Chapter 26 [Council Chamber]
[A/N: In case you were wondering where Kay, Wyngate, and certain queens were….]
Kay stalked down the passage. Indignation and Fury boiled his blood. I have my priorities in order! I am looking toward the future! I make diplomatic alliances! I suggested a marriage for Mithian with Prince Arthur. We cannot trust those witches! King Uther is right about them! Father cannot see that? I may be related to them! That does not mean I have to favor what they do! And why do Father and Mithian fawn all over that servant? He is nothing! He noted the ajar door. Now what? He drew his sword. "Who's there?" He peered inside.
"Prince Kay, come in and shut the door please." Wyngate opened the door for him. "Lord Aethelred? Lord Wulfstan?" They bowed to Kay. "Are you sure this is secure?"
"Count Bernard and his daughter occupy the King and Princess Mithian in the banquet chamber. Prince Accolon's betrothal and his issues with King Uther will keep eyes from here." Aethelred pulled out Kay's chair. "With respect, you should be there as well?"
"Father exiled me. I am to go to Gaul and learn from King Bors." Kay shook his head. "He knows about the sentiment. He knows my feelings about matters. I mean he even favors that servant from Camelot!"
"That servant, Sire, did save your life out there." Wyngate tapped his fingers on the table. Kay's manner grated on him. Rashness served none of them well at that point. "You are the reason Merlin is like that. The boy should be dead."
The others stared at him. Incredulity prompted them toward double takes. They struggled to wrap their head around Merlin's heroics in that regard.
"According to Gaius, Merlin accompanies Prince Arthur and the knights into battle. He has saved the Prince's life several times. That battle at Shalott was no exception, my Prince. Apparently, he tried to protect the rear baggage. He saw Meleagant of Cawdor come up behind you. He stepped between you both. He took the attack on your behalf. There is no way he should have survived much less still have his arm or serving in that chamber tonight," Wyngate recounted for them.
"Sorcery! Unnatural!" Wulfstan spat on the floor. "Rodor favors such things. We have begged him to go with the law. Camelot sets the example! Put the superstition to rest! Count Bernard should be praised! And to waste such favors on a servant?" Disdain turned up his nose.
Aethelwald stifled a cough. "No worse than Prince Arthur talking to the Lady Morgana's servant! I overheard them from the passage. So did you, my Prince! His servant told me they were very close to one another. That woman was talking to him as if they were equals!"
"Exactly what I mean! I went to King Uther and informed him of that! I suggested he talk to my father about a marriage between Prince Arthur and Princess Mithian. King Rodor's thinking is addled! The Queen's death unhinged him. You have all seen how Mithian has to prompt him? He cannot even see that King Uther and Aredian are more within the law than he is!" Kay shook his head. "He would let Mithian run our fortunes into the ground! She cannot inherit! He listens to Amazons! Father has married me off! I need to be here!"
"So bring her here, Prince Kay. She can rule at your side. Then, we can deal with your sister. Marry her off and silence her once and for all," Wulfstan suggested.
"Not this one. Her father is one of King Bors' favorites. Prince Kay, perhaps you should consider the benefits? You would have access to knights and retinue. Be patient. Allow matters to work for us." Wyngate peered over his shoulder toward the door. Granted, Rodor's outlook ground against his sensibilities as well. Political Savvy, however, prompted restraint.
"The Queen's death has destabilized the King! Perhaps it is time. The Prince's complaints have merit! King Uther can support us. Prince Accolon could add weight on his father's behalf! Our allies are here now!" Aethelwald chimed in. "Lord Wulfstan has a point. We should approach King Uther before his departure. We…"
A knocking came from the door. "You…what?" Prince Accolon pushed the door open. "I believe I heard my name mentioned?" An eyebrow raised. "By the way, King Ruthbert would not only say nay to your proposal. He would put you in your place, my Lords. Milady? I believe you should take it from here?" He stepped aside adding Dramatic Bow for effect.
"Aye." Amusement juxtaposed with Disgust on Radegund's face. "So, Prince Kay, Treason is it? King Rodor grants you a most advantageous marriage and arrangement in Gaul. The servant, Merlin, saves your life and kingdom. This is how you repay them? Listen to me." Her eyes narrowed. "Give yourself up. That goes for you three as well. Matilda! Elena!"
"Aye, my Queen?" Matilda strutted into the chamber. "Watch them, Elena. We have had enough sport for an evening!"
"May I put something forward, my Queen?" Elena requested. Anger burned within her over Ingratitude's stench in that place. Loss and Resentment stabbed through her as well.
"As we discussed, Elena, aye. A debt must be acknowledged. You have permission to speak frankly." Radegund nodded. "Listen well, Prince, to her words! She has paid in blood and pain! She is now a full healer-warrior. She sacrificed!" Her throat cleared.
Elena bowed. "Thank you, my Queen." She collected herself. Then, she turned toward the table. "Prince Kay, you might thank me as well. I was there. Merlin took the blow. Another Cawdorian moved in on him and you. I dealt with that one. Merlin fights for his life anew. I am here for duty! I am here for my Queen and Sisters!" Tortured breath hissed through her teeth. Her heart twinged. "King Rodor is a kind and honored King! He sees our worth!"
"Well put, Elena and Matilda." Radegund set her jaw. "You men do not want to listen? Listen to those words! Heed me well! Your swords. Do not make us fight you. We are more than four to you three."
Malodius' roar echoed up and down Passage's extent outside on cue. He stuck his snout into the door for good measure. Snarl threatened the conspirators. Threat sparked from emerald eyes.
"That beast!" Aethelwald ground his teeth. A scowl twisted his mouth. His eyes narrowed. He threw his sword down on the floor. "Disgusting! Nemeth goes to Hades!"
"Accolon! You? You would side with my father? I cannot believe that!" Protest spurted from Kay's mouth. He drew his sword. "I will deal with this woman first!" He stood from his chair. Challenge flared in his eyes.
"Elena! Matilda! Stand down." Radegund drew her own sword. "You think you can take me, Boy Prince? Come then! Matilda did warn you. You owe Elena a life debt. You disparage them and me? You betray your sire and sister? I assure you that the servant has more worth than any of you!" She motioned. "You have insulted my honor and that of the Sisterhood."
"Prince Kay, stop! You cannot stand against her! This is madness! We have gone too far!" Wyngate tried to intercede.
"Apologize, Sirrahs." Accolon rolled his eyes at the coming display.
"Shut up, Accolon! Master Wyngate, you coward! I will deal with you too! Let Morgana be a widow! Then…." Kay feinted. His blade blurred in Torchlight's flickering flame. It rammed right through Radegund's chest. Then, he pushed sword and Radegund away. "HA! THERE!"
"Queen Radegund!" Accolon stared. Horror and Shock widened his eyes. Diplomatic crisis seemed to compound itself. Crime on top of crime. Incident upon incident.
"Wait. Watch, Prince Accolon." Matilda raised her hand. "My Queen?"
"Let the wench die with those last words!" Triumph crowed in Kay's voice. "I will…."
Radegund narrowed her eyes. Her hands grasped the sword's hilt. "Aye, Matilda." She eased the sword out of her chest. As point withdrew, wound blurred and resealed itself. Scar, Blood, or Trace remained in its wake. "Take this, Sister." She handed Kay's sword to Matilda. "The legend, as you can see, is true. No man can kill me. Pity. I know King Bors looked forward to you being at his court. You should have listened to Prince Accolon, Boy Prince." Her hand seized Kay's forearm. "MOVE!"
"Master Wyngate, please." Elena shook her head at him. Disappointment weighed on her heart and mind over the elder physician's betrayal as well. "Just come along with us."
"Aye." Wyngate handed his dagger to Elena hilt first. "It is over. I will come peacefully. Lord Wulfstan, do it."
"Wulfstan threw his sword toward Matilda. "I cannot believe this!"
"Believe, Traitor!" Radegund yanked Kay from the chamber and into the passage.
Malodius jerked. Magical energies slammed into him. He bowed to Accolon and Radegund. Then, he sprinted toward stairs and Physician's Chambers.
"The creature has gone daft!" Aethelwald moved with Matilda's sword point in his bank. He shook his head.
"Sir Ywain tells me he does not do so often." Accolon rubbed his forehead. "Come along." He led Wulfstan toward the dining chamber.
Plot uncovered and dealt with….