Loving you is a Losing Game

Chapter 4

It was already dark and Morgana decided to camp in for the night. Madoc helped her craft a rain tent and she let the kid light the fire for the night. While she makes sure the tent is sturdy and will surely protect them from rain.

While the kid was out gathering firewood, she surrounded a few traps in case Merlin was the one who would come. She heard twigs snapping causing her to be alert in case it was an animal or Merlin.

"Attaboy!" said a familiar voice. It was the guy from earlier.

"Evenin' laddie!" one man jabbered.

"Looks like you didn't just give us a good horse, rat. You give us a good catch." It was the woman from earlier.

Morgana put on the hood of her cloak. It covered half her upper face and spun to face them. There were at least six bandits. Five men and one woman. Morgana contemplated if she needed to use her magic this time. Merlin or this band of bandits. Not being a prisoner is the ideal end result.

"Evening fellas." She gave them a small smile, acting as ladylike as she was taught. You can strip the title from the lady—

"Fine specimen." whistled one guy, eyeing her from head to toe. Morgana turned to him. She better not hear this guy call Madoc a rat for rat features is in his looks. Round in the head but long face and nose. Hardly any space from his thick bushy brows. Top with round eyes and big ears.

"Couldn't say the same to you," she replied. Roar of laughter bellowed among his buddies. Morgana is sure she just earned the hate medal from this guy.

"Someone's cheeky." said the only woman laughing, "I like her. That's a way to shut you up, Kilian," she told the rat face guy.

"Orayt, enough foolin' around, Gaelle. Let's get down to business." said the least scrawny guy among the group. He must be their leader and by the hint of affection towards the woman named Gaelle, they are handfasted. "Cloak off, woman," he commanded. "And you—" he pointed at Madoc, "Go to yer mother." he barked.

"Mother I see," Morgana uttered. "However I see no resemblance." her voice is besmirching.

"Well, it's because his real parents are idiots who got themselves killed. Filthy rat, now we have to take care of him. But we all pull our weight here. So he gained your trust and now you're going to give us everything you have there." answered Gaelle. "Now hood off!"

"Are you sure you want to know what's underneath?" she said with a hint of warning.

"Stop toying and do as you're told."

Morgana laughed a mirthless one. Then took off the hood of her cloak. "No one. Tells me what to do." she glowered.

To say that the band was taken aback is an understatement. "La-Lady Morgana."

"Tis I," she smirked darkly.

"Now, now," she stated then caught Madoc's eyes. "Tell me, child. Did you lead these vermins to me?"

"That's what he does, M'lady. He would gain the trust of the traveler that we will pillage—"

"I don't recall asking you, Gaelle !" Morgana remarked silencing the woman. "I'm not gonna ask again, child. Are you one of them?"

"What Gaelle said is what I do," Madoc answered with chagrin. "But Morgan, believe me, I didn't lead them to you. I want to come and live with you. I'd rather have you than—" but he wasn't able to finish his sentence for Gaelle slapped him.

"Hmm." Morgana eyed each of the bandits and saw that the guy called Kilian was standing closest to one of her traps.

She walks a few steps while still keeping her sardonic expression, eyes not leaving Kilian. She deftly tugged the string of the trap, and with a slight movement of the head, coordinated as the potion poured down on Kilian. The potion seared his head and face causing him to writhe while holding his face. Thanks to the campfire, everyone saw that his face was blistering.