Chapter 1 [Nemeth]

Carnage soaked Grass, river, and lake on that day. Breeze flapped at torn banners. Standards lay snapped in two. Knights' bodies lay strewn and stacked akin to cordwood before Death's scythe. Fortuna's tides went back and forth during said affair. Cawdor and Mercia dominated the field. Camelot, Nemeth, and Amazons held their ground. All had hung in the balance.

Then, Earthquake shook the ground. Storm howled from Clear Sky.

Rumor and Fear fueled Supposition. Few knew the true source….

[Manor of Astolat, Isle of Shalott]

Mourning sagged across the Isle's inhabitants on that day. Previous day's battle had disrupted their lives. Blood still tainted their water. Gore and carnage still lay in clear view across the lake itself. Worse still, the Cawdorians and Mercians marched away with few concessions other than their dead, and a half-hearted ban.

Lady Reyna, their beloved mistress, healer, and heiress to generations-established lineage, dragged away by Aredian, and Camelot hardliners. Threats and worse couldn't rip her patient's identity from her. Duty muted her. Endurance maintained resolve in Spectacle's midst. The goddess' orders outweighed all others.

Suffering reaped its rancid crop indeed….

[Subterranean Chamber]

Unbeknownst to its current count, a secret passage ran from the master bedchamber toward wooded secret location. Nary a trail much less a road ran by it. Irony played its games with searching knights in the area. Horses' hooves galloped right overhead. Amazons hunted there with Rodor's permission….

…in truth, Sisterhood served as guards against such incursions….

Their minds remained on their friend below….

Merlin lay semi-conscious on a small bed. Fever and Delirium messed with his senses. Teeth gnashed. Grunts, groans, and sharp breaths punctuated Pain's sharp jabs. Sweat soaked his forehead and hair. Ghastly wound nearly ran clear through his left shoulder. Sword thrust had cleaved nearly through. Interrupted spells relinked bone, muscles, and tendons.

Husband's betrayal, however, arrested Reyna's ministrations at that point. She and Gaius held off Bernard, Aredian, and Arthur. Alas, they dragged her away…

Gaius had stood his ground. Akin to Pit Bull or Cath Palgau, Challenge and Intimidation blazed through his eyes. Whether on his own or with the goddess' help, his effort turned Pursuit away from the door. Even Aredian could not make him back down. Injustice burned at him. Lies further covered for Merlin's absence….

…even as Britomart, Elena of the Amazons, and Malodius the Lion eased Merlin through Passage's twists and turns toward safety….

Malodius lay by the door. His spell-cancelling presence could endanger Reyna's handiwork. Consequently, he remained on guard lest Camelot and Aredian find them again…

…Pity Knights or Witchhunter in that case….

"Merlin! MERLIN!" Elena shook his right shoulder. Her hand felt his neck. "His blood flow is so weak!" Desperation chilled her. "Men! They have no sense of right and wrong!" Admiration warmed her heart for the prone patient. "Merlin was so brave! He did so much! Yet, they would kill him for it?"

"King Rodor and Lord Blumenwald would not. Otherwise, aye. Their fear controls them! If they cannot control something, they kill it. Hold him still." Britomart blotted the bloody wound. Stitches had started to close the wound. "I wish Gaius were still here! Blast that Uther of Camelot! King Rodor would never act like that! Lady Reyna's a fine woman and healer. Merlin saved us all! He endured this on Prince Kay's behalf! Master Wyngate should be here! I am a simple apprentice!" Doubt ate at her.

"Pardon me. I meant no offense to your King." Elena winced. "Have faith, Sister!" She blotted the wound. "Focus on your needlework! His life is in the balance!" Nerves ate at her as well. Experience told her that such wounds invited Cailleach's presence. Raelwaelda, why did you not accompany us? The goddess knows we need your skill! "He is so strong! Many others would be dead! He hangs on!"

Britomart bit her lip. Last few stitches closed the wound. She knotted the thread. Knife severed remaining thread from the strand. "There! It's done!" Her hand dunked her last cloth in Wine's sanitizing liquid. She wiped the wound. "Master Wyngate says that wine cleans the wound."

"Even Queen Radegund has faith in him, Sister." Elena looked him over. "He is so pale." Worry chilled her heart and soul.

"If only Lady Reyna were here." Britomart shook her head. "I should be with Milady and the King. Master Wyngate should be here in my place and…." His spasms stiffened her. "Nay! Nay! NAY!" She grabbed at his wrist. Her fingers pushed Elena's aside. "It is too much! I….!"

"Merlin! Hear us, Brave Brother! Do not give up! We owe you far too much! We will not fail you!" Elena shook him. "STAY WITH US!"

Merlin's eyes snapped open. His lungs heaved a deep breath. Spasms wracked his body. His fingers grabbed at thin air. Drool ran down the side of his mouth. His heart pounded. "Dark! So dark! Cold!" He slumped back onto the bed. Eyelids sagged closed. Last breath escaped. Lungs deflated. Head fell to the side.

Malodius leapt to his feet. He rushed toward the bed. His snout pushed up against Merlin's hand. MERLIN! MERLIN!

Malodius! Is it you? What is this? I feel icy cold coming from Merlin…. Kilgarrah struggled against the manacle around his foot once more. Even within distant cave, Death's spoor chilled him.

Kilgarrah? Where are you, Dragon! Why have you ignored us until now! We needed you! Merlin is dying! He took a grievous wound in his shoulder! Malodius lectured.

Uther has imprisoned me under Camelot's citadel. I am chained in a cave below as a prize. The rest of my kind lay dead. Uther and his ilk slaughtered them all. What happened to Merlin? I felt an impact shake him!

Malodius nudged Merlin's arm again. That coward, Meleagant of Cawdor, tried to stab Prince Kay in the back! Merlin stepped between them. I cannot believe it! Lady Reyna tried to use sorcery to heal him. Aredian and Uther's malice stopped her.

UTHER? Rage bellowed in Kilgarrah's roar. Frustration echoed off of Cave's walls. I cannot get there! I know Merlin is blind to the Pendragons' faults! I…He is failing! His thoughts are in turmoil! I….

"Merlin! MERLIN!" Britomart put her hand to his neck. Realization slammed into her. Failure loomed over her efforts. "Why? His pulse! I cannot feel anything!" She lifted his limp hand. "King Rodor will blame us! What will I say to Master Gaius?"

Malodius whined. He laid down beside Merlin's bedside. Death, it seemed, had claimed yet another companion on the immortal creature's road. Dragon, I am sorry. Merlin is gone.

Curse Uther's stupidity! Kilgarrah gnashed his teeth.

Failure apparent…or was it?