Wheat…..
The life cycle of wheat .…..
The pests who assault wheat ….
The harvesting of wheat …..
The storage of wheat ….
The milling of wheat ….
Holding up a hand, Arthur silenced the council members and their tireless and somewhat enthusiastic discussion of wheat. If it continued, the Prince was reasonably sure it would do so with him falling straight away to sleep from boredom. "While I agree completely that wheat is important to Camelot's survival, I do not believe that we gain anything by discussing every aspect of its existence. Perhaps getting to the point would be the best course of action."
"My Lord, discussions have come forth from those who attend the fields about each of our cornerstone crops. These discussions along with recommendations have advanced up all levels associated with the food production, from serf to nobility, and finely to this council level." Lord Jeremy says as he draws his hands together as if praying. "We seek your approval to implement the most advantageous changes so to improve and expand our food supply."
"Who among you have the experience and knowledge to best review and evaluate these recommendations?" Arthur asks. Carefully choosing his words, he looks to each of the council members, waiting for any of them to lay claim to being the expert.
"That would be Lord Charles and I." Lord Jeremy says as he lifts his chin. He is an older man, and his years of experience reflected as wisdom in his cold steel blue eyes.
From the opposite side of the table, Lord Charles nods his head in agreement with Lord Jeremy's assessment.
Arthur looked from one Lord to the other and nodded. "Very well, I place the burden of the evaluation on the both of your shoulders. Discuss the matter and then arrange a meeting once you have your own personal suggestions about the recommendations made."
"The recommendations cover a wide variety of crops," Lord Charles says with a lifted brow.
"I trust you both to discuss the matter in great…" Arthur says though he is unable to finish as the doors to the council chamber suddenly slam open. With eyes wide in panic and concern, Gwen stands between the open doors.
"My apologies for interrupting," she says curtsying to the assembly in general. "Prince Arthur, there is a matter that requires your personal attendance. Now …. Right now." Gwen says, growing more upset as she speaks.
"My father?" Arthur asks as he quickly dismisses the council, "Is Gaius with him? Has something happened?" Turning towards his father's chambers, confusion flickers in his eyes when Gwen reaches out to roughly stops him.
"No Arthur," She says lowering her voice. "There has been an attack in your quarters," She says as her eyes flicker around searching to be sure no one hears.
"Merlin?" The Prince asks with a pinched look of concern.
"Missing," Gwen says, offering sympathetically. "You should hurry so not to miss what news there is."
A half dozen guards flanked the hallway leading to his chambers. As the Prince hurried past them, they came smartly to attention. His frown deepened at seeing the extra security. It didn't do much good now that his chambers had been invaded. "I should have thought of that myself." He mutters as he passes through the door into his chambers.
Skidding to a halt, Arthur brings his hand up and draws his hand through his hair in shock. The room was a mess. There were papers scattered, puddles of liquid dotted the floor, food mingled with the papers, and the table was tilting. Flanking either side of the room, a body covered with a sheet, only one was bloodied. Percival was lying unmoving on the floor, with Gaius on one side, and Agatha on the other.
"Has anyone discovered Merlin's location yet?" Arthur demanded to everyone present. "And" he says looking at his downed Knight, "can anyone tell me what happened here?"
Gaius looked up, and offered a quick acknowledgement of the Princes presence. "Sire." He says with a frown and tear filled eyes.
"It looks as if their food and drink was dosed with something. I think perhaps a sleeping draft." Agatha said with a frown. "This Knight was over dosed, but yet he still struggles in and out of consciousness."
"Four…." Moans Percival. His words almost seem uttered in order to prove the Physician Agatha correct.
"We think that means there were four attackers." Sir Leon says as he steps near to the Prince. "As near as we can tell from what we found, it appears as if the lunch tray was tampered with."
"And Merlin?" Arthur growls out in a tone that relayed his anger.
"Sir Percival has uttered the word failed several times. It seems sure that Merlin was taken rather than to have run off to escape." Leon says in calm voice. "We've closed the gates, and have begun searches within the citadel."
"It looks like Merlin may have been carried out in your quilt." Elyan says as he approaches from inspecting the Prince's bedroom. "There are no other signs of anything out of place in any of the other rooms."
"Have the invaders been identified?" Arthur asks, struggling to contain his growing frustration and anger.
"They haven't been identified as yet." Leon says looking from one sheet covered body to the other. "They are not associated with any particular noble house."
"I have seen this young man hauling produce." Gaius says as he points to the blood speckled sheet. "He may be known by the kitchen staff."
"Has Anne, the servant who delivers the meals been questioned?" Arthur asked impatiently.
"Gwaine has gone to get her." Leon says calmly. "Sire, we are doing everything possible…"
"It's not enough!" Arthur snaps out loud enough to bring everyone to a halt. Lowering his voice to an impatient snarl, he says, "My chambers were invaded. I had a reasonable expectation of safety and clearly I was wrong."
"The plot thickens," Gwaine says as he steps into the Prince's chambers. "Anne is out picnicking with one of the kitchen servants."
"Could anyone tell you who delivered the lunch meal to the Prince's chambers?" Leon asks as he takes a step towards Gwaine.
"A cousin to the lad to took the maid Anne on the picnic." Gwaine says as he glances over to the still unconscious Percival. "Any chance you can wake him up?"
"Probably not." Agatha says, "He's likely out for a few hours."
"So sorry Sire," Percival mutters as he continues to struggle with the effects of the potions.
"Stubborn," Agatha mutters, "He ate enough to knock out a horse and he's still trying to talk."
Leon smiles as he looks between Agatha and the downed knight. "Sir Percival is a formidable individual. He would have done what he could to protect his charge."
As Agatha, Leon, and Gwaine talk, Gaius rises to his feet and moves to stand in front of Arthur. "Can we talk, Sire?" He asks in a low voice filled with concern.
Arthur searches the Physician's face and nods. Turning, he heads towards Merlin's room with the full expectation for Gaius to follow. "I'm sorry Gaius. I said he'd be safe in my chambers, but I was wrong. I wasn't even here to protect him. As sick as he has been, whatever they do to him, or the child. The two of them are in danger."
"Arthur," Gaius says in a low voice. Drawing in a breath, he releases it as if trying to release the tension along with the air. "Merlin will be alright. Somehow, he always manages. And, he'll be as protective of your child as he is fiercely protective of you."
Reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose, Arthur sighs. "Of all the people you meet throughout your life, there are one or two who really make a difference. They are your lifelines when the road becomes rough, they bring you happiness when sadness overwhelms. Strange as it might sound, I just can't see myself without Merlin by my side."
Gaius eyes the prince and seems to ponder his words before he issues a sigh of his own. "Merlin has a way about him that has touched many. He's quite fond of you, Sire, and devoted beyond compare. But he also has great strength that most miss when they look at him. He's often underestimated. He'll be alright."
In the deepest, darkest catacombs under the citadel, a raven haired young man struggles awake. Wrapped up in the warm and sinfully thick quilt that smelled of Arthur, the first fuzzy thoughts after awakening from a potion induced sleep bring a smile to the man's lips. "Arthur" he mutters aloud while moving to peek out from under the covers. Suddenly the smile fades as memory trickles into Merlin's conscious thought.
Nausea, the overly tight wrapped feeling of the quilt, a smell of something dead which only served to increase the nausea, a complete total darkness, an unnaturally bumpy floor beneath the softness of the quilt, and the discovery of biting rope cutting into his wrists all brought him rather quickly to his senses. "Really? Is there no one else this could happen to?"
"Aren't you pleased with the attention Merlin?" says a well-known voice filled with contempt. It is a voice twisted over time to reek of darkness and hate. A few ancient words are whispered and several torches spring to life, revealing both the owner of the voice and a glimpse of the surroundings. "It's not everyone who catches the attention of a Lord within the Camelot Court, you should consider yourself special."
"What are you talking about Morgana?" Merlin moans with frustration as his stomach rolls. The light of the torches have inconveniently revealed the fact that he was nestled in the middle of dozens of skeletons and other unidentifiable bits and pieces. "Has the madness finally warped what's left of your common sense?"
The Witch hisses something under her breath and her eyes flicker gold. As her eyes flash, Merlin's head jerks back as a ghost hand slams into his jaw. "Curious minds want to know, why my dear brother is being so overly protective of you and your little illness." Morgana demands as she takes a step closer. "It has me curious. What is it about you that draw such attention?"
"It's obvious," Merlin says as he opens and closes his jaw to work the sting out. "Good servants are hard to find."
A few harshly hissed words and Morgana's ghostly slap sends Merlin's held snapping back in the opposite direction. "Try a different answer, perhaps this time with a little truth."
"Maybe if you told me whose attention I've drawn I could tell you something you want to hear." Merlin spits out with anger. "Because in case you don't remember, most nobles can care less if a servant lives or dies. Most don't actually see us when we're right in front of their face."
"Do you enjoy pain?" Morgana says with obvious contempt. Her whispered words ring out once more and for a third time, the magic forcefully slaps against Merlin's jaw. "You could save yourself a lot of pain if you would just answer the question."
"Right, I tell you anything you want and you get to kill me faster." Merlin says in a heavily sarcastic tone. "What exactly do I get out of that? Using your magic the way you do, you're nothing but a bully Morgana. And I'm not afraid of bullies."
She tilts her head forward again to look ominously at her captive. She whispers a few words and at the instant that her eyes glow gold, a burning pain rips through Merlin. Gasping in agony with his eyes closed in concentration, the warlock manages to hold a protective field around the small life held within his abdomen. Thankfully, the magic he wields goes unnoticed as his eyes are closed and his body is wrapped in Arthur's quilt. "You should be afraid, Merlin. My magic's grown." This time her words are spoken sadistically.
When the grip of twisted magic leaves him, Merlin gasps for air. His body quivers as he fights both the aftereffects of raw pain and the twisting of his stomach as fights to keep from vomiting. It is a testament to his power that the unseen protective shield remains over his child. "Let me go Morgana, I am of no importance or interest to anyone." He says in a weak voice that holds the lingering effects of the pain.
"I'm told that you have been moved into the servant's quarters of Arthur's chambers." Morgana says, stating facts that could have only come from someone who walks openly in the citadel. "You've been sick, and my dear brother has distributed your duties to others. Why? What is it about you that draws the attention of Nobles and the devotion of a Prince?"
"Wouldn't it make more sense to ask Arthur?" Merlin says stubbornly. "But I think he'd be more interested in who's feeding you information. Anyone I might know? I'll be happy to pass it along."
Morgana whispers a single word and her eyes flash gold and the raven haired young man withers once more in agony. She smiles as Merlin's face reddens as he struggles to breathe. "You really have no sense do you Merlin? You still haven't learned when and what to speak, and when to keep your foolish mouth shut."
Over the next hour questions are tossed back and forth between captor and captive. The questions hang unanswered, causing a great amount of frustration for Morgana and bruising and injury for Merlin. "Did you enjoy yourself?" Merlin asks with a voice drained of strength. His voice is muffled by the quilt. With his face buried into the quilt, he hides his pained expression. His words are carefully spoken, especially since there was no real way to know what she had planned next.
Looking up into the darkness that lay beyond the reach of the torch light, Morgana smiles. "Did you know that these are the original crypts dating back hundreds of years?" She says lowering her gaze to look upon her captive. "Most people don't even know this area exists and in fact many of these older crypts have collapsed."
"And your point it?" Merlin asks as he raises his head from the mound of Arthur's quilt. Looking around the area lit by the torches, he frowns and then shivers. Death and decay lay all around him. These faceless skeletons were long forgotten in the time since their deaths. He shivers again.
"I was wondering if trapping you in here without an air supply and no means for escape would roughly have the same survival chance of say …. Poisoning." Morgana says as he turns a hateful glare on Merlin. "Because I think we both know each other well enough to know that you won't betray your precious Arthur."
Narrowing his eyes and looking directly into the witches face, Merlin frowns "You know I had no choice in that so why bother with this game? Why ask me anything?" Merlin says carefully, "Is your new master really that curious about why Arthur is being a decent Master." The horrible pain that rippled through Merlin's body sent him curling into a ball of agony. Struggling to stay conscious he bit harshly into his lip.
"I am my own Master you idiot." Morgana spits out venomously.
Morgana began to chant ancient words and as her eyes flashed she begins to back out of the crypt. A low rumble fills the air, and the roof above crumbles at the entrance sending a cloud of dust and debris though the chamber.
Trying to focus with little luck, the last sight seen before the roof begins to fall over the exit is the hate filled expression of his one-time friend. A great sadness fills him because her expression seems almost eager to see and feel his pain.
"Arthur!" Lord Agravaine calls out as he enters the Crown Prince's chambers at the same moment that the two bodies were being removed. "I've just returned to the news that your chambers have been attacked. Have all the traitors been caught?"
The Prince's uncle confidently enters the room, and heads towards the Knight's gathered around the seated Sir Percival. "Information is still being gathered. Sir Percival has just begun to give us the full idea of what happened in here earlier this afternoon." Arthur says, offering only a short glance before turning his attention back to the semi groggy Knight. 'Go on Percival. Tell us what happened."
"The servant Fergalod delivered the afternoon meal. He was doing a favor for Anne and his cousin Daniel." Pausing, the large Knight pinches the bridge of his nose as he continues to try to focus on the words that needed said. "Merlin had his tea but commented on the taste being off. I was eating my own lunch."
"Gaius, is there anything we can give him to diminish the effects of the potion that knocked him out?" Arthur asks.
Shaking his head, Gaius looks to Arthur with a frown. "I'm afraid not, Sire."
"Merlin caught the effects and tried to warn me. It wasn't but a few seconds more before he dropped his cup and passed out." Percival says with a voice laced heavily with guilt. Bowing his head, he appears defeated and ashamed. "My lord, my failure is beyond forgiveness."
"Let's concentrate on what you do know. It may be vital in discovering the plot and the whereabouts of my servant." Arthur says with understanding. It had been clear from the onset that Percival had done much more than most might have been able to do in a similar situation. "Please tell us what happened next."
"Alarmed, I stood and found the effects of a potion upon me. My vision was failing and I saw four shapes enter the room." The Knight explains, "I was able to stop only two before the last two forced me back. When I struck the table, breaking the leg and scattering the paperwork Merlin was working on.' Frowning, he looks up at Arthur with a new wave of guilt. "I believe the movement of the table also sent Merlin to the floor."
Turning to look at his uncle, Arthur said, "The two killed were not regular employees within the castle. The one called Stephen was killed with Percival's blade, and the other James had a fractured skull."
"Where is your servant Merlin? Is he dead?" Agravaine asks curiously, watching Arthur for a reaction. "And these traitors killed, are they associated with any house or have they been seen in the company of anyone?"
"Merlin is missing at the moment." Leon quickly supplies when he notes that the Prince's complexion had paled with Lord Agravaine's questions. "Sir Gwaine and Elyan should return at any moment with the servants Anne and Daniel who may be able to answer some of what you've asked.
"We should take them to the Dungeon to question." Agravaine says as he looks to the door expectantly.
"No." Arthur said flatly. "I will question them here." Lifting a brow he looks to his uncle silently challenging him to make another attempt to take charge of a situation being managed fine.
"Of course, Arthur." Agravaine says with a slight bow of his head.
At that moment a crying young woman and a concerned looking young man were ushered into the Prince's chambers. "Sire," Anne says sobbing. "I am so sorry." She says moving forward to kneel before the Prince. "I never should have taken the time away from my duties. It's my fault. I cannot be forgiven. I am so sorry my lord." Remaining in place on her knees, Anne continues her sobbing.
Arthur reaches out to touch Anne's shoulder. "Gather the fallen papers into a stack, then clean up the remains of the food and drink on the floor." He commands firmly, not favoring forgiveness or punishment at the moment.
Still sobbing Anne stumbles to her feet and replies. "Yes my Lord."
Turning his attention to Daniel, Arthur steps forward until he stands before the young man. "Tell me of your cousin, Daniel." The Prince says in a voice that is firm and focused. A full minute passes without an answer and to the surprise of all Arthur's hand snakes out and grasps Daniel by the neck. "A question was asked, and I expected an answer." Narrowing his eyes peers dangerously into the young man's eyes. "And I warn you. I have very little patience's for withheld answers and lies."
"I cannot speak for my cousin, Sire." Daniel blurts out. "I knew nothing of what's happened. I swear it."
Giving a little shove, Arthur releases his grip on Daniel's neck. "Where is he?" Arthur demands.
"He should have been in the kitchen. He said he'd do our chores." Daniel says quickly as if in a panic. "He must have come to harm since he's not been seen since delivering the tray. " Backing away as if terrified, he stumbles back into Sir. Elyan. At that instant, the world seems to slow down. Spinning in place, the servant reaches for a dagger that hangs from the Knights belt. With the weapon still in hand, he continues his spin, coming full circle to face Arthur. "Death to the Pendragon's"
As Daniel launches himself at the Prince, Lord Agravaine steps forward with his sword drawn. In a blur the Lord's sword sinks mortally into Daniel's chest. The dying servant only has a moment to register confusion at the source of his death.
"Uncle!" Arthur shouts in anger and frustration at a moment that passes too quickly. Too late to delay the death of someone who might lead them to Merlin. Watching Daniel drop lifelessly to the floor was like watching the same for the missing servant. "There could have been a different way…." The prince mutters.
A fit of coughing ends a fourth attempt at escape. With his face buried in the quilt to keep the clouds of dust filling his lungs, Merlin's mind races for an alternative that might lead to escape. The debris that had blocked the exit wasn't large chunks of large boulders that could be blasted away. Blasting sand like dirt with boulders no bigger than a fist was just not achieving anything and in fact was making things miserable. Clearly from the lack of success, escape was going to take some thought.
It could be worse….. he could be dead.