Chapter 30

Kilgarrah's wings flapped hard against the wind. Freedom exhilarated him. His spirit soared. Camelot remained far behind him now. His eyes beheld Gedref's and then Nemeth's lands streaking past him. Memoria recalled Service and Duty from decades gone by. Battles there and overseas preserved Britannia's peace. Imprisonment and Treachery kept him from such participation. His eyes drifted toward Josiane. Legacy lay divided in her case. Alliances lay between her ancestors, Malodius, and himself.

Previous arguments rang through Josiane's mind. Opinions on both sides shaped her views. Father, Uncle Ahmet, and Uncle Mahmud waxed poetic about dragons and their riders. Arguments twixt Boeve the Dragon Slayer and her dampened Enthusiasm's charge. Caring and Protectiveness guided their progress. She noted such things for herself. "Is it much farther?"

"Nay, Princess. We are in Nemeth. Look over the trees. Whitgate's towers should be in view soon enough." He rose higher into the dark sky. A few heartbeats later, the aforementioned towers came into view. "There!"

"So, I see, Master Dragon!" Enthusiasm lifted her spirits. "Will they accept us?"

"If the old King is still there, aye, he will. It has been so long. His son, Prince Rodor, was the same. We can hope for their presence or someone of like mind." Merlin's energy stood out to him from the citadel. "And we have other friends." Merlin, look to the plaza. A companion and I will be there shortly.

Dragon? Malodius called out.

I was detained by Uther Pendragon, Great One. So! You are still on guard there! It is good that some things do not change. I would see the King, Prince Rodor, and Princess Taene, Kilgarrah announced. We will be in the plaza within a few heartbeats.

Rodor is our King now. Queen Taene passed away a short time ago. Princess Mithian and Prince Kay are here as well. I would warn you. Uther Pendragon and his knights are here, Malodius advised.

I stand advised. King Rodor, if he is still the man I remember, will not allow such matters. Ash irritated Kilgarrah's nostrils. Burning ash… Kilgarrah's eyes went wide. Is that why Merlin was…?

Aye. Uther and his Witch Finder forced King Rodor into regrettable action. The priestess accepted her fate and sacrifice for the Greater Good. You and your friend should come. You should be careful. Who is your friend? Malodius considered both that conversation and Nimue's snarking on the other hand.

She is the beloved of Boeve the Dragon Slayer. Josiane? Kilgarrah glanced toward her. His eyes looked her over yet again. She freed me at the Priestess' bidding.

Princess Josiane? Aye! Boeve, she, and I have fought together! She is still an exile? King Rodor would welcome her! Malodius' spirits lightened somewhat. She used her elemental abilities, did she? They are a useful asset. Where are you exactly?

We have cleared the forest. We will be there shortly. Kilgarrah soared over the downhill slope. "An old friend awaits us, Josiane. It will be quite the surprise. And, be advised, Camelot and Uther Pendragon are there as well."

"An old friend? Uther?" Her hand batted in front of her face. "Ash? It is not so chill a night that they would heat their hovels as such. Why…?" Realization stopped her questions in their tracks. "This King burned someone at the stake? May my god have helped them with their pain!" Disgust narrowed her eyes. "I thought you said…?"

Kilgarrah shook his head. "As a Prince, Rodor was not such a man. I sense Uther Pendragon's hand in this even here in Nemeth." He cleared the outer wall. "The alarm bells should ring at any point. Our friend should alert them to our presence. Take care. The arch and towers between the Lower and Upper Cities require care to get around."

"I see them. Thank you." She maneuvered her carpet close behind his tail. Anticipation braced her for Camelot's (typical) negativity. Tolerance only came because of her usefulness. Both sides knew that. Both sides put up with each other for that reason. She noted the looming Citadel in front of themselves. Amazons, Nemethian, and Camelot knights massed in front of the stairs. Dark circular stain marked Stake's former location. "Is it safe to land?"

"You stay up here. I will speak to them." Kilgarrah descended to the cobblestones below. He landed with barely a tremor throughout the area. "Stand down. I am here to see King Rodor. He knows me." He surveyed the "welcoming committee". "Amazons, your Queen Radegund and I have met. King Uther kept me as a prisoner for many years!"

"MONSTER! UTHER WOULD KILL YOU FIRST!" Leon turned to his knights. "Draw swords and be ready!"

"BELAY THAT ORDER!" Galahad stalked out from amidst the emerald-clad entourage. "Has Camelot not done enough? As King Rodor's First Knight, Sir Leon, I say NAY! STAND DOWN! It has been many years. I remember this dragon from my first battles and earning my spurs! He is depicted on a tapestry in our Hall of Heroes! KILGARRAH! May I approach?"

"Aye, Sir Galahad! I remember your bravery as well! There was a young knight with you. Sir…Ywain?" Kilgarrah nodded to Galahad. His eye remained on Camelot's knights.

"Aye, Good Dragon!" Ywain made his way to the front as well. "We have missed you. Malodius will be glad to see you." Enthusiasm lightened his spirits. A smile spread across his face. "Welcome back to Whitgate! I am sure King Rodor and Princess Mithian will be glad to see you!"

"Indeed so!" Galahad clapped Ywain on the left shoulder. "Given the day's ill tidings, your presence is welcome!"

"Malodius? Malodius the Lion? He is here?" Josiane clapped her hands over her mouth. "Is that our friend?"

Kilgarrah nodded. "Indeed he is. That is who I was referring to. Sir Galahad, Sir Ywain, this is Josiane of Alexandria, Exiled Princess of Egypt. She rescued me from Uther's prison." Dark scowl shot toward Camelot's knights. "She and I immediately returned here to be at your King's side."

"KILGARRAH?" Rodor stood at the top of the stairs. He clapped his hands together. "This is a most joyous day! WELCOME! WELCOME BACK TO NEMETH! KNIGHTS! AMAZONS! STAND DOWN!" He rushed down the stairs and past the knights. "How did you free yourself? Whoever it is, I owe them thanks!"

"Look up, Sire." Galahad pointed toward Josiane. "Kilgarrah, can you introduce the King please?"

"Aye." Kilgarrah motioned toward her. "King Rodor, she is Josiane of Alexandria, Exiled Princess of Egypt. Her abilities are known to Sir Ywain and a few of your knights? She managed to free me from Uther's chain and shackle. Out of respect for you and my oath to the triple goddess, I do not attack these knights."

"They will not attack you. I have had my fill of such behavior today." A pained sigh escaped Rodor's lips. "Sir Leon." He shook his head.

"HOLD YOUR POSITION, SIR LEON! THIS BEAST ESCAPED?" Uther rushed out of the citadel. "Rodor, you will not….!"

"I will not WHAT?" Rodor turned on Uther. "I let you have your way this morning to my shame! NO MORE! Kilgarrah and Princess Josiane are safe here! KILGARRAH IS A HERO HERE! I OWE HIM MY LIFE! NAY! THIS IS NEMETH NOT CAMELOT! TWENTY YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR YOUR SPITE!"

Uther narrowed his eyes. "Magic is evil. You married someone of that heritage! You cannot be trusted!" He pointed at Kilgarrah. "That thing could destroy this city! It could do great harm! It needs to be caged or killed!"

"I cannot…?" Rodor shook his head. "Kilgarrah has served Nemeth, Britannia, and the world well! I would say your prejudice and spite has caused more harm and pain than you could ever imagine!" He shook his head. "People who try to help that you would kill for their service! And what about you? You sicken me with your hypocrisy!"

Uther snorted. "You are deluded, Rodor! You listen to sorcerers! Who should trust you?"

"And you once forced me to cast a spell, Uther. You do remember that?" Nimue walked to just a step behind Rodor. Snide smirk spread across her face. "I mean the evidence for that is right in front of us." Her hand stifled a sarcastic cough. Her eyebrow arched. "I mean your Queen was barren, but you had to have that all important son." She exhaled a sharp breath. "So, you pressed me to cast a fertility spell. Prince Arthur was born. Queen Igraine died. Because of that, your Purge has made Britannia run red with blood! Shall we speak about how the Prince's need for a unicorn horn nearly destroyed Camelot? Or perhaps how a special perfect sword found its way into your hands? It was made right under your nose as well." Her chuckle grated on his ears.

"I made the sword, Uther. I made it specifically for Arthur alone, not you! That did not stop you from trying to keep it!" Kilgarrah narrowed his eyes.

"You? You made the sword? I…I…was told my former blacksmith made it! Rubbish!" Uther dismissed the claim.

"I was brought a sword. I burnished it in my breath. Dragons, unlike certain Kings, do not lie. I did that. Who else would make such a weapon? You, the hater of magic and all things magical, surely you should not use something like that?" Kilgarrah clarified.

"This one." Canary flashed in Nimue's eyes. Excalibur appeared in her hands. She ran her hand up and down the blade's length. "Quite so! You have seen such swords, King Rodor."

"Aye. I have." Rodor inspected the sword. Admiration beheld the runes and perfect balance. "I never thought I'd see another sword of its like again, Kilgarrah. This is exquisite! It feels like Caliburn!" He handed it back to Nimue. "Thank you, Sister."

"Of course." Nimue's eyes flashed again. The sword disappeared. "It is safe from menace again."

"Why you! Thief! You have no right!" Uther drew his sword. He raised it to strike Nimue down. Fury swung the blade through the air…until it and he froze in mid-swing.

"FATHER!" Arthur charged down the stairs. "MERLIN! COME ON! THE KING NEEDS US!" He motioned Merlin forward. "KNIGHTS!"

"HOLD, PRINCE ARTHUR!" Rodor raised his hand. A demonstrative headshake cut off the command. "This is MY LAND! These are MY GUESTS!"

Merlin shook his head. "Prince Arthur, stay back. King Rodor speaks the truth! We do not need a war! She can kill any of us." He grabbed onto Arthur's arm. Despite Circumstances, he would not allow Arthur to come to harm.

"Merlin? What?" Arthur narrowed his eyes. Apparent Betrayal burned at him. He wrenched his arm from Merlin's hands. "You have lost whatever is left of that mind of yours! Another creature of magic you'd side with!" A derisive snort shot from his nostrils. "You are siding with them AGAIN?" He glared at Malodius. "Look at how that thing hovers about you! And…wait! You brought that sword to us!" Realization dawned on Arthur at that point. "You were talking to that dragon!" He gaped. "That is how you knew! That…!"

Seems some secrets had bigger burdens than others….