Return to Camelot
Ray arrived at Guinevere's study right at noon. Constantine came tearing around a corner just as Ray was about to knock on the door. He gave Ray a good-natured smile, and Ray chuckled. "Too much wine last night?"
"Aye, a bit," Constantine said with a laugh. He winked and added in a conspiratorial whisper, "That lovely little chamber maid and I celebrated your good health long into the night, if you know what I mean."
Ray stared at him, stunned again by his resemblance to John Constantine. He'd almost expected to hear him say, "You know what I mean, Raymundo?" Ray cleared his throat. "That's a little risky, is it not?"
"Ah, you worry too much, Raymond. You remind me of Galahad, bless his pure soul."
Ray couldn't keep the grin off his face. "I do?"
Constantine shook his head, but he was smiling. "You do, indeed. Just don't get me in trouble about Mary, and we can stay friends."
Ray grinned and nodded. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." He reached for the door, but before he could knock, the door opened and a blonde woman of about the same age as Guinevere stepped out. She was dressed as a high-powered hand maid. She smiled and curtsied to the two men. Constantine bowed slightly, and Ray followed suit even though it was unusual for a knight to show such respect to a servant, even if she was an important one.
"Good morning, my lords," she said. Ray thought he recognized the voice as belonging to the woman who'd been with him when he first woke up.
"Good morning, Miss Mary," Constantine said.
"Good morning," Ray said. She smiled and walked away down the hall. When she was gone, Ray looked at Constantine with wide eyes and hissed, "That's your chambermaid?"
"No, good lord!" Constantine laughed. "That's Miss Mary Greystone, Guinevere's handmaid. And... a little bit more, if you know what I mean."
Ray's eyes got even wider, and Constantine put a finger to his lips. Ray grinned and shook his head as if to say "of course not". He knocked on the door, and Guinevere called out, "You may enter."
They walked in, and Ray's mood grew somber immediately. Guinevere sat at her writing desk, a dark frown on her face. Ray and Constantine bowed, and the queen waved them forward. "Be seated, gentlemen."
They sat down in front of the simple desk. Guinevere fixed them with troubled eyes for a few moments, and seemed almost reluctant to speak. "Whatever troubles you, My Lady, you can trust we will do everything in our power to help," Ray said.
"Indeed, Your Grace," Constantine agreed.
Guinevere gave them a wan smile. "I know it well," she said. "Yet it still pains me to speak of this. Especially to you, Raymond. I know in what high regard you hold the King."
Ray frowned. "What happened to King Arthur?" he asked.
Constantine sighed and looked as uncomfortable as Guinevere did. After a moment, she finally spoke. "Arthur has abandoned Camelot."
"WHAT?"
Guinevere nodded, and Constantine shifted and let out another terse sigh. "He left over six months ago. The knights have followed me into battle without Arthur before, as you well know, Raymond. For the most part, I am still respected as queen. But Arthur and I have produced no heir, and Mordred has swayed his closest friends, whispering that Arthur is dead, and that I have no right to rule."
"But... I..." Ray shook his head. "I don't understand this! What could have possessed Arthur to abandon Camelot?"
Guinevere lowered her eyes a moment, and Constantine grunted. "Good choice of words," he muttered. "Bloody witch."
"Constantine!"
"Your pardon, Your Grace," he said immediately. "But you can't deny she has influenced him."
"It is possible for a woman to sway a man without resorting to sorcery."
Constantine bowed his head. "Of course, My Lady. I beg your pardon."
Guinevere nodded, but Ray couldn't focus on anything but the unbelievable news. "So... I'm to understand Arthur left for... another woman?" He practically whispered the words.
"Yes, Sir Raymond," Guinevere said, looking him in the eye. "You know from our previous meeting that my... passions did not lie with Arthur. But my duty did. His affections also lay with another, and eventually, she began to show that she returned those affections. Some six months ago, she convinced Arthur to leave our court. Nearly two months after that, Mordred left the court, taking some twenty knights with him. He has taken residence in his own fortress to the north. Our scouts tell me he is gathering more followers, and preparing for battle."
Ray sighed, overwhelmed by the news. "I am so sorry this happened, My Lady," he said. "But I am relieved, at least, that the solution seems a simple one. We just have to speak to Arthur, and-" Guinevere and Constantine were both shaking their heads. "No?"
"Not so simple, friend," Constantine said. "The wi-" he cut himself off and started again. "The woman in question is jealous and will allow no one to see or speak to the king."
"Indeed," Guinevere said. "And though I don't share Constantine's conviction that she has used magic to control Arthur, she is a powerful sorceress. She will brook no intrusion, and has threatened or attacked all our knights who have attempted to reach him."
Ray frowned. He'd assumed Constantine was exaggerating when he called the woman a witch, but now... "Who is this woman, your Grace?"
"It is Merlin," Guinevere answered.
"Wha-" Ray was stunned at the mention of Stargirl's "undercover" name. "Merlin attacked our knights? Even under a banner of truce?"
"Each time we try," Constantine said, "they are refused. And when they insist, they're attacked, flag or no flag."
"Small parties cannot stand against her," Guinevere said. "And I hesitate to send a full attack force for fear of injuring Arthur. But now, I fear Mordred has forced my hand. Yet, how can I risk sending a party to attack when we must defend ourselves from Mordred's forces?"
"No, that would be a terrible idea," Ray said. "As soon as Mordred heard of it, he would come down on Camelot in force."
"Precisely," Guinevere said. "Yet again, I hesitate to send another small party, just to have them return injured and defeated."
"I'll go," Ray said. Guinevere and Constantine started to protest.
"You are wounded!"
"That's why I should go, Your Majesty," Ray said. "She wouldn't attack an already-injured man. She can't have changed that much."
"She was once loyal to Camelot," Constantine said. "Now she's wounded dozens of our knights, and nearly killed them. She's changed, my friend."
"Then I'll go unarmed," Ray said.
"No," Guinevere said sharply. "I cannot allow that."
Ray took a breath. "My Queen," he said calmly. "You yourself have said that smaller parties cannot stand against her. So, whether I am armed or unarmed could make no difference." Guinevere looked perturbed. "If it will ease your mind, I can take a sword for the journey, and leave it at the gate when I arrive." Guinevere seemed to calm down, but still looked dubious. "Please, Your Grace. Give me leave to try. As you say, Mordred has forced our hand. I know Merlin. She will not want war. I'm sure I can convince her to let me see the King."
Guinevere lowered her head and thought for a moment. Finally, she sighed and nodded. "Very well, Sir Raymond. You shall go. But you shall not go alone. Constantine, you will take three of your best men and accompany him on the journey."
"Gladly, Your Grace."
"But... I think I should speak to her alone," Ray said. "She may be more willing to listen if I go alone."
Guinevere shook her head, and Constantine said, "You shall speak to her alone, Raymond. But I could not allow you to go there alone. If things go wrong, you'll need help. Unless you plan on crawling all the way back to the castle."
"Very well," Raymond said.
"Then it is settled, Guinevere said. "You shall leave as soon as can be arranged."
"Will we have time to travel there and back in five days?" Ray asked.
"She has a house no more than half a day's ride from the Castle, the brazen-" Constantine stopped himself. He stood up. "By your leave, Your Majesty, I shall go to choose our company."
Guinevere nodded. "You may go. And Constantine."
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"Know that I understand your anger. I share it. I have been disgraced before my court, and though none of my knights have shown me anything but honor and respect, I do feel the sting of Arthur's betrayal. But it does not rule me. Do you understand?"
Constantine smiled and bowed. "I do, Your Grace. Come, my friend, let's go."
Ray stood and bowed to Guinevere. "I won't fail you, Your Grace."
"God speed, Sir Raymond. God speed."