#is the seneschal's name in a story where he DOESN'T betray Ban but whatever. Working with what I have.

[joemerl]

The Whumps of March 2024: "Stabbed in the Back"

A series of vignettes based on Arthurian legend, collected on AO3 here.

King Ban had left for England, to seek King Arthur's aid against King Claudas' coming invasion.

Barely an hour passed before his seneschal, Anthemes, welcomed King Claudas into the castle of Trebes.

He was proud of how well he had planned the whole thing, and only slightly regretful for the fate of his old master and his family. He tried not to think about that. He would be the ruler of Benoic now. A twinge of conscience and a yearly tribute to Claudas were small enough payment for that.

There was one hitch that caught him off guard. It came when Claudas' soldiers dragged King Ban's godson, Banin, out of bed, and Claudas, for reasons that Anthemes could not understand, chose not to take him prisoner with the castle guards.

Not even when Banin turned around and demanded a duel with Anthemes for his treachery.

"You can't make me go through with this!" Anthemes raged, when he and Claudas were finally alone. 

The king was infuriatingly insouciant. "You act as if it's my decision. You are about to become the King of Benoic. And a king has no option but to defend his honor."

"It's not—!" Anthemes paused, taking a moment to collect himself, wiping the sweat from his clammy brow. "I remind you, he is only challenging me for your sake. I delivered this kingdom into your hands. If you want Benoic in the hands of your vassal—"

"And why wouldn't I want that?" Claudas interrupted, laying a hand on Anthemes' shoulder. "After all, you have been a full loyal man since you entered my service." He paused, and the slightest narrowing of his eyes seemed to make the room grow cold. "Although...your lord King Ban held you likewise." 

He smiled, which did not make him look kinder, and Anthemes felt no reassurance from the way Claudas patted his shoulder.

"Good luck...Your Highness."

So he went to the duel with Banin. What else could he do?

When his sword broke, he had only a half-second to be surprised, to turn around and find Claudas in the audience, before Banin's sword pierced through the armor of his back.

A few days later, when Anthemes was buried and Banin was on a boat to England, Claudas sat on King Ban's throne and smiled.