Chapter 4
Fear and uncertainty unsettled Elaine and pursuers alike. Horses neighed and reared. Possessions jostled from saddle bags. Reins came loose. The aforementioned horses bolted and galloped away.
"AFTER THEM!" Bernard threw his hands up in the air. Consternation darkened his mood. A definitive pointed finger told the hangers-on his mind. Besides, they'd have little chance against the looming threat in the woods. "Get her out of here, Aredian! I will hold them off."
Aredian seized Elaine's arm. "We are leaving! Camelot will know how to deal with you!" He pulled her toward his horse.
"Nay! NAY! I am within my rights! You have to respect…." Protest blurted from her mouth. Her heels dragged in the dirt underfoot. Either Accident or Intention caused her to fall.
"GET UP!" Bernard narrowed his eyes. Unlike Aredian, he knew the exact cause. "Aredian, get her out of here. Ywain and his beast are around! Sorcerous abomination!" He spat on the ground. He nearly pulled her arm from its socket to get her back upright. "YOU'LL GO WHERE HE TELLS YOU TO!"
"It will be worse for you if you struggle." Menace narrowed Aredian's eyes. Chill and Sharp edge lent themselves to his tone.
"You want to kill me! Just like my mother! You're a MONSTER! You…." Her hands pushed and shoved at Aredian to no avail. Bushes' rustle and snarls stiffened her. Fear chilled her blood. Like a fly under glass, circumstance caught and held her fast.
Malodius stomped onto the path. Breeze billowed through his mane. Emerald eyes narrowed. His tail swished back and forth. Paws landed on dirt with nary a sound. Snarls antagonized and warned Bernard and the others. Old Accounts and Vendetta came to mind. Paw stomped on the ground….
…Challenge delivered….
A scowl darkened Aredian's features. Memoria recalled his last encounter with this particular lion well. "Count Bernard, you did not tell me that this creature would be here!" His hand moved toward his weapons.
"It should be back in Whitgate!" Panic paled Bernard's features. "Swords will not work on its damned hide!"
"Nay." Aredian grabbed for his crossbow. He slid a bolt into it and took aim. "Let's see if it likes being blinded and…." He stopped in mid-shot. His eyes went wide.
"Put it down." Josiane hovered on her carpet. Scimitar's blade sparkled in Sol's light. "The bolt will only anger him." She pointed at Aredian. "I know of you…"
"To your dread I'm sure, Witch!" Scorn and disdain stewed in Aredian. He trained the crossbow on her.
"Lower the crossbow, Sirrah." A blonde-haired and bearded knight stepped to Malodius' side. "Malodius and Princess Josiane are companions to Princess Mithian. You know this is King Rodor's land." Ywain turned to Bernard. "You have much to learn about chivalry, Count Bernard. Entertaining the Witchfinder, are we?"
"You do not have the authority to stop me! Elaine is my daughter! I have given Aredian guardianship over her! He'll deal with her infection!" Bernard spat. "Bad enough King Rodor overlooked her mother's deficient quality!"
"Father! H…How can you say that? HOW?" Sobs wracked Elaine. Shock and horror overwhelmed her. "Mother loved us! She helped people!"
"She was a filthy sorceress who got precisely what she deserved!" A snigger escaped Aredian. "As these two will one day. King Uther will deal with them, I'm sure."
Whispered Arabic curses hissed from Josiane's mouth. "That butcher can try." Her blade patted against her open hand. "Let the Knights of Camelot come! They know I am not easy prey. Neither will you have it so easy." Dare raised her eyebrow at Aredian. "I know your kind. I have killed more than a few of you. Diplomacy stays my hand. Unhand the Lady Elaine if you are wise."
Malodius snarled. He took another step forward.
"Hold, Malodius! He is not worth the trouble. Bigoted low-educated fool." Ywain stepped to his friend's side. A slight head shake sought to defuse the situation. "Let Princess Mithian have her say."
"She comes. Does not such an arrangement require the King's seal?" Supposition raised Josiane's voice. Challenge dripped from her tone as well.
"I am her father!" Arrogance stiffened Bernard. "You cannot tell me anything, False Princess! Witch!" Hoofbeats echoed to his ears. "Blast!"
Ywain sheathed his sword. "Show respect, Count Bernard, in Royalty's presence." Respect coaxed bows from Malodius and himself. "Princess. We have a situation."
"Oh?" Mithian dismounted from her horse. "Count Bernard? Lady Elaine? What has happened here? What…?" Her eyes alighted on Aredian. "I see the hunter has returned."
"Princess? Princess Mithian, I presume?" Aredian shook his head. "You have no authority here. I have permission from Count Bernard to deal with his daughter. I am taking her to Camelot for purification." He grabbed Elaine's arm again.
Mithian arched an eyebrow. Her eyes narrowed. "I believe you are confused, Aredian. It is you who does not have authority. I remember you all too well. We are in Nemeth. I am Crown Princess. My companions and I speak on King Rodor's behalf. The Lady Elaine is not yours to claim. Count Bernard had no right to call you. He knows my father's mind on such things."
"Count Bernard has granted me guardianship." Aredian held the folded parchment up for view.
Mithian scoffed. "Oh? Has he now? I was not aware of such a thing. Only my father could finalize such an arrangement to make it legal, Aredian. I would know. I would've fought against it. I can assure you, Aredian. My father would NEVER agree to allow you to take Lady Elaine especially not to Camelot for King Uther's so-called justice!" She looked to Ywain. "Sir Ywain, I wish to see that."
"As you wish, Princess." Ywain strode toward Aredian. "Her word is law, Hunter."
"She is but a Princess. I have authority!" Aredian shrugged. He shoved the document at Ywain. "Very well, Knight. The arrangement has concluded. If you wish war, I can return to Camelot and say…."
"Say what, Aredian?" A frown twisted Mithian's mouth. Her eyes narrowed further still. "You're saying that a mere Count matters more than a King? Even if I am Princess and a woman, I am still King Rodor's daughter! I speak on his behalf and with his authority. I can assure you. Many at court remember your last time in Whitgate. I do not require a reminder of your relationship with King Uther. My father and I had it seared into our psyches to our shame!" She accepted the document. "Thank you, Sir Ywain." She read over the agreement. Sharp cough escaped from her mouth. "Just as I thought. No seal. No signature from my father and Lord Blumenwald. Britomart?"
"Aye, Milady?" Britomart rushed to Mithian's side. Aredian stopped her in her tracks. Her hand drifted toward her sword's hilt. "Is that not…?" Anger flared in her over Elaine's condition.
"Aye. It is." Mithian tucked the document into her belt pouch. "Britomart, Lady Elaine can ride back with you. Princess Josiane, can the Lady Elaine ride back to Whitgate on Whisper's back?"
"Of course. Whisper and I are delighted to be of service in such matters. What of them?" Josiane turned toward Aredian and Bernard. Icy tone hissed the question. Threat hung with each word on Frosty Breath.
"You can try. I would relish a good challenge on the ground of course." Aredian saw Bernard's hangers-on skulking between the trees.
"Stay!" Mithian raised her hand. Slightest of headshakes conveyed Disapproval's intervention. "Sir Ywain! Britomart! Malodius! Be aware! Count Bernard! Men of Nemeth, stand down! King Rodor will understand that you follow Count Bernard! Back away! The Count is in enough trouble as is. Do not commit treason!"
"Men! You do not have to listen! She…." Bernard stared at Mithian and then at his men. He set his jaw. He stomped his foot on the ground. Indignation boiled in his blood. He shook his head. "COWARDS!" Disbelief soured his outlook.
The subordinates looked at one another. Their eyes took in the entire scene after that. Odds stacked against them in a potential confrontation. Treason…well…Mithian outranked Bernard. They slithered back several steps. Their weapons dropped to the ground. They bowed to her.
"Thank you, my Friends." Appreciation and Gratitude prompted a nod from her. Events brought up dire turn for Rodor, her and Nemeth on the whole. Proof and Witnesses attested to Bernard's treason and forgery. Sir Ywain, restrain Count Bernard. He is to come with us! King Rodor will want to know about this matter. Aredian. "
More hoofbeats echoed up the road from behind Bernard and Aredian. A knight wearing Camelot's colors rode into view. He stopped a few horse lengths shy of the confrontation. "What matter is this? Sir Ywain?"
"Perhaps your King supports our position?" Aredian flicked a glare into the new knight's eyes.
"Count Bernard and the so-called Witchfinder press their luck, Sir Mortimer. Perhaps you might ask Princess Mithian?" Ywain nodded to his counterpart. He motioned toward Mithian. "My lady?"
"Thank you, Sir Ywain." Mithian smoothed her white tunic. Her lip curled at Aredian's impudence. "Greetings, Sir Mortimer. On behalf of my father, King Rodor of Nemeth, welcome. Might I inquire to your business here?" Expectation raised her brow even higher. "I pray it is a peaceful endeavor?"
Mortimer bowed to her. "Apologies, Princess." He held a parchment document up. "My King…King Uther…requests Aredian's presence. There is a need in Camelot for his services. I hold King Uther's summons here."
Mithian inspected Mortimer's document. Her frown twisted further in on itself. "Very well, Sir Mortimer." She handed the document back to him. Preference wanted to drag both Bernard and Aredian back to Whitgate. Grudge and the others' impudence merited a hearing before Rodor's court. Diplomacy, however, would not start a war over such an issue. She shook her head. "It seems King Uther has handed you a reprieve, Aredian."
Sarcasm's smirk spread across Aredian's face. He stifled his desired response. "I suppose it does, Lady." He opened Uther's summons. His eyes skimmed the document. "It seems the war against sorcery draws me back to those who truly understand." He pocketed it. Snideness shone in his eyes. "You remember it seems."
"I need no reminders, Aredian." Mithian clenched her fists at her sides. She glanced at Elaine clutching at the dirt….
...present dirt…past ash….
"Father rules for all of his subjects. If sorcerers co-exist with everyone else, they should be able to live in peace." Mithian pointed to Josiane. She stepped to Malodius' side. She patted his head. "All of our subjects." Her eyes smoldered into Aredian's. "Make sure to remind King Uther of that."
"Such blind foolishness." Aredian shook her message off. "Have a care, Princess. You may start a war with such words." He got back up on his horse. Without another word, he spurred his horse on. Within heartbeats' passage, he'd already disappeared from view.
"Wait! You just cannot leave me here!" Desperation raised Bernard's voice. Sweat beaded across his forehead. Akin to Scared Rabbit, his eyes flitted from place to place. His heart pounded. "William! James! Someone help me!"
"They know better." Ywain stepped forward. "Do not make this any harder on yourself, Count Bernard. Just come with us please."
Bernard seethed. Disbelief overwhelmed him. For years, Mithian had confounded him on the council. She'd opposed every move. She'd convinced Rodor in many regards. Sorcerers and creatures stood with Nemeth's knights. He couldn't abide the overall situation. He shoved his sword hilt first at Ywain.
"Take it slowly, Lady Elaine." Britomart eased Elaine to her feet. She assessed Elaine's bruises. "I have some medicines back at camp. They will get that swelling down. A splint will help that ankle. Sir Ywain?"
"I believe we can both help her to your horse, Britomart." Ywain eased Elaine's right arm over his left shoulder as Britomart did the same on Elaine's other side. They eased her toward the waiting horse.
"Follow us, Count Bernard." Mithian mounted her horse. She waited for everyone else to do the same. Dark thoughts rolled through her head. Father cannot look the other way this time! She looked to the east and Astolat. He cannot keep the manor producing as it should. He cannot be trusted with our eastern frontier. He invites Aredian in? He turned on his own daughter! Lady Elaine is a member of our own nobility. Bad enough he helped that hunter burn his wife but his daughter too? Disgust burned at her.
"Mithian?" Josiane called from her vantage point overhead.
"Hmm? Aye." Mithian stirred herself from Reverie's embrace. She watched Ywain and Britomart help Elaine onto a horse. Then she led them back toward the waiting servants.
Hunt, it seems, netted a different quarry….