Chapter 42 [A Quarter of an Hourglass Turn Later—Council Chamber]
Despite the hour, Rodor stood at the head of his council table. He had a map spread out in front of himself. His eyes deciphered possible routes between Mercia and Camelot. He shot looks at Annis, the Borses, Elena, Morgana, Josiane, Merlin, Mithian, Arthur and Gwen. "I wish Accolon would get here. We could get started."
"He will be back," Morgana reported. "He was transported back to Tintagel. Our forces will be ready to back up Camelot as needed." She shrugged. "He is a trained priest of Avalon."
That insight raised a few eyebrows around the table.
"I suppose he might have told us that, Queen Morgana?" Annis gulped from her goblet. "Too many secrets."
"When some of us have lived under suspicion, they can hardly be blamed, Queen Annis." Elena glanced at Merlin to make her point. "We Amazons have known of your magic, Prince Merlin."
"Wait! You knew?" Arthur interrupted.
"Aye. We did. Certainly you did not think the sudden smoke in Meleagant's camp was natural? Or when the ground shook?" Elena rolled her eyes. "Nay. Prince Arthur, do you remember when Merlin was called in to serve Queen Radigund?"
"My father sent him of course." Arthur recalled.
"Aye. The Queen thanked our new Prince for his service. Prince Merlin saved both of our lands. She then swore Matilda and me to silence. Much as Merlin was, I was but a maid in my Queen's service. I proved myself. Much as Prince Merlin and Lady Guinevere have." Elena bowed to Merlin. "King Rodor, pardon my distraction."
Mithian rubbed her Prince's shoulder. She offered a nod.
"Nay. It is a welcome point. It shows how Prince Merlin had to use magic from the shadows in Camelot's service. It also proves the foolishness concerning Uther's Purge and the laws against magic. Imagine the good Prince Merlin will be able to do openly. That would go for King Accolon and Queen Morgana as well. Intent not Blatant Smears should dictate how something is used." Rodor looked pointedly at Arthur.
"Father would have no choice." Arthur cleared his throat.
"I imagine Prince Merlin would have received a suitable reward? Perhaps being hanged in the square? Perhaps the pyre? Or maybe a drawing and quartering?" Rodor sighed. "King Uther is certainly capable of such back stabbing."
"King Rodor, with due respect, I know this is your court! Do not insult him to my face!" Arthur fired back.
"It is the truth, Arthur." Morgana seethed. "Morgause will not hesitate to use magic. Neither should we. It is one weapon. We have other capabilities as well."
"Well put, Queen Morgana." King Bors studied the map. "My remaining forces lie anchored at Hampton. Prince Bors will command the forces here until we meet back up with you. Perhaps I could get there with some help?"
"If you do not mind flying, King Bors, I can do that," Josiane volunteered. "I wish to retrieve Count Boeve. He will serve us better as a commander than facing that horde undermanned."
"Then you may do so with my indulgence, Princess. Be careful." Rodor nodded to them both. "After that, I want you back with us. I can use your tactical insight."
"As you wish, King Rodor. King Bors, shall we?" Josiane ushered them out of the chamber and back toward her own.
"We do not know if the combined force will come down through Cawdor or Mercia." Rodor studied the map again."
"Cenred's castle is only thirty leagues from Camelot's northern border. The army would be in Camelot's northern lands within a few more hours. They would only need another day to reach the city." Merlin ran his finger from the White Mountains down to Camelot. "That is the shortest route. Through the mountains and the Valley of Fallen Kings and onto Camelot." His eyes met Arthur's.
Arthur nodded. "That is correct. If there are two armies working together, they can send one at a time at Camelot. The first one can lay siege while the second one is still marching there. Not even Father's knights can deal with two armies at once.
"We can create a perimeter." Morgana pointed at the map. "Accolon brings our knights up the south road. That not only cuts off the invaders from our realm but the coastal ports. King Bors can bring the remainder of Gaul's knights up that road to reinforce our position. Hopefully Count Boeve can follow suit with his contingent of Camelot's knights as well."
"If Matilda and I can get our forces back to our own lands, our sisters can attack the armies' supply lines and the rear guard." Elena ran her finger from Amazonia toward the mountain pass Merlin referred to earlier. "If they attempt to flee, we pursue them."
"And my troops will hold the western perimeter, Queen Elena. We will surround any refugees between us. We can also watch our eastern border and your northern border, King Rodor." Annis held her hand out to her Amazon counterpart. "A suggestion worthy of Queen Radegund herself."
"You honor me, Queen Annis. Were that she was here." Elena bowed her head.
"You will serve your sisterhood well, Queen Elena. Have faith." Rodor nodded to her. "We will have these jackals encircled. It is my hope that Camelot will hold out until reinforcements arrive."
"You and I are of one mind, King Rodor. I should be there with Father and our knights." Arthur frowned and shook his head. "The walls will hold."
"The walls may under physical assault. Morgause can use magic against the defenses." Morgana reminded him.
"That is comforting." Arthur rolled his eyes.
"That is precisely the reason Princess Josiane and King Accolon used their own capabilities in response." Rodor. "I believe that will work. See to the preparations. Prince Merlin?"
"I will do what I can, Sire." Merlin nodded to Rodor. Then he and Mithian hustled from the chamber.
"Camelot will be under siege soon. We should help any way we can." Rodor looked to Arthur. He frowned burying his own feelings for Uther and thinking of the Greater Good.
Such sacrifices were necessary….