Zuria Kingdom

[Bloodedge]

As he waited, Arthur's mind wandered. Occasionally, he found that his mental focus would veer toward Guin for multiple reasons. She was so obviously his type, it was ridiculous. He could only go on wondering if reality itself wished to see them paired. It wouldn't surprise him if that could be the case, though he would be even less surprised to learn that it was all Merlyn's doing; she always had that sort of meddling aura about her. Ah, but these sorts of thoughts could not persist long. Arthur was a man with a mission, and his mission was to cease whatever dastardly plans Queen Kolin had brewing. Back to the mattress, he eventually worked his way to being able to view his own stats and abilities the proper way. Oh... there was something useful. 'Holy Sword Wielder?' he questioned upon finding a title attributed to him. In his grand scheme, he'd been worried about the idea of Kolin acquiring his Excalibur. Given the details of this title and its accompanying abilities, though, that would not prove problematic at all. 'Hm. I could turn that dagger into a Holy Relic as long as I'm the one wielding it. It looks like I could even beat Excalibur, if its current wielder isn't chosen. Hmm. . .'

Merlyn wandered through one dream after another as she sat in her dungeon cell. In due time, she would be granted the opening she sought from the beginning. King Leorio had fallen into a deep slumber, interestingly enough in a bedroom he had all to himself. Indeed, to his lovely queen had separate chambers closer to the knights she employed. Such diligence she showed. Leorio felt like the luckiest man to ever be transported to another world, being graced with a kingdom, a bombshell of a queen, and even having that same queen take up most of the workload. Ah, but there was more to dream of yet! He knew of his queen's plans. Very soon, this kingdom would fall. Kolin would move on to new lands filled with promiscuous women of all sorts, endless riches, and a throne high in the clouds. He could see himself there in his dreams. While Kolin managed her brothels and the like, Leorio sat upon the throne being serviced by scantily-clad women, whores even, of every race... only to see his wife and queen encroaching upon him with every intention of joining the fray. Ah, yes─ this would soon be the life he had!

[Apollymi]

While Arthur figured out his abilities, and Guin went on about her daily tasks. Kolin handled the business of the Kingdom, all while her King slept. She was fine with their current arrangement because it left her a great deal of freedom and plenty of time to... browse for better while she abused his current status in the world. What was more she though of ways to abuse Arthur similarly. Perhaps as long as her motives didn't seem too bad, she wouldn't have to harm him in anyway. Beyond that, he'd be a nice bargaining chip against Artoria, a more legitimate claim to the throne might be worthwhile. She could seed it as an idea at least. Besides all that, though she wasn't exceedingly inclined to bed the lad who was currently in charge of this place, Arthur looked like he might be a bit of fun... maybe it'd be worth it to toy with him a bit and find out. The last of the people seen to, she went to her own chambers and prepared for this upcoming meeting, she'd have a nice bath and plot a more specific first meeting for the two of them. She was in such a good mood, that she couldn't even be bothered to send that Knight Cador on more activites. Though keeping him decently far away from herself was her general goal, since she'd once been his queen, he also had his uses... oh well, a single nights reprieve was hardly going to make a difference in what happened to this world.

While Kolin plotted against Arthur, and Arthur learned of his status as 'Holy Sword Wielder', Merlyn walked in dreams. A mysterious cloaked figure appearing in the back corners of people's minds, never to be properly remembered. When she finally stumbled upon the dreams of the lad known as King Leorio though... It was all she could do to remain quiet. 'Horny disgusting little boy' was what Merlyn came to the conclusion of. It wasn't so much the harem thing that made this scene disgusting... it was all the small parts of it taken as a whole. Still, this lad's dreams weren't without information. Apparently he thought this particular dream to be one of his future. A land he was king of, which didn't involve him doing work but got him exposure to all the young women he could want, and still got him Kolin. 'Ugh, I don't know if I think he's disgusting or if I pity him for being so naïve. I might owe Arthur an apology... this might be the most optimistic idiot in the entire world...' another thought. Not one to stick around within such a a dream for too long, Merlyn opened her eyes. Her presence there was unseen and she didn't even bother conversing with the lad Leorio. From within his dreams she knew... he was definitely complacent in the plans of Kolin, he simply didn't understand he was also expendable. What bitter news she'd have to deliver to the Knight Cador. More than likely the residents of his Kingdom were among the first to make their way to what could only be called the Red Light Kingdom. Whore of Babylon indeed, there wasn't much more need for extra work here. It was obvious to her now what this other lass' plan was, that being said it was still rather complex. While such a place was among the most deplorable, with no idea of where it was located and how it was being run, it would be rather difficult to dismantle it completely. Yet another long term project which would involve multiple players... in every sense of the phrase.

[Bloodedge]

Ah, baths. Queen Kolin wasn't the only one choosing to bathe before any further meetings occurred. After all the monster slaying he'd done lately, and the general setup of this world being what it was, Arthur found himself seeking every bathing opportunity he could come by. This was a cold land as well. Oh, the wonder of a steaming hot tub of water. He made use of his bath time to continue thinking. The plan he had was solid for the most part, but people like Kolin required a very careful approach. Though he'd known of women like her in his previous life, they always did their work for the cause of others. He couldn't be fully sure what her exact approach would be, when it was for her own gain as a manipulator of men. Oh well. If things went too far south, at least he could ensure he was clean when the time came to break out and run off... unlike the last time. Never again would he be covered in so much filth as that day─

Leorio's dream proceeded unhindered, even during and after the observation of Merlyn. He was living at the height of luxury in his dream state, and he would continue to do so through the night... likely alone still. Regardless, Merlyn had her information, and the knight she'd come to an agreement with seemed to be without a hindrance on his plate. Surely the queen was far too busy wooing her newest acquisition, or at least planning to. Cador had nothing to lament regardless; this made his first proper rest day in ages. He'd come to an agreement with Merlyn earlier, but he would not be meeting her in his dream. In fact... he would be meeting her in person, shortly after her stroll through others' subconscious minds. He was never even very far away. Just outside the dungeon, Cador assumed the guise of a guard for the night. After all, it made sense that someone stronger than mere foot soldiers be in place to keep a high-caliber sorceress restrained. It was the perfect opportunity to approach her holding cell, minutes after her escapade.

[Apollymi]

As Arthur thought in his bath, Kolin thought in hers. Though both were planning for their potential meeting, they were doing so in two very different ways. 'I suppose I shouldn't be too forward with what I say to him. He's a bit nice on the surface... but speaking in hypotheticals I can gauge his reaction,' she thought as she lowered even her massive chest below the heated water's surface. 'And if I don't like the reaction I can always enchant him. Men don't ever resist... I mean who would? Everyone wants an excuse to do what a beautiful woman says...' she seemed rather sure of herself. She could practically see the future in this moment. Too bad her own twisted psyche produced a future for her which was just as bad as Leorio. In her moment of day-dreaming she saw herself sitting atop a throne. The heads of her many enemies decorating nearby podiums. With Arthur at her side as she stared at the one she would prize above all others, the head of that filth Gilgamesh. How dare he turn her down? They could have been great together? Thoughts of this scorned woman soured, but... she could have the next best thing to Gilgamesh if she had Arthur, she'd even have a dead Artoria and Merlin. There was nothing potentially better than that to her. Supreme Power, all the things she wanted and an adoring crowd of people acknowledging her beauty above all others. Her daydream was sweet and ended as she stepped out of the bath. It was such a smooth transition she didn't even notice the glowing eyes of Merlyn's within the corner of her vision.

"Ugh, why does everyone here have such disgusting dreams? I may never eat again..." the young woman murmured. Though many would have assumed such a statement was made because of what she saw in those dreams, she was more or less upset at the quality of those dreams. They'd taste disgusting, she could practically feel that energy source and it wasn't anything she wished to ingest at all. She then opened her eyes which still held a sort of ethereal glow and flicked them towards the cell door from where she sat. "Oh? They put the Spirit Knight on my door, I wonder what I did to earn such VIP treatment?~" she questioned in a manner most nonchalant. Of course, it was simply her nature not to seem too stressed about anything. Besides, keeping the mood light would make sharing the information she discovered much less annoying, maybe.

[Bloodedge]

Arthur's curiosity wouldn't get him very far in planning, he thought. Most of the coming encounter would have to be improvised for the best outcome. Once more, he felt he would be thanking Kimiko at some point. Well... maybe after expressing his distaste at her sudden disappearance on his day off. Yes, that would come first. Then he could thank her for indirectly teaching him the "ways of the sass" as some would phrase it. Whatever the case, it was time to move on. Though bathing was great, he would soon be in danger of pruning if he didn't hop out and dry himself. Clothes, clothes... there had to be something worth wearing after drying off. Arthur managed to find something indeed, but no more than a pair of pin-striped silk trousers with... an opening... at the crotch. "You have got to be kidding me," he groaned aloud. He certainly wasn't going to don his full tunic indoors at night, so he supposed this would be the thing to wear. It was, after all, the only option in sight. No shirt, no shoes, just... silk trousers that threatened to leave his manhood dangling freely with a single wrong movement. It was easy to assume Queen Kolin had a lot to do with this selection, though he would have preferred at least a shirt.

The first words heard from the mouth of Merlyn were about never eating again after tasting the local dreams. Cador, during his approach, laughed. "I should apologize. I would hope my dreams would have been worthwhile, but... sadly not tonight. Not a wink in sight for me, I'm afraid," he said, even knowing the queen would likely have nothing of him for the foreseeable future. "I decided to take the position myself. Queen Kolin is probably too busy preparing to make a 'man' out of Arthur to have busywork for me, and the rest of the men had no issue at all relinquishing their posts in favor of me taking the task. Containing a sorceress is an idea that frightens the masses. So, have you found the king? Is he taken by sorcery?"

[Apollymi]

Though she wouldn't know it, Kimiko was indeed quite a sassy person. Still, the idea of improvising an interaction with a person like Kolin was likely a frightening thought to most. Whatever the case the Queen was dressed in the coming moments. What kind of garments did she wear to sleep? Well, the most obvious answer was a ridiculous amount of lingerie. The amount which barely covered what was important but was also beset by lace even in where her skin could use extra coverage. Obviously she planned to have someone else warm her body throughout the night, as this was the only way such a thing could even be considered appropriate for sleepwear. Of course, she donned a nice flowing fur-lined robe as well, and left her hair messily tossed about. She had to further give the illusion of being fresh out of bed. In presenting herself in such a way, she could surely begin the work of talking this lad into usurping Artoria and helping her along her way to her kingdom, and her revenge. She began her walk to the lad's chambers all the while knowing that she could do whatever she liked.

In the meantime, Merlyn was the person experiencing some pleasant company for the evening. This Cador was truly shaping up to be her favorite Knight. The man apparently thought himself to have better dreams than most, but didn't plan on sleeping and instead gave himself her own guard duty for the night. "Sou ka, I take that to mean I could have a bite or two when all this is settled. A girl can't turn down a good quality meal~" she joked with her normal jovial nature. According to the man, the other men were a bit afraid of her, which would of course explain why they likely weren't all too concerned about her sleeping in the corner earlier. What was more, apparently Kolin was plotting against Arthur, planning to make a man out of him, a chuckle escaped Merlyn at this thought and she couldn't help it. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me. I am pretty sure Arthur is about her type. Ya' know, blonde, handsome... less pompous than the other one, but that is likely a plus for his potential to be manipulated as she likes to do~" Merlyn mentioned, knowing that she was practically using Arthur as bait when doing this sort of thing. Even so, traps had to be set and some, needed a bit more time than others. As for his final question she gave a bit of thought as to her answer, she settled one one but though it sounded light there was a rather serious undertone. "He is taken, by idiocy alone I'm afraid. Not really salvageable... really. But because of him, and her... I know what happened to your people..." she finished softly. "I am sorry." stated, knowing it wouldn't soften the blow. Still the overarching plan of Ishtar done through the cunning of Kolin and the previous Ygerna. "Apparently she's gathered a kingdom which is hers alone. She's been feeding it, both people and funds from these that she's taken down. It's really subtle though, like planting ideas in men's heads that they should go there... having the women be left with nothing and end up there. Selling kids and kidnapping people from other places to fill it. But it isn't some regular place... it's a Red Light District." she said knowing that most from their own world would know what such a thing was. "And that boy king is under the impression that he will get to live as 'Harem King' with her as his wife and queen. And all the women that place has to offer at his beck and call... So, he knows and doesn't care what is happening here."

[Bloodedge]

Patience. If Arthur was to become the Future King, if he was to be the proper wielder of Excalibur, he had to exercise patience here and now. In spite of how things seemed thus far, there would surely not be an easy victory in the current scenario. The sanctity of his person may have even been in danger, given his current state of dress and the warnings of others. The optimal path should have been to play into Kolin's game, but keep himself ready to withdraw at a moment's notice. His experience dictated that all things were decided in a single moment. He could only hope to be as lucky in this situation, though he was not without doubts. Hope, it seemed, was all he had as he settled into his bed for the night. 'Hmm. Maybe I'll get lucky. Maybe it was all just playing around, and the queen just wanted to drag me around to keep me interested,' he thought. Oh, if he could be so lucky. . .

Merlyn's jest was taken in stride by the Spirit Knight. If the succubus wished to partake of his dreams, he would surely allow it. They were partners in a way now, and such favors came with the territory. "I live here, and we are on good terms. If you are hungry, it is my job to be hospitable and offer a meal," he stated plainly. Following this, Cador was able to learn that Kolin had a certain type. He wasn't sure whether he should be pleased to have been an exception to said type, or feel even worse for falling into her trap while not fitting her usual preference. For his own sake, he didn't dwell on it for too long. He had other things to be concerned about anyway, like the fact that Merlyn discovered the cause of his kingdom's downfall. Some Red Light District was being organized by Kolin, and all the people and funds he'd worked so hard to build up were thrown into it like tinder to a flame. If he didn't have enough reason to want the queen's head already, he certainly had it now. "Kufu~" he snickered. Of all the potential reactions, Cador... cracked a little inside. He'd been such a fool to contribute to something like this, and here he was, serving under a pitiful boy who willingly walked into the same situation he'd never seen coming. His eyes were wide and trembling, and there was the quickest upturn just at the corner of his mouth. Long fingers stretched across the bottom of Cador's face as he moved a hand to cover his grin. "Merlyn. Merlyn, Merlyn. Please tell me this Arthur of yours isn't some bumbling idiot. If he can't manage to do something about that tramp of a queen, I may not be able to restrain myself. Her... Leorio... everyone in this kingdom who's fallen under her spell. Would you stop me?"

[Apollymi]

Poor, naïve Arthur. He truly entertained the idea that the flirtation offered by Kolin was simply that. Well, that wasn't really a bad thing... it was quite true she'd not been offering anyone in this Kingdom any real part of herself, even so... he fit a few too many of her personal likes for her to box him up like she did the rest. Besides, ogling his form and getting herself a bit of him was about par for the course. Only her lack of interest really kept her from taking things further with any random man she used. The door to Arthur's chamber would open and close without so much as an announcement. She stood within the lad's room her robe opening steadily to reveal the lingerie beneath with every motion. "It gets quite cold here at night, Arthur. Surely, you'd do the favor of keeping the queen company, and warm... at a time like this?~" she questioned with a flirty wink. Such seduction in within this castle, Kolin was pulling out all the stops, the intentions of her words and actions were clear as day. She'd approach the bed fairly directly, standing just at the edge of it with a most amused smile on her face. She knew she'd talk to him a bit while in close proximity, maybe tease him a bit until he agreed to her demands. And then, like the truly magnanimous leader she was, she'd allow him a sample of her body as a reward for his pledge.

Cador had some interesting and friendly words to share with Merlyn initially. This much was to be expected. She giggled a little and found it amusing and smiled beneath her hood. "Oh? That's pretty encouraging actually, thanks in advance~" she managed before the lightness of their conversation disappeared. Much like happiness in this world, the jovial nature of their conversation basically evaporated in seconds. Instead it was replaced by the seedy darkness which belonged to this world. What was worse, it was met by a snicker from Cador. The man had broken a bit, knowing exactly what had happened with his Kingdom and about those responsible. He was none too happy about the Red Light District and even went on, to question Arthur and his ability to properly deal with the woman known as Kolin. "Cador, you're my favorite Knight," she mentioned with a soft smile. "I wouldn't keep you from your revenge, but I would stop you from sullying yourself. You are a Knight after all. I wouldn't enjoy watching a good man fall..." she stated with softness. "As for Arthur, he's a bit slow on the uptake, overly idealistic and naïve for this world... but I have faith he won't be taken by someone like her. If I didn't I wouldn't have dangled him in front of her like bait. He's immune to me... she's no longer a god, her powers won't sway him. And he's a bit too good to be as dumb in his desires as Leorio." Merlyn explained this situation and stood walking over to the gate of her cell. She reached through the bars and patted Cador on the shoulder. "Seriously, he came to this world on purpose, looking for his boss and his sisters in that order. I can believe in a man like that..."

[Bloodedge]

Hopes... shattered in an instant. Arthur had been resting in silence for just long enough to believe he could simply fall asleep. It felt like he'd only just closed his eyes when the slight creak of the door struck his ear. There stood Kolin, dressed in the full garb one would expect of a late night visit to one's bedroom. To think, one would actually be so unfaithful in their own home. Her every intention was clear as day through those movements, which seemingly shifted her robe aside in a purposeful manner to reveal the seductive lace worn beneath. More seductive yet, was the words which left the queen's mouth. So direct, yet so inconspicuous at the same time. If not for the additional knowledge of this woman and her methods sticking to the back of his mind, he may have even truly fallen prey to such an attempt. No matter; there was still a game to be played. "Your Grace," he greeted with a warm smile. "To make any request of me on the first day of my arrival, you honor me greatly. I had started to think you would have no use of me─ maybe even that the king would suffice for warmth and company."

Merlyn claimed she would not stop Cador from seeking his vengeance, but also that she would not let him sully his own honor as a knight. Such a sentence was utterly ridiculous, but he actually believed her. She knew things─ things one would never expect to be known by a living being in this corner of the world. He could trust such a woman to act as a balancing force in a moment of madness, if necessary. "I'll put my faith in you," he said. Back to business, there were more truths to be shared about the future King Arthur. He was a fool, though not affected by the wiles of succubi such as Merlyn herself. True enough, the amount of hopeless optimism found in a lad like him may do wonders in resisting even the non-magical sway of Kolin. Speaking of hopeless optimism, though... something was very off about the most recent factoid of Arthur. Cador found himself wondering why Merlyn offered such information, or why she kept company with an obvious psychopath, given the specification she gave. "I beg your pardon? Boss, then sisters? I thought you were trying to make me have faith in the young Arthur─"

[Apollymi]

Kolin couldn't know that Arthur had been given plenty of knowledge about her. What was more she also couldn't truly know how this lad's brain worked. Instead of knowing him on an individual level she attacked the problem of him, based on his supposed type, which he was playing up to quite well. A small smirk crossed her face as she was greeted with a sincere amount of respect and she joined him, cuddling up to him in bed. Most would have found such an intrusion quite unbecoming of the Queen, but in this case, her actions were so normal by now that none would ever question her. Even if they caught her in the act, "Come now, Arthur, there is no need to be so formal with me~" she mused as she pressed the softness of her breasts against his arm and leaned into his side a bit. "After all, I intend for us to work together as equals some day, you might as well get used to such a thing, call me Kolin~" she managed. Such a friendly offering was exactly what the nice guy types enjoyed. Feeling closer to the objects of their affections by use of their first names or even nicknames was pretty standard. "And to that end... I wanted to give you some more information that your.... friend might have neglected to tell you~" she mentioned, another little ploy as she squeezed his arm gently. Ah, yes, she did have the extra in of the lad claiming that he might not be able to trust his supposed guide. If she could present him new information then... telling him such things would definitely further convince him to her cause. This was the plan currently being enacted by Kolin. Full of friendly gestures and subtle touches, but nothing that could outright be called, seduction at face value. Just right for the 'straight-laced' Knights.

A gentle laugh left Merlyn at Cador's reaction to her little quip about Arthur. Though she fully expected such a thing, she'd said it exactly for this effect. "Hahahaha~" she laughed just a little. "Yes, I know... it's quite crazy. Firstly, I was just making sure my initial reaction to finding that out was totally normal. At first I thought I'd been waiting in St. Paul's too long for my sanity~" she said with a chuckle. "And yes, because his reason for coming here and diving up his time like that was... apparently his boss went missing on his day off and he felt responsible as her bodyguard. And though his sisters are likely here, he has faith that they can take care of themselves..." she said of the boy. "Which is quite true when one considers one of his sisters is Artoria Pendragon..." Merlyn said knowing that most Knights of the realm would know that name at least. "But that's our little secret... for now at least~" she said with a subtle wink. "Beyond all of that he came here to find out who was behind all of the missing people from the other world. He literally thought to do something about that in addition to looking for those whom he felt some responsibility towards. Crazy as he might be.... there's a light there I believe in."

[Bloodedge]

According to Kolin, it was purposeless of him to be formal with her. Oh, how inviting. He surely felt more complacent from her slipping into his bed and pressing herself against him. Surely. In all honesty, though, this entire ordeal was a shame. At all of twenty years old in his proper life, there was no hiding the fact that he could be easily stimulated in a physical sense by contact with the queen's form. Few could be that resilient. Eyes were naturally drawn to the plump bosom that swallowed his upper arm with ease, even as he attempted resistance. The only resistance he could have would be in his own mind, it seemed. "Equals? Hardly, my qu─ ahem. Kolin. You are cut from a different cloth. Someone like you should be above the likes of me, no?" he questioned. Regardless of how this statement sounded, it was honesty from Arthur. Kolin would only be satisfied in the position of power, not with true equality. If he could phrase it in a way that made him seem flattering without actually lying, though, all for the better. "And please, don't even joke like that. Merlyn is far from my friend. Honestly though, it surprises me that you'd bring up something... businesslike here and now. Are the clothing selections here your choice?"

Ah, Cador wasn't alone in initially thinking something must be wrong with Arthur. Such statements should have come with prefaces, lest people wonder about one's moral code from the very beginning. Overall, the situation made enough sense to be overlooked as strange. Such was especially the case upon hearing that Arthur's sister, in actuality, was the legendary Queen of Knights─ she who visitors of this world knew as the true King Arthur representation. "Huh. And here I thought he was just a fanboy lookalike of hers. I'm willing to put faith in anyone who can even be considered an associate of her. I suppose though... the mentality he has is refreshing to see. I'd like to think most, if not all of us, used to be like that. Some of us may even hold out hope that one day, someone will be able to keep that state of mind through the rest of this new life. Maybe this Arthur of yours can even be a contributor to restoring a good mindset to the rest of us. You seem a bit chipper already, even if most of it is an act."

[Apollymi]

To Arthur's credit the lad was very good at flattery, which did wonders for making Kolin's guard slip a little. If only all the men she enjoyed looking at and liking the idea of being with were so very forthcoming. Imagine how happy she could have been~ Whatever the case, the young man was more than earning the additional attention she paid him. "Oh? How very generous of you... if you insist on such a thing, I'm hardly in a position to turn you down~" the flirting continued. Even as she shifted quite a bit. In the moment she was finding it easy to gently run her hand along Arthur's thigh. The blonde was doing a great job of keeping Merlyn sounding like a topic he didn't much like. Separating Arthur from Merlyn might be one of the best possible outcomes of the mage's outburst. And to the best of her approximation, without the mage to protect him, Arthur was a lamb to slaughter. Not that she couldn't have seduced him regardless... "Businesslike? Of course not, I don't draw such hard lines between business and leisure. I simply want to give you things you didn't have before. Information included~" she said ever so softly. How inviting it would sound to give such information. "And of course the clothing here is all my choice. I can't have my Knights sleeping without comfort, in all forms~" she mused. "The world is scary enough when you're new. Time with me doesn't have to be anything like that... besides, wouldn't you be interested in knowing about the throne that's made for you, and the pretender, Artoria Pendragon sitting on it? I'd be glad to help you overcome her. Your claim to such things has to be more legitimate...Camelot's just waiting up in the sky for it's real King~" she said. Such words always came with gentle touches distractions of the lad's mind. Everything seemed less murder plot when people were horny. She knew this, there was no wrong in this plan. It was perfect.

A chuckle came from Merlyn as she leaned against the bars of her holding cell. Apparently Cador had believed this lad to be a fan of Artoria's such a mistake would be easy to make. Merlyn might have thought that too, but she happened to know exactly why they shared such a name in a way. "Apparently, they are twins. No copying... everyone in that family also basically has the same face from what I've seen," she said with a casual roll of her eyes. "Even without knowing that though, I enjoy giving him a bit of a chance here. Even I would like seeing legitimate happiness in this world from those of us who end up here. Maybe then their dreams will taste better and he can have a lot to do with that~" So a little faith was what someone like Merlyn had. Both in Arthur overcoming his current challenge and in his eventual help to the world at large. She would be thinking about all of this for quite a few seconds, and come to a good conclusion about the progression of current points in time.

[Bloodedge]

"Oh?" Arthur questioned, partially due to the surprise of Kolin's retort. Had she really, truly taken his words as an offer to be her subservient mate? While he wasn't opposed to such a role in general, this woman was delusional; he'd given her almost nothing to go by. Ah, but she still thought she was making the sort of progress she wanted with him. In truth, she was half right. Arthur hadn't expected Kolin to enter his actual bed, at least not as quickly as she did. The knife he had handy could not be reached as easily as he'd planned, but such was the point of improvisation. Of course, he had to do so beyond the stimulation of Kolin's hand rubbing along his silk-clad thigh. Perhaps his natural physical response of tension was a positive, in this case. "Well, there are a great many things I've never known. I thought I was worldly before coming here, but my mind has been blown time and time again since I showed up," he said, leaving the statement just open enough for interpretation, to leave the idea that he meant Zuria... and not this world as a whole. Moving on, he received solid confirmation of where his twin sister had gone. She was, indeed, the Once King: King Arthur. No other would have chosen the name Artoria Pendragon and succeeded in gaining that position. Luckily for Arthur, his natural response would be right in line with what Kolin sought to set him up for. "Artoria Pendragon... That's a nostalgia trip and a half," he said, grinning from ear to ear in all earnestness. "I can't consider Merlyn any sort of friend to me, but there is one thing we agreed on. I am the Future King. If anyone is ever going to displace Artoria Pendragon, it's going to be me when I take the throne for myself." Arthur said these words, and he meant every one. It was one of his goals, as it always was, to prove himself against his twin sister. The original plan was to do so by overthrowing her championship in a video game, but... this was as close as things got now.

Hearing the truth of Arthur's existence was far better than what Cador could have assumed, and in fact what he was assuming. "If you're willing to bet on him, I'll do the same. All will at least become clear in the next few days. If he falls here, I will deal with him myself before avenging my people. If not... well, every king needs knights," he stated. Cador could not serve this kingdom for any longer than necessary, knowing Leorio went so far for Kolin without even being enchanted by her. There was no excuse for such a man. He could serve under one who righted the wrongs of this kingdom, though, and he could already believe Merlyn capable enough to keep balance for the king she functioned as court mage of. "I'll keep my eyes and ears open to see how this plays out. For tonight, I am the sole guard of the untrustworthy witch, Merlyn," he said with a light chuckle and a cheeky smirk.

[Apollymi]

A grin crossed Kolin's face. The answer to Arthur's question was of course yes, she truly was delusional enough to believe that she had been offered the lad on a permanent basis from such a vague statement. Well, delusion wasn't quite the word, she was quite used to men throwing themselves at her, if anything Arthur could blame his fellow man for why she believed such a thing. "Of course, if you wish to be mine in such a role, who am I to argue. A Queen should have all she desires, and all others should make it so..." she said as gently as she would have said anything. She was having quite a good time flirting with Arthur. Actually, he was shaping up to be quite the interesting boy already, perhaps she should string it along a bit further, indulge fully. The lad tensing up as she touched him, made her wonder, if like so many others he was unfamiliar with the type of things she could do to him. There was something rather cute about the thought of deflowering King Arthur. This one had heard of Artoria Pendragon though and even smiled. Kolin watched a bit more closely, what kind of reaction would he have to what she offered him as information. Claim of being the future king, assurance that he would take that throne. "Squeee~" the woman was elated, her guard had all but fallen. Though she had no idea he wasn't meaning his sentences in the way she took them, her dream of a dead Artoria seemed to be closer than her wildest imagining. She'd let her hand wander closer and closer towards the lad's crotch, her aim of course to take hold of what she found there from a shifting and more dominating position. If she could have what she wanted she intended to have confirmation of it here and now, and then... she could fully enjoy this young Knight. "Tell me you'll bring me her head for what she's done to me. Tell me you'll protect my honor with your words here and now... and I'll have all of you in exchange. Oh, make sure that death is anguished, I really can't stand that flat-chested bitch." Even the proposition was selfish but she lusted after many things and if she could have them through this man who fit her preferences, she'd take it without thought. She could have thought this was far too easy, but she'd never had trouble manipulating men before, when they weren't surrounded by 'good girls' so now shouldn't be a problem either.

In the meantime, Merlyn and her guard of the night continued to have a cordial conversation. "I am willing to bet on him. But he's still naïve, he might need some help along the way. A man of action, is about what is called for, Sir Cador. I'm sure you can help him in the manly ways I am unversed in~" Merlyn stated. And she meant this in more ways than one. In the last few moments she'd become privy to the goings on of Arthur and she wondered if she should interfere with what was happening to him currently. As a girl, she didn't know if he was at all for the sort of espionage he was currently trapped in, but she also knew the weapons he would have at his disposal were out of his reach. "Oh yes, I'm so scary, rude, and untrustworthy," she returned his cheeky smirk. "I could have made her lock me up with a show of power... but I think calling her a whore in the middle of her own court was way more dramatic~" mentioned "You may need to act sooner rather than later... the next few moments are quite... tenuous." Merlyn said with her usual snarky attitude. She'd chosen this path for herself knowing that there was a chance that Arthur's own plan might need some spare hands that he didn't know about just yet. Of course, she didn't want Arthur scarred for life or anything, but perhaps getting rid of his loner attitude would help him a bit. Besides... he really didn't understand what a difference this world made to the personalities of people. He had no idea how much Merlyn was trying to save him...

[Bloodedge]

Bit by bit, Kolin's true self was coming to the surface. At the very least, there was a single statement to grant Arthur insight to her possessive mannerisms, and her clear preference for being the center of attention. That wouldn't have been so bad, if not for the fact that her intentions were far from good. Ah, but those intentions were far darker than Arthur could have even imagined. Kolin's hand moved farther yet up his thigh after Arthur's most recent proclamation; apparently it was something worth excitement. Her hand never stopped, though, continuing until it found its resting place upon his barely-restrained groin. Arthur nearly gasped in response; he'd been having a hard enough time avoiding a full-on erection, and this was only going to increase the difficulty. In essentially claiming his manhood for herself, Kolin demanded an oath. There was the darkness. She didn't want something so simple as a victory over Artoria, and the claiming of that woman's throne. She wanted a death. Did death function normally in this world? Ah, that was something Arthur should have asked Merlyn about over the past couple of weeks. Cath Palug hadn't been properly slain, and had in fact become something of a pet for Arthur Pendragon since its defeat. Did humans function the same? Bit by bit, Arthur was realizing how little he'd come to understand about this new life. "I─" he stammered. A certain amount of carefulness was required, but he was beginning to wonder if there was no saving this queen. What could he do to quell her uprising? "I will do my duty as a knight. Justice will be served where it need be," he concluded, opting for an honest, yet misguided retort once more. There was hardly another thing he could manage while not having a weapon in reach, or any real ground to stand on in this confrontation. Alas, he intended to continue improvising his way through the end of his plan.

Meanwhile, Merlyn hinted at the ability of Cador to assist Arthur in ways she couldn't. There were certainly things that could be fixed in the case of Arthur, both as a knight and as a man who inhabited this world. "You're right. He has a long way to go, if he's going to be king of anything. I choose to believe he might be the type to... have an easier time not losing himself to this world. Still, trials and tribulations in this place spare no man," he declared. This was a fact he was sure Merlyn knew, perhaps even more than most. The way she spoke of the cathedral she'd found Arthur in, he was made to believe she could have been around for... generations. He wouldn't be prying on that matter, though. "Whore has a nice ring to it. She was different in Cornwall, though I had reason to be suspicious of her faithfulness a few times even then." One could assume Kolin's methods were dependent upon the situation she was in; she essentially had Cador's kingdom in the palm of her hand all along. He quirked a brow when Merlyn implied having some insight regarding Arthur's present predicament with the queen. He could only imagine what was happening, but regardless of the goings-on, he stood outside Merlyn's cell with crossed arms and a curious expression. "H'oh? I should do my job as the manly guide then, shouldn't I? Well... I did say trials and tribulations spare no man. Your faith in the Future King is true, isn't it?"