Arthur shifted his breakfast around on his plate. His stomach rolled with the smell of it. He pushed it away from him. Breakfast had arrived a couple hours ago for the Ruling Family. He glanced at the bed where his father laid, growing paler by the hour. His death rattling breathing kept the Ruling Family up the entire night. He knew the Magi had retired during the early morning hours after staying nearly all night, watching over them, waiting
Kalliope poked at her food, sitting at the head of the table. She took a small bit before her face colored slightly with a faint greenish color. She paled under the color as a hand rested on her midsection. She reached for her glass of water, taking a small sip. The water shook slightly.
Arthur frowned, worried. While he didn’t have the best relationship with his stepmother, viewing her more of an older sister then a mother figure, he knew Kalliope rarely shared a bed with his father, due to personal reasons, so he could rule out a possible pregnancy. That would have been rich, he mused slightly, the High Queen finally expecting when the King just died. However, he knew Kalliope had a secret lover from the way the maids loved to gossip in the corridors. He briefly wondered who it could be.
Footsteps echoed in the room, loudly, knocking Arthur out of his thoughts. His eyes darted over to Nana Bella. She walked form the desk to stand by a chair close to the long table in the center of the room, looking as ill as Kalliope. Studying his great-grandmother, Arthur thought it was weird, almost surreal to see her like how she was. Majority of the time, the former High Queen always had an image of being strong, self assured, and ready to face any situation she faced. Now, appeared lost. Her eyes roamed over to Uther and the horrid rattling sound, coming from the bed. Her eyes were red, puffy, and held a storm of emotions as she looked around the room before she stared out the windows, searching for answer.
Arthur gazed toward the bed. Grandma Vivi stretched out on the lounge at the foot of the bed. Her eyes were closed, appearing to be asleep. She probably was, Arthur thought, but her body jerked every time the death rattle sounded. If grandma Vi slept, Arthur knew it wasn’t a good kind of sleep.
His eyes drafted to Grandma Clarine. She sat by the King’s bed, refusing to move. Her hands laid in her lap, twisting one of her handkerchiefs. The prince briefly wondered if the clothe could hold up against the abuse it had went through the darken hours. He knew Grandma Clarine had settled in the chair beside the large bed sometime the night before, once the death rattle had started. He ran his eyes over his grandma.
Grandma Clarine’s dress was disheveled. Her face was an ashen color. Deep shadow like bruises hung under her eyes. Her red-rimmed eyes darted around the room, searching for something. Her lips moved. Arthur knew if he strained his eyes, he would hear her muttering a pray for the King to recover, to live, and begging God not to take her only son.
The blond let out a sigh at the same time his father let out one of his death rattles. He turned back to his cold food and accepted that his appetite was gone. He pushed his half-empty plate away
There was a knock at the door, alerting the family. The door opened and the Magi stepped in. Merlin appeared pristine while Lady Morgana looked a bit upset. She kept glancing at the bed and Arthur noticed tears well up in her eyes, but they didn’t fall. He knew Morgana was a daughter of the First King Uther of Camelot and the sister of his namesake. She was taking the King’s impending death hard just as the rest of his family. He mused it was because the fact her father and the King shared the same name just he shared his name with King Arthur the First. Maybe seeing the King as he was in the bed brought up old, buried memories.
Merlin and Morgana moved across the room together. Arthur’s eyes wondered down to see Merlin had an arm around Morgana and she lend, slightly, against him as they walked toward the table.
“How are you doing?” Merlin asked as he pulled out a chair. Morgana slowly lowered herself into it as Merlin pushed the chair under her. She looked up at Merlin, sending him a small smile. The Battle Mage went to the chair next to her, but paused when Morgana shivered in the early morning air.
Noticing the cooler air, Arthur glanced to the fireplace. He let out a sigh before he slowly stood up and went around the long table to the fireplace where the prince spot glowing red coals among the gray ashes. He knelt beside the fireplace and started piling logs into the fireplace. He stayed there, waiting for the logs to catch fire and warmed the room again. He glanced at the women of his family. None of them looked aware that the Magi had spoken. He turned his attention to the magi and spoke on the behalf of his family, “We are doing the best we can, given our current situation.”
Merlin nodded in understanding, “We need to discuss about a few things.”
“Like what?” the prince replied.
“Funeral arrangements, what is going to happen after Uther’s passes on,” Merlin listed, “It is best to do it now that way we have a plan for when he does pass on.”
“Like a battle strategy,” Nana Bella spoke up softly from her place beside the fire. Arthur glanced over at her. He didn’t think she would respond to any of the questions.
“Yes,” Morgana replied. She gazed at a spot on the table with distant eyes.
Nana Bella nodded to herself and slowly stood up before she approached Grandma Vivi and slowly shook her. Grandma Vivi jerked up in surprise and gazed around, hearing the sound of the familiar death rattle before she relaxed. She gave Nana Bella a questioning look.
“Grandma Vi,” Arthur spoke up, causing his oldest grandmother to look at him, “Could you please join us at the table? Merlin and Lady Morgana wants to form a battle strategy on what we will do after Fath—Dad passes to the other side?”
Grandma Vivi blinked, slowly, and nodded. She moved from the lounge and crept over to the table in a hunch over form. Arthur knew not sleeping in a proper bed was affecting his grandma Vivi and her aged body was bothering her, again. He didn’t know if she took one of Morgana’s drafts to help with her joints, but everything going on, he wouldn’t be surprise if she forgot to take it.
However, Arthur glanced over the room, noticing if they were going to talk about funeral arrangements, they will need security for the event. He knew an event like this needed heavy security because it meant the Ruling Family will be out in front of the people of Camelot. There would be a good chance that both the rival and the allied kingdoms of Camelot would send Representatives to the funeral. He knew the representatives would stay for the next few months, wanting to see who the Holy Sword would chose as King, and they wouldn’t leave until a week after the new King was crowned by the Magi. It was going to be a political headache for the next few months. He just hoped the military would be able to handle the security outside the castle and the Knights would be handling it inside the castle. He blinked. Since they were speaking about a possible plan on what to do, Arthur rose the question, speaking to no one particular, “Shouldn’t one of the Generals and Head Knight of King’s Guard join us?” He turned his attention back to the fireplace, waiting for one of the magi to answer.
Merlin made a mental note to make sure that Queen Vivien got her draft from Morgana before they left the King’s Chambers. He waited until the Eldest Queen settled down in the far chair before he brought funeral arrangements. He replied, nodding “Yes, they should be here for security reasons.” He got up and went to the door. He walked through it and spotted General Genesis talking with General Honor at the far end of the Hallway. Walking over to the two Generals, the Battle Mage spoke up, “Excuse me, Generals,” They both turned to him, “The Ruling Family would like you two, General Bartholomew, and Head Knight of the King’s Guard to join us. We are about to discuss funeral arrangements and The Prince has suggested you to be present.”
General Genesis glanced at General Honor and nodded before he replied, “Give us time to find our Lieutenant Generals and The Head Knight of the King’s Guard then we will join you.”
“Thank you,” Merlin bowed his head and went back to the King’s Chamber, noticing General Genesis motion for General Honor to stay and keep guard before he left, tracking down the Lieutenant Generals, General Bartholomew, and The Head Knight of the King’s Guard. He entered the King’s Chamber and announced, “They will be joining us after General Genesis finds the others. The Lieutenant Generals will be taking over to guard the Hallway.”
Arthur nodded, leaving the place by the fireplace he had took to make sure the fire restarted, and reclaimed his seat. Merlin tilted his head to the side. There was a change in Arthur as he turned away from the Battle Mage. Merlin didn’t know what it was, but it was significant enough that it caught Merlin’s attention. Perhaps, the prince was finally accepting what was going on. The mage hummed under his breath, a short note. Maybe Arthur will be able to pull the Holy Sword out of its sheath after his father’s passes on, the mage mused as he returned to his seat. He noticed as he reclaimed his seat that the sky had darkened, hinting at possible storm. It matched the mood in the room, perfectly, he mused with a tighten feeling in his gut.
He glanced over at Queen Vivien who set an empty potion bottle back upon the surface of the table. Apparently, Morgana had thought ahead and brought a potion for Queen Vivien. There were a few more orange color potion bottles sitting on the table. He picked one up and studied the potion. The liquid had small molts of dark amber floated through the potion. He glanced at Morgana who were watching him through the corner of her eyes. He finally spoke, “If I am not wrong, this is an sherbet flavor vitality potion.”
“I am surprised you can remember that fact,” Morgana’s tone held a teasing note. Merlin felt a rush of triumph go through him until she went on, “Considering how old you are.”
“I aged like fine wine, darling,” Merlin smiled, sweetly, at her. Arthur snorted. Belladonna rolled her eyes. Vivien smiled, softly. Clarine’s lips twitched. Merlin internally smirked, sometimes, getting one’s mind off a depressing topic helps to cope with what was going on.
“What is a vitality potion?” Kalliope asked. Her eyes gleamed with a sad joy. A flash of lightening illuminated the room followed by a rolling sound of thunder. Morgana pushed back her chair, standing up. The Battle Mage’s eyes followed his former student as she grabbed the lighting stick from the sand vase and stuck the end into the roaring fire. She waited until the stick caught fire before she drifted around the room, lighting candles one by one. It would have been so much easier to use magic, but the magi tried to limit how much magic they used in front of the Ruling Family. There were a few members of the Family who didn’t approve of their magical arts.
“Basically, it is a potion that restore your energy,” Merlin explained, “It is a wonderful thing to take after a long night of studying, a double shift patrol, a long battle or a night like last night.” He went gave the Ruling Family a pointed stare. “Of course, taking this vitality potion too often will cause negative side effects.”
“Like what,” the youngest Queen prompted Merlin to continue while they waited for the three General and the Head Knight of the King’s Guard. It was obvious that Kalliope didn’t want the conversation to end. Uther inhaled then exhaled as the death rattle sounded.
“Uh-oh,” Morgana said in a loud enough tone for the entire Ruling Family and Merlin to hear, “Now, you have done it.” She sent a wink to Kalliope with a teasing smile. “We will be all day, listening to him going on and on about the pros and cons about taking a vitality potion.”
Merlin slowly turned his head to send his former student an annoyed glare before he turned his attention back to the High Queen. The Battle Mage said, feeling a sense of giddiness, “It can be addicting. I have witnessed a person before unable to function without taking a strong vitality potion, but when the person took a regular strength, they would fall asleep.” He didn’t remember when the last time he had the chance to explain the pros and cons of a vitality potion to someone. “Of course,” He frowned, remembering what happen to one person who had become addicted to the potion, “Another person who had become addicted died after taking four of the Supreme Strength Vitality potion daily.”
“How did he die?” Kalliope cocked her head to the side. Her eyes held a curiosity spark in them.
“His heart exploded,” Merlin stated. “That was an interesting negative effect nobody was expecting.” The Ruling Family stared at Merlin with various stunned expressions. “I didn’t think that would have happened until I had to preform the autopsy and found out his heart exploded inside his chest.” Merlin frowned, thinking about that man. He was a good warrior, willing to push himself to get the job and didn’t like pushing it on to others of his troop. The Battle Mage shook his head and continued, “However, when I found that out, we -” He waved his hand between Morgana and himself, “started to limit the usage of the potion once a week. The only time we will allow daily use for a short amount of time is in the time of War for the troops.”
“Really?” Kalliope said with an tone of awe. Merlin nodded.
“Wow!” Morgana started, “You didn’t last as long this time.” She returned the lighting stick to the sand vase, snuffing out the fire. The fire gave a dying hiss. She turned, showing off a smirk. She strolled calmly over to her seat, across from the Battle Mage.
Merlin moved his mouth to agree when his mind registered the double-meaning of the sentence. He turned his gaze to Morgana. There was a playful gleam in her eyes. His lips twitched as he fought a smirk. If it helped Morgana to take her mind of the comparison between her own father dying and the Current Uther, he could play that game.
“No, I don’t suppose I didn’t,” Merlin mused, catching Morgana off-guard, “However, it did please the lady.” He caught Kalliope eye before he winked.
Belladonna huffed in disgust. Vivien giggled softly under her breath. Clarine’s face twitched in amusement. Kalliope blinked before she got the meaning and blushed. Arthur sighed, used to the double meanings of the conversations between the two magi. They knew what was coming.
“This is not the time nor place for such talk,” Belladonna scolded. She didn’t disappoint the Magi.
“And what kind of talk is that?” Merlin asked, innocently. He knew what the second eldest queen was talking about, but he was not going to admit it. “I thought I was explaining the usage of the Vitality Potions to Queen Kalliope who asked a question about it. Morgana simple commented that my explanation did not last as long as it usually did and I simple said the length of the explanation seemed to please her ladyship.” He blinked at Belladonna. “So, what kind of talk do you mean, Your majesty?”
Belladonna, Merlin knew, did not like people acting innocently when they knew exactly what the other party was talking. She opened her mouth to speak as the storm broke outside with a thundering boom that drowned out the former High Queen’s words. Merlin never thought he would be happy for a storm at that moment as rain pounded against the glass doors.
Genesis cursed under his breath as he stormed through the castle. Just where the hell was his Lieutenant General? The little shit should have been in his office by now, but he wasn’t. Shaking the rain from his red hair, he entered the military barracks with loud enough bang to cause a few of the men worked the night shift to jerk awake. Genesis heard a mutter or two about wanting to kill whoever entered their barracks that loud until it registered that person who did was their General and they fell silent.
“Go back to what you were doing,” Genesis called out, walking down the aisle and headed to where his Lieutenant General usually slept when he was off duty. Personally, he didn’t know why his second in commander had turned down the upgraded rooms when he was promoted. The General didn’t bother knocking before he burst into the room where the Lieutenant General slept. He smirked as the man in question groaned something in his pillow and snuggled another pillow closer to him. His eyes ran over the room.
It was simple, enough for a single soldier. A twin size bed in one corner with a nightstand filled one end of the room while the other end held a desk. At the foot of the bed, a trunk stood open, vomiting its contexts over the floor. Genesis shook his head. If though the man was messy and obviously enjoyed small rooms, Genesis could not deny his second was a damn good one. He bent over the sleeping man, taking a deep breath, and yelled, “ATTENTION!”
Genesis immediately took a step back. The man on the bed shot up and went to stand up, but the blankets were wrapped around his legs and the Lieutenant General stumbled to the ground. However, Genesis heard from the main barracks the men jumping out of bed and some of them hit the floor from the thuds and groans.
Genesis didn’t fight the smirk rose to his lips. He knew he shouldn’t be taking such joy in his men’s discomfort, being woken up like that. After the morning he had and started to get the feeling like his day was going to continue it was, his gave a damn measurement was slowly vanishing. However, the amusement he got from hearing his men in the other room and the man lying on the floor by his feet, he considered it to be well worth it. He turned his attention to the man on the floor. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you comfortable down there, Lieutenant General Reno?”
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Reno turned his dark hazel eyes up at his commander. It was obviously to Genesis, Reno was fighting the urge to glare at the red head general. However, he looked away from Genesis and untangled himself from the blankets, revealing the fact he slept in his undershorts. He slowly stood up and saluted Genesis.
“At ease, Reno,” the General said, “Why aren’t you in your office this morning?”
“Permission to speak freely,” Reno asked. His tone was monotoned.
“Granted,” Genesis commented.
“I spent all fucking night, yo, doing paperwork that you should have done already,” Reno growled. His eyes narrowed into a glare, “Broke up three fights in the Mythic Tavern between soldiers and members of the King’s Guard, created a rotation from your wonderful notes for the castle guards, and went to bed at the same time the sun said good fucking morning.”
My, my, someone woke up in a bad mood. Trying not to wince, Genesis felt bad for waking his second up in that way, but he felt worst after listening to the list of duties he unknowingly shoved onto Reno. He said, sincerely, “Sorry about that, Reno.”
Sighing, Reno reached and stretch the back of his head, replying back, “It’s alright, boss man. Just give me heads up when you have to play guard duty for the King, yo.”
“The only reason why I had to play ‘guard duty’ for the king, Reno, is because the King is dying,” Genesis explained, “And The Generals, the Head Knight of the King’s Guard, and I are required to meet with the Ruling Family and the Magi to discuss funeral arrangements.”
Whatever Reno was expecting to hear, it was obviously that was not it. Reno’s jaw dropped, slightly. His eyes flashed through a series of emotions - fear, uncertainty, horror and pain - before his eyes hardened. He straightened up. He asked in a nonsense tone, “And you need to me to guard the King’s Corridor with the other seconds while you are in the meeting over various security measures?”
“Yes,” Genesis replied, “You won’t be alone. Lieutenant Generals Zachary, Honor’s Second, and Auron, Bartholomew’s second, will be joining you.” Reno nodded. “Now, I am off in search of the Head Knight of the King’s guard. After you are dressed, report to Honor. He should be still guarding the Hallway.”
“Yes, sir,” Reno saluted. Genesis turned and walked out. He went on the search of the Head Knight of the King’s Guard. He knew Reno would report to the King’s Corridor before he make it back.
After hurrying through the storm and asking some of the Knights he came across the location for the Head Knight of the King’s Guard, Genesis managed to track the knight down in the meal hall in the Knights’ Tower where the Knights and the Knights of the King’s guard, sometimes ate. Genesis didn’t bother, knocking on any of the doors he came across, walking through the common area of the Knight’s tower. He spotted the Head of the King’s Guard. He wasn’t a hard man to spot when someone went looking for him. Lord Jack was tall man who happened to be built like a damn tank. The man appeared to be deep in conversation with Sir Galahad about the training sessions with the Knights in case the worst did happen.
“…We need to increase security on the walls,” the Head Knight of the King’s Guard commented. His dark eyes darted back and forth, thinking about what was needed to be done. A hand reached up and ran through the bright blond hair, brushing some of the hair behind an ear.
Galahad nodded and wrote down the list of tasks the Head Knight was giving him as the leader of the King’s Guard went on, “Also, check with Queen Belladonna about these changes and see if there is anything else we could do.” Genesis waited until the Head Knight of the King’s Guard noticed him, hating the fact, the order of Military session that Genesis and the other two Generals placed below the Head Knight of the King’s Guard, “Possible we could do something about the old wards around Camelot.” Galahad nodded, again.
Genesis thought the Knights and the promoted Knights of the King’s Guard were arrogant. Yeah, granted the Knights were able to leave to go ‘quests’ to promote themselves, but they were nothing more then annoying decorated bodyguards. He had witness several of the currents Knights protect the members of the Court over helping the main military out and had no problem ordering the Generals and their subordinates. However, he knew there were a few ‘good’ knights like his father who had no problem helping the military out.
“And how can I help the great explosive General?” the Head Knight of the King’s Guard drawled out in a tone that informed Genesis that the said Knight thought he was obviously superior then the General.
“Your presence has been request in the King’s Chambers, immediately, Lord Jack, by the Battle Mage Lord Merlin,” Genesis stated and turned on his heel, having no desire to remain in the Knight’s presences.
“I don’t recall telling you that you may leave,” the Head Knight of the King’s Guard commented, snark. Genesis stopped in his steps and took a deep calming breath, closing his eyes. The General knew the Head Knight was smirking from that tone. He just had to remain calm. Perhaps he could do what his mother suggest so many years ago before she had to leave to protect his eldest and baby sisters - count down from ten to one.
10 - Genesis couldn’t make things worst between the Generals and the King’s Guard. Though, there wouldn’t be much to do so, consider the King’s guard treated the Military like common grunts.
9 - Remember, Genesis, right now, there are more important things that needed to be handled like the fact the King was dying and they needed to discuss funeral arrangements. However, if Lord Jack got hit by a stray lightening bolt on the way to the King’s Chambers, Genesis could reason that all the metal the Knights and Knights of the King’s guards wore attracted the lightening bolt.
8 - Some of the King’s Guards were good men. They were forced to serve under a shitty commander.
7 - Genesis needed to set a good example for the Military. They couldn’t afford to be seen fighting the King’s Guard right now. Camelot needed an united front against their enemies.
6 - The Ruling Family needed to see that they still have the support of the Military, no matter what the King’s Guard said about them.
5 - There will be time later to deal with the arrogant King’s Guard. Possible a training exercise how to prank them and get away with it. That will bring much amusement to his men.
4 - However, a possible pranking - training exercise will only result in a lecture from Honor about having soldier honor and a public lecture from his father. He knew his father would get a kick out of it, though.
3 - Queen Belladonna will personally see any punishment handed out. That woman, despite her old age - the same age as his grandmother, was a worst slave driver then his own grandmother when it came to punishments.
2 - Think, Genesis, you are already calmer then you were a minute ago. Mom’s trick really does work.
1 - Now you are calmer, Gen, just walk away from this problem. The Head Knight of the King’s Guard is not worth it. You find the Jerk and now you can report back to the King’s Chambers.
Genesis looked over his shoulder and finally replied back, “The Ruling Family has requested our presences. It’s your choice if you decide to show up or not, Lord Jack.” He walked of the room, resisting the urge to place ‘ass’ at the end of Lord Jack’s name.
A loud knock echoed through the King’s Chambers cutting of Belladonna’s lecture of what was appoint or not in the presence of the Ruling Family. A rush of relief flew through Merlin. He hated sitting through one of Belladonna’s lectures. She loved treating Merlin and Morgana as naughty children who needed to be punished.
“Come in!” Morgana called out before anyone could say anything else. The door opened and Generals Genesis, Honor, and Bartholomew filed in, by the Head Knight of the King’s guard, Lord Jack of House Miller. Genesis shut the door behind him as the leader of the guard stopped in shock, paling as he stared at his king. Merlin watched as the trio of Generals approached the table.
“Please, take a seat, gentlemen,” Queen Kalliope waved a hand toward the empty chairs. Genesis bowed his head toward the youngest queen and took a seat beside Morgana, giving the Black Mage a wink. Honor sat beside Genesis while Bartholomew sat between Honor and Queen Vivien. However, Lord Jack didn’t move or acted like he even heard the Queen. She tried again, “Lord Jack?” Jack jerked in surprise and turned his head to blink at the Queen. “Please, join us.” She waved at one of the remaining seats.
The only sound in the silent room was the King’s death rattling breathing and the rain pounding at the window. Jack slowly turned to the table and walked over. If anyone saw that Jack had tears in his eyes, nobody commented on it when the lightening flashed.
Merlin recalled Jack and Uther were close friends while they were younger, all the way up until the era of the Kingless Kingdom where they had to fight in separate branches of the military. After Jack had returned to Camelot and Uther became the Chosen King, Jack worked hard to protect his friend. It was only five years ago when Uther had finally asked Jack to become the Head Knight of the King’s Guard once the Old Head of the King’s Guard, passed on due to old age. It was hard to watching a friend passing. He glanced over to the Generals.
Genesis looked at Jack with understanding. The fiery tempered General didn’t say a word while they waited for Jack to join them. Honor and Bartholomew kept silence. There were bad blood between the Military and the Knights, but thankfully, the Generals were keeping this professional.
Jack took a seat, between the Prince and Kalliope. He stared at the table and Merlin took a breath, starting, “The Ruling Family, Lady Morgana and I have summoned you here to help prepare for the King’s funeral.” He took a piece of parchment and reached for the quill. He dipped the tip of the quill into an ink well and tapped the quill tip on the edge, knocking off the extra ink. “Alright. Queen Kalliope, Prince Arthur, what kind of coffin should King Uther be placed in?”
“Glass covered,” Belladonna answered, even though Merlin didn’t ask her the question, “It is tradition that the King will be presented to the community with a glass covered coffin.”
Merlin stared at Belladonna. He wasn’t surprised she would try something like this. He would try usually call her on this bullshit, but this time he let it go because Uther was a few feet away, dying. He shared a look with Morgana before he looked at Kalliope and Arthur, waiting for their reply. Arthur got the hint and replied, “It is not up to me to decision. Lady Kalliope?”
Kalliope’s eyes widened slightly. The entire Ruling family knew she didn’t like be put on the spot, due to various reasons, but she was the current Queen and the wife of the dying King. She deserved a say in her own husband’s funeral, despite the fact that Belladonna wanted to control things. Queen Clarine and Queen Vivien didn’t say anything. They waited for Kalliope’s response before they would agree with Belladonna or agree with Kalliope, leaving Arthur to break any ties between the four queens. Merlin felt sorry for the Prince when he was faced with that. A familiar phase he once heard drift through his mind, ‘damn if you do, damn if you don’t.’ Kalliope, finally, said, “If it is tradition, I can’t argue against it.”
“You can argue against it, dear,” Vivi commented with a small smile.
“No, she can’t,” Belladonna cut in, “It is a tradition. It was started centuries ago. There is a reason why it last until this day.”
Vivi turned to Belladonna with a glare, coolly retorting, “I do believe, while Uther is our grandson, he is Kalliope’s husband. She should have the final say on his arrangements.”
Belladonna returned Vivi’s glare and she opened her mouth, but Morgana cut in, “Enough! We are not here to bicker about the rights of traditions. We are here to make sure King Uther is properly remembered by his people.”
Merlin nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself, writing down the preference. He asked the next question, “How should we allow the public to say good-bye to their King?”
“In the God’s Holy Light Church,” Belladonna replied. Obviously, she gave this a lot of thought, Merlin thought grimly. He looked at the High Queen, waiting for her comment.
“I think we should have a parade,” Kalliope commented, softly, “Follow by a private ceremony for close friends and family. Of course, at God’s Holy Light Church.”
Merlin paused, thinking, that was not done for a long time. He personally didn’t remember when a parade for the people followed by a private ceremony for the loved ones. It was something that the First King Uther went through at the pushing of Arthur the First, and his sister, Lady Morgana. He glanced at Lady Morgana. She looked surprise as the words register in her mind. She caught Merlin’s eye and nodded. So, she was the one who gave Kalliope the idea. The two waited for the other two Queens responses.
“I like the idea, Kalliope,” Clarine sent the youngest queen an approving, watery smile, “I approve.”
They turned to Vivien. She answered the unasked question, “I think it would be wise. We could have a parade, followed by a private ceremony in the God’s Holy Light Church.”
That was easy, Merlin thought. Bartholomew lend forward and stated, “We need a map.” Genesis stood and walked over to the door to the hallway, stepping out for a moment before he reappeared and announced, “Auron is retrieving a map for us.” Bartholomew nodded.
“Alright,” Merlin said, “In how many days after the King’s death should we have the ceremony?”
“3,” Belladonna and Kalliope announced together.
Merlin blinked in surprise before he wrote the number down, asking, “Why?”
“Give the public in the outer villages to travel and gather the Lords and Ladies of the Court who are away from Camelot,” Kalliope explained in an even tone. “Uther would want to them to attend if they can get away from their own duties.” Merlin nodded.
“They should attend, no matter what,” Belladonna snark, “Their King is protector and they will give him proper respect.”
Kalliope took a deep breath, closing her eyes, but she didn’t say anything. Vivi on the other hand had no problem replying, “We can not expect them to drop everything and attend a funeral. Some of them are guards. They have a duty to protect the Kingdom on the borders. There are villages live more then 3 days travel.”
“Not if they ride hard,” Belladonna commented in the same tone.
“Not everyone has the ability to ride hard,” Vivi retorted, “They have little children or elderly who can’t handle the hard travel.” She paused, “We have to be considerate.”
Before anyone could reply to that, a knock sounded on the door before the door opened and Lieutenant General Reno stepped into the room, holding a rolled up map.
“I’ve bought the map, sir,” He said, crossing the room with a lazy stagger. His eyes roamed over the room, already getting the feeling of the room and he handed the map over to Genesis. He turned to the Queens and bowed his head, “My ladies.” He didn’t say anything else as he walked out of the room.
Merlin half-expected him to start flirting with Morgana or Queen Kalliope, but the man had enough sense not to do it. He was pretty sure that Genesis would have excused himself and decided to run his men through a firing drill in this storm for Reno’s loose tongue. Reno deserved the promotion he got a few months ago before King Uther fell ill. Genesis’ Second in Commander was a brilliant shot and enjoy playing with explosives…a bit too much in Merlin’s opinion.
He turned his attention back to the table where Genesis had unrolled the map of Camelot grounds and the nearby village. Lord Jack and Bartholomew studied it with Belladonna rose to her feet and walked over to them.
“We will start the parade here,” Lord Jack pointed at the God’s Holy Light Church.
“It would be wise if we did a circle or an oval,” Bartholomew commented. Lord Jack made a noise of agreement. Merlin stood up and grabbed his parchment with quill, shifting them closer to the map. He lend over his side of the table as he placed his non-writing hand on the surface of the table to brace himself. He studied the map.
Bartholomew knew the only one way to enter the grounds was through the castle gates, spoke up, “We will need at least three dozen guards on the wall, watching over the village then another couple dozen on the Castle walls. I’ll have few dozen of my men patrolling the grounds and the roads leading to God’s Holy Light Church.”
“I have two dozen archers with another two dozen cannon-men who are available,” Genesis stated, glancing at Bartholomew, “I do believe I do have another dozen men who specialize in explosives,” Bartholomew turned his gaze to the red head general. He obviously felt Bartholomew’s gaze on him. He slowly turned his head and meet Bartholomew’s gaze over Honor’s back, saying, “What?”
“Your Lieutenant General being one of them,” Batholomew raised an eyebrow, questioningly.
“So?” Genesis drew out the word, “I’ll have you know Reno has delivered some of the best explosives I have ever seen. Thank you very much.” Genesis’ tone held a note of smugness.
“Just like that one mission that earned him the promotion to your second in commander,” Honor commented, dryly.
“Yes, just like that one,” Genesis affirmed, glancing at Honor, “Now, are we reminiscing on old times about exploding pirate ships or are we planning a funeral parade?” He turned back to the map.
“I will get the story from you,” Batholomew hinted. Genesis’s lips twitched in amusement before his eyes ran over the map, trying to spot any security holes.
“Good luck,” Honor stated, turning the General standing beside him on his right, “I have been trying to get it from him for months now.”
“Anyway,” Merlin chuckled softly, “Do we need add more security to the wall?”
“No,” Bartholomew said, “Adding any more will be overkill since I know Genesis’ legion of explosive happy soldiers will take care of any problem that gets too close to the castle.”
“It’s better then swing that sword of yours around,” Genesis muttered loud enough for the people at the table to hear, “It’s almost like you are overcompensating for something.”
Batholomew glared over Honor’s back at Genesis for the comment and opened his mouth, but Morgana cut in before Bartholomew give his reply to Genesis and the Warrior Queen could add in her two coppers about the conversation, “Gentlemen, please, let’s get back to planning for the parade route.” She winked at them, letting Bartholomew and Genesis knew they wouldn’t in trouble with her.
“I think it is best if we took,” Honor had took the time while Genesis and Bartholomew argued, good-naturally, to figure out a possible parade route, “Smith Avenue down to Dead End Lane to Hikari Street, over to Mayflower Street, finishing the parade on King Drive.” He looked up at the other two generals.
“What about the other three sectors?” Genesis asked, “They will want to attend the parade as well.” He took his eyes off the map and stared at the other two generals, “That is too many people cramming into the Southern part of the town. However, if we have a route that covers at least three parts of the surrounding town, it will help.”
“That depends on what road we take,” Merlin threw in, “As the town was built over the centuries, the town builders often came to Lady Morgana and myself for advice. If you took this road,” the Battle Mage pointed at the map, “King’s Street runs into Mayflower to Hikari St, over to Dead End Land, up to Allen Road, take Cove Ave to..” Merlin continued, using his index figure to trace a possible route, allowing the entire town to see the parade without cramming a lot of them into one section of the town. He stopped the parade route at the God’s Holy Light Church.
“What if there was an attack,” Lord Jack asked. Bartholomew looked toward the other two generals.
“There are a number of other streets we could take to get back to the safety of the castle,” Honor pointed, “For an example, if we were attacked on Smith Ave, we could take Shawnee Trails to Magic Street then it is a straight up to the Castle. If we can’t take Shawnee Trails to Magic, we could go up Allen Road over to the West Entrance to the Castle grounds and have one of the Communication men to telegraph ahead to the guard tower to alert them on what is going on so they get the draw bridge down in time for us to arrive and get back into the safety of the Castle ground.”
Genesis picked it from where Honor left off, giving a list of possible roads in the Western, Northern, and Eastern areas of the town they could use to get back to the safety of the Castle. They continued, talking about the various security measures they would need to use over the parade route.
King Uther’s Funeral Notes and To do List
Written by Merlin
Coffin - Glass
Parade followed by a private ceremony in God’s Holy Light Church for loved ones
3 days after King’s death, giving time for travelers from the closest villagers to come to Camelot and gather Lords and Ladies of the Court
Parade Route:
Starts at the Southern Gate
Take King’s Street to Mayflower St
Mayflower st down to Hikari
Follow Hikari along the Southern Edge of town
Take Dead End Land to Allen Road
Follow Allen Road through the Western Gate
Down Cove Ave to
Ends at God’s Holy Light Church,
Need to check the spells on the Castle
Maybe double check the wards on the outer castle walls to be safe too