Ailm

Chapter One

"Arthur!" I bellowed. "I need that back!"

I heard the little infidel giggling as he sprinted through the corridors. Growling, I went after him. He was going to pay for taking my sword, and he knew it.

When I finally caught up with him, he was sitting casually as can be, looking studiously at a book. I stalked up to him.

"Where did you put it?" I said through clenched teeth.

He looked up, his amber eyes as innocent as a young child's. "Put what?"

"My sword, you skamelar," I managed to grit out.

He looked away, his face screwed up in thought. "Your sword... did you misplace it again?" he asked.

I grabbed him by the collar, pulling him out of his chair and putting his face inches from mine. "Now listen here, you little-"

"Now, now, language, Cai," I heard someone drawl behind me.

I turned, keeping a firm hold on Arthur and saw Bedivere walking toward us. I released Arthur, and he fell in a heap to the floor.

Facing Bedivere, I said, "He stole my sword. Right out of my hands, too," I added, glaring at the small boy who was dusting himself off.

Bedivere looked reprovingly at me. "And...?"

"I want it back."

Bedivere looked at Arthur questioningly. Arthur looked back and shook his head. His face a mask of regret, Bedivere said, "I'm sorry, but he won't."

"Then summon it," I told Bedivere.

"Cai, you know that's not what I use magic for."

I pursed my lips.

"Why don't you just ask Arthur?"

"Ask him? What good will it do? He's already refused to give it back."

Bedivere shrugged nonchalantly. "You never know."

Sighing, I looked at Arthur. "Give me back my sword. Please," I added at Bedivere's look.

Arthur smirked then bent down and pulled my sword out from under the table. I took it from him, clenching it tightly in my hands.

"There, now, you see? All you had to do was ask," Bedivere told me as if I were a young child.

"Shut up," I told him.

He smirked, which quickly turned into a grin. He strode forward and peered at the book Arthur had been "reading".

"Can't go two seconds without sticking your nose in a book, eh?" I asked.

His lips curled but gave me no response. Instead, he addressed Arthur. "What possessed you to pick this book?"

"It was the closest one," he answered shrugging. "Why?"

"Because it's about shrouds," he replied, before muttering to himself, "absolutely fascinating."

"You had to," I said to Arthur. "You just had to."

Laughing, he said, "Sorry."

"We won't be getting him back for the rest of the day."

"You mean week," he corrected.

"Quite so."

"You do know I can hear you, yes?" Bedivere asked absently.

Arthur and I looked at each other, but before anything else could be said, I heard a muffled cough, and the two of us turned and saw Father approaching.

Arthur smiled. "Hey, Dad."

Father's eyes crinkled. "Arthur, my boy." He turned to me. "Cai."

I dipped my head. "Father."

Father went to say something, but it didn't quite come out, and he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket before coughing.

"Are you alright?" Arthur asked, his smile fading.

Father nodded, and when he was done, explained, "I just had a tickle in my throat. How are you?"

"Great," Arthur said, but I could tell from the look in his eyes that he knew as well as I did that Father wasn't telling everything. That was just like him, though, to keep his pain to himself.

Father turned to me, and I replied, "I'm doing fine."

"And Bedivere?"

"Huh?" he replied, looking up. Catching sight of Father, he exclaimed, "Oh! Sir Ector. I apologize for not realizing your approach." He dipped a bow.

Father's laugh lines deepened as he said, "Bedivere, you know better than to say that. You are like family-you don't need to be so formal."

Bedivere coloured slightly and glanced at me. I nodded. While he wasn't family by blood, he had stayed with us so much that he may as well have been. His parents were away on business so much that he practically lived with us. I didn't mind, though; he was good company, for all his quirks.

"You asked something, sir? I-I meant-"

Father laughed, a deep, pleasing sound that you couldn't help but smile at. "I asked how you were?"

"Oh, I am quite alright, thank you."

"You enjoying that book?"

"Oh, yes. It is absolutely brilliant," Bedivere said, grinning.

"I'm glad to hear that," Father replied.

"Did you need us, Father?" I asked before they could start an hour's long conversation.

He nodded. "I came to get you for dinner."

I hadn't noticed yet, but as soon as he said the word, my stomach felt painful, reminding me of my need to eat. We left soon after for the dining hall, Bedivere taking his book along with a few more Father had shown him on the same topic.

The four of us dined privately, there being no need for the use of the large and more formal banquet hall. Father, Arthur and Bedievre talked amiably, while I listened on contently. Hearing them happy was enough, though I couldn't help feeling a bit like an imposter. I shook the feeling off.