Chapter 18 [Rodor's Throne Chamber—A Quarter of an Hourglass Turn Earlier]

Rodor stalked into the throne chamber. Events continued to spiral out of control. Reyna's ordeal sickened him to say the least. Protests and Counter Protests signaled factional splits within the nobility. Kay's hardliner stance burdened him still further. Uther's proposal on Arthur's behalf infuriated him still further. Aredian's behavior pushed him to Patience's very limits. Merlin's continued absence concerned him.

Behind him, Mithian, Kay, Blumenwald, Wyngate, Uther, Accolon, and two other elder, white-bearded men followed him into the chamber. Concerns and issues weighed on each of their minds. Individual agendas shaped their respective outlooks. Aims and objectives steered discussions one-on-one or in groups.

The knight on duty outside shut the door behind them.

"Thank you all for joining me. I do not have to tell you that it has been a difficult day." Rodor sat down on his throne. He rubbed his forehead. "Daughter, you saw to what I asked you to do?"

Mithian nodded to him. "Aye, Father. I gathered the ashes myself. The urn is under guard. Matilda and two other Amazons watch over it. Lady Elaine and I will spend time together this afternoon."

"I will go as well. She needs our condolences and support not her father's bullying," Morgana chimed in.

"Morgana…" Uther shook his head. "Count Bernard does what is necessary. He will keep his daughter's issues in check."

"Issues?" Rodor narrowed his eyes. "Her magic is part of her heritage. It is who she is. Count Bernard would poison her with those blasted mushrooms. I agree with Lady Morgana." He stewed on that point.

"The mushrooms are a valid treatment for controlling such matters, King Rodor." Wyngate bowed to the throne. Concern over Elaine's outburst overruled Rodor's objections. "Count Bernard is her father, Sire."

"He is correct, Father. She cannot even keep from being a nuisance. Imagine what she might do after what happened earlier?" Kay took a mouthful from his goblet.

Mithian narrowed her eyes. Restraint and Mask of State maintained her composure. What happened? WE MURDERED HER MOTHER! OF COURSE, SHE IS UPSET! Her teeth ground.

"Lady Elaine does not have bad intentions, my Son. She needs guidance and compassion." Rodor shook his head. "Look to Princess Mithian's and Lady Morgana's example. Surely, I do not have to remind you about such matters? It has not been so long since our beloved Queen Taene passed through the Veil." Disapproval glinted in his eyes.

"Nay, Sire. I remember well." Resentment smoldered within Kay's heart. "Surely, however, even accidents can prove harmful? We…."

"With respect, Sire, if I may?" Mithian took a composing breath. "I have complete faith in Lady Elaine. Are you afraid of a few rose petals? I am most certainly not. Are you, Lady Morgana?" Sarcasm raised her eyebrow and lilted her tone.

"I believe I am up for the pleasant scent, Princess Mithian." Morgana stifled a cough with her fist.

"Such stunts are hardly a laughing matter, Morgana. We must be vigilant. The girl must be kept in check lest she hurts someone." Uther narrowed his eyes. Sympathy toward magic grated on his nerves. "I should not have to remind you of such accidents or those who claim to be having accidents?"

Accolon shook his head on that note. Gratitude for his father's absence lightened his heart. Lady, forgive me. I should not wish harm on my own father. I am glad that he is not here to support Uther in his prejudice. That poor girl does not deserve such spite!

"King Uther, I respect that the Lady Morgana is your ward. I would not come between you both." Rodor gulped from his goblet. "However, we are not Camelot in how we deal with such things. This is still Nemeth. I am King here not you. Frankly, given our most recent experience, I'd cast doubt on your ability or competency to judge such matters." He placed his hand on Mithian's forearm. An ever so subtle shake of his head reinforced her own sense of restraint.

Uther stiffened. Outrage frothed inside of himself over Rodor's challenge. "I believe I am very qualified to make such a claim! A sorceress killed my wife out of spite! I am not going to allow any such thing! Your father-in-law was a sorcerer, Rodor! I can say similar things about you. It is a very good thing we dealt with that sorcerer from the battlefield! She caused such destruction and stopped the battle by herself. Such power cannot be trusted!"

"HOW DARE YOU?" Rodor jumped out of his throne. "NEMETH'S STANCE ON SORCERY HAS STOOD FOR GENERATIONS! MY FATHER AND GRANDFATHER FELT THE SAME WAY AS I DO! I DO NOT PLACE SUCH PRICES ON MY NEIGHBORS FOR ASSISTANCE! EVEN NOW, YOU STIR REVOLT WITHIN THESE BORDERS! YOUR BILE AND PREJUDICE SICKEN ME!"

"Without Camelot, you would not have your throne! So ungrateful!" Uther snapped.

"Without Lady Reyna, we would not have OUR thrones! Queen Radegund, King Ruthbert, Prince Accolon, Prince Arthur, or you for that matter. And you speak to me of gratitude?" Rodor chortled. "I heard the tale about Queen Igraine's lamentable passing. As you know, she and Queen Taene were close friends. The sorceress that you slander, Priestess Nimue, told me her version. You wanted a son. I am well aware that Queen Igraine, unfortunately, was barren. Nimue warned you about the spell's consequences. You had to have a son. Against her better judgement, Nimue cast the spell. The child was born. The universe, however, has a balance. A death for a life. You have Prince Arthur. You lost your Queen. Ever since, your bloodlust has continued. Look at this morning! Lady Reyna did not have a mean bone in her body! She used her magic to HEAL and BENEFIT Nemeth! Even this morning, she forgave you. And still, you cast aspersions! Still, you look down on her daughter!"

Shock stifled the chamber. Several heartbeats passed with nary a sound. Nerves buzzed about in each person.

"LIES!" Uther bellowed.

"Why would I lie, Uther? Our queens were best friends. You did not believe Master Gaius when he told you the truth. Remember? Queen Igraine, over your objections, came here for a second opinion! Master Wyngate? Please refresh King Uther's memory please?" Rodor sucked in a deep breath. Regret ate at him over this smearing.

"Sire…." Wyngate cringed. Uther's white-hot glare seared into his psyche. His throat cleared. "Qu…Queen Igraine was barren. She could not conceive. Master Gaius and I both looked at her." He bowed to Uther. "I only speak the truth as a physician. No more, no less."

Uther scowled. "Arthur is not a product of magic! This is slander! This is what happens when you believe a witch!"

"Nimue had no reason to lie here. Even if she was being less than truthful, how did Igraine conceive much less carry Prince Arthur to term?" Rodor took a draught from his goblet. "I am not going to let you rip my kingdom apart as you did Tintagel a generation ago. Out of respect for Prince Accolon and Lady Morgana, I will not go any farther than that. I will say, however, that Lady Reyna would have approved of their engagement and marriage. Between them, they can reunify Tintagel once and for all."

"That is our hope as well, King Rodor. Thank you." Accolon nodded toward the throne. Respect prompted him to do the same for Uther as well. He held back his own views of the Purge. His eyes met Morgana's and then Mithian's. Then, Merlin's and Malodius' respective auras registered on his senses. Merlin? He has been found?

Knocking came from the door. "SIRE! PARDON ME!" Ywain called.

One of the guard knights opened the door. "Sire! Prince and Princess! It is the missing servant, Merlin! He has been found!"

Rodor waved to usher the newcomers inside.

Diversion granted…