Free The End of Magic by James Mallory Page A

Arthur of Britain. I can barely see you.”
    Arthur and Gawain advanced the length of the audience chamber until they were standing at the foot of the Papal throne among
     the cardinals and bishops and other courtiers and ambassadors to the Holy See. Arthur disliked having to look so far up to
     see Virgilius, but he said nothing of that. He was here to ask a favor, after all.
    “I come seeking the Holy Grail, the cup from which Our Lord drank at the Last Supper. I have sworn a vow to bring it to Camelot,
     to show before the people.”
    “The Holy Grail?” Virgilius said in disbelief. There was a chorus of whispers as the princes of the Church began to gossip
     among themselves excitedly. “But surely… tell us what you know of this Grail, Arthur of Britain.”
    Arthur glanced toward Gawain before replying. He had expected the Vatican Palace to be like Avalon Abbey, only larger, but
     this place, with its splendor and intrigue, reminded him more of the tales he’d heard of Uther’s court. Nevertheless, he answered
     courteously.
    “I know that Joseph of Arimathea brought the Holy Grail from Jerusalem to the Isle of Avalon in my country, and there founded
     an order of monks to watch over it. And there it rested for many years, healing all who came into its presence through its
     holiness, until by some misfortune it vanished in the reign of King Vortigern, who murdered my grandfather, King Constant,
     to take the throne of Britain.
    “When I became King I swore I would restore the Grail to my people, and so I have searched the world over for it for seven
     long years. And now I have come to Rome to seek your aid, for surely if there is any news of the Grail’s whereabouts on earth,
     it is here,” Arthur finished.
    There was a moment of silence when Arthur finished speaking, and beside him Gawain shifted uneasily, unsure of himself in
     this strange place. Both men were sweating and uncomfortable in their heavy woolen garments.
    “But surely, King Arthur,” said the Cardinal who had first ushered them into the audience chamber, “if the Grail really exists—that
     is, if it can be found—then surely it belongs here? In the Holy City?”
    “Yes, of course,” said Virgilius quickly. “The Grail must be brought to Rome so that it can be properly taken care of. Don’t
     you agree, King Arthur?”
    “They don’t know where it is,” Gawain whispered to Arthur, with blunt Iceni directness.
    “The Grail was entrusted to Britain by Joseph of Arimathea,” Arthur said. “And I have vowed to return it there.”
    “Yes, of course,” Virgilius said irritably, “But times change, Your Highness, and men must change with them. We absolve you
     of the terms of your vow. It is far more suitable that the Grail remain here. I’m sure you see that’s for the best.”
    “I think I have seen a great deal that I never expected to, since I came to Rome,” Arthur answered diplomatically. “I am sorry
     to hear you have no more information of the Grail than I. It seems I must continue my quest.”
    “You will, of course, keep His Holiness apprised of your success?” one of the cardinals said.
    Arthur bowed wordlessly. After several more exchanges of empty pleasantries, the two Britons were allowed to leave the palace.
    “What a pack of jackals!” Gawain burst out, as soon as they reached the streets.
    “It is very puzzling,” Arthur agreed mildly, wiping the sweat from his damp forehead with the back of his hand. “They seemed
     so… venal.”
    “Perhaps what Merlin has said is true, that goodness resides not in creeds, but in men,” Gawain answered after a moment’s
     thought. “Your grandfather, King Constant, did as much ill in the name of the New Religion as Avalon Abbey does good, and
     both good and ill have been done in the name of the Old Ways.”
    “True enough,” Arthur said, sighing. “But we are no nearer to finding the Grail now than we were when we began, and if even
     Rome does not know