Chapter 21 [Cawdor—Meleagant's Castle]

Storm clouds blotted Luna and her stars out. Brisk winds howled across the landscape. Rain spat down on the chilled land. Shepherds guarded their flocks. Wolves lurked behind Tree and Hedge.

Certainly not a night for riding….

Dynwald pushed his horse up the gravel-strewn road. Failure grated on him. Fear gripped his heart. Frustration squeezed his fists tighter and tighter. He beat the reins on the horse's back. We had them dead to rights! Who knew that Prince Arthur's bootlicker was a sorcerer? He ground his teeth. Perhaps that knowledge will save my life. We had the Brat Princess and her entourage surrounded!

In the distance, Structural Silhouette loomed against Nocturne's inky backdrop.

He rubbed his forehead. Thoughts and Memory seemed a blur. Why can't I remember? I know I faced them. Then there's nothing. Come on! Bloody Hell! He'll kill me if I cannot remember! He glanced to the left and right.

Running, however, would do him little good. Meleagant would pursue him. Even if he evaded his King and the latter's knights, the other kingdoms would kill him on sight.

He spurred the horse up the dirt road. He buried the weakness. No matter what, Strength would set his course. He slowed before the castle's portcullis. Snarl escaped his lips. "Is our King awake?"

The knight bowed. "Aye, Lord Dynwald! He awaits you most urgently!" Reverence and respect paled his face. He also knew Meleagant's storming over the latest failure. He pulled on the chain to his left to raise the portcullis.

"I know that! Stupid Squire and no better!" Dynwald rode on past the guard and into the courtyard. Forges' sparks flew. Hammers' strikes against metal echoed to his ears. Stones slid over swords' edges. "Preparations now? What?" Surprise raised an eyebrow. More questions bubbled in his mind. He jumped off his horse. His hands tied the reins to an iron ring in the wall.

Indignant snort jabbed in his ear. "So my loyal cur returns?"

Dynwald beat down Fear's and Anxiety's reactions. He sucked in a composing breath. "Sire." He turned and bowed.

Amusement arched a brow and hissed a sneer from the man mountain in front of himself. His wild dark mane ran every which way. His beard obscured the front of his crimson surcoat. Brown burned into Dynwald's eyes. "You cower well, Dynwald. I do not see the Tom Boy Princess or her possessions however. I told you to bring her to me!"

"Aye, Sire. You did." Dynwald ground his teeth. He would not show weakness here. "We surrounded their camp. The Nemethian knights died by our swords. But…" A pained sigh escaped his lips.

"But…." Meleagant curled his lip. "But the Princess escaped."

"Aye. We surrounded her, Galahad and the maid." Dynwald rubbed his forehead. "Then it gets blurry."

"Blurry?" Meleagant sniffed. His massive hand clenched the underling's neck. He shoved Dynwald into the granite wall. "YOU DON'T REMEMBER?"

"Nay. I cannot understand it!" Protest pleaded from Dynwald's mouth.

Meleagant peered deeply into his eyes. Glazing Over told him what he needed to know. "You're bewitched. Bloody sorcerer!" He released Dynwald. "BAH! I should run you through right now!"

"The Mercians were there as well!" Dynwald reached into his pocket. "Cenred sent this to you, Sire." He brought out a sealed envelope.

Meleagant's lip curled on itself still further. "Cenred wishes to play. Does he?" Rumor had reached him of Cenred's involvement with witches and magic. He squinted at the lackey. "And what did the Mercians do?"

"They have the entourage's spoils, Sire. Our knights were burned to death. The Princess and companions escaped. Cenred has Sir Leon of Camelot as his prisoner. He slew Uther." Dynwald quivered at that point. He held the letter up.

Meleagant nodded. "So Uther's dead is he?" Triumph snarked a laugh. "Well! Well! And the Boy Prince fancies himself my equal?" He snatched the envelope from Dynwald. "You'd best hope this is promising!" He broke the seal and opened the message. His eyes scanned:

"Meleagant,

Greetings. I send this note along with Lord Dynwald. I seek an alliance against Camelot and Nemeth. I am sure he has told you about my trophy. I leave for Camelot with Uther's corpse at First Light. In addition, my spy in Whitgate has told me that Kay died tonight as well.

There are plenty of spoils for us both. Keep Whitgate occupied. You are very good at that. I shall deal with the Boy King.

I hope you will accept. Send your bootlicker back to me with word.

Cenred"

Meleagant shook his head. "Cenred plots to take my spoils. Does he?" He exhaled a sharp breath. Rage billowed up inside of him. Resentment stank over Jackals stealing his kills or Hunt's spoils for that matter. Still Opportunity rose for Consideration's benefit. Kay's and Uther's deaths decapitated their kingdoms' respective administrations. Arthur cared little for Administration's tasks. Mithian lacked support. In addition, Nemeth's Lord Aethelwald remained in Camelot waiting for her arrival.

Opportunity indeed….

Acknowledgment forced a nod from Meleagant. "You are most fortunate, Dynwald. I should kill you." He let the threat linger in the air. "You can bring a message to Cenred. Do no fail me on that."

"I will not." Dynwald lowered his head.

"You had better not!" Menace blazed in Meleagant's eyes. "Tell Cenred I lead my army south. We will invade Nemeth. I will take that pathetic excuse of a kingdom!"

"Aye, Sire."

Meleagant spat. "I was not finished, Dog!" He backhanded Dynwald. He narrowed his eyes. Akin to Cobra's regard toward Prey, his eyes stabbed into Dynwald's.

Dynwald trembled. Fear finally claimed him.

Meleagant shook his head. "I will meet him by the North Road's bridge between Camelot and Nemeth. Rangald shall keep watch over the knights and our army. You can could tell Cedric that?"

Dynwald nodded.

"You are quick to learn. For that, you shall live." Meleagant motioned him back to his feet. "Get yourself a meal. Stop by the armory. You might as well rest. You are no use to me half-asleep! I want you on the road by First Light!"

Dynwald backed away from his liege. He knew he'd dodged that situation. Determination urged him to prove himself in Meleagant's eyes once again.

Meleagant rolled his eyes. Then he stalked off toward the Armory. There he'd talk to the smiths. Weapons, Chain Mail and Readiness had to be prepared.

Invasion was a priority after all….