Chapter 36
Thirty-Six
Dear Viviana,
Thank you for the surcoat. I wear it every day. I trust this finds you well.
Much has happened these past few weeks. I participated in my first joust and unhorsed Sir Gawain. I’ve met with King Arthur, who is as benevolent as his legend. He and Guinevere admire you greatly. I think she is my friend.
I have begun to join the other knights in training and duties, and have already been on a few minor quests.
On my first outing, I rode out to Carduel to fix a failing bridge.
It was rather dull work, but I got to know Dodinel, whom they call the Wild Man.
He joined the Round Table when he was very young. He likes squirrels.
When we venture to another castle, we often participate in tournaments under the banner of Camelot. I have participated in three more since my first—a melee and two other jousts. I have yet to be unhorsed.
The most exciting quest so far was to the Borderlands. Arthur’s seneschal Kay led the adventure. He is socially adept, with a lacerating tongue. He calls me Pretty Pony. I take his jokes as a sign of camaraderie.
First, I lifted a stone slab from a tomb, freeing a trapped group of children.
Then we traveled to Castle of the Thorn, in search of the grail.
Its ruler Tericam proved hostile and tried to kill Bedivere, but Mordred managed to disarm him.
We took him back to Camelot, where Arthur will likely release him.
It does not seem like Tericam possesses any knowledge of the grail, and Arthur never keeps prisoners for very long.
He believes that mercy is the strongest weapon, and I do not disagree.
I have yet to meet Arthur’s sister Morgan, though her son Yvain has become my closest friend. He has a pet lion. The lion and I are on nodding terms.
When I am feeling blue, which is often, I seek out Camelot’s hunting dogs. Guinevere tends to them and some sleep in her chambers. Sometimes she brings one to me to warm my bed.
I must say that these adventures have been a welcome distraction as they keep me from dwelling too much on Galehaut and Bagotta.
I will never forgive myself for what happened to them. But now that I’ve accepted my destiny, I am more at ease. I feel a bond with King Arthur, who is surprisingly generous with his time.
How is Elinor and the rest of the sisterhood? How is life on the Isle of Women? I trust you remain safe, though I understand you cannot leave with the legionaries roving the archipelago. Please write back when you can.
Lovingly yours,
Lancelot