The Dragon's Banner (29 page)

The day was dark and ominous, but so far the
rain had held off. Uther carried a bow and had a quiver of arrows
strung across his back, and Merlin held two javelins. They had
briefly spotted a stag earlier, but otherwise their half-hearted
attempts at hunting had been fruitless.

"I know you better than to think I can change
your mind, no matter how rash and foolish is your plan." Merlin was
the only person alive who would dare call Uther Pendragon foolish.
"But I beg you, take care in how you resolve to proceed. If you are
determined to pursue this course we must create a pretext. We must
spread rumors that Gorlois is plotting against you."

Uther turned to face Merlin and let out a
deep breath. "I know of no plots."

"No.” Merlin sighed softly. "In fact,
Gorlois, to my surprise, has honored every commitment he has made.
I suspect he initially planned treachery, but then he became too
fearful to challenge you. But we must not have the others believe
that you repaid his loyalty by murdering him because you coveted
his wife - the wife you yourself gave him."

Uther had a puzzled look on his face. "You
would have us lie and falsely accuse him?"

Merlin's face bore an expression of dark
amusement. "Come to terms with what you intend, Uther. You resolve
to murder a man so you may steal his wife, yet you hesitate at
lying and plotting? This is an evil plan no matter how we proceed;
only ill shall come of it. But if you insist on taking this course
we must use every tool to limit the damage."

Uther considered Merlin's words, and he
pondered how far he would go to make Igraine his. "I will do
whatever I must, Merlin."

"Then we must be creative and play our parts
well, for failure is like to destroy all you have wrought."

"The others have never liked Gorlois." Uther
spoke plainly, though there was a small hitch in his voice. Deep
down, he knew he was trying to justify his intended actions.
"Indeed, many resisted recognizing his kingship, for they believe
he is of inferior lineage. They will incline to believe his
treachery. I need your help, Merlin, but with it or no, I am
resolved to take Igraine. Will you aid me, old friend?"

Merlin was silent for a brief moment. He
could see the madness in his friend, and he knew Uther was beyond
listening to reason. He would proceed no matter what Merlin did,
and without his help all would know that Uther had slain one of the
kings because he lusted after his wife. Within a year, the kingdoms
would again be at war.

Merlin looked glumly at Uther. "I will help
you, but I beg you to reconsider, though I know it to be futile."
Merlin wasn't at all certain that the fraud they intended to
perpetrate would succeed, but he resolved he must try. When it was
clear Uther was not going to respond, Merlin continued. "We must
carefully create the accusation and send a summons to Tintagel
commanding Gorlois to appear to answer the charges. Likely he will
refuse, outraged at the false accusation. This shall be your
justification to invade Cornwall."

"And if he does surrender himself? Have you
one of you potions that will make him confess publicly?"

Merlin frowned and when he spoke his tone was
dark and ominous. "It is black art you seek now, my friend, and
such is never without a price."

Uther exhaled sharply, an annoyed look on his
face. "Spare me your riddles, Merlin. Have you what I need?"

Merlin sighed and answered simply. "Yes."

"Good.” Uther snapped his response, and he
trod forward, as if his interest in the hunt had been momentarily
renewed.

Merlin followed behind his friend, silent but
deep in thought and very troubled. I am losing you, Uther, he
thought sadly. You are going down a dark road, and I fear you will
allow none to deter you. Always shall you be my friend, yet now
must I look to what will follow you. An heir now is more important
than ever. I will help you free Igraine, but the cost is like to be
more than you now comprehend. Forgive me, my friend.

The heralds rode forth from Caer Guricon,
bound for Tintagel Castle and the strongholds of the other kings of
Britannia. The monarchs were ordered to make themselves ready to
travel to Caer Guricon, for King Gorlois was accused of conspiring
with Vortigern's son, Vortimer, and the Saxons to seize the high
kingship.

The proclamation was signed by Uther
Pendragon, but it had been written, every word of it, by Merlin. It
is with deep sadness that High King Uther must call the assembled
kings of Britannia to hear evidence and pass judgment on Gorlois,
King of Cornwall on charges of high treason. So it began, and it
went on in excruciating detail to list a series of offenses that,
if proven, would warrant deposition and execution. The document was
beautifully worded and carefully constructed, and virtually every
word was a fabrication.

The proclamation was greeted with surprise by
most, for ten years had passed without any unrest in the land, and
conspiracy was now unlooked for. But few of the kings thought well
of Gorlois and, indeed, many of them were secretly pleased at the
prospect of his downfall. All responded with messages of support
and promises to do as King Uther bade them. Gorlois would be tried
by his fellow kings, and his guilt would be proven or
disproven.

In Tintagel the parchment was received with
shock and anger, for Gorlois had, in fact, done nothing at all.
Though he despised Uther Pendragon, he had been totally loyal both
during and after the war. In truth, he would have betrayed Uther if
he'd had the opportunity, but the high king was strong, and fear
had stayed Gorlois' hand all these years. A lengthy response was
hastily drafted, expressing outrage at the accusations and
declaring Gorlois' innocence. It was sent by courier to Caer
Guricon and to every court in Britannia.

Merlin, no stranger to complex manipulations,
urged Uther to bide his time and repeat his demand that Gorlois
present himself. Indeed, he had been so ordered in the first
proclamation, and he was therefore in violation of the high king's
edict. But while he had not come to Caer Guricon as he was
commanded to do, he had responded to the summons respectfully and
in great detail.

"Patience will help to put the other kings at
ease, Uther" Merlin was beseeching his old friend. "If you move too
swiftly it will create unease and suspicion."

But Uther Pendragon was not a man to heed
counsels of caution, and having decided on his course of action, he
was determined to proceed without delay. "Igraine has been a
prisoner in that hateful castle for far too long. It is long past
time I finish this. I will march on Cornwall and take Tintagel
Castle."

They sat in the great hall at Caer Guricon,
as they had so many times before. Long into the night they spoke,
but try as he might, Merlin could not sway Uther. Next to them sat
plates of food, picked at but largely uneaten, and a flagon of ale,
still full, now stale and flat. Servants would have cleared the
plates and refreshed the ale, but Uther had angrily ordered them
out hours earlier. They cowered in the kitchen, uneasy at not
serving the king but too scared to risk his temper again.

Uther loved Merlin above all other men, and
he thought of him as a father and a friend, an advisor and a
confidante. Though no force on Earth would sway him from his
intended path, still he sat and listened to Merlin's arguments,
when he would have sent anyone else fleeing angry taunts and thrown
pewter. When the old man finally gave up and ceased his debates,
Uther slowly rose, his joints stiff and slow from long hours in his
chair. "Merlin, my oldest friend and ally, I know that you do not
agree with me in this, but I must do what I must do. Give me your
aid in this endeavor, as you have in all other things, for though I
will still proceed without it if need be, I am grateful for your
cunning and support."

Merlin looked sadly back into the fire and
softly sighed. "You shall have my support, Uther, as you always
have. And always shall."

"Thank you, old friend." The king turned
away, the sound of his boots echoing on the hard granite floor as
we walked toward the corridor that led to his chamber.

Merlin sat unmoving. His eyes, unseen at that
moment by any other, betrayed a deep sadness as they stared into
the flames. Indeed, my friend, he thought, I shall support you,
though you do not imagine the form that shall take. Resolved you
are to seek your doom, and no power I have can stop that. If you
are to take this step then Igraine becomes vital, for an heir is
like to be the only way to save your house.

Merlin could see what lay ahead, and he knew
the part he must play. Many kings had he served, yet he had loved
none as he did Uther Pendragon. Long he sat alone in the hall,
thinking of days past and feeling the weight of his many years,
until the shafts of dawn light pierced the clerestory windows and
brightened the darkness. Finally, achingly, he rose and made his
way slowly to his chamber.

Though he had retired very late, Uther
Pendragon rose early and stormed around the castle issuing one
command after another. "Bring me Kelven and Eldol at once." The
servants and soldiers hurried to obey the king's orders, and all of
Caer Guricon was in an uproar. Servants brought breakfast into the
great hall, but Uther ignored the food, taking only a cup
half-filled with ale as he bellowed orders to his assembled
advisors.

"Where are Kelven and El..." Uther stifled
his question as his two captains came rushing into the hall,
hurriedly bowing before the king. Uther motioned for the two to
sit, then pointed toward empty chairs. "Come, my friends. Break the
fast with me, for we have much to plan." Uther tore off a small
piece of bread from a large loaf and motioned again, this time for
his companions to eat. "We will be marching for Cornwall. Gorlois
has disobeyed my command, so I will take Tintagel Castle by storm
and enforce my justice."

Kelven had a somber look on his face, and he
sat quietly, not eating anything. Eldol had taken some fruit and a
small piece of salted pork. He looked concerned, though not as glum
at Kelven. Uther saw his captain's concern. "Speak freely, Kelven.
Never shall I be so complacent as to ignore the thoughts of my
great war captain."

Kelven was hesitant. He had known Uther since
the king was a baby, but he was still uncomfortable disagreeing
with his sovereign. "My king…Tintagel is one of the strongest
fortresses in all Britannia. We must prepare much for such a siege,
and build up a great store of supplies. It will take long to call
in all the levies and rally the kings."

Uther looked over and motioned toward Eldol,
who quickly swallowed a piece of salt pork he'd just shoved in his
mouth. "My king, I must agree with Kelven. Tintagel is hardly
approachable by land. Without a fleet we will be forced to attack
across the narrow causeway. It will be costly."

"And with a fleet? For I have dispatched an
embassy to King Pellinore bidding him sail his ships to Cornwall
and aid us. Tintagel shall receive no supply from the sea."

Kelven was unconvinced, but he knew Uther and
understood that when the king set his mind to a thing nothing could
deter him. "What are your commands, sire?"

"We leave in one week." Uther's voice was
hard and determined, and he ignored the looks of shock on his
captain's faces. "I want the levy assembled and ready to depart
seven days from now."

Eldol glanced at Kelven, who had been in
Uther's service longer, but the old captain shook his head briefly,
warning him off. His mouth had opened, but he closed it without
speaking. Finally it was Kelven who broke the silence. "Yes, my
king. It will be done." He then stood and bowed before Uther. "I
beg your leave to go, for Eldol and I have much work to do."

Uther nodded his assent, and after they had
turned to leave he spoke softly so no one could hear. "I am coming,
Igraine. This time no one shall hinder me."

The summer had been hot and long, and the
army of Uther Pendragon marched slowly on dry, dusty roads. Though
the king drove his men hard, they could make but 7 or 8 miles a day
in the scorching heat, lest men and horses begin dying along the
trail in even greater numbers. The force was small for, though
Kelven and Eldol worked day and night, it had proved impossible to
assemble the entire levy of Powys in seven days, and no detachments
from the other kings had arrived by the time they left Caer
Guricon.

On the twelfth day of the march they met
Leodegrance and those warriors of Cameliard he could quickly
assemble. But even combined, they were barely 2,500 strong. Merlin
rode with Uther, and his spirit was leaden. Even if the other kings
responded to Uther's call, their troops would be many weeks behind,
and winter would be approaching before they could arrive. He was
sure that Urien, at least, would send forces, but his troops had
even greater distances to march.

Uther was untroubled, however. His rigid
determination to destroy Gorlois and free Igraine from her marriage
had blinded him to all fear and reason. Never a cautious man, he
had become driven and reckless, and he could not be persuaded to
wait until all his forces had assembled.

Gorlois had sent new messengers, repeating
his claims of innocence, but Uther would not receive them. Uther's
lords and men were loyal, but they wondered why the high king was
so driven to move on Gorlois before the army was ready. Surely,
even if the king of Cornwall was guilty of treason, there was no
immediate threat.

They entered Cornwall unopposed, and at last
the heat broke and autumn came, bringing with it torrential rains
and turning the dusty roads into impassable quagmires. Tintagel was
in the extreme west of the kingdom, many days march from the
borders, and Uther's forces continued their relentless advance.
Halfway between the frontier of Cornwall and Tintagel, they came
upon Gorlois' army blocking the road, formed for battle.