Chapter 7 [Twenty Leagues South of Camelot]

Forest lay quiet under clear skies and twinkling stars. Luna washed landscape with her gentle glow. Chill Breeze billowed through the Budding Boughs and Brush. Deer grazed with cautious eye for threats. A rabbit chewed on some leaves.

Appearances, however, could be deceiving….

Morgana's horse galloped south through this backdrop. Horse Lengths devoured Distance. Urgency pressed her toward undetermined destination. Focus kept her from casting anxious eye at Nocturne's backdrop. Her attention lay in following Mistress' Directions.

For her part, Morgana plotted through Details. Plan seemed to benefit her aims. Arthur and the knights would sail across the sea on the next day. Her plague spell kept Gaius detained. If Agravaine did his job properly, Gwen would ride into an ambush the day after next. The knights would leave on a training exercise. And Merlin? Merlin would have his hands full just in surviving much less trying to interfere that time. Now, the invasion of Camelot could begin in earnest. She saw Campfire's glow in the distance. Smirk creased her lips. She slowed her horse's gait to a trot.

Several heartbeats later, three rouge clothed masked warriors stepped out of the brush. Firm Eyes met hers. Their hands, while close to their swords, remained ready for any trouble.

She tapped the front of her saddle. "I am here to see Helios." Impatience soured her tone. "Take me to him. He is expecting me." She held her hands up. "It has to do with your current activities. Now can we please see him?"

The biggest of the warriors nodded. "I will take you to him, Lady Morgana. We do our jobs." He bowed to her. "Follow me." He waved his comrades aside. Then he motioned for her to follow.

On cue, the other sentries melted away back into the woods.

At least someone knows how to have effective guards! She nodded to herself. An eye for detail certainly was something to be appreciated. She noticed the dirt path widening closer to the fires. She emerged from the trees into a well known expansive meadow. On that night, however, she found herself in the midst of an army. Tents lined the area closest to herself. A large campfire burned fifty feet to her right. Akin to Fireflies, lights seemed to dance in Nocturne's inky backdrop as far as the eye could see. She heard hammers striking metal. Metal hissed in Water's cooling embrace. She dismounted from her horse and tied the reins to a tree. "Which way?"

"This way." The guide led her along the path past several purple and yellow tents. Purpose lent haste to his strides. While he knew his master had expected her several hours prior, he kept such observations to himself. Finally, he stopped in front of the largest tent in the camp. He lifted the flap. "Milord?"

"Aye?" a low voice growled in response. "I left orders that I was not to be disturbed!" Menace seared in his tone.

"The Lady Morgana is here to see you. Forgive me." The guide bowed. He glanced back at her. He took a step back from the entrance.

A towering dark skinned man strode out of the tent. Silk robes adorned his muscled torso. Intense Eyes surveyed the area. He noticed her waiting for him not even twenty feet away. "Thank you, Marcus. You may go."

Marcus bowed to them both. Then he hustled back toward the woods once more.

She approached in guarded fashion. Her eyes considered his body language. She noted Annoyance in his eyes and face. "Helios, I was detained. I had some details to attend to." She glanced around. "Can we talk in your tent?"

"Of course, Milady! I had just finished dining. I can have something brought to the tent if you'd like?" Helios looked her over. Just as in their other meetings, Admiration and Attraction bloomed inside of himself. He respected her mind and strategic skill. Her opportunity opened ways for him to rule a kingdom rather than pillage and burn for supplies and recruits. Lust wanted her for his bed. He opened the flap of his tent to her.

"I'd like that. I had a certain pest to attend to." She grinned. She admired his leadership ability as well. Schemes however wanted to tease and entice rather than sleep with him. She'd deal with him once his usefulness had been used up. "I know I was here yesterday. Were the siege tower plans of use?"

"Aye." He beckoned one of his warriors over to him. "Bring a plate for our guest." Then he turned back to her. "Now, the siege tower plans…hmm…let us talk in my tent." He led her inside. Cushions ringed a ringed fire circle. Embers still glowed amidst ashes therein. Bones lay stacked on a wooden plate. A pitcher sat ready for use along with two goblets. "You must be hungry and thirsty after your ride." He motioned to the cushions. "Please sit. Tell me of this pest."

She shrugged. "It is but a nuisance. I managed to catch it. A simple spell rendered it unable to irritate me further. I do not want anything left to chance, Helios."

"And you know me better than that, Morgana. Of course, the details will be attended to." He watched her sit down on a blue pillow. He accepted a plate with chicken and fruit from the aforementioned underling. "I believe this should suit you."

"It will. Thank you." She accepted the plate. More than she'd care to admit, Hunger growled in her stomach. Chicken's Scent stirred Craving. She poured wine into her goblet. "Can I refill your goblet?"

"I'd appreciate that." He handed his goblet to her. "The plans were exactly what we needed." Enthusiasm picked his mood up. "I found several hidden means of access. There is a locked gate."

She nodded. "My man on the inside will open that gate when we need him to. He will send more knights on a patrol tomorrow. By nightfall, the defenses will be stretched thin. There will be little resistance." She bit into Apple's Sweet and Tart tastes. Fiber and Fruit abated Hunger slightly.

"How many knights will be on this patrol, Morgana? I do not care to have enemies at my back." He raised an eyebrow at her. He took a draught from his goblet. He tapped his fingers on the table. He visualized being caught between Camelot's knights from front and behind.

"The knights will be leagues away before your approach, Helios. When do you expect to lay siege to Camelot?" She calculated the distance between them and Camelot. She could well envision Helios' army arriving sometime the next day. Still, she wanted to hear it from him. She took a bite of chicken.

"We will leave at first light. We will get there by late afternoon. Have that gate open by then, Morgana." He leaned toward her. "Those walls are impregnable. It will come down to timing. My warriors will block the roads. Are you sure Pendragon will sail tomorrow?"

"He will sail from Hampton tomorrow morning," she insisted. "Camelot will not have any leadership. Its best knights will be away. You will outnumber the remaining knights." She stood and wiped her mouth with a cloth. "Thank you, Helios. I will be outside of Camelot by tomorrow afternoon. I shall see you then." Gratitude spread a smile across her face.

"I will speak with my commanders. Until then, Milady." He kissed the back of her hand. "Let us hope your man on the inside follows through. We need those gates opened." He took a step back. "Be safe. It will not be long." He signaled to his warriors to allow her to pass unimpeded.

She turned and strode from the tent. She walked toward the trees. There she spied her horse waiting. "I hope you are rested. We have many leagues to cross tonight." She got up into the saddle and galloped away toward her hut.

Helios frowned. You'd best be right, Morgana! I do not want a disaster! He turned and headed toward his commanders' fire. Strategy demanded a meeting without further ado.

Caution needed to be heeded….