Keepers of the Western Forest

  Chapter 12

   

  “What a tremendous story!” exclaimed Broderic, when Darin had finished telling his new friend everything that had happened to him since he left his mother’s cottage. “Just wait till the minstrels get hold of it.”

  Darin beamed at him, but then a slight frown wrinkled his brow. “I only wonder what has become of Stella?” he said sadly. Once outside the cave she had said goodbye to him and his father.  Had he only imagined the look of regret in her eyes, as she turned her face one last time in their direction before melting into the forest?

  Broderic gave him a shrewd glance. “You must forget about her. No good ever came from getting too close to faerie folk.” He grinned and slapped his friend on the back. “Besides, there are plenty of comely young damsels here in Camelot, all dying to meet the hero of the hour!”

  Darin was new to this kind of talk. He realized miserably that he was blushing, and almost wished he had his trusty helmet on again, visor firmly closed.

  They were sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard of King Arthur’s council chamber where the great Round Table was. Now the king and his old friend Karman came over to join them. Sir Karman was now looking much better. He was dressed in fine garments of silken cloth, given him by the king; his hair and beard were trimmed and combed. The young men stood up respectfully.

  “Darin,” said Arthur. “Your father and I have had so many things to talk about, although he seems strangely reluctant to tell me how he slew the traitor, Crevan. Modesty no doubt!” He turned to Karman again. “As we heard it, you were cut off from your men and he had several northern knights with him.”

  “They abandoned him, my Lord,” Karman replied, looking rather uncomfortable, Darin thought. “No one loves a traitor.”

  “In any event, my best knight and truest friend has been restored to me!” said Arthur. “Young Darin, you have indeed done me great service, as the damsel promised you would. I am grateful to you.”

  Darin bowed his head and blushed again.

  “I’ve just been hearing the whole story,” said Broderic. “Tell me, sire, did the Black Corbie give himself up to you, as Darin instructed him to?”

  “He did indeed! He is cooling his heels in my dungeons right now, while I make up my mind what to do with him.”

  “That man’s strength lies in his unswerving loyalty,” said Sir Karman. “Unfortunately, he bestowed it unwisely. I doubt if Darin could have defeated him had there not been a seed of doubt in his heart concerning Morgan’s trustworthiness.” He looked meaningfully at the king. “If such a knight were to swear loyalty to a noble cause, he would be a truly formidable warrior.”

  “Your father was always a good judge of men, Darin,” Arthur said. “I will take heed of his words.” He turned to Darin again. “I have told Sir Karman to waste no more time, but to ride immediately to find the Lady Etaine. It gladdens my heart to think of their reunion! I have made him promise, however, to come back here with your mother before too long. Until then, I hope you will stay here with us?”

  “Gladly, sire!”

  “Good,” said the king, “but before he leaves, there is one thing I want Sir Karman to witness. Tell me, Darin, do you know what it means to be a knight and in my fellowship?”

  “I think so, sire.”

  “It means, my son, that you must love honour above all things,” said Karman. “It means that you are sworn to uphold the law of the king throughout the realm, to side with all men who are loyal to him and to protect all defenceless women and damsels. Could you live by such a code, do you think?”

  “There is nothing I would want more! I pray for the day I am deemed worthy of knighthood!”

  “That day is come,” said Arthur. “Let us waste no more time.”

  “Kneel before your king, son,” said Karman gently.

  Darin went down on one knee. In awe and disbelief, he watched as the king raised his eyes to heaven, then drew his sword and held it up before him with outstretched arm. The blade flashed silver and gold in the sunlight and a hundred gemstones sparkled in the ornate hilt of fabled Excalibur. At that moment, it became the embodiment of every noble or generous impulse that had ever stirred Darin’s breast; it seemed to point the way his heart longed to follow. He closed his eyes and bowed his head humbly.

  As in a dream, he felt the great sword touch him lightly on the shoulder, and heard Arthur’s voice.

  “Arise, Sir Darin of the Western Forest.”

  An hour later, he was watching his father ride away. A great happiness filled him as he imagined his mother’s coming joy, but still there was a pang of sorrow in his heart. He knew it was not because Karman was leaving; he would be back soon enough. No, it was an image of blue eyes and golden curls, the silvery sound of laughter and song that he could not chase from his mind—these things were to blame.

  He sighed and went off in search of Broderic.

   

  Part 2: The Phantom Knight