Quest for Camelot

By Donna and ABs

Montoya was enjoying himself thoroughly. The comforts of Esperanza were much more fitting for a man of his station in life! Especially those offered to him at the House of Many Pleasures. After his meetings with the officials of that town, he decided to return, to have another taste of the delicacies offered therein. 

Grayson was down in the parlor when a very pleased looking Montoya descended the stairs after a prolonged session in one of the studios. 

"Well, Colonel, do you approve of the selection we offer here?" he asked, handing Montoya a brandy. 

"I do indeed, Senor Grayson.  I am not prone to indulging in this fashion often, but . . .” He smiled.  "You have certainly cornered the market on interesting females." 

"I'm glad to get such words of praise from a gentlemen such as yourself," Grayson said smoothly, stroking the man's ego. "Will you be staying long here in Esperanza?"  

"Sadly, no.  I must go to Camelot tomorrow, to check in with the Count.  To be honest with you, I was bored to tears in Edan, and arranged this little trip to get away.  But of course, having once said I needed to meet with my fellow liaisons, I cannot now say I would rather stay here and enjoy your hospitality, much as that idea appeals to me." 

"Camelot?" Grayson said, a secret smile forming on his face as he glanced across the parlor at Candi. She was sitting on a client's lap, the jewels on her golden collar sparkling in the lamp light of the room. "Isn't there a priest by the name of Darius there? He is an *old* friend of mine. I would like to see him again. Have you arranged for transportation and an escort yet?"

"I have my horse," said Montoya.  "But I came with Methos, and I doubt he would want to make the trip over."  The Colonel mused.  "It would seem proper to go with an escort.  What do you have in mind?" 

"I would not mind visiting Camelot myself. Perhaps I should accompany you? Two swords are better than one, after all. I know my girl, Candi, has expressed awe at there actually being such a place and would dearly love a chance to go there. The Queen treated her like a regular lady at the dance we attended in Edan, and it made her feel very good about herself."  

Nearby, someone was overhearing the conversation. Three someones in fact. Walter Graham, Graham Ashe, and Terrance Coventry usually hung around one another while visiting the House.  They were relaxing now, sipping some brandy, and they perked up at the news that there was soon to be an "expedition" going over to Camelot! 

They exchanged wordless glances and them Graham Ashe spoke up. "Excuse me, gentlemen, but we couldn't help but overhear your plans. If two swords are good, wouldn't five be better? Especially since the dear lady in question has no experience of her own in that area." 

Grayson shrugged. "I don't mind. Colonel?" 

"I must go.  It does not matter to me how many come along.  Naturally, I would prefer fairer faces than these to look upon before turning in each night, but I understand the Ladies of Camelot are very fair indeed!" 

****

The next morning, six riders left Esperanza. All the men of course were accomplished riders, but Candi hadn't had much experience in that area. A gentle mare, not much bigger than a pony, had been found, and Candi was doing her best not to look like an utter fool on board her. The little horse had gaits as smooth as glass, but even so, Candi still was clinging to her long mane for dear life. But after a while, she seemed to get the hang of it, and with five men giving her impromptu riding lessons as they rode, she was improving rapidly. 

"Your lovely fiancée is quite 'game' for anything, isn't she, Senor Grayson?" Montoya smiled as they rode. 

"More than you know, Colonel," Grayson chuckled. "For instance, once we make camp tonight, I'm sure she will be more than willing to serve all five of us, won't you my dear?" 

Candi looked over at him and shrugged. "Sure, no problem," she said with a smile. "But just don't ask me to cook too!"  

All of the men laughed; Walter and Graham Ashe said they'd better not be the ones who did the cooking, or they'd all be suffering from stomach pains, if not flat out death by food poisoning.  "And we have a mortal with us!" laughed Ashe. 

"I might be able to manage something," said Terrance Coventry.  Everyone laughed because he was serious, and he insisted, "Well, I can." 

The day's journey was a pleasant one. They stopped for lunch and ate the sandwiches and fruit that had been packed for the journey. Candi could hardly move when she got off the horse, but thanks to her immortal constitution, she recovered fairly quickly. By the time they arrived at a good spot to camp for the night, the men all declared that given time, she would be a good rider.  

"I already am," she said, lowering her voice into that sultry range. Grayson nodded his head in approval.  

"I'll start the supper as soon as the fire is going," Grayson said lazily. "Then while the birds we shot cook, you can test Candi's other riding skills." 

Montoya felt slightly uncomfortable with this, but he knew he had to indulge, or risk putting Grayson off.  And it was most important to stay on the good side of Grayson!  Montoya knew that without being told. 

His nose was put out of joint a bit when he was given the job of helping to gather firewood along with Ashe. But even as he reluctantly pitched in, the sight of Candi stripping naked and wading into the stream to bathe was enough to make him forget his irritation.  

"Isn't she lovely?" Ashe said with a sigh as they watched her splash water on her firm, high breasts, making her nipples tighten into hard little nubs. 

"An absolute vision," said Montoya honestly.  "A woman's body is like a work of art.  Don't you agree?" 

"It has been from the dawn of time, my good man" Ashe replied. "Grayson is a damn lucky man. She is a jewel - a diamond in the rough so to speak. It would have been interesting to have seen what she would have become if she had had the benefit of being raised in good society rather than on the streets."  

"Yet isn't it what we do with the opportunities God gives us?  He is going to marry that girl, and all she is, is a street whore." 

"If that is all you think of her," Ashe said in a mild tone as he gathered up the wood, "then you have overlooked a treasure of great price." He had lived too many years to have a person's birth status influence the way that he interacted with them. Perhaps in time, Montoya would also learn that lesson, but the Immortal doubted it. 

"That is what she was born.  It is not what she intends to stay," Montoya said.  "That is the great lesson in life.  Are we willing to remain as we are, or will we strive to better ourselves?" 

"Ahh, now that indeed is the challenge!" Ashe chuckled, remembering all the students he had helped to *better* themselves along the way. The two of them walked back to camp where they found their supper already plucked and spitted by Grayson. Walter had managed to find some wild carrots and an assortment of berries and other fruit. Even out here in the woods, food was plentiful. Terrance had the horses all watered and taken care of for the night, and Candi had brought back some water to make the coffee with over the fire.  

All in all, despite dining al fresco, they dined well!  They were all full when the dinner was over.  "Now who washes up?" asked Walter Graham. 

"We all do!" chuckled Terrance as he tossed his *plate* which made up of a piece of bark into the fire. The only things that actually had to be cleaned up was the mugs they had drunk their coffee out of, and the knives they had used to cut off the pieces of roasted bird. Candi was stretched out by the fire, her head on Grayson's lap, enjoying the feel of his hand as he lightly stroked her body. She knew he was deliberately warming up the embers of the ever-present fires of desire in her caused by the effects of the potion he had given her, but she didn't mind. 

"Well, gentlemen," Grayson said once everyone had settled down. "Anyone care for some dessert?" 

The stroking had not passed unnoticed, and as they were pretty sure Grayson did not have any ice cream or chocolate mousse anywhere, the men grinned lasciviously in Candi's direction.  They would sleep well tonight! 

*****

By late morning the next day, they were approaching Camelot. "Oh how marvelous!" Candi gasped as she first caught sight of the castle. "It is so beautiful! I've never seen anything like that ever!" 

Even the men were a little awed. It was a grand place, with an aura of majestic beauty around it. As they approached the gates, a trumpeter announced their arrival, making them feel like they had stepped back through time itself. The legendary kingdom of Camelot had indeed come to life here in this place! 

Montoya wished he could freshen up before being admitted to the presence of the legendary King Arthur.  He prided himself on his personal appearance, and typically looked almost dandified.  But here he was, meeting the King, and he had spent the night in the brambles and forests of northern Edan! 

Luckily for him, the King did not meet the visitors at the gate. He was out with some of his Knights to look over various parts of the land surrounding the castle. So, after they were welcomed, rooms were assigned to them so that they could rest and get cleaned up for the supper that evening.  

Leaving Candi soaking in the bathtub, Grayson stepped out into the hall and asked the first person he saw where the chapel was and if Darius would be found there. 

It was Giles.  Not knowing the history, he graciously gave Grayson directions to the chapel, and welcomed them warmly to Camelot.  "Since you're all Immortals, I understand, you won't need MY services," he joked. 

Grayson thanked him, and then went on his way. He found the chapel easily enough, and the little office where Giles had told him Darius would most likely be in. He felt the buzz before he reached there, so he knew his information was correct. Knocking on the door, he heard a familiar voice call out, "Come in!" and so he did. 

The Ancient Cleric turned and gasped slightly.  "Grayson," he said evenly.  "This is holy ground." 

"I know," Grayson said with a slight nod of his head. "But even if it wasn't you would have nothing to fear from me in this new world. I have come to you to ask a favor, because at one time, I called you my friend, and I would like to be able to do that again in this place and time." 

"My heart lightens at your words," said Darius.  "I would very much like to believe you." 

Grayson shrugged. "I know it is difficult. But circumstances have changed. None of the old rules seem to apply here. So in Esperanza, those of our type have struck a truce. There is no headhunting permitted or tolerated within our city. It is the same in Edan. I know, because I have been there. In time, you might come to trust me again. Once I have earned that trust with my actions." He had rehearsed the words in his head on the journey there. It was important to him to win the favor of Darius once more.  

"You know me, Grayson.  I want to see the best side of people.  And if I make a mistake, holy ground will cover it.  I was off holy ground for a time, here, but now I remain in this chapel, and rarely come out.  Can I help you from here?" 

"Yes," Grayson smiled, watching his old mentor closely. "The chapel is after all the traditional place for a marriage, is it not?" 

Darius was speechless for a moment.  "You are getting married?  To a mortal?" 

Grayson shook his head. Since Darius knew his history and preferences when it came to female partners, he had decided to be as truthful as he could. "No. She is one of us. I have claimed her as my own and she now wears my collar. But I wish to be more than her Master. I also wish to be her husband. Like I have been before. But this time, I hope it will last more than just a brief span of time."  He had had similar, but painfully short, relationships with mortal woman in the past. 

"Well, I cannot say I agree with the collar, or being her Master.  Husband and wife should be an honorable thing, not ....you shouldn't see her as your possession.  However," Darius said, going over to make some tea, "If this is what you need to make a commitment..." 

"It is," Grayson said firmly. "For now. When the time is right, I will release her from that aspect of our relationship if she wishes it. If you like I can have her come and speak to you in private, so you may be assured that she is committing to me of her own free will." 

"Yes," said the old monk.  "I think that would be best."  He turned.  "Tea before you leave?" 

"Of course," Grayson said. 

**** 

Later that afternoon, one of the Knights escorted Candi to the chapel. She was dressed in a long flowing skirt and a gypsy style of blouse that hung off her shoulders. The delicate jeweled collar around her neck sparkled in the candlelight of the chapel as she sat down on a pew, trying her best to act the lady. Darius came up to her, and sat down beside her after introducing himself to her. 

"Nice ta'meetcha," she said shyly. "Nice place you got here. I like it. Feels friendly." 

"I would hope so," Darius said with a smile. "You know that holy ground is a refuge for us, don't you?" In his conversation over tea, he had found out that she had only recently crossed over to becoming an immortal. 

"Yeah, Grayson told me" Candi said with a nod. "Yah know, I always kinda knew that, I think. When I lived on the street there were a couple of churches I could go to when I needed to find a place out of the cold or the rain. Sometimes the padres or the sisters would even give me something to eat and a comfy bed to sleep on if I wanted. I would always skate out though in the middle of the night. Didn't want to end up in no foster home." 

Darius nodded, asking her some friendly questions to help her to relax before getting down to the heart of the matter. Although she was young, she had a maturity beyond her years in the honest way she looked at herself and her circumstances. Living on the streets had forced her to grow up fast. Although it was plain to see that even though she cared deeply for Grayson, she was also a realist about her relationship with him. For her, the fairy tale just wasn't going to happen and she knew it. When he asked her Grayson's added requirement of his being dominant over her, she just shrugged. 

"I don't mind," she said truthfully. "He likes to boss me around, but at the same time, he treats me better than any man I've ever known before. Like a honest to goodness lady almost. At least in public!" 

"And in private?  He does not hurt you does he?  Being Immortal, he might think he can take advantage of you." 

"You mean does he beat me or something? Nah. Not really," she chuckled. "If I didn't kinda like what he does to me, I wouldn't have agreed to it. I ain't stupid!" 

Darius smiled.  "I am glad to hear that.  And as I said, I did not want to get involved in your. . . personal life.  I just want to be sure you are not going to be abused.  For a very long time." 

She looked thoughtful. "I don't think he will be abusive. I think he if he does start being that way, I ain't the type to stick around and get beat up time after time. That's why I never had no pimp when I was on the streets back in LA. To tell you the truth, Padre, him asking me to marry him shocked the daylights out of me. Last thing in the world I ever expected from him!"   

Darius mulled it over.  "I don't know if I am surprised or not."  He looked pointedly at the collar and then decided not to push things too far.  "He has been alone a long time." 

They continued to talk for a while. Darius was a good observer of human nature, and he could tell that she had agreed to the marriage and the terms of their relationship of her own free will. He tentatively agreed to perform the ceremony the next Sunday but wanted to meet with them both several more times, just to be sure.  He then escorted her to the door of the chapel where he found her escort waiting to take her back to her room.