Chapter 13
[A/N: And here we start to see a *little* glimmer. Memo to Morgause, a previous gambit from Season 3's about to bite you in the rear. BIG TIME! Beware your weapon of choice. It can just as easily be a double edged sword. Hehehehe! You all have been advised.]
[Other Side]
Far removed from the chaos and suffering occurring in the mundane world, other eyes observed these trends with concern and care. They felt the tortured prayers, groans and grimaces from the afflicted who'd been usurped.
And yet, as they'd been instructed to watch and let these processes occur to a point, the guardian spirits had an intervention vector…a spot where the respective tests harmed the person in question rather than benefited him or her. After all, if one still has destiny in the world below, what good was it to let them be maimed or die in the bargain?
Morgause, Morgana, Meleagant, Radegund and Odin were riding high yet Fortuna's wheel was fickle at best….
…and it creaked ever so little toward its other pole….
Balinor stood in front of a basin filled with shimmering liquid morosely. He had advised his son (albeit cryptically) about these tests and trials. He knew that such gambits would build character and fortitude. In most people, however, he knew that the Light's purpose was for mortals to be able to distinguish between white and dark magic.
…that adversity also made them appreciate the bliss, love and loyalty of the heroic even if they were different….
The pool sparkled as the scenes shifted before his eyes. He saw Mithian, Rodor and Gwen in their entranced slumber. He witnessed Arthur being led away by the Amazons to who knew what fate. He sighed at the sight of Prince Kay and Merlin stewing in their cells and trying to formulate a way out of their situations.
"Free will and greed does this to all. Even the most noble of causes can be perverted by our desires," he noted to himself ruely.
And so it is, Dragon Lord, a serene feminine voice bade. On cue, the chamber brightened. An electrical static charged the air. Within the light, a blonde woman clad in white robes with a golden tiara watched all serenely.
He bowed quickly yet respectfully at the sight of the triple goddess. "Milady, forgive my doubting your purpose."
You are only noting the failings of your fellow mortals, Balinor. I allow such things so as you all might learn and grow. The Pendragon and his court have long since defiled my traditions and beliefs with their willfulness. They have ignored and worked around my efforts to bring them back into line. I have allowed them to learn what happens without my grace and protection, she declared matter of factly.
"With due respect, Milady, is the present situation any better? Certainly those now ruling are dark and wicked," Balinor pointed out.
They have the same failings. Morgana Pendragon, while claiming to serve me, does not. She is my foil to teach her brother about the sins of extremes. Radegund of the Amazons should content herself to rule within her bounds yet she seeks to overwhelm realms that are not hers. Both need their own lesson administered. I also know of the balance. The Albion prophecy must come to pass. The Once and Future King must unify the land. Emrys and Mithian will bring about the reacceptance of magic in the new realm. Still allies are needed to right my ship. And so I call them forth. She motioned to the Light.
In response six robed people strode forth into the chamber quietly and with purpose. They took their places circling the basin. Each kept their heads bowed and remained eerily still.
She turned to the person immediately to Balinor's right. Bring forth the Cup.
The figure produced the golden chalice and set it in front of Balinor.
Balinor, it is for you to set this in motion. Much as Morgause manipulated an army of deceased warriors against Camelot several solar cycles past, the Order demands the scales be balanced. As Morgause has crossed and influenced affairs in the earthly realm, so shall you six intervene as well. Another spirit will aid Emrys while one of you assists those who would rescue him, the goddess declared. Fill the cup from the basin's liquid.
The former dragon lord did so. "As you command."
Now hold it out to each of these companions. Each of them shall drink from it. Do so and cross back over to your world. Each of you has had their life and love cut short in one form or another. Now Love calls you to intervene. I call you to service once more. Do so and there will be a reward, she bade.
Balinor dipped the chalice in the enchanted basin. As he did so, he noted the liquid therein shining in rainbow hues. He raised the cup and handed it to the figure on his left.
The first robed being accepted the Cup and drank a gulp from it. "As I will serve love, duty and my friends," a feminine voice replied.
"And I," the second being accepted through a strong male voice before taking a sip of the Chalice.
"For the sake of my nephew and my sister," the third being declared before drinking to seal the pact.
"For my friend, King Arthur," the fourth being stated before sipping the enchanted fluid.
"To guide Emrys and Mithian," the fifth insisted as he drank.
"To serve my king once more," the last insisted before passing the Cup back to the initial bearer.
Very well, my servants. Go now and intervene in the affairs outside. While you may not sway the initial battles, yours is to preserve the key figures. Rescue them, bring them to the last dragon's cave and prepare for the battle there. The goddess turned to Balinor. You shall speak with Kilgarrah. Convince him to go to Ealdor and save Hunith.
"It will be my pleasure, Milady," Balinor accepted while bowing to the deity. "I wish you all well, Friends." He smiled to the assembled group before disappearing from view.
As you all should now go, the goddess instructed before waving her hand and making them disappear from view. Then she too vanished from the now vacant cavern.
And so another set of dominos was set in motion…..
[Kilgarrah's Cave]
Kilgarrah frowned sullenly in the corner of his cave. He of course knew that Morgana and her allies had triumphed rather profoundly over the forces of Camelot and Nemeth. Worse still, usurpers occupied those respective thrones. He sensed the growing chaos across the land yet did nothing….
…he stood by…
…in much the same manner he had accused Gaius of doing during the Great Purge….
I have allowed Merlin to languish in the cells beneath Camelot. The ghost-witch manipulates the scene with the skill of a necromancer. The Amazon and Cawdor Knight claim their spoils. The Once and Future King has been defeated. The Sword of Dragon's Breath lay in enemy hands. Truly I am as guilty of doing nothing as I accused Gaius! He narrowed his eyes at that bit of self-accusation. Where would I go first? The Pendragon, Merlin and their allies are scattered across Albion in their trials. I….
"Hello, Old Friend."
Kilgarrah turned to find Balinor's spirit watching him. "What is this? You have crossed over as well? Truly the chaos unsettles the balance further."
"I do so with the triple goddess' blessing. While I have passed my mantle onto Merlin, I have two requests of you brother to brother," Balinor noted respectfully. "Please go to Ealdor. Save Hunith—my love and Merlin's mother."
"I would not deny either of you that, Balinor. And the second?" Kilgarrah ascented.
"She wishes for us to use this cave as a refuge. From here, Albion will be saved. You, my friend, are a part of that. Ironically, as the others were free while you were imprisoned, now it is the reverse. As you sought to destroy in revenge, now you will help to build as part of a unified front. Go forth and balance the scales. Serve her once more," Balinor proposed.
"If I am to be accepted by your fellow humans, Balinor, that would work. I know that those in Camelot hate me. Yet I will serve her will. Let her know my answers. For now, I wish to make haste to Ealdor, my Brother. I will do what I can for your love," Kilgarrah concurred. He flapped his wings and took off soaring from the cavern and toward the northwest. With great speed, he pressed on.
An intervention was coming….one of several it seemed….