The Quest from the Bathtub

Chapter 4

It was morning when Melodious woke, and Mary was nowhere to be seen. After getting dressed, Melodious made his way down to the feast hall. When he arrived, Melodious found Mary sitting on the table with a scone in one hand and a wine-filled chalice in the other. Lancelot, who was sitting across from her, didn't seem to mind.

"Good morning," Melodious said as he took his place next to Mary at the table.  

"Morning," Lancelot said. He picked up his butter knife and began to butter a scone. "Now, about why you're here..."  

"I need the hilt for the Fragmented Blade."  

Lancelot paused, then said, "I'm aware of that. Merlin dropped by about a month ago to tell me. However, I'm not  sure I want to give it up. You see, I don't much like Merlin, and I don't exactly fancy the idea of him being more powerful than he already is. So, if you intend to take the hilt from me, then I'm afraid we must duel."

Melodious shrugged. "Okay cool. I was beginning to think that this journey was quite boring and uneventful."  

"Then I'll be sure not to disappoint you," Lancelot said as he threw his butter knife at Melodious.  

Melodious dodged the knife elegantly, while unsheathing his sword. In return, Lancelot grabbed his sword from a nearby umbrella holder and rushed at Melodious. With every blow Lancelot made, Melodious parried it perfectly. And, as expected, Lancelot was able to parry almost every blow directed towards him. And watching, being absolutely no help at all, was Mary, who had grabbed another scone.

Lancelot jabbed at Melodious, catching him off-guard. When Lancelot's blade met Melodious, he pulled upward. As a result of Melodious's blunder, Melodious received a long scratch across his chest. But Melodious was unwavering. Bleeding profusely, he stood up. Lancelot, who had thought he had killed Melodious, quickly gathered himself for another attack.

Yet he was too slow this time. Without warning, Melodious jumped. He landed on the  table, knocking over cups, teapots, and piles of scones. He ran as fast as he could to the other side of the table and jumped once more. Melodious lifted the sword above his head and, almost instantaneously, he fell asleep.