Chapter 15 [A Quarter Turn of the Hourglass Earlier—Up the Road]
The procession's early start and good pace put a good amount of the road behind them. Previous night's rain proved an exception to such weather's rule. (An Amazon reminded Merlin about the excess smoke from such wood burning.) A brief prayer stop at Dawn expressed Mercy's wishes on Reyna's behalf. With such time, Whitgate remained within reach within a few more hours.
Dread, however, hung over the procession's heads. What awaited them was anyone's guess….
Merlin leaned back against the hay and old blanket underneath himself. Despite the driver's care, the road's bumps and potholes jostled him. Healing spells relieved his left shoulder's burning and nagging at him. His eyes bobbed back and forth between the wagon's sides.
Trees, trees, and more trees still…. Tedium threatened to numb him.
Why did Prince Kay not look behind him? A dark frown twisted at his face.
Why did you not look in back of yourself? Malodius squinted at him from behind his face. You did listen to the Amazon healer last night? Did her words not mean anything? He harunged and shook his mane.
You mean how Elena was mad at me? I cannot help that I do not feel the same way she does, Merlin shook his head. We both have our duty. She should understand now that she is bound by that.
She does. Because of you and those feelings, she has had to learn about implications. Malodius snarled. Show some compassion for her. She did save your life. Twice actually. I have faith in her. I believe she will serve her Queen and the Amazons well.
Thank you, Malodius. Elena rode up beside the wagon. Acceptance worked at her hurt feelings. Attitude, however, burned her heart akin to Salt in Amor's wounds. Duty buried her feelings deep down. Her eyes blinked any tears back. "You seem to be all right, Merlin."
"I am. Thanks. I was trying to force this to heal faster. The spells are helping." Merlin forced himself to look her in the eye. "Maybe I can leave with everyone tomorrow…."
"Not if you want to keep that arm, Merlin." She shook that notion off. "I really wish we had stayed at Shalott another day or two. Certainly, King Uther will understand. I am sure King Rodor would allow you to stay awhile. You rescued Prince Kay after all."
My King will be thankful, Elena. He will welcome Merlin. Camelot, however, will need to depart. Uther's behavior has been distasteful to say the least, Malodius chimed in. Especially after this morning's travesty.
"If I may give you some advice, Merlin?" She flicked an eyebrow at him. "Some appreciation might be in order. You should extend your condolences to Lady Elaine. She paid for you as well this morning through her mother's death."
Lecture chafed at Merlin. "I am aware of that." He revealed a bunch of lilacs. "I picked these before we left. I hope Lady Elaine likes them."
"Well then, I stand corrected." She nodded to Merlin. "That is a good thing and…."
Hoots sounded in the distance.
The Amazons' commander raised a wary hand. Her ears listened to their surroundings. She put her hands to her mouth. Hooting noise responded in kind.
"What?" Merlin strained to look at the head rider.
"Watch." Elena pointed toward the space between trees. Her hand motioned Britomart to come closer. Then, she rode up to the leading Amazon contingent.
Radegund rode into view with her fellow Amazons. She surveyed her sisters' numbers and accompanying wagon. "Brynna? How is everything ahead?" She motioned toward the wagon. "And our friend?"
Brynna bowed to her queen. "My Queen, all is quiet. Elena and Britomart tend to Merlin. The Nemethian lion, Malodius, helps us with security." She noted the waiting Elena a couple of horse lengths away. "Elena? How is our friend Merlin?"
"My Queen." Elena bowed in her saddle. "Merlin is awake and alert. His left shoulder remains stiff and sore. I recommend that he continue to rest. I pray that Prince Arthur and King Uther allow him to do so."
Radegund nodded. "You should explain that to Pendragon. He, his knights, and the healer, Gaius, are with us. I will be back." She rode back into the trees. A few heartbeats later, she led Camelot's and her own Amazons toward the wagon and accompanying parties. "As I promised, Pendragon. Our friends are here."
"I can see that." Arthur exhaled a deep breath. Urgency sought out Merlin. "So, where is he? Where is Merlin?"
"He is in the wagon, Prince Arthur." Elena bowed to him. "He cannot ride yet. Princess Mithian's servant, Britomart, is with him. Perhaps Master Gaius should look at him?"
Arthur rode past Elena and toward the wagon. Concern pressed him onward. Uther's warnings and attitude received a deaf ear. Necessity demanded that he see to Merlin. One way or the other, he'd find out about his servant. After that, Admonishments, Lectures, and Discipline would follow. "MERLIN!" He pulled up beside the wagon. "WHOA!"
Despite his feelings otherwise, Malodius bowed to Arthur. Experience and Protocol mandated such action. Discrimination and Disdain grated on his senses.
"Arthur, it…it is all right. Malodius is a friend. He's helped me." Merlin grunted himself into a sitting position.
"Merlin, it is a creature of magic! We cannot trust it!" Arthur slapped the wagon. "Where have you been? Do you know the whole citadel's been turned upside down looking for you? And here you are! Lying around in a wagon! DOING NOTHING!"
"Prince Arthur, please! With due respect, Merlin nearly lost his arm! We just managed to save him two days ago! He should be dead!" Britomart stepped between Merlin and Arthur. She ground her teeth. Somehow, Restraint bit back the rest of her reply. She bowed her head. Indignation reddened her face to match her hair.
Standoff indeed….