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“Was it this bad elsewhere?” I asked quietly.
“Some of the acolytes tried to fight,” Guinevere said in her soft voice. “They were slaughtered. They were very young. But most were being herded together and rounded up.”
“With luck, they’ll be sent to the frontlines,” Galahad said. “Never mind that most of them have never held a weapon in their lives.”
I decided not to ask where he thought they’d be sent if they were unlucky. I could hazard a guess based on what I’d already seen.
I exchanged a glance with Lancelet. It went without saying that Arthur was looking for someone. Most likely Guinevere, considering he had no idea I was even there. Or even alive.
“We have to get her out,” Lancelet murmured to me, pleading with her eyes.
“Morgan!”The familiar voice came from behind us.
I turned with relief to see Merlin hurrying down the corridor, her long, flowing, gray robes sweeping behind her. The owl, Tuva, was perched on her shoulder. The bird stared at all of us with wide, assessing eyes.
“Oh, Galahad, Guinevere. Thank Devina.” Merlin looked around the little group. “You’ll take them into the city? Guinevere, you know where to go?”
The gray-haired woman exchanged a knowing look with the girl from Lyonesse.
“Good.” Merlin seemed to be put at ease. “Go now, quickly.” She hesitated, then added, “The king is here.”
There were gasps all around, and I saw Guinevere turn ashen.
“He’s looking...” Merlin cleared her throat. “Guinevere, you know what you must do. Go. Go immediately.”
The girl in blue gave a jerky nod.
Lancelet had gone as white as a sheet, making her scars stand out pink against her skin. I saw her grip her daggers tightly. I hoped she was ready to use them this time.
“Move out,” Lancelet commanded Galahad. “Go down the passage first. Guinevere, Merlin, and the group will follow you. Morgan and I will come behind.”
Galahad nodded, then stepped into the passage. Guinevere began ushering the others in after him.
Merlin touched my arm. “Morgan is coming with me, Lancelet. There is something I must show her.”
Lancelet opened her mouth to protest, but Merlin cut her off.
“I’ve had word that your brother is moving Kaye from the frontlines. You must come with me at once, Morgan.”
My ears rang. “Kaye? What do you mean? How do you know this?”
“You must come with me now, Morgan,” Merlin insisted again. She began moving back down the hall, carefully stepping around the fallen bodies. “Now, Morgan. There’s no time to waste.”
I looked helplessly at Lancelet, then turned to follow Merlin.
“This is madness,” I heard Lancelet mutter from behind us.
But as I stepped around the fallen bodies, I wasn’t so sure.
As I thought of Arthur, I suddenly longed to meet him.
Preferably with my rapier at his throat.
He had done this. Committed this sacrilege.
Merlin must be in shock. She was behaving far too calmly, even by her standards.
“Merlin, have you seen Javer? The Siabra man?”
