Unknownfate
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Chapter 51
🕑 Added 2025-03-29 01:26:23 +0000 UTCDecree Number Ten: “The practice of magic and witchcraft, in all its forms, is hereby forbidden within the realms of Camelot. Only those with permission, such as the Masters of the Mystic Arts, shall wield such powers. The misuse of magic shall be met with swift and just consequences.”
Within a surprisingly modern room of Kamar-Taj sat a group of masters of the mystic arts, including The Ancient One herself. They were all watching the TV, a nice large flatscreen, it was completely out of place in this old temple.
But the Ancient One wasn’t one to care about such things. She had gotten this TV at a good price, one of the joys of being able to open portals around the world; one could always take advantage of the best sales.
“I knew you went to speak with them, I didn’t know you had reached such a deal.” Kaecilius said.
He himself was also interested in the city, or more so with the people living in it. if they truly were the ancient knights, then that meant they had returned from death.
Anyone who could return to the realm of the living was worthy of speaking with, as he was very eager to learn just how they had accomplished it.
Mordo, too, was impressed. “Indeed, with rulers aware of the magical side of the world, it is good to be on the side of the law… even if getting called out on international TV isn’t the best for a secret order.”
The Ancient One for one, just calmly sipped on her tea. “We were never meant to be secret, it just happened that way, and even if our name becomes known, it hardly matters.”
In truth, she hadn’t made any deal with Arthuria Pendragon or Camelot. This was entirely them doing this, though she had a feeling that she would end up owing them a favor all the same.
Still, she was more than able to bullshit her way around it, letting herself maintain the image of all-knowing in her disciple’s eyes.
Kaecilius leaned forward, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest of his chair. “Still, is this even something that can be done? Magic is rare enough as it is; how are they to prevent its use? Not to mention, they don’t get anything out of this.”
The Ancient One knew the answer but remained silent, allowing the others to think for themselves.
“No…” Mordo muttered. “It does make sense that they are doing this… I mean, think about it: the only reason the rest of the world doesn’t have laws against magic is because they don’t believe it’s real.”
Kaecilius leaned back, considering Mordo’s words. “I see, they are merely regulating it as if it were weapons. Or, they could be attempting to gather magic users, make their own force of them.”
The Ancient One raised an eyebrow but said nothing, letting the conversation flow. She wanted them to reach their own conclusions.
Mordo nodded slowly. “Yes. If you can’t suppress something, you control it. Camelot's decree doesn’t just outlaw magic—it centralizes it. They’ve left themselves an opening to collect those with magical potential under their authority.”
Kaecilius crossed his arms. “It’s unlikely to work. Those who use magic care little about secular laws. Finding them is also difficult, and leaving is easy.”
The Ancient One tilted her head slightly, a faint smile touching her lips as she sipped her tea. “Perhaps. But what is important to Arthuria isn’t the result, it's just to put down some rules. And as to why she feels the need for that.”
Mordo furrowed his brow. “She knows about magic; she has it, even if she isn’t a mage. That means if it's easy to get permission, her realm will be the one place people can use magic openly, a haven of such things.”
Kaecilius frowned slightly. “That’s a dangerous game if it is even what she is planning. Most magic users aren’t the kind type. They are often those who have bathed in blood, I mean, how often do we not have to deal with them?”
Mordo fell silent at that. He knew Kaecilius spoke the truth, so many who used magic did so recklessly and without regard for the order of things. Disregarding the rules entirely.
Many times, they had to deal with those fools who caused death to the innocent, attempting to gain greater power by dealing with all kinds of demons.
The Ancient One placed her cup down gently, the clinking sound echoing softly in the room. “That is true,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “Many magic users seek power without understanding the cost. But that isn’t a flaw of magic—it’s a flaw of human ambition.”
Kaecilius leaned forward. “Exactly. And Arthuria is opening her realm to those very people. How long until that ambition turns Camelot into a battlefield?”
“She’s not opening her doors blindly,” the Ancient One replied. “Arthuria understands the dangers of magic better than most rulers could. Without this, magic users would still flock to her realm, if for no other reason than to study Camelot.”
Mordo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Because of the legends. The knights, the relics, the magic woven into its very history… Camelot is like a beacon for anyone seeking ancient power. Even if Arthuria didn’t invite them, they’d come anyway.”
Kaecilius exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair. “And now, instead of chasing them away, she’s containing them. Clever, I’ll give her that. But containment only works if you have the strength to hold the lid down when things boil over.”
The Ancient One smiled faintly. “And she does.” Was all she said, leaving the other masters wanting for more, but unable to ask it.
No, she was very aware that no rogue mage, no witch, or no sorcerer could hope to match the divine being that was calling itself Arthuria Pendragon.
Even after going through great effort to use the Eye of Agamotte to watch a possible future where she fights her, she can’t help but find herself with no way of dealing with her.
The sword Excalibur’s output was enough to shatter any magical deference she could put up. The divine lance Rhongomyniad was no less powerful, able to dispatch of any foe she tried to drag into the fight.
And with the scabbard of Excalibur, Avalon, any damage that didn’t outright kill could be healed in moments, all curses cured in seconds. Not to mention its ability to negate any and all harm by transporting Arthuria into Avalon.
Truly, she wasn’t someone easy to deal with. And that damn tower, any attempt at sealing always resulted in that tower appearing; the lance was the tower, and the tower connected through worlds.
Allowing Arthuria to break any seal with ease. Leaving even the Ancient One without any way of dealing with her, at least none that didn’t have worse costs than they were worth.
Just thinking about it made her shake her head, which the other masters all took as a sign to end the conversation there, though privately, they all had different thoughts about everything.
Agravain raised his head, his voice rising in finality. “Let these decrees guide the rebirth of Camelot and the restoration of justice and prosperity to these lands. Albion is united once more, under the protection of His Majesty, Arthuria Pendragon.”
With Agravain done, I rose from my seat. “Today’s event ends here, yet a new dawn breaks. For Albion awaken, the red dragon rises anew, and the people shall once more be the treasure of this proud nation.”
“Sir Gareth, please guide our guests out, and Sir Percival, please help these fine men.” I motioned to the camera crew. “Pack their things and then guide them out. Sir Agravain, Sir Mordred, Sir Gawain, people follow me.”
With strangers in my throne room, I had to take my talk with my knights somewhere else.
Mordred, ever restless, crossed her arms, her posture slightly tense. “So, what’s the next move? You know they’ll try to stop us, don’t you?”
Gawain, calm as always, rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Mordred isn’t wrong. The Prime Minister may have kept his composure today, but he’ll be rallying forces behind the scenes.”
I exhaled, removing my helmet and letting the cool air brush against my skin. “Of course he will. The world won’t sit idly by. The decrees we announced today weren’t just to set policy—they were a declaration of intent. They know that.”
Agravain nodded solemnly. “And some will see that intent as a declaration of war.”
Mordred scoffed, leaning against the stone wall. “Let them. They can’t stop what’s coming.”
“Sir Mordred.” I said, my tone making her lower her head slightly. “You are correct.” Yet my next words quickly had her looking back up at me.
“They will try to stop me, unwilling to give up the power they hold over this land and it’s people. So we will act first. Sir Mordred, go outside, and break the barricade, let the people inside, and stop at nothing.”
Mordred’s eyes lit up, the gleam of battle already sparking within her. “As you command, Your Majesty.” She pushed off the wall, straightening her posture with a sharp nod before heading toward the exit, her armor clanking softly with each determined step.
Gawain watched her leave, his expression neutral but thoughtful. “Breaking the barricade will draw attention, not just from those outside but from the world. Are you sure it’s the right time?”
I met his gaze steadily. “There is no point in waiting, the military has been disbanded, so if they resist, they rebel, might as well deal with it sooner then later.”
Gawain considered my words for a moment, then gave a small nod. “You’re not wrong. Any resistance after today will be seen as defiance against the Crown.”
Agravain, ever practical, folded his arms across his chest. “But that defiance won’t just come from the military or police. The old power structures—banks, corporations, political allies—they won’t let go easily. Once the barricade falls, they’ll act.”
“That’s exactly what I want,” I replied, my voice steady but firm. “Waiting is pointless, it just gives them time to plan, to act, to further harm the nation and its people. And for that reason.”
“Agravain, I want you to summon more enforcement knights, send them out into the realm, they shall keep the peace, and let the people know that Camelot is never far away.” I said with determination in my voice.
Agravain bowed deeply, the flicker of approval in his eyes as he straightened. “It shall be done, Your Majesty. The people will know they are protected, and those who conspire against us will know they are watched.”
I turned to Gawain, who was still deep in thought, his fingers tapping lightly on the hilt of his sword. “And you, Sir Gawain. Shall make ready the city’s guests, they will not know how to act, and accidents can happen, that will be your job.”
Gawain nodded, his thoughtful demeanor unchanged. “Understood, Your Majesty. I’ll make sure the guests are guided safely, and the people know that this isn’t chaos—it’s the beginning of order. Any misunderstandings will be dealt with swiftly, but peacefully.”
“Good,” I said, meeting his gaze. “We can’t afford unnecessary violence, not here in Camelot. The world is watching, and how we act now will define how they see us.”
He placed a fist over his chest, bowing slightly. “I’ll see to it.”
For a few weeks now, the once-would-be widows have enjoyed all of Camelot for themselves, treating it like an amusement park. Those war-scarred kids felt safe in the city, yet with new people entering, they would easily feel unsafe.
I didn’t want that, and at the same time, I wanted the outsiders to respect them and the fact that the city was someone’s home.
Gawain could handle that; if not, he wasn’t above asking for help.
