King Arthur and Her Knights: Enthroned #1, Enchanted #2, Embittered #3 by K.M. Shea Page B

them.
    “No, I merely wished to present to you a…gift,” Sir Kay said after a suspiciously long pause.
    “Oh?”
    Sir Kay turned and called down the hallway. “Cavall, here.”
    A giant dog trotted around a corner, up the hall, and stopped at Sir Kay’s side. He was a charming apricot-fawn color with a black, wrinkled face and greatly resembled an English Mastiff.
    “He’s the size of a small pony,” Britt said, her eyes huge as she stared at the gargantuan dog. “I bet he could take down a bear!”
    “Not quite, but that is the idea,” Sir Kay said, clearing his throat. “His name is Cavall. He is yours.”
    “I’m sorry, what?” Britt blinked.
    “Cavall is to be your dog. He is a year old and well trained. He will be a suitable canine for you.”
    Britt scratched her ear as she stared at the dog—who hadn’t so much as quivered since he sat at Sir Kay’s side. “Wow. He’s….He’s big.”
    “So you have said several times.”
    “Will he stay at the…oh what would you call it. The kennels?”
    “No. He is to remain with you. At all times,” Sir Kay said, oddly firm.
    “Oh. Ah, thank you. He seems well mannered, and he is very… handsome,” Britt said.
    “Are you afraid of dogs?” Sir Kay asked.
    “No, not at all. I just haven’t ever owned one, and I’ve never met any that are quite this big,” Britt said before offering her hand to the dog.
    Cavall sniffed the hand and thumped his tail several times as he lifted his soulful eyes to Britt’s face.
    “Good boy,” Britt said, crouching in front of him to pat his shoulder.
    “If you have any problems please seek me out, or the kennel master. A boy from the kennels has been assigned to Cavall. He will see to his basic needs,” Sir Kay said.
    “Excellent. Thank you, Sir Kay,” Britt smiled.
    “It is my pleasure, my King. Would you like something to eat or drink? I could take you to a dining facility.”
    “That would be much appreciated, if you don’t mind.”
    “Not at all. This way, I believe,” Sir Kay said, going back down the hallway.
    Britt started to follow him before she hesitated, looking back at the sitting mastiff. “Cavall, here,” she called.
    The obedient canine stood and padded to her side, keeping pace with her. Britt briefly placed a hand on his head, and was surprised when Sir Kay smiled as he watched the exchange.
    Catching Britt’s eye, Sir Kay cleared his throat and wiped the smile from his face before speaking. “This way, My Lord.”

    “I hope you are pleased with your rooms, My Lord,” Sir Ulfius said as he led Britt through the castle keep.
    “I’m sure I will love them. You said all of my things were moved there?” Britt asked, glancing behind her to make sure Cavall was still following. He was.
    “Yes, I placed Excalibur there myself this afternoon while you dined, and I brought that, that black thing you guarded so closely during our days in London.”
    “My backpack? Excellent, thank you Sir Ulfius,” Britt said when the older knight paused outside a door.
    “It is my pleasure and my duty as your chamberlain, Sire,” Sir Ulfius said, sparing Britt a smile she could barely see behind his impressive facial hair before he opened the door. “The Great Chamber: your room, My Lord.”
    The room was big—almost embarrassingly so considering Britt would be the only occupant, she was going to freeze in the winter. There was a fireplace with a chimney to siphon the smoke away. A wooden stool was placed in front of the chimney, and the walls were decorated with tapestries of battle scenes. The only other furniture was the bed—which had a canopy suspended from the ceiling that cascaded over it—and a wooden bed stand.
    Britt wasn’t completely surprised by the room. She had roughed it out in the London inn long enough to know that bedrooms were not the personalized rooms she was used to. However, she was heartened by her backpack—which was carefully placed in the corner.
    “Thank you, Sir