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barbarians raiding the northern coasts… Jutes and Scots, and God knows what other riff-raff. To say nothin’ of your cousin Mordred and his bloodbeards up there in the wilds. No, you stay here with your fairy friend and Arianrhod, where you’ll be safe.”
    Rhianna set her jaw. “The message says I have to carry the sword to the North Wall myself. If I don’t go, Mordred won’t give up my mother. I know he won’t.”
    The big knight frowned at her. “How do you know the message says you’re to carry it?”
    “Merlin told me, so there’s no use lyingto me. He spoke to you, too, didn’t he? I know you heard him! Sir Bedivere heard him as well. He thinks I should go, doesn’t he? Cai told us you had a fight in the courtyard, earlier.”
    “That boy’s tongue is going to get him into a lot of trouble one day.” Lips pressed tight, Sir Bors tugged the blood-soaked slave collar from his belt. “Did Merlin tell you what else the message said? That we’re to hand you over to Prince Mordred with this thing fastened round your neck… I’m not the only one who thinks there’s dark magic on this collar. We’re goin’ to burn it before we leave, so nobody’s going to be wearin’ it, least of all the Pendragon’s daughter!”
    Rhianna swallowed. She felt a bit sick. “I’m not afraid,” she said. “I’ll be all right with Excalibur.”
    Sir Bors eyed her determined chin and her hand gripping the white jewel. He glanced at the two sentries. “Sorry, Damsel Rhianna, but we really haven’t time for this. We can do this easy or hard, it’s up to you. But one way or another, you’re giving me that sword tonight.”
    His hand rested on the hilt of his own sword. Her heart thumped. She didn’t want to fight the big knight, but she couldn’t let him take Excalibur.
    Sir Bors was watching her closely. “We’re not plannin’ on giving Mordred Excalibur, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he said more gently. “We just need it to get close to him and find out where he’s keeping Guinevere. Do you want us to be so worried about you we daren’t lift a finger to rescue your mother? I know you don’t frighten easy, but in this case it’s nota question of bravery. It’s the queen’s life we’re talking about.”
    He laid the cloak on the floor between them and pointed. The sentries watched her sword hand warily.
    Rhianna remembered what Cai had said about Sir Bors putting her under guard in the Damsel Tower, and sighed. She had to avoid that, whatever happened. She’d give him Excalibur now and get it back later. Dropping her gaze, she unbuckled her sword belt and wrapped both sword and scabbard in the scarlet cloth.
    He picked up the bundle and grunted. “Good girl. Now then, we ride at first light, as you no doubt know, since young Cai seems unable to guard that tongue of his. It’s a fair way up to the Wall. Even on good horses without any bother from the Saxons, it’s goin’ to take usthe best part of a month to do the round trip. Sir Bedivere’s in charge here at Camelot till we get back. Anything you need, you go to him, understand? But don’t pester him. His job is to look after you till we’re back here with Lancelot and the queen, or—” He broke off, then added, “We’ll rescue her, don’t you worry. Mordred’s not gettin’ away with this.”
    “Yes, Sir Bors,” she said, still meekly.
    He gave her a suspicious look. “Right then, off to bed with you. And I want you to stay up in your room in the morning. There’ll be a lot of excitement in the stables, horses tramping everywhere. No place for a damsel.”
    “But I—” Rhianna said, tensing.
    The knight motioned to the sentries. “These men will stay outside your door the whole time we’re away so you can feel safe.”
    Rhianna eyed the men, thinking of what Cai had said. Her spine stiffened. “If you think I’m going to stay in my room for a
month
…”
    Sir Bors frowned. “Now, now, Damsel Rhianna. Nobody said