𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕿𝖜𝖔
𝔖𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔶: From trolls to dragons to foreign princesses, Astraea Aphelion grows stronger as she
continues to navigate medieval Britain using her wit and heart, standing unshaken beside Merlin and Arthur as they face every threa...
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📍 Camelot
⏳April, 506 AD
I nibbled on my bottom lip and my leg bounced up and down on the window seat as I looked off in the distance, the vast expanse of the city of Camelot visible from the council chambers. Were it not for the forest and mountains that interrupt the straight view, I might've been able to see all the way to the coast of France, given how clear the sky was.
However, the thought of visiting medieval Paris isn't what fuelled my anxious state. Why would it? No. That's due to Merlin and Arthur being out on patrol thanks to multiple reports of increased bandit activity. They could get ambushed! Get hurt! Kidnapped! Killed! And to make my burden worse is the fact that the Prince took Tequila out for the first time. I trust the horse completely – what scares me is that he might also get hurt.
If they survive, though, I might be able to join them next time. After my stunt in the mêlée, Sir Gareth graduated me up to an actual sword, and I'm getting better with every training session. I've managed to go an entire nine sessions without falling on my butt! Yes, I keep count...
"Astraea, are you even listening?" Uther's deep, intimidating voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah. Farmers fightin' over land. Nothing new," I replied in a mumble.
Uther huffed. "As the King, it is my duty to find a solution. And, as my advisor, it is your job to aid me in doing so," he said sternly.
I let out a puff and left my place by the window, moving to sit on the table instead. He doesn't need to remind me what my job is. It's the reason why I can't be out with the boys, surveying how Tequila's first outing with Arthur goes!
"Do you mind?" the King asked in exasperation as I moved around some papers to make space for my butt.
"Nah, I don't," I replied and shot him an innocent grin, which made him narrow his eyes at me.
I stole the document he'd been reading and skimmed the contents, analysing the situation between the two fighting farmers. It read exactly like a crappy romance novel.
A smirk formed on my face and I snorted before saying, "Utah – they're not truly fighting over land. That's an excuse." He raised an eyebrow. "Look at their statements. Do you notice something strange?"
I returned the document and gave him a few minutes to peruse it again. Then he turned to me with a frown on his face. He's very much not the sharpest sword in the armoury...
I chuckled and offered a hint, "Look at how much they both mentioned Mrs. Keats."
The confusion remained as he responded, "Yes. Her husband's passing is the reason why all the argued-upon land is available."
"I know. But neither Mr. Brentford or Mr. Hockley seem to be really talking about it..." I pointed out. "I think they both want the space because they want to get closer to Mrs. Keats. Working on her late husband's lands would give them the perfect opportunity to attempt to court her."
