Thoroughly annoyed, Guinevere turned her back on the scene. More shouts, and the sound of hoof beats arrested her movement. Curious, she turned to peer down at the assembly now gathering beside the moat. It seemed that Lancelot’s weapon had convinced the guard to let him through. He had disappeared, along with the cart, but other knights were now galloping up, wet with the sweat of exertion and bearing the stains of a hard ride through rough country. They slid from their horses and clattered across the wooden drawbridge and through the gate, pushing aside the guard who tried to deny them entry.
Guinevere’s confidence faltered at the thought of the disgrace that would follow if they found out the truth from Meliagrance. She rattled the bars of her window once more, testing them. A couple s
