Artie could feel that something ridiculous was going to come out of his mouth, and not really wanting to listen to it, she spoke first.
"Uh, I have a strange question for you." She directed it to all of the knights and they became serious in a heartbeat. "Are you familiar with a man who's…quite large, has a…unique mustache and wears lots of jewels and purple shades? Known for adopting orphaned children?" Sir Lancelot cleared his throat.
"If I may speak, that would be Lord Byron. He has his main residence in town and is known for being a charitable man to those of the lower classes." Confusion crossed his face as he looked up at Artie. "But how do you know about him, Sire? You…aren't from around here." Lancelot's confusion was understandable, and Artie wasn't sure how she should explain it. She opened her mouth, closed it, before sighing.
"The Lady of the Lake showed me him. If possible, I would like you to gather up a group to ask him to come to the castle to meet the new wielder of the sword. Then I want you to have a second party raid his house as soon as he is out of your line of sight. Raid his rooms, his bedroom specifically. Next to his bed there should be a panel on the right hand side if you are lying down. It's the first panel with a six pointed star." Lancelot seemed startled, along with the other knights. This was obviously not something that they had expected her to say.
"Excuse me? You can't order them around!" Lady Morgan was fucking furious and Artir turned and smiled at her again.
"I can, since this is something that needs to be done. If they don't want to do it for me, I will attempt to do it on my own. Also, prepare a cell for him as well." Sir Percy was the one who spoke up in protest.
"Sire, for what reasons? We can't just raid a nobleman's house, particularly one who has given so much to those who have nothing. He's adopted so many orphans!"
"And have you ever seen those children after?" Artie asked quickly and the knights froze. "Everything will be revealed. If I'm wrong, we won't need to use that cell, but I don't think that I will be."
"Sire, I know that you wish for this to happen, but are you not going to punish me for my actions?" Sir Lancelot's question threw Artie for a loop. Sir Kay still had to support Artie since she was unstable on her feet, and she also had the weight of the new sword in her hand. She was quite confused by his question, and gave him a look.
"Sir Lancelot, what on earth are you talking about?" He bowed his head, his dark locks falling around his face.
"I drew my sword with the intention to harm you?" He suggested and Artie laughed immediately. It was his turn to be confused, and he raised his head to look at her.
"Get to your feet you loyal oaf. I would never get mad at you for that, in fact, I expect it. Sir Lancelto, you are a loyal man, and the fact that you are upset when talking to me proves it. I don't care if you pulled a sword on me. Hell, I wouldn't be upset if you still did it." She stared down at the man she had read so many stories about and sighed, before shaking her head. "I am more surprised you lowered yourself in front of me after doubting me for so long. I have no idea why the sword picked me. The Lady in the Lake told me the fates decided that I needed to be here. I don't trust them, but they threw me into this time, so, here I am. Apparently they have been planning this since before I was born." Sir Lancelot only seemed to grow more concerned as Artie continued to speak. His green eyes widening as she continued. "So what I am saying, Sir Lancelot, don't apologise or think I am going to punish you for what you thought was the right thing to do." His face froze, and he stayed on his knees for a moment before he picked up his sword, sheathed it, and stood up. He turned and stared at the other knights, before nodding, and they too got to their feet.
"Sir Kay, you and Sir Percy are going to stay with Her Highness since you seem to get along with her. We will go call on Lord Byron and raid his household. Bring Her Highness to the grand hall and we will bring Lord Byron there to meet her. Have the handmaiden who dressed her change her clothes into something more suitable for a new King." Artie wasn't sure what was wrong with her clothes now, beyond the fact that she was fairly certain she was bleeding through it, but it was dark enough no one could tell. She didn't say anything as Sir Lancelot got the group moving, and all the knights gave her a short bow before leaving. It was just Sir Kay, Sir Percy, and the remaining women.
"Alright Sire! Let's go find the handmaiden that took care of you." Sir Percy was quite jovial, and Artie was glad to have someone around who was able to brighten the mood. She was more surprised by how gentle they were treating her. Sir Kay had very gentle hands, and carried most of her weight expertly. It made her wonder if he had experience escorting others who were injured around.
Despite her hatred, Lady Morgan followed them, and Lady Guinevere as well. She wasn't certain why the two remained with them, but Artie wasn't going to protest their presence. She thought that they were just following them to keep an eye on her, at least from Lady Morgan's perspective.
Artie only gave the stone one last look over her shoulder as they left, wanting to give it the finger, but was worried how that would come off to the others around her. It was her hope she wasn't going to have to come back here. The fates her ass.
~
When they entered the castle (after struggling up the steps without too much help from the knights), Artie received a very different reception when she came across others. Now, whenever she ran into someone, and they spotted the sword, they would immediately bow with a shocked, but awed expression on their face. They would try to help her, even when Artie didn't need it. It was an exhausting procedure, since Artie had no idea where she was supposed to go, and Sir Percy was enjoying the chaos of it all. Lady Morgan and Lady Guinevere didn't help, and Sir Kay was silent. Artie was up to her neck with awkward interactions, and she was starting to get overwhelmed. She wasn't a fan of crowds.
Sir Percy did eventually take pity on her, and began to lead her back towards the round table. Once there, he led them further and Artie began to recognise some of the tapestries down the wide, spacious hallway. But instead of taking her back to her old room, he took her in a different direction. Artie noticed how Lady Guinevere stiffened, and that suspicious feeling was coming back. It wasn't until they got to a crossroads in the hallway that they came upon a large group of women. All were dressed in a vaguely similar way, and two guards stood off in the distance, watching them. Artie recognised Moira's thin frame in amongst everyone, and she seemed quite upset. Her face was contorted in anger as she argued with a few other women. She could feel that it was going to escalate soon into violence, but that was when everyone caught sight of the five of them.
Instantly, Artie was swarmed by the women. Artie could instantly feel herself getting overwhelmed, and noticed that Moira wasn't among the group surrounding her. Instead, she stood off to the side, the young woman who had helped her before, patting her shoulder in comfort.
"My Lord! I'm great with my hands! And fast too!"
"I'm unwed, My Lord!"
"I have many connections in the castle, My Lord!" Artie began to realise what exactly was happening. Sir Percy was chuckling to the side, as Sir Kay held his tongue as he held Artie up. Artie, overwhelmed once more, cleared her throat.
"Uh, excuse me ladies, but I already have a handmaiden. Moira?" Moira, who hadn't expected Artie to pick her again, perked up, her eyes widening as Artie called her name. The group of women, who were admittedly quite attractive, stared in shock at Moira who approached quickly. Moira bowed politely, her eyes glistening with unshed tears and Artie wanted to ask her if she was okay, but stopped herself. The shocked ladies recovered, and slowly began to trickle away. The more bold ones gripped onto Artie's hand, giving her a wink and promising that they'd come in a heartbeat if she called for them. Especially if she found other's care unsatisfactory. Sir Percy was grinning from ear to ear as Artie was white as a ghost. Was this how they got power in the castle? She really wasn't expected to be treated this way, since she was a woman. Yes, she had been dating a woman prior to this, but she didn't expect this kind of society to be so…accepting of those kinds of relationships? Since children carried on the line, and homosexual relationships did not do that. Or, maybe, people were allowed to fool around as long as they produced one child? Artie shook her head, the thoughts too complicated for the amount of blood she was currently losing.
Sir Percy, and now, Moira, led the way down the hallways, and stopped at two huge double doors. They were quite impressive, and similar to the doors of the round table. They weren't one piece of wood, but the images carved into the doors were impressive. Most focused around dragons, and the slaying of them. There was also an image of the sword in the stone, and Artie's vision swam. She blinked slowly, noticing that there was another set of guards in front of the doors. Moira opened them quickly, and that was when Artie noticed the same girl who had helped them earlier was with them. Artie wondered when she had joined them. Moira and the younger girl pulled the room divider out, and Sir Kay moved until Artie was behind it. Artie wasn't able to hold herself up, and Moira, being smart, moved Artie's hand where it was over her wound. Artie's hand was covered in blood. Lady Guinevere gasped, and Sir Percy dropped the smile from his face as Artie smiled at them.
"It's nothing. Just needs a rewrap." She assured them. No one believed her. Moira's mouth was in a grim line, and she glanced around the room, before sighing, and she began to bark out orders. The new King's safety was more important than her life.
"Sir Knights, please run to get fresh bandages. Lady Morgan, if you would be so kind to help me undress the Sire since I am not used to undressing the injured. Lady Guinevere, could you gather me some clean water?" Everyone kicked into motion at Moira's orders, Sir Kay and Lady Guinevere leaving the room to follow her orders while Sir Percy remained in the room, but not behind the room divider. Artie, who felt like she was floating, chuckled while witnessing the scene. She could not believe that this was her new reality.