The Knight Behind the Pillar by John Pateman-Gee Read Free Book Online Page B

scraping the stone floor filled the room as he rose from his seat.  His purpose could not be clearer and he awoke from his self made seclusion within the room.  Merlin had stepped forward and halted at the centre, he stood tall and confident and calmly waited.  Feet away the stout Ector looked like he was about to explode, taking deep breaths to control what it was bubbling beneath. 
                  Whatever it was, Ector had been thinking about it for a few days now and this was the moment.  “You,” He managed, but it was a false start as the stress of whatever it was briefly too much to bear.  Shaking his head, he collected himself and tried again.  “You sir have taken me for a fool!  You have a lied to me!  You have done this.  And I don’t take kindly to being dragged into some game of yours.”
                  “Do you know this man, Merlin?” I whispered to Arthur seeing that it was very clear Ector did, but Arthur shook his head to dismiss me quickly with his hand as I was an unwanted distraction.  Arthur’s focus now was on his father and his stare was unbreakable. 
                  Ector was on the move now.  He walked around the backs of chairs and headed towards Merlin with intent.  The older man appeared unconcerned, prepared perhaps for this verbal attack for some time and I wondered if there was going to be a physical fight as well! 
                  Ector made it around the end of the table.  “And not just me, oh no.” He declared, “These good lords, kings whoever they are, you’ve played them as well!  So old man there needs to be answers now, right now.  Explain to them just what you have done!  Explain to me, to me, why it was my home, why my family, why you decided to use us rather than any of these good people.  Why my dear, dear late wife!”  Ector continued spitting the words out that came from built up exasperation and anger rather than thought.  Rather than a smooth address they all knocked into each other in a rush and I could see where Arthur got it from. 
                  I also noted the painful memory of the thought of his wife in Ector’s tone and it was sketched very slightly across his face when said.  On reaching Merlin he came to a sudden halt and Ector’s round face flush with lines of fury that creased his forehead deeply had to look up to the taller man.
                  Merlin continued to stand still and calm as they faced each other.  “Very…..”
                  “And,” Ector cut in loudly not quite finished with Merlin yet.  He went on to add with a precisely clear voice that required everyone to listen to every word, “And explain to me, sir…”
                  “Ector.” Merlin snapped in realisation of what was to come and gave a warning, his voice in an extremely low tone I could have mistaken for almost a growl.
                  “….who is my son?” Ector finished uninterrupted. 
                  Merlin looked as if he had tried and failed to stop something by closing his eyes briefly and biting his bottom lip in thought.  A wave of muttering and confusion crossed over the room, I could pick up words of “what” and “did he just say son” from the other nobles and knights. 
                                Arthur just continued to stare on, he was motionless.  I could do nothing but look back and watch as well. 
                                Only King Alain was brave enough or perhaps just felt it was his right to step forward.  He sought quiet from others with the waving of his hands as he intervened.  “What did you just say Ector I am unclear as regard to your meaning?” He asked. 
                  Ector ignored him and instead sought to prompt Merlin for answers by glaring at him.  The man with answers stood unmoved looking at the