The Kraken's Calling
Chapter 7
Arthur has led his army to a swift victory over the Saxon invaders. Beroun, who was Ceawlin's second in command and was charged with the defense of the Saxon rear position to engage Arthur's army, has fled. The soldiers running from the siege front line told of Ceawlin's death and the rout that was taking place under the castle walls. Beroun realized that his force was now facing warriors on both flanks. It was a battle that could not be won. After Beroun made his escape on horseback, most of the Saxon force abandoned the fight, scrambling to evade the Knights of Camelot and the army behind them and the defender's forces streaming from the castle.
With his Knights behind him, Arthur wheels his horse to meet King Alined and his knights at the edge of the forest next to the meadow. In the distance he sees Alined's men directing a group of Saxon prisoners into the castle. His own men are rounding up the Saxons they've captured, to be taken back to the castle. Arthur spares them little thought.
"Well met, Arthur!" Alined shouts as he rides up, panting and joyful, followed by a small group of knights.
"King Alined. We are relieved to find you well after your ordeal," Arthur says when Alined and his entourage reach him.
"Your timely arrival and your clever ploy in demolishing that trebuchet turned the tide."
Arthur looks puzzled, scanning the area for the trebuchet. "What?"
"Your men must have sabotaged it somehow. Smart thinking, I'd say. The engine fell over after it was fired."
"Glad to help."
"And then when their leader, this Ceawlin as he called himself, was killed by his own man, the Saxon force attacking the castle lost its drive. The fight was well over then. Brilliant strategy! How did you manage it? We owe you a debt of gratitude."
"As I said, we were glad to honor our treaty with you." Arthur scans the battlefield with satisfaction.
"And that you did. Doerham is safe." Alined is gracious, spreading his arms in welcome. "Come, follow us to the Citadel for our celebrations." He turns to the Knight closest to him on his right, "see that these captives are put with the others, and have the castle servants bring in the Saxon's food and supplies. Let it not go to waste." The Knight bows to him from his saddle and rides off to carry out the King's orders.
Sir Bedwir rides up next to Arthur. "I'll organize the camp for the foot soldiers and horse for tonight, Sire," he says.
Arthur nods to him. "Yes, please. When you're done, come to the castle keep for the celebrations." Before they move out to ride down to the castle, Arthur turns around in his saddle to address Mordred on horseback behind him. "Mordred, take Aurelius and look for Merlin, would you? That idiot seems to have disappeared."
"Yes, Sire." Mordred inclines his head. "Aurelius," he calls out. "Gareth and Gaheris, you two as well. Come with me." The twins exchange a glance. Gaheris raises an eyebrow at his brother and Gareth smirks back at him.
xXx
At victory feast, Arthur sits at a place of honor to King Alined's right at the head table in the front of the grand room. One of the castle servants has replaced the missing Merlin behind him to make sure his cup is filled. The toasts have been drunk, speeches of honor and appreciation delivered, and now Trickler is cavorting in the middle of the banquet hall between the two long side tables, providing entertainment to the Knights and courtiers assembled to celebrate the end of the siege and victory over the Saxon invaders.
Mordred and Aurelius, trailed by the Orkney brothers, slip into the room through the main doors. Mordred walks slowly along the side wall, down the length of the hall, leaving the others to find seats at one of the long tables. "Sire," he says when he reaches the area behind the two Kings. Both men glance up at the word. Alined returns his gaze to Trickler's antics when he sees that the Knight approaching is one of Arthur's men.
"Mordred, I was wondering where you'd got to," Arthur smiles at him. "It's been dark for hours."
"We searched the woods around the castle until it was too dark to see, even with torches, Sire. We found no sign of Merlin."
"What's wrong?" Alined interjects, his attention drawn by Mordred's words.
"My servant's gone missing," Arthur answers with irritation. "No doubt he'll turn up with some outlandish story of how he got lost." He shakes his had with a rueful laugh. "Thank you, Mordred. Go find yourself some food."
Mordred has just turned to leave Arthur's side, when another man approaches the dais where the Kings are seated. He is a tall and broad shouldered man in his late thirties, with dark blond hair and a full, neatly trimmed beard.
"Ah, My Lord Rivalen," Alined says. "Well timed."
Arthur, who had been watching Mordred walk away with a troubled look on his face, draws his attention back to his neighbor. He looks up to see the man with a golden beard standing attentively, with a smile on his face.
"Arthur," Alined continues, "meet the Duke of Cornwall, Lord Rivalen, son of Tristan Dubois. Your cousin."
Arthur is startled to learn that he has a cousin. He knows so little about his mother's family in Cornwall. He's heard of his mother's brother Tristan, who had been killed by Uther, and remembers Agravaine all too well: the betrayal is still fresh in his mind, even after three years. But he didn't know that Tristan had a son.
"Cousin, it is good to meet you at last," Lord Rivalen says with a wide smile, that Arthur can't help but return.
Arthur rises from his chair to clasp the other man's arm. "Well met, indeed, cousin!" Arthur says, delighted. "I know no one from my mother's family."
"Then, it's about time you learned." Rivalen grasps Arthur's arm in a firm handshake. Alined leaves his seat and stands next to Arthur.
"The Duke is one of my nobles," he explains. "He was visiting when the siege began. It was at his suggestion that I sent to you for aid."
"And I'm glad you did," Arthur replies, "if only for this opportunity."
"Then, take advantage of it, cousin. Come visit my family in Tintagel. Your mother's home."
"I must see to my army first, to get them safely home to Camelot."
Alined suggests, "let your Sir Bedwir lead the army home, while you travel on to Cornwall with a couple of your Knights."
"Yes, cousin. My mother and my wife would be delighted to greet you and show you Tintagel."
"Cornwall is in Odin's kingdom," Arthur says. "We'd need safe passage."
"You'll be traveling with me," Rivalen assures him. "Besides, Odin's an ally of Camelot's now, is he not? Since that incident in Nemeth with King Rodor."
"A reluctant one, but yes. Not an enemy any more, at least." Arthur thinks rapidly about how he can arrange it. Bedwir could command the army for its journey back to Camelot. And Arthur can travel with just Mordred and young Aurelius as escorts, and Merlin to serve, of course. His thoughts stop on Merlin. "Yes, I'll come. But I will need a few days here first."
At Rivalen's questioning look, Arthur adds, "my manservant has gone missing. We need to find him before we travel."