Britt frowned—she didn’t recall any mention of three ladies or a shield-sign, but as she had only heard the summary of the story it wasn’t surprising—before she looked to Merlin.
The enchanter lifted his eyebrows and said to Britt, “The spear is not your weapon.”
“It doesn’t matter. Roen will keep me out of harm’s reach until I can hit him with my sword. Roen did that in the battle against Lot and his allies, he will do it again. Besides, I would like to speak with this knight.”
Merlin reached for a saddle bag resting on his feet. “I expected as much. As long as I accompany you I see no reason not to. Let us depart.”
“My Lord?” Griflet said.
Britt nodded to Griflet before she raised her voice so most of those in the camp could hear her. “This Sable Knight must be confronted. I will ride with Merlin to seek him out and punish him for his unjust actions.”
The men cheered, and Griflet blushed bright red. “Um, My Lord, about his unjust actions.”
“Quiet ye wee lad,” one of the more burly guards who usually attended to Britt said as he squatted down next to Griflet’s pallet. “It’s time ye change yer bandages. Don’t ye be batting at me,” the guard said before placing his hand on Griflet’s chest and pushing the knight back in the bed.
Britt dressed in chain mail—ignoring the snide remarks Merlin made about her lack of armor—and buckled some spare supplies to Roen before mounting up. The black gelding pawed as the sun crept high enough in the sky to cast rays of light in the meadow.
“Take care, and God go with you,” Sir Ector said.
Britt smiled and took up Roen’s reins in one hand before she waved with the other. “Be safe,” she wished before she and Merlin—astride his leggy, twiggy horse—cantered out of the meadow.
Griflet watched Britt go—her chain mail and the gold flourishes on Roen’s tack sparkling in the morning light. She was unaware of it, but she was an inspiring image with her gleaming blonde hair and her genteel faerie features set in a look of determination.
Griflet glanced at Ywain, who sat by him. “I see now why you love him so,” he said, his voice choked.
Ywain nodded. “He makes you want to be a better person and to see the world the way he does. Our King, he’s a great man.”
Griflet blinked back tears. “He is.”
Merlin filled Britt in on the finer details of the account Sir Myles’ squire gave as they rode through the forest.
“So we’re looking for three damsels who can direct us to the Sable Knight?” Britt asked at mid morning.
“We are, and I believe we may be near.”
“What makes you say that?”
Merlin held a finger up in the air. “Listen.”
Through the forest echoed the faint pluck of music, laughter, and chattering. The air was flavored with the smell of smoked meat, and if Britt squinted she could see pieces of colorful tents through the trees.
“I thought we were looking for three girls, not a party in the middle of the forest,” Britt said as she fixed the way her helm sat on her head.
“Think, why would three helpless ladies be alone in the woods? They obviously were a part of a bigger party. Come, someone in this procession likely knows the location of the Sable Knight.”
They were so close to the grand party that Britt could make out a few of the tents and pitched pavilions when Merlin and Britt were accosted by a crowd of ladies.
There were five or six of them, all gaily dressed with braided hair and crowns of flowers on their heads. They whispered and giggled to each other as they watched Merlin and Britt.
Britt sighed at the attention and was glad that her helm hid her face.
“Ladies,” Merlin said, managing a half bow from his saddle. “We seek out news of the Sable Knight. It was told to us that a party of damsels whose beauty outshone the stars could set us in the right direction. Now that we have finally found you, would you be so kind as to share the desired information?”
Britt rolled her eyes as Roen itched his kneecap with his muzzle.
The girls giggled louder than ever.
“The Sable Knight? Isn’t that—,”
“Oh yes, it is!”
“We passed his castle not a week ago before we camped here, didn’t we?”
“We did, I’ve already told two knights where to find him.”
A girl with reddish blonde hair cleared her throat and smiled her prettiest smile at Merlin. The rest of her companions fell silent as she spoke. “The Sable Knight can be found south east from here, in that direction,” she said, thrusting her finger in front of her. “Be careful, sir. He is a splendid warrior. I have never heard of his defeat,” she said fluttering her lashes at Merlin.
Merlin handled her with a charm that was less than the chocking kind he used with Nymue. “We thank you, fair maiden. Your beauty and your intelligence cannot be described,” he said before turning his horse to catch up with Britt—who was already riding off in the direction the girl had indicated.