Chapter 35 [Twelfth of an Hourglass Earlier]
Arthur walked through the citadel. Planning and Preparations shifted all around himself. Servants removed Celebration's garlands and ribbons. Mourning's dark palls and drab colors muffled sentiment. Candles' flames assembled in the plaza akin to Fireflies in the dark or Stars' twinkling above. Familiar faces expressed their condolences. Despite the people all around, he remained alone.
Father….
Dark brooding billowed about in his head. In spite of recent fighting, Admiration warmed his heart. Respect for Uther and his achievements picked his spirits up. Pride pushed a smile through Mourning's overcast albeit for a heartbeat. Camelot's fortunes soared under Uther's reign. Stability returned to the land. Politics moved toward Britannia's center and leadership. Culture and feasts punctuated better times. Famine, hunger, and disease faded from the countryside.
Pity Sorcerers ruined everything. Pity they could not follow the law….
Pity the Enforcers had lost their way as well….
Aredian disappeared under the arch and down the cobbled road. Purpose was served. In appearance, the next inquisition called out. Unbeknownst to Arthur or most others, Uther's abdication/death constituted Life's last task. His horse galloped away from Camelot and into the woods.
There, Cailleach awaited. There, she claimed him…Alas! That would be the last time anyone saw of him….
Still, back to Arthur. He inspected Preparations' efforts. He waved to arriving mourners on the plaza's cobbles. Then, he wheeled about. His strides took him back into the citadel. Lord Geoffrey and the Council awaited him. The other rulers awaited Apology and Explanation by the next day. Hampton's condition and that of Count Boeve impacted the treasury. Uther deserved the best funeral. Coronation's planning loomed as well. Conversations with the other rulers awaited. King Accolon and Morgana jumped to the front of that particular line. Priority asserted certain aims….
…Helen of Troy had nothing on Gwen at that point. Menelaus' fury paled before Arthur's.Circumstances and consequences be damned….
He nodded to Sir Harold and Sir George on the stairs. His boots clopped against the granite underfoot on his way up the staircase. His pace picked up. Uther's condition demanded answers. Rounding up sorcerers remained on his to-do list as well. Father was not a sorcerer! Impossible! Why did he not tell me? I would never have sent Gaius to Hampton! He would've figured out what to do. I will find that witch! I will make an example out of him or her! I promise that! Ragged breaths gasped from his mouth. Tears burned his eyes. Backhand dispatched them in short order.
Couldn't be seen acting like a Girl. Merlin would never let him hear the end of it….
Merlin….
Where is he? Accolon has to have him around here somewhere. I will find him. Gaius. Ask Gaius. Maybe he might know? Then, I can negotiate with Accolon and Morgana for Merlin and Gwen. We will restore order. Arthur set his jaw. He stopped in front of Gaius' door. Impatience pounded his fist against it. "GAIUS!"
A few heartbeats later, Accolon opened it. "Prince Arthur, please come in." He stepped aside. "Gaius just finished preparing King Uther's body for burial. Come in and shut the door."
"King Accolon." Respect prompted a royal nod from Arthur. He stepped inside and shut the door. He surveyed the Physician's Chambers. Everything remained in usual order. Morgana and Gaius flanked Uther's corpse. "Once again, my condolences about King Ruthbert's death."
"Thank you, Prince Arthur. And you have my condolences for King Uther's passing. When Sir Garreth informed us, Lady Morgana and I came right away to pay our respects. Gaius had questions. It is good that you are here. We can answer them for you both." A deep breath exhaled from his lungs. He marched back to her side.
"Arthur." Morgana bowed to him. She maintained her sense of calm. Decorum dictated good relations (at least for now) with Arthur. "I cannot believe the King killed himself." She blinked back tears. She made her way around to Arthur. "Embrace?"
"Of course!" Incredulity raised an eyebrow. Snort escaped Arthur's nostrils. He embraced her against himself. "We should be there for each other especially now. We will get to the bottom of what happened to Father. Whoever the sorcerer is will pay."
Gaius cleared his throat. Eyebrow raised. News frankly unsettled him to be honest. "Sire. I fear there is no sorcerous attack. I examined the King's body. Only brisbane and roudbark would produce such an effect. I've tested King Uther's blood. There are no traces of those herbs or anything else for that matter. I was not in the banquet chamber with you three or the others. What I saw in his chambers would seem to indicate a natural manifestation of such abilities. There is magic in his…and your family, Sire." He bowed again.
"Truly so?" Accolon rubbed his chin. Surprise stiffened him. That is an unexpected turn. "My Lady?"
"Aye. Uther's sister, Margwyth, was banished early in his reign. She escaped into the wild. Nobody has seen her in twenty years at least." Morgana looked into Arthur's eyes. "Sire? You know how I feel about the King. Perhaps…" She cleared her throat. "Perhaps, Uther manifested his latent abilities?"
"My father? A sorcerer? HAH! You know better than that, Morgana!" Denial darkened Arthur's face. "I am surprised his body has not rolled over on the table after you said that! HOW DARE YOU?" His eyes narrowed.
"DO NOT RAISE YOUR VOICE TO HER! NOT IN MY PRESENCE!" Accolon slapped a desk to his left. Rage puffed in his nose akin to Bull's prior to a charge. "The denouncing of magic will stop! You will face the facts, Prince Arthur! Denial was bad enough in your father! I will not deal with you like this!" He bowed his head. Rage's heat radiated off of him in waves. "Your birth cost your Mother her life! It is a pity. Queen Igraine was a wonderful woman. I mourn her. She should have raised you. Aye. As it was, her love for you enabled her to sacrifice herself. She loves you still. Listen!"
"NAY!" Arthur's frown tightened. His lips squeezed against each other. "FATHER WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING TO KILL MOTHER!"
"Sire, he did." Gaius shook his head. "You know I would not lie about that. Nimue and I begged the King not to do it. He wanted you. Queen Igraine wanted you. The spell was cast against Nimue's better judgment." He huffed a deep breath. "From what Merlin told me, it is as Igraine's spirit told you. She was correct."
"Merlin…told you?" Arthur threw his hands up in the air. "Of course, he did! He's such an idiot! I told him to say nothing to no one!"
"I was in King Uther's confidence, Prince Arthur. Besides, Merlin knew I would say nothing beyond to King Uther and you. Right now, with due respect, we should be more focused on the transition between your father's reign to yours," Gaius reminded him. "Please listen to King Accolon, Sire."
"You as well, Gaius?" Arthur stared at him. Eyebrows rose up in the air. Betrayal tore through his heart. "My father would have you punished just for suggesting that!"
"I know. I am being truthful, Sire." Gaius managed to meet Arthur's eyes with his own. His expression never changed. "As to your father, I am loyal. My duty is to Camelot. As your advisor, Physician and friend, I tell you this." Once more, his head bowed.
"It is true, Arthur Pendragon! Do not fault Gaius for being honest this time!" Canary flashed through her eyes. She raised her hands slowly.
"Lady Morgana?" Gaius regarded her. Sleeping draughts and powders had suppressed her visions. Dread forecast that point's arrival.
"Aye, Gaius! You have failed as well! I know about my magic!" She raised her hand still further.
Disbelief widened Arthur's eyes. He floated several feet up into the air. "MORGANA, YOU? You're a sorcerer!" Gasp escaped his mouth. He struggled to move with no luck. "LET ME DOWN!"
"Not until you listen." Her eyes narrowed. "King Accolon and I will be the first to tell you this. We will not be the last. I will let him say it." Make me proud, my King. She stepped back to allow Accolon an open path toward Arthur.
That is my greatest hope, Milady. Accolon strode to her side. His eyes raised toward the floating Arthur. "Many tolerated King Uther's excesses. That time is at an end. I am sure the other rulers will raise the matter after the funeral. Queens Annis and Elena, Kings Rodor, Bors and Olaf all agree with me. I am not saying you have to convert or Camelot has to convert. All the goddess wants is co-existence. That is all! Everything returns to as it was prior to the Purge!"
"You have NO IDEA! Father brought order! Sorcerers caused chaos! They hurt people!" Arthur spat. Indignity ground his teeth. "Morgana! So help me…." He twisted his lip.
"I have no idea? I have no idea? Really?" Amusement flicked an eyebrow at the floating Arthur. Canary flashed through his eyes.
Arthur felt himself moving. He rotated toward his left. His feet rose up. His head turned down. He hung upside down now. "ACCOLON? YOU TOO?"
"Aye, Prince Arthur. Me too." Accolon sniffed. "And maybe you as well? I think you have a great deal to think about. Lady Morgana and I have my father to consider. We have our own work to do. My High Chancellor stands ready to crown her as Queen and my partner. You can either stand with us or stand with Cawdor and Mercia. That is up to you. I would not think you'd want to be alone or allied with Meleagant, Odin and Cenred. And then there is Gwen."
"Gwen? You'd better not hurt her….!" Arthur struggled further. "I thought you were Gwen's friend, Morgana! How can you?"
"Arthur! You wound me!" She slapped her chest. "You know I'd never hurt Gwen. The King wants her to have an excellent home and life. He and I are prepared to grant Gwen a noble's life. Now, who with is the question." She rubbed her chin. "What? Certainly, I know her deeds for Camelot and on my behalf! When I married King Accolon, Gwen's deeds for me became deeds for Nemeth's Queen Elect. Even if Uther would not allow it, Gwen has earned her elevation to noble status. Now, I think there is someone available in Nemeth. Was there not?"
"Aye. I believe King Rodor has the perfect candidate. He knows Gwen very well." Accolon inhaled a deep breath. "Think carefully, Prince Arthur. Co-existence with magic. Contribution to a Sorcerers' Code similar to the Knights' Code. Alliances with Nemeth, Tintagel, the Amazons, Caerveron and Gaul. In return, I ennoble Gwen and relinquish her back to Camelot. We can negotiate trade privileges. You will like Nemeth's new Crown Prince. Princess Mithian is so excited. She finally has someone she wants. You could have someone as well. Just work with us, Prince Arthur. Let us unify Britannia!"
Uther barred him from thinking about Gwen. Accolon offers Arthur a way to get around the King's dying wish. It is a suitable proposal Gaius shuffled toward the three rulers. "It is a suitable proposal, Sire. I am sure the Council would agree. With Gwen ennobled, their criteria would be met. You will be able to be with Gwen."
"Well, Arthur?" Morgana narrowed her eyes. "Will you accept or do I talk with King Rodor?"
Arthur hissed through his teeth. Resentment burned through him. He still wanted to enforce his father's customs. However, Situation demanded that he work with sorcerers. Morgana and Accolon ambushed him. Gaius informed him that he had magic in his family tree. Gwen hung before him. Opportunity presented itself. Choice offered him one path. Perfection lay along it. "This Sorcerers' Code would keep sorcerers in check?"
"It works just like our Knights' Code, Prince Arthur. Despite Lady Morgana and me being sorcerers, I do not want dark magic or unchecked magic any more than you want rogue knights raiding unchecked across the countryside. We do agree. I want our subjects to live without fear. Think about what brought Aredian here to Camelot. A boy was playing with smoke dragons. Smoke dragons! That is what I want to stop. That boy was doing no harm whatsoever! Do you know that Aredian was in Nemeth before he came here? He stepped on King Rodor's prerogative. He insulted Princess Mithian. Perhaps your father supported such attitudes. I want those things stopped. Everyone's borders should be respected. Should they not?"
"Aye." A grimace contorted Arthur's face. "I will apologize to Nemeth. Compensation should be granted. I agree."
Let him down. Canary flashed throughAccolon's eyes. His hand turned in counter clockwise.
Arthur felt himself rotating the other way. Within a few heartbeats, his head and feet had switched again.
"Very well." She lowered her hand. She watched Arthur descend back to the floor. "I thought he looked better upside down up there." Mischief spread her smirk across her face.
"You would." Arthur's eyes rolled. "Can we sign that agreement?"
Accolon extended his hand. "Aye. Perhaps we can gather the Council? Beforehand, we should speak on our treaty? We can sign the agreement between ourselves. The others will sign in the morning. After we sign, we have my first noble to raise up."
A grin spread across Morgana's face. Reward beckoned at last for Gwen's service.
Duty long performed. Status long deserved….