Tapestries covered the windows, blocking the morning light. Around the table sat the council: Sagramore, a retired knight who'd lost the use of his left hand in a battle years ago; Gaudifier, who kept a well-groomed beard beneath his baldness; Lucas the Old; Tiernan, a druid; Alaric, who'd been on the council since Leodogran was a child; the brothers Idris and Erling; Cole, the youngest man on the council, who had lost his right eye and had his right foot maimed in the same battle that had cost Leodogran's eldest son his life; and of course, Blaise.
At the head of the table sat Leodogran—Arthur on his right, trying to stay awake and follow the matter at hand.
"Lot is still building an army," Gaudifier said.
"He'll think twice before attacking us—especially since he can't threaten poor villagers into swelling his ranks anymore." Blaise sat with his fingers clasped before him on the table.
Tiernan leaned forward, "he also knows we have allies—don't we?" He turned to Arthur. "Or are Echel and Iona only your friends?"
Arthur steered his gaze away from the light-obscuring tapestry to regard the council and Leodogran. "They are Cameliard's friends—they'll come to your aid should Lot attack again."
"What about Royns?" Cole stared coldly at Arthur. "He was merely indifferent to us before you defeated half his army—and killed the nephew who led it."
"You say that like something has changed, Cole," Lucas the Old said. "But Royns was not a friend before and he is not a friend now."
"And Royns is not yet making any overt moves against us," Idris said. "The most pressing problem at the moment is the remnants of the marauders."
"They could be a different band of thieves than before," Blaise said, hands still clasped.
"Raiders are picking away at us like vultures," Idris jabbed a finger onto the table.
"Unfortunately, we've always had thieves at our borders." Leodogran reclined against the back of his chair, "and they attack neighboring kingdoms as well."
"All the more reason to find and put a stop to them," said Erling.
"I can increase patrols throughout the kingdom," Arthur said to Leodogran. "I'll stop them."
"We know our own lands better than you do," Sagramore said, "and we couldn't find them—what makes you think you will?"
"It's more likely that they're hiding outside our kingdom," Gaudifier said, "and we can't march a patrol of knights into someone else's territory without declaring war."
"What about spies?" Arthur asked.
"Yes, we've thought of that," Sagramore replied.
"Offer a reward for any information, and keep up what patrols we have," Leodogran said. "Until we know more, there's no point in doing anything rash. What else?"
"Someone tried to put a love potion on Anna," Blaise said. Leodogran nodded, looking around the table at the reactions of the council—none were surprised.
"It's not the first time," Alaric said. "Even once she marries, it might not be the last."
"Do we know who did it?" Tiernan asked.
"No," Blaise said.
"If anyone hears anything, they are to inform Blaise or the Captain immediately," Leodogran stared at the council, an edge in his voice that Arthur had not heard before. The room was silent for a moment, and then, after an exchange of looks, Leodogran adjourned the meeting.
"Oh, one last thing," Tiernan said, looking at Arthur as everyone began to stand. "King Uther of Camelot has misplaced his son."
"What's that to do with us?" Alaric narrowed his eyes.
Tiernan shrugged. "I thought we should all know that Uther is searching the land for his son." He stared at Arthur, "you haven't heard anything, have you?"
Arthur stared back at Tiernan. "Not since I was last near Camelot."
The council meeting thus ended, the men dispersed, Blaise throwing a heated look at Arthur. Arthur ignored him and followed Leodogran out of the room.
"Your council didn't like me there," he said.
"Are you saying they actually managed to agree on something?"
Arthur smiled as they walked along. "Why did you ask me to attend?" he said finally.
Leodogran paused at a window, looking out at the city. The uproar of a lively crowd carried to their ears. Arthur looked out, confused. "A mini-tournament," Leodogran answered Arthur's silent question.
"I hadn't heard," he said.
"Really?" Leodogran looked out the window. "I would've thought Anna told you—since you're in it."
"What?"
"Anna is testing Erik—as per his request. He must pass three." Leodogran smiled broadly.
"You think that's funny?"
"Erik's the first to want to prove his worth. It is slightly amusing. And encouraging."
"Then this tournament is the first test?"
"Second—the trip through the towns was the first test."
"What's the third?"
"Oh, that one's mine—he has to sit through a council meeting. What do you think, too cruel?"
Arthur chuckled. "It is a little harsh. And it's not much of a test."
"I suppose not." Leodogran looked back out the window. "Have you ever thought about being king?" He peered at Arthur out of the corner of his eye.
"It might have crossed my mind once or twice," Arthur said to the outside air.
"It's not all battles and banquets—most of it is that," Leodogran tilted his head back toward the hall, "settling minor disputes, boring administrative stuff. The man my daughter marries must understand that." Leodogran's face fell, his amusement replaced with what Arthur could tell was a deep unhappiness.
Merlin appeared down the hall and approached them.
"Let the testing commence." Leodogran eyed Arthur with a weak smile. Merlin, however, was outright buoyant as they departed from the king.
"I've already got your armor polished and in the tent," he said.
The arena was makeshift. It consisted of a wooden wall fencing off an oblong area of dirt where the grass had been cleared away. On one side—center stage—stood a small, raised pavilion containing three chairs. In the middle sat Anna, attired in full princess regalia, with Blaise on her left and the chair on her right empty. Knights lined the wall of the pavilion behind her.
"I take it I'm fighting Erik," Arthur said as Merlin finished adjusting his armor.
"Probably," Merlin handed Arthur his sword, smiling. "All I know is that everyone's excited to see a tournament—well, a sort-of tournament."
Arthur paraded into the arena, to immense cheering from the gathered crowd standing behind the low wall. He carried his helmet under his arm, and as he approached the pavilion, he noticed his opponent already wearing his—through the eye slits, Arthur could feel the knight's gaze boring into him. They each turned to Anna and bowed. She stood.
"This is a trial of character," she addressed the entire arena, "a test of worth, of strength, and above all, honor. For do we not all believe that a king must be strong and skilled in the arts of sword and shield?" She turned to the fighters. "You are fighting our greatest warrior, and though this is not a fight to the death, your opponent will be merciless." She sat down, spreading her hands out, "let the contest begin."
Arthur donned his helmet and faced off against his opponent. They paused, circling each other before the man lunged forward, only to be deflected by Arthur. The ensuing fight was intense, and at each clang of sword against shield or successful feint, the crowd roared. Arthur seemed to be getting the upper hand. He tripped his rival, who rolled as his helmet fell off.
Her helmet—Caradoc.
Arthur stopped. He stared at Caradoc, who stood up, ready to defend herself. Arthur looked to Anna, who stared back at him, expressionless. Arthur nodded at her, removed his helmet and threw it to the side. He squared off against Caradoc, lunging at her. They continued to fight, each determined to triumph, until Arthur disarmed Caradoc. He placed his sword at her neck and demanded she yield, to great applause from the crowd. Anna smiled.
Arthur stepped back. "What was the point of that?" he asked as Anna rose. From behind her, one of the knights came forward, and Arthur saw that it was Erik.
"I was wondering that myself—surely you don't think defeating a woman is honorable?" Erik looked from Anna to Arthur to Blaise, who still sat, Merlin standing beside him.
The crowd had gone silent, all eyes turned to Anna. She looked around. "Defeating a proven warrior is honorable," she said loudly, addressing everyone. "And a king must be more than strong, he must be wise—he must be able to acknowledge that which is before him, rather than clinging to preconceptions."
The assembled crowd once again went wild, but not at Anna's words—two clowns had entered the arena. Caradoc led Arthur over the wall and up to the pavilion, curiosity covering his face.
"It seemed a shame to waste the arena on just two fights," Anna said as Arthur sat. The jesters performed a mock battle and the crowd laughed. Erik had taken the seat abandoned by Blaise, and Anna turned to him. "As long as Cara had her helmet on, you fought an equal, you didn't hold back—but once she lost her helmet, all you could see was a woman, and you judged her based on the way you think a woman should act rather than the proof Cara had just given you of her skill. You think the Captain was wrong to keep fighting—that he acted dishonorably—but he understood that Cara's skill didn't change with the loss of her helmet."
"Although," Cara spoke from behind Anna, "the Captain has seen me fight in an actual battle—I'd say he had an unfair advantage."
"Plus, he's lost to a girl before," Merlin said. "He didn't much care for it."
Arthur glared at Merlin, but Merlin was more interested in the jesters.
"Then he learns from his mistakes," Anna said.
"An excellent trait in anyone living," Blaise said as he grabbed Merlin's arm. "Come on, we have work to do."
Once in his chambers, Blaise handed Merlin a book.
"What am I supposed to do with this?" Merlin asked.
"Find the missing page."
Merlin flipped through the book until he came to a leaf torn near the seam—but not near enough. Looking around, Merlin knew Blaise must have been up all night to find the book in the first place, and then to put everything back in order.
"Where am I supposed to find this page?"
"Well, I would start in Julia's chambers, and then work my way through anyone with motive to use a love potion on Anna."
"How do you know they didn't burn the page? And why am I the one doing this?"
"I don't know that the page is still around. And I cannot so easily explain my presence in someone else's chambers as you, a servant, can."
"People here think I'm your apprentice—I don't know where they're getting that idea from—"
"They also think you're the Captain's servant. Convince them. Of course, there is always the option of not getting caught. It's up to you, frankly."
The jesters were singing, interrupted by spurts of laughter. Anna still presided, with Arthur and Erik flanking her. Alaric wove his way through the crowd, searching—he spotted Tiernan standing behind the rest of the crowd atop a small hill.
"What do you think of the princess's tests?" Tiernan asked when Alaric joined him.
"Concerning the wit of a king, or the way she went about it?" Alaric moved beside Tiernan to stare over the heads of the crowd—most people clearly considered the hill too distant, but the view was a good one as they watched the farce of the jesters.
"You're rather cantankerous today—are you disappointed that Lord Erik didn't quite pass or that the Captain did?" Tiernan kept his gaze on the performers.
"I'm just curious about your pronounced interest in the Captain. You usually pay as much attention to the suitors as the princess does."
"And how is this time any different?"
"The Captain is not a suitor." Alaric stared intently at Tiernan, a look of realization dawning. "You know who he is."
"He is a man with a reason to keep his name a secret—we all know who he is."
"But you know his actual identity—that's why you wanted to know how he felt about Erik's tests. Is that also why you taunted him with the news that Uther Pendragon was—"
Dread fell across Alaric's face.
"Tiernan—tell me—please tell me he's not—"
"It seems the young man prefers to be judged based upon his own actions rather than his father's. An understandable desire, don't you think?"
"I couldn't find anything—but you knew I wouldn't." Merlin stood just inside the doorway of Blaise's chambers. Blaise sat at his writing table, transcribing a book. "You know, there's an easier way to do that," Merlin said.
"How much is a fatal amount of nightshade?" Blaise didn't look up, only paused.
"What? I don't know—you haven't told me. Any?"
"It was in the book you were supposed to transcribe."
"You didn't mention—"
"That you were supposed to learn from the exercise?" Blaise looked up from his books. "You do understand that magic is supposed to help you overcome obstacles, not remove them so you don't have to do any hard work at all, right?"
"It was copying a book—what about finding a missing page with a love potion on it, is it okay to use magic for that?"
"Too much effort for too little reward. Someone always tries to enchant Anna when she has a suitor—and it's not always the suitor. Unfortunately, most people think love spells are fun and games and that no harm is ever done," Blaise's eyes darkened and fell—after a moment, he continued his transcribing.
"Is that it?"
"We've done all we can do."
"Whoever did it might try again—why would they give up because of one setback?"
"Erik might leave before they can implement another plan, or someone else entirely might try something. All we can do is keep a watchful eye out."
"That is—that is so—"
Merlin was interrupted by the door opening, Arthur steering an annoyed Anna into the room. Caradoc followed a few discreet steps behind.
Arthur turned to Blaise, "tell her to switch food with me and let me stand guard overnight."
Blaise raised his eyebrows, looking from Arthur to Anna to Arthur; behind them Caradoc smirked beneath her hand. "Cara has it covered," Blaise said slowly, "and our knights patrol the corridors every time we have company—you should know that, you're their Captain."
"By now the perpetrators know about Cara—they'll get around her," Arthur said.
"But they won't take into account the Captain of the King's Guards?" Anna said.
"Come now, Anna," Caradoc stepped forward. "If the Captain wants to fall magically in love with Lord Erik that badly, we should let him."
Merlin snickered; Arthur glared at him.
Anna still looked at Arthur. "If the Captain is incapacitated, who'll lead the men?"
"Bors can handle that," Arthur replied. "If I fail in my duties I'm not worthy of the post."
"I've managed to survive well enough without you thus far."
"And because attempts have failed in the past, that means they'll fail again now?" Arthur said to Anna, and then appealed to Blaise.
Blaise said, "it is possible whoever is doing this—or rather, might be planning something—might also know that Cara watches over Anna."
Anna leaned in toward Arthur. "Are you asking to stay in my chambers, then? All through the night?"
"I'll behave. Unless you'd rather spend the rest of your nights with Erik—I was under the impression you're not exactly interested in him."
Anna shrugged. "He strikes me as more of a follower than a leader. I suppose he might work if we just need someone to keep things going as they are . . ."
"What about love?" Merlin said. Caradoc and Blaise exchanged glances.
"What about it?" Anna's tone changed, sharpening.
"If you're not in love with him, isn't that reason enough to turn him down?" Merlin said.
"Ptshh—in love? I'm lucky my father even cares what I think. In love? I just have to like the man well enough to produce an heir. Oh, I suppose Lord Erik is considerate and honorable enough, though he'd prefer an obedient wife to a ruling partner."
"But don't you want to marry the man you love?" Merlin pressed.
"What does love have to do with ruling a kingdom?" Anna stared at Merlin. "I am a princess and I am not selecting a husband for myself, I am choosing a king for my people. Surely you don't think I should base their welfare on something as fleeting and fragile as a heart's whim?"
Anna's eyes had narrowed and her face was taut, sullen. Merlin looked away from her. Arthur stared at the ground, his expression equally glum. Both Blaise and Caradoc stood back, waiting.
"Everybody is loved by somebody," Anna continued. "Why I bet even Prince Arthur here is loved by somebody. But will he make a good king just because his daddy loves him?"
Arthur's head jerked up, his jaw dropping. Merlin, too, was surprised. Caradoc took Anna by the hand and led her to the door, whispering go, I'll draw you a bath. Before following after, she turned to Arthur and shrugged.
"You're a rotten liar—get used to it."