“I’m—what?” Lance frowned.

“You’re teaching them loyalty, chivalry, and honor. I’ve seen for myself how they follow Arthur’s command, as well as your own.”

“They do not,” Lance protested, even though there was truth to the man’s observation. “Well, maybe a little.”

“I think,” Lord Agravaine said carefully, “that it is more than time to set the record right. I’ll make certain Jereth does so, before he departs.”

Lance stared at him, barely daring to believe what he was hearing. “I—” He cleared his throat, barely trusting himself to speak. “Thank you.”

Lord Agravaine nodded. “Thank you for reminding me that some things need to be spoken aloud, no matter how obvious they might seem.”

The next evening, Lance received a summons from the king. He brushed imaginary dirt from the front of his uniform, trying to remain calm as he approached the castle’s east wing.

And then he saw Arthur hurrying toward him. The prince skidded to a stop, taking a moment to catch his breath.

“I’m coming with you,” said Arthur. “For moral support. And to vouch that you made a wonderful squire at the sword-fighting competition.”

“Thanks.” Lance shot his friend a nervous grin. “But it’s probably too late for him to reinstate me. It’s been nearly two years since I’ve had any training.”

“I refuse to accept that. Any knight would be privileged to have you.”

Lance wished his friend were right. Yet as they approached the king’s chambers, all he could think about was how impossible it felt that everything could snap back into place. That the past two years could be erased as easily as if they were a bad dream.

King Uther seemed to be in good spirits, or at least deep enough in his drink not to be irritable. Lance stood rooted to the spot as the king read Jereth’s confession aloud, then crumpled the paper into a ball.

An eternity passed, and then, finally, King Uther spoke. “Well?” he said. “What do you expect me to do about this?”

Lance shot Arthur a panicked look. He couldn’t bring himself to ask, only to be refused. He stood there, staring at his boots, unable to say a word.

“Come, Father, what else would you do, besides the right thing?” Arthur said. “There’s no reason Lance shouldn’t be reinstated to his former position. The accusations against him were a lie, and have been formally withdrawn. You can announce it tomorrow, at court.”

Lance shook his head in disbelief. It never ceased to amaze him how Arthur would stand up to his father to save his friends, yet never quite managed it for himself.

“I can announce it tomorrow, at court?” Uther repeated, his voice low in warning.

Arthur frowned, pretending to misunderstand. “Unless you feel it would be more appropriate for Lord Agravaine to do so?” he said.

Lance smothered a grin.

King Uther looked annoyed. And then his expression turned thoughtful. “Fortunately, Sir Kay has been complaining of his squire, and has twice come to request a replacement. Do you accept the position?”