Avalon by Chris Dietzel

Author:Chris Dietzel [Dietzel, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781727845518
Publisher: Watch The World End Publications
Published: 2018-11-26T22:00:00+00:00

68

While Swordnew piloted the Carthagen vessel, Lancelot worked in the back of the craft to figure out how best to use all of the equipment the two of them had taken from Orleans. The actual work of sorting was easy with her armor on. Objects that weighed two hundreds pounds were easily moved from one place to another with the aid of her mechanical arms and legs and the grip afforded by her mighty gauntlets.

As she worked, the hair stood up on the back of her neck and she knew an unannounced visitor was behind her.

“Hello, friend,” she said, her back to the cloaked guest. “Come to tell me what the old man has to say about our endeavor?”

It wasn’t Vere’s voice that answered her question, however, but Mortimous’.

“I’ll try not to take offense to that comment,” he said, clearly amused by proving her assumption wrong. “And I would note that we all grow old.”

Lancelot looked up the corridor to make sure Swordnew was still in the cockpit and wouldn’t be able to hear her talking to someone he wouldn’t be able to see or hear himself, which would be a good reason for him to think she had lost her mind and for him to abandon the mission.

Lancelot turned to greet Mortimous. “Not if I die first.”

“There’s that warrior spirit,” he said, but there was no enthusiasm. He added, “Not every battle can be won with sheer might.”

Forgetting that the difference between Vere and the old man was that he almost never clarified what he meant, she waited for an explanation. When he remained silent, she asked if he was referring to the upcoming battle with the Hannibal.

“The Hannibal, yes, but not only that. I will let you in on a little secret.” He leaned closer. Even so, every part of his face was still obscured by his hood. “I have never once fought in a battle or raised a hand against someone else.”

“Shocking,” Lancelot said, noting the man’s slender and frail frame.

“You jest, but do you think I have never had a conflict with someone else? I have had kings and emperors place bounties on my head that to this day make me blush at the amount they were willing to pay to have me killed, simply because they didn’t like my answers to their questions. Did I organize a battle against any of them?”

“No.”

“No, exactly right.”

Lancelot bent over and moved a Carthagen projection tube slightly to the side of the corridor so she didn’t step on it the next time she walked by. Standing upright again, she told Mortimous she was at a loss for what point he was trying to make.

“The fact that you are the galaxy’s best chance for survival and you don’t understand is very troublesome.”

The blood rushed to Lancelot’s face. Her instinct was to lash out, but she instead took a deep breath and remained calm. Back in Orleans, if anyone had spoken down to her like that, friend or not, she would have impaled them with a lance through the belly.

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