What Drake saw in the distance made him grin from ear to ear. Forget Ulric, that man was an idiot. And what he found was so much more valuable anyways. He wondered how much he would get for this information. Hopefully enough to stay at one of those fancy brothels with good prostitutes.

It took some effort to convince the pair to meet with him, that Drake was worth their time. But in the end, they couldn't resist. So that was how Drake found himself standing outside the throne room, rocking from side to side. How much gold would they give him? Hopefully enough to last a lifetime. Drake was getting a bit old for this sort of work anyways. He really should start thinking about retirement. Maybe somewhere warm and sunny, surrounded by beautiful, barely dressed girls. Ah yes, that's what he wanted.

The door swung open and Drake stepped inside. The room was large and full of opulence, just like Drake expected from the great King Cenred. He did like to flaunt his status more than most nobles. Aside from the rich, velvet drapes that lay over the curtains, and the floors lined with gold, there were also guards lining every spot along the wall. Drake couldn't help but snort at the display of power. Like he was really dumb enough to try something with these people.

Once Drake had absorbed his surroundings, he quickly sauntered to the end where a man sat on the throne, a woman perched behind him. Beside the throne was also a small child. Unlike the rest of the room or people, she was dressed in rags and looked like she belonged on the streets rather than in a room like this. Her purple dress was torn beyond repair and she looked as though she hadn't bathed in some time. She couldn't be older than ten. Though the thing that caught Drake's eye was the collar around her neck. Now this did fit the room. It was beautifully crafted with gold, silver, and most importantly, iron. The runes were etched into it, keeping the girl's magic suppressed until Cenred or Morgause had use for it. It looked rather painful, squeezing and pinching the girl's neck, restricting her breathing. Drake smirked and turned his eyes to the pair of people who were the key to his everlasting happiness.

"Drake, I presume?" the man asked. Drake bowed low to the ground.

"King Cenred, Lady Morgause," he said.

"What information that do you have that you thought we would find so interesting," Cenred asked. He didn't sound like he believed Drake would have anything of value to offer. But that was just part of his charm. No one would suspect him of having information so no one would try and take it from him.

"First, I need to see my payment. I'm sure there are plenty more that would love this information," Drake said. Cenred snapped his fingers.

"Freya, show him the gold," he said. the little girl nodded and hopped down the steps with a chest that Drake thought was much too big for her frame. He wasn't entirely sure how the poor girl kept the thing lifted. She opened it and Drake's face lit up with the glittering piles inside. Drake smirked and took the chest from the girl.

"Now, your information?" Cenred asked.

"I believe you lost a little boy about a year ago, Emrys," Drake said. Cenred's eyes narrowed.

"Merlin?" the girl, Freya apparently, gasped quietly.

"Yes, I did. What of it?" Cenred asked. Drake smiled and shifted on his feet.

"Well, the boy, you'll be pleased to know, is still alive and well in Camelot," Drake said.

"Under the nose of Uther Pendragon?" Morgause asked. Her eyes widened and she immediately turned and began muttering to himself.

"Staying with the prince and his band of merry men," Drake smirked. Morgause and Cenred looked at each other.

"Well, Drake, thank you so much for your information. I was beside myself with worry ever since the child disappeared from my castle," Cenred said.

"It's no problem, your highness. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to leave now," Drake said. He turned and prepared to leave when Morgause spoke.

"Actually, Drake, we can't have you spreading this news to other kingdoms. That child is very powerful and in the wrong hands, he could be used as a dangerous weapon," Morgause said. Drake turned to look at the woman.

"I promise, my lady, I won't be telling anyone about the child. You have my word."

"Sadly, your word means little to us," Cenred said. Morgause raised her arms and with a smile, whispered the words of the old religion. Drake's neck snapped and he fell to the ground, dead. Cenred's guards moved the body from the room.

"Well, my dear, it seems as though our pet has returned to us," Cenred said with a smile. Morgause leaned down to give him a kiss.

"I think it's time he returns home, don't you, Freya dear?" Morgause asked. Freya whimpered and looked out the window.

"Merlin, please stay safe," she thought. She didn't want to think about what would happen if Merlin ended back with these monsters.