Merlin Ambrosius is, indisputably, the most powerful, knowledgeable, and skilled mage in Canterbury, perhaps even the whole world. In the years since his abrupt decision to relocate to the Empire and serve as your Court Wizard, you have been reminded not only of this fact, but also of the unique independence such a status affords him. Despite being a citizen of Canterbury and thus a subject of Queen Chevaline, the Archmage does not truly answer to anyone, something he is quite happy to take advantage of. He came to your Empire, not because of any order or request, but because he wanted to, and even if his Queen had tried to stop him there really wasn't anything she could have done. The elderly Unicorn had essentially abandoned his home and his former position within the Court of Canterbury in hopes of making an impact within your nation, seeking to ensure his mark upon history as he nears the end of his life.
At least, that is what he told you. Since your uncovering of the great Changeling Conspiracy behind Canterbury, the Church of the Lady of the Lake, and several other notable events, you've been forced to re-examine every single interaction you've ever had with the stallion. Had he truly come here of his own accord? Or had he been sent here as an agent of Phalanx, a pawn in her schemes to exert control over the world from the shadows? There was only one way to find out.
Well, actually there were several ways to find out, most of which would involve a squadron of knights escorting him to an Orichalcum lined room, but for reasons as numerous as they were obvious you'd elected to take a more subtle approach, asking the wizard to join you for tea. And so, once again, you find yourself sequestered with the aged Ambrosius in one of the Imperial Palace's numerous drawing rooms, quietly exchanging pleasantries and small talk over a kettle of Neighpon's number one export.
Merlin appears to be in good spirits, and he certainly has good reason to be. Between his ongoing work to translate the arcane circuitry of the Crystal Heart continuing to yield fruit, his recent efforts to lay the foundations of a whole new system of magical education for the Hippogriffs, and his hundredth birthday only a few months away, he has much to be pleased with. After several minutes discussing the events of the previous year and speaking vaguely of the possibilities of the near future, you clear your throat and address the topic you'd called him here for.
"Our patrols along the Canterbury border stumbled across an...unusual being a few days ago. They appear to be capable of using magic to alter their appearance."
Merlin's only response to your words is a raised eyebrow and a look of curiosity. Despite your decades of experience navigating the intrigues of the Imperial Court, you can't tell if its feigned or genuine.
"They?"
You nod, trying to appear casual.
"The being is sapient, but is neither a Pony nor a member of any other known race. We're...not quite sure what to make of them."
Merlin gives no sign of notice to your hopefully hidden nervousness and anticipation as you carefully observe him for some sort of reaction to your words. To your inner frustration, he shows nothing but the curiosity that you would expect an inquisitive scholar to have upon being told of such an unusual being. Is he truly unaware of the massive conspiracy underpinning his homeland, or is he merely pretending not to know?
"I assume you would like my input on the matter?"
You nod as Ambrosius finishes his cup.
"Very well then. Where are they being held?"
You stand and silently motion for him to follow.
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Merlin shows no visible reaction to being led to one of the secret entrances to the hidden passages that run throughout the palace. You suspect that he was already aware of them. The presence of several members of the recently formed Black Watch, clad in their Orichalcum alloy armor as they stand vigil, does elicit a raised eyebrow from him, but nothing more. He'd had the chance to get used to the new Knightly Order over the past few months, as Hardbeak's finest had settled into their role as Palace Guards, their order being too small to warrant a Chapter house or Citadel of their own. If the presence of so many heavily armed and magically resistant warriors unnerved him in any way, he was very good at hiding it.
It's not until you arrive at the heavily secured door leading to an Orichalcum lined chamber, guarded by Hardbeak himself, that Merlin breaks the silence between you.
"You are keeping them beneath the Palace?"
His tone does not imply judgement, merely curiosity, and perhaps a bit of confusion. You shrug, giving Hardbeak a nod as he gives you a quick salute before unlocking the door to the Panic Room turned living quarters for your Empire's most unusual foreign advisor.
"Their shape changing abilities pose a potential security risk, and this is already the most secure location in the Empire. It was the simplest solution."
If the Unicorn finds your explanation lacking, he gives no sign of it, though he does grimace slightly as the two of you enter the chamber proper, the door closing behind you as the Archmage is effectively cut off from the ambient magic which he has been accustomed too his entire life. The faint look of discomfort quickly fades however, as he spies the topic of your discussion on the other side of the two way mirror.
Rose's cell was barely deserving of the title, only being considered such due to the securely locked door and the lack of any other potential exits. She had leveraged her unique position to ensure that the room set aside for her was well furnished, to the point that it more closely resembled the bedchambers of a wealthy noble, from silk bedsheets and a well-stocked bookshelf to Neighponese Tatami mats. As the two of you entered, the cell's sole occupant was seated comfortably upon a pair of plush cushions, idly flipping the pages of one of the "novellas" that had recently become popular amongst the noble ladies of the Empire. Likely some poorly written story of forbidden love between a noble hen and a rugged farmer. Most of them are.
Merlin stares through the glass at the Changeling, silently observing her as you subtly observe him for any sign of recognition or concern. It's almost a minute before he speaks.
"She's been here longer than a few days, hasn't she?"
Merlin's gaze never leaves the insectlike shapeshifter, even as your talon traces the pommel of your sword and a squadron of Black Knights gathers outside the door, waiting for the signal to charge in should he try anything.
You nod, your expression blank.
"A bit longer, yes."
Rose looks up from her book, glancing towards the reflective surface taking up an entire wall of her quarters. Merlin stares back, his expression unreadable. Your grip tightens on your sword as the tension mounts.
Finally, Merlin sighs, turning to you with a look of tired resignation.
"Alright...what do you want to know?"
You raise an eye ridge, your grip not slacking upon your blade.
"I want to know if you know anything about her. Who or what she is, if there are any more like her...any information you could provide."
Merlin snorts, shaking his head.
"I think it's pretty safe to say you already know what she is...but fine."
He glances back towards Rose, who has since returned to her book.
"She's a Changeling. A race of shapeshifters who survive by feeding upon the emotions of sapient beings. I don't know about the rest of the world but I know that they've been living within Canterbury for decades...perhaps even as long as the nation has existed."
You glare.
"From what she's told us, they've done more than just live there."
Merlin sags, rubbing a hoof against his forehead as he whispers to himself.
"Of course she did..."
He takes a deep breath to steady himself before speaking up again, his words drawn out and reluctant.
"Ok, yes. Whatever she's told you is probably true. Their role in the founding, their Queen's masquerading as the Lady of the Lake, their control of the Kingdom from the shadows, all of it is true."
You keep a wary eye upon Merlin as he admits his knowledge, your stance relaxing a fraction as he speaks. Despite your worst fears, he appears to be genuine, and shows no sign of any trickery or attempts to mislead you...though that does raise further questions.
"And how do you know this? I had a defector walk right into my office and even then I was hesitant to believe it."
Ambrosius rolls his eyes.
"I literally wrote the book on illusions and how to see through them. They may possess the best camouflage in existence, but no disguise is perfect. And I've had the 'honor' of attending a few religious services where the Lady graced the congregation with her presence."
He shakes his head.
"I know more about the true state of the Kingdom of Canterbury than I'm truly comfortable with."
You finally remove your hand from the grip of your sword, convinced that the Archmage isn't about to do something rash, though your facial expression remains stern.
"Then why haven't you sought to do anything about it?"
Merlin huffs.
"No matter how powerful I may be I am but one Stallion. And even if I thought I was capable of acting against them, the Church is the single most powerful institution within Canterbury. If the truth were exposed, the Kingdom would collapse...and that's not even taking into account how the Changelings would react to their ruse being exposed."
The aged unicorn shakes his head.
"I couldn't do anything without throwing Canterbury into chaos...so I didn't. I kept my mouth shut and took the first opportunity to get out from under the gaze of the Lady and her agents."
You find that explanation...understandable, if not one you particularly agree with. It helps explain why he dropped everything and came to Gryphus at any rate.
"Yeah, I think Phalanx was actually kind of relieved when he left. She doesn't like any other powerful Mages around her, they might pop that little bubble of superiority she keeps around herself."
Merlin starts, his head whipping around to stare at Rose through the one way mirror, the Changeling smiling cheekily as she waves a forehoof at him before motioning to the frayed, membranous growths that resemble ears.
"Just cause I can't see you through this doesn't mean I can't hear you."
Merlin blinks at the emotivore as you sigh, moving to stand besides the Archmage.
"Yes, she's quite the handful. You'll get used to it."
Merlin turns his stare to you, eyebrow raised.
"I will?"
You shrug.
"I certainly hope so. Aside from her, you're the only person who has personally witnessed the full extent of the Changeling Conspiracy within Canterbury. I would...appreciate it...if you could coordinate with her and Ravenburg to help us get a better understanding of what exactly we are facing."
Merlin frowns, clearly sensing the weight behind your words. It's not quite an order, but it's the closest thing to one you've given him since he became your designated court wizard.
"You aren't seriously planning to take her on are you? Even exempting her hive and the danger they pose, she has an entire Kingdom at her beck and call. A war with her would be a war with Canterbury!"
You shake your head.
"I'm not asking you to fight her, I'm asking you to give me a better understanding of the situation and exactly what 'the Lady' is doing...and prevent the Empire from sharing Canterbury's status as a puppet state."
Merlin doesn't look happy, but his expression does soften a bit as he returns his gaze to Rose, still staring back through the selectively opaque window with a mischievous grin.
"...Very well. I can do that at least."
You breathe an internal sigh of relief even as Rose gives her new unseen coworker a wink. That went better than you expected it would. With any luck, Merlin would prove as valuable an asset against the Changelings as he has been in the realm of magic...you just hope that any loyalties to he holds to his homeland won't prevent him from doing what needs to be done.
Merlin's Knowledge of the Changeling Conspiracy is Confirmed, though thankfully he is not loyal to the, by any means. New Options Unlocked.
Is there any excuse for how long this took? No, no there isn't. But I will attempt to provide context regardless. For starters, I had originally intended for this and "Scientific Progress Goes Boink" (currently partially completed) at the same time, but I did not feel right forcing you all to wait any longer than you already have.
Second, the previous month has been a busy time for me, as I have recently acquired a new job that, while objectively better than my old one in nearly every way, has taken some adjusting and getting used to. And thirdly, I have been re-examining some of the behind the scenes plans and mechanics of this Quest, and have been trying to come up with some ideas for how things may proceed in the future. This still does not excuse the wait, but I hope it will at least allow for some understanding.
The next Interlude, and the following Rumor Mill, will be out in a much more timely fashion. Thank you all for continuing to follow this Quest.
