For Love of Magic by Simon R. Green

Author:Simon R. Green [Green, Simon R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Humorous, Fantasy, Arthurian, Action & Adventure, Fiction
Publisher: Baen Books
Published: 2023-05-01T16:00:00+00:00

Once we’d left the castle and made our way back to the grassy plain, there was a strained feeling to the atmosphere, like the unnatural calm before a cataclysmic storm. Arthur and his knights were studying an empty sky that wasn’t going to remain empty much longer. They each had a heavy steel helm tucked under one arm, and a long sword buckled at their side.

“How long before the dragons get here, Merlin?” said Arthur.

The sorcerer consulted his pocket watch. “They’re running a bit late. Must be strong headwinds.”

“Any last words of advice?”

“Try not to get killed.”

“Bit late for me,” said an echoing voice, and I realised with a bit of a start that it came from inside the empty suit of armour.

I was so busy staring at Sir Brendan I actually missed the moment when the dragons came sweeping over the horizon. Their shadows immediately plunged the grassy plain into an artificial twilight. The temperature dropped, and all the birds stopped singing. Arthur put on his helm, and the knights followed his example. I looked at the massive creatures blocking out the sun, and then at the small group standing ready to oppose them with nothing but cold steel and firm resolve. I turned to Amanda.

“How can they hope to kill things that big?”

“This is what they do, Jack,” said Amanda. “It’s their job.”

“It’s suicide,” I said. “Look . . . If Merlin isn’t going to get involved, it’s down to you.”

“My magic wouldn’t affect the dragons any more than his.”

“I didn’t come all this way just to watch King Arthur and his knights get torn apart and eaten by flying lizards on steroids!” I said. “You have to do something!”

“No,” said Amanda. “You have to do something. That’s why I brought you here.”

I looked at her. “You expect me to fight dragons?”

“Of course. That’s what a hero does.”

“I am not a hero.”

“Not yet,” said Amanda. “But you’re getting there.”

The dragons were almost on top of us. I rummaged quickly through my backpack, searching through gas grenades, enchanted nunchuks, and a pistol made from bone that fired ghost bullets. (No use against the living.) In the end, the athame all but forced itself into my hand, though how I was going to get close enough to do any real damage without being chewed up and spat out eluded me for the moment. Unless one of them bolted his food, and then maybe I could stab at its heart on the way down. I hefted the athame, took a deep breath, and moved forward to stand next to Sir Guillam.

“Mind if I join you?”

“Always room for a good man,” the knight said cheerfully. His voice echoed a little as it emerged from the Y-shaped slit in the front of his helm. “Tell you what, I’ll knock them down and you can carve them up.”

“Sounds like a plan to me,” I said.

“To make God smile, have a plan,” said Arthur, and all the knights chuckled briefly.

The dragons came sweeping down at incredible speed. We raised our weapons and braced ourselves.

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