Chapter 39 [Radegund's Castle—Amazon Realm—About the end of Chapter 37]
Even as the allies finished the faceoff with Morgana, a crimson glimmer hung low over the eastern horizon signaling the beginning of another day. A few nightingales sang their last doleful notes. Squirrels hunted for a stray acorn or two.
In contrast the Amazons already were at work. Craftswomen had labored on tools and implements by torchlight. Sentries watched for enemies from castle top and in strategically placed forts around the kingdom.
All seemed as it should be except for one unfortunate "guest" of sorts…..
[Throne Room]
Radegund strode purposefully into her throne room. She felt guardedly confident about the Amazons' stances at that point.
Nemeth lay divided between the two sibling heirs; its nobles backing Kay but the rank and file not to mention the populace begging for Mithian's reinstatement as Princess. In addition Rodor still remained in his trance where Morgause had put him.
Camelot was a nonfactor. The old guard knights either lying dead outside of Whitgate's walls or a ragged scattered band of refugees. The only likely leader was a servant, Merlin, of all things. Queen Guinevere, like King Rodor, still lay in her trance….
…and then she had Arthur who was about to be negated once and for all….
Let Meleagant squat on Camelot's throne. As long as he stays away from our border, I have no quarrel with him. The Amazon leader studied her battle map keenly.
From her scouts, she knew both Lot of Lothian and Bors the Elder of Gaul had massed their armies and moved toward an invasion of her domain. She considered that possibility grimly. I finish with the brat-king and I can prepare to meet them. She sipped on an early morning cup of Jasmine tea before setting it back on the table. Then she crossed the area while considering a second table to her left.
The oaken platform in question sat about three feet off of the ground. Leather straps snaked out from slits in the wood at strategic places. Beside it lay a smaller end table with a cloth cover draped over it.
She nodded at how smoothly everything seemed to be going. Not long now….
On cue, a sharp rapping came from the double oak doors.
She nodded to her new maid. "Bid them enter, Wilfra. The time approaches."
"As you wish, my Queen." The servant threw open the doors to find a half-dozen Amazons surrounding a shackled Arthur who wore what seemed to be a burlap night shirt that extended below his knees. Only a rope cinching it at the waist marked any extra flourish for the prisoner.
"My Queen!" Diera greeted with a deep bow for her sovereign. "We bring the prisoner for his induction to your service."
"Enter. I wish to teach him his place," Radegund evenly responded; her eyes flaring into his like an angry cobra.
Still he struggled valiantly against his "escort". "This is still a grievous crime, Radegund! I am owed more than this!"
Diera backhanded him across the face. "Be silent, Dog!"
He smirked. "I think my servant hits harder than you, Girl." Then he spat blood into the lieutenant's face.
"You still have fire in you, Pendragon. Well we'll see how long that lasts!" Radegund produced a garrote. "Hold him." She dropped the loop around his neck and tightened it. "We'll see how brave you are while you're choking on this." She slid her hand along the leather strap increasingly constricting his throat and windpipe.
"G…Go to H…ell!" he rasped. Despite his predicament, he wouldn't give an inch. He still represented his people and Camelot. He'd rather die than submit.
"By the time I'm done, you'll think this is it." The queen motioned to Diera. "Strap him down. I need him prepared." In addition to her warriors dragging him toward it, she pulled him in that direction much as she might walk a dog. Working with them, she pushed him onto the splintered wooden surface.
As five of the Amazons restrained him, Diera and Radegund secured Arthur firmly in place strapping his ankles, knees, torso, arms, wrists and neck firmly onto the table.
"So futile are your struggles. It will be over in a few minutes," Radegund bragged.
"Just kill me…already. B..oring!" Arthur rasped with bravado forcing the words through his burning throat. He still struggled against the restraints while trying to break them.
"Think so, do you? Lie there for a few minutes. Soon I'll have plenty for you to do," Radegund assessed grimly.
[Down the Hall]
Not far down the hall, the rescue party appeared in a flash.
"No warriors to fight? PITY!" the Black Knight hissed.
"Always looking a gift steed in the mouth, aren't you?" Gawain groused. "So where's this lady's torture chamber anyhow? Shouldn't we be in the dungeon or out on the square?"
"Father brought me once when I was very young to negotiate with Queen Matilda, Radegund's predecessor," Mithian pointed out while motioning down the hall. "If she's anything like Matilda, Radegund would want a private ceremony and then announce it later."
Merlin muttered a few words in the old language. His eyes glowed and waved his hand authoritatively. His ears suddenly became receptive to all sounds—even the sounds within the sounds. He could perceive the vibrations around them. "There's a large contingent of guards that way." He pointed behind them into the torchlit passage. Mithian's right. I'm feeling Arthur's presence with seven other people straight ahead."
"And you know this how?" Elyan pressed.
"His magic. How else?" Tristan responded low. "Merlin, some of us should watch the passage while you're rescuing King Arthur."
"Gawain, Britomart, Mithian and I can deal with the Amazons. You all keep watch behind us in case their Queen calls for reinforcements," Merlin noted.
"Just four of us?" Mithian queried expectantly.
"The rest of us are ready as well," Leon pointed out. "Maybe though Britomart might stay back?"
"I will not! I can more than hold up my end, Sir Leon. Can you? Honestly! Men!" Britomart rolled her eyes at Mithian. "Afterwards perhaps you can talk some sense into them, Milady." She produced a crossbow and handed it to her old friend. "I brought this for you as well."
The former Princess shook her head. "Except for certain Warlocks, that's a difficult conversation at best. Still thank you for this. I can contribute on this level at least."
You do more than you think. Just be careful! Merlin shook his head before turning back to the others. "Be that as it may, we have our purpose. It won't take long for those other Amazons to get in here once Radegund has alerted them. Come on!" He led the group down the length of the remaining granite passage toward the double locked doors in front of themselves.
Two Amazon warriors unsheathed their blades. "MY QUEEN, INTRUDERS!" They swung their blades defiantly; their steel meeting Perceval's and Leon's respective swords.
In response a door could be heard swinging open. A large contingent of feet rushed toward them.
Merlin pointed at the dark space between them and the approaching troops. "Na chnap-starra!"
A glowing energy field stopped up the hall behind them preventing anyone from getting through.
"NICE! See? Handy stuff when he doesn't have to hide it, eh?" Gawain supposed. He rattled the locks and curled his lip. "Bloody devil!" He glanced back at Merlin. "Have somethin' for that too?"
"Let me," Mithian insisted. She concentrated and pointed at the door. "Dorsan fosgailte!" Her eyes glowed yellow on cue.
For a couple of seconds, the door locks rattled as if fighting the invading enchantment. Then they undid themselves, swinging open as if by their own biding.
"I…I did it!" Mithian realized in a combination of pride and surprise.
Merlin grinned at her. "Yeah you did. Come on!" You still need practice though.
So do you. Some people. Mithian hefted her crossbow and fired into the chamber taking out two of the guards in efficient fashion. I have many skills, Merlin. So there!
I'd listen to her, Emrys, Talesin cut in over the link. I will stay out here and maintain the barrier. Do what you must.
We will. Thank you. Merlin arched an eyebrow as they rushed into the chamber.
"Hey, Arthur! Some party you've got here!" Gawain teased. "And you didn't invite us? What a load of crap! Gwen know about this?"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Gawain. GET ME OUT OF HERE!"
"Yeah whatever!" Gawain observed his friends dealing with the remaining guards. He reached toward the strap around Arthur's right wrist.
"GAWAIN, LOOK OUT!" Arthur warned while struggling to help his knight but being unable to do so.
Gawain managed to turn and duck just as a glinted swipe passed through the space where his neck had been. He snorted at Radegund and started to draw his own weapon. "Not too sportin' of a Queen. I have to say."
Radegund raised an almost amused eyebrow. "As if I'd let the likes of you tell me about court etiquette, you oaf?" She raised her sword defiantly. "Go ahead and draw your weapon. You cannot defeat me. No man can." A cold smile spread across her face.
"Full of herself, ain't you? Get a grip, Queenie! Ain't killing the King today!" he retorted while crossing steel with her.
"I wasn't going to kill him. He was to be my court eunuch just as you might be after you lose, Idiot!" Radegund hissed.
"Court…" Gawain's eyes went wide. "Seriously?" He just managed to block a powerful advance on her part. He tried to push his own advance against her but could not do much more than maintain a defensive posture against Radegund's rain of attacks.
"I will enjoy having you as my court jester!" Radegund savored the thought of impending victory. She swung her blade to knock his from his hand….
…only to find another sword block its advance in mid-swipe….
"You?" Radegund stared incredulously as Britomart stood between her and Gawain. She of course dimly remembered the girl as an apprentice healer and Mithian's maid…
…certainly not as a warrior…
"Yes, Your Highness. And I am certainly not a man." Britomart glanced over her shoulder. "Gawain, free King Arthur and get out of here. I'll hold her off." She held up her own sword defiantly.
"Brit, are you….?" Gawain rolled his eyes.
"Gawain, JUST SHUT UP AND DO IT!" Britomart barked before turning her full attention to her towering opponent. "We don't have to do this, Milady. Just let us go. Morgana's banished as is her sister. You're surrounded. Just let King Arthur go and we'll leave in peace."
"My sister warriors will be here any minute, Girl." Radegund assessed the fire-haired younger woman in front of herself. "You have spirit. I can see that. You'd make a fine Amazon if that's what you wish. Join me. They are not worth your allegiance."
"Sorry. I'm loyal to my Princess and…this backward excuse of a knight…."
"HEY! That's me you're talking about!" Gawain protested indignantly.
"More cutting! You're distracting me!" Britomart swung her sword and met Radegund's blade steel on steel.
"Some people…geez!" Gawain undid Arthur's wrist restraint. "You really get yourself into messes, don't you?"
"I don't think you really should talk about such things," Arthur pointed out tersely. "Just get me out of here before Merlin sees…." Seeing the warlock observing the whole thing, he grimaced. "Terrific. He just saw me in this foul apparatus."
"Seems he'll never let ya hear the end of it, eh? I might not either," Gawain insisted. "Seems you owe Merlin and Mithian an apology. If not for magic, we wouldn't be here and you wouldn't have…" He glanced toward the floor with an amused smirk on his face.
Arthur groused, "Yes well…even magic has its uses, I suppose. Just get me out of here!"
"Allow me," Merlin noted. He pulled the cover off of the table to reveal the torture implements lying on top of it. "Hmmm….might be an improvement for a prat…"
"Merlin, that's really not amusing. Only an idiot would…." Arthur chided.
"As I told you before, Arthur, Merlin is not an idiot," Mithian rebutted tersely. "Just be grateful I'm not vengeful and that Gwen is my friend. I might have other ideas if you don't change your attitude."
"I'd quit while you're ahead, Arthur," Merlin noted. He waved his hand. "Strapaichean sgriubha!"
The remaining bonds undid themselves allowing Arthur to scramble off of the table. He collected himself to see the Amazon guards either lying unconscious or dead on the floor. "Get me a sword. I'll…."
"Get back, King Arthur. That goes for the rest of you as well! No man can defeat her!" Britomart huffed while evading the resident monarch's latest attack. She ducked under yet another wild swipe before stabbing upward into Radegund's chest. "And while I am knight worthy, I am not a man!" She gave a twist to the blade to finish her opponent off before yanking it back out again.
Radegund stared aghast at her opponent. She'd bested some of the greatest warriors in the world. She'd survived perilous adventures and conquered distant realms. Cold seized her limbs rendering them as heavy as lead. She collapsed to her knees.
"I am sorry, Milady. My duty aside, I did not want this," Britomart advised the dying Amazon queen.
"Duty…You…are indeed worthy of an Amazon. I…misjudged you." Radegund removed her crown and handed it to Britomart. "It is for you to rule or choose…successor. You…bested me in battle. Throne…is…yours, Britomart of Nemeth…I…honor…you." With that she slumped to the unfeeling stone; her spirit passing to the next world.
Britomart considered the crown with awe and wonder. "I…I could be a Queen?" She shook her head. "I…I know nothing of such things." She shook her head and then turned to Gawain. "See what you get me into?"
"Me? You're the one who was all 'I'm knight worthy but not a man' stuff. Sounds like Amazon material to me, Brit," Gawain countered in shock and surprise.
"Being ruler is a great responsibility, Britomart," Mithian advised sagely. "If that's what you wish, I believe you'd be a worthy ruler especially with the right advisers. You have a sense of duty, honor and obligation. You are hard working, compassionate and yet a warrior. These women will come to respect you if that is what you choose."
"I know you are right, Milady. However I am not an Amazon. I wish I knew of a worthy Amazon so that I would not impose myself on these women," Britomart lamented. "This crown and they are not items to be swayed to our own favor…or given up as token pieces in some game of chance. The right female ruler needs to be found for them. Princess Mithian, I say it should be you."
Mithian smiled but shook her head. "I am honored you think so much of me. I would be willing to help in the transition to a new Queen for these people. However I still have my own battles both in Nemeth and at Merlin's side. Everything else, however, still points to you or a person you carefully choose." She squeezed Merlin's hand to emphasize the point.
"Perhaps I might have a suggestion?" Arthur proposed.
"You? You'd impose patriarchy!" Britomart assumed.
"Easy. Yeah he can be a prat but he's also the King. At least hear him out," Gawain indicated not wanting her to come to harm (or the stocks).
"Thank you, Gawain." Arthur took a deep breath. "During my time here, one of the Amazons stood up to Radegund and Morgana's hate spell. She was a servant named Elena. Now she did criticize me—some of it at least was fair and insightful. Despite this, she argued for me in the spot you're standing on, Britomart. She attempted to appeal to Radegund's unswayed reputation—one that I've heard of as well. She did not succeed and received her banishment. Even then Elena did not stop trying to sway her queen not for herself but for the sake of Radegund and her sister Amazons…for justice and duty."
"So where is she, King Arthur? We can find her and bring her back," Britomart proposed.
"Morgana banished her to some unknown place. I wish we could find her because she'd be my choice as an ally, fellow leader and a just ruler for her people," Arthur noted.
"Sounds fair to me," Merlin interjected while getting nods from the knights and the others. "Perhaps with the help of the other sorcerers, we can…."
Arthur glared at the manservant. "Merlin, using magic got us into this mess. Don't you think it's time you stopped using it? You've corrupted yourself and Princess Mithian as well!"
Merlin's shoulders slumped. His heart felt as if it was sinking. His eyes watered. "I've done nothing but try to defend you against Morgana and her ilk, Arthur. You're rescued and …still intact…because we arrived by means of magic. We're about to try and get Gwen back through magical means. We're…."
"It changes nothing, Merlin. I know you lied and have manipulated me. I can't trust you in any event. Be grateful we're not in Camelot so I can't banish you. Just…stay away at least for the time being." Arthur turned to Mithian. "Princess, I could've sworn I had some dream vision where you told me you weren't royalty any longer. No matter because that had to be a dream and nothing more. I can escort you back to Nemeth and talk with Prince Kay on your behalf. I…."
Mithian glared icily at him from where she comforted Merlin. "It was no dream, Arthur. Somehow I made that happen with us and Guinevere. And yes, Kay has deposed and banished me! No matter. You've caused me enough pain. Your rejection of our marriage treaty hurt my prospects and hindered my standing with the nobles within my own realm. You still keep others in fear encouraging the likes of Morgana to turn evil. And now…now…even when you propose a superb idea, you mar it with your prejudice! Kay banished me because of magic. Now you've done the same to Merlin—my Merlin, the man I love—because of your father's stupidity! I thought we were past this. I stepped aside because you love Guinevere and it was supposedly the beginning of a new era!" She sucked in a deep breath. "We'll get you out of here and get Guinevere back because it's the right thing to do. Then we're leaving."
"I have no where to take you, Mithian, that's proper. I…." Merlin hesitated.
"We can go to Ealdor. I don't care," Mithian assured him while squeezing his hands in hers warmly. "As long as you're with me, my Warlock, I don't care. Besides I look forward to getting to know your mother better and being a family. From there, we can figure out what to do about Nemeth. If we can get my father restored, perhaps he will reinstate me as Princess and allow you some place at court. We need a physician at the very least to work with Master Wyngate. Who better than you?"
"Gaius would be a better choice if he doesn't stay at Camelot," Merlin disagreed. "Let's table this discussion. We need to find Elena if we can. I remember something from one of Gaius' books about this."
"Gaius is a sorcerer too? Is there no end?" Arthur protested.
"SHUT UP!" Britomart snapped at him. "As acting regent, I can have you put back in that hole, King Arthur, if you do not desist! Do not disparage him or Milady again lest you get the next taste of my blade." Her eyes blazed blue fire into his.
The majority of the knights formed a protective circle around their king in light of that threat. They each drew their swords to form a porcupine formation against all comers be they friend or foe.
Gawain remained off to the side of that. He winced at how their united effort splintered because of the old and tired argument. Besides he really didn't want to choose between his king and the acting regent so to speak. "Arthur, this really rots. I can't do this anymore. We can't just judge people because of status, skin color or faith, right? So why because of magic? Mate, you're so out of bounds on this one!" Gawain drew his sword and stepped between them. "Either you take it back or else."
"Or else what? Gawain, you're not talking sense! Don't tell me that Lady Britomart's a sorcerer who's enchanted you too!" Arthur presumed incredulously.
"Nope...Britomart's a pain in several ways we won't mention but…there's something about her that makes her worth standing up for. She's not a witch but she has her own magic of a sort, Arthur. And the same goes for Merlin and Mithian. They're two of the most special people we know. They've sacrificed so that we're here and safe! So, as she said, shut up and let Merlin work! OKAY?" Gawain clarified (borderline ranting) angrily.
"Pain huh?" Britomart retorted not so amused.
Gawain frowned. "I'm really going to pay for that but yeah you're you."
"Count on that," Britomart remarked not giving an inch. Still, despite his barb, she enjoyed the meat of his lecture. She'd finally found a man who believed in her…who understood her….and that she *might* be able to put up with….
…maybe…
"Anyhow-thank you, Gawain," Merlin whispered. He squeezed Mithian's hand and looked into her eyes again. "And thank you."
"No need to thank me. It's my pleasure. Let's go and find Gwen together. Perhaps she'll know where Elena is," Mithian assured him with a gentle yet purposeful smile. "Pardon us, Lady Britomart."
"Milady, do not call me that. I am still your servant…"
"I am no longer a royal and you are at the moment, Milady," Mithian corrected her before adding a curtsey out of respect. "Permit us to find your successor?"
"As you will do, Princess. And you are always the royal in example as well as in fact to me. No matter what happens, you both will have a place here if needed," Britomart noted favorably. "Merlin, protect her please?"
"Always. Thank you, Lady Britomart," the warlock expressed. "If you could move a couple of steps over, Arthur's directions put Elena on this spot when she was banished."
"Of course." Britomart concurred as she did so. "Meantime, while we're waiting, perhaps we might do something for these deceased Amazon warriors? They fought with honor and should be treated accordingly."
"Somebody might want to let the others know out in the hallway what's going on as well," Leon advised. "Merlin, again, this still remains to be discussed. For now, find both Queens and bring them back. We'll support our allies outside." He sheathed his sword. "Come along." He led the other knights out of the chamber.
"I guess that's the best we can ask for," Merlin relented. "Maybe some day…"
"That day is coming soon whether in Camelot or elsewhere, Merlin," Mithian asserted. "Let's bring Guinevere back. She'll have something to say about this. Count on that! Now what do we do?"
Merlin smiled and felt himself relaxing once more. "We focus on the energy strands. When Morgana cast Elena from this room, the portal had to go somewhere. There has to be some trail through the space between realms, I'm thinking."
"So if we follow the trail, we find Elena. Hopefully once there, this ability of mine can find Guinevere too?" Mithian finished the thought.
"That's the idea," Merlin agreed. "Anyone ever tell you that you're so smart?"
"Flatterer." She smirked and let her eyes twinkle into his. "Allow me." She inhaled a calming breath while opening herself to the energies around them. For several heartbeats, all she could feel were the sorcerous energies he'd described.
"You can do it," he declared supportively.
She nodded gliding onward on those currents…seeking…tracking as she might a stag on the hunt….
Instead of a broken branch, some spore on tree bark, mussed grass or a muddy hoof print, she looked for auras and mental imprints….the essences of the present and future Queens…..
Queen Guinevere! Elena! Can you hear me? It's all right! I want to help you! she called out into the space hopefully. To be honest, she wasn't sure that they'd hear her. Still she had to try.
Keep going! You're doing great! Merlin cheered through their link.
I know but thanks. I….
Princess Mithian, is that you?
Queen Guinevere, yes, it's me! Hang on! Where are you? Merlin and I are looking for you! Mithian replied positively.
It's a strange and dark place. I'm stuck here with an Amazon named Elena. Can you help us? Gwen called back.
We're trying. Hang on. Merlin? Mithian declared.
Right here. Gwen, we'll be right there. He cast the spell. "Lorg Guinevere!"
In a flash, the two sorcerers hurled through space toward who knows where.
On their way to resolving yet another tie in the mess…