Unknownfate
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Chapter 35
🕑 Added 2025-03-29 00:28:19 +0000 UTCThey didn’t wander far, I didn’t get far in my planning about the future before the doors opened once more.
Sir Mordred and Sir Gawain hadn’t taken long at all, and they had seemingly already made their picks. Though, the sight of those who followed them inside had me shocked.
“Sir Kay, Sir Ector.” I whispered as I looked at those two, one like a father and the other like a brother—two people whom I cared deeply for, even if my divine nature left such feelings muted.
They strode in with the same dignity and confidence they always carried, yet there was a weight to their presence. Kay, ever sharp and brash, had a faint smirk on his face, as if amused by my reaction. Ector, ever the pillar of wisdom and calm, simply inclined his head in acknowledgment.
Mordred stopped before the throne, his green eyes alight with mischief.
“Are you sure?” I couldn’t help but ask, interrupting Mordred.
Ector looked at me, his eyes firm as they gazed into mine. “We want to help you. This world is strange and unfamiliar, but all the same, we want to help you because this is what you want.”
I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t find the words. I didn’t want them to go; it was too dangerous, but I knew the dangers wouldn’t stop any of my knights, and even thinking it would be a disservice to them.
I had nothing to say to that, no way out of it, yet I still worried. Kay and Ector were far from the strongest knights; they barely qualified as heroic spirits. Compared to Gawain, Mordred or Lancelot, they were far far below that level.
“Good, then I entrust you with this task, Agravain knows more; seek him out to learn more, and once you are ready to depart, let me know, and I will send you off myself.”
I left most of the work to Agravain, I would have him deal with the details, he was good at that kind of thing. And part of me being a better king, a more human king was to rely on others.
…
It didn’t take long before they were ready to set out, a side effect of them being cooped up for so long, they had long prepared to set out on a moment's notice.
“Your majesty, I have prepared them as much as possible, but given the size of the area they have to search, it will not be easy.” Agravain said as he stood there with Kay and Ector.
“Yes, you will have a long trip, into lands you have never been to before, it won’t be easy, but I trust in you both.”
“However, if you were to leave now, eyes would be on you every step of the way, which can’t be allowed.” I continued, my tone regal yet grave.
“So, I shall send you closer to your destination.”
Ector inclined his head, his voice calm yet steady. “We trust in your wisdom, Your Majesty. Whatever means you see fit, we are prepared.”
With a smile, I looked towards an empty corner, or at least it looked empty, but before my eyes, the truth was revealed. “You will help us, won’t you, little witch.” I said with a smirk, as the Ancient One shimmered into view.
“I see you’ve chosen to test the boundaries of your realm’s power,” she said, her tone a mix of amusement and curiosity. “And you require my assistance to ensure these knights reach their destination unseen.”
Kay blinked in surprise but quickly covered it with his usual bravado. “A witch? That’s new. Should we be worried, or does this one come with your blessing, Your Majesty?”
I knew why he asked, Camelot and witches had some bad history, particularly due to my sister. “She is here because I summoned her. I wish not to use the Grail for this, and she is more than capable and willing to do this.”
The Ancient one was feeling rather called out, never before in her life had she been treated like this. Her ability to see the future abused like that.
Normally she used it to take advantage of others. And while she struggled to see the future of this goddess before her, that didn’t mean she couldn’t still see what would happen.
Which was why she was even here. She had witnessed great destruction, enormous amounts of deaths. And she had been unable to see what caused it all, which made her once more go to Camelot.
Only to realize what had happened, King Arthur had summoned her. By deciding to unleash chaos on the world and timeline if she didn’t show up, she had forced her to do so, in doing so, she had then altered the timeline again, putting an end to the future chaos.
It was all made possible because she couldn’t see the future of the goddess herself, therefore not being able to see the reason for actions, only that they could or would happen.
Already, this being was giving her a headache, so powerful, yet so difficult to deal with. So far, she couldn’t figure out how to deal with her, that lance of hers was a nightmare.
“I do hope you will be willing to sit down for a cup of tea as payment, just a small chat.” She asked rather politely as she without a movement opened a golden portal.
I allowed myself a faint smile, leaning slightly forward. “A cup of tea and a conversation? A small price to pay for your assistance, Sorcerer Supreme. Consider it done.”
Kay raised an eyebrow, glancing between the portal and the Ancient One. “That’s it? Tea? No grand demands, no mystical riddles? Just tea?”
The Ancient One’s lips curved into a sly smile. “Sometimes, Sir Knight, the simplest requests hold the greatest value. And besides, a good conversation is far more enlightening than gold or glory.”
Ector, ever composed, inclined his head slightly. “We are grateful for your aid, Lady Sorcerer. This mission carries great weight, and your magic ensures its success begins with the right footing.”
The Ancient One nodded in acknowledgment before turning to Kay. “Step through, Sir Knight, and you will find yourself where you need to be. But tread lightly—this world is not kind to those who reveal their true nature too quickly.”
Kay smirked, his usual bravado returning. “Don’t worry, witch. We’ll get the job done, and we’ll do it with style.”
Ector shot him a disapproving look but said nothing as the two knights approached the portal. They hesitated for only a moment before stepping through, disappearing into the golden glow.
As the portal closed behind them, the Ancient One turned back to me, her expression thoughtful. “You play a dangerous game, King Arthur.”
Before I could respond, Sir Agravain stepped forward, his voice sharp and unyielding. “Mind your tone, Sorcerer. You stand in the presence of the Lion King, Sovereign of Camelot. It is not your place to question His Majesty’s wisdom.”
The Ancient One’s gaze shifted to Agravain, her expression calm and measured, though a faint smile played on her lips. “And you are as loyal as they say, Sir Agravain. But loyalty does not shield a king from the truth, nor does it diminish the weight of the choices he must bear.”
Agravain bristled, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his sword. “It is not for an outsider to speak of the king’s burden. You would do well to remember that you are here by his will, not your own.”
I raised a hand, silencing Agravain before the tension could escalate further. “Enough, Sir Agravain. The Sorcerer Supreme has heard your words, and I’m sure she will take them to heart.”
“And you” I said, looking at the Ancient One. “Please remember that Camelot has bad history with witches, so mind yourself within our walls.”
The Ancient One’s expression remained serene, though there was a flicker of understanding in her eyes. “I see. History often shapes the present more than we care to admit. I shall tread carefully, King Arthur.”
Agravain, though visibly restrained by my command, could not entirely conceal his lingering distrust. So I decided to send him to get some tea.
“Now then, I would ask you to take a seat, but there are none but my throne, so do your thing, I’m sure you have questions.” I said once Agravain had stepped out.
The Ancient One inclined her head slightly, the faintest trace of a smile playing on her lips. With a simple gesture, a golden chair materialized, intricately designed yet ethereal, as though woven from light itself. She seated herself gracefully, her gaze unwavering.
“Indeed, I have questions, Your Majesty,” she said, her voice calm yet probing. “You wield not just the power of a king but that of a goddess. Your appearance in this world, and the steps you take now, ripple far beyond Camelot. Do you truly grasp the scale of what you have set in motion?”
I leaned forward slightly, resting my hand on the armrest of my throne. “Disperse with the pleasantries; I know who you are, you who think yourself a protector, you who lives through dark magic alone.”
I revealed some of what I knew. “I know you have questions, and many of them, so let’s get this over with, I would rather not have to worry about you and your order coming after my knights.”
The Ancient One’s serene expression faltered for the briefest moment, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she composed herself. “You are well-informed, King Arthur,” she said, her tone measured. “Few have the insight to recognize what lies beneath my role, let alone the wisdom to confront it so directly.”
I leaned back, my gaze unwavering. “Your power and your purpose are no mystery to me. You weave through time and space; you protect this world. I will not deny it, but cross me, and you will regret it.”
It seemed like I finally got through to her because the Ancient One let out a sigh, and I felt her demeanor change.
The Ancient One’s shoulders relaxed slightly, the faintest hint of weariness seeping into her otherwise composed demeanor. “Very well, Your Majesty,” she said, her tone softening. “You have made your stance clear, and I am not here to make enemies of Camelot or its king.”
She clasped her hands together, leaning forward slightly in her golden chair. “But you must understand, your presence here, your knights, and your actions they aren’t easy to ignore. Still, if you are willing to talk then that’s good, tell me, who are you?”
“I have read every text on Camelot and King Arthur I could find, and nothing seems to match what I am seeing here, every indication is of a male King Arthur, a male Mordred, and someone far weaker than you,” She continued.
I tilted my head slightly, my gaze steady as I regarded the Ancient One. “You’re not wrong,” I said, my tone measured. “But, you aren’t right either, I am King Arthur, I was born a girl, but a woman couldn’t rule, so Merlin had me hide my true gender.”
The Ancient One’s eyebrows lifted slightly, her expression intrigued. “That can indeed explain some things, but not others; there are things that are very well recorded yet seem to fit nothing of what I see here.”
I leaned back slightly, my expression calm but resolute. “History is rarely as clear as the texts claim, Sorcerer Supreme. Stories are told by those who survive, shaped by their needs and biases. What you’ve read may hold a kernel of truth, but it is far from the whole picture.”
The Ancient One’s eyes narrowed slightly, though her tone remained even. “Many may believe what you say, but not me, I know very well that Arthur was a man, Mordred too, I know that Sir Percy of Scandia was real, yet you deny that, who are you?”
I met her sharp gaze, my tone calm but edged with authority. “I am King Arthur, sovereign of Camelot, protector of the realm, wielder of Excalibur and Rhongomyniad. That is not up for debate, Sorcerer Supreme.”
