There can be no place for magic in Camelot

Trying to fix things

It was a few days later that Arthur sat in front of his council, anger radiating off of him in waves. He listened to his council members as they each recounted why they agreed with and supported the laws regarding magic as a crime punishable by death. No one could give an opinion older than the past 25 years. Though Arthur knew that these men had been on the council, if not in court, when he mother was alive. He raised a hand to stop the most recent telling of sorcerers are dangerous, tired of the repeated rhetoric. Once the room was quiet, they waited expectantly for their King to speak.

"How old am I?" Arthur asked, looking at each council member in turn.

"Sire?" Geoffrey questioned.

"Humor me. How old am I?" Arthur asked again.

"Your majesty is 30." Geoffrey answered.

"Correct. I am 30. And yet, all of you have been on this council for longer than I've been alive." Arthur continued. "The only opinions you have provided have been practiced and cultivated over the past 30 years, as my father began the Purge just after I was born. So, tell me, how is it that none of you have an opinion that branches back to that time?" Arthur growled. Many of the council members lowered their gaze to the table unwilling to meet the King's eyes. "I learned some hard truths recently. Truths that go against what my father's reign stood for. For instance, my father had a court sorcerer for many years. Until the year I was born, that is. The year I was born, my father banished his court sorcerer, or sorceress, and began the purge. You all should be well versed in this. Yes?" There were many small nods of acknowledgement as well as scowls.

"Sire, we were sworn to your father to never speak of the events before the purge." Geoffrey admitted.

"And when my father died, and my reign began, none of you felt the need to bring this to my attention?" Arthur questioned. Gwen stepped forward and put a hand on Arthur's shoulder then. He relaxed slightly, glad that she was there to lend her support.

"It was your duty as council to the King to apprise him of unwarranted or unjust laws that affect the citizens of this realm. You have all failed in your duty in your misguided and unfounded loyalty to a man who is no longer King. Now. If you wish to remain as council for King Arthur, you will work to remedy this. There are a variety of people living within Camelot and they all deserve to feel free and welcome. Perhaps if those with certain talents hadn't been hunted and persecuted, there would not be a magical war waged against us now." Gwen announced.

"Your majesty, that does not seem wise-" Lord Bradyn, who oversaw farming and agriculture, started to argue but was cut off by a deadly glare from the King.

"The Druids have been at peace with us for several years now. They held a prophecy in regards to the King of Camelot being assisted and protected by a man born with extraordinary magical power. This man risked his life everyday in Camelot to protect me, to protect my father; all the while knowing if he were discovered he would be executed for how he was born. I won't pretend to understand magic or who gets it or how it manifests. For that I would need someone to advise me. A Druid has offered to come and sit with this council. To advise on magical crimes, if a crime was committed with magic. The laws ordering the execution of any suspected of magic will be repealed effective immediately. This week you will all work to set reasonable restrictions and guidance on governing uses with the advice and support of the Druid representative. One week to convince me that you can work with me to fix the past 30 years of violence we have all inflicted." Arthur stated. When he finished speaking, he stood and exited the council chamber, heading for his rooms. Gwen had stayed behind to further advise the council on what would happen if they failed, and the way forward. She knew it would be too difficult for Arthur as he remembered all too well leading raids himself on several Druid camps.