On his return to London, the affairs of state took up most of the first week he was back. By the time he was finished with all of the meetings and paperwork he was too tired to even consider the task he needed to complete. To Harold the woman would be nothing more than a means to an end, no emotion would invade this task and he would dispose of the woman once her usefulness had waned. The scum supporters of his nephew were making trouble for his police and army in the north. The Scots had decided they no longer needed to be a part of the Empire and were pushing the Parliament to allow the split and recognise their independence. Harold really could care less what the damn Scots wanted and instructed the Parliament to release them and ensure that the alliance was heavily in favour of the Crown. The Prime Minister protested vociferously, but the promise of a cold winter in the mines of Wales soon quieted him down.
Once he possessed the Sword, the Scots would be nothing more than a blip on the trail of conquest he planned. Let them breathe free air for a few years, them he would crush them beneath the heels of his armies boots. He reached the end of the papers he needed to approve and leaned back in his chair, he was not tired, but he knew that the moment he lay down he would be asleep in moments. A light knock at the door made him jump slightly, it would be that old battle-axe with his evening supper. God he hated the sight of that old woman.
"Yes?" He called out. The door opened slowly and he saw the tray proceeding the woman as she entered. But then he got a surprise, it wasn't his expected visitor, it was a vision of beauty, she came over to the desk and curtseyed.
"Apologies, Your Highness. I hope I do not interrupt you." She said in a very smooth, but small voice.
"Not at all, my dear, and what is your name? I have not seen you around before." He asked, turning the charm on to its highest level.
"My name is Madonna, My Liege, Madonna La Fay." She answered.
"Well Madonna La Fay, I am most pleased to make your acquaintance, how long have you worked in the Palace?" He asked. He could tell she was falling for the charm, her face was red, and her hand played with her hair.
"I have been here for two months, Sire. I was asked to fill in for Emily as she is quite ill." She explained.
"Well then it is my good luck and Emily's that she is unwell. Please come and sit down." He cooed.
"Oh, my no Sire, the head housekeeper would have me flogged for interrupting you."
"Nonsense, I will speak with her personally and ensure you are safe from any recourse for entertaining me." She giggled and her hand immediately covered her mouth. "My you are a very beautiful woman, Madonna, how old are you?" He asked.
"I will be nineteen in six months, Sire." She replied. Not as young as he craved, but he could work with this one, she was indeed very beautiful.
"Well then I think you should stay for the evening. I think you would make an excellent bed mate." He said casually.
"But sire I am a virgin and I would save myself for marriage." She protested.
"I am your king and I have need of you this night, I would have thought sharing your King's bed would be an honour and privilege beyond that of some farmer with a few cows for a dowry?" He said with a menacing tone.
"I am highly honoured, Sire. But surely you would prefer the skills of a far more experienced woman." She was getting very skittish.
"I have need of you, girl. Now undress and lay on the bed." His tone brooked no argument and she slowly took her clothes off and climbed onto the large bed in tears.
Harold cared nothing for her feelings or what she had planned for her life, she was to be the mother of the price. He undressed and climbed into bed and heaved himself on top of her, the girl screamed as he forced himself inside her. He tried to be as quick as he could, her simpering and tears made staying erect hard, but he thought of more pleasant pursuits and the Sword. He shot his seed in her and rolled off. His breath fast and his heart rate racing, but the deed was done and he had set the final plan in motion. Madonna La Fay forgotten as she lay on the edge of the bed crying softly, but he didn't hear her or care. Harold was asleep quickly, and Madonna slipped out of the bed and dressed quickly. She ran to her room and locked the door, cried herself to sleep and tried to forget the horrible experience.
*****
Nine months later, Madonna La Fay gave birth to a healthy baby girl that she named Morgan. Her hair was flaming red and her eyes a sharp green, she would be a beauty rare and desirable. Harold made sure that the child and her mother were looked after in the manner that befit a daughter of a King, she would be treated with all the respect due her lofty stature. He wanted to ensure that the price was worthy of the Witches demand. Morgan was raised with the best of everything, from clothes to education, and for sixteen years she was a happy and intelligent child. Her mother doted on her, ensuring the child would want for nothing, she was the jewel in Madonna's heart, perfect in every way. She showed enormous potential in school and there were mumblings that Morgan showed very strong latent Magical abilities. To Harold, she was nothing more than currency to pay the Witch.
So it was that the day after her sixteenth birthday, Harold ripped the young Morgan from her mother's arms and started the long and dangerous trek to the cave and the answers he sought. The terrified young girl sobbed for days and refused to eat or drink, Harold finally threatening to kill her mother if she didn't do as she was told. The party was far better prepared for the trip and they reached the cave in two weeks, shorter by over a week and a half. Bundled up against the cold, Morgan resisted Harold every step of the way, she even tried running off several times, but the armoured soldiers caught her quickly, and she finally gave up her quest for freedom when the party entered the steep and unforgiving mountains.
Harold dragged the girl the final part of the journey to the cave entrance, there he stopped for a moment and thought about what he would demand. Finally he felt he was ready and they stepped into the cave. The second time was as frightening as the first, the Witches voice crooning and soothing, Morgan seemed to fall under the spell of the Witch. Harold stood before the Witch as she looked down on them.
"So Little King, you have the price I see, I am surprised. Bring her to me." She commanded.
"Not before I get my half of the bargain, Witch." He countered.
"So not only do you demand information from me, but now you accuse me of deception? Take your girl and be gone, Little King, you shall have nothing." The Witch squealed at Harold.
"We have a deal, Witch. Live up to your half of the bargain."
"Or what, King Harold the First? Will you banish me from my cave?" She laughed an evil and ear splitting cackle.
"No but I can order my men to seal this cave for all eternity, how will you trick lost travelers into your web then?" He countered.
"You are a sly dog aren't you, Little King." She replied, a small chuckle escaping her lips. "I like you, Little King. But the rules of the game are set by me, if you choose to ignore the rules then I shall ignore them also, have you forgotten where you are? I am the ruler in this cave and I can make it so you never leave and your Little Kingdom will fall." She threatened. Harold realised that he had not completely thought out his threats. "Now bring her to me before I lose my patience."
Harold moved forward slowly, Morgan walking without encouragement beside him. The Witch leapt off her pedestal and walked toward them also, her hands reaching for the girl. Harold stopped just short of the Witch, causing her to keen with disappointment.
"Your half of the bargain, now!" Harold demanded.
"The boy you seek is in the Far East, he resides with his guardian in the city of Hong Kong. Now hand over the girl, or I shall imprison you here and I will be far less generous than you will be with the boy." Harold gave the girl a shove. "Come my lovely girl, we have much to do."
Harold was outside the cave in his armour looking back into the cave. He was ecstatic, for sixteen years he had waited, his mind rolling over and over the ways he would conquer the world. Every minute detail was considered and reconsidered until he was happy and satisfied with the plan. He was sinking deeper and deeper into madness, those around him at court had begun avoiding the King, his temper and his nonsensical orders were far more frightening than his appetite for very young girls. Most of the Nobles had taken to marrying off their daughters to other Nobles equally young sons to avoid having to present them to Harold at court. But the King had his ways and his most fervent supporters would do anything to gain the approval of the King. He turned back to the camp, a very wide smile plastered across his face.
Inside the cave the Witch walked around the girl, she was deep in thrall to the Witches voice, so she simply stood there silent. Her hand reached out and caressed the girls flaming red hair and her milky smooth cheek. A light appeared in the Witches chest and began to spread across her whole body. It became so bright even the girl moaned in pain from its brightness. The light began to fade and the girl let a small sigh of relief. The Witch was gone, there was a tall stranger there behind her, his deep blue robes to dark to be seen in the scant light of the cave.
"Don't worry little one, I will see you safely back to your mother's arms. Then we shall see how deep those powers of yours go." Merlin said as he waved his hand forward. Two women in similarly dark robes approached and stood before the Mage and the young girl. "Take her to the Academy, her mother should be there now and begin the preparations for the rest of her training."
"She is as perfect as you saw Master Merlin." The first woman spoke.
"Yes, I just hope this is the right path to take."