Chapter 8 [A Quarter Turn of an Hourglass Later]

[A/N: More of our extra allies from both Camelot and Nemeth: Ywain and Malodius are from Chretien de Troyes' Yvain Knight of the Lion. Josiane and Boeve are from the Boeve de Haumptone.]

Dark clouds pressed up from Britannia's southern coast. Rain spat down on dusty trails. Seas taunted the coast with Storm's coming fury. Travelers hustled to avoid the coming onslaught.

That assault seemed to loom in many forms….

[Southern Road—Just on the Camelot Side of its Border with Nemeth and Tintagel]

A blonde man bunched his cloak about himself. Outrage burned in his heart. Pity elicited a look back over his shoulder. Ywain, former Knight of Nemeth, fought his heart's void. For most of his life, he'd served Nemeth's royal house as page, squire and knight. He fought beside and for three generations of royals. Justice and Charity warmed and shone over Whitgate and her masters…

…at least until the previous week…

Does not King Kay understand? He would undo everything that King Rodor and his father had wrought? He would ally himself with Uther of Camelot? That monster! He ground his teeth.

A snarl jarred him back to his senses.

His horse whinnied.

"Calm yourself, Ralston. It is only Malodius." He looked down and to his left. There he saw a magnificent lion with tan fur and a dark brown mane. Emerald eyes sparked back at him. A long tail whipped back and forth through the air. "It will be all right."

Malodius harunged. Disappointment stabbed at his heart. Exile shamed every stride of his massive paws. Only Loyalty from Ywain and Princess Mithian's protests against Kay's edict lightened his heart. Still he and Ywain needed allies. Hunger rumbled in their stomachs. Weather bore down upon them….

…and then Magic's static burned in the air about them…

"What is it?" Ywain stiffened. On Desolation's Road…now in Camelot…he could only trust his blade and companion. He pulled up on the reins and dismounted from his steed. He drew his sword. Now the hairs on his own neck stood on end. Deliberation drew his blade from its scabbard. "HO, OUT THERE! WE CAN FEEL YOU OUT THERE! STEP FORTH AND IDENTIFY YOURSELVES!"

Malodius roared Challenge's Provocation. His announcement shattered Stillness for leagues around. Claws extended from his paws. Curled lips revealed sharp fangs.

And then Fire ignited on two sides. It formed a wall cutting off Retreat's possible haven on the Severn's far bank.

Now is this not an uncomfortable situation? Morgause strode into the open. "A magical creature and a sympathizer in Camelot? Can this truly be?"

Malodius bellowed another roar at her. Although they'd never met face to face, he knew of Morgause and her evil. Besides Nimue and the former's apprentice, Morgana, he'd heard a great deal about this high priestess. Bias permeated Camelot much to the lion's disdain. Still he would not abide this traitor to the triple goddess' designs. He stomped his paw.

"So be it!" Morgause's eyes flickered canary. A dark energy burst leapt from her hand toward the lion.

Malodius deflected it with a swipe of his tail. He charged the sorceress.

"GET THEM!" Morgause ordered over her shoulder.

From behind the same mound, a dozen of Cedric's best knights rushed onto the road. Their advance cut off the east and south ways of escape…

…not that the duo was planning on that in any event…

"FOR NEMETH AND KAY!" Ywain charged into the fray. His blade crossed with the Mercians'.

Steel blurred in the dimming sunlight. Sparks flew creating space for himself.

Malodius' paws shredded chain mail and flesh underneath. Warriors fell to the cold earth. Fear motivated others to flee back up the path from which they'd come….

….well until they ran into an orange and blue clad patrol.

The patrol's leader glared at the invaders. "DROP YOUR SWORDS! WE WILL LEAD YOU TO HAMPTON CASTLE! DROP YOUR SWORDS AND SPARE YOUR LIVES!"

The Mercians exchanged looks with each other. They were surrounded two to one by normal knights. Malodius and the irritating blur added on to those odds.

A shadow swooped over the scene. A loud roar echoed through everyone's ears. Kilgarrah landed with a notable impact. Smoke puffed from his nostrils. Menace pushed a deep growl through his fangs. Fire billowed from his mouth at Morgause.

Morgause set up a shielding spell to deflect the flames. That worked…

…well until Malodius' claws raked her hip….

"AHHH! COWARDS!" Morgause ground her teeth. Canary glinted in her face. She threw another dark lightning burst at the lion….

…only to see that deflected by a blur with a golden streak in its center….

Realization hit Morgause. Pain burned at her hip and leg. She shook her head. A dark flash swept her away.

Malodius roared. Frustration slapped a paw against the ground. NAY! I CANNOT BELIEVE SHE ESCAPED! He saw the blur slow down beside Kilgarrah. In its place, a robed and masked figure floated on a magic carpet. A dark ponytail hung down the warrior's back. A gauntleted hand held a glowing scimitar at the ready.

You are welcome, Great One. Kilgarrah rolled his eyes at the other magical creature. He squinted at the floating warrior to his right.

"Malodius?" The warrior descended to the ground. The facial covering fell away to reveal a female face. Her light Egyptian complexion lit up at the sight of her old comrade. She threw her arms around the lion's neck.

Malodius rubbed against her. Purrs escaped his lips.

"Do you know her, Malodius?" Ywain narrowed his eyes at the mystery woman, her knight companions and the dragon beside them all.

"Aye she does and he knows me as well." The patrol's leader raised his helmet's face plate. "I am Count Boeve of Hampton, Sir Ywain. Surely you have not forgotten Princess Josiane or me? King Rodor sent you both to assist us in repelling the Saxons from our shores."

Ywain bowed to him. "I apologize, Noble Count. Malodius and I owe you thanks for your assistance against the witch and these curs. What do we do with them?"

"We take them back to my castle. Then I will alert my King and Prince to Cedric's invasion of our lands, Sir Ywain." Boeve considered Kilgarrah. "I am not sure of the dragon."

"Nor am I of you, Dragon Slayer." Kilgarrah's eyes narrowed. "I know you murdered several of my brethren. Do not test me!" Impatience's smoke billowed through his nostrils.

You have your own issues, Dragon. I remember your aggression against Whitgate many decades ago. Malodius rebutted. He is an ally. You fly around without a rider. Pity.

Kilgarrah sniggered. There is a dragon lord, Malodius. He needs our help. You owe him a life debt.

Life debt? Malodius growled. There are no dragon lords left, Dragon. Uther saw to that.

There is one. The Son of Balinor is alive. He needs our help. I came to help you. I ask you to honor your obligation to Balinor. Help his son. Kilgarrah shook his head. Then he spoke to the others. "I sensed Malodius' trouble. I flew here to assist you all. In return, I request a favor. The last dragon lord needs friends and assistance."

Balinor has a son? Malodius' eyes went wide.

"Dragon lord?" Boeve frowned. "They're dead!"

"There is one left. Only a handful know of his talent. I ask not for myself but for my brother. The son of Balinor cannot die!" Kilgarrah clarified.

"Balinor had a son? He…" Ywain rubbed his forehead. "There was a woman…He was going to bring her to Whitgate from a village…"

"Aye from Ealdor. Hunith is her name. Balinor never did so. Your king and Malodius owe him a life debt, Knight." Kilgarrah looked to Malodius. The witch Morgana will kill him if we do not help him.

It will not. Malodius rubbed up against Josiane's side. He stepped onto the carpet and waited for her.

Josiane turned to Boeve. "My Love, Morgana Pendragon cannot be allowed to strike against innocents. If this dragon came from his lord, we should assist him."

"Besides this dragon lord is no mere churl." Ywain informed her. "Sir Balinor's title and lineage remain a noble peerage. Whoever he is, he is my comrade. He is the comrade of every Nemethian knight!" He sheathed his sword. "Count Boeve, pardon me. We should bring these ingrates to your dungeon."

"Nay." Boeve shook his head. "My knights and I will take them. Malodius and you are my trusted allies, Sir Ywain. I will speak with my King on this matter."

"A plot is at work in Camelot. Kings Uther and Kay are spelled. The Prince has lost his most trusted allies. You will be needed." Kilgarrah gnashed his teeth. "I do not care if you trust me! Then help Uther!"

"Josie, I must stay here. Can you go with them? If such evil is afoot, I will send word to Bors of Gaul for aid." Boeve looked deeply into her eyes.

"Aye. I shall." She embraced him tightly. "Please be safe."

"And you, my Princess." Boeve touched his forehead against hers. "Be on your guard. I cannot believe the Lady Morgana is a witch without proof for myself. Morgause revealed her perfidy!" He looked to Ywain. "I shall care for your steed if you wish to go with them, Sir Ywain."

"You will ride on my carpet with Malodius and me." She stepped back onto her carpet. She rubbed the top of the lion's head.

Malodius motioned with his head to Ywain.

Ywain nodded. He stood next to Malodius. "By the goddess, I hope this is safe."

"You are quite safe, Good Knight. This is not your first time flying with me. How easily you forget." She guided her carpet back into the air.

"Then follow me!" Kilgarrah flapped his wings. He ascended into the sky.

Carpet streaked out of view in his wake towards the northwest.

Boeve shook his head. There is a dragon lord and Uther did not know? Worse he's a knight of Nemeth? What is the world coming to? He stalked over to Ywain's horse.

Business awaited him. Hope could preserve Josiane and the others….