Chapter 4 [Camelot—Three Hours Prior]
Broken clouds obscured some of the blue sky overhead. Wind ushered Chill down from the north. A few birds sang in the budding trees outside of the city's walls. Trade still came and went within the city. Hammers beat tools into shape. Water cooled hot metal still.
Insecurity and Uncertainty hung in the air however. For the first time in two generations, Inexperience burdened the knights. Dissent simmered in the countryside. Bad weather hindered the planting efforts.
Nothing was easy or so it seemed….
Percival pulled up on his reins. Habit had guided him and his companions to the citadel's gates. He looked around. As he and the others rode that path, something had seemed different. He saw many of the same buildings. The faces seemed the same. The activity continued on. He shook his head. He'd been surprised by the lack of sentries on the walls. Nobody had emerged from the castle thus far. The townspeople who'd known him gave him short shrift. He narrowed his eyes.
"Friendly place," Queen Elena assessed. She recalled her predecessor's accounts of the city during her reign. She'd wanted to at least give her Amazon sisters shelter and food. Still she didn't trust Arthur to be hospitable in that regard.
"It is normally," Prince Bors pointed out. "There's a great deal of insecurity."
"Arthur's recent troubles reflect on Camelot as a whole," King Bors deduced. He got down off of his horse. "Strange that there is no one guarding the doors."
"That's what I thought as well," Percival agreed. He climbed the stairs. Strangely enough, he still didn't see any knights coming to ask him. No guards? He beat on the door with his fist. He glanced back at the others. "I don't believe this. Arthur's not usually this careless."
"Nay. He isn't," Prince Bors confirmed. He glared around the entire area. "Where is everyone?"
At that point, the door eased open. A slender boy with red curls alighting on his shoulders peered out. "King Percival? Prince Bors? And you're the Amazon Queen. Pardon me." He swung the door open. He bowed to them.
"Marcus, where is everyone?" Percival asked. "Why is the door unguarded?"
"King Arthur is training with the knights. Reginald and Petrus will be back within a turn of the hourglass," Marcus reported. He squirmed.
"Bors, keep watch," King Bors instructed his son. "The rest of us can get to the bottom of this."
"Aye, Father." Prince Bors tied the horses' reins to the post off to the side. Then he returned to the door. "I will call if need arises."
"Do so," King Bors told him. "Now, Percival, perhaps you can lead the way?"
"Follow me." Percival led them past the anxious Marcus. His feet remembered the way almost instinctively. He guided the other royals down the appropriate passages toward the training yard within.
…toward that yard and answers…..
[Training Field]
Arthur clenched his jaw. Frustration flared within his chest. He narrowed his eyes. He paced back and forth like some cat who'd been cheated out of a mouse. He shook his head and assessed the gathering with him. From the setbacks at Severn and along the northern borders, he had to change some things.
Before him, the knights stood at attention. Their polished armor gleamed in Sol's light. Their sur coats had but the smallest of tears and imperfections in them. Their swords hid in sheaths. Shields sat at their sides. Still the men at arms quivered ever so slightly. Their heads bowed. Shame dampened resolve. Inadequacy weighed on their minds. Failure ate at them.
Arthur sighed. He'd prepared a gauntlet of sorts for them. Still he knew training and technique in themselves would do little good. Rather Confidence and Mindset had to be in sync. He recalled training the peasants in Ealdor. Memoria reminded of the drills on the village common. He'd drilled Merlin's neighbors on defense and fighting moves. Still Hesitation dogged the peasants on the practice field and later against Kanen's forces….
…much as it did his current army….
If it hadn't been for magic, would he be there? If it hadn't been for Merlin, would he be there?
Magic… Savior? Murderer? What?
He sighed. Indecision ate at him. He knew that sorcery had cost him his mother's life. It had turned his sister and servant against him. It had threatened Camelot at so many turns. Still, where Fortune had seemed to always pull a victory out of nothing for him, he saw nothing of the kind. Merlin's magic couldn't have done that much!
"Sire?" One of the knights cleared his throat. He bowed slightly.
"Hmm?" Arthur snapped out of the reverie. His eyes once again focused on the untested knights in front of himself. His focus returned to the issue staring him in the face. He considered their relative inexperience. Patience reminded him of their need to grow and be seasoned. He nodded to acknowledge the knight in question. "We are knights of Camelot. We represent the greatest army in Britannia. Aye we've lost our veterans. We have faced adversity. Still do you think you're the only knights to know defeat? Well you are not. Camelot has won its share of battles. Losses have also happened as well. Still what can we learn from them? I learn from every victory and defeat. I grow. I look ahead. I have to train. I maintain my weapons. I do what I must. So should you. Any noble can be a knight with skill and heart. Look at Percival, Gawain and Lancelot. They came as common men. They proved themselves through heart, courage and skill. Anyone can rise to the occasion. We can! You can!" He drew his sword and held it high overhead. "BELIEVE! BELIEVE IN CAMELOT! FOR CAMELOT!"
"FOR CAMELOT!" the group chanted albeit with some muted tones.
"COME ON! PUT SOME SPIRIT INTO IT! FOR CAMELOT!" Arthur insisted.
"FOR CAMELOT!" the group yelled louder.
"BETTER! I want you all to drill and train. We can rise to great heights. BELIEVE!" Arthur pressed. He noticed Percival watching them along with Elena and King Bors. What's going on now? "Train now. I'll be back soon." He walked toward the trio. "Percival! Queen Elena! King Bors! This is quite the surprise!"
Percival nodded to Arthur. "We return to our respective lands. Pardon us not sending word first."
Arthur grinned. "You know you're welcome here, Percival. So are you all." He cast a look toward King Bors. "Perhaps we might speak more in private?"
"That would be best," Bors agreed.
"Then follow me." Arthur led them out of the training yard and into the passage. He pondered his points to the group. He understood Perception's needs at least in front of the knights.
In the chambers however would be a different matter…..