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[futurarex]

[Arthur Pendragon, prince of Camelot, is wearing a very wrinkled version of his usual shirt, and someone has done up the laces crookedly.

actually, he looks a general mess. he's clearly made the effort to appear slightly presentable--his hair has been recently smoothed down with some water, though not as flat as it usually might lay--but his shirt looks like it was trampled beneath a horse's hooves and the room that he's in is a little hazy with smoke from some old fire. or hopefully it wasn't an actual fire, because it was meant to be dinner.

but he's here to make an official announcement, and so he's composed himself as best as he can--all slightly rumpled clothing and bad hair and smudges on his face aside--and he stares grimly into the camera. this is a dare to anyone to comment, to make any smart remark.]

I must speak with the witch Morgana. She can deliver herself, but I do not expect her to come when she is called upon. If there is any of this city that knows her location, send word to me, and you will be rewarded.

[he's not learned how to send messages privately, so here it is, curt clipped, and that might be all there is to it, but then he glances away, his face tightening into a small glare.]

I would speak, too, with anyone that can be counted honest enough to make a delivery. Your reward will be a smaller sum, but your service will be counted valuable.

[without Merlin, what choice does he have? the smoke seems somewhat thicker in the room now, and it's a good thing you can't smell over the devices, because it would smell strongly of burnt food now. Arthur spares the air an irritated glance and now, finally, he reaches to flip off the video before this gets any worse.]



[[ any roommates, feel free to notice the smoke/horrible smells/et cetera! ]]

Comments

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[futurarex]

If it is what she is, then she can be called nothing else. And if she has given you the impression that she is some great lady--then you have been deceived.

She is a witch. She gave up her titles when she betrayed Camelot, and can be called a lady only by circumstance of her birth.

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[sharpe]

[ Still very flatly: ]

Unless you have proof of it, sir, I find that hard ta believe.

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[futurarex]

You don't believe me? She will confess as much to you herself--she takes great pride in her magic.

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[sharpe]

It ain't the magic I take offense ta, sir, but yer calling her a traitor. That's maligning a lady.

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[futurarex]

She overthrew my father's rule and took Camelot for herself. Tell me, is there some way that this does not make her a traitor?

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[sharpe]

[ Quietly, almost hissed: ]

Will you back up those words with your sword?

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[futurarex]

I would defend anything I say by my sword--but this, most of all. She betrayed my father and the kingdom--

[and me, but that is implied in the rest of it; he need not say it.]

--and she knows the price of her betrayal.

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[sharpe]

Choose a place and a time, Prince. [ An upward curve of his lips, knife-sharp. ]

Let's see if yer as good with a blade as you are with a sword.

[ Arthur doesn't seem a liar, but Sharpe, fool as he might be, trusts a woman's word - a lady's word - far more than he would any man's. Especially any noble's. ]

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[futurarex]

[there's a pause, as he studies Sharpe through the device. he can't be serious, can he?]

You're proposing a duel?

video; // as you are with WORDS. gosh self

[sharpe]

[ Sharpe tips his head back, meeting that gaze squarely. ]

Aye, I want ta fight you.

video; // I UNDERSTOOD <333

[futurarex]

[he cannot refuse, and he will not. but the challenge comes as a surprise.]

What is Morgana to you?

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[sharpe]

She's a lady that I've sworn ta protect. [ The words are thrown out almost as a challenge. ] And protecting her means protecting her honour as well.

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[futurarex]

You?

[it comes out full of disbelief--and a little scathing, too. no offense, Sharpe, but--really? it's not as if Sharpe lacks some skill, or isn't worthy--perhaps some of it is a muddled instinct, leftover from the times before, when he would defend Morgana or critique those who would presume to offer themselves--but he shoves that away and focuses on the rest of it. Sharpe seemed a man of dubious honor, but still basically good. or so he'd thought. anyone that chose to ally themselves with Morgana could not possible be good--

unless he is enchanted. which is a possibility, certainly.]

You can't be serious. Has she told you how little her honor is worth? She betrayed her king.

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[sharpe]

She told me what happened, aye, and I hold me vows still.

[ An impatient noise. ]

Will you duel with me, or are you content ta stand there and slander a lady who won't fight back against you? Sir?

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[futurarex]

[he stiffens at that implication.]

I'm not stalling. My word is good. I will duel with you--but you would do well to learn the full truth of the lady you are so eager to defend. Morgana is capable of more than you know.

But I will not be called a coward. In a week's time, we will have our duel.

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[sharpe]

A week? [ Eyebrow. ] You've a reason fer the delay, sir? [ Yes he is grinning at you. ]

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[graciousness]

Sir, please.

[ what is happening here. How is got into a duel. ]

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[sharpe]

[ Eyebrow goes up. ]

You ain't a soldier, ma'am, so I am no 'sir'.

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[graciousness]

Then with your leave - please, do not fight Arthur. I am a friend of both he and Morgana both. Arthur is a good man, the dispute between him and Morgana cannot be solved with swords, only with words, once they agree to speak to one another. I have been Morgana's handmaiden and friend for many years, she knows how to fight a sword as well as any knight of Camelot and she has never taken to others fighting her battles for her. If she blames Arthur, she should be facing him herself.

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[sharpe]

With all due respect, ma'am, I prefer listening ta the lady herself than what someone else says of her.

[ Sorry Gwen. He's an ass. ]

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[graciousness]

[ and not too long, Gwen would have said the very same thing. Perhaps this serves as a wake up call of a sort as far as Morgana's nature is concerned. ]

Then I hope she would not fail your trust.

[ 'as she had mine' is not said but heavily implied. ]

not here

[scinlae]

[ NO GWEN WAIT...

THIS IS NOT AS INTENDED.

I MEAN I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK.

... ): ]

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[sharpe]

[ A pause, and Sharpe shrugs, deliberately casual. ]

I know she won't. [ Beat. ] You'll be there, ma'am?

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[futurarex]

Save your words, Guinevere. This man is stubborn, and I will not be called a coward. If he challenges, then I must answer.

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[graciousness]

[ She knew it would have to be this way. Arthur would not withdraw once a duel is offered but still. ]

It's not right.

[ she says it and sounds tired, sweet Gwen who isn't used to having enemies and picking sides. ]

It's not right that one of you would perhaps be hurt for this.