Chapter 19 [Whitgate]
Chanting filled the cobblestone square outside of the citadel. The citizenry stood side by side. Torches waved about in the darkness. Prayers to the triple goddess were said.
Support and Hope rang out for their beloved Queen's recovery…
Mist wafted through the side alley. Smoky strands flowed together into a column and the doorway.
Freya stepped onto the soft dirt. She surveyed the entire area. "We are unseen." She peered back into the mists.
"If you say so." Gwen came next. While she did not recall the alley itself par se, she had traveled there with Morgana in a royal entourage a few years earlier. "Where is the palace?"
Freya tapped on the wall to her right. "This is the citadel. Lancelot? Gawain?"
"It's safe!" Gwen called.
"If you say so." Gawain shivered from the mists' residual chill. He led his horse onto the bare ground. "That's some trick."
"I have heard stories." Lancelot walked his own horse out of the portal. He passed his gloved hand through the cold mists. "That is powerful magic."
"It is part of my order's secrets." Freya dispelled the mists with a wave of her hand. "Come. We should speak to the citadel's guards."
"Speak with…? Freya, Camelot and Nemeth are far from being on the best terms!" Gwen protested.
"And we are?" Gawain snorted. "Gwen, Uther exiled Lance and me on pain of death. He's trying to get you away from Arthur. He wants to marry Merlin and you at sword point. Oh yeah. We're on such great terms with him."
"I have heard King Rodor is a fair man. We can state our case." Lancelot started up the alley.
"Patience." Freya closed his eyes. Merlin?
What? FREYA? Is that you? Merlin gasped. Surprise nearly loosened his grip.
Aye. The goddess brought me back to serve as her High Priestess. I am outside of Whitgate's citadel with Guinevere, Ywain and Lancelot. She is safe. Where are you? Freya looked around and out toward the square.
Look up. We are almost to Whitgate. It takes a while even for Kilgarrah to get back from the Crystal Cave, Merlin directed. Let the guards know that Princess Mithian, Princess Josiane and Malodius are with Kilgarrah and me.
Thank you, Merlin. We will see you soon. Freya cleared her throat. "Now we can talk to the guards."
"Is everything all right? You just went quiet." Gwen looked their guide over.
"Aye. Let's go." Freya led them down the alley and around to the front of the citadel. There she found two emerald clad knights flanking the front door. "Good evening, Sirrahs."
The knights exchanged curious glances. They saw Gwen, Lancelot and Gawain coming up behind her. "Who are you? Who are these people?"
"I am Freya, High Priestess of Avalon. These are refugees from Camelot, Gawain, Lancelot and Guinevere. Princess Mithian, Princess Josiane, Malodius and Merlin, Master Gaius' apprentice, will be back shortly," Freya introduced.
The left knight snorted. "Begging your pardon but Princess Mithian's too far away to be right back. Sorry you will have to do better than that."
"She just brought us from Tintagel in a quarter of an hourglass," Lancelot declared. "I…"
A dark shadow zipped over the square.
The onlookers screamed. They pointed to the sky. "DRAGON!"
"Dragon! What dragon?" Right Knight drew his sword. "I will go to alert the King! Sir Harold, you…" He noticed Josiane descending toward them.
It seemed that the details came together….