Unseen Threads
Lott and Morgan exchanged casual nods. Under normal circumstances, the loyalty of King Arthur would have elated Lott. However, the timing of the visit could not have been worse, interrupting him at a critical moment.
Lott, previously a moon cook in his former life, managed to suppress his excitement and focus on the immediate issues at hand. Kay observed Lott and Morgan's reactions with confusion but realized that he and Altria might have somehow offended them.
Maybe being a knight rebel isn't such a bad idea, Kay thought to himself.
Lott addressed Kay and Altria with a serious tone. "Next, I will provide you with complete sets of knight armour and equipment. You'll need to practice with them over the next few days. I will come to officially bestow your knighthood myself."
"Understood," replied Kay and Altria, their faces lighting up with excitement. They understood the significance of this opportunity and were eager to seize it.
"Make sure to eat well," Lott added with a hint of humour. "It might help you grow taller."
Among the four, Altria was notably shorter at 1.5 meters, a detail she was acutely aware of.
"Alright, go fetch the armour. I need to discuss something with Morgan, so please give us some privacy for now," Lott instructed, waving them off.
Kay and Altria left the room, their excitement was palpable. With them gone, Lott and Morgan were left alone.
These two arrived at the worst possible time, Lott thought with frustration. I need to get back to business.
Morgan, however, found the situation amusing. She could read Lott's discomfort from his expression.
"I told you, it's time to handle government affairs," Morgan said with a smirk, taking Lott's hand and placing it on a pile of documents.
Lott, observing Morgan's enthusiastic approach to paperwork, sighed internally. I need to find a way to go fishing, he resolved.
Morgan watched him silently, curious to see what excuse Lott would come up with.
"Morgan, there are still some issues with our plan. I need to consult someone to refine it," Lott said, seizing the opportunity.
"What issues?" Morgan asked, intrigued.
"It's about magic. What if the enemy magicians detect our plans in advance? I need to consult Merlin first," Lott explained.
"Alright, go ahead," Morgan agreed, her tone tinged with amusement.
Lott quickly left the room, moving with the speed of a gust of wind. Morgan stood up, shaking her fists in frustration.
You're more skilled at avoiding work than anything else, she thought as she sat down to tackle the documents with renewed determination.
Morgan's frustration was evident as she attacked the paperwork with fervour, each stroke of the quill reflecting her irritation.
Meeting with Merlin
Despite his pretext, Lott was genuinely concerned about magical interference and needed to consult Merlin. Upon arriving at Merlin's quarters, Lott found him in a rather compromising situation, holding the hand of a maid.
"Well, it seems your recent luck has been somewhat poor…" Merlin remarked with a smile.
"Ahem!" Lott cleared his throat loudly, causing Merlin to reluctantly withdraw his hand. The maid quickly fled, and Merlin turned to Lott with a hint of annoyance.
"Your Majesty King Lot, you arrived at an inopportune time."
Lott, knowing Merlin's usual behaviour, chose not to comment and remained silent.
Merlin, unfazed, smiled and said, "It seems you're not in the mood for jokes. What brings you here?"
Lott, maintaining his serious demeanour, responded, "Shouldn't you know why I'm here?"
"I don't," Merlin replied with a shake of his head. "While I can see many things clearly, your future remains a complete mystery to me."
"Are you jesting?" Lott asked, his expression sceptical.
"Do you think I'm making a joke?" Merlin replied with a grin.
Lott, looking sternly at Merlin, said, "Stop joking around."
Merlin scratched his cheek lightly. "Though it might seem so at times, I assure you that I truly cannot see clearly into your future."
Lott was unsure whether to believe Merlin. "Let's move on. I came here to discuss our plan with you."
He explained the concerns he had discussed with Morgan regarding the potential for magical interference. Merlin listened attentively.
"Oh, you're worried about magical interference? You needn't worry about that," Merlin said nonchalantly.
"Why?" Lott asked.
"Because, as I've mentioned, as long as you're present, no magic will affect your detection methods. Whether it's mind reading or divination, it's like a cloud of fog when aimed at you," Merlin explained.
"Are you serious?" Lott asked, seeking confirmation.
"Of course," Merlin affirmed. "If you're doubtful, I can arrange for another magician to verify this for you."
"Alright," Lott replied, deciding to verify Merlin's claims with other magicians.
If Merlin's assurances were held, it would be a significant advantage. With this potential new skill, Lott felt more confident.
Final Preparations Before Conquest
To verify Merlin's claims, Lott consulted other court magicians loyal to King Uther. It was essential for King Uther to be aware of this development to ensure that their allies remained informed and prepared.
The verification results were consistent with Merlin's statements. This confirmation pleased Lott, as it provided him with an additional strategic advantage.
After completing the verification, Lott reported his findings and updated King Uther on the plans. He then returned to his castle to continue preparations for the upcoming campaign.
With everything in place, Lott was ready to advance to the next phase of his campaign against Vortigern.