video | username: merlin

[servant]

[It's the first time that Merlin's broadcasted a video of his own, normally content to just poke his nose into others. He's sitting at a table, chin propped up on his fist, the universal pose of Deep Thought.]

I've been thinking a lot lately. [And that would be the point where Arthur would inevitably have something to say about that. It feels...odd, being able to continue without interruption. And not in an entirely good way.] About the humans and the goblins, but mostly about those who found themselves caught in-between. It's difficult, living your life in secret, wondering where you fit in, if you fit in at all.

[He's getting that wounded bear face again, a long expression with sad round eyes.]

I'm not trying to excuse anything terrible that's been done. By anyone. I was only wondering if anyone else knows what it's like to feel like an outcast.

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video

[servant]

Who was it that marked you? And...uhm [at the risk of sounding rude] what would that be?

[respired]

Anyone at all. The people of my realm know a death knight when they see one. And they are rarely happy to do so.

[servant]

A death knight? [Merlin sounds a little surprised when he repeats the words. He's very familiar with knights, and okay, he doesn't know exactly what a death knight is...but it doesn't sound pleasant.] What about your mother?

[respired]

[He's so surprised by that question that he just starts laughing. It's an awful, guttural, echoing noise.]

She's long gone. Thank the Light that she never lived to see me as I am now.

[servant]

[Sorry Koltira, Merlin just might be a bit of a mama's boy. But in his experience, mothers love their children no matter what.]

So you weren't always a death knight?

[respired]

No. I was killed and raised into undeath. It does not endear me to most.

[servant]

[He instantly thinks of the black knight, the wraith that was once Arthur's uncle. Koltira seems different from that though.]

But how was that your fault? Even if dark magic was involved, it's more the sorcerer who used it that's to blame.

[respired]

My kind were enslaved, yes. But we committed many atrocities while subjugated. History remembers who gave the orders. Individuals remember the hands that held the sword.

[servant]

[He grows quiet at that, because it makes sense. Of course people would fear him.]

At least you're free here, aren't you?

[respired]

[He shrugs.]

In some ways.

Tell me, what brought you to this line of thought? Are you looked down on by your people?

[servant]

Yes. Well, sort of. Most would do worse than look down on me if they knew that I was a sorcerer. It was actually worse before I came to Camelot, even if it's probably more dangerous there.

[respired]

The sin'dorei privilege those capable of magic. Do your people fear it?

[servant]

Yeah. Even if they weren't afraid of magic itself, they're too afraid of the trouble they'd get into if they even looked at a sorcerer.

[respired]

[That's unfathomable to Koltira. Of course, magic is not a rare or special talent in Azeroth. Anyone with the will and desire could become a mage.]

Why? What is the source of their fear?

[servant]

The king believes that magic corrupts, and that it can only be used for evil. Anyone known to associate with a magic user would likely be considered guilty by association.

[respired]

I have met more corrupt nobility than corrupt mages.

[Granted, as an elf, much of their nobility is comprised of mages, but still.]

[servant]

I know of a couple of not-so-good kings myself. But I know Arthur will be better someday.

[respired]

[Koltira can glean from context who Arthur is--and who he will be.]

What makes you so certain? Does he not share the fears of your people?

[servant]

It's more like...he has a better heart. And you think he doesn't listen, but then he always does something to prove that he was.

[respired]

You sound quite close. I hope your faith in him is rewarded.