News was continually coming to Camelot of Morgana's relentless march westward. There was a nerve-wracking week in which Rodor, Arthur and Annis prepared for battle as the Saxons neared. The next thing they heard was that Morgana had turned northward, attacking Essetir. Outnumbered, Gaheris had quick beat a strategic retreat to Camelot.
"She seems to be keeping Camelot for last," Arthur said grimly.
"At least she has given us a chance to unite against her," Gaheris observed.
"Or perhaps she realizes the bind we have put ourselves in," Annis countered. "With three armies to support, Camelot's supplies are growing thin. Morgana needs only to wait until our men are weakened, and then she may strike."
"Or wait until we fight amongst ourselves," Gaheris said dryly.
Merlin almost flinched at the look Annis gave him. Gaheris returned only a raised eyebrow.
"What's going on between them?" Merlin whispered to Gaius.
"There is a long history of border wars between Caerleon and Essetir," Gaius explained in an undertone. "Only their mutual alliance with Camelot could have brought those two into the same room together."
That much was clear. "Our tents are sinking into the mud on the western side of Camelot," one of Gaheris's captains complained. "The eastern side appears far drier."
"I am afraid our army occupies all the available space on the eastern side," Cadwaladr replied stiffly, clearly resisting the urge the say, 'We were here first!' "Perhaps some other accommodation might be made for you—perhaps to the south?"
"Our forces moved from the west side to the south side to accommodate Essetir," Rodor growled. "There is far less space on the south than on the west."
"I will have someone bring some sawdust and gravel to the western side to do something about the mud," Guinevere said pacifically.
The situation only grew worse as the week dragged on. Annis and Caerleon would barely talk to one another, and in the tense atmosphere, even Rodor was acting quarrelsome. Only Arthur and Guinevere managed to keep their cool.
"It is stress," Gaius said as he and Merlin walked down the stairs toward the hall one evening. "Everyone is under a great deal of pressure to appear strong—for their armies, and for Morgana. Unfortunately, too often an attempt to appear strong ends in strong-arming others."
"I just wish they'd realize our strength lies in our alliance…" Merlin trailed off as they reached the main doors.
"What is it?" Gaius peered around him. Outside in the courtyard was another small military force, led by a youngish man who looked vaguely familiar. Behind him were two other men Gaius knew only too well: Bergam and Cranog.
"Mora," he muttered. "That's Bergam and Cranog's older brother Cei, now King of Mora." He glanced over at Merlin. The young man's face was white and strained, but he looked more angry than fearful.
"Gaius!" Arthur was waving him over. Gaius approached, with Merlin following in his wake. "Camelot's court physician you know, of course," he said, and Gaius bowed.
"Of course." Cei took Gaius's hand with a warm smile. "How could I forget him taking a crossbow bolt out of my leg?"
Arthur laughed. "You would bring that up. It was an accident!"
"I didn't say whose fault it was," Cei said with a grin.
"And this is my… dear friend and advisor, Merlin," Arthur added, sobering a little. Merlin bowed, not unaware of the look Arthur was giving Bergam and Cranog. "I believe you two have met him before." The two younger princes had the grace to look chagrined. Cei cast them a suspicious glance.
"It is almost time for dinner, and I am sure your Majesty will want to refresh yourself," Guinevere said before questions could be asked. "The servants will show you to your quarters."
000
"I don't like it," Merlin said.
"I'm sorry, Merlin—but it can't be helped. They had to come," Arthur answered, coming into his room. Gwen and Merlin looked up at him in confusion from their seats at the table.
"What? Who?"
"Bergam and Cranog." Arthur stopped. "Isn't that who you were talking about?"
"Oh. No." Merlin blinked. In all honesty, he had barely thought of the brothers since they had arrived. The two of them had avoided him assiduously at dinner, so it was easily done.
"Morgana," Gwen clarified. "We don't like how she has left us alone for so long."
"She has little enough to fear from us," Arthur pointed out. "Her army is larger than our combined."
"But they're an army of mercenaries, and ours are of loyal men," Gwen responded. "Surely our men will fight harder?"
"But our forces are losing their confidence," Merlin answered. "They know we're outnumbered, and our allies have just come fresh from defeat at the hands of Horsa. His confidence grows as ours wanes."
"And as Gaheris and Annis pointed out, Morgana only needs to wait until we either run out of supplies or quarrel amongst ourselves," Arthur said. "And at least one of those is likely to happen soon," he added darkly.
Merlin shook his head. "We need to find some way to get the upper hand. To begin with, I want to make sure that Morgana cannot freeze or knock down whole swaths of our men when we charge."
"I thought you said you and Gaius couldn't find a counterspell for either of those?" Arthur said.
"Not one strong enough to protect large numbers of people," Merlin agreed. "But perhaps someone else could help us."
"The dragon?" Gwen asked.
Merlin pressed his lips together, taking a deep breath before he answered. "No. Someone else." He looked up at Arthur. "Can I take tomorrow off?"
"Whatever you need." Arthur peered at him. "This person you're going to see. Is he… safe?"
Merlin smiled. "Safe as can be."
TBC
