Chapter 20 [Physician's Chambers]
Candlelight cast its flickering glow across the chamber. A rudimentary tincture settled on the workbench. Tension crackled in the air. Priority demand results…
…that being Kay's awakening once again…
Merlin wiped Kay's wrists down with a salve to ease the rope burns. He placed a damp cloth across the patient's forehead. Doubts and Fears rendered him less than certain. Uneasiness unsettled him over both Mysterious Voice and Uther's potential rage for abandoning his post. What was that smell? How did those knights all fall asleep like that? He bit his lip. He placed his hand on Kay's shoulder. He focused on Kay's face. Then Canary glowed through his eyes.
Kay stirred. His hands and arms twitched. His mouth contorted into a frown. Slowly…ever so slowly, his eyes opened and blurred into focus. Shock and Surprise stiffened him. "Who are you? Where am I?" He sat up.
"You are not in that camp any more with those knights, Prince Kay. I found you all asleep. I cut the ropes and brought you back here on a horse." Merlin stepped back and bowed. "My name's Merlin. I am Prince Arthur's manservant. You are in Camelot. I put some ointment on your rope burns."
Kay took a deep breath. He surveyed the chamber. "And this is Master Gaius' chamber, is it? How did you get us in here?" Accusation and Suspicions darkened his mindset at that point.
"Nay. I live here. I am Gaius' ward." Merlin brought a small cup over to Kay. "Here is some water, Prince Kay." He kept his eyes toward the floor.
Kay took the cup. He gulped the cup's draught down in two mouthfuls. "Another cup." He pushed the cup back into Merlin's face. He noted Merlin's slender build. "You really rescued me by yourself, did you?"
"Aye. I did." Ingratitude and Boorishness irritated Merlin to say the least. Are all Princes like Arthur and this guy? Really? Once more, Gaius' reminder about nobles and servants echoed in his mind. He brought the cup back to Kay. "Once Sir Horace returns with the King and Princess Mithian, Your Highness, I can bring whatever you would like to eat from the kitchen."
Kay quirked an eyebrow. Indignity pushed a snort through his nostrils. "You stupid peasant! You do not tell me to wait! I should have King Uther whip you soundly for your insolence! I will tell YOU when I wish for such service!"
A knocking interceded from the door.
Please let that be Sir Horace! Merlin hustled toward the door. "Sir Horace?" He listened through the door.
"OF COURSE IT IS HIM! YOU IDIOT! OPEN THE DOOR!" Kay swung his legs around to the side of his bed.
Merlin ground his teeth. Patience frayed with Kay's attitude. He wanted to spell Kay to be honest. And I thought Prince Arthur was bad? His eyes narrowed. He breathed in several composing breaths.
Instinct bristled at Horace's patience. He reminded himself, however, that Merlin spoke in Security's service not from Impudence. He glanced back at Uther, Mithian and Morgana. "Aye, Merlin. The King, Princess Mithian and Lady Morgana are here. Do I hear Prince Kay in there?"
"Aye." Merlin opened the door. "Sire, Princess Mithian, Milady Morgana." He bowed to them. "Prince Kay just woke up." He stepped off to the side. Humility prompted him to keep his eyes to the floor.
"As I told you all, Sire." Horace bowed to Uther as well. "It is beyond belief!"
"That it is, Sir Horace." Uther glared at Merlin. Disobedience grated on him. Situation mediated on Merlin's behalf, however. Then he turned back toward Kay. "I am glad you are unharmed and here, Prince Kay. News of your abduction worried us. Prince Arthur, Sir Leon and the Knights of Camelot are out searching for you as we speak."
Kay nodded to Uther. "Sire, it is good to be back here once again." Reverence modulated his voice. "Prince Arthur is a worthy knight and friend. I wish he had found me. At least I could have awakened in a guest chamber and a suitable bed. Certainly, this one fails to meet Camelot's standards for servants."
"Aye. I would agree, Prince Kay." Uther raised an eyebrow. "Merlin has his moments of clumsiness. We had arranged for him to train with your servant, Britomart. Dereliction of duty cannot be tolerated. Merlin, however, led Princess Mithian to safety. He rescued you from Meleagant and Cawdor's best knights. I wish I understood how he did that." He narrowed his eyes at Merlin. "How did you do that?"
"I was fortunate, Sire." Merlin cleared his throat. "I followed an odor through the woods. I found everyone unconscious at the campsite. I found a dagger by one of the red knights. I used it to cut Prince Kay loose from the ropes tying him to a tree. I brought him back to my horse and rode back here. Sir Horace helped me to carry Prince Kay up here. We brought him here so that Britomart could help me to wake the Prince up. I treated his wrist wounds from the ropes. Then Prince Kay woke up. I offered to bring him whatever he would like to eat once you arrived."
"Are you hearing this, Sire?" Kay ground his teeth. "This peasant thinks he can make me wait here? He is not even a real healer! Why did he not let Prince Arthur do what he was born to do? Let him be a servant!"
Morgana narrowed her eyes. Kay's ingratitude burned at her. "You have not changed at all." Disdain now flared her nostrils and sharpened her tone. "Can you not show some gratitude, Prince Kay? Merlin did just save your life." She shook her head at him. "Aye. I wish Merlin had left word. He is supposed to be serving Princess Mithian and me. Britomart is supposed to be teaching him about service to our court. There is something you should know. Merlin has two roles as I recall. He is Prince Arthur's manservant. He is also Gaius' ward and apprentice. I allowed him to go after Gaius' herbs in that meadow, Prince Kay. He happened to be there when Princess Mithian and Britomart needed aid to get here. He played his role in service to Nemeth and Camelot. He risked his life to sneak into Cawdor's camp and get you out of there. In doing so, he was serving Nemeth and Camelot again! Then, he asked Sir Horace to notify us that you are here. He asked for Britomart because of her expertise. Again, that is what he is supposed to be doing. Is it not?"
"King Rodor and Queen Taene would not tolerate your attitude or ingratitude, Prince Kay." Mithian sniffed. "Forgive my attitude toward my brother, King Uther and Lady Morgana."
"It is all you ever show, Sister." Kay frowned at them. "Sire, I am hungry. Might I have something to eat? I have had enough of this servant and the Princess' sympathies toward the peasants."
Uther agreed with Kay about the Knight's Code. Class Distinctions were important. He did not, however, condone such attitudes toward Morgana and Mithian. "Prince Kay, I agree that Merlin should have remained here. However, Princess Mithian and you are safe because of his initiative and effort. Bravery is something to be valued for its own sake. The balance has been preserved. As Lady Morgana pointed out despite stretching the point in the process, I agree with her. Merlin was fulfilling the spirit of his orders. That will bear more thinking on my part. Still, I hope King Rodor and Queen Taene are safe and well. In addition, I would ask that you do not speak to Lady Morgana in such ways again. Princess Mithian only made the point that I would make. I am sure your King and Queen would say the same thing."
"Aye, Sire." Kay nodded in acknowledgement. Resentment and Anger still seethed over Merlin's actions and the ladies' words. He forced himself to remain straight and tall. Sentiment for his savior? None, Gentle Reader. Rather, Scorn and Spite frothed therein. With that, he stalked from the chamber.
Uther set his jaw. He had a good mind to put Merlin in the dungeon. Still, Circumstances granted some grace. "Well then. I believe that this is settled. I think we can return to the dining chambers. I will have plates brought up for everyone. Merlin, you are not to leave Camelot without due instruction from Lady Morgana or Princess Mithian. We will speak further on this matter. For tonight, I will allow Guinevere and Britomart to wait on us. You will meet Lady Morgana and Britomart to begin your training in the morning. I want you to think on what a stupendous opportunity you have been granted. Morgana? Princess?" Uther marched out of the chamber.
Sympathy lit Mithian's eyes. "Merlin, thank you for what you did. It may not have been the proper thing. King Rodor and Queen Taene will appreciate it." She offered him a brief nod.
"Thank you, Princess and Milady Morgana." Merlin bowed to them. "You should follow the King. I would not have him being angry with you. Sorry I was not there to wait on you tonight."
Mithian nodded. Disagreement burned in her over Merlin's treatment in that regard. She knew Rodor would've treated Merlin far differently than Uther was. Assisting two royals against Cawdor? Treating a Prince? At cost to himself? I wish he could come back with us! Interest raised an eyebrow yet again. What is it about you, Merlin? "Come along Britomart."
Britomart nodded. "Aye, Milady. We shall speak tomorrow, Merlin." She regarded him. Anyone else would've received a tongue lashing from her at Opportunity's first chance. He, however, had reason and purpose. "Thank you for your aid earlier."
Morgana offered a smile of her own. "Perhaps you were not here, Merlin. We will begin training tomorrow. Your service today was far more important. Just think about that as well." She guided Mithian from the chamber. Uther's Disapproval burned at her from the hallway. Still, she could've cared less. Questions did pepper her mind as well about his methods. Still, he did serve in far greater fashion than merely learning table settings that day. She closed the door behind them.
Merlin rubbed the back of his neck. He knew that he'd dodged an arrow for the moment at least. Uther's anti-sorcery bias remained in check. Still, Kay's attitude stung him. Princess Mithian and Morgana had defended him at least. Britomart at least seemed ready for a fresh start on their lessons. They can tell Gwen that I am all right. He shook his head at himself. She had to do my share as well! A few curses at himself threw themselves around in his mind. He straightened the cot's blanket and pillow again. Then he sat down in the old chair.
Heavy is the hero's mantle indeed…