The north side of the castle was where the king and princesses reside. Only selected personnel were allowed in that quadrant at nights.
It was no secret that sir Duncan had heart for Lady Morgana. He had even once asked her hand of the king.
"What of the king.....is he dead? Sir Duncan asked
"No he still lives. Is this true sir Duncan? Guinevere inquired
Of all the noble soldiers she has been closest to him. Not only because he sought Morgana's hand, but he understood her and could always make he laugh.
"My Lady I would see no harm to the king nor my friends, I would rather cut off my own hand." Sir Duncan pleaded
"Wasn't it you, sir Duncan, who promised to see to the demise of your 'friends' after they humiliated you before the king?" Morgana recalled
"You had even attacked and wounded Sir Draire in combat."
"We were in training, My Lady, I....I never meant what I said" sir Duncan said feeling regretful.
"How are we to know what you meant by words such as 'slaughter' and 'behead'.
Morgana walked back to the throne and sat, her stares more piercing than her words.
Sir Duncan looked to the king's advisers and fellow soldiers for aid but saw that Morgana had made her case.
"My Lady, if you so choose to arrest me for letting my friends down in battle, so do, but for treason I would rather....."
"Unfortunately for you there is no law against cowardice, for your treachery you shall be taken to the gallows." Morgana screamed. Her words came out like the hammering of a blacksmith's hammer.
"Take him to the dungeons!" She instructed the soldiers.
Sir Duncan did not resist "There may still be hope for our men." He pleaded with Guinevere.
Arthur had his ear pressed against the door. He couldn't believe it, his brother was being held captive.
"Did you hear that?" Guinevere asked
She stood beside Arthur whose skin was now blazing red from fear and anger.
Arthur thought for a moment, then he held on to Guinevere's hand, stared pleadingly into her eyes and spoke in calm but urgent tone.
"Could I get audience with sir Duncan?"
"Why, what good would that be, do you think he is innocent......? Guinevere went on
"Guinevere, I know your frightened and it might be too much to ask, but can you do this?" Arthur said his tone not changing
"Yes I can...I will."
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"Lady Guinevere?"
Sir Duncan stood to his feet as Guinevere approached his cell.
"Sir Duncan" she greeted
"I have someone here who would like to speak with you."
She beckon to Arthur and he also approached the cell.
"What's this about My Lady?" Sir Duncan asked
"It's about what happened early today." Arthur answered "You said you were on your way to battle?"
"Not to battle, we were planning an ambush."
Sir Duncan recounted all the events of the morning.
Arthur absorbed all information given.
"So the Saxons didn't intercept, they were waiting in Lexington Forrest?
"I'm sure they knew we were coming that way.....What has happened to the king?"
"He doesn't respond to anything, he just stares." Guinevere answered
"Where were they headed, when you last saw them?" Arthur hurried
"They continue on the path to the white mountains."
"You said you believe there is still hope?"
"Yes, Rohan the Saxon leader is in the south. His son Gaelom was in charge of this raid. It is his intent to leave the spoils for his father."
Duncan thought for a moment.
"I think they expected the king to have been there. Gaelom wanted his head for his father."
Guinevere gasped her stomach turned within her.
"Gorlois, how bad are his wounds?"
Arthur asked afraid to hear the answer.
"His left arm its badly wounded......if unattended I'm afraid he may bleed to death.... princess you may not believe I'm innocent, but please try to save our men, please."
Sir Duncan beseeched.
Arthur saw that it all overwhelmed Guinevere, he took her hands and lead her away.
"What do you plan to do with the information you've been given?" Guinevere asked
Arthur was still pensive when they left the dungeons.
"I plan to rescue my brother."
