The Sorcerer's Slave

Chapter 4

When Merlin hears that Sir Leon has returned to Camelot, he races to the courtyard to see if Arthur is with him. He sees Leon and the other knights with bodies positioned in front of them on their horses. "Sir Leon," he yells frantically as he runs over. "Where's Arthur? Did you find him?"

Leon shakes his head. He gestures to the guards to approach and take the bodies they've brought back with them. Leon dismounts, tossing the horse's reins to a waiting groom, and immediately heads up the grand staircase. Merlin follows him into the throne room where Agravaine is hearing petitions. Agravaine is standing in front of the throne on the dais, with Geoffrey of Monmouth at a small table at his side keeping notes of the proceedings. Leon leads the men of his patrol into the room and down its length.

"Sir Leon," Agravaine says, seeing Leon approach. He dismisses the next petitioner "What have you found?"

Leon inclines his head. "Lord Agravaine," he says, "we found no sign of the prince. We found his escort, dead. It looked like there was an attack on the party, possibly by bandits. But we couldn't find a trail to follow to see where they may have gone."

"So there was no sign of him?"

"None, my lord. There were signs of a struggle, but he must have been taken away." Leon is unable to tell more because it appeared to be a dead end, but he doesn't want to just give up. "If we sent out more search parties, perhaps . . . ."

Agravaine interrupts, "and perhaps not. We will consider it."

Standing in the shadows in the rear of the room, Merlin is itching to hear more, to find out what happened. He is not convinced that this is where it all ends: with a terse report from a knight that no trail could be found. There must be a trail. Arthur must be somewhere. He frowns at Leon, willing him to say more.

"My Lord Agravaine, if you please," Leon does continue. "I would suggest that Sir Percival and Sir Gwaine take a few knights and resume the search. They're the best trackers we have. Perhaps they would be able to discern a trail where I could not in my haste to return to Camelot with the fallen knights."

"The matter is closed, Sir Leon," Agravaine snaps out. "You found no trace of Arthur. It's been more than a week. What evidence could possibly still remain for them to find?"

"But . . " Leon makes one last attempt.

"Sir Leon." Agravaine holds up his hand in warning. "I have decided with the council to take a diplomatic approach. Sir Geoffrey of Monmouth will head a small delegation to visit neighboring kingdoms to make respectful inquiries. Sir Gwaine and Sir Percival will escort him."

Geoffrey looks up at this in surprise. And Merlin is lost. He moans softly, turns and leaves the throne room.

xXx

Merlin spoons out the stew into the wooden bowls and carries them carefully to the small table where Gaius is slicing a loaf of Mistress Seward's bread. They are in the main room of Gaius's chambers. It's early evening just getting dark after the long summer day; Merlin's wave ignited the candles when he walked in a few minutes earlier. He's grateful that Gaius has made a stew for supper rather than the bland porridge he had been expecting.

"Were you working at the stables again today, Merlin?" Gaius asks, gesturing with his knife at the loaf of bread Merlin had brought with him.

"Yeah. Master Seward's leg seems to be improving somewhat. That last ointment you devised is helping."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'll make another batch for you to deliver tomorrow."

"Okay," Merlin says distractedly. After a moment he adds, "listen, Gaius. I have to go."

"What do you mean, Merlin? Go where?"

"To find Arthur." Merlin takes a piece of bread and dunks it into his stew.

"You can't." Gaius is not surprised, just alarmed.

"You know as well as I that Geoffrey's 'diplomatic mission' is going to fail. He'll not find anything. And Agravaine won't permit another actual search party."

"With Gwaine and Percival escorting him, they may yet pick up a trail." Gaius scoops up a spoonful of the stew, blowing on it to cool it a bit before he puts it in his mouth. "That's our best hope, unless Arthur can find a way to contact Camelot."

"Geoffrey won't allow them to search. He's too rigid and stodgy." Merlin shakes his head. "Nope. I have to go myself."

"Agravaine will never give you leave."

"Then I won't ask for it." Merlin turns his attention to the stew, done with this conversation.

"Merlin, you can't do this. It's too risky."