Witchers of Camelot

The Calm

After the hunt, Arthur let the king himself judge each of the animals caught by the hunters. Most brought with them rabbits or large fowl. Some managed to hunt themselves wolves and large cats. But what really caught everyone's eyes were the bear, presented by Lady Cirilla and Galahad, and the stag, presented by Tristan. The crowd was divided, not knowing who to crown as the event's champion but in the end, the king himself called it a draw. 

When they returned home, the whole group was welcomed with a magnificent feast. Arthur couldn't be happier with how things are going. With the ongoing hostility between the kingdoms, the people needed a way to relieve themselves from all the tension surrounding them. And although the common folk aren't well informed of current political events, the rise in banditry in the surrounding lands had led many to flee their homes. By indulging the nobles, Arthur hopes to gain their support to rally the manpower he needed to protect the people. He only hoped that his plan would work. 

The politics of it all made his head hurt. Suddenly, Arthur's contemplating was interrupted by a voice. 'You've done well, my son'.

'Father, how goes the feast?'

'Very well. The spirit of the people are high. The nobles' mood seems to be doing fairly well. Your schemes are working just as you said it would'. 

'Can you not call it that, please', said the prince, a bit irritated. 

'Call it what?', asked the king, confused.

'A scheme. You make me sound like a villain'.  

'Ah. It's just words. Now, go out there. Make merry. Enjoy the fruits of your labor'. The king then pulled Arthur from his seat, sending him of to drink with the other knights. 

Arthur laughed as Bors told his story of the hellhound. The prince remembered things differently from how his friend recounted the events. The man certainly had a way of flourishing his words. Perhaps, the knight would have had a more profitable time being a bard. Perhaps, when they've all grown old, the knight would be telling great tales full of shining knights and enchanting damsels. 

'I'm not sure if that even happened', he commented to Lady Cirilla who was happily listening to the man's story. 

'Neither do I. I much prefer this over the real one', she replied happily. 'Shouldn't you be sitting in the high-table with all the other lordlings'.

The prince laughed before shaking his head. 'I much prefer this over their double talk and politics. Here, where men's hearts are shown bear'.

'The duties of royalty. Truth is I don't envy you. People tend to forget the shackles that comes with the crown'. 

The prince looked at her strangely but turned his eyes back to the entertainment in front of them. 

'How about Guinevere? Where'd she go?', asked the huntress.

'The princess retired early. The march to the mountains must have tired her', answered Arthur. Perhaps, his voice was a bit solemn. 

'Don't worry, princeling. You'll get her eventually. Just be yourself. That itself should be good enough'.

'And if it's not. What if she finds me lacking? What happens then?'

Arthur noticed the huntress' eyes turn to Galahad who was gleefully laughing with the other knights. 'Then she isn't the right one', she answered Arthur. 

Then, Bors begun to sing. Suddenly, the crowd headed to the middle of the room and begun to dance. Some clapped their hands, matching the sound with the rhythm of Bors' song. Arthur cheered as Galahad pulled the woman towards the crowd. The two of them danced with everyone, laughing and cheering as Bors spouted profanities with his melody. Eventually, even Arthur joined in on the revelries and for the night, the halls filled with joyous laughter.