As Emery soared through the skies, the majestic city of Logress came into view, punctuated by the towering structure of the newly-built Camelot. It was a sight to behold, its architectural beauty blending seamlessly with the landscape. The dawn sun cast a warm golden hue over the city, making the castle's stonework shimmer and glow.
Despite the magnificence of the view, there was a stark reminder of Roman presence: a sturdy outpost stood close to the city's entrance. However, the proud banner and sigil of Britannia unfurled defiantly atop many buildings and turrets, signifying the nation's undiminished spirit. Luna's words echoed in Emery's mind; Rome might have its eye on Britannia, but the heart and soul of the land remained unconquered.
Drawing nearer, the bustling streets and squares of Logress became visible. The city's populace went about their morning routines; merchants set up their stalls, children chased each other in the alleys, and the aroma of freshly baked goods wafted through the air. This vibrant cityscape, even grander and more prosperous than Emery's last memory, brought a hint of a smile to his lips. Britannia had not just endured; it had thrived.
Emery's journey to Camelot was driven by two pressing concerns. Firstly, he sought clarity about Rome's intentions and its seemingly peaceful yet imposing presence in Britannia. Julian, his Roman friend, had once promised that the lands of Britannia would remain untouched, yet here stood a Roman outpost. What had changed?
His second reason was to see the Legendary sword. Now, with his heightened connection to the law of light, Emery's curiosity about this sword had intensified. He wondered about its origins, its true power, and how it could potentially aid him in future endeavors.
The quickest way to unravel these mysteries was to seek out someone who knew about such matters and someone he trusted.
Using his spirit reading, Emery quickly pinpointed the presence of her, guiding him to the uppermost chambers of Camelot castle. Even before he could glimpse her, a familiar sensation surged within him. His heart beat strangely, and memories of past encounters flooded back, making him momentarily hesitant.
A decade might seem a short span in the grand scale of history, but for Emery, each year had been laden with experiences, challenges, and lessons. Still, certain memories never faded – like the last time he saw her. He remembered vowing to himself that he wouldn't intervene in her life, letting her find her own path. But as he hovered nearby, a potent mix of nostalgia and yearning gripped him. Was it simply curiosity?
Guided by the echoes of familiar laughter, Emery descended closer to the room. The golden glow of the room contrasted with the soft dusk outside, and standing at the balcony, her silhouette bathed in twilight, was her. Her laughter, mellifluous and unrestrained, added a musical undertone to the evening's ambiance. Emery, lost in the sight, was about to call out to her, to bridge the years of silence, when a sudden movement caught his eye.
A young boy, no more than three, bounded into the room and leapt into her embrace with the boundless energy only children possess.
"Mother, I want to see..." His voice, filled with innocent wonder, struck Emery.
He remained an unseen observer, watching the intimate scene between the two. The boy's queries about the stars, the heavens, and their inhabitants painted a vivid image of a world full of mysteries and tales.
The scene brings him memories of a night in the Lioness Kingdom, where they both gazing at the vast expanse of stars, surged forth. A simpler time, a moment of shared wonder, and dreams unspoken.
"Mother, is there anyone living up there?"
Her gentle voice, responded, "If you can keep a secret… there actually is… Someone… watching and protecting us up there."
The boy's eyes gleamed with anticipation, "Ahh is it god?!"
She chuckled, "No silly... it's... your uncle."
"Yes!! Uncle Lanzelot! The greatest knight of Britannia!"
The boy's enthusiastic exclamation pierced through Emery's defenses.
Yet, as Emery watched the tender exchange, the turmoil within him began to subside. The realization that she had found her place, her happiness, provided him with a clarity he hadn't anticipated. She was content, and that was enough for him.
Summoning a deep breath, he murmured a silent farewell, letting the weight of the words linger in the air, "Goodbye, Gwen."
As Emery's form dissipated, melding with the surroundings like smoke lost in the wind, the Queen suddenly turned her gaze to where he had just been. Her eyes, wide and searching, tried to find any remnants of what might have been. A peculiar sensation swelled within her, as if a fragment of her very soul had been gently tugged away, leaving behind a void filled with an inexplicable sense of loss.
####
Pushing the bewildering feeling aside, Emery sought the presence of another familiar face – Gaious, the old wizard, a repository of the kingdom's deepest secrets and sagas. The sight of Emery left the venerable man momentarily taken aback. Yet, the initial shock faded, replaced by the warmth of camaraderie as they settled down with a drink, tales from yesteryears spilling forth.
Gaius, unveiled the series of events leading to their kingdom's capitulation. "The Roman Dictator might have had an army at his heels, but he chose to confront Arthur alone, unveiling something that shook the very core of our king," Gaius narrated, his voice laced with concern. What Julian had shown Arthur remained a mystery, a closely guarded secret that apparently held the power to sway decisions of a kingdom. Promises of peace, sovereignty, and burgeoning trade had swayed even the staunchest of Britannia's defenders.
Further unsettling was Gaius's revelation about the impending summit in Rome. "Arthur's demeanor has been... perturbed since the invite. And the Roman's directive for him to bring forth his elite knights only amplifies my unease," Gaius murmured.
The seeds of curiosity had been sown in Emery. Rome beckoned, and he yearned to unveil the layers of mysteries enshrouding this Summit event. After bidding farewell to the old wizard, Emery's steps led him to the heart of Camelot – the chamber housing the legendary sword, an artifact he was keen to inspect.
Yet, as his fingers inched towards the hilt, a sudden clamor echoed beyond the door. Retreating to the shadows, Emery's eyes locked onto a cloaked figure that stealthily approached the legendary blade.
The silhouette, even beneath the cloak's concealment, was unmistakably familiar to Emery. To his astonishment, Queen Gwen emerged from the shadows, wielding the legendary sword. Without hesitation, she made her escape into the dark embrace of the night, galloping away on a steed, leaving behind a trail of mysteries for Emery to unravel.
This chapter is updat𝙚d by f(r)eewebn(o)vel.com