Ywain blushed with pleasure. “I am honored to hear that, My Lord. I shall do my best to keep Griflet away from her.”
Britt chuckled. “You have my thanks.”
Ywain bowed before he reached out and yanked Griflet by the arm, hauling his protesting friend away.
Morgause watched their abrupt exit with narrowed eyes. “Who was that young man?”
“The one complimenting you? That would be young Griflet,” Britt said.
“No, the other one.”
“Ah,” Britt said, oddly unwilling to share Ywain’s name. “He is not a knight, yet, although I expect I will be knighting him soon. I met him when I fought your husband and his allies.”
“He is very loyal to you, isn’t he?”
“He is,” Britt said, unable to keep a chord of pride out of her voice. She had a feeling that Ywain was one boy Morgause would never be able to sink her claws into.
Morgause snapped out of her close observation of Ywain. “It is right for him to be so dedicated to you, My Lord. You are a good commander, and a generous king.”
Britt set her shoulders, preparing herself for more of Morgause’s poisonous compliments.
“If you’ll pardon the intrusion, My Lord?” Sir Kay stood at Britt’s elbow, the corners of his mouth twitching under his mustache.
“Of course, what is it, Sir Kay?” Britt said.
“Merlin would like to speak to you alone. He says it is a kingly matter that we need not bore our guest with,” Sir Kay said.
“I agree whole heartedly with him,” Britt said. “I would not want you to go without entertainment for a single moment, and I’m sure any number of my knights would gladly take my place. If you will excuse us, My Lady?”
“Of course,” Morgause said, unable to reply any other way.
As Britt and Sir Kay walked back to the dais Britt briefly slung her arm around Sir Kay. “I cannot thank you enough, Sir Kay. I think she meant to suffocate me with her complimentary prattle.”
“She’s trying to win you over, My Lord. I think it has become a thing of pride for her,” Sir Kay said.
“In any case you still saved me.”
“I cannot take the credit, it was Merlin who sent me.”
“You are determined not to take a single compliment, aren’t you?”
“Perhaps, My Lord.”
“Very well then, as much as you dislike it you still have my thanks,” Britt said, nodding good bye to her foster brother before joining Merlin on the dais. “I hear I have you to thank for my rescue.”
Merlin shrugged. “It was no trouble. I do not wish to see you miserable, no matter how you may think otherwise,” he said, looking out at the feasting crowd. “Him,” Merlin said, jabbing to someone.
“What?”
“Young Ywain, what did he say to you?”
“That Morgause is a poisonous snake.”
“His loyalty to you knows no bounds. You have won him over for his life.”
“What makes you say that?”
Merlin tucked his hands inside the sleeves of his robe. “Do you not remember how Urien—Ywain’s father—and Lot are related?”
“They are brother–in-laws, related through their wives, right?”
“Yes. Think on that for a moment.”
Britt scuffed a foot on the dais before it hit her. “Morgause is Ywain’s aunt?”
“She is his mother’s sister, yes.”
“That means he is supposed to be my nephew… does he know?”
“Of your supposed parentage? Yes.”
“Then why hasn’t he said anything?”
“Sometimes men want to believe in a cause bigger than themselves. That is how Ywain thinks.”
Britt stared at Morgause, who was surrounded by knights clamoring for her attention. “Why didn’t Morgause recognize him? She wanted to know who he was.”
“Just because she is his aunt doesn’t mean she has seen him more than a handful of times in his life. I’m not entirely sure if she has ever seen him, to be honest,” Merlin said. “Regardless he still would have heard of her from his mother.”
“You don’t think he’ll be pulled in by Morgause?” Britt asked.
“No. There are a few that are loyal to you and they will not be moved,” Merlin said. “Ywain is one of them.”
“And Sir Kay and Sir Ector?” Britt timidly asked.
Merlin nodded. “Them too.”
“I’m glad.”
“If you’re so glad then you should work to win over more of your men.”
“Yes, Merlin.”
“Don’t you ‘yes, Merlin’ me!”
“Of course, Merlin.”
“That’s hardly any better.”
“You don’t think I know that?”
“Harridan.”
“I find it amusing that you resort to name calling when you can’t think of anything better to say.”
“Only to those who deserve it.”
“Yes, Merlin.”