Chapter 40
Forty
Dear Bors and Lionel,
I write to you from Camelot. I hear you are both well.
I am not sure if the news has reached you, but Galehaut is dead. So is Bagotta. They were killed, along with Galehaut’s sister, by Brunor. He had returned to the Distant Isles under the banner of Rome. Giant’s Island is now under the emperor’s control.
Five months have passed, and I remain in mourning.
Do you remember the story of Danu’s harp?
I was so overwhelmed that I shattered it.
Bagotta taught me how to tame these inner flares, but some days I worry they will engulf me.
I can be moving about my day, when a thought hooks me out of nowhere, plunging me back into the darkness.
I do not speak these gloomy thoughts out loud.
I only write them to you because I know you loved Galehaut. I know you will understand.
The threat of war looms heavy here, as Roman legionaries continue to encroach on our borders.
We hear that King Frollo has seized large sections of Germany and that Roman bishoprics are overrunning Scotland.
I gather that you are making better progress in Benoic, but I fear what Claudas might do with more Roman support.
I pray that the gods watch over you, and that we are reunited soon.
Now on to lighter things. I remain undefeated in joust, though I have been unhorsed during two melees and injured my left hand. Queen Guinevere has become a close friend and confidante, and she wrapped and treated the injury.
I believe you would like it here in Camelot.
My friends, Sir Yvain and Sir Morien, remind me of you both.
I think you would especially like the legendary Sir Gawain.
He is hard to know at first. It took some time for us to warm up to each other.
But now we go on every quest we can together in our joint effort to restore the grail.
It would greatly set me at ease if you would write back, even just a few words, letting me know you are both faring well and sharing any updates on your resistance against Claudas.
Lionel, I hope you are dominating the competition in paume.
Ever yours,
Lancelot