LotS/Camelot Fic: Birthright - Part I (10/10)
Title: Birthright - Part I (LotS/Camelot Crossover) 10/10
Author: TheDawn
Pairing: Cara/Morgan
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Word Count: 3727
Disclaimer: Neither Legend of the Seeker or Camelot are mine - but you'll never convince me that this didn't happen.
Summary: Morgan Pendragon's life was turned upside down when her mother was killed to make room for her father's new wife. When a mysterious Sister arrives from across the sea in D'Hara, she enters a world she never could have imagined - and was always meant to know.
Author's Notes: Sorry for the delay...this would have been up sooner but I got distracted by a rather long evening of pumpkin carving and Guild watching:P See Chapter One for full Author's Notes.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Birthright - Part I (10/10)
Lord Rahl's instructions raced through Dahlia's mind as she crept quietly along the corridor, her hunting knife tucked securely into her boot. She could not deny that she was glad to have been given the honor of completing this task herself; personal vengeance was a rare allowance for a Mord-Sith. Still, a not-so-small part of her was anxious about her chances of success. Anxious, not scared - never scared.
Her pulse pounded in her ears as she approached the doorway to Morgan's chamber. She had overheard Cara and Morgan talking at the evening meal, lamenting the fact that Cara would be occupied for most of the night breaking a new prisoner. If there was ever a time to try this, it was now, when Morgan was asleep, and alone. Bending down, Dahlia slid the knife free, gripping it tightly in her right hand, before she slipped into the darkness of the room.
And promptly found herself outside again, slammed against the wall by Cara's hand on her throat. The hand holding the knife was captured by Cara's other hand, twisting painfully at her wrist until the knife clattered to the tile floor.
Dahlia's surprise at Cara's presence paled in the shadow of the look in Cara's eyes. The bright green pools blazed with anger, violence, and something Dahlia had never seen in them before, at least not directed at her - hatred. Swallowing roughly against the tight clench in her chest, Dahlia opened her mouth to speak.
“Don't,” Cara said sharply, keeping her voice low. “I don't want to hear your excuses, Dahlia. Just tell me one thing: did Darken Rahl order you to do this?”
“Cara,” Dahlia began softly, her eyes wide and earnest, “if you just think about it-”
Cara's hand tightened at Dahlia's throat, and the stiff leather neck-guard was quite possibly the only thing keeping Dahlia from choking to death. “Yes or no, Dahlia?”
Dahlia nodded, her nostrils flaring with the effort of holding back her emotions. She had hoped - but hope was foolish. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to accept the inevitable: there was no way that she would be allowed to live - even if Cara managed to find some long-lost trace of affection for her, Morgan would have no such problem. At least Dahlia could say that she had given her life trying to save the woman she loved - even if that woman didn't want to be saved, even if Cara now refused to acknowledge everything they had shared.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize Cara had spoken again. “What?”
“I asked you if you were the only one with these orders,” Cara repeated, her voice dark with irritation and danger.
“I don't know,” Dahlia said, her eyes turned down in resignation. “If Lord Rahl gave any other sisters similar instructions, he didn't tell me.”
Cara's grip loosened as she raced through her options in her mind. She was loath to let Dahlia go; she knew the woman would alert Darken Rahl about her failure as soon as she was able. But if there were other Mord-Sith in the temple out for Morgan's blood, her priority had to be ensuring the safety of her Lady Rahl.
“Please, Cara, it's for the best,” Dahlia said shakily, reaching up to touch Cara's cheek. Tears sprang to her eyes as Cara recoiled in disgust. “I was doing this for us. For what we had before Morgan showed up and tore it away from us-”
“What we had is dead,” Cara sneered, shoving Dahlia violently against the wall before releasing her and backing away. “You killed it with your blind jealousy and hatred. And if you ever come near Morgan again, I'll kill you.”
Dahlia clenched her jaw, trying to hold back her tears, but one escaped, sliding down her cheek. With one last wounded look, she turned away, heading back toward her own chamber.
Cara watched her go, feeling something in her chest shatter. She had no doubts about her choices, but Dahlia had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember - knowing with such certainty that she never would be again was a hard thing to accept.
But that wasn't important now. With a slight shake of her head to clear it, Cara turned back to look through the doorway, where Morgan was lying asleep in her bed. What was between her and Morgan was not love, or anything like what she had shared with Dahlia, but it was fierce and deep and loyal. She would do anything to protect Morgan - anything.
*****
Meanwhile, Morgan slumbered - though not at all peacefully. She felt as though she were wide awake, a familiar awareness coming over her. When she heard the Keeper's voice reverberate through her head, she understood why.
“Morgan,” the voice boomed, “the time has come for you to leave D'Hara.”
Shock was plain on Morgan's face, teasing at the edges of her arrogant indignation. “Leave? Why would I do that?”
“Darken Rahl hunts you even as we speak. He will not stop until he sees you dead - but his power does not extend across the sea. You will be safe there until his path reaches its inevitable end.”
“You wish me to live,” Morgan said, irritation creeping into her tone. “But you have not told me why. I have done everything you have asked of me, yet you continue to keep me in the dark.”
“My plans are my own.” The Keeper's voice hardened, echoing menacingly in Morgan's ears. “You will know what you need to know and nothing more. Seek out Mistress Sibyl; she will provide what you will need to return home.”
“This is my home,” Morgan protested, but it was too late - the presence was gone.
*****
“Morgan!” Cara hissed as she shook insistently at Morgan's shoulder. She had been trying to wake the woman for a few minutes now - precious time that they would need to form a plan. Relief flooded her chest as the woman finally blinked awake.
“What's going on?” Morgan murmured sleepily. Then the Keeper's words came back to her, and she jerked up to a sitting position, the thin blanket pooling under her naked breasts. Sleep couldn't be further from her mind now. “I have to leave.”
Cara nodded, collecting Morgan's leathers from where they were folded neatly on a nearby table. “Yes, Mistress,” Cara said, bringing the leathers over as Morgan threw the blanket aside.
“Who was it?” Morgan asked idly as Cara helped her into her clothes. She could think of a few people in the temple who would want to kill her.
“Dahlia,” Cara said roughly, tugging the laces tight against Morgan's back. “She's probably writing to Darken Rahl as we speak. We don't have much time.”
“Then we should not waste it,” Morgan said, pulling her hair back with a strip of leather rather than taking the time to braid it. She sat on the edge of the bed long enough to tug on her boots before rushing out of the room, and Cara snatched up the remainder of Morgan's uniform as she hurried after.
*****
Dahlia waited anxiously at the edge of the room as Darken Rahl appeared in a burst of blue flames.
“What happened?” He asked, heading immediately for the door, sparing only the briefest of glances her way.
Dahlia followed close behind him. “When I returned to my chamber, the journey book was lying open on my bed,” she lied smoothly. “I suspect Morgan was going through my room and found it.”
A grim smile touched Darken's lips as he hurried down the stairs. Of course Morgan would be suspicious - it was a family trait, after all. “Then she knows I mean to kill her,” he mused. “She won't be sitting idly by. I only wonder why she has waited to act thus far - frankly, I'm surprised you lived long enough to send me that message.”
“She must be planning something, my lord,” Dahlia said, thankful that Lord Rahl was in front of her and could not see the burn of her cheeks. She couldn't help but try to protect Cara, as Cara had always done for her. As long as she still lived, and Cara remained in Lord Rahl's good graces, Dahlia could still hope that she could one day get her back. Once Morgan was out of the way, at least.
“Whatever it is,” Darken said solemnly, “she won't get away with it.”
*****
“I don't see why I can't go with you,” Cara argued, leading a freshly saddled horse to the entrance of the stables where Morgan already stood with another. Switching mounts would give her an advantage over whatever search party Darken Rahl sent after her, and these were the two fastest horses the temple possessed.
“I need you here,” Morgan said, taking the reins from Cara's hand.
“But why?” Cara asked, bringing over Morgan's corset and neck-guard and strapping them on to the woman. “Surely I'd be better use at your side, to protect you from whatever forces Rahl sends after you.”
Morgan smiled, almost fondly. “Your concern for my well-being is noted, and appreciated,” she said, turning to face Cara as the blonde slid her belt around her waist, buckling it swiftly before moving to secure the holster around her thigh. Morgan reached for Cara's chin, angling her face up towards her. “But the most useful thing you can do for me right now is to keep me apprised of my cousin's plans. The easiest way to do that is for you to be at his side.”
“I don't like it,” Cara said firmly.
“I'm sure you will manage,” Morgan said, releasing Cara's chin as she moved over to a wall lined with storage chests. Opening each one in turn, she finally pulled out a pair of journey books, and tucked one of them into her pack. The other she pressed into Cara's hands. “I am counting on you to tell me everything you hear, anything that could be of use. It will not be easy; he is not going to be happy with you when Dahlia tells him of your interference."
Cara scoffed, clutching the book in her hands. “I can handle Darken Rahl,” she said with a smirk. Her eyebrow quirked teasingly. “As long as I have your permission to use all of the skills at my disposal.”
Morgan scowled as she tugged Cara close by the strap of her neck-guard, claiming Cara's mouth in a rough, possessive kiss.
With a moan, Cara reached for Morgan's waist, the journey book digging into the leather at Morgan's back as they pressed tightly together, tongues and lips tangled together almost desperately. Finally, Morgan forced herself to pull away, breathing heavily as she pinned Cara with a sharp gaze.
“Do whatever you need to,” Morgan said, her lip curling in distaste as she forced out the words. “Just never forget where your true allegiance lies.”
*****
After seeing Morgan off, Cara rushed back into the temple, stopping off at her own chamber to drop off the journey book before heading for Dahlia's. Her path took her past Morgan's chambers, which Darken Rahl was exiting just as she approached.
“Mistress Cara,” he greeted, his eyes dark with suspicion. “How interesting to find you up and about at this hour.”
“Are you finished with the prisoner, then?” Dahlia asked hurriedly, shooting Cara a wide-eyed look from behind Lord Rahl.
Cara glanced between them uneasily. “I'm afraid so,” she said warily, deciding to go along with Dahlia's silent urging. “He is still weak and cannot withstand prolonged training. Lord Rahl, I'm surprised to see you here so suddenly. Is everything alright?”
“I have reason to suspect that Morgan is a traitor; that she has been sowing discord, plotting to usurp my throne,” Darken said with a scowl. “Seeing as she is now missing, it appears that I was right.”
“My lord, I had no idea,” Cara said, forcing concern into her voice. “I'll gather a search party immediately. She can't have gotten far.”
Rahl eyed her carefully, unable to tell exactly how much of Cara's words were truth. “See that you do,” he said curtly. “She has betrayed me and, in so doing, all of D'Hara. Such treachery cannot be allowed to go unchecked.”
Cara clenched her jaw, forcing back the desire to defend her mistress. She tilted her head sharply in acknowledgment. “Right away, my lord.”
“I will be heading back to the People's Palace presently,” Darken said. “It's possible she may be headed there, to try to claim my throne by force. I must gather my forces.”
He turned, walking back in the direction of the stairs as Dahlia and Cara walked in the opposite direction. After a few steps, he turned back. “And Cara?”
Cara whirled around to meet his gaze. “My lord?”
“Have Dahlia lead the search party,” he said, a cruel smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “You should remain here, in case she returns.”
“Yes, my lord,” Cara said through her teeth. The conversation hadn't fooled her any more than it had fooled him - she could see that he still didn't trust her. That she had, in fact, been planning to lead the search party in the opposite direction of where Morgan was headed was besides the point.
As Darken's footsteps faded down the hallway, Dahlia turned to look at Cara expectantly, a hope that was scarcely justified shining in her eyes.
Cara looked back at her in disgust. It was clear that Dahlia expected some sort of gratitude for covering up Cara's interference in Morgan's attempted assassination, but it was too little, too late. Dahlia didn't understand, and likely never would; her blind loyalty to Darken Rahl was proof that Cara had been wise not to trust her with the truth of Morgan's identity.
She tried to find words to express her disappointment, but they wouldn't come. Finally, Cara gave up, shaking her head as she turned away from Dahlia to wake her sisters. She had a search party to deceive.
*****
It was nearly a week later when Morgan rode up to the gates of the nunnery, night cloaking her approach. The sprawling temple was dark, save for the torch being held by the black-robed woman at the gate.
“Mistress Sibyl,” Morgan greeted coldly. Even weary from riding almost non-stop, she had enough presence of mind to remember everything her former mistress had withheld from her. If the Keeper hadn't specifically instructed her to seek the woman's help, Morgan would have gladly found her own way back to Britain.
“Morgan,” Sibyl said urgently. “Quick, we must get you inside.”
In one of the darkened windows of the second floor, a shadowy figure watched as Morgan dismounted. When they led the horses quietly into the stables off of the main courtyard, the figure faded back into the darkness, hurrying to her journey book.
*****
The years had aged Sibyl, but she didn't look all that different from the woman Morgan remembered the first time she came to this place. It was unnerving, to think of herself as that scared, confused child, so easily led. Now she looked on the old woman's eager smile with arrogant disdain.
“You knew who I was,” Morgan stated.
It was not a question, but Sibyl nodded anyway, a hesitant look on her face. “I wanted to tell you, child.”
“I'm not a child,” Morgan snapped, turning to place her pack on one of the chests lining the wall. “I am Lady Morgan Rahl, rightful ruler of D'Hara and Britain both by virtue of my birth. Why did you keep it from me?”
“It was too dangerous, Morgan,” Sibyl lamented. “Look at what has come from knowing the truth. Had I told you before, you would have let it slip, or lorded it over the other girls, and Darken Rahl would have had you killed before you had the chance to learn to defend yourself.”
Morgan clenched her jaw, her eyes flashing dangerously as she reached for the power within her, lashing out at Sibyl with it. She couldn't bring herself to strike out physically at her former mistress, but she could hurt her in other ways. Sibyl cried out, stumbling to brace herself against the wall as the bond twisted inside her.
“So everything I went through - the pain, the torture, enduring the scorn of my sisters - that was all to protect me?” Morgan asked in disbelief, her eyes locked on the older woman. “You watched them make a mockery of me, knowing all the while that they should be bowing before me pledging their devotion.”
Sibyl opened her mouth to respond, but a strangled cry came out instead as Morgan manipulated the bond, expertly tugging in just the right places to cause the maximum amount of pain.
“I think you enjoyed it,” Morgan sneered. “That's why you gave me all those lessons, isn't it? So that you could say that you had a hand in shaping the future ruler of D'Hara.”
“I...stand by my choices, Morgan,” Sibyl gasped out, clutching at her chest as though she could sever the thread that bound them together. “There are things you needed to learn before you could rule - things you still must learn.”
Morgan let up on the bond, growing weary of asking questions and not getting any real answers in return. “I know all I need to,” she said haughtily, looking around the stables. “The Keeper informed me that you would provide what I require to return to Britain.”
“Yes,” Sibyl said with a sigh of relief. She moved to open one of the chests, digging deep to pull out a bundle that had been buried underneath some spare tack. “I've packed enough gold to buy passage on a ship, and I found a set of robes that should fit you. You'll need to leave your leathers here, I'm afraid. It would be too easy for you to be recognized between here and the coast.”
“Very well,” Morgan agreed reluctantly. “But I'm not leaving my agiel.”
Sibyl nodded; she'd expected as much. “Just conceal it well, and don't try to use it until you're safely away from D'Hara,” she said. “When you're ready, I have a horse saddled and waiting for you by the side gate. With any luck, your departure will go unnoticed.”
Morgan smirked, reaching up to begin unfastening the buckles and laces of her leathers. “Is Mistress Nyda still watching your every move like a hawk?”
“She's probably writing to Lord Rahl of your arrival as we speak,” Sibyl said drily, her eyes flashing in irritation as she moved behind Morgan, reaching for the laces running down her back. “Here, let me help you with that.”
Her mind racing with thoughts of what was to come, Morgan endured Sibyl's assistance stoically. She could put aside her indignant anger for the moment, if it meant she could get away from this place that much more quickly.
*****
“Lord Rahl,” Egremont began, moving close to Darken's throne. “Your orders have been carried out. The nunnery burned to the ground, and our scouts report no survivors.”
"Good," Darken replied, leaning back in his throne. If he was lucky, Morgan had still been inside. But he had never been one to rely on luck.
A guard opened the main door to the throne room, poking his head through. “Mistresses Cara and Triana await your audience, my lord.”
Darken's lips curved up into a dark smile. “Send them in.”
Cara sauntered into the room with her usual confidence, Triana trailing submissively behind. “How may I be of service, my lord?” She asked, raising an eyebrow seductively.
"Denna has disgraced herself once again, only this time she had the presence of mind to flee," Rahl explained, his gaze narrowing as he pinned her with it. "That leaves me with a position open here at the People's Palace. One I wish for you to fill."
"My lord, you honor me,” Cara said, bowing her head to conceal the satisfied smile that tugged at her lips.
"See that you do the same in return," he replied, his voice cold steel. "You are dismissed, for now. You may have the afternoon to settle in, but I expect your service to begin this evening in my chambers."
Cara's lips spread into a sultry smile as she looked back up at him. "I look forward to it, my lord."
Egremont watched the two Mord-Sith turn and leave, only daring to speak when the door closed behind them. "Is this wise, Lord Rahl? Cara was extremely loyal to Morgan."
"All the more reason to keep a close eye on her, Egremont," Darken said smoothly. "I am not so deluded as to think she can be trusted. I requested that Triana join her for a reason; she doesn't have the same devotion to Cara that Dahlia does, and therefore can be of use to me in keeping track of what my cousin may be plotting."
"Your cousin, my lord?" Egremont asked, his bushy brow furrowing in confusion.
“Morgan Rahl," Darken said with an uneasy smirk. "If by some miracle she managed to escape the fire, I imagine she is probably running for her life. But I do not believe for a moment that she is finished with D'Hara."
*****
Morgan gripped the rail of the ship as she watched D'Hara fade into the distance. She would be back - and she would claim what was hers by right.
For now, it was time to finally complete her training. Uther Pendragon's days were numbered.
end part I
Author's Notes 2: Okay, I totally realize that this was not exactly the stuff that closure is made of. Thing is, from here, Morgan's story picks up in the first episode of Camelot, while Cara's is leading into "Reckoning" and Season 2 of Legend of the Seeker. I do have a brief interlude planned that will overlap a little (mostly on the Camelot end), but aside from that, I designed this part of the story as a prequel to Camelot (and to Cara's first appearance on LotS), and hopefully I didn't screw with either show's canon too terribly much for the stories to just flow together.
Part II will be picking up late in Season 2 of LotS, and after the end of Camelot. Everything in between should be assumed to happen pretty much the way it does on the shows. If you haven't watched Camelot, and don't want to, I fully intend to bring you up to speed on the goings-on in Britain when I pick up the story again in December. Look for the above-mentioned interlude probably at some point during November, because I can't just quit fanfic cold-turkey for a month, even if I am trying to write a 50,000 word original novel:P
Author: TheDawn
Pairing: Cara/Morgan
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Word Count: 3727
Disclaimer: Neither Legend of the Seeker or Camelot are mine - but you'll never convince me that this didn't happen.
Summary: Morgan Pendragon's life was turned upside down when her mother was killed to make room for her father's new wife. When a mysterious Sister arrives from across the sea in D'Hara, she enters a world she never could have imagined - and was always meant to know.
Author's Notes: Sorry for the delay...this would have been up sooner but I got distracted by a rather long evening of pumpkin carving and Guild watching:P See Chapter One for full Author's Notes.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Birthright - Part I (10/10)
Lord Rahl's instructions raced through Dahlia's mind as she crept quietly along the corridor, her hunting knife tucked securely into her boot. She could not deny that she was glad to have been given the honor of completing this task herself; personal vengeance was a rare allowance for a Mord-Sith. Still, a not-so-small part of her was anxious about her chances of success. Anxious, not scared - never scared.
Her pulse pounded in her ears as she approached the doorway to Morgan's chamber. She had overheard Cara and Morgan talking at the evening meal, lamenting the fact that Cara would be occupied for most of the night breaking a new prisoner. If there was ever a time to try this, it was now, when Morgan was asleep, and alone. Bending down, Dahlia slid the knife free, gripping it tightly in her right hand, before she slipped into the darkness of the room.
And promptly found herself outside again, slammed against the wall by Cara's hand on her throat. The hand holding the knife was captured by Cara's other hand, twisting painfully at her wrist until the knife clattered to the tile floor.
Dahlia's surprise at Cara's presence paled in the shadow of the look in Cara's eyes. The bright green pools blazed with anger, violence, and something Dahlia had never seen in them before, at least not directed at her - hatred. Swallowing roughly against the tight clench in her chest, Dahlia opened her mouth to speak.
“Don't,” Cara said sharply, keeping her voice low. “I don't want to hear your excuses, Dahlia. Just tell me one thing: did Darken Rahl order you to do this?”
“Cara,” Dahlia began softly, her eyes wide and earnest, “if you just think about it-”
Cara's hand tightened at Dahlia's throat, and the stiff leather neck-guard was quite possibly the only thing keeping Dahlia from choking to death. “Yes or no, Dahlia?”
Dahlia nodded, her nostrils flaring with the effort of holding back her emotions. She had hoped - but hope was foolish. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to accept the inevitable: there was no way that she would be allowed to live - even if Cara managed to find some long-lost trace of affection for her, Morgan would have no such problem. At least Dahlia could say that she had given her life trying to save the woman she loved - even if that woman didn't want to be saved, even if Cara now refused to acknowledge everything they had shared.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize Cara had spoken again. “What?”
“I asked you if you were the only one with these orders,” Cara repeated, her voice dark with irritation and danger.
“I don't know,” Dahlia said, her eyes turned down in resignation. “If Lord Rahl gave any other sisters similar instructions, he didn't tell me.”
Cara's grip loosened as she raced through her options in her mind. She was loath to let Dahlia go; she knew the woman would alert Darken Rahl about her failure as soon as she was able. But if there were other Mord-Sith in the temple out for Morgan's blood, her priority had to be ensuring the safety of her Lady Rahl.
“Please, Cara, it's for the best,” Dahlia said shakily, reaching up to touch Cara's cheek. Tears sprang to her eyes as Cara recoiled in disgust. “I was doing this for us. For what we had before Morgan showed up and tore it away from us-”
“What we had is dead,” Cara sneered, shoving Dahlia violently against the wall before releasing her and backing away. “You killed it with your blind jealousy and hatred. And if you ever come near Morgan again, I'll kill you.”
Dahlia clenched her jaw, trying to hold back her tears, but one escaped, sliding down her cheek. With one last wounded look, she turned away, heading back toward her own chamber.
Cara watched her go, feeling something in her chest shatter. She had no doubts about her choices, but Dahlia had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember - knowing with such certainty that she never would be again was a hard thing to accept.
But that wasn't important now. With a slight shake of her head to clear it, Cara turned back to look through the doorway, where Morgan was lying asleep in her bed. What was between her and Morgan was not love, or anything like what she had shared with Dahlia, but it was fierce and deep and loyal. She would do anything to protect Morgan - anything.
*****
Meanwhile, Morgan slumbered - though not at all peacefully. She felt as though she were wide awake, a familiar awareness coming over her. When she heard the Keeper's voice reverberate through her head, she understood why.
“Morgan,” the voice boomed, “the time has come for you to leave D'Hara.”
Shock was plain on Morgan's face, teasing at the edges of her arrogant indignation. “Leave? Why would I do that?”
“Darken Rahl hunts you even as we speak. He will not stop until he sees you dead - but his power does not extend across the sea. You will be safe there until his path reaches its inevitable end.”
“You wish me to live,” Morgan said, irritation creeping into her tone. “But you have not told me why. I have done everything you have asked of me, yet you continue to keep me in the dark.”
“My plans are my own.” The Keeper's voice hardened, echoing menacingly in Morgan's ears. “You will know what you need to know and nothing more. Seek out Mistress Sibyl; she will provide what you will need to return home.”
“This is my home,” Morgan protested, but it was too late - the presence was gone.
*****
“Morgan!” Cara hissed as she shook insistently at Morgan's shoulder. She had been trying to wake the woman for a few minutes now - precious time that they would need to form a plan. Relief flooded her chest as the woman finally blinked awake.
“What's going on?” Morgan murmured sleepily. Then the Keeper's words came back to her, and she jerked up to a sitting position, the thin blanket pooling under her naked breasts. Sleep couldn't be further from her mind now. “I have to leave.”
Cara nodded, collecting Morgan's leathers from where they were folded neatly on a nearby table. “Yes, Mistress,” Cara said, bringing the leathers over as Morgan threw the blanket aside.
“Who was it?” Morgan asked idly as Cara helped her into her clothes. She could think of a few people in the temple who would want to kill her.
“Dahlia,” Cara said roughly, tugging the laces tight against Morgan's back. “She's probably writing to Darken Rahl as we speak. We don't have much time.”
“Then we should not waste it,” Morgan said, pulling her hair back with a strip of leather rather than taking the time to braid it. She sat on the edge of the bed long enough to tug on her boots before rushing out of the room, and Cara snatched up the remainder of Morgan's uniform as she hurried after.
*****
Dahlia waited anxiously at the edge of the room as Darken Rahl appeared in a burst of blue flames.
“What happened?” He asked, heading immediately for the door, sparing only the briefest of glances her way.
Dahlia followed close behind him. “When I returned to my chamber, the journey book was lying open on my bed,” she lied smoothly. “I suspect Morgan was going through my room and found it.”
A grim smile touched Darken's lips as he hurried down the stairs. Of course Morgan would be suspicious - it was a family trait, after all. “Then she knows I mean to kill her,” he mused. “She won't be sitting idly by. I only wonder why she has waited to act thus far - frankly, I'm surprised you lived long enough to send me that message.”
“She must be planning something, my lord,” Dahlia said, thankful that Lord Rahl was in front of her and could not see the burn of her cheeks. She couldn't help but try to protect Cara, as Cara had always done for her. As long as she still lived, and Cara remained in Lord Rahl's good graces, Dahlia could still hope that she could one day get her back. Once Morgan was out of the way, at least.
“Whatever it is,” Darken said solemnly, “she won't get away with it.”
*****
“I don't see why I can't go with you,” Cara argued, leading a freshly saddled horse to the entrance of the stables where Morgan already stood with another. Switching mounts would give her an advantage over whatever search party Darken Rahl sent after her, and these were the two fastest horses the temple possessed.
“I need you here,” Morgan said, taking the reins from Cara's hand.
“But why?” Cara asked, bringing over Morgan's corset and neck-guard and strapping them on to the woman. “Surely I'd be better use at your side, to protect you from whatever forces Rahl sends after you.”
Morgan smiled, almost fondly. “Your concern for my well-being is noted, and appreciated,” she said, turning to face Cara as the blonde slid her belt around her waist, buckling it swiftly before moving to secure the holster around her thigh. Morgan reached for Cara's chin, angling her face up towards her. “But the most useful thing you can do for me right now is to keep me apprised of my cousin's plans. The easiest way to do that is for you to be at his side.”
“I don't like it,” Cara said firmly.
“I'm sure you will manage,” Morgan said, releasing Cara's chin as she moved over to a wall lined with storage chests. Opening each one in turn, she finally pulled out a pair of journey books, and tucked one of them into her pack. The other she pressed into Cara's hands. “I am counting on you to tell me everything you hear, anything that could be of use. It will not be easy; he is not going to be happy with you when Dahlia tells him of your interference."
Cara scoffed, clutching the book in her hands. “I can handle Darken Rahl,” she said with a smirk. Her eyebrow quirked teasingly. “As long as I have your permission to use all of the skills at my disposal.”
Morgan scowled as she tugged Cara close by the strap of her neck-guard, claiming Cara's mouth in a rough, possessive kiss.
With a moan, Cara reached for Morgan's waist, the journey book digging into the leather at Morgan's back as they pressed tightly together, tongues and lips tangled together almost desperately. Finally, Morgan forced herself to pull away, breathing heavily as she pinned Cara with a sharp gaze.
“Do whatever you need to,” Morgan said, her lip curling in distaste as she forced out the words. “Just never forget where your true allegiance lies.”
*****
After seeing Morgan off, Cara rushed back into the temple, stopping off at her own chamber to drop off the journey book before heading for Dahlia's. Her path took her past Morgan's chambers, which Darken Rahl was exiting just as she approached.
“Mistress Cara,” he greeted, his eyes dark with suspicion. “How interesting to find you up and about at this hour.”
“Are you finished with the prisoner, then?” Dahlia asked hurriedly, shooting Cara a wide-eyed look from behind Lord Rahl.
Cara glanced between them uneasily. “I'm afraid so,” she said warily, deciding to go along with Dahlia's silent urging. “He is still weak and cannot withstand prolonged training. Lord Rahl, I'm surprised to see you here so suddenly. Is everything alright?”
“I have reason to suspect that Morgan is a traitor; that she has been sowing discord, plotting to usurp my throne,” Darken said with a scowl. “Seeing as she is now missing, it appears that I was right.”
“My lord, I had no idea,” Cara said, forcing concern into her voice. “I'll gather a search party immediately. She can't have gotten far.”
Rahl eyed her carefully, unable to tell exactly how much of Cara's words were truth. “See that you do,” he said curtly. “She has betrayed me and, in so doing, all of D'Hara. Such treachery cannot be allowed to go unchecked.”
Cara clenched her jaw, forcing back the desire to defend her mistress. She tilted her head sharply in acknowledgment. “Right away, my lord.”
“I will be heading back to the People's Palace presently,” Darken said. “It's possible she may be headed there, to try to claim my throne by force. I must gather my forces.”
He turned, walking back in the direction of the stairs as Dahlia and Cara walked in the opposite direction. After a few steps, he turned back. “And Cara?”
Cara whirled around to meet his gaze. “My lord?”
“Have Dahlia lead the search party,” he said, a cruel smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “You should remain here, in case she returns.”
“Yes, my lord,” Cara said through her teeth. The conversation hadn't fooled her any more than it had fooled him - she could see that he still didn't trust her. That she had, in fact, been planning to lead the search party in the opposite direction of where Morgan was headed was besides the point.
As Darken's footsteps faded down the hallway, Dahlia turned to look at Cara expectantly, a hope that was scarcely justified shining in her eyes.
Cara looked back at her in disgust. It was clear that Dahlia expected some sort of gratitude for covering up Cara's interference in Morgan's attempted assassination, but it was too little, too late. Dahlia didn't understand, and likely never would; her blind loyalty to Darken Rahl was proof that Cara had been wise not to trust her with the truth of Morgan's identity.
She tried to find words to express her disappointment, but they wouldn't come. Finally, Cara gave up, shaking her head as she turned away from Dahlia to wake her sisters. She had a search party to deceive.
*****
It was nearly a week later when Morgan rode up to the gates of the nunnery, night cloaking her approach. The sprawling temple was dark, save for the torch being held by the black-robed woman at the gate.
“Mistress Sibyl,” Morgan greeted coldly. Even weary from riding almost non-stop, she had enough presence of mind to remember everything her former mistress had withheld from her. If the Keeper hadn't specifically instructed her to seek the woman's help, Morgan would have gladly found her own way back to Britain.
“Morgan,” Sibyl said urgently. “Quick, we must get you inside.”
In one of the darkened windows of the second floor, a shadowy figure watched as Morgan dismounted. When they led the horses quietly into the stables off of the main courtyard, the figure faded back into the darkness, hurrying to her journey book.
*****
The years had aged Sibyl, but she didn't look all that different from the woman Morgan remembered the first time she came to this place. It was unnerving, to think of herself as that scared, confused child, so easily led. Now she looked on the old woman's eager smile with arrogant disdain.
“You knew who I was,” Morgan stated.
It was not a question, but Sibyl nodded anyway, a hesitant look on her face. “I wanted to tell you, child.”
“I'm not a child,” Morgan snapped, turning to place her pack on one of the chests lining the wall. “I am Lady Morgan Rahl, rightful ruler of D'Hara and Britain both by virtue of my birth. Why did you keep it from me?”
“It was too dangerous, Morgan,” Sibyl lamented. “Look at what has come from knowing the truth. Had I told you before, you would have let it slip, or lorded it over the other girls, and Darken Rahl would have had you killed before you had the chance to learn to defend yourself.”
Morgan clenched her jaw, her eyes flashing dangerously as she reached for the power within her, lashing out at Sibyl with it. She couldn't bring herself to strike out physically at her former mistress, but she could hurt her in other ways. Sibyl cried out, stumbling to brace herself against the wall as the bond twisted inside her.
“So everything I went through - the pain, the torture, enduring the scorn of my sisters - that was all to protect me?” Morgan asked in disbelief, her eyes locked on the older woman. “You watched them make a mockery of me, knowing all the while that they should be bowing before me pledging their devotion.”
Sibyl opened her mouth to respond, but a strangled cry came out instead as Morgan manipulated the bond, expertly tugging in just the right places to cause the maximum amount of pain.
“I think you enjoyed it,” Morgan sneered. “That's why you gave me all those lessons, isn't it? So that you could say that you had a hand in shaping the future ruler of D'Hara.”
“I...stand by my choices, Morgan,” Sibyl gasped out, clutching at her chest as though she could sever the thread that bound them together. “There are things you needed to learn before you could rule - things you still must learn.”
Morgan let up on the bond, growing weary of asking questions and not getting any real answers in return. “I know all I need to,” she said haughtily, looking around the stables. “The Keeper informed me that you would provide what I require to return to Britain.”
“Yes,” Sibyl said with a sigh of relief. She moved to open one of the chests, digging deep to pull out a bundle that had been buried underneath some spare tack. “I've packed enough gold to buy passage on a ship, and I found a set of robes that should fit you. You'll need to leave your leathers here, I'm afraid. It would be too easy for you to be recognized between here and the coast.”
“Very well,” Morgan agreed reluctantly. “But I'm not leaving my agiel.”
Sibyl nodded; she'd expected as much. “Just conceal it well, and don't try to use it until you're safely away from D'Hara,” she said. “When you're ready, I have a horse saddled and waiting for you by the side gate. With any luck, your departure will go unnoticed.”
Morgan smirked, reaching up to begin unfastening the buckles and laces of her leathers. “Is Mistress Nyda still watching your every move like a hawk?”
“She's probably writing to Lord Rahl of your arrival as we speak,” Sibyl said drily, her eyes flashing in irritation as she moved behind Morgan, reaching for the laces running down her back. “Here, let me help you with that.”
Her mind racing with thoughts of what was to come, Morgan endured Sibyl's assistance stoically. She could put aside her indignant anger for the moment, if it meant she could get away from this place that much more quickly.
*****
“Lord Rahl,” Egremont began, moving close to Darken's throne. “Your orders have been carried out. The nunnery burned to the ground, and our scouts report no survivors.”
"Good," Darken replied, leaning back in his throne. If he was lucky, Morgan had still been inside. But he had never been one to rely on luck.
A guard opened the main door to the throne room, poking his head through. “Mistresses Cara and Triana await your audience, my lord.”
Darken's lips curved up into a dark smile. “Send them in.”
Cara sauntered into the room with her usual confidence, Triana trailing submissively behind. “How may I be of service, my lord?” She asked, raising an eyebrow seductively.
"Denna has disgraced herself once again, only this time she had the presence of mind to flee," Rahl explained, his gaze narrowing as he pinned her with it. "That leaves me with a position open here at the People's Palace. One I wish for you to fill."
"My lord, you honor me,” Cara said, bowing her head to conceal the satisfied smile that tugged at her lips.
"See that you do the same in return," he replied, his voice cold steel. "You are dismissed, for now. You may have the afternoon to settle in, but I expect your service to begin this evening in my chambers."
Cara's lips spread into a sultry smile as she looked back up at him. "I look forward to it, my lord."
Egremont watched the two Mord-Sith turn and leave, only daring to speak when the door closed behind them. "Is this wise, Lord Rahl? Cara was extremely loyal to Morgan."
"All the more reason to keep a close eye on her, Egremont," Darken said smoothly. "I am not so deluded as to think she can be trusted. I requested that Triana join her for a reason; she doesn't have the same devotion to Cara that Dahlia does, and therefore can be of use to me in keeping track of what my cousin may be plotting."
"Your cousin, my lord?" Egremont asked, his bushy brow furrowing in confusion.
“Morgan Rahl," Darken said with an uneasy smirk. "If by some miracle she managed to escape the fire, I imagine she is probably running for her life. But I do not believe for a moment that she is finished with D'Hara."
*****
Morgan gripped the rail of the ship as she watched D'Hara fade into the distance. She would be back - and she would claim what was hers by right.
For now, it was time to finally complete her training. Uther Pendragon's days were numbered.
end part I
Author's Notes 2: Okay, I totally realize that this was not exactly the stuff that closure is made of. Thing is, from here, Morgan's story picks up in the first episode of Camelot, while Cara's is leading into "Reckoning" and Season 2 of Legend of the Seeker. I do have a brief interlude planned that will overlap a little (mostly on the Camelot end), but aside from that, I designed this part of the story as a prequel to Camelot (and to Cara's first appearance on LotS), and hopefully I didn't screw with either show's canon too terribly much for the stories to just flow together.
Part II will be picking up late in Season 2 of LotS, and after the end of Camelot. Everything in between should be assumed to happen pretty much the way it does on the shows. If you haven't watched Camelot, and don't want to, I fully intend to bring you up to speed on the goings-on in Britain when I pick up the story again in December. Look for the above-mentioned interlude probably at some point during November, because I can't just quit fanfic cold-turkey for a month, even if I am trying to write a 50,000 word original novel:P