The Law of the Prince Charming

Chapter 12.1

The group travels north from Camelot all day. The weather is fair and the travel easy. The Arthur calls a halt as night approaches and everyone works together to set up camp.

"So why is there no castle in here like normal?" Thomas asks. He stands at the back of the Huntsman's wagon. Inside there are tents, several crates of food, and a number of weapons including lances attached to the roof.

"It's a wagon when I want it to be." The Huntsman passes Thomas a tent. "Don't need someone poking their head inside when I'm not around and getting lost."

"Impressive spell," Thomas says.

"Yes."

Thomas hands each item he is passed to the line of knights and soldiers before he and the Huntsman climb down.

"Dinner's ready." The Swift stirs the pot over the fire. He and the Archer had set up their camp next to the wagon during the unloading. "I did a wonderful job."

"You just heated up the food we brought with us."

"And I did it wonderfully."

"I'm going to do a sweep of the perimeter." The Archer raises an eyebrow at the Swift. "Save some dinner for me."

"Sure, sure." The Swift waves toward the trees. "Sir."

The Archer rolls his eyes with a slight smile before striding out into the forest. The Swift immediately begins serving the dinner.

"You two get along well," Thomas says.

"Yep." The Swift hands the bowl to the Huntsman and starts to fill another. "We didn't get along great when Pine first joined the team, though."

Thomas frowns. "Really?"

"Yeah, Pine was always apologizing and second guessing himself. Cobalt didn't help, always smothering him.

"Then one time Pine was almost killed by a mythic. After that he got his act together and Cobalt backed off a bit. So now we're a great team." The Swift bows as he hands the bowl to Thomas. "Your dinner, Your Highness."

"Yeah, thanks." Thomas snatches the bowl as the Swift laughs. The Laws of this tale did make them rather easy with each other. Thomas finds he doesn't mind.

"Otherwise, I'd never manifest the way I do. I trust Pine enough to know that if I get too deep he'll snap me out of it." The Swift fills a bowl for himself.

"Is there a safer way to manifest?"

"Sure, but it's not as powerful. Manifesting remnants as part of your body gives you more of its effect, but means you need more focus to keep the Laws from taking over. One day I want to be able to manifest as well as Black. He's the best in the Guild."

"Oh?" Thomas looks at the Huntsman. "So how is it that you're so good at manifesting?"

"He had to get good to defend his castle," the Swift says eagerly. "He killed a dragon, on his own, with a broken sword. That's why he's known as the Broken Sword."

"That's the title you said to the Captain in the Bluebeard tale. To make him listen to you," Thomas says.

The Huntsman throws another log on the fire.

"So was the dragon a part of your tale?" Thomas asks.

"No, it was after-" The Swift starts.

"Crimson." The Huntsman cuts him off.

"What?"

"Well, now I'm curious," Thomas says. "How did you come to kill a dragon, on your own, with a broken sword?"