Arthur had pulled the sword from the stone.
Yet that was years ago, and Arthur became a wanted royal fugitive ever since. It seemed that the lords of Albion were not keen on having a new king. Especially one that crowned by a magical sword. Arthur roamed the land in search of two things. His destiny and the confounded wizard named Merlin. It was he who had started this whole terrible quest.
Time changes a boy into man and it hardens them as well. The assassins who sought Arthur were less. Those that located him, also found a man whose blade was quite deadly. Albion was a land untamed and plagued with war. This reality gave those with resolve, to live the by the blade, a chance to make coin. A life Arthur had adapted for his own survival.
As Arthur road upon a dark forest path, he pushed away thoughts of the past. Yet fate would not let the past rest. Arthur pulled upon his steed's reigns to avoid trampling a figure. One that had stepped out on the road from the nearby tree-line.
"Have you lost your mind old man." Arthur spat at the stranger.
"Your definition of old and mine are different. It would appear you have aged since our last encounter."
"Great dragons....Merlin."
"Yes...that is my name, dragon I am not.."
"Where have you been?"
"Where I was...and it matters not."
"You left me to hands of lords who sought my death."
"And yet you live."
"Blast you wizard!"
"Where is the sword?"
"Where my enemies cannot find it."
"A King without a sword...how ever do you expect to rule?"
"Rule... a land full of lords who want me dead. Those who still remember the sins of my own father."
"The very man, you are not. Come there is an inn nearby and and we have much to discuss."
"Do you think you can appear and command me about?"
"I do not...but...we all have to eat."
"I will not give you my horse."
Merlin eyed Arthur, he then whistled. Before Arthur could ask why a great stag leapt on the road. The grea horned animal was larger than Arthur's own mount. In a fluid motion that would appear beyond his age. Merlin leapt upon the stag's back.
"Do try to keep up."
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