Chapter 7 [Hideout—A Few Hourglass Grains following Merlin's 'Death']

Britomart poured wine into a small bowl. Lament deadened her heart and thinking. What will King Rodor and Queen Radegund think of us? We failed! We could not keep Merlin alive! After he saved Prince Kay and all of us from those monsters, we should have saved him! Sewing needle and metal clamp disinfected in that bath. She rubbed Malodius' mane. "Standing guard are you?"

Malodius whined. Merlin's death weighed heavily on him as well. His head remained bowed. His heart heavy.

"Farewell, Brave Hero." Elena pulled the blanket over Merlin's face. Despite Duty and Chastity's Oath, Desire warmed her heart. Admiration for her fellow servant lifted her spirits. Still, Failure ate at her as well. "Know that you will be remembered by the Amazon Sisterhood." She bowed her head. In spite of Amazon Expectations, a single tear streaked her cheek.

Her sisters would scoff…she could've cared less at that point….

"And all of Britannia as well." Britomart regarded his covered face and body. "King Rodor will wish to remember Merlin in the Hall of Heroes. He would be known for future generations. Perhaps, as a contrast to his King's bile." Outrage burned in her heart. "Poor Lady Reyna."

"She sacrificed herself to give us a chance, Britomart. I know we did our best. You could not have done more even if you were Master Wyngate himself. I will tell my Queen and your King as much, Sister." Elena set her hand on Britomart's forearm. "Come. We have to let my sisters know. Then, we can wash and prepare Merlin for the trip back to Whitgate. We…."

Malodius stirred. Magic's residue strummed his senses. He sprang to his feet. Growl alerted the others. His eyes looked over the body.

"Mmmm…." Merlin moved under the blanket. His wound glowed. Nimue's last spell carried from his spirit to his body. His wound closed. Stitches melted away. Scar marked the only souvenir. His eyes blurred into focus. "What? I?"

"Merlin? MERLIN!" Elena ripped the blanket away from his face. Relief immediately lightened her heart. "Britomart! Do you see?"

"Aye!" Britomart pressed her fingers against his neck. "The blood flow is going again. Praise be! King Rodor will be so relieved. Welcome back." Enthusiasm brightened her outlook. "Just stay there and do not move your left arm. I had to finish sewing your wound and…." She inspected his shoulder again. "What is this? Elena?" She pointed at the shoulder in question.

"I was healed in this other place. Guess it works here too?" He lifted his right arm. "I am all right." His fingers touched his left arm and shoulder. "Maybe that was a dream. I…"

Malodius shook his head. Purrs came from him. Dragon! Merlin is alive!

WHAT? Kilgarrah assessed the link's vibration. Merlin?

Yeah. I am. Just do not be so loud. Merlin ground his teeth.

Britomart sniffed. "It most certainly was not! A Cawdorian sword nearly chopped your arm off. Lady Reyna saved it and you. Your heart stopped. We thought you were dead, Merlin." She shook her head. "I have never seen magic like yours."

"Magic?" Denial tried to come up with evasions and excuses. Merlin's mind spun about. Excuses popped up and seemed to evaporate. "There were plenty of people out there with hoods and cloaks on! How do you know it was me? I was blending in."

"Blending in?" Elena raised an eyebrow. "Most servants blend in by hiding in the woods or under a wagon. You grabbed a sword. Queen Radegund gave you a shield. You saved several of my sisters out there. You took that wound for Prince Kay. I saw you cast that spell. So did Prince Accolon of Tintagel, my Queen, and King Rodor!"

"They…did?" Merlin efforted himself back into a sitting position. "Gaius? Prince Arthur? Did they…? I have to get back. I…." Stiffness held his shoulder back. "Mmm!"

"Do you ever listen?" Elena threw her hands up in the air. "I am going to tell my sisters. Britomart, keep an eye on him." She hustled out of the chamber.

Malodius roared. He shoved Merlin back onto the bed. DID YOU NOT HEAR HER? STAY THERE!

"What did I do to her? I am concerned about Gaius and the others." Merlin moved his left shoulder. He glanced at Malodius but said nothing. Then, he turned back to Britomart. "I guess Nimue's spell worked better than she thought. I'm healed. We have to get back." He looked around. "Where are we anyway?"

"We are in a secret chamber on the Isle of Shalott." Britomart pulled her instruments from their wine bath. She shook each one and set them on a rag. "I found you in the woods. The Amazons helped me to get you here. Malodius carried you in here himself."

Malodius harunged from his place at the bedside.

"Wait! We are at…Astolat? Count Bernard hates magic! He…." Worry and Fear ate at Merlin. Instinct forced him to his feet. "Prince Arthur will be looking for me. King Uther…."

"They do not know if you are even alive, Merlin. King Rodor sent knights to look for you. Queen Radegund has Amazons guarding the entrance. Lady Reyna…well…." Britomart bowed her head. "I fear for her." She turned and dried her tools. Then, she set them back in Wyngate's borrowed bag. "I give up. Merlin, you cannot…"

"I have to get back. They need me." Merlin grabbed his shirt. "Help me please?"

"Maybe just your coat. The Amazons have seen men before, Merlin. They would not mind a wound like that." Britomart glanced down the passage. Elena's feelings came through loud and clear to her. Does she not have a vow? What will her Queen think? She grabbed his coat. "We will repair it back in Whitgate." She shook her head. "Are you always such a cabbage head?"

"Yup. I am." Merlin let her ease the coat onto him. "Thanks. Prince Arthur needs me."

"He needs you alive. Does he need your magic?" Seeing his expression, she raised her hands. "I know…he does not have to know." She shook her head. "You do know that Camelot's knights and some man in black took Lady Reyna away? They were looking for you." Her eyes narrowed. "Do not be a prat, Merlin. She is going to die. Do not waste her sacrifice."

"Die? What? We are in Nemeth! King Rodor…." Protests formed and then withered away. Nimue's and Will's words rang in his ears anew. They know already. Why can they not stop it? They could get her out of there!

Why does she not free me, Young Warlock? Because *that* is how things work. We all have sacrifices to make. One day, you will understand, Kilgarrah sniped.

Malodius rubbed against his right leg.

"Thank you both." Merlin gimped toward the door. Effort made him lean against the wall. Still, Duty pushed him ever onward. "Maybe there's a wagon? I know…."

"The Amazons have one ready. I will make sure you ride in it. You will lie still on the way!" Britomart grabbed the blanket and bag. "Malodius, watch him."

Malodius motioned to his back. Get on me. I will carry you. It is the least I can do.

Merlin forced himself onto the lion's back. He rode down the passage and toward the exit.

Even if it killed him, Service required his presence after all….