Breathing deeply, Uther moved about the ship, making sure no one else lingered around. Only three rooms composed the ship; the cockpit, a small room for passengers, and the little cargo hold so it took him only moments to realize he was safe. But annoyance gripped at his mind. He had only been with Igrain a few days, five at the most, and already he was being forced to flee. If he ever found Lot and Morgause again, they may just end up dying accidentally as well. For now, he needed to get back to Camelot and resume his real identity. He mentally prepared himself because he knew the change would not be an easy feat. It had been a long and painful process to become Galois. Now he somehow had to be Uther again.
"Merlin," he said to the tablet as he sent a video communication. A second later, the D.R.U.I.D's white face and blue eyes appeared.
"Good to hear from you, sir," he said. Uther noted the hidden sarcasm. "I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to come back and forge your great kingdom you fought so valiantly for."
"Yes, but Merlin, can this process be reversed? It must be done the moment I land."
A small smile played the corners of Merlin's mouth. "Of course, sir. It will take time to heal though. But," he went on when Uther growled in frustration, "if you were willing to have more Avalonian grafted to you, then the healing process would speed up significantly."
"Aren't I already enough Avalonian?" he asked. "But I suppose you're right. Hurry with the preparations, I've taken a faster ship this time. Oh, and Merlin? Send a platoon out to find Lot and Morgause. I don't trust them."
Merlin nodded. "Sir, I trust no one right now."
***
Igrain gazed at her naked form in her wall of mirrors. She felt ill and didn't know why. For days, Galois had made her play the role of pretty house-wife. He had watched her brush her long hair, had caressed her skin more than he ever had before, and had demanded sex every night. She had the marks on her body to prove that. One arm had small bruises on it, tiny bite marks checkered her entire body, and she had been too sore to work in the obstacle courses all week. And now she felt ill.
She turned sideways and rubbed her bare stomach. Vomiting sounded greatly appealing at the moment.
She shoved her head in a flower pot, tossing the rare Moon Lilith from its home near her bed, the breakfast she hadn’t even eaten seemed to be pouring from her mouth. The petals were known for spinning like a wind mill on their stalks but were very delicate. Now they were peppering the floor like glittering snow. Moaning, she apologized to the beautiful plant and sat on the floor, hunched up against the illness.
Cold hands slowly grasped her shoulders and she shrieked. Spinning around, she grasped for a blanket to cover herself.
"Mab?" she gasped at her intruder. "What are you doing here? What do you want?" Her eyes searched in vane for her pistols.
"Be calm, Igrain," Mab cooed. "I am not here to harm you."
"Sure," Igrain hissed. She ran past Mab towards the door only to find it locked. She quickly began to dial her password.
"I have news of your husband," Mab said softly.
Igrain stopped and looked over her shoulder at Mab. "He's gone to Camelot to see Uther. He'll be back any moment and he will not welcome you kindly. We may not have agreed with Uther, but that does not make you our friend."
"I know." She hung her head. She wore a white suit that entirely encompassed her alien body and a purple robe over it, hanging limp on her frame. She had taken her hair down from its severe ponytail. She did look a little defeated. "I was more Vortigern's slave than anything else. I know you will not see us D.R.U.I.Ds that way."
Igrain put her back to her door. "I will not start a campaign on your behalf, if that is what you want. I will not be a freedom fighter for you. You D.R.U.I.Ds are treated as you should be."
Mab shook her head. "That is not why I am here." Suddenly, she seemed far less melancholy and something of a viper appeared in her presence. "I said I bring you news of your husband."
Igrain tensed her body to prepare for action should she need to defend herself from the alien android. "Go on, then. What can you tell me that I do not know?"
Mab's teeth were evil as she smiled. "I am sorry, Igrain, brave soldier. Woman warrior! Your husband is dead."
Her breath caught in her mouth and then heaved out as she tried to speak. "What? He was well just hours ago. How do you know this?"
She broke from the wall and dashed to her master control dock. Flicking the screens into a third dimensional display above, she tried to access Galois's data from some piece of technology that she should have had with him. His wrist navigator: disabled. His ear piece: disabled. His com-unit: disabled.
"What is this?" she screamed frantically. "He was well just moments ago!"
Mab sauntered up behind her, again putting her hand on her shoulder. "I am so sorry, Igrain. I wish I didn't have to tell you."
Igrain spun, slapping Mab's hand away. "How did you find out? What do you know? Was it Vortigern?"
Mab smirked and laughed at some secret Igrain knew she wouldn't divulge. "You forget, Vortigern died days ago. Must have been someone who hates Galois enough to kill him. Maybe someone who wants his lands? Or... his daughter?"
Quickly bringing up a call line, Igrain rang to the hanger. "Yes, ma'am?" the engineer said.
"Where is Morgause? Where is my daughter?"
"She and Commander Lot left hours ago for Camelot. Said they were going to check on the military troops down there."
Panting, Igrain shut
