The Darkest Knight (Guardians of Camelot #3) - Victoria Sue Page 0,78

the dark.’ I thought it was another reference to the dark and the light or the knights and their Tresors because that as you know is mentioned a lot, but he doesn’t use the word Ursus; he uses the feminine Ursa. Or ‘she bear.’”

“But I thought the Ursus were named that because of Arthur?” Tom put in. “I thought it was one of her sick jokes.”

“I’m sure it is, but in the same chapter Aalardin also explores the druid gods, and one of them is called the Divine Twins or divina geminos. He says that the queen of the fairies, which as we know can refer to Morgan, is a descendant of the divine gods and has their gift of seeing the light or the dark or alium faciem tuam which means ‘the other face.’”

Mel gazed at Gawain. “And you think this is how she finds the Tresors?”

“What?” Lucan interrupted. “But I thought it was a scent signature? We always thought that. They are brought to places where the Tresor has often been.”

“Actually, it was Roxy that gave me the idea. She said if Morgan was powerful enough to find half a dozen people in a population of billions, how could she not appear whole?”

“Because earth magic is body-bound and she doesn’t have one,” Lance said.

“Oh my fucking god,” Mel groaned and clasped his head. “I am so stupid.” He nearly spat the last word out and looked at all the stunned faces. “You could contradict me, you know.”

“But why when you seem so adept at mastering both halves of a conversation,” Lucan retorted dryly.

Mel wriggled in his chair. “The Ursus were ‘created.’” Charles watched in mild amusement as no one seemed surprised when Mel liberally finger-quoted everything. “Created from what? She just went ‘poof?”

“But you just said it was earth-bound,” Lucan started.

“No,” Tom butted in. “That’s not what you mean, is it? You mean they had to be created from something.”

Mel nodded. “And according to the notes, she has ability to see the dark as well as the light. What if she uses it? What if the Ursus are black souls?”

“You mean like real people?” Charles said.

“It makes perfect sense,” Tom agreed. “It fits every magic rule we know.”

Gawain shrugged. “He was a madman. We know that. I just wonder if there is any truth to it.”

Charles glanced at Kay. He seemed lost in thought, and he gave Kay’s hand a squeeze.

“It also fits with the queen of many faces theory,” Tom said.

“How?” Lucan asked. “I thought that meant she was simply deceitful or two-faced.”

“No,” Mel said slowly, staring at Tom. “It means she can see evil in people. Both faces. She can see the Tresors, but she can also see the Ursus.”

“So what do we do?” Roxy asked. “We wait for a signal, go, you do something with magic, and we free Galahad?”

“Not just,” Charles admitted. “The only way to free Galahad is by killing Mordred, and according to the notes, it has to be the son and it has to be with the sword.” Everyone in the room gazed uncomfortably at Charles. “And I don’t have a sword, specifically the sword.”

“But doesn’t it appear when you need it?” Mel asked.

Charles scoffed. “But who was controlling that? Mordred sure as hell isn’t going to give it to me.”

“No,” Mel insisted. “It wasn’t Mordred last time, it was Galahad.”

“So I go in, hope the sword appears, and hope I can kill him with it?”

“You’re gonna need a shit ton of therapy after this,” Mel said. Even Lance rolled his eyes.

Charles looked at the board and then the clock. He had no choice. None of them had any choice; they must get Galahad out of there. “We have an hour before dark.” He looked around the room. “Are we saying that as soon as the Ursus appear we all go?”

Mel nodded and looked around at Tom, Roxy, and Charles. They all agreed and stood.

“Does this mean I get a sword?” Tom asked eagerly.

“No,” Lucan said. “I want you in a tank.”

As if by agreement, the knights and their Tresors all disappeared to their rooms. Gawain walked over to his computer, stroking the back of his chair almost with affection.

“You have to come with us.”

Gawain looked up, surprised Mel hadn’t gone with Lance. He nodded. “I have fought many battles.”

“But this one I think will be with yourself.”

Gawain stilled. “I am not a coward.”

“I know that,” Mel said and sat. “I don’t think for one minute you are trying to avoid