EPISODE 74
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ARTHUR :
What a view.
Even someone like you may be moved by it, hm?
MARK :
Do take a seat, please.
ARTHUR :
Why did you ask me to come, Mark?
MARK :
I’ll cut to the chase.
We have been at odds for years now, and it has kept us from strengthening the bond between our kingdoms.
Let’s put an end to it.
ARTHUR :
And what are you suggesting?
MARK :
We can work out the details, but to sum it up…
…better trade agreements between our two kingdoms,
common tourneys, banquets⎯
ARTHUR :
So what you’re doing with the Irish?
MARK :
…
ARTHUR :
Trade agreements between Logres and Cornwall can indeed be reviewed. But all this
…very much sounds like what a man who’s trying to ingratiate himself to the people would say.
In other words, you sound like someone who’s trying to assert their legitimacy.
I recognize this rhetoric, as I used it myself at the start of my reign.
When I was a young man seeking an alliance with Mark of Cornwall, who refused me.
MARK :
…
Are you truly holding a reaction I had over thirty years ago against me?
ARTHUR :
No.
The rebellions are what I hold against you.
We could even go further.
I don’t like your politics.
I don’t like your methods.
I don’t like your cozying up to the Irish…
…and I don’t like you, Mark.
Your position on the throne relies solely on my goodwill not to invade you and take back my birthright.
MARK :
Your birthright?
You are not the heir to Cornwall, Arthur.
You’re a bastard who inherited an abandoned kingdom through sheer luck.
ARTHUR :
One may see luck wherever they wish to see it, Mark.
This said, it’s funny you should mention heirs,
since one such heir is the only thing that could legitimize your claim to the throne of Cornwall.
Alas…
…we both know you’ll never have a legitimate heir.
Now, let’s get back on topic.
We have an alliance, and I want nothing more.
I certainly don’t want to prove we are on good terms to the world at large. We shall have to content ourselves with this, and continue to coexist under these conditions.
Have I made myself clear?
If you find this situation unbearable, then
I can only agree with Tristan
and confess I look forward to doing business with him when he ascends the throne.
LAMORAK :
PERCY!
HEY, PERCY!
How’d your quest go?
PERCY :
La⎯
LAMORAK!
BEDIVERE :
…What…?
PALAMEDES :
We⎯we’re also returning Gawain and Mordred’s gear. ( Their horses’ saddles… )
By the way, I think my horse could use a look at his hind hoofs…
BEDIVERE :
Of course. Just bring him over to the front of the stables.
PERCIVAL :
Lamorak, he⎯!
He⎯!!!
BEDIVERE :
He went out specifically to see you.
He hasn’t quite fully recovered yet, but he already wants to go back to training.
PALAMEDES :
He must be a pain to deal with…
Here, Percival.
Give him this book, I’m sure he’ll find it interesting.
PERCIVAL :
Give it to him yourself. And talk to Aglovale.
PALAMEDES : …
And you could go talk to Mordred instead of staring at him like an idiot the entire way back.
BEDIVERE :
What’s going on?
PALAMEDES :
[ sighs ]
Gawain and Mordred fought during the trip back…
Mordred was a little upset, so to speak. Gawain wanted to speak with Arthur after we returned.
BEDIVERE :
Well, too bad for her, he’s not here. ( He’s on his way back from Tintagel. )
You brought the artifacts back, the rest can wait.
PERCIVAL :
What’s going to happen with those?
BEDIVERE :
Merlin has them now. He’s preparing to bring them to the Lady of the Lake, so she can use them to make a hound that’ll track down the Grail.
PERCIVAL :
I’m not sure I get it. How is she going to create a hound for the Grail…
…without the Grail?
BEDIVERE :
These artifacts have similar magical properties and origins, as well as a specific makeup.
So a mage, or in this case, a fairy, can recognize said makeup…
…and the process of creating a hound serves to remove the footprint of the artifacts we have from the equation…
…and leave only the Grail’s.
PERCIVAL :
You sure know a lot about these things, Sir Bedivere!
BEDIVERE :
I have my secrets.
Off with you, now, I’ve got work to do.
DINADAN :
Merlin, I was looking for you.
MERLIN :
Didn’t snoop around enough during your stay, did you, Dinadan?
DINADAN :
What does Morgan want?
MERLIN :
Not beating around the bush, I see.
Well, I’ll tell you to ask her directly.
DINADAN :
You know something.
You always know something.
You never talk about it, even though you could solve nearly any problem…
Why?
Is it entertaining to watch it happen?
To watch us trying to fumble our way through blind?
MERLIN :
Such a stupid thing to say, coming from you…
Disappointing.
But sometimes, one must ask stupid questions in order to get clear answers, right?
…What if I told you…
…that I have a prophecy about someone dear to you.
I know that soon,
an inevitable disaster will reach its boiling point.
A disaster that has been feeding on negative emotions for a long, long time.
Tell me, Dinadan…
If you’d known, as I did…
What would you have done?
ROUND TABLE TRIVIA
When Arthur ascended the throne of Logres, none of the other kings supported his advent.
Arthur, 13 years old, has :
- a mysterious druid
- an angry brother
- a kingdom plagued with giants
- generalized anxiety
Arthur :
This is fine.
He had to go on a long journey to make alliances throughout Britain, which sometimes had the opposite of the intended effect.
His first official ally was Pellinore of Listenoise.
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