Ch4-Just Us

CHAPTER FOUR Just Us

Jack gasped. He couldn't believe it. "Oh, no," said Annie. "Yes. Right now we have a small supply of healing water from Avalon that is keeping Arthur alive," said Guinevere. "But it will not last much longer." "What can we do?" said Jack. "Your courage and intelligence are legendary in Camelot," said the queen. "And that is why I sent for you. Will you help me find the gold dragon so the king can journey to Avalon, where Morgan can save his life?" "Yes!" said Annie and Jack. "Thank you," said the queen. "He awaits us now." "You mean King Arthur is here?" asked Annie. "Yes. Sir Tristan and Sir Lamorak brought him back to Camelot two nights ago," said Guinevere. "Let us go now and see the king." Oki scampered ahead with the queen as she led the way back through the library and down the passageway to the staircase. When they reached

the inner courtyard of the castle, they crossed the cobblestones to a small private chapel. Jack picked up Oki, and the queen tapped on the chapel's door. The door slowly opened. A bearded knight stared at Jack and Annie with dark, tired eyes. He held an iron lance. Another battle-worn knight stepped from the shadows. When Oki growled at the two knights, Jack held him tighter. "Quiet," he whispered. "Sir Lamorak, Sir Tristan, Jack and Annie have arrived," the queen said. "It is time to prepare." Without a word, the two knights bowed to the queen, then strode across the courtyard. Guinevere motioned for Jack and Annie to step inside the candlelit chapel. "Thank you for coming, my friends," a man said in a low, hoarse voice. King Arthur was sitting in a carved wooden chair beneath a stained-glass window. In the flickering candlelight, the king's rugged, handsome face was very pale. Yip! Oki leapt out of Jack's arms and dashed toward King Arthur.

"Oki, stay!" said Annie. Before she could grab him, the puppy jumped into the king's lap. "What—what is this?" Arthur stammered. But when the puppy licked his face, the king smiled. "Well! Greetings, little one," he said. Then he looked up at Jack and Annie. His eyes were clouded with pain. "Hail, Your Majesty," said Jack, bowing. "Hail, Your Majesty," echoed Annie, bowing also. "We're so sorry to hear you were wounded." "No talk…of that," the king said, struggling to breathe. "I…will…prevail." The queen stepped forward. "Arthur, rest," she said. "I will tell them our plan." "No…I must explain," said the king. He took a deep breath, as if gathering his strength. Then, trembling, he leaned forward. "Deep in the forest lives an old woman…a seer who has a kind heart and the gift of prophecy…an old friend…my nursemaid long ago….Her name is Cafelle….She can help us find the gold dragon." "That sounds good, Your Majesty," said Annie.

"Yes…yes…," the king said. "The tree leaves speak to her…in the wind. Do…you… understand?" "Yes, Your Majesty," said Annie. Jack nodded, but he was a little worried that the king might have lost his mind. Guinevere placed a hand on her husband's shoulder. "When Arthur was a boy, Cafelle told him that the wind speaks to her through the rustling of leaves. In her trances, she listens to the trees, then shares her prophecies in the form of riddles." "That is why we sent…for you," said King Arthur. "We know that you are particularly brilliant at solving riddles," said Guinevere. "If you can solve the riddle of Cafelle's prophecy, we can find the gold dragon." "We'll do our best, Your Majesty," said Annie. "Uh, sure," said Jack, nodding. "We'll do our best, Your Majesty." "Good," said the queen. "Sir Tristan and Sir Lamorak are preparing for our departure."

"Cool," said Jack. He was glad the knights were traveling with them. Hopefully, they could come up with a better plan. "Then let us go," said the king. "No, not you, my lord," Queen Guinevere said. "You should rest here and wait for us to return with the dragon." "But—I…I must go…," said the king. "I fear you should not," said Guinevere. "I will tell Cafelle—" "No, I must go," the king repeated. "She will share her prophecies only with me." The queen took a deep breath. "Then so be it," she said. She looked at Jack and Annie. "Please help the king rise." Jack and Annie stepped over to the wounded king. They held his arms as he stood up from the carved wooden chair.