The End of Magic by James Mallory

Author:James Mallory
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780446559188
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2009-05-29T21:00:00+00:00

Guinevere had summoned the Royal Council to the throne room to tell them about Mordred, but at once things had begun to go wrong. Merlin would have understood better than any of them, but he was nowhere to be found, and before she could explain to the others about Mordred, a party of the younger knights forced their way in to the Great Hall, demanding an audience with the Queen. Members of the Queen’s Bodyguard followed them.

“What is it that you want?” Guinevere demanded coldly. She recognized only a few of them—Sir Hoel, Lord Caradoc, Lord Melegraunce—but those she recognized had been troublemakers even before Arthur left, and in his absence had constantly challenged her authority. She thought they were some of the men who had been gathered with Mordred around the Round Table.

“We want you to step down. Your Highness. You’re unfit to rule,” Sir Hoel said.

Guinevere stared at him coldly and did not reply.

“Gentlemen,” Sir Hector said, “Let’s be reasonable.”

“When did she ever listen to reason?” Lord Melegraunce demanded, gesturing at Guinevere as she sat upon the canopied throne. “We’re tired of a frivolous Queen and an absentee King. You say Arthur is coming back, but when? Where is he? We want someone fit to rule us seated on the throne of Britain—”

“In that case, I’ll crown my donkey,” Guinevere said tartly, “because you’re a jackass, Lord Melegraunce, and you always have been!”

“Better a jackass than a trollop,” someone called from the back of the angry crowd.

There was a sound of clashing steel, as several of the knights of the Queen’s Bodyguard drew their swords.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” Sir Hector said desperately. “Please! We must not be so hasty. The King will return to Camelot within the week. Surely we can reason together about this matter. Lord Melegraunce, Sir Hoel, your concerns do you credit. Put up your swords. I’m sure we can settle these matters to our mutual satisfaction.”

More knights and nobles had pushed into the throne room while Sir Hector had been speaking, until the room was dangerously crowded with armed men jostling one another.

“Down with the Queen!” someone cried.

“Prince Mordred and Britain!” someone else shouted.

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