Morgana paced around the room, deep in thought. She needed a way to get rid of these knights before they bring an end to her plans. These knights would surely not stop in their efforts to reunite with their prince even if they have to smash through the gatehouse or scale the castle walls to do so. And if they should be unsuccessful then they would go back to their kingdom and bring a whole army with siege equipment. It was clear to Morgana that they could not be allowed to leave, however the disappearance of the prince and his royal guard would surely lead to more soldiers patrolling the area. It would only be a matter of time before her castle was discovered and someone puts two and two together then there would be an army on her doorstep.
“This is not good, no good at all. Come on Morgana think! You’re gotten out of worse before.” Morgana thought aloud with a hint of uncertainty in her voice. She knew she needed to act and fast but all the options she could think of were either too time consuming or would further compound her problems.
You watched Morgana pace the room with each passing minute growing more tense. It seemed to you that Morgana doesn’t handle well under pressure. You made a mental note of this for future reference. But for now you’ll need to get on Morgana’s good side without it looking like you are trying to suck up to her. You knew what needed to be done, but you needed Morgana to think it she came up with the plan herself.
“What seems to be the problem Morgana?” You inquired, fully aware of what was happening. You waited for your opportunity to plant a suggestion.
“It’s these bloody knights! I seem to be coming up short on how to cover their disappearance without drawing attention to myself. While my magic is powerful I’m afraid not even I can stand alone against a whole army at once, and should they run back to their kingdom or their absence is noticed surely the King’s army will be deployed.” The stress in Morgana’s voice was quite obvious now.
“What would happen if evidence of the prince’s entourage was discovered elsewhere?” You say, planting the suggestion in Morgana’s head.
Now the gears were turning. Morgana was quickly forming a plan to eliminate the pesky knights and pin the blame on another kingdom. She thought hard for a moment before her plan came together. “This actually stands a good chance of working” Morgana thought as she flipped through a spell book. “Here it is!” Morgana exclaimed “The perfect spell to cow one’s enemies.” Morgana quickly made her way to the window and cast her spell.
The air began to crackle as small sparks or electricity shot out from Morgana’s hands. Down below the knights could feel a warmth growing from within. Soon the warmth grew hotter until it became an unbearable heat. Some of the knights began to remove excess armor in an attempt to cool down, but they didn’t have long before the changes began. One by one, their flesh started to bubble and stir. Fat and muscle quickly accumulated on their bodies filling up their armor. Bones shifted to accommodate their ever changing form. Buckles were piping off and leather straps were snapping as the knights grew larger and larger, however each knight was changing at a different rate. Some were starting to grow horns while others black and white fur and long tails. One knight had fallen down in pain as his feet, legs hands and arms shifted into that of a cow’s, and yet another was leaning against the castle wall as his face pushed out into a cow’s muzzle, he let out a loud and long moo of pain as his vocal cords changed.
After several minutes, sprawled across the ground were 10 quasi cow beasts. Morgana who had only moments ago been feeling dread quickly began heating up in excitement, knowing that the best part was about to begin. Sure enough each knight seemed to experience the same transformation at the same time. A gurgling sound signaled the biggest change to come, as a bubbling mass of flesh grew out form their abdomen. A massive udder burst forth, popping lose any armor still left on the knights and shifting their organs into that of a proper female cow. After this the transformation took on a rapid pace and within the next minute stood 10 large dairy cows among the remains of their once lustrous armor.
Seeing the knights cowed Morgana yelled to summon Jackie. And after a few minutes the servant girl appeared and gave a bow.
“How my I serve you my mistress?” Jackie inquired, her eagerness to please shone brightly on the dim girl’s face.
“Take my cows into the stable, and then fetch me the armor outside.” Morgana ordered.
“Like when did we get cows mistress?” Jackie asked, her limited intellect struggling to remember when her mistress purchased cows, and where the stable was even located.
“It does not matter girl. Go outside and bring the cows to the stable” Morgana paused for a moment “ The stables are through the front gate and on your right. That’s this side honey.” Morgana repeated that last sentence slowly while raising Jackie’s right hand so she would know which was her right so to not get lost. She thought to herself “Maybe I made her too stupid. Ha, I think I like as she is, even if she is not the most efficient slave she’ll eventually figure it out.”
Jackie started down the large staircase when Morgana called out to her one more time. “ Oh and Jackie dear, make sure you milk the cows first thing tomorrow morning.”
You sit back down on you cot internally soaking up the feeling of triumph. You had successfully manipulated Morgana, and with enough time and subtle persuasion you will become Morgana’s apprentice. Once you have learned all that you can Morgana will no longer be of any value. And as an added bonus during your tenure in her castle you will remove each and every kingdom until there will be only one... yours.