by K. M. Shea
“Duke Maleagant is a dishonorable knave,” King Pellinore said. “There is not much one can do to correct such a character flaw so late in his life besides beating him soundly and muzzling him like a mongrel.”
“You have seen his kind before, have you?” Britt asked.
“They are unfortunately common,” King Pellinore said.
“What will you do, My Lord?” Sir Gawain asked.
Britt smiled at the quiet knight. “I’m not certain. What are your thoughts, Merlin?”
“Wash your hands of Leodegrance and be done with it,” Merlin said, driving his horse back into the woods. “You gave him an exit. He obviously did not push back against Maleagant hard enough or that pig would have left last night.”
“You are so accepting that we will lose an ally and quite possibly see another war?” Britt asked, following Merlin as he made for their camp.
“King Leodegrance must live with the consequences of his inaction. He survived before you were crowned king, Arthur. Besides, you have other allies now,” Merlin said, his eyes briefly falling on King Pellinore and then Gawain.
Britt offered Gawain a tense smile when the prince looked to her.
They returned to camp in silence.
“Hail, My Lord. What have you decided?” Sir Bodwain asked.
Britt dismounted Llamrei as Merlin announced, “We are leaving. King Leodegrance has ruined himself. It is good that Sir Bodwain rallies the army for we will need to protect our borders when Leodegrance caves and gives his daughter to Maleagant.”
Britt started packing with the rest of the knights, listening to Merlin speak.
“You think it will be war, then?” Sir Kay said.
“Perhaps. At the very least there will be a threat. You can bet as soon as Leodegrance is cowed King Ryence will muster another army. If we are ready for them it is likely they will not attack us. Maleagant is a cheat, but King Ryence is just as cowardly as King Leodegrance.”
“I shall ride home and prepare an army of my own to back you,” King Pellinore said.
“This isn’t your fight, Pellinore. King Ryence was once your ally, I will not pit you against him,” Britt said.
Pellinore shook his head. “My Anglesey is closer to Camelot than Leodegrance’s Camelgrance. We are neighbors, if they try to march against you they will march against me as well.”
“I will ride forth and alert my father and uncle to the threat,” Lancelot said. “They will aid you, My Lord.”
“I can send word to my father, too. I am certain he will send a company of knights,” Ywain said.
Britt placed a hand on Ywain’s shoulder. “I thank you, both of you,” Britt grudgingly said, acknowledging Lancelot’s offer. “But I hope the war is not so big we will require help from all my allies.”
“King Pellinore’s forces and ours should be enough to crush Maleagant’s dreams. Ryence already knows Arthur is strong, and Britain knows he’s only grown stronger since he was crowned over a year ago. Ryence will hold back his forces and let Maleagant take the brunt of it if he marches against us at all,” Merlin said.
“It is settled then. We prepare for war,” Sir Bedivere nodded.
Britt finished tying off her bedroll before attaching it to Llamrei’s saddle. She gathered her things and moved to lead Llamrei to the small pond they camped near when she saw her borrowed charger from the merchant.
The milk white horse bobbed his head, making his bridle jingle. Someone had already tacked him up and tied the unornamented armor to him.
“He will have to come with us, for we cannot return him,” Merlin said, shattering Britt’s thoughts.
“I know,” Britt said.
“Do not fear, my merchant friend will be well compensated,” Merlin said, patting Britt on the head.
“Will he survive the siege?”
“Of course, or he wouldn’t be a merchant,” Merlin snorted before he too led his horse to the pond.
Britt did not follow him. Instead she stared at the horse and armor, thoughtfully entwining her hand in Llamrei’s mane.
It was just like one of the legends, a knight on a white charger fights to save the lady. Too bad it hadn’t worked.
Britt closed her eyes and was assaulted by her memory of battle. Everything reeked of blood and bile. The screams were the worst, the shouts of the injured and the dying ate away at Britt’s soul. It was horrible, it was a nightmare. And it was going to happen again.
Who would she lose? Sir Ywain, Sir Kay? Last time she almost lost Sir Ector.
Britt opened her eyes again and studied the milk white charger.
“No,” she said.
“I beg your pardon, what did you say?” Merlin called from the pond.
“I will not march to war. Nor will I abandon Camelgrance,” Britt said, pulling back her shoulders.
“Arthur, Leodegrance must encounter the consequences of his decisions. It will do neither you nor him any good to keep saving him,” Merlin said.
“Forget Leodegrance!” Britt shouted, making all of the knights in the camp freeze. “So perhaps I am not allies with him for his sake, I’m allies with him for the sake of his people. They did nothing to deserve such treatment. Nor will I stand to lose a single one of my knights in a war that does not need to occur.”
“What would you have us do? The contest against Maleagant failed,” Merlin said.
“We are in a world at war, Arthur. You cannot stop a man like Maleagant without force,” King Pellinore said, folding his arms across his chest.
“I find your desires refreshing, My Lord,” Lancelot piped in. “But saving castles and entire populations is something that requires an army, not a single knight. Doing a few good deeds is the most one man can do. As much as the minstrels sing of it, mankind does not value honor.”
“Then I will change that,” Britt said, locking her legs and tilting her head up. “I will fight until I cannot stand and talk until I run out of air, but I will see that every maiden I come across has someone willing to fight for her, and that every lesser subject knows that if all else fails there is someone good in this world who would like to see them not only survive, but be happy! I will do everything I can do. If I cannot reach all of Britain so be it, but right now there is a castle that cries out for a champion and I will not forsake them.”
There was utter silence in the encampment.
The horses snorted and neighed in the sudden stillness, and then Gawain kneeled before Britt. “I will follow you, My Lord, and I will do as you do.”
“As will I!” Ywain declared, joining his cousin.
A faint smile was spread on Sir Bedivere’s lips. “I doubted you could leave Camelgrance the way it is, My Lord. But that is why I serve you, because you will not abandon a person,” he said, holding Britt’s gaze for a few lengthy moments before he too bowed.
“I wish you wouldn’t care for chivalry, it makes guarding you a wretched experience, My Lord,” Sir Kay said, joining the others.
“You’re a good man, Arthur. I have never seen the likes of you as a King. As a ruler I know what you say is hopeless… but I can’t help but think that you will make it happen,” King Pellinore said.
Other knights spoke up, speaking vows and assurances of their loyalty to Britt until the only ones left to speak out were Sir Lancelot and Merlin.
Merlin sighed. “You foolish boy, there you go changing more minds with your pretty speeches. Arthur, are you certain that you are not forcing yourself to follow a legend that hasn’t yet been made?”
Although the knights around Britt looked confused, Britt understood what Merlin meant. “I am positive. This is what I want, Merlin.”
“It would be easier to run you if you were a dunce,” Merlin grumbled, glancing at Lancelot. “What say you, only son of King Ban?”
Lancelot stared at Britt for several long moments. Britt thought she saw something stir in his eyes, but it disappeared when Lancelot pumped his fist in the air. “I stand with Arthur. Honor and chiva
lry to all!”
“Then we will stay, and we will drive off Maleagant with just us, a small band,” Merlin said, grimacing.
“I will face Maleagant again. Beating him is not the issue, driving him off is another matter,” Britt said.
“Of this I am aware,” Merlin said. “Thankfully Maleagant’s army might be raised, but it is not too close to Camelgrance. If we can frighten Maleagant enough to make him flee to his army I don’t think he would dare return, not if we convince him that he cannot defeat us.”
“And how do you propose to do that?” Sir Kay asked.
Merlin grinned wickedly. “Through trickery.”
“I still don’t see why I couldn’t ride Llamrei,” Britt complained as she rode her borrowed charger across the open span between Camelgrance and the surrounding forest.
“Llamrei is not a charger. She is trained to flee at the first sign of danger and bring her rider to safety,” Sir Kay said.
“So that’s why you prefer I ride her when we’re around Camelot. She won’t attack like Roen, she’ll just carry me off,” Britt said, looking down at Sir Kay, who was walking shoulder to shoulder with her horse.
Sir Kay grunted and did not respond.
“I’m impressed you managed to bully Merlin into letting you come instead of him,” Britt said.
“He is needed to make the second part of the plan work, and he would raise Maleagant’s suspicions as he reeks of magic,” Sir Kay said.
“I’m not saying I disagree with you, just that I was surprised it worked,” Britt said.
“Merlin knows he would not be as much help to you as I in this case. He knows little of armor and even less of fighting. He would not make a proper squire.”
“Kay you are not here to act as my squire, you are here to speak so I don’t have to,” Britt protested.
Sir Kay shrugged. “If that is what you think, My Lord. Prepare yourself, for we draw close.”
Britt checked to make sure her helm was in place as she and Sir Kay stopped between Camelgrance and Maleagant’s camp.
A knight from Maleagant’s forces stood at the edge of the camp while men madly scrambled behind him. “Who goes there?” he called.
“Tis the White Knight, the champion of Camelgrance. He wishes to know why you have not departed,” Sir Kay said.
Britt twisted in the saddle to look at Camelgrance. Based on the amount of noise radiating from the castle, the soldiers standing guard had sent word to Leodegrance.
“Where is he?” a raspy voice roared.
Maleagant stormed out of his camp, wearing his armor but not a helm. “You!” Maleagant snapped, thrusting a finger in Britt’s direction.
“The White Knight wishes to say that he was told you promised to leave should a champion beat you, Duke Maleagant,” Sir Kay said, his voice steady and reflecting no emotion. “As he trounced you, he desires to know why you are still here.”
“I was not beaten,” Maleagant said, his nostrils flaring.
“Being that the White Knight knocked you to the ground and held you helpless, he wishes to know what your definition of beaten is as it does not match common expectations,” Sir Kay said.
From behind the veil of her helm Britt stared at Sir Kay. “Kay, what are you doing?” she hissed.
The ground rumbled as Camelgrance’s portcullis was raised. King Leodegrance and a squad of his soldiers left the castle.
“Champion!” King Leodegrance called, his face pinched in the gleefulness of his expression. “Thank Heaven you have returned.”
“When I gave my ultimatum I meant that I must be defeated in a joust, not a mere swordfight.”
Britt’s blood turned cold. What?
“The White Knight wishes to know if knocking you off your horse will actually count this time, or if he needs to strip all weapons from your person and tie you up in order for you to admit defeat,” Sir Kay said.
“Kay!” Britt hissed, barely audible over Maleagant’s roar. Maybe she would have been better off if Merlin had come instead of Sir Kay after all.
“Prepare yourself, for I will run you through,” Maleagant promised when he finished shouting. He turned and stalked back into his camp. “Where are my horse and my lance?” he demanded.
“It is to be a joust this time then? Splendid, is a fence necessary or will you two be able to run at each other?” King Leodegrance asked, rubbing his hands together.
“The White Knight will need a lance. As it is the least you can do, can I assume you will supply one?” Sir Kay asked Leodegrance.
“Absolutely, you there, fetch a lance for our great champion,” King Leodegrance said to a soldier.
As the soldier went back into Camelgrance Guinevere charged out of it on the back of her riding horse. She blushed when she espied Britt. “Champion,” she called.
Britt turned her back to the girl. “Kay, what are you doing? It’s not like you to run your mouth like this and you have just gotten us into a mess of trouble. I can’t beat Maleagant in a joust. What are you thinking?” Britt said, her voice lowered.
“But you can, My Lord,” Kay said. “You haven’t the passion for jousting as you do for the sword, but you’ve gotten quite good at it.”
“How can you say that? I’ve never even unseated you!”
“Forgive my pride, My Lord, but as it stands I am the best knight at jousting in all of Camelot. It would take much for you to defeat me. Trust my judgment, My Lord. You can beat Maleagant.”
Britt turned to glance back at the Maleagant’s camp. “Do you really believe that?”
“I do. If you do not lose heart, My Lord, you will certainly win.”
Britt sighed. “Merlin is going to kill you when we get back to him.”
“Of that I am well aware.”
“Does this lance suit you, champion?” King Leodegrance’s soldier asked, trotting up to the pair, carrying a long, tapered weapon.
Britt recognized it as a jousting lance, so the end was blunted and cupped to prevent a knight from impaling his opponent.
Sir Kay went over it and nodded. “It will do, thank you,” he said, handing the weapon up to Britt.
When Maleagant appeared again, fully armored and mounted, Sir Kay asked, “The White Knight wishes to know if you too plan to use a jousting lance, or if you intend to take a much needed advantage and use an actual lance.”
Maleagant growled and presented the blunted tip of his jousting lance.
“Very well,” Sir Kay said before walking off.
Britt nudged her charger and followed him.
“You’re taking this better than I thought you would,” Sir Kay said when they were far enough away that their words would be muted to the crowd gathering at the gates of Camelgrance.
“The only thing that is keeping me here is your judgment. I have absolute belief in you. So if you say I can do this…,” Britt trailed off and shivered in her armor.
“Am I one who normally lets you gamble with your life?”
“No.”
“Then I promise you. You will win,” Sir Kay said, stopping when they were far enough away from Maleagant for a proper joust. “Sit deep in your saddle, and push from your stirrups,” he said, unhooking a plain shield from Britt’s charger and passing it up to her.
“Ok,” Britt said, her heart pounded in her throat as she slid her left arm through the shield straps. She swiveled her horse to face Maleagant, wishing she could wipe off the sweat that was starting to bead on her face.
Maleagant was on his red roan horse again, and he seemed especially sinister dressed in his armor embellished with blood red swirls and decorations.
“Don’t panic,” Kay said, backing away as one of Leodegrance’s men raised a flag.
When the soldier swung it down Britt and Maleagant cued their horses forward, rushing towards each other in a canter.
Britt pressed her butt deep into the saddle to anchor herself as she rocked with her horse’s rolling gait. She steeled herself so she wouldn’t flinch
, and too quickly Maleagant was upon her.
Britt steadied her joust with her right hand, carefully aiming for Maleagant’s shield. She hit it, but Maleagant also hit her.
Numbness followed by a flash of pain hit Britt when Maleagant pushed, trying to toss her from the saddle. Gritting her teeth, Britt managed to keep her seat. So did Maleagant. It was a draw.
Britt raised her lance and trotted back to Kay, flexing her arm to get feeling back into it.
Kay stared at her when Britt stopped her charger in front of him.
“He isn’t as strong as you,” Britt said. “Getting hit by you in a serious charge hurts enough to make my eyes water and my arm useless for an hour.”
Sir Kay nodded as Britt guided her horse back into place. “You didn’t push,” he said.
“What?” Britt said, tugging her shield back into place, ignoring the tingling in her arm.
“You did not push him with your strength, it was all the force of your mount,” Sir Kay said.
“I was guarded and more concerned about staying in the saddle,” Britt admitted.
“Staying on isn’t going to win this joust. He’s bigger and has more stamina than you, he’ll wear you down. You must use all your strength to unseat him,” Sir Kay said as again Leodegrance’s soldier raised the flag.
“Right,” Britt said moments before the flag dropped and her horse exploded forward in a canter.
Britt braced herself as her mount charged across the field, again holding her lance aloft as she carefully aimed for Maleagant’s shield.
The impact was worse this time. Instead of numbness Britt’s side burned as if she had been hit by a sledgehammer. Maleagant didn’t seem to feel Britt’s lance, but Britt was almost popped from her saddle. She hit the back of her jousting saddle, its raised rim biting into her lower back.
Britt coughed, feeling significantly more pained as she turned her horse and trotted back to Kay, ignoring Maleagant’s sneering laughter.
Sir Kay had his arms folded as he studied Britt.
Even though he couldn’t see her eyes Britt looked away, embarrassed by the knowledge she still hadn’t done as Sir Kay said to.