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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 26, 2012 19:56:44 GMT
One of the men turned and made a lewd gesture at Galahad through the barred window.
"Shut up, prisoner! This man dared to say that Vortimer ain't the rightful king."
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 26, 2012 20:00:39 GMT
"Well then it's true that he hasn't committed a crime." Galahad retorted. "Vortimer isn't the rightful King."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 26, 2012 21:30:08 GMT
"Lies," the guard spat. "Any man who says otherwise will be flogged."
He opened the door and flung the priest into the cell. The priest fell flat with a groan, not managing to break his fall with his hands. As he fell on his stomach, Galahad saw that the back of his robe was ripped open and bloody lacerations covered his back.
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 26, 2012 23:36:22 GMT
Seeing the priest's injuries, Galahad's anger reached an entirely new level. "Flog me then you cowardly bastards! I speak the truth; Arthur is the true King!"
He clenched his fists, ready for a fight.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 0:48:04 GMT
But the door was closed behind him and the guards were laughing.
"Another time. I'll get a new whip, just for you."
The priest struggled up to his knees.
"Don't bother, young man. There is no point seeking pain, I assure you. But I have begun to wonder of late if you are right and the Pendragon is indeed the true king."
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 27, 2012 0:51:10 GMT
"Pain is something I will endure to defend what is right." Galahad replied, offering the priest a hand. "Who are you?"
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 1:03:31 GMT
"I am Father Eadmund. I was born in Mercia, in the land you Britons call Lloegyr, but I made Cantium my home many years ago. I was chaplain to Vortimer's own mother but I have seen that boy grow up and I cannot believe he is the king the legends tell of," the priest sighed.
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 27, 2012 1:15:15 GMT
"Yes, I recently met him." Galahad replied. "He failed to make an impression, bar the one on my face from when he struck me."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 1:31:21 GMT
"He would hate that," Father Eadmund mused. "He has lived in his father's shadow all his life and I believe that he has now adopted this idea that he is the man destined to rule all of Britain in hopes of doing what Vortigern could not. A pity. He was a decent boy, once. May I ask what they arrested you for?"
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 27, 2012 1:39:23 GMT
"I came to rescue the princesses, but we encountered the king's men on the way here. They slaughtered my companions and brought me here." Galahad said remorsefuly.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 12:27:59 GMT
"I see. I pray that your companions are safe in Heaven now," said Father Eadmund. "The princesses, you say? They are the true reason I am here, though the guards do not know it. I refused the kings command to wed him to the Lady Guinevere."
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 27, 2012 14:12:52 GMT
"One of them may be. The other was a pagan." Galahad replied. "Couldn't the king simply ask a different priest to wed him? Why did he have to punish you so?"
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 27, 2012 15:10:26 GMT
"To set an example to the other priests, I expect, and make sure one of them obeys him. The bride is not willing. A marriage is not legal unless the bridge says her vows, but Vortimer will expect somone too cowardly to face a flogging to pretend that Guinevere complies. A match to Leodegrance's heiress will enable him to claim Cameliard by blood and not merely right of conquest."
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Post by Sir Galahad on Jun 28, 2012 0:45:44 GMT
"Do you know when he'll attempt to perform the marriage?" Galahad asked. "If it is soon, then I shall have to attempt to escape and put an end to it on my own."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Jun 28, 2012 12:35:48 GMT
"Soon, I expect. I must ask of you one favour if you do escape, young man. Do not leave me here. It saddens me, but my life is no longer safe in Cantium. I must go back to Mercia and beg sanctuary in the name of my late princess or else I must meet this Pendragon for myself."
The priest sighed and shifted his position.
"God help me, there will be no comfort for me until these wounds are healed."
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