The next morning Morgana silently crept out of bed and went into the kitchen, seeing that none of the children were awake she quietly made some bread dough with the ingredients she had only stopping to add a sprinkle of hemlock.

while Morgana was still infamous and mostly unknown within the kingdom for now that would change at some point or another, and when it did both she and the children would be targets, she was already immune to most poisons but it was better to build up the children's tolerance now while it was still safe for them to do so.

Smiling slightly and Morgana left the bread baking and moved towards the garden to prepare, using a sharpened stick she drew several runes on the ground below as well as using charcoal to draw some hidden runes on the surrounding shrubbery.

Grinning evilly and Morgana turned and left the garden, quickly taking the breakout the oven Morgana let out a loud shout, "FOOD!" the effects were immediate as five hungry children immediately descended from the stairs hungrily anticipating the food. waiting until all five were sitting and staring hungrily at the fresh loaf she'd just taken out Morgana looked at each child.

"Before you start eating I'm warning you that the bread is poisoned." almost instantaneously merlin had shoved the loaf away from him and turned to confirm his siblings were ok, Morgana chuckled "don't worry, I'm the one who poisoned it."

Merlin stared at her weariness and confusion waving it's way into his eyes, seeing the distrust Morgana shrugged “don't worry it's not enough to kill you, I plan to give you small non lethal doses of hemlock until your resistance builds up.”

Morgana calmly surveyed Merlin’s still weary face, “I want you to know that I could do this any time without telling you but I'm warning you because I want you to trust me. Mutual trust always works much better than forced coercion which is why I fully intend to be as honest as I can with you, more than one aspiring conqueror has been killed by dissatisfied subordinates.”

Finally relaxing once more and Merlin nodded “you promise we'll survive.” it wasn't a question but Morgana nodded anyway “yes.” Merlin grabbed a knife and cut himself a slice of bread. Grimacing slightly he took a big bite of the still warm bread his eyes widening slightly, “it doesn't taste poisoned…”

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Morgana nodded chuckling “it shouldn't, the amount I gave you is only enough to give you a slight stomach ache. It'll get worse later but for now your not going to feel many side effects.” Merlin nodded and continued eating, twenty seconds later and the four other children did the same.

Leaving the children to eat and Morgana walked up to the top of the house where her magic supplies were, carefully picking up a large crystal ball, Morgana walked back downstairs to join the children once more.

Upon seeing the children cleaning up and the bread eaten Morgana let out a small smile before placing down the crystal ball on the table and letting a small smile come to her face, “ok.” she said clapping her hands together for attention “I want everyone over here now in a line.”

Gathering behind Gwen who had arrived at the table first the children stared in curiosity as Morgana held up the crystal ball towards Gwen, “put your hand on the crystal.” ordered Morgana, Gwen nodded without a word placing her skinny hand on the crustal only to stare in amazement as it let out a faint glow.

Morgana let out a small frown and nodded at Gwen to move out the way before beckoning Lance to try next, the small dull glow appeared for Grain but not Lance or Elliot until finally it was Merlin’s turn.

Silently spreading his hand out on the crystal a bright glow started emitting only increasing in brightness until eventually a small cracking appeared on the crystal ball. Immediately removing his hand Merlin backed away head bowed in shame “I'm so sorry I cracked it.”

Morgana let out a happy laugh and patted a surprised Merlin on the head a happy gleam in her eyes “that's fine, after all you're worth a lot more than that crystal ball. Besides you've just shown a very high aptitude for magic,” Morgana grinned “this is very useful.”

Nodding with a slight grin on his face Merlin retreated back to his family, “Right,” said Morgana “ad you may have guessed that crystal ball was used to test your magic potential to which only Merlin showed a particularly high aptitude which is why we're now moving on to a second set of tests for the rest of you.”

Morgana grinned evilly as she looked at the children, “let's get started.”