Sorry guys, no chapter yesterday:( Maybe I'll make up for it when I get back.
I meant to mention this earlier, but I forgot. Dialogue using *absbdjdkn * is telepathy.
mersan123 Gingeraffealene: And it only gets better! I'm glad you like Grondin, I've got lots planned for him!
The tense silence was broken by the loud announcer's call as two guards heaved the creaking doors open.
"Presenting Lord Grondin and his knights, Sir Erith, Sir Markswain, Sir Forsythe, Sir Anderson, and Sir Wiglard. He presents to his Royal Majesty King Arthur of Camelot, his knights, and… servant."
Grondin marched at the head of the procession, his knights just behind him, followed by the guards leading Arthur, Merlin, and the knights of Camelot. Unlike the last time Lord Grondin was in audience with the Sarrum the great hall was flooded with people. Lords, ladies, musiciens, jesters, and all sorts of members of the court were standing along the walls. Grondin assumed they had all been anticipating his arrival with the king of Camelot. Some craned their necks to gawk at the captives while others were more composed, disguising their interest with sideways glances and raised eyebrows. The great hall was filled with whispers and gasps, and the men of Camelot had the uncomfortable impression of feeling like oddities on display. Arthur and Sir Leon suppressed their feelings, and marched forwards, eyes straight ahead. Sir Percival gaze glanced around until he settled on starting at the floor a few feet in front of him. Sir Gwaine and Sir Elyan tightened their jaws, and raised their heads proudly, boldly staring back at the onlookers. Mordred tried to control the heat and the fear that rose in his face. He opted to stare at the ground. Merlin also felt the fear rising in himself as he approached the man who would undoubtedly unleash great cruelty on him if he knew what Merlin was. Merlin guessed Mordred felt the same way. He felt the curious eyes of the onlookers, and their unspoken question hovering in the air. Why take a servant hostage? What possible use could he be? Merlin kept his eyes fixed on the back of Arthur's head, and set his face into the same hard line as his king.
Grondin reached the base of the throne and knelt. The procession halted behind him and a hush fell over the great hall.
"Rise Lord Grondin." Grondin stood and was surprised when the Sarrum himself rose out of his throne and gestured with open arms at the crowd. "This day Lord Grondin has distinguished himself above all others by setting an example of what it means to serve his sovereign. Lord Grondin has not only won a battle for Amata, he has taken prisoner a naive autocrat and his followers. Now the lands of Camelot are free to benefit those who truly deserve to profit by them. And today those innocents who have suffered while a boy king has glutted himself on the fruits of his father's land are free-" Arthur's clear voice rang around the chamber, cutting off the Sarrum's speech.
"I will not try to defend myself against such a prejudiced judge, Sarrum. But know this: your actions today have cost the blood of loyal soldiers and before this is over even more blood will be spilt because today you committed an act of war. Love is what roots Camelot to her land and if you march your armies over her borders you wage war not only against her knights, but every farmer will take up his pitchfork and his wife will wield her shovel to defend their homes. And even on the day you are victorious in battle the soil will be so full of the blood of the innocents that it will yield nothing to your murderous hands!" The hearts of the captives all rose as they raised their heads proudly.
"Lord Grondin," seethed the Sarrum, "Take the prisoners to their cells and make sure to teach this arrogant pup a lesson about humility!" Grondin bowed and gestured sharply to the guards who shoved the prisoners out of the room. As they left the crowd buzzed even louder than before. The group marched through twisting hallways, through doors, and down three flights of stairs before reaching the entrance to the dungeon. The guard at the door bowed to Grondin and held the door open as the group passed through. The dungeon stank of soiled straw and mold in the humid air. The only light came through the currently open door and a small barred window on the other side of the room. Cells lined the wall, separated by walls of iron bars stretching floor to ceiling. There were no other prisoners in this wing of the dungeon. They crossed to the end of the room and the soldiers grabbed the prisoners and shoved each one into a cell. Forming a line they marched away, but Grondin paused in front of Arthur's cell.
"I can't help but admire your guts young king, but your words angered the man who's fist controls your doom. You would do well to remember that you no longer hold any power here. Another display like that may be your last. Think about it," he barked out a laugh. "You have plenty of time!" With that Grondin swept out of the room, slamming the door and leaving the captives alone in the dungeon. No one said anything for a moment, and the shuffling of straw and clink of chains was all that could be heard. Even as the minutes turned into hours and still no one knew what to say. Two guards shuffled in through the door and dropped into two chairs at the corner of the room. Soon a fistful of dice rolled across the wooden table between them. However, the yellow gleam from the lamp they brought with them was a small comfort to the captives.
Grondin entered his chambers, and shut the doors with a little more force than necessary. He was going to change and then go straight to bed, but the insistent tapping on his window made him sigh and he let in the croaking raven. The bird shook itself, dipped its beak into Grondin's water goblet, and hopped over to his desk to begin preening. Grondin unrolled the scroll the raven had been carrying.
Rùnar,
My spies will alert me of your success, upon your return. Grondin frowned, of course she would assume he would be successful, but it was still annoying. When your position as steward over Camelot is secure do not wait to alert me, I have already begun planning how we will use it to our advantage. As for Arthur and his knights it is very important that you follow these instructions carefully, and as quickly as possible. Arthur has a young knight who knows some information that is very valuable to me. He is about eighteen years of age, with dark curly hair and blue eyes. He is also a druid, and you will be able to identify him because he bears their mark just below his shoulder. Mordred, as his called, knows the identity of the great warlock Emrys, a man who it is imperative that we discover and destroy before he can put our plans into jeopardy. Once you have learned Emrys's identity report to me and I will personally take care of him.
I trust that you understand the crucial nature of this letter. I dare not say more than the fact that all our plans hang in the balance. You have not failed me since I sent you to Amata, and for that reason I put my fate in your hands because I trust you to protect it to the best of your ability. I know you will not fail me.
Grondin tried to settle his stomach, which was churning at the moment. The weight of his responsibility settled on his shoulders and he slumped backwards in his chair, letting the letter fall to the floor from numb fingers. His lady's fate in his hands? Grondin knew he wouldn't be able to sort through the enormity of that statement in his exhausted state. He tiredly stuffed the letter into a desk drawer before forcing himself to change and then dragging himself to bed. Some things would have to wait until morning. He was so tired that he forgot to close the window, and never noticed the raven flying back out of it.
Arthur and the knights had finally drifted off to sleep and the only light in the dungeon came from the flickering lantern resting on the guards' table. They had abandoned their dice game hours before and now were boredly watching the prisoners. Merlin let his gaze go out of focus and sunk into his own thoughts. He knew that he couldn't waste any time, so he did his best to focus on coming up with the framework of an escape plan. Obviously the reason they were all still alive was because the Sarrum needed some sort of insurance to keep Camelot from mobilizing her army and reaching out to her allies. That meant that contacting Gwen looking for help would have to be a last resort. If anyone from Camelot was discovered trying to rescue the captives their lives would be forfeit and Amata would attack. No, there had to be another way. Merlin briefly considered Killgarah, but the dragon would never be able to penetrate the castle walls far enough to get to the dungeon. He could still be useful though. Who did Merlin know that could get inside the castle walls undetected? A druid? Despite danger of the Sarrum if it was Emrys who called on them a druid would probably come, but Merlin knew he wouldn't abuse his power that way. Then the thought hit him. The Lady Mithian! He had only spent a little time with the lady, but he had initially been impressed with her courtesy and kindness. Even though she had nearly gotten them all killed Merlin had been able to forgive her when he realized that everything she had done had been for her father, and when he remembered how she had tried to warn him about Morgana, risking her own safety. Merlin knew he could trust her now because of her loyalty and courage. If there was anyone who could work her way into the castle and play a part in Merlin's plan it was the Lady Mithian. Now he just needed a way to contact her. Merlin realized he didn't know any spells that would let him "mind speak" to anyone without magic. He would need to use a messenger, but Merlin could hardly send a person. He would need something that could be swift, would look natural, and preferably be small enough to stay unnoticed. Merlin remembered the raven he had seen perching on the parapets of the castle earlier that day. It would be able to fit through the barred dungeon window, and it would be able to cover distances quickly without drawing a second glance! Merlin felt a leap of hope in his breast, but he was afraid of getting too excited this early. With these beginnings of a plan Merlin slipped back into reality.
Squinting his eyes through the gloom he could see that the two guards had slumped shoulders and dropping eyes. Merlin figured that if he helped them along to sleep neither would suspect one of the captives of using magic. He looked down and whispered a spell. A shadow of gold lit the air and by the time Merlin had looked back up the guards were already asleep. Merlin reached out again with his magic, trying to locate the raven, hoping beyond hope it was still on the castle grounds. Ha! It was! Merlin's magic brushed the bird's conscious and called it. Then Merlin quickly tore off a piece of his shirt and spread it out on the ground. As he hunched his body over the cloth inky black letters magically spidered across the cloth. A rustle of feathers alerted him as he finished and Merlin spun around to see the raven perching in the barred window. The bird hopped down and across the space to Merlin's cell where the warlock used some threads to bind the letter to the bird's leg.
"Fleogan, gestrenge ofost a geðo þeos bod a þá Lady Mithian." The bird dipped its head and then flew back to the window, where it melted into the dark night.