Royalty's Heart

IV. Valiant (Part II)

VALIANT'S GUEST CHAMBERS

Merlin casted a spell.

The door unlocked. Merlin entered and took a sword from a rack, approaching the shield. Merlin turned to the door when he heard someone approaching. A snake slithered out of the shield and poised to strike. Merlin saw the shadow of the snake and he turned around to cut off its head. The other snakes came out, but Merlin dropped the sword, grabbed the first snake head and ran out of the room.

GAIUS' CHAMBERS

Gaius drained some venom from the snake head. "I'll get started preparing the antidote."

"I'm going to tell Arthur," Merlin said.

"You'll need this," Gaius told him as he handed Merlin the snake head. "And Merlin, what you did was very brave."

ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS

Arthur was dining in his chambers.

Arthur asked skeptically, "You? You chopped its head off?"

"Ewan was bitten by a snake from the shield when he was fighting Valiant," Merlin informed. "You can talk to Gaius, you can see the puncture wounds in Ewan's neck where the snake bit him. Ewan was beating him, he had to cheat."

"Valiant wouldn't dare use magic in Camelot."

"Ewan was pinned under Valiant's shield. No one could see the snake bite him."

"I don't like the guy, but that doesn't mean he's cheating."

"Gaius is preparing an antidote to the snake venom. When Ewan's conscious, he'll tell you what happened. If you fight Valiant in the final, he'll use the shield. It's the only way he can beat you. Look at it!"

Merlin picked up the snake head. "Have you ever seen any snakes like this in Camelot?" Arthur took the snake head and looked it over. "I know I'm just a servants and my word doesn't count for anything. I wouldn't lie to you."

"I want you to swear to me what you're telling us is true."

"I swear it's true."

"Then I believe you."

GAIUS' CHAMBERS

Valiant was escorted through the Square to the Council Chamber of Doom. Gaius treated Sir Ewan in the Physician's Chambers. Ewan woke.

"Welcome back," Gaius said.

"There was a snake on his shield," Ewan remembered. "It came alive."

"You're weak. The snake's venom is still in your system."

"I must warn Arthur."

"Arthur already knows. He's requested an audience with the King. Now, he'll want to talk to you. Rest. You'll need your strength. I need to fetch more herbs. I'll be right back."

A snake slithered to Ewan's bed and struck him.

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Uther entered and asked, "Why have you summoned the court?"

"Anne and I believe Knight Valiant is using a magic shield to cheat in the tournament," Arthur replied.

"Valiant, what do you have to say to this?"

"My Lord, this is ridiculous," Valiant said. "I've never used magic. Do your son and daughter have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?"

"Do you have evidence?"

"I do," Arthur said as he motioned for Merlin to come forward. Merlin handed Uther the snake head.

GAIUS' CHAMBERS