“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.