Chapter 44 [Mercian Camp—Half a Day's Ride from Camelot]
The Mercian War Machine camped astride Camelot's northern trade route. Hammers straightened armor. Swords swiped across Stones. Knights ate from roasted meat on spits. A few managed some rest on bed rolls. Some played at dice. Bets speculated on Prospective Booty from Camelot.
Plans formed even then….
[Cenred's Tent]
Cenred gulped from his goblet. His eyes surveyed a map. Greed and Avarice goaded him ever further south. Pillage and Burning Villages lay in his army's wake. He'd dispatched knights to block the roads in and out of Camelot. His best blacksmiths and carpenters checked the trebuchets and battering rams. The remaining knights trained or ate.
He would sit on Camelot's throne. He'd bathe in its riches. The Brat Prince's head would serve as a trophy. Gwen would warm his bed for a few nights at least. Taxes would suck the populace dry.
Victory at last…Victory but a short hours' ride away….
Nothing to chance this time! His fist slammed down on the worn oak.
"Anticipation can blind, Cenred. Keep your mind on the siege." Morgause sauntered into view. Rather than the usual robes she wore in his presence, her chain mail glittered in the candlelight. Her sur coat had nary a blemish. Her sword rested against her hip awaiting its next strike. Purpose narrowed her eyes.
"Aye, my Lady." He conceded her point. "We had better hope Uther's death disheartens them. Without the Lady Morgana, you have nobody on the inside." He coughed. An eyebrow twitched. "Aye. I know about her marriage to Accolon of Tintagel. Camelot's citadel is still nigh on impregnable."
"Their senior knights lay wounded or dead. Arthur is but a boy. The ground on which his household rests is unstable. He can be manipulated easily enough." She poured herself a cup of water. "Morgana did it easily enough. Even the servants Gwen and Merlin did so. It is why Uther exiled them."
"Pendragon allows his bootlickers too much rope. I would end that!" He exhaled a sharp breath. "We will starve them out." He frowned. "Uther was no friend of those damn Amazons. Annis will not be able to get past Meleagant's forces. That doddering fool Olaf and his brat daughter will not interfere. Tintagel's old King just died. Camelot is alone!"
"If I may make a suggestion?" She slid her finger across the map to a point outside the walls. "There is a locked grate. I can open it. The tunnel opens up into the lowest levels of the citadel. We take the dungeon and come up the stairs. We will emerge right behind them." She smiled. "Would that suit you?"
His grin widened. Triumph sparkled in his eyes. "They will be watching our forces laying siege. They will never suspect! Two dozen knights will do well. AYE!" Coarse Laughter bellowed from his toes (or so it seemed). "I will send my best knights with you. Do not fail."
"Why, Cenred! You wound me!" Morgause shrugged off any thought of failure. "It is in the timing. Prince Arthur will have no choice but to put his men on the wall. The dungeon will be unguarded. Even if we are discovered, he will have to split his forces. I leave it to you to lay out the details. I await our departure."
"We leave in three hours. I wish to be before the gates of Camelot by First Light. We shall awaken Prince Arthur properly!" He bowed to her.
"As you wish." She nodded to him. His arrogance knows no bounds. Perhaps he will still have uses after Camelot's fall! She walked out into the darkness. Preparations carried on all around. Prepare well, my Pawns!
Such ill regard for life and those who serve you, Daughter….
Morgause stiffened. "They serve us."
The goddess stepped into view from behind a rather large oak tree. Lives are not mere play things, Morgause. I wish Camelot humbled not destroyed. The populace should see that we are merciful. Despite the Purge, I do not want blood for blood.
Morgause curtseyed low. "I do not understand. It is a battle. We have to take the city to win against our enemies. The Young Pendragon is as set against us as his father."
Aye. I understand. We might hope the young Merlin can encourage Arthur to change his mind. This is not about conquest. It is about co-existence. You serve me. This is not a request. Take the city. I am not above some reward for this Cenred and his knights. The items belonging to the old religion and our followers will be returned to us. Find a way. The goddess sighed. I hoped you would find a better means than this.
"Camelot is hardly a conquest for a peaceful king, Milady. I do what I can." Morgause frowned. "What of Nemeth?"
I have that matter under control. Morgana, Nimue and Merlin are there. Meleagant and Cenred did not abduct Mithian of Nemeth as they intended. All works out as it should. Do not concern yourself with that. I need you to restrain Cenred of Mercia to our purpose. That is your purpose now, Morgause. Fail and suffer the consequences. The goddess turned and stepped behind the tree once more.
Morgause exhaled. Consternation twisted at her mind. How can I keep a group of murdering marauders from killing? She frowned. The Pendragons cannot be trusted! Arthur is as intolerant as Uther! And Merlin the Servant? What would he do? He is as much our adversary as anyone in Camelot! Gaius betrayed us and taught the boy to hate us as well. I thought Nimue was dead. The goddess disrupts the natural order for these events?
I DO WHAT I WISH. I DO WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE BEST FOR THE ORDER. IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO QUESTION ME, MORGAUSE.
Morgause grimaced. Aye. She stalked back toward the camp. Question nagged at her concerning restraint where Cenred was concerned.
Conundrum was more like it….