Chapter 14 [Mid-Morning—Five Leagues from Whitgate]
[A/N: Sorry. I'm skipping the execution. Aftermath will be trauma enough for everyone….]
Radegund pressed her horse onward up the road from Whitgate. Dawn's grotesque nauseated and disgusted her. Camelot's knights held back Protest at Plaza's edge. Scaffold separated the two sides. Hardliners, Prince Kay, Camelot, and Aredian savored their handiwork. Rodor and Mithian stood off to the other side. Elaine sobbed and cried at her mother's demise.
Fortuna (and other forces) pushed brief rains across Whitgate just hours earlier. Dampened wood's and hay's smoke dispatched Reyna on Mercy's behalf.
Radegund spat at the rapidly passing trail. I would bring that girl into the tribe. What good will that life do her now? Her sire is a biased beast! He seeks to poison her. He would marry her to another shallow man like himself. She would never reach her full potential! UGH! Pity moved her where Rodor and Mithian were concerned. A revolt brews here. Uther stirs unrest much as he did in Tintagel a generation ago. He'd depose King Rodor for that arrogant brat Prince. I should offer asylum to Princess Mithian and that maid of hers. Uther will push Prince Arthur on the Princess. They would be a credit to the tribe as well. At least Prince Accolon respects us. She shot a glance at the others.
Pursuit barreled up the road. Five other Amazons followed three horse lengths behind her. Just at the edge of her site, several Camelot knights rode into view as well.
Now what? Arthur Pendragon actually took my scolding seriously? Will wonders never cease? Radegund raised her right hand stopping the patrol. Matilda can support King Rodor if need be. Galahad and Ywain will keep Nemeth's knights in line. Right now, we have to find our other sisters, Britomart, and the Boy. We can keep Pendragon on a leash as well. "We wait for Camelot. Right now, I would not take chances." She watched her sisters fall in line behind her.
Arthur pulled up on his horse's reins. Behind him, Gaius, Leon, and four other knights rode in supportive roles. George's insufferable failures drove him from the royal chambers. Uther's apparent bloodlust and power play disgusted him as well. Elaine's tears moved him in spite of his father's diatribe to the contrary. Rodor's glare cut through any potential ambiguity. Father, perhaps a private beheading or hanging? You had to have your display. She kept us alive! This is Rodor's kingdom not Camelot! That dog, Aredian, cannot stop! And to make that girl watch her mother's death? Really, Father? And then there is Gwen as well….
Gwen….
Once again, Memoria reminded Gwen of her father's death at the knights' hands. Even at Uther's insistence, she suffered through the execution as well. He was a sorcerer. Father gave him a trial. Tom deserved a more dignified end. Gwen will never recover from that.
Gwen's pain tore at his heart. Amor protested within himself. Feelings…warm and definitely breaking with Protocol's norms…stirred once more. Her earnestness, honesty, and strength drew him akin to Moth and Candle….
…knowing his father's stance on such things, probably the same result….
Arthur's throat cleared. Necessity demanded Merlin's return to service. Endurance and Patience frayed to their mutual breaking point. I told him not to go out! Father will not approve that we are out here like this! Merlin, you idiot. The things I do for you! He forced his attention back toward the waiting Amazons. "Queen Radegund?" He nodded to her.
"Arthur Pendragon, Prince of Camelot." Radegund returned the nod with one of her own. "Your father have his fill in there?" Rage through Icy Hot Glare. Magma would seem akin to Far Northern Chill compared to her bile in that regard.
"Pardon me? We…." Arthur started before Radegund's hand raised to cut him off.
"I am not interested in your justifications for Uther's actions. I do owe you thanks in three regards. First, I appreciate that you are here. I know Uther ordered you not to ride for your servant's sake. Second, you actually thought on my words. Third, I saw your assistance for the maid, Guinevere. Any man who helps a woman like that deserves a measure of gratitude…." She shook off her own distaste. "…even in the middle of such crass and boorish actions." She turned to Gaius. "Master Gaius, thank you as well for tending to my sisters along with the others."
Gaius bowed to Radegund. "I was glad to do it, Milady. Forgive me. I worry about Merlin. I also wish to assist Elena and Britomart if they need another set of trained eyes." He glanced ahead toward the trail. Hopes maintained that Merlin would be riding toward them at that point.
"Of course. Thank you. I am sure Merlin is all right. Elena and Britomart are fine healers in their own right. Elena, in fact, has earned her elevation to a full warrior and sister within our numbers with her actions on that battlefield. Her oath affirmed by her own deeds. Come. We seek our companions." Radegund spurred on her own horse. "SISTERS, WE RIDE!"
Of all the…! Arthur gnashed his teeth. "FORWARD!" He rode after the Amazons.
Merlin, you endanger everything! Why could you not have listened for once? Gaius imagined Hunith's consternation at Condolence's announcement to her and Ealdor for that matter. She sent you to me to keep you safe. Yet we end up putting ourselves between Camelot and the forces of the Old Religion. One day, your luck will run out. As if Nimue was not bad enough? Worry and Priorities pressed him to match the others' pace. Potential Rogues' Gallery ran through his mind. Uther unnerved him to be honest. Merlin will have to be extra careful from now on. One more affront and Merlin will be finished as Arthur's servant. Whatever possesses that boy to act as he does? He set his jaw.
Hourglass turned once and moved halfway round yet again. Sol descended toward Horizon's western edge. Horses' hooves thundered over muddied track. Amazons' calls went unanswered. Attempts continued.
Hoots finally rose up over a turn in the road.
Radegund raised her hand again. She pulled up on the reins. "We should take care. Prince Arthur, we will go first. I would not have any trouble out here. I am sure you agree?" Her eyes met Arthur's.
Arthur nodded. "We will be here." He met the others' eyes. Impatience grated on him. Diplomacy, however, demanded patience in that instance. Rashness could have further war if so allowed. Uther's warning rang in his ears. Defiance or not, he'd not start a war on his own….
…Merlin could do that on his own…
Arthur watched Radegund disappear into the trees. "Gaius, I am sure everything will be all right. Merlin will be playing with his flowers and acting like a girl. Nothing changes." He forced a grin onto his face for Gaius' sake.
"I hope so, Sire." Gaius tapped his saddle. His eyes searched the trees for sign of Amazons, Merlin, or otherwise. Certainly, we are far enough away from any raiders to be safe. Hopefully, they are not carrying Merlin back in the wagon. Terrible thoughts and fears flooded his mind again.
An Amazon rode back into view. "All is well! Follow me!" She turned her horse and rode back ahead.
"You heard her!" Arthur pressed his horse onward.
Thank the goddess! Gaius relaxed. He followed toward Merlin.
Who knows what awaited?
