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[most_generous]

[From hereLancelot, Cavall, golden Guinevere, and the sea of moonlight around their white-sailed craft fade from the sight of Arthur, king of the Summer Country. Bells chime out of nowhere, low and high and triumphant, and then Arthur Pendragon stands on the shore of his own country. On a hill before him, the silver-circled castle is silhouetted

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[theravenboy]

Three days and two nights ago, Bran raised Eirias from its place in his father's chambers. On that day, the power of the Summer Country recognised him as full regent and heir, and the spells that had been growing more and more burdensome became all at once easy to carry

[merrimanlyon]

Even with the changes wrought in Bran Davies by the raising of Eirias, the Old Ones still have a need to keep the magic of the land within controllable limits. Bran may be the regent and heir, but it is still a temporary arrangement -- must be a temporary arrangement, if the rightful king is to return one day.

The changing of the watch takes place at sundown, passing the greater part of the burden on to those who will keep awake during the hours of the night. Merlion and Will are amongst those who are free to rest, take refreshment, and sleep if they choose to do so. In the morning, their hours of watch will begin again.

They have almost developed a routine for it by this point -- which is why the sudden and unexpected shift in the land's magic comes as a shock

[sign_seeker]

The weight of the spells they have been balancing all this long time is gone, effortlessly back in its own true balance around the king. It's like surfacing from underwater and remembering how to breathe air; everything is lighter, easier, almost effortless.

Will's taller than he once was, but he still has to half-trot through the corridors to keep up with Merriman's long rapid strides. He doesn't care. Both their minds are fixed on the shore, and the man waiting there.

They slow only when the group at the shoreline is in sight: Bran, slim and straight, Eirias at his hip and white hair gilded flame-orange by the setting sun. Guinevere, dark hair tumbling down her back and hands laced together before her. And Arthur, king and Lord of the High Magic and the Light, with his weathered face sober and the old air of command like a cloak visible around him.

[most_generous]

Before he greets Merlion and the Sign-Seeker, even before he speaks to Guinevere (the dark one; the fair is lost to him, now), Arthur has a duty to his land, and to its regent.

He has noted the sword gleaming on Bran's belt, and the arrogant ease with which Bran stands. Bran surrendered Eirias, and all claim to the Country, long ago, and yet -- Bran has been ruling for quite a while, now, and history offers few examples of sons transferring power to their fathers in peace.

"Bran ap Arthur, is all well in this kingdom?"