Lot saluted by tapping his heels on the ground as their traditions demanded when saluting a superior. “Not much yet, sir, but I expect a full report in moments if you’d care to wait. I,” he stalled a moment. “I understand your desire to stay out of the battle and am grateful for your understanding as to why I had to stay on Camelot.”
Being in the Lothian hangar made Uther uneasy. Too many cameras, too many men in uniforms with searching eyes. They would know it was not Galois who stood before them now if given the chance.
“Take your time with the report, Lot. We’re in no hurry. Uther has done it; he’s saved us.”
Lot hesitated, confused. Then he quickly nodded and dropped his heels again in salute. “Of course, sir.”
Uther stepped away from the greeting party and set his hands hard on his hips like Galois used to do. “Now, I must go find my wife. Surely she will want to know of this great victory we have achieved.”
As Uther strode away, Morgause watched his steps. Something in Galois’s steps was not normal. Lot watched too then met his fiancé’s eyes. Without words, they both turned and began an investigation into the so-called great victory.
***
Uther’s heart dropped as he saw that finger scanning was needed to enter into the heart of the great network of buildings that compiled the center of the Lothian city. By the time he entered the city, evening set in and the plants and small insects and reptiles began to glow in the darkness. But the D.R.U.I.D’s procedure proved true. He pressed his thumb to the censor and it beeped him in as Galois.
After gaining entrance, the tension eased and he relaxed a little. The halls were like a labyrinth though and he got lost more than once. He ended up on a great silver balcony that overlooked a terrific sight. This time of the moon’s cycle caused the loose parts of that terra to float and hover. Because of this, a valley just below him encircled a floating land mass. Now that it floated, what had once been a river had transformed into a great, blue waterfall from one suspended mountain range to the valley below. The water flow seemed to dominate the land beneath it with its roar and splendor.
To his left, leading off the balcony, were a set of hovering platforms that he guessed were only accessible at this phase. They wound around the towers of smooth silver and up into an unseen room. Chancing this, Uther climbed onto the first one. He gasped and held his arms out to steady his big frame as the platform wobbled slightly under him. Only about twenty more to go.
As he climbed higher, he could look out over the landscape more. The more he looked, the more he loved it. How could he have just given such a place to Galois to lord over while he had to fight for his? He looked down and noticed the danger of the path he’d chosen. He probably wouldn’t die if he fell, but he wouldn’t be unharmed either. Over the glowing land, a strange roaring howl broke up from the forested mountains. He looked over his shoulder to see a flock of leathery-winged reptiles burst out with glowing tails and claws. They were graceful and colorful, but he guessed the talons were sharp.
Finally, he reached the top of the wobbly platforms and found himself on another balcony. This one faced a wide-open room with only soft curtains to shield it from the night. The inside looked like an operating bridge to an aircraft carrier with lights and screens and a scanner searching the planet below. Igrain stood in front of the screen, hands on hips which were thrust out to the side in impatient authority. She looked for Galois below.
Realizing she must not locate him, Uther all but ran into the room and took her waist in Galois’s large hands. She felt smaller and more delicate than he had imagined.
“I’m here, why are you searching Camelot?” He smiled as she gasped and turned to face him.
“Galois!” she shrieked. “You never sent me a communication. You said you would. I never heard from you. What were you thinking? Are you hurt? How dare you!” She screamed at last. “I thought Uther had killed you for certain.”
This last sentiment gave him pause. Had he killed Galois or had Vortigern done it?
“I’m here, my love. And we’ve won the fight. It was a great victory for us.”
Igrain crossed her arms and stepped away from him. “You went to stop Uther. Is… is Vortigern dead?”
“What?” Uther gathered his thoughts, shaking his head. “Vortigern was evil. Of course he’s dead. He wanted to rule Camelot.”
“And so did Uther,” she insisted. She tapped her gloved fingers on her arm. “They were no different, you said. Did you change your mind?”
Uther scoffed and turned away from her to hide his face. Galois had been there to stop him and not aid him after all. “Of course, I did. I see now what Uther wanted. He wanted a peaceful Camelot. One with no opposition inside its own atmosphere. There is nothing wrong with that.”
“He killed a man, Galois.” Her voice came in a deep and flat hum. “Didn’t he? Is Vortigern dead?”
A shooting star swished across the sky. It came so close and glowed so bright it turned the whole room green as it passed. Lying didn’t seem right. Not to Igrain.
“The palace that Vortigern had built to show his power collapsed on him. Uther did not bloody his hands.” No, Uther was innocent still.
Igrain walked softly up behind him. He could feel her whole aura change. He felt her soften. This is what he came for.
She slid her hands around his waist and then clasped them in front of his chest. Laying her head against his back,
