Chapter 11 [Top of the Tower—Twenty Minutes Earlier]
The blood moon washed the landscape in her crimson hue. Not a cloud obscured her or the surrounding stars from their view of that area at least. Still Horror's vibrations spilled into the Gedref and then there in turn.
And one pair of eyes picked up on it as always…..
Malodius surveyed Whitgate from high above the landscape. His keen eyes swept over the fortified town beneath him. He looked toward the clearing and the woods beyond. The chill breeze ruffled his mane. His tail twitched this way and that. Ever reverent, he kept his eyes peeled.
Instinct told him something was off…..
He glanced toward the forest. No. Not the forest….beyond it….
…toward the east…toward Camelot….
He set his jaw. Can't they stay out of trouble? The Boy King creates more issues for himself! He scoffed recalling the aborted trial and Agravaine's machinations from the previous fortnight. He'd sensed Gwen's connection at the dinner that evening. His ears picked up very clearly on how Arthur's former fiancée spoke of Camelot and Merlin.
Merlin….Balinor's Son….
It seems you have made yet another friend. Now who would seek to strike out at you? He focused on the vibrations emanating from Camelot. Like a salmon heading upstream to spawn, Obligation goaded him over the currents, against the rapids and the harsh resistance. Emotion's maelstroms buffeted the lion's sensibilities. Pain and Fear reeked in his nostrils like a noxious cloud. Satisfaction and Vengeance lingered just under that almost like a rancid parfait of sorts.
Whatever was going on, Merlin was in the midst of it. He was fearful and….
…now he was close by as well?
Malodius narrowed his eyes. He shook his head forcing a reboot of sorts. Then he focused anew. Once more he felt the bilocating auras both afar and nearby. He glanced down toward the courtyard below. There he saw Merlin's washed out image watching Mithian's window in turn for a few heartbeats. Then he saw it fade from view like a will-o-the-wisp. Now the boy can do astral projection? Truly? Merlin does have powerful magic indeed! He growled. Love is the magic.
Then a matching surge emanated from underneath his paws. A lonely heart spurred on by Amor's bliss and Friendship's obligation reached back toward the Warlock. An inner will and strength refused to be denied in it….
Princess Mithian? His gaze locked on the stones under paw…or rather toward the chamber three floors underneath. Memoria reminded him of the many examples of her insight. He recalled her kindness toward animals and those people supposedly underneath her privilege. He saw once more how she almost seemed to know how Response's play would unfold before it actually did….
…almost like a psychic's gift….
And now Balinor's Son awakens it in her. He recalled his own words to Merlin before returning there. Truly his individual worth outweighs his social station. Once more the surge between the Princess and Warlock hummed to life. He felt Mithian's tapping into it. Still out of respect for her privacy, he didn't seek to discern the meat of her insight. Then he heard her again.
He heard me? I…. Mithian wondered.
Instinct would've offered a knowledgeable reply. Astuteness however stifled it in its tracks. He knew better than to potentially insult her. Even if she'd understand, he could feel Desperation's burden upon her heart and mind. Instead he butted in, We all did, Milady. It seems your hidden talent finally emerges.
Where are you? I don't see anyone but I can hear you, she called out both vocally and telepathically.
Of course you can. You and I both speak and experience things like this, he assured her. If you wish further answers, Princess, please come to the top of the Keep. I keep watch here as always.
Keep watch? How do I know you aren't trying to trap me? You could be Morgana Pendragon's lackey, she doubted.
True. But if you don't, you won't know what you need to about Merlin. Now will you? Now come before I have to alert the court. News approaches, my Lady. I only seek as always to do my duty to King Rodor and you. The way is clear there, he continued.
All right, she relented.
His brow furrowed under his mane. He'd guarded his telepathic abilities closely. Rather than advertise them openly, he'd acted reverently yet muted much like any animal might. Only when Necessity demanded otherwise did he lift Deception's cloak and reveal his true visage….
…much as he'd done at Camelot's court when he disrupted Morgana's spell….
…now as he was doing with Mithian….
Curse the Witch! He growled deeply to himself. From the east, he perceived the building crescendo from Camelot. He knew Morgana's malice would know no bounds there. Dragon! Dragon, I know you can hear me!
Now you contact me? Will wonders never cease! Kilgarrah jabbed. I am busy.
If it concerns Balinor's Son, it concerns me, Dragon. That is why I call. It seems he has a great deal more than either he or you would admit. My mistress awakens as well, Malodius retorted sharply.
A girl stirs and this concerns me? Kilgarrah inquired.
Have a care! I speak of Princess Mithian. It seems the bond betwixt her and Merlin has solidified itself. Have you felt his psychic signature? The boy's magic evolves. The Princess' sensitivity increases. They are strengthening each other, Malodius clarified. He heard the door open to his perch. His eyes spied Mithian emerging from the stairs. He bowed to her. Princess.
"Malodius? Truly?" She stared at him. Disbelief shook her. For years, she'd never more than a growl from his lips. She had never questioned his intelligence or loyalty. Purpose, she knew, had motivated him. "You can speak?"
I can speak to you telepathically, Milady. Forgive me for not doing so sooner. I only sensed your ability to do so tonight, Malodius noted.
She bit her lip. "Then you did something to me?"
I did nothing. I only sensed you reaching out to Merlin. I felt him reaching back. It seems you affected each other, Malodius explained further.
Much as you both have done to each other, Kilgarrah added.
She glanced around. Alarm stiffened her. "Now who? Who are you speaking with?"
Much as I look after you and serve you, it seems Merlin has his protector as well. You hear him speaking to us now, Malodius noted. Perhaps you might show yourself, Kilgarrah, instead of playing these games?
Games? I am not the one who pretends to be a mute, Great One. Still perhaps it is time we met. Look for me shortly, Kilgarrah advised.
Look for you? Are you in the castle? Do I know you? she asked.
I am not one of your subjects. As for who and what I am, you will see in a moment's time. Look to the east, Kilgarrah told her.
She peered at Malodius. Curiosity and Mistrust created further questions in her mind. Look to the east? What is this?
Kilgarrah toys with you, my Lady. Forgive me. I only seek to introduce you to another in Merlin's circle, Malodius apologized.
"Merlin's circle? I know he has magic but….?" Her eyes went wide. "So I didn't imagine seeing him? He actually heard me?"
He did, Princess, Kilgarrrah chimed in. Look now to the tree line. I am almost there.
Enough games, Kilgarrah! Show yourself! Malodius insisted.
As you wish. Kilgarrah swooped over the trees' canopies. He descended toward the keep and landed with nary a tremor. His feet eased onto the stones. Greetings, Mithian of Nemeth. At last we meet. He added a nod toward her.
Surprise slackened her jaw. Shock rendered her mute stifling any response she might've had. "You…you're a dragon!"
"Why yes. I have been such since the day I was born," Kilgarrah replied almost mischievously. "And you it seems have stirred much in my brother."
"Brother? I know no other dragons. Are there any others?" she questioned.
Kilgarrah snorted. There is one other but she is not the one of whom I speak. I am referring to Merlin of course. I do not need to speak to his current situation. Rather he, the Boy King, Gaius and two knights are refugees in the forest as we speak. Camelot has fallen to the Witch, I fear. Merlin will need aid in this matter, Lady.
She furrowed her brow not understanding how such a fantastic creature could exist much less be talking to her. Furthermore a potential tie between it and Merlin sent her mind into a further tailspin. Morgana has Camelot?
She has usurped the throne. Many of Arthur Pendragon's knights have fallen or are being led to the dungeons as we speak, Kilgarrah reported. Her perfidy knows no bounds, I fear. He gnashed his fangs. I told Merlin to kill her when he had the chance.
She snorted. "And of course he wouldn't. I don't doubt Merlin's kind heart. You can't ask him to kill." She looked at the Great Dragon again. "I didn't say anything about Lady Morgana. Still I thought about her…."
Malodius and I can both hear your thoughts if we so wish, Princess, much as you hear me talking to you, Kilgarrah continued.
Still we have discretion. I respect your privacy at least, my Lady, Malodius assured her.
As if I have time to listen in on every mortal thought? Not likely! Summon your father and the court. Before you can recover Camelot, you will need to support Merlin. Kilgarrah looked back toward the forest. Well now! It seems we have confirmation!
"Confirmation?" She followed his glance to the woods. There she saw the emerald clad knight emerge from the trees. His steed rode hard down the hill and toward the drawbridge. "Now who?"
It is Sir Nicholas, Malodius clarified. He has word of the events. He raised his head to the sky and roared loudly alerting the city and court of the approaching rider.
Now who acts like the prat, Great One? Kilgarrah supposed sarcastically.
I watch as always, Dragon. My King needs to know no matter the hour. King Rodor knows I would not awaken him over trivial matters, Malodius rebutted.
"We shall see to Sir Nicholas presently. Perhaps we can speak further then?" she supposed. "I did not get your name."
It is Kilgarrah, Princess. Kilgarrah bowed to her. Then he flapped his wings and ascended into the starry skies overhead. He banked east and flew from sight back toward Merlin's position.
She sucked in a breath. She still struggled to believe what was happening around herself. Merlin not only has magic but a connection to such a magnificent creature? What is he doing serving Arthur? It is unbelievable!
My Lady, we have our duty. Questions, while important, can wait until the current crisis…with your indulgence, Malodius reminded her.
"Of course. Thank you, Malodius." She marveled at how she could understand him. "Father will want to know of such things. Come."
I live to serve, Princess. Malodius followed her toward the door and passage there.
Questions and further observations awaited. First though, a crisis needed resolution.
And Duty would brook no delay…
