Chapter 17 [Whitgate]

[A/N: Brace yourselves. Graphic scene…]

Merlin clung to Malodius' mane. Stiffness and burning returned in his shoulder. Mists' chill dimpled and reddened his skin. He bowed his head. I wish someone could have helped me into the wagon. I will never make it!

You are almost there, Emrys. Calm yourself, the goddess advised. In fact…

Warm breeze dispelled the mists. The air dried out. Sol's afternoon light dazzled his eyes for a few of Hourglass' sands. Cobblestones replaced grass and dirt. Whitgate's plaza loomed all around them. Acrid odor hung heavily over all.

"Whitgate? We…we are back?" Merlin squinted all around at his surroundings. His stiff shoulder ached. Smoke reddened his eyes. "What? I…?"

Look in back of us, Merlin. Malodius whined low. He got down on the stones. Look well upon that spot. You could have been there.

Aye, Merlin. Do turn around. See what you are protecting! See how Camelot and Uther view magic! Kilgarrah sniped in over their shared link. For emphasis, he shook his foot and the binding shackle. You trust too much. You allow your friendship to blind you to Camelot's excesses!

I know what they do. Merlin stepped off of Malodius' back. "Thank you." He forced his shoulder to move. "Wish this was not so stiff."

At least you have an arm to move, Merlin! At least you are ALIVE! TURN AROUND! Kilgarrah admonished. You can smell it? The ash still on the wind? That is from what or rather from whom I am speaking of! TURN AROUND!

Dragon, enough. I agree. We can smell the horror. Turn, Merlin. Be strong, Malodius nudged at Merlin's leg. (Yet Another) Pained Whine came from him.

Conscience bothered Merlin. Justifications attempted to offer rationale. Excuses sought to separate Loyalty from Complicity. Obligation swung toward Arthur. Guilt...oh aye, Reader…Guilt…that troubling very inconvenient thing… His legs remained rooted almost fixed in place.

Malodius' eyes burned into his psyche.

Merlin forced himself to turn. Inch by inch, his brain strained against unwilling hips and legs. Denial clogged his nostrils. Still, he kept going with that….

…and then he stopped…. He looked…or rather he stared….

Stake's carnage presented itself to him. Grey and white wood's charred remains mixed with burnt hay. Finer ash remained in the pile's center. Smoke reddened his eyes. Its taste parched his mouth. His good hand stifled coughs.

Horror and Revulsion unsteadied Merlin. Shock slapped him harder than any knight's fist or backhand could manage in that heartbeat….

…Soot in his nostrils, Pain's vibes all around….

…his healer, the woman who'd saved his life….

Aye, Merlin. That is what remains of Lady Reyna. She did NOTHING to deserve that! NOTHING! She did her duty to the goddess even to that point. Malodius bowed his head toward the stake. May she be at peace now.

Merlin bowed his head. Reyna's sacrifice resonated across stones, on wind, and his senses. "She…died. They killed her…for saving me." Memoria reminded him of Tom's and Will's deaths. He flexed his left arm.

Aye, Merlin. They killed her because she could not control her. They killed her because they thought she was you. Now, I believe you should understand. Perhaps now you might not be so trusting of the Young Pendragon or his sire? Kilgarrah groused.

Dull ache ground in the shoulder's joint to counter his heart's sharp pain.

Nimue showed me what Uther said. I…. Merlin rubbed his forehead. Denial attempted to shut the scene out. Still, he saw the evidence. He knew what was there. "Inside…Have to check on…everyone."

"Merlin?" Ywain rushed down the stairs. "MERLIN? MALODIUS?" He came over to them. "Did they find you? Prince Arthur, Queen Radegund, Master Gaius, and the others? Nobody has seen you since the battle…."

Malodius purred. He rubbed up against Ywain's leg and hip. He motioned toward Merlin.

"We were sent back here by Queen Radegund." Merlin stood as straight as he could manage. Poker face concealed his shoulder's pain. "I…I cannot believe…" He bowed his head once more.

"Aye. That travesty happened this morning. Poor woman. May the goddess bless her for her service. I would protect my own wife from such attitudes. Come. I am sure that King Rodor and your own King would like to see you." Ywain saw Merlin's jacket. "What? Your jacket, Merlin! My…!" His eyes bulged. "By the goddess! You..?" He pushed the jacket open.

Scar revealed itself to him.

Ywain stepped back. Calculations ran through his mind concerning that wound. Recognition linked Merlin's scar to a sword. Memoria recalled such a blow to protect Kay. "Unbelievable! You…" Realization linked Merlin's disappearance to Shalott's events. He struggled to process everything to be honest.

The fact, however remained, a sword had nearly cleaved Merlin clean through. Circumstances and facts conspired to point at Merlin on many fronts.

Malodius drew closer to Merlin. Warning snarl escaped his snout.

"I do not mean to order, Sir Ywain, but…." Merlin pointed to the stake. "Can I see King Rodor? King Uther would throw me in the dungeon for sure." Fear and Implications shook him up in that moment.

"For that? That is insanity itself! Of course, you should see the King! You are a hero, Merlin. Take it slowly. One step and a time." Ywain put his arm under Merlin's right shoulder. "I have you. Malodius, follow us please." He guided Merlin up the stairs. "I believe Master Wyngate is in the throne chamber with King Rodor, Princess Mithian, and the others."

"I am a servant, Sir Ywain. You should not…." Merlin started. Conspicuousness forced him to look around.

"Let them look. Come along. I believe secrecy is in order. Aye?" Ywain guided him into the citadel.

Merlin nodded. His emotional lodestones eased just a little.

Audience awaited….