Morgan's amusement at Merlin's plan failing was evident in her thoughts. "The idea of Merlin's plan collapsing brings a certain satisfaction, almost making me want to enjoy a meal just for the pleasure of it."
Lott, slightly bemused by Morgan's reaction, was touched by her enthusiasm. He considered the situation and decided that it was indeed better to remain focused and strategize rather than act impulsively. [Altria can be recalled easily if necessary. But for now, it's best to play it cool and set our sights on a different target.]
Morgan, noticing Lott's internal deliberation, thought, "If someone is determined to become a king, they should do so from the start. You can't hesitate; leadership requires decisive action. If the initial king is already indecisive, it undermines the confidence of those they lead."
Morgan felt Lott's hesitation was a weakness at a critical moment. Determined to show her resolve, she thought, "I will be the king of Camelot and prove that a woman can indeed ascend to the throne. No more disguises or pretence—everyone will swear allegiance to me as their queen."
She chuckled to herself, envisioning the benefits and advantages of her plans. Her playful demeanour caused Lott to look at her with mild exasperation. "Alright, if you're done daydreaming, you should go ahead. I'll find someone to accompany you," he said.
Morgan quickly declined. "No need, I'll handle it myself. You should go on and see if anyone has already pulled the sword."
"Alright then, I'll head over and check," Lott agreed and left.
Morgan, with a mischievous smile, plotted her next moves. "Merlin, you old trickster, let's see how I outmanoeuvre you. And Altria, despite your innocence, you'll just have to bear with my schemes. Even if you're my sister, it's only fair to make you wait."
Morgan's cunning and determination would have surprised Lott if he had seen her now. "Is this the same person who was once my loving wife?" he might have wondered.
The stone with the sword embedded in it drew large crowds. Men of strength and renowned knights flocked to try their hand at pulling out the sword, driven by the belief that the one who succeeded would become Camelot's rightful king.
Merlin watched the proceedings with a bemused expression. "It's commendable that these people dare to try, but none of them can succeed." He continued eating an apple while reflecting on the magical enchantments he had placed on the sword. [Only Altria can pull it out.]
Merlin was confident that the destiny of Britain would be best served by Altria. "The time is almost right. With enough witnesses around, it's time for the true Miss Knight King to take the stage."
Merlin, with a swift motion, flew toward Altria's location.
Altria, overwhelmed by hunger, focused solely on her immediate need for food. Since being assigned to duty at the banquet, she had been subsisting on meagre rations. Today, her duty was coming to an end, and she eagerly anticipated a proper meal.
Her thoughts were occupied with food as she made her way to the cafeteria, which was one of Lott's innovations offering the best of Orkney's delicacies. However, she lamented the less-than-stellar quality of the food served, feeling that she could do a much better job herself.
As she walked, Merlin appeared before her. "Ms. Altria, I have a task for you."
Though Altria was starving, she addressed Merlin with patience. "Do you need something?"
Merlin, with a smile that resembled a cunning fox eyeing its prey, explained, "I met Lord Lott recently, and he mentioned that there was a sword left outside the city. I need you to fetch it for me since I'm not as agile as I used to be. I would do it myself, but the journey is too long for me."
Altria, though she wished to complain about her hunger, kept her frustrations to herself. "Why does it always have to be me running errands?"
Merlin, sensing Altria's discontent, added, "Don't worry, Lord Lott will appreciate your help. And it's not just about the food; serving your lord is important too."
Altria's eyes lit up with renewed determination. "Serving my lord is an honour, even if I'm hungry."
Merlin, pleased with Altria's response, thought to himself, "Altria's dedication will foil Morgan's plans. And here she is, focused on her hunger, even as she prepares to face the challenges ahead."
As Altria headed toward the location of the sword, Merlin's plan was set in motion, and Camelot awaited the revelation of its new ruler.