EPISODE 56
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ARTHUR :
Lancelot, please.
Do you really wish to remain silent regarding your absence?
Without even looking at me?
Lancelot?
Must we do this the hard way?
LANCELOT :
I’m a knight errant, Arthur.
I belong to no court.
ARTHUR :
You’re part of the Round Table.
You wore our armor to meet us on Mount Tombe, didn’t you?
LANCELOT :
…
My usual suit of armor is in need of repair.
ARTHUR :
…I’m only trying to understand.
Lancelot…
I miss my dearest friend, you know?
LANCELOT :
…So do I.
But
I’m afraid
that you’re no longer that person, Arthur.
ARTHUR :
So you still resent me for⎯
LANCELOT :
You’ve grown soft.
Every kingdom that defied you should dread the very idea of ever doing so again.
You let Mark keep his throne, and kissed Tintagel goodbye in the same breath.
You’re too afraid of political consequences.
ARTHUR :
I’m afraid of war, Lancelot.
The rebellions are behind us, and I can’t help but fear another.
Choosing a peaceful solution in order to move forward isn’t the same as being too soft.
LANCELOT :
And yet it has stopped you from getting rid of the few bad apples rotting the whole basket through.
ARTHUR :
…
Are you saying this in good faith,
or are you trying to make the revenge you took into your own hands legitimate?
LANCELOT :
The justice I took into my own hands.
The one you failed to grant me.
ARTHUR :
…To dredge this up again after all these years….
Is that truly what you blame me for?
LANCELOT :
…It matters not.
ARTHUR :
Do I have to take this to mean nothing will make you return for good?
LANCELOT :
Who knows.
Isn’t it your role to be filled with hope for the future, king of kings?
[ lancelot leaves. arthur sighs. ]
PERCIVAL :
Shouldn’t you be resting, my lord?
ARTHUR :
O-oh, Percival…
You startled me.
PERCIVAL :
We used Excalibur’s scabbard…
Sir Kay told me it would affect you.
ARTHUR :
…It’s true, I feel a bit feverish. Perhaps I should go to bed.
PERCIVAL :
…My lord⎯
ARTHUR :
It would be best for you
not to let it slip in any shape or form that you witnessed a private conversation.
PERCIVAL :
I…
I worry about Mordred, you know.
He feels so awful…
So insignificant in your eyes…
It's because he’s a traitor’s child, isn’t it?
Nothing good can come of that much resentment. You should cherish him. He’s your family,
and yet he feels like he’s not living up to your expectations, so…
Why do you act so cold towards him if the rebellions are all in the past?
ARTHUR :
Mordred…
feels…?
…
It’s getting late, Percival.
Go back to bed.
And stop eavesdropping.
PERCIVAL :
( I hope…
…he’ll think it over. )
?? :
My queen…
I fear that you may be in grave danger.
GUINEVERE :
Have you come to warn me of a sinister fate?
?? :
You could say that.
The one I have in store for you!
MORGAN :
…Well, well.
You seemed in quite a hurry to attack the queen without so much as introducing yourself,
only to use such insignificant magic.
Stay back, sirs.
You’re all but useless here,
as per usual.
GUINEVERE :
You’ve got some nerve, I’ll give you that.
AGLOVALE :
My queen⎯
GUINEVERE :
Quiet.
I’m surprised a mage would resent Arthur this much.
?? :
What makes you think it's Arthur I resent?
GUINEVERE :
Oh, please.
Do you think you’re the first to try to hurt me to get to my husband?
I am not afraid of you.
Introduce yourself, state your grievance for Arthur, and let’s get this over with.
?? :
I am the daughter of Malduc, former mage of Kielder Forest, in Nohaut.
My name matters not.
It died along with the rest of my family
by Lancelot’s hand,
on Arthur’s order…
All for you, Guinevere.
I’ve come for retribution.
GUINEVERE :
…I see.
Do you think you have what it takes to go up against my knights?
MAGE :
…All you had to do was ask, my queen.
BRUNOR :
What⎯
MORGAN :
Mordred!
Get the queen to safety!
GUINEVERE :
But Morgan⎯
MORGAN :
To the workshop!
MORDRED :
Forgive me, your Majesty!
MAGE :
After her!
Kill them all if you must!
ROUND TABLE TRIVIA
Even if a knight is sworn to a king’s service, circumstances can lead them to become a knight errant.
Lancelot :
The monarch may die, or the knight may have brought dishonor upon themselves and chosen to break their bond rather than be a stain on their liege’s honor. ( There are many reasons these things can happen. )
It can happen to any knight, but it’s not a permanent state.
The knight then loses their bond to their liege, and every quest they take on is of their own free will.
Some knights see it as an opportunity to travel without the constraints of a royal court…
Breuse :
Reputation matters a lot to decide whether you’ll find a liege lord again or not.
…but their daily life can lead them down the road to wandering and mercenary work.
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