Christmas in Camelot - Mary Pope Osborne [4]
“And finally, Sir Bedivere and Sir Gawain,” King Arthur said.
The king then turned to three empty chairs at the table. “And there once sat three who are lost to us now,” he said.
Lost how? wondered Jack.
“You may sit at their places and join our dinner,” King Arthur said.
“Thank you,” said Annie.
Following Morgan around the table, Jack read the names carved on the backs of the three empty chairs: SIR LANCELOT, SIR GALAHAD, SIR PERCIVAL.
Jack took off his backpack and sat down in Sir Lancelot’s place.
As he sat tall and straight in the heavy wooden chair, Jack looked at the king and his knights. They were gnawing meat off bones and slurping wine from heavy goblets. They ate without manners or delight.
Jack really wanted to take notes. He reached into his pack under the table and pulled out his notebook and pencil. But before he could write a word, a serving boy brought more food. Jack quickly put his things away. The boy set a greasy slab of beef on a soggy piece of bread in front of him. The food looked terrible.
“Not much of a Christmas feast, huh?” Annie said in a low voice.
Jack shook his head.
Annie leaned close to Morgan and whispered so King Arthur wouldn’t hear. “What happened to the three lost knights?” she asked.
“After Mordred’s Dark Wizard cast his spell, the king sought help from the magicians of Camelot,” Morgan said quietly. “They told him he must send his knights on a quest to the Otherworld, to recapture our kingdom’s joy.”
“What’s the Otherworld?” said Jack.
“It is an ancient, enchanted land beyond the edge of the Earth,” said Morgan. “The place where all magic first began.”
“Wow,” whispered Annie.
“The king chose his three bravest knights to journey there,” said Morgan. “When they did not come back, Arthur turned against his magicians. He blamed magic for all of Camelot’s woes. Hence, he has banned magic of any kind from the kingdom forever.”
“But you’re a magician,” whispered Annie. “Did the king turn against you, too?”
“Arthur and I have a long friendship,” said Morgan. “He has allowed me to stay in the castle as long as I promise not to practice the art of magic ever again.”
A feeling of dread crept over Jack. “So … does that mean the magic tree house is … ?”
Morgan nodded. “Yes. Banished from Camelot,” she said. “I’m afraid this will be your last journey. And the last time we see each other.” Her eyes filled with tears. She looked away.
“What? The last time we see each other? Forever?” said Annie.
Before Morgan could answer, the wooden doors swung open with a bang. A wind rushed through the great hall. The torches and candles flamed brighter, making the shadows leap wildly on the walls.
The sound of hoofbeats filled the room. A knight on a huge horse rode through the arched doorway.
The knight was dressed all in red—from his shining helmet to the long cloak on his back. His horse was dressed all in green—from the armor that covered his head to the cloth that hung from his saddle.
“Oh, wow!” breathed Annie. “A Christmas Knight!”
“I have come to see Arthur the king!” the Christmas Knight said. His deep voice echoed from inside his helmet. His red armor gleamed in the firelight.
King Arthur stood up. He stared fiercely at the knight, but he spoke in a calm, steady voice. “I am Arthur the king,” he said. “Who are you?”
The knight did not answer Arthur’s question. “So. You are the legendary King Arthur of Camelot,” he said in a mocking voice. “And these must be the famous Knights of the Round Table.”
“Yes,” said King Arthur, “and again, I ask: Who are you?”
The Christmas Knight still did not answer Arthur’s question.
“The spell of the Dark Wizard has robbed Camelot of its joy,” said the Christmas Knight. “Has it robbed you and your men of your courage as well?”
“You dare to question our courage?” King Arthur said in a low, angry voice.
“CAMELOT IS DYING!” the Christmas Knight boomed. “Why has no one journeyed to the Otherworld to