Return to Camelot
Ray stood at the top of the stairs leading down into the main courtyard. There were many other knights and courtiers nearby, and lined up along the broad court path to the outer gate. Arthur and Guinevere stood in front of him, dressed for travel - their companions already mounted and waiting in the yard.
Arthur stepped forward and bowed deeply to Ray, and Ray fought the urge to lift him up. Even after the whole court bowed to him, he still couldn't get used to Arthur doing it. "Farewell, my Lord King," he said. "I know I leave this realm in just and worthy hands."
"Thank you for your fair words, Your Grace," Ray answered.
Arthur smiled. "I am merely Sir Arthur now, my friend." He bowed again, walked back a few paces, bowed again, then turned and made his way down the stairs to mount his steed.
Guinevere came forward next. She curtsied and took Ray's hands in hers. "I am so proud of you," she said, speaking quietly enough that only Ray could hear. "And I am more grateful than you can know."
"Thank you, My Lady," he said. "I'm happy for you. And for Miss Greystone, too, naturally."
Guinevere smiled at him, but her eyes grew sad for a moment. "I hope you will find your way back," she said, speaking even more softly now.
Ray lowered his eyes. "Thank you, very much."
"Now," she said, speaking in a tone loud enough for the people nearby to hear. "God be with you, King Raymond. May our people flourish under your rule."
She curtsied and backed away as Arthur had. Ray was grateful that they were each careful to observe the formalities around him while in the presence of the rest of the court. He didn't assume many people would dare disrespect him, no matter what they thought about the turn of events - but he could think of at least one person who might try it.
Ray stayed at the stairs while the former king and queen rode out with their party. Other courtiers waved and cheered while they rode slowly through the courtyard and away through the main gates. Guinevere and Arthur waved at him when they passed through, and Ray waved back. He kept watch until they could no longer be seen, and the courtiers began to disburse.
Finally, Ray went back into the castle, followed by his four armed guards. The celebratory feast had been laid out in the great dining hall, and guests were already filing in. Ray didn't really feel up to it, but he didn't have much choice. This was a chance for the nobles from father out to meet him and get their first impression of the new ruler. It would make an awful impression if he cancelled.
Ray sat in the King's seat at the Round Table, with Tristan on his right, Gawain on his left, and the other close knights filling the rest of the seats. Only Constantine's seat remained conspicuously empty. Ray didn't mind, even though it was disrespectful for him not to attend the celebration. Ray had more than enough on his mind without adding Constantine's drama on top of it.
Overall, Ray felt the banquet went well. Most people were pleasant and wished him well. A few people seemed nervous, since they weren't familiar with him. Ray turned on his corporate charm and set them at ease. He also kept his eyes open to see which knights seemed to get along with which barons and dukes. He'd taken great notes from Arthur and Guinevere, but it was good to see the court's interactions first hand.
The banquet continued well into the night, but Ray did excuse himself before everyone had gone. He was fairly tired, and he still had one important thing to do before he felt like he could relax. He left a message with one of his guards and the other three accompanied him to Guinevere's... his study.
Two guards flanked him, and the third remained at the door. After about ten minutes, the guard announced King Constantine. Ray sat up straight as Constantine entered. It was still unsettling to see a friend's face looking at him with such outright malice, but Ray steeled himself against it.
Constantine stood in front of the writing desk without so much as nodding his head. Ray stood up and straightened to his full height, giving Constantine the look he used for people who weren't worthy of the corporate charm. He gave Constantine another beat, but when he still didn't bow, Ray frowned.
"You would do well to respect me in front of the guards, and everyone else, is that understood?"
Constantine narrowed his eyes, but bowed just low enough and long enough for propriety's sake. "You wished to see me, Your Majesty?"
"Yes. I-" Ray stopped and turned his head slightly without taking his eyes off Constantine. "You may leave us. Wait outside until I call."
"Yes, Your Grace." The guards walked out, and Constantine eyed Ray with suspicion.
When the door closed, Ray began again. "Constantine. I've said this before, and I say it again to you now. I am truly sorry Arthur didn't choose you or Guinevere to be his successor."
Constantine scoffed. "I'm sure you are."
Ray couldn't keep the frustrated frown from his face. "Considering the fact that you have now tried to kill me twice, you can rest assured, I truly wish the crown had passed to someone else!"
Constantine looked shocked when Ray mentioned the assassination attempts, but he recovered quickly. "I know nothing of what you say. But if you hate it so much, pass the mantle on."
Ray smirked. "Can you say, as God is your witness, that your first act would not be to have me executed?" Constantine smiled, but said nothing. "Exactly. And anyone else I chose would face the same danger - you would try killing them next. So, as much as I wish Arthur had made a different choice, there is nothing either of us can do about it."
"If you called me here to tell me the obvious, then I see no reason to remain." With that, he turned and took a step toward the door.
"Do NOT turn your back to me, Constantine!" Constantine stiffened, but turned back and bowed his head. "The reason I called you here is because I need to know where you stand. Mordred is on the verge of declaring war on Camelot. His forces are formidable, as you well know. I will need the support of you and all your knights if we are to protect Camelot. I hope that your commitment to Camelot has not failed."
"Never!"
"I'm glad to hear it. Then please understand, I cannot focus on defending this kingdom if I must also defend myself against you. So tell me. Will you stand with me and stop trying to kill me?"
Constantine pursed his lips and looked at Ray with darkened brows for several moments. Finally, he said, "You may be sure my loyalty to Camelot has not, and will never falter. I will fight the forces of Mordred by your side if it comes to that." His eyes narrowed and Ray's moment of relief vanished almost instantly. Constantine pointed at him. "But know this, Your Majesty," he hissed. "My sword fights for Camelot, not for Raymond of the Palms! You have come to the throne unjustly, and as you need me, I fear not to admit the truth. I have indeed tried to kill you! You are little more than a usurper, and if I have sought to correct Arthur's error, I feel not a single ounce of shame for it." Ray couldn't help but wince at the bold, unrepentant admission. "If I must bow to you for the sake of keeping unity in the kingdom, then I will. But I will never know you as High King in my heart!" He sneered at Ray, a vicious gleam in his eyes. "And if, by some ill chance, you meet an untimely end, I shall certainly not mourn your passing."
Ray's fists clenched with the effort not to show how hurt he was. It wasn't just because he looked like John Constantine. Ray liked this man - or he used to. In the few days he'd spent with the man before Arthur's fateful decision, Ray had come to like him very much, and counted him a valuable ally. It felt terrible to hear his vicious words.
Ray managed to maintain his stony expression. "We were friends, if only briefly, Constantine," he said. "It grieves me deeply to hear such harsh words from you. I would mourn your death even now, after all you've tried to do, and all you've said to me today. But I believe your loyalty to Camelot is truly as strong as you say. If that is all you have to give, then I will ask for nothing more. You may go."
Constantine hesitated for a moment, before bowing and backing out of the room. A guard started to enter, but Ray shook his head and the man shut the door. Ray sank heavily into the chair, dropped his forehead onto the desk and let out a long, deep sigh, utterly and completely drained. He'd never felt more alone in his life. Guinevere and Arthur had left him, and the person he'd connected with most in this "new wave" of knights had just told him to his face that he would be happy to see Ray dead.
Ray shut his eyes and pictured Nate's face, smiling - opening his arms for a hug. He sent up a silent prayer that he would see that kind, welcoming face again before something terrible happened.