["She\tfished\tkeys\tout\tof\ther\tpocket\tto\topen\tthe\tclassroom\tdoor. \u201cDon\u2019t\tworry\tabout\tme,\tMs.\tMcMullen.\tI\u2019ve\tgotten\ta\tlot\tstronger.\u201d As\tthey\tentered\tthe\troom,\tshe\tpointed\tto\ta\tdesk\tfor\thim\tto\tdeposit\tthe\tbooks. He\twore\ta\tDC\tskater\tshirt\tand\tjeans.\tThe\tshirt\thad\tshort\tsleeves\tthat\trevealed\tthe musculature\tof\this\tarms. \u201cI\tcan\tsee\tthat,\tLance.\tHave\tyou\tbeen\tworking\tout?\u201d Lance\tnodded.\t\u201cA\tlot.\u201d\tHe\tthrew\tup\this\tarms\tin\ta\tmock\tflex\tpose\tand\tgrinned, causing\ther\tto\tlaugh. \u201cSo,\twhat\tdid\tyou\twant\tto\task\tme?\u201d\tshe\tinquired,\tseating\therself\ton\tthe\tcorner of\ther\tdesk. He\tsat\ton\tthe\tnearest\tdesk\tand\tgazed\tup\tat\ther,\tconsidering\thow\tto\tphrase\this question.\t\u201cAre\tthere\tteachers\there\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tlike?\u201d His\t question\t appeared\t to\t catch\t her\t off\t guard,\t and\t she\t almost\t did\t a\t double take.\t\u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\task?\u201d \u201cPlease,\tMs.\tMcMullen,\tit\tbe\timportant.\u201d \u201cWell,\t of\tcourse,\tthere\t are\t some,\u201d\t she\t began\t cautiously.\t \u201cNot\t everyone\t gets along\tat\tany\tjobsite.\tWhy\tare\tyou\tasking?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t trying\t to\t find\t out\t who\t you\t think\t is\t a\t butthole,\t Ms.\t McMullen,\u201d\t he said,\tcausing\ther\tto\tsmile,\t\u201cI\talready\tknow\twho\tis.\tI\tguess,\tI\tjust\tneed\tto\tknow how\tto\twork\twith\tsomebody\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike.\u201d \u201cOh,\tis\tthat\tall.\tWell,\tyou\tcould\tsimply\tavoid\tthem.\u201d \u201cWhat\t if\t I\t can\u2019t?\u201d\t he\t insisted.\t \u201cWhat\t if\t I\t gotta\t work\t straight\t up\t with\t them, what\tif\twe\tgotta,\tlike,\tdepend\ton\teach\tother?\u201d \u201cIt\t would\t help\t if\t I\t knew\t what\t you\t were\t talking\t about,\t what\t you\t mean\t by depend\ton.\u201d Lance\tlooked\tdown.\tHe\thad\tno\tproblem\tlying\ton\tthe\tstreets\u2014that\u2019s\thow\tyou survived.\tBut\the\tliked\tthis\tlady.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tlie\tto\ther.\tSo\the\tsaid\tnothing and\twaited. \u201cWell,\tI\tguess,\tif\twhat\tyou\u2019re\tworking\tto\taccomplish\tis\timportant\tenough,\tyou can\toverlook\tanything\tabout\tanyone.\u201d He\t looked\t up\t at\t her,\t light\t dawning\t in\t his\t almond-shaped\t eyes.\t \u201cYou\t mean, like\tin\tmath\u2014the\twhole\tbe\tof\tgreater\timport\tthan\tthe\tparts.\u201d \u201cYes,\tthat\u2019s\tright.\tBut\twhy\tare\tyou\ttalking\tlike\u2014\u201d Lance\twas\ton\this\tfeet\tand\tout\tthe\tdoor\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tfinish.\t\u201cThanks,\tMs. McMullen.\u201d As\t he\t sprinted\t across\t campus,\t the\t bell\t peeled,\t signaling\t the\t end\t of\t class. Lance\tknew\the\u2019d\tconfused\tMs.\tMcMullin\twith\this\tquestions,\tbut\the\twas\tgrateful for\ther\tanswers.","When\the\treturned\tto\tArthur\u2019s\tlair,\tLance\tfound\tMark\tand\tJack,\talong\twith\tother newcomers,\t hard\t at\t work,\t sweating\t profusely\t in\t their\t chain\t mail\t shirts\t as\t they swung\t and\t hacked\t at\t each\t other\t with\t short-handled\t swords.\t Arthur\t stood\t off\t to one\tside,\tobserving\tthe\ttraining\tand\tstepping\tin\twith\tadvice\twhen\tneeded.\tLance walked\tup\tand\tstood\tbeside\thim. \u201cHow\twas\tthy\tschooling,\ttoday?\u201d\the\tasked. \u201cIt\twas\tgood.\tI\tlearned\tsomething\timportant.\u201d Arthur\u2019s\teyebrows\tshot\tup.\t\u201cIndeed?\tWould\tthou\tcare\tto\tshare\tit?\u201d \u201cYeah.\tCan\tI\twork\twith\tthese\tguys\tfor\ta\twhile?\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\tcertain?\u201d Lance\t bit\t his\t lower\t lip,\t forcing\t down\t his\t doubts\t and\t fears.\t He\t could\t do\t this. \u201cYeah.\u201d \u201cVery\twell.\tI\tshalt\tattend\tthe\tarchery\tpractice.\tThe\tlads\tseem\tto\thit\teverything but\t the\t target.\u201d\t He\t grinned,\t and\t Lance\t returned\t it.\t Then\t Arthur\t moved\t off\t into the\ttunnel\tdesignated\tfor\tthe\tarchers. Lance\t sucked\t in\t a\t deep\t breath,\t held\t it\t a\t moment,\t and\t released.\t His\t heart raced,\tand\this\thands\ttrembled\ta\tlittle\tas\the\tstepped\ttoward\tthe\ttwo\tboys. You\tcan\tdo\tthis,\tLance\u2026.\tYou\tcan\tdo\tthis\u2026. Panting\t and\t heaving,\t Mark\t and\t Jack\t ceased\t their\t aimless\t hacking\t at\t one another\tas\tLance\tapproached. Mark\tsneered.\t\u201cLook,\tit\u2019s\tthe\tpretty\tbeaner\tboy.\u201d Lance\u2019s\t anger\t swelled,\t but\t he\t pushed\t it\t back.\t He\u2019d\t started\t this,\t after\t all. Forcing\t control\t on\t himself,\t he\t smiled\t that\t lovely\t smile\t that\t always\t seemed\t to charm\t his\t teachers.\t \u201cI\t guess\t I\t deserve\t that.\t I\u2019m\t uh,\t I\u2019m\t sorry\t about,\t you\t know, calling\tyou\tguys\tfags\tand\tstuff.\u201d Mark\t was\t clearly\t caught\t off\t guard\t by\t the\t apology.\t He\t and\t Jack\t exchanged\t a cautious\t look.\t The\t three\t boys\t sized\t each\t other\t up,\t and\t then\t Mark\t said,\t \u201cYeah, well,\t sorry\t about\t the\t beaner\t stuff.\t I\t ain\u2019t\t racist\t or\t nothing.\u201d\t He\t stuck\t out\t his hand.\t\u201cName\u2019s\tMark.\u201d Lance\t extended\t his\t own\t hand,\t hoping\t his\t sweating\t palms\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t too obvious.\t \u201cLance,\u201d\t he\t offered,\t and\t they\t shook.\t He\t found\t himself\t fascinated\t by Mark\u2019s\tdeep\tblue\teyes.\tThey\tlooked\tlike\tthey\twent\ton\tforever. Mark\tsmiled,\treleasing\tLance\u2019s\thand.\t\u201cI\tknow.\tArthur\u2019s\tbeen\ttelling\tus\tyou\u2019re his\t second\t in\t command,\t that\t all\t us\t knights-in-training,\t as\t he\t called\t us,\t got\t to listen\tand\tfollow\tyou,\t\u2019specially\twhen\the\tain\u2019t\taround.\u201d Lance\tforced\thimself\tto\tmeet\tMark\u2019s\tgaze.\t\u201cAnd?\u201d Mark\t and\t Jack\t exchanged\t another\t quick\t look\t before\t both\t grinned.\t \u201cWe\t can","hang\twith\tthat.\u201d Now\t Jack\t stuck\t out\t his\t hand.\t \u201cEspecially\t with\t a\t guy\t as\t hella\t cute\t as\t you, Lance,\u201d\t he\t gushed\t as\t they\t shook\t hands.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t Jack.\u201d\t His\t grip\t was\t robust\t and powerful,\tand\tLance\tgaped\tat\tthe\tbulging\tarm\tmuscles. He\tfelt\thimself\tblush,\tbut\tJack\tjust\tlaughed\tgood-naturedly.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\teven\tcuter when\t he\t blushes.\t Man,\t Lance,\t I\u2019d\t kill\t to\t have\t your\t hair,\t and\t I\t mean\t that.\t Mine sucks.\u201d\tHe\truffled\ta\thand\tthrough\this\tshaggy\tmop\tof\tblack\tcurls\tdisdainfully,\tbut Lance\tthought\tJack\u2019s\thair\tlooked\tpretty\tcool\ton\thim. Despite\t his\t embarrassment,\t Lance\t had\t to\t laugh.\t \u201cYeah,\t well,\t I\u2019d\t kill\t to\t have them\t guns\t you\t got,\u201d\t he\t said,\t pointing\t to\t Jack\u2019s\t sizable\t biceps\t and\t shaking\t his head\twith\tadmiration. Jack\tflexed\this\tright\tarm\tand\tpointed\tto\tLance\u2019s\tflowing\thair.\t\u201cTrade\tya?\u201d All\tthree\tboys\tcracked\tup,\tand\tLance\tfelt\tthe\tair\tbetween\tthem\tfeel\tsuddenly clean\t and\t relaxed.\t They\t were\t just\t three\t lost\t boys\t who\t needed\t Arthur,\t and\t each other.\t This\t was\t a\t new\t beginning\t for\t all\t of\t them,\t and\t Lance\t felt\t good\t about himself\t and\t his\t actions.\t In\t fact,\t from\t that\t moment\t on,\t he\t felt\t certain\t he\t could work\twith\tany\tnew\tkid\tArthur\u2019s\tcrusade\tmight\tbring\tin. He\t sparred\t off\t and\t on\t with\t each\t of\t them\t in\t turn\t for\t the\t next\t hour,\t coaching them\t on\t proper\t swordplay\t as\t Arthur\t had\t coached\t him.\t Jack\t had\t a\t powerful swing\u2014man\tthat\tboy\twas\tstrong!\tBut\tLance\tknew\tmore\tabout\ttechnique,\twhich saved\thim\tfrom\tlanding\ton\this\tbutt\tquite\ta\tfew\ttimes. Often\tduring\ttheir\tsession,\the\tcaught\tone\tor\tboth\tof\tthem\tundressing\thim\twith their\t eyes,\t especially\t Mark,\t with\t those\t pools\t of\t deep\t blueness\t that\t seemed almost\tsurreal.\tEach\tlonging\tglance\tcast\this\tway\tmade\tLance\tsquirm,\tand\twhen they\t broke\t for\t lunch\t he\t instructed\t them\t to\t refrain\t from\t any\t further\t comments about\t his\t looks\t because\t such\t behavior\t could\t lower\t his\t standing\t with\t the\t other kids. \u201cBut\t you\u2019re\t too\t hot\t to\t ignore!\u201d\t Jack\t insisted,\t and\t Mark\t nodded\t his\t assent eagerly. Lance\tignored\tthe\tcomment.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\teat,\tand\twe\u2019ll\tpractice\tmore\tlater.\u201d He\t instructed\t Mark\t and\t Jack\t to\t go\t ahead,\t and\t he\u2019d\t catch\t up.\t Despite\t the camaraderie\the\u2019d\tbuilt\tup\twith\tthose\tguys,\the\tnonetheless\tfelt\thimself\ttrembling as\t they\t vanished\t down\t the\t food\t tunnel.\t What\t he\t was\t feeling\t confused\t him.\t He knew\t lots\t of\t girls\t thought\t he\t was\t cute\u2014\u201cYour\t hair\t is\t sssooo\t beautiful,\t and those\t eyes\t are\t gorgeous!\u201d\u2014and\t now\t he\t was\t getting\t compliments\t from\t boys. Had\t there\t always\t been\t boys\t looking\t at\t him\t like\t that,\t and\t he\u2019d\t just\t never noticed? You\tknow\tthere\thave,\tfool!\tYou\tjust\tpretended\tthere\tweren\u2019t. He\t honestly\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how\t he\t felt\t about\t girls,\t or\t boys,\t eyeing\t him\t in\t that","way.\tBoth\tthought\the\twas\tgood-looking,\tboth\tlet\thim\tknow\twith\ttheir\teyes\tthat they\tliked\thim\tlike\tthat,\tand\tboth\tscared\thim.\tThey\tscared\thim\tbecause? Don\u2019t\tgo\tthere,\tLance! Suddenly\the\twasn\u2019t\tvery\thungry. I\tneed\tanother\tworkout! Usually\twhen\tthese\tmemories\tovercame\thim,\the\u2019d\tskate\tthem\taway.\tBut\tthat wasn\u2019t\t an\t option\t right\t now.\t Off\t to\t the\t archery\t range.\t That\u2019s\t what\t he\u2019d\t do.\t And that\u2019s\twhere\the\twent,\tavoiding\tMark\tand\tJack\tfor\tthe\tremainder\tof\tthe\tday.\tBut mostly,\tas\the\u2019d\tdone\tso\toften\tthroughout\this\tlife,\the\tavoided\thimself. That\t evening,\t about\t one\t hundred\t of\t Arthur\u2019s\t followers\t were\t gathered\t around him\tin\tthe\tgreat\tcircular\tchamber,\tseated\ton\tpillows\tor\tblankets\tor\ton\tthe\tground. Arthur\t sat\t on\t his\t throne,\t listening\t to\t their\t personal\t stories,\t continually\t appalled by\t the\t treatment\t these\t children\t had\t received\t at\t the\t hands\t of\t adults\t who\t were supposed\tto\tprotect\tthem. And\the\tintroduced\tto\tthem\tthe\tcode\tof\tchivalry. \u201cWhat\u2019s\t chivalry,\t Arthur?\u201d\t Mark\t asked,\t his\t bright\t blue\t eyes\t fixed\t with wonder\thim. \u201cChivalry,\u201d\tArthur\tbegan,\t\u201cis\ta\tcode\tof\tconduct\twhich\tall\tof\tyou\tshall\tswear to\t uphold\t should\t you\t choose\t to\t be\t knighted.\t Its\t primary\t focus\t be\t honor\t and serving\tthe\tcause\tof\tright,\tprotecting\tthose\twho\tbe\tdefenseless\tin\tthis\tworld.\u201d \u201cYou\t mean\t like\t little\t kids?\u201d\t Chris\t asked,\t sitting\t on\t the\t floor,\t as\t always,\t near Lance,\twho\tsat\tin\ta\tlarge\twooden\tchair\tbeside\tArthur. \u201cYes,\tChris,\tlike\tlittle\tkids.\u201d Chris\tpointed\tat\tLance.\t\u201cThen\tI\tnominate\tLance\tfor\tchivalry\tguy\tof\tthe\tyear!\u201d He\tgiggled\tdelightedly,\tand\tLance\tblushed. \u201cHere,\there!\tWe\tsecond\tthat,\u201d\tblurted\tJack\tfrom\tacross\tthe\tchamber,\tand\tMark nodded\tvigorously. Now\tLance\tlooked\tlike\the\twanted\tto\tsink\tinto\this\tchair. Arthur\tchuckled,\tand\tgood-natured\tlaughter\trippled\tthrough\tthe\tgroup.\t\u201cI\tshalt take\tthy\tsuggestion\tunder\tadvisement,\tChris,\u201d\the\tsaid\twith\ta\ttwinkle\tin\this\teye, gazing\tat\tLance\twith\tpride.\tLance\tdid\tnot,\thowever,\tmeet\this\tgaze. \u201cAs\tthou\tshould\tall\tby\tnow\tknow,\tLance\tbe\tmy\tFirst\tKnight,\tand\tLiege\tLord in\tmy\tstead,\u201d\tArthur\tcontinued,\this\tvoice\tsteady\tand\tserious.\t\u201cShould\tthere\tbe\ta time\t I\t cannot\t lead,\t or\t shall\t be\t indisposed,\t Lance\t shalt\t assume\t command.\t Be there\tbe\tany\tamongst\tyou\twho\tchoose\tto\tdispute\tthis?\u201d \u201cYeah,\u201d\tcalled\tout\ta\tfemale\tvoice\tfrom\tthe\tback.\t\u201cI\tdo.\u201d","All\t heads\t turned\t to\t see\t a\t beautiful\t Latina\t girl\t stand\t and\t face\t Arthur.\t There was\t excited\t murmuring\t amongst\t the\t children,\t for\t no\t one\t had\t ever\t seen\t her before.\t She\t had\t long\t flowing\t hair\t that\t spilled\t halfway\t down\t her\t back,\t soft cheekbones,\t full\t lips\t presently\t curled\t into\t a\t sneer,\t and\t an\t athletic\t figure,\t at\t the moment\tclothed\tin\ta\tT-shirt\tand\ttight,\thip-hugging\tjeans. Enrique\u2019s\t lower\t jaw\t dropped,\t and\t he\t elbowed\t Luis\t beside\t him,\t leaning\t in\t to whisper,\t\u201cI\tjust\tsaw\tmy\tfuture\twife.\u201d \u201cNot\tif\tI\tget\twith\ther\tfirst,\u201d\tLuis\treplied,\talso\tgawking. All\teyes\tremained\tfixed\ton\tthe\tgirl,\tthen\tturned\tto\tArthur\tfor\this\tresponse. For\this\tpart,\tArthur\theld\this\tcomposure\tand\tmaintained\tthe\tdignity\the\tmust\tif he\t was\t to\t command.\t He\t could\t not\t let\t on\t that\t she\t had\t caught\t him\t by\t surprise. He\u2019d\tnot\tnoticed\ther\tpresence. When\thad\tshe\tarrived? \u201cAnd\tthou\tart?\u201d\the\tasked\tcalmly. The\tgirl\ttossed\tback\ther\thead\tand\tstood\twith\thands\ton\thips.\t\u201cName\u2019s\tReyna,\u201d she\t said\t as\t all\t eyes\t flew\t back\t to\t her\t like\t flies\t to\t flypaper.\t \u201cHeard\t about\t your little\tcrew\there\tand\tthought\tI\u2019d\tcheck\tit\tout.\tSee\twhat\tyou\tgot\tgoing.\u201d Her\tlast\tstatement\thad\tthe\teffect\tof\ta\tchallenge,\tand\tall\teyes\treturned\tto\tArthur to\t gauge\t how\t he\u2019d\t handle\t it.\t Lance,\t in\t particular,\t observed\t his\t king\t with\t keen interest. Arthur\t sat\t very\t upright\t on\t his\t throne,\t one\t hand\t on\t Excalibur\u2019s\t hilt,\t the\t other on\this\tlap.\t\u201cAnd\tyour\tappraisal?\tWould\tthou\tjoin\tour\tcause?\u201d \u201cDepends.\t You\t I\t could\t handle.\t You\u2019re\t a\t man\t who\t seems\t to\t have\t it\t together. You\tdress\tkinda\tweird,\tbut\they,\tthis\tis\tLA,\tcapital\tof\tweird.\u201d\tThen\tshe\ttossed\ta derisive\tsneer\tLance\u2019s\tway.\t \u201cBut\tyou\tactually\texpect\tme\t to\ttake\torders\tfrom\ta boy\tyounger\tand\tprettier\tthan\tme?\u201d There\t were\t sniggers\t from\t the\t assemblage.\t Mark\u2019s\t mouth\t dropped\t open\t in shock,\tand\tJack\tviciously\tmad-dogged\tthe\tgirl. \u201cYes,\tI\tdo,\u201d\tArthur\tstated\twith\tfinality. All\t eyes\t returned\t to\t Reyna,\t who\t stood\t her\t ground\t as\t though\t she\t knew\t she could\twhip\tall\tthese\tboys\tat\tonce.\tWithout\tanother\tword,\tshe\tsnatched\ta\tbow\tand arrow\t from\t a\t startled\t Lavern,\t who\u2019d\t been\t clasping\t the\t precious\t weapons\t ever since\t practice\t had\t ended.\t With\t a\t fluidity\t and\t grace\t not\t seen\t among\t any\t of\t the kids\tthus\tfar,\tshe\tslipped\tin\tthe\tarrow,\twhipped\tthe\tbow\tup\tto\ther\tshoulder,\tand aimed\t it\t right\t at\t the\t tunnel\t beside\t Arthur\u2019s\t throne.\t She\t moved\t so\t fast\t no\t one even\thad\ta\tchance\tto\tbreathe,\tlet\talone\treact.\tShe\tsent\tthe\tarrow\tflying. Lance\t leaped\t to\t his\t feet,\t starting\t toward\t Arthur.\t But\t the\t arrow\t whizzed harmlessly\t past\t the\t king\t into\t a\t dark\t tunnel\t beyond.\t A\t thud\t and\t a\t sharp\t squeak emanated\t from\t the\t darkness,\t and\t then\t silence.\t From\t the\t sound,\t it\t was\t obvious","that\t she\u2019d\t killed\t a\t rat,\t and\t in\t the\t dark!\t Arthur\t was\t impressed,\t but\t kept\t his composure. Reyna\tlowered\tthe\tbow\tand\tturned\ther\thaughty\tface\ttoward\tLance. Arthur\tspoke\tonly\tone\tword:\t\u201cLance.\u201d Clearly\trattled\tby\tthe\tgirl\u2019s\tshowy\tperformance,\tand\tsmarting\tfrom\ther\tinsult, Lance\t took\t a\t moment\t to\t meet\t her\t mocking\t gaze\t before\t stepping\t down\t off\t the platform.\t Mark\t and\t Jack,\t in\t particular,\t eyed\t him\t expectantly.\t The\t crowd\t parted as\tLance\tstrode\tacross\tthe\tchamber\tto\tReyna\u2019s\tside\tand\tsnatched\tthe\tbow\tfrom her\tgrasp.\tShe\tlaughed\tand\tlet\thim\thave\tit.\tGlaring\tat\ther\tfor\ta\tmoment,\the\theld his\thand\tout\tto\tLavern\tfor\tanother\tarrow.\tThe\tsmall\tboy\thanded\tone\tover. Without\t another\t word,\t he\t cocked\t the\t arrow,\t raised\t the\t bow,\t and\t fired\t in\t the same\t direction\t as\t Reyna.\t There\t was\t a\t slight\t sound\t from\t behind\t Arthur,\t then absolute\tsilence. Lance\tlooked\tArthur\tin\tthe\teye\tfrom\tacross\tthe\tchamber,\tand\tthe\tking\tnodded. \u201cEnrique,\tretrieve\tthe\tdead\trat,\tif\tyou\tplease.\u201d Enrique\t leapt\t to\t his\t feet\t and\t ran\t into\t the\t dark\t tunnel\t behind\t Arthur.\t In\t a moment\the\treturned,\tcarrying\ta\tdead\trat. \u201cHold\t it\t high\t for\t all\t to\t see,\u201d\t Arthur\t instructed\t without\t looking.\t He\u2019d\t trained Lance\twell\tenough.\tHe\tknew\twhat\tthey\twould\tsee. A\tgasp\trippled\tthrough\tthe\tgroup\tas\tEnrique\traised\tthe\tdead\trodent\tabove\this head.\tReyna\u2019s\tarrow\tclearly\tstuck\tout\tof\tits\thead.\tBut\tLance\u2019s\tarrow\tstuck\tout\tof Reyna\u2019s,\thaving\tspilt\tthe\twood\tof\ther\tshaft\tas\tit\tstruck\thome. All\teyes\treturned\tto\tReyna\tand\tLance,\tstanding\tside\tby\tside\tin\tsilence.\tLance locked\t eyes\t with\t her.\t She\t smiled\t approvingly\t and\t nodded,\t giving\t him\t an appraising\tlook. \u201cI\u2019ll\t think\t about\t it,\u201d\t she\t announced,\t and\t with\t a\t flounce\t was\t out\t of\t the chamber\tand\tgone\tinto\tthe\tdarkness. Still\tholding\tthe\trat,\tEnrique\tmurmured,\t\u201cI\tthink\tI\u2019m\tin\tlove.\u201d Not\ta\tsound\tcould\tbe\theard\texcept\tthe\tdripping\tof\twater\tsomewhere\toff\tin\tthe dark.\tThe\tassemblage\twas\tstunned.\tArthur\tmet\tLance\u2019s\tgaze\tacross\tthe\tchamber, and\tgrinned\twith\tpride.\tLance\tgrinned\tback. That\tsame\tevening\tas\tJenny\tfinished\tdinner\tand\tprepared\tfor\ther\tnightly\tpaper- grading\t ritual,\t she\t turned\t on\t the\t local\t news\t just\t to\t make\t sure\t the\t city\t was\t still there.\tNowadays,\twith\tall\tthe\tstupid\tdecisions\tmade\tat\tall\tlevels\tof\tgovernment, sometimes\tshe\twondered\tif\tthe\tworld\treally\twas\tcoming\tto\tan\tend\tlike\tall\tthose idiot\tprognosticators\tkept\tsaying.","Her\tthirty-two-inch\tflat\tscreen\tpowered\tup,\tand\tshe\tset\tit\tto\tChannel\t7\tNews because\t she\t liked\t their\t anchors.\t As\t she\t bussed\t her\t dinner\t dishes\t into\t the\t tiny kitchen\t of\t her\t one-bedroom\t apartment\t in\t Torrance,\t she\t heard\t the\t first\t story being\tannounced. The\t local\t anchor\t intoned\t solemnly\t as\t though\t announcing\t an\t appearance\t by God\t himself.\t \u201cOur\t lead\t story\t tonight\t is\t a\t strange\t one,\t as\t I\u2019m\t sure\t you\u2019ve\t been hearing\tall\tday.\tHas\tthe\tlegendary\tKing\tArthur\treturned\tfrom\tthe\tdead,\tand\tdoes he\t at\t this\t moment\t roam\t the\t streets\t of\t Los\t Angeles\t collecting\t children?\t Here\u2019s our\town\tHelen\tSchaeffer\twith\tthe\tdetails.\u201d On\thearing\tthe\tname\t\u201cKing\tArthur,\u201d\tJenny\tdumped\ther\tdishes\tinto\tthe\tmessy sink\t and\t hurried\t to\t her\t living\t room\t just\t as\t Helen\t appeared\t on\t camera\t with\t the words\t\u201cLive\tfrom\tSanta\tMonica\tBlvd\u201d\tplastered\tdramatically\tacross\tthe\tbottom of\tthe\tscreen. On\tthe\tscreen,\tHelen\tindicated\tthe\tbusy\tthoroughfare\tbehind\ther.\t\u201cAs\tyou\tcan see,\t it\u2019s\t an\t ordinary\t evening\t here\t on\t Santa\t Monica\t Boulevard\t near\t West Hollywood.\t But\t last\t night\t was\t anything\t but\t ordinary,\t as\t you\u2019ll\t see\t from\t this amazing\tcell\tphone\tvideo\tcaptured\tby\ta\tlocal\tpasserby.\u201d The\tscene\tcut\tto\ta\tvideo\tof\ta\tman\ton\thorseback,\tsurrounded\tby\tboys,\tverbally sparring\twith\ttwo\tpolice\tofficers.\tBecause\tthe\taudio\twas\tso\tpoor,\tthe\tTV\tstation had\tput\tup\tsubtitles\tfor\tthe\texchanged\tdialogue.\tStunned\tinto\tamazement,\tJenny slid\tdown\tinto\ther\teasy\tchair\tand\tgaped\tat\tthe\talmost\tsurreal\tfootage\tunfolding before\t her.\t So\t caught\t up\t in\t the\t drama,\t she\t audibly\t gasped\t when\t the\t bullet bounced\toff\tthe\tman\u2019s\tarmor.\tThe\ttape\tcame\tto\tan\tend,\tand\tHelen\treappeared. \u201cAs\tof\tthis\tmoment,\tKing\tArthur\thas\tcontinued\tto\telude\tthe\tpolice.\tAccording to\t authorities,\t he\t is\t wanted\t for\t \u201cquestioning,\u201d\t only,\t which\t must\t be\t the understatement\tof\tthe\tyear.\tThis\tis\tHelen\tSchaeffer\treporting\tfor\u2014\u201d Jenny\twaved\ther\tremote\tand\tclicked\toff\tthe\tset.\tKing\tArthur?\tObviously\tsome nut,\tshe\tknew,\tand\tyet\u2026.\tWasn\u2019t\tit\tjust\tlast\tmonth,\tor\tmaybe\tthe\tmonth\tbefore, that\tLance\thad\tquestioned\ther\tabout\tKing\tArthur?\tWas\the\treal?\tWasn\u2019t\tthat\tone of\tLance\u2019s\tquestions?\tShe\u2019d\tthought\tit\todd\tat\tthe\ttime,\tbut\tthen\tLance\tcould\tbe an\todd\tkid.\tNow\twith\tthis\tnews\tstory\u2026.\tCould\tthere\tbe\ta\tconnection? She\t ran\t her\t hand\t through\t her\t wavy\t blonde\t hair,\t absently\t realizing\t that\t she needed\t to\t wash\t it.\t She\t also\t needed\t to\t talk\t with\t Lance\t as\t soon\t as\t possible.\t But how,\tsince\the\tnever\tcame\tto\tschool?\tThat\tnewswoman\tsaid\tsomething\tabout\tthis King\tArthur\tcollecting\tchildren\u2026\tcould\tthat\texplain\twhy\tsome\tkids\tat\tMTS\thad been\tmissing\tthese\tpast\tfew\tweeks?\tLance\twas\tthe\tkey,\tshe\tknew. I\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tfind\thim.","Within\t the\t Hollenbeck\t Police\t Station,\t Ryan\t sat\t pensively\t gazing\t at\t the\t TV, studying\t a\t freeze-framed\t image\t of\t Arthur\t from\t that\t cell\t phone\t video.\t It\t was evening,\tand\tthe\tgang\tdetail\tdepartment\twas\tquiet.\tToo\tquiet,\tRyan\tknew.\tThere had\tbeen\tno\tmore\t\u201ctagging\u201d\tfor\tthe\tpast\tsix\tweeks\tand\tno\tmajor\tgang\tincidents. The\tcalm\tbefore\tthe\tstorm,\the\tsuspected.\tGibson\tentered\tand\ttossed\ta\treport\ton Ryan\u2019s\t desk.\t The\t older\t man\t glanced\t up\t at\t his\t partner,\t gnawed\t pencil\t dangling from\this\tlips. \u201cYou\tstill\t looking\t at\t that\t tape?\u201d\t he\t asked.\t \u201cYou\t must\t have\t it\t memorized\t by now.\u201d Ryan\t leaned\t back\t in\t his\t swivel\t chair\t and\t held\t up\t a\t drawing\t of\t the\t \u201cA\u201d\t tag against\t the\t freeze-framed\t video\t image\t on\t the\t screen.\t The\t frozen\t video\t frame was\t blurred,\t but\t clear\t enough\t to\t reveal\t Arthur\u2019s\t shield\t emblazoned\t with\t the same\tsymbol. \u201cHe\u2019s\tour\ttagger,\tGib.\u201d Startled,\t Gibson\t leaned\t forward\t for\t a\t closer\t look,\t snatching\t the\t picture\t from Ryan\t and\t examining\t it\t against\t the\t monitor.\t \u201cWell,\t I\u2019ll\t be\t damned!\t How\t the hell\u2019d\tyou\tmake\tthat\tconnection?\u201d Ryan\t took\t back\t the\t paper\t and\t set\t it\t down\t next\t to\t some\t Internet\t printouts. These\t printouts\t showed\t various\t shields\t emblazoned\t with\t heraldic\t symbols\t of one\t kind\t or\t another.\t \u201cDid\t a\t little\t Internet\t search.\t I\t remembered\t from\t college about\tknights\tand\thow\tthey\talways\thad\ta\tcrest\ton\ttheir\tshields.\tHell,\tI\twas\treally into\t that\t stuff\t back\t then\t when\t I\t was\t young\t and\t stupid.\t You\t know,\t knight\t on\t a horse\triding\tinto\ttown\tand\tcleaning\tit\tup\tfor\tall\tthe\tgood\tpeople?\u201d Gibson\tnodded,\tloosening\this\tdark\tblue\ttie,\tand\trolling\tup\tanother\tchair\tto\tsit beside\this\tpartner.\t\u201cYeah,\tI\tknow\tthe\tfeeling.\tSo\twhat\tdo\tyou\tsuppose\tthis\tguy\tis up\tto?\tHe\u2019s\tgotta\tknow\the\u2019ll\thave\tevery\tgangbanger\tin\tthe\tcity\tgunning\tfor\thim if\the\tkeeps\tputting\tthat\tup\ton\ttheir\tturf.\u201d \u201cAll\t forty-one\t thousand,\t give\t or\t take?\u201d\t Ryan\t asked\t with\t a\t crooked\t smile, which\tonly\taccentuated\tthe\tdeep\tfrown\tlines\ton\this\tcraggy\tface. \u201cYou\tknow\twhat\tI\tmean.\u201d \u201cAnything\ton\tthat\tdagger?\u201d Gibson\t picked\t up\t the\t file\t folder\t and\t flipped\t it\t open.\t Within\t were\t various photos\t of\t the\t knife\t Arthur\t had\t used\t against\t the\t rookie\t cop.\t \u201cPretty\t weird,\t Ry. The\tlab\tdid\tall\tthe\tusual\ttests.\u201d \u201cYeah?\tSo?\u201d \u201cSo\t they\t think\t it\u2019s\t from\t England,\u201d\t Gibson\t continued\t in\t that\t tone\t of\t voice game\t show\t hosts\t use\t when\t they\u2019re\t about\t to\t reveal\t what\u2019s\t behind\t door\t number one. \u201cSo\twhat\u2019s\tthe\tpunch\tline?\u201d","\u201cNear\tas\tthey\tcan\ttell\twithout\tcarbon\tdating,\tEngland\tof\tthe\tsixth\tcentury,\tor thereabouts.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tcrap\ton\tme,\tGib.\tI\u2019m\tso\tnot\tin\tthe\tmood.\u201d Gibson\t leaned\t forward,\t his\t tired\t features\t dead\t serious,\t and\t handed\t Ryan\t the report.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot.\tIt\u2019s\tall\tin\there.\u201d Ryan\tgazed\tat\tthe\treport\ta\tmoment,\tand\tthen\tlooked\this\tpartner\tin\tthe\teye.\t\u201cI don\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tthe\thell\u2019s\tgoin\u2019\ton,\tbut\tI\tthink\tyou\tand\tI\thave\tan\tall-nighter\tto pull\t with\t Mr.\t Internet.\t We\t need\t to\t find\t out\t everything\t there\t is\t to\t know\t about King\tArthur.\u201d Gibson\u2019s\teyebrows\tshot\tup.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\ta\tlot\tof\tinformation,\tRy.\u201d Ryan\ttossed\tthe\treport\tonto\this\tdesk\tand\tpointed\tat\tthe\tnext\tdesk.\t\u201cAnd\tthere\u2019s an\t awful\t lot\t of\t cyberspace\t right\t there\t on\t your\t computer,\t partner.\t Let\u2019s\t get cracking.\u201d With\t a\t heavy\t sigh,\t Gibson\t rolled\t the\t chair\t over\t to\t his\t own\t immaculately organized\tdesk\tand\tset\tto\twork. The\tepisode\twith\tReyna\thad\texcited\tthe\tboys\tmore\tthan\tusual.\tSome\tof\tthe\tolder ones,\tlike\tEnrique\tand\tLuis,\tcould\ttalk\tof\tnothing\telse\tbut\t\u201cwho\tshe\u2019s\tgonna\tlike better,\t me\t or\t your\t fool\t ass?\u201d\t while\t the\t youngsters\t were\t all\t excited\t that\t Lance had\tbested\ther.\t\u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tno\tgirl\tanyways\u201d\twas\ta\tcommon\trefrain\tamong them. It\t had\t taken\t Arthur\t and\t Lance\t much\t longer\t than\t usual\t to\t settle\t the\t in-house sleepers\t for\t the\t night.\t Speculation\t ran\t in\t whispers\t among\t the\t supposedly sleeping\tboys\tabout\twhat\twould\thappen\tnext,\tand\twould\tshe\tbe\tback,\tand\twould she\t want\t to\t join,\t and\t how\t did\t she\t learn\t to\t shoot\t like\t that?\t Finally,\t silence punctuated\t by\t the\t ever-present\t dripping\t of\t water\t and\t the\t occasional\t echoing whinny\tfrom\tLlamrei\twafting\tin\tfrom\ther\ttunnel,\tsettled\tover\tthe\tmain\thall. Arthur\tand\tLance\tsat\tside\tby\tside\ton\tthe\tplatform\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tking\u2019s\tthrone, legs\t outstretched\t before\t them,\t enjoying\t a\t bit\t of\t downtime\t after\t such\t a tumultuous\tevening. Lance\tpushed\this\thair\tback\tfrom\this\teyes\tand\tlooked\tat\tArthur.\tHe\u2019d\tremoved his\tcirclet,\tand\this\tlengthening\thair\tframed\this\tsoft\tfeatures\tlike\ttwin\twaterfalls. \u201cCan\tI\task\tyou\tsomething,\tArthur?\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse.\tWhat\tis\tit\tyou\twish\tto\tknow?\u201d \u201cWhat\twas\tit\tlike\twhen\tyou\u2019s\ta\tkid?\tYou\tknow,\tway\tback\tin\tthe\tday?\u201d \u201cMy\t childhood\t was\t magical,\t thanks\t to\t Merlin.\t But\t lonely,\t as\t well.\t There\t be only\tmy\tfoster\tbrother,\tKay,\tto\tplay\twith,\tat\tleast\tuntil\tMerlin\tcame\tto\ttutor\tus.\u201d","Lance\tpulled\this\tlegs\tup\tand\tunder\thim,\tIndian\tstyle,\tand\tfaced\tArthur.\t\u201cWhat was\the\tlike,\tMerlin?\tWas\the\treally\ta\tpowerful\twizard?\u201d \u201cMerlin\tdid\tindeed\tpossess\tpowers\tabove\tand\tbeyond\tnature.\tNot\tin\tthe\tway thy\t modern\t society\t hath\t created\t such\t magical\t inventions,\t no.\t Merlin\t was\t like\t a force\tof\tnature.\tHe\ttaught\tme\tabout\tlife,\tall\tlife,\tand\tthe\tprecious\tnature\tof\tit,\tand why\tpreserving\tit\tat\tall\tcosts\tshould\tbe\tour\tprimary\taim.\tI\towe\tmuch\tto\tMerlin, and\tto\tGod,\tfor\tgranting\tme\tthis\tsecond\tchance\tto\tmake\tthings\tright.\u201d Lance\t digested\t this\t new\t information,\t considering\t his\t own\t life.\t He\t supposed he\tbelieved\tin\tGod,\tbut\thad\tnever\tgiven\tit\tmuch\tthought.\tHe\tsure\tdidn\u2019t\tbelieve God\thad\tever\tdone\tanything\tfor\thim.\tBut\tthen,\the\thadn\u2019t\tdone\tanything\tfor\tGod, either,\tso\the\tsupposed\tthey\twere\teven.\t\u201cWhat\tabout\tyour\tparents?\u201d Arthur\tsighed\theavily,\ta\ttwinge\tof\tsadness\tcreeping\tlike\tmist\tover\this\tface.\t\u201cI never\t know\t my\t sires,\t Lance,\t though\t I\t have\t oft\t been\t told\t of\t my\t mother\u2019s\t great beauty.\tMy\tfoster\tfather,\tSir\tEctor,\tdid\this\tbest\tto\tmake\tme\tfeel\tas\tone\twith\this family,\tso\tmuch\tso\tthat\tI\tdid\ttruly\tcome\tto\tthink\tof\thim\tas\tmy\tfather.\u201d Lance\u2019s\t face\t clouded\t over\t at\t the\t mention\t of\t \u201cfoster\t father,\u201d\t and\t he\t felt Arthur\u2019s\teyes\tscrutinizing\thim. \u201cTell\tme\tof\tthy\tupbringing,\tLance,\tif\tthou\twould\thave\tit\tso.\u201d Lance\tsquirmed\tand\tallowed\this\tflowing\tbangs\tto\tobscure\thalf\this\tface,\ta\ttrick he\talways\tused\twhen\the\twished\tto\thide\tfrom\tothers.\tJust\tthe\tmention\tof\this\tpast squeezed\this\theart\tand\tsent\ta\tlump\tof\tanguish\tinto\this\tthroat. \u201cThere\tain\u2019t\tmuch\tto\ttell.\tMy\tmother\u2026\tshe\tdid\tdrugs.\tAnd\tshe\u2026.\u201d\tHe\tpaused and\tsucked\tin\ta\tdeep\tbreath,\tfisting\this\ttunic\tspasmodically.\tThen\tblurted,\t\u201cShe sold\tme\tto\ta\tstranger\twhen\tI\twas\tone\tyears\told!\u201d\tHis\tbreath\tlodged\tin\this\tthroat, and\t he\t began\t to\t sweat.\t \u201cShe\t sold\t me,\t Arthur,\t so\t she\t could\t buy\t crack\t cocaine!\u201d He\t paused\t again,\t fought\t for\t air,\t struggling\t for\t control.\t His\t entire\t body\t had tensed\tup,\tready\tfor\tflight. I\tcan\tdo\tthis,\the\tassured\thimself.\tI\tneed\tto\tdo\tthis. \u201cI\t don\u2019\t even\t remember\t her\t face.\u201d\t That\t last\t barely\t came\t out\t as\t a\t wisp\t of breath,\t and\t he\t looked\t at\t Arthur\t with\t abject\t pain\t welling\t within\t his\t sad\t green eyes. \u201cI\tbe\ttruly\tsorry,\tmy\tboy.\u201d\tThe\tking\u2019s\tvoice\twas\tlaced\twith\tdeep\tsadness. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t even\t have\t a\t real\t last\t name,\t Arthur,\u201d\t Lance\t went\t on\t quietly,\t fighting back\tthe\ttears. Be\tstrong,\tLance!\tYou\u2019re\tFirst\tKnight! Arthur\twas\tconfused.\t\u201cBut,\tdid\tyou\tnot\tsay\tthy\tname\tbe\u2014\u201d \u201cSepulveda?\u201d\tLance\tfinished\tfor\thim,\tnodding\tbitterly,\teyes\tafire\twith\tlament. \u201cYeah,\t that\u2019s\t the\t name\t they\t gave\t me\t at\t Children\u2019s\t Services\t because\u2026.\u201d\t His breathing\t almost\t stopped.\t \u201c\u2026That\t was\t the\t name\t of\t the\t street\t where\t I\t got\t left","when\tthat\tstranger\tdidn\u2019t\twanna\tfeed\tme\tno\tmore.\u201d\tHis\tenflamed\teyes\tbrimmed with\t an\t impending\t flood,\t and\t his\t body\t began\t to\t tremble.\t \u201cArthur,\t I\u2019m\t named after\ta\tstreet!\u201d The\tking\u2019s\tbody\tseemed\tto\tsag\twith\tpain,\tbecoming\tsmaller\tand\tso\tmuch\tless imposing\tthan\the\talways\tseemed\tto\tLance.\t\u201cThy\tlife\thath\tbeen\tone\tI\twould\tnot wish\tupon\tmy\tfiercest\tenemy.\u201d Arthur\t reached\t out\t a\t comforting\t hand\t and\t placed\t it\t upon\t Lance\u2019s\t shaking shoulder. Lance\t recoiled\t at\t once,\t untangling\t his\t legs\t and\t leaping\t to\t his\t feet,\t almost falling\tback,\teyes\twide\twith\tterror,\tgasping\tfor\tbreath,\tshaking\twith\tfear,\tfeeling like\tan\tanimal\tcaught\tin\ta\ttrap. \u201cMy\t apologies,\t Lance,\u201d\t Arthur\t said,\t pulling\t his\t hand\t slowly\t back.\t \u201cI\t had forgotten.\u201d Lance\u2019s\t breathing\t gradually\t slowed,\t but\t his\t eyes\t never\t left\t Arthur\u2019s\t hand, which\t now\t rested\t on\t the\t king\u2019s\t own\t lap.\t \u201cNo,\t it\t ain\u2019t\t you,\t Arthur,\t it\u2019s\t me. I\u2019m\u2026.\u201d \u201cDoth\tthou\twish\tto\tspeak\tof\tit?\u201d \u201cNo!\u201d\t Lance\t looked\t away\t and\t sat\t again\t on\t the\t platform,\t farther\t from\t Arthur this\ttime.\tHis\theart\tremained\tin\this\tthroat,\this\tstomach\tchurning. \u201cAs\tthou\twish.\u201d Silence\t fell\t between\t them\t for\t a\t few\t moments,\t and\t then\t Lance\t began\t to\t cry, softly,\tand\tagonizingly.\tHe\tstruggled\tto\thold\tback\tthe\ttears,\tbut\tthey\tforced\ttheir way\tout.\tHis\tvoice\tfelt\traspy\tand\trough,\tlike\tair\tpassing\tthrough\tbones. \u201cIt\t ain\u2019t\t just\t you,\t Arthur,\t I\t ain\u2019t\t never\t told\t nobody.\t I\t been\t tryin\u2019\t to\t ferget\t it, \u2019cept\tI\tcan\u2019t.\u201d \u201cPerhaps\tto\tspeak\topenly\tof\tthis\tpain\tmay\tlay\tit\tto\trest.\u201d Lance\trefused\tto\tlook\tup.\tHis\thair\tcovered\this\tentire\tface\tnow,\tand\the\tsniffled and\t gave\t in\t to\t more\t tears.\t His\t legs\t splayed\t outward,\t and\t his\t hands\t were clenched\tinto\ttight\tfists,\tgripping\tthe\tfolds\tof\this\ttunic\tlike\ta\tlifeline. \u201cIt\u2019s\tjus\u2019\tthat\u2026\tin\tthis\tfoster\thome\twhen\tI\u2019s\tsmall\u2026.\u201d \u201cI\tam\there,\tLance.\u201d Lance\t fought\t his\t shivering\t body\t for\t control.\t His\t voice\t became\t small\t and uncertain,\tlike\tthe\tfaintest\twhisper\tof\twind\tthrough\tthe\tleaves\tof\ta\ttree. \u201cI\t was\t six\t years\t old\t when\t it\t started\u2026\t the\t man\u2026\t my\t foster\t dad\u2026\t he sometimes\tcame\tto\tmy\troom\tat\tnight\tand\u2026\the\ttole\tme\tthat\tthis\twas\twhat\tboys did\t together\t and\t that\t he\t was\t doing\t me\t a\t favor\t by\t teaching\t me.\u201d\t He\t gulped\t and shuddered.\t\u201cHe,\tuh,\the\ttole\tme\tI\treally\twanted\tit\teven\tif\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tI\tdid\u2026.\u201d He\t glanced\t hesitantly\t into\t Arthur\u2019s\t gentle\t face,\t his\t wide\t eyes\t seared\t and desperate\tand\twithout\thope.\tHe\tsaw\tthe\tcompassion\tand\tunderstanding\tand\tthen","broke. \u201cHe\traped\tme,\tArthur!\tHe\tdid\tit\ta\tlot,\tfor\talmost\tthree\tyears!\tAnd\the\tmade\tme do\tstuff,\ttoo,\tand\u2026\tI\u2026\tI\twanted\tit\tto\tstop,\tbut\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tstop\tit.\tHe\tkept\tsaying\tit was\t my\t fault,\t that\t I\t wanted\t it,\t and,\t oh\t God,\t Arthur,\t I\t must\u2019ve\t liked\t it\t \u2019cause\t I never\tran\taway,\tnot\ttill\tI\twas\tnine\tyears\told\tand\u2026.\tOh,\tArthur,\tmaybe\tI\tdid\twant it,\t maybe\t I\u2019m\t queer\t like\t Mark\t and\t Jack\t and\t that\u2019s\t why\t they\t make\t me\t so nervous!\tI\tmean,\tI\tain\u2019t\tnever\teven\tkissed\ta\tgirl\tbefore,\tthough\tsome\u2019s\ttried,\tbut I\u2019m\t scared\t of\t them\t too.\t When\t I\u2019m\t around\t them\t gay\t boys\t I\t feel\t things\t I\t don\u2019t wanna\t feel.\u201d\t His\t eyes\t peeked\t through\t his\t hair\t beseechingly,\t revealing\t the\t guilt and\tthe\tshame\tpouring\tforth\tfrom\this\tsoul.\t\u201cOh\tGod,\tArthur,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twho\tI am.\tI\tdon\u2019t\teven\tknow\twhat\tI\tam!\u201d He\tleapt\tat\tArthur\tlike\ta\twild\tanimal\ton\tthe\tattack\tand\tflung\this\tarms\taround the\t man,\t sobbing\t uncontrollably\t into\t Arthur\u2019s\t tunic,\t his\t body\t shaking\t violently with\tpain\tand\thumiliation.\tArthur\tgently\tstroked\this\thair,\theld\thim\ttenderly,\tand spoke\tsoothingly\tinto\this\tear. \u201cBut\tI\tknow\twhat\tthou\tart,\u201d\the\tbegan,\tcradling\tand\trocking\tthe\tsobbing\tchild. \u201cThou\tart\tLance,\tmy\tchosen\tFirst\tKnight,\twho\tshalt\tlead\tthe\tchildren\tof\tthis\tcity in\t a\t triumphant\t crusade\t to\t right\t the\t wrongs\t that\t have\t been\t done\t to\t them.\t You were\t not\t chosen\t because\t you\t favor\t girls\t or\t boys,\t but\t because\t you\t already possess\t the\t qualities\t that\t make\t a\t true\t man\u2014honor,\t loyalty,\t faithfulness,\t and compassion.\t These\t be\t the\t measure\t of\t any\t man,\t and\t you\t are\t a\t better\t man\t at fourteen\tthan\tmany\tgrown\tmen\tI\thave\tknown.\tThat\tis\twhat,\tand\tthat\tis\twho\tyou are,\tmy\tLance.\u201d Arthur\u2019s\t words\t penetrated\t Lance\u2019s\t deep\t and\t throbbing\t pain\t and\t warmed\t his heart\twith\ttheir\tsincerity,\tbut\tthe\tsobbing\tcontinued\tunabated. They\tremained\tthis\tway\tuntil\tLance\tfinally\tcried\thimself\tto\tsleep\tin\tArthur\u2019s strong,\tcomforting\tembrace.\tThen\tthe\tking\tgently\tlaid\tthe\tboy\tdown,\twiped\tthe tears\t and\t snot\t from\t his\t face\t with\t one\t sleeve,\t and\t carefully\t covered\t him\t with several\tblankets. As\the\tsat\tand\twatched\tLance\u2019s\tbreathing\tbecome\tsmooth\tand\teven,\the\tever\tso softly\tbrushed\tthe\tdamp\thair\toff\tthe\tboy\u2019s\tface.\tThere\twere\tstill\tlines\tof\tanguish drawn\tacross\this\tunblemished\tfeatures,\tbut\tslowly\tthese\teased\tthemselves\taway as\t deeper\t sleep\t grasped\t hold\t of\t the\t boy\t and\t carried\t him\t off\t to\t the\t necessary Land\tof\tForget. Arthur\t knelt\t and\t bowed\t his\t head\t in\t prayer.\t \u201cDear\t Lord,\t thank\t ye\t for delivering\t unto\t me\t this\t lost\t one,\t and\t all\t of\t these\t lost\t ones.\t May\t I\t do\t right\t by your\t faith\t in\t me.\t You\t have\t set\t unto\t me\t a\t great\t and\t noble\t task.\t I\t ask\t only\t the strength\tand\thumility\tto\tachieve\tit.\u201d Then\t he\t lay\t down\t close\t enough\t to\t Lance\t should\t the\t boy\t awaken\t and\t need","him,\t but\t not\t so\t close\t as\t to\t stir\t the\t horrific\t memories\t he\u2019d\t only\t just\t expunged. After\ta\ttime\the\teased\tinto\ta\tfitful\tsleep. When\t he\t awoke\t early\t next\t morning\u2014or\t what\t he\t surmised\t to\t be\t morning\t since no\t sunlight\t penetrated\t the\t storm\t drains\u2014Arthur\t instantly\t noted\t that\t Lance\t was not\t beside\t him\t and\t leapt\t up\t in\t fright.\t Concerned\t about\t the\t boy\u2019s\t state\t of\t mind, he\thurried\tdown\tthe\tnearest\ttunnel\tand\tsuddenly\tpulled\tup\tshort.\tLance\twas\tjust ahead,\tsitting\tbeside\tlittle\tChris,\twho\tslept\tsoundly\tand\tsnugly,\this\tbreathing\tsoft and\teven. Arthur\tapproached\tquietly\tand\tknelt\tbeside\tLance\tquestioningly.\t\u201cDoes\tall\tbe well?\u201d\the\twhispered\tso\tas\tto\tnot\twake\tthe\tsleeping\tchild. Lance\t nodded,\t gently\t stroking\t Chris\u2019s\t soft\t blond\t hair.\t Then\t he\t looked\t up\t at Arthur,\t his\t own\t hair\t tangled\t and\t matted\t with\t dried\t sweat,\t and\t met\t the\t king\u2019s eyes\t with\t determination.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t gonna\t make\t sure\t what\t happened\t to\t me\t never happens\tto\thim.\u201d Arthur\t understood,\t and\t nodded,\t hesitantly\t reaching\t out\t to\t place\t his\t hand\t on Lance\u2019s\t shoulder,\t pausing\t until\t the\t boy\t smiled\t gratefully.\t He\t lightly\t squeezed Lance\u2019s\tshoulder\tto\tshow\this\tapproval\tand\tthen\tremoved\this\thand. \u201cThank\tyou,\tArthur,\tfor\tlast\tnight,\tfor\tlistening,\tand\tfor\u2026,\u201d\tLance\ttrailed\toff and\tlooked\taway. \u201cFor\twhat?\u201d Lance\t shyly\t peeked\t from\t behind\t his\t draping\t hair\t at\t Arthur\u2019s\t face\t and whispered,\t\u201cFor\tnot\thating\tme.\u201d Arthur\tdrew\tback,\tappalled\tat\tthe\tnotion.\t\u201cHate\tthee?\tNever.\u201d Lance\u2019s\t face\t broke\t into\t an\t almost\t beatific\t smile,\t and\t he\t impulsively\t hugged Arthur.\t They\t remained\t that\t way\t for\t a\t long\t moment.\t Then\t Lance\t pulled\t away, busily\tpushing\tthe\thair\tback\tfrom\this\tface,\tand\tstood\tup. Arthur\tstood,\tas\twell. \u201cSorry,\u201d\t Lance\t said\t weakly,\t his\t voice\t soft\t with\t trepidation.\t \u201cBetter\t stop\t with all\tthe\thugging.\tI\tam\tsupposed\tto\tbe\tyour\tFirst\tKnight,\tafter\tall.\u201d\tHe\tshyly\tlifted his\teyes\tto\tmeet\tArthur\u2019s\tgaze\tand\tsaw\tpure\tcompassion\tin\tthose\tbrown\teyes. \u201cAnd\ta\tfiner\tone\tI\tcould\tnever\thope\tto\tfind.\u201d Lance\tbeamed\twith\tpride. \u201cCome,\tlad,\tlet\tus\tprepare\tfor\tthe\tday.\u201d Lance\tnodded\tand\tside\tby\tside\tthey\treturned\tto\tthe\tthrone\troom.","By\t the\t time\t the\t underground\t residents\t had\t all\t risen\t and\t bathed,\t dressed\t and eaten,\tit\twas\tnear\televen\to\u2019clock\tby\tLance\u2019s\tcell\tphone.\tEven\tthe\thomeless\tkids seemed\t to\t have\t a\t phone\t these\t days\u2014most,\t like\t Lance\u2019s,\t were\t jail\t broken,\t and, like\t every\tother\tkid\t these\t days,\the\ttypically\tused\tit\tfor\ttexting,\tespecially\there underground,\tlistening\tto\tmusic,\tor\twatching\tvideos\tor\tsocial\tnetworking. Most\t days,\t all\t the\t kids\t drifted\t in\t around\t noon\t to\t continue\t training,\t so\t Lance seldom\t sent\t out\t a\t blanket\t text.\t There\t were\t almost\t three\t hundred\t kids\t now,\t he realized. Hell\tif\tI\u2019m\tgonna\tput\tall\tthose\tnames\tin\tmy\tphone\tbook! Before\t weapons\t training\t each\t day,\t Arthur\t always\t allowed\t kids,\t especially newcomers,\t to\t tell\t their\t stories\u2014who\t they\t were\t and\t what\t their\t lives\t had\t been like\t before\t joining\t the\t crusade.\t This\t day\t was\t no\t different.\t He\t looked\t majestic and\t almost\t larger\t than\t life\t on\t his\t throne\t with\t Lance\t seated\t in\t his\t own\t large, wooden\t chair\t beside\t him.\t Lance\t had\t brushed\t his\t hair\t and\t replaced\t his\t gold circlet,\t the\t remnants\t of\t the\t previous\t night\u2019s\t purging\t removed\t for\t the\t moment from\t his\t heart.\t The\t other\t kids\t sat\t cross-legged\t on\t the\t ground\t or\t on\t blankets\t or stood\talong\tthe\tperiphery\tof\tthe\tgroup. Today\u2019s\tgroup\twas\thuge,\tLance\tnoted,\tas\the\tscanned\tthe\troom. Maybe\tthe\twhole\tthree\thundred. There\t was\t one\t notable\t exception\u2014Reyna\t had\t yet\t to\t appear.\t Lance\t had\t to admit,\tthe\tgirl\twas\tpretty\tobnoxious,\tbut\tman,\tcould\tshe\tshoot!\tHe\u2019d\tlove\tto\tput her\tin\tcharge\tof\tthe\tarchers\tso\the\tcould\tfocus\ton\tthe\tswordplay. Wow,\the\tthought\tto\thimself,\tI\u2019m\tthinking\tlike\ta\treal\tFirst\tKnight! Arthur\t addressed\t the\t crowd\t as\t he\t did\t every\t morning,\t \u201cBe\t there\t any\t among you\twho\u2019d\tlike\tto\tshare\tyour\tstory?\u201d Mark\tshyly\tput\tup\this\thand.\tHe\tand\tJack\tsat\tnear\tthe\tfront,\tnow\tclothed\tlike everyone\t else:\t baggy\t tunics,\t leather\t pants\t and\t jerkins,\t and\t a\t wrap\t for\t the\t head, which\t was\t necessary\t in\t Mark\u2019s\t case\t to\t keep\t his\t mop\t of\t long,\t unkempt\t blond hair\tfrom\tobscuring\this\tvision\tduring\tpractices. Arthur\tnodded\tto\tMark,\twho\tglanced\tat\tLance\tand\thesitated.\tLance\tnodded\tas well,\t and\t Mark\t began.\t \u201cI\t come\t from\t Washington,\t up\t north.\t My\t parents\t have money.\t No\t Bill\t Gates\t or\t nothing,\t but\t they\u2019re\t pretty\t loaded.\t Nice\t house\t in\t the suburbs\t and\t all.\t Anyways,\t I\t guess\t things\t was\t okay\t when\t I\t was\t little,\t but\t then when\t I\t was\t thirteen\t my\t folks\t caught\t me\t kissing\t another\t boy\t out\t in\t the\t pool house,\t and\t they\t freaked\t something\t crazy.\t Flat\t out\t told\t me\t they\t wouldn\u2019t\t allow me\tto\tbe\tgay,\tthey\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tme\tembarrass\tthem\tlike\tthat\twith\ttheir\tfriends. I\t tried\t to\t tell\t them\t I\t didn\u2019t\t just\t wake\t up\t one\t day\t and\t decide\t to\t be\t gay,\t that\t I always\tfelt\tthis\tway,\tthat\tI\twas\tborn\tthis\tway,\tbut\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tcare.\u201d Lance\tsuddenly\tfelt\tashamed\tof\tthe\tnegative\tattitude\the\u2019d\tinitially\tshown\tthe","blond\t boy,\t especially\t given\t his\t own\t conflicted\t feelings.\t \u201cSo\t what\t happened?\u201d He\treally\tneeded\tto\tknow. Mark\t grimaced\t and\t shook\t his\t head,\t those\t huge\t blue\t eyes\t pooling\t with\t pain. \u201cDidn\u2019t\t want\t nuthin\u2019\t to\t do\t with\t that\t truth,\t or\t me.\t Kicked\t my\t ass\t right\t out\t the house\tand\tinto\tthe\tstreet,\tsaid\tthey\twasn\u2019t\tgonna\tstand\tfor\tno\tfaggot\tson,\tand\tif\tI ever\tdecided\tto\t\u2018become\tstraight\u2019\tI\tcould\tcome\thome.\tI\twas\tthirteen,\tman!\tAin\u2019t heard\tfrom\t\u2019em\tsince.\tI\thitched\tmy\tway\tto\tHollywood\t\u2019cause,\twell,\tthat\u2019s\twhere homeless\t kids\t go,\t or\t so\t I\t heard.\t Make\t it\t in\t the\t movies\t or\t some\t sh\u2014crap.\u201d\t He gave\ta\ttragic,\thollow\tlaugh.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\twhy\tyou\tseen\tme\ton\tthe\tstreets.\tThere\u2019s\tno movies\t for\t kids,\t especially\t little\t queer\t boys\t like\t me.\t Just\t the\t streets.\t Last\t two years\tit\u2019s\tall\tI\tcould\tdo\tto\tsurvive,\tya\tknow?\u201d Lance\t leaned\t forward,\t his\t brow\t furrowed,\t his\t heart\t tight\t with\t anguish\t and empathy.\t\u201cWhat\tabout\tthe,\tyou\tknow,\tthe\tdrugs?\u201d Sadness\t settled\t over\t Mark\u2019s\t soft,\t milky-white\t face.\t \u201cOnly\t way\t I\t could\t deal, Lance.\tMen\tusing\tme\tall\tthe\ttime,\tdoing\twhatever\tthey\twanted\tto\tmy\tbody.\u201d\tHe shivered.\t\u201cHad\tto\tkill\tthe\tpain\tsomehow.\u201d Now\tlittle\tChris,\tseated\tas\tclose\tto\tLance\tas\tpossible\twithout\tbeing\tup\tin\tthe throne\tarea\twith\thim,\treached\tout\ttoward\tMark,\ttook\tthe\tolder\tboy\u2019s\thand\tin\this, and\tasked,\t\u201cMark,\tdid\tyour\tmama\tever\tsay\tshe\twished\tya\u2019d\tnever\tbeen\tborn?\u201d Startled,\tMark\u2019s\teyes\twidened,\tand\the\tnodded\tpainfully. Chris\u2019s\t small,\t round\t face\t echoed\t that\t pain.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t what\t my\t mama\t tole\t me too,\t\u2019fore\tshe\tleft\tme\talone\tin\tthat\tdirty\tole\talley\tand\tnever\tcome\tback.\u201d Mark\ttried\tfor\ta\thesitant\tsmile,\tsqueezing\tthe\tsmall\tboy\u2019s\thand\tgently\tbefore releasing\tit.\tMany\theads\tnodded\tthroughout\tthe\tchamber. Lance\t squirmed\t with\t discomfort\t and\t sorrow,\t glancing\t at\t Arthur,\t who\t looked deeply\ttroubled\tand\tsympathetic. \u201cWhat\tabout\tyou,\tJack?\u201d\tthe\tking\tasked\tcautiously. Jack\tpatted\tMark\ton\tthe\tback\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cKinda\tthe\tsame,\t\u2019cept\tI\thitched\there from\tIdaho.\tSame\treason\u2014couldn\u2019t\tstay\tat\thome,\tso\tI\tcame\tto\tHollywood\tto\tbe a\tstar.\tYeah,\tright!\u201d He\t stopped\t a\t moment\t as\t bitterness\t and\t anguish\t seemed\t to\t overwhelm\t him. Mark\treached\tout\tto\tpat\thim\ton\tthe\tback,\tand\tJack\toffered\ta\tgrateful\tsmile. \u201cMy\tfolks\tweren\u2019t\tsuper\trich\tlike\this,\tbut\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tno\tqueer-boy\tfor\ta son,\t neither.\t Didn\u2019t\t matter\t that\t I\t worked\t out\t and\t played\t football\t and\t all\t that \u2018manly\u2019\tstuff.\tHell,\tmy\tdad\taccused\tme\tof\tplaying\tsports\tso\tI\tcould\tcheck\tout\tthe other\tguys.\tHe\tnever\teven\tgot\tthat\tI\tdid\tthose\tthings\tfor\thim,\t\u2019cause\the\twanted an\tathlete\tfor\ta\tson.\u201d His\t whole\t body\t tensed,\t and\t he\t gripped\t the\t folds\t of\t his\t tunic,\t pausing\t before continuing.\tHe\tturned\this\tsad\tbrown\teyes\tup\ttoward\tthe\tking.","\u201cI\t used\t to\t be\t quarterback,\t Arthur.\t I\t know\t that\t probably\t don\u2019t\t mean\t much\t to you,\tbut\tit\u2019s\tkind\tof\ta\tbig\tdeal\tin\tfootball.\tBut\tnothin\u2019\tI\tdid\twas\tgood\tenough.\u201d He\tglanced\tat\tMark\tand\tthen\ttoward\tLance.\t\u201cThey\twas\tgonna\tsend\tme\tto\tsome \u2018rehab\u2019\t place\tthat\twas\ts\u2019posed\tto\t make\tme\tstraight.\u201d\tHe\temphasized\tthose\tlast words\twith\tthe\tfinger\tquotation\tmarks.\t\u201cWhat\tbull\u2014!\tOh,\tmy\tbad,\tsorry,\tArthur. Just\tlike\tMark\tsaid,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tjust\twake\tup\tone\tday\tand\tdecide\tto\tlike\tboys.\u201d He\tpaused\tand\tsighed\tbitterly.\t\u201cAnyway,\twhen\tthey\twas\tgoing\tto\tsend\tme\tto the\tshock\ttreatment\tplace,\tor\twhatever\tit\twas,\tthat\u2019s\twhen\tI\tdecided\tto\tsplit.\tBut you\twanna\tknow\tthe\tworst\tpart?\tMy\tdad\ttole\tme\tI\twas\tadopted,\twhich\tI\tdidn\u2019t even\t know\t till\t then,\t and\t that\t he\t was\t so\t happy\t the\t faggot\t under\t his\t roof\t wasn\u2019t his\t own\t flesh\t and\t blood.\t That\t was\t it\t for\t me,\t Arthur.\t I\t hitched\t over\t here,\t and Mark\tand\tme\tmet\ton\tthe\tstreets,\tpretty\tnear\twhere\tyou\tfound\tus.\tThat\u2019s\tthe\tonly place\t in\t Hollywood\t for\t homeless\t gay\t boys\t to\t earn\t their\t keep.\t It\u2019s\t either\t that\t or juvy.\u201d He\t dropped\t his\t eyes\t again\t in\t shame.\t \u201cSo\t here\t I\t am,\t star\t quarterback\t to\t slut boy,\t just\t \u2019cause\t my\t parents\t couldn\u2019t\t deal.\u201d\t He\t angrily\t brushed\t a\t tear\t from\t his eye. \u201cDidn\u2019t\t you\t like,\t hate\t doing\t all\t that\t shi\u2014I\t mean,\t that\t stuff?\u201d\t Luis\t asked,\t a look\tof\tdisgust\tplastered\tacross\this\tacne-scarred\tface. Jack\t snorted.\t \u201cWhat\t do\t you\t think?\t Old\t guys\t doing\t you\t while\t talking\t about how\ttheir\tkid\tgets\tall\tA\u2019s\tin\tschool\tor\tgot\ta\thome\trun\tin\this\tlittle\tleague\tgame?\u201d Luis\thad\tan\texpression\tof\tappalled\trevulsion\ton\this\tface. \u201cI\t hate\t it,\t man!\u201d\t Jack\t spit\t out.\t \u201cI\t miss\t playing\t sports.\t But\t mostly\t I\t miss having\ta\tfamily,\tyou\tknow?\tI\tgot\tno\tone\t\u2019cept\tMark.\u201d\tHe\tdipped\this\thead\tto\thide the\ttears\tdropping\tinto\this\tlap. Every\tmuscle\tin\tLance\u2019s\tbody\tfroze\tas\tMark\tand\tJack\tshared\ttheir\tstories,\tand his\town\tpainful\tpast\twelled\tup\tin\this\tthroat\tlike\tbile. Slut\tboy.\tThat\u2019s\twhat\tJack\tcalled\thimself. Was\tthat\tme\ttoo? Those\twords\twere\ta\tknife\tto\this\theart\u2014\tthey\thit\tway\ttoo\tclose\tto\thome. Shoving\t his\t personal\t guilt\t aside,\t Lance\t leapt\t to\t his\t feet,\t gazing\t at\t Jack\t with deep\tintensity.\t\u201cJack,\tlook\tat\tme.\u201d Surprised,\tJack\traised\this\thead. \u201cYou\t do\t not\t just\t have\t Mark\t for\t your\t family,\u201d\t Lance\t stated\t loudly\t and\t with finality.\t\u201cYou\thave\tme\tand\tArthur\tand\teveryone\there.\tWe\tare\tyour\tfamily!\u201d The\t gathered\t kids\t broke\t into\t applause,\t and\t Jack\u2019s\t face\t spread\t into\t an enormous\tgrin\tof\tgratitude.\tLance\tgrinned\tback\tand\tran\ta\thand\tquickly\tthrough his\thair,\twhich\tmade\tJack\tlaugh.\tMark\tthrew\this\tarm\tover\tJack\u2019s\tshoulders\tand pulled\thim\tclose.","Arthur\trose\tto\tstand\tbeside\tLance\tand\tplaced\ta\thand\ton\tthe\tboy\u2019s\tshoulder\tas he\tspoke.\t\u201cMy\tFirst\tKnight\tbe\tcorrect.\tWe\tall\tbe\tfamily\there.\tEvery\tlife\tin\there and\tout\tthere\tis\tprecious\tin\tGod\u2019s\teyes,\teven\tif\tnot\tso\tin\tman\u2019s.\tBut\tremember, my\t knights-in-training,\t the\t needs\t of\t the\t whole\t company\t be\t of\t greater\t import than\t the\t needs\t of\t the\t few,\t or\t even\t the\t one,\t myself\t included.\t No\t one\t is indispensable\tto\tour\tcrusade.\u201d Arthur\tglanced\tat\thim,\tand\tLance\tnodded\this\tunderstanding. \u201cDoes\t that\t include\t me?\u201d\t came\t a\t familiar\t female\t voice\t from\t behind\t the assemblage.\tAll\theads\tturned\tto\tlook\tat\tthe\ttunnel\tbehind\tthem,\tand\tthere\tstood Reyna,\thaughty\tas\tever,\tdressed\tto\tkill.\tShe\twore\ta\tfull\tarcher\u2019s\tensemble:\ttight brown\tpants\tthat\taccentuated\ther\tlong\tlegs,\tknee-high\tbrown\tboots,\tlong-sleeve, multi-pocketed,\tbutton-down\tjacket,\tand\tan\tarcher\u2019s\tglove\ton\ther\tright\thand.\tHer silky\t long\t hair\t was\t braided\t and\t drifted\t down\t her\t back\t like\t a\t climbing\t rope. Slung\t over\t her\t left\t shoulder\t was\t an\t expensive-looking\t bow,\t and\t a\t quiver\t filled with\tarrows. Within\t the\t group,\t the\t few\t girls\t scowled,\t but\t the\t boys,\t especially\t the\t older ones,\t gaped\t at\t her\t in\t open-mouthed\t awe.\t Reyna\t tossed\t a\t contemptuous\t gaze toward\t Enrique\tand\tLuis,\tsitting\tbeside\t one\t another,\t mouths\topen\tlike\t grouper fish,\tand\tthen\tturned\ther\tattention\ttoward\tArthur. \u201cDo\tI\ttake\tthy\tmeaning,\tLady\tReyna,\tthat\tthou\twish\tto\tjoin\tus?\u201d Reyna\t chuckled\t wryly.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t know\t about\t the\t \u2018Lady\u2019\t part,\t but\t yeah.\t I\t got\t a few\tmonths\tto\tkill\twhile\tmy\tparents\tparty\tin\tEurope,\tso\twhy\tnot?\tMight\tbe\tfun.\u201d Arthur\tturned\tto\tLance. Lance\t understood\t and\t looked\t out\t over\t the\t heads\t of\t the\t group\t to\t lock\t eyes with\tReyna. Don\u2019t\tblush,\tfool! \u201cDoes\tthis\tmean\tyou\u2019re\twilling\tto\ttake\torders\tfrom\ta\tboy\tyounger\tand\tprettier than\tyou?\u201d This\ttime\tthere\twas\tno\tlaughter. Reyna\t gazed\t long\t and\t hard\t at\t him,\t but\t Lance\t never\t broke\t eye\t contact,\t and that\tobviously\timpressed\ther. \u201cYeah,\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tit\tmeans.\u201d Lance\t turned\t to\t Arthur.\t \u201cSire,\t if\t it\t please\t you,\t I\u2019d\t like\t to\t make\t Reyna\t head archery\tinstructor,\tso\tI\tcan\tfocus\tmore\ton\tthe\tswordplay.\u201d \u201cAgreed.\u201d\t Arthur\t turned\t to\t Reyna.\t \u201cEveryone,\t welcome\t our\t new\t archer, Reyna.\u201d Thunderous\tapplause\terupted\tfrom\tthe\tassemblage,\talong\twith\ta\tfew\twhistles and\tcatcalls,\twhich\tdrew\ta\tfrown\tfrom\tArthur. Lance\twondered\twhat\tthat\twas\tabout.\tHe\tsuspected\tit\twas\tbecause\ta\thot\tchick","like\tReyna\tmight\tget\tsome\tof\tthe\tguys\tfighting\tover\ther. Enrique\t quickly\t shoved\t Luis\t aside\t to\t open\t up\t a\t space\t between\t them.\t \u201cMove over,\t fool,\u201d\t he\t whispered\t and\t then\t waved\t at\t Reyna.\t \u201cYou\t can\t sit\t here,\t we\t got room.\u201d She\teyed\tboth\tboys\twith\tdisdain.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tstand,\tthank\tyou.\u201d \u201cLady\tReyna,\u201d\tArthur\tcontinued,\t\u201cAnd\tyes,\ta\tknight\tmust\talways\taddress\tany lady\t as\t \u2018Lady\u2019\u2014it\t is\t of\t the\t code\t of\t chivalry\u2014tell\t us\t thy\t story.\t How\t did\t thee come\there\tto\tus?\u201d Reyna\t raised\t her\t well-groomed\t eyebrows\t and\t chuckled.\t \u201cI\t love\t the\t way\t you talk.\t It\u2019s\t so\t cool.\t Anyway,\t not\t much\t on\t me.\t I\u2019m\t almost\t seventeen.\t My\t parents are\t rich\t fat\t cats\t who\t live\t out\t in\t Porter\t Ranch.\t They\t pretty\t much\t buy\t me whatever\t I\t want\t long\t as\t I\t don\u2019t,\t you\t know,\t talk\t with\t them\t much.\u201d\t She\t laughed bitterly.\t\u201cGod\tforbid\tthey\u2019d\twanna\tspend\ttime\twith\tme.\tFar\ttoo\tbusy,\tmy\tfolks, impressing\tthe\trich\twhite\tpeople\tbecause\tthey\u2019re\trich\tLatinos\twith\tjust\tas\tmuch money.\tIt\u2019s\tall\u2026\twhatever,\tto\tme.\u201d \u201cWhere\tdid\tyou\tlearn\tto\tshoot\tlike\tthat?\u201d\tLance\tasked\tas\the\tresumed\this\tseat beside\tArthur.\tShe\tstill\tintimidated\tthe\thell\tout\tof\thim,\tbut\ther\tskills\twith\ta\tbow and\tarrow\twere\tfantastic. \u201cAny\t of\t you\t seen\t that\t movie\t about\t the\t kids\t who\t had\t to\t fight\t to\t the\t death\t in some\tarena?\u201d\tMany\theads\tnodded\tin\tthe\taffirmative.\t\u201cI\tloved\tthe\tbook\tand\ttold my\t parents\t I\t wanted\t to\t learn\t archery.\t \u2019Course,\t they\t got\t me\t the\t best\t instructor money\tcould\tbuy.\tHe\tonly\tstayed\taround\ttill\tI\tgot\tbetter\u2019n\thim.\u201d\tShe\ttossed\toff that\thaughty\tlittle\tlaugh. \u201cHow\tcome\tyou\tgot\ta\tfew\tmonths\twith\tnothing\tto\tdo?\u201d\tEnrique\tthrew\tin,\this eyes\tdevouring\tthe\tstunningly\tbeautiful\tgirl. \u201cMy\tparents\twent\tto\tItaly\tfor\ttheir\twedding\tanniversary.\tThey\tnever\twant\tme to\tgo\ton\tvacations\twith\tthem\tso\tthey\tpay\tme\tmoney\tto\tstay\thome.\u201d \u201cThey\tpay\tyou?\u201d\tLavern\texclaimed. Reyna\t eyed\t the\t small\t boy\t dismissively.\t \u201cYeah,\t I\t got\t me\t six\t thousand\t this time.\t Long\t as\t I\t keep\t my\t grades\t up\t and\t don\u2019t\t give\t the\t servants\t a\t hard\t time,\t it\u2019s all\tgood.\u201d \u201cWhat\tabout\tschool?\u201d\tJack\tasked. \u201cI\tgo\twhen\tI\tneed\tto.\tNo\ttests\ttoday,\tso\tI\u2019m\tgood.\u201d\tThen\tshe\tscrutinized\tJack and\tMark\tmore\tclosely.\tMark\tstill\thad\this\tarm\twrapped\taround\tJack\u2019s\tshoulders. \u201cYou\tguys\tgay?\u201d Mark\tand\tJack\texchanged\ta\tsurprised\tlook.\t\u201cHow\u2019d\tyou\tknow?\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\tbeen\taround.\u201d Arthur\tsurveyed\tthe\tgroup.\t\u201cDoes\tanyone\thave\tmore\tto\tshare\tbefore\twe\tbegin training?\u201d","Mark\tthrew\tup\this\thand,\tand\tJack\tlaughed.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\tin\tschool,\tfool!\u201d\tJack said,\tlaughing. Mark\tshrugged\tsheepishly.\t\u201cOld\thabit,\tI\tguess.\u201d \u201cJack,\u201d\tArthur\tsaid\tbefore\tMark\tcould\task\this\tquestion,\t\u201cWe\tall\tbe\tknights-in- training.\tWhile\tit\tseems\ta\tpopular\tword\tin\tthis\tera,\tour\tcode\tof\tchivalry\trequires respect\tfor\tone\tanother.\tTherefore,\twe\tmust\trefrain\tfrom\tuse\tof\tthe\tword\t\u2018fool\u2019.\u201d Jack\tflushed\tred.\t\u201cSorry,\tArthur.\u201d He\t and\t Mark\t exchanged\t a\t smile,\t and\t Arthur\t nodded\t to\t reassure\t them\t he understood. \u201cSo,\tArthur,\u201d\tMark\tbegan\tagain,\t\u201cthat\tnight\tyou\trescued\tus\u2026\twell,\tyou\tnever said\thow\tcome\tthat\tbullet\tbounced\toff\tof\tyou.\u201d Jack\tnodded.\t\u201cYeah,\ttell\tus.\u201d There\t were\t excited\t murmurings\t among\t the\t assembled,\t especially\t from\t the boys\twho\u2019d\twitnessed\tthe\tevent. Arthur\tplaced\tExcalibur\tin\tfront\tof\thim,\tpoint\tto\tthe\tground,\this\thands\tresting atop\t the\tjeweled\t hilt.\t\u201cMerlin\t once\ttold\tme\t that\t so\tlong\t as\tI\t hold\tExcalibur\t in my\tgrasp,\tno\tharm\tshall\tbefall\tme.\tI\tpray\the\tbe\tcorrect,\tfor\tthe\tnext\tphase\tof\tour crusade\tbe\talmost\tupon\tus.\u201d He\t lifted\t Excalibur\t and\t handed\t the\t enormous\t sword\t to\t Lance,\t who\t found\t he could\t support\t its\t weight\t with\t greater\t ease\t than\t before\t as\t he\t held\t it\t across\t his outstretched\t arms.\t Arthur\t reached\t down\t beside\t his\t throne\t and\t lifted\t up\t his shield,\tholding\tit\tout\tfor\tall\tto\tsee. There\t were\t gasps\t of\t surprise\t and\t excited\t murmurings\t from\t the\t crowd. Emblazoned\t on\t the\t face\t of\t the\t shield\t was\t a\t magnificent\t rendering\t of\t the\t \u201cA\u201d symbol\twith\tthe\tsword\tthrust\tthrew\tit,\tthe\tsame\tsymbol\tmany\tof\tthese\tkids\thad seen\t in\t their\t neighborhoods,\t the\t symbol\t that\t had\t ignited\t gang\t wars\t throughout the\tcity. Enrique\tleapt\tto\this\tfeet\tin\tshock.\t\u201cCrap,\tArthur,\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\tus\tyouse\tthat tagger!\u201d Arthur\tfrowned\tat\tEnrique\u2019s\tlanguage,\tbut\tEnrique\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tnotice. Luis\t stood\t beside\t his\t homeboy\t and\t pointed\t at\t the\t shield.\t \u201cThem\t gangsters, they\tall\twant\tyour\tblood,\tArthur.\tThey\twant\tyou\tdead!\u201d Arthur\tlowered\tthe\tshield\tand\traised\ta\thand\tto\tquell\tthe\texcited\tmurmuring.\t\u201cI know\t that,\t Luis.\t Though\t I\t did\t not\t at\t first\t comprehend\t the\t reason,\t upon awakening\t in\t this\t city,\t I\t had\t been\t given\t directives\t within\t a\t vision.\t There\t were tools,\t what\t you\t call\t \u2018spray\t paint\u2019,\t and\t locations\t provided.\t I\t proceeded\t to\t \u2018tag\u2019 these\t areas\t as\t the\t vision\t dictated,\t and\t now\t I\t understand\t why.\t These\t gang members\tbe\tof\tgreat\timport\tto\tour\tcause,\tand\tthough\tI\tdo\tsincerely\thope\tmy\tlife shall\tnot\tend\tat\ttheir\thands,\twe\tmust\tat\tleast\tgive\tthem\tthat\tchoice.\u201d","Lance\t stared\t at\t Arthur.\t He\u2019d\t known\t this\t day\t was\t approaching,\t but\t it\t still scared\tthe\thell\tout\tof\thim.","CHAPTER\t4:\t MIGHT\tFOR\tRIGHT AFTER\t ANOTHER\t TWO\t WEEKS\t OF\t intensive\t training,\t Arthur\t felt\t his\t squires\t were ready\t for\t that\t next\t phase\u2014recruiting\t those\t who\t were\t called\t gang\t members\t to their\t cause.\t Lance\t had\t some\t knowledge,\t but\t others\t like\t Enrique\t and\t Luis\t were far\t better\t at\t educating\t Arthur\t on\t gang\t life\t and\t gang\t think.\t Both\t of\t them\t had friends\t in\t gangs,\t and\t both\t had\t flirted\t dangerously\t with\t the\t idea\t of\t getting jumped\tin\tthemselves. According\t to\t Lance,\t who\t had\t used\t the\t wizard-like\t Internet\t on\t his\t phone\u2014 Arthur\tnever\tfailed\tto\tmarvel\tat\tthe\tadvancement\tof\tman\u2014there\twere\tthousands of\tgang\tmembers\tin\tthe\tCounty\tof\tAngels.\tAll\tthat\t\u201cmight\u201d\twas\tavailable\tfor\this cause.\t If\t he\t were\t to\t succeed,\t if\t his\t new\t Camelot\t might\t achieve\t a\t greatness surpassing\tthe\told,\the\u2019d\tneed\tas\tmany\tof\tthose\tyouth\tas\tpossible. Reyna\thad\tproven\tan\tadept\tinstructor,\tmore\tcondescending\tthan\tArthur\twould have\tliked,\tbut\tshe\taccepted\this\tadvice\tthat\tshe\twould\tgain\tgreater\tcooperation\tif she\tcomplimented\tthe\tgood,\tmore\tthan\tshe\tcriticized\tthe\tbad,\tin\ther\tpupils.\tOnce she\t took\t that\t advice\t to\t heart,\t the\t boys\t and\t girls\u2014a\t few\t more\t had\t materialized since\tReyna\tjoined\tup\u2014quickly\tmastered\tthe\ttechniques\tand\twere\twell\ton\ttheir way\ttoward\tbecoming\texpert\tarchers. Lance\t had\t worked\t extra\t hard\t coaching\t those\t who\t chose\t the\t sword\t as\t their weapon,\tand\tthese\tboys\thad\tincreased\tin\tsize\tand\tstrength,\tas\thad\tLance\thimself. Some\t of\t the\t bigger\t lads\t like\t Enrique\t and\t Luis\t wielded\t the\t two-handed broadsword\twith\tdeadly\taccuracy\tand\tpower.\tLance\thad\tchosen\ta\tsword\tslightly smaller\t than\t Excalibur\t in\t size,\t one\t which\t could\t be\t gripped\t with\t one\t or\t both hands,\tand\the\tcould\tnow\teasily\tswitch\tback\tand\tforth\tfrom\tone\tto\tboth\tduring\ta fight. Arthur\t felt\t extreme\t pride\t in\t Lance\t for\t his\t improvement,\t his\t drive\t and\t ability to\tlead.\tIt\tseemed\tto\tthe\tking\tthat\tthe\tboy,\thaving\tgotten\this\tdeep-seated\tpain\tout into\t the\t open,\t and\t knowing\t Arthur\t would\t not\t reject\t him\t for\t his\t ambiguous nature,\tseemed\tdetermined\tto\tfocus\ton\tthe\tpresent\tand\tthe\tfuture.\tThat\timpressed him\timmensely. In\tlaying\tout\ttheir\tplans,\tArthur\tand\tLance\thad\tgathered\tall\tthe\tboys\twho\thad intimate\t knowledge\t of\t gang\t life\t and\t sought\t their\t input.\t Contacting\t the\t \u201cshot","callers,\u201d\t as\t Arthur\t had\t been\t informed\t the\t street\t leaders\t were\t called,\t was relatively\teasy.\tWord\tspread\tfast\ton\tthe\tstreets,\twhat\twith\tcell\tphones\tand\ttexting the\tcommunication\tmedium\tof\tthe\tday. The\t biggest\t problem,\t Arthur\t was\t told,\t was\t that\t most\t of\t those\t kids\t carried guns,\t or\t could\t easily\t acquire\t them.\t Again\t marveling\t at\t the\t technology,\t Arthur was\t given\t a\t crash\t course\t via\t the\t Internet\t on\t modern\t weaponry,\t particularly\t the most\tcommonly\tused\tguns\ton\tthe\tstreets. Knowing\tthat\this\tadversaries\ton\tSaturday\tnight\twould\tpossess\tthese\tweapons, Arthur\tordered\tevery\tarcher\tto\tbe\tpart\tof\tthe\tcampaign.\tA\tsword\twas\tno\tmatch for\t a\t gun,\t he\t realized.\t He,\t of\t course,\t would\t carry\t Excalibur,\t and\t other swordsmen,\tLance\tincluded,\twould\tflank\thim\tto\tadd\ta\tgreater\tsense\tof\tstrength to\this\tpresence. Those\t guns\t concerned\t him,\t however,\t for\t though\t he\t might\t be\t safe\t with Excalibur,\t the\t others\t were\t not.\t Still,\t despite\t the\t all-too-real\t possibility\t that\t one of\this\tchildren\tcould\tbe\tkilled,\the\thad\tto\t move\t forward.\tIt\twas\this\t destiny,\this purpose,\this\tsole\treason\tfor\tbeing\there.\tWar\talways\tbrought\tcasualties,\the\tknew, glancing\tfrequently,\tand\twith\ttrepidation\tat\tLance,\tall\tthroughout\tthe\tmeeting. It\t was\t now\t Friday\t night,\t and\t the\t word\t had\t gone\t out\t to\t neighborhoods throughout\t the\t city.\t The\t mystery\t tagger\t requested\t a\t meeting\t with\t any\t and\t all shot\t callers\t who\t should\t like\t to\t attend.\t Of\t course,\t Arthur\t knew\t they\u2019d\t bring others\tfor\tbackup,\tbut\tthen,\tso\twould\the.\tThe\tstage\twas\tset.\tTomorrow\tnight,\the and\this\teager\tknights-to-be\twould\teither\tfind\tthemselves\tin\tan\tall-out\twar,\tor\tthe beginning\tof\tsomething\tgreat\tand\tmighty\tfor\tthis\tcity\tand\tits\tpeople. Lance\tasked\tArthur\tto\ttake\thim\tback\tto\tEucalyptus\tPark\tso\the\tcould\tpractice his\t skating,\t which,\t as\t he\t informed\t Arthur,\t he\u2019d\t been\t sadly\t neglecting\t of\t late because\tof\tall\this\tweapons\ttraining. Happy\t to\t spend\t time\t with\t his\t prot\u00e9g\u00e9,\t Arthur\t readily\t agreed.\t \u201cOn\t one condition,\u201d\the\tadded\tslyly,\this\tbrown\teyes\tlit\twith\tamusement. \u201cWhat?\u201d\tasked\tLance. \u201cYou\tmust\tteach\tme\tthe\tuse\tof\tthis\tskateboard\tof\tyours.\u201d Lance\u2019s\tface\tlit\tup\twith\tpure\tjoy.\t\u201cYou\tgot\tit!\u201d And\t so\t they\t rode\t Llamrei\t late\t into\t the\t night,\t arriving\t at\t the\t park\t after midnight.\tArthur\tcarried\tExcalibur,\tand\tLance\this\town\tsword,\tboth\tsheathed,\tas a\t precaution\t lest\t trouble\t accost\t them\t on\t the\t journey.\t The\t trip\t to\t the\t park\t was uneventful,\t however,\t and\t within\t its\t environs\t everything\t reflected\t solitude\t and peace. Lance\tsighed\tas\the\tlooked\taround\thim\tat\tthe\tshadows\tand\tpools\tof\tstreetlight and\t the\t emptiness\t and\t the\t calm.\t \u201cIf\t only\t life\t could\t be\t like\t this\t all\t the\t time, Arthur,\u201d\t Lance\t mused,\t his\t young\t voice\t wistful\t and\t melancholic\t and\t sounding","older\tthan\tit\tshould.\t\u201cNo\twar,\tno\tadults\thurting\tkids,\tno\tdrama.\u201d Ah,\tmy\tdear\tLance,\tthat\twould\tneeds\tmean\tno\tpeople,\teither,\tfor\twith\tpeople always\tcomes\tgreat\tgood\tand\tgreat\tevil.\u201d Lance\t nodded\t sadly.\t \u201cYeah,\t I\t know.\u201d\t Then\t he\t flashed\t that\t devilish\t grin. \u201cCome\ton,\tArthur.\tYour\tlessons\tbegin\tnow.\u201d Leaving\ttheir\tswords\tstrapped\tto\tLlamrei\u2019s\tsaddle,\tthey\tslipped\tinto\tthe\tskate park\tvia\tLance\u2019s\tsecret\tentrance,\tand\tthe\tboy\tleapt\tforward\tonto\this\tboard\tin\tone fluid\t motion,\t sailing\t out\t into\t the\t park\t and\t up\t the\t nearest\t ramp,\t his\t long\t hair floating\tin\tthe\tbreeze\tlike\tangel\twings. Arthur\tmarveled\tat\tLance\u2019s\tprowess\ton\tthis\tvery\todd\tinvention.\tLance\tflipped and\tturned\tand\tjumped\tand\tlanded,\tall\twith\ta\tprecision.\tAfter\tfifteen\tminutes\tof warming\t up,\t Lance\t skated\t over\t to\t the\t king.\t A\t grin\t split\t his\t handsome\t face, which\thad\tbegun\tbeading\twith\tsweat. \u201cYou\tready?\u201d\tthe\tboy\tasked,\tholding\tout\tthe\tboard. Arthur\t eyed\t the\t board\t uncertainly.\t \u201cMethinks\t I\t should\t attempt\t this\t on\t a\t flat surface,\t Lance.\t T\u2019would\t not\t be\t seemly\t for\t thy\t king\t to\t break\t his\t arm\t before\t we face\tour\tdestiny.\u201d Lance\tlaughed\twith\tdelight.\t\u201cYou\tgot\tthat\tright.\tC\u2019mon.\u201d They\t exited\t the\t skate\t park\t and\t moved\t back\t into\t Eucalyptus\t Park\t proper, where\tthere\twas\tgrass\tand\tpathways\tfor\tArthur\tto\tpractice\ton.\tThey\tstopped,\tand Lance\t handed\t Arthur\t the\t board.\t He\t eyed\t it\t a\t moment\t before\t setting\t it\t on\t the ground.\t\u201cHow\tshould\tI\tbegin?\u201d Lance\t placed\t one\t foot\t on\t the\t board.\t \u201cJust\t put\t one\t foot\t here,\t right\t in\t the middle,\t and\t then\t kick\t against\t the\t ground\t with\t the\t other,\u201d\t he\t instructed.\t \u201cThen when\tyou\tget\tsome\tspeed\tup,\tput\tboth\tfeet\ton\tthe\tboard\tand\tkeep\tyour\tbalance. Piece\tof\tcake.\u201d Arthur\u2019s\teyebrows\tshot\tup.\t\u201cPiece\tof\tcake?\u201d Lance\t shrugged,\t placing\t the\t board\t in\t front\t of\t Arthur.\t \u201cJust\t an\t expression. Means\tsomething\u2019s\teasy.\u201d \u201cOh,\u201d\treplied\tArthur.\t\u201cPerhaps\tit\tshould\tmean\tsomething\tthat\tyou\tmake\tseem easy.\u201d \u201cC\u2019mon,\tchicken,\tget\ton.\u201d Arthur\u2019s\teyebrows\tshot\tup\tagain,\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\trespond.\tRather,\the\tplaced\tone booted\tfoot\ton\tthe\tboard\tas\tLance\thad\tinstructed\tand\tattempted\tto\tpush\tforward with\this\tother.\tHe\tmanaged\tone\tgood\tpush\tbefore\tthe\tboard\tflew\tout\tfrom\tunder his\t foot,\t and\t he\t nearly\t toppled\t backward.\t Lance\t laughed,\t and\t even\t Llamrei, nibbling\tat\tthe\tgrass,\tlooked\tup\tand\twhinnied\tin\tamusement. Arthur\tfrowned,\this\tpride\tfloating\tto\tthe\tsurface. If\ta\tboy\tcan\tdo\tthis\u2026.","Approaching\t the\t board\t a\t second\t time,\t he\t again\t placed\t his\t left\t foot\t firmly\t in the\tmiddle,\tadjusted\this\tcenter\tof\tgravity,\tand\tbegan\tkicking\tat\tthe\tground\twith his\tright\tfoot,\tfeeling,\the\tthought,\trather\tlike\ta\thorse.\tBut\tthe\tboard\twent\tforward and\t he\t with\t it.\t This\t time\t he\t kept\t firm\t pressure\t on\t the\t board\t with\t his\t foot\t so\t it would\tnot\tescape\thim,\tand\the\tproceeded\talong\tthe\twinding\tpathway. Lance\tclapped\twith\tdelight.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tdoing\tit,\tArthur!\tNow\tride\tit,\tman.\u201d Arthur\traised\this\tkicking\tfoot\tcarefully\tand\tplanted\tit\tfirmly\tbehind\tthe\tother, and\t did\t not\t tumble\t off.\t The\t board,\t with\t him\t on\t it,\t moved\t steadily\t forward,\t not with\tthe\trapidity\tLance\tcould\tachieve,\tbut\tforward\tmotion\tnonetheless. \u201cYes!\u201d\tLance\tshouted. Arthur\t then\t made\t a\t mistake.\t He\t turned\t his\t head\t to\t acknowledge\t Lance\u2019s \u201cYes\u201d\tand\tpromptly\tlost\this\tbalance.\tThe\tboard\tflew\tout\tfrom\tunder\thim,\tand\the toppled\tbackward,\tcrashing\thard\tonto\tthe\tgrass\trising\tupward\tfrom\tthe\tpath.\tThe air\t whooshed\t from\t his\t lungs\t as\t he\t landed,\t and\t he\t lay\t dazed\t and\t confused\t for\t a few\tmoments. \u201cYou\tokay,\tArthur?\tI\tshoulda\ttole\tyou\tnot\tto\tturn\tyour\thead.\u201d Arthur\traised\thimself\tonto\this\telbows.\t\u201cI\tbe\tfine,\tmy\tboy.\tGrowing\tup,\tI\tfell from\tmany\ta\thorse,\tand\tthat\tbe\ta\tfine\tart\tI\tlearnt\tquite\twell.\u201d Lance\tchuckled.\t\u201cYou\tdid\tlook\tpretty\tfunny.\u201d \u201cYes,\t you\t did,\u201d\t said\t an\t unexpected\t voice\t from\t behind\t Lance.\t Lance\t whirled in\tfright.\t\u201cMs.\tMcMullen!\u201d A\t lady\t stood\t directly\t behind\t the\t boy,\t clad\t in\t jeans\t and\t a\t light\t jacket,\t her blonde\thair\tloose\tabout\ther\tshoulders,\ther\texpression\twary.\t\u201cI\twas\ttold\tyou\thang out\there,\tLance.\u201d \u201cWhat\tyou\tbe\tdoin\u2019\there,\tMs.\tMcMullen?\tIt\tain\u2019t\tsafe.\u201d She\tgave\this\ttunic\tand\tpants\tthe\tonce\tover,\tglanced\tdown\tat\tArthur\tsprawled on\tthe\tgrass,\tthen\tback\tat\tLance.\t\u201cI\tjust\tdrove\tover\ttonight\ton\ta\thunch.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen worried\tabout\tyou,\tLance.\tYou\thaven\u2019t\tbeen\tto\tschool.\u201d Embarrassed,\t Arthur\t stretched\t out\t a\t hand,\t and\t Lance\t clasped\t it,\t helping\t pull him\tto\this\tfeet.\tBrushing\tgrass\toff\this\thauberk,\tArthur\teyed\tthe\tlady\tawkwardly. The\ttwo\tadults\tsized\teach\tother\tup. \u201cWhere\tare\tthy\tmanners,\tLance?\u201d\tArthur\tsaid,\trecovering\this\taplomb\tas\tbest he\tcould.\tHe\thad\ttrouble\ttaking\this\teyes\toff\tthis\tlady. \u201cHuh?\u201d\t replied\t Lance,\t nervously\t pushing\t his\t sweat-drenched\t hair\t from\t his face.\t \u201cOh,\t sorry.\t This\t is\t Ms.\t McMullen,\t the\t teacher\t I\t tole\t you\t about.\t This\t be King\tArthur.\tAnd\tI\tbe\this\tFirst\tKnight.\u201d \u201cI\tbe\thonored\tto\tmeet\tthee,\tLady\tMcMullen,\u201d\tArthur\tsaid\tsmoothly\tand\twith great\trespectfulness. She\t made\t no\t move\t to\t shake\t his\t hand.\t \u201cAs\t soon\t as\t I\t saw\t you\t on\t the\t news,\t I","knew\t that\u2019s\t why\t Lance\t was\t asking\t me\t all\t those\t questions.\t But\t I\t still\t haven\u2019t figured\tout\twhat\tyou\u2019re\tup\tto.\u201d Arthur\u2019s\teyebrows\trose\tenquiringly.\t\u201cUp\tto?\u201d \u201cHe\t ain\u2019t\t up\t to\t anything,\t Ms.\t McMullen,\u201d\t Lance\t interjected\t indignantly, \u201c\u2019cept\thelping\tkids.\u201d She\tignored\tLance\tcompletely,\ther\tgaze\tlocked\ton\tArthur\u2019s\tface.\t\u201cIs\tit\tfor\tthe publicity?\tIs\tthat\twhy\tyou\u2019re\tpretending\tto\tbe\tKing\tArthur?\u201d \u201cPretending?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tfourteen\tyears\told,\tmister,\tno\toffense\tLance,\tand\tI\tdon\u2019t\tfool\teasily. You\tdon\u2019t\texpect\tme\tto\tbelieve\tyou\u2019re\treally\tKing\tArthur,\tdo\tyou?\u201d \u201cWhy\tnot?\u201d \u201cBecause\tKing\tArthur,\tif\the\twas\treal,\tdied\tcenturies\tago.\u201d Arthur\tsmiled\twarmly,\tgazing\tat\ther\tin\twonder. An\textraordinary\twoman,\the\tthought,\ta\twoman\tof\tspirit. \u201cLance\thath\ttold\tme\tof\tyour\tfascination\twith\tmy\tpast\tdeeds.\tI\tcan\tassure\tyou my\tpresent\tones\tbe\tof\tthe\tsame\tilk.\u201d \u201cWhat,\tstarting\ta\tnew\tRound\tTable\tor\tsomething?\u201d Arthur\t nodded,\t his\t eyes\t never\t leaving\t her\t face.\t \u201cPrecisely,\t save\t this\t time\t I shalt\tmake\tit\tpermanent.\u201d She\trecoiled\tin\thorror.\t\u201cI\twarn\tyou,\tif\tanything\thappens\tto\tLance\u2026.\u201d Arthur\t placed\t a\t hand\t on\t Lance\u2019s\t shoulder.\t \u201cBe\t assured,\t milady,\t Lance\t shall come\tto\tno\tharm.\u201d\tHe\tfound\thimself\tfascinated\tby\tthe\tloveliness\tof\ther\tfeatures, especially\ther\tgolden\thair. \u201cI\u2019d\tappreciate\tit\tif\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tstare\tat\tme\tlike\tthat,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ther\tvoice\tfirm. Arthur\t glanced\t down.\t \u201cMy\t sincerest\t apologies,\t milady.\t It\t just\t be\t that\t you bring\t forth\t memories\t of\t my\t beloved\t Guinevere,\t both\t in\t beauty\t and\t in\t spirit.\t I did\ttruly\tnever\texpect\tto\tgaze\tupon\tone\tsuch\tas\ther\tagain.\u201d Lance\tgazed\tnervously\tfrom\tArthur\tto\tJenny\tand\tback\tagain. Arthur\u2019s\t sincere\t tone\t softened\t her\t expression\t for\t just\t a\t moment.\t But\t then\t it returned,\t a\t look\t that\t told\t Arthur\t she\u2019d\t likely\t been\t hurt\t in\t the\t past\t and\t was instinctively\tdistrustful\tas\ta\tresult. \u201cGuinevere,\thuh?\tThat\u2019s\ta\tline\tI\thaven\u2019t\theard\tbefore.\u201d Arthur\t smiled\t at\t the\t way\t she\t bristled\t with\t indignation.\t \u201cYou\t possess\t my Gwen\u2019s\tstubborn\ttemperament.\tIt\tt\u2019were\ta\tquality\tLancelot\tloved\tin\ther,\tas\twell. He\tcalled\ther\t\u2018Jenny\u2019\tbecause\tshe\ttold\thim\tit\tdid\talways\tmake\ther\tfeel\tyoung.\u201d Arthur\t noted\t Lance\t looking\t startled,\t and\t realized\t in\t one\t corner\t of\t his\t mind that\the\thad\tyet\tto\ttell\tthis\tLance\tof\tthe\tprevious\tone. Before\t he\t could\t begin,\t the\t lady\t replied,\t \u201cIt\t just\t so\t happens\t that\u2019s\t my\t name too.\tJenny.\u201d","Arthur\u2019s\teyebrows\tshot\tup\tin\tsurprise.\t\u201cIndeed?\u201d Lance\t fidgeted,\t looking\t from\t one\t adult\t to\t the\t other.\t \u201cCome\t on,\t Arthur,\t we gotta\tgo.\t\u2019Night,\tMs.\tMcMullen.\u201d He\ttried\tpulling\tArthur\u2019s\tsleeve\ttoward\tLlamrei,\tbut\tArthur\tstood\this\tground. Lance\t dropped\t the\t sleeve,\t looking\t like\t he\u2019d\t just\t been\t abandoned\t on\t a\t street corner.\tHe\tsnatched\tup\this\tskateboard\tand\tsullenly\tmoved\tup\tthe\trise\tto\tLlamrei, petting\ther\tgently\taround\tthe\tsnout. Arthur\tremained\tfrozen\tin\tplace,\tgazing\twith\twide-eyed\twonder\tat\tthe\tlovely young\t woman\t before\t him.\t The\t streetlight\t cast\t her\t blonde\t hair\t within\t a\t halo\t of light\tthat\tentranced\thim. \u201cBe\tthou\ta\tgood\tteacher,\tLady\tJenny?\u201d\the\tasked\twith\ta\ttilt\tof\this\thead. Mesmerized\tby\this\tgaze,\tJenny\twas\tclearly\tcaught\toff\tguard\tby\tthe\tquestion. She\t cleared\t her\t throat,\t then\t replied,\t \u201cI,\t uh\u2026.\t I\t don\u2019t\t know.\t I\t try.\t I\t love\t what\t I teach.\u201d \u201cBut\tdo\tyou\tlove\twho\tyou\tteach?\u201d Jenny\topened\ther\tmouth\tto\trespond,\tbut\tthen\tclosed\tit. Arthur\tsmiled\twarmly.\t\u201cMethinks\twe\tshalt\tgaze\tupon\tone\tanother\tagain.\u201d Turning,\t he\t strolled\t up\t the\t rise\t to\t Llamrei\t and\t Lance.\t So\t absorbed\t were\t his thoughts\twith\tthis\tfascinating\tyoung\twoman,\the\tfailed\tto\tnotice\tLance\tglowering down\tat\ther\tas\the\tmounted\tthe\thorse.\tHe\treached\tfor\tLance,\tbut\tthe\tboy\tignored the\t proffered\t hand\t and\t scrambled\t up\t into\t the\t saddle\t by\t himself.\t Arthur\u2019s\t gaze remained\t on\t Jenny,\t who\t looked\t radiant\t beneath\t that\t circle\t of\t streetlight.\t He raised\this\thand\tin. \u201cFarewell,\tLady\tJenny.\u201d Jenny\t slowly\t raised\t her\t own\t hand\t in\t farewell\t as\t Arthur\t turned\t the\t horse\t and trotted\taway. The\t return\t journey\t was\t made\t in\t silence,\t not\t because\t Lance\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t talk, but\t due\t to\t Arthur\u2019s\t preoccupation\t with\t Jenny.\t Lance\t had\t made\t an\t attempt\t at drawing\t him\t out,\t but\t the\t king\u2019s\t responses\t to\t questions\t fell\t into\t the\t category\t of grunts\tor\tnods. For\t his\t part,\t Arthur\t found\t himself\t replaying\t in\t his\t mind\t the\t all-too-brief encounter\t with\t that\t fascinating\t woman.\t What\t had\t he\t sensed\t within\t her? Strength,\t yes,\t stubborn\t defiance,\t certainly.\t But\t what\t else?\t He\t knew\t virtually nothing\t about\t her\t except\t she\t taught\t Lance\t and\t other\t children\t like\t him.\t She obviously\t cared\t for\t Lance,\t which\t pleased\t him.\t But\t what\t of\t her\t other\t charges? Did\ther\theart\tgo\tout\tto\tthem,\tas\twell,\tor\twas\ther\tteaching\tjob\tnothing\tmore\tthan","that\u2014a\tjob? He\tfound\ther\tby\tturns\tconfusing\tand\talluring,\tand\tfelt\tdrawn\tto\ther\teven\tmore than\t he\u2019d\t been\t toward\t Guinevere.\t Theirs\t had\t been\t an\t arranged\t marriage,\t after all,\tpart\tof\ta\ttreaty\tagreement.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tbeautiful\tand\tbold,\tnobody\u2019s\tfool,\this Gwen,\t and\t somewhere\t along\t the\t way\t he\t had\tfallen\t in\t love\t with\t her,\t and\t then loved\ther\tdeeply\tuntil\tthe\tend. He\tsuddenly\trealized\tthat\tLlamrei\thad\tstopped.\tLooking\taround,\the\tsaw\tthey were\twithin\tthe\triverbed\tfacing\tthe\tgrill\tentrance\tto\this\tlair.\tLance\tstood\ton\tthe ground,\tholding\topen\tthe\tenormous\tgrate\tfor\tthem\tto\tenter. \u201cWell?\u201d\tLance\tasked\tsullenly,\tgripping\this\tboard\tlike\ta\tweapon. Arthur\tshook\this\thead\ta\tmoment\tto\tclear\this\tthoughts.\t\u201cMy\tapologies,\tLance,\u201d he\tbegan,\tpulling\thimself\tback\tinto\tthe\tpresent.\t\u201cMy\tmind\twandered.\u201d Lance\tsnorted.\t\u201cYeah,\tI\tbet!\u201d Arthur\tnoted\tthe\ttone\tand\tLance\u2019s\tslouchy\tposture\tand\tsullen\tlook.\t\u201cYou\tseem troubled,\tLance.\tWhat\tbe\tweighing\tupon\tthee?\u201d Lance\tlooked\tdown\tat\tthe\tground.\t\u201cNothing.\u201d \u201cHast\tthy\tmood\tto\tdo\twith\tthe\tLady\tJenny?\u201d Lance\tsnapped\this\thead\tup\tlike\ta\tcobra\tpreparing\tto\tstrike.\t\u201cLook,\tshe\u2019s\tonly a\tteacher,\tokay!\u201d Arthur\trecoiled. Lance\tlooked\tashamed\tand\tbowed\this\thead.\t\u201cSorry.\tShe\u2019s\tcool.\tIt\u2019s\tjust\u2026.\u201d Arthur\tgazed\tdown\tat\tthe\tboy,\tconcerned,\tbut\tgenuinely\tmystified\tas\tto\twhat was\ttroubling\thim.\t\u201cJust\twhat?\u201d \u201cNothing.\t I\u2019m\t tired,\u201d\t he\t said,\t and\t then\t stepped\t past\t the\t grill\t to\t enter\t the darkness\tof\tthe\ttunnel\twithout\tlooking\tback. Puzzled,\t Arthur\t trotted\t Llamrei\t through\t the\t entrance\t and\t closed\t the\t grill behind\tthem.\tThe\tbobbing,\tbouncing\tlight\tof\tLance\u2019s\tlantern\tguided\thim\tthrough the\tdark\ttunnels\tback\tto\ttheir\tchamber,\tbut\tthe\tboy\tsaid\tnot\tanother\tword\talong the\tway. As\t Jenny\t returned\t to\t her\t apartment,\t her\t mind\t raced,\t replaying\t images\t of\t her encounter.\t Tossing\t her\t jacket\t haphazardly\t onto\t the\t sofa,\t she\t wandered\t into\t her broom-closet-sized\tkitchen,\topened\tthe\tfridge,\tand\tpulled\tout\ta\tcarton\tof\torange juice.\t She\t was\t so\t lost\t in\t thought\t that\t she\t took\t a\t swig\t from\t the\t carton\t without using\ta\tglass,\tset\tthe\tjuice\tdown\tnear\tthe\tsink,\tand\tdrifted\tinto\tthe\tliving\troom. She\tknew\tshe\tshould\tbe\texhausted\u2014Fridays\twere\tusually\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tline for\tenergy\tlevels\u2014but\ther\tmind\twas\thyped\tby\tthe\tnight\u2019s\tevents.\tWho\twas\tthis","man,\t and\t why\t didn\u2019t\t she\t simply\t call\t the\t cops\t and\t report\t that\t she\u2019d\t seen\t him? Report\tthat\the\thad\ta\tfourteen-year-old\tboy\tin\ttow\tand\tkept\tthat\tboy\tout\tof\tschool every\tday?\tShe\tcould\tdo\tthese\tthings,\tand\ther\tmind\ttold\ther\tthat\tshe\tshould.\tBut her\t heart\t told\t a\t different\t story.\t She\u2019d\t been\t burned\t enough\t times\t by\t men\u2014she knew\tthe\t\u201cuser\u201d\ttype\tvery\twell\tby\tnow.\tThis\tguy\twasn\u2019t\tlike\tthat. He\t almost\t reminded\t her\t of\t this\t alien\t character\t from\t an\t old\t TV\t series\t she\u2019d seen\t on\t cable.\t This\t alien\t had\t been\t here\t on\t earth\t once\t before\t and\t fathered\t a child.\t Thinking\t his\t son\t was\t in\t trouble,\t the\t alien\t returned\t to\t earth\t to\t help\t him, and\t discovered\t the\t boy\u2019s\t mother\t had\t disappeared.\t Father\t and\t son\t set\t out\t to locate\ther.\tBecause\tthe\talien\twasn\u2019t\tfrom\tearth,\teverything\tseemed\tnew\tto\thim, and\the\tsincerely\tsaw\tthe\tbest\tqualities\tin\teveryone\the\tmet.\tHe\teven\thelped\tbring those\tqualities\tto\tthe\tsurface. That\twas\tthe\tfeeling\tArthur\tgave\ther.\tHe\tseemed\tout\tof\tplace\tin\tthis\ttime,\tin this\t world,\t and\t yet\t he\t oozed\t sincerity.\t And\t Lance\t adored\t him\u2014that\t was obvious.\tShe\tknew\tenough\tof\tLance\tto\tknow\the\twas\tnobody\u2019s\tfool.\tStill,\the\twas fourteen\t years\t old\t and\t could\t be\t \u201cwowed\u201d\t by\t swords\t and\t horses\t and\t tales\t of chivalry. Like\t you,\t Jenny?\t Isn\u2019t\t that\t why\t you\t loved\t those\t old\t Arthurian\t stories,\t where knights\trode\thorses\tand\trescued\tfair\tmaidens,\tand\tright\tand\twrong\twere\tclearly delineated\tideals? But\thuman\tbeings\tweren\u2019t\tthat\tsimple,\twere\tthey?\tPeople\twere\tshades\tof\tgray, at\t least\t in\t her\t mind.\t You\t had\t your\t left-wing\t ideologues\t and\t your\t right-wing ideologues,\t and\t each\t believed\t their\t playbook\t held\t all\t the\t answers\t to\t every human\t condition.\t But\t weren\u2019t\t people\t so\t much\t more\t complex\t than\t that?\t Didn\u2019t most\t of\t us\t fall\t within\t the\t gray\t area,\t and\t thus\t the\t solutions\t to\t human\t dramas could\t never\t come\t from\t a\t single\t playbook,\t but\t rather\t from\t a\t combination\t of both?\tDidn\u2019t\teach\tof\tus\tneed\tto\tbe\tseen\tas\tan\tindividual\tfirst,\tand\tmember\tof\ta group\tsecond? Could\tthis\tman\tsomehow,\timpossibly,\tbe\tKing\tArthur?\tCould\tthose\tstories\tof old\t really\t be\t true?\t She\t considered\t this\t possibility\t but\t a\t moment\t before\t shaking her\thead.\tNo,\tit\twasn\u2019t\tpossible.\tShe\u2019d\tsooner\tbelieve\the\twas\tsome\tkind\tof\talien from\touter\tspace.\tAnd\tyet\u2026. She\tfelt\tthe\tweight\tof\twhat\tshe\tknew,\tand\tthe\teven\tgreater\tweight\tof\twhat\tshe didn\u2019t\tknow,\tsqueezing\ther\tlike\ta\tgiant\tvise.\tAnd\tyet,\twhat\tof\tLance?\tCould\the be\tin\tany\tdanger?\tNot,\tshe\tthought,\tnot\tfrom\tthe\tman\thimself,\tbut\tpossibly\tfrom how\t his\t ultimate\t plans\t played\t out.\t A\t new\t Round\t Table?\t She\t needed\t to\t know more.\t She\t needed\t to\t find\t out\t where\t Arthur\t holed\t up\t and\t exactly\t what\t he\t was planning. Yawning\t with\t fatigue,\t she\t rose\t to\t enter\t her\t bedroom,\t tired,\t but\t unlikely\t to","sleep\t well.\t At\t least\t tomorrow\t was\t Saturday,\t she\t thought\t as\t she\t entered\t her bathroom\tto\tbrush\ther\tteeth.\tGazing\tat\ther\tbewildered\texpression\tin\tthe\tmirror, Arthur\u2019s\tparting\twords\treturned\tto\thaunt\ther:\t\u201cDo\tyou\tlove\twho\tyou\tteach?\u201d I\tused\tto\tknow\tthe\tanswer,\tshe\trealized,\tbut\tnow\tI\u2019m\tnot\tso\tsure. As\t Arthur\t entered\t the\t central\t chamber,\t now\t officially\t christened\t \u201cThe\t Hub\u201d\t by Reyna,\tand\tdismounted\tLlamrei,\tLavern\tran\tforward\tto\tgrab\this\tarm. \u201cSire,\tcome\tquick.\u201d\tHe\tbegan\tpulling\thim\ttoward\tone\tof\tthe\tsleeping\ttunnels. Concerned,\t Arthur\t flicked\t his\t gaze\t toward\t the\t silent\t Lance,\t who\t eyed\t the exchange\tfrom\tthe\tweapons\track. \u201cLance,\tsee\tto\tLlamrei,\tplease,\u201d\tArthur\tcommanded\tand\tjogged\tafter\tLavern. Lance\t watched\t them\t retreat\t into\t the\t tunnel\t and\t glowered.\t \u201cI\t guess\t now\t I\u2019m stable\t boy\t too.\u201d\t Sighing\t with\t frustration,\t he\t strode\t to\t Llamrei\t and\t grabbed\t her reins.\t \u201cCome\t on,\t girl,\t let\u2019s\t get\t you\t settled\t in\t for\t the\t night.\u201d\t The\t tired\t horse whinnied\tand\tnuzzled\tLance\u2019s\tface\tgently.\t\u201cWell,\tat\tleast\tyou\thaven\u2019t\tforgotten me.\u201d\t His\t steps\t heavy\t with\t fatigue,\t he\t led\t the\t horse\t away\t to\t be\t unsaddled\t and fed. As\t Arthur\t approached\t a\t large\t group\t of\t his\t boys\t gathered\t in\t a\t circle,\t Enrique broke\taway\tfrom\tthe\tothers\tand\tstepped\tforward.\t\u201cMark\tis\tsick,\tArthur.\u201d Arthur\t nodded\t to\t Lavern\t and\t Enrique,\t then\t pressed\t past\t them\t into\t the\t center of\t the\t circle.\t Jack\t knelt\t beside\t Mark,\t who\t lay\t on\t one\t of\t the\t futon-like\t bedrolls covered\twith\ta\tblanket,\this\ttunic\tdrenched\twith\tsweat,\tshivering,\tand\twrithing\tin pain. Concern\tenveloped\tthe\tking.\t\u201cWhat\thath\tbefallen\tMark?\u201d From\t his\t kneeling\t position,\t hands\t on\t Mark\u2019s\t chest\t to\t hold\t him\t down,\t Jack turned\ta\tdistraught\texpression\tup\tto\this\tking.\t\u201cWithdrawal,\tArthur.\u201d Puzzled,\t Arthur\t knelt\t beside\t Jack\t to\t gaze\t down\t at\t Mark\u2019s\t tortured\t face.\t The grimace\tof\tpain\twas\tobvious,\tbut\tthe\tboy\talso\ttwisted\tand\tmoaned\tand\tbucked, and\t yet\t there\t did\t not\t appear\t to\t be\t anything\t physically\t wrong\t with\t him. \u201cWithdrawal?\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\thooked\ton\tjunk.\u201d\tJack\u2019s\tvoice\talmost\tstuck\ton\tthe\tword,\this\ttone\tguilt- ridden. Arthur\tfrowned\tuncomprehendingly. \u201cThe\t heroin,\t remember,\t Arthur?\u201d\t Jack\t explained\t tightly,\t clearly\t frustrated. \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tnasty\tass\tdrug.\u201d\tHe\tpulled\tone\tof\tMark\u2019s\tarms\tout\tfrom\tunder\tthe\tblanket","to\t display\t the\t ugly,\t purplish\t needle\t tracks.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t tried\t to\t get\t him\t to\t stop.\t I\t kept telling\t him\t that\t shi\u2014sorry,\t that\t stuff\t would\t kill\t him.\u201d\t Then\t he\t looked shamefully\t to\t the\t floor.\t \u201cHe\u2019s\t been\t using,\t Arthur,\t even\t since\t we\t came\t to\t live with\tyou.\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\tI\tshoulda\ttold\tyou.\u201d Arthur\tsqueezed\tthe\tboy\u2019s\tshoulder\tgently.\tHe\trecalled\tseeing\tMark\tpurchase drugs\ton\tHollywood\tBoulevard\tand\tnow\tstudied\tthe\tboy\u2019s\tpale\tarm\triddled\twith holes. Jack\tmet\tthe\tking\u2019s\teyes\timploringly.\t\u201cPlease,\tArthur,\the\u2019s\tmy\tbest\tfriend.\tWe gotta\tdo\tsomething!\u201d \u201cWhat\tmust\twe\tdo\tfor\thim?\u201d\tArthur\tasked\tuncertainly. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\u201d\t Jack\t looked\t lost\t and\t frightened.\t \u201cI\t guess\t we\t could\t let\t \u2019im sweat\tit\tout,\tbut\tthat\u2019s\trisky,\tman.\tThere\u2019s\tother\tdrugs\tthat\tcan\thelp\thim,\t\u2019cept\tI heard\tthey\tget\tyou\thooked\ttoo.\u201d\tJack\tbegan\tto\ttear\tup,\tturning\this\tpooling\teyes from\t Mark\u2019s\t pallid\t face\t back\t to\t Arthur\u2019s\t concerned\t expression.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t want him\tto\tdie,\tArthur!\u201d \u201cStep\taside,\tplease,\tJack,\u201d\tArthur\tsaid\tsoftly. Jack\trose\tto\this\tfeet\tunsteadily,\this\tbreaths\tshort\tand\tpanicky. Arthur\t sat\t carefully\t beside\t Mark,\t cradling\t the\t boy\u2019s\t head\t in\t his\t arms\t while Mark\tcontinued\tto\tshake\tand\tmoan\tin\tagony,\this\tdelicate\tfeatures\ttwisted\tinto\ta grimace\tof\tsuffering\tframed\twith\tbeads\tof\trolling\tsweat.\tHis\teyes\topened\tand\the flung\this\tgaze\twildly\tabout\tthe\tchamber,\tfinally\tsettling\ton\tJack\tlooming\tabove him. \u201cGet\t me\t some\t junk,\t man!\t I\t need\t it!\u201d\t The\t voice\t sounded\t harsh,\t almost demonic. Jack\u2019s\t tears\t dropped\t onto\t Mark\u2019s\t blanket,\t and\t he\t shook\t his\t head\t sadly.\t \u201cI can\u2019t,\tman.\u201d Mark\thurled\tcurses\tat\thim\tand\tshrieked,\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tkilling\tme!\u201d Jack\tflinched\tat\tMark\u2019s\twords. Mark\t howled\t with\t pain,\t thrashing\t and\t twisting\t within\t Arthur\u2019s\t iron\t grip, fighting\t to\t escape.\t Arthur\t said\t nothing.\t He\t merely\t held\t the\t struggling\t boy\t in place\tuntil\tthe\tbucking\tsettled\tinto\tsquirming.\tMark\u2019s\tface\tand\tbody\tflamed\twith fever,\tand\tsweat\tpoured\tforth\tlike\train. Arthur\t removed\t one\t gauntlet\t and\t placed\t his\t bare\t hand\t to\t the\t boy\u2019s\t forehead. He\tnearly\tyanked\tit\tback\tfrom\tthe\textreme\theat.\tThen\the\tlooked\tup\tat\tthe\tcircle of\tconcerned\tfaces\tgazing\tdown\tat\thim. \u201cFetch\t me\t a\t bowl\t of\t water\t and\t many\t loose\t pieces\t of\t cloth.\t I\t also\t require drinking\twater\tseparate\tfrom\tthe\tother.\u201d Several\tboys\tran\tto\tcomply\twith\tthe\trequest. Jack\tremained,\this\twide,\twet\teyes\tfixed\tfearfully\ton\tthe\tred\tand\tfeverish\tface","of\this\tfriend.\t\u201cWhat\u2019re\tyou\tgonna\tdo?\u201d Arthur\toffered\ta\tsmile\tof\treassurance.\tThe\tcause\tof\tMark\u2019s\tcondition\twas\tnew to\thim,\tbut\tnot\tthe\tboy\u2019s\tpain\tand\tsuffering.\tHe\u2019d\tdealt\twith\tmore\tthan\this\tshare in\tBritain.\t\u201cStay\twith\thim,\tpray\tfor\thim,\thelp\thim\tthrough\tthe\tpain.\tThe\trest\tof you\tretire\tto\tthy\tbeds.\tThe\thour\tgrows\tlate,\tand\twe\thave\ta\tgreat\tdestiny\tawaiting us\ttomorrow\tnight.\u201d Jack\tstepped\tover\tMark\u2019s\tprone\tfigure\tand\tsat\ton\this\tother\tside,\tswiping\taway tears.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tstaying\twith\thim,\ttoo.\u201d Arthur\t nodded,\t knowing\t Jack\t would\t never\t abandon\t his\t friend\t in\t an\t hour\t of need.\t As\t several\t boys\t returned\t with\t the\t requested\t items,\t the\t others\t gradually dispersed,\tmurmuring\tamong\tthemselves.\tArthur\tdipped\ta\tpiece\tof\tcloth\tinto\tthe basin\tof\twater\tand\tgently\tmopped\tthe\tsweat\tfrom\tMark\u2019s\tbrow\twhile\tJack\ttook the\tfeverish\tboy\u2019s\thand\tand\tgripped\tit\ttightly. \u201cFear\tnot,\tyoung\tMark,\u201d\tArthur\tassured\thim\tin\ta\tcalm,\tsoothing\tvoice.\t\u201cWhat thou\t hast\t done\t to\t thyself\t shall,\t with\t thy\t strength\t and\t God\u2019s\t help,\t be\t this\t night undone,\t and\t thy\t life\t will\t once\t more\t belong\t to\t thee.\u201d\t Gently,\t he\t wrapped\t the blanket\tmore\tsecurely\taround\tMark,\tlaid\ta\tcool,\tdamp\tcloth\tacross\tthe\tsleeping boy\u2019s\tforehead,\tand\tcontinued\tto\tmop\this\tgrimacing\tface. As\t the\t night\t wore\t on,\t Jack\u2019s\t stiff\t posture\t finally\t relaxed,\t and\t he\t drifted\t off into\ta\tfitful\tsleep. Arthur\t continued\t to\t rest\t Mark\u2019s\t head\t in\t his\t lap,\t and\t to\t hold\t him\t securely when\t he\t became\t agitated.\t Periodically,\t he\t dribbled\t a\t bit\t of\t drinking\t water between\t Mark\u2019s\t lips,\t but\t otherwise\t he\t mopped\t rivulets\t of\t sweat\t from\t Mark\u2019s pale,\tpinched\tface,\tand\tprayed,\this\thead\tbowed. For\this\tpart,\tLance\thad\tstayed\taway.\tHe\tstill\tfelt\u2026\the\twasn\u2019t\tquite\tsure\twhat\the felt,\tbut\tsomehow\tit\tseemed\tthere\twas\ta\tsudden\tgap\tbetween\thim\tand\tArthur,\ta gap\t he\t didn\u2019t\t understand,\t a\t gap\t that\t twisted\t up\t his\t stomach\t like\t a\t cramp.\t He tossed\tand\tturned\tin\this\tbedroll,\tsleep\teluding\thim. Finally,\t he\t rose\t with\t care,\t so\t as\t to\t not\t wake\t little\t Chris\t slumbering\t beside him.\t He\t slipped\t a\t baggy\t tunic\t over\t his\t shivering\t bare\t torso\t and\t crept\t silently into\t the\t tunnel,\t where\t he\t knew\t he\u2019d\t find\t Arthur\u2026\t and\t Mark.\t He\t stopped\t and crouched\tlow\twhen\tthey\tcame\tinto\tview.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tArthur\tto\tsee\thim. Why\tnot? He\t didn\u2019t\t even\t know.\t He\t observed\t the\t man\t sitting\t beneath\t a\t soft\t pool\t of lantern\tlight\tgently\tcradling\tand\tministering\tto\u2026\tsomeone\telse. Someone\twho\twasn\u2019t\thim.\tLoneliness\talmost\tdrowned\thim.","Arthur\t gazed\t empathetically\t at\t Mark\u2019s\t face\t as\t he\t toweled\t off\t the\t sweat. \u201cThere\tdoth\tbe\tmany\taddictions,\tyoung\tMark,\tto\twhich\ta\tman\tmay\tfind\thimself enslaved.\t Most\t be\t of\t our\t own\t choosing,\t but\t some\t be\t put\t upon\t us\t by\t chance. Have\tno\tfear,\tyoung\tone.\tDespite\tyour\tpast,\tyou\talways\thave\ta\tfuture\there,\twith us.\u201d Lance\t listened\t to\t those\t words,\t and\t knew\t Arthur\t meant\t them,\t just\t as\t he\u2019d meant\tthem\twhen\the\u2019d\tassured\tLance\tof\this\tallegiance,\twhen\the\u2019d\tcradled\tLance in\this\tarms\tand\tsoaked\tup\this\tpain. I\tam\tpart\tof\tsomething\tgreat,\the\ttold\thimself\twith\ta\tsilent\tsigh,\tand\tArthur\tis the\t greatest\t man\t I\u2019ve\t ever\t known,\t so\t why\t do\t I\t suddenly\t feel\t so\u2026\t empty?\t So alone\u2026. Uncertainty\t raking\t across\t his\t heart\t like\t claws,\t Lance\t propped\t himself\t up against\tthe\twall.\tHis\tthoughts\tdrifted\tback\tto\tthe\taching\tpain\tof\this\tchildhood,\tto who\the\tused\tto\tbe,\tto\twhat\the\tused\tto\tbe,\tand\tto\twho\the\u2019d\tbecome\tsince\tArthur appeared. Jack\t had\t called\t himself\t a\t slut\t boy\t for\t what\t he\u2019d\t done\t out\t on\t the\t street.\t But how\twas\tLance\tany\tmore\tpure?\tHadn\u2019t\the\tallowed\tthat\tman\tto\u2026\tuse\thim\u2026\tthat way,\twithout\tfighting\tback?\tWasn\u2019t\the\ta\tworse\tslut\tboy\tthan\tJack\tcould\tever\tbe? Did\tthat\tword\teven\tapply\tto\tboys? Self-loathing\t clamped\t onto\t his\t wildly\t beating\t heart\t as\t he\t gazed\t through blurring\t tears\t at\t Arthur,\t with\t Mark\t wrapped\t in\t his\t arms.\t Did\t he\t even\t deserve somebody\t that\t good?\t Him,\t who\u2019d\t never\t done\t anything\t worthwhile\t in\t his\t life? He\t didn\u2019t\t know\t why,\t but\t the\t loneliness\t returned\t in\t full,\t threatened\t to\t suffocate him\t with\t its\t smothering\t totality,\t and\t he\t began\t to\t cry,\t softly\t and\t achingly, gradually\tcrying\thimself\tinto\ta\trestless\tsleep. When\t Enrique\t and\t several\t others\t entered\t the\t tunnel\t around\t midday,\t they\t found Jack\tasleep,\tclasping\tMark\u2019s\thand\tin\this\town,\tand\tArthur\tstill\tcradling\tthe\tblond boy\tin\this\tarms. \u201cHow\the\tbe,\tArthur?\u201d\tEnrique\tinquired. \u201cBetter,\t but\t not\t yet\t recovered.\t Rouse\t the\t others\t and\t set\t about\t feeding\t them. Then\tyou\tmay\tcommence\tfurther\tweapons\tpractice.\tHave\tyou\tseen\tLance?\u201d Enrique\tpointed\ttoward\tthe\tmouth\tof\tthe\ttunnel.\tLance\twas\tcurled\tinto\ta\tfetal position,\t still\t asleep.\t Concern\t washed\t over\t Arthur\t at\t the\t sight,\t but\t he\t did\t not show\tthis\tto\tEnrique.\t\u201cLet\thim\tsleep\ta\tbit\tlonger.\tYou\tmay\tbegin\tthe\ttraining\tfor today.\tI\tshall\tjoin\tyou\tshortly.\tWhen\tReyna\tarrives,\tshe\tshall\tdirect\tthe\tarchers.\u201d \u201cS\u00ed,\tArthur,\u201d\tsaid\tEnrique\twith\ta\tbroad\tgrin\tand\thurried\toff.","Arthur\tremained\tas\the\u2019d\tbeen\tthroughout\tthe\tnight,\tcradling\tMark\u2019s\thead\tand praying\t for\t the\t boy\u2019s\t deliverance.\t Yet\t he\t found\t his\t gaze\t drifting\t over\t to\t the sleeping\t bundle\t that\t was\t his\t First\t Knight.\t He\u2019d\t hoped\t that\t Lance\t had\t purged himself\tof\this\tchildhood\tdemons,\tbut\trealized\tnow\tthat\twas\tnot\ttrue.\tHow\tcould it\t be?\t How\t could\t so\t much\t suffering\t vanish\t so\t rapidly?\t Even\t Merlin\t could\t not affect\tsuch\ta\tmiracle. His\t own\t childhood\t had\t been\t pleasant\t and\t nurturing.\t He\u2019d\t been\t loved\t by\t Sir Ector,\tand\tby\tall\tof\tthe\tman\u2019s\thousehold\tstaff.\tWhat\tdid\the\tknow\tof\tthe\tpain\tand misery\tand\tintense\tloneliness\tthat\tLance,\tand\tall\tthese\tothers,\thad\tendured?\tHe\u2019d purposely\t selected\t these\t children\t for\t his\t new\t campaign\t because\t older\t people were\ttoo\tset\tin\ttheir\tways.\tThey\tcouldn\u2019t,\tor\twouldn\u2019t,\tchange. Such\t had\t been\t a\t great\t aspect\t of\t Camelot\u2019s\t downfall\u2014too\t much\t infighting amongst\t the\t men,\t all\t vying\t for\t greater\t position,\t all\t victims\t of\t false\t pride. Children,\the\tknew,\teven\tsuch\tdamaged\tas\tthese,\tcould\tyet\tbe\tguided\tand\tmolded into\t something\t that\t he\t hoped\t would\t change\t this\t city,\t and\t its\t people,\t into something\tgreat.\tBut\tthey\twere\tchildren,\the\treminded\thimself,\tand\the\u2019d\thad\tlittle experience\twith\tchildren\tin\this\tprevious\tlife.\tPerhaps\tthe\tLady\tJenny\tmight\tbe\tof help\tin\tunderstanding\tthe\thearts\tand\tminds\tof\this\tchildren. His\tmusings\twere\tinterrupted\tby\tgroans\tfrom\tMark. The\t moaning\t awoke\t Jack,\t who\t stretched\t his\t muscular\t arms\t and\t shook\t the sleep\t out\t of\t his\t eyes.\t \u201cHow\u2019s\t Mark?\u201d\t was\t all\t he\t asked,\t sitting\t up\t quickly,\t his tormented\tbrown\teyes\tanxiously\tsearching\this\tfriend\u2019s\tface\tfor\tlife. \u201cHe\tis\tbetter,\tmethinks,\u201d\tArthur\tsaid\tin\ta\ttired\tvoice,\toffering\tJack\ta\tsmile\tof hope. Arthur\u2019s\t voice\t awoke\t Lance,\t who\t slowly\t uncurled\t himself\t and\t gradually pulled\thimself\tup\tinto\ta\tsitting\tposition,\tshaking\tthe\tsleep\tfrom\this\teyes. Mark\tstirred,\this\tbloodless\tface\tstrained\tfrom\tthe\tordeal,\tmaking\thim\tlook\tfar older\tthan\this\tfifteen\tyears. \u201cHow\tdo\tyou\tfeel,\tMark?\u201d\tArthur\tasked\tin\this\tcalm,\tsoothing\ttone\tof\tvoice. Mark\u2019s\t eyes\t flitted\t from\t Jack\u2019s\t grinning\t face\t to\t Arthur\u2019s\t gentle\t look. \u201cArthur?\u201d \u201cYes,\tlad,\tit\tbe\tI.\u201d Weakly,\tMark\tgazed\tup\tat\tthe\tman,\t confused.\t\u201cYou\u2026\tyou\tbeen\twith\tme\tall night?\u201d \u201cAye,\tlad,\tand\tmuch\tof\tthe\tday.\tThou\thast\tbeen\tquite\till.\u201d Mark\tappeared\tbewildered\tand\tvery\tunsettled,\this\tvoice\tshaky.\t\u201cNo\tone\tever did\u2026\tnobody\tever\tdid\u2026\tnothing\tlike\tthat\tbefore\u2026.\u201d Now\t Jack\u2019s\t face\t fell.\t \u201cI\t was\t here\t too,\u201d\t he\t whispered,\t his\t voice\t tinged\t with sadness.","Mark\tglanced\tat\thim\tand\tsmiled,\t,\tbut\tquickly\treturned\this\tgaze\tto\tArthur. \u201cSave\t thy\t strength,\u201d\t Arthur\t insisted,\t raising\t the\t water\t bottle\t so\t Mark\t could take\ta\tfew\tsips.\t\u201cRest,\tnow,\tyoung\tMark,\twhile\tI\tthank\tGod\tfor\tthy\tdeliverance.\u201d As\t Mark\t fell\t silent,\t Jack\t and\t Lance\t watched\t Arthur\t bow\t his\t head\t in\t prayer. They\twore\texpressions\tof\tsadness,\tas\tthough\tboth\thad\tlost\tsomeone\the\tloved. In\t Boyle\t Heights,\t Esteban\t and\t Jaime,\t and\t as\t many\t of\t their\t homeboys\t as\t each could\t round\t up,\t met\t before\t the\t wall\t displaying\t Arthur\u2019s\t \u201cA\u201d\t symbol.\t \u201cPray\t for Peace\t in\t the\t Barrio\u201d\t and\t the\t dove\t were\t still\t dominant,\t but\t the\t angry\t youths below\t it\t had\t no\t intention\t of\t praying\t for\t peace.\t They\t wanted\t war.\t It\t was\t what they\u2019d\t been\t taught\t to\t do.\t They\t hit\t you,\t you\t hit\t \u2019em\t back!\t That\t was\t life\t in\t the barrio,\tnot\tpeace. Esteban\tand\tJaime\tstood\tside\tby\t side,\tas\tnumerous\tother\t gang\tmembers,\tall under\t eighteen,\t hovered\t excitedly\t around\t them.\t Old\t pickups\t and\t cars\t and\t low- riders\tpacked\tthe\tstreet\texpectantly. The\t two\t intimidating\t boys\t clasped\t hands\t firmly\t and\t bumped\t fists\t with dramatic\t flair.\t Both\t wore\t the\t requisite\t tank\t top\t undershirt\t to\t display\t their intimidating\tmusculature,\tand\tJaime\thad\ta\tbandana\twrapped\taround\this\thead. \u201cNever\t thought\t I\t see\t us\t back\t on\t the\t same\t side,\t carnal,\u201d\t Esteban\t told\t his former\tfriend\twith\ta\tnod. \u201cWe\tgonna\tkick\tthat\tguy\u2019s\tass,\tdawg!\u201d\tJaime\treplied\tloudly.\t\u201cThe\tothers,\tthey be\tcomin\u2019?\u201d \u201cS\u00ed,\u201d\t Esteban\t replied.\t \u201cBut\t you\t still\t the\t hothead,\t homie,\t so\t let\t me\t do\t the talkin\u2019,\t\u2019kay?\u201d Jaime\tnodded.\t\u201cBut\tif\tthe\tguy\tpisses\tme\toff\u2026.\u201d\tHe\tleft\tthe\tthreat\tunfinished, raising\this\t.38\tto\tfinish\tthe\tsentence\tfor\thim. Esteban\t eyed\t the\t weapon\t soberly\t and\t then\t turned\t to\t all\t those\t assembled. \u201cRemember,\tno\tshootin\u2019\t\u2019less\tone\ta\tus\tsays\tso.\tComprenden?\u201d The\t assembled\t gangsters,\t young\t and\t teen,\t armed\t with\t a\t variety\t of\t firearms, nodded\ttheir\tassent. All\t of\t Arthur\u2019s\t nearly\t three\t hundred\t children\t were\t present,\t girls\t and\t boys.\t The girls\t flanked\t Reyna,\t outfitted\t in\t her\t full\t archery\t ensemble,\t longbow\t and\t quiver slung\t indolently\t over\t her\t shoulder.\t Those\t boys\t wielding\t swords\t had\t girded themselves\t with\t protective\t armor:\t chain\t mail,\t chest\t pieces,\t helms,\t and\t shields. Much\t of\t the\t armor\t fit\t the\t young\t bodies\t awkwardly,\t at\t best,\t and\t Arthur\t and","Lance\twere\tadministering\tlast\tminute\tadjustments. The\tarchers,\tkey\tplayers\tin\tArthur\u2019s\tstrategic\tplan,\tdid\tnot\twear\tarmor\tdue\tto their\t need\t for\t agility\t and\t quickness.\t He\t recognized\t the\t risks,\t knowing\t the gangsters\t could\t fire\t randomly\t into\t the\t dark\t and\t strike\t one\t of\t them,\t but\t he believed\this\tchildren\twere\tas\ttrained\tand\tready\tas\tthey\u2019d\tever\tbe\tto\ttake\ton\tthis challenge. As\tReyna\tadjusted\tthe\tbows\tand\tquivers\tof\tseveral\tarchers,\tEnrique\tand\tLuis popped\t up\t to\t flank\t her.\t Enrique\t spoke\t first,\t \u201cYou\t need\t any\t help,\t Reyna,\t I\t got your\tback,\tno\tsweat.\u201d \u201cForget\t that\t fool,\u201d\t Luis\t tossed\t in,\t causing\t her\t to\t look\t his\t way.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t protect you.\u201d Reyna\tlaughed\tderisively.\t\u201cMore\tlike\tthe\tother\tway\taround,\tcholo\tboys.\u201d She\tdismissed\tthem\twith\ta\twave\tof\ther\thand,\tand\tthey\thigh-fived\teach\tother. Lance\tstruggled\tto\tadjust\this\thelm.\tWhen\tArthur\tstepped\tforward\tto\thelp\thim, Lance\tshrugged\thim\toff\tand\tstepped\tto\tone\tside\tto\tfinish\ton\this\town. Arthur\tstepped\tto\tLance\tand\tleaned\tin.\t\u201cLance,\tthou\t hast\tbeen\tmoody\tsince we\t encountered\t the\t Lady\t Jenny\t last\t night,\u201d\t he\t whispered.\t \u201cYou\t need\t fear\t not, lad,\tfor\tshe,\tnor\tanyone,\tshall\tever\tcome\tbetween\tthee\tand\tI.\u201d Helm\thalf\ton\tand\thalf\toff,\ta\tstartled\tLance\tturned\tto\tface\tArthur,\tstunned\tthat the\t man\t had\t somehow\t read\t his\t thoughts.\t He\t gulped\t with\t uncertainty.\t \u201cThey won\u2019t?\u201d \u201cNay,\u201d\tArthur\tassured\thim,\tplacing\tone\tgauntleted\thand\ton\tLance\u2019s\tshoulder. \u201cYou\thave\tmy\tword.\u201d Lance\t dropped\t his\t gaze,\t embarrassed\t by\t his\t behavior\t and\t unable\t to\t face\t this good\t man.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\t Arthur.\t It\t just\t be\t that\t you\u2026\t that\t I\t never\t had\u2026.\u201d\t He trailed\toff,\tleaving\tthe\tthought\tunfinished.\tBecause\the\tknew\the\twasn\u2019t\tworthy. Arthur\tgazed\tat\thim\tin\tconfusion.\t\u201cNever\thad\twhat,\tLance?\u201d Lance\tcouldn\u2019t\tsay\tit.\tNot\tnow.\tMaybe\tnot\tever.\t\u201cNothing.\u201d \u201cArt\tthou\twith\tme\tthis\tnight?\u201d Lance\tsmiled\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime,\treassured\tthat\the\twas\tstill\twanted\tand\tneeded. \u201cTruly,\tsire.\u201d Arthur\t smiled\t back\t and\t then\t reached\t out\t to\t slip\t Lance\u2019s\t helm\t the\t rest\t of\t the way\tover\this\thead,\tadjusting\this\tlong\thair\tso\tnothing\tobscured\this\tvision.\tLance grinned\t from\t underneath\t it\t and\t gave\t Arthur\t a\t big\t thumbs-up\t sign.\t Grinning back,\t Arthur\t returned\t the\t sign\t before\t turning\t to\t his\t assembled\t warriors,\t now prepped\tand\tready\tand\tawaiting\this\torders. \u201cAttention,\t my\t noble\t knights-to-be!\t Ye\t all\t know\t the\t plan.\t Reyna\t shall position\t the\t archers,\t while\t Jack\t and\t Enrique\t will\t position\t the\t swordsmen\t near Lance\tand\tmyself\tshould\tthe\tneed\tfor\thand-to-hand\tcombat\tarise.\tAfter\teveryone","is\t in\t place,\t Reyna,\t Jack,\t and\t Enrique\t shall\t also\t flank\t me\t for\t our\t meeting.\t Be there\tany\tquestions?\u201d Little\tChris\ttimidly\traised\tone\tsmall\thand.\tHe\twore\ta\tbillowy\ttunic\tand\tlooked like\ta\tfrightened\tpuppy. \u201cYes,\tChris?\u201d\tArthur\tasked. \u201cWhat\t shall\t happen\t to\t me\t if\t you\t don\u2019t\t come\t back,\t Arthur?\u201d\t There\t was\t true fear\tin\tthat\thigh-pitched\tvoice. The\t king\t stepped\t over\t to\t the\t small\t boy\t and\t lifted\t him\t into\t his\t arms\t so\t they could\tlook\tat\teach\tother\teye\tto\teye.\t\u201cFear\tnot,\tyoung\tChris,\tfor\twe\tshall\treturn\tto thee.\tYou\thave\tmy\tword\tas\ta\tknight\tand\ta\tking.\tOkay?\u201d Chris\tbeamed.\t\u201cOkay.\u201d Arthur\t set\t him\t down\t beside\t a\t pallid-looking\t Mark,\t who\t a\t loose\t tunic\t and drawstring\tpants.\tThe\teffects\tof\this\tinner\tstruggle\twere\tplainly\twritten\tacross\this soft,\tdelicate\tfeatures\tlike\tgraffiti. \u201cSure\tI\tcan\u2019t\tgo,\tArthur?\u201d \u201cAfter\twhat\tyou\thave\tbeen\tthrough?\u201d\tArthur\tscoffed.\t\u201cNay,\tMark,\tthough\tthy loyalty\tpleases\tme.\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\tdo\tanything\tfor\tyou,\tArthur,\u201d\tMark\treplied\tearnestly. Jack\tgazed\tlong\tand\thard\tat\tMark,\tand\this\tface\tclouded\tover\twith\tpain. \u201cThen\tcare\tfor\tthis\tlittle\tone,\tMark,\u201d\tArthur\tsaid,\t\u201cfor\the\tis\tthe\thope.\u201d Mark\tgazed\tup\tat\tthe\tman\tlovingly.\t\u201cGodspeed,\tArthur.\u201d Jack\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t Mark\u2019s\t arm,\t and\t the\t blond\t youth\t turned\t to\t him\t as\t Arthur moved\tback\tto\tthe\tmain\tgroup.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\twhen\twe\tget\tback.\u201d Mark\t eyed\t Jack\t uncertainly,\t taking\t in\t the\t armor\t and\t shield,\t the\t sword dangling\tfrom\ta\tsheath\taround\this\twaist,\tand\tthen\tthrew\this\tarms\taround\tJack\u2019s broad\tshoulders\timpulsively,\thugging\tthe\tbigger\tboy\tas\tthough\tnever\twanting\tto let\t go.\t \u201cBe\t careful,\t Jack,\t please.\t You\u2019re\t my\t best\t friend,\t you\t know?\u201d\t He\t pulled away\tand\tlooked\tJack\tin\tthe\tface. Jack\t forced\t a\t grin.\t \u201cJacky\u2019s\t got\t this\t one\t covered.\t Nothing\t but\t a\t scrimmage. I\u2019ll\tsee\tya\tlater.\u201d Mark\tnodded. Arthur\t stood\t up\t on\t a\t chair\t and\t surveyed\t his\t assembled\t troops.\t \u201cOur\t destiny awaits,\tmy\tlads\tand\tladies.\tLet\tus\tgo\tforth\tto\tmeet\tit.\u201d Cars\tand\ttrucks\tbled\ttheir\tway\tinto\tGriffith\tPark\tfrom\tevery\tentrance\tthat\twasn\u2019t locked\t or\t otherwise\t gated.\t Normal\t operating\t hours\t ceased\t at\t 10:30\t p.m.,\t so\t the gang\t members\t had\t to\t sneak\t into\t the\t park\t by\t whatever\t means\t necessary.\t To","attract\t less\t attention,\t fewer\t cars\t were\t employed,\t which\t meant\t cramming\t each one\twith\tas\tmany\thomies\tas\tpossible. Much\t as\t Esteban\t wanted\t every\t homeboy\t he\t could\t get,\t even\t from\t enemy \u2019hoods,\t he\t knew\t that\t too\t many\t bodies\t and\t too\t much\t movement\t would\t attract undue\t attention\t from\t the\t cops.\t The\t park\t was\t patrolled\t periodically,\t and\t he\t and the\tguys\twanted\tto\tget\tin\tand\tout\tas\tquickly\tas\tpossible. He\u2019d\ttalked\ta\tbit\twith\tJaime,\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\treally\tknow\thow\tthe\tblack\tgangs\twere thinking.\t Jaime\t was\t a\t hothead,\t and\t never\t thought\t things\t through.\t But\t Esteban, angry\t as\t he\t was\t at\t being\t \u201cdissed\u201d\t by\t this\t tagger\t guy,\t wanted\t to\t hear\t what\t the man\thad\tto\tsay.\tWhat\tproposition\tdid\the\twant\tto\tmake?\tAnd\twhy\tall\tthe\traces? That\tdidn\u2019t\tusually\tgo\tdown\ton\tthe\tstreets.\tBlacks\tand\tSamoans\tand\teven\tAsians were\t his\t enemies,\t just\t like\t Jaime\t and\t other\t Latinos\t from\t different neighborhoods.\tThat\twas\thow\tit\tworked,\tthat\twas\tall\the\u2019d\tknown\tgrowing\tup,\tso what\tstupid-ass\tfool\twould\ttry\tto\tget\tthem\tall\ttogether? He\u2019d\t established\t a\t rep\t throughout\t the\t gang\t community\t as\t calm,\t cool,\t level- headed,\tand\thella\tsmart,\tand\tprobably\tthe\tbest\t\u201ctalker\u201d\taround.\tHe\tfound\thimself looking\tforward\tto\tthis\t\u201cmeeting.\u201d A\tfull\tmoon\tcast\tan\talmost\tethereal\tglow\tover\tthe\tpark\tand\tits\tenvirons.\tArthur stood\t atop\t a\t platform\t within\t the\t Boys\t Camp\t area.\t Cabins\t surrounded\t them\t for summer\tprograms,\tand\tthis\tplatform\twas\tcenter\tstage\tfor\ttalent\tshows\tand\tother gatherings.\t Darkness\t enveloped\t him.\t Ominous\t shapes\t of\t normally\t cheerful- looking\t cabins\t and\t teepees\t loomed\t in\t the\t shadows,\t and\t a\t cool\t breeze\t disturbed the\tbranches\tof\tthe\tmanzanita\tand\twild\tsage\ttrees. Rustling\tnoises\tdrifted\tin\tfrom\tthe\tdarkness,\tfrom\tall\taround\thim.\tTo\tArthur\u2019s right\t stood\t Lance\t and\t Reyna,\t he\t wielding\t his\t sword\t and\t shield,\t while\t she\t had her\tbow\tcocked\tand\tready.\tBoth\thad\tbraced\tthemselves,\teyes\tand\tears\tattuned\tto every\tpossible\tthreat\tcoming\tat\tthem\tfrom\tout\tof\tthe\tenveloping\tdarkness. On\t Arthur\u2019s\t left\t stood\t Jack,\t with\t a\t heavy\t broadsword\t gripped\t tautly\t in\t one hand,\t and\t little\t Lavern,\t his\t bow\t cocked\t and\t ready\t for\t action.\t Of\t the\t younger children,\t Lavern\t had\t proven\t the\t most\t adept\t with\t a\t bow\t and\t arrow,\t and\t he\u2019d begged\t to\t be\t by\t Arthur\u2019s\t side.\t Backing\t them\t up\t were\t Luis\t and\t Enrique\t with their\t swords\t and\t shields,\t and\t several\t archers\t named\t Sergio,\t Norman,\t Jose,\t and Sylvia,\t a\t small,\t usually\t quiet\t Hispanic\t girl,\t recruited\t by\t Reyna,\t who\u2019d\t also proven\tto\tbe\ta\tnatural\twith\tthe\tweapon. Lance\tglanced\tnervously\tabout\thim,\tlong\tsilky\thair\tspilling\tfrom\this\thelm\tand down\this\tback.","Arthur\u2019s\tkeen\teyes\texpertly\tscanned\tthe\tdarkness\tahead,\this\tbearing\tregal\tand strong\tas\the\tawaited\tthe\tconfrontation\tto\tcome.\tHe\u2019d\thad\tyears\tof\texperience\tas a\twarrior,\tand\tthose\tskills\thad\tnot\tleft\thim.\tTension\tpulled\this\tmuscles\ttight,\this senses\t into\t high\t alert.\t He\t glanced\t at\t Lance,\t who\t met\t his\t gaze\t without\t fear. Arthur\tnodded,\tand\tthe\tboy\treturned\tit.\tThey\twere\tready. The\t sound\t of\t muffled\t car\t engines\t drifted\t through\t the\t trees.\t Lance\t looked\t up again\tat\tArthur,\tand\tthe\tking\tnodded.\tLance\tput\ta\thand\tto\this\tlips\tand\twhistled something\t that\t sounded\t like\t a\t birdcall.\t From\t all\t around\t them,\t answering birdcalls\t could\t be\t heard\t in\t reply.\t Then\t silence\t reigned\t once\t more,\t except\t the sound\t of\t tires\t on\t dirt.\t Then\t these\t sounds,\t too,\t ceased.\t Doors\t opening\t and slamming\t came\t next,\t followed\t by\t approaching\t footsteps\t on\t gravel.\t Many footsteps.\t Reyna\t and\t Lance\t exchanged\t a\t look,\t and\t she\t tossed\t him\t a\t cool, reassuring\tgrin. Nervous\tthough\the\twas,\tArthur\tdared\tnot\tshow\tit,\tso\the\tstood\timpassively\tas hundreds\t of\t forms\t materialized\t dimly\t from\t beneath\t the\t blanket\t of\t darkness, spreading\t outward\t to\t fill\t the\t area\t with\t writhing,\t living\t movement,\t like\t a\t horde of\trats\temerging\tfrom\tthe\tsewers.\tWavering\tguns\tand\tlong-bladed\tknives\tglinted in\tthe\tmoonlight. Several\t forms\t broke\t away\t from\t the\t mass\t to\t stand\t before\t them,\t and\t Lance recognized\t two\t of\t them\t -\t Justin\t and\t Dwayne.\t There\t were\t two\t other\t Latino youth,\t another\t African-American,\t an\t Asian,\t and\t a\t mountainous\t boy\t who\t could only\tbe\tSamoan. The\tthick-muscled\tLatino\tbroke\taway\tfrom\tthe\tothers. Lance\tnoted\tthe\thandgun\ttucked\twithin\tthe\twaistband\tof\this\tbaggy\tjeans. \u201cSo\tyou\tthe\tguy\twho\tbeen\tmessin\u2019\twit\u2019\tour\t\u2019hoods,\teh?\u201d\tHe\tstopped\tup\tshort and\tpuffed\tout\this\tmuscular\tchest\tin\tamused\tdefiance. Dwayne\tpulled\ta\tgun\tand\ttook\ta\tstep\tcloser,\ttaking\taim\tat\tArthur\u2019s\thead.\tThe Latino\tcalmly\treached\tout\tone\tbrawny\tarm\tto\tpush\tDwayne\u2019s\thand\tdownward\tso the\tgun\tpointed\tat\tthe\tground. \u201cThey\t got\t blades,\t man!\t An\u2019\t I\t owe\t that\t big\t muther\t fer\t messin\u2019\t me\t up, anyways.\u201d Lance\t gazed\t down\t at\t Dwayne,\t eyed\t the\t bandaged\t hand\t without\t sympathy, and\t realized\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t afraid\t anymore.\t \u201cMethinks\t now\t the\t odds\t be\t more\t even, eh?\u201d Dwayne\t glared\t at\t Lance\t in\t confusion.\t \u201cHuh?\t What\t you\t be\t talkin\u2019\t about, Pretty\tBoy?\u201d","The\tLatino\tguy\tchuckled\tand\tturned\tto\this\tassembled\tarmy.\t\u201cHey,\tdawgs,\tdon\u2019 you\tknow\twho\tthis\tguy\tis?\tI\tseen\thim\ton\tthe\tnews.\tHe\u2019s\tKing\tArthur.\u201d Derisive\t laughter\t rippled\t through\t the\t darkness\t like\t ghosts\t in\t a\t graveyard. Arthur\t raised\t his\t shield\t higher\t so\t the\t symbol\t would\t be\t clearly\t visible\t in\t the moonlight.\t Seeing\t that\t hated\t \u201ctag\u201d\t sent\t a\t flurry\t of\t angry\t murmurs\t rippling throughout\tthe\tcrowd.\tMore\tguns\tand\tknives\tglinted\tportentously. Reyna,\tLance,\tJack,\tand\tEnrique\ttensed\tup\tinstantly,\taiming\ttheir\tweapons\tat Dwayne\tand\tthe\tLatino. \u201cThis\t\u2018tag\u2019,\tas\tthou\thast\tdubbed\tit,\u201d\tbegan\tArthur\tcalmly,\this\tvoice\tstrong\tand resonant,\t\u201cbe\tmy\tknightly\tsymbol,\tdisplayed\there\tupon\tmy\tshield.\u201d \u201cSo\t how\t come\t you\t be\t puttin\u2019\t it\t up\t in\t our\t turf,\t huh?\u201d\t That\t came\t from\t the Samoan\twho,\tLance\tthought,\tlooked\tbig\tenough\tto\tlift\tup\ta\ttruck. Arthur\t lowered\t the\t shield,\t but\t gripped\t Excalibur\t tightly.\t His\t voice\t rang\t out clear\t and\t unruffled.\t \u201cDo\t you\t take\t so\t much\t pride\t in\t these\t neighborhoods\t where you\tlive?\u201d \u201cDamn\tstraight,\tese!\u201d\tthe\tbuff\tLatino\tpractically\tspat. \u201cThen,\tperchance,\tI\tmay\tinquire\twhy\tthe\tdwellings\tbe\tso\tshabbily\tattired,\tthe streets\toverrun\twith\ttrash\tand\tvermin,\tthe\tchildren\twithout\trole\tmodels?\tWhy\tdo thy\tpeople\thave\tso\tlittle\tto\tshow\tfor\tall\tof\tthy\tpride?\u201d Dwayne\trose\tup\tto\this\tfull\theight,\this\tface\ta\tmask\tof\trage.\t\u201cIt\tain\u2019t\tour\tfault, fool,\tit\u2019s\twhite\tpeople\tlike\tyou\twho\u2019s\tkeepin\u2019\tthe\tblacks\tin\tthe\tghettos,\tman!\tWe can\u2019t\tdo\tnuthin\t\u2019cept\tfight\tback.\u201d \u201cYou\tdo\tnot\tfight\tback,\u201d\tcontinued\tArthur,\tfixing\this\tintense\tgaze\ton\tDwayne. \u201cYou\trun\twild\tin\tthe\tstreets\twith\tno\tthought\tof\tanyone\tsave\tthyselves.\u201d \u201cYou\t know\t nuthin\u2019,\t man!\u201d\t the\t other\t Latino\t spat,\t stepping\t beside\t Dwayne, fingering\this\thandgun\tanxiously. Lance\t noted\t the\t forearm\t tattoo\t of\t Our\t Lady\t of\t Guadalupe,\t but\t kept\t his\t gaze fixed\ton\tthe\tgun,\this\tsword\tat\tthe\tready. The\tbuff\tone\tshouted,\t\u201cQuiet!\tI\twanna\thear\tmore.\u201d Arthur\tmoved\this\tintense\tgaze\tback\tto\thim.\t\u201cMy\tplacement\tof\tthis\tsymbol\tin thy\tmidst\tdid\taccomplish\tits\tpurpose.\tIt\tbrought\tall\tof\tthee\there\tto\tme,\tunited\tas one.\t When\t can\t any\t of\t thee\t recall\t the\t last\t time\t you\t did\t gather\t together\t without bloodshed?\u201d Agitated\tmurmuring\trose\tup\tfrom\tthe\tslithering\tdark\tshadows\tbehind\tthe\tbig guy.\tActually,\tLance\tnoted,\tthe\tguy\twas\tpretty\tshort,\tbut\tsuper\tbuff,\twith\ta\tbald head\t and\t a\t dangerous\t scowl.\t At\t Arthur\u2019s\t words,\t he\t and\t the\t other\t Latino\t guy exchanged\t a\t look\t of\t surprise.\t So\t did\t Dwayne\t and\t the\t other\t black\t guy\t Lance didn\u2019t\t know.\t The\t Asian\t and\t the\t Samoan\t nodded\t in\t acknowledgement.\t Arthur\u2019s words\thad\thit\thome.","The\tbuff\tguy\tgazed\tat\tArthur\twith\ta\tgrudging\trespect.\t\u201cOkay,\tdog,\tso\tyou\tgot us\tall\there.\tNow\twhat?\u201d\tHe\tsmirked\tarrogantly.\t\u201cWe\tcould\tkill\tyou,\treal\teasy.\u201d Arthur\tsmiled.\t\u201cMethinks\tnot,\tdog,\tfor\tI\tam\tnot\twithout\tweaponry\tmyself.\u201d Everyone\tlaughed. \u201cThem\tswords,\tman!\u201d\tsneered\tthe\tthird\tblack\tguy\tmockingly.\t\u201cHell,\twe\u2019d\tcut you\tdown\t\u2019fore\tyou\teven\tlifted\t\u2019em!\u201d Arthur\tmaintained\this\tcalm,\tcool\ttone.\t\u201cYou\ttake\tmuch\tpride\tin\tthy\tcowardly guns\twhich\tshoot\tmetal\t pellets\t from\t such\ta\tdistance\t that\t thy\t lives\t be\tnot\teven threatened.\tMethinks\tsuch\tweapons\tbe\tmore\tsuited\tto\tthe\tfemale\tgender.\u201d Reyna\tchuckled\tat\tthat,\tbut\tDwayne\texploded\twith\trage.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tit,\tyou\tson\tof a\t bitch!\u201d\t He\t raised\t the\t handgun\t and\t fired\t before\t Esteban\t could\t stop\t him.\t The bullet\tricocheted\toff\tArthur\u2019s\tarmor,\tdisappearing\tinto\tthe\ttrees. A\t second\t later,\t an\t arrow\t whizzed\t through\t the\t air\t from\t the\t darkness\t and pierced\t Dwayne\u2019s\t jacket\t sleeve,\t pinning\t his\t wrist\t to\t the\t tree\t beside\t him\t and knocking\tthe\tgun\tfrom\this\tgrasp. Other\tgang\tmembers\traised\ttheir\tweapons\tto\tshoot,\tbut\tarrow\tafter\tarrow\tflew in\tfrom\tthe\tdark\tand\texpertly\tstruck\tthe\tweapons,\tknocking\tthem\tto\tthe\tground, but\t not\t piercing\t any\t flesh\t or\t injuring\t any\t of\t the\t gangsters.\t Within\t seconds,\t all who\thad\tlifted\ttheir\tweapons\thad\tbeen\tdisarmed. When\t the\t buff\t guy\t and\t the\t other\t shot\t callers\t turned\t from\t the\t panicked confusion\t behind\t them,\t Reyna\t and\t Lavern\t and\t Luis\t had\t arrows\t cocked\t and aimed\tat\ttheir\thearts. \u201cHold\t yer\t fire,\t dammit!\u201d\t Buff\t Guy\t shouted\t angrily,\t a\t bit\t unsettled.\t He glowered\tat\tDwayne.\t\u201cWe\tsaid\tnobody\tshoot,\tfool!\tLucky\tyou\tstill\tgot\ta\thand.\u201d He\treached\tover\tand\tyanked\tthe\tarrow\tfrom\tthe\ttree,\tfreeing\tDwayne. Angrily,\t Dwayne\t reached\t for\t his\t fallen\t gun,\t but\t Buff\t Guy\t kicked\t it\t aside. \u201cLeave\tit.\tHe\u2019s\tgot\this\thomeboys\tout\tthere.\u201d Reyna\tcleared\ther\tthroat,\tdrawing\this\tscrutiny\tin\ther\tdirection.\tHis\teyebrows shot\t up,\t finally\t realizing\t that\t she\t was\t female.\t She\t smirked,\t and\t he\t tossed\t her\t a slight\t smile.\t \u201cHis\t homegirls\t too.\u201d\t He\t raised\t his\t eyebrows,\t and\t Reyna\t nodded, satisfied. \u201cHe\tcalled\tme\ta\tbitch,\tman!\u201d\tshouted\tDwayne\tangrily. Buff\tGuy\twhirled\ton\thim.\t\u201cWell\tstop\tactin\u2019\tlike\tone,\tand\tshut\tup\tso\tthe\tman can\t finish!\u201d\t Then\t he\t turned\t to\t the\t others.\t \u201cAnd\t that\t goes\t for\t the\t rest\t a\t you vatos!\u201d\t He\t looked\t back\t at\t Arthur,\t lobbing\t a\t slight\t smirk\t Reyna\u2019s\t way.\t \u201cGo ahead,\tdawg.\tYou\tgot\tmy\tattention.\u201d \u201cThose\t you\t see\t here\t be\t well\t trained\t in\t hand-to-hand\t combat.\t Thy\t way\t of fighting\t pits\t several\t against\t one,\t often\t with\t these\t cowardly\t gun\t weapons\t fired from\tmoving\tvehicles\tagainst\tthose\twho\tcannot\tfight\tback.\u201d","Angry\t chatter\t erupted\t from\t the\t assemblage.\t Buff\t Guy\t turned\t to\t quiet\t them. \u201cHe\u2019s\tjus\ttryin\u2019\tta\trattle\tus.\tDon\u2019\tpay\tno\tattention.\u201d Arthur\tfocused\ton\tthe\tbuff\tone.\t\u201cTo\tthee\tI\tpose\ta\tquestion.\u201d \u201cYeah?\u201d Arthur\tleaned\tin.\t\u201cDoth\tmight\tbe\tright?\u201d \u201cHuh?\u201d Arthur\u2019s\t gaze\t never\t wavered.\t \u201cMethinks\t this\t doth\t be\t thy\t philosophy,\t that\t if thou\thast\tsufficient\tnumbers,\tthe\tmight,\tthou\tart\talways\tright.\tIs\tthis\tcorrect?\u201d Buff\tGuy\tchuckled,\taffecting\tan\tinsolent\tattitude.\t\u201cSure,\tdawg.\tSurvival\tof\tthe fittest.\u201d \u201cWe\t rule\t these\t streets!\u201d\t Dwayne\t shot\t back.\t \u201cThis\t city\t belongs\t to\t us.\t We\t got respect!\u201d Arthur\t eyed\t Dwayne\t appraisingly.\t \u201cAnd\t having\t the\t might\t doth\t always\t make thee\tright?\u201d \u201cHuh?\u201d Arthur\tignored\tDwayne\u2019s\tresponse\tand\tgestured\tfor\tBuff\tGuy\tto\tstep\tforward. \u201cVenga!\u201d \u201cYou\tknow\tSpanish?\u201d\tObviously\tsurprised,\the\tstepped\tto\tthe\tplatform.\tArthur nodded\talmost\timperceptibly\tto\tLance,\twho\traised\this\tsword\tand\tmoved\tforward threateningly. \u201cYou\tpussy,\tyou\tgot\tno\tballs\tand\tno\tbrains,\tneither!\u201d\tLance\tspat. Buff\t Guy\u2019s\t face\t went\t red\t with\t fury\t and\t he\t thrust\t his\t hands\t toward\t Lance\u2019s throat.\tReyna\tand\tthe\tboys\tinstantaneously\taimed\ttheir\tweapons\tat\this\theart\tand head.\tStill\tseething,\tthe\tyoung\thoodlum\tpromptly\tceased\this\tforward\tmotion\tand eyed\tthe\tweapons\twith\tcaution. Angry\t words\t and\t forward\t movement\t by\t the\t crowd\t were\t halted\t by\t Arthur\u2019s commanding\tvoice.\t\u201cHold\tfast,\tyoung\tones,\tlest\tthy\tcompanion\tdie!\u201d They\tstopped\tand\twatched,\tmany\tglancing\tapprehensively\taround\tthem\tin\tthe dark,\tas\tthough\tanticipating\tanother\tvolley\tof\tarrows. Buff\tGuy\tignored\tLance\tand\tglared\tat\tArthur.\t\u201cWhat\tthe\thell\tis\tthis,\tman?\u201d \u201cWas\the\tright\tin\tsaying\tthose\twords\tto\tthee?\u201d\tArthur\tasked\tcalmly. \u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cWas\the\tright?\u201d\tArthur\trepeated,\tmore\tforcefully\tthis\ttime. Lance\twatched\tthe\tguy\u2019s\tface\tand\tsaw\tcontrol\treturning. \u201cHell,\tno,\tman,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tcrap\tta\thim!\u201d\tHe\tcast\ta\tquick\tglare\tLance\u2019s\tway. Lance\u2019s\tgaze\tnever\twavered. \u201cAnd\tyet,\tmethinks,\u201d\tArthur\twent\ton,\tpressing\thome\this\tpoint,\t\u201che\tdoth\thave the\t might\t at\t his\t disposal\t to\t defend\t his\t words.\t By\t thine\t own\t definition,\t this makes\twhat\the\tsaid\tright.\u201d","\u201cThat\u2019s\tdifferent,\tman,\the\u2014\u201d\tHe\tstopped\tsuddenly,\tand\tLance\tclearly\tsaw\tthe light\tdawn\tin\this\teyes..\t\u201cYou\ttricked\tme!\u201d Arthur\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cNay.\tI\thave\tmerely\tshown\tthee\tthe\ttruth.\u201d Dwayne,\t frustrated\t and\t angry,\t exclaimed,\t \u201cYou\t be\t talkin\u2019\t in\t circles,\t man. Speak\tEnglish\tor\tsomethin\u2019.\u201d Buff\tGuy\tignored\tDwayne\tas\tReyna\tand\tthe\tboys\tpulled\ttheir\tweapons\tback. He\t eyed\t the\t smirking\t Reyna\t curiously.\t Then\t he\t exchanged\t a\t look\t with\t Lance, and\tgrinned. \u201cYa\tdid\tokay,\tdawg.\u201d\tHe\theld\tup\tone\tfist.\tLance\tnodded,\tand\tthey\tdid\tthe\tfist bump.\tHe\tthen\tturned\tto\t face\tthe\tothers.\t \u201cWhat\t the\tman\tbe\t sayin\u2019\tis\ttrue.\tJust \u2019cause\twe\tgot\tguns\tand\twe\tgot\tnumbers\tdon\u2019t\tmake\tus\tright\tall\tthe\ttime.\u201d \u201cWhat\tthe\thell\u2019s\t\u2018right\u2019\tgotta\tdo\twit\u2019\tit?\u201d\tDwayne\tpractically\tshouted.\t\u201cWe\u2019re talkin\u2019\trespect,\tand\tsurvival!\u201d \u201cExactly,\u201d\t interjected\t Arthur.\t \u201cRespect\t and\t survival.\t And\t I\t have\t conceived\t a plan\tthat\tshall\tnot\tonly\tgain\tthee\ttrue\trespect,\tbut\tshall\talso\tensure\tthy\tsurvival, and\tthat\tof\tthy\tchildren\tyet\tto\tbe\tborn.\u201d The\tother\tLatino\tguy\treacted\twith\tsurprise\tand\tasked,\t\u201cWhat\tplan?\u201d \u201cMight\t for\t right,\u201d\t Arthur\t announced,\t causing\t a\t ripple\t effect\t through\t the crowd.\t\u201cWe\tshall\tuse\tall\tof\tmy\tgathered\tstrength\tcombined\twith\tall\tof\tthine\tand direct\t it\t only\t toward\t that\t which\t is\t right.\t Thou\t may\t all\t become\t knights\t of\t my new\t Round\t Table.\t You\t shall\t crush\t corruption,\t defend\t the\t helpless,\t foster\t with your\t words\t and\t deeds\t the\t tenets\t of\t morality\t and\t righteousness.\t Thou\t shalt become\t the\t heroes\t thy\t society\t so\t desperately\t needs.\t And\t in\t so\t becoming,\t right the\twrongs\tthat\thave\tbeen\tdone\tto\tyour\tgeneration.\u201d \u201cWe\tdon\u2019\tneed\tno\tcracker\tlike\tyou,\u201d\tspat\tDwayne.\t\u201cWe\tgot\tour\tfreedom,\tand we\t got\t the\t streets!\u201d\t He\t looked\t to\t the\t other\t black\t guy\t for\t support,\t but\t the\t other boy\tremained\tquiet,\tcontemplating\tArthur\u2019s\twords. \u201cNo\tman\thas\tfreedom\twho\tneeds\tair\tto\tbreathe,\u201d\tArthur\twent\ton.\t\u201cAnd\tif\tthou cannot\t see\t beyond\t the\t color\t of\t one\u2019s\t skin,\t then\t thou\t art\t already\t blind,\t and\t thy life\tis\twithout\tvalue.\tI\tspeak\tthe\ttruth,\tand\ttruth\tbe\ttruth\tfor\tall.\tI\tcan\thelp\tthee find\t real\t purpose\t in\t life,\t and\t a\t channel\t for\t thy\t vast\t energies.\t The\t entire\t world shall\tknow\tof\tArthur\u2019s\tknights,\tand\thistory\tshall\tbe\tours\tfor\tthe\tmaking.\u201d Dwayne\t spat\t on\t the\t ground\t before\t Arthur\u2019s\t feet.\t Lance\t instantly\t raised\t his sword\tand\tReyna\ther\tbow,\tbut\tArthur\tremained\tunfazed.\tDwayne\tglared\tat\tthem with\thatred.\t\u201cNot\tme,\tman!\tCount\tme\tout.\tC\u2019mon,\tDarnell.\u201d\tHe\tturned\tto\tleave, but\tthe\tother\tblack\tguy,\twho\tLance\tnow\tknew\twas\tnamed\tDarnell,\tdidn\u2019t\tfollow his\tlead. \u201cWhat\the\tsay\tkinda\tdo\tmake\tsense,\tDwayne,\u201d\the\tsaid,\ta\ttrifle\tembarrassed\tto be\tadmitting\tit.\t\u201cI\tain\u2019t\tsayin\u2019\tI\tagree\tto\tnuthin\u2019,\tbut\tI\tbe\twantin\u2019\tto\thear\tmore.\u201d","\u201cMan,\t you\t gonna\t listen\t to\t this\t cracker?\t You\t crazy,\t cuzz!\u201d\t He\t stalked\t off\t in fury,\twith\tJustin\tand\tall\tof\this\thomies\tfollowing.\tA\tpalpable\tsilence\tfell\tover\tthe assemblage\tas\tthey\twatched\tthis\tgroup\tdepart. Nobody\telse\tmade\ta\tmove\tto\tfollow. The\t Asian,\t the\t Samoan,\t and\t the\t other\t Latino\t exchanged\t looks,\t but\t none\t of them\tbudged. Arthur\t scanned\t their\t expectant\t faces.\t \u201cAnd\t you\t others?\t What\t be\t thy feelings?\u201d Buff\t Guy\t gave\t Reyna\t the\t once\t over,\t and\t then\t sized\t up\t Lance\u2019s\t small\t stature compared\t to\tthe\t hefty\tsword\t he\t wielded.\t\u201cCan\t you\tteach\t us\tto\tfight\t like\t these guys\tya\tgot?\tWithout\tguns?\u201d \u201cAssuredly,\u201d\t Arthur\t confirmed,\t \u201cbut\t force\t is\t used\t only\t as\t a\t last\t resort,\t for\t a knight\t hath,\t above\t all\t else,\t honor.\t His\t word\t be\t sacred\t under\t God,\t and\t he\t must always\tprotect\tthe\tweak\tand\tthe\tinnocent.\u201d \u201cWe\tdon\u2019\tknow,\tman,\u201d\tBuff\tGuy\tfinally\tsaid.\t\u201cIt\tall\tsounds\tcrazy\tloco.\u201d Reyna\t stepped\t forward\t into\t the\t moonlight,\t illuminating\t her\t striking\t face\t and cocked\t brow.\t \u201cWhat\u2019s\t wrong,\t buff\t boy,\t you\t scared\t of\t somethin\u2019\t new?\u201d\t She flashed\thim\ta\tmocking\tsmile. He\tinstantly\tbristled.\t\u201cI\tain\u2019t\tscared\ta\tnuthin\u2019!\u201d Reyna\tgrinned\tand\tlicked\ther\tlips\ttauntingly.\t\u201cYou\tsure?\u201d Arthur\t leaned\t forward\t toward\t him,\t his\t voice\t calm\t and\t inviting.\t \u201cThou\t did come\there\ttonight\tto\tend\tmy\tlife\tand\tcontinue\tyour\tfruitless\texistence.\tDoth\tthis still\tbe\tthine\tintent,\tor\tbe\tye\twilling\tto\tlisten\tfurther\tto\tmy\tloco\tideas?\u201d The\t shot\t callers\t exchanged\t yet\t another\t look\t between\t them.\t Darnell\t nodded, and\tthen\tthe\tothers. Buff\tGuy\tstuck\tout\this\thand\tto\tArthur.\t\u201cStreet\tname\u2019s\tSmarty,\tdawg,\tbut\tyou can\tcall\tme\tEsteban,\tan\u2019\tI\tguess\tya\tgot\tour\tears.\u201d As\t Arthur\t shook\t the\t extended\t hand,\t there\t were\t rippling\t murmurs\t of\t assent from\tthe\tcrowd. \u201cHell,\u201d\tEsteban\tadded,\t\u201cwe\tain\u2019t\tgot\tnuthin\u2019\tta\tlose.\u201d Arthur\t grinned,\t and\t Lance\t expelled\t a\t heavy\t sigh\t of\t relief.\t Reyna\t kept\t her smirk\tfixed\ton\tEsteban,\twho\teyed\ther\twith\textreme\tinterest.","CHAPTER\t5:\t WE\u2019RE\tBROTHERS\tNOW,\tAREN\u2019T\tWE? THE\t ENERGIZED\t AND\t TRIUMPHANT\t CHILDREN\t chattered\t and\t babbled\t and practically\t danced\t their\t way\t back\t to\t their\t underground\t castle\t following\t the successful\t gang\t showdown.\t Jack\t felt\t immense\t pride\t at\t walking\t beside\t Arthur and\t Lance\t as\t they\t led\t the\t massive\t parade\t through\t the\t storm\t drains,\t and\t he listened\t with\t amusement\t as\t the\t various\t archers\t loudly\t laid\t claim\t to\t which\t gun they\thad\tdislodged\tfrom\twhich\tgangster. Reyna,\tthrilled\twith\tthe\twhole\texperience,\thad\ttaken\toff\tfor\ther\thouse,\t\u201cso\tthe servants\t don\u2019t\t call\t my\t parents\t again,\u201d\t promising\t to\t be\t back\t in\t the\t afternoon when\t\u201cthe\tbuff\tboy\tand\this\tbangers\tshow\tup.\u201d Enrique\t and\t Luis\t were\t clearly\t not\t pleased\t with\t her\t obvious\t interest\t in\t the stronger\tand\tmore\tcommanding\tgangster,\tbut\tthey\talso\tlooked\tmore\tdetermined than\tever\tto\timpress\ther. Arthur\thad\this\tarm\tover\tLance\u2019s\tshoulder\tas\tthey\twalked,\tlooking\tvery\tproud of\this\tFirst\tKnight. Jack\tremained\tsilent\ton\tthe\treturn\tjourney.\tHis\tthoughts\tdrifted,\tas\tthey\toften did,\tto\tMark.\tDespite\tthe\tthrill\tof\tsuccess\tthis\tnight,\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tget\tMark\tout\tof his\t head.\t He\u2019d\t almost\t lost\t the\t boy\t he\t loved,\t something\t he\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t even imagine. Why\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tjust\ttell\thim\thow\tyou\tfeel? He\tshook\this\thead,\tchest\ttightening,\tbreath\tcatching\tin\this\tthroat. Stop\tgoing\tthere,\tJack.\tYour\theart\twants\tsomething\tit\tcan\u2019t\thave\u2026. His\t eyes\t drifted\t toward\t Lance,\t basking\t beneath\t Arthur\u2019s\t pride\t and\t obvious love,\tmarveling\tagain\tat\tthe\tboy\u2019s\talmost\tethereal\tbeauty,\tand\twishing\tsomeone would\t show\t that\t much\t pride\t in\t him\t for\t once.\t Jealousy\t slipped\t a\t noose\t around his\theart\tand\ttugged. When\tthey\tfinally\tarrived\tback\tat\tThe\tHub,\tMark\tlay\tdozing\twith\tlittle\tChris wrapped\t in\t his\t arms.\t As\t soon\t as\t Arthur\t stepped\t into\t the\t chamber,\t Mark\u2019s\t blue eyes\tpopped\topened.\tHe\tleapt\tto\this\tfeet\tand\tsaid\tto\tChris\texcitedly,\t\u201cHey,\tChris, Arthur\u2019s\tback!\u201d The\t little\t boy\t awoke\t and\t turned\t his\t sleepy\t head.\t Arthur\t bent\t down\t and winked\t at\t the\t boy,\t who\t shook\t off\t his\t slumber\t and\t leapt\t from\t Mark\u2019s\t arms\t to","throw\thimself\tat\tArthur,\tflinging\this\tarms\taround\tthe\tman\u2019s\tneck\tand\tsqueezing for\tall\the\twas\tworth.\t\u201cOh,\tsire,\u201d\the\tgushed,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tso\thappy\tyou\u2019re\tback!\u201d Arthur\tstood,\tholding\tthe\tsmall\tboy\tin\tthe\tcrook\tof\this\tarm. Mark\tstraightened\this\trumpled\ttunic\tand\ttried\tto\tfix\this\tmussed\tmop\tof\thair\tas he\ttoo,\tstepped\tforward.\t\u201cMe\ttoo,\tArthur.\u201d His\t eyes\t locked\t onto\t the\t man,\t but\t Arthur\t merely\t smiled,\t patted\t Mark\t on\t the shoulder,\tand\tsaid,\t\u201cAll\twas\ta\tsuccess,\tMark\tand\tChris.\tTomorrow\twe\tshall\thave new\trecruits\tto\tinstruct\tand\ttrain.\u201d Mark\t nodded,\t unable\t to\t drop\t his\t gaze\t from\t Arthur\u2019s\t exuberant\t face.\t Jack noted\t the\t intent\t look\t with\t uncertainty.\t Frowning,\t he\t stepped\t toward\t Mark,\t his height\tcutting\toff\tMark\u2019s\tview\tof\tArthur.\t\u201cHey,\tI\u2019m\tback\ttoo.\tRemember\tme?\u201d Mark\t turned\t those\t huge\t blue\t eyes\t up\t to\t Jack\u2019s\t serious\t face\t and\t gave\t him\t a perfunctory\thug.\t\u201cOh\tyeah,\tI\tfigured\tyou\u2019d\tbe\tokay,\tJacky.\tYou\u2019re\ttoo\tbuff\tto\tget hurt.\u201d Jack\tfrowned,\this\theart\ttightening.\t\u201cBut\tI\u2019m\tnot\tbulletproof\tlike\tArthur.\u201d At\tthe\tking\u2019s\tname,\tMark\timmediately\tglanced\tpast\tJack\u2019s\tshoulder\tto\tobserve Arthur\tdeposit\tChris\tback\tonto\tthe\tground.\tHe\tpulled\taway\tfrom\tJack,\tleaving\ta painful\tvoid\twithin\tthe\tolder\tboy\u2019s\tchest. \u201cLads,\twe\tmust\tall\tneeds\trest,\tfor\tit\tis\tlate\tinto\tthe\tnight\tand\tthe\tmorrow\tshalt bring\t the\t next\t stage\t of\t our\t crusade,\u201d\t the\t king\t announced.\t Then\t he\t turned\t to Lance.\t\u201cCome,\tLance,\tlet\tus\tget\tarmor\tand\tweapons\tstowed\tand\teveryone\tdown for\tthe\tnight.\u201d Lance\t nodded\t and\t Arthur\t moved\t off\t to\t assist\t his\t warriors\t with\t removal\t of their\tarmor.\tLance\tstepped\tup\tand\thigh-fived\tJack.\t\u201cGood\tjob\tout\tthere,\tman.\u201d Jack\t grinned\t despite\t the\t tightness\t around\t his\t heart.\t \u201cYou\t too,\t man.\t I\t thought that\tdude\twould\tcrap\this\tpants\twhen\tyou\tcalled\thim\ta\tpussy.\u201d Lance\tlaughed.\tThen\the\tturned\tto\tMark.\t\u201cEverything\tokay\there,\tMark?\u201d Mark\u2019s\tforlorn\tgaze\trested\ton\tArthur\tacross\tthe\tchamber,\tand\the\tturned\tback quickly.\t\u201cOh\tyeah,\tyou\tknow,\tbabysitting.\tSounds\tlike\tyou\tguys\thad\tall\tthe\tfun.\u201d \u201cIt\t was\t cool.\t \u2019Course\t Jack\t was\t the\t buffest\t guy\t out\t there,\t made\t that gangbanger\tlook\tskinny.\u201d\tHe\tpunched\tJack\ton\tthe\tshoulder. For\t some\t reason,\t the\t compliment\t and\t Lance\u2019s\t admiring\t look\t caused\t Jack\t to turn\tred,\tnot\tsomething\the\tnormally\tdid. Jack\t broke\t eye\t contact\t with\t Lance\t and\t tossed\t Mark\t a\t knowing\t look.\t \u201cMark likes\tmy\tbod,\tdon\u2019t\tya?\u201d\tHe\twinked,\tbut\tMark\tnodded\tabsently,\this\tgaze\tdrifting back\tto\tArthur,\twho\twas\thelping\tLavern\toff\twith\this\tarmor. Jack\tturned\tto\tLance.\t\u201cYou\twanna\tget\tbuffer,\tLance,\tI\u2019ll\tshow\tya\thow\tto\twork out\tand\tstuff.\u201d \u201cSure,\tthat\u2019d\tbe\tgreat.\tBut\tright\tnow\twe\tgotta\tget\tall\tour\tstuff\tput\tup.\u201d","He\t began\t unstrapping\t his\t chain\t mail\t as\t he\t hurried\t across\t to\t the\t wooden clothing\tracks.\tJack\teyed\tMark\tonce\tagain,\tnoted\tthe\tfaraway\tlook\tin\this\tfriend\u2019s eyes,\tand\tasked,\t\u201cYou\tokay,\tMarky\tMark?\u201d\tThat\thad\tearly\ton\tbecome\tJack\u2019s\tpet name\tfor\tMark,\tdespite\tthe\tyounger\tteen\u2019s\tskinny\tframe. Mark\tnodded,\tlocks\tof\tunkempt\thair\tdrifting\tacross\this\tforehead,\tthose\tpools of\t blue\t filling\t slowly\t with\t gloom.\t \u201cYeah.\t Just\t tired\t from,\t you\t know,\t the withdrawal.\tSee\tya\tin\tthe\tmorning,\tJacky.\u201d He\tstarted\tto\tturn\taway. \u201cHey.\u201d\t Jack\t stopped\t him.\t \u201cCould\t you,\t uh,\t well\t could\t you\t give\t me\t a\t hand getting\tall\tthis\tstuff\toff?\u201d\tHe\traised\this\teyebrows\thopefully. Mark\t smiled\t warmly,\t looking\t like\t the\t Mark\t of\t old,\t the\t one\t before\t Arthur. \u201cSure.\u201d And\tthe\ttwo\tset\tabout\tremoving\tJack\u2019s\tvarious\tlayers\tof\tprotection. The\t next\t day,\t residual\t excitement\t from\t the\t night\t before\t percolated\t through\t the tunnels\tas\teveryone\tprepared\tfor\tthe\tnew\tarrivals.\tEnrique\tand\tLuis\tsearched\tfor the\t smallest\t tunics\t they\t could\t find\t to\t better\t accentuate\t their\t muscles\t in preparation\t for\t Reyna\u2019s\t arrival.\t Both\t seemed\t to\t know\t they\t couldn\u2019t\t compete with\tEsteban\u2019s\tbuffness,\tbut\tthey\tappeared\tconfident\tthey\tcould\tcharm\ttheir\tway into\ther\theart. Lance,\tas\talways,\tslept\twith\tChris\tbeside\thim\tand\tdutifully\tgot\tthe\tyoungster bathed\t and\t fed\t as\t soon\t as\t they\t awoke.\t The\t dripping\t water\t was\t continuously gathered\t into\t large\t tubs\t and\t then\t heated\t by\t a\t charcoal\t fire\t pit\t beneath\t them. Arthur\t and\t Lance\t had\t bought\t a\t supply\t of\t charcoal\t for\t the\t purpose,\t as\t well\t as water-purifying\t tablets\t to\t clean\t the\t water\t and\t kill\t germs,\t and\t it\t worked sufficiently\t well\t to\t avoid\t a\t cold\t bathing\t experience.\t Boys\t old\t enough\t to\t shave, like\t Jack,\t could\t use\t these\t same\t tubs\t for\t that\t purpose,\t too.\t Lance\t usually\t just \u201cbird\t bathed\u201d\t because\t he\u2019d\t gotten\t accustomed\t to\t doing\t that\t on\t the\t streets,\t and he\thated\tbeing\tnaked\tin\tfront\tof\tanyone,\tanyway. Reyna\t blew\t in\t like\t a\t whirlwind,\t decked\t out\t in\t her\t slickest\t pants\t and\t a\t very stylish\t tunic\t she\u2019d\t had\t altered\t so\t that\t it\t almost\t put\t Arthur\u2019s\t to\t shame\t in\t its ostentation.\t As\t always,\t she\t carried\t her\t bow\t and\t quiver\t of\t arrows.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t leave home\t without\t \u2019em,\u201d\t she\t always\t said.\t Enrique\t and\t Luis\t turned\t on\t the\t charm immediately,\tbut\tshe\tcoolly\trebuffed\tthem. Lance\t had\t sent\t out\t their\t location\t to\t Esteban\t via\t text\t message,\t and\t the\t gang leader\t was\t to\t relay\t the\t information\t to\t whomever\t else\t wished\t to\t come.\t By midday,\tthe\tchamber\tswelled\twith\tchildren,\tmost\tof\tArthur\u2019s\toriginal\tgroup\tand","another\t hundred\t or\t so\t gang\t members.\t Lance,\t Jack,\t Mark,\t Reyna,\t and\t Lavern stood\t around\t the\t throne\t with\t their\t weapons\t in\t hand\t just\t in\t case\t any\t of\t the newcomers\t tried\t to\t take\t a\t shot\t at\t Arthur.\t Esteban\t had\t been\t told\t that\t no\t guns were\tallowed,\tbut\tsince\twhen\tdid\tgangsters\tdo\twhat\tthey\twere\ttold?\tLance\tknew Arthur\t had\t Excalibur\t in\t hand,\t but\t he\t and\t the\t others\t felt\t more\t secure\t standing with\thim,\tcreating\ta\tvisual\tshow\tof\tforce. Esteban\t sauntered\t in\t wearing\t jeans\t and\t a\t very\t tight\t tank\t that\t showed\t off\t his solid\tphysique,\tobviously\tfor\tReyna\u2019s\tbenefit.\tShe\tnoticed,\tbut\tas\talways,\tplayed it\taloof\tand\tdisdainful.\tHe\tgazed\tup\tat\ther\tand\tsmirked,\tflexing\this\tchest\ta\tlittle for\teffect,\tbut\tshe\tchuckled\tin\tthat\thaughty\tway\tof\thers\tand\tlooked\tat\tLance\tas\tif to\tsay,\t\u201cCan\tyou\tbelieve\tthis\tguy?\u201d Lance,\thowever,\twas\timpressed\twith\tthe\tolder\tteen\u2019s\tintimidating\tmuscles,\tbut made\tsure\tnot\tto\tshow\tit\tin\tfront\tof\thim. Arthur\tshared\tabout\thow\the\u2019d\tpulled\tExcalibur\tfrom\tthe\tstone\tback\tin\tBritain, about\this\tancient\tkingdom\tof\tCamelot,\tand\tits\tultimate\tdownfall. \u201cI\t was\t but\t sixteen\t when\t crowned\t king,\u201d\t Arthur\t went\t on\t in\t response\t to\t a question,\t \u201cand\t not\t experienced\t in\t the\t ways\t of\t women.\t A\t beautiful\t lady\t named Morgause,\tscheming\tto\tgain\ta\thold\ton\tmy\tthrone,\tdid\tuse\ther\twitchery\tto\tseduce me.\u201d Esteban\tfidgeted.\t\u201cYou\tsaid\tall\tthis\tdestroyed\tyour\tknights.\tHow?\u201d \u201cMorgause\tconceived\ta\tson,\tMordred,\tand\tpoisoned\this\tmind\tagainst\tme,\u201d\tthe king\trecalled\tsadly. While\t Esteban\t may\t have\t looked\t bored,\t Lance\t was\t riveted\t to\t the\t tale, especially\tat\tthe\tmention\tof\ta\tson. \u201cUpon\t attainment\t of\t manhood,\t Mordred\t sought\t to\t usurp\t my\t throne. Ultimately,\tit\twas\tthe\tadulterous\taffair\tbetwixt\tmy\tqueen\tand\tmy\tbest\tfriend\tthat did\t give\t Mordred\t his\t final\t victory,\t for\t in\t my\t sense\t of\t justice\t I\t was\t forced\t to wage\twar\tupon\tthem\tall.\u201d Lance\t held\t his\t breath\t in\t shock.\t Arthur\t had\t a\t son?\t Who\u2019d\t rebelled\t against him?\t He\t finally\t found\t his\t voice.\t \u201cYou\t never\t told\t me\t this,\t Arthur.\t What happened\tto\tyour\tson?\u201d Arthur\tmet\this\twide-eyed\tgaze.\t\u201cAlas,\tLance,\the\tbetrayed\tme,\ttried\tto\ttake\tmy life\u2026\tand\tI\tkilled\thim.\u201d Lance\u2019s\t mouth\t dropped\t open\t in\t disbelief.\t He\t couldn\u2019t\t imagine\t the\t gentle Arthur\t killing\t his\t own\t son.\t The\t revelation\t dazed\t him\t into\t silence,\t while\t all\t the assembled\tdigested\tthe\timplications\tof\tArthur\u2019s\tstory. Esteban\tnodded\tapprovingly. Arthur\t stood,\t his\t flowing\t cloak\t swinging\t down\t around\t his\t boots,\t and announced,\t \u201cTomorrow,\t I\t shall\t further\t lay\t out\t my\t plans\t for\t our\t campaign,\t but","for\tnow\twe\tshall\thave\tweapons\ttraining.\u201d The\tnew\tguys\twhooped\tand\thollered\twith\texcitement,\tbut\tArthur\tstared\tthem back\tinto\tsilence.\tWhen\tall\thad\tsettled\tdown,\the\tsaid,\t\u201cFor\tthose\twho\tare\tnew\tto us,\tReyna\tbe\tthe\tchief\tinstructor\tfor\tarchery,\tand\tLance\tfor\tswordsmanship.\u201d\tHe indicated\t Lance,\t who\t stood\t and\t stepped\t to\t the\t king\u2019s\t side,\t a\t trifle\t nervously. Those\tgang\tguys\tlooked\tmean\tas\thell! Jaime\u2014the\tother\tLatino\tdude\tfrom\tthe\tprevious\tnight\u2014snorted,\tand\tEsteban laughed.\t \u201cHim?\u201d\t he\t said\t derisively.\t \u201cHe\t don\u2019t\t look\t big\t enough\t to\t do\t much damage.\u201d\tThe\thomies\tlaughed. Lance\t fought\t back\t a\t blush\t of\t embarrassment\t as\t Arthur\t took\t a\t step\t closer. \u201cWhen\tall\tof\tthee\tare\tknighted,\tLance\tshalt\tbe\tdesignated\tFirst\tKnight,\tEsteban. This\tmeans\the\tshall\tcommand\tin\tmy\tstead.\tDoes\tthat\tpose\ta\tproblem\tfor\tthee?\u201d Esteban\t shrugged,\t exchanging\t an\t amused\t smirk\t with\t Jaime.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019\t know, man.\tHe\tdid\tokay\tlast\tnight,\tbut\the\thad\tall\tyou\tfor\tbackup.\tTo\tme,\the\tlooks\tkind a\tgirly\tto\tbe\tin\tcharge.\u201d Darnell\t and\t the\t other\t gangsters\t laughed\t even\t louder,\t but\t none\t of\t Arthur\u2019s original\tgroup\tjoined\tthem. Arthur\tglanced\tover\tat\tLance,\twaiting\tfor\thim\tto\tact. Fighting\t down\t his\t panic\u2014that\t kid\t was\t buff\t as\t hell,\t after\t all\u2014Lance unsheathed\this\tsword\tand\theld\tit\ttightly.\t\u201cGrab\tany\tsword\tyou\tlike\tand\twe\u2019ll\tsee if\tI\tfight\t\u2018girly\u2019.\u201d Now\t the\t gangsters\t erupted\t with\t excitement.\t Fighting\t was\t clearly\t what\t they knew\t and\t loved.\t Jaime\t slapped\t Esteban\t on\t the\t back.\t \u201cShow\t \u2019im\t what\t ya\t got, dawg!\u201d Esteban\t eyed\t Lance\t appraisingly.\t \u201cYou\t got\t it,\u201d\t he\t said\t and\t got\t to\t his\t feet, sauntered\tover\tto\tthe\tweapons\track,\tand\tcasually\tperused\tthe\tarmaments. There\t was\t silence\t as\t he\t hefted\t several\t large\t swords,\t testing\t their\t weight\t and the\t feel\t of\t each\t hilt\t in\t his\t grip.\t Everyone\t watched\t with\t breathless\t anticipation. Lance\t glanced\t nervously\t at\t Reyna,\t and\t she\t blew\t him\t a\t kiss,\t which\t made\t him smile. Esteban\tturned\tand\tsaw\tthe\tgesture,\tand\tit\tclearly\tannoyed\thim.\tReyna\tturned to\t look\t his\t way\t and\t tossed\t him\t a\t mocking\t smirk.\t That\t irritated\t Esteban\t even more.\tHe\tsnatched\ta\theavy,\tsturdy,\ttwo-handed\tbroadsword,\tgripped\tit\ttautly,\tthe muscles\t of\t his\t thick\t forearms\t rippling\t with\t power,\t and\t stepped\t to\t the\t center\t of the\tcrowd. Everyone\tpressed\tback\tas\tfar\tas\tthey\tcould,\tleaving\ta\tcenter\tcircle\tfor\tthe\ttwo combatants.\tLance\tstepped\tcarefully\tdown\tfrom\tthe\tplatform\tto\tface\toff\tagainst the\tmuch\tstronger\tand\tintimidating\tEsteban. \u201cSure\t you\t don\u2019t\t want\t any\t armor\t for\t protection?\u201d\t Lance\t asked\t sincerely,","noting\tthe\tolder\tboy\u2019s\texposed\tarms. Esteban\t bristled\t with\t indignation.\t \u201cI\t got\t more\t armor\t in\t these\t muscles,\t kid, than\tyou\tcould\tever\twear!\tLet\u2019s\tgo\tat\tit.\u201d The\ttwo\tboys\tcircled\tone\tanother\tlike\tcats,\teach\tsizing\tup\tthe\tother\u2019s\tstrengths and\tweaknesses,\teach\tlooking\tfor\tan\topening\tto\tstrike.\tEsteban\tswung\tfirst,\tand hard,\t hoping\t to\t use\t his\t sheer\t might\t to\t knock\t the\t sword\t out\t of\t Lance\u2019s\t grip,\t or drive\t the\t smaller\t boy\t to\t the\t ground.\t But\t Lance\t easily\t danced\t to\t one\t side.\t The weight\t of\t Esteban\u2019s\t sword\t threw\t him\t forward.\t He\t stumbled\t and\t nearly\t lost\t his balance. Cursing,\t he\t recovered\t his\t footing\t and\t turned\t just\t as\t Lance\t swung\t downward with\t his\t weapon.\t Esteban\t raised\t his\t sword\t in\t time\t to\t block\t the\t blow,\t but\t the impact\tof\tiron\tagainst\tiron\tsent\tthrumming\tvibrations\tfrom\this\thands\tall\tthe\tway up\this\tarms. He\t stumbled\t back\t and\t then\t used\t all\t his\t strength\t to\t push\t against\t Lance, causing\t the\t smaller\t boy\t to\t fall\t back\t several\t feet.\t Lance\t almost\t lost\t his\t footing, but\tweeks\tof\ttraining\twith\tArthur\tpaid\toff.\tEsteban\ttook\ta\twild\tswing\tat\tLance. Lance\teasily\tducked,\tand\tthe\tblade\tsailed\tharmlessly\tover\this\thead.\tSeizing\tthe advantage,\tLance\tpushed\tforward\tand\trammed\this\tshoulder\tinto\tEsteban\u2019s\trock- hard\t chest,\t causing\t the\t bigger\t boy\t to\t stagger\t backward,\t pinwheeling\t with\t his arms,\tand\talmost\tlosing\this\tgrip\ton\tthe\tenormous\tsword. Each\t time\t Lance\t scored\t a\t victory,\t the\t original\t group\t cheered.\t Each\t time Esteban\tgained\tthe\tadvantage,\tthe\tgangsters\twhooped.\tLance\tknew\tfull\twell\tthat Esteban,\tor\tany\tof\tthese\tkids,\twouldn\u2019t\thesitate\tto\tkill\thim\tif\tthe\tmood\thit\tthem. The\toutcome\tof\tthis\tone-on-one\tfight\tmight\tmake\tor\tbreak\tthe\tentire\tcrusade,\the realized.\tHe\thad\tto\twin! Esteban\tscreamed\tand\tcharged,\tswinging\tdownward\tas\thard\tas\the\tcould\twith his\t sword.\t This\t time\t Lance\t did\t not\t dance\t away,\t but\t deftly\t swung\t his\t sword\t up and\t around\t to\t easily\t deflect\t the\t powerful\t blow.\t Esteban\u2019s\t blade\t struck\t the concrete\tfloor,\tmissing\tLance\tcompletely. By\tnow,\tLance\twas\tsweating,\tbut\tnot\tas\tmuch\tas\tEsteban,\the\twas\tpleased\tto note.\t Despite\t wearing\t his\t gold\t circlet,\t sweaty\t hair\t dangled\t before\t his\t face, drifting\tin\tand\tout\tof\this\tfield\tof\tvision.\tHe\tignored\tit. He\tand\tEsteban\tcircled\tone\tanother\tagain,\tbut\tneither\tmade\ta\tmove. Then\t Esteban\t swung,\t and\t Lance\t easily\t parried.\t Esteban\t swung\t again,\t harder this\t time.\t And\t again\t Lance\t parried,\t deflecting\t the\t blade\t harmlessly.\t Again\t and again\tEsteban\tswung\this\tsword\thard,\tobviously\tthinking\tthat\tsheer\tmight\twould win\t the\t day.\t But\t what\t Lance\t lacked\t in\t physical\t size,\t he\t more\t than\t made\t up\t in technique,\t and\t calmly\t parried\t Esteban\u2019s\t every\t thrust,\t every\t swing,\t and\t every lunge.","Dripping\t with\t sweat,\t his\t tank\t top\t soaked\t through,\t Esteban\t finally\t lost\t his cool.\t Eyes\t bulging,\t mouth\t twisted\t with\t rage,\t he\t ran\t straight\t at\t Lance,\t blade pointing\tout. Lance\t ducked\t under\t the\t blade\t and\t swung\t the\t flat\t of\t his\t own\t sword\t against Esteban\u2019s\tshin,\tcausing\tthe\tbigger\tboy\tto\tcry\tout\tin\tpain,\tstumble,\tand\tcrash\thard to\tthe\tconcrete.\tHe\tlost\this\tslippery\tgrip,\tand\tthe\tbroadsword\tclattered\talong\tthe ground\t to\t land\t at\t Reyna\u2019s\t feet.\t Exhausted\t as\t he\t was,\t his\t shin\t throbbing\t with pain,\t Esteban\t rolled\t over\t to\t regain\t his\t feet\u2014and\t found\t the\t point\t of\t Lance\u2019s sword\tat\this\tthroat. Lance\t breathed\t heavily,\t but\t Esteban\t panted\t like\t a\t dog\t after\t a\t two-mile\t run. The\ttwo\tboys\tgazed\tintently\tat\tone\tanother.\tJust\tas\twith\tReyna,\tLance\tknew\tthis to\tbe\tthe\tkey\tmoment\tfor\thim.\tHis\tgaze\tnever\twavered. Finally,\t after\t several\t tense,\t silent\t seconds,\t Esteban\t broke\t eye\t contact\t and looked\taway.\t\u201cYou\twin,\u201d\the\tmumbled\tin\thumiliation. Lance\tpulled\tback\this\tsword.\t\u201cStill\tthink\tI\u2019m\tgirly?\u201d Esteban\tshook\this\thead,\tspraying\tdroplets\tof\tsweat\tall\tover\tthe\tground. Lance\t turned\t and\t fixed\t a\t challenging\t gaze\t upon\t the\t other\t gang\t members. \u201cAnybody\telse\twanna\ttake\tme\ton?\u201d One\tby\tone,\tthey\tshook\ttheir\theads\tand\tlooked\taway. Lance\t swept\t his\t fiery\t green\t eyes\t over\t the\t assemblage\t and\t settled\t on\t the panting\tEsteban.\t\u201cGot\ta\tproblem\twith\tme\tbeing\tFirst\tKnight?\u201d Esteban\t turned\t his\t gaze\t in\t amazement\t up\t at\t the\t smaller\t boy.\t \u201cAnybody\t who fights\tlike\tyou\u2014hell,\tno!\u201d Lance\t grinned\t and\t extended\t a\t hand.\t Esteban\t flicked\t his\t gaze\t over\t to\t Jaime and\tthe\tother\thomeboys.\tThey\tnodded\twith\tunderstanding,\tso\the\tturned\tback\tto Lance\tand\tstuck\tout\this\thand. Lance\t pulled\t him\t to\t his\t feet,\t and\t Esteban\t limped\t to\t a\t chair\t to\t massage\t his bruised\tshin. Darnell\t shook\t his\t head\t in\t amazement.\t \u201cYou\t gonna\t teach\t us\t all\t to\t fight\t like that?\u201d Lance\tnodded.\t\u201cStarting\tright\tnow.\u201d And\tso\tit\tcame\tto\tpass\tthat\tLance\tearned\tthe\trespect\tof\tthe\tgang\tmembers\tin the\tonly\ttrue\tway\tthey\tunderstood,\tthrough\tstrength\tand\tforce. Arthur\t clapped\t Lance\t solidly\t on\t the\t shoulder\t and\t smiled\t in\t approval.\t No words\twere\tneeded.\tMark\tand\tJack\tgrinned\tat\thim,\tand\teven\tReyna\tflashed\thim a\tthumbs-up\tsign,\twhich\tmade\thim\tlower\this\teyes\tand\tgrin\tfoolishly. For\tthe\tremainder\tof\tthat\tafternoon,\tArthur\tand\tLance\tand\tthose\twith\tsword- fighting\t experience,\t coached\t the\t gangsters\t who\t sought\t to\t learn\t the\t use\t of\t these weapons,\t while\t Reyna\t and\t Lavern\t worked\t with\t the\t archers.\t As\t usual,\t Enrique"]
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