I didn't respond but glanced down at the maps of Camelot that were spread across the table. This mission was not going to be an easy one. But it was necessary because we had to knowwhere we stood against the king and the king's army. As far as numbers went, we were very much in the minority. There existed roughly five thousand soldiers across Logres, the King's Guard. Of course, they were nonmagical, but five thousand soldiers are still five thousand soldiers.
At Camelot alone, there existed three hundred or so, including wall patrols, gatekeepers, barracks guards, night watch, throne room and council chamber guards, plus Arthur’s personal household guard of palace-trained fighters, riders, runners, emergency archers—all those who would be the first to respond to an attack or infiltration, all part of Camelot’s standing army.
Central to this assignment was the hope of discovering which members within Arthur's inner circle remained faithful to the old ways—those who still honored magic—those we could rely on to stand with us when we finally struck against the monarch and his stronghold.
"I'm still not convinced that Sir Lioran should be from the North," Corvin said—it was the same argument he'd had for the last week.
"So you've said no less than five thousand times." I rolled my eyes at him. "Don't be a bore, Corvin."
He kept his gaze on Merlin. "It will raise too many suspicions."
The Northlands, the closest geographically to Annwyn, were notorious for sticking to the old ways. It was in the North where those who refused Arthur’s oppressive edicts sought sanctuary once the Standing Stones were sealed. The North was also the least settled area of Logres, its mountains and dense forests offering a haven to those who needed to hide. It was a place of fierce people who clung to their freedom like starving beasts clinging to scraps.
Not only that, but there was word that a rebellion was brewing in the North, an entire movement growing right under Arthur's nose. As far as I understood, The Rebellion, as they called themselves, was kept alive by the belief that one day magic would reclaim its past glory, untainted and uncontrolled. It was one of the reasons the Twilight Sovereign needed me to pose as Sir Lioran within Arthur's court—to gather intelligence about the uprising and determine if they would prove to be worthy allies.
"We have been through this, Corvin," Merlin said.
"And I'm still not certain it was a wise decision."
"It's the only decision," I responded, giving him a look. "Because I'm from the North, it's the only place I know. As far as posing as someone from the East, West, or South, that would be asking for trouble. I don’t know their customs, their beliefs, their culture." I took a breath. "But I know the North. I’ve lived its rugged landscape—I understand how these people think."
Merlin, meanwhile, only nodded as if my words had settled any lingering debate. "Familiarity breeds certainty," he said at last, returning to the star chart.
"Yet the Northerners are the same who turned you over to the King's Guard in the first place," Corvin growled at me.
While he did have a point, it didn't change my argument. "I'm not saying that all of the North dislikes Arthur. And as far as that day at the marketplace goes, those people did what they felt they had to do, what the lawtoldthem to do. But my point still stands."
"We must try to attract those who share our beliefs to our side," Merlin added. "And the Northlands may give rise to a whole influx of magical soldiers—something Arthur fears and something we desperately need."
"I would like it known that I do not support any of this," Corvin said, his jaw tight. "I don't support Guin attending the Shadow Trials, and I believe this whole idea is madness."
"So you've said," Merlin replied.
"At least a hundred times," I added.
He frowned at me before returning his attention to Merlin. "These so-called Shadow Trials could be nothing more than an elaborate hoax—a means to find all the remaining magic-users and condemn them all to death."
Merlin was quiet as he considered Corvin's point before he then shook his head. "Or it could be a sign that Arthur is panicking—that he's realizing if he destroys all magic from Logres, he cannot hope to go up against us and prevail."
"He has five thousand soldiers," Corvin argued.
"Each of our mages is easily worth ten of his non-magicals."
"Taking that into account, we would then havehalfthe forces he does."
"Until we recruit more Northerners to our cause and hopefully all of those who serve the Rebellion." Merlin looked back at us both as if to sink the point deeper. "At which stage we can wage war against the crown and against Camelot." Then he looked at me. "And that's precisely why Guinevere is accepting this assignment—so she can assume the role of informant."
"So that's enough of that conversation," I added as I glared at Corvin.
"When you arrive in Camelot, observe," Merlin continued. "Blend in. I shall expect your reports nightly."
"I know."
"Please do not forget to shed the disguise of Lioran each evening. The magic that camouflages you is incredibly potent—"
"—and if I don't shed the magic each night, I run the risk of becoming Sir Lioran forever," I interrupted with a sigh. "Merlin,we've been through this no less than twelve times—and that was just yesterday."
"And you have The Obscura?" Corvin asked.
