Baddest man in the whole damn town

[veryrheged]

It should not be a surprise that shortly after the miraculous resurrection of Merlin, there would be an official demand from Rheged on behalf of its king.

An ambassador, without any power to negotiate, arrives with a parchment listing a number of demands:

1. Compensation for the slander against his name as no one was actually murdered. 
2. A demand for

Comments

[secrettalents]

It must be said, that for someone recently returned from the dead, Merlin has been a bit unusually quiet. That may be the fault of Morgana, who has not allowed him out of her sight since his return to her. Something that he predicted quite correctly.

He arrives sometime after Morgana now however. Having been working on something of his own desire. The return of Excalibur and the ring are foremost on his mind. Though he knows that Lancelot has been attempting to bring the matter of King Urien up as a more pressing concern.

Calmly, unnaturally so, Merlin enters and waits for his future bride and brother in law to tell him what the trouble is.

[exiledskeptic]

There's probably only one person in the palace quieter than Merlin, but she is small, as much as she doesn't like that, and currently in her lessons. If she wasn't, she might've come to take a peek at what's going on, or her sister would. Checking Merlin's still here has become a part of the daily routine for both, even if they don't say much.

Merlin missed Morgana in the depths of mourning, but he would get a fleeting idea here. She is pale and drawn as she's looking over the demands.

She starts without preamble. "Urien thinks your death was a hoax. He's demanding compensation for any and all accusations." Considering the lengths he went to before, the various scenarios running through her mind are what's causing her current pallor.

[secrettalents]

His reaction to the news is perhaps a little disturbing.

Merlin laughs. The sounds is not one that his family and close friends would be familiar with. Instead it is a dark amusement. "Shall I go and inform him of his mistake? I believe it is entirely within my rights to demand some compensation for his murderous act against me."

All in all, Merlin has been Arthur's tamed warlock. He has never shown any real indication of the sheer destructive power at his will. Through diplomatic and careful efforts, Arthur and Merlin have build a lasting legacy to be proud of. But there was once a time when Merlin did not have such strict control over his magic.

When he'd been banished from Camelot, he'd traveled a great distance and through circumstances found that what he was capable of was beyond what even he suspected.

For Arthur's sake alone, Merlin did not advertise the fact that he could bring destruction so easily to these lands. In fact. There were those among the druids that believed it was his destiny to do so.

[exiledskeptic]

What no one in the room knows is Urien's alternative plans. He can play things either way, if the palace admits it was a hoax -- as he doesn't know Vanadis has talked, otherwise he would've arranged for the girl's death -- or keeps to the story of the resurrection. This is a calculated move.

The laugh is even more upsetting to Morgana, and she responds in a typical fashion, sounding angry, instead of upset. "This is not humourous. Look at what he has done before. I once thought him harmless but greedy, but his avarice knows no limits."

She's worried about what he will try next. Still, she wants to make one thing clear, "And I cannot marry him, as he demands."

[secrettalents]

"You will not marry him, my love. His own greed and actions have come back to haunt him now. With death, and a renewed life, my magic has returned."

Merlin looks to the messenger, it is a look that says clearly the man's life is hanging in the balance of the winds of humor. The sky grows darker with clouds. "King Urien's life belongs to me, his kingdom, his lands, and his people I concede to Arthur. However the old magic does not take kindly to those that offend it's own. If your King wishes to be spared he must come to Camelot five days hence, alone, forsaking all his fortunes and he must beg for his life and my mercy."

The warlock may have just engaged Camelot in war, but it is not one that he plans for Arthur to have to worry about.

...it may occur to some, that when Uther spoke of the power of magic, and the threat that it posed, he was not speaking idly.

[exiledskeptic]

Morgana's life has been defined by war. There was the battle that took her father's life. Then there was Uther's war against magic, and though a different war altogether, it had equally devastating effects, this time on her own morality.

She looks at the messenger, who, to his credit, only nods, and waits for leave from Arthur.

Next, she looks between her brother and betrothed. For once, Morgana knows her place, and while it isn't one of silence, it isn't one of open disagreement at this time. Nothing that the messenger could report back.

Instead, she waits for her brother. As King, it is his place, not hers.

[kingnotclotpole]

Arthur hasn't really seen this side of Merlin's personality before and in all honesty he finds it rather intimidating.

He can't blame his friend for making such demands to the messenger, Urien arranged for that archer to be there, to shoot and kill Merlin should he win. He had completely undermined and spat in the face of the Knights Code at that duel and nothing angers Arthur quite as much as that.

All the same...he can't quite see Urien showing up in five days, or handing over his kingdom.

He catches Leon's eye before speaking to the messenger. "We will need to discuss this matter further before giving our definitive answer," he holds out his hand for the list of demands. "In the meantime, Sir Leon will show you to your quarters and meals will be provided. You may see to your horse also."