Cadentibus Astris

Luncheon

Uther cleared his throat. “You’re telling me that Lord Karac has invited Morgana to spar with him, twice?”

“He seems to be smitten according to my manservant who saw them at it yesterday.” Sir Kay said with an excited gleam. “It’s surprising to all of us, but apparently the more she’s been putting him off the more interested he’s become.”

Gaius nodded in agreement. “Some lads like the chase. Though it’s surprising he doesn’t mind her hitting him with a sword.”

“Yes well, so the match isn’t ruined?” Uther checked, he needed to be clear.

“Not at all.” Sir Kay assured him happily. “The young people are going to a luncheon in the garden this afternoon as well.”

Uther felt a niggling. It was unlikely Morgana would do such a thing willingly unless...had she seen sense?

“My lord if I may.” Gaius interrupted his thoughts. “Prince Arthur seems to have arranged the luncheon with the Princess Mithian, as well as begun bonding with the young Lord.”

“Ah.” That made more sense. Though perhaps surprising that Arthur was capable of encouraging an arrangement like this. “Good, hopefully my son will be able to undo any damage Morgana does to her prospects.”

Sir Kay rubbed his chin. “What about sending Sir Leon with them? He’s young and he might aid in helping to keep the lady Morgana from acting out again.”

////

Mithian was amused as she walked arm in arm with Karac, for the luncheon on the hill overlooking the city. She was enjoying that Karac could carry the basket of food, and had several pillows and blankets neatly tied up and slung over his shoulder and she didn’t need to help. Having a brother with the strength of a god was decidedly useful. “So Arthur, I hear your enjoy to hunt?”

The prince was clearly trying to not look winded as he carried his own basket of food and plates. “Of course, I believe a hunt could be arranged for after the tourney.”

“That would be lovely.” She said as they reached the top of the hill and the boys began to set their loads down.

Sir Leon was puffing slightly as looked at Karac in some disbelief. “You’re stronger than you look.”

Karac shrugged and awkwardly scratched the back of his head. “You know how it goes, being a knight kinda requires it.”

“Please, I just want to know how you managed to drink me under the table.” Arthur said from where he was passing off his load to a truly exhausted looking Merlin; who’d been acting as a human pack mule.

Mithian gave Karac a glare. He better recite the lie she’d made him memorize or she was going to kill him.

Karac’s face flushed. “Well you know I have a pretty high tolerance for the stuff? And I was passing off my mugs when you weren’t looking.” He bit his lip, his shoulders tight.

“You cheated! I knew you couldn’t have kept up.” Arthur crowed clearly pleased.

Mithain patted her brother on the back. She was pretty sure no one else here knew him well enough to be able to read the lie off him. Still, they were going to have to work on that. “He really can hold his alcohol though.”

“I’m surprised you would cheat so easily.” Morgana barbed.

Karac flushed even brighter. “I don’t cheat.”

“You just said you did? Or was that a lie?” She raised a brow.

Mithian sighed, honestly why was her brother so bad as this? “He’s a terrible liar, can’t do it for anything. And Karac you’re a horrible cheat at games. Don’t ever bet against him on a game.”