25. Arthur
Chapter twenty-five
Arthur
What’s ED?
A nd that’s when it all sank into place.
The white stag. The barren lands. The fishing boat. The limp. Why Pell looked so familiar.
Pell. Pelles. The Fisher King .
The more I studied his face, the more I was surprised I didn’t notice his resemblance to his grandson sooner. He had Galahad’s square jaw, slightly downturned eyes, and thin lips. Their hair was even the same shade of ruddy brown.
But the most important fact of all was that the Fisher King lived in the Grail Castle, where he’d been left in charge of overseeing the holy chalice’s protection.
Pell must have seen the realization on my face, seen the questions in my eyes because before I could ask, he spoke. “I know what you seek, My King. But it has been many years since I last laid eyes on the Grail.”
The others stirred uneasily with confusion and wariness, his identity not known to them yet. But I hardly paid them any mind. I couldn’t. For Pell’s words struck me like a blow, and disappointment and frustration warred within me. “Where is it?”
Pell hesitated, but then he shook his head and waved toward the castle beyond. “I regretfully don’t have that answer. But know that while I do not have the Grail, I do have food and beds for you and your companions. Please, come and stay the night. You can continue your search on the morrow.”
The others still seemed uneasy about Pell, but when I scanned their faces, I found them prepared to follow my lead. And a sense of pride and gratitude rose within me that they trusted me to make this decision. Returning my attention to Pell, I bowed my head in a slight nod. “Thank you. We’ll be happy to accept your offer.”
Pell smiled.
We helped him pull his boat onto the sand, and leaving his fishing rod inside the boat, Pell led us around the lake toward the Grail Castle. We offered to let him ride the unicorn, much to Nana Joanne’s disgruntlement, but he’d declined, stating he’d sustained an injury to his groin long ago that made him unable to ride a horse due to pain.
Because he couldn’t walk fast, it made reaching the castle a slow and tedious task. At one point, I was tempted to throw him over my shoulder as I had Will, but I refrained.
We trekked up a worn, dirt path, the castle nearing closer with every step. Dried rosebushes lined the path, and in the distance, I spotted an iron gate.
“What happened here?” Dorothy asked, surveying the barren lands from this height.
Pell followed her gaze. “It is part of my curse. Long ago, I failed in my duties as a Guardian of the Grail and sustained this injury,” he explained, gesturing to his slow, pained gait. His gaze lingered slightly on his cane. “The land is a reflection of my... health.”
Nana Joanne scrunched her face and paused in the middle of feeding the unicorn a gummy worm. “You got ED?”
“Jesus Christ,” Will muttered, slapping a palm over his face. “Nana, you can’t just go around asking people something like that!”
Pell fumbled for words, though he didn’t seem to understand what she’d meant any more than I did.
“Hey, Will?” I asked, catching him as he almost fell after his shoe caught on... I didn’t know. I couldn’t see anything but dirt.
“Yeah?”
“What’s ED?”
Otto snorted while Will’s face turned as red as a tomato.
“Erectile Dysfunction. It’s an unfortunate medical condition when your dick won’t get or stay hard,” Vincent called helpfully, and then it was my turn to blush.
“Ah,” I said. “Thank you for... explaining.”
As we came upon the gate, I found it guarded by two lion statues on either side. At our approach, the lions stood .
All of us but Pell stopped immediately. When he realized we were no longer with him, he glanced at us over his shoulder. “Stow your weapons. They shall not harm you.”
“Says the man we just met,” Otto muttered, helping Nana Joanne off the unicorn.
She gave the unicorn a pat on her flank. “Thank you.”
The unicorn knickered and turned to nuzzle her face into Nana’s neck. Then Nana removed the Halter, and the unicorn faded away.
The gate’s doors parted wide to allow us entry into the castle’s courtyard, and even the grounds of the castle were a wasteland.
Despite Pell’s promise, I cradled Will close to my side as we came closer to the lions. Will trembled slightly as one turned its head to watch him pass, but he kept walking.
The others, just as wary, hurried after, and true to Pell’s word, the lions did not attack.
We crossed the courtyard and took the stairs up to what appeared to be the castle’s back entrance. Will’s hand slipped into mine, surprising me, and when I looked his way, I found that distant look on his face. The one he only got when a Treasure was near.
A kernel of hope planted itself inside me. Because while the Grail was not here, maybe this trip would not be in vain after all.
The castle was the oddest mix of modern and medieval. The walls were made from rough stone, reaching high above, but the floors were covered in plush, red carpet. The ceilings arched over us, shadowed in the dim lighting. Lighting, which curiously, came from modern-styled light fixtures on the walls. With electricity. Tapestries hung here and there, depicting various moments of Pell’s life, and I wondered who created them.
We followed Pell down several hallways and passed many open doors revealing empty rooms. Distantly, I could have sworn I heard a soft, feminine voice singing.
On and on we walked until we came to a grand dining area with a large, open window looking out toward the lake. It surprised me since the way we’d come here should have placed us on the other side of the castle.
Just inside the doorway was a small cart laden with various items, and when Will’s gaze landed on a small, lidded ceramic bowl resting atop a matching plate, he sucked in a breath. The Crock and the Dish of Rhygenydd the Cleric.
“Do you mind setting these on the table for me?” Pell asked, gesturing to the other items with his cane.
Vincent and Otto each picked up a 10-branched candlestick and made their way farther inside after Pell. Will and I watched as Nana snatched up the Crock, leaving the Dish for Dorothy.
Will’s eyes were wide and glassy as we followed them inside.
In the center of the room stood a large, round table made of polished wood. Seated around the table were eight chairs and at each place setting, a bowl with food. The others placed their items on the table, and Will kept his gaze trained on the Treasures as we neared.
Pell instructed us to sit, and we each took our seats. Will sat on my right, and then Pell on my left followed by Vincent, Dorothy, Nana Joanne, Otto, and Gerry plopping down on the chair to Will’s right, rounding out the table.
Gerry, who was still in his feline form.
Otto leaned around Gerry to speak to Will, his words quiet. “Are those them?”
Will nodded, knowing exactly what Otto was talking about.
“And they’re considered a paired Treasure, right?” I asked Will in a soft voice.
“Yes.”
“So they only count as one Treasure, not two?” Gerry whisper-shouted, smacking Otto out of his space with his tail. “ Lame .”
The rest of the group tried to listen in on our conversation, though Pell showed no sign of understanding what was happening, turning to his goblet and raising it high.
“Welcome, friends. It has been too long since I last had company. May you quench your thirst and satiate your hunger so that you may leave well-rested and well-fed tomorrow.”
The rest of us raised our own glasses, though none made a move to drink from them. None but Nana Joanne who downed her drink in seconds.
We all stared at her. She frowned back. “What?”
Pell grinned, taking a hearty sip of his own drink.
After another moment’s hesitation, I sniffed the drink, finding it achingly familiar. I, along with the others, took hesitant sips.
I nearly wept at the slightly smoky, but sweet, flavored ale, taking a longer pull.
“Who makes the food if it’s only you inside the castle?” Vincent asked, studying his bowl curiously.
There were chunks of boiled meat and vegetables floating in the thick broth, and my mouth watered before I took a bite. The stew tasted delicious, reminding me of the ones I used to make when I lived with Sir Ector. He’d come back home after a day of hunting, and together with Kay, we’d all prepare our dinner.
How simple those days had been.
Pell smiled at Vincent. “No one. It simply appears.”
Vincent gasped, “How can that be?”
Pell shrugged and gestured to the entirety of the room. “Magic. It’s etched into the very foundations of this castle. It senses our needs and provides.”
“So it’s just you here?” Gerry asked, slurping down his stew with vigor. “Mm, now this place knows how to make stew.”
Will scowled at him.
“Yes. At least, within these walls,” Pell said, responding to Gerry’s question. “It’s not often I have company. Very few have found the castle before yourselves.”
“Why is that?” Dorothy asked, taking some of the bread from the table and dabbing it in the broth.
“Because the castle only appears to those who are worthy.”
This made her frown. “How does it deem someone worthy?”
Pell just shrugged. “I don’t have an answer for that.”
“Arthur,” Will whispered suddenly, and I discovered him gazing out the window, his spoon hovering midscoop.
Following his gaze, I realized what had caught his attention, only to still myself.
The scenery from earlier had changed. Yes, there was still a lake, but patches of ice floated on its surface. The area surrounding the lake was different too. The forest beyond the lake was filled with needleless pines, and in the distance, I could have sworn snow capped the hills.
“Where are we?” Otto breathed, his food forgotten as we watched snowflakes drift down from the clouds.
“I don’t know. It’s why those who leave can never find the castle again. Throughout my time, no one has ever returned.”
“I don’t mean to be rude,” Nana Joanne said, pointing her spoon at him. “But how is it you’re still alive?”
Pell sighed, staring longingly at the sky. “It’s not rude. That’s an understandable question. One I’ve asked many times over the years. If I were to guess, it’s because of the magic that ties me to this place. I swore an oath to guard the Holy Grail until someone worthy comes and retrieves it. Until my oath is fulfilled, I cannot rest. Not fully.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, meaning it with every fiber of my being. Because I knew what it was like to live each day in indescribable pain, unable to die.
“But if someone took the Grail, wouldn’t that have released you from your oath?” Dorothy asked with a confused frown.
“I’m afraid not.” Pell shifted in his chair, sucking in a barely audible pained breath. “The Grail was taken by force. Stolen from the chapel in this very castle.”
A sick feeling bubbled inside me as I tried to think of who it could have been. This thief who came here and took the Grail from right under Pell’s nose.
Because I was pretty sure I already knew the answer.
Pell eyed the Treasures then. “For many centuries, I have wondered why he left these behind that night.” He tapped the side of his goblet, peering over at Will then. “But perhaps there was a reason after all.”
“ Merlin .” Will’s grip tightened on his cup. “Merlin stole the Grail?”
Pell nodded. “The only reason I know it was him was because the moment it left the grounds, the castle shook me awake. I rushed to the chapel only to find these”—he waved at the Crock and the Dish—“in the Grail’s place. I made it outside just in time to see Merlin disappear into the trees past the lake with the chalice in hand.”
Will shared a look with me, both of us recognizing the significance of that, and that sick feeling only intensified. Merlin had left the Treasures here, almost like he’d known we’d come here eventually.
But if Merlin took the Grail, why hadn’t he come to save me?