"So what do you suggest we do about it?"
Morgana pinched the bridge of her nose. The round table adorned with maps and figurines of Dinas Emrys was surrounded by a group of the highest-ranked Morganians, at least by the standard of who the sorceress kept around her and who lived in Tintagel Castle. At Morgana's right hand was Mordred Pendragon, her nephew and the bastard son of King Arthur. As much as he irritates Morgana for his crassness and brutality, he at least was loyal to Morgana and her cause. To his right at the table was Accolon, a powerful sorcerer seeking to rid the world of humans altogether. He was well-versed in military strategy as well as being highly skilled in pyrokinesis but is also highly volatile and unpredictable. To his right was Elaine, who honestly wasn't that skilled in sorcery but was still loyal to Morgana nonetheless.
"I wouldn't have told or asked you if I didn't expect a bloody suggestion from someone," spat Morgana.
"You didn't exactly clarify how it was our problem," Accolon countered.
"I agree," Elaine added. "I don't see why we have to interfere with the personal affairs of you and your brother, m'lady."
"Because, you useless curs," Morgana began, both of her hands gripping the edge of the table as she rose from her seat, "if I have to get married in a fortnight, there will be no assault on Dinas Emrys!"
"Or," Mordred suggested, "and here's a novel thought: you can give up that little rat of yours."
Morgana glared at him, "I could also have you gelded, seeing as that is more plausible."
"You just seem to have a bad habit of picking up strays," Mordred continued. "First, it was Merlin's mongrel, Horvath, and then that Irish whelp. How much more rubbish are you planning on taking in?"
"Be quiet, Mordred," she hissed.
Mordred shrugged nonchalantly. "You asked for suggestions. I was merely giving one."
"An asinine one," Morgana muttered. "What do you think will happen if I just give Isolde up, hmm? I would have just given Arthur the key to Ireland."
"Which will be the same outcome if you married Morholt."
"And we come full circle," replied Morgana sardonically. "That's why we need a plan. To avoid giving my brother access to Ireland and its army. We all know that the first place he will go with that army is here."
"With all due respect, Lady Le Fay," Accolon chimed in, "I'm failing to see how any of this matters. Once the Rising is cast, there will be no Ireland for the king to take over. All we have to do is get the spell from Merlin's encantis. It's simple."
Morgana looked at him for a moment before pinching the bridge of her nose again to stave off a headache while muttering, "I'm surrounded by imbeciles..."
There was a light knock on the main hall's door before it slowly opened to reveal Maxim when he popped his head in. "Lady Morgana?"
All the tense emotion in Morgana's body vanished when she realized it was him at the door. "Maxim?"
"Did... Did I interrupt the meeting?"
Morgana shook her head as she retrieved him from the door and led him to the table. "No, no, you're fine. You didn't interrupt anything." She motioned for a servant to bring a chair that was then placed between Mordred's and her seats.
Mordred scowled. "I don't want that bloody mongrel next to me."
"Mordred, hush," Morgana said before gesturing to the empty chair. "You can sit here, Maxim." Maxim did as he was told and sat in the seat she provided, though he couldn't but feel out of place amongst the other Morganians. "We were just discussing another predicament that had befallen upon the Morganians."
"That has befallen upon you, dear aunt," Mordred stated, then gave a wicked grin. "If you are so worried about my father getting the girl, let me take care of the whelp. It will be quick and painless."
Morgana bristled, "Don't you dare lay a finger on Isolde."
Mordred shrugged in response. "Again, just another suggestion."
"I don't need any more suggestions from you," she hissed.
"If... you don't mind me asking... Lady Morgana?" Maxim began cautiously, not wanting to be in the familial crossfire if anything happened. "What exactly are we discussing? And what does Isolde have to do with it?"
"My aunt has been harassed by my father to perform her duty as a woman and have a husband and children, if you must know," Mordred explained. "Of course, my father only wants the children because they'll be the heir of Camelot. He couldn't care less about the rest of the little details."
Maxim frowned at his phrasing of the situation around his aunt. "And Isolde is involved... how?"
"Arthur will take her away," Morgana answered quietly, "if... I don't get married in a fortnight."
Maxim's eyes widen slightly. "Really?"
Morgana nodded.
"But..." he began, "to whom?"
"What does it matter?" Mordred interrupted. "This wouldn't be a problem if she wasn't so attached to that orphan." He looked at his aunt. "I think Morholt should've finished the brat off too. Who's to say he won't after he seeded my aunt and had taken what he wanted?"
"Excuse me?" Maxim gruffly responded, clenching his fist.
"Mordred, enough," Morgana snapped.
"What? You know it's true. That's what my father wants too. Arthur will have his heir, and Morholt will have the great Morgana Le Fay to warm his bed and have his way with. I'm sure he will enjoy trying to turn a prude into a bitch in he—"
The sudden connection of fist and face had stopped the sentence dead in its tracks. Mordred landed unceremoniously onto the floor, clutching his nose. Everyone else was in shock. Maxim was stunned in place, unsure what had happened. Then he glanced down to his hand, which was still clenched close.
"Maxim..." Morgana began.
"I'll kill that bastard!" Mordred yelled as he stood up from the floor. "How dare you!" He charged toward Maxim only to be restrained by Morgana's magic. "Let me go! That low-born oaf needs to be taught a lesson!"
"Maxim, leave. Now," Morgana ordered, not looking away from Mordred. Maxim nodded and left without another word. When he was out of the room, Morgana released Mordred from her grasp. "Control yourself, Mordred."
"Me?" Mordred repeated incredulously, "Horvath just hammered me in the nose! He should be hanged for disobeying the Morganian order!"
"Mordred, be quiet. I've had enough from you."
"But Lady Le Fay," Elaine began, "Horvath did hit his superior. And with no punishment?"
"There will be a punishment!" hissed Mordred. "Even if I have to do it myself!"
"Mordred!" Morgana yelled, trying to maintain order. "If there is a punishment needed for anyone," she hissed, "I will be will the one who decides what it will be. Understand?"
"It will probably be just a slap on the wrist," Mordred grumbled under his breath. "The Irish louse made you soft."
"Excuse me?"
"Ever since you brought that girl here, you've been essentially useless to our cause," he explained. "All you do waltz around like a simpering housewife with a babe on your hip."
Morgana took a deep breath and decided to hold her tongue. "All of you out. Now. Meeting dismissed since we're not doing anything productive anyway."
The Morganians stood and left, single-filed out the door. Morgana pinched the bridge of her nose once more as she paced the room. Then, after a moment of thought, Morgana went out to find Maxim. She suspected the library first, but she left for his living quarters when she didn't see him there.
She lightly rapped on the door before entering the room. "Maxim?"
He immediately stood up at her presence. "Lady Morgana, I--"
"Don't," Morgana interrupted.
Maxim bowed his head, embarrassed of his actions though he knew he did it to protect Morgana's honor. Morgana knew this too, but of course, she had to maintain an image and order within Tintagel Castle.
"You assaulted Mordred," she then stated.
"I did."
"You do realize you must be punished for it?"
Maxim paused before bowing his head again. "Yes, Lady Morgana..."
"It's the way things are done," Morgana explained with a sigh. "Although he deserved it, I cannot let in-fighting occur in my castle, or there will be chaos. Therefore, you will be whipped tomorrow at dawn."
"But Lady Morgana--"
"Maxim, it has to be done," she said. "Otherwise, Mordred will have your head, and I rather not have that happen, don't you agree?"
"Yes, m'lady..."
"Alright... enjoy the rest of your evening, though you don't have much to look forward to tomorrow."
"Right."
Morgana gave him a slight nod before going to the door. She paused then, looking back at him. "And... thank you, Maxim. Mordred mouths off often, but I appreciate you defending me."
He then gave her a soft smile. "Anytime, Lady Morgana..."
Morgana returned the smile. "Just don't assault Mordred next time. Or at least not where I could see you."
Maxim chuckled. "Of course."
Morgana couldn't help but grin as she bid him goodnight and made her way back to her bed chambers. She did wish that she didn't have to punish Maxim, but otherwise, the other Morganians would try to revolt if she showed any preferential treatment towards Maxim. Well... it wasn't really preferential in her mind because Mordred was lucky that it wasn't Morgana retaliating for his earlier statements. It's mostly for show, she told herself, so two lashings should be sufficient. Maxim barely hurt Mordred anyway.
When she returned to her rooms, she relayed these orders to a servant in preparation. She also found Isolde playing with a set of animal figurines on the bed.
"What do you have there, love?"
"Figurines. Papa made them," Isolde told Morgana.
Morgana was surprised. "Did he now?" Isolde nodded. "May I see one?" Isolde handed her one of the figurines so she could examine it. The miniature bear she held in her hand was craved in great detail out of wood. The wood was feathered to imitate fur, and the facial features of the animal were almost uncanny. Morgana didn't realize that Maxim was adept at wood craving. Despite being as gruff and relatively large as well, his attention to the tiniest details on the figurines was impeccable.
"Papa said this one was his favorite," Isolde said, holding the figurine in question up to Morgana.
Morgana quirked an eyebrow as she examined the lion figure in Isolde's hand. "Why is that?"
Isolde shrugged. "He never really said."
"I don't understand why it is. The bear one is better made, I think."
Isolde smiled. "I'll let him know that you approve of the grizzly bear."
Morgana paused. "Ah... well, that isn't necessary, love."
"Why? I think it will make Papa happy."
"Isolde."
She sighed. "Fine..."
Morgana unpinned her hair from its high bun and then gathered her night garments. "It's time for bed, love."
"I'm not tired, Mama..."
"Sweetheart, it's time to sleep. Come get your gown. You can sleep in here tonight."
"Okay, Mama..."
~+~+~+~
Maxim eyed the impromptu whipping post that was placed in the courtyard of Tintagel castle. It wasn't the first time he's been here at the break of dawn, nor was it the first time he saw the likes of the whipping post. It was also a public affair, as all the Morganians, along with the servants in Tintagel Castle, gathered in the courtyard. Maxim's hands were shackled to make sure he didn't try anything, and he had two servants acting as guards at his side while they waited to begin.
The crowd's idle murmurings died down when Morgana Le Fay and her nephew, Mordred Pendragon, made their way down the castle staircase.
"Oh, the mongrel's here early," Mordred mused.
Morgana rolled her eyes at his statement. "Behave, Mordred."
"Why, Auntie Morgana," Mordred began in a falsely sweet tone, "have you no faith in me?"
"Don't make me answer that," she replied curtly. "It's only two lashings. You get a hit then an extra one, understand?"
"Of course, Auntie. I can control myself, you know."
"I'll believe it when I see it," she muttered where he couldn't hear. When the two sorcerers reached the staircase's end, Morgana glanced toward Maxim before addressing the crowd to begin (and end) as swiftly as possible. She then conjured a whip out of thin air, handing the weapon to her nephew. "Make it quick," she told him.
"Gladly," Mordred replied, grinning wickedly as they walked towards Maxim. He then sneered at Maxim. "Come on, you low-born oaf, let us begin." Maxim eyed him before Mordred barked at the servants to shackle him to the whipping post. "Remove his shirt," Mordred ordered. "The whip will connect better.
Morgana frowned when the servants did as they were told, revealing the scars from previous whippings riddled along Maxim's back. He was then bound to the post, awaiting Mordred's next move.
Maxim steeled himself for the first crack of the whip, biting down on his lip when it struck him and letting out a slight groan in pain. Mordred scowled at this, gripping the handle of the whip. Then, unsatisfied with Maxim's reaction, Mordred struck harder the second time around. Maxim bit back another cry of pain, climaxing in a puff of breath.
"You filthy mongrel," Mordred growled.
"That's enough, Mordred," Morgana called to him.
Mordred looked to his aunt, then to the whip. "Not yet. I haven't got my fill." He snapped the whip against Maxim's back a third time. At that point, Maxim gave an audible cry of pain.
"Mordred!" Morgana snapped. "Stop now!"
Mordred refused to relent. The lashings were increasing in strength and power. The speed increased, and he got more lashes in before Morgana forcibly intervened. Kinetic magic aside, she also stepped between the two men after picking the whip up from where it was blasted out of Mordred's hand.
"I told you two lashings!"
"Oh," Mordred began, feigning ignorance, "I thought you said two and twenty."
Morgana then hissed, "No, you did not! You deliberately disobeyed me."
"After what that boar had done, he deserved to be hanged, drawn, and quartered!"
"I don't bloody care! I gave you an order!"
"Lady Morgana..."
Morgana looked back to Maxim, who called for her, and she then realized the extent of Mordred's damage. Deep lacerations formed along his back in a way that usually wouldn't happen with two or so lashings from a whip. She looked down at the whip in her hand and discovered that that whip that she handed to Mordred was now metal-tipped. He must have changed it after she gave him the whip, which caused the jagged cuts along Maxim's back. She could tell that he was losing blood from the lacerations, causing Maxim to have trouble holding her gaze and keeping his eyes open.
Morgana clenched her teeth, wanting nothing more than to strangle Mordred for disobeying her. However, because of the crowd of other Morganians that surrounded them preventing her from getting away with kin-slaying, she had to make do with getting their physician to see to Maxim's wounds.
"Tend to these wounds," Morgana ordered rather coldly to the doctor. "He's of no use to us injured."
The physician nodded, instructing a couple of the servants to help drag Maxim back inside Tintagel Castle. Morgana then barked for the other Morganians to get back to whatever they were doing.
"Oh, someone's testy," Mordred taunted as he followed behind Morgana.
"Bugger off, Mordred," she hissed back at him.
Mordred rolled his eyes at her response. "Oh, you can't be serious. Upset that I whipped your favorite stray? He's a big boy. He can handle it, trust me. If not, then the wounds will take of him."
Morgana whirled around to glower at Mordred. "What did you do to that whip?"
"Oh, Auntie..." he began with a chuckle. "What do you take me for? You think I poisoned the tip?"
"I didn't say it. You did."
Mordred sneered, "Well, rest assured that the boar won't die of poison..." Then he smirked. "This time."
Morgana scowled. Growing impatient with Mordred's antics and dealing with him in general, she instead chose to go to the infirmary where Maxim was being held. As she walked in, on a medical cot, Maxim laid flat on his stomach as the physician sutured his wounds.
"Well?"
"He'll live," the physician answered. Morgana nodded and stood quiet for a moment, watching the doctor's movements.
"And... and the scars...?"
"Will heal, m'lady."
She nodded in response. "Alright." Then she watched him again, noticing how Maxim barely moved as the medic repeatedly pierced his skin with needle and thread. "How...?"
"He's barely conscious, m'lady," the physician answered again. "He lost quite a bit of blood."
"Did he?"
The physician nodded before going back to his work. Morgana eyed him for a moment longer before her gaze drifted back to Maxim. He would occasionally wince and grunt in response to the needles, but the physician was correct. Morgana wasn't sure if he was aware of what was happening to him. Morgana's lips parted to speak once more but were interrupted by the physician, who turned to look at her.
"Lady Le Fay, I can tell you're concerned, but I am trying to heal the man. You are welcome to sit and watch, but please refrain from asking so many questions."
Morgana let out a sigh as she crossed her arms, "Fine." The physician then stitched up Maxim's wounds, and the room filled with silence again. Unfortunately, it didn't last very long before Morgana began tapping her foot as she watched the surgery. The physician tried to ignore her, but he could also feel her eyes on him.
"Lady Le Fay," he then began, "he will be fully conscious within the next hour or so. You can return then." Morgana nodded, getting the hint, as she stood and walked out of the infirmary. Even though the physician assured her that Maxim would be fine, Morgana couldn't help but be worried. Everyone in this castle is a Morganian, therefore not to be trusted. Second, if anything were to happen to him, it would be her fault.
Why did I give Mordred that whip? she wondered as she paced her bed chambers. It was a foolish mistake, really. She knew that Mordred never really liked Maxim from the beginning and that Mordred has a sadistic side that, by handing him the whip, asked to be satisfied. The damage is already done, she surmised, resigning herself to the foot of her bed. There was no use in ruminating over the "could-haves" or the "should-haves" of a situation.
~+~+~+~
A/N: Will I finish this? Who knows. But I already wrote all of this, so I at least wanted to share this portion of it. I might gain motivation to finish or add to it eventually.