Page 48 of The White Knight

Guin rolls her eyes when Arthur agrees. “You both are brutes.”

“And you love us this way,” Arthur whispers, making Guin blush deeply.

Shaking her head, she quickly changes the subject, bringing Galahad into the conversation. “Are you ready to blow everyone away with your archery skills?”

Galahad is caught mid-bite but impatiently answers with a mouth full of pizza. “I wish you’d let me enter the other games, or swords at least. You know I’m ready.”

“You are too young.” Guin still has the mindset of her future world, where boys do not have proper combat training. It was shocking to hear that men do not even carry daggers on them.

“I’m nine, mom.” Galahad brings his shoulders back, showing his full height.

“Too young. You will do wonderfully in archery.”

“No one cares about archery.”

“I do. Don’t you remember the stories I’ve told you about badass archers? Robin Hood, Legolas, Katniss, Merida, I could go on.”

“Yeah, but those were made-up stories.” Galahad slumps back into his chair.

Guin switches to English as she says, “We are living in what I thought was a made-up story.”

Galahad glows a little brighter at that last comment. “So, are you saying all those stories could be true?”

I lean over to get a better look at Galahad, who is sitting beside Guin. “Perhaps we can hold an exhibition, show the realm your skills as a swordsman from the safety of the training grounds. Your mother is right. You are too young for most of the tournament games. All the men who have entered are much bigger. You could get hurt. I think it would be beneficial for the people to see you are being trained in combat and will be a fierce warrior one day, like your father.”

“A brilliant idea, Lance.” Arthur claps his hands together. “Guinevere, what do you say? Can we have a sword exhibition with Galahad?”

Guin shoots me a look I know means I am in trouble and will hear all about it later. But she nods her head in agreement.

Chapter 30

Guinevere

The tournament commences onthe main field, showcasing Galahad’s talent with the sword. Sir Gaheris gladly volunteered to be his sparring partner. Though not as skillful as his brother or cousin, Gaheris can keep up with Galahad’s quick footwork and jabs. They are fighting with blunted metal swords, which I’ve been told will not cause too much damage if one lands a blow.

I squeeze Arthur’s hand as Galahad does a dive roll to avoid Gaheris’ blunt blade. If you blinked, you would have missed Galahad’s quick pivot as he gracefully stands back up, nearly slicing Gaheris’ neck with the tip of his sword. This is all too much for me. I honestly do not know how I will get through the games.

When I was a kid, I loved going to the Medieval Times castle in Lyndhurst. My mom and I would go crazy, yelling and screaming for our knight, even if he was the bad guy. The fighting was so obviously choreographed. I knew nobody could get hurt for real. So I’d sip on my tomato soup, tear through my roasted chicken, and scream my throat hoarse.

Here, in Camelot, in the Middle Ages, this shit is not entertaining. And watching my son sword fight with a proper knight in front of the entire realm causes my stomach to churn. I feel like I cannot breathe with my heart in my throat. I know Gaheris will not hurt Galahad, but my son is putting all his strength and energy into this exhibit. He is desperate to show everyone his worth.

That is what this tournament is all about, isn’t it? Sure, we want to unify all the kingdoms of England, but Galahad is our main event. He is the future. When the people see how well-educated he is, how seriously he takes his combat training, and even his musical skills, they will see the makings of a strong leader. A king of kings. Knowing that Excalibur has chosen Galahad makes it all the more convincing. So many people had been angry at Arthur, distrusting him after I had left Camelot. They thought he had lied. Now the people see Excalibur had chosen Arthur in choosing his son.

As the sword exhibition becomes more intense, Galahad glows. I have seen him do this before in practice. Arthur had asked Galahad to give the people a little glimpse of Excalibur. Anyone who had doubted that Excalibur existed within his son would have the proof they needed. Galahad leaps away from Gaheris as his sword swings low, letting the blunt blade fall to the ground, replaced by the unmistakable legendary sword.

All Galahad has to do is point Excalibur at Gaheris, who then drops his sword and kneels before my son. The crowd goes wild. Louder than any Medieval Times audience I had been part of. It makes my skin shiver. Though I was two seconds away from losing my breakfast, I can’t help but smile as the crowd’s excitement fills me with pride.

Arthur and I stand up from our seats in the royal box to get a better look at Galahad in his victory. Lancelot remains seated beside Arthur’s throne, beaming with pride. His smile matchesthe radiant one Galahad gives us as he looks up from the arena floor. The happiness I feel in this moment is squashed instantly as I hear Mordred and Maleagent talk loudly behind us.

“That was not a very fair move on the prince’s behalf,” Maleagent laughs.

“A coward’s way out,” Mordred agrees. The two of them have been all buddy-buddy for the past few days.

I spin around quickly to offer a few choice words, but Arthur beats me to it. “Then you misunderstand the purpose of this exhibition. My son has not only shown his exceptional skill with the sword, but now the people have seen with their own eyes that he is the bearer of Excalibur.”

As the crowd continues to cheer their prince, Maleagent glares with a malevolence I want to wipe off with my fist. He catches me glaring back at him, shifting his face to that of innocent curiosity. “And how did your prince come to behold the sword of power?”

I answer proudly, pushing my shoulders back. “For a time, I was the vessel that carried Excalibur. It had been waiting for Galahad. Arthur and I were destined to create the one who would be chosen to rule all of Britain. And there he stands, with Excalibur in hand.” I can feel Lance’s gaze behind me, but I dare not look at him now. I only hope he is not giving too much away and can keep a stern face.

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