[A/N: Happy Thanksgiving!]
Chapter 5 [Northern Reaches of Camelot Heading toward Amazon Lands—An Hour Later]
Sol descended toward its rest on Horizon's western edge. Dusk's hues and shades burnished skies overhead. Chill rustled through Trees' bare branches above. Misty Rain saturated the air and dampened Knights' cloaks. Horses grazed on yellowed grasses about nightly camp. Campfires warmed hands and cooked Meats' skewers.
Travelers heading north on official business. Pity the business seemed different than before….
Arthur swiped his sword's edge across Sharpening Stone. Frustration brewed over Camelot's state of affairs. Transition swept through the court. Court Physicians had come and gone since Gaius' banishment. Younger Faces now peppered Royal Council's numbers. Courtiers remained split on their views of Gwen. Sorcerers came out of the woodwork. Edicts' enforcement struck back at them. Helios and he still tried to align their goals. Servants failed to measure up to predecessors' standards. He watched George flinch from Skewer's fat. Can he not just heat Audrey's food up? Merlin would have just browned it. I'd be eating by now! Hunger growled at his stomach. Eyes narrowed. Scowl curled the sides of his mouth. "GEORGE!"
George jumped. I want to do a good job. Can he not wait! These things take time! He composed himself. Haughty Upper Lip and Reserve hid his reluctance. Conditions soaked and chilled him through. He ambled rather than walked straight across Slick Grass, Mud and Uneven Terrain. He bore the plate ever so slowly along with Arthur's goblet toward his ruler. "Here we are, Your Majesty!"
Arthur managed to keep a straight face. "Thank you, George." Clashing Spices assaulted his nose. His eyes watered. He accepted the goblet. "That will be all."
"Before I go, Sire, is there anything else you might need?" Obsequiousness pressed George to a deep bow. Brown smudged his nose. His throat cleared.
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "When I need you, I will call, George. Thank you." Terseness sharpened his voice a bit. Taste Buds cried out from offensive spices. "George, there is something I would like you to do for me in the future."
"Aye, Sire?" George sprang to attention.
"I trust that Audrey and her cooks know what they are doing. I…appreciate your…." Arthur coughed. "…initiative. Still, they are skilled in what they do. Would you like them polishing the silver, George?" He looked right into the servant's eyes.
"Of course not! They do not know proper polishing technique! I…." George clenched his teeth. "You do not want me doing that?" Resentment burned within him. It was all right for Merlin or the Queen to do extra things but not me? Hrumph!
"Nay, George. I think Audrey knows her kitchen and my tastes well enough." Arthur raised an eyebrow. "We will be in Amazon lands tomorrow. I wish that you can look over my spare surcoat. Is there a problem?"
George stiffened. Denial did its best to bury previous contrarian thoughts. "Nay, Sire."
Arthur shook his head. "George, there are servants who are skilled at many things. They pay attention to everything. They learn to fight. They can tell jokes without mentioning polishing. They anticipate their ruler's every need without being asked. They put their own needs aside for their King's or Queen's greater needs. Perhaps you might speak with Queen Guinevere about that? Perhaps, you might look to Queen Radegund's maid, Elena? You will be serving us alongside her. You are definitely not Merlin…" His expression turned sullen." Betrayal stabbed at his heart once more….
…Merlin…
"I would never go behind your back with magic, Sire. I serve within your laws…." George bowed his head.
"Merlin lied about magic. I exiled Gaius and him for that. You, however, have no idea about his loyalty to Camelot and me! Merlin was willing to die for Gwen and me. He learned how to serve me in all ways. I just wish he'd been honest. At least, he held up out here. You might do the same. That will be all, George." Arthur watched George skulk off into the darkening backdrop. Merlin would prattle on and act like a girl. He could reheat a meal and take care of everything around here.
"Arthur?" Helios walked up to him. He'd struggled in his adjustment to Camelot. Customs weighed down on him and the other Southrons. Eyes watched them everywhere. Arguments teetered close to breaking out. Arthur had guards on the armory and gates following Morgana's invasion. Consultation and Authority didn't impart Trust necessarily or so it seemed. Still, Time remained on his side. He controlled the most effective portion of Camelot's knights. Other rulers isolated Arthur due to his and his father's policies. He only had to wait. "Is everything all right?"
"Of course." Arthur relaxed. "I was telling George something." Bad Taste bit back with his bite into the meat. "I really need a new servant." He frowned. "Sorry. You didn't need to hear that."
"Nay, Arthur. We both know a leader needs someone to speak with. You miss Merlin. It is understandable given what he did for you. That one cannot understand what needs to be done." Helios bit back Resentment and Bile over Merlin's sneak attack at Hampton. Rather, he remained fixed upon larger goals. Rapport not Vinegar would relax Arthur's guard. Alliance was turning to Brothers-in-Arms. At some point, Coup would put him on Camelot's throne.
If not through one Pendragon, then he'd go through another….
"Aye. I know Merlin had his faults. At least, he could prepare a meal or do other simple tasks. He could fight even without the magic. Unlike George, he learned to use a sword rather than run away!" Frustration boiled up in Arthur again. "I trusted him!"
Helios shrugged. So, the boy's deception stabbed Pendragon to its core, did it? He filed that knowledge away for a future time. "Pity. Good servants are hard to come by. I'd be willing to share my skewer with you?"
"You need your strength, Helios. Thank you however. I appreciate your offer." Arthur's gratitude prompted a smile for the New First Knight. "We'll be leaving at First Light. I wish to cross into Amazon lands soon after. Before the Sun's high, we should be at Radegund's palace."
Helios stood. "Then, you have a good rest, Arthur. I will see to the knights." He bowed and walked back toward the knights. Patience's investment gained him further knowledge. Long Term Game would play itself out.
Arthur drank from Goblet's wine. Surprise greeted his taste buds. At least, George picked out a good wine. He is good for something besides polishing! He glanced toward the Amazons' border with Camelot. Hope remained for a renewed treaty with Radegund. Other Kingdoms drifted toward Nemeth and Tintagel by the month. Necessity shoved him toward Mercia and Cawdor. Distaste soured his mouth and it wasn't from the food either.
Gwen argued with the Royal Council and him for talks with Nemeth and Tintagel. Compromise rode her words from Mouth to his Ear. She pressed him on Nemeth's Sorcerer Code proposal. Her Trust in Magic remained in short supply. Merlin, however, remained a different story for her at least. She wanted Camelot to have input alongside the other kingdoms. In that regard, Agreement aligned her with Mithian and Morgana.
They betray me. Gwen sides with them? She wants us to consider magic? Bile burnt his stomach. Frown contorted his face. Father would roll over in his grave! Diplomacy is important but not that important! He rolled his eyes.
Politics made for uncomfortable situations…
