Chapter 10 [Nemeth—Council Chamber]
[A/N: Got my emperors mixed up. Forgot that Alis is the bad guy in this piece. Alexander was his predecessor.]
Merlin gulped from a goblet of water. He leaned his chair back against the wall. A frown curled his mouth uncomfortably. Priority yanked his brain back and forth. Loyalties seemed to trump one another. As Prince of Nemeth, he was sworn to his subjects, King and Princess/Wife/Partner be they the goddess' followers or not. On the other hand, the goddess, dragons and fellow magic users deserved his protection and loyalty as well. Then the question of rescuing Arthur weighed on his mind as well.
All deserved his attention. Still which came first? What should get the most time? Was it really as easy as the triple goddess made it seem?
She's tolerant of others or seems to be. She really seems into her game playing though. Does she really care about Arthur or want to put him in his place? I wonder if she gets it? He shook his head before taking another weighty draught.
She gets it all right, Merlin. It really can't be any easier than she explained it to you, Morgana interjected with a sharp edge to her tone. Accolon and I are about to see Rodor. We'll speak later. Do keep yourself together.
I'm trying, Morgana. So not helping! He rolled his eyes. That witch said she knew about Mithian and me. I don't want to be stuck between two sides. He sulked.
The hand coming to rest on his shoulder made him jump. Instinct made him ready to react.
Mithian rubbed his arm. Her eyebrow raised at his skittishness. "It's all right. You're among friends, my Prince. I brought the others as promised." She motioned toward the rest of the assembled council.
Gawain looked Merlin over. "You found something, didn't you? Party's tonight, Mate."
"At ease, Gawain." Lancelot shook off the other knight's irreverence. "Merlin doesn't get shaken up easily. You know that as well as I do." He walked over to the wine bottle. "Some of this might settle your nerves." He poured a goblet for his friend.
"Thanks, Lancelot." Merlin accepted the wine. He slowly meandered toward the window. His eyes drifted over the tree tops and toward the east. "I discovered why Leon, Elyan and Prester John are here."
"We know about the invasion, Merlin," Josiane noted.
"Aye. I know." Merlin sucked in another deep breath. His face paled. He trembled slightly. "The triple goddess showed me what happened." He slumped into a chair by the window. He rubbed his forehead.
"Merlin?" Mithian tensed. Granted she'd seen her husband get morose. Still Fear and Intimidation didn't often get the better of him like this. She stooped down to his level.
"Such a large force," Merlin muttered. He gulped down the remainder of the wine.
"Bloody hell! Never seen you finish off one like that." Gawain exchanged glances with Lancelot. "We've been up against massive armies back in Camelot."
"We have allies, Prince Merlin," Elaine interjected.
Josiane searched Merlin's face. "What then, my Prince, did you see?"
Merlin shook his head. "I saw what happened to Ethiopia and in Eastern Gaul. There were so many dead. Meleagant and the Sorceress are forming their own alliances. They met in this great chamber with so much glittering glass and gold. The ruler on the high throne wore purple."
Josiane's eyes narrowed. She muttered a curse in her native tongue. "That was the Emperor Alis you saw."
"Emperor…who?" Britomart looked to Mithian.
"He rules over the Eastern Roman Empire. Father has heard his name. Soredamors, Cligés and you have mentioned him as well," Mithian clarified. "Who else did you see, my Prince?"
"The Sorceress was there. So was Meleagant and that king, Doun, Cligés mentioned. There was also a man who looks like Josiane only darker and speaks with an accent like hers. He led the invasion of Ethiopia," Merlin continued.
Josiane clenched her fists. She fumed. "That was Mustafa. So the snake allies himself with others. I fear I brought this fight to your doorstep."
"As if we wouldn't help you? Josie, you're family! So's your brother! Nah! Big Red did that." Gawain chortled. "This fight's been brewing for a long, long time." He grabbed onto his niece by the shoulders.
"Take your counsel, Uncle Gawain. I know you crave Meleagant's blood for yourself. Doun wants Cligés dead. Alis wants Fenice returned for his bed. Mustafa wants me dead," Josiane reminded him. "I have my own mind for accounts."
"Vengeance is not the way though. Please!" Elaine jumped up. "Josiane, you're not a murderer!"
"I am sworn to avenge my father. My people languish under Mustafa's regime. Alis and Doun only know treachery! They know we're here. Meleagant and that witch have informed them. They know we're under King Rodor's protection. They will come like a swarm darkening the sun. Our friends will confirm that I am sure," Josiane rebutted firmly. "That is what Prince Merlin saw in the visions."
"It is." Merlin nodded. He sucked in a deep breath. "And without Arthur, we have no high king."
"We have Father. He will not shirk his duty, my Prince. Nor will we," Mithian asserted. "We do our duty with a clear head. Everything else will fall into place." She kept the other part of that argument back. We will speak more on the rest of what she said later, Merlin.
I'm loyal, Mithian, to your father and you. I love you, Merlin assured her.
I know that, my Prince. Mithian cleared her throat. "Are we of one mind? Do we support our guests?"
"Bloody yeah we do!" Gawain spoke up right away. "We should let Rodor know."
"I move for caution but agree," Lancelot chimed in. Given Merlin's resolve in the face of the grail crisis, he could well imagine how fearsome the allied army was. He embraced his shuddering wife. "It'll be all right, Elaine. You'll see. Ywain and Galahad will lead us well."
"I hope so." Elaine gulped and tightened her own grip on her husband's waist.
"We should carry ourselves in a relaxed manner as much as possible. The court doesn't need this matter revealed for tonight at least. We shall speak with our guests and King Rodor shall know our mind," Mithian reminded them. "Shall we prepare for the feast, my Prince?"
"I wish I could take a bath. I don't want to trouble the maids," Merlin lamented.
"You are their Prince, Merlin. I don't think it's that much trouble," Lancelot declared. "Until the dinner then, my Friends?"
"Yeah. Dinner." Gawain stalked out of the chamber. He wanted to talk with Leon and Elyan. Something sounded off. Not that he doubted Merlin mind you. He wanted confirmation.
"My Prince and Princess." Britomart curtseyed. Then she rushed after him. "WAIT, OAF!"
"Go after them, Josiane. I don't want any incidents," Mithian directed.
Josiane hustled after her aunt and uncle. Granted she burned over past indignities at Camelot. She knew her uncle would feel the same. Worse if anyone ranted about magic, she knew he wouldn't hesitate to respond.
Merlin rose slowly. "That bath would sure be good right now."
"We can take care of that," Mithian agreed. She gave the others one more look. Then she followed her husband out the door.
Tensions rode high…..