Deadlands

I Get Three Weeks For Telling The Truth

With my sudden title available for all ears I end up in the throne room with a severely obnoxious twelve-year old that has the appearance of a fifty-year-old. Oh right, the king of Camelot. How could I forget that?

"YOU DARE CHALLENGE, MY SON, TO GET REVENGE FOR YOUR KINGDOM?!" I stand there awkwardly and let him continue on. I wish his loyal subjects would see him now. It would be quite a tragedy or maybe a new thought? A strong voice speaks, finally.

"Father, please," Arthur steps in front of me and silences his father, but that only causes the burning fury to rise.

"Do not defend a sorceress!" I feel the sensation shift between all present. Ah, here comes the wave of bias opinions and frightened young children who don't want to understand the unknown. "You dare betray me? Your own father. I will not let you become friends with a witch."

My skin itches, that, that, no.

I lay my hand on Arthur's chest and gently pushes back, a groan comes from his lips. I whisper a 'sorry' and step forward. From my back, I hear, 'it's alright'. A small grin appears then vanishes for I am before the furnace, shaped as a man.

"Uther, King of Camelot, I know you and my father had rough terms. I know you display all types of hate towards my kingdom and people-"

"Do not put words in my mouth, wretch!"

"-and I know you will never accept help from anyone from the likes of me. For in your mind anyone with red hair means the mountains and you dread the thought because-"

"Silence."

"-because you turned-"

"SILENCE!"

And then, the raging storm. The one that has brewed upon the horizon, many have laid eyes on it but never imagined it would reveal itself like this.

"BECAUSE YOU DESERTED MY FATHER TO THE FIRE OF DRAGONS AND MY PEOPLE DIED IN THE HANDS OF THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE AS BLACK AS YOURS! YOU ARE THE REASON THAT A ROYAL FAMILY HAS FALLEN!"

My shrill sound fills the stone and all goes like death. No wind dare move, no breath leaves a living being, no motion, they are all statues with no beating hearts, no one speaks. Tears begin to pour down my cheeks and I rub them away with no shame in my actions.

But of course, the one who tries to cover up, his, mistakes comes forth.

"False! Do not listen to her! She spews lies!" Uther points his dirty finger at me with fire in his cavern like soul. Empty and hollow.

"Father, what she speaks of, she is telling the truth." His father gaps at his son for knowing and using this information and in front of the court.

"Arthur, don't you dare take sides with this-"

"A royal member, a princess, a high status, the matter of sorcery doesn't matter. She has not enchanted me, she doesn't have such powers." Uther laughs and takes rapid steps towards us. Arthur stands his ground and I rest a hand upon his arm. He is incredibly tense, but who can blame him? Father against son, a constant war that cannot be won.

"Have you not learned what I have taught you? The people from the mountain are reckless and sorcerers! They have magic in their blood! They are not to be trusted! Their hearts are filled with hatred and darkness!" My grip becomes tighter on his clothes and I just begin to move forward when I get another attack. "Do not come forward, you aren't called to do so."

"What you have taught your son has caused a rift between you two, please, do not widen it."

That is when I get a gift I knew I would receive. Uther's fist against my cheek. The rash swing reverberates as gasps are heard. No one dares accuse the king of his actions, for he is the king after all.

Mr. High and Mighty.

I lay my hand against the swelling area and peer up to see Arthur's face is pure shock and sickness at his father's defense. His mouth fumbles over words but none make it out.

"Do not speak of how I raise my child."

"Father-"

"No Arthur," Uther speaks with determination, "lock her in the dungeon, she will serve three weeks, no food or water." The guards come and grasp my shoulders, my grip on Arthur's clothing lingers. With one motion Arthur's hand clamps on my wrist as the soldiers attempt to take me to my destination.

"Father. Don't do this."

The men stand in a position almost like being tug at two ends. One with Uther and the other Arthur.

"Obey my orders. Take the wretch and go." And with no hesitation the sides become uneven and my body is dragged across the ground and thrown into the musty, stone cell.