Britt shook her head and flexed her fingers as she pulled a riding glove on. “No, I have a little bay, remember? Merlin was afraid I was horse stupid and would fall and crack my head open so I got the half dead mare.”
“Yes. Merlin decided you are a competent rider and purchased this new mount for your exclusive use,” Sir Kay said.
Britt grinned and folded her arm across her padded chest. “You would rather have me stick with the bay mare, wouldn’t you?”
“As your seneschal and foster brother I am always concerned with your safety, My Lord,” Sir Kay diplomatically said.
Britt chuckled before she squinted at the horse. “I don’t get it. Why the sudden change?”
“I believe Merlin thought you might find this horse more favorable than your previous mount.”
Britt slowly stroked the horse’s sleek neck. His fur felt like silk beneath her fingertips. “He is a beauty. Is he—or she—spirited?”
“Not uncontrollably so. I believe he is within your abilities to control,” Sir Kay admitted.
“Then what about him don’t you like?”
“It is not that I dislike him, My Lord.”
“Put a sock in it, Kay. If you were happy about him you would twitch your mustache. What’s up?”
“I do not at all understand what you are saying, but I will admit I am not altogether pleased with the fact that he is a courser, a horse trained for battle,” Sir Kay said.
“Huh,” Britt said, sinking back on her heels as she studied the horse. “In that case I might agree with you. What’s his name?”
“Hengroen.”
“That’s a mouthful. Can I rename him?” Britt asked.
“I’m not certain that is possible. He is trained—,”
“I’ll shorten it to Roen. How is that boy? Do you like it, Roen?” Britt grinned at the horse.
To Britt’s—and Kay’s— shock Roen lifted his head and nuzzled Britt’s cheek with his velvet muzzle.
“Well then,” Britt swallowed, shock cooling her heart like ice. “Roen it is.”
Sir Kay wordlessly handed Britt the reins and retreated to the stable, glancing over his shoulder at the pair and shaking his head.
Britt carefully examined her new horse to the best of her abilities—running her hands across his body and murmuring sweetly to him, glad she had thought to leave Cavall with the kennel boy for her daily ride with Kay.
When Kay exited the stable with his horse, tacked and prepped for their ride, Merlin pounced on them.
“Arthur, I see you have met your new steed,” he said, tucking his hands inside his sleeves.
“Yeah. He’s very impressive,” Britt said. “Thank you for getting him for me.”
“Indeed, I am glad you think so. I hope you enjoy him in the days to come. I’m afraid you won’t be able to ride with Sir Kay just yet, though.”
“Oh?”
“No. I have come to you bearing news. Wonderful news.”
Britt took a step backward and warily eyed Merlin. “Somehow I doubt that. I don’t often like your brand of news. What’s up?”
“The heavens, of course. But that is not what is important, it is this: both King Bors and King Ban have agreed to be your allies! They are already in Britain. They are marching through London with 300 knights, and they have left an army of 10,000 horsemen across the sea.”
“10,000? With our 20,000 we will have half the army Lot has,” Britt said. “Didn’t he have 50,000 mounted men and another 10,000 foot soldiers?
Sir Kay nodded.
“Yes, but we have a great deal more knights than Lot has. I believe if we employ stealth and other effective strategies we will win,” Merlin pronounced.
Britt squinted at the wizard. “You’re going to go get the 10,000 horsemen, aren’t you?”
“I am. You and the rest of our men from Camelot will march to our fortified camp and prepare for war.”
“You’re just going to let me prance off into a war? What about protecting your project?” Britt asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Sir Kay assures me you are a more than competent swordsman, and you will have Excalibur with you.”
“So?”
“The scabbard of Excalibur is enchanted. Whoever bears Excalibur and the scabbard will not die from bleeding out.”
“Blood loss is the only worry you have for me?” Britt said.
“No, not at all. But you’re far more valuable to Lot and his allies alive than you are dead. You will not die on this battlefield,” Merlin shrugged.
“How comforting.”
“Sir Ector, Sir Kay, Sir Ulfius, Sir Bodwain, and Sir Bedivere will be with you. I will meet you at our camp.”
“Alright. Good luck,” Britt said.
“To you as well. And Britt,” Merlin said, reaching out to place his hand on Britt’s cheek, forcing her to look at him. “Be safe. I have great confidence in you. You will do well while I am gone.”
The wizard’s usage of her real name was not lost on Britt. “I’ll try,” she smiled.
Merlin lightly cuffed Britt’s cheek. “That’s a good lass. Right then, I’m off. Enjoy your ride,” Merlin called over his shoulder before he hurried to the stable.
Sir Kay and Britt watched Merlin mount up and ride off through Camelot before the lanky knight turned to Britt. “If all is as Merlin says we had better get you properly acquainted with Roen.”