Chapter 17 [On the Way Back to Whitgate]

Josiane guided Merlin, Mithian and herself back toward Whitgate on Carpet. They cut through Clouds. Countryside blurred by far below. Rainstorms remained far away. She turned toward Mithian. "How is he?"

Mithian felt his wrist as Britomart had shown her. Weak Pulse beat beneath her finger tips. "I barely feel anything." Concern chilled her. "Master Wyngate will need to examine him! Is this magic?"

"His condition? I do not know." Josiane shook her head. "As for our friend here, I would say he has magic. He caused the explosion at our camp." She raised an eyebrow at him. "We will be back in Whitgate soon."

Mithian nodded. She leaned close to him. "Hang on, Sirrah. We will find out who or what did this to you." She could see Whitgate's flags flapping over the tree tops. Relief eased Tension ever so slightly. Emotions stirred within her. She watched Whitgate's towers and walls pass by and underneath them. "We're almost there now."

Josiane waved to the Citadel's guards. She directed Carpet to alight on the cobblestones. "Sir Matteo! Sir Harold! Might we have some aid? This man needs to be brought to Master Wyngate immediately!" She stepped off of her magical implement. "Princess Mithian, we are here."

"I believe I can see that." Mithian stood. "This man has endured harm. Is the King here?"

Matteo bowed. "Aye, Milady. King Rodor and Master Wyngate discuss matters of state." He looked toward Merlin. Questions popped through their minds. "That is a servant though. Surely…."

Crimson stained Mithian's face. "He stumbled across our royal progress! Fetch the King! Of all the…!" Prejudice burned at her. "Princess Josiane, can you assist me?"

"Aye." Anger burned at the two sentries. Josiane sent Carpet back into the sky until she could retrieve it. Then she picked up Merlin's shoulders while Mithian took his feet. "Follow me." They carried Merlin up a couple of flights of stairs. "Are there no servants here?"

"Aye!" A slender man in an emerald top with beige pants and coat dropped his current task. He rushed over to their side. "Princesses, I can take over for one of you." He bowed.

"Conrad, please take over for Princess Josiane. Then you can help me to bring our friend here to the Physician's Chambers." Mithian noted that the two knights lingered at the door. "Princess, can you relay the news to my father and Master Wyngate? I would appreciate it. It seems our knights do not understand a direct order."

"I shall do so, Princess Mithian." Josiane offered Royal Nod's Assent. She hustled toward the Throne Room. By the Prophet! Princess Mithian's command was clear enough! Even if our companion is a servant, that does not entitle them to ignore her! She ran Passage's length and then turned left toward her destination.

Halfway down the next passage, two more knights flanked the Throne Chamber. Their eyes turned toward their approaching comrade. Hands relaxed on their blades. "Princess? You have returned?" Curiosity pondered how she could be there when Mithian and the others were out on Royal Progress. Restraint, however, held said questions back for Efficiency's sake.

"Greetings, Sirs Orfeo and Wilhelm! I have need to speak with King Rodor and Master Wyngate. It is a most urgent matter. May I see them? I bear Princess Mithian's request." Josiane chafed at Harold's and Matteo's absence from that spot. Insolence burned at her.

"Of course!" Orfeo opened the door. His gauntleted hand knocked against the door. "Sire? I bring a request from Princesses Mithian and Josiane. Might I enter?"

"Aye! Of course! Bring Princess Josiane with you!" Rodor's voice agreed.

"Thank you, Sire." Orfeo opened the door wider. "He will see you." He bowed to her.

She smiled for those two sentries. She refrained from Sarcasm's commentary. After all, she'd heard Rodor for herself. Still, Diplomacy maintained a pleasant front. She walked into the chamber. Grandeur resonated all about herself. Sol beamed through Dome above. It gleamed off of Walls, Floors and Council Table. Tapestries draped against the walls. Rodor talked with Master Wyngate at the council table. "King Rodor? Master Wyngate?" She offered the Royal Nod for Rodor's benefit.

"Princess Josiane, so you have returned." Curiosity arched Rodor's eyebrow. "I thought Sir Gawain, Malodius and you were to have met up with Princess Mithian? Has something happened? Sir Orfeo said you need to speak with both of us?"

"Is the Princess ill?" Wyngate glanced to Rodor and then her. Trepidation shook his mind over a potential dynastic crisis with the Crown Princess' situation.

"Nay, my Good Physician. She is well. It seems we have a potential diplomatic situation." She took a deep breath. "King Arthur's manservant stumbled into our camp. He is unwell. He passes in and out of consciousness. We are many leagues from Camelot's border. The others will return by nightfall."

"This is most curious." Suspicion elicited several conflicting thoughts from Rodor. He scratched at his beard. Relations between Camelot and Nemeth had remained icy for decades. "This servant? You know he is in King Arthur's service?"

"Aye. I recall him from my visit." Josiane frowned. "King Uther wanted to execute me. That one helped me to escape from Camelot." She bowed. "I owe him my life."

"His name is Merlin." Wyngate revealed. "He is like that, Princess Josiane." He turned back toward Rodor. "Sire, Merlin is also Master Gaius' ward. He is an apprentice healer under Gaius' direction. He is also close to King Arthur. Perhaps we should talk with him?" He raised his finger. "There is something else. Nemeth owes him another debt."

"Oh? How so?" Rodor raised an eyebrow.

"You remember Meleagant's last invasion? Our knights and Camelot fought Cawdor's forces at Shalott. Our late Prince Kay battled bravely. You do remember?" Wyngate insisted.

"Aye I do. He did me proud that day. Tell me, Master Wyngate, why bring this up now?" Rodor raised an eyebrow in puzzlement over the account.

"Meleagant attempted to attack our Prince from behind. Merlin took the blow on Prince Kay's behalf. Britomart stitched the wound herself." Wyngate shook his head. "The Lady of Shalott healed him for the most part. She saved his arm but could not finish the task. You know the reasons why."

"I see." Rodor had heard the account from others over the years. "So Merlin was the hooded man. Was he?" He shook his head. "And for that, Uther forced me to execute her? For healing his own servant? Unbelievable!" Regret washed over him. "I will have a guest chamber made available to him. Put a guard on it of course. Where is he now?"

Merlin saved Prince Kay as well? By the Prophet! He is as heroic as Boeve suggests! She returned her look toward Rodor and Wyngate. "Princess Mithian brings him to Master Wyngate's chamber. When he awakens, you can talk to Merlin. He may not be able to answer you. He seems not to know who he is or why he is here." She shook her head. "His eyes were blank."

"Amnesia?" Rodor narrowed his eyes. "Princess, are you certain?" He drank from his goblet.

"Aye. I have seen it before. I also know when someone pretends. Merlin really does not know who he is. He does not seem to know why he is here. Master Wyngate, if King Rodor can spare you, Princess Mithian wanted you to examine him." She looked to the two men.

"I shall do so with the King's leave." Wyngate turned to him. "Is there anything else, Sire?"

"Nay. Thank you, Master Wyngate. You should see to Merlin." Rodor smiled at her. "A good turn deserves another. If Merlin can see past Uther's bigotry for the Greater Good's sake, he is worthy of our attention. Go on."

She took another deep breath. "I did have one more matter, King Rodor. When Princess Mithian and I arrived, she instructed Sir Matteo and Sir Harold to bring Merlin inside. They ignored the order. They did not think Master Wyngate would treat a servant. Obviously they did not know…." Irritation curled her lip.

"They what?" Rodor stiffened. Outrage burned in his eyes. His fist crashed down on the table. "NAY! SUCH INSOLENCE! NAY!" He cleared his throat. He gulped several mouthfuls from the goblet. "See to your patient, Master Wyngate! I will not allow such disdain in my kingdom! SIR ORFEO!"

"Thank you, Sire." Wyngate bowed and departed the chamber. He knew how much Gaius cared for Merlin from their correspondence. He remembered his friend telling him about the young man's considerable talent, growth and loyalty to Arthur and Camelot. He also recalled Merlin's past service to Nemeth as well. He'd check for the scar.

Orfeo stepped back into the chamber. Hasty Bow affirmed Respect at that point. "How may I serve, Sire?" Nerves beat against the sides of his stomach. Knees trembled.

Rodor shook his head. "Accompany Princess Josiane to the front stairs. You are to bring Sir Harold and Sir Matteo here immediately. I will deal with them. Understood?"

"Aye, Sire." Orfeo bowed to Rodor. He motioned to her. "Princess? Shall we?"

"Of course." She nodded to them both. "My apologies, King Rodor."

"It is not you who owes an apology, Princess Josiane. I thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. Please tell me Princess Mithian does not bring Merlin up there alone?" Rodor huffed a sharp breath through clenched teeth.

"Nay. Conrad, your house servant, volunteered to assist her." She nodded to him once more. "With your permission?"

"Of course. Bring them here. You may go." Rodor watched them depart. He sat down hard on the throne. Gratitude warmed him where Merlin was concerned. Anger flared over Sentries' Insolence toward Mithian and Royal Prerogative.

Certain Matters needed to be dealt with….