The Camelot Kids

by Ben Zackheim

  Russ shoved Josh into a small clearing and yelled, “Um! I’m a better...DANCER... than you are!”

  “Oh yeah?” Josh screamed back. “Oh yeah?”

  Okay, they weren’t going to win any acting awards but the giants were curious about the racket. For the moment.

  Simon bent down near Gwen and whispered, “Get the water spell ready, okay?” Gwen nodded, unblinking. “Hide behind that boulder over there and when I give the signal let the water loose on the bigger one, the one without the cold.”

  She scurried away, using the trees as cover.

  Josh and Russ were getting into it. Too much so, in fact. It had become a real argument. Josh was screaming loud enough to make his voice crack. He took a real swing at Russ, who blocked it and bonked his buddy on the head.

  The giants laughed. Hard. Josh kicked his way back to his feet, charged at Russ and hollered something about a superior two-step.

  The giants were totally focused on the fight now. The big one was cheering for Josh, while the smaller one was spitting his support for Russ.

  But then the smaller giant opened his mouth and scratched his nose. He was getting ready to sneeze again. Simon nodded at Gwen.

  “AH-CHOOO!” came the booming sneeze.

  Gwen cast her favorite spell. Several hundred gallons of water blasted through the air.

  The timing is right. But how is her aim?

  SPLASH! The water doused the bigger giant.

  The two monsters glared at each other. The wet one had a frown on his face that froze Simon’s blood.

  His plan had worked. The biggest giant thought he had a face full of snot. The creatures dove into another fight.

  Simon gestured for everyone to follow him. He ran into the forest toward the densest area he could find. When they were far away he stopped and fell to the ground, exhausted.

  “That was incredible, Simon,” his father whispered as they all sat in a close circle.

  “I don’t see why you had to slap me,” Josh complained.

  “You took a swing at me!” Russ bellowed.

  “It was for show! Besides, Jack told me you’ve always envied my moves.”

  “Jack likes to tell people what they want to hear. It’s like his superpower.”

  “It’s a better superpower than being a prat!”

  “Will you two please keep it down?” Maille pleaded. “If they hear us they might remember that we’re what they’re after. Well done, everyone.”

  “Teamwork,” Caradoc said. “The kind that Lancelot was known for inspiring in others.” He winked at Simon.

  “Has anyone seen Hector?” Simon asked.

  “Last I saw him was after your dad showed up yesterday,” Russ said.

  “I don’t think we need to worry about him,” Maille said. “He’s able to take care of himself.”

  “I’m not worried about him. I’m worried about us without him,” Simon said. “He’d better have a really good excuse for disappearing.”

  Simon now feared that the night before had actually been Hector’s goodbye. But why would he leave them now? Simon turned to Thadeus.

  “What happened, Dad? Where did those things come from?”

  “I’m sorry Simon. I made a mistake. I went to get some water from a creek and I saw a stone door in the side of a hill. It has a symbol chiseled into it. When I touched the door, they came out of nowhere.”

  “Hm. Sounds to me like you found a tomb,” Caradoc mused. “Giants were once used to guard the tombs of kings and queens. But that was long ago.”

  “What king would have a tomb way out here?” Gwen asked.

  “One who was the king of ‘way out here,’ I guess,” Maille said.

  “Why don’t we go find out?” Russ asked. Josh nodded. The two of them were getting a little too into this adventure, as far as Simon was concerned.

  “I agree,” Thadeus said.

  “What if there are more giants?” Simon asked.

  “We have you to take care of them,” Thadeus answered, smiling. “I think we should find out more about the symbol on the door.”

  “Simon is leading us,” Maille said matter-of-factly. They all looked at him.

  “No,” he said. “We need to keep going.”

  “I understand, Simon,” Thadeus managed. “Okay, then. Where are we headed?”

  “Finish your story and I’ll tell you,” Simon said, smiling.

  As they set out, everyone gave the father and son some space. Of course, they tried to stay within earshot, hoping to hear the rest of Thadeus’ tale. Except Caradoc. For some reason he kept his distance and brooded about something.

  After a few minutes of silence, Thadeus picked up where he left off.

  42

  “Morning came, but not soon enough for me,” Thadeus said. “By the time the sun showed me where I was sitting, it was freezing. Good thing I’d followed my instinct and hadn’t moved, because I was on a cliff after all. Two steps to my right or left and I wouldn’t be here. I climbed down and searched for your mother but...” His voice dropped to a whisper.

  “We’ll find her,” Simon said. His dad smiled at him and put a hand on his shoulder.

  “Well, there wasn’t a sign of anyone anywhere. Forest and hills as far as I could see. The sky was solid clouds. That explained the complete darkness from the night before. It took me half a day to even find north, and that was the fun part. I searched for food for another day before stumbling on a small lake.” Thadeus glanced at his son. “It had fish.”

  “I didn’t know you fished,” Simon said.

  “I learned fast. You have to be able to hunt or fish to survive out here.”

  Simon’s concern was all over his face. It was Thadeus’ turn to cheer up Simon. “You’re right. We’ll find her. She’s alive.”

  “That’s what Uncle says,” Simon recalled.

  “What did Victor know about your mother?”

  “He said that you were a prisoner of Trejure and he claimed Mom was a prisoner of someone else. But he wasn’t sure who. Or he wouldn’t say.”

  Thadeus took in his son’s words for a moment. “He’s correct. The dragon took me. We could assume Victor’s right about her too. That would be good news. How long have we been gone?”

  “Two years.”

  Thadeus stopped walking. He looked at his son, shocked. He sat down on a boulder to compose himself. “Two years? Are you sure, Simon?”

  “Oh, I’m sure,” Simon said.

  “I assumed maybe one… I’m so sorry, Simon. You need to know I’m so, so sorry. I never meant to leave you alone. My work consumed me and I didn’t have the…”

  Simon didn’t know what to do. His father was crying. “It’s okay, Dad. I forgive you.”

  “We’ll find your mother and I’ll make everything right. I promise you.”

  The others had moved ahead but weren’t far. They tried to look busy as they wandered in circles. Simon helped his dad to his feet and they caught up.

  “So Trejure held you this whole time?”

  Thadeus wiped at his eyes with his sleeves. “Yes. After two weeks of living in the forest, I came across a woods dragon. Black as night, and conniving. Once I got over the shock of seeing my first dragon I used every bargaining tactic I had to stay alive. It worked enough for me to become a prisoner, instead of dinner.”

  “What did you have that the dragon wanted?”

  Thadeus shot Simon a smirk. “You really have grown up. Probably more than you should have! I gave them info on where gold is stored in our world, about how humans think and behave. Information. Anything that could be of value to a treasure hunter. I was Trejure’s human advisor, I guess. I’m not proud of it, but he promised me no one would get hurt.”

  Simon had developed a keen nose for lies in his two years as an orphan. So he was surprised to find that he didn’t believe his father. The way Thadeus had stopped meeting Simon’s eyes made him suspicious.

  “Trejure let me go,” his father continued.
“No explanation. I woke up a few mornings ago outside, below his mountain. He did occasionally promise he’d release me. I didn’t believe him, but here I am.”

  “You said you wanted to find Excalibur so Merlin would talk to you about my place in the prophecy.”

  “That’s right. I’m convinced you have an important role in it. You, my son, may be what we need to help Arthur bring back Camelot. Then this rotting planet will stand a chance.”

  Simon smiled. It was good to hear his dad complain about the world again. Just like old times. “I’ve heard that Trejure might have the sword,” Simon said, changing the subject a little so his dad didn’t get in one of his funks.

  Thadeus stopped in his tracks. He appeared surprised. “If he has the sword, he never told me.”

  Simon felt like he’d broached a sensitive subject in some way. “So how did you find us?” he asked, shifting the conversation.

  Thadeus put his hand on Simon’s shoulder gently. “Luck. I overheard your battle with the dragon back there. She’s the same creature who took me to Trejure to curry his favor. I even caught the tail end of your fight. But I didn’t know it was you until I followed you for a few hours.”

  “Can you take us back to Trejure?” Simon asked. “We need to convince the dragons to leave New Camelot alone. We have gold in that chest to bargain with.”

  “It’s a bad idea,” Thadeus said. “There’s no bargaining with Trejure.”

  “He freed you, didn’t he?”

  Thadeus smiled. “Tell me about your new home.”

  “New Camelot? It’s pretty amazing, actually. I like it.”

  “High praise from Simon Sharp. I can’t wait to see it. Have you met the other kids? Have you met Arthur?”

  “Yeah, he’s a jerk.”

  “Oh.” His father’s smile faded. “And my guess is that’s Guinevere over there.” He pointed over his shoulder at Gwen. “She’s pretty.”

  “She’s cool. Dad?”

  “Yes, Simon.”

  Simon wanted to ask his father how he could be so sure this famous prophecy was true. And even if it were true, even if his fellow trainees were destined to help bring Camelot back to the world, who was to say that this generation of descendants was the right one? Everyone seemed so sure of it.

  “Do, uh, you know if we’re headed toward Trejure’s lair?” He couldn’t do it. He just couldn’t ask the question. Not yet. He needed some more time to think about everything he’d learned.

  “Let’s check.” And with that Thadeus leapt onto a tree. He scurried to the top as everyone watched, stupefied. He might have looked older than when Simon last saw him, but Thadeus moved like a gymnast.

  “I see his mountain!” Thadeus yelled down. “We need to walk a little more to the north! This way!” He gestured with his right arm so everyone could see.

  Maille smiled at Simon, impressed with his dad’s athletic abilities.

  But Simon didn’t smile back.

  He recalled the story of how he had climbed a tree in Central Park when he was younger, causing his out-of-shape, uncoordinated father to fret with worry. Simon remembered the strong feeling that he could do things his dad couldn’t do.

  For the first time, Simon asked himself if the man dangling from the tip of the thirty-foot tree was really Thadeus.

  43

  They walked for several hours before the fading light made it tough to continue. Simon sat on a boulder, and watched his friends. Gwen and Russ were teasing Josh about his makeshift tent, which had fallen over after a soft breeze blew through the camp. Caradoc was resting against the curve of a hill, smiling at some fighting birds in the trees above. Maille scoured the area for trouble, waving her wand as if she were drawing on the air.

  His father was watching him watch his friends.

  When their eyes locked, Thadeus glanced away, but Simon saw a distinctly worried expression on his face.

  An odd chill had begun between Simon and Thadeus. Simon felt they should be talking, filling in every detail. He wanted to tell his dad about leaving their apartment for the last time, the halfway house, the first time he saw Caradoc or New Camelot. But after Thadeus hopped down from that tree, Simon couldn’t strike up small talk. He had to know this man was really his dad before he would reveal anything else.

  Thadeus stood and walked up a hill. He disappeared into the thick forest. Simon wasn’t about to let another adult walk off without explanation, so he followed.

  At first Simon couldn’t spot him. But when his eyes adjusted, he saw a distant figure weaving through the brush near a creek.

  He felt awful stalking Thadeus like this, but something was wrong. His dad had never been athletic enough to catch a cab, much less climb a tree. His story about bartering information about gold for safety sounded like a story. His dad was smart, but he didn’t stay current on where gold was being stockpiled. And it was too big a coincidence that they would run into each other in the middle of the forest. Simon was losing faith, and as that happened, a powerful sadness was overtaking him.

  Thadeus ran up to a flat stone embedded in a hill. He passed a hand over it.

  Then he turned to Simon.

  “Simon! Another one! This is just like the stone I found before!” He’d known all along that Simon was following him.

  Simon hesitated. He looked around for more giants. He put his hand on the hilt of his sword and walked, cautiously.

  “I know it sounds odd,” Thadeus said. “But I think these things are calling out to me. I felt drawn here. As if I’ve been here before.” He turned his eyes to the trees around them. “I know this place, Simon. It’s crazy.” There was an intensity in Thadeus’ eyes that Simon had never seen before. “This is a door. I’m sure of it. Come and help me.”

  Simon and Thadeus pushed on the stone with all their strength, but it didn’t budge.

  “We need the troll. Go get him,” Thadeus said.

  “I’m not sure this is…”

  “It will lead us to the dragon’s mountain.” Thadeus saw the doubt in Simon’s eyes. “Trust me. I know I haven’t done much to deserve it, but please Simon.”

  Simon turned and ran as fast as he could, back to the others. When he emerged from the dense trees, out of breath, Maille, as usual, pulled out her wand, ready for action.

  “It’s okay. I’m all right. Dad found another stone. He says it’s a door that will take us to Trejure.”

  Everyone stood still, not sure what to make of this development. So Simon helped them along.

  “Come on. Let’s go!” he yelled.

  They gathered their stuff and followed Simon. Gwen and Maille walked on either side of him. Caradoc charged ahead to intercept any giants who might happen along.

  “That’s a little weird, don’t you think?” Maille asked no one in particular. “He finds two of these doors in one day?”

  “Unless we’ve been walking in circles and it’s the same one,” Gwen answered.

  “With our luck these days, that’s a possibility,” Caradoc huffed from up ahead.

  “I’m just saying, I think we need to be careful,” Maille said.

  “You think my dad is leading us into danger?” Simon asked. His tone was sharper than he wanted it to be. He had his own doubts.

  “I’m… no. Of course not,” Maille said. “Not intentionally, at least. I mean, he doesn’t know what it is either. It could be another tomb. Hey, look Simon, he’s the one who admitted letting the giants loose!”

  “There he is,” Simon said, ending the conversation. Thadeus stood with one hand against the stone.

  “Can you all help me?” he called out. “With Caradoc’s help, I’m sure we can open it!”

  “Why do we want to open it?” Maille asked.

  “This symbol here. I recognize it now.” Thadeus moved his hand over a small etching that looked like a whirlpool. “It’s the crest of the King of Dragons.”

  “Trejure?”

  “He’s the current king, yes. There have been man
y. This is a warning to anyone who might want to enter.”

  “Why don’t we heed that warning, then?” Gwen asked.

  “What do you think we’re doing out here?” Simon asked, frustrated. “We need to get this gold to him.”

  “I thought we’d leave it on his doorstep or something,” Russ mumbled, without even a hint that he was joking.

  “No,” Simon said, trying not to lose his temper. “We’re going to put these gold leaves at his feet and we’re going to make a deal.”

  “That’s suicide!” Josh said.

  “I didn’t ask you to come. You can turn back now,” Simon said, voice raised.

  “All right. Fine,” Maille said. “So we pop that thing off and we see if it leads anywhere. If it does, then Simon goes first.” Maille smiled and winked at him. He grinned back, despite his irritation.

  “Caradoc? Can you give him a hand?” Simon asked. The troll hesitated for a moment, looking to Maille and then Thadeus. He sighed heavily and his shoulders sagged. He walked to the stone, stuck his fingers in the cracks around the edges, and pulled. With one heave the stone popped off the hill, releasing a gust of wind that knocked everyone but the troll back a few feet.

  One by one they peeked around Caradoc’s large legs to see what had been revealed. The opening led to solid black darkness. Three steps in and they wouldn’t be able to see a thing.

  “So you’re sure we’re going in there?” Maille asked Simon. He nodded. “If you say so.”

  She reached into the darkness with her bat wand and whispered. A green light popped out of its tip and crawled across the stone walls of the cave, illuminating a stark, wide space. It took Simon a moment to realize that the wall was actually carved stone blocks, worn down over the years by a steady stream of trickling water. The dripping echoes made it clear that there was a lot more to see beyond Maille’s makeshift torch.

  Simon was the first to go in. Everyone waited for something bad to happen as his boot hit the stone ground. But after several steps, he was safely inside.