Chapter 36 [Camelot—Several Hours After Sunset]
Nocturne darkened the skies overhead. Luna and her court of stars provided a little light for riders to see by. Chill rustled tree tops and knights' surcoats. Torches flickered in their cauldrons. Sentries patrolled the upper walls.
Arthur pressed the traveling party up the dirt road. Emotions still churned raw within himself. Indignation over Merlin's lies and assault on his person. Betrayal stung over Morgana's schemes and knowledge. Fear over his father's situation pushed him ever onward. Questions begged for Resolution. His eyes glanced over his shoulder.
Gwen rode alongside Gaius. Her eyes moved back and forth between her companions and the road. Her thoughts kept bouncing back and forth between Tintagel, the road toward Nemeth and Camelot. Dread over Mercia's and Cawdor's threats would not let her relax. Despite Arthur's doubt, she knew Merlin too well. Perhaps Rashness pushed him into more than his share of messes.
Instinct, however, usually put Merlin in the right place….
What did they see? Is there really a triple goddess? Are there really armies heading for Camelot? Merlin has authority over that dragon. That lion is bowing to them? She grimaced. Her eyes turned back toward her beloved.
Arthur rode over the drawbridge. He steered his horse through the Lower Town and up to the citadel. He dismounted. He waited for Gwen, Gaius and the three companion knights to come to a halt.
"Sire!" Sir Richard bowed. "You are back! We have been looking for you everywhere!"
"I was abducted by sorcerers and their goddess." Arthur scowled. "How has it been here?"
"After Lady Morgana and you three disappeared, it has been quiet, Sire. We were preparing to search for you. Lord Aethelwald expects Princess Mithian and the entourage tomorrow." Sir Hector added.
Arthur nodded. "I will speak to him in the morning. Has the King returned?"
"Nay, Sire. We were expecting him earlier this afternoon. Surely he will return safely." Sir Richard waved a page over. "Take these horses to the stables."
"Thank you." Arthur nodded to the teenaged boy.
The page led Arthur's and Gwen's horses away.
"Let us get inside." Arthur glanced around the citadel. He stole a look at the sky in spite of himself. Then he ushered Gaius and her inside. "Gaius, you need rest. It has been a long ride."
"Sire, I still have my duty to Camelot, the King and you. I will do my best." Gaius sucked in a deep breath. "I will set my bag down in my chambers. Then I will be prepared in case King Uther returns." He bowed. "If I may be excused?"
"Aye. Of course! Thank you. It has been a very long day." Sympathy elicited a hand on Gaius' shoulder. "I can help you to your chambers."
"Nay, Sire. Thank you. Perhaps we will speak to Geoffrey of Monmouth and the others by morning?" Gaius proposed.
Arthur shook his head. "I will need to go after my father at First Light. Rest now. I will need you in the morning."
"I understand." Gaius bowed. He pressed up the granite stairs toward his own chambers.
"Arthur, what do you intend to do?" Gwen put her hand on Arthur's left arm.
Dejection and Strategy released a heartfelt sigh from Arthur's lips. "Right now I need to think. However, at First Light, I will need to go out and find my father. He can be angry at me for breaking my house arrest. My priority and duty are to him. Whatever Merlin's up to or the nonsense he chooses to believe is his own rubbish. It is not my concern. There is one more thing." He stepped back outside. "Sir Richard? Sir Hector? I need one of you to get the knights. They are to be ready here at First Light. We search for the King."
"I shall go." Hector bowed and rushed off for the knights' barracks.
"Thank you. Sir Richard, I guess you remain on guard." Arthur nodded. Then he walked with Gwen into the citadel.
One long day was about to lead into another longer one still….