Accolon seeks Mordred

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Before we begin, please set your Mordred's appearance. Eyes: <<cycle "$eye">> <<option "green eyes" "green">> <<option "blue eyes" "blue">> <<option "gray eyes" "gray">> <<option "brown eyes" "brown">> <<option "hazel eyes" "hazel">> <<option "violet eyes" "violet">> <<option "black eyes" "black">> <<option "amber eyes" "amber">> <</cycle>> Hair color: <<cycle "$hair">> <<option "dark brown, deep and rich and almost black." "dark brown">> <<option "chestnut brown, dark and lush." "chestnut brown">> <<option "light brown like honey." "light brown">> <<option "lush, dark blond." "dark blonde">> <<option "icy blond, cool and lush." "icy blonde">> <<option "golden blond, warm and lush." "golden blonde">> <<option "auburn, deep red." "auburn">> <<option "copper red, fiery." "copper red">> <<option "pure black like the midnight sky." "black">> <</cycle>> Hair type: <<cycle "$hair_type">> <<option "straight" "straight">> <<option "wavy" "wavy">> <<option "curly" "curly">> <<option "coily with corkscrew coils" "coilycurls">> <<option "coily and cloudlike" "coily">> <</cycle>> Complexion: <<cycle "$complexion">> <<option "ivory" "ivory">> <<option "warm beige" "warm beige">> <<option "cool beige" "cool beige">> <<option "rosy" "rosy">> <<option "tawny" "tawny">> <<option "olive" "olive">> <<option "light brown" "light brown">> <<option "sepia brown" "sepia brown">> <<option "golden brown" "golden brown">> <<option "russet brown" "russet brown">> <<option "dark brown" "dark brown">> <<option "warm black" "warm black">> <<option "cool black" "cool black">> <<option "deep black" "deep black">> <</cycle>> Mordred's agab (at this point in the story, trans Mordred is not yet out): <<cycle "$gender">> <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> [[Next, some questions about your Mordred's personality and choices|SetMordred]]

<div class="titlelettersone" style='font-size: 100%;'>Llamagirl</div>

<<set $eye = "unknown">> <<set $hair = "unknown">> <<set $gender = "unknown">> <<set $magic = 50>> <<set $swordsmanship = 0>> <<set $persuasion = 50>> <<set $intimidation = 50>> <<set $deceit = 50>> <<set $independent = 50>> <<set $pendragon_magic = "1">> <<set $water_magic = 50>> <<set $honest = 50>> <<set $confident = 50>> <<set $impulsive = 50>> <<set $calm = 50>> <<set $kind = 50>> <<set $defiant = 50>> <<set $emotional = 50>> <<set $affable = 50>> <<set $complexion = "none">> <<set $age = "a few days old">> <<set $controlled_magic = 50>> <<set $hair_type = "no">> <<set $arthur_meet = "">> <<set $first_meet to false>> <<set $opinion_arthur = "">> <<set $dragon_name = "">>

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Name: Known as Mordred Leudonus of Lothia - but more often than not called Mordred Le Fay Age: You are 10 years old. //A description of your likeness// You have $eye eyes, much like your parents, $hair $hair_type hair alike your mother's, Morgana and $complexion complexion like your father's, Arthur. <<link "« Return to game" $return>><</link>>

<div class="titlelettersone" style='font-size: 150%;'>The Bastard of Camelot</div>

<<silently>> <<if $gender == "male">> <<set $pgen to 0, $child to "boy">> <<else>> <<set $pgen to 1, $child to "girl">> <</if>> <</silently>> Did Mordred tell Morgana about their first meeting with Arthur in the castle courtyard? <div class="choice">[[Yes.|NextQuestion2][$first_meet to true]]</div> <div class="choice">[[No.|NextQuestion2][$first_meet to false]]</div>

The feast was, just like the tournament, a great success. Morgana had a talent for organizing these sort of fancy, grand affairs - it was one of the many things Accolon greatly admired about her. It was a fun process for her, too, even though last minute preparations ran her ragged as every little thing swooped down on her. She always pulled through mangificently, and now they got to reap the benefits. They partied together under the colorful, bright banners of Camelot's Duchies, bathed in the gilded, warm light of the candles. They danced, skipping and twirling to the upbeat, merry songs, slow and close to the lilting tunes. They sated their parched tongues with sweet wine and cool mead; when they tired, they leaned against each other by the wall, talking in hushed voices, lips curled in easy smiles. People watched them and whispered as they did, but Accolon payed them no mind. They didn't understand; they never did. Accolon looked past the group of courtiers staring their way, with their eyes narrowed in suspicion and their smug smiles, past the dancing couples to the children's table, where Mordred's spot stood empty. He'd glimpsed ?them as ?they ate early into the evening, and saw ?them roaming the hall as Mordred was wont to do at these events, but at some point between him and Morgana dancing, he lost track of the child. He turned to Morgana, who in turn appraised the hall. Her eyes slid from the children's table towards the Royal one, elevated on a dais above all other revelers. Then she turned back to Accolon, mouth thinned to a grim line. "I can't see Mordred anywhere. Do you know who else I can't see? //Arthur//," she said the name sharply enough to cut one's tongue on the sound. <<if $first_meet is true>> "You think Arthur met with Mordred again?" "Well, he already did once," Morgana huffed. "What's one more time going behind my back?" Accolon smiled ruefully. "But what if Mordred //wants// to talk to him? Don't they both have a right to meet, at least?" Morgana shook her head. "Arthur relinquished all rights the night he decided to abandon us." <<else>> "You think Arthur might have met with Mordred?" "Wouldn't surprise me," Morgana huffed. "He's such a coward, I fully believe he'd go behind my back." Accolon smiled ruefully. "But what if Mordred //wants// to talk to him? Don't they both have a right to meet, at least?" Morgana shook her head. "Arthur relinquished all rights the night he decided to abandon us." <</if>> "I'll go find ?them," Accolon readily offered, hand finding Morgana's to give her fingers a reassuring squeeze. "You wait here." [[Continue|FindMordred]]

Throughout chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 3, what opinion did Mordred have about Arthur? <div class="choice">[[Hopeful about meeting him.|NextQuestion3][$opinion_arthur to "hope"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Ambivalent and uncertain.|NextQuestion3][$opinion_arthur to "confused"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Hated him for abandoning them.|NextQuestion3][$opinion_arthur to "awful"]]</div>

First, Accolon gave the feast hall a thorough sweep, lest Mordred was lurking in some nook or cranny where the light didn't reach, but he couldn't see any trace of ?them. So he moved on to exploring the corridors beyond, empty but for lonely revelers looking for a break from the bustle, or wayward little groups seeking some silence. Mordred wasn't among them, either, so Accolon resolved to pass by ?their bedchamber. The room was sunk in shadows and empty. Perhaps ?they'd be at the dragons' party outside on the plain - Mordred may have sneaked out to be with ?their dragon friend. Accolon went out into the cool autumn night without a cloak; the crisp air seeped under his colorfully embroiderd chemise, chilling yet invigorating against his heated skin. He climbed down the hill with a hurried step, down towards the fires blazing below, away from the booths and pavilions of the tournament. Dragons of all sizes, their scales glimmering like precious stones in the flames, roamed about, talking and laughing and dancing. Accolon slipped between them, looking for any glimpse of Mordred's head of $hair hair, or the gleam of $dragon_name's scales. He couldn't see either; instead, he found Sera. She was curled up on the ground, head rested atop her front legs, watching a performer weave a tale with fire-telling. She rose up as soon as she spotted Accolon, drawing to the side to speak with him. "Have you seen Mordred? Are they with $dragon_name?" "I haven't seen Mordred this evening," she said in that soothingly gravelly voice of her. "$dragon_name retreated shortly after. Perhaps they're both at the lodge?" It was entirely likely, yet Accolon chanced to ask: "Did the King come down the hill?" "He did, in fact. Went towards the lodge. I assumed he was paying a visit to Elewen." The hold on his stomach tigthened. "Do you know which chamber is Elewen's?" She knew that, too. Accolon thanked Sera and left her to enjoy the party while he made his way towards the lodge, looming tall in the darkness ahead. Mordred was used to getting about the Castle grounds freely, yet that irrational, fatherly part of Accolon couldn't help but coil tight in a ball of nervousness the longer he sought and didn't come upon ?them. They were people from all over the Kingdom, people who might hold a distate for both Mordred and Morgana - drunken and shameless in their hate - and it only served to escalate his worry. Morgana and he felt more at ease when they had an inkling of Mordred's whereabouts. There was more to his unease, though. Morgana's foreboding expression flashed through his mind as he hastened down the corridor. If Mordred truly did meet with Arthur, he knew there'd be a tempest awaiting once she found out. In a way, he understood why she'd want nothing to do with him, why she was so desperate to keep him away for Mordred's own benefit. Arthur's sudden presence had the potential to be a world-turning, uprooting experience for Mordred; and Accolon was still unsure exactly what the King hoped to achieve. Was he truly here to embrace the role he relinquished - which Accolon didn't judge him on - or would he end up hurting Mordred more than he would have by staying away? The latter prospect pained him, but if it was Mordred's choice to give Arthur a chance, who was he to intervene? <<if $opinion_arthur == "hope">> There'd been so many remarks Mordred made along the years that had led Accolon to believe that ?they was actually looking forward to an opportunity like this. Accolon hoped it met ?their expectations. He'd hate for ?their heart to be wounded again. <<elseif $opinion_arthur == "confused">> There'd been many remarks Mordred made along the years that showed Accolon ?they was not so set against Arthur as one might have thought ?them to be, after listening to all of Morgana's diatribes on the King. They seemed uncertain of the man and had a curiosity that Morgana did not appreciate. <<else>> Though there had been no indication over the years that Mordred might be interested in doing that; ?they'd been as vitriolic in their dislike of him as Morgana. <</if>> He might have checked in with $dragon_name first before jumping to conclusions, yet he decided to seek Elewen's chamber first and foremost, counting the doors as he rushed down the corridor till he found the one Sera had pinned down as the right one, heart galloping as he leaned his ear against it. Voices sounded from beyond, none of them holding the rumbling note of a dragon's. [[Continue|MordredLodge]]

Accolon burst into the chamber in most ill-mannered a fashion. It was all forgotten in favor of one urgent thought. "Mordred!" There was an overwhelming sense of relief, swiftly replaced with dread as he took in Mordred's rattled expression. His mind raced through different possibilities, but it was no use making a fuss here, in front of the King. He needed to talk with Mordred privately, needed to know what had rendered ?them so discomfitted. "Morgana and I were worried when you disappeared from the feast," Accolon said, proffering a hand to ?them. "I think it's better to return now." He did not address the King, which was another failing on his side. Though perhaps he could be forgiven, given that this wasn't the usual circumstance one would encounter his monarch. He wasn't even sure if Arthur //wanted// him to say anything. Besides, he had other, more immediate worries on his mind - chiefly getting Mordred out of there and tempering Morgana's subsequent anger. Mordred acquiesced to come, throwing Arthur a lingering, conflicted look as ?they passed him. Accolon put a hand on ?their shoulder - both in a small gesture of consolation and as a way of reassuring himself ?they'd not vanish again. He gently stirred ?them towards the door, and was halfway through when Arthur called out: "Thank you, Accolon. For being there for Mordred." He sounded defeated - yet filled with gratitude, like one allowing their loved one on the last life boat while they stayed on the sinking ship. Accolon halted over the threshold. The words had an immediate and painful effect on him, bringing forth that torrent of complicated emotions he'd harbored for years. It's not that he had no sympathy for the man - he did. He understood why Arthur may not have borne to be around Mordred, the product of his rape. He thought that the King had spared the child more suffering by relinquishing his claim as father, for a shadow looming over Mordred, voiceless and faceless was kinder than a cold, reluctant presence. You can't force a child on someone - you can't force them to fit a role they did not sign up for. Yet Mordred still suffered as a result, a victim of circumstance. Accolon was there to witness how the gloom of Arthur's shadow clouded ?their disposition - and consoled ?them, striving to dispel that cloud every time. It was never his intention to replace Arthur, but merely to be a bright presence for Mordred, someone who would cosset and love them, someone they could always rely on. He knew that's what he wanted to be for ?them from the moment he laid eyes on Mordred as a babe. A part of him, perhaps selfishly so, swelled with pride at Arthur's words. A tender sort of pride, to be known as Mordred's father and Mordred to be known as his child. He wondered, with a pang of pain, if Arthur wished he could claim the same title - or at least a simulacrum. Accolon turned on Arthur a kind smile - a small reassurance, a demonstration of understanding that he felt indebted to give to the poor King, just as the man felt obliged to thank him. Mordred was quiet and pensive as they hurried down the lodge's hall, out into the cool night. Fire blazed in the distance from the dragons' party, clouds of smoke billowing dark as the night, shifting like shadows. Accolon hoped that whatever transpired between Mordred and Arthur in the lodge had afforded at least a sliver of deliverance, though the troubled expression painting their features seemed more indicative of stirred waters. He did not prod; Mordred would speak when they were ready and he would not rush them, not when there was so much to process. <div class="choice">[[Mordred confronted Accolon then and there about the prophecy.|Chapt3ConfrontAccolon]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred waited to confront both Accolon and Morgana about the prophecy.|Chapt3ConfrontMorgana]]</div>

[Mordred wasn't in $dragon_name's chamber and neither did ?their dragon friend know where to find ?them. "I could try reaching out to ?them?" $dragon_name suggested. Accolon agreed it was for the best. If Mordred had retired for ?their chamber, the young dragon should be able to feel ?their presence through ?their connection and ease Accolon's blind chasing around. As it turned out, Mordred was far closer to them than ?their chamber. ?They was in the very same lodge as them, actually. "A few chambers down..." $dragon_name said, eyes closed in concentration. "Could it be?" $dragon_his voice hitched. "Elewen's chamber? ?They seem rather..." So Morgana had been right. He left $dragon_name to $dragon_his enchanted stone, recounting some tale of adventure, and sought the door the dragon pinned down as Elewen's. His pulse quickened to a galloping rhythm as he rushed down the hall, mind racing through different possibitilies] He didn't want to fill the empty mold Arthur left. It was never his intention to replace Arthur, merely to be light the darkness fitted within with the brightness of his presence. Why did Mordred agree to meet Arthur in the dragons' lodge? <div class="choice">[[To build a bond.|NextQuestion1][$arthur_meet to "bond"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[To get answers.|NextQuestion1][$arthur_meet to "answers"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[To let him know how much he's hurt Mordred - and how mad they are at him.|NextQuestion1][$arthur_meet to "mad"]]</div>

Mordred jumped in Accolon's path, blocking his way. ?They looked up at him, face shuttered as if apprasing someone ?they can't be sure is ?their friend or enemy. Perhaps how Accolon burst in as if Mordred was in need of rescuing hadn't been the //best// way of handling the situation. He expected that Mordred may have finally been ready to discuss the events that transpired inside the lodge; he never would have expected ?their next words. "Arthur told me there's a prophecy involving me. Is it true?" It hit Accolon like a hilt strike against the head. That terrible, terrible prophecy had finally wormed its way into Mordred's ear - words that a child like ?them shouldn't have to hear. Taking advantage of his shock, Mordred pushed on: "He said Merlin foretold I'll bring destruction. What does it mean?" He studied ?their expression, something tearing up in him. There was an underlying desperation to the question. "Mordred..." he said softly, hating that he had to explain it to ?them now, //like this//. "When you were born, Merlin foretold you will be the undoing of Camelot. That you'll bring ruin, in what form, he did not say or knows." Fearmongering, if you asked him; divination was a tricky and divisive branch of magic, Morgana had told him. Though people trusted the Royal Sorcerer, for the ability was also his blood's affinity, and all that he predicted had come to pass - in one way or another, Morgana noted, with much room left for him to manipulate things as he may wish. <div class="choice">[[Mordred shook their head, retreating. "No, no! But I'm supposed to rule Camelot, not destroy it!"|Chapt3Prophecy1][$prophecy to "rule"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Undoing? What if it isn't ruin? What if it's just a change? A good one?" Mordred said hopefully.|Chapt3Prophecy2][$prophecy to "good"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["\"Prophecies are stupid.\""|Chapt3Prophecy3][$prophecy to "stupid"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Is this what mother wants me to do? Ruin Camelot?" Mordred said, scared.|Chapt3Prophecy4][$prophecy to "plan"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["\"I'll gladly embrace the prophecy! I can't wait to see Camelot burn!\""|Chapt3Prophecy5][$prophecy to "ruin"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Is this why Arthur doesn't love me?" Mordred fought tears.|Chapt3Prophecy6][$prophecy to "hate"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["\"What if the prophecy is wrong? I don't want to be the ruin of anything!\""|Chapt3Prophecy7][$prophecy to "wrong"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Prophecies aren't absolute. I'll prove them wrong," Mordred said calmly.|Chapt3Prophecy8][$prophecy to "calm"]]</div>

They walked in silence across the field, slipping between pavilions like shifting shadows. Upon arriving at the base of the hill they found Morgana rushing down from the Castle, cloak billowing after her in a wind that seems far more restless than the one washing over them - a gale of her own design, picking up in concert with the unbridled concern pained all over her face. "Mordred! Where have you been?" "?Theyve been with Arthur, at the lodge," Accolon said, since it was only fair she knew. Morgana looked on in shock. "What?" The word was barely more than a whisper, dangerously closed to be snatched by the wind. She turned her keen attention on Mordred. "What did he say to you?" she demanded. "What does he want? Does he never listen? I told him to stay away from you." It wasn't the greatest start to the conversation, but he hoped he might help smooth it over, somehow. Morgana had been vehemently against Arthur being anywhere near Mordred, and he couldn't exactly fault her caution, not when his sudden entrance in Mordred's life could be so potentially rattling; yet he didn't want to deny the child ?their choice, either. It all hinged on what ?they had to say about it. <<if $opinion_arthur == "hope">> <div class="choice">[["You did what? Behind my back?" Mordred said furiously.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "furious", $defiant to $defiant+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Did you ever ask me what I want? I don't want him to stay away!" Mordred burst out.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "stop", $defiant to $defiat+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["But I don't want him to stay away. Please, give him a chance," Mordred pleaded.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "chance", $defiant to $defiant-2, $calm to $calm+2]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred wanted to know Arthur, but maybe Morgana was right. She was just looking out for them.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "maybe", $defiant to $defiant-3]]</div> <<elseif $opinion_arthur == "anguish">> <div class="choice">[["You did what? Behind my back?" Mordred said furiously.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "furious", $defiant to $defiant+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Did you ever ask me what I want? I don't want him to stay away!" Mordred burst out.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "stop", $defiant to $defiat+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["But I don't want him to stay away. Please, give him a chance," Mordred pleaded.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "chance", $defiant to $defiant-2, $calm to $calm+2]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred wanted to know Arthur, but maybe Morgana was right. She was just looking out for them.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "maybe", $defiant to $defiant-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["\"You don't mind if he stays away.\""|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "no"]]</div> <<elseif $opinion_arthur == "confused">> <div class="choice">[["You did what? Behind my back?" Mordred said furiously.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "furious", $defiant to $defiant+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Did you ever ask me what I want? I don't want him to stay away!" Mordred burst out.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "stop", $defiant to $defiat+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["But I don't want him to stay away. Please, give him a chance," Mordred pleaded.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "chance", $defiant to $defiant-2, $calm to $calm+2]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred wanted to know Arthur, but maybe Morgana was right. She was just looking out for you.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "maybe", $defiant to $defiant-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[[You don't mind if he stays away.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "no"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["\"What if I don't want him to stay away?\""|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "sayangryaway"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred didn't say anything, but they were not sure they wanted him to stay away. Underneath all the rage, there was hurt.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "angryaway"]]</div> <<elseif $opinion_arthur == "awful">> <div class="choice">[["You did what? Behind my back?" Mordred said furiously.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "furious", $defiant to $defiant+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["He doesn't listen to anyone." Mordred rolled their eyes.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "listen", $calm to $calm+2]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Tell him again then!" Mordred burst out, angry at Arthur.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "away", $calm to $calm-2]]</div> <div class="choice">[[You don't mind if he stays away.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "no"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["\"What if I don't want him to stay away?\""|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "sayangryaway"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred didn't say anything, but they were not sure they wanted him to stay away. Underneath all the rage, there was hurt.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious][$stay to "angryaway"]]</div> <</if>>

Mordred shook ?their head frantically, looking utterly appalled. "No, no!" ?they begged with the wind, with the Universe, with this foolish, horrible prophecy that had no place clouding ?them. ?They backed away on unsteady feet, making a desperate plea: "But I'm supposed to rule Camelot, not destroy it!" Mordred wobbled. Accolon's hand shot out to steady ?them - not only physically. He grasped ?their shoulders firmly, trying to anchor ?them in the moment, away from the harrowing apparitions of destruction ?their mind might conjure up. "Mordred," he said. "Listen to me. Prophecies aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." "Then why does Arthur think so?" "Because that's what Merlin believes, what Merlin convinced him." He cupped Mordred's cheeks - they flamed - and smiled reassuringly. "But don't let a prophecy dictate your path, Mordred." <div class="choice">[[His touch was comforting.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "1"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back, confused.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "2", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back. They felt betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "3", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"Undoing? What if it isn't ruin?" Mordred asked with a frenzied sort of hope. "What if it's just a change? A good one?" Accolon clung to that sliver of optimism, desperate as it was. "Exactly!" he roundly agreed and grasped ?their shoulders. "Prophecies aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." "Then why does Arthur think so?" "Because that's what Merlin believes, what Merlin convinced him." He cupped ?their cheeks - they flamed - and smiled. "But don't let a prophecy dictate your path, Mordred." <div class="choice">[[His touch was comforting.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "4"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as his words may have been, Mordred realized they've been lied to and pulled back, confused.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "5", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as his words may have been, Mordred realized they've been lied to and pulled back, betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "6", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"Prophecies are stupid," Mordred said and laughed derisively. "Is this what Arthur is so scared of? Vague words of a fool?" It was good that Mordred did not give in to the prophecy, as him and Morgana had feared could happen. "Prophecies aren't absolute," Accolon agreed. "They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." <div class="choice">[[Just as Mordred thought.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "7"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Just as Mordred thought. Still, it was confusing. Why didn't Morgana and Accolon tell them?|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "8", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Just as Mordred thought. Still, Mordred felt betrayed. Why didn't Morgana and Accolon tell them?|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "9", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"Is this what mother wants me to do?" Mordred asked, horrified. All around them, the wind wailed, as if crying out in pain. "Ruin Camelot?" "No!" Accolon grasped ?their shoulder, anchoring ?them in this moment and away from any hideous apparations of destruction ?their mind might conjure up. "Morgana wants you to conquer it, show them you can rule, not ruin it. Prophecies aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." <div class="choice">[[Mordred nodded, reassured.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "10"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back. It was confusing. Morgana and Accolon had lied to them.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "11", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back, betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "12", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

Mordred's lips twisted in a sharp, bitter smile. "I'll gladly embrace the prophecy!" ?they screamed over the wailing wind, throwing open ?their arms to receive the prophecy. Fear and urgency gripped Accolon with sharp claws as he swept on ?them. He grasped ?their shoulders, searching ?their face as he reasoned with ?them: "Mordred! Is this really what you want? Let anger consume you? You'll show them they've wronged you, but not like this." ?Their ?eye eyes - they smoulder with the same fire that rages within Morgana. A fire that could be honed to fuel something better than just ruination. "Prophecies aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." <div class="choice">[["But I want destruction," Mordred protested but accepted his comfort.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "13"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back. They were still confused about this prophecy.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "14", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back, betrayed. Morgana and Accolon omitted it.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "15", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"Is this why Arthur doesn't love me?" Mordred asked, voice barely heard over the wind, wailing as if in keening pain. ?Their eyes were misty with unshed tears, a sight that prompted Accolon to sweep in on ?them with gentle reassurance. He grasped ?their shoulders and said, "I think he loves you, in his own way. The best he can. Prophecy aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." "Then why does Arthur think so?" "Because that's what Merlin believes, what Merlin convinced him." He cupped ?their cheeks - they flamed - and smiled. "But don't let a prophecy dictate your path, Mordred." <div class="choice">[[The touch was comforting.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "16"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as his words may have been, Mordred realized they've been lied to and pulled back, confused.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "17", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as his words may have been, Mordred realized they've been lied to and pulled back, betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "18", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"What if the prophecy is wrong?" Mordred demanded as the wind wailed in solidary pain. "I don't want to be the ruin of anything!" Accolon swept on Mordred with reassurances, gripping ?their shoulders as he tried to anchor ?them. "Mordred, listen. Prophecies aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." "Then why does Arthur think so?" "Because that's what Merlin believes, what Merlin convinced him." He cupped ?their cheeks - they flamed - and smiled. "But don't let a prophecy dictate your path, Mordred." <div class="choice">[[The touch was comforting.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "19"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as his words may have been, Mordred realized they've been lied to and pulled back, confused.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "20", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as his words may have been, Mordred realized they've been lied to and pulled back, betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "21", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"Prophecies aren't absolute," Mordred said, with an unexpected - and pleasantly surprising - calm and determiantion. "I'll prove them wrong." Accolon clung to that, and rushed to lend even more strenght to ?their words: "Exactly! They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." <div class="choice">[[Mordred smiled at him.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "22"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred were confused why Morgana and Accolon didn't tell them though.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "23", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred felt betrayed Morgana and Accolon didn't tell them.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "24", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

<<if $chapt3_betrayal == "1">> The gale whipping at them mollified as Mordred simmered down, accepting the offered comfort. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "2">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "3">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "4">> Mordred smiled, accepting the offered reassurance. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "5">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "6">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "7">> Mordred didn't say anything, but ?their brow set confidently. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "8">> Mordred didn't say anything; ?their brow furrowed as ?they considered Accolon, perhaps still puzzling over it all. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "9">> Mordred didn't say anything; ?their brow furrowed as ?they considered Accolon, perhaps still puzzling over it all. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "10">> Mordred nodded, looking mollified. Accolon too felt somewhat reassured. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "11">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "12">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "13">> The words sent a wave of horripilation down his back. He was familiar with these sort of outbursts from Morgana; wrath born out of such agony, it broke his heart every time. "You're just hurting now, Mordred," Accolon stroked ?their face. Mordred leaned into the touch, but the wind continued to howl on. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "14">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "15">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "16">> The gale whipping at them mollified as Mordred simmered down, accepting the offered reassurance. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "17">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "18">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "19">> The gale whipping at them mollified as Mordred simmered down and smiled, accepting the offered reassurance. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "20">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "21">> Mordred jerked back. ?Their wary gaze alone was a dagger plunged into Accolon, yet he let Mordred have the space ?they craved - needed. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "22">> Mordred smiled, and Accolon mirrored it, reassured himself. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "23">> Mordred considered Accolon warily, perhaps still puzzling over the prophecy. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "24">> Mordred considered Accolon warily, brow puckered, perhaps still puzzling over the prophecy. <</if>> "Why didn't you or mother tell me? When were you planning on telling me there's a prophecy?" "Morgana didn't want to tell you, didn't want to burden with a prophecy that Merlin has blown out of such proportions as to make Arthur fear you," Accolon explained. "She doesn't believe in prophecies being absolute, and she knows there are so many other things it can be other than the doom the sorcerer predicts, to fit his narrative, to make you and Morgana always the bad ones. She wanted to wait till you're older. She didn't want it to influence you." He glanced towards the gloom-shrouded castle. The windows of the hall were alight, beaming warm and gilded. Somewhere within, Morgana was simmering with concern. "Come, Morgana's waiting for us." <div class="choice">[[Mordred went along.|Chapt3PropehcyMorgana][$tellprophecy to "no"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["\"Wait. Please. Don't tell mother.\""|Chapt3PropehcyMorgana][$tellprophecy to "yes"]]</div>

<<if $tellprophecy == "yes">> Accolon's lips curled ruefully. The news may not thrill Morgana, but now that it was all out in the open, they all needed to disccus the matter properly. "She has to know, Mordred." Mordred acquiesced. They walked in silence across the field, slipping between pavilions like shifting shadows. Upon arriving at the base of the hill they found Morgana rushing down from the Castle, cloak billowing after her in a wind that seems far more restless/agitated than the one washing over them - a gale of her own design, picking up in concert with the unbridled/unalloyed concern pained all over her face. <<elseif $tellprophecy == "no">> They walked in silence across the field, slipping between pavilions like shifting shadows. Upon arriving at the base of the hill they found Morgana rushing down from the Castle, cloak billowing after her in a wind that seems far more restless/agitated than the one washing over them - a gale of her own design, picking up in concert with the unbridled/unalloyed concern pained all over her face. <</if>> "Mordred! Where have you been?" "?Theyve been with Arthur, at the lodge," Accolon said. Morgana looked on in shock. "What?" The word was barely more than a whisper, dangerously closed to be snatched by the wind. She turned her keen attention on Mordred. "What did he say to you?" she demanded. "What does he want? Does he never listen? I told him to stay away from you." It wasn't the greatest start to the conversation, but he hoped he might help smooth it over, somehow. Morgana had been vehemently against Arthur being anywhere near Mordred, and he couldn't exactly fault her caution, not when his sudden entrance in Mordred's life could be so potentially rattling; yet he didn't want to deny the child ?their choice, either. It all hinged on what ?they had to say about it. <<if $opinion_arthur == "hope">> <div class="choice">[["You did what? Behind my back?" Mordred said furiously.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "furious", $defiant to $defiant+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Did you ever ask me what I want? I don't want him to stay away!" Mordred burst out.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "stop", $defiant to $defiat+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["But I don't want him to stay away. Please, give him a chance," Mordred pleaded.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "chance", $defiant to $defiant-2, $calm to $calm+2]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred wanted to know Arthur, but maybe Morgana was right. She was just looking out for them.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "maybe", $defiant to $defiant-3]]</div> <<elseif $opinion_arthur == "anguish">> <div class="choice">[["You did what? Behind my back?" Mordred said furiously.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "furious", $defiant to $defiant+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Did you ever ask me what I want? I don't want him to stay away!" Mordred burst out.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "stop", $defiant to $defiat+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["But I don't want him to stay away. Please, give him a chance," Mordred pleaded.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "chance", $defiant to $defiant-2, $calm to $calm+2]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred wanted to know Arthur, but maybe Morgana was right. She was just looking out for them.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "maybe", $defiant to $defiant-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["\"You don't mind if he stays away.\""|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "no"]]</div> <<elseif $opinion_arthur == "confused">> <div class="choice">[["You did what? Behind my back?" Mordred said furiously.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "furious", $defiant to $defiant+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Did you ever ask me what I want? I don't want him to stay away!" Mordred burst out.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "stop", $defiant to $defiat+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["But I don't want him to stay away. Please, give him a chance," Mordred pleaded.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "chance", $defiant to $defiant-2, $calm to $calm+2]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred wanted to know Arthur, but maybe Morgana was right. She was just looking out for you.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "maybe", $defiant to $defiant-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[[You don't mind if he stays away.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "no"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["\"What if I don't want him to stay away?\""|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "sayangryaway"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred didn't say anything, but they were not sure they wanted him to stay away. Underneath all the rage, there was hurt.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "angryaway"]]</div> <<elseif $opinion_arthur == "awful">> <div class="choice">[["You did what? Behind my back?" Mordred said furiously.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "furious", $defiant to $defiant+2, $calm to $calm-3]]</div> <div class="choice">[["He doesn't listen to anyone." Mordred rolled their eyes.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "listen", $calm to $calm+2]]</div> <div class="choice">[["Tell him again then!" Mordred burst out, angry at Arthur.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "away", $calm to $calm-2]]</div> <div class="choice">[[You don't mind if he stays away.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "no"]]</div> <div class="choice">[["\"What if I don't want him to stay away?\""|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "sayangryaway"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred didn't say anything, but they were not sure they wanted him to stay away. Underneath all the rage, there was hurt.|Chapt3ConfrontMorganaFurious1][$stay to "angryaway"]]</div> <</if>>

<<if $stay == "furious">> Mordred burst out, outraged: "You did what? Behind my back?" The wind threatened to grow to tempestuous proportions. Morgana looked nonplussed. It was swiftly replaced with a frown. "What did you want me to do? He's more bad than good to you!" "That's for me to decide," Mordred retorted, and Accolon's brow furrowed in sympathy. It was indeed for ?them to decide, as much as he understood Morgana's concerns. He'd have to broach the subject with her once she'd simmered down enough. <<elseif $stay == "stop">> "Did you ever ask me what I want?" Mordred demanded in a shout that bordered on shrill, rising sharply over the wind thatthreatened to grow to tempestuous proportions. "I don't want him to stay away! Stop making decisions for me!" Morgana replied, shouting even higher over the din. "I'm just protecting you!" Accolon's brow furrowed. He understood Morgana's concerns, but she had to take Mordred's desires into consideration, too. This wasn't a moment at which she'd be too inclined to be persuaded on the matter; he'd have to broach the subject with her once she'd simmered down enough. <<elseif $stay == "chance">> Mordred stepped forward, stumbling over ?their words in ?their desperation: "But I don't want him to stay away. Please, give him a chance." Morgana frowned, but the expression wasn't unkind. "He's more bad than good to you." Mordred's voice was thick with emotion. "No, I think he wants to be better." Accolon's brow furrowed. He understood Morgana's concerns, but she had to take Mordred's desires into consideration, too. This wasn't a moment at which she'd be too inclined to be persuaded on the matter; he'd have to broach the subject with her once she'd simmered down enough. <<elseif $stay == "maybe">> Mordred didn't say anything, but the cloud cast over ?their expression did not allude Accolon. He wondered whatever hid beneath it - what troubled ?them so, the encounter with Arthur or Morgana's words? <<elseif $stay == "listen">> Mordred crossed ?their arms and rolled ?their eyes. "He doesn't listen to anyone," ?they sneered. This was confirmation then; Mordred wanted nothing to do with Arthur. <<elseif $stay == "away">> "Tell him again, then!" Mordred shouted, indignant. This was confirmation then; Mordred wanted nothing to do with Arthur. <<elseif $stay == "no">> Mordred didn't say anything, but the cloud cast over ?their expression did not allude Accolon. He wondered whatever hid beneath it - what troubled ?them so, the encounter with Arthur or Morgana's words? <<elseif $stay == "sayangryaway">> "What if I don't want him to stay away?" Mordred piped in quietly. Morgana looked nonplussed. It was swiftly replaced by bitter sympathy. "He'll only hurt you." Accolon's brown furrowed. He understood Morgana's concerns - he feared the same for Mordred - but she had to take Mordred's desires into consideration, too. This wasn't a moment at which she'd be too inclined to be persuaded on the matter; he'd have to broach the subject with her once she'd simmered down enough. <<elseif $stay == "angryaway">> Mordred didn't say anything, but the cloud cast over ?their expression did not allude Accolon. He wondered whatever hid beneath it - what troubled ?them so, the encounter with Arthur or Morgana's words? <</if>> <<if $tellprophecy == "no">> "He told me about the prophecy," Mordred said. The same shock that had overtaken Accolon upon the news was now written all over Morgana's face. <<else>> "He told Mordred about the prophecy," Accolon said grimly. The same shock that had overtaken Accolon upon the news was now written all over Morgana's face. <</if>> "That prophecy isn't fulfilled and it's already caused you more ruin than it did Arthur," she bitterly said, a twinge of pain shooting through Accolon. <<if $prophecy == "rule">> "So I won't bring ruin?" Mordred looked up at Morgana with the same desperate hope ?they'd look at Accolon. "I want to rule, not destroy the kingdom!" "It won't be ruin," Morgana reassured ?them, eyes smouldering. "It'll be a new era." <<elseif $prophecy == "good">> "I don't want to bring ruin!" Mordred protested, frantic. "Is it possible for the prophecy to be good?" "You'll bring a new era," Morgana portentously said. <<elseif $prophecy == "stupid">> "The prophecy is stupid," Mordred said, and Morgana decisively agreed. "And Arthur is a fool to believe it." <<elseif $prophecy == "plan">> "But this isn't what you want, right?" Mordred pleaded with ?their mother. "You don't want to bring ruin?" "Sometimes I just want to watch it all burn," she portentously said. It was far from a reassurance for Mordred. ?They turned on Accolon, horrified, and he jumped in at the silent, desperate request: "She's just angry." He knew very well where that anger stemmed from, and why it came in such abundance, and blazed with such intensity. He couldn't fault her at all for it, though he feared she let herself consumed by it till it would burn her too. <<elseif $prophecy == "ruin">> "Prophecy or not, I'll make sure to burn Camelot," Mordred vowed, the same worrying words ?they'd uttered before. "Sometimes, that's what I want," Morgana portentously agreed, and Accolon knew he had to jump in before the could continue kindling and stoking each other's fires. "You're only speaking in anger," he said gently. He knew very well where that anger stemmed from, and why it came in such abundance, and blazed with such intensity. He couldn't fault either of them for it, not at all, though he feared they'd let themselves consumed by it till it would burn them too. <<elseif $prophecy == "hate">> "I just wish Arthur could love me and not believe the prophecy," Mordred said, breaking Accolon's heart completely and utterly. Morgana scoffed. "Arthur is a fool." Beneath the venom, though, Accolon knew she hurt just as much to see Mordred suffer. <<elseif $prophecy == "wrong">> "What if the prophecy is wrong?" Mordred asked of Morgana as ?they had of Accolon. "The prophecy will be fulfilled, but it mustn't be ruin," Morgana said. <</if>> She turned to Accolon, face set with steely determination. "Accolon, take Mordred to ?their chamber." There was something brewing underneath that confident tone, like the distant crackling of thunder. <<if $stay == "furious">> Modred felt it too. "Where are you going?" "To talk to Arthur." As Accolon expected. He could only hope she'd not act too rashly; though he knew she must have some harsh words for the man, especially for having let slip the prophecy she meant to hold on a little longer, to not yet burden Mordred. Mordred threw ?themself in front of her. "No! Stop going behind my back!" She walked around ?them as easily as a rushing river washes over rocks. "This is between me and Arthur, Mordred." Accolon's heart ached for Mordred, but he too feared the possibility that Arthur's conviction of staying by Mordred's side would be as feeble as small flame in a gale, snuffed out the moment difficulty arose. He couldn't fault the man for struggling, no - but he reckoned it'd wound both more to built hope, only to be stomped. Yet - //yet//, it was Mordred's choice to whether ?they wanted to try and give Arthur a chance, and it felt terribly unfair to stand in ?their way. He needed to get Morgana to see it, too. Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill towards the Castle. The road was toilsome, not for any toll taking on the body but the heart; Mordred alternated between brooding and flaring into indignant, helpless anger at Morgana's refusal to listen to them. Accolon met ?them with soothing promises to talk with her, entreating ?them to wait till the next day, when they might talk through everything that happened that night. <<elseif $stay == "stop">> "Where are you going?" Mordred anxiously asked. "To talk to Arthur." Mordred threw ?themself in front of her. "No! You'll scare him off!" She walked around ?them as easily as a rushing river washes over rocks. "If he loves you as much as he claims, he won't back down." Accolon's heart ached for Mordred, but he too feared the possibility that Arthur's conviction of staying by Mordred's side would be as feeble as small flame in a gale, snuffed out the moment difficulty arose. He couldn't fault the man for struggling, no - but he reckoned it'd wound both more to built hope, only to be stomped. Yet - //yet//, it was Mordred's choice to whether ?they wanted to try and give Arthur a chance, and it felt terribly unfair to stand in ?their way. He needed to get Morgana to see it, too. Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill towards the Castle. The road was toilsome, not for any toll taking on the body but the heart; Mordred alternated between brooding and flaring into helpless frustration at Morgana's refusal to listen to them. Accolon met ?them with soothing promises to talk with her, entreating ?them to wait till the next day, when they might talk through everything that happened that night. <<elseif $stay == "chance">> "Where are you going?" Mordred anxiously asked. "To talk to Arthur." "No!" Mordred clung to her cloak in a heartbreaking attempt to stop her. "Please." Morgana merely smiled, which mellowed out her entire face. Yet her hands where as stalwart as her mind was set as they pulled the fabric from ?their fingers. "I'm protecting you." Accolon's heart ached for Mordred, but he too feared the possibility that Arthur's conviction of staying by Mordred's side would be as feeble as small flame in a gale, snuffed out the moment difficulty arose. He couldn't fault the man for struggling, no - but he reckoned it'd wound both more to built hope, only to be stomped. Yet - //yet//, it was Mordred's choice to whether ?they wanted to try and give Arthur a chance, and it felt terribly unfair to stand in ?their way. He needed to get Morgana to see it, too. Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill towards the Castle. The road was toilsome, not for any toll taking on the body but the heart; Mordred alternated between brooding and flaring into anguished frustration at Morgana's refusal to listen to them. Accolon met ?them with soothing promises to talk with her, entreating ?them to wait till the next day, when they might talk through everything that happened that night. <<elseif $stay == "maybe">> "Where are you going?" Mordred anxiously asked. "To talk to Arthur." For a moment, Mordred didn't budge, not even as Accolon slowly approached ?them. They both watched Morgana set stalwartly down her path before Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill to the Castle. <<elseif $stay == "listen">> "Where are you going?" Mordred warily asked. "To talk to Arthur." "Good luck making him listen." Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill to the Castle, guiding ?them all the way to ?their bedchamber, where ?they tucked ?them in with a promise that tomorrow they'd talk through the events of the night. <<elseif $stay == "away">> "Where are you going?" Mordred warily asked. "To talk to Arthur." "Tell him to stay away." Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill to the Castle, guiding ?them all the way to ?their bedchamber, where ?they tucked ?them in with a promise that tomorrow they'd talk through the events of the night. <<elseif $stay == "no">> "Where are you going?" Mordred warily asked. "To talk to Arthur." <<elseif $stay == "sayangryaway">> "Where are you going?" Mordred warily asked. "To talk to Arthur." "But-" Morgana didn't let ?them finish. "I'm doing this to protect you." She smiled, a gentle smile that constrasted with her staunch determination, left unmoved by Mordred's pleading eyes. Accolon wondered if this meant Mordred did wish to speak more to Arthur. He too, like Morgana, feared the possibility that Arthur's conviction of staying by Mordred's side would be as feeble as small flame in a gale, snuffed out the moment difficulty arose. He couldn't fault the man for struggling, no - but he reckoned it'd wound both more to built hope, only to be stomped. Yet - //yet//, it was Mordred's choice to whether ?they wanted to try and give Arthur a chance, and it felt terribly unfair to stand in ?their way. He needed to get Morgana to see it, too. Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill to the Castle, guiding ?them all the way to ?their bedchamber, where ?they tucked ?them in with a promise that tomorrow they'd talk through the events of the night. <<elseif $stay == "angryaway">> "Where are you going?" Mordred warily asked. "To talk to Arthur." Mordred didn't say anything, nor made any movement. For a bit, they both watched Morgana set off confidently for her confrontation. Then Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill towards the Castle, guiding ?them all the way to ?their bedchamber, where ?they tucked ?them in with a promise that tomorrow they'd talk through the events of the night. <</if>> Then Accolon went to their quarters to wait for Morgana. [[Continue|TalkMorgana]]

Mordred shook ?their head frantically, looking utterly appalled. "No, no!" ?they begged with the wind, with the Universe, with this foolish, horrible prophecy that had no place clouding ?them. ?They backed away on unsteady feet, making a desperate plea: "But I'm supposed to rule Camelot, not destroy it!" Morgana rushed to reassure ?them, cupping ?their face as she said, "You will rule Camelot, my darling, don't you listen to foolish prophecies." Accolon jumped in too, trying his best to strengthen her words with his own, to anchor Mordred in the moment, away from the harrowing apparitions of destruction ?their mind might conjure up. "Prophecies aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." <div class="choice">[[Morgana's touch was comforting.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "1"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back, confused.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "2", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordrd pulled back. They felt betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "3", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"Undoing? What if it isn't ruin?" Mordred asked with a frenzied sort of hope. "What if it's just a change? A good one?" "It can be," Morgana soothingly agreed, cupping ?their face. "A new era, ushered in by a new, better ruler." Accolon jumped in too, trying his best to strengthen her words with his own, to anchor Mordred in the moment, away from the harrowing apparitions of destruction ?their mind might conjure up. "Prophecies aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." "Then why does Arthur think so?" "Because Arthur is a fool," Morgana roundly/baldly said. <div class="choice">[[Morgana's touch was comforting.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "4"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as her words may have been, Mordred realized they'd been lied to and pulled back, confused.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "5", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as her words may have been, Mordred realized they'd been lied to and pulled back, betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "6", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"Prophecies are stupid," Mordred said and laughed derisively. "Is this what Arthur is so scared of? Vague words of a fool?" Morgana's smiled was just as sharp and mocking. "That's what they are." It was good that Mordred did not give in to the prophecy, as him and Morgana had feared could happen. "Prophecies aren't absolute," Accolon agreed. "They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." <div class="choice">[[Just as Mordred thought.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "7"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Just as Mordred thought. Still, it was confusing. Why didn't Morgana and Accolon tell them?|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "8", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Just as Mordred thought. Still, they felt betrayed. Why didn't Morgana and Accolon tell them?|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "9", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"Is this what you want me to do?" Mordred asked, horrified. All around them, the wind wailed, as if crying out in pain. "Ruin Camelot?" "Sometimes, yes," Morgana ominously confessed. "Morgana!" Accolon chided, more worried than anything else, for the both of them. "You're just angry now." He turned to Mordred, rushing to reassure ?them, anchor ?them in this moment and away from any hideous apparations of destruction ?their mind might conjure up. "Prophecies aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." <div class="choice">[[Mordred nodded.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "10"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back. It was confusing.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "11", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back, betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "12", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

Mordred's lips twisted in a sharp, bitter smile. "I'll gladly embrace the prophecy!" ?they screamed over the wailing wind, throwing open ?their arms to receive the prophecy. "Sometimes that's what I want," Morgana agreed, voice quiet yet dangerous, like the whisper of a dagger drawn from its sheath. "Morgana, don't feed ?their rage," Accolon chided as fear and urgency gripped him with sharp claws. He grasped ?their shoulders, searching ?their face as he reasoned with ?them: "Is this really what you want? Let anger consume you? You'll show them they've wronged you, but not like this." ?Their ?eye eyes - they smoulder with the same fire that rages within Morgana. A fire that could be honed to fuel something better than just ruination. "Prophecies aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." <div class="choice">[["\"But I want destruction.\""|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "13"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back. They were still confused about this prophecy.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "14", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Mordred pulled back, betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "15", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"Is this why Arthur doesn't love me?" Mordred asked, voice barely heard over the wind, wailing as if in keening pain. ?Their eyes were misty with unshed tears, a sight that prompted Accolon to sweep in on ?them with gentle reassurance. "Arthur is a coward and a fool," Morgana said, cupping ?their face. "You don't need his love." They weren't the most reassuring words, tainted by Morgana's own hurt. "I think he loves you, in his own way," Accolon piped in with a kinder opinion, which was met by Morgana's mirthless laugh, a clear rebuttal. "The best he can. Prophecy aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." "Then why does Arthur think so?" "Because he only listens to Merlin," Morgana said. <div class="choice">[[Morgana's touch was comforting.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "16"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as her words may have been, you realized they'd been lied to and pulled back, confused.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "17", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as her words may have been, you realized they'd been lied to and pulled back, betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "18", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"Prophecies aren't absolute," Mordred said, with an unexpected - and pleasantly surprising - calm and determiantion. "I'll prove them wrong." Accolon clung to that, and rushed to lend even more strength to ?their words: "Exactly! They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." <div class="choice">[[Mordred smiled at him.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "22"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[They were confused as to why they weren't told about it.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "23", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[They were betrayed they weren't told about it.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "24", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

"What if the prophecy is wrong?" Mordred demanded as the wind wailed in solidary pain. "I don't want to be the ruin of anything!" Morgana rushed to reassure ?them, cupping ?their face, "You won't be. You'll bring a new era." Accolon piped in as well to strengthen her words, trying to anchor Mordred: "Prophecies aren't absolute. They're unreliable, and never turn out how you expect them to. Undoing mustn't mean destruction." "Then why does Arthur think so?" "Because he's a fool," Morgana said baldly. <div class="choice">[[Morgana's touch was comforting.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "ok", $chapt3_betrayal to "19"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as her words may have been, Mordred realized they'd been lied to and pulled back, confused.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "confusion", $chapt3_betrayal to "20", $Morgana to $Morgana-5, $Accolon to $Accolon-5]]</div> <div class="choice">[[As comforting as her words may have been, Mordred realized they'd been lied to and pulled back, betrayed.|Chapt3ProphecyComfort1][$betray to "betrayed", $chapt3_betrayal to "21", $Morgana to $Morgana-10, $Accolon to $Accolon-10]]</div>

<<if $chapt3_betrayal == "1">> The gale whipping at them mollified as Mordred simmered down. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "2">> Mordred jerked back from Morgana. Accolon too felt hurt as Morgana did, yet understood that Mordrd need ?their space at the moment. So he put a hand on Morgana's shoulder, squeezing gently - a small gesture of support, and a silent entreaty to hang back. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "3">> Mordred jerked back from Morgana. Accolon too felt hurt as Morgana did, yet understood that Mordrd need ?their space at the moment. So he put a hand on Morgana's shoulder, squeezing gently - a small gesture of support, and a silent entreaty to hang back. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "4">> Mordred looked somewhat mollified. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "5">> Mordred jerked back from Morgana. Accolon too felt hurt as Morgana did, yet understood that Mordred needed ?their space at the moment. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "6">> Mordred jerked back from Morgana. Accolon too felt hurt as Morgana did, yet understood that Mordred needed ?their space at the moment. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "7">> Mordred didn't say anything, but ?their brow set confidently. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "8">> Mordred didn't say anything; ?their brow furrowed as ?they considered Accolon, perhaps still puzzling over it all. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "9">> Mordred didn't say anything; ?their brow furrowed as ?they considered Accolon, perhaps still puzzling over it all. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "10">> Mordred nodded, looking somewhat comforted. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "11">> Mordred jerked back. Accolon understood that Mordred needed ?their space at the moment. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "12">> Mordred jerked back. Accolon understood that Mordred needed ?their space at the moment. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "13">> The words were almost drown out by the wind - but Accolon caught them, faintly, with a pang of sorrow. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "14">> Mordred jerked back. Accolon understood that Mordred needed ?their space at the moment. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "15">> Mordred jerked back. Accolon understood that Mordred needed ?their space at the moment. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "16">> Mordred looked somewhat mollified. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "17">> Mordred jerked back. Accolon understood that Mordred needed ?their space at the moment. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "18">> Mordred jerked back. Accolon understood that Mordred needed ?their space at the moment. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "19">> Mordred looked somewhat mollified. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "20">> Mordred jerked back. Accolon understood that Mordred needed ?their space at the moment. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "21">> Mordred jerked back. Accolon understood that Mordred needed ?their space at the moment. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "22">> Mordred smiled, and Accolon mirrored it, reassured himself. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "23">> Mordred considered Accolon warily, perhaps still puzzling over the prophecy. <<elseif $chapt3_betrayal == "24">> Mordred considered Accolon warily, brow puckered, perhaps still puzzling over the prophecy. <</if>> Morgana turned to Accolon, face set with steely determination. "Accolon, take Mordred to ?their chamber." There was something brewing underneath that confident tone, like the distant crackling of thunder. <<if $stay == "furious">> Modred felt it too. "Where are you going?" "To talk to Arthur." As Accolon expected. He could only hope she'd not act too rashly; though he knew she must have some harsh words for the man, especially for having let slip the prophecy she meant to hold on a little longer, to not yet burden Mordred. Mordred threw ?themself in front of her. "No! Stop going behind my back!" She walked around ?them as easily as a rushing river washes over rocks. "This is between me and Arthur, Mordred." Accolon's heart ached for Mordred, but he too feared the possibility that Arthur's conviction of staying by Mordred's side would be as feeble as small flame in a gale, snuffed out the moment difficulty arose. He couldn't fault the man for struggling, no - but he reckoned it'd wound both more to built hope, only to be stomped. Yet - //yet//, it was Mordred's choice to whether ?they wanted to try and give Arthur a chance, and it felt terribly unfair to stand in ?their way. He needed to get Morgana to see it, too. Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill towards the Castle. The road was toilsome, not for any toll taking on the body but the heart; Mordred alternated between brooding and flaring into indignant, helpless anger at Morgana's refusal to listen to them. Accolon met ?them with soothing promises to talk with her, entreating ?them to wait till the next day, when they might talk through everything that happened that night. <<elseif $stay == "stop">> "Where are you going?" Mordred anxiously asked. "To talk to Arthur." Mordred threw ?themself in front of her. "No! You'll scare him off!" She walked around ?them as easily as a rushing river washes over rocks. "If he loves you as much as he claims, he won't back down." Accolon's heart ached for Mordred, but he too feared the possibility that Arthur's conviction of staying by Mordred's side would be as feeble as small flame in a gale, snuffed out the moment difficulty arose. He couldn't fault the man for struggling, no - but he reckoned it'd wound both more to built hope, only to be stomped. Yet - //yet//, it was Mordred's choice to whether ?they wanted to try and give Arthur a chance, and it felt terribly unfair to stand in ?their way. He needed to get Morgana to see it, too. Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill towards the Castle. The road was toilsome, not for any toll taking on the body but the heart; Mordred alternated between brooding and flaring into helpless frustration at Morgana's refusal to listen to them. Accolon met ?them with soothing promises to talk with her, entreating ?them to wait till the next day, when they might talk through everything that happened that night. <<elseif $stay == "chance">> "Where are you going?" Mordred anxiously asked. "To talk to Arthur." "No!" Mordred clung to her cloak in a heartbreaking attempt to stop her. "Please." Morgana merely smiled, which mellowed out her entire face. Yet her hands where as stalwart as her mind was set as they pulled the fabric from ?their fingers. "I'm protecting you." Accolon's heart ached for Mordred, but he too feared the possibility that Arthur's conviction of staying by Mordred's side would be as feeble as small flame in a gale, snuffed out the moment difficulty arose. He couldn't fault the man for struggling, no - but he reckoned it'd wound both more to built hope, only to be stomped. Yet - //yet//, it was Mordred's choice to whether ?they wanted to try and give Arthur a chance, and it felt terribly unfair to stand in ?their way. He needed to get Morgana to see it, too. Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill towards the Castle. The road was toilsome, not for any toll taking on the body but the heart; Mordred alternated between brooding and flaring into anguished frustration at Morgana's refusal to listen to them. Accolon met ?them with soothing promises to talk with her, entreating ?them to wait till the next day, when they might talk through everything that happened that night. <<elseif $stay == "maybe">> "Where are you going?" Mordred anxiously asked. "To talk to Arthur." For a moment, Mordred didn't budge, not even as Accolon slowly approached ?them. They both watched Morgana set stalwartly down her path before Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill to the Castle. <<elseif $stay == "listen">> "Where are you going?" Mordred warily asked. "To talk to Arthur." "Good luck making him listen." Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill to the Castle, guiding ?them all the way to ?their bedchamber, where ?they tucked ?them in with a promise that tomorrow they'd talk through the events of the night. <<elseif $stay == "away">> "Where are you going?" Mordred warily asked. "To talk to Arthur." "Tell him to stay away." Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill to the Castle, guiding ?them all the way to ?their bedchamber, where ?they tucked ?them in with a promise that tomorrow they'd talk through the events of the night. <<elseif $stay == "no">> "Where are you going?" Mordred warily asked. "To talk to Arthur." <<elseif $stay == "sayangryaway">> "Where are you going?" Mordred warily asked. "To talk to Arthur." "But-" Morgana didn't let ?them finish. "I'm doing this to protect you." She smiled, a gentle smile that constrasted with her staunch determination, left unmoved by Mordred's pleading eyes. Accolon wondered if this meant Mordred did wish to speak more to Arthur. He too, like Morgana, feared the possibility that Arthur's conviction of staying by Mordred's side would be as feeble as small flame in a gale, snuffed out the moment difficulty arose. He couldn't fault the man for struggling, no - but he reckoned it'd wound both more to built hope, only to be stomped. Yet - //yet//, it was Mordred's choice to whether ?they wanted to try and give Arthur a chance, and it felt terribly unfair to stand in ?their way. He needed to get Morgana to see it, too. Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill to the Castle, guiding ?them all the way to ?their bedchamber, where ?they tucked ?them in with a promise that tomorrow they'd talk through the events of the night. <<elseif $stay == "angryaway">> "Where are you going?" Mordred warily asked. "To talk to Arthur." Mordred didn't say anything, nor made any movement. For a bit, they both watched Morgana set off confidently for her confrontation. Then Accolon gently stirred Mordred up the hill towards the Castle, guiding ?them all the way to ?their bedchamber, where ?they tucked ?them in with a promise that tomorrow they'd talk through the events of the night. <</if>> Then Accolon went to their quarters to wait for Morgana. [[Continue|TalkMorgana]]

Accolon stoked the weak fire in the hearth to dispel the pervading cold of a room left completely empty during the day, and made himself comfortable in one of the armchairs beside it. He sat there, pensively considering the dancing, flickering flames. The night had taken a shocking turn, and took its toll on him - but most of all he worried about the toll it must have taken on Mordred and Morgana. His commiserating thoughts extended to Arthur, too, the poor King navigating a situation akin treading on thin ice. [[A while later|MorganaArrives]]

Morgana arrived, ruffled and wearied. He approached her with gentle smile, hoping to alleviate at least some of that pressure weighing her down. She smiled back, the curl of her lips sweet, tired as she was. The woman behind the mask she had to craft for herself to survive, letting loose in the cozy confines of her chamber - in the cozy presence of //him//. He always found it such a privileage that she trusted him so much to be herself with him, with the good and bad and everything in between. Morgana tossed her cloak aside and collapsed upon the bed, looking about ready to fall asleep just like that - feast dress and heeled shoes on. He gingerly sat down next to her, tracing his fingers along her cheek. "How did it go?" "As well as it can go with Arthur," Morgana scoffed. "He won't claim Mordred, he won't stop listening to Merlin." Her eyes were closed and her voice was low, jaded. "He wants to be a father on his own terms, no regard to Mordred," she said, bunching the silk bedsheets in her fist. "Not realizing Mordred already has a father, and that's you." Her frustrated speech culminated with the hissing and crackling of the fire, a sharp, loud, angry chorus to sing in unison with the fire coursing through her veins. "Hush, my dear," Accolon whispered, bowing his head towards her face, cradling her cheek. "You're getting angry again." She leant into his touch and slowly, the fire settled down. Morgana said: "How's Mordred?" "I tucked ?them in. You should talk to ?them tomorrow about the prophecy." Morgana got up. She strode towards the window; she always seemed somehow drawn to them when she was troubled, as if appraising whatever was beyond might reveal a clue as to how she might overcome her issues. As if the secret lay somewhere beyond the trees, spelt out on the sky. Accolon wouldn't leave her alone with her thoughts, not now, not when there was no need for her to struggle on her own. There were challenges to face the next day, but tonight she deserved to unwind, if only a little. He wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her flush against his chest. She leant back, resting her head on his shoulder, giving in to his touch, to the kisses he trailed up her neck, making a noise that set all his nerves ablaze. The night had been tiresome and taxing, but he was resolved to turn it sweeter. [[The end|End]]

Hope you enjoyed it!

Your dragon friend's name is... <div class="choice">[[Malinda|DragonName][$dragon_name to "Malinda"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Drake|DragonName][$dragon_name to "Drake"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Bella|DragonName][$dragon_name to "Bella"]]</div> <div class="choice">[[Finneas|DragonName][$dragon_name to "Finneas"]]</div> <<textbox "$dragon_name" "" "DragonName">>

Now on to the story! [[Accolon seeks Mordred (Story for February 2023)|StartStory]]