. She was safe, her magic was hidden. Sitting up she froze. There sitting in a chair that was leaning against the wall sat Ser Zorel, her eyes closed and head tilted back.
She opened and closed her mouth. Taking in the room she saw that several pieces of ceramic were missing, including the flower pot. Her curtains were completely gone, hence the sunlight shining into her face while she slept. The curtains about her bed were gone as well, only the canopy remained. Also she didn’t think she’d seen the room this clean before in all her days. Carefully, she rose from her bed and realized she was in the same dress she’d been wearing the night before.
Everything pointed to...well it pointed to Ser Zorel hiding the signs of her magic, protecting her from the law. At the very least she had yet to be dragged to the dungeon. Looking out the window she could see it was early yet. Gwen wouldn’t be in for an hour at least. Morgana pulled her screen out and carefully changed into a more comfortable dress. It was a simply cut purple gown. The laces were in the front allowing her to go without summoning Gwen to assist her.
By the time she’d changed, poured herself a glass of water from a new metal pitcher, into a new metal cup. She drank her water and brushed her hair she till knew that time was up. Stepping forward she grasped the knights shoulder and shook gently. As Ser Zorel moved she backed up quickly putting as much space between them as possible.
Ser Zorel opened her eyes, blinking slightly adjusting to the light. There was a lack of sleep in her motions as she stretched that led Morgana to suspect the woman hadn’t been asleep at all. “Good morning my lady.”
“Morgana.” She corrected automatically before wincing slightly. This may be her one chance to beg for her life, correcting the knight wasn’t going to help. “I...why am I here?”
“It’s your room?” Zorel cocked her head to the side looking at her in confusion. “Where else would you be?”
“The dungeon?” Morgana straightened her gown with her fidgety hands. “You saw...you saw me use magic.”
Ser Zorel didn’t move just looking at her with an unfathomable expression. Finally the woman leaned forward in her chair, though she made no move to stand. “I’m not going to tell anyone what I saw last night.”
“Why? You don’t...you do not know me, what do you want in exchange.” She shuddered at the thought of what could be asked of her.
“Nothing.” The woman looked incredibly tired for a long while. “You don’t deserve to be afraid in your own home because of something like magic. I...I’ve always wanted to help people, be a hero, what would turning you in do? It’s wrong, and I wouldn’t do that to anyone. When I was younger I would have been disgusted by some of the things I’ve done, lives I’ve taken, but I’m not a monster. I would never let you be taken to the pyre. I swear it, your secret is safe with me.”
A hand rose to her mouth to stifle a sob of relief. Morgana could barely comprehend it. She sat down on the edge of her bed. “I don’t understand. Why?”
Zorel, Kara pushed some of her golden hair behind her ear. “Well it’s the right thing to do. And I didn’t technically swear to uphold the law of Camelot, only to serve Camelot.” She winked at her with playful smile. “Personally I think Camelot is a better place with you in it.”
“You must want something?” Morgana asked as she relaxed marginally. She doubted the woman before her meant her harm which was..it was novel.
Kara laughed lightly. “Nope, well I suppose if you could help me find a very powerful magic user I would be very greatful. But you don’t have to help me.”
Morgana frowned slightly. “Why protect a magic user if you mean to hunt another down?”
“I don’t want to find an incredibly powerful magic user to kill them.” Kara waved her arms slightly. “I want to find one for help.”
It took a moment for that to sink in. “You want help from a magic user?”
Kara nodded. “I want to go home, but I can’t without the aid of magic. Until I can find someone powerful enough to get me home I’m stuck. It doesn’t help that from what I can tell, a spell like the one I’d need doesn’t even exist. So my only option is to find someone who can do it with brute strength or who’s an expert spell caster.” She made a shrugging movement. “I’ve been finding and asking all across the continent but I can’t seem to find anyone capable of it. So I figured as crazy as the idea is that Camelot might be my best option. There’s something about the land here, there’s more magic than anywhere else. Not that I wouldn’t have helped you if you didn’t have magic. That surprised me honestly. Like I hadn’t expected that. Though maybe I should ask Merlin if he knows anything…” She drifted off into thought.
“Merlin?” Morgana asked in surprise. This knight was just full of surprises it seemed.
“Oh, I’d heard stories about how there was a powerful sorcerer named Merlin, but that doesn’t seem right. But then again, hiding behind powerful people is the best way to stay hidden.” She frowned seeming to add information together.
She held up a hand. “Merlin doesn’t have magic. But why do you need magic to get home? I’ve heard of the city state of Themyscira. It’s isolationist sure but you shouldn’t have difficulty getting back there.”
Kara shook her head looking incredibly sad. “The city of Themyscira isn’t my home. I helped build the city, offer refuge to those who couldn’t find it elsewhere. But it’s not where I’m from. I’m from..well I guess I’m from a different world.”
Morgana stared at her. The woman couldn’t be serious...and how old was she? She looked like they were the same age. “You’re serious?”
“Yes.” Kara nodded. “I owed a friend a debt. So when he asked for my help against invaders to his world I agreed. We won and when he returned me to my world, my home; something went wrong. I ended up here.” She flopped her arms uselessly. “I can’t travel between worlds, it’s not a power I have. I have no idea where I am; or I do know where I am in the sense of where in this world and when in this world I am. But this isn’t my world. There wasn’t this much magic in my world. Yet there were more beings with powers. It was just...different. Not a bad different!” She rushed to explain. “I mean it’s way cleaner here, and there are more forests! And you have magical creatures, I saw a unicorn you know! But you don’t have potstickers or pizza. Or tv..I miss tv. And my sister and friends are all back in my world.”
Morgana couldn’t help it, she chuckled at the rambling mess her knight was turning into. How had she been afraid of this woman only a handful of minutes before she didn’t know. “So you came to the kingdom that kills magic users to find a magic user?”
“I already checked most other places with magical communities.” The knight defended with a pout.
She arched a brow at the woman. “It takes years just to travel the major cities of the continent, let alone search them. How long have you been searching?”
Kara stared down at her lap. “Twenty years.”
The air got stuck in her throat at the weight of how the knight had pronounced the time. “How is that possible?” She breathed.
Looking up through lashes impossibly sad eyes stared into her. “I don’t age.”
“You don’t…” She gaped at the woman.
Suddenly blue eyes glowed as she looked at her, with a bright light obscuring her pupils. “I’m not human.” A single hand rose pointing upwards. “I’m from the stars of another world. My people were known as Kryptonians. I am the last daughter of house El.”
“Oh.” Morgana watched in rapt attention as the woman’s eyes returned to their blue color. That was...that was insanity. And yet, she believed her. Questions filled her mind all fighting to be the first to come out. A glance at the window told her that there wasn’t much time before Gwen returned. Which meant time was short and there important things to be addressed. The rest could come later. “Will you still be here tonight?”
Kara nodded. “I won’t leave. If you tell Uther what I’ve told you of course I’ll be forced to leave.”
“He’d kill you.” She bit the inside of her cheek at the predicament they were in.
“Hey, it’s alright. No one knows that I’m different here except you. I’ll protect your secret as long as you allow me to. Even if this Witchfinder does discover you, I won’t let him harm you.” Kara said with conviction. “And even if I am discovered I doubt there is anything Uther has that could harm me. His swords won’t cut me, nor his fire burn me. You don’t need to worry about me Morgana, I promise.”
////
Morgana found that when she wasn’t living in absolute fear of the man, watching the Witchfinder’s lies revealed filled her with nothing but pride in her friends. While she’d been terrified, Gwen and Merlin had gone and proved the man a fraud. She was proud of them as they laid out the evidence. Arthur even spoke as a voice of reason, refusing to let Aredian force his injustice to continue.
It struck her as how fear had been the man’s power. He threatened, prodded, poked and worked until a person broke. How close had she come to breaking? Would she have lasted if he’d been able to question her the night before? Possibly, she had been terrified but confessing would have led to death. She’d had nothing to lose by lying. Her terror would have revealed her guilt, even if it hadn’t already. But with his fraud showing none would believe him if he accused her.
She followed with the others as Merlin, supported by Arthur, demanded that Aredian’s room be searched. Kara had stepped back letting the royals and the searchers to ransack the room. She still felt a security in having Kara to her back. Even if the woman was standing just outside the door.
Morgana couldn’t keep the surprised glee from her face as the cupboard was opened, dozens of amulets falling out. All nearly identical to the one that had condemned Gaius. The evidence hadn’t stopped there. Aredian hadn’t even been able to defend himself without coughing up a toad. It was disgusting to see, but the wave of relief as the man was revealed was too great for her to feel any pity for him. He’d burned hundreds and she couldn’t find much regret that he would burn as well. And then he’d grabbed her.
Uther spoke slowly as he held his sword out. “Aredian, think carefully about what you are doing. You will never escape from Camelot alive.”
Morgana could smell the man’s soap and the accelerant from the pyre on him. It was sickening. The knife at her throat kept her still, his grip iron, surely bruising her arm. But she could see Kara’s eyes locked on her from where she’d darted into the room the moment she’d been grabbed. She was going to be alright, if Uther failed Arthur and Kara would save her.
Aredian pulled his blade closer to her throat. “I will if you value the life of your ward, hmm?”
And then she felt him jerk as he let out a great groan of pain, jerking his knife up and away from her throat. It was enough and Kara was there grabbing her out of his grip. She heard a crack as she grabbed the arm that had been holding her. Morgana could hear as there was a crash, her sight was obscured by Kara shielding her from harm with her body. Looking over Kara’s shoulder she realized the man had fallen out of the window. Arthur and Uther had rushed to the window. She didn’t need to ask if he’d survived from their faces.
Kara pulled her to the corner of the room. Then she began to fuss. “Are you alright, did he hurt you?”
She shook her head. “Just a bruised ego.”
Kara laughed in relief as she patted at her shoulders. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Really.” She leaned against the wall behind her. It was over. She was safe, Kara knew her secret and was going to protect it. “I’m safe.”
“You’re safe.” Kara reassured her. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Morgana allowed herself to relax, leaning her head against her knight’s shoulder. She was going to be ok, she was going to be ok. Breathing in freely, without fear for the first time in weeks she allowed Kara to wrap her arms around her securely.