|
"Why such formality, young man?" asked the noble monarch, "We have come in goodwill and anticipation of Sir Phillip's arrival. He announed to the Court several weeks prior that he would bring to us one who had a interest in becoming a knight and would serve me well if I find him worthy."
Trunks glanced at Phillip with a look of astonishment on his face. He had not known that his presence at Camelot was not only arranged, but expected. Quickly he remembered to regard the King and so he turned to the sovereign, this time looking at him in the face.
"I am simply honored to be in your presence, Great King. And being stranger to your kingdom I thought it best that I treat one such as yourself with the respect you deserve."
Arthur looked at Trunks, smiling in all brotherliness like before, but his hazel eyes landed upon the Saiyajin investigatively. Trunks was aware of this naturally. It was clear that he was being evaluated right on Day One of his arrival to Camelot, which was what he had slightly anticpated from the start. Trunks bowed to the good king and Arthur returned it.
The sounds of pipes and fiddles rang in the air as all who were in the Great Hall started to socialize amongst themselves. Since the killing silence was broken, Trunks finally let out a sigh of relief. No one heard him, no one other than Phillip that is. The knight laughed and slapped Trunks on his back.
"Had ye there for a moment eh?" Phillip grinned.
"I refuse to entertain that question, sir." Trunks replied with a snicker. Phillip shook his head and dismissed himself, letting the Saiyajin do as he pleased. Gazing upon ravishly dressed lords and ladies from the court of King Arthur and those from other kingdoms was a treat in Trunks' sparkling blue eyes. If only Otousan and Okaasan where here...even Gohan-san would've loved being here. Thinking about his parents and mentor caused a rain of loneliness to drizzle within Trunks. There was no one to share this moment with. No one...
Giggling twitched in Trunks' ears. Using peripheral vision he could see yet another group of girls huddled together. Go figure on what or rather, who was the topic of their conversation. The more unnerving part for Trunks was that the throng of females present in that huddle had multiplied four fold as compared to the marketplace. Looking about, Trunks also discovered that there would be no old woman around to help him out this time. I suppose I will have to learn to handle this sort of thing. An idea had struck the warrior instantly. He grinned to himself in a sly manner. They would expect me to turn away and walk right? Now I wonder what would happen if....
The women in that huddle, giggled and laughed, some of their mouths going a mile a minute over the subject of conversation. However, they gasped and were wide-eyed as Trunks calmly walked their way. He greeted them all with a smile and a bow, being courteous as he knew how. In his mind, he was over-exaggerating the courtesy part. The women didn't seem to notice or care in any case. Trunks saw that the ladies were generally around the same age as him. One point better than the previous encounter at the marketplace, making Trunks feel like a famous movie star. Nearly an hour was spent entertaining questions about himself, what he does, and of course his personal life. He could have gone forever about himself, but it would not have interested the ladies as much as the question of whether he was single or not. The women were thrilled, especially a certain woman who asked the most questions. She was a tall brunette with hazel eyes. Judging from her figure, she seemed a bit too anorexic for Trunks' taste. Other than that she was attractive and intelligent amongst the throng. Trunks came to know the woman's name was Rayna and was not from Camelot. Rayna, a pretty name. Pretty, attractive, intelligent. Rayna's flirting began to get to Trunks and make him wonder. Oh indeed she was attractive, pretty, intelligent. However, it took him no less than five minutes after all the flirting that...Rayna was married.
A short, stalky bulk of a man broke the ranks and pulled Rayna out of the semi-circle. Trunks flinched on the inside. It's wrong to be hit on by a married woman after all. Having felt his social hour was over he kindly excused himself to retire near the Round Table. Trunks took a few breaths to clear that little episode out of his system. Out of luck, King Arthur took his position upon his seat at the Round Table and commanded the music to cease.
"The time has come for our guest of honor to prove himself worthy of a seat amongst our brothers." said the king, "Tests of strength and skill shall commence shortly."
"Sire, such actions I do not feel it necessary to be performed."
Philliped erupted into laughter, that being more than enough for an answer.
All eyes, even Trunks', fell upon a lean elderly man dressed in green mage's garb. As he moved out of the crowd to be in full view of Trunks and King Arthur, the warrior thought of the old man's snowy white beard as a cascading avalanche. The saiyajin knew this man to be Merlin, yet another person of legend. As frail as the wizard appeared to be, Trunks beheld in Merlin's eyes a universe of knowledge and experience.
"This young man, from what I have seen of him, is already worthy of himself in the manners of strength and skill." Merlin had a powerful and authorative voice that nearly startled Trunks, "However, if there any tests to be done of this man, I wish to be the one to test him. I request this, Your Majesty."
"Do as thou wish." Came Arthur's response. Merlin nodded and looked to Trunks, whom was three yards away.
"Young man, I know a great deal of thee. The knowledge of thee that I lack is thou's determination to overcome obstacles of any fashion. Art thou ready for thy test?"
"Aye." the saiyajin said firmly, mentally kicking himself for nearly saying "Hai".
Merlin spoke with all bluntness."Good then. Walk towards me."
What's this? Is this man trying to mock me? Trunks' slight arrogant habits were evident from his heritage and could not stand mockery. He did as was instructed, but after five steps something stopped him. Trunks tried again, this time taking three fast-paced steps and on the third step his head seemed to spin as though it was slammed into a brick wall. The warrior shook his head to clear the pain away and attempted to move, but was stuck. Something intangible held him back and Trunks knew not what. He was reduced to crawling before he realized that Merlin's magic was at work. Whether it be sorcery or not, Trunks would not allow himself to fail in front of the eyes of the crowd. So on all fours he crawled, struggling through the force of the wizard's magical might. On occasion he would look up at the mage's wrinkled face and saw only coldness. This motivated him to do even better and with each step closer to the wise man Trunks got, the more confident he became. Slowly, one step at a time. Trunks needed all the strength he had to barge past Merlin's power. It seemed like an eternity before Trunks finally used a burst of his energy to reach Merlin's boot. The crowds were in a trance from watching the young man struggle, thus they did not hesitate to applaud and cheer Trunks for his accomplishments. The old man's eyes sofened and patted Trunks' shoulder.
"Thou hast proven thyself worthy. Young man, rise." And now sooner had he said that, Trunks instantly got to his feet feeling refreshed and renewed. Trunks bowed to the wizard and then about faced to look at King Arthur. The king walked down from the platform and stood before Trunks and drew the fabled sword, Excalibur. Trunks looked upon the blade with wonder, for it was the most extravagant beyond compare. Being so close to the marvelous weapon, Trunks took it upon himself to read the inscriptions on the hilt to himself, "Ye who so pulleth this sword from this stone and anvil shall rightwise become King of all England."
"Young man, kneel." Commanded King Arthur. Trunks got down on one knee and looked up, beholding the king and his trusted weapon in all their glory and splendor. Arthur had to raise his voice so that all who bore witness to this event could here, "Young man, thou hast make a vow uttered only by the worthiest of men in all of the world. Thou must repeateth what say I and engrave each word in thy heart."
Trunks spoke solemnly, "Aye, sir. That I shall."
King Arthur began: I make a vow this day to do all deeds in the name of Righteousness To defend the weak in time of need. To right all wrongs. To make good of all Evils. To give aid to those in pain and suffering so that they shalt not suffer no longer. My heart and soul is bound to this sacred oath. Now and forever.
|
