Merlin tried to sneak back to his bedroll in the morning but Arthur was awake and waiting.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
Merlin laughed, unsure how to answer.
"Was the bed comfy?"
"Ah…"
"Merlin, I could hear everything."
"Everything? Arthur, you need to keep it a secret. For her sake as well as the sake of the village."
"Don't worry, Merlin. I doubt her reputation is as pure as you think. But if it'll make you feel better, I won't tell her village what a slut she is. But good on you. I'd get you a drink but you know, I can't ever be seen drinking with you."
"Thanks. I suppose. I'll start on breakfast."
Margarite entered soon after and sat across the table from Arthur. "Merlin tells me you've come for goldbloom extract."
"We told you that yesterday."
"He also said a Gaius asked for a special price for six ounces."
"With the right phrase and in his name he expected us to pay… 50 guineas."
Merlin almost droped the pan he was stirring. They'd brought 200 guineas. And it was worth 300.
"I'm afraid you made this trip for nothing. The village would never accept that price. And nor would I." She placed a six ounce bottle on the table. "For your trouble, I was willing to part with my grandmother's own supply of goldbloom extract. But not for 50 guineas."
Arthur could hardly resist when his goal sat on the table before him. "Gaius gave us 200. I offer it to you."
"Thank you for your honesty. Although it makes you horrible at bartering. For my life and for capture of my grandmother's killer, I'll only accept 150."
Arthur stood to bow. "My lady."
"My prince."
Arthur glared at Merlin. "If you can't resist a little pillow talk when secrets are at stake, I'll geld you."
"He didn't tell me you were a prince. You just did."
Merlin laughed at Arthur's chagrin.
"After breakfast would you help me bury my grandmother? And then you can be on your way."
"What about the wolf?"
"What about him?"
"We were going to take him to your village for trial."
"I'll do that later."
Arthur said, "I'm sorry but I can't let you try to take him by yourself."
The men carried Susette to the grave and layed her inside.
"Goodbye, Grandmama," was all Margarite said as they covered her with dirt and then rocks.
"Let's see to the wolf and then we'll go home."
But when they arrived at where the wolf had been tied, he was missing.
"I am so sorry," Merlin said.
Margarite was strangely still.
"I tied those knots myself," said Arthur, searching the scene.
"The wolves are very wild. Sometimes they are stronger than man ought to be."
"I see blood." Arthur kept looking around.
"Maybe in his struggle to escape he cut himself."
Both Arthur and Merlin stared at her.
"You don't seem too worried that he's escaped."
"I'm sure he'll come to justice."
"My lady, did you…?"
"I have an alibi for last night. Don't I?"
Merlin shrugged but then he remembered that she'd left the bed while he was asleep. But he kept it to himself.
Arthur was unconvinced but he let it go. They paid for the bottle and gathered their gear.
"Merlin," Margarite kissed him and snuck several guineas down his trousers. "In defiance of princes."
He retrieved them and put them in his bedroll where they wouldn't clink together.
She joined them outside while they readied their horses. Merlin was surprised to see her cape on the clothesline. It hadn't been there last night.
"Is this the same cape you had yesterday?"
"It's my riding hood."
"Was it always that rust color?"
"It's a new one. I had it dyed."
They waved farewell and left.
"I think she killed him," Arthur said.
"I think she did more than that to him."
"And you slept with her."
"You're just jealous she liked me better."
"Hardly. As a prince, I'm held to a higher standard than my servants. I can't sleep with every maid I rescue."
"Why not? I thought that was one of the perks of the job."
"It puts the whole kingdom at risk."
"What? A pretty eyed farm girl?"
"Bastard children have a claim to the throne and cause civil wars. I can't afford illigitimate children. Then again, neither can you. Not on your salary."
Merlin and his horse stopped dead in their tracks.