Dusts of Avalon - Beastwithin.org

VI. A H M TBut if words didn't move him, at least the actions made him look at Arthurwith surprise and a tinge of awe. Arthur's cocoon opened with a bit of a hiss andrumble; most of that they felt through vibrations in the floor they were standingon. is time, the sides merely retracted through the floor.Inside was a robot that was mu larger than Lancelot had been. Arthurlooked far more like a human being than Lancelot; his posture was straight, atleast. Still, like Lancelot's armour, his armour was bulky enough, yet Arthurseemed to move with equal determination and grace.But before anyone could take a look at Arthur's appearance, everyone's aentionwas caught by the sword Arthur was holding. Arthur was holding beforehim a blade of shiniest metal, well engraved and encrusted with precious gems.A surprising sight to the modern folks — and even a surprising sight for Arthur,it seemed.Arthur took a look at his armour. Like Lancelot, the tall king had no head; hiswhole upper body was one single unit. He appeared to be able to look around;some sort of a camera unit in his head could turn and roll as Arthur examined hisarmour-clad arms and legs and his barrel-like body.And then he regarded his sword again.“Excalibur!” Arthur said. “By God's mercy! Merlin! Lancelot told me he hadreturned this blade to below the waves. You didn't told me—”“It was a long and difficult quest, my king”, Merlin said. “Suffice to say,Lancelot did return the blade to the Lake, but I felt that you needed your swordof legend in the world of tomorrow. e Lady of the Lake was quite reluctant togive it ba, for reasons I still do not fully comprehend, but we managed to strikea bargain with the Lady for the blade before Avalon ascended.”“What do you mean by ‘we’, Merlin?”Merlin paused. “Suffice to say—”“Enough with the secrets, Merlin.”“Very well, my King. I had a lile bit of help from Morgan.”“Not enough help to leave you with a favour you must repay dearly, I take it?”“at, sire, remains to be seen”, Merlin said with a dash of grudge and resignationin his voice.President Malory coughed. It seemed to him that something was amiss, andthe delegation was being ignored. “Your royal highness?”“Yes?” King Arthur turned to the group. “Ah, yes. Let us turn to our allengesSo you are the illustrious President Malory.”“at is true, sire.”“And who are these others?”Fyrehart stepped forth. “Sire,” he said with a barely noticeable hint of illiness,“I am General Fyrehart, President Malory's Secretary of Planetary Defence.I am the President's ief military advisor and top general, if you prefer.” Fyrehart