𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕿𝖜𝖔
𝔖𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔶: From trolls to dragons to foreign princesses, Astraea Aphelion grows stronger as she
continues to navigate medieval Britain using her wit and heart, standing unshaken beside Merlin and Arthur as they face every threa...
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📍 Camelot
⏳ August, 505 AD
The alarm I'd set rang at 3:00 and I scrambled to get out of bed, get dressed, tidy up my appearance, and sneak out of the castle and towards the equestrian facilities. I sighed in relief when I found that Cinderella was still in her paddock with Dallas, which meant that Morgana hadn't left with the crystal yet. I hid in the hay storage shed and curled up atop a stack while I waited for the Lady to eventually show up.
I'm not entirely sure of what prompted my decision to follow her to wherever she'll be going to deliver the stolen object. Maybe it's because I'm wary that someone else in the castle might follow her and alert the King. Maybe it's concern for what the druids could do to her if they turn out to be a violent bunch. I doubt that Mordred would let her be harmed, but I don't trust the man he'd been with. After all, he endangered a child by breaking into the castle, and he endangered Morgana by having her steal this crystal. Maybe it's simply because I'm curious.
About an hour later, a cloaked Morgana finally appeared on the scene and I watched, staying hidden, while she led Ella out of her paddock, groomed her, saddled her, and mounted her before they took off at a fast trot.
Once they were out of sight, I hurried to ready Dallas and we followed after them. I was cautious to keep enough distance between us so that she wouldn't realise that she wasn't alone. I could only pray that the mare wouldn't give her any signs.
The landscape we rode across was nothing short of magical. Fog covered the coniferous forest below us as we trotted along a hill, the dazzling autumn colours faintly beginning to show as September approached. If nothing else, the view made the whole journey worth my while.
The sun was fully visible in the sky by the time Morgana and Ella went into a forest. I smiled as my senses were flooded with the sounds of chirping birds, and swooshing leafs, and creaking branches.
Some minutes later, the Lady stopped her mare and hopped off, leaving her to graze as she continued on foot. Reluctantly, I also dismounted my horse and I asked him to stay before I followed Morgana, making sure to remain crouched and to shield myself behind some bushes. I don't think that she or the druids would mind my presence, but why risk it?
Soon I could see some makeshift establishment in the near distance and I went around it to avoid being spotted. Then I climbed some metres up a tree and made sure to remain hidden among the leaves and branches as I looked down at the scene.
"Morgana!" I heard Mordred exclaim a second before he ran out of a tent and rushed to hug the Lady. I let myself grin just a little at the sight. Their bond is so precious!
The sus man appeared just behind the kid, and the woman readily retrieved the crystal from a satchel bag she carried. The man gave a lopsided grin that sent chills up my spine as he looked over the crystal. "It is my hope that, with time, Mordred will master the crystal," he commented. "And when he does, we will strike down Uther. Uther and all who serve him."
