Chapter 16: The Real Reason

After Gawain told Amanda about Guinevere and Arthur, Amanda went off to find Nicolarious. When she found him, she apologized immediately and told him all about kissing Joseph, and how Arthur saw, and how Arthur now hates her.

"He doesn't hate you," said Joseph.

"Oh yes he does, he won't even look at me," argued Amanda. Joseph rolled his eyes, too long had he listened to his sister worry about how people hating her.

"I know you hate to be hated. But, Arthur doesn't hate you. He was just shocked by seeing you with Joseph, of all people, really. Anyhow, until Arthur realizes that you don't in fact care for Joseph at all, you are at a loss," said Nicolarious. Amanda looked at her younger brother with a look of bewilderment.

"What did those two do to you Nicolarious?" Amanda asked jokingly. Never had she heard her brother say anything like that in his life.

"Nothing, I'm just realizing the world for what it is," said Nicolarious. Amanda felt chills run up her spine. Shaking them off, Amanda patted her brother on the shoulder and began to walk away. She heard him turn and walk in the other direction, and she looked over her shoulder.

He's growing out of my reach, Amanda thought. Swallowing a knot in her throat, Amanda quickly walked up to her room, remembering her childhood. While climbing up the stone, spiral stairs, Amanda stared at her feet, thinking about how Nicolarious. Reaching the landing, Amanda saw two other feet in front of her. Looking up, startled, Amanda saw Arthur there looking at her in a confusion.

"Since when do you stare at your feet while you walk?" he asked. Amanda raised her eyebrows; it felt like it had been ages since Arthur had talked to her.

"Since Nicolarious came home wiser than me," she said sarcastically.

"Nonsense," said Arthur.

"It was a joke," Amanda said walking around Arthur and heading back to her room. Arthur caught her arm, in a firm grip. Amanda turned back to him, and could feel him pouring through her soul like an open book. The bad part was that Amanda left that book open. It was a strange feeling that she now realized only Arthur could produce. Joseph sure as anything didn't make her feel that way. Arthur looked into her eyes, his grip firm but gentle, and Amanda searched for something to say.

"Arthur," Amanda said, "can I show you something?" Arthur nodded, following Amanda back to her room. Entering, Amanda headed straight for the metal tube and piece of paper, and handed them to Arthur.

"What's this?" Arthur asked, looking at the items in his hand.

"I found that tube in Joseph's hand the night he fell, and this morning I began to open it, and found that paper. But I haven't read it yet," Amanda answered. Arthur looked at her for a moment, thinking about what she said, and handed Amanda the tube halves, but not the paper. Unraveling the paper, Arthur took a seat on the chair in Amanda's room. Amanda sat across from him on her bed, watching him intently. Arthur finished unrolling the paper, and began to read it. Amanda waited for him to finish, watching his eyes dart from one word to the next, and his eyes becoming more and more confused. Finishing, Arthur stood up and began to leave.

"Arthur!" Amanda called, "Arthur wait! What did it say?" Arthur turned back to her and handed her the piece of paper.

On the twelfth day of the second month you are there; kill the one they love in the courtyard.

Amanda looked up at Arthur, who was as puzzled as she was.

"Do not go to him," Amanda said, "Whatever you do Arthur, do not go to Joseph and ask him what this means."

"I wasn't planning on it," he said, "I was actually going to cool off. I think I know what he means by this."

"What do you think?" Amanda asked.

"It's not for your ears," he answered.

"What? Not for my ears, Arthur don't you think I have a right to know?" Amanda asked.

"Amanda, do not argue with me," Arthur said, and Amanda fell silent, "I do not wish to make you fret." The two fell silent for a moment, both thinking. Amanda gasped, remembering something related to Joseph and this mystery. Hurrying off, Amanda was in an almost desperate search for Galahad. Finally finding him in the courtyard, in the cold, sitting on a bench.

"Galahad," Amanda said wrapping her arms around herself and hurrying over to him, "What are you doing out here?" Galahad looked up at her and shrugged.

"Nothing really," he answered her. Amanda wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and nodded her head for him to rise.

"We need to talk," Amanda said, and she dragged him inside.

"What is it Amanda?" he asked her.

"That night Joseph threatened you; do you remember what you were looking at?" Amanda asked, praying and wishing with all her might he would know.

"Some piece of paper the Bishop handed him. He tucked it into his pocket and then saw me," Galahad said, frowning at the memory, his voice getting a bit edgy thinking about Joseph.

"Did you happen to notice if anything was on the paper?" Amanda asked, biting her lower lip.

"It had a lot of writing on it, but I couldn't read any of it, the writing was very curvy and small," Galahad answered her. Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor and Amanda looked over Galahad's shoulder to see who was coming. It was Joseph.

"Damn," Amanda whispered. Galahad looked over his shoulder too, and scowled when he realized who it was.

"Lady Amanda," said Joseph walking over to the pair, "His Majesty wishes to speak with you, and your company, if there is any." Amanda stole a glance at Galahad and saw him glaring.

"Thank you Joseph, we'll go right now," Amanda said, "Where is he?"

"In the throne room," Joseph answered. Amanda smiled her thanks and took Galahads hand, leading him away as quick as she could.

"Why do you want to know what I saw to being with?" Galahad asked as they walked.

"I don't know if I can tell you, that's a question you'll have to ask Arthur, and he may not answer you," Amanda warned. Reaching the throne room, Amanda and Galahad entered, and looked around to find Arthur, who was sitting at a near by table.

"This is who you went to get? Galahad? What does he have to do with this?" Arthur asked, very surprised.

"What do I have to do with what?" Galahad asked. Both of the men looked at Amanda, and Amanda looked at the two of them.

"Galahad was threatened by Joseph the night he and the Bishop arrived," Amanda told Arthur, "I'm not sure if you want me to explain to Galahad about what we know." Amanda took a seat next to Arthur, and looked at her hands. Arthur explained to Galahad what happened, and what the paper said, and the three fell silent for a moment.

"I know he was a bastard," said Galahad after his silence. Amanda smiled and chuckled softly.

"I guess it runs in the family," Amanda added.

"Can you excuse us Amanda?" Arthur asked. Amanda looked at him confused, and then nodded, leaving the room, and heading back to her own. Then deciding against it, she headed out toward the courtyard, thinking about what Arthur and Galahad could be talking about. Reaching the courtyard, Amanda took a seat on the bench Galahad had been sitting on earlier, and stared out into the afternoon sky. It was grey, cloudy, and very cold. Little did Amanda know what Arthur and Galahad were talking about, and little did she know what was about to happen to her and Nicolarious over the course of the next two days….

That's it for now guys; have to finish cooking up the next few chapters….hang in there.