“Merlin, do you know any way to make an arrow fly straight?” Uther snapped as his third arrow hit a tree.

“I think the bigger issue is your skill with a bow,” Merlin commented, eating an apple just like the first time they met. “Or lack thereof.”

Uther rolled his eyes and glared at the wizard. “Well, do you?”

Merlin shrugged. “Kind of? I can conjure up arrows and make them fly straight, but you’d still need somewhat decent aim.”

Ignoring the blunt statement, by now Uther realized Merlin wasn’t trying to insult him, he instead focused on the first part of that statement. “Conjure… so you don’t need to bring arrows with you?”

“As long as I have mana,” Merlin replied.

“Do they need to be near you, or can you make them for someone else?”

“I can if they’re semi-close, I’d say…” Merlin took a moment to think. “About a field’s length away is my maximum.”

“How many?” Uther pressed.

Merlin had to think again. “In a best case scenario, I could make somewhere between two hundred and three hundred before I’d need to recover my mana.”

“So, hypothetically speaking, you could give a small platoon of good archers a supply of near-unmissable arrows in the middle or start of a battle?” Uther twirled his bow around, glancing at Merlin through the corner of his eye. The man looked deep in thought, again. He loved being inside his own head.

“I’m not sure how feasible that would be,” Merlin admitted. “If it was just a few people, I could tailor the arrows to obey them, but too many more and they’d need to have some kind of magic, any kind, in order to properly use them.”

Uther hummed and nocked another arrow. “I’ve met lots of other magic users, why don’t they know any of this?”

As he pulled back the drawstring, Merlin answered, “Maybe because they never learned, maybe because they don’t have primal magic so it’s less feasible?”

Uther fired off the arrow, this one at least hitting the target. “Is primal magic stronger or something?”

“It’s generally considered to be.”

“I’m shocked you haven’t been picked up by some kingdom or another before now, then,” Uther commented.

Merlin looked a bit uncomfortable. “I mean, people try.”

“What do you mean?”

The expression on the wizard’s face was rather dark. “Well, I’ve been advised not to bring up my magic. I do, but that’s actually part of the reason I have to run around so much. When people learn I have primal magic, the usual reaction is a bit more… controlling than the reception I’ve received here.”

“Wait, more controlling?” Uther floundered for a few seconds before he could respond again. “What kind of totalitarian nightmare kingdoms have you lived in?”

Merlin laughed, a twinge of bitterness in his voice. “It’s just that people like to use my power, and maximize its potential. That means no magic unless I’m told to use it, no studying on my own, no going out, and since it’s such a rare trait, a lot of people like to breed us together to try and get more children with primal magic. I haven’t had much experience with the last one, though.”

Uther could feel his nose wrinkle up in distaste. “That is absolutely disgusting. If you’re going to be an asset, they could at least treat you as such rather than a piece of livestock.”

Merlin shrugged. “I’ve only had to be in those situations for maybe a few months total, and it was a while ago. Not a big deal.”

“If you say so…” Uther muttered. “Does Vortigern actually condone stuff like that?”

“Yep,” Merlin confirmed. “It’s completely legal, too.”

“That’s the first law of his I’m going to be ripping to shreds,” Uther spat. He yanked back the drawstring and let loose another arrow. This one hit around the center of the target. “Along with his spleen.”

Merlin hummed in quiet agreement. “Well, you would have support in that. He’s not exactly… popular.”

“He can go step on a sharp pebble on a smooth floor while barefoot,” Uther snarled as his thoughts became more focused on the usurper, shooting another arrow through the target.

“Unusual threat, but effective.”

“Is there any way you can just make him go away without having to actually fight him?” Uther demanded.

“I think he likes to keep himself protected against assassins, and we’re pretty far from where he is, so not that I can think of.”

Uther felt for another arrow, but his quiver was empty. “Can you conjure some more arrows for me?” With a shrug, Merlin complied, letting Uther continue shooting.

“Uther!” Uther froze and muttered several swears under his breath. He turned just in time to see Aurelius riding up with a small company of men behind him. His head and face were covered in cloth, but Uther always knew his brother regardless of his latest efforts to hide his identity.

“When did you get back?” Uther asked nonchalantly. Aurelius pulled the coverings off his face, although he left the hood on, to show his furious expression.

“What in God’s name are you doing out here?” Aurelius snapped, dismounting and grabbing Uther by the elbow.

“Practicing archery,” Uther replied.

“He does need the practice,” Merlin piped up. Aurelius shot him a glare but Uther felt a little grateful.

“Then do it near the damn castle!” Aurelius demanded. “You’re barely within the city limits!”

“City is a bit gratuitous for this place,” Uther muttered. “Large town, maybe.”

“Watch your mouth,” ordered Aurelius. “What if Vortigern’s men came searching? You want to just hand yourself over on a silver platter? At least make them work for it!”

Uther glared at him. “Then I’d kill them all myself. Plus, he’s a wizard!” he added, throwing an arm around Merlin’s shoulder.

“Yeah, that’s another thing, who the hell is that?”

“This is Merlin,” Uther replied, pulling the blond closer. “He’s a wizard who’s on our side, and a useful ally.”

Aurelius eyed Merlin suspiciously. “Can we really trust him?”

“Do I trust without cause?” Uther countered.

Aurelius begrudgingly nodded, then turned his glare back on Uther. “Congratulations, you are smart enough to go out in the open with literally one other person. You’re a genius in the same way a dog who gets himself stuck trying to go under a wall was smart enough not to slam headfirst into said wall.” He shook his head and mounted his horse. “Come on, let’s go home. You come, too, Merlin.”

With a huff, Uther stalked after his brother on foot, noticing the conjured arrows vanishing from his quiver and leaving his actual arrows on the battlefield with Merlin following behind, throwing his apple core over his shoulder.

Aurelius shook his head and angrily muttered as they walked away, “Seriously, Uther? And after Vortigern launched some attack on the court, I thought you’d have more sense than that.” Merlin paled and Uther’s pout turned into a vicious smirk.