Page 61 of The White Enchantress

“Well, you did have quite the exercise.”

“Hmmm, yes, yes I did,” I smirk.

“Lie down. I will go find someone to fetch us something to eat.”

“No, Guin. I do not wish anyone to see the state of you.”

“What do you mean? What do I look like?”

“Like a woman whose husband plowed her all night.”

A blush blossoms on Guin’s pale cheeks, making her glow even more radiantly. “Okay. Fine. You go then.”

When I return to our room, Guin has her night shift on. She sits on the end of our bed, holding the letter from Arthur. I dread what is inside. I want these three months to turn into three years, three decades. I have never been as happy as I am with Guin. And thoughI know my happiness would not diminish at Camelot because I would be there with her, as her husband, I still cannot shake the feeling of dread. That something terrible is about to happen.

“Would you care to open the letter? Or shall I?”

“You should be the one to open it. But read it aloud.”

Guin hands me the letter before sitting down at our small dining table. I take a bite of smoked sausage, then break the seal. The letter is much longer than I expected. I hoped it would only include a simple command, perhaps a “Your presence is requested within the month.”

“What does it say, Lance?”

I clear my throat, preparing to read the words scrawled by Arthur’s hand.

My loyal servant Sir Lancelot of the Lake,

I write to you with dire urgency. First, I must inquire as to your well-being and that of your lady wife, Guinevere. I do hope your marriage has been fruitful in love and that you both are drowning in bliss.

With that being said, I hate to ask this of you. There have been reports of a dragon attacking villages in the north. When I say “the north” I mean the kingdom of the Picts.

Though this land has been out of reach even for the Romans, this could be my chance to gain an alliance with the tribes to the north. If we can unite the tribes with my kingdom and the rest of Britain, noone could ever conquer this land again. Britain would be our united kingdom, forever.

Would you do me the service of investigating these claims of dragon sightings? I am sending a small calvary of men to Joyous Gard. They should arrive a day after you receive this letter. Take them with you to the north. You will be an envoy on my behalf.

After you have slain the dragon, our country will have the opportunity to double in size.

I apologize for taking you away from your home and your new wife. I had hoped to leave the both of you in peace a few months longer. However, I need you. My White Knight. Your courage and strength are what I need now.

May you have a safe journey and a quick return home.

Your king and friend,

Arthur

“A fucking dragon? Is he fucking joking? What is this?” Guin is laughing hysterically, but I can tell she is also terrified. Her lips tremble.

“Do you think that Arthur is pretending that there is a dragon in the north?”

“Do dragons exist here? I mean, I remember when we saw a unicorn. That was crazy. Unicorns don’t exist. Do dragons exist?”

“Yes. I fought one before and won.”

“Jesus, Mother Mary, Joseph. You are actually going to go look for this dragon and kill it? Lance, no. This is a terrible idea.”

“It is not an idea, Guinevere. Arthur has given me a command. I must go. His knights will be here today or tomorrow. We will then need to leave a day after their arrival to make good time.”

“Are you saying you will be gone by the end of this week with no ETA on when you’ll be returning home to me? Lance, I don’t like this. Not one bit. This feels wrong. Does this not feel wrong to you? Are you not afraid?”

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