TheReturnOfTheKingIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | The Return of the King (Continued from In the Castle and In the Castle: Delluth and Paloma)
Merlin stepped through the door, with Morgan close behind him. "Everyone still here?" he asked. "Good. Gather round, I have a few things to say. No questions yet, time is pressing." Claudio looked around as the King entered, and at his invitation made his way over to Merlin with his quick, uneven gait. Tasha followed Claudio, a bit uncertainly, and offered a curtsy toward Merlin when she approached. Goran trailed the rest and he too made the appropriate respectful gestures before the king. "First off, I have some things to take care of, and I need to leave immediately. Morgan is going to act as regent until my return. Ambassador, sorry to have to cut things short, but Morgan will be happy to answer any questions you may have about what's going on. Cousin Claudio, my apologies for not receiving you in a more formal manner, I'm sure you understand. Again, our cousin Morgan will be acting in my stead, and will be extending you the courtesies dues a visiting relative. Tasha and Goran, Solitaire is here in the castle, we'll get you together with her soon. Doctor, please come with me, we still have a few things to discuss. And finally, sweet cousin Islain, I trust I can count on you to offer Morgan your aid and assistance." He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. "Glad that's all sorted out." Morgan shot the king a pained look. "Yes," he said. "Really looking forward to it." Delluth clenched his teeth to keep his jaw from dropping, struggling to conceal his dismay. His nod of acquiescence to Merlin's request was more of a startled twitch of his head and shoulders. "Your Majesty," said Claudio urgently, glancing from Merlin to Morgan. "Have you told Morgan what you know about Helena?" Morgan raised an inquisitive eyebrow in Merlin's direction. "All taken care of," Merlin replied. "I've told him everything about that he needs to know. Flora can fill him in on the details I left out." He snapped his fingers. "Oh, Morgan, don't forget about the bird. We never followed up on that." "I'm always game to take care of the birds," said Morgan. Delluth stared at Claudio, visibly wondering something like, 'What about Helena?' But he did not say anything aloud. Tasha looked around in confusion. The king was leaving them to take care of business elsewhere? That seemed highly unusual. Kings didn't just leave their palaces to take care of business of their own. They sent trusted servants, generals, diplomats to do their work for them. "Sire, isn't there someone you could send in your place ... like Lord Morgan? Couldn't he take care of this business for you so you may remain here where ... you may be needed?" Goran, knowing from experience that Morgan and Merlin worked as a team, showed none of the agitation of the others at the news of Merlin's impending departure. He merely waited patiently for their questions to be answered. What he had to tell the regent might take a while. Merlin shook his head. "The problem is that I'm needed in half a dozen places. Morgan can handle things here. If it gets too difficult he knows how to contact Mandor, as a last resort. But no-one else can do what I need to do." He looked around. "So, if that's all, I'm away. Doctor, come along please. Ambassador, please start diplomatic relations with Morgan. He's been hoping for a chance at that for years." He strode towards the door of the audience chamber. Delluth, tense and disapproving, started after him. (Continued in On the Road with Delluth and Merlin and The Return of the Regent)
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