Chapter 28 [Passage Outside of Uther's Office—A Half of an Hourglass Turn Earlier]
Arthur stalked off the last stair and into the familiar passage. His eyes peered back over his shoulder. King Rodor brought a witch into this citadel! I cannot believe it. Father will never accept that. Worsening situation put negotiations in jeopardy. Do those people understand the harm that sorcerers do? They cannot be trusted! One killed my mother. How can I trust them? Dread forced him to hesitate at that point. Despite Rodor's apparent misstep, Reluctance sided with Diplomacy in his mind. Will we have war again?
"Prince Arthur, there you are!" Morgana hustled down those stairs as well. "Do you really need to tell the King about this?" Irritation raised her eyebrow at him. A frown twisted at her lips.
"The law is clear, Morgana. You know that as well as I do. That woman may have good intentions. That is a rare thing among her kind. I know…." Arthur started.
She folded her arms across her chest. "You know what the King has told us. Aye. There are those with a blade who have various intentions. Lady Reyna is a renowned healer in Nemeth. I remember hearing about her on our last visit there. Just think about what you are about to do. She mixed a medical solution up for Queen Taene. No more than that."
Arthur fumed. "Are you sure? They can do anything right under our noses, Morgana." He shook his head. "We have no choice. Father has to know."
"Arthur. Please do not." Morgana's frown curled in on itself. She wanted to knock him out and lock him in a chamber to be honest. "She will treat the Queen and then leave. If we do not tell him, the King will not have to know." She noticed Uther emerging from his office. He had to hear us! Of course he did! "Sire."
"I will not have to know what, Morgana?" Uther narrowed his eyes. Suspicions and Irritation bristled at his mind. "What is this about? I thought you were both with the Nemeth delegation in Gaius' chambers? What is troubling you both? You know we should discuss matters in private. Follow me." He strode back into the office.
Arthur shook his head at her. Then he hustled after Uther. Potential explanations formed and flew through his mind. I did tell him to keep that beast back in Gedref! That thing should not even be there! I wish I knew how Merlin got Prince Kay away from Meleagant and those knights. Perhaps there was sorcery in the woods. It could not be Merlin though. He is too simple for that!
Do we really need this? Her eyes rolled. Anticipation prepared for (yet another) diatribe on magic's evil and 'proper extermination'. She followed Arthur into the chamber and shut the door behind herself. She noted Arthur talking to Uther already about the Gedref meeting. "Secret discussions now?"
"You were ready enough to keep that so-called noblewoman's presence from me, Morgana." Uther set his jaw. "You know why we cannot allow sorcery in the citadel! That witch may seem to have the best of intentions. Their kind always talk to sway your mind. Then they hurt you." He straightened himself. "Nay. Arthur, take the knights. We will arrest her at once. She will stand trial."
"What? Sire!" Morgana stopped short of her challenge. Rather she reframed her words for Respect's sake. "She is not so-called anything. She is a noble."
"And this is Camelot not Nemeth, Morgana." Arthur shook his head. "Whatever King Rodor does in his kingdom is up to him. Here, Father decides."
"Indeed so, Arthur." Uther nodded to him. "I have no choice, Morgana. I should have known Rodor would try this. Queen Taene's father was a sorcerer. No matter. I will speak with him myself. After what Meleagant just did, these negotiations were doomed from that point anyhow."
A knocking came from the door.
"See to that. Will you, Arthur? I do not want to be bothered." Uther waved his hand at the door. Dismissal shook his head as well. "You need to understand, Morgana."
"What is there to understand? Perhaps if you could stop hunting them? Those people might co-exist?" Skepticism cast Doubt's glow in Morgana's eyes.
Uther coughed. "You are young, Morgana. You have no idea of how the world works." He looked past her to find Kay walking toward him with Arthur. "Prince Kay? I thought you would be with your King and Queen. What news from there? Prince Arthur, close the door. I will hear him." He waited for the door to close. Kay's motives aligned with Camelot's rather than with his family and Nemeth's in general. Opportunity presented itself with a Trojan Horse perhaps.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Kay nodded to him. "I wanted you to know that Lady Reyna is gone. She prepared a remedy. Your servant, Merlin, and our servant, Britomart, were to give it to the Queen. I tried to speak up for Camelot's laws but was reprimanded by King Rodor."
Uther nodded. His fingers tapped on the desk. Desire ran up against Political Necessities. He wanted to take advantage. Decades of fighting with Rodor and his father wore at Camelot's resources. Gedref provided a welcome expansion westward. Besides, he could hunt down more sorcerers. He used the Witchfinder to deal with them. Still, he would not make such deals. "And you should be now. I doubt King Rodor would appreciate you coming to me in this fashion." He frowned.
"Pardon me? I wanted to let you know out of respect." Kay bowed to further make his point.
Behind Uther's back, Nausea unsettled Morgana's stomach. And he is a traitor too? Really? Princess Mithian should have been a boy rather than a girl. Prince Kay will run Nemeth into the ground or let it be conquered. What about respect for his King and Queen?
"Aye. I appreciate you looking out for Camelot and its laws, Prince Kay. For that reason, I will pretend that this conversation did not happen. You went straight back to your chambers. I do not take kindly to being part of a potential coup or treason between a father and son. There has to be honor. The Knights' Code insists on it. Perhaps you might wish to think on that? One day, you may be a King. On that day, Camelot will hear you gladly. We may negotiate openly. Until then, Rodor is your King. Necessity demands that I deal with him. Thank you, Prince Kay. You may see yourself out." Uther looked deeply into Kay's eyes. Purpose and Point burned into the younger man's mind.
After I wanted to tell him? Has the world gone daft? "King Uther, Prince Arthur and Lady Morgana." Kay nodded to them once again. "Good night."
"Good night, Prince Kay. Thank you." Uther motioned toward the door. He watched Kay depart and close the door behind himself. He shook his head. "Prince Kay is correct. Despite his treason against Rodor, he had a point." He sucked in a deep breath. "That 'Lady Reyna' had best hope the Queen remains alive here in Camelot. If not, I will remember." His eyes narrowed.
Arthur remained silent. Tone and Purpose resonated in his ears. He knew Uther would hunt Reyna down to the ends of Britannia if need be. He glanced back toward the door and passage beyond. King Rodor, what would you invite down on yourself and your lands?
Morgana turned toward the window. I am sorry, Lady Reyna. I know you did your duty!
Agenda misconstrued to serve their ends after all….