Chasing down the stairs after him, she drew her sword and cast it in front of his feet.

“You try sneaking off by yourself, at night or any other time of day,” she said when he had turned to her, “and I just might shoot you down along with the invading army.” Arthur studied her face. “I gave you my sword,” she whispered.

After a few seconds, Arthur left.

Retrieving her sword, she exited the hall in the other direction, her father following. Inside the upstairs balcony room, Arthur’s parents and a few others were sitting and standing around, talking in low voices.