And she was back. Nama spoke, insistently.<\/p>\n
\u201cRemember what you saw. That\u2019s it. Back. Back and back and\u2026there you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryoka stood on the ground of the dirt road. Behind her, the forest lay, perfectly tree-like. No vast world-roots, though. Just trees. Sixty feet high, maybe.<\/p>\n
The city lay ahead of her, more like a broken, run-down metropolis. Like\u2026a nuclear wasteland\u2019s version of a city. New York with about a week of anarchy.<\/p>\n
The mob of fae were running too, like the Summer Guests, just more insectile. They shouted insults in normal language. Ryoka shuddered.<\/p>\n
And here was Nama. The woman held Ryoka another second, then let go.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere. All better? I didn\u2019t think you\u2019d run into them<\/em> the first instant. Or you\u2019d be so unwise as to not listen to sense.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hung her head. Then threw up. Nama tsked<\/em>, and backed away. Ryoka, shuddering, looked at her. She wanted to cut off<\/em> her feet rather than stand on the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw\u2014the forest! The city! Everything is\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo it\u2019s not. You just saw<\/em> that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know what I saw. It\u2019s all twisted! It\u2019s all\u2014why were you the same?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would I not be? You may see me as I am. Not as what your mind makes me.\u201d<\/p>\n Nama smacked Ryoka on the head with the spoon. Ryoka clutched at her ringing skull.<\/p>\n Somehow, that made it better. She looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cThen the forest isn\u2019t<\/em> a grove of flesh and insects and\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould I live there if it was? You just saw the worst nature of that lot. They\u2019re not the Summer Court. Or the Winter Court. Tsk, tsk. Now you\u2019ve upset them. You won\u2019t get through the city. The forest it must be. And the winter folk have your scent.\u201d<\/p>\n Nama sighed. Ryoka hung her head. But the hostess just adjusted her apron.<\/p>\n \u201cCome now. I\u2019ll take you. It seems I must. Stop crying and follow me. We can stop at my place for another quick rest. You surely need it.\u201d<\/p>\n She took Ryoka\u2019s hand and led her back into the forest. Ryoka kept looking behind her, fearfully.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014was that a Dragon?<\/em> He was a child, with a stick.<\/em> And then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course he is. A brave child. He must have decided to go there rather than fight with the others for space in the forest, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut he had a stick\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder what it was. Don\u2019t you remember? Perception, Ryoka. Perception. What you see is half of reality.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the other half?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActual reality. Now, come along. We had better hope the cold hunters don\u2019t find us. Even I won\u2019t be able to keep you safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Back into the forest. Behind them lay the ruined city. Ryoka looked at Nama.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened? This is<\/em> the land of the fae, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe one with your friend, certainly.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman smiled sadly. Ryoka shuddered.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s so\u2026what happened here? Why is it so broken? Why is it so empty?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She had seen so few people here. Nama looked at Ryoka, and the answer came to the Wind Runner unbidden. The empty home of her hostess. The city. The young boy\u2014who was also alone, his lair made among the ruins.<\/p>\n They had died.<\/em><\/p>\n The lands of the fae had seen tragedy too. The question was: why? How?<\/p>\n The answers lay before her. The Wind Runner followed Nama into the forest. They picked up the pace.<\/p>\n They had to hurry.<\/p>\n Time was running out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But an hour had passed since sunset in Riverfarm. The Unseen Empire was dark. The party was ongoing in the village.<\/p>\n Of the special place? Nothing. No one crossed the boundary. Those who had a question for Emperor Laken, or business with any of the nobles, did not seek them out. They were busy. Obviously.<\/p>\n It was as if everyone had forgotten it existed.<\/p>\n A lot of weird things were happening. Not just the gathering of the\u2026guests. Something was up.<\/em> Worldwide.<\/p>\n Ulvama felt it. She kept staring at the sky. She went around, poking Goblins.<\/p>\n \u201cUp! Up! Get pack! Get ready!\u201d<\/p>\n She kicked Leafarmor and Raidpear, but the Hobgoblins were sitting. In depression. Ulvama made a tsking<\/em> sound and then rounded on the Cave Goblin in the pot.<\/p>\n \u201cPebblesnatch! Get ready to go!\u201d<\/p>\n The Cave Goblin said nothing. She was sobbing into her hat. Ulvama stared up at the sky again.<\/p>\n That power!<\/em> And she felt uneasy at what she had forgotten. The party\u2026? The [Shaman] felt the power of the day. She grabbed Pebblesnatch.<\/p>\n \u201cWe leave! Today!\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblins didn\u2019t respond. Grief had overwhelmed them. Ulvama smacked Pebblesnatch on the head, but lightly. The [Cook] didn\u2019t even move.<\/p>\n The [Shaman] stormed back to her tent. She stared at the door, claws clenching and unclenching. It wasn\u2019t open!<\/em><\/p>\n But she\u2019d doubled the mana stones. She\u2019d only get one chance\u2014<\/p>\n Something was wrong on the other side. But this was the time when the power was strongest! The [Shaman] cursed, sweating. She wanted to be through. No matter what lay beyond. She stared up at the sky. Then at the shadows.<\/p>\n Anywhere else was better than here.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n —-<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNearly done. Nearly\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Aaron was sweating. But he leaned away before the sweat ruined the complex pattern he was tracing.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t hard. And it was hard. He was just copying the design Emerrhain was showing him. But that was still intensely difficult, even broken down.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat am I doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHurrying. You must hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n The wise man said. The scholar looked at Aaron and the young man kept tracing on the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTime is running out.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The young [Mage], Blackmage, half-nodded as he continued the painstaking work. He thought about stopping. But he did not. He\u2026<\/p>\n Thought about stopping.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Time was fleeting on this day of days for all. For all of mortality, the world passed by so\u2026slowly.<\/p>\n Yet here, in this place, time was immortal. Seconds became days for those of other ilk. Only on the Solstice did time align. And then\u2014only for other places.<\/p>\n This place in the forest was not a rotten graveyard. Nor beset by wildlife. It was a sanctuary. A place so powerful that the forest around it was peaceful, untroubled by any other, be it beast or person.<\/p>\n Stories. Stories made up this land, for all the stories of late had been so, so sad. Yet all<\/em> stories flowed through this place.<\/p>\n Avalon.<\/p>\n The sword sat in the stone as it ever had. A blade beyond compare, of immortal make. Waiting for the hand to take it. Not any old sword in the stone, either.<\/p>\n The sword.<\/em> The stone.<\/p>\n The young woman stumbled into the clearing quite by chance. She was panting. In the distance, for the first time in ages, the sound of battle broke the tranquil forest.<\/p>\n Frost<\/em> lay on her skin. Behind her, the roar of a great protector battled the howling winds of the coldest foes. The young woman was panting. She saw the sword. The stone.<\/p>\n Three figures turned from their contemplation of the sword. The young woman blinked.<\/p>\n Ryoka Griffin saw a boy, barely ten in age, a young man in his mid-twenties, and a man near fifty turn. Each one was dressed differently.<\/p>\n One, in a squire\u2019s tunic, hair frazzled. The second, in splendid armor, a crown on his head.<\/p>\n The third\u2014armor broken. Blood, mortal wounds covering his body. His crown broken. It didn\u2019t seem to bother him.<\/p>\n The three stood there. And they were all\u2026similar. Hair the same. Features changed by age. But the same.<\/p>\n Ryoka Griffin stared at the sword. Then the men. One of them blinked at her. The oldest man coughed after a second.<\/p>\n \u201cGreetings, stranger. Do you too come for this blade?\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured at\u2026Ryoka stared at the sword. The stone. She glanced over her shoulder. Nama\u2019s battle against the Wild Hunt seemed far away. Each cry stretching out until she stood in a moment between such things.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no. This can\u2019t be happening.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at the three-in-one. The sword. The oldest man with the broken crown raised his brows.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat can\u2019t be happening? Come, traveller. And tell us why the Winter Court hunts you so.\u201d<\/p>\n He beckoned. Ryoka approached, staring, eyes wide. She stared at the boy. He waved at her. The young man looked her up and down. Then he did a double-take.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Are your feet bared? What curious customs some people have.\u201d<\/p>\n Of all the\u2014Ryoka gazed at him. Then she looked at the stone.<\/p>\n \u201cNo way. Just to be clear\u2014hi. My name\u2019s Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n She was panting. She switched through her layers of reality. Mundanity, epic\u2014even horror and despondence. She had the trick of it, now. Each one revealed nothing different.<\/p>\n Sword. Stone. The three.<\/em> The boy held out a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cHello. We\u2019re pleased to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hesitated. She shook the hand, very gingerly, prepared for it to turn into\u2026<\/p>\n It was just a soft grip, soft in nature, the boy\u2019s hands callused by work. The other two instantly held out hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI apologize for my appearance.\u201d<\/p>\n The eldest of them indicated his armor and wounds. Ryoka stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cJust to be clear. I\u2019m a mortal. I\u2019m just passing through. I\u2014I\u2019m being hunted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou will be, the moment you leave this place.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man nodded amiably. His eyes looked Ryoka up and down.<\/p>\n \u201cBared feet. But you are mortal, aren\u2019t you? Strange. Few of your kind ever walk here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what everyone says. Look\u2014please don\u2019t mess with me. I\u2019ve been having a bad day. You\u2019re not<\/em> King Arthur of Camelot, right? Right?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared at the sword in the stone. She looked up\u2014and the two men bowed.<\/p>\n \u201cI am King Arthur.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am King Arthur.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just Arthur.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy offered. Ryoka covered her face slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo you\u2019re not. This is silly. It\u2019s gone too far. That\u2019s not Excalibur. I\u2019ve gone mad. I drank too much and this is a fever dream.\u201d<\/p>\n The three looked at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy is it not? And that isn\u2019t Excalibur.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, g\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Caliburn.<\/em> I will wield Excalibur when Caliburn breaks. I prefer this sword. I will have it in my glory, not my fading days.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man pointed at the sword. Ryoka stared at him. Arthur smiled, looking excited for the future. The old King found a seat on the grass.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will last a while. But the worst is yet to come.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy and the young man nodded to each other. Ryoka looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSit, sit milady Griffin. Time will not bother you here. It does not us.\u201d<\/p>\n Like a knight, the young man and boy refused to sit until she did. Ryoka did, staring at the blade.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are there three of you? What is this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe sword in the stone. Where it always is. I have yet to pick it up. Or rather, I have. I just haven\u2019t pulled<\/em> it from the stone.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy informed Ryoka, licking his lips nervously. He looked about.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see, I needed a sword for my brother who broke his. But I could only find this one. And Merlin\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBastard. He tricked us.\u201d<\/p>\n The old man muttered. Ryoka nearly spat out the stamina potion onto the younger King Arthur. He politely offered her a handkerchief.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014He told me to take this sword. So I did. Now I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI lost my sword in battle. This was the moment before I returned the blade to the Lady of the Lake for the second blade. Did you say \u2018Excalibur\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n The young man was interested. The old man nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will never lose with it. Which does not mean you will not suffer. I am the last Arthur, who releases my burden to Sir Bedivere that he might toss it into the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n He touched at his wounds. Ryoka looked at him. The old Arthur smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m dying. Not a quick death. Long enough for me to order my loyal knight to return what is not mine. You\u2019re going to have to do it three times, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The younger Arthurs exclaimed at once. The old one rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cHe keeps coming back. But this time is the last. Ere it leaves my hand\u2014that is me.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Ryoka. Three Arthurs sat there. She rubbed at her face.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re the King of Knights. King of Camelot. King of Chivalry and Albion and\u2026that Arthur. Each time you took up or let go of the blade.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. Have you heard of us? Then does the kingdom I must build endure?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy leaned forwards. Ryoka looked at him.<\/p>\n Her mouth worked.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand, though. Why are you here<\/em>, then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are all here at once. You see, it is a moment that defines us.\u201d<\/p>\n It was the boy-Arthur who spoke to Ryoka in a lecturing tone. He was as young as he was that day. Ten years old. But Ryoka sensed\u2026<\/p>\n That immortality. That age. He had been here forever. Listening to the other two. He hung his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI confess. I am pondering my fate. It is a terrible decision I must make.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs am I.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am not. But I come to tell the other two what may be. Each time. Forever.\u201d<\/p>\n The oldest Arthur nodded at the younger two. Ryoka began to understand.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The three nodded as one. The youngest pointed to the sword.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I draw it, I will become all you say, Miss\u2026what was your name again?\u201d<\/p>\n He blushed.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka. Ryoka Griffin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Miss. You have an odd accent. Were it not for magic, I would never understand you.\u201d<\/p>\n The young King remarked. Ryoka realized that she heard his meaning\u2014but the real language was incomprehensible. Welsh.<\/em> Old Welsh, <\/em>perhaps. She rubbed at her ears.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m from the future. Well\u2014a future.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Well, then you know my story. If you know my name. That gives some meaning to my life. I will have to build a kingdom. And get two stupid Dragons to help me fortify the ground of my castle.\u201d<\/p>\n The youngest Arthur was self-satisfied. He looked at the young King. The oldest Arthur grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cMerlin will settle it. He tends to do most things\u2014until Morgan gets him. You\u2019ll do fine. Well\u2026but for Mordred. And Lancelot. And\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The other two looked downcast and he began counting off his failures on his hand. Ryoka shuddered.<\/p>\n \u201cI know your history. Are you saying you<\/em> do?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy nodded gravely.<\/p>\n \u201cI have been told all of it. I will be a great king. Form an order of knights who will do great things. We will save my kingdom to be, and make it great. But I will fail my wife. My friend. My son will be my end. I will die bitterly. All these things I know. So\u2014I am debating whether to pull out the sword.\u201d<\/p>\n He shuddered. Ryoka saw he believed in his fate. He knew what was coming. Still\u2014the young King-Arthur\u2019s face was set. The old one raised a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWait a while. You can still wait. If the burden is too much\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf not me, then who? My kingdom will fall to ruin if I do not draw the blade.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLancelot. If I knew\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The three spoke at once, as if going over an old argument. The young king raised a rueful head and looked at Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see, the instant I throw the broken blade\u2014I will forget this. Only here, do I have the right to know my future and still choose.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka Griffin looked from face to face. She stared at the blade.<\/p>\n \u201cI see. So I\u2019ve interrupted that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a welcome visitor. You see\u2014we do like guests. Come, sit. But do not touch the blade. Our fate will be yours in part if you do.\u201d<\/p>\n The oldest Arthur spoke. Ryoka stared at Caliburn. Then at them sharply.<\/p>\n She had not expected to be here.<\/em> But\u2014something had drawn her here in the mad flight, when Nama told her to run.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWait a second. Have you met\u2026a young woman? Shorter than me? This high\u2014she told me once\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka had laughed at Erin, when she confessed about the dream and Ivolethe. Erin herself hadn\u2019t believed it. But Ryoka was suddenly wide-eyed.<\/p>\n \u201cDid she touch this blade?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The three Arthurs turned to each other. One stood up, as if to inspect the blade.<\/p>\n \u201cA young woman? Yes. Yes, she did. She came dreaming. She nearly took it out of her dream\u2014but one of the Winter Court stopped her. Just as well. What was she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn innkeeper. My friend.\u201d<\/p>\n The oldest Arthur nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThen she would have woken as a King. Of\u2026innkeepers. Or just a King. And the terrible fate of ours would be shared by her. In some other way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut she didn\u2019t. Erin was here?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared about. The other three glanced at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you lost?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been trying to get in.<\/em> But the Wild Hunt is following me and\u2014this is so strange. You can\u2019t be the Arthur of legend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd why not?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka clutched at her head. They were so\u2014normal.<\/em> Okay, she could see<\/em> the entrails leaking out of one of them and the sword\u2014but here?<\/p>\n Kindly, one of the Arthurs drew her down.<\/p>\n \u201cSit, Miss Ryoka. Sit. Time will not touch you here. Even the other fae are respectful. The Wild Hunt will not trouble you. I\u2019ve ridden with them myself. What cause have they to hunt you? Pettiness?\u201d<\/p>\n The young King assured her. Ryoka sat, despairing.<\/p>\n Meeting after meeting. She explained an abbreviated version of why she was here and the three nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOther worlds. Mine seems so small and insignificant, my kingdom so small at times. Yet\u2014my legacy endures?\u201d<\/p>\n The oldest Arthur turned to Ryoka, greedy for assurances. She hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter a fashion, Your Majesty. You see\u2014I don\u2019t know if you ever were<\/em> on my world. Historically? I\u2019m not sure. But\u2026they tell stories of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStories?\u201d<\/p>\n The oldest\u2019s face fell. Ryoka winced.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s all they have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes Albion not stand in your world?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka didn\u2019t want to get into geopolitical events of Earth. But Arthur demanded to know. He raked a hand through his bloodied hair, dislodging the fragments of crown. Then he stood.<\/p>\n \u201cStories. I commanded the greatest kingdom the world had ever seen. The deeds of my knights struck awe and hope into the hearts of all who heard them and fear into that of all of Albion\u2019s foes! And that is all Camelot\u2026all my kingdom\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He trailed off, shaking his head. The younger two watched him anxiously. At last, the old King laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps that is all I can hope for. My great kingdom was the seed of the next nation. Perhaps\u2014stories are enough of a legacy for any man. So long as they remember chivalry and honor, let it endure.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He reached for the sword. Ryoka felt a chill at those grave eyes, the sad smile. The oldest King turned to the others.<\/p>\n \u201cI will not change my mind. That is for you two to decide.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka felt so sorry for this man\u2014who had a rough<\/em> life despite all his triumphs. She longed to say something, but she didn\u2019t feel she belonged here.<\/p>\n And yet\u2014the three seemed glad of her presence. The young man frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cIf not me, then the burden will fall to someone else. I only wonder if I am the right one for this blade. If there is a better king\u2014let them take the sword.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are many. We are reflected across many stories. Or so the fae claim. And Merlin. But they\u2019re tricky and he is a liar. I hate Merlin.\u201d<\/p>\n The oldest Arthur sighed. The young King nodded, a touch uncertainly. Ryoka wanted to take notes. She had no notion that Arthur had ridden with the Wild Hunt. Or was it alluded to in some story? And Erin was here?<\/em> Well, there were stories of mortals walking the worlds in dreams. Even so\u2014and Erin had just grabbed the sword. Typical.<\/p>\n \u201cI bet I couldn\u2019t even pull that damn thing if I tried, but my friend got it out.\u201d<\/p>\n The other Arthurs chuckled. The young King leaned over conspiratorially.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see, it\u2019s actually not hard. Anyone can do it. It\u2019s a twist of the wrist as you pull.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? No way. Really?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2019m joking.\u201d<\/p>\n King Arthur laughed at her dumbfounded expression. The old man and young King fell over themselves laughing and back-slapping while the boy gave Ryoka a long-suffering look of sympathy. Clearly, Arthur changed from time to time.<\/p>\n \u2026Presently, they calmed down. It seemed this was their fate. When they drew the blade, they would rise once more to their fates. It was just this reflection of them that remained, to know all and choose forever.<\/p>\n It sucked. But that was the kind of thing old stories loved. Ask Sisyphus. Actually\u2014if Ryoka met him, she\u2019d break that stupid boulder. She doubted it, since it was the wrong mythology, but she\u2019d always felt bad for him. And Prometheus.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I have to go. Nama\u2014my protector\u2014is helping me go in.<\/em> And she might get hurt. They found us, you see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. I don\u2019t know the whole of it, but it seems a young woman such as yourself does not deserve the Faerie King\u2019s wrath. He can be\u2026capricious. Although I have heard he has lost his wife.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEr\u2026she might have run off with a mortal again. She did it once, I think. There may be a story about that?\u201d<\/p>\n The old Arthur coughed. The boy turned red as the young King rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Guinevere is going to do the same? Wonderful.<\/em> Maybe I won\u2019t draw the blade.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s your fault. I mean, mine. And Mordred. If only we could undo it. Try to remember<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n The oldest Arthur seized the younger one, caught for a moment by fresh emotion. The younger one nodded, trying desperately to fix the knowledge in his memory that history might change.<\/p>\n What tragedy. Ryoka looked away for a moment and then had a thought.<\/p>\n \u201cListen. Guys. I don\u2019t know if this is right to say\u2026but maybe I can clear up your dilemma?\u201d<\/p>\n The three Arthurs turned, eagerly.<\/p>\n \u201cHow so, Lady Griffin?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka flushed at the attention.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026there\u2019s this thing called the time traveller\u2019s paradox. Basically, if one of you is from the future, then he\u2019s already done<\/em> everything that leads up to him going back in time. So\u2026there\u2019s no point deliberating because you\u2019ve already chosen. It\u2019s\u2026basic\u2026logic\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She trailed off lamely. The three were staring at her. And all three were glaring.<\/p>\n \u201cIf she\u2019s my descendants of descendants or what humanity looks like after my reign, maybe I won\u2019t<\/em> pull the sword out. What\u2019s the point?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy kicked a clod of grass. Ryoka lifted her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, guys. It\u2019s just logic\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave you learned nothing?<\/em> Logic matters little with such things here. I am choosing.<\/em> And right now, I\u2019d rather a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n The young King leaned on the stone grumpily. Even the old one looked annoyed. Arthur gestured at the stone.<\/p>\n \u201cI could choose not to. Even now. Even from whatever time you come from, Ryoka Griffin.\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled, half-uncertainly.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but if you did\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI could choose not to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n And then there was silence. Ryoka Griffin and time froze uncertainly as King Arthur stood over the stone. He looked at her. Her tongue was stuck in her teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m\u2026I\u2019m going to go. Sorry. Very sorry. I annoy everyone. Please pull out the sword. I\u2019ll just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She walked backwards to the very edge of the clearing. Until time began to follow her, also running from that eternal moment. Also, kicking her in the back of the head for nearly unmaking reality as they knew it.<\/p>\n The two Kings and the squire looked after her. Slowly, they looked at each other. Murmuring. Ryoka turned.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I just want to find my friend. And I don\u2019t want Nama or anyone else to die. Thank you\u2014I\u2019ll remember meeting you forever.\u201d<\/p>\n She turned away. Knowing she would and wishing she could speak longer. Longer\u2026she heard a voice calling out after her.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Ryoka!\u201d<\/p>\n Arthur the squire stood by the sword in the stone. He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m but a boy. And he is a dying old man.\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured at the old man, who glowered at the youngest Arthur. The boy returned the gaze, steadfast. The last King Arthur spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I am the Arthur of your stories. You say they tell stories of me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey do, King of Camelot!\u201d<\/p>\n She shouted, tears springing to her eyes as he smiled by his terrible burden. The King nodded, pleased.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014Then. Chivalry is not dead. Nor will it ever be. Nor is it now.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t know what he meant. But then she saw the young man reach down. His crown shone golden. His armor gleamed.<\/p>\n He drew Caliburn from the stone. And raised it high overhead.<\/em><\/p>\n The world went still. Ryoka stared as the young man strode towards her. No\u2014<\/p>\n King Arthur Pendragon<\/em>. He held the blade aloft as the other two remained. Walking out of the clearing, into the forest consumed by a winter\u2019s storm. Fearless. He saluted Ryoka as he walked.<\/p>\n \u201cI have never left a maiden in distress. Nor do I fear the Winter Court. Come, milady. Let us find your friend and rescue your great protector.\u201d<\/p>\n He offered her an arm to rest upon, in the fashions of old. Ryoka Griffin stared at him. She stared at the arm. She edged away from the arm, but then she bowed.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n The King of Chivalry smiled. He stepped beyond the glade and was engulfed in winter. Ryoka\u2019s skin froze\u2014the world became a howling snowstorm without direction. <\/em><\/p>\n The winter fae were everywhere. Great shapes; wolves of the end time bounding about the lone figure in the blizzard. Somehow, she was keeping them all back. Ryoka threw up an arm as her body turned to ice in front of the wind\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n But the light of Caliburn protected her. The winter fae spotted her and the warrior in icy armor charged at her, lifting the blade no one had matched.<\/p>\n He did not see the young King until it was too late. Did not expect any foe but Ryoka. The blade swung up\u2014and the winter warrior\u2019s blade was blown backwards. The ringing sound halted the other figures in the blizzard. They turned as one, and saw the light.<\/p>\n Caliburn swung down, and the blow sent even the faerie king\u2019s champion stumbling back. <\/em>The King of Chivalry shouted, and knocked aside an arrow made of hoarfrost as it sped at Ryoka\u2019s chest. He blurred as he whirled the sword around and the Wild Hunt charged him\u2014and fell back.<\/p>\n Ryoka saw it now. It was a sword and an idea. It was a kingdom, the kingdom made then, and in the future, when the Once and Future King returned to reclaim his lost kingdom, when his subjects needed him most.<\/p>\n It was all those things. To break it, you would have to break all those things at once. And the immortal skill of the fae\u2014King Arthur turned in the howling winds and locked blades with another warrior of the Wild Hunt.<\/p>\n The fae was pressed backwards. The man laughed. He had all the knowledge of his life, before and after! In this place\u2014he looked at Ryoka as Caliburn\u2019s light forced the others back.<\/p>\n