Before Alain could answer and recover from the verbal punch Arthur just gave him, Merlin decided to now get involved. “I agree, your highness. If there is a siege we can be ready for that as well, but we have forgotten this old fort was built next to a river for a reason. It provides as good a defence as any wall.”
A chorus of approval muttered around the room as the time to decide who to support seemed more obvious. The words of others burred in echo and with no distinctive voice standing out in the agreement, which may have been each man’s intent.
“In fairness,” Alain began again with a curious and surprising positive in his tone with his hands placed together at his chin in thought, “There are advantages and disadvantages to both strategies, but perhaps staying would yield victory. Only I was also thinking of protecting the innocent, the townsfolk. Away from here a battle need not include the chance of their unnecessary deaths.”
Suggesting Arthur’s choice would lead to the lost of innocent lives was a distasteful tactic. He must be getting desperate to retain control of the room and the alliance I decided.
Arthur maintained his stare back to Alain at first. “You’re right.” Answered Arthur, a second of regret passed his eyes causing his to look away, but only briefly as he added. “Except I am sure this way more people will survive as a whole as they will not be worn out from marching, or they can cower within these walls or ran away as they like. Only I have seen their hope, seen them dance and dream of a better time and if they are offered it, they will fight for it and will want to fight with us.”
It was a concept that mystified Alain’s very core. I doubted he had never trusted the people, asked for their support. He demanded it and I guess many others in the room must have ruled the same way. However, Arthur had the gift of words, the only magic I had ever witnessed.
Alain risked a look around the room and finally he succumbed. “Very well we stay and fight, but there’s a lot to do.” Alain concluded with a completely different tone as if was never a problem for him. He removed himself from Arthur’s now determined intense glaze now with a hint of a triumphant smile behind the eyes. He walked towards the other lords, but switched back remembering something. “Which reminds me, do we know if Pellinore is to join us or not?”
I swallowed to find my mouth had gone dry.
Arthur answered without hesitation to my thanks. “He is with us, but until Lot and his brothers leave his borders he writes regretfully he will be of little help. If Lot leaves, he will join us providing he can leave enough men to defend from off shore attacks. He reports attempts to invade his land have increased of late.”
After this the tense atmosphere in the room had seemingly diminished and more felt inclined to join the debate. What armies might arrive and when, their strengths and what positions they should take.
Numbers of weapons, food stores and repairs were of little interest to me as vital as it was. I quickly became bored. In truth it was not boredom, but concern and now dread. An army of over two thousand men was coming and all I could worry about was what was behind them. My father might also be on his way. It was enough to cause my mind to forget the scabbard or even the woman I fell over in the halls for just a minute.
I decided it was time to go and no one noticed me leave, except one. Merlin gave me a polite nod, but remained quiet. I knew I would need to talk to him again, but not today. Today I had enough of it all. Despite remaining curious about the mention of a rediscovered scabbard that I knew was hidden in the hayloft, I was keen to get away.
Chapter 6: And there were 7 members of the brotherhood of lies
My plan was to keep quiet, train, serve and find some sense of normality. It was an ambitious plan as the world had never been so different. It was going to be perhaps a couple of weeks before Lot and his brothers would reach anywhere near the town and that was if he was on his way very soon. It was likely to be longer I was certain. As for the scabbard I decided it would remain hidden in the hayloft for now, having checked last night it was still there given Alain’s words yesterday. There was no training for me to chance a word with Arthur about it yesterday to find out how obviously another had come about and no training likely for today either.
I failed at once to keep to the plan. The first thing I did was seek out Merlin. He was crossing the courtyard with little interest in anyone except his purpose. Given what he had said and did yesterday I gave chase at once.
Determined to ignore everyone he was quick and I was forced to shout to stop him escaping. “Why?” I called.
It was enough to grasp his attention and he slowed to a stop. Looking around no one else appeared to give us any thought and so I quickly skipped over to join him.
With a deep breath and slight turn of the head he greeted me. “And good morning to you as well.” He said with a light air of sarcasm.
I found the fact he was not in a bad mood for being sought to stop a little irritating as I was looking for any excuse for a fight. I wanted explanations, but then realised soon after that perhaps Merlin being in a good mood was best. After all I wanted answers and an argument was not going to get them, not that I expected any answers of real value from this old fraud.
I spend no time on being pleasant and got to the point at once. “You said I saw you the night before yesterday, that I wanted to learn your tricks!”
“I said something similar to that young prince.” Merlin considered.
“It’s Tor.” I snapped with annoyance immediately.
Merlin pursed his lips with interest at the discovery that I was little sensitive as regard to my title and I regretted my unintended disclosure at once.
“Well Tor, your point being?”
“It wasn’t entirely true was it!” I excused, echoing his words from the day before.
He did not answer at once, but after looking around he waved his hand to instruct me to walk closer with him.
“It wasn’t a lie,” He pointed out. I rolled my eyes and he smiled politely ignoring my obvious rudeness, “But would you have preferred I detailed your belief that Arthur has a normal sword, that you think I have lied and the king is or has been made to look a fool?”
“You’re afraid I’ll say so and that I’ll expose you as the fraud you are!” I quipped
“I will take that as a no.” Merlin simply said and I felt silent. He looked away from me and continued. “Perhaps I was merely suspicious it might have been you who had taken the sword, after all that would solve your problem.”
I jumped to defend myself. “You are….” I began to say, but his open hand was quickly to his face to signal me to stop before I said anymore or gain more attention from someone watching and for some reason I decided to obey the sign.
We stopped walking and I found myself face to face with him.
“It matters little who has taken the scabbard, it’s not for me to judge or influence what happens next. I have merely provided the opportunity. It’s up to man to decide what to do with it.” Continued Merlin in a lower voice speaking more riddles and then he wished to continue our walk. “Besides my meddling has had disastrous consequences in the past, I have no intention to repeat myself again.”
“What consequences, what did you do?” I asked the obvious question. Again I somehow never finding the more intelligent words to beat him.
“None of your concern.” Merlin dismissed at once and then a little more upbeat added, “Tell me boy from behind the pillar, do you honestly think I would want to harm Arthur having spent so long trying to ensure he got to the throne safe and sound? Or perhaps you might accept that you have failed to consider we might both be on the same side?”
These were valid questions I had to admit, but I was not prepared to think on them. Lots of people wanted Arthur safe, but to control him not protect him. “You tricked him, how do I trust that.”
“Ha, my methods might not be appreciated, but I’ve not lied to him.”
“You keep saying.” I answered disbelievingly.
; Merlin continued regardless. “And you saw him yesterday, more confident, more sure of his ability to lead. If you consider the sword and scabbard to be as I say or not, it does not matter as it has given him the fortitude he needed“.
I shook my head. “You can’t claim Arthur’s confidence is based on a sword!” I exclaimed astounded. “Besides the scabbard remains missing.”
“No, it was found shortly after the sword in the reeds.” Merlin informed as if correcting a minor misunderstanding.
“But that’s not possible it’s a lie!” I let out and at once realised what I had said and how strongly I did protest the point.
Merlin suddenly stopped once more. “And how would you know that.” He teased.
I realised then I had no choice, no matter what I wanted I had to go along with Merlin’s games, I had to trust him despite his lies. I had to, because somehow he knew my lies.
Against his piercing stare I became quickly became very uncomfortable. A pressure to explain surged within me. “I…”
Again the hand was up to hush me and at the moment he had me surrendering. With a smile his face came closer to mine than I would have liked and he spoke with a whisper. “I suspect you must have worked out we have created a new scabbard as you were with us all yesterday for most of the time from when the sword was found.” Merlin outlined, clearly providing a story for me to agree with as he paused to allow me to nod. I felt controlled and hated it. “I suspect you are also one of the very few who had a chance to see the real one and will no doubt see that the replacement is not as refined as the last, simply a host to the sword and nothing more.”
I did wonder later that perhaps I might not had noticed the difference, but since that time I had done nothing except glared at the real scabbard for the last couple of nights in the hayloft wishing it was somewhere else. Therefore I knew and I hated every detail and loathed each precious stone.
As for Merlin’s words, I now understood the plan. “Oh, I see. You want people to still believe it’s the one from the lake.” I corroborated.
“Someone might think twice about attacking Arthur if there is no point to do so.”
That was a brilliant plan, if everyone was willing to believe magic truly existed unlike me. Religion was complicated enough alone without stories of water spirits, little people and monsters being true. Besides there has to be a large number of people out there who would have a go at harming Arthur just to see if the magic was real!
“And what if a demonstration is needed?” I asked.
“One would be provided if necessary, but that appears to not now be needed.”
“More lies.” I stated.
“Not of my making, a decision of others.”
Instead of just pushing this, I changed tactic and asked, “Arthur agreed to this? He wouldn’t lie and carry a fake scabbard and declare it as true or as magic. He took an oath only recently.”
I was a hypocrite at once given my lies, but this was not about me.
Merlin looked to consider that I had made a fair point for the first time in all our talks. “With objections at first.” He admitted nodding. “Then he was pursued after the meeting yesterday that it would serve the wider good and save lives, protect others. If people think he is unbeatable, there will be those who will be less willing to fight a pointless fight and not kill others to get to him. The very idea will inspire others to join him.”
“Yet we have an army heading this way.” I pointed out opportunistically.
I was being sarcastic, but just because there were very few options than to agree with the plan, yet it did not mean I had to accept all Merlin’s so called wisdom.
At my words he looked a little cross and any warmth gained during our conversation disappeared. “Narrow mindedness cannot often be cured,” He grumbled to himself. “This is only one battle, there will be many challenges ahead and not everything is about now.”
This was about that time now I knew I was not going to gain any more sense from him. We walked a little more, but clearly the conversation was at its end.
“Ector’s armour is one of those challenges for me today and now I should get back to it.” I said making my excuses for an exit and before I became more confused and frustrated with the man.
Dealing with Merlin was a like diving in the river. You could only stay under the water for so long without air. As for Ector’s armour it was the truth. Kay had decided to provide me with a very long list of jobs since gaining the impression that I was suddenly interested in what Merlin did. It seemed that I was no longer his squire but the errand boy for his whole army. I had explained my earlier meeting with Merlin by saying because I mistrusted him so much I attempted to befriend him to learn more about what he was up to and what he wanted with Arthur. I convinced myself that it was a clever lie disguised as the truth. Kay simply said in reply he could think of better things for me to do and did so.
“I will not hold you from it.” Answered Merlin.
He appeared to easily accept I had resolved to end our discussion and with a nod of his head said no more leaving me standing in the yard. My glaze fell on supplies gathered and being stored around me as preparations were already being made for the coming battle. If he knew for certain I had stolen from Arthur or not, soon it may not matter either way.
Chapter 7: 82 Minutes rest
A few days on I disobeyed my own rule again. I knew it would happen as it was unavoidable as I was serving his brother and meant to train with him. Despite waiting each afternoon, Arthur never arrived and I trained alone. I was supposed to be a friend, but since our last meeting, my last act of betrayal, I needed the space and time. Avoiding him also seemed to be the only time I keep away from trouble or at least outrun it for a while.
This time I was not seeking Arthur out, but I did not quietly choose to go another direction unnoticed either. Arthur was standing in Kay’s room, as if he was waiting for someone. I saw him through the open doorway and he was not looking my way. I could have steered clear of him, but I was being a poor friend if I did. My resistance to speak with him was buried in the fact so much had changed and I needed a moment. I needed that undefined period of time, to cope with it all as I could not cope with it all at once. I needed days, a few weeks would be better! I knew my minuscule problems were nothing compared with Arthur’s with an army on its way to kill him.
Then I realised, these thoughts were nonsense and it was time to be honest with myself. As Arthur had said when he spoke to me last, he wanted the truth. Well the truth was guilt and in second place was fear. I had no problem with what had happened except for my continuous guilt that I was a thief. I could hardly sleep anymore with the burden of doubt that I might be wrong to have taken the scabbard, but then I knew I have helped. Then when I did sleep I had his face staring at me, disapproving and full of anger. Not always Arthur’s face, my father’s. That was the fear and I knew right down to the holes in my boots that he was on his way.
As for Arthur now waiting in the room, I knew we needed to speak or at least I did. I armed myself with a smile before I walked in. At the last moment I changed my mind remembering his last words at our last meeting and my place. I decided Tor the fool was not needed this time, perhaps I had even outgrown him and I dropped the smile. Certainly with a fight with Lot ahead a smile was not needed and this was another fear I could not yet face. My first real war was on its way and at once I no longer felt so young.
Childhood vanished, I stepped towards the room. “Your highness.” I spoke formally with a bow of the head.
Arthur looked cross at once.
“Why the ceremony? There’s no one around.” He questioned concerned, but then draw his own conclusion quickly and anger touched his voice again. “Oh, you’re annoyed at me still I see. Don’t be daft.”
He was right I was angry at him, at least a little. I was not sure how you can be angry and thankful that he had turned up and changed my life so much in just a few days without meaning to, but I was. Also with m
y father coming old feelings got mixed with new and I just wanted to take it out on someone other than just having myself to punish. Arthur thought he had nothing and yet forgot others had far less and I resented that! When he did get the sword back he had not bothered to say sorry. Arthur stepped away and my eyes dropped to the sword and new scabbard hanging from his belt.
“Will you be training today?” I asked, again just as some servant would address his lord.
I knew I was provoking him, but could not help myself. When rage fills you up you cannot always be sure of what you want.
It worked, if it was my intention, and his face reddened rapidly. “If you want to be like that you can get out.” Arthur dismissed. I simply turned to leave as ordered, but Arthur stopped me. “No wait.” He almost pleaded.
“Oh?” I answered.
“I’ve been meaning to find you.” He admitted sheepishly.
“I’m sorry your highness for not being available.” I said and continued to be evasive.
Arthur screwed his face up and I noticed his hands did the same in frustration with me. “Tor don’t be an idiot, I have enough going on without you being a, an idiot.” He snapped.
I dropped my shoulders and no longer stood to attention. Time to consider if it was time to be his equal again.
“No you’ve been busy being the king of nothing.” I answered bluntly and certainly in such a tone that would have me in the stocks or hanging with any other past king.
Looking as if he deserved what I said he agreed. “I had a lot on my mind of late and it wasn’t actually all aimed at you. Can’t I be forgiven a moment of being fed up!” Arthur asked. “And you’re upset over that, still upset over it?”
“Not entirely,” I grudgingly admitted, but did not say more as instead I saw his point. “Truth is I’m surprised you haven’t snapped at more people.”
“I have you know, course I have, but mostly at my brother and father when no one else is around.”
The Knight Behind the Pillar Page 27