(Untitled)

[most_generous]

Some time after Merlion leaves him, Arthur Pendragon seeks out the lady Guinevere. Before Arthur sees her, he hears her harping, soft and clear, echoing through the gardens in the warm afternoon. The king follows the music through the gardens, turning this way and that along the path. He finds Guinevere ensconced under a trellis weighted with

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[mother_lost]

*Her fingers are sure enough on the harpstrings that she plays with her eyes closed, head bent a little to listen to the tune.

As the song comes to an end, she lifts her head. She smiles slightly when she sees Arthur.*

My lord.

[most_generous]

"My lady." Arthur bends his head in greeting.

He is frowning, and there is an odd note in his warm voice. "May I sit?"

[mother_lost]

*Her smile disappears, and she moves aside her skirts.*

Please do.

[most_generous]

"Thank you."

Arthur says nothing more until he has positioned himself comfortably on the warm bench. He takes an unusually long time about the business of sitting down.

At last, he says, "Merlion brought me news today."

[mother_lost]

Of what sort?

[most_generous]

"News from another world, by way of Milliways."

[mother_lost]

*Her brows rise, a little, and she nods for him to continue.*

[most_generous]

"There is a war, in that world, for what is good, and its people are seeking a war leader." Arthur is speaking Latin, of course -- it is the language he and Guinevere have always used together -- and the phrase he uses for war leader is the formal title dux bellorum. "They mean to use magic to summon such a leader."

[mother_lost]

*As he speaks, she frowns, slowly.*

I see. *Another nod.*

[most_generous]

"Merlion believes it is likely that they may succeed in their summoning, drawing me out of this land to serve that one." Grim-faced, Arthur watches Guinevere. "Which would trigger a number of repercussions."

[mother_lost]

*Guinevere goes still.

When she speaks, her voice is steady and calm, almost to the point of tonelessness.*

Repercussions of what sort?

[most_generous]

"I am the anchor of the Summer Country." Arthur's voice is still warm, but concerned. "The spells that keep this land whole and maintain its stability outside of Time depend upon the presence of a Pendragon."

[mother_lost]

*The calm face she's showing him falters slightly.*

And is there no way to prevent this summoning?

[most_generous]

"None that we have found so far." For Guinevere, Arthur softens his answer. "Also, there is at least one way in which the spells can hold without me."

[mother_lost]

How is that?

[most_generous]

"They require a Pendragon, madam."