“Hear, hear,” Sir Bedivere nodded.
Merlin scowled, and it was Gawain who intervened. “Pardon me, Merlin, but you have not faced My Lord with a sword, nor would you understand as we do for you have your magic arts. When one faces My Lord and he is serious, it makes his family heritage show.”
“It makes his faerie blood show. I met Uther. He did not have the talent his son possesses. No, our young dragon has no equal when it comes to the sword, Merlin. Do not worry over such a thing,” King Pellinore said.
Merlin turned to Britt. “Do not let what they say go to your head. You would still be quite easy to kill,” he warned her.
“I know,” Britt sighed. “What happened after I left?”
Merlin snorted. “A chaotic mess. The lady Guinevere was dreamy eyed and sappy as every other maiden in the crowd. Maleagant roared more than necessary, and King Leodegrance grew a bit of a backbone since you won. Maleagant is, of course, demanding to know your identity, as is Lady Guinevere.”
“Do you think Maleagant will honor his word and leave?” Britt asked.
“Of course he will,” Lancelot said. “He can hardly take back his vow, and you defeated him so soundly!”
Gawain looked unconvinced and Merlin said, “I do not hold the same conviction as you, Sir Lancelot. I suspect he will try to wiggle out of it.”
“So what do we do now?” Ywain asked.
“We will spend the night here. As we will not have daylight much longer it hardly makes sense to begin our journey now, and I would feel better knowing what Maleagant is doing,” Merlin frowned.
“In the morning King Arthur and an escort group will set out. A small remnant can remain behind to observe Duke Maleagant’s movements,” Sir Kay said, his voice as strong as iron.
Merlin nodded, “A wise thought, Sir Kay. I am forced to agree with you.”
“Someone will need to return the merchant’s horse and armor to him,” Britt said.
“Trivialities. Do not worry your head over such things,” Merlin said.
“Well I’m starved. Who is up for a bit of hunting for our supper?” Ywain said.
“Ahh, hunting is such a great sport. I would be honored to join, should no one object,” Lancelot said.
“Please, by all means,” Britt said, eager to get the knight out of sight.
“Shall I help you remove your armor, My Lord?” Gawain asked.
“Yes, if you do not mind. You have my thanks, Gawain.”
“Of course, My Lord.”
It wasn’t yet dawn when Britt woke Sir Kay.
“Kay, you said you wanted me to tell you next time,” Britt whispered.
Sir Kay rubbed his face and his voice was rough with sleep. “You just got out of that blasted castle, are you so eager to return to it?”
Britt chuckled. “No. I don’t plan to leave the woods, but I want to see if Maleagant and his men are still camped out at Camelgrance’s front door.”
Sir Kay shut his eyes for a moment before he stood and stretched. “Very well, let us go.”
“I’m surprised you are letting me leave the camp,” Britt said as the two left the encampment and plunged into the trees.
“I thought of tying you up or refusing, but if I do that it is unlikely you will ever tell me your movements again,” Sir Kay dryly said.
Britt laughed and hopped over a fallen tree.
“Please explain to me, My Lord. If you are unsure of Leodegrance why does Maleagant offend you so?” Sir Kay asked.
“It’s the people of Camelgrance I worry for, as well as Guinevere’s plight.”
“I did not know you liked her so.”
“I don’t,” Britt darkly said. “She’s a silly girl who is empty-headed and downright worthless.”
Sir Kay waited for further explanation in silence.
“But… even so, she doesn’t deserve being married to a man like Maleagant. I knew that before I faced him in combat. Only a greedy jerk would demand from Leodegrance what he has, plus he’s in King Ryence’s pocket, which isn’t a good sign,” Britt said, her speech lapsing as she spoke with Sir Kay—the only knight she could relax around.
Sir Kay held a branch back so Britt could pass by unhindered. “Camelgrance is not your responsibility, My Lord.”
“I know,” Britt sighed. After a few moments of silence she asked, “Did Ywain give you any trouble while I was gone? I doubt he happily stayed behind with you.”
“Let me say that you probably enjoyed your time in Camelgrance more than I.”
“Ahh, but I had Sir Lancelot the brat with me,” Britt said.
“Even so,” Sir Kay said, frowning so deeply his mustache could not hide it. “I ask that you would try to keep your distance from him.”
“From Ywain?”
“No. Lancelot.”
“I have no issues with that suggestion,” Britt snorted. “But for the sake of my curiosity, why?”
“He is smarter than he acts.”
“Are you kidding? He’s a flirtatious twerp who needs a good smack.”