Chapter 2 [Council Chamber]
Gawain tapped his fingers on the table. He burned at the news. Memoria reminded him about Meleagant's past misdeeds once again. He still felt Treachery's malice. He recalled his sister's pain. He looked at Josiane and Cligés. They'd already endured enough in his estimation. And as far as the fire-haired spitfire to his right, Fate wouldn't strike at her again either.
No more….
"Bugger!" He smacked the wooden surface.
"Will you settle down?" Britomart frowned. Embarrassment reddened her face. "It isn't just you."
"He's thinking of us all, Aunt," Cligés deduced.
"I'm sure Sir Gawain is." Ywain looked his fellow knight over. "Companionship not Vendetta should guide us in these cases."
Fire blazed in Gawain's eyes. "Stick it, Y-Whine! I've got my reasons. That should about do it."
"And I don't?" Ywain frowned. "The Cawdorians took my kingdom too. They cast me out as well. I focus on this kingdom, our King and Queen, our people and all of you. Do the same."
"Well put, Ywain. I'd want few others at my side than you, Gawain. Maintain your focus. With due respect to Camelot, we can ill afford to allow our feelings blind us to Opportunity's openings," Galahad interceded. "You will have your chance. Remember, our duty is to the kingdom first."
Gawain narrowed his eyes. "As if I'd let anyone take a shot at ol' Merlin or Mith?" He coughed. "Not a chance."
"Nor would we," Lancelot reminded him. "We shouldn't be rash."
"Like what Merlin and you did against the undead army? Try again," Gawain countered.
"Undead…?" Skepticism lit Josiane's eye as it turned to her uncle.
Lancelot shrugged. "Queen Morgana and her sister, Morgause, used an enchanted vessel to created an undead army. Camelot fell to them. Percival and I caught up to Merlin, Gawain, Arthur and the others in the woods. Merlin and I went after the cup. We managed to break the enchantment. We won."
"That sounds like the Grail. I thought it was safely with the Druids?" Ywain presumed.
Gawain shook his head. "It was until Uther found that out. He sent Arthur to get it. They took it but lost it to Morgana's men. They just wanted to keep it from Mercia."
"Well now! It seems you have found your own answer. We shouldn't repeat Uther's or Arthur's mistakes. We all want justice, Uncle," Josiane proclaimed.
"We all want what's best for everyone," Mithian declared. She and Merlin entered the chamber. "Thank you for coming." As she sat down, she set her crossbow and quiver at her side.
"Weapons at a meeting such as this?" Ywain could see Malodius out in the passage.
"Merlin has his reasons," Lancelot defended. "I'm sure Mithian would have the same."
Merlin shut the door behind them. Then he joined the others at the table. Dissonance buzzed in his head. "We should all take care." His eyes scanned the entire chamber before turning to his wife.
Mithian nodded. "We aren't alone." She fingered her crossbow.
Merlin fingered the glass vial in his pocket. "Someone's been listening to our words." He stood up. "Get ready." Now….
A dim yellow hue covered the entire chamber. Except for a place by the door, it blocked any access in or out.
"Sire?" Galahad drew his sword. He stepped to his King's and Queen's side.
"That witch is in here." Josiane drew her scimitar.
Merlin put his hand up to keep them in place. Then, he turned toward the shadows. "Nochdadh thu fhèin!" Canary glinted in his eyes.
The Sorceress shimmered into view. "Very ambitious!" Sarcasm rode the clapping from her hands. "Plotting against your betters. And, Emrys, such a spell!"
"We learn quick, Lady." Gawain grunted. He drew his own blade.
The Sorceress flicked her finger. "Go away!" Annoyance provoked a fiery burst in their direction.
Josiane deflected the fire with her scimitar. "Now that we can see you, we can fight!"
"Bloody hell!" Gawain protested.
"Pay attention!" Josiane countered. She returned her glance toward the Sorceress. Her fingers touched the floor. From them, energy shot through the stones underfoot.
Chill enveloped the chamber. Breath hung in the air.
Stone turned to ice.
The Sorceress rolled her eyes. "Two can do that. Eirich!" She floated in midair just above the icy field. Her hands glowed once again.
Merlin pounced with another spell. "Gaoth!" From his fingertips, a powerful wind burst slammed into the Sorceress. Before she could expect it, she hit the wall hard. Morgana, now!
"Morgana? You sent her back to Tintagel!" the Sorceress assumed. She grunted while climbing to her feet.
Not everything is as it seems. A mist portal appeared in their midst. Morgana, Malodius and Freya stepped into the chamber. Then, the latter allowed it to dissipate.
"We wanted you to think I went back, Milady." Morgana considered their opponent. "The chamber is sealed."
"This ends now," Freya insisted.
"On behalf of the Pixie you serve? Or is it because you want him?" the Sorceress sneered. She laughed; Scorn cutting into their ears.
"Freya and I both care for Merlin, Witch," Mithian pointed out. "I trust her as a sister. She knows that Merlin and I are to be together. We appreciate each other. Between us, Jealousy has no place." She smiled to the High Priestess.
Freya bowed to the Queen. Acceptance mitigated Heartache's stab at her heart. "We all know our places, Traitor. The goddess will judge."
Malodius stalked the Sorceress. His emerald eyes never left the cloaked woman.
"Surrender!" Mithian trained her crossbow. "There is nowhere to go!"
"You will NEVER judge me!" The Sorceress threw another magical burst at her.
Merlin deflected it. He shook his head at his Queen. Don't give her a chance! I won't lose you too!
Don't nursemaid me! I can hold my own! Mithian groused. For emphasis, she fired off three bolts at the intruder.
What did we tell you about standing together, Merlin? Freya reminded him. She returned magical fire.
The Sorceress deflected the other spell and two of the bolts. One, however, pierced her shoulder. "ARGH!" The breath caught in her throat.
Malodius lunged next at the adversary. His claws streaked through the air. They raked her side.
"CURSE YOU!" She staggered. Pain clearly etched itself across her face. Blood stained her robe and pooled on the floor.
Morgana's eyes glowed next. "Ceangail!"
Magical energy coalesced around the staggering Sorceress. Much as the Snake might, its band wrapped about her pinning her hands to her side. It sapped her remaining magic. It went for her mouth to gag her.
"NAY!" The Sorceress knew her wounds and the last spell would prevent her from escape. Humiliation would be Fate's reward for her. She would not endure that. She brought one last spell to bear. Fire enveloped her. "I ESCAPE YOU! EVEN NOW! I STILL HAVE MY REVENGE! FOOLS!" Defiance echoed through her cackling. She restrained any screams. Within several heartbeats' time, her gambit claimed her life. Her corpse fell to the ground. It disintegrated into so much ash.
"Coward!" Gawain spat.
Morgana glared across the chamber. "She chose to die on her own terms. She knew her fate."
"She's gone. Good riddance," Britomart pronounced.
"Mustafa and Alys will be threat enough," Josiane pronounced.
"Doun will have his army as well," Cligés added.
"Meleagant will still be a threat," Lancelot reminded them.
Merlin nodded. "We'll deal with him." He unrolled the parchment map by his side. "To get south, he has to come through Shepherds' Gorge. The road leading into and out of it is the only one large enough for his forces. With the Sorceress eliminated, he'll be slowed down. And…"
She is eliminated, Emrys. Her malice is not. Look to the east. The goddess motioned toward the trees.
Merlin shook his head. "Camelot. Weakened as it is, it's an easy target!" He clenched his fist. Arthur's words still stung. Rejection threatened to bring tears back to his eyes.
Mithian rubbed his shoulder. "Despite everything, I would never deny you Duty or Destiny. Arthur is your charge." She looked to the others. "Get your armor and weapons! Meet in the square."
"We'll have a hundred knights ready. The others still hone their weapons and await the armorers to finish with their chain mail. They will be ready by first light," Galahad reported. He bowed and motioned for the others to follow him.
"We won't forget 'em, Merlin. Maybe Arthur's a prat but…" Gawain started.
"But we still hold to the Round Table and its ideals," Lancelot declared. He turned to Morgana. "Leon and Elyan will feel the same."
"As will Prester John and us," Josiane chimed in motioning toward her brother.
"They will be there. Arthur is my brother." Morgana frowned. She beat down Resentment to progress another step along Redemption's path in that regard. "Accolon has them ready. We'll be there."
"Until Camelot then." Freya nodded. She opened a portal. "That will take you to Tintagel. Nimue will guide you." She bowed.
Morgana nodded. She disappeared into the mists.
"Until Camelot," Merlin agreed. Kilgarrah?
I know. Aithusa and I are on our way to you. As I said, your planning has paid off. Now prepare well. We will be outside soon, Kilgarrah announced.
Merlin grabbed the map. "You don't have to go to the armory. I left a special set of chain mail for you in our chamber." He smirked at his wife.
"Special?" Mithian snorted. She grabbed her quiver and crossbow once again. "Get your own gear, my Prince. We'll fly there together." She rushed out into the passage.
So I want to protect her? What's the big deal with that? Merlin shook his head. Then, he followed her out toward their chambers.