by Ben Zackheim
Arthur seemed to have a talent for being abducted. His absence meant that Simon couldn’t test his theory that the united vambraces would help him find his mother. The night of the battle was a blur of adrenaline and violence, so Simon tried to forgive himself for letting Chester out of his sight.
Hector was still missing. Everyone was worried about him. It didn’t make sense that he would leave Simon’s side willingly. Not after he’d made a point of going with them to deliver the gold to Trejure. Merlin was especially interested in why Hector gave up Lancelot’s sword. Simon could tell that the old man didn’t order him to do it. While Merlin lobbied hard for Simon to tell him the content of the sword’s inscription, Simon kept it to himself.
Dergh was no longer in New Camelot. Simon asked around for the elf but no one seemed to even know him. Simon oscillated back and forth between being convinced he was dead to believing strongly that he was alive, but hiding. The latter intrigued him because he hoped, all logic aside, that Dergh was the same elf that Merlin had told them about — the one who had crafted the vambraces and walked through time. Simon could fix a few things with a power like that.
The gentle breeze swept through the grass and trees around them. The kids sat in silence, wandering through their own thoughts. Someday the peaceful silence would end. Maybe forever.
Everyone in the kingdom now firmly believed that Simon and his generation were indeed the second coming. All the kids his age were treated like celebrities, especially by the Odders who whispered that the moment of their acceptance was at hand. It was a little much, but the trainees slowly got used to it. They knew that the niceties and candy would end with violence, but what could they do about it? So they enjoyed it as best they could.
Simon’s musings were interrupted by the sight of Merlin walking through the castle’s gate. The huge wizard stormed up the hill toward the kids. They all knew something was wrong. His pace was irritated, and he was talking to himself with big arm gestures, never a sign of good tidings.
He was out of breath when he got to them, but he managed to get what he had to say out of his lungs.
“Arthur… he’s back,” Merlin said.
“Chester! Where is he?” Gwen yelled, standing up. “That’s wonderful!”
“No, it’s not wonderful, silly girl! He appeared in the Hall of Meetings!”
“Uh oh,” Maille mumbled.
“What? What does that mean?” Simon asked.
“It’s where the Round Table is,” Maille quickly answered.
“Correction, apprentice. It’s where the table used to be. Someone pulled a swap spell out of his backside and traded the boy for the one place Arthur’s knights can reconvene.”
Everyone looked at Simon, who said what they were thinking.
“My dad.”
“We need to track him down and stop him, once and for all. I’m tired of this game,” Merlin said, his voice growing steadily louder.
He pointed his staff at Simon.
“Pack your bags, boy. You’re about to get a lot more acquainted with my world.”
Simon followed Merlin down the hill. He glanced over his shoulder at his friends.
The inscription’s song rang through his head.
Since Britain’s maker will betray our trust
Since Britain’s father will defy the just
Take this sword and use for its purpose
With one thrust
Merlin glanced down at Simon.
Simon rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Not yet. But soon.
Dear Reader
The story continues in The Camelot Kids: Book Two!
Can Simon track down his dad before he destroys more lives?
Where did Hector and Chester disappear to?
Exactly how long can Simon survive in Merlin’s world?
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I hope to see you there soon.
Until then, ARMOR UP!
About the Author
Ben Zackheim lives in Massachusetts, at 42.5098° N, 72.6995° W, surrounded by the Forbidden Forest, with his wife and son and three cats and dog and who-knows-what under the deck.
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The Camelot Kids: Book One
Copyright ©2014 by Ben Zackheim
Cover Art: Nathan Fox
Interior Art: Ian Greenlee
Book Design: Slub Design | www.slubdesign.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the author.
ISBN-13: 9781475263077
ISBN-10: 1475263074
Book Website
www.thecamelotkids.com
Author Website
benzackheim.com
