A Morning Encounter
The early morning light found both Lott and Morgan awake before dawn. The excitement from their previous day's meeting lingered, disrupting their sleep. Yet, their youthful vigour and skills—Morgan as a skilled magician and Lott as a capable knight—meant that the restless night had little effect on them.
Lott happened upon Morgan as he rose, a flicker of panic evident in his eyes. Morgan noticed his expression, her curiosity piqued.
"What's the matter?" Morgan wondered silently, trying to decipher the source of his unease. As she began to tune into his thoughts, she picked up fragments of his internal struggle.
Should I give Morgan that gift? It's so tangled!
Morgan's thoughts raced. Was Lott considering giving her something? The notion seemed surprising and somewhat endearing. Comparing Lott to other noblemen she had known from Camelot, she found him to be unique. While others lacked emotional depth, Lott's hesitations and sincerity stood out.
Despite her ongoing plans to become the ruler of Camelot and Britain, Morgan found Lott's apparent innocence intriguing. Her thoughts wandered to Camelot's throne and her ambitions, even considering the possibility of Lott as part of her grand plan.
"Good morning, Your Majesty King Orkney," Morgan greeted, her tone formal yet warm.
"Good morning," Lott replied, visibly uncomfortable. "Please, just call me Lott. Titles are unnecessary."
Lott's discomfort with his title reflected his modesty and perhaps his insecurity about his small realm. Morgan noted this with interest, perceiving it as a sign of his genuine character.
Political Observations
Morgan decided to test Lott's political insight further. "By the way, Lott, what's your opinion on Camelot? I'm curious to hear your thoughts."
Lott paused before responding. "Under King Uther's leadership, Camelot has achieved great prosperity and defeated many foes. I believe he has the potential to unify all of Britain."
Morgan listened intently, noting the flattery in Lott's words. However, as she tuned into his deeper thoughts, she uncovered a more critical perspective.
Oh, but from a practical standpoint, King Uther is struggling. Despite numerous victories, Camelot's enemies grow stronger, and its strength diminishes. The people suffer as a result. Camelot is on the brink.
Morgan reflected on Lott's insight. His assessment, though alarmist, had merit. Camelot's seeming prosperity masked underlying issues: increasing enemies, weakened forces, and worsening conditions for its people. This realization made Morgan respect Lott's political acumen.
She decided to probe further. "Camelot appears to be in a deep crisis despite its apparent success. What do you think should be done about it?"
Lott looked surprised by her directness. He hesitated before responding cautiously, "Your Highness, I'm just a small king with limited knowledge. I can't claim to understand King Uther's situation fully."
Morgan's frustration was palpable. She had hoped for more substantive insights but sensed Lott was concealing his true opinions, perhaps out of fear of offending her father, King Uther.
Inwardly, Morgan fumed at Lott's evasiveness but resolved to remember his candid thoughts about Camelot's situation. His suggestion for improving agriculture, rather than focusing solely on war, resonated with her.
Strategic Insights
Morgan was impressed by Lott's practical approach to solving Camelot's issues. The concept of "rewarding farming wars" rather than solely focusing on military endeavours made sense. By incentivizing agricultural development, Camelot could bolster its logistics and sustain its military efforts more effectively.
As Lott concluded his thoughts, Morgan decided to share his idea with Merlin later. It seemed a viable strategy to address Camelot's logistical problems and strengthen its future prospects.
"I'll go prepare for our departure," Lott said, signalling the end of their conversation. "You and Merlin should also get ready. We still have a journey ahead."
Morgan nodded, watching him leave. She turned her attention to Merlin, who had already emerged from his tent.
A Conversation with Merlin
Merlin greeted Morgan with a knowing look. "Your Highness, are you here to discuss something with me, or is there another purpose for your visit?"
Morgan, sensing Merlin's awareness, addressed him directly. "You've likely been observing us closely. I'm interested in discussing Lott's thoughts and strategies with you."
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "King Lott is indeed a unique individual. His perspective on Camelot and its challenges is quite intriguing."
Morgan, having recognized Lott's potential, was determined to delve deeper into his insights and strategies. She resolved to use his ideas to her advantage, whether in her quest for Camelot or in understanding the true nature of her future husband.
As they prepared to continue their journey, Morgan's thoughts were a mix of anticipation and strategic planning. The road ahead promised discoveries and challenges, with Lott's ideas playing a pivotal role in shaping her future actions.