Merlin
and Sasha were up in the middle of the night. There was nothing
sneaky or suspicious in this. It was actually fairly common anymore.
Every six nights or so Merlin would tell his guardian Gaius of his
desire for a more private conversation and walk up to his friend
Sasha's room. As long as he didn't stay much past literal midnight,
no one seemed to have a problem with it. The problem was that Sasha
seemed to barely be noticing his presence, and he'd been there for
over an hour.
“I
could make a living as a story teller, if I had the concentration for
it.” Sasha told her friend suddenly, not bothering to sit up from
her 'couch'.
“How
do you mean?” The wizard inquired, politely curious.
“I
could tell my sister Grace's adventures as fanciful stories.” She
clarified a moment later. “Or even my own adventures, from before I
came here.”
“You
remember your older travels?” Merlin stated, now thoroughly
interested.
“Of
course Merlin. I never meant to imply otherwise. I don't remember
them in personal detail and I've not mentioned them much cause I knew
it would be unwise to live in the past. There are a few things in
both the sea of stars and the breadth of the ancient world that would
seem both relevant and well, meaningful here. Or so I guess. And I
take it by the look on your face, you want me to tell you one of
those stories now.”
“If
you can think of one that means a lot to you and you think would
resonate with me, absolutely.”
“Alright,
imagine if you will a ship traveling through the stars as easily as
sailors travel the seas. And while most of the crew is perfectly
human, there are two strange beings. One a warrior whose race was
once considered an enemy. And one an android...a constructed
being...built by a human scientist and whose one desire is to be as
human-like as possible...knowing he can never fully achieve his
goal...”
She
proceeded to tell the story of the android's trial to determine his
rights and status, convened by the organization called 'starfleet'
and the assertion that this constructed being was nothing but
property. The trial's conclusion being that this android was a
strange but sentient life-form with free will and possibly a
soul...She did her best to tell nothing more or less than the story
itself as it had been told her by her sister Grace. When she was
finished she sat up and stared at her dearest friend.
“You
honestly expect me to believe this ever could happen?” Merlin
stated simply.
“The
events themselves, of course not.” Sasha answered bluntly but
politely. “Being widely accepted for who and what you are, though
not quite publicly acknowledged, absolutely!”
“I
don't understand.” Merlin admitted.
“Data's
friends already knew and accepted what was made public policy that
day. To them it was what we call a 'no brainer'...self-evident and
true. I honestly believe that most people who know you here, couldn't
care about the legal ban on magic if they knew the what as well as
the who of your being. And I just realized I'm supposed to ride out
with Sir Leon and Sir Percival tomorrow around 9 am...not long after
breakfast.”
“A
not so subtle hint to take what you've told me and hide it in my
heart, as well as leave this alone for now and go to sleep.” Merlin
inferred. Sasha nodded and with well wishes and what Sasha referred
to as a wave of peace, Merlin left his friend alone.
“Remind
me again, why you're out here with us?” Sir Leon queried as the
path turned further South, past the last of the thick trees. “Not
that I mind the company, because I don't.” He added hurriedly.
“It's just a little odd having you this far from Camelot when you
don't usually leave the castle.”
“Well
I can't deny that.” The young woman answered confidently, slowing
her horse down so Sir Leon could catch up. “I'm afraid the only
explanation I have is this: I've an irrational belief that something
is about to change for the better, and I want to be present when it
does.”
“You've
piqued my attention.” Sir Percival commented from the woman's
forward left.
“I
think I might meet someone on this journey who will have an integral
part in bringing a splendid change in the heart of my first friend.”
Sasha clarified. And after a moment of thought, she continued. “And
I would ask that you not require me to explain further.”
“I
wasn't about to.” Sir Leon answered honestly. Whatever he would
have added to his statement, if anything at all, was silenced by the
appearance of two strangers right in the middle of the road. It took
several moments to take in all of their appearance, and it will take
almost as long to tell it.
The
black haired gentleman was dressed in a dark red shirt that came just
past his elbows, and a thin black vest that knotted over his chest
and came in a V just below his heart. The other man had skin paler
than Merlin's and short-cropped brown hair that seemed to blow in the
wind. His clothing was far simpler: white cotton shirt and rough
brown vest that seemed to be made of one piece of fabric, and had a
pocket just at the man's right ribs. Both men were about the same
height and wore trousers of a study brown material, but what material
it exactly was the knights could not guess.
“Greetings
strangers.” Sir Percival announced to the pair.
“Good
day gentleman.” The black haired man answered cordially. “Would I
seem impolite to ask where in the country we are?”
“Strange
yes, impolite not at all.” Sir Leon answered slowly. “You're in
the Southern plains of the kingdom of Camelot.” Both knights
noticed a small smile on the paler man's face. “You were heading
here?”
The
smile vanished as the stranger looking man answered. “Not at all,
at least, not expressly. I believe some introduction is in order.
Certainly it would be proper before thing become even
more...convoluted.”
“How
do you mean?” Sir Percival replied curtly. A frown growing on his
otherwise childlike face.
“Please,
introductions should come first.” The first stranger insisted
politely. “My name is Will, Will Riker. And this is...Jayden. At
least, that's my own name for him.”
“Alright
I'll go along with that.” Sir Percival acquiesced. And after giving
the names of himself and his fellow knight, he again asked for
clarification of the younger man's choice of words.
“I
think he means me.” Sasha answered simply. “Friends, strangers
and gentleman all,” She began solemnly. “If I am any judge of
anything these two believe they have met me before and are wondering
what I'm doing already a part of this story. They are mistaken on
both counts.” She caught herself and continued. “I was and am
only one of four sisters. They might have met Grace or Sophia before,
and simply cannot see the distinction.” She turned to look Riker
squarely in the face. “Do I not hit near the mark?”
“Far
closer than most would, I expect.” Riker answered cryptically.
“My
name is Sasha.” The young woman answered simply. “Or at least it
is lately. And for the sake of ending any confusion, I would suggest
that we three walk our horses straight back into Camelot proper, with
these two right along, and see that either Merlin or Arthur is the
first person we introduce them to. To answer what might be a doubt in
your minds, this is nothing like how I normally speak. I am simply
trying to make a good first impression.”
“You
have succeeded at that.” Riker congratulated, grinning
spontaneously. “Though I think you would do better simply speaking
however is normal for you, as far as being a good host or a
mediator.”
“Mediator?”
Percival inquired.
Sir
Leon sighed and smiled. “He means someone to represent Camelot to
them or them to Camelot...true?”
Riker
simply nodded and walked up to Sir Leon's horse. “I'm ready to
leave whenever you are.” And with that all five turned back to
Camelot. Riker was walking beside Sir Leon's horse and Jayden beside
Sir Percival's. This time Sasha was leading the pack, not stuck in
the middle of it. When they were almost to the gates of Camelot,
Sasha pulled her horse to a complete stop. She glanced back at Riker.
'It
just struck me sir, unless they are actually right in their
conclusions, you might want to clarify that Jayden is not your
property or anything like that.' It was a message to the
man's mind. One he understood.
“I
believe I should make one thing perfectly clear.” Riker stated as
he walked to the front of the group and turned back to address all
three of his discoverers. “Jayden is my name for my friend, because
his given name has no translation. My use of the word is not anything
approaching possession, or any affinity even.”
“Sir
are you a mind reader or something?” Percival inquired softly but
firmly.
“Not
at all.” Riker answered simply. “It's only that with his
other-origin appearance and my casual reference to his name, it would
be easy for strangers to think of him as being any less than my
equal. But that is exactly what he is: my equal.”
Jayden
as he had been called, smiled shyly. “Quite so my friend. I suggest
getting quickly wherever in this city we are headed.”
Sir
Leon was forced to smile at the obvious truth. “As soon as we
dismount we'll take you to see Merlin and King Arthur, In the
citadel.”
“We
won't have to wait even that long.” Sasha said as she pointed to
the skinny young man bounding up to them as though being chased by
happy wolves. He stopped 12 paces away from Sasha's mare.
Leon
held up his right hand to stop what Sasha was about to say. “Will
Riker, Jayden, please allow me to introduce to you our friend Merlin.
Who it seems has an incredibly urgent message for one of us.”
Merlin
smiled shyly and exuded his message, without taking his eyes off of
Sasha once. “Apparently Arthur has learned to trust Your judgment
Sasha. He just told me that on the 'unlikely' occasion our theories
pan out I'm to bring your guests directly to him in the great hall
and find quarters for their stay. Though even I admit I'm having
trouble understanding how you knew about such strangers. I assume by
this word from Arthur that you both are welcome here as our guests. I
just wonder which of us are to be a guide.”
As
they walked up to the citadel Sasha was finding it hard to
concentrate. Most people present assumed it was because she had
basically been called out as a seer. In reality it was because she'd
received a message in her mind. “Sasha I know you can send messages
like this. In case you can hear them as well, answer me who these
people are. They are almost as strange as you were when you first
showed up.”...And was
wondering how Sir Leon knew even that much about her.
She
knew it was Sir Leon and not Sir Percival because the slightly
younger, and certainly plainer knight that was Sir Percival had not
been in Camelot, much less a knight of the kingdom, when she'd first
showed up. That rank and honor had been bestowed on Percival and
three other knights just over two years ago. A gift both given at
need and very much earned by deeds and valor. The weightier question
was why Sir Leon thought of her initial behavior as 'strange'. The
question could only be answered face to face, hopefully alone, so she
put it out of her mind. They were just outside of the great hall, and
she had something else to think about. By the time they all entered,
everyone living in the kingdom had plain, but happy faces on. The
strangers had blank yet serene expressions. Merlin moved to stand
just behind Arthur in his seat of state, the throne, and Sasha
stepped forward to introduce her sister's friends...of course not in
those terms.
“My
King I present Will Riker and his friend Jayden, travelers from
beyond the five kingdoms.” And considering her job done, she walked
to stand behind the pair, beside Sir Leon. “I can hear you. I don't
know them in any persona detail. If
I am right, they are lost friends. I'll treat them as such.” She
told his mind.
“Welcome
to Camelot.” The king said from his throne. “What brings you
here?”
Riker
stepped forward a couple of paces. “We are explorers and seafarers.
Nothing particularly brings us here except that we haven't been
anywhere like it before. Or that is, we haven't been here before.”
“How
long do you plan to stay?” Merlin inquired, completely forgetting
his 'place'.
“Probably
only a couple of days.” Riker answered simply. “People get tired
of us after too long.” He would have gone on to say something about
his Captain missing his presence on the ship, and not knowing for
sure when weather would permit their departure. But two things
happened first. Sasha sent him a telepathic message reminding him not
to say anything he couldn't take back if he did get his captain's
permission, and Sir Leon stepped forward.
“My
King, Sasha seems to know these people, or at least they know her. I
would hope if they allow themselves to stay, they would be welcome
to. I feel excited to learn more about other places and ways.”
King
Arthur looked doubtful for a moment. He turned to face Merlin, who
placidly stated. “I for one don't see any reason not to try and
learn. No matter how strange people seem, there's probably some
reason for their arrival...if anything can be learned from that
tavern and the Griffin.”
King
Arthur suppressed a smile. “Agreed. Merlin will you find suitable
rooms for our guests? Sir Leon, Sasha, I'd like a word.”
Merlin
and the visitors bowed and left the room Sir Leon and Sasha stood
where they were and waited for their lord to speak whatever was on
his heart. It took a while.
“Sasha,
what do you know of our guests?” King Arthur ventured.
Sasha's
answer was so immediate it could have been rehearsed. “They are
honest in what little they do say about themselves and while they
won't be the most forthcoming individuals while they are here, they
do what they think is right and will try to make something better for
people here.”
“Any
particular something?” Sir Leon prodded.
“They
are egalitarian. They might not notice things are better than they
were and might try to make an individual's life better, not realizing
it already is. They are also philanthropists. They go around doing
nothing but good deeds and, I put particular emphasis on this
word, trying to
help people. To answer what might be your next question...I think
they knew one of my sisters. I highly doubt they know me.
I cannot say for certain because my memory of who I was before I came
here has mostly faded from my mind. But from what I do know, I
wouldn't have been interested in their adventures the same way I was
drawn to yours. The perplexed look on my face is concern, not
doubt...I'm worried about Jayden.”
“In
what manner Sasha?” Sir Leon inquired softly.
“I
have a suspicion about him, some innate sense that wouldn't make any
sense to anyone here. So I both hope I'm wrong and hope I'm up to the
challenge if I'm right. My King, if it's alright, I'd like to go back
to my room now and try to figure this whole mess out.”
Arthur
held up his hand and slightly dropped his head. “I hate to tell you
Sasha; I have one more question for you about...how well people know
you?”
Sasha
looked almost exasperated. “I think everyone who was at that table
knows as much about me as they have bothered to be curious enough to
openly ask me about. And if you prod me on this any further in front
of Sir Leon it will have been You and not I to
have dropped that particular veil. Even if I'm the one who says it,
the responsibility for it will be yours.”
“Why
do I feel like I'm being left out of something pretty important?”
Sir Leon remarked.
“Because
you are my friend.” Sasha responded in a placid enough voice. “I
think you already figured out what Arthur wants me to tell you, or at
least most of it. The issue is that Arthur already knew it as well.”
“You
knew about her magic?” Sir Leon repeated aloud.
“Merlin
told me she has something that can only be explained as such.”
Arthur answered. “What I want to know is how strong and,
multi-faceted this ability is.”
“Developed
at need on a broad range of things. Most of which I can't utilize. I
wouldn't worry about or expect its use if I were you.” She paused
and looked through her recent memories. “But apparently a door once
opened may be stepped through in either direction. Which is to say,
if someone prompts or provokes my abilities, they can still work.”
Sir Leon blushed. A reaction noticed by the others present. Who very
wisely, elected to ignore it. “Either way, I'm not eager to expose
my own abilities to these strangers, at least until I figure out why
they feel so familiar to me at all. So, whether you were asking about
the knights of the round table or our guests, the proverbial ball is
in their court...not
mine.”
“I
have to say I concur.” Sir Leon stated plainly.
“I
won't give any orders about this; use your best judgments both of
you. But Sasha, be careful.” King Arthur told his friends. He
promptly dismissed them and they departed in peace.
In
the meantime Merlin was having almost as interesting a conversation
with the visitors.
“I
believe you will be comfortable here.” The young servant wizard
stated plainly, having led the pair to one of the higher rooms in the
palace.
“I
am certain we will.” Jayden answered simply. “But if I could
trouble you for a moment?” Merlin nodded. “Regardless of how long
we are here, I believe it would be most helpful and appropriate to
have some one guide us in what will be expected of us during our
stay.”
“I
completely agree sir.” Merlin replied. And catching a look in the
man's pale face he hesitated. “Are you asking me to be that guide?”
Riker
smiled suddenly. “At least as far as telling us who we're going to
meet while we're here and who not to offend, yes.” The smile
vanished as he seemed to realize the man probably had other duties.
“What is your position here anyway?”
“Officially
I am Arthur's servant.” The younger man answered without thinking.
“Lately those duties have been very light so it has left me with
time for other things. Especially making friends with the knights;
and strengthening my friendship with Sasha.”
Jayden
lowered his gaze for a split second. When Merlin asked if he was
alright, the response was cryptic.“I have a question that will make
me sound like either a seer or a fool.”
Riker
chuckled at that. “Ask it anyway. That's the only way to know if
you're correct in that conclusion.”
“Have
some of this kingdom's knights only recently achieved that honor?”
“Data
you are the most insatiably curious individual I've ever known.”
Riker groaned softly. “And I think that was a near miss.”
“I'm
sorry I don't understand.” Merlin half pondered half pressed.
“He's
asking if anyone raised simply have been given knighthood and are
only just getting used to the honor. Although how that conclusion
entered his head I have no clue.”
“Well,
that answer is yes.” Merlin answered simply. “Two years ago
Arthur and I along with a bunch of friends led a charge to retake
Camelot from Morganna...Arthur's half-sister. Those young men who
were not already knights were knighted for their valor and loyalty.
Why do you ask?”
Riker
fidgeted. “Merlin, forgive me but we are basically strangers, and I
don't want to make anyone any less alright with us than they already
are. The only honest answer we can give is that Sir Percival didn't
meet our gaze and barely spoke to us. He didn't seem accou...that
isn't even honest either. I've heard of King Arthur and his knights
of the round table. I wanted to know if those stories were true.”
“Why
couldn't you have just said that?!” Merlin insisted. “If you're
from far enough away that those stories just now reached you, or if
somehow you didn't trust them, you could have simply asked if the
stories were true, could you not?”
Jayden
sighed and made an attempt at explanation. “I cannot argue with
that dissatisfaction. I simply did not want to sound presumptuous or
telepathic.”
“Tele-what?”
Merlin breathed.
“Like
a seer or a mind reader.” Riker answered at once.
“Well
I can't argue with you there.” Merlin replied honestly. “Magic is
still basically a capital crime here after all. And even the
suspicion of such is something to be fervently avoided.”
“Merlin,”
Jayden began slowly. “I honestly believe it is time for each of us
to retire. Sometime before we leave, can you and I slip away for some
more quiet and open conversation?”
“That
sounds like a splendid idea. I'm wondering neither of you have asked
me about my original statement. The one I bounded down the steps
with.”
Jayden
jumped at the chance to answer and interpret that question.“If you
mean your assertion that you might meet guests. That would not be at
all out of step with what...well I really don't know how to proceed.”
“I
think I should leave both of you to get some sleep. And I welcome
your suggestion about a more open conversation; especially after that
last remark. Good night sirs.”
Merlin
slow walked down two flights of steps and across a long hall to get
to Sasha's room. He was certain a very long conversation about to
happen between them, in the course of which a lot of air would be
cleared. He was also quite certain that conversation would happen as
soon as he entered her room.
He
was right on two counts and wrong on one.
After
pounding on the door three times. “Sasha if you're in there at all
I need to talk with you.”
“Come
on in Merlin.” A voice said from inside.
Merlin
entered with less grace and more presence than usual. He was certain
she would not like what he would say and was almost as sure of his
need for answers. Answers that only she could provide. All such ideas
flew from his mind as he saw Sasha sitting on the floor in front of
her couch. Her head was bent over the very short table she had
insisted on having made for her room. She had her feet tucked under
her rear and her face was white. Now Merlin of course knew she had
magic. But he also knew that ritual was not part of her spells or her
powers. He concluded that this must be a prayer to her interpretation
of god. And thus, he had arrived and the worst possible time for this
discussion.
“What
have I interrupted?” Merlin asked in a low voice.
“I'm
trying to remember if I know those visitors.” The young woman
answered plainly. “Other than yourself Will is the only person to
accept my mind's messages so readily. And I trust that they are
friends and explorers, but how could I know that?”
“My
first thought is that's what they called themselves.” Merlin
quipped.
“No
you don't understand Merlin.” Sasha responded shortly. “Once you
left I gave Arthur a description of their character and intentions
that came completely out of nowhere. I don't doubt my own assertions,
but how could I have any to give?”
“Are
they honorable?” Merlin ventured.“Since when do you not trust
your assertions? I always have since we met in the woods that day.
We'd seen each-other's faces prior, but that was an open door. I'm
the one who continuously doubts themselves. If you are right about
these people, I for one don't care how you know them. I've learned we
both are usually right about people's intentions and true motives. I
saw Gwaine and Lancelot for who they are. I'm not out of reason to
think you can do the same. Who are these travelers?”
Sasha
smiled as the memories of meeting the mentioned knights flitted
across her mind. She answered easily. “They cannot answer for
themselves without lying, but they are as honest in their hearts and
minds as any human beings can be. And they either met me a long time
ago or they knew my sister Grace. Either would explain a lot. And
Jayden is...complicated.”
Merlin
was about to ask 'in what manner my friend'. The question died on his
lips as he remembered something even more relevant. “Will Riker
called Jayden 'data'. What did he mean by that?”
“It's
another word for information or knowledge. Indicative of a thirst for
wisdom and understanding.” Was the almost immediate reply. A moment
later Sasha dropped her head in deep thought. “You are starting to
see the possible truth in my story.”
“I'm
starting to see you were preparing me for their visit.” Merlin
responded in a hard tone.
“Merlin
you are incorrect.” Sasha stated coarsely. “I knew those
adventures were real. As surely as I know my older travels are
history. I did NOT know they could encounter each other. One of us
should be the guide for these travelers. You know this world and I
know thiers...at least a step removed. I'd almost want Sir Leon to be
with us on this but I still wonder...”
“How
to ensure you're given that task?” Merlin asked askance. “Ask
Arthur for that chance.”
“Merlin,
there's another issue. Sir Leon knows most of my secret. Am I safe to
tell him yours?”
The
younger wizard's answer to a question that was meant to surprise him
came after a sharp look into his friend's eyes, and in about three
seconds. “If you can send him to me instead of telling him
yourself, I'd prefer that. But yes, it's alright. Good night Sasha.”
“You
have other duties here. I don't.” Sasha spoke to Merlin's mind. All
she said aloud was “G'night.”
Sometime
in the middle of the next morning Sasha came into the stranger's
room. She had knocked but there was no clear answer. It turned out
there was no one in the room. She turned and raced down the stairs to
go find Merlin...and very nearly knocked into Sir Leon on the way.
“Sorry,
I didn't see you there.” She told the knight as though in passing.
“Clearly.”
The man replied simply. “Merlin says you're looking for me.” He
added with a smile.
“Not
really. But I do think we have a bunch of things to talk about. I
can't do cloaks of silence anymore, so why don't we just go to my
rooms?”
“Sounds
fine to me. And I will ask you about that as well.” Was the concise
reply.
They
walked down two hallways and up another flight of steps in silence.
When Sasha opened the door to her room and walked in, she had
expected Sir Leon to follow her right in. But he stood at the
threshold.
“Open
conversations go both ways right?” She told him. “Come on in and
we'll have one.”
At
her invitation I walked into her apartments. The room was pretty
sparsely decorated. She had a very short, long table in front of what
I first mistook to be a comfortable dining seat and a long one. A few
minutes later I realized she must sleep there as well: there wasn't
any other place for a bed. She sat down at one end of the long table
and motioned for me to sit at the other. I did and I just waited.
“You
obviously know about my powers.” She told me bluntly. I just
nodded. “Do you realize that I haven't been able to use most of
them since I finally made the choice and decision to stay here?”
“No
but that doesn't surprise me.” I answered plainly.
“This
conversation is strictly about how I can trust these visitors so
implicitly?” She asked meekly. I nodded again. “Use your words
from here on in please? I send messages; I don't receive them unless
I'm searching for an answer. I don't think you'd like that.”
I
had to give her credit for that perception. “Fair enough. But what
is your answer to the question at hand?”
“Either
they trust me because they remember my sister Grace, and by inference
probably couldn't tell the difference. Or they knew me a long time
ago and I simply forgot how far they can travel and how damn near
insatiably curious they are.” I stared at her. I was trying to get
her to speak plainly without restraint or courtesy.
But she seemed too interested in NOT offending me. She apparently saw
this even in that look.“They are polite and sincere, almost to a
fault. While people here can't satisfy their greed or need for
security...people where these two are from have the same
trouble not asking
too many questions, and are incredibly selfless.”
“And
they don't like to...what's that expression you used that time to
mean 'be blatantly obvious'?”
“I
think, 'stick out like a sore thumb'. Around here things are better
than they were as far as what I just described; I get that. But they
might not see that. And their world's...a lot like they are...I
think.”
“Is
there something else you wanted to tell me?” I told her shortly.
“Yes.
I will tell it only if you can suggest to me what else I might be
hiding?” She answered bluntly.
'Finally!
She's being direct and simple.' I thought to myself. “Why
you spend so much time around Merlin? And why do the two of you seem
to hang on the other's every word?”
“He
and I share opinions of magic and the human capacity for selflessness
and self-preservation. To be a bit more open about it...We both see
way more than most others give us credit for and thus usually end up
confiding in each other more than in anyone else. Including Gaius on
his part and Arthur on mine. And if you don't mind, I suggest you ask
Merlin the rest of that to his face or the visitors about me to their
faces?”
“Sounds
fine to me.” I told her in what I hoped sounded like a joyous tone.
And considering the conversation completely done with, I stood up to
leave. She stopped me with a command. “Don't send me any more
messages in my head. It hurts to even hear it, even more so to
respond.”
“Now
that I know, I'll do my best. Besides, in situations with others
abou...You mean even when others are around and I don't want them to
hear?”
“Of
course, I wouldn't bother telling you otherwise. I know you'd not use
it at any other time. But it physically hurts to receive a signal at
all, no matter why you're sending it.”
“I
won't try it again, I promise.” I told her is as confident a voice
as I could muster.
I
was halfway out the door when I realized Sasha wasn't following
me.“Oh I'm not going to be part of this. It's time everyone formed
their own opinions based on the evidence of their own eyes. I'm out
of the race.”
