The Squire's Quest by Gerald Morris Read Free Book Online Page B

And I suppose this dragon could have been part of an enchantment, too, don't you think?"
    Gawain looked inquiringly at Mordred, who shrugged and smiled. "I suppose. I wasn't around yet, you know, so I really couldn't say."
    "I have another question for Mordred," asked Dinadan suddenly. "If your story is true, why would no one have heard of it? A knight who saves a damsel from a dragon—well, why in heaven's name would he keep that to himself? It's rather a good tale."
    "I don't know," Mordred replied thoughtfully. "Maybe the knight didn't think anyone would believe him." Mordred's smile faded, and he looked around the room. "After all, most of you don't believe me."
    "Is your mother still alive?" Arthur asked.
    Mordred shook his head sadly. "No. She died of a fever last month."
    The king nodded. "I'm sorry, lad," he said softly. Then, in a firmer voice, he said, "We have heard a curious tale today. Some of you may still not believe it, but you shall have to decide that at another time. In the end, the story of the dragon has nothing to do with Mordred's request. Mordred, at this table we receive only those who have already proven themselves by some act of bravery. Setting aside what your father did, have you done any deeds yourself that are worthy of knighthood?"
    Mordred shook his head. "I'm afraid not," he said frankly. "And, to be perfectly honest, I'm not all that skilled a swordsman, either."
    "Nothing wrong with that," murmured Dinadan, which drew a laugh from the other knights. Dinadan was respected for several things, not one of which was his swordsmanship.
    The king smiled faintly. "And what, may I ask,
are
you skilled at?"
    Mordred hesitated. "Well, it doesn't sound very dramatic, but I've always been good with people—helping them smooth out their differences and make friends again, that sort of thing."
    As Mordred said this, his face assumed an expression of limpid openness and honesty, and once again Terence felt that dread chill begin in his heart and slowly spread throughout his breast.
    King Arthur smiled widely. "Don't be ashamed of that, lad. In these times of peace, I have more than enough swordsmen. But I could always use a diplomat."
    "But ... but could a person earn knighthood like that?" stammered Mordred.
    "I don't know why saving lives by stopping a war should be less honorable than saving lives with the sword," Arthur said. "I cannot grant your request now, but I earnestly beg you to remain at Camelot. When an opportunity arises for you to prove yourself, you shall be given your chance."
    Most of the knights nodded agreement at the king's decision, and Mordred was dismissed from the meeting.
    "What do you think, friends?" the king asked.
    "I still don't believe the dragon story," Sir Griflet complained.
    "It doesn't matter either way," Arthur replied. "Even if the story's untrue, the boy is only repeating what he was told by his mother. It does him no disservice in my eyes that he takes her word. And, as Gawain has pointed out, it
could
be true. No, what I'm asking is, what do you think of the boy?"
    "He seems a good lad," Gawain commented. "Frank and honest. He didn't
have
to tell us he wasn't much with a sword."
    Several others agreed. Sir Bors said, "Indeed, I like him. It seemed to me that at every question, every challenge, he said
exactly
the right thing."
    "And that doesn't bother you?" asked Kai suddenly.
    "Eh?" replied Sir Bors.
    "When someone always says the right thing, don't you wonder if it wasn't planned that way?"
    "And why not?" demanded Agrivaine. "Don't
you
always mean to say the right thing?"
    "No," Kai replied abruptly. "I say what I think. And what I think is that the boy's too good to be true. That's suspicious."
    "But you think everything's suspicious," snorted Agrivaine.
    "There's some truth in that, you know, Kai," Arthur said gently. "Let us not condemn the boy for being better than expected. As for his saying the right thing, he told us himself that his skill is in