Zelko Smith

King Arthur, Out of Camelot Zelko Smith

Pushing out the boundaries of the Camelot legend, King Arthur, Out of Camelot is a collection of stories that expands the exploits of the Knights of the Round Table. The first story, "King Arthur and the Battle of Mount Badon" establishes Arthur's legitimacy. We see him remove the sword from the stone, as we expect, but we get insight into his psychology, his prowess as a young knight, and why his mind, more than anything else, proves decisive in capturing the throne of Camelot. The second, "Lancelot and the Gray Knight," surrounds the familiar Lady of Shallott, using the original names, with a new adventure that combines wits and daring to a surprising end. Finally, "The Giant of Mont Saint-Michel" takes Arthur to France to battle a giant that has taken prisoner a princess on the island's medieval abbey. Only, the entanglements of motivation and human frailty leave Arthur questioning the purpose of the whole endeavor.