“How much would it cost?” I asked.

“Too much for you to afford currently. That said, when you become a full fledged knight of the Round Table then I may gift her too you instead of giving you gold.” Arthur said.

“I thought I was already a knight?”

“You are a knight but to become a knight of the Round Table you must first beat another knight of the Round table in a test of courage and skill. Yours will be a tomorrow and you will be fighting Merlin and I.” he stated.

“I have to fight you and Merlin!” I exclaimed with a bit of worry.

“... Well… Yes. I thought you knew. Mordred was supposed to tell you during training. Did she not?” He asked with an equal amount of worry.

“No she didn’t.” I replied.

“Well, good luck then. She was supposed to train you as well. Did she do that or not?” he asked as a father who just found out that the kids did none of their chores while he was away would.

“She trained me. However, she just shipped me off to Oberon and had him fight me for what felt like a whole month.” I said. Arthur’s face suddenly changed. He seemed more sympathetic than mad now. Walking up close to me, he put his hand on my shoulder and with what looked like a tear welling up in his eye he gazed at me with true sympathy.

“I am, so, so, sorry. It must have been awful. Did he shoot you as well or perhaps did he take an arm and leg before sticking them back on by reversing time?” he said sympathetically.

“Both actually but he didn’t need to reverse time. I just grew a new one to replace it. Wait a minute. Did he do the same thing to you? Mordred did say that you were also trained by Oberon.” I replied.

“Yes… someone understands my pain. I will always be haunted by those days. Again, I am so sorry that you had to go through that.” he said as he gave me a hug.

“Anyways, about the head maid?” I said to put us back on track.

“Yes, yes. I will talk with the head maid and hear her side of the story. Then we will go from there.” Arthur said just before the head maid walked in.

“Ah, we were just talking about you Shera.” Arthur said to her.

“Well, I do hope they are good things, your grace. She replied whilst trying to avoid my gaze.

“Sadly not. I have been hearing from Sir Micheal here that you have been mistreating his maidservant. What have you to say for this?” Arthur asked militantly.

“Well, she is not his maidservant, your grace. She is but a lowly witchborn who can barely carry her weight. Had it not been for your benevolence then I would have refused her. She is unfit for such a place and lacks the capabilities to do her work properly. As such, punishment is needed to teach her how to be better.” Shera said.

“So did you strike her because she is a witchborn or because she has been lacking in her duties?” Arthur asked with more emphases.

“Both, Sire. A witchborn has no place among civilized humans and she failed to properly fold the bedding yesterday. Thus, I gave her a punishment fitting for her kind.” she said with a bit of malice in her words and giving me a glare that made it look like she believed I couldn’t touch her. So help me God, if Arthur doesn’t do something to her then I will kill her in her sleep.

“What kind of punishment did you give her?” Arthur asked as he was rubbing his face like he was about to lose his temper but was trying to not let it show.

“I grabbed the fire poker from the oven and hit her in the shoulder with it.” she stated firmly.

“You what!” he exclaimed with utter shock and horror.

“I was only doing what was necessary for someone of her lineage.” she said as if trying to justify herself.

“The same lineage that your King has. Did you forget that I am a witchborn as with my sister and mother or did that slip your mind? Did you also forget when you were given a medicine that saved you from death two winters ago? That same medicine that saved you was crafted by a witch. Have you also forgotten what this kingdom stands for, to bring together people of all races and beliefs whether they be human or neighbor?” Arthur asked in a fury. He was more pissed off than I thought was possible.

“My Liege, forgive me. I have been far too irrational.” she pleaded.

“I have already decided based on what you have said that you are no longer a maid servant of Camelot. Go pack your things. As for who you need forgiveness from, you can ask Sir Micheal here. He will be given the maid servant as a gift upon his knighthood so it will be considered destruction of property. Pray that he is merciful.” Arthur said before walking away. Realizing what Arthur was saying she turned to me and fell to her knees.

“Please do not have me killed! I beg of you.” She pleaded. Reaching down I put my hand under her chin.

“I’ll ask Medea. However, if she does not forgive you then I will make hell sound like a island paradise.” I said as dramatically and threatening as possible before walking away.