Enthroned by K. M. Shea

Author:K. M. Shea [Shea, K. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 18301761
Publisher: Take out the Trash
Published: 2013-08-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Arriving at Camelot

“Wait. I thought we were going back to London?” Britt said, late in the afternoon as they plodded along a dirt road, still riding in a forest.

“No. We must prepare for war, and to do that, your home base must be fortified. Sir Ulfius and the others set out shortly after we left. I suspect they arrived late this morning. As I mentioned, the castle is only a short ride from Arroy,” Merlin said.

“So, it’s an actual castle, with walls, and a tower, and everything?” Britt asked.

“Yes.”

Britt twisted in her saddle to look at Sir Ector and Sir Kay. “Have you two seen it?”

Sir Kay shook his head, and Sir Ector said, “I have not, but I do not imagine Merlin would build you anything less than a fortress.”

“What is it called?” Sir Kay asked.

Merlin shrugged. “Capital? Carduel?”

“What?” Britt said. “No, not either of those. Everyone knows Arthur’s castle is called—”

“Ah, you can see it from here,” Merlin said, gesturing to a break in the trees.

“…Camelot,” Britt said with great longing as she stopped her horse and stared at her new home.

Britt had seen photographs of castles before; she was even supposed to tour several with her friends during her trip to England. In the photos, the castles were usually smaller than expected, crumbling or partially covered with moss, and worn and weathered.

Camelot was bright and shining. It was placed next to a river—part of the river was diverted to go directly into the castle, and was settled in a huge stretch of meadow. It was surrounded on three sides by forest, but the forth side opened up into a stretch of green plains—perfect for grazing livestock and farming.

The walls were high, and the central structure—the castle keep—was not at all tower like, but squareish in shape, several stories tall, and, based on what peeked over the castle walls, decorated with impressive architecture.

“It’s beautiful,” Britt said, somewhat breathless.

“I am pleased to see that something has managed to impress you,” Merlin said, his voice laced with sarcasm even though he wore a pleased smile.

“What did you call it?” Sir Kay asked.

“Camelot.”

“Cam-elot. Camelot. It will do,” Merlin said, rolling the new name across his tongue as if tasting it.

As Britt and her riding party approached Camelot, Britt could not shrug off a cloud of acceptance. The great castle before her and Excalibur strapped to her side seemed to settle around Britt like a familiar jacket or a favorite blanket.

It’s not a mistake, Excalibur seemed to say.

It’s not just a legend, Camelot quietly echoed.

Instead of calming Britt, the familiarity of it all made her increasingly more uneasy. “This isn’t my life. This isn’t me,” Britt muttered as they rode through the great gates.

“Did you say something, Arthur?” Sir Ector asked.

“No,” Britt said, raising her eyes to take in the bustling innards of Camelot. Soldiers and guards were posted on the walls, and commoners and servants clamored in the streets for a glimpse of their new king. “Merlin, exactly how are we paying for all of this?”

“With the treasury, of course.

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