CalyB

Artie had lived her whole life feeling like a joke. Whether it came to her full name, her parents ‘abandoning’ her and her next door neighbours taking her in, or finding out that her lover was part of a cult and was cheating on her. Said lover then stabbed her. 

It felt like she just couldn’t catch a break. 

So when she found herself in a puddle of her own blood, staring up at a fake painted sky, she could only find humour in the situation, and prayed that the next life was kinder. 

Only she woke up. 

In the same body, with the same stab wound, only in a world full of magic, swords, and a dead King Arthur? 

Yup. The round table existed, the knights existed, and so did everyone of legend that she’d heard about as a child. Only it was the beginning of their tales. Nothing had happened yet, except the formation of Camelot, the crowning of the King, and then the sudden death of the King of Legend, King Arthur Pendragon. 

She would have thought this was another cruel joke if everyone wasn’t wandering around in mourning clothes. If this was a practical joke, it wasn’t a very funny one. Artie was tired. She’d already spent almost a decade working as a police officer, and then a detective, so she felt like she had earned her peace. Especially after all the shit she’d been put through, but someone had different plans. And Artie’s life wasn’t quite done yet.

In fact, it seemed like in the eyes of the creatures of this world, this was where she was always meant to be. The time she spent getting her ass handed to her in the other dimension? Just a warm up. 

And now she was expected to just…go along with what everyone else wanted her to do? Including magical beings who were responsible for taking her from one dimension to another. Artie felt like she was in over her head, even if there were several concerned, attractive knights around her. She wasn’t sure if she was going to run away from all the new responsibilities, or embrace them. She wasn’t a rule breaker by nature, but maybe now was the time to change?

Sword in Stone

Sir Geraint, closest to the door, opened it for them and Artie did her best to keep her facial features neutral. So did the guards outside the door as soon as they realised what was going on. She did notice, however, that the trio behind her got fist bumps from both of the guards, and Artie rolled her eyes. She wanted to snarl at them, but it wasn't fair to take her embarrassment at the situation out on them.

They were innocents in this game.

Sir Kay began to lead the way to the dining hall, but not before Moira came racing out of the door, out of breath. She rushed to Artie, a shiny, sparkly thing in her hands that Artie wasn't able to get a clear look at before she placed it on Artie's head, tucking it into place.

If I must act like a King, I will