Destiny Begins: The Forgotten Tale: Book One

The Posioned Chalice (PART 2)

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Arthur's POV
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I watched in horror as my maidservant downed the entire cup, of wine, that she just claimed to be posioned. It was like the entire hall was holding their breath as the Chalice fell from her nimble fingers. Hitting the stone floor which a loud clang. Her choked gasps as she frantically clawed at her throat for air was the only thing to distrub the horrified silence that had fallen. Not until her knees buckled and she lay spread eagle across the floor did the screams of the observing guests begin.

"GUARDS SEIZE HIM!" My dad screamed over the excited chatter of the guests. Glaring hatefully at Bayard as he was led away in chains. Racing to Merlins side. I dropped to my knees my hands frantically fluttering uselessly over her still form. Only when Giaus appear and push me out of the way did I realize my dads glare had turned to me.

"Arthur...." He began only for me to cut him off.

"SHUT UP! IF YOU HAD JUST LISTETO HER IN THE FIRST PLACE SHE NEVER WOULD HAVE FELT LIKE SHE HAD TO DRINK IT TO KEEP ME SAFE." I screamed hatefully.

"Arthur honestly control yourself she is just a servant easily...."

"Don't you dare say replaceable. Don't you dare brush off her sacrifice as if it was of no consequence. She risked her life to protect me and all you can say is she is just a servant." I spat my blue eyes flashing in my rage.

"Arthur honestly you are acting like a child. Its the duty of any good citizen to die for their king. Now stop this foolishness I will allow you to choose your next servant if it will make you happy." He sighed waving off my anger as if I were a child whining about a broken toy.

"You disgust me. To think I wanted nothing more than to be like you. How foolish of me." I whispered helping Giaus to lift the limp Merlin into my arms. Sending one more disgusted look at the king I headed for the physicans chambers as Gwen retrieved the cup.

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"Quickly sire set her down here." Giaus commanded pointing to an empty cot as Gwen handed him the cup.

"Can you cure him." Gwen worriedly enquired wringing her hands together.

"I won't know until I can identify the posion." Giaus replied peering inside the Chalice.

"There's something stuck in here. Ah ha got it." He exclaimed using a stick to pull out a purple petal. Rushing over to a thick tome of medicine and posions. He frantically began flipping through the pages before finally stopping on one. He paled as he gazed down at the words.

"Giaus what is it." I demanded moving closer to look over his shoulder.

"Its the morteaus flower. An extremely deadly flower that can be used to create the most deadly of posions. The only cure is the posion itself. You need a petal from the same flower to be able to cure the posion. But the only known location is a cave in the forest of balor. An extremely dangerous place. Anyone who has entered have never come out alive." Giaus replied gravely.

"But what happens if Merlin doesn't recieve a cure?" Gwen asked chewing her bottom lip fearfully.

"I'm afraid if she doesn't recieve the cure in 5 days she will die. That flower is her only hope of survival." Giaus replied solemnly gripping the edge of the table in a deathgrip.

"Sounds like fun." Giaus head snapped up at that staring at me as though I had grown a second head.

"Sire you can't be seriously considering going after the antidote? You could die."