Chapter 4 [Road Turnoff Toward Rothsborough—Just After Mid Day]
Merlin sat against a rather large Oak. Apple's Tart and Sweet tangoed across Tongue and Mouth. He watched Arthur planning for Southeastern Road's potential pitfalls. Admittedly, he longed to be in the midst of the discussions. Something nagged at him. For some reason, Trouble felt close by.
Duty, however, pulled him toward the opposite road and the afflicted area along it….
He stood slowly. Kinks and Muscles loosened up. He trudged over to his horse. He checked the saddlebags once again to find Gaius' requested herbs and equipment therein. He brought the water skin down to the stream a few yards to the west. He stooped by the rushing waters and allowed them to refill his supply for Journey's last leg.
"How can you stand to be with them all day? That has nothing to do with service!" George rolled his eyes. He dropped several waterskins on the grass beside himself. He opened the first one and held it in the current.
Merlin shrugged. "It's service to the kingdom, George. We all play our part." Somehow he kept his voice even and professional. "Some fight. Some polish. Right?"
George scoffed that notion. "They fight, Merlin. We do polish. I wish you'd remember that! Honestly! The King's chambers are such a state! Maybe if you'd…."
"Maybe you might like to be the King's chamberlain AND Court Physician's assistant too? You do know that's where I'm going?" Merlin capped his water skin. "You might want to be thinking more about King Arthur's needs and what you're making them for dinner. Gaius and I have an epidemic to deal with." He stood up to find Arthur watching them. "Sire." He bowed to Arthur.
Arthur smirked. "Well said, Merlin. There is hope for you yet." He motioned with his head toward Merlin's horse. "Walk with me."
"Of course." Merlin followed Arthur in that direction. He rolled his eyes at George. "Good luck on your journey."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "A month of polishing jokes? Really?" He leaned close to Merlin. "The men hated that stew. He can't even warm up a pot of Audrey's cooking? He had to try and add salt. Get this, he did that for his own touch." His mouth puckered as if eating a sour apple.
Merlin peered over his shoulder. He noted George watching them over his shoulder. "Well that's one way of giving him your input, Sire." He set the full water skin in his saddlebag. "I hope I'll be back in Camelot in a couple of days. I'll check on certain people before I go visit Mother."
"Thank you, Merlin. Please do." Arthur nodded at Merlin's discretion. "Just keep your eyes open. There have been bandits along that road in the past. Do not blunder into them. Remember they aren't going to ask you to pick flowers for them."
Sarcasm raised Merlin's eyebrow. "I'll keep that in mind, Sire." Smirk spread across his face. He bowed once again. "Safe journey."
"You too." Arthur nodded to his usual shadow. Even if he didn't admit it, he felt naked without Merlin's presence at his side. He watched Merlin get up into his saddle. "Tell Gaius that if he needs anything, he has but to send to Camelot for it. Lord Agravaine knows he is to provide what we need to get through the disease."
Merlin started his horse down the other road. He noted thickening forest on both sides. A slap of reins picked up the pace. He galloped along for a quarter of an hourglass. Crossroads lay out of sight and earshot by that point. Instinct badgered him to follow Arthur's advice. He wished for a spell to transport him to the afflicted city all the sooner. No birds? It's almost too quiet! He pressed on. His eyes looked all around for issues…
…pity they didn't look up….
A whistle pierced the air. A sharp pinprick struck Merlin in his neck.
What? Numbness' tendrils flowed across his mind. His eyes blurred and drooped shut. He fell from the horse to the caked dirt below.
Several masked men emerged from Forest's cover. A particularly nimble attacker climbed down from the tree just to the left and two yards in back of Merlin's position. They checked the unconscious warlock.
"He is out cold!" The leader, a particularly muscular man, called out.
"Of course he is!" Agravaine sniffed. He raised an eyebrow at the others. "Get Merlin back onto his horse. I have a use for him far from here." He watched the group heft Merlin back into his saddle. "Tie his hands and feet. I won't have him trying to escape." He got back up on his horse. He hefted a small cloth sack in his hand. "That is for a job well done. You have my thanks!" He tossed it to the Muscle Man. Then he took Merlin's horse's reins in hand and galloped off into the woods.
Morgana would have her way it seemed….