Collum is silently included at the Round Table for lunch, taking the seat of the deceased Sir Patrise. The remaining knights—Bedivere, Dinadan, Constantine, Palomides—and Nimue eat together in a mood mingling grief and cautious hope. A silent jester juggles knives nearby. Constantine reflects on the old, bloody but clear rules of royal succession and laments that without blood or God's clear sign, choosing a new king is impossible. The Grail Quest, meant to resolve this, ended in a Pyrrhic victory after which God seemingly abandoned them; Galahad's death is referenced but not explained.

Discussion turns to defending Camelot against King Rience and inventorying stores for siege. Over wine, Collum probes about a hidden heir, Merlin, and possible candidates. Nimue reveals she imprisoned her master Merlin under a hill. Names floated include Mordred's young son Melehan, Constantine himself (who refuses), and Lancelot, whom Bedivere despises as a traitor but Constantine calls the last hero. Collum privately senses their path will lead to Lancelot and resolves to fight for him.

Dinadan suggests returning to the Lady of the Lake for a sword; Nimue notes the sword from the stone broke. Palomides expresses weariness with broken symbols. Bedivere rises and, drunk but resolute, leads them in a new oath: "A new sword, and a new stone." Collum whispers the oath too, committing himself to their cause.

Slipping out into the courtyard, Collum encounters the silent jester, who reveals himself as Sir Dagonet, the Fool Knight and another forgotten survivor of the Round Table. Dagonet warns that they lost the game long ago—God conned them—but also tells Collum the Table needs him as much as he needs them. A servant then leads Collum, surprisingly, to his own private solar with a fine bed, where he collapses in exhausted wonder.

At dawn, a valet bathes and arms Collum. At the postern gate, Bedivere and Dinadan wait in full harness alongside the Green Knight and a supply cart. Dinadan begins quizzing Collum on the knightly virtues—defending ladies and the helpless, loyalty, truth, service to God, bravery. Mid-oath, someone strikes Collum's wounded ear and knocks him from his horse. Palomides rides past calling, "Arise, Sir Collum of the Out Isles! Adventure awaits!"—knighting him in the irreverent style of Camelot's diminished company as they set out on their quest.