The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, rape, death by suicide, and transgender discrimination.

On the second day of the quest with the Green Knight, the group takes a detour to the nunnery where Queen Guinevere has confined herself, hoping for an answer about Arthur’s heir. Guinevere tells them that Arthur did not appoint a successor. The only advice she can give the group is that if they’re looking for a king, they must not seek another Arthur. The next day, the group rescues Sir Scipio, a knight whom they believe lost at the Battle of Camlann (though Scipio is not the object of their quest). Up close, Collum sees that Scipio has unusual and lavish blue tattoos all across his body and face.

Later, Bedivere reveals an important bit of information. Unlike what is believed, Arthur did not die from his injuries after the Battle of Camlann. Arthur asked Bedivere to get rid of Excalibur. Bedivere threw Excalibur into the sea, where a woman’s hand caught it. Collum thinks that this is what the fairy woman at the inn meant when she said that the sword was “in the sea.