Feeling the young woman’s eyes on her, Britt flashed another smile. “Perfect, we thank you for your assistance.”
“It was my pleasure,” the girl said, stroking the cat and showing no signs of leaving.
Britt glanced at Lancelot, who was frowning most uselessly.
Britt was saved from trying to nudge the girl away when someone from the hallway called, “Eleanor, have you found Wyne?”
The ladies maid, looking dismayed, curtseyed again. “I am sorry, but I must go.”
“We thank you once more for your kindness and mercy,” Lancelot said.
The girl darted from the room, her arms clamped around the cat. “I have. Will you tell My Lady…,” her voice faded as she hurried from hearing.
“It’s not here. At least I don’t think it is,” Britt said, folding her arms across her chest.
“The Round Table?”
“Yes. Come on, let’s keep looking.”
Britt and Lancelot talked to another maid, a minstrel, and a clerk before they found a squire who could show them where the Round Table was stored.
“You say your father served King Uther?” the squire asked, holding a torch as they ventured down a dusty, abandoned hallway.
“He did. He told me stories of King Uther’s legendary Round Table. When I heard it is under the custody of King Leodegrance I knew I would have to look upon it should I ever journey to Camelgrance,” Britt said, the lie coming easier since she had changed it and repeated it multiple times.
“It don’t look like much. ‘Tis awkwardly big,” the squire warned before he opened a door and ventured inside.
Britt and Lancelot followed the squire, staring in confusion at the room.
“This is the Round Table?” Lancelot asked.
“Yep.”
“I don’t understand,” Britt said, her forehead wrinkling.
The room was filled with chipped, curved tables. They were covered in dust, and reminded Britt of pieces of a toy train track.
“They fit together. Like a ring, see?” the squire said.
“How many does it seat?” Lancelot asked.
“About 150 knights, I think. Depends how fat they are,” the squire said.
“A hundred and fifty?” Britt said, pinching the bridge of her nose. “This isn’t quite what I thought it would be.”
“It’s why Ol’ King Leodegrance only drags it out for feasts. It’s perfect for those occasions when everyone is drunk and don’t look closely at the furniture, plus servants can get on the inside of the ring to serve everyone real easy,” the squire said.
“Maybe Merlin is right. We should just build our own Round Table,” Britt muttered.
“Oh, what a dream come true this is,” Lancelot said.
Britt lowered her hand to see if the handsome knight had gone stark, raving mad.
“To think that we’re seeing the Round Table. Such great things must have happened at this table, like your father’s stories, Art,” Lancelot said, turning to face Britt.
Britt stared at the knight until the squire shifted, reminding Britt of her role. “Absolutely. It’s not how I imagined it, but to think that Uther Pendragon himself sat here. How noble.”
The squire shrugged. “Glad you’re not disappointed,” he said. “That all you want to see?”
“Indeed, thank you, young squire, for taking the time to show us this great piece of history,” Lancelot said, a glittering coin appearing in his fingers. He tossed it to the squire, who caught it with enthusiasm.
“Right, no problem at all. You men need me to lead you out?” the squire asked.
“If you wouldn’t mind taking us to the kitchens, we would much appreciate it. Thank you,” Britt said as she and Lancelot exited the room, the squire right behind them.
The helpful squire took them to the kitchens where they easily joined the mass of servants and slipped out the supplies door.
“That was a disappointment,” Britt said as she and Lancelot passed through the castle gates.
“Camelgrance seems to be a very odd place,” Lancelot said.
Feeling protective of her ally, even though she did not particularly like him, Britt asked, “Why do you say that?”
“The females of that castle.”
“What of them?”
“They did not react to me how most ladies do.”
Britt heaved her eyes to the heavens. “Of course your description of odd would contain preferences to yourself.”
“Pardon?”
“Lads, you’ve made it safe and sound.”
Britt, recognizing that voice, craned her neck and spotted Merlin, Kay, Ywain and Gawain standing near a large hay bale.
“As have you,” Britt said.
“Did you see the Round Table as you wished to, My Lord?” Gawain asked.
“We did,” Britt said.
“How?” Ywain asked, stunned.
“We entered Camelgrance and asked an assortment of servants until we found a squire who could take us to it,” Britt said.
“Tis in a shamble and somewhat disgraceful,” Lancelot said, earning a look of irritation from Britt.
“How did you get in the keep?” Merlin asked.
“Through the kitchens,” Britt said. “Why?”
“We could not even gain entrance to the keep, and thus were unable to see the table,” Gawain said.