Chapter 43 [Citadel, Whitgate—A Half Turn of the Hourglass Earlier]
Castellans buzzed about the citadel's granite passages. Servants puzzled over the King's apparent hunting trip. Gripes hissed and spat off of the stones over the Royal Court's cancelled cases. Nobody save a chosen few advisors passed into the royal chambers.
Questions abounded….
[Physician's Chambers]
A slender man gulped water from a brass goblet. Apprehension dogged his thinking and affairs. He stared at Kay's covered corpse under a royal bedsheet. He scratched the back of his head. "And you say, Princess Mithian is missing?" He glanced toward a heavy set man with snow white hair and a trimmed beard.
"Our Princess never came to Camelot, Lord Blumenwald. She and her traveling party were lost along the North Road. King Uther went to find her." Lord Aethelwald shook his head. He glared at Nimue. "She claims the Princess is fine."
"That is a likely story." Wyngate checked his instruments. "The hunting trip story will delay the rumors for a fortnight perhaps. I can delay the King's decomposition for a few more days with the chemicals in here. Beyond that, we will have to tell everyone the truth."
She shrugged. "Fortunately your Princess is quite safe and on her way here. She has a suitable escort. So do not trouble yourselves." Irritation chafed at her. She'd endured their concerns, gripes and sentiments.
"Do you know when or how far she is from here, Priestess?" Blumenwald turned to her. "Forgive me. I…"
"It is a worthy question." For once. She nodded. "They are not far away. And…." Disgust curled her lip. "They are by the river. The Cawdorians are there as well." Merlin, what are you doing?
The Cawdorians just attacked from the woods. The Tintagel knights are with us, Merlin responded.
She shook her head. "Do you have any knights to spare? Cawdor laid an ambush outside of the walls. Princess Mithian and her companions defend themselves. MOVE!"
"And you know that?" Aethelwald shook his head. "I will still have to bring Princess Mithian back to Camelot for her marriage!"
"That marriage will never happen. Prince Arthur and Princess Mithian have chosen their own spouses. The triple goddess has ordained that shall happen." Sarcasm accented a heavy sigh. "Did I not tell you to get your knights? Your Princess…."
"You do not order us, Witch!" Annoyance burned in Aethelwald's eyes. Indignity ate at him over the kidnapping. "King Kay was right about your goddess and your kind!"
"Lord Aethelwald, please!" Blumenwald shook his counterpart's attitude off.
"You give this conniving wench too much credit." Aethelwald drew his sword. "She probably killed Kings Rodor and Kay with her poisons! Uther will make everyone see reason!"
"Uther is dead at Cenred's sword, Idiot." Canary flashed through her eyes.
Aethelwald's sword glowed orange. The councilor dropped the blade. Scream echoed throughout the chamber and down the hall. "You bitch!" He held his hand
She coughed. "Bitch am I?" Anger's venom spat from her lips. Akin to Cobra, she straightened herself to her full height. "Be grateful my mistress wishes you intact and alive! Healer, see to his hand!" Irritation shook her head. Merlin?
Accolon and Morgana's knights fight alongside us. I am dealing with their weapons now! Merlin informed her.
What? You use your magic openly? GASP! Whatever will Arthur and Gaius think? Snideness and Acid dripped from her tone. She could feel his eyes rolling over the link.
Not helping! Merlin went silent on his end.
"We should greet them. It is finished." She coughed. The snide smirk evaporated in Lecture's scorn. "Your carelessness knows no bounds! While you sit here and worry, the enemy laid a trap for your Princess and her companions! Do you not know patrols? Too easy!"
"We know…." Aethelwald endured Wyngate's healing cream on his hand.
"Then how did a Cawdorian advance legion get within sight of your walls? How did your sentries not see them? We should greet them downstairs." A dark flash swept her from the chamber.
"She is behind all of it!" Aethelwald spat again.
"If she was, she could have killed you!" Wyngate helped Aethelwald to his feet. "Come. At least we know where Princess Mithian is. We should be grateful for her safety at least."
"Praise be to the goddess!" Blumenwald glanced to the ceiling. Thank you for seeing our heiress and companions safely to us!
You are welcome, my Child. Prepare. Your new Prince accompanies her. Say nothing to the others. Let them find out for themselves, the goddess revealed.
Blumenwald kept Truth obscured for that point. He simply pressed ahead of the others down the stairs.
Weakling! Aethelwald followed the others into the passage. Resentment still stewed all the way down three sets of stairs.
Bells' Ringing reverberated through air and ears throughout the capital.
Disbelief stirred within Wyngate and Aethelwald. They both witnessed the High Chancellor Blumenwald rush toward the front door. All they could was exchange dirty looks. Questions peppered their brains.
Just before the door, a muscular brown-haired man skulked off to the passage's side. Glare cut at Wyngate and Aethelwald. Surprise stiffened him at the latter's wrapped hand. Now what did he do?
"Not now, Count Bernard." Wyngate hissed through clenched teeth. "There is time enough for discussion later."
"What is all of this? The bells are ringing?" Bernard stalked through the open doors. He frowned at Populace's spilling through the passage from the Lower Town. Astonishment struggled to comprehend this throng's assembly at that time.
"Princess Mithian has returned!" Wyngate smiled. Relief lightened his heart. "The succession has been assured! Her Chosen accompanies her."
Satisfaction and Assumption raised a smile across Bernard's face. "Arthur of Camelot will quell any fantasies of magic's return."
"It is not Prince Arthur." Aethelwald scowled. Indignity soured his stomach. "I cannot believe it! Uther and our King are dead. Prince Arthur is enthralled with a servant! I intend to challenge Princess Mithian's choice!"
"Have a care, Little Man." Nimue raised an eyebrow. "Your Prince has ties to this kingdom. His father served the last two kings. The Prince saved your deceased King in battle. A number of kings owe him their lives including Prince Arthur of Camelot and Princess Mithian."
"So he is a warrior at least?" Bernard lightened his mood ever so slightly. Mistrust and Prejudice refused to give her words total credence. He watched Procession's entrance into the square. "Tintagel's knights? What is this?"
"Cawdorians ambushed the Princess' procession at the Gedref/Camelot border. Other than Galahad, they're all dead. Your new Prince dealt with their leader and saved your Princess." An almost bored look jabbed at the trio. "King Accolon and Queen Morgana saw fit to escort them here. Do brace yourself." Amusement poured through the smile at them. She pointed. "There!"
The quintet's eyes turned along with the Assembly's toward the Procession. Tintagel's knights formed an honor guard. Accolon and Morgana dismounted just below the front stairs. They waited for Merlin and Mithian's approach.
Ywain and Galahad flanked the bottom step's side.
Malodius marched the Princess and new Prince across the cobblestones toward her citadel. Grace guided each paw in concert to Dignity's way. His eyes flitted this way and that through the cheering crowd. He refused to trust that all had best intentions toward his companions. Duty demanded Vigilance.
Bernard stared. His eyes bulged. Somehow he kept his jaw from dropping. "HIM?" He shook his head. "NAY! This cannot stand! A BLOODY SERVANT!"
"Merlin is noble. He did not know his heritage until recently. As I said, his father served Nemeth as a knight. He has the three deeds needed by your Capability Laws. The goddess has blessed this union and their throne. That is all you need to know, Little Man." She scoffed.
"Likely story!" Bernard spat on the stairs. He curled his lip.
Galahad shook his head. "With due respect, Count Bernard, cease and desist!"
"Mind your own place, Sir Galahad!" Bernard bellowed back. "You and these ingrates escorting them."
Accolon quirked an eyebrow. "Ingrates are we?" He turned to meet the fivesome on the stairs. "Queen Morgana and I rule in Tintagel now! Nay, Sirrah! You mind your place! Be still!" He nodded to Nimue. "Milady."
Nimue nodded to Accolon and Morgana.
Merlin dismounted. Then he stepped around to help Mithian from her horse. "Ready?"
"For you? Always, my Prince." Mithian's heart skipped a beat. She took his hand and assistance in climbing down. "Thank you."
Merlin raised her hand. "Always." He kissed her knuckles. "I'd say more but the people are waiting."
Mithian blushed. "And you doubt your qualifications?" She let out a loud snort. She waved. "Lord Blumenwald! Master Wyngate! Lord Aethelwald! It is good to see you. Lord Aethelwald, I am glad you are safe. We were concerned."
"My departure was rather abrupt, Princess." Aethelwald bowed to them. He eyed Nimue.
"You are safer here than in Camelot. Be grateful," Nimue reminded Aethelwald. She nodded to the resident royals. "At least everyone is safe. What of the prisoners?"
"They are coming under our watch, Sister," Morgana reported. She eyed Bernard and Aethelwald. "I see our two critics are here. I have a long memory, Count Bernard. How is your daughter?"
Bernard curled his lip. He managed a half-hearted bow. "Elaine is well. She remains at Astolat."
"Pity that is about to change, Count Bernard." Mithian ascended the stairs with Purpose's stride. "Prince Merlin?"
Merlin nodded to his fiancée. Then he turned to the others. He straightened himself. He brought a Prince's Presence. "Princess Mithian and I spoke about it. We want her here at court. I do not want her or any other sorcerer locked up or kept in seclusion. We will be expecting her within the fortnight."
"But, Merlin…I know you are not very…" Bernard chided. He was not about to give Merlin any respect much less that due a Prince or even a knight.
Anger flared within Mithian's breast. She glared right into the insolent Count's eyes. "Count Bernard, you will give Prince Merlin his due. Even if the ceremony has not happened yet, he is my Chosen! Lord Blumenwald?"
"Aye, Milady?" Blumenwald bowed before them. "What might I do for you?"
"Start preparations for King Kay's funeral and our marriage. We should accord him a proper lying in state. The people should have a chance to say farewell to their monarch. After we give King Kay his due, we can proceed with the Coronation and wedding. That way we honor tradition and continuity."
"That is indeed most proper, Milady." Blumenwald straightened himself. "I will get right on those preparations. We need a priestess."
"You have two priestesses and a priest standing before you, Sirrah. That will not be a problem," Accolon informed him.
"That would be appreciated, Sire," Blumenwald expressed. "Might we go inside? I can have refreshments served."
"One moment." Merlin descended the stairs toward Galahad. Initiative and Nerves fought an internal battle inside of himself. "Sir Galahad, can Sir Ywain and you see to the prisoners?"
"Of course, my Prince. We shall put them in the dungeon. Welcome to your new home." Galahad bowed to Merlin. "Ywain, come with me. Malodius, stay with the Prince and Princess."
"Thank you, Sir Galahad." Merlin watched the two knights descend the stairs. Should I have asked Mithian first? He turned to the others. "All right. Thank you, Everyone. I wanted to make sure they were taken care of. Shall we?"
"Well spoken, Prince Merlin." Mithian squeezed his hand. A brief nod signaled Approval as well. "King Accolon, Queen Morgana and Priestess Nimue, would you join us?"
"Nay. The triple goddess expects me. My thanks to you both." Nimue shot Merlin a look. That was surprisingly good, Merlin. I might be impressed. Keep it up. A dark flash swept her away.
Merlin walked into the citadel with the others. What do I have to do anyhow?
Sometimes you just could not make everyone happy….