Free Embark (King Arthur and Her Knights Book 4) by K. M. Shea Page B

started.
    “Yes, Sir,” Sir Ywain and Sir Griflet said.
    To Britt’s shock the two knights grabbed her by each arm, and dragged her back to the keep—their grasp light but surprisingly strong . “You don’t have to tote me like a doll,” Britt said, trying to yank herself from their grasp without any success.
    “We do, or you would never go with us, My Lord,” Sir Griflet cheerfully said.
    A smile broke through Britt’s stormy countenance and she looked at the two knights and realized—with a start—that they had both grown, and now had broader shoulders and a wider chest. Britt was still taller than them—just barely so—but they escorted her as if she had the strength of a helpless kitten.
    “Thank you, you two,” Britt said when they left the practice grounds behind. She glanced over her shoulder—Merlin was shouting at all the knights who had been at the archery range—and shivered.
    “You’re safe now, My Lord,” Sir Ywain said as they stomped through the Camelot’s gates.
    “Indeed,” Sir Griflet said. “No one will reach you in Camelot.”
     

 
    Chapter 6
    Blaise the Hermit
    The marksman of the stray arrow was not found.
    The episode nearly put Britt’s day-trip with Merlin in jeopardy, until Merlin reasoned that it might be safer for Britt to leave Camelot and the public eye for a day, which was how, a week later, Britt found herself in a charming cottage, owned by Blaise—Merlin’s mentor, and a renown hermit.
    “You’ve recorded everything Merlin’s ever done in these books?” Britt asked, paging through the crude, leather books with awe.
    “I have,” Blaise smiled. As Merlin’s mentor, Britt should have known Blaise would also scorn most concepts of hermits and wise men. Blaise wore a bright green tunic, and had well-combed, bark-brown hair. His beard was trimmed and orderly, and he was built more like a knight than a holy man.
    “So, this is like a baby book,” Britt said in delight.
    “A what?” Merlin frowned.
    “A baby book? I love it,” Blaise said, his laughter was loud and booming. “The future has such wonderful ideas,” he said. (As Merlin’s mentor, the wizard had naturally told the hermit everything, so Blaise was aware of Britt’s gender and her origins.)
    Britt tilted her head and studied an illustration. “…Is that Stonehenge?”
    “Merlin knocked one of the formations over when playing with magic. We had to get a giant from France to set it right again,” Blaise said.
    “Wait, so it’s here? It’s already been built?” Britt asked.
    Blaise nodded. “Indeed. I believe those responsible for keeping it breathed a sigh of relief when Merlin finally grew old enough to control his magic.”
    “They did not,” Merlin scoffed.
    “I want to visit it,” Britt said. “In my time it was considered a marvel of the world. Merlin, we have to go see it.”
    Merlin rolled his eyes to his mentor. “Do you see what you have done?”
    “I won’t apologize,” Blaise laughed. “Flip a few pages forward, Britt. You’ll find the time Merlin was practicing shape-shifting and accidentally got stuck in the form of an old woman.”
    “You can shape-shift?” Britt asked, eagerly flipping pages to look at the colored illustrations.
    Merlin made a face like a puckered lemon. “I used to. It is a practice I avoid at all costs.”
    “Wise choice,” Blaise said, standing to lift a pot of boiling water off the fire. “Would either of you like blueberry tea? I use fruit and mint leaves for flavoring.”
    “Yes, please,” Britt eagerly said, looking up from the book.
    “Tell me, Britt. How do you like being King of England?” Blaise asked, pouring the hot water into three mugs.
    “I can’t say it was ever a personal aspiration, but I’m getting used to it,” Britt said, she thoughtfully leaned back in her chair. “I’ve been very lucky. I’ve made so many friends, and Sir Ector and his wife and Sir Kay welcome me like I am a real member of their