“More wine lad.” A lord nearby suddenly demanded, pulling my sleeve and along with it my arm and the rest of me across to him.
“Eh?” Was the just a sound of my surprise to the request and nothing else followed.
The nameless woman vanished from my mind and I had frozen unsure how to react, except to pull my arm back at once. The unknown lord of whatever rank sat at a table sharing food with others. He gave me a look that told me at once that he considered me to be very much beneath him
“Well go on, hurry up.” The lord sought my compliance further and with growing annoyance he turned back to his company to complain about the poor service.
“Sorry, yes my lord at once.” I finally answered as my inner survival instinct took over at last.
I moved away on the pretence I was going to find a drink for the lord, but I had already decided I was just going to leave. In truth I needed to leave, get some air and get away. A fool I was to think I was more today than a serving squire, a servant without pay. The past was the past. Did I really think I was more thanks to a change of clothes, just new rags compared to some ruined ones?
I pushed through more people and headed towards the open doorway.
I needed to escape to breathe and find quiet away from the madness, but then another hand touched my shoulder.
“Yes,” I responded sharply with a jump and expecting another noble full of demands for me I turned to face them, “Oh!”
It was Arthur standing there.
“Tor.” Arthur greeted keenly.
He appeared very cheerful and relaxed, not as terrified or unsure of himself as I imagined he would be, especially compared to how I was feeling right now. Before I could answer I could not help but glance behind him and the empty path he had opened up through the crowd to get to me. He had managed to clear a straight line between where he had been seated and me. Either side the new aisle and beyond stood a number of staring lords and ladies curious as to the reason their king had just needed them to move out of the way. I guessed he must have also needed to go under or over the table he had been seated at to escape his brother and father.
Aware at once of an audience to our greeting, I quickly switched back to Arthur. “Your highness.” I addressed formally.
This time it sounded right. It suited him now and no longer sounded strange as it did only a day or so ago. Today he had the presence and power without a word to push aside a whole room. I also dropped my head and slightly bowed it for a moment and that did not seem wrong either. We were no longer equals and I needed to witness his coronation to understand this and see people now react the way they now did. No longer were we both squires with the same demands and complaints or even equal as we may have pretended as princes. Except he gave me hope that he was not completely one of them yet as I saw him unseen by the others roll his eyes when I looked up from the floor having finished bowing my head.
“You were able to get away and come.” He said openly and with confidence to be heard by the attentive crowd, but as he indicated for me to walk back with him and stepped to my side to add a whisper. “Thank you.”
“Arthur!” Alain called from the main table ahead, “we haven’t finished introductions yet and I especially wish you to meet King Bors here.”
There was no sign of Alain being a subject to the new king in his voice. It was not a voice of a friend calling another across, but of a commander ordering his recruit to return and obey.
“Yes my lord,” answered Arthur, acknowledging evenly, “but may I introduce Tor.”
I shot him a glare of protest. If looks could kill I would have been hanging for murdering the king within the hour. I could not believe he was going to present me to this crowd of noble men that was nothing more than pit of lions and I was being dragged into it.
Pulling my eyes away from Arthur I looked toward Alain. He stood there unmoved with clear reluctance and disdain at the inconvenience to come away from his guests. I would normally have said all guests were that of the king, but certainly that was not the case here.
“And who might this be, the name is familiar.”
Had he truly forgotten? I had only been standing before him two days ago, but he was not a man to remember a mere squire.
To my annoyance Arthur went on to ensure he would not forget me ever again. “Prince Tor, son of King Pellinore of Northumberland, a good friend.” He announced drawing confidence from knowing someone Alain did not in a room of mostly strangers.
While the celebration slowly continued to resume in the background, I was still aware of many eyes interested and focusing on me. Our meeting was the centre of attention and I could not feel more uncomfortable. Just days before Arthur and I might have been serving food and drink to everyone here and now he was the highest authority above them all. The concept threw away any sense of reality I had out of the window, like knowing the ground awaits any fall and then one day it’s gone. Was Arthur falling or flying I could not tell yet, certainly flying for me would have been a useful skill now as up towards the roof was the only escape.
As for Alain, I had now entered his world and I suspected that I currently represented a significant threat. He struck me that he was the type of man to gauge others with a simple system of logic. Who can serve, who can be brought, who is of no concern or use and who might be a problem. Arthur just saying I was a friend for a moment broke his shield of charm and his forehead lowered and creased to form a frown before quickly restoring its defences. A friend was a problem. Perhaps, I mused, a friend was a problem as he had not yet achieved the same status with Arthur?
Deep within me was complete turmoil as at this point as I was not sure if I wanted to forget the inner noble, the prince I was, or had I purposefully come to this event to find him again. I fixed my stare to Alain’s deciding that for right now this was not the time to fade away as a squire should. Instead I needed to be someone I had not been for some years.
“My lord.” I greeted dropping just my head very slightly in acknowledgment, but keeping my eyes on him.
To have averted my eyes to the ground would have shown complete trust as it leaves you vulnerable to attack, not that I had a sword to hand and this was not that situation, but my old teachings had stayed with me. The nod also avoided any physical contact and was cautious, yet respectful.
“Ah yes, one of Pellinore’s sons, forgive me for not recognising you it’s been many years since I have been as far north.” Alain said with full charm offensive engaged, before adding a question. “Though you’re not his eldest?”
It was surprisingly unsubtle, but alas the assessment of my importance had obviously begun.
“Second son.” I answered bluntly
“And how is your father,” Alain continued seemingly without regard to my answer, “Well I trust? We have yet to hear from him.” He asked while still examining my every reaction.
As a friend I was a threat, but as a son of a king who had yet to plea allegiance to Arthur I was an unknown. This would be a source of frustration for a man like Alain as my worth to him was yet undeterminable. Potentially I was even more of a problem and even a spy, despite any friendship I might have with the king. I hoped the fact Arthur and I were very much spying on their meeting just days ago would not fuel any assumptions now. That is if he were to suddenly remember me from before.
No doubt this was very dangerous territory and I needed a good answer. Should I cut all ties to my father now and no longer be a threat to Alain and his new order. It was the least risk option, but would remove any perceived value I had to Alain and in turn reduce any potential help I could be to Arthur.
I cursed Arthur a lot in my head for propelling me to Alain’s attention before replying. “He is well my lord.” I said plainly.
As I answered I kept my stare in place. To breakaway would be read poorly by Alain, a man who appeared to value his people skills. I had lied once more for Arthur, well it was almost the truth in that my father was well when I saw him last. Not menti
oning that this was some years ago was a purposeful act of dishonestly, a vow of a knight broken if I was to follow the spirit of Arthur’s dream.
“Good, good to hear. Pellinore was an impressive fighter in the day. I remember he favours the axe and was very impressive with it.” On pausing I nodded as he spoke. “I very much hope to hear from him, soon?” Alain continued, his tone applying pressure to seek out the truth.
Clearly he was making sure I knew he was unsure of me and yet sounding sincere. However, the threat was there and I was not sure how to answer as he appeared to await a further response from me now. It got suddenly awkward in the pause of the moment. I did not want to give further insight to my relationship with my father, but Alain was pushing.
To my relief Arthur cut in. “We have yet to hear from many of the northern kingdoms given the distance.”
This interruption from Arthur was enough to pull Alain back as he remembered his new position.
“Quite so, well I am sure we will see. If you would excuse me.” Alain said and went to take his leave, but added to Arthur, “Your highness, are you coming?”
It was again an instruction, almost command, but still managed to be polite.
“Can I have a moment my lord?” Arthur requested.
I rejoiced at another stand by Arthur, but noted he still asked permission! However, Alain had only one choice of answer give Arthur’s new found status.
“Certainly, why of course.” He answered and I imagined him grinding his teeth at the dismissal.
With no king to follow, he was forced to walk on and we were alone. During this the crowd around us had finally loss most of their interest in us and the room gradually returned to its previous levels of noise and merriment as our exchange had turned out to have been of little entertainment. We were in a sea of people, but could while keeping a little guarded speak unheard against the noise.
“Good words back then. I mean your vows back in the chapel, they were good.” I said.
“And I meant them.” Arthur stated strongly.
“I don’t doubt it,” I assured adding without thinking, “And when one day it’s my knighting I will speak the same.”
Arthur smiled a touch embarrassed and looked away from a second as if holding back something. “That might not be as far away as you might think.” He said in a slightly lower voice.
“What, what do you mean?” I asked with sudden concern.
“You’ll see.” He teased.
“That’s unfair Art.”
“You mean your highness.” Arthur corrected in good humour, plainly now having fun at my expense.
Reminded of proper address, I quickly glanced about to see if anyone noticed my informality or cared. “Exactly, I can’t argue with you here, not with everyone watching.” I whispered back and added with meaning and annoyance I finished, “your highness.”
“Should you argue with a king?” Arthur frowned, but not seriously
I rolled my eyes and gave up and changed the subject. “You didn’t introduce me as former prince I noticed.” I said accusingly.
Arthur shook his head. “You didn’t say anything either, besides unless you have formally renounced the title that’s what you are. I am what I am now, a king, it’s very strange and yet I feel no different.”
“Whatever I am, best hope my father sends word soon or Alain will have me imprisoned as a spy otherwise.” I considered selfishly, more concern with my problems at that moment than considering Arthur’s new responsibility.
“I’m sure he will, don’t worry about him.” Arthur said and glanced back to Alain. “Look I’d better go back.”
“More lords to greet no doubt. Tough life.” I jested.
Arthur laughed and gained a couple of looks, but they did not hear the joke and looked away at once when they realised it was the king.
“Beats polishing armour!” He exclaimed repeating my words from earlier and I screwed up my face on hearing them. Then he added. “I wouldn’t mind, but by the second breath they are talking to me about their daughters! Being good stock they say and you must come to see us. It’s like the next phase of their plan, coronation then marriage.”
“You’ve forgotten have a war with the rest of the country first.” I blurted out without thinking.
Luckily Arthur did not take it badly. “True, it will at least give me time.” He replied, the light heartedness was there, but a thought of a war brought with it seriousness. Our words disappeared into void of silence and a respectful pause between us despite the noise in the room before Arthur finally said “I had better go, and don’t worry about Alain or even Aries.”
I hated being in the dark about something, surprises were not my thing and had to ask. “What is it, what are you up to?”
“Not yet, look I have to go.” Arthur replied and started to move away.
“Will you be at training, eh, I mean your highness?” I called, correcting myself now that my words would now reach the ears of others and I suddenly had to think of titles again.
“Should be there, I think.” He answered as he pulled away further and was absorbed back into clutches of the other nobles. A moment later he was gone, disappeared into the fog of people.
I stood there alone, but suddenly I was a guest with permission from the king himself to be there. Looking around, I was being given nods of acknowledgement now, eyes hunting for permission to approach and fulfil their curiosity if was to give the slightest indication. All at once I was an interest, a status to assess in more detail, a mystery, a friend of the new king. My answer was a simple one. I made my way out and with amusement I realised that no one got in the way or stopped me this time and when I could have stayed I no longer needed to.
By afternoon I stood waiting in the training grounds again. A page had once more delivered the armour and collection of practice weapons. Bedivere was missing along with Arthur this time and there was no one else around. It was quiet and our practice hopefully would not be such a show as before, unless everyone from the coronation celebration was to suddenly arrive! I was in no rush, but some time had passed by and I was beginning to wonder if anything was going to happen today at all.
Now boredom set in, a concept that I had little practice with. As a squire I would not stop from dawn to dusk, no time for thinking in a normal day. Since Aries had told me to get out of his sight I had not had a normal day.
Time continued without interruption and I watched the river. Fishermen had gone for the day. It was a dangerous living, not only was there a skill of steering such small vessels through every weather, but just as skilful was avoiding others from all sides with intent to raid your ship. The price of fish reflected the time of the year it was told and yet equally it marked the activities of raiding parties and it was true to say the price of fish had never been as high.
Looking back towards the fort I was surprised at the sight of a man walking my way. It was Sir Kay and he was alone. I straighten myself ready to greet him as he advanced towards me with purpose. I feared I might have done something to offend him given the seriousness of his face.
“My lord.” I addressed with respect not assuming any informally.
On reaching me he stopped, but didn’t relax his stern stance. “Arthur isn’t going to make it today.” He informed me and given the extended pause that followed I thought that was all and was about to start packing away when he added. “But I have need to speak with you. How can I put this? It appears my brother trusts you, despite not knowing you for long, but nevertheless he does.”
I was not sure if it was a question to answer as Kay had stopped speaking again and not seeing eye contact I was uncertain to how to react. I missed the old days when no one bothered to talk to me at all; you knew where you were at least.
“I think so….” I ventured with the utmost caution, but I was talked over at once.
“Yes he does, for some reason.” Said Kay, not entirely convincing me of his agreement of Arthur’s opinion. Then at last he dropped
his shoulders and looked at me rather than past me. “You should know that of many faults my brother has, he is a good judge of character and he holds you in high regard.”
I hesitated before answering. I was pleased by the comments, but I really did not know Arthur that well, nor Kay come to that, and was curious to what this was leading to. I noticed that Kay was not prepared to compliment his brother without also mentioning potential faults first. Freely praising your brother was not something brothers did, it was one of those rules again. A rule much harder to follow now the said brother was king and kings were supposed to always be right.
“I’m honoured.” I replied almost guessing at the right response to please him. I meant it, just I was feeling a little in the dark.
“Walk with me.” Kay invited and I stepped to his side at once and we headed towards the river. “When our mother died it was just the three of us, there was a handful of men we could just about call an army, a few kitchen staff. Home is a simple outpost of little value deep in the forest where we are, or were, of no concern to anyone. The villagers are like family we know by name rather than just subjects as there are so few of them. Perhaps our unimportance was why Merlin came to us with Art, not that I remember. The point is we are not the type of people who let just anyone in, do you understand?”
“Yes.” I answered quickly looking up to him and was reminded of his height. Truly he was the protector of the family and I was beginning to see that this was about being friends with Arthur. In other words if I was thinking of betraying them, I would be in trouble. I was intrigued by the need for such a deep explanation still.
The Knight Behind the Pillar Page 18