Camelot

And so on that day, Sir Lucan the Merciful went to the round table and bade King Arthur call upon his men. With him he brought a strange knight who wore a smiling mask and Lady Rosevalda, who was passing fair.

Sir Lucan said to them, “My friends, I ask that you aid me in this battle, for there is a foe who may be beyond my mettle. The battle is all but upon us, and we must take the field before all is lost.”

And King Arthur said, “I will aid you, and have ready to do battle thirty good men on horse and fifty more good men on foot.

And also Sir Griflet who was his cousin said, “I will aid you, and with me I have ten good men on horse.”

And also Sir Bedivere, who was his brother and the king's marshal said, “I will aid you, and with me I have thirty good men on foot.”

And also Sir Kay, who was the king’s seneschal said “I will aid you, and with me I have twenty good men on horse.”

And also Sir Gawain, who was the King’s nephew said “I will aid you, and shall stand by your side though I have naught but my own might to offer.”

And all together these knights had sixty five men on horse and a hundred men on foot close at hand, prepared to march for battle.

And the knight who wore the smiling mask asked, “Yes, but we do not know where we must go to do battle. Our enemy remains unknown, his path is hidden from us, and his might may be greater than even you mightiest of knights.”

And then a man wrapped in sheepskins entered the hall, carrying the corpses of two wild geese. His feet were covered in mud, and he trailed the smell of dung along the carpets.

And Arthur said to him, “Scoundrel, why do you intrude upon my council?”

And the strange man availed himself of the jellied eels, though he used his mud stained hands for he did not bring knife nor fork. While he ate, he spake to Arthur, saying “I come to advise you, for you are sorely lacking in wit.”

And Arthur said “You would say this to your king?”

And the stranger said, “Yes, for I knew you when your chin was without fluff,” and the men of the round table knew that this was Merlin, and there was much merriment.

And then Merlin said, “The enemy you face uses passion as a weapon, and only one among you has the eyes to see his blade and turn it aside. His appetites are boundless. You must go with all haste to the home of your cousin Culwych, that you might have the chance to face him there.”

••••••••••

The idea of a powerful sorcerer being a short, skinny, mud covered weirdo was not alien to Gil, but Merlin was still awfully strange. While everyone else in the room was wearing rich, layered fabric clothing and decked out in jewelry, Merlin was wearing what appeared to be the entire skin of a rather large sheep with a whole cut through it like a poncho. He had on a loincloth as well, thankfully, but it was extremely weird.

He’d walked into the room and started eating with his bare hands, mouthed off to the king, and made dire pronouncements. Strangest of all, the knights of the round table had immediately laughed it off once one of them realized this was Merlin.

“I thought this guy was supposed to be some kind of royal advisor?” Gil whispered to Lucan. “Is he a shapeshifter or something? Why didn’t everyone know him by his face?”

“I know not by what methods he uses, I believe some trick of glamour, but it amuses him to appear before Arthur in many guises.” Lucan answered, not bothering to whisper. “And yes, he is an excellent advisor to the king who has devised many grand designs. I would trust his judgement with my life.”

“How far away is this Culwch’s home?” Rose asked. “How big is this kingdom, anyway?”

“Oh, rather far I’m afraid.” Lucan said. “We should be able to make it there with our forces in three weeks if we leave as quickly as possible. Traveling overseas to Caledon will be the biggest difficulty.”

Gil grimaced, slightly regretting that he’d left Boco behind. The chocobo could, from all evidence he had, outpace a galloping horse easily and he’d never once seen the bird get tired. Oh well, you deal with whatever you had available and he was certain Rose would earn her spot on the roster before all was said and done. Three weeks, however, was entirely unacceptable.

“So… is there any way we might be able to get there faster and help them prepare?” Gil said. “All haste means all haste, right?”

“I agree, friend.” Gawain said, overhearing and butting into the conversation. “I have no men to marshal, so I was already planning on leaving immediately. If you are not weary from your travels, then I would welcome an additional man at my side during the trip there. I could loan you a steed, if yours needs rest.”

Gil looked at the man, sizing him up. Nobody had batted an eye when the thirty something man stood up and casually declared that he’d just show up solo to a war, and when Gil had asked Lucan what his deal was Gawain’s list of skills included dragon slaying. He certainly looked the part, too, with a thick neck, broad shoulders, and a strong, clean shaven jawline. His hair was chin length and a bit wavy, but that seemed to be the standard in this setting. The only thing really at odds with his status as the manliest man in a room full of chads was a lacy green ribbon he had wrapped around his chest like a sash.

He pulled Lucan into a crushing embrace, nodded at Gil, and bowed deeply to Rose. He visibly appreciated Rose’s figure. It was just overt enough that it might have crossed a line if done by any man even slightly less handsome or otherwise polite.

“I appreciate that, and I might take you up on the offer, but I was actually hoping for something even faster than a horse.” Gil said. “I do not know the magic found in this land, but in my homeland there are those who can allow for travel to be far faster, and my own abilities can be used to tame all manner of strange beasts for transport.”

“I’m afraid that such methods are beyond Hellawes.” Lucan said. “I have inquired after the nature of her abilities, and though she knows of such mysteries, the only great workings within her power are those I’ve already spoken of.”

Gil stared at Lucan, trying not to let his disappointment be visible on his face.

“That’s fair, but since it’s apparently possible and your nation’s greatest sorcerer is right there, I thought maybe we should ask him.” Gil said evenly. “There’s a fair bit at stake, I think. If he isn’t coming straight for you, I’m pretty sure Kusai is going to raid the lands for whatever treasures he can get. Even if we defeat him, he might be able to flee with the spoils.”

Kusai wasn’t the only one who might be able to capture a few people while he was here, but Gil wasn’t intending to go on a capturing spree. Anyone he did catch, assuming Lucan didn’t want them removed from his world, he’d probably release before leaving. The old sell-to-forget trick would do nicely and fill his pockets with minimal drama.

“Perhaps if you entreat Merlin he will aid you,” Gawain said skeptically. “I have never known him to act except as he wills, however. I shall have my squire prepare a horse for you, should your hopes be dashed.”

“I would appreciate one for my wife as well.” Gil said. “We always travel together, even into battle. Unless, of course, you would prefer to rest. I know that you’ve been working very hard these last few weeks.”

“I’m fine, Gil.” Rose said, “If you have need of me, I can rest while we wait for Kusai.”

“I see.” Gawain said, glancing skeptically at Rose. “Well, if she is a marksman or enchantress, who am I to deny her? Perhaps your lady would be better to ask Merlin. The only woman I have ever seen sway him is of both those natures.”

Rose and Gil glanced at one another, and she stood to approach the man. He was scooping something that looked a bit like slightly yellow jello out of the silver pan, licking it off his still dirty fingers.

“Sir Merlin,” Rose began, only to be interrupted.

“I am no sir, fair maiden.” He said. “Though I suppose it fits as loosely as the title of maiden does to you.”

Merlin didn’t bother looking up at her, instead licking the dish clean. He belched.

“Suppose then that I was being as generous to you as you were to me.” Rose said. “May I ask for a few moments of your time?”

“You may and will ask for many things.” Merlin said, sighing and finally fixing Rose with blue eyes. “What of it?”

“My lord would like to know if there is any method you could point us at to travel more quickly.” Rose said. “And what you know of our enemy. We are walking into battle blind.”

“Most do, and you must continue to do so this day.” Merlin said. “I fear that your foe is a blot upon my sight. I can only see where he will go by tracking the looming shadow of pain and desecration in his wake. I hear in the lamentations of those he leaves behind that he is mighty, and that he seeks to spirit away many of the finest ladies in all of these isles.”

Rose nodded, processing what he was saying. It was not Rose, who had been listening to Gil speak about how the Company worked, but Flechette who could decode his meaning. It seemed Merlin was a precog, probably a very powerful one, but for whatever reason Kusai could elude his power.

“I see.” Rose said. “Could you aid us, then? Help us to intercept him?”

He fished around in his loincloth, plucking out an acorn from among the folds.

“No.” Merlin said. “I’ve better things to do than cart about a few visitors. I’ve told you where you must be, and the urgency with which to go about it. Whatever means your lord chooses will be adequate to the task. Give this to your lord. It will be important.”

Merlin dropped the acorn onto the table and turned to leave. For a moment, Rose considered trying to stop him. She thought better of it. Physically barring him wouldn’t do much, especially not against someone she’d been trying as hard as possible to inflame the lust of that whole conversation. He didn’t even seem more fond of her; the power had splashed off of him like water against a stone. She took the acorn, looking at it skeptically, and shrugged.

“He was as helpful as Sir Gawain thought he’d be.” She said dryly. “Though he offered me this token, and said that you should hold it on your person for later.”

“Hey, I’ll take it.” Gil said with a smile. “Let’s get going; I need to get you into your new armor, anyway.”

Rose saw the amused smile on his face, and quite accurately guessed that the armor would be both stupid, and far too useful to pass up on.

••••••••••

So, how will Gil go about this?

https://strawpoll.com/w4nWWxkLYnA