Arthur's Point of View

Lestrania Thousands of Years Ago

"Now, now, Aerowyn." King Rudnurth began, amused. "Let us not be too hasty. This man saved my sister and her men. We should welcome him with open arms." His gaze never left me as I eyed him in return. "Of course, that is what I would like to do, but you are making things slightly more difficult than I thought you would."

"I'm a difficult individual." Was my simple reply.

The Zugal identified as Aerowyn still hadn't removed her blade from my throat. "So difficult you would deny a King's request to meet his sister's savior?" Rudnurth inquired.

Then I shrugged. "Of course not. I figured I'd meet you when I was more rested and got some food in my belly." However, my gaze soon drifted to the Zugal still threatening me. "Although, since I am being threatened, I think I'll be leaving sooner rather than later."

"What makes you think you can leave?" Aerowyn inquired as she moved the blade against my throat.

Turning back to the 'King,' I spoke nonchalantly. "If your bird lady doesn't learn her place within the next ten seconds, I'm going to kill her in front of all of you."

The entire courtyard became quiet as they took in my words. Naturally, Aerowyn snarled as she eyed me more aggressively, but Aydan stepped forward slowly. Moving next to the female Zugal, he gently touched her hand and lowered the blade away from me. While she frowned at the Great Sage, she did step back when she saw a more serious look on his face and a shallow shake of his head.

Eventually, he turned to me. "Sir Mordred," Aydan began. "Apologies for this misunderstanding. The King merely wished to meet the man who saved his sister and whom I spoke so highly of. There is no need for violence."

A smirk came to my face as I realized what Aydan had done. He not only deescalated the situation, but he also put himself between me and the others in case something happened. The Great Sage, indeed. Eyeing him for a moment, my gaze flickered around the group before it returned to him.

"Agreed, but I am not one who takes threats so idly and especially not from those I aided in one way or another." Looking at Arceana for a moment, I stared at her, which she noticed the hood covering my face turned in her direction and made her look away.

"Understandable." He then gave me a small bow. "I'm sorry for not interfering sooner."

Rudnurth spoke up from behind him. "It was not your place to interfere at all." The King stated.

The Sage turned his attention to the King and bowed. "I know, your Majesty, but angering this man is not wise nor warranted."

A sneer came to the King's face. "Yes. You told me he is incredibly powerful. However, I am the King, and this is my Kingdom." Moving next to Aydan, Rudnurth stood before him in a challenging manner. "Or are you telling me to handle this situation as you deem fit?"

"Not at all." Aydan replied calmly. "Merely pointing out that angering a powerful guest isn't wise, and Aerowyn was doing just that."

"When I need your opinion, I will ask for it." Rudnurth told him, and Aydan bowed in response before backing away. "Now," The King began as he turned back to me and put his hands behind his back. "Back to you, Sir Mordred."

"Sup." I repeated with a small head bob.

Rudnurth smirked, but his eyes showed a more calculating look. "As you know, I am the King, and as King, I suggest you kneel."

Another smirk came to my lips. "That's quite the suggestion." Stepping forward, put the others present on edge. "I suggest you rethink your approach." Now directly in front of him, I saw his smirk hold firm as he tried to study my face. "I also suggest you heed Aydan's advice." Reaching out slowly and calmly, I adjusted his robes before tapping his shoulder. "It'd be the smarter move."

Turning around and moving back towards Kandma, Rudnurth wasn't too impressed with my threat. "Have you forgotten where you are, Sir?" I didn't stop. "You are in the middle of my Kingdom and my home! Here, I am the law, and I will give you one last chance to kneel!"

Coming to a stop as Kandma started growling, I turned back around to face the foolish King. "You are not my King, and I don't serve you." My words wiped the smirk from his face. "As for being in your home, it matters not to me. I'll leave." Then I spread my arms out as if daring the King to do something. "But feel free to fuck around and find out..."

Several soldiers began to move forward, but the King held up his hand, signaling them to halt. "Sir Mordred, you are either very brave and confident in your skills, or you are bluffing and trying to leave without further incident." Rudnurth pointed out and then gestured to Aydan and Arceana. "Both my sister and Knight have informed me of your power. How would you like to prove it?"

"I'm not interested in proving anything and certainly not to you." The King's frown deepened. "I mean, no offense, but you're kind of a dick."

A teleportation went off from behind Rudnurth and then behind me. Turning to the source instantly, my eyes found the younger brother of Rudnurth getting ready to attack me. White magic glowed from his hands as he snarled at me. In response, I grabbed his hands in my own, which got his eyes to widen. I could only speculate that the spell he wanted to use would likely harm him as well if he were to cast it like this.

"You-" The brother began but was quickly silenced when my foot came up from beneath and slammed into his jaw.

It was disturbing hearing someone's jaw snap closed with so much force. His head was thrown back, and I kept his hands firmly in mine, which made his body almost fold in on itself. Pretty sure the back of his head touched his ass too. That had to hurt. Once he went limp in my grip, I let him go, and he fell to the ground. As if reading my mind, Kandma came over in a few steps and rested her chin on him, making it impossible for him to move.

Looking back to the group, and the soldiers who were all pointing weapons at me, I replied. "By all means, feel free to continue down this path and see what happens." To my surprise, Aydan stepped forward with his own magic at the ready. "You sure you want to do this? He clearly attacked me first."

Aydan moved in front of the group once more as several of the soldiers stood between me and the Royal Family. "It doesn't matter if he attacked you first." A green aura illuminated his hands as he kept his gaze fixed on me. "I am a Lestranian Knight, and I will keep my word to you as soon as I have made sure you are no longer a threat."

"Interesting." Was my reply as I was being surrounded. "Kandma." I spoke simply, which got the stone bear's attention. "If any of them get near you, eat him." My tone was firm, which put a halt on Aydan's approach. "Look, I can respect the loyalty and honor of standing by your Prince's side despite his error. You're a good soldier, but this isn't a fight you want."

"You're right." Aydan replied with a nod. "It's not. You'd be much better off as our ally, and I'm sorry it's come to this, but he is a member of the Royal Family."

Keeping my eyes on The Great Sage, I also nodded. "He is, but surely you realize that all these people mean nothing to me." Gesturing around the courtyard, I finished by pointing at the other royals behind him. "You're the only one here I need to worry about. You attack Kandma, and this whole place is as good as gone."

The oldest sister of the Royal Family stepped forward extraordinarily calm. "Bold words." Her words were soothing, as were her movements as she moved between Aydan and I. "However, offensive ones. Who says Sir Aydan is the only one you need to worry about?" She inquired in a curious tone.

My head turned toward her. "Make no mistake, each one of you possesses vast amounts of magic." Then I waved towards Aydan. "Even more than your Knight. The problem is that all of you are young, and while you may exceed him in quantity, do you surpass him in quality?"

To my surprise, she continued walking forward and stopped only a foot or two away from me. "Perhaps it is now my turn to introduce myself. My name is Mara Delmaris, and the First Crowned Princess of Lestrania." Grabbing the sides of her dress, she gave me a curtsy, which I returned with a small nod. "While I cannot argue with your assessment, I would like to ask you some questions about how you would know such a thing."

"Questions don't seem to be in the cards at the moment." Was my short reply as I looked to Rudnurth.

"Then shuffle the cards." Mara responded just as quickly and then gestured to the castle. "Would you like to join us for dinner?"

Quirking a brow at that, Rudnurth spoke before I could answer. "What do you think you are doing, dearest sister?" He asked in a dangerous tone.

To my surprise, she didn't take her eyes off of me. "Being diplomatic. Calm yourself, dearest brother." Mara mocked. "If you are hungry, we are more than willing to feed you and your companion." Then she smirked as she looked at Kandma. "Well, if she removes herself from my brother anyway."

"You must know that this sounds like a trap and a rouse to get me to release your brother." I replied as I kept my hands at the ready.

She smiled. "I have no doubt you truly think that." Using her head to gesture to her oldest brother, she continued. "After your greeting, I can hardly find you at fault. However, our dearest Knight, Sir Aydan, has promised you a reward, and rewarded you shall be." Leaning forward, her smile dipped slightly. "Forgive him. He merely wants to protect us as best he can. Sir Aydan is a man of his word and truly noble. I hope you understand."

"So, your proposal is dinner?" I asked back, amused.

Her eyes gave me a knowing look, and her smile grew. "You are famished, correct?"

Putting my hands on my hips, I replied. "I could eat."