♔ 2 | The Other Side...

[not_a_clotpole]

The rain is pelting down and the rocks are hard under Arthur's feet as he flees through the forest looking for somewhere to hide.

Behind him are thundering footfalls, the sound of a band of knights in pursuit.

Arthur picks a bad moment to look over his shoulder to see if his pursuers are gaining ground on him, suddenly he's tripping on a fallen log and tumbling down a steep embankment to the bottom, collecting any number of bruises and scrapes.

The wind is knocked out of him for a moment and he finds himself unable to move for a moment, which is long enough for faces to appear at the top of ditch, the knights of Camelot! Coming for him!

They have however, grouped themselves together and Arthur sees his chance. He scrambles to his feet and makes a desperate gesture, his eyes momentarily flash gold - so quick one would be hard pressed to notice - and a large heavy branch falls on top of the knights knocking them down.

It gives him precious time, time that he can use to escape...

If there even is escape.

Magic in Camelot will get you killed.

(OOC: No prizes for guessing the Chessboard flip - Arthur's warrior skills have been replaced by magic. He's now a Druid and an enemy of Camelot...)

Comments

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[That easy acceptance is something she doesn't encounter often, and Mercury finds herself glancing away in search of something else to focus on.]

You should be arming the men you have here. There's still a chance of having been followed.

['Thank you'. Because it's the truth for her, always: The important thing is being there. It's all she ever looks for.]

[not_a_clotpole]

[Had Arthur known he's reaction would have been rather less calm, but then ignorance is bliss.

He considers her suggestion.]

"The Druids are a rather peaceful people, the elders don't really know how to fight. There's defensive spells of course, most of know those to an extent." [He's pretty sure Mercury won't think that answer satisfactory.] "It's also difficult to get hold of weapons."

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

There aren't blacksmiths among you?

Send some to be trained. It will help your cause.

[not_a_clotpole]

[Arthur shakes his head.]

"Druids do not ride horses or keep stock. We have no need for them."

[Arthur is filling the third and last waterskin.]

"The best weapons are made in Camelot itself and no Druid could risk going there."

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She only gives a sly, sidelong look, and pulls out a small hand-held device from thin air. She presses a few buttons, turns it on herself, and-

Voila! A rather pretty female knight, in full armor, smirks back at Arthur in Mercury's place. Not everyone had that type of magical advantage for their disguise, of course, but was she expected to believe the guards and knights knew the faces of every single druid?]

[not_a_clotpole]

[Arthur gapes, looking comoletely stunned. So stunned in fact, it's a wonder he doesn't rub his eyes.]

"How did you-?! Doall the people of Mercury have such magical ability?"

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[A few years ago, she was always uncomfortable using these sorts of spells, like she was cheating the universe somehow, or something like that.

Now, she enjoys them thoroughly. She wants to be special. Arthur's reaction is quite gratifying. She shakes her head.]

Only a few of these exist in the world. Others are already mine, too.

You might not have something like this, but there are still ways for you to sneak into the town, isn't that so?

[not_a_clotpole]

[Arthur considers her words.] "I have heard of spells that can change ones appearance. Most of them are dark magic and require the death of the person who's form one wishes to take." [In other words spells that Arthur is not willing to try.] "And there is the matter of money. Stealing weapons is difficult." [He sighs. Their options are so limited, it's stifling.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[And she meddles again.]

Just this time, I'll change the appearance of your men for you. Take them to the tower as a new guard shift, and seize your chance to carry off the weapons.

[Of course, she is not that kind.]

In return, I also want something.

(ooc: and I am at a loss for what she might want specifically. feel free to make an offer or two and we can see if it'd work XD)

[not_a_clotpole]

"You will?" [Arthur looks at Mercury with no end of gratitude. Of course he'd have to convince the others to trust Mercury, but once he tells them of how she saved him.

Her request brings him down to earth.]

"Want something? We don't have much to offer I'm afraid."

(ooc: Eek! Arthur will be lacking in suggestions, the poor Druids of Merlin don't have much at all. Also...Arthur will be utterly useless with a sword in this incarnation. Which could be amusing!)

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Teach me the spells you know. Let me use your power in return for using mine.

[Every spell would take far too long; but she'd settle for a decent spellbook, or a few notable ones.]

[not_a_clotpole]

[Arthur breathes a small sigh of relief.

He was worried she would want him to do something impossible. But someone of her skill would have no trouble learning the spells he knows.]

"That's fair, more than fair really." [He smiles at her as he tucks away the third waterskin.] "Come on, follow me the community isn't too far."

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[It's simple, really: This way, she gets more than by asking for something he'd refuse. Her lips curve upward, slowly.]

Then, choose your men.

[She'll insert herself into the group he chooses once he's picked them.]

[not_a_clotpole]

[It'll be a while before Arthur is able to choose his men, since they still have to travel back to the community.

It's nestled in a low valley that has a canopy of trees growing overhead providing cover from the elements and the roving patrols of Camelot's knights.

It's slapdash of tents that have seen better days and there's much curiosity at the appearance of Arthur with a unknown face, but no hostility.]

"This is Mercury from a distant land. She rescued me at great risk to herself."

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Arrogant as ever, she disclaims the feat.]

I wouldn't call a few humans 'great risk'.

[It's strange wording, implying she sees humans as separate from herself, even lesser.]

[not_a_clotpole]

[Arthur's fellow Druids look rather confused by Mercury's statement, but they're too polite to make an issue of it.]

"She is magical as well and has offered to help us fight the knights."

[The community is decidedly less enthused about that and a great deal of muttering breaks out.

Finally the leader of the community holds up his hand for silence.]

"And how will you help us, child?" [He asks of Mercury, the term of address not meant to insult but rather a welcome to the community.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[If only they knew what it means to her (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xc3WvXiUnA). She's used to it, that attitude she takes for dismissive contempt. Mercury fixes the speaker with a skeptical look of her own.]

This from a guy who doesn't even look like he's lifted a sword before?

[Dismissing the leader in her turn, she looks at Arthur instead, and renames her terms.]

Give me what I want, too, and the castle armory is yours. However, that guy stays here like a child. [She does not take perceived insults kindly.]

[not_a_clotpole]

[Well, this is getting awkward. There's quite a bit of murmuring from the others, this time slightly less than friendly.

The Druids are not a violent people, but they revere their leaders.

Arthur quickly intervenes.]

"I think you've misunderstood, Father Friede was welcoming you to the community. I'm considered a child as well...we all are. But that is not a comment on your abilities or anything of that sort."

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She backs down with very poor grace. She eyes the community leader, then Arthur, almost as though she doesn't understand why Arthur is calling her off. She clearly wants to prolong the confrontation instead.

But slowly, the tension leaves her posture.]

The ones chosen to infiltrate the armory will be disguised as knights. Like me right now.

[not_a_clotpole]

[Well, the last thing Arthur wants is a fight to break out, not least of all because he's pretty sure Mercury would defeat them all.]

"We can trust Mercury," [he says again.] "And we need weapons, if we're going to protect ourselves." [He looks around at the community members.] "Who's with us?"

[It's a moment or two, but soon a few men step forward.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[A satisfied nod. Mercury looks the volunteers up and down.]

These are the brave ones, then.

[She addresses them directly next.]

Can any of you fight? If it doesn't go as planned, you may have to.