Loving you is a Losing Game

Chapter 3

Morgana was riding the horse in a trot-canter combination speed. She wants to get as far as she can before Merlin knows that she's gone but she doesn't want to spend the horse right away. Also, the horse is just a false trail. Since Merlin's magic detection spell on her is still present on her wrist. If Arthur and the knights will come looking for her then they'll be able to follow her trail as well. They need to lose them.

She was thinking of the best place to go. Someplace where Merlin would last thought. Her hovel, the forest that surrounds Ealdore or maybe Daobeth. It's near and they wouldn't thought she'd use it. Her fortress and Morgause's fortress would be searched so she needs to avoid that. Merlin captured her from her hovel, he would think that that was the last place she would be. Her hovel it is and that's where her portal to her house in Egolia, Emeric's kingdom. One of the smaller kingdoms is on neutral grounds to the wars that have been happening between other kingdoms.

Morgana was so engrossed with her thoughts that she almost missed Arthurs' crusade. She saw them but whoever saw which was which first, she couldn't tell. She swiftly maneuvered her horse sideways and kicked it to gallop away from the group. She heard her name being called by them, mostly Merlin's and Arthur's voices are prominent but she didn't look back. Arthur knows this part of the forest well, while Merlin can detect her location the moment she uses magic. She needs to be smart.

"Morgana, halt now. You know you can't escape." she heard Merlin say in her mind. "And even if you do, I can always find you."

She didn't answer she didn't want to reveal to him yet that she already regained her magic. Morgana knew that it was kind of obvious that she had her magic back but she wanted Merlin to question if she escaped on her own or using magic. It's crucial for she doesn't want him to use his magic against her. Not now.

Finally, she arrived at her destination, by the lake. She continued until the horse's four hooves were fully submerged. By the time Arthur and his group reach the lake, Morgana is deep in the water. While there, she was transported to where her fortress once was. Merlin is the only one who can follow her and he can't follow her track like how Arthur can. However, a huge part of her wish is that Merlin will not transport like she does.

After she dried her parts of her clothes and cloak. Her horse, continued to gallop away, this time in the direction of her once fortress. Merlin would think that she would go there and since it's not far. She would abandon the horse in a field near the entrance so they would think to search the place allowing her more time to travel to her hovel. It's a four to five-day walk and without her magic, she needs to be extra careful. She was nearing the entrance when she noticed that her once fortress was not empty.

Or at least the plains near it, shops are present, huts and stalls erected. Morgana dismounted her horse and walked towards the entrance of what looked like a small village. She ran into a boy that is exiting the village with his donkey.

"Howdy." the boy greeted. He smiled which brightened his blue eyes, it reminded her of a certain boy whom she met years back. The difference is his blonde, wavy hair clumsily hangs over his warm face, and if the wind blows it right, fringes will surely cover his eyes. Speaking of eyes, the boy's right eyebrow has slits.

"Greetings." she smiled.

"Pardon me, ma'am but you don't look from around here." the boy pointed.

"And that you are right." Again Morgana smiled. The pair walk together with Morgana following where the boy is headed. With their horse and donkey on either of their sides.

"You know you shouldn't say that kind of thing. Especially coming from a lady like you." the boy advised.

Morgana raised her eyebrow. "You're a young man but I could say the same to you."