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She nodded. “That’s true. And therefore, you know exactly how bullheaded he can be. I wanted to be the one to go so he could stay near Galahad. But what do you think he had to say to that?”
I could easily imagine. Dame Halyna had no family in Camelot to worry about, so she would have been the logical choice.
“He didn’t want to say goodbye? To tell me any of this himself?” I asked.
“Of course he did. But he didn’t have that luxury. Neither of us did. It all happened very fast. The night of the attack on the temple.”
“That’s why neither of you were there.”
She nodded. “I was in a holding cell waiting for your brother to make up his mind about what to do with me. And Sir Ector had, thankfully, already fled.”
“Where is he now?”
“Far from Camelot by now, I hope. He knew Arthur’s men would be searching for him here. One of our supporters has a residence not far from the border of Tintagel. Ector planned to ride there and then try to make contact with the Tintagel forces.”
I stared. “He’s going to make contact with Arthur’s enemies?”
“Yes. Arthur’s enemies, not ours,” she pointed out. “Before all of this, they were our neighbors. They still could be.”
“He’s going to help them break through the frontlines and into Pendrath,” I said slowly.
She nodded. “If he can.”
It was a desperate act. One of high treason. If he accompanied the forces from Tintagel, then Sir Ector would be forced to fight against his own people. But I supposed it was a price he was ready to pay. Anything for a chance at peace.
“If they succeed, they’ll ride for Camelot. Kill Arthur,” I said.
“We can hope.” Dame Halyna met my eyes. “We all know there will be a price to pay.”
“It’s not Arthur I’m thinking of but the people of this city.” If the city was breached, there might be a slaughter.
“Soldiers will die,” she agreed. “Civilians, too, yes. But soldiers are dying every day, far from home, fighting for your brother and his aspirations of an empire. What else can we do if we ever want this war to end?”
I thought of Draven and his army. But they were weeks or months away, he’d said. If an army from Tintagel could get here faster...
Everything was chaotic. Arthur had made a horrible mess of things. Now here we were, actually hoping the kingdom we had attacked might be able to help get us out.
I let out a breath. “I hope it works.”
Dame Halyna seemed relieved. “I hope so, too. Anything could happen on the road to Tintagel. We won’t know if he’s made it through for quite some time.”
I nodded, then turned to go. “I’m sorry about your lock.”
“Wait, Morgan.”
I looked back at the older knight, her faded, light brown hair criss-crossed with gray. Like an older Lancelet. Older and wiser, I hoped. “Yes?”
“May the Three be with you,” she said. “In all you do for Pendrath. We all stand behind you. Know that, and may it give you hope.”
I cleared my throat. “May the Three be with you, too.”
It had been a long time since I had said the familiar phrase to anyone. I prayed it would have weight.
