Return to Camelot
Nate frowned at the phone, annoyed. Who the heck could be calling him at this hour? He set his book aside and looked back at the screen. England?
Curious, Nate answered. "Hello?"
"Hello, is this Dr. Nathaniel Heywood?" Definitely a man with a British accent on the line, sounding hesitant.
"Yes, speaking. Who's calling?"
"I'm Dr. Reid, from the History department at Oxford University. I'm terribly sorry to call so late, but I have something that may interest you."
"Oh?" Nate sat up straight in his chair. "What is it?"
"Now, I know you don't care much for Arthurian legend - I attended one of your lectures on myth versus history. But archaeologists have discovered a tomb that seems to date back to Arthurian time, or thereabouts."
"What?! No way. A new knight's tomb?"
"Seems to be someone even more important - perhaps Arthur's successor, if it doesn't all turn out to be an elaborate hoax. But they found a book in the tomb I think you may like to take a look at. It would seem to invalidate the tomb, but everything else inside looks to be authentic and from the correct historical period. Would you mind taking a look at it?"
"I'd love to," Nate answered. "But why send it to me? Oxford must have people who can evaluate it."
Dr. Reid cleared his throat. "Erm... the... well, actually, the university wants nothing to do with the book."
"Um..."
"In fact, they wanted me to declare it anachronous immediately, and explain it away as having been left by a tourist to invalidate the tomb."
"I see," Nate said. "They want the tomb to be real, but this book doesn't fit the narrative."
"Precisely, Dr. Heywood," Reid answered. "I've been asked to reach out to you specifically because you're known to be unimpressed by Arthurian legend, and my superiors know you would evaluate this impartially. They have little doubt it's fake, for reasons you'll see if you agree to take it. But they want an expert's opinion. You'll be compensated for your time, and if you determine the book is fraudulent they will allow you to keep it, as an added incentive."
Nate chuckled. "They'll let me keep the fake book if I prove it's fake?"
"I know, it seems ridiculous," Reid said, laughing in turn. "But there are some... unique qualities about it that should make it worth something, at least as a novelty. What do you say? Will you help us?"
Nate couldn't help but be intrigued by the idea. Reid wasn't giving much in the way of detail, but the hints he did give made Nate want to know more. And in the end, he had nothing to lose, and he could get a free book out of it. "What the hell, why not?"
"Wonderful!" Reid said. "I'll have it out to you in today's mail. The University would appreciate your discretion with the results, whichever direction you take."
"Absolutely, I understand."
About a week later, Nate received the promised package. He was so excited, he could barely contain himself. Since his call from Oxford, Nate had seen news reports of the mysterious tomb - an empty grave with the trappings of a royal inhabitant, but no body, and no discernible marker. And now, Nate had the equally mysterious book that had been found inside - along with the opportunity to (possibly) become part of a real Arthurian discovery. It was a great moment for any historian - even one who spent over a year writing a dissertation on how Arthurian legends were the realm of fairy tales.
Nate opened the box and pulled out the large, leather-bound book. He placed it on his work table and went to wash and dry his hands once again. He inspected the outside of the book thoroughly. It was about the size of a large Bible - fairly plain except for an embossed design on the front - a single palm frond.
Just judging by a visual inspection, the book looked genuine to Nate. Of course, counterfeit was big business, and there were ways to convince the naked eye. Nate carefully opened the book and looked at the first page.
The page was dominated by a beautifully illuminated coat of arms that Nate had never seen before. Nate was intimately familiar with all Arthurian family crests - how else to educate the masses about the dangers of mistaking fantasy for reality? He knew the exact details, and could instantly identify the family crests of Arthur and all the Round Table knights. He could even name the crests of some of the less important knights from the legends, and the crest in this book didn't match any of the knights Nate knew. The crest included the same palm frond that had been embossed on the front cover, the scales of justice, and two hands clasped together. The fourth space held a band design in white and gold.
Beneath the crest, Nate saw Latin lettering painted into a decorative banner. "Collaboratorio sonia in rem vertit." Nate quickly translated the phrase in his head: "Collaboration makes dreams true." Or, more accurately, "Collaboration turns dreams into reality."
Nate sat back in his chair and laughed. He hadn't had a good laugh like this in a LONG time. He almost called Dr. Reid to ask if he was enjoying the practical joke, but he decided to wait until he'd done the full investigation, because he was going to insist on getting paid for this. But he absolutely knew this was a fake manuscript. Ether that, on an Arthurian noble had really designed his most important family emblem to read, "Team work makes the dream work".
Chapter 2