Chapter 36

"Thank you all for coming. Please! Take your seats!" Rodor slid into a high back wooden chair. "Michael and Cassandra should return shortly."

"Allow me, King Rodor. I can begin serving the meals." Gwen set plates before Mithian, Radigund, Accolon and Rodor. "I can fill everyone's goblets as well." She poured wine for all but Radigund and Josiane. She poured water as per Radigund's request. A unique drink flowed from the emerald bottle for Josiane's consideration.

"Thank you, Gwen. I appreciate it! Ah! Here they are now!" Rodor allowed Michael and Cassandra to set the remaining plates before the guests. "Thank you all. Michael, Cassandra, that will be all for now." He waited for them to depart.

"Gwen, please stay. I believe some of this will concern you as well," Morgana indicated.

"Pardon me, Sire? Where is Prince Kay?" Mithian considered Kay's vacant seat. Concern and Alarm raised in her tone. She noted Grim Expressions taking hold on the guests' faces. "Is there something we should know?"

"Gwen, can you close the door? This is a matter I wish to keep in here although I suspect the entire citadel knows." Rodor took a deep draught from his goblet. He waited for her to do so. "Thank you. It has already been a dire enough day as it is. Except for Merlin and you, Daughter, everyone else here already knows. We nearly had a coup tonight." He exhaled a deep breath. Failure and Sadness choked off his voice.

"Coup?" Mithian stared at her father. Panic chilled her heart. "Father? What?" She looked about the table. Confirmation etched itself into every face around the table. "What happened?"

Merlin looked about the chamber. Downcast expressions raised questions. Questions raised within his mind. "Sire? Prince Accolon? Prince Arthur? Lady Morgana?"

"Merlin…" Arthur shook his head. Ramifications of Uther's policies had unsettled everything in Nemeth. "People…well…" A frown twisted his features. Disagreement with Rodor's policies burned at his mind.

"People what?" Mithian pressed. "This would not be anything King Uther provoked, would it?" She turned to Rodor. "Sire?"

"Not directly." Rodor shook off any potential accusation. "Unfortunately, his actions along with those of King Ruthbert have emboldened the hardliners. Prince Arthur, Prince Accolon, Lady Morgana, my apologies. I know that you made no attempt to destabilize matters here. I appreciate that. I wanted you to know that."

"Thank you, Sire." Accolon exhaled a heavy breath. "With respect to my father, he and I argued about the healer's death. He decided to follow King Uther and the Witch Finder's decision. As he is my King, I cannot say any more about that. It is his decision."

"Pity." Morgana's eyes looked to Gwen and then back to Rodor. "King Uther suspects a witch and everything stops. Gwen was nearly burned at the stake in Camelot. Her father died because of that." She shook her head. Apology and Guilt dragged on her face and spirit.

Arthur glared at Accolon and Morgana. "Morgana! Please! Do not talk about Father…." He started to reply. Denial rebutted this brewing account. Loyalty prepared a defense of Uther's prerogative. "She used magic! We…!"

"AS I HAVE TOLD KING UTHER AND KING RUTHBERT BOTH, THIS IS NEMETH! NOT CAMELOT! NOT TINTAGEL! I ALLOW SORCERY HERE AS LONG AS IT IS USED FOR GOOD PURPOSES AND THE SORCERERS CO-EXIST!" Rodor ground his teeth. "It seems that certain people take their lead from such ideas, Prince Arthur! Your servant told Prince Kay about Gwen and you. Prince Kay went to King Uther behind my back with a proposal to marry Princess Mithian and you, Prince Arthur. He sought to advance his own agenda and secure his place at Princess Mithian's and my expense."

"Princess, I found out as you did." Arthur shook his head. He shook his head.

"Servant?" Merlin stiffened. "King Rodor, I would not…." He put his hands on his chest. His eyes swept over the other faces therein. "Gwen?"

"I had no idea either, Merlin." Gwen shook off the notion. She motioned back toward Rodor. Furthermore, a curtsey added Respect's emphasis as well. Somehow, she averted her eyes away from Arthur and toward the throne. "George?"

"It was not you, Merlin." Arthur twisted his lip. "I know you blurt things out and sometimes can do things. And that is not talking about your sorcery…. Gwen's right. It had to be George." He sucked in a deep breath. And Father thought George would be a better servant than Merlin? I mean…really? Somehow, he kept a straight face in that regard.

"That is who Prince Kay indicated. I have told King Uther to deal with him. Much to my surprise, Uther has agreed." Rodor raised an eyebrow. "Queen Radigund? Prince Accolon? Can you tell us what you found?"

"Aye." Radigund turned to Mithian. "Princess, Prince Accolon, Malodius and I found your healer and Royal Council meeting with the Prince in the council chamber."

"Your brother spoke of taking the throne for himself, Princess Mithian." Regret weighed on Accolon's tone. In spite of his feelings for Morgana, Friendship still held sway over him in Mithian's regard. "He tried to stab Queen Radigund when she and the Amazons tried to stop their plot. I am sorry to have to report that."

"He did stab me, Prince Accolon." Radigund pointed to the hole in her armor. "I am protected against such craven assaults." Her eyes narrowed.

"Prince Kay stabbed you. Wait! And you are still alive?" Arthur looked out Radigund's chest plate. Disbelief widened his eyes at the hole there. His eyes rose to meet hers.

Radigund sniggered. "Aye! Not that your father would care! Not that you can admit to it." She shook her head. "At least I can give you credit for loyalty to Uther Pendragon and Camelot in that regard." She motioned to Merlin. "He says as much about you. Despite your issues, I know that has some truth to it. Still, Prince Arthur, be aware of your father's ambition."

"My father does what is best for Camelot!" Arthur sprang from his seat. "I do not need to hear this!" His eyes met Merlin's. "You are fortunate, Merlin. Now that my father knows about your magic, he would make an example of you." He shook his head. He nodded to the entire chamber. "Enjoy your meal. I have had enough."

Merlin bowed his head. Disappointment sagged across his heart. Why can Arthur not understand? I used my magic to help people! To save Camelot! Uther forced me to do that!

"I am sorry to hear that. Go on then, Prince Arthur. We will see you at daybreak." Rodor nodded in return. He watched Arthur depart. "I understand his situation. I appreciate his loyalty to Camelot and his father. Alas! I worry."

Gwen bit her lip. Resentment and Anger billowed up in her heart. It is so unfair! Prince Arthur cannot help King Uther's decisions! He is a good man! He will be a King for all! It is not his fault that sorcerers cannot control themselves or respect the law. Somehow, she managed her composure.

Morgana averted her eyes. Still, Gwen's issues slammed into her mind loud and clear. Merlin's reaction to Arthur's outburst simply piled on top of that. She rubbed her temples to calm the building headache therein.

Accolon managed to keep his eyes on Rodor. "With respect, I can understand Prince Arthur's feelings. I have to respect my father's position as King, Sire. I cannot speak against him at least not openly. As Princes, Arthur and I are sworn to follow our Kings and stand with our Kingdoms before our own feelings or allies. Queen Radigund and you, I am sure, would expect Princess Mithian, Prince Kay, and Merlin to follow your example." He nodded to Merlin. "I applaud your loyalty, Merlin. Even as Prince Arthur accused you, you did the right thing. I wish there were more individuals like yourself."

"Prince Arthur is a good Prince, Prince Accolon. Gwen and I know that." Merlin bowed to Accolon and to Rodor both. His eyes met Mithian's. "I wish Prince Kay would understand my loyalty as well. I wanted to protect Camelot and my friends. That is all I can do."

Gwen sucked in a deep breath. Merlin's loyalty eased her mood slightly. Thank you, Merlin. I wish you did not have magic. That way, you could come back to Camelot with us.

"Indeed so, Merlin." Rodor raised his goblet. "I would expect no less of a response from you. Princess Mithian, you and I will speak further after our meal. I have a proposal for you to consider. Gwen, open the door please. We should eat."

Gwen did so. Objections, despite her Courtier's mask, brewed within her at that point still. She opened the door to find two Nemethian knights standing there. She immediately stepped aside.

Rodor sprang from his seat. "Sir Oswald? Sir Hector! What news?" Dread washed over him. Please no other issue! I cannot take any more!

Oswald looked to Hector. They bowed to Rodor and the other royals. Then, he cleared his throat and started, "Sire! It is Prince Kay! He…." He sucked in a heavy breath. "I am sorry, Sire."

"Sorry? SORRY? What has happened NOW?" Rodor stalked from his place toward the two knights. "Show me! I would see for myself. Daughter! Come with me! You all should eat. This is a vital matter."

I hope everything is all right, Princess, Merlin told her.

I do as well. Mithian looked to Merlin again. Heart clashed with Loyalty for a few of Hourglass' grains. Desire wanted to include him. Duty, however, demanded she follow her father's command. Accordingly, she followed Rodor from the chamber.

Gwen and the other two servants brought out the food. Alas! Hunger had little hold over the guests at that point.

Bad news soured Appetite….