Relics of Camelot

by L. H. Nicole

  “You’re right, but it can wait until after the games tomorrow.” That way she’d have a little more time to learn what she can, to best explain her need to find the Grail without breaking her promise to Igraine.

  Aliana caught the queen watching them all from the other side of the room, sitting in the smaller throne she recognized from when they were in the Isle. The arching, carved wooden one next to it was Arthur’s. Igraine smiled, looking very pleased with herself.

  “Aliana!”

  She looked away from the queen to see Vira making her way through the crowd. The girl was beautiful in the green dress she had gotten from the market and her cheeks were flushed with a rosy blush. The teen was practically shining, her blue eyes that were so much like her brother’s aglow.

  “Looks like you were having fun!” Aliana hugged the girl when she came to her.

  Vira squeezed her tightly before stepping back. “I was looking for you earlier.”

  Aliana flushed. “Sorry, I couldn’t decide how to do my hair.”

  Guin and Gawain returned. Lancelot leaned over and kissed his wife’s cheek, whispering something in her ear that made the redhead blush wildly.

  “Now that we are all here, I say we really enjoy ourselves!” Merlin said, raising his glass, his other arm securely around Morgana.

  “And may the best knight win the tournaments and the spoils!” Gawain added loudly.

  Everyone cheered and raised their glasses, Aliana following suit with her cup of water. Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of a dark-haired woman, but before she could figure out why she looked so familiar, the woman disappeared into the crowd.

  Aliana brushed her fingers over Dagg’s bracelet form before grabbing her pouch of money and hooking it to the little loop in the sleeve of her mauve dress. She was supposed to meet Vira and the other women in a few minutes before Queen Igraine officially opened the games, and the first contests got underway.

  “Good morning,” Guin said, looking up when Aliana found her and the girls in the training yard. Everyone looked a little tired, all having stayed late at the party. Aliana had left with Vira, when the girl couldn’t stop yawning. She had only had two cups of wine, but it seemed that the alcohol put the teen to sleep. Galahad had tried to follow, but Delphina had pulled him away for a dance.

  Aliana’s heart had hurt a lot when she watched the Fae dance so closely with Galahad. She hadn’t even looked in Arthur’s direction at the point. Yes, he said he didn’t care for Delphina like that, but she knew differently. Maybe she was supposed to help him see that? Maybe that was the reason Titania wanted her here? After all it was plain enough to realize the Fae queen wanted to have her own power here in Camelot. Why else would she have saved Arthur, created this prophecy and magically transported the ruined kingdom of Camelot to her Isle of the Blessed?

  “Are you all right, Aliana?” Morgana’s question brought her back to the present.

  “Sorry, my mind tends to wander on occasion.”

  “Well, I hope it was wandering toward the arenas,” Guin said playfully. “The opening ceremony is about to start and I want to go to the tents and wish them all luck.”

  “I cannot wait to see Galahad win!” Vira gushed, leading them toward the tents where the fighters were suiting up.

  Men were having their armor readjusted, or getting in some last minute practice with their weapons as they made their way through the small area. Many of them followed the girls’ progression with leering glances; some even made a few cat calls. Aliana had to mentally restrain herself from telling a few of them off. Fortunately, the Knights of the Round Table and King Arthur’s tents were clustered together. The girls separated. Aliana went to where Leyon, Percival, Owaine and Gawain were talking and adjusting their capes or securing their pieces of armor.

  They all grinned broadly when she came over to them. “I wanted to wish all of you good fortune with your matches today!” She kissed each of their cheeks.

  “Is that all we get for luck?” Gawain teased, playfully winking at her. She laughed and hugged him too. “There!”

  Merlin and Morgana stepped out of another tent. The Sorceress’s cheeks were flushed and her lips looked a little redder than they had been. Guess Merlin got a make out session for his good luck. Guin and Lancelot looked just the same.

  While everyone was distracted with their well wishes, Aliana slipped into Arthur’s tent.

  The king had his back to her, adjusting the Pendragon cuff on his forearm.

  “I hope you don’t mind I came by to wish you luck.”

  Arthur turned, his strong square face lighting up with his smile. “I am glad you did.” He stepped closer. His leather armor was tight over a heavy layer of chainmail, like the others had been wearing. His red cape draped and dragged on the ground behind him, Excalibur proudly displayed at his waist. “I wanted to wish you the best of luck.” She quickly gripped his shoulders, rose up on her toes and kissed his cheek.

  He looked surprised, then pleased. He caught her hand as she was pulling away. He brought it to his mouth and placed a butterfly soft kiss on her knuckles. “Thank you,” he said, releasing her.

  Aliana started to turn.

  “Wait.”

  She looked back at him. He pulled out a thin string of leather she realized was a necklace. At the end of the cord hung a round pendant, the edges lined with bronze, and small dots of gold circling a silver center that was engraved with the Pendragon crest.

  “What is that, Arthur?” she asked as he pulled it over his head.

  He held it out to her. “My mother gave me this when I was younger and first learning how to fight.” He took her hand again, laying the warmed piece of metal in her palm. “I hope you’ll wear it during the games.”

  Aliana looked at it, then Arthur. “I can’t.”

  He cut off her protests. “You can.” He closed her fingers around it. “It would make me happy to know you wear something of mine while I compete.”

  Aliana still hesitated, looking at their hands. “You should give this to Del—”

  “I want you to have it.” His free hand cuffed her chin, bringing her eyes back to his. She felt herself falling into the warm sincerity and intense emotions behind his gaze. “Please, wear it for me.”

  Aliana gulped, tried to find her voice but couldn’t. Instead she took the necklace and put it on, tucking the warm pendant under her corset.

  “Thank you.” She gave him a last smile and left the tent.

  Vira came up to her immediately. “My brother did not say it, but I think he wants to talk to you before we take our seats.” With that she went into Arthur’s tent.

  Aliana noticed Gawain, Owaine, Merlin and Leyon all watching her. She flushed a little and ducked into the tent she guessed was Galahad’s.

  The dark-haired knight looked up from the piece of paper he was reading. “Aliana.” The way he said it was like a caress on her skin. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

  She shrugged. “I’m wishing everyone luck.”

  He came closer to her. “I did not get the chance last night to apologize for upsetting you. But I had to talk with you.” He took her hand and pushed back her sleeve to reveal Dagg. “I still can’t believe it. I never knew Dragons had this kind of magic.”

  Aliana pulled her hand back. “Dagg is a special case, I think. He’s my guardian.”

  “You do seem to have a way of drawing trouble to you.” His fingers came up and touched her cheek. His warm fingers traced over where the red marks had been on her cheek then trailed down her neck to where those bruises had been.

  “I’m all healed, Galahad.” She took his hand in hers. “You saved me. You and the others.”

  “I have something for you,” he said when she pulled away. He turned and grabbed something from the small table. “Here.” He held up a purple iris bloom. “I do not remember as much about my parents as I’d like, but I do know that when my mother would get mad at my father, he would always give her a fl
ower. Irises were her favorite.”

  Aliana touched the soft dark petals. This was something she had never thought to expect from her big bad knight.

  He reached out and tucked it into a twisted part of her hair she had pulled back. “I am sorry for upsetting you. But I couldn’t let what happened go undiscussed.”

  Aliana was well and truly speechless for a long moment. Her heart was racing; her finger trembled for a second as she touched the delicate flower in her hair. “Thank you.” She stared up at him, watching as he hesitantly leaned forward.

  Her pulse beat louder. Could she do it? Could she kiss him and risk losing her heart to him again?

  “Galahad!” Owaine’s laughing call broke the moment. “We need to enter the lists.”

  Aliana drew back. “Good luck, Galahad.”

  She left his tent, not daring to look back for fear she’d go and kiss him like her heart was telling her to do.

  19

  Marius was one of the fiercest opponents I have ever faced. His strength and relentlessness matched my own. For one moment I doubted I could beat him, feared I would fail my Aliana again. Then I thought of the newest memories of her. Seeing her in that beautiful pink dress, her accepting my apology. The way she had softened to my touch, for just a moment. My heart raced again like it had then. Delphina had told me at the feast that she knew Aliana cared for me. I battled Marius back into submission. My sword shattered his. I had done it, proven myself to the Well’s guardian. Now I just have to prove myself worthy of her love and trust again.

  ~Galahad

  RAVEN WAVED TO ALIANA as she walked past the guys. “M’lady, I am to show you to your seat. The others have already taken their places.”

  They stepped onto a raised platform that surrounded the largest of the constructed arenas. Guin, Morgana, Vira and Delphina all sat on a long bench to the left of a tall covered area with the thrones. Vira saw her first and waved, the girls’ eyes seemed to be fixed on the purple iris in her hair. A bright, knowing smile formed on the teen’s mouth.

  Aliana thanked Raven before shuffling past the other well-dressed spectators. The girls made room for Aliana between her and Delphina.

  The crowd rose to their feet, cheering as the warriors paraded into the center of the dirt arena. The roaring of the crowd died down as the last man entered and Igraine stepped up onto the covered platform looking every bit the powerful, beautiful and commanding queen she was in an elegant ruby red and gold dress.

  She raised her hands, silencing the cheers that had erupted at her entrance. “Citizens of Camelot, it is my pleasure to welcome you as we celebrate the anniversary of our beloved kingdom and our noble king!” Arthur stepped forward and bowed his head to his mother. “Today these brave warriors will put their skills and courage to the test in the tournament of these celebrations. Only the best among you will advance to the final rounds of competition, and only one will claim victory. May the supreme among you win the glory and honor of being known as the greatest fighter in the lands. Let the games begin!” The crowds cheered again. The queen took her seat as the knights filed out of the arena.

  The course was a long, wide oval, much like the Circus Maximus, where all of the chariot races took place in Rome. Racing was dangerous, and it would be even worse with the whole knocking people off their horses thing. She repressed a shiver; humans were so violent sometimes.

  “This is so exciting!” Morgana gushed.

  Aliana just looked at her with an are-you-crazy expression. I sure hope she’s stocked up on her healing potions and salves. I’ve got a feeling there’s gonna be a lot of knights needing it.

  “Yes, it is certainly popular, but also one of the most dangerous.” Guin wrapped the thin stole tighter around her shoulders.

  The excitement between them all was palpable. Aliana’s stomach was twisting and turning more than it had since the Manticore attack. “Yes, because nothing says fun like boys knocking each other off horses with a stick.”

  Horns sounded. Riders lined up next to each other, six all together, Arthur on the inner corner with Leyon right next to him. Every knight was wearing thick mail with chest and shoulder armor as well as helmets with flapping cheek guards for better visibility. Their spears were wide and long with rounded wooden ends. They reminded her of very old school bokken swords Wade and Lacy used for their martial arts training, just about five times bigger.

  “How does the elimination work here? What if none of the knights fall off?” Aliana asked.

  “No more than two riders can advance. If there are more remaining on their horses at the finish line, then the first two to cross will be the winners,” Delphina explained.

  The horses pranced and shuffled next to each other, ready for the signal to go. Igraine stood and walked to the edge of her platform, a red square of cloth hanging from her fingers. The queen held it out, looked at her son, then dropped the fabric.

  The riders took off like a shot. Arthur and another two unknown knights got out in front right away, their wooden weapons swinging toward each other. The golden king leaned forward, ducking a strike that would have taken his head off. The knight on the outer side took advantage and clobbered the middle rider hard on the side.

  He flinched and tilted to the side of his saddle, but avoided falling all the way out.

  She gripped Delphina’s hand tight, chewing on her thumb nail as Arthur and Leyon continued to work together as they raced closer to the finish line. Two more riders were trying to advance and separate the pair, but at the last second both Arthur and Leyon veered slightly and their aggressors ran chest first into their extended spears. Both men fell backward, one flipping right out of his saddle.

  The race was happening so quickly, but so slowly at the same time. The remaining four were entering the next turn; they only needed to make one more circuit around the course to win. Arthur and Leyon had a good lead on the other two so they focused on the race rather than fighting.

  Arthur looked back just as the other man raced to catch up. Leyon cut another swipe at the man attacking him, the wooden spear smacking right into the other knight’s helmet. Man and horse immediately veered to the side, almost doing a one-eighty as he was left in the dust.

  The king crossed the finish line to a deafening roar of approval from the crowd. Aliana jumped to her feet with the others clapping, but looked right back at their friend. The Celt leaned forward even more, his horse seeming to find one last burst of speed as he sprang forward, beating the last rider by almost half a horse length.

  Arthur and Leyon threw off their helmets, their hair matted and faces covered with dirt and sweat, both smiling bright and proud.

  Igraine got to her feet clapping as her son and Leyon pulled their horses in front of her and bowed their heads to her. Both men left the lists, waving to the girls as they passed.

  Everyone sat again as servants cleared the ground of broken wood and helped the injured knights.

  “I’m not sure I can take much more of this,” Aliana said, her hand resting over her racing heart. “What if someone had died?”

  Vira reached over Morgana and patted her thigh. “It’s rare that that happens.”

  Somehow that didn’t make Aliana feel any better.

  “Owaine, Percival and Lancelot are in the next round!” Guin said, clapping her hand in excitement.

  “I suspect the outcomes will be much the same as the king’s race.” Morgana flashed a happy smile. “I would wager most of our men will work together to advance.”

  “If they are indeed riding in the same elimination races,” Delphina added.

  “Are any of them in races on their own?” Aliana wondered aloud.

  “I believe Galahad, Merlin and Gawain ride alone.” Guin shook her head. “Those will be the races to watch; fortunately all three men are expert horsemen.”

  Aliana still didn’t feel any comfort from that. “I definitely don’t think I can take much more of these races.”

  Dagg’s amusement spill
ed into her mind. “I am sure the knights are more than prepared to handle this challenge.”

  Aliana fought down a humph.

  Vira left as the track was cleared and set for the next race. Aliana reached up and touched the flower in her hair. The leather chain of Arthur’s necklace shifted on the soft skin of her neck.

  Delphina spoke up, distracting her. “My lady, I was hoping to get the chance to speak with you alone.”

  “What about?”

  “Perhaps we should go for a walk.”

  Aliana stood when Delphina did and followed the Fae. They started up a side path, toward one of the other arenas, at a slow pace.

  Delphina cleared her throat. “I hope you don’t think me too forward, but would that flower happen to be from Galahad?”

  I didn’t expect that question! “Ah…yes. He wanted to apologize for a fight we had.”

  Delphina’s pale flesh blushed slightly purple. “I hope I was not the cause of your disagreement.”

  Aliana’s gut clenched, guilt creeping into her. “You may have come up,” she admitted very reluctantly. “But no, our fight wasn’t about you.” Aliana shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.” She started walking again, Delphina keeping pace. She was Arthur’s green eyed ghost girl, and she was going to have to live with that.

  “I’m sorry to hear you two were at odds. I am glad it’s been set right.” The Fae looked around. “But this was not the reason I wished to speak with you.”

  Aliana’s brows pulled together. “Then what was?”

  Delphina tugged Aliana past a few more tents, toward an area with stacked crates and barrels. “Your quest,” she whispered. “You told me that you were here searching for something. Merlin came to me asking if I knew of a way to locate the Grail of Power.”

  Aliana felt herself go pale. Why had Merlin gone to her? “Did he tell you that?”

  She shook her head, her apricot curls bouncing. “He merely asked if I knew of any object that could locate the Grail. It is, after all, an item created of Avalon and the Isle of the blessed as well as man.”