"I will never understand this," Merlin admitted, watching Arthur struggle to put on his own armor. "Sweaty guys, swinging their swords around, trying to take each other out… for fun?"
"Of course you don't, Merlin." Arthur grunted as he struggled. "You're not a knight."
"Thank the heavens." Merlin agreed. "Because nothing you knights do makes any sense."
It was the day after Arthur had bought Callum's freedom from Odin… and a tournament was being held to honor the king's visit.
"I think it makes sense," Callum broke in. The little boy was sitting beside Merlin at Arthur's table, watching the king. "It's all about honor, about proving yourself… right, sire?"
"Exactly." Arthur didn't look at the boy as he spoke. "See, Merlin? Even a boy understands better than you."
Arthur saw the look Merlin gave him. They both knew Callum would say anything to impress his savior.
"Dang it!" Arthur spat as he accidentally lost his grip on a clasp he had been fastening.
"What?" Merlin teased. "Having trouble dressing yourself, my lord?"
"Shut up!" Arthur growled, reaching around in a desperate attempt to grab the loose material again.
"I can help!" Callum stood up and bounded over to the king. Before Arthur could protest, the little boy began helping him to settle the armor in place. "I used to do Odin's," Callum told him as he worked. "So I know how… don't worry, I won't mess it up."
Arthur's heart throbbed in his chest as Callum helped him.
God help me… Arthur swallowed. But I do care about this boy… which is why I have to send him away. He'll be safer away from me. I can't protect him from all the dangers that come for Camelot.
He'll be happier living as a normal kid.
Callum found a place right on the edge of the arena to watch the fights. He leaned over the edge, staring at the sandy rink.
King Arthur will win, he knew. He could beat anyone!
Callum swallowed back pain as he stood there, waiting for the tournament to start.
Why's he sending me away? He wondered. What did I do wrong? Am I just really so… useless that not even a good king like Arthur can find a use for me?
"Hey, kid."
Callum's head snapped around. He watched through narrowed eyes as a young man, a teenager, approached him. The teenager jumped up against the wall to stand beside him.
"What's your name?" The man asked.
"Callum." The boy murmured, turning his attention back to the rink. He didn't like talking to people… well, expect maybe Arthur. Arthur was nice. Arthur didn't talk to him like he was a disobedient dog.
"Nice." The young man yawned, stretching his arms out before him. "My name is Thomas Wood… you have a dad out there fighting or something?"
Callum shook his head.
"No." He said. "I'm just watching, that's all."
"Yeah," Thomas laughed. "Me too, buddy. Who are you rooting for? Any favorites?"
The participants had all come out to the rink a few minutes ago, to be introduced before the rounds. Only, Callum already knew who he wanted to win.
"King Arthur!" He exclaimed, turning to the stranger with bright eyes. "Boy, he sure knows how to fight!"
Thomas's smile turned forced, but he nodded.
"Yeah, I guess he does." He cleared his throat. "So, uh… you know King Arthur, well?"
Callum shifted uncomfortably.
"No…" he murmured. "I just like what I do know about him."
Thomas glanced briefly over his shoulder, before leaning so close that his breath bathed Callum's ear.
"Don't get too close to him," he warned. "He's… he's not a good man, kid."
Callum bristled, pulling away from the stranger.
"That's treasonous to even say!" He spat.
Thomas flinched as some people sitting behind them peered down at the two boys. He cuffed the boy over the head.
"Oh, calm yourself." He warned. "I'm…I'm only teasing. I don't even know Pendragon- erm, King Arthur that well."
Callum nodded slowly. He didn't like this man… he didn't seem to like Arthur.
"Anyway," Thomas said brightly, shaking off his frown. "You know much about fencing?"
Callum hesitated. He wasn't sure what the rules about that were anymore… he wasn't Odin's servant anymore… so… maybe he was allowed?
"Some." He said vaguely.
Thomas smiled. The two boys watched as the first two competitors came out onto the sand. As the two knights met in battle, swords clashing, Callum let out a breath of excitement. The young boy stood on his tiptoes, trying to take in every detail of the fight.
As one of the knights, a big man, swung. Callum grinned.
"Look," he said to Thomas. "The big guy's left himself open, now the short guy has a perfect place to go for."
And go for it he did. The short man dove forward and struck his sword against the man's chest. The big man fell and the short guy held the sword to his throat.
The crowd cheered as the man pulled the sword away and helped his defeated opponent to his feet.
"He didn't kill him?" Thomas sounded surprised.
"Of course not!' Callum giggled. "Some people do… but it's dishonorable to kill someone when you don't have to."
"You seem to know a lot about this, bud." Thomas hummed, eyes unreadable as he took in the younger boy.
"I've served a king a long time," Callum admitted. "And my dad… well, he used to be a knight."
"Used to be?" Thomas asked. "What happened?"
Callum ignored that question, jabbing a finger towards the rink.
"Look!" He breathed excitedly. "There's Arthur!"
"So it is." Thomas muttered bitterly.
Callum glanced sideways at him.
Why doesn't he like Arthur, he wondered. I don't understand…
Callum glanced back towards the rink… only to stop as his eyes spotted something in the crowd. There, among Odin's men, was a man. The man was holding a knife in his fingers. Callum's heart stopped as the man cocked his arm back, eyes glued to Arthur.
He's going to kill him! Callum panicked.
Without thinking, Callum sailed over the wall and rushed out into the rink.
"King Arthur!" He screamed. "Watch out!"
Callum dove in front of Arthur just as the knife came flying towards him. The little boy's heart stopped as all he saw was a blade heading straight for him.
