arturius | Three Silver Pieces

[Arthur really had no idea what to do with himself. It had been two months now and his various trips had seen every inch around the barrier, save for those that the ocean blocked. The mountains had provided him with a handy way of escaping the village after his humiliation with that experiment. He had already crossed them once, with Cordelia, but he was only now returning again after a long trip crossing them on the northern edge of the barrier only to cross them on the south.

Reluctant as he was to admit it, he really was trapped. There was no way out. Even the excursion out to sea seemed like it would only be a way of confirming what he already suspected. There was nothing that he, even as King of Camelot, could do to escape. Especially when not even magic seemed to make a difference. Upon returning to the village on horseback, he was too weary to prepare his own meal, so his first stop was Seventh Heaven. Some of his clothes had been torn on the trip and with no way of repairing them himself, he made a stop at the clothing shop to find some replacements. Even before being able to return to his own apartment, he had to see to it that he put his horse away and saw to it he was properly fed and stabled for the night. Hard work, all of it. What he wouldn't give for a servant.

Later, in the evening, he writes up a message on the journal.]

It's been two months since I've arrived. If the guide to this place is right, that means more of us will be coming soon. Does it get tiresome, hearing how intent we are on to escape, knowing that we'll soon realize how futile it really is? It seems I may find that out for myself, soon enough.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Voting public?

The...public. That votes. For the leader?

Why would they do that?

How else are they gonna decide? We don't to the royalty thing. Not where I'm from.

Well that's just weird.

...Weirder than letting someone rule you just because of his or her last name?

A king is far more than just his bloodline or name. [It's insulting to think royalty could be boiled down to such a simple idea.] Every moment of my life has been spent in preparation for the day I would one day lead.

Pretty sure any Average Joe can do the same. Or...try to do the same. How do you know you're right for the job? I'm not being facetious. As a very chosen individual myself? I get curious.

A king's worthiness is reflected in the heart of his people. Perhaps it's true that this Joe is capable of leading, but a person who seeks power rarely is concerned with the welfare of those he would lead.

So -- roughly -- you're actually saying that the best kinda leader is the one who hasn't had any choice in the matter? Greatness thrust upon them, et cetera et cetera?

I'm not sure I would say it's something as simple as that. But I do believe some people are born to lead.

And what if those people aren't princes or kings? What if they're...say -- a normal girl just trying to get a date to the school dance?

I'm not sure I see the relevance.

Commoners. They can be born to lead too, right? I mean -- statistically speaking.

It's possible, sure.

So they're the ones we vote for. In theory. Hopefully.

[ this might actually be one of the least confrontational cultural difference conversations the slayer has managed to have on the subject of power and leadership yet. ]

How can you be sure the people will choose her, the best person for the job? Being charming and deceptive is easy. Too easy. [Agravaine.]

Not as easy as being a dumbass. Which...y'know, anyone can be. Bluebloods and non-bluebloods alike.

A poor king won't last long. He's easy prey for his enemies.

[Of course, Arthur thinks small. He doesn't think of a world where a terrible king might rule several nations and be unstoppable.]

...It's a nice thought.

But you're not convinced.

I'm guessing I'm about as convinced with your system as you are with mine.

Well, it looks like we'll just have to settle for me being right and you being wrong. [Oh yes. He's doing that on purpose.]

Watch it, crowny. I've heard all kinds of...uhm, stories. About how First Mates can make a voyage hell for the crew. Sure.

[ she has no idea what she's doing. ]

I've heard troublesome crew like that generally gets tossed overboard.

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