Chapter 2

Muted emotions moved Nemeth on that day. Relief warmed everyone's hearts at Enemy's retreat. Lament-laden volunteers separated each kingdom's dead from one another. Their hands preserved valued chain mail, rings, jewelry, and such from thieves' pickings. Master Wyngate and other healers tended to all the wounded as best as possible.

Still, Unbelievable unsettled all concerned. Stories and Rumor whispered of Miraculous Victory over Cawdor and Mercia. Earthquake and Storm shook the landscape. Mysterious hooded man withstood the Hulking Meleagant's sword before slinking away into the woods.

Uther's bile, however, proved more vile than Trojan Horse's subterfuge. Noble King and Ally would not demand repayment from beleaguered victim. Uther demanded answers for the hooded man's intervention. Prejudice flared within his heart. He directed the Witchfinder to seek out answers.

Despite lacking the tell-tale wound, Reyna languished in the dungeon….

Despite no tell-tale wound, Stake awaited its victim….

Such was the way with the Victim needing Neighboring Opponent's help….

[Citadel's Dungeon]

Brooding steps pushed Mithian down the passage. Mourning still hung its pall over her head. Queen Taene's death still numbed her heart. Battle and Conquest's threat stoked Fear's flame in her heart. Rodor's resolve bolstered her own strength. Gratitude toward goddess and allies came from her mind and soul…

…over evading being a pawn in either Meleagant's or Odin's respective beds….

Shudder shook her shoulders. Bile burned in her stomach. Her boots clacked against each stone stair. Guilt and outrage still frothed in her heart and mind. Betrayal ate at her.

A hand squeezed hers. "Why she here, Mi'ady?" Sobs echoed against the stones.

"Blatant prejudice and foolishness, Lady Elaine." Mithian stopped their descent. She faced the disheveled girl. Her handkerchief wiped Elaine's cheeks dry. "Let's make sure Lady Reyna sees you at your best. All right?" Her hands smoothed and straightened Elaine's straggly hair.

"Mi'ady, you Pretty Princess! You shouldn't!" Protest drew Elaine back a step.

Mithian sucked in a deep breath. "I'm a Princess. I don't know if the boys find me pretty." Shrug dispensed with her reaction. "But I can make you pretty! You know that your mother helped people?"

"Uh huh. She always helped people! Why's she down here then?" Elaine sulked.

"People who do not understand." Mithian softened her expression. "I am helping because I am supposed to. Princes, Princesses, Kings, Queens, Counts…we are supposed to help our people. My mother, Queen Taene, always helped! She could not help enough! I do this for her. I do this for you. I do this for all of our people." She rubbed Elaine's arm. "Remember that. The people on your father's estate are your responsibility too! The King, Prince Kay, and I know you can do that, Lady Elaine. Besides…." Defiance spread a smirk across her face. "We are friends."

Awe and Gratitude slackened Elaine's jaw. She threw her arms around Mithian. "Thank you, Lady!"

"You are most welcome." Mithian returned the embrace. For several heartbeats, they lingered there. Her arms offered a safe harbor to the grieving girl. Rodor's mood and Kay's gloating prepared her for the worst. Consequently, she did all she could. "Come."

"You should be careful, Sister." A tall dark-haired teenaged man stepped into view at the bottom of the stairs. "That 'help' reeks of sorcery." His eyes narrowed. "Lady Elaine forgets her place. So, it seems, do you."

Elaine pulled herself from the embrace. Panic jackrabbited her heart. She curtseyed to the newcomer. Restraint held back her desired response. "M'Lord."

Indignant Sniff escaped Mithian's nostrils. Her eyes narrowed. "I am supporting one of our subjects in their time of need, Prince Kay. Perhaps you should try it some time?" His arrogance offended her. Oftentimes, Snide Cracks about feeding the hungry or hunting to serve the community grated on her ears. Battles, Embassies, Distant Lands, and Adventure occupied Daydreams' passage. He paid little attention during Rodor's royal court and the Royal Council. He trained with the knights. He and his retinue traveled to Camelot to visit Arthur and their counterparts. "Father needs us to look after them, Prince Kay! We cannot abandon them! Mother…."

"Father gave Mother more of a place than she deserved. He does the same for you." Kay rolled his eyes. "At least she knows." Cruel Smirk spread across Kay's face. "The south passage needs a tapestry, Mithian. Serve that."

"It can wait. Priorities require me to be right here!" Mithian's eyes narrowed. She jumped to her feet. Crimson darkened her face. Rage shook her. Her fists clenched at her sides. "How dare you? THE QUEEN KNEW HER PLACE! HER PLACE WAS SUPPORTING FATHER AND SPEAKING ON THE PEOPLE'S BEHALF!" She shook her head. "You listen to those Camelot people too much."

"And you live in your imaginary world. Do you think that in any other kingdom women are equal to men? Really? The strong rule the weak!" Kay's hand stifled a cough. "I hear the Nazarenes speak as you do. I…." His eyes rose up the stairs.

"Please! Do not stop on my account. Do continue, Prince Kay. I wish to hear more of this 'reality'." Morgana raised an eyebrow. Sarcasm sauced her words and tone. Her eyes narrowed at him. Challenge sparked in her eyes. She'd spurned his advances. "I believe Princess Mithian and Lady Elaine have other matters to attend to? Oh…and if you wish to speak of your reality, I believe Queen Radegund would be very interested. Perhaps you might remember Prince Accolon's reaction from the last time you spoke to me in this way?" Her throat cleared.

Indignation burned in Kay's chest. He ground his teeth. "Let him challenge me, Lady. I'll settle it then." He shook his head. "King Uther is wise on a great many things. He indulges you too much as Father does Mithian."

Elaine squeezed into the corner. She bit her lip. Akin to Frightened Kitten, she trembled. Fear chilled her. "I…I don't like this."

Morgana bent over. "It is all right, Lady Elaine. Princess Mithian and I are here as your friends. We know our place." As with Cobra, her eyes stabbed into Kay's. Her tone descended back into Threat's low timbre. "Unlike you, Prince Kay, I value Camelot's neighbors. If I tell Prince Accolon about your 'lesson' here, he'll follow through on his challenge. Prince Arthur would teach you a lesson right here and now as well. King Rodor has lost your mother already. I have no wish for him to lose his only son as well." She pointed to his back. "That would be quite the shame…."

"What?" Mithian looked from Kay to Morgana and back again. "Lady Morgana? What do you mean?"

A not so gentle snort escaped Morgana's lips. "Oh? You have not mentioned your diplomatic missteps, have you?" Morgana arched her eyebrow. "You have done yourself few favors, Prince Kay. Aye. You have friends in Camelot and elsewhere. Still, you are not respected. Compassion goes a long way, Good Prince. Remember that." She sucked in another composing breath. She motioned over her own shoulder. "And watch your back better on the battlefield. Meleagant claims he tried to kill you."

"WHAT? KAY?' Mithian stared at him.

"The coward tried to stab me in the back. Nothing more. Some churl took the blow." Kay shrugged off the event. "I'd have had words with Meleagant if Father had let me." He stalked up the stairs and out of sight.

"Why is he so mean? I…I'm sorry, Ladies. I speak out of turn." Elaine shuddered. Her hands covered her face.

Morgana rubbed Elaine's shoulder. "He is full of himself. Respect him as your Prince. Hope for the best." Diplomacy restrained the rest of her response.

"Thank you, Lady Morgana. I appreciate it." Mithian rubbed the back of her neck. "I cannot believe Kay…!"

"Some servant or peasant stepped between him and Meleagant, Princess Mithian. The poor soul's dead by now." Morgana shook her head. "And Prince Kay could care less. Pity. That attitude will kill him one day." A smile gentled her expression. "Now, I believe Lady Reyna can have visitors? I wish to see her as well. Perhaps we can all brighten her spirits somewhat?"

"We can try. Thank you, Lady." Elaine bowed her head.

"You are most welcome, Lady Elaine! Follow me!" Morgana allowed Mithian and Elaine to stand once again. Then, she led them down the stairs.

Confrontation brewed. Attitudes festered….