“And I’m Dean fucking Winchester,” Dean began, and the Trickster quietly groaned as the knights of all sizes stood, knocking over benches and chairs, and drew their swords.

“Dean,” Sam whispered behind him.

There was a soft sound in the doorway — a woman clearing her throat. Every head turned to her as she walked quietly into the room, and Dean didn’t know if he should be relieved or more worried when he saw it was Maya Fisher. She touched Dean’s arm as she passed, and walked down the length of the table to where the Green Knight stood. As she moved, the knights quietly put their swords away.

The two — the small young woman, the enormous knight — stood quietly looking at one another, and the Green Knight bowed his head and sank into his chair again. “I will test them,” she said softly. “Please clear the table.”

“You heard the lady,” the Green Knight said, so every lady and knight and creature took away their plates and cups, clearing the way for Sam and Dean to sit across from Maya. She situated herself at the Green Knight’s right hand — who, of course, did not move — and put a silk bag on the table.

“So . . . I don’t understand,” said Sam, and Dean put the Grail back in the briefcase to cover that he didn’t get it, either.

“You are going to be tested,” Maya said as she untied the silk bag. “Every hero is tested. You have passed the first — you found the Grail and have vowed to be its guardians. You have passed the second — you found the dish despite physical pain and emotional doubt.” She took out a deck of Tarot cards and spread the bag, now just a square of green silk, on the table. “Now you must pass the third — to keep your heads.”

***

They say in San Francisco there is a labyrinth set in the paving stones of the courtyard of a church. They say on that day, observant tourists noticed a strange shimmer over the courtyard, as if for a moment great stone walls appeared and then were gone.