Chapter 24 [Kilgarrah's Cave—Beneath Camelot's Citadel]
[A/N: Josiane is from the Boeve de Hamptone. Wait until Uther hears about what she's about to do. He's *really* not going to be happy after this! LOL!]
Kilgarrah sulked on a spiked rock next to "Merlin's Ledge". Merlin's pain beat on him through their shared link. Bernard's assault infuriated him. Rodor's attempted assistance did lift his spirits somewhat. The Pendragons are so *grateful*! Spite and Indignation burned and frothed inside of himself. His foot pulled against chain and manacle to no avail. Why can Merlin not see such things? He is so obsessed with the Prophecy!
The boy is loyal. It can be quite infuriating…. Misty wisps wafted from the citadel's entrance. Slowly, they congealed into a pillar. Chill breeze blew from that patch.
"Mists here? I have not seen a priestess use such things in a generation at least!" Kilgarrah narrowed his eyes. "Show yourself!" Menace puffed smoke from his nostrils.
"All right. I shall indeed." Nimue strode out into the cavern. "It is so good to be back!" She stretched her arms overhead. "So…you are down here. I wondered how Merlin knew about certain things."
"Merlin is quite capable when he decides to focus." Kilgarrah sized her up. "Uther trapped me here. I am afraid that there is not a great deal I can do for you unless you can free me. That has proven an issue."
"Uther turns on magical beings when they no longer suit his purposes. He does that to Merlin as we speak. Even Gaius, for all of his betrayals, stands in danger." The chain and manacle came into her view. Her eyes narrowed. "Uther never fails to disappoint or live down to certain standards. Certain things, however, must end. You are needed in Nemeth on this night. Perhaps you remember your old friend, Rodor?" She raised her eyebrow.
"I remember him! He was my comrade in battle! What of him? Perhaps the Witch Morgana has achieved her ends? What is your end?" Kilgarrah glared right at her.
"I am here on the goddess' behalf, Dragon." Snide almost sarcastic lilt of the eyebrow deflected Kilgarrah's threat. "Our priest, Accolon, has proposed marriage to the Lady Morgana. She has accepted thereby affecting that possible future. Merlin, however…." She exhaled a deep breath. "Certain parties in Nemeth have attacked him. Once more, he lies dying. He needs your aid and that of another."
"Dying?" Kilgarrah's eyes narrowed to slits. Despite recent issues in their relationship, Kilgarrah understood Merlin's importance in the greater scheme of things. "I thought he was healed."
"My spell healed him. A worthless ingrate reinjured him. The Pendragons did nothing to stop the attack. Uther's disapproval encouraged the other's actions. I am here to request your aid. The goddess requires your promise. Leave Camelot to the goddess' purposes. She will deal with these people in her own way. Perhaps your old friend, King Rodor, deserves your attention more?"
Kilgarrah gnashed his teeth. Betrayal and long imprisonment in that place festered Resentment's bile within himself. Vengeance burned to rain fire down upon Camelot's knights and Uther's court. Obligation, however, pulled him toward his former comrades to the west. Conscience and Friendship beckoned for him to rise above such feelings….
…and he had the goddess' vow…That he valued…
…Merlin's life hung in the balance….
Kilgarrah bowed his head. "Very well. Free me! I will not harm these people! That I vow!" He considered the mists anew. "The shackle is immune to magic, I fear."
"To magical attack. Manipulation is another matter." Nimue stepped aside. "Come forth! He agrees!"
"So he does." A light-skinned Arab woman floated onto the scene atop a magical carpet. Blue ornamental designs interwove into their white backdrop. Dark hair cascaded down her back. A head dress adorned her head save her face. Golden chain mail glittered in Luna's beams. Emerald eyes looked him over. "Greetings, Dragon. I have heard of you."
Kilgarrah shook his head. "I am sure you have. Your carpet is similar to an old comrade of mine. Khalil al-Abizz. He was from the other end of the Roman Sea. However, you reek of the Dragon Slayer Boeve of Hampton! Which one are you?" Sarcastic chuckle echoed through the cavern.
"Khalil was my ancestor. I am Josiane of Alexandria, Exiled Princess and rightful Sultana of Egypt. This indeed is the very carpet you just spoke of! Boeve is my beloved, Dragon. He and I argue about your kind. I try to convince him that there is good in you. Perhaps you can help me to prove him right? You spoke of Khalil. Do you remember his brother Ahmed? His talent?"
"You mean the elemental one? Aye! I do!" Kilgarrah lowered his head to look Josiane squarely in the eye. "That is not something lightly passed along."
Josiane nodded. A lavender aura surrounded her. "I believe this should look familiar? For him, I do this." She directed her carpet toward the chain's anchor point with the cavern's floor. Her finger touched the base.
Chain glowed in tune with her finger's touch. Links and shackle shimmered. Metal flowed like water…because it now was….
Respect prompted a nod from Nimue. "It seems you have solved our issue. Remember, Dragon, the goddess has your word. I am sure Uther will love what comes next!" Snide grin spread across her face. "You do not have to hurt him. Just healing Merlin will be enough!"
"I remember." Kilgarrah flexed his freed foot. "Thank you, Princess."
"It is simply Josiane. And your name? Pardon but calling you 'Dragon' does not suit." Josiane considered Kilgarrah once more. Her father's and Uncle Mehmet's renditions spoke of such creatures. "You were at Giza!"
"I was indeed. Then, for your family and against prejudice, we shall stand beside one another, Josiane. You may call me Kilgarrah. If you follow me, I will show you the way to Whitgate." Kilgarrah turned to Nimue. "Shall we see you there?"
"What? And miss a chance to see Uther's face when you land in the city?" Satisfaction danced in Nimue's eyes. Her smirk, if possible, spread still further across her face. "Do not keep us waiting, Dragon. Merlin's life depends on it. I go to forge a bond." She stepped into the mists and vanished from view.
Kilgarrah flapped his wings. "It is but a short flight for us. Khalil flew such distances in half of the hourglass. Follow me!" He ascended higher and higher. Chain no longer mattered. Nothing held him back. Within a few heartbeats, he flew from the roof's mouth and into Nocturne's dark backdrop. His heart exulted. Stars and Luna glittered as if in greeting after too long apart.
Freedom sweetened his outlook.
Josiane followed his lead. Her carpet streaked toward him in short order. "Come! Before these fools ring their accursed bells!" She watched the first sentries spying them from their posts.
"I have given my word. Dragons do not lie." Kilgarrah forced down Temptation's and Vengeance's respective urges. Obligation, on the other hand, received his full attention. Life Debts remained to be honored. Former companions and current ones need assistance. He streaked to the west.
"As you have said! I follow!" She tailed him. Nimue's mission pressed her. She'd have an answer for Boeve's situation as well. Then, there was this Merlin. She would hear more about him…
Freedom from some bonds…Binding with others….