Pellinore waved Uther and Igrain down and they complied quickly with the alien’s order. “I desire to council you, young Pendragon,” he said. “Though we are not of the same kind, I see that you are weak and unwise in many things. Would you accept my council?”
Uther chanced a glance at Igrain before he spoke. Her eyes were still glazed over as she watched the work on the crumbled city. He knew that if he wanted her by his side as he took a throne that still needed constructing, then he should at least accept help when offered. It seemed like the kind of thing Galois would have done.
“Of course! I’ll inform my admin, my head D.R.U.I.D, of your presence on Camelot. Ector,” he addressed the young soldier at Pellinore’s side. “On what ship did you come to Camelot on?”
Without hesitation, brave Ector said, “On Vortigern’s, sir, but I can only hope you understand that not all of us who were here when you attacked were in his favor or among his troops. Some of us were forced.”
“No need for an apology, Ector. But I would be glad to have someone like you—someone who has seen the work here—be by my side as I try to…” he fought for less aggressive words. “As I try to bring government and order to Camelot.”
Ector nodded humbly and returned to giving orders to what was left of Vortigern’s army.
“And your D.R.U.I.D is where?” Pellinore asked as they slowly made their way through the wreckage. “I admire the fealty he bears to you, Uther. Mysterious it is and intriguing.”
“They are designed that way,” he replied. “I must admit though, for now, I’m not sure where to begin.”
“Repair this damage,” the alien king said slowly. “Show the people that you care about them and give them laws and government. Advised is democracy. After all, it is the people you are attempting to govern. Let them raise their voices.”
Uther noticed how at times, Pellinore’s speech came more naturally than at others. He wondered if the context had something to do with it or if the explanation would be entirely alien.
“I will need ambassadors, of course,” he said. “Would you mind at all?”
The alien shook his head and a sort of smile touched his thin lips. He moved a little ahead to inspect a human speed bike that he found fascinating. This left Uther alone with Igrain once more.
“Igrain, I understand your grief right now. I cannot comprehend it, but I understand it.” He faced her and took her hand. “I beg you to please take solace with me. Don’t waste away in weeping. Please, come to my settlement and leave Lothian.”
“What?” she gasped.
“Lot can manage it.”
“But what of your suspicions of him? Mab told me. I must know the truth.”
“We can look into it later. When I have established a court.” He waved the argument away then knelt before her. “Igrain, I do love you, but I don’t want to rush you. For now, just come back with me and let me help you bear your sorrow. Put off being a soldier for a time. Come back with me? Help me rule.”
Something inside of her squirmed and she said the word “yes” before she could even stop herself. She frowned in wonder at her own words and touched her lips, wondering if they had uttered the reply. She dropped her hand and looked down at him.
“Yes, I will,” she said.
13
Mapping the Land
The suns of Camelot rose and set many times before Uther made any move forward in his plan. Instead, he contrived a plan that would ease him into the seat of power. With Merlin and Pellinore at his side, he assumed he’d win the people over and lead them into the future he so desired. With his nearest enemy dead, Uther thought he had no other threats to address and on the first day of his campaign, he set out with his small posse to find Excalibur and bring it back to his base. He was no fool and knew the best first step would be to gather a militia. A machine-like Excalibur would inspire more willing soldiers. They needed a defense immediately.
“What are beyond those mountains?” Ector asked Pellinore who knew every name of every living thing and geographical location on Camelot. “I’ve not been there yet.”
“The terra fish you would call them, I believe,” Pellinore said in his melodious voice.
“And why would we call them that?” Uther asked. They were crossing the terrain in an open hover craft, surveying as they went. Pellinore had been studying Camelot long before they landed and showed eagerness to meet the creatures he had been studying and show them all he knew.
Pellinore looked confused. “Because on the land, these fish swim, of course.”
“I want to see them,” Igrain put in softly. She had become more placid since she learned of her pregnancy. She thought the child belonged Galois. Now she sat robed in scarlet and gold on a dais of cushions recently fashioned by seamstresses who had set up in the streets of the castle.
“It seems my people have spread out over the course of the weeks,” Uther said as he inspected the glass tablet in his hands and the millions of life forms milling about the country side. “A man named Ban du Lac lives there and has already built a home.”
“Is that wrong of him?” Ector asked, keeping his eyes on the train as he flew over a purple marsh.
“No, but we haven’t written laws for homesteading or
