Chapter 4 [River Severn—near the shared border between Camelot, Tintagel and Gedref]
A ragged group of knights galloped through the woods. Anxiety and Desperation spurred them onward. Bruises marred their faces. Blood dripped from their wounds. Ragged breaths escaped their lungs. Several glanced over their shoulders as they pressed their horses onward.
"Nathan! Nathan! STOP! Please!" a raven haired man with a ragged beard pleaded.
Nathan, a blonde knight with a careworn sur coat and scuffed chain mail, pulled up on his reins. Pain's needles stabbed through his right arm. "What now, Wilhelm? We can't stop!"
"Wilhelm speaks for us all." A rouge haired knight rubbed Wilhelm's arm. He motioned toward the rushing water not even a furlong in front of them. "We know not what lurks over that river."
Nathan rolled his eyes. "King Arthur needs our aid. In case you've forgotten, he's a prisoner back in Camelot! The Cawdorians want our hides. Do any of you believe us a match for the Crimson Horde?"
The dozen or so other knights bowed their heads. Self-Loathing ate at them. They wanted nothing more than to follow in their predecessors' footsteps. They knew the standards of Gawain, Percival, Leon, and Lancelot among others. They understood how Arthur's subjects held them in high regard. A few of them had fought side by side with them. They wondered how Merlin had gotten away with his devilry. Necessity shoved them toward the river. Prejudice held them back.
Wilhelm cleared his throat. He conceded a shake of his head.
"Well now! It seems we have little choice then!" Nathan ground his teeth. "If we go back, we'll be hunted down like dogs. Then what chance do our King and brother knights have? Queen Guinevere must be avenged! Meleagant's witch could incinerate us for sure. Perhaps Morgana or Merlin would have some pity on us."
"Those sorcerers? Nathan!" another man gasped.
Nathan shook his head. "Merlin always treated me with respect. He's loyal and hard working. He also saved my life in battle. I've seen him fight with a sword and hold his own on the battlefield." He motioned ahead. "I remember what happened over there. It could've been much worse. Morgana wanted peace. Merlin wanted the same. It was King Arthur who pushed things."
"You've lost it. Merlin brought those beasts to intimidate us. Blasted dragon lord he is!" Rouge groused.
"George, you can go back and face Meleagant if you wish. I'm riding on. If we approach in peace, perhaps King Rodor will grant us an audience," Nathan hoped.
"Maybe the Wannabe Queen will push Merlin to help?" Wilhelm scoffed.
"Princess Mithian is a royal. We will treat her with respect!" Nathan recalled the standoff over Josiane's departure into exile. "Perhaps you'd wish to deal with Gawain or Lancelot? I have no wish to cross swords with them."
"Or maybe they'd feed us to that beast lion?" George shivered. "That thing broke through our gates!"
"Again we have no choice. Duty demands we move on. Besides can any of you fight magic? I don't think so! Morgana and Merlin can. Maybe if we go to them and request help, they might give it?" Nathan glanced toward the woods. "Follow me." He spurred his horse forward toward the river.
The others guardedly followed. While they objected, Nathan was their commander. With Arthur and the court imprisoned, it fell to Nathan to be their leader. Besides they also knew Meleagant would send pursuit at some point.
The group galloped across the Severn's rushing waters. Trepidation still nagged at them for the most part. They glanced back at Camelot despite moving ahead. Experience taught them not to trust magic. Once they cleared the other side, they found the path and pressed on down the trail.
Best to put as much distance between Meleagant and themselves it seemed…..