Chapter 9 [A Half of an Hourglass Turn Earlier]

Arthur rode at Patrol's head through Forest. Sunrise saw them crossing into Elena's kingdom. Distance fell away beneath the horses' pace. In no time at all, they emerged onto wide meadow. He surveyed the waving yellowed grasses. Nothing of note caught his eye. He put his hand up. "WHOA!"

Behind him, the remaining knights pulled up on their reins. Water assuaged Thirst. Unexpected Stop prompted looks at Helios for direction. They knew the Amazons' village lay close by. Patience, however, prompted their wait for the next direction.

Arthur motioned to Helios. "Helios, a word?"

Helios rode to Arthur's side. He glanced toward the northeast and the Amazons' chief village. Prior Experience frowned on this expedition. Memoria and Scars reminded him well of Waiting Ferocity there. His scouts remained long overdue on their return. Rashness soured in his mouth. Better Plans and Stratagems could take the village in question…

…if only Arthur would only follow them…

He is so desperate. No wonder Morgana kept taking Camelot! Helios composed himself. "Aye, Arthur?" He maintained a calm veneer. "The village is close."

"So, you have been there?" Arthur considered his First Knight. He motioned toward the grasslands ahead. "How much farther?" Helios' sudden revelation troubled him. Suspicion crept across his mind. If he knows where it is, why did he send the scouts so far? Where are they anyhow?

Helios pointed to the northwest. "It is over the next set of hills. I'd say perhaps another turn of the hourglass?" He shook his head. "Where are those scouts?"

"I'd say more training is in order after our return. I do not want a diplomatic incident, Helios. Am I clear?" Arthur bristled. Political Implications seemed to rise from the very turf around them. Cordial Relations strained to keep Camelot and the Amazons at peace. War could threaten the delicate balance not only between them but Cawdor, Mercia, Tintagel and Nemeth as well….

…Nemeth…Merlin….

I banished that idiot! Still, he haunts me? Really? Do Mithian and Rodor know what they're doing with that Prat? Arthur's heart sank despite everything. Why do they encourage him to use his magic? He can just renounce it! It'd be better for everyone! Better than siding with Morgana anyway. I'd never have seen that coming! Merlin a traitor and siding with the enemies of Camelot?

"Arthur?" Irritation cleared Helios' throat. "Arthur, did you hear me?"

"Hmm?" Arthur jarred himself from Reverie's grasp. "Aye. I did. You know what must be done with the knights when we get back?"

Helios nodded. "Perfectly, Sire. I will speak with the knights. The matter will be taken care of." He bowed his head in apparent shame.

"See that it is." Arthur looked back at the knights. "Onward! We are almost there!" He spurred his horse back down the trail.

Scorn narrowed Helios' eyes. Just wait, Pendragon. He urged his horse to full gallop in Arthur's wake. Sharp wave of his hand bade the others to follow him. Plans brewed in his mind. At some point, Opportunity would open that door. All he had to do was wait.

Arthur reached the next hill's summit. His eyes discovered the village lying straight ahead. stared into the sky. His eyes narrowed. "I can't believe it!" Scowl contorted his face. "They're here?" His eyes saw Kilgarrah and Josiane take off from the village. "Now they're allowing magic?" He ground his teeth.

"It does not sound like the Queen respects us, Arthur! Perhaps we should think of….?" Helios called out to him. He could relate to Arthur's outlook on that matter. Vengeance wanted a rematch with Merlin over the humiliation at Hampton. Morgana and Accolon would come soon thereafter. Nobody betrays me, Morgana! NOBODY!

Arthur stared into Helios' eyes. Granted, he welcomed advice and suggestions. Still, he commanded this expedition. "We are here to talk with the Amazons only! Do not draw your swords!" He slowed his horse's pace to merest canter. Hands directed verbal cues to do the same.

A hundred yards ahead, the Amazons prepared for attack. Wagon blocked village's road. In addition, Matilda directed the warriors to stand ready. Her own hand rested on sword's hilt. Orders calmed and urged her sisters in their stand.

Elena watched a dozen steps in back of the others. Her blue eyes tracked Arthur's approach toward their position. "Sisters! Stand fast! Watch them!" Memoria recalled Radegund's issues with Uther's sincerity during the previous reigns. Doubt had oft crept in where Camelot's true intentions lay.

"They slow their pace, my Queen!" Matilda observed. Her eyes went wide. "The Southron leader and his men are with Camelot now?" She wheeled about to face her leader. She and the others well remembered Helios' last attack on the village.

"It seems so." Surly Frown twisted Elena's expression. Welcoming Mood drained from her. Diplomacy restrained her in that heartbeat. Vengeance burned in her heart. "Allow me through." She waited for the warriors to open a small path. Then, she stepped through to greet the incoming riders. "Good morrow, King Arthur of Camelot! I am Queen Elena. Such a surprise!"

"Good morning to you as well." Arthur raised an eyebrow. Recognition alighted on Elena. "I know you as well, Milady. It seems fortune was kind." Respect prompted Royal Nod for her benefit.

"As it was for your Queen. Before I say anything else, I thank you for your respect toward Queen Guinevere. I have heard of your regard for her." Elena returned the nod with one of her own. "You will forgive me. I cannot allow you into the village without explanations. I have questions requiring…nay…demanding responses."

"What have we done, Milady? My father and the last Amazon Queen had an agreement where we could pass each other's borders without trouble. We are only doing that." Arthur sucked in a deep breath. Despite his intentions, Camelot's presence stirred up the very trouble he'd sought to avoid. "I notice your discomfort. I can only apologize about not sending notice of our visit. I came in under peaceful intentions. Perhaps we might speak on reaffirming the agreements between King Uther and Queen Radigund?"

Elena exhaled a composing breath. Her expression darkened akin to Approaching Storm. Her eyes narrowed. "I am sure you would like that, King Arthur. The only thing I can agree to is to hold the border where it is. I most certainly do not agree your outlook on certain matters. And these men? These are your warriors? Whatever happened to the Knights of Camelot? Where is Sir Leon, your brave and gallant First Knight? Camelot, it seems, falls on hard times. These so-called warriors are thieves and murderers. You may not know them. We Amazons know them well. Aye, Helios, I remember you well!" She motioned toward him. "Tell King Arthur! Tell him what your raiders and you did here the last time! Sisters! Stand ready but do not attack!"

The Amazon warriors braced themselves. Swords and Spears' Tips glinted in Sol's filtered light. Discipline kept them firmly rooted in place. Ears awaited Elena's order to engage the visitors.

Sarcastic Snort pushed from Helios' throat. His face remained at ease. "Sire, surely you do not…." His eyes took in the Amazons' aggressive front. He signaled to the other Southrons. Long Term Plans held importance. Still, one did need to live to fight another day.

Shock stiffened Arthur. "What are you talking about, Milady? I assure you I know nothing of this! What are you speaking of?"

Elena motioned toward Helios. "Do you not see his disdain for us, King Arthur? Your father, it seemed, could not control the raiders in his own lands. This man, Helios, led his Southron raiders here. They rode in here one night. They wanted slaves and plunder. We defended this village at great cost. We lost many of our sisters to their blades! Others were dragged away! Helios murdered Queen Radigund in cold blood and from behind!"

Arthur sucked in a tortured breath. Embarrassment reddened his face. Necessity demanded fighters for Camelot. Still, Elena's accusations broke with Standards and the Knight's Code. While said incursions occurred before their service, he still needed to know about them. "Helios, is this true?"

"Sire…"

"Helios, answer me! Did you and your men raid this village?" Arthur ground his teeth. "Why did you not tell me? Honesty is a part of the Code! I am your King! You will answer!" He turned to Helios. "Just tell me the truth."

Helios rolled his eyes. "Very well. Aye, we did attack this village! I stabbed their Queen to save one of my men! I was not about to attack at mid-day!" He glared at Elena. "Ask her about the Dragon and the others that were here! You shelter us! She shelters our enemies!"

"Your enemies?" Elena scoffed at Helios' assessment. "Aye the Southrons' enemies not Camelot's. I understand that Nemeth and Tintagel stopped your conquest. Prince Merlin of Nemeth, Princess Josiane of Alexandria helped to quell your siege of Hampton, Helios. From what I understand, they restored your port, King Arthur. And you exile them for it? You should thank them! What of Prince Merlin? He served you well for years! You owe him your life on at least two occasions!"

"Merlin betrayed me with that magic! He lied to me! He freed that dragon, a known enemy of Camelot! It was only because of his service that I exiled Gaius and him. The so-called Princess Josiane used magic on our land and despite our laws! You would shelter her? We saw them here!" Arthur demanded. "Do not lecture me, Queen Elena!"

"The Princess saved your port! She helped to stop them!" Elena glowered at Arthur. "It is no wonder Queen Morgana and Princess Mithian would not let Prince Merlin speak with you! He wanted to find a way to avoid this standoff!"

"Merlin knows better than that! He knows he can talk with me." Incredulity rolled his eyes. "Of course, he is a complete idiot at times but…."

Elena's frown cut deeper into her face. Outrage sparked in her eyes. "First of all, he is no longer your servant. He is Crown Prince Merlin of Nemeth. Even now, when he wants to find a diplomatic solution for all of our sakes, you insult him! He saved both of us at Shalott!" She pointed at Helios. "What does that one do? Scheme behind your back? He is not to be trusted!" She shook her head.

"I am what I am, Lady." Helios rose in his saddle. He drew his sword. "You want me? Then take me as I did your bitch queen!" Challenge baited in his eyes. His free hand signaled the other Southrons.

As one, other swords slid from their sheaths as well. Eyes focused on the Amazons. Fuse to Battle's bomb burned.

"Helios, put your sword away! All of you, stand down! NOW!" Arthur fumed over his earlier decision to leave his most trusted knights behind to defend Camelot. "We do not want a battle here! We can still talk this through!" His hand went for his sword's hilt.

"Pendragon, you are such a boy!" Indignant Sniff puffed from Helios' nose. "And for some dead dream!" His blade sparked through the air. Deadly Blur gashed at Arthur's armor. "KILL HIM!" He swung his blade again.

Elena watched Betrayal's vile drama unfold before herself. Once more, Helios struck at a leader from behind. Temptation wanted to leave Arthur to his own devices. Still, she was better than that. The Amazons were better than that. "AMAZONS! FOR OUR FALLEN SISTERS! FOR OUR ALLY! CHARGE!" Her hand grasped Spear close by. "HELIOS!" She threw it at the former First Knight.

Helios' sword swiped wide at Arthur. Unlike with First Blow, Blade cleaved Air. Spearhead's Glint caught his eye. Alas, Split-Focus cost him. Spearhead buried itself in his chest. He managed two weakening attacks. Numbness weighed on his arms and legs. "Curse…you…" He slumped onto his saddle.

Amazons charged the Southrons and their horses. Lassos roped several of the invaders. Amazon hands pulled their enemies down to the ground. Still other invaders dismounted to meet the Amazons on equal footing. Blades met Blades. Vengeance's Spears and Swords penetrated Crimson and Underlying Purple Helms. Blood stained grass and combatants alike. Their superior numbers encircled the Southrons. Spears corralled the attackers toward Circle's center.

Pain burned at Arthur's side. He ground his teeth. He didn't understand why Elena helped him at that point. After all, a few heartbeats earlier, she'd stood ready to expel the contingent from Amazon lands. Do not be such a girl! Worry about that later *after* the battle! Sword slid from Scabbard in fits and starts. Blade clanged against Blade. Despite Strength's ebbing, he outdueled several of the traitors. "SURRENDER! YOU ARE BEATEN! THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPONS NOW!" Spots danced in front of his eyes. He staggered backwards. Instinct guided his sword at that point.

"YOU HEARD KING ARTHUR! THROW YOUR WEAPONS DOWN, NOW! YOU ARE BEATEN!" Elena turned toward the three remaining Southrons. She pointed her blade at them. "DISMOUNT!"

Consideration paused those traitors. Helios' corpse still sat on horseback. Comrades sat under Amazons' guard. They turned and spurred the horses toward the forest. Retreat looked better than Amazon and Camelot justice at that point.

"Hesta! Rygwyf! Your horses are the closest! Pursue them!" Matilda motioned toward retreating riders. Cowardice ate at her. "We will see to things here!" She watched the two Amazons ride off in pursuit. "I can never stand cowards!"

"None of us can." Elena narrowed her eyes. "Bind them until King Arthur decides…." She raised an eyebrow. "Where is he? He was fighting just a little while ago." Her eyes went wide. "By the goddess!" She rushed over to his side. Breath still came from his mouth. Fingers discerned pressure in his neck and wrist. "He is still breathing!" She noted Ripped Chain Mail along his side. "Help me! We…"

This wound is beyond you, Elena. It is not beyond my intercession. The goddess appeared in a flash of light. She leaned over him. It is tempting, Arthur Pendragon, to let you die. I fear that the next tyrant will be worse than you. Emrys believes that you are worth speaking to. Perhaps that is true. We shall see. She glowered at the captive Southrons. Make them slaves at least for now. Since they took your sisters, they can work for you and your sisters, Elena. She waved her hand.

Arthur floated into the air.

Perhaps, there might be hope after all. She watched the kneeling Amazons and their bound captives. Perhaps, this one can learn as well…. She disappeared from the scene.

Elena stood back up. "Matilda, we should prepare the prisoners for their service. See to it if you would?" She might've thought of other fates for the Southrons. Still, she would not refuse the goddess' gift in that regard. "What are our casualties?"

Matilda motioned toward three Amazons. Cuts adorned their arms and legs. "They will do their service, my Queen. Then, Ronsalsgarth will see to their wounds. The goddess blessed us with no deaths."

"Blessed be. Let us hope Arthur Pendragon recovers. We do not need the men fighting for power in Camelot." Elena walked back toward her sisters.

Gifts remained to be put to use after all….