NOTE: THIS IS AN UNCORRECTED, UNEDITED SNEAK

PREVIEW OF ARTHURS BLADEENJOY!

BUT if you havent yet read MERLINS BLADE,
MERLINS SHADOW, AND MERLINS NIGHTMARE,
then it is recommended you do so first!

*** SPOILERS AHEAD ***

Arthurs Blade (excerpt)

Copyright 2015 by Robert Treskillard. All Rights Reserved.
The characters and events depicted in this book are fictional, and any
resemblance to actual persons real or imagined is coincidental.
2

ARTHURS
BLADE
Book 1 of The Pendragon Spiral

Robert Treskillard

PROLOGUE
SHACKLES OF THE PAST
Lake Dosmurtanlyn near the village of Bosventor,
Kernow, in southwestern Britain
Spring, In the year of our Lord, 493

The scales upon Gwevians back shivered when she sensed the
werewolf rushing past her lake. She had been warned in a
prophetic dream many years beforeand now her doom had
finally come. She swam out of the cave that was her home at the
bottom of the lake. Surfacing just the tip of her nose among the
lily pads and sedge grasses, she sniffedand smelled blood.
Its salty tang stung her nose; many men had died this night,
more would yet die, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
Rising further from the water she saw the lifeless eyes of a warrior
staring back at her. Hed fallen on the very edge of the lake and
the blood from a rip in his throat leaked down onto the black,
drought-stricken heath.
And if the prophecy were true, then it foretold that this
werewolf would battle Arthur, her son Merlin, and their warriors.
Fear drove her forth. She had to know if Merlin was safe. The
werewolf was headed toward the village, so in a flash, as was her
power, she changed herself into a small salmon and slipped into a
cleft at the side of the lake where a tiny spring flowed. The cold
water numbed her as she swam furiously against the current, and
soon she was deep into a network of water-filled caverns under
the earth. She knew the way to the village brook, having
discovered the path years before, and quickly found herself in the
cool waters of the spring that emptied near the southern sheepfold of the village. When she changed back to her human-like
form the water she breathed in and out tasted of peat.
Hurrying downstream she came upon a stand of bulrushes, and
4

looking through them to the village green, she saw her doomthe
Druid Stone, which still sat upon the old granite slab.
This was the very Stone that had stolen her from her family
that fateful night thirty years ago when she was boating on the
lake with her husband. A storm had surprised them and lightning
had shattered their little coracle. She had been pulled down to the
depths by the power of the Stone and changed. All presumed her
drowned, and she had never seen Merlin again until fourteen years
later when the Stone had been removed from beside the lake by
Mrganthu and his druidsthey who used its power to enchant
the villagers.
Yes the very Stone upon which High King Uther had been
slain, he who had been Arthurs father. This was the Stone that
Merlin had attempted to destroy by hammering a sword into it. A
power emanated from its surface, lurking inside somehow, and she
still did not understand it.
Pushing the reeds aside, she looked more closely. The Stone
lay upon the granite slab in the village green. Arthur and the
werewolf were fighting next to it, and Arthur was knocked to his
knees. He stabbed upward at the beast with his spear, but the
creature was maddened by many wounds and snatched at the
wood just below the tip. He then shattered the spear and flung the
deadly metal into the darkness.
Arthur found his feet, threw the useless handle at the
werewolf, and then backed to the other side of the Druid Stone to
escape the swinging claws. The sword stood between them now,
wedged deeply into the Stone just as it had been for the last
sixteen years. A strange look came over Arthurs face as he beheld
the magnificence of the blade: the bronze hilt and pommel shone
golden in the moonlight, and the red glass inlays glinted like
blood.
In desperation, and without any other weapon, Arthur reached
out, took hold of the hilt, and pulled. The werewolf paused,
confused by the blue glow emanating from the Druid Stone.
Arthur pulled again, harder, and the sword slid upward a little.
Howling now, the werewolf lunged forward and struck out.
Arthur dodged to the side, but kept one hand on the pommel.
5

The beast reared back, preparing to strike out again.

This time Arthur pulled with all his might.
The blade came loose it was free in his hand!
Blue flames shot from the Stone, and in that instant Gwevian
felt a giant claw grab hold of her soul and rip into her spirit. She
screamed, but no one heard her, for Arthur fought with his fathers
blade even as Merlin and the others joined the fray.
She never saw the end of the battle, as pain wracked across her
body and she slipped back into the stream. Her lungs felt crushed
and she couldnt breathe. A vision appeared, and she finally
perceived the true nature of her doom: The Stone the Druid
Stone was not a stone at all, but an egga dragon egg. Now that
the sword had been removed from it, the shell would crack and
twin dragons would emerge. Shadows danced before her blinking
eyes and soon a scene appeared before her. It was a cave. Merlin
was there, tied up, and Mrgana was speaking to him:
Your sword, dear brother, prevented these two from
hatchingbut now that the blade has been removed by a
hand that was able to claim it properly, they will come
forth. Watch and tremble!
Merlin couldnt take his eyes off of the egg. Under
Mrganas hands the shell began to crack, quiver, and
convulse. Then with a jerk a small section broke away and
slipped to the floor. The scaly nose of a creature pushed
through the hole, bubbles forming in the green, gelatinous
slime that spewed forth as the creature breathed in and
exhaled for the first time.
Merlin watched, horror-struck, as the creature fought
against the shell and finally broke through, its entire head
slipping out into the cold air of the cave.
It was a lizard a dragon!
The skin was white, it had curved horns like a goat, and
the tips of its teeth were sharper than needles. But there
was something odd the dragon was missing one of its
four longest fangs, and where the tooth had been there was
only an uneven scar. The blade that Merlin had thrust into
6

the stone must have cut it off.

Soon, the rest of its snakelike body slipped from the egg.
A sulfurous cloud belched outward, and Merlin
coughed on the stench.
For the dragons size, the creature had small arms and
legs, each ending in a claw-like hand. The dragon was six
feet long from the tip of its tail to the curve of its wickedly
sharp fangs. On its back lay a set of scaled wings, folded
now and sodden with slime.
Mrgana began petting it.
Poor dragon youve been through a lot, havent
you? Now to birth your brother.
She reached into the egg and searched amongst the
slime.
Where has your brother gone? she shrieked. There
were two here a white dragon and a red one. Butbut

A man who looked familiar to Gwevian knelt down and

turned the egg on its side, emptying it. That was when she
recognized him he was Loth, her very own brother!
Hes nay here, Loth said. Are ya sure you werent
imagining it? Could you have misunderstood the Voice?
NO! she screamed, and struck him in the face.
The man fell backward with the smoking outline of
Mrganas handprint on his cheek. Th-then perhaps the
blade slew im, and his body dissolved.
That must be it, Mrgana said, scowling. But
ultimately it is no matter. This dragon was the larger, and
shall soon be strong enough for all of our purposes.
The vision smeared to blackness. Gwevian opened her eyes,
and found she had remained in the stream south of the village of
Bosventor. Though it was still night, there was no sound from the
world above save for the muffled moan of the wind through the
reeds. How long had she been unconscious? She tried to move,
but it hurt, because the dragon had an unceasing, spiritual grip that
still tore through her soul and even into her flesh.
7

If she had only known all this, then she might have stopped
Arthur from drawing his fathers sword from the Stone. But the
true secret of the Stone had been kept even from her.
She held her mouth shut tightly against the urge to scream as
she began to swim upstream.
Gripping rocks. Pulling. Kicking with her tail. Fighting panic.
Bile burning her throat.
When she reached the spring, she painfully changed back to a
salmon for the journey underground, and then after arriving at her
lake, she changed back to herself again and wept. But the pain
overwhelmed her, and she blacked out, floating, until a voice
spoke to her from the darkness.
Low. Menacing. It was the white dragon.
Thou hast escaped serving me while the sword was impaled
through the shell of my imprisonmentbut now I am free! And
when I choose a new servant, you will die, and I will eat thy
flesh.
Translucent shackles appeared before her spirits eyes.
No-o-o! she screamed, kicking and trying to break free from
the dragons grip. She had worn these shackles for too many
years.
The dragon cut her words short by ripping at her spirit and
then latching the shackles on her wrists and ankles.
Silence!
She curled up, weeping. The shackles were not visible to her
human-like eyes, but they bit into her flesh nonetheless. Yes, her
suffering had overtaken her again, yet a spark of hope remained
deep in her soul: She had tasted freedom once, and now knew it
was possible to break free. Even if she should suffer, then perhaps
Arthurs deeds might shine all the brighter and the future people
of Britain might look to him whenever they needed hope and
strength.
This was enough for her, giving meaning to her own suffering
and it was for her glory, too even if she were to be cast off and
slain by the dragon.
As she sunk into the depths of the lake, another vision took
her. Gwevian saw amidst the dark fog a white ship, magnificent of
8

sail, and upon its deck stood three queens crowned with silver
circlets, simple and pure. They carried shining lights and together
chanted a lament, their voices carrying over the water, clear but
sad:
Alas, alas, we shout and call,
The dragons cast a blackened shawl.
The light, the light, is dim and small,
And doom has come to one and all

PART ONE

DRAGONS PLOY
Sick of swamp slime, the sides becoming
Crack of grey ghost, the white door splitting
Foul of corpse rot, the dark smell choking
Thirst of hell spawn, the gore teeth clicking
Dark in cave, there the beast revives

10

CHAPTER 1
THE DANCE
The village of Dinas Camlin near the mouth of the river Camel,
Kernow, in southwestern Britain
Spring, in the year of our Lord, 493

The dance clopped along and Arthur tried not to trip over his own
feet, a rather difficult task even without his heart in his throat and
Gwenivere dancing closer. She held out her sash like the others
ladies of the inner circle. Arthur, in the outer circle of men, danced
in the opposite direction toward her, making plans to grab onto her
sash and so claim her as his partner.
The watching crowd swayed and clapped to the beat of the
tabor drum, nearly drowning out the box-fiddles and whistleflutes. The bagpipers, however, had no trouble being heard, and
their rich strains floated over the open square of the village,
spurring on the dancers as their shadows swirled and gallopped in
the torchlight.
What a feast and what a dance! Arthur smiled. This was all in
celebration of his coronation. Now if he could just dance with
Gwenivere
Two hops forward, then the spin. Arthur feinted toward
another ladys sash, purposely missing as she playfully yanked it
away.
Gwenivere was closer now, twirling left, stepping right. Her
sash was in reach!
Arthur reached outslowly at first to gauge the angle and
motion of her handand then swiftly, trying to catch her by
surprise before she could snatch it away.
Then the tip of his boot caught on a rock jutting from the
ground.
Arthur fell sideways, reaching for the sash. His fingers closed
11

around the soft linen but it flitted away like a ghost and was gone.
His shoulder hit the ground hard, jarring his neck. The dancer
behind him tripped on Arthurs calf, caught his balance, and
danced on. The next one jumped over as Arthur swung out of
harms way. By the time he could pull himself up and dust off, he
had lost his place and had to take another openingand there
were many since half of the men had caught their partner and had
swiveled to the inside of the ring.
By the time Gwenivere came around again, she had a partner,
some urchin of a fellow with oil stains on his tunic, a thin beard,
and even thinner arms. The two promenaded past him, and
Gweniveres beautiful smile shone in the flickering torchlight.
Why? Why had Arthur tripped? If hed only
But at least it wasnt his false-friend Cullan. That insolent man
had taken a liking to Gwenivere and seemed to guard her like a
dog drooling over a bowl of stew.
But it was too late now and everyone had paired off except
one old lady who waved her sash at him, grabbed his arm, and
spun him to the inside of the ring, practically against his will.
Ah, yer a tough one to catch, she said, smiling. Her front
teeth were missing and she squinted at him, nearly blind in the
darkness. But oh, could she dance, and she knew all the steps. Up
and down her legs pumped, guiding Arthur through the unfamiliar
Kernow dance. Sometimes the sash was low, held between them,
and sometimes high to let another pair of dancers pass through.
On and on it seemed to go: step after mis-step, sash up, sash
down, promenade, spinhe going the wrong way of course. And
the whole time Arthur only caught one clear glance of Gwenivere,
her fair locks flying past him in the never ending jostle of feet.
When it was over everyone clapped and hooted while Arthur
caught his breath.
Gwalahad came and patted him on the back. A good try for
your first Kernow dance, eh? He was grinning at Arthur, his face
flushed beneath his sandy white hair.
Itd be a lot easier if it wasnt so fast.
That was my great-aunt you were dancin with shes one
o the best!
12

At least I didnt step on her toes.

Two men with big saffron colored hats and leather gloves
strutted to the center of the square, lit six oil-soaked balls with a
torch, and began to juggle them. The delighted crowd lurched
backward to make room as the flaming balls spun and sparked
through the air, sometimes straight up, sometimes across to the
other juggler.
Arthur backed up as well and felt something hard under his
right heel. That something jerked sideways and cursed.
Look who youre stepping on, nimble-foot!
Arthur turned and looked up to see Culann staring down at
him, his sharp nose pointing accusingly and scorn playing at the
corners of his mouth.
Sorry, I
Stop being a pretender.
No, really
You knew I was here all the time. Culann raised his hands to
shove Arthur back, but stopped himself. After taking a deep,
angry, breath, Culann tightened his lips and smiled.
This was so frustrating for Arthur.
The two had shared many years of friendship before it was
discovered that Arthur was the lost heir to the throne of Britain.
And then Dwin was murdered by the werewolf. Only now did
Arthur realize that Dwins cheerfulness had been the common
bond holding his and Culanns brittle friendship together.
And then there was Gwenivere, whose natural beauty had
soured their relationship more than anything. Arthur heard her
distinctive laugh from across the square and glanced up to see her
giggling at Gwenivachher nearly identical sisterwho had a
pinched expression as she lifted her slender boot and picked off a
soiled rag that had stuck to her heel.
Watching looking at? Culann said, grabbing Arthur by the
shoulders and shaking him.
Anger rose up in Arthur, and he knocked Culanns hands
away. Dont touch me.
The royal majestys too good for a tussle, huh?
No, Im not.
13

Then prove it.

Arthur felt a tenseness gather in his clenched fist and rise up
his arm to cover his chest and neck.
Culanns left hand shot forward.
Arthur reacted quickly, seizing the mans wrist.
But then the bagpipe skirled, starting another dance. Some girl
grabbed Culanns right hand and pulled him into one of the two
lines that quickly formed. Arthur, grasping Culanns left wrist,
was jerked along with. Gwalahad joined them, and the three stood
in a line, with a partner immediately across from each.
Culann jerked his hand away and glared at Arthur.
The bagpipe softened and the whistles took over. A caller
shouted instructions, but Arthur had never danced like this before.
His partner was a young barefoot girl in a green smock, pretty
brown hair, and with an air of shyness. Arthur followed as best he
could, stepping toward his partner, then back, then forward to pass
on her right, finally back to his original position. But the steps got
more complex and Arthur became confused with all the twirls,
short promenades, and funny turns.
Then each line shiftedhis to the right by one and the
opposite line to the left by one, giving him a new partner, this time
it was the reeking urchin in the oily shirt. Ugh! Arthur danced, but
miserably.
Only then did he realize Culann was laughing at him.
Arthur looked around. Most of the people had lined up with
the men and women alternating and Arthur was in a womans
position. Double-Ugh!
They shifted again, and now Gwenivere was dancing with
Culann. And though Arthur had to dance with a skinny man
smelling of freshly baked bread, he smiled to know that she would
dance with him next.
Then it hit him the shift moved by two people. Gwenivere
would dance with Gwalahad, not him. Looking past Gwenivere,
he saw that Gwenivach, who was also in a wrong position, would
be his next partner.
Triple-Ugh. Gwenivach was shallow and fickle, constantly
flirting with a different warrior. Not like her older sister,
14

Gwenivere, who was thoughtfully quiet, kept mostly to herself,

and would often go roaming beyond the walls of the village.
But Arthur never had venture after her, what with all the
decisions begging for his attention, not the least of which were the
war councils concerning the invading Saxenow and Picti.
And then there was MerlinArthurs foster fatherwho
always wanted to talk with him about how they might stop
Mrgana and her mysterious dragon. But when Arthur did get a
spare moment to breathe he would always find Culann hovering
around Gwenivere. Impossible. It was just impossible.
The drummers beat louder, and Arthur knew he had to make
his move. On the next in-and-out-rotation, he purposely went one
too far and got himself mixed in with the dancers to his left. When
the time came to return to his home position Arthur slipped
quickly into Gwalahads place, and the young warrior confusedly
took Arthurs old spot.
It worked! Gwenivere would dance with him!
They shifted, and the girl of his dreams stood across from him.
She looked upon Arthur with a puzzled expression, searching his
face in such a way that Arthurs cheeks began to itch. Her long
russet dress was worn over a white bodice, and tiny pewter
spiralsperhaps cast by her newly deceased fatherwere tied to
the dark brown fringes, and they jingled quietly as she stepped
into position.
Arthur and Gwenivere bowed to each other and the dance
began, this time a little slower. The box-fiddlers took the lead,
their tune flitting over the dancers like a mother humming sweetly
to her child.
I didnt know you could dance so well, she said, an elusive
hint of either teasing or disdain in her voice.
Well I learned up north.
Do they teach spectacular tripping as well?
No, I learned that here. He tried to smile, but it felt forced.
They held their right hands up, palms pressed together in the
center, and circled for eight steps. Her hand was cold, which
surprised him. Needing to change the subject, he asked Did your
father cast the pewter spirals on your dress? The words were out
15

of his mouth before he realized how stupid he was.

Gwenivere blamed him for the giant mans death.
Lets talk about your masterful dancing instead.
Im sorry, Arthur said. I shouldnt have asked your
father
Don you like dancing? Gwenivere whispered, her teeth
bared.
They separated for a turn, spun left, and then danced around
each other, Arthurs thoughts troubling him all the while. Their
conversation was going from bad to worse, and he needed to help
her get past this. Gwenivere forgive me, please.
Ill never forget that battle. Never.
They had to link arms now and promenade. She leaned toward
him and her lips were so close that the words stung doubly hard.
Ill never forgive you, she said quietly, and the cold, steady look
in her eyes bore witness to her seriousness.
Please dont hate me.
She glared at him. I am queen of my own emotions, and will
do as I please.
This exchange felt so similar to what they had said at her
fathers death, that Arthur began to feel lightheaded. The world
spun even as the dancers twirled around him, and he saw again the
old giants bearded, bloody face and how his chest fell still after
his last, ragged breath. That battle had been a nightmare. But why
did she blame Arthur? He hadnt asked her father to fight the
man had volunteered to fight Mrganas werewolf and his army of
wolf-heads! They had desperately needed the help, but Gogi had
made his own choice.
Nothing that Arthur said, it seemed, could set things right.
Do you only blame me? he asked, and his voice sounded
hollow in his own ears.
Yes and yes and yes!
The dance ended with clapping, and Arthur, dejected, almost
bumped into Gwalahad.
Thank you for the dance, Gwenivere said as she stepped
back, eying him like a cornered cat ready with her claws. They
bowed awkwardly to each other in the dimming torchlight, and he
16

turned away, vowing once again that until the day of his death he
would never forget the cruelty of her words.
Why? Why couldnt they at least be friends? Oh, but he
wanted more than thatmuch moreand this argument with her
not only intensified his feelings, but it made him feel stupid and
shameful. Maybe he was responsible for her fathers death.
Wasnt the king always responsible? This burden crushed down
upon him, sucking the strength from his lungs so that he could
hardly breathe.
He hung his head and closed his eyes, fighting the frustration
and anger that rose up from his gut and threatened to strangle his
throat.
A man yelled.
ARTHUR! above you!
He looked up and saw the dim silhouette of a curved bow on a
crennig rooftop, with a shadowy figure behind it.
There was the muted snap of a bow string and Arthur saw an
arrow of death speeding toward his heart.

17

CHAPTER 2
THE ASSASSIN
With the arrow flying at him, Arthur twisted to the side just
enough for the shaft to miss and bury itself into the ground behind
him.
But this archer was fast, and almost instantly another
arrow was flung from the bow and raced toward him. To his left,
someone began to yell.
Arthur tried to duck, but found himself only falling backward,
still in the path of the arrow glinting through the darkness. With
no armor to protect him, he instinctively stiffened for the coming
blow. And just as the deadly blur of the arrow drew near, someone
thrust their hand in the way. It was Gwalahad, his long whitish
hair shining like a beacon as the man desperately tried to protect
Arthur.
The razored tip ripped through the mans palm and didnt stop
until it pierced Arthurs the left side of his chest. Clenching his
jaw, he crashed to the ground. Gwalahad fell with him, his
dreadful yell splitting the night air.
In the confusion, Arthur heard another twang of the bowstring,
and another arrow, this one shot hastily, missed the right side of
his chest and its shaft quivered as it dug itself into the dirt, a hairs
breadth from his side.
Merlin was thereArthurs foster-father and now adviser
and he shouted for Peredur to catch the archer. Bending over to
see the wound, the dark curls of his hair contrasting strongly with
his ashen, scar-etched face.
Are you alright? Stupid of me! Wheres your armor? He
swore, and Arthur knew why: blood began to pool under his white
tunic where the arrow had struck, and some of it leaked down to
the pit of his arm.
But Arthur knew that the wound was superficial. Gwalahad
had saved him from certain death, and as the man jerked his hand
18

away, the arrow came with it. Gwalahad alternately gasped,

yelled, and prayed. Sweet Jesus have mercy.
Arthur clambered up and began sprinting after his would-be
assassinwho had slid down the thatch roof and disappeared into
the darkness.
Peredur and Caygek were only a few steps ahead of Arthur.
Please stop! Merlin called, but Arthur wasnt about to
turn back. This assassin, whoever he was, had to be caught, and
Arthur was going to help. The three of them bolted behind the
shop upon whose roof the assassin had been hiding.
Missin missin Peredur said under his breath.
Arthur caught up with him. Whatd you say?
Who was missin at the dance?
What? You think he was from the fortress?
Well, thats where hes goin look! Peredur pointed
toward a shadow that darted from one patch of darkness to
another, and then behind another roundhouseall the time headed
toward the towering stone walls of the fortress.
Arthur sprinted between the two closest crennigs and tripped
on a large clay pot that had been left to catch the rain from the
roof. Shattering the pot, he crashed against the wooden wall of the
roundhouse, scraping his elbow.
Caygek helped him up. That way hes almost to the wall!
They ran, but Arthurs shin throbbed, and he fell behind.
In the distance he saw the assassin begin climbing the wall
using hand and toe-holds amongst the rough stonework. By the
time they arrived, the mandressed all in black with his bow over
his shoulderhad already climbed a third of the way to a large
upper windows which looked out over the bay of Lake Camlin.
Guards! Peredur shouted toward the top of the wall.
GUARDS!
Its no use, Caygek said with a moan. They were all at the
dance.
Then lets climb! Arthur said.
Peredur blanched. Never done that before.
An I dont like heights, Caygek said, shaking his head.
None of the three had a spear or any other ranged weapon.
19

Arthur had no choice, and he began to search for a toehold. He

had climbed the raw cliffs around their fortress back home, and
figured this would be easier.
Caygek pulled him back, slipped off his own rust-plated
leather helm and scale armor, and threw them both onto Arthur.
Then youre at least going to wear these.
They were heavy, but Arthur didnt protest anything but his
injured shin and burning chest. Grabbing the closest stone, he
began to climb after the assassin.
Caygek and Peredur helped steady him at first, but he gained
confidence as he climbed beyond their reach, and soon he was
making fast progress toward this man who had tried to kill him.
He had to be stopped!
Soon Arthur was gaining on him, and then found out why: the
stones nearer the top were smaller and his grip became more
precarious. Still he climbed as fast as he could until he realized,
too late, that the assassin had stopped. Looking up, Arthur saw the
mans boot slam down into his face.
Once. Twice. The shock nearly blinded him, and the world
tilted dizzily.
He tried to back down, but one of his toes slipped and he
scrabbled against the rock to find a hold.
Once more the heel of the mans boot cracked into Arthurs
head and he fell twenty feet to the grass below. The air was
knocked from his lungs and he lay there, stunned.
The assassin climbed closer to the lookout window as Peredur
and Caygek began to drag Arthur toward the woods.
Let go, he called, but they didnt stop.
Above him, the assassin pulled himself in, turned around, and
swiftly shot two arrows.
One hit the trunk of a tree, shattering bark into Arthurs face.
Another hit his side and caromed off the scale armor Caygek
had given him.
Ill get you Arthur called as Caygek helped him to his
feet behind the largest tree.
To the gate, Peredur called. We can catch him yet!
They ran until Arthur was winded and slowed to a walk. Go
20

on ahead, he urged, but they refused. Circling around the

perimeter to the trellised gate, they found it blocked by newly
stationed guards, who allowed them passage after a hurried
briefing.
Search the hall! Arthur commanded as they ran through.
Peredur had them take torches and led the way. To the
warriors quarters quickly! His voice was desperate almost
as if he suspected someone in particular.
Arthur followed across the inner courtyard, finally able to
catch his breath since he had fallen.
Up the left stairs, through two stone archways, down four
steps, and through another doorway, they paused at the entrance to
a large vaulted chamber filled with warriors bunks. The room
was dark despite knife-slits of pale moonlight cast through the
thin windows. A tomb-like silence filled the air.
Arthur chose to search the far aisle, his feet clunking loudly on
the stone floor, and his heart thumping in his chest. Equipped
with a torch in his left hand and his fathers dirk was in his right,
yet he wished for the new sword he had pulled from the stone. But
it was locked in a trunk back at his quarters, and thered been no
time to get it.
Arthur stopped. Had he heard something above him? Lifting
his torch, he studied the upper reaches of the chamber, but saw
nothing. Had he imagined it?
Moving forward again, he saw that one of the bunks was
occupied. After readying his blade, he lowered his torch to reveal
a sleeping man with a black beard and a round, yellowed nose.
But something was wrong his face was contorted and one of
his eyes was open. A bloody knife was jabbed into the mans
chest, and fresh blood flowed from the wound.
Arthur backed up and someone grabbed his shoulder from
behind.
Whipping around, he swiftly knocked the hand away and
raised his dirk.
Its me easy.
Caygek? I thought you were
You think Id leave you alone in here? Looks like you
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found a trail to the assassin.

I dont understand. Why this man, too?
Caygek shook his head and pointed down. Drips of blood led
from the corpse down the aisle toward the base of a window
where they disappeared.
They both moved forward to the window, Arthur in front and
Caygek guarding from behind. The sill was high, but Arthur
handed his torch to Caygek and pulled himself up. Looking out,
he had to ignore the pain in his chest. A cool breeze was blowing
in from the south, and though the moonlight lit up the hillside
below in an eerie tangle of shadow and glimmer, he saw no sign
of the assassin. The rocky ground was a far plummet, but Arthur
supposed that the assassin could have climbed down just as well.
Arthur dropped back to Caygek. Hes gone. Escaped.
Peredur rounded a corner, startling them both.
Nothing that way, the bunks are all empty.
Yet a faint sound fluttered at Arthurs ear. Someone was
breathing quietly against the far wall.
Arthur took his torch and motioned for silence. Gripping the
hilt of his blade, he led them toward the sound. The darkness fled
away with each step, finally revealing a man asleep on his side
with his back to them. He wore a blue tunic and brown pants. His
feet were bare, and his ratty hair was braided from below his bald
spot into a long rope that hung down toward the floor.
Peredur jumped forward, grabbed the man by the back of his
tunic, yanked him onto the floor, and stuck a knife at his throat.
Tethion! It was you! he yelled as the man squinted his eyes
and flailed his hands outward, confused and choking as Peredur
twisted the cloth tightly at his neck.
Wheres your bow and arrows? Well find them and Ill have
you hung on a gibbet, I will.
Th-th-th, the man stammered as he pulled at Peredurs hand.
Let him talk, Arthur said.
Peredur relaxed his grip even as he brought the tip of his blade
up against the mans chin.
Tethion belched and a strong waft of wine floated upward. I
know nuthin nuthin let a poor man sleep.
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Caygek searched the mans bedding and area, finding nothing

unusual.
But Peredur wasnt satisfied. Whered you stash your black
clothes tell me!
I dont know what yer talking about. I been sleepin for
hours. Ask Hicca over there we was drinkin together, and
hell vouch fer me!
You mean that man over there? Caygek asked, pointing
below the window. Well hes dead, and so will you be if you
dont start answering our questions.
Tethion nodded, alarmed.
Arthur put a hand on Caygeks shoulder. We havent proof.
Leave him be.
Peredur, still angry, let go of the mans tunic, stood, and
sheathed his blade.
Caygek led the way out, and Peredur slammed the door. I
know it was him. It has to be. Remember when Rewan was
murdered with an arrow in his eye? The only man who hadnt
agreed with his testimony was Tethion.
Caygek looked to Arthur for support and then spoke. But we
need proof. Suspicions arent enough.
When the kings life is at stake, suspicions are all that matter
to me. That man should be banished from the warband.
Hes one of our best bowmen, Arthur said. And without
him we might have lost the battle against the werewolfs army
That doesnt mean I trust him. Peredur said as he stormed
away.
Caygek and Arthur alerted the guards to the dead body so they
could remove it for burial. Then, after searching the rest of the
fortress, no better evidence was found than the trail of blood
leading to the window.
The assassin had escaped.
*

Once the search was concluded and the fortress secured, the doors
were opened to those gathered outside. Arthur went immediately
23

back to the village to help carry Gwalahads stretcher to the

infirmaria where the monks and nuns would care for him.
Though the arrow had been carefully removed by Merlin and the
injured right hand wrapped tightly, the young man was still in
great pain.
You saved me, Arthur said. And at great cost. My prayer is
that youll heal quickly and fully.
I-I dont know, he said, each word cut between sharp
breaths. I think its ruined and I cant be your warrior. Forgive
me.
Forgive you? Im trying to thank you! I owe you my life.
No, no you dont understand, Gwalahad said, his eyes
still closed. Anything for my king.
The mans commitment stung. Would Arthur have been
willing to do the same for him? Surely the mans hand was
useless now, and he might never wield a sword again. Really
Arthur hardly knew Gwalahad. They had only met two weeks
previously, Gwalahad being the grandson of old Pelles one-ear,
the chieftain of the fortress of Dinas Camlin where they were
staying.
Ahead of them a small herd of dirty sheep were lazily
blocking the path, and the guards spotted the errant shepherd boy
staring at Gwalahad from where he sat on top of one of the beasts.
Git awa, you! a guard said while running up beside the
young boys mount.
When the boy didnt respond right away, the guard cuffed him
in the face. Cant tha see the king is tryin to git through?
Is donna see no king, the boy said, rubbing a grubby hand
on his quickly reddening cheek.
Be git, wretch! the guard said, kicking the boys scruffy
mount.
Me names Brastias, the boy said, sticking his tongue out,
and Ill not be beat upon. He flicked one of his thin legs back
and his mount snapped around to face the man, its pointy horns
lowered menacingly.
The guard backed up and began to draw his sword.
Arthur stopped him. Let the boy be shedding this worthy
24

opponents blood wont help your prince any.

The guard pursed his lips, cocked his eyebrows at Arthur, and
then bowed. As you wish, my Lord.
Arthur nodded to Brastiaswho grimly set his thin jaw,
nodded back, and then rode off, down and away from the village.
His sheep followed in swift procession.
Arthur and the others advanced with Gwalahads stretcher and
behind them flowed an entourage of villagers and residents of the
fortress. From among them, a group of females stepped forward
and hemmed him in. The foremost was Gwenivach.
Are you all right? she asked, her voice nearly a screech of
concern and fear.
Fine.
Are you sure? I saw blood. She tried to inspect the wound
on his chest, but Caygeks armor prevented her.
You were hit! I saw the arrow. She started pulling his left
sleeve until cloth with a bloodstain slid out from under the armor.
Arthurs cheeks felt hot, and he jerked his arm away. Leave it
alone, he said. Whyd she have to point out his wound? He was
supposed to lead didnt that mean he had to be invincible? Who
would follow if he made silly mistakes like that?
Her eyes showed shock at his gruffness, yet her hands reached
toward him again, almost involuntarily, it seemed, and he had to
push past her to get away. Gwalahad saved me. Im fine. Tell the
others. He stuffed the bloody bit of tunic back inside his armor to
hide it and then ushered Gwalahad through the doorway and into
the fortress.
Im watching you she called.
Arthur ignored her.

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