Camelot's Blood by Sarah Zettel Page B

the men of Gododdin? Leave them to the wolves, and while the wolves worry their bones we stay safe.
    â€œThere is another way.”
    Kai spoke the words judiciously, craning his neck to look up at the men who stood around him. The gleam in his eye pierced Agravain’s deepening anger like the light of hope.
    â€œWhat is that?” asked Arthur.
    â€œIf Your Majesty is already mindful to strike first, do not go to the north. Strike in the west.”
    Arthur stared at his foster brother. In return, Kai smiled, the sly, crooked smile that so many in the court knew and mistrusted. “The cat’s away, my king. Why should we not take her mice to play with?” His eyes sparked with mischief, but his words were sound.
How long have you contemplated them, Sir Kai?
‘If this is her army, it came from somewhere. Wherever that is, she has left those places only lightly defended.”
    Agravain stared stupidly at his uncle. Why did I not think of this? We were all of us so blinded by fear of her.
    Kai sat further back in his chair, rubbing his chin with his long hand. “Gareth is in the west. So is Geraint. Send them word. Our nephews can send men to their neighbour countries more quickly than we could move a southern army to the north.”
    The High King blinked, like a man rising from a heavy sleep. “Could it be done?” he whispered. “Has she bared her heart at last?”
    Agravain seized the opening. “It may be so. Geraint and Gareth can tell us for certain. They can find where the men have moved from. We can determine which lands have given her their alliance and attack there.”
    He could not see the king’s eyes for the shadows that puddled in them, and Agravain found he was glad. He did not want to see Arthur’s fear. Each time Morgaine’s name was uttered that fear was there, and it changed the king, wearing him down like any heavy burden must at last wear down the strongest man.
    The king shook his head, wagging it slowly back and forth, uncertain what to believe. Agravain felt a different cold overtake him. Fear trickled into his veins. It was not like Arthur to display uncertainty in a matter of war. But talk of attacking Morgaine who had plagued them all like a demon for so many years made him hesitate. How could this be?
    What has she done to you? Has she already taken you?
The thought constricted Agravain’s heart. If Morgaine had sunk her invisible knife into Arthur, they were all lost.
    No. Merlin protects him
. But Merlin was not there and Agravain looked again at the king’s eyes, so distant and so suddenly old. The cold within him deepened.
    â€œShe may still be in the West Lands,” said the king uneasily. “Her reach is long. That she leads in the north does not mean she is there. It may be a trap.”
    â€˜Let her be in the west,” Agravain said flatly. “She has left herself without her usual guard, and will come the more easily to the sword.”
    The doubt did not leave the king’s countenance. He fell back to studying the fire again, watching for omens and answers in the bright flames. Agravain cast a glance at Gawain.
Will you strike this blow if the king cannot?
Agravain asked his brother silently. Gawain’s face was hard and grim. With a brother’s sympathy, Agravain felt the heat stirring in Gawain’s blood. Oh, yes. This much he could trust Gawain to do.
    â€œLet me go to Din Eityn, Sire,” said Agravain. “Let me go at once.”
    â€œNot alone.”
    Agravain’s focus was so intent on King Arthur, it took him a moment to realize it was Gawain who had spoken. He turned to his brother, the cold of anger descending over him once more. “This is mine to do.”
    Gawain stood solidly, but the fingers of his right hand rubbed together. Itching for action. So, he did remember this was their home, and how it was taken from them, and by whom. He did want to strike a man’s