[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
of the babe called me forth in the dead of winter. So, since there was nothing more to be done at the
moment, I promptly put the matter from my mind and concerned myself with other affairs.
I will tell you the truth: I did not in those days regard the child in any special way. Despite the hints I had
received the warnings one might say he was merely an infant that required protection. He was the
son of my dead friend, true. But that was all. Other matters were more pressing, or seemed so.
I turned to these and promptly forgot all about the child.
FIFTEEN
In the black month, the bleak month, when cold winds blow snow from the ice-bound north, the month
of privation and death in which winter itself dies in the Christ Mass, the babe was born. Birth from death:
it is the ancient and holy way of the earth. I consulted the oaken bowl, and stayed up five nights together
to view the winter-clean sky. In this way I learned that the time was near.
Pelleas and I travelled to Tintagel and waited a little way off in the woods of the deep glen for the birth. I
did not like to go up to the caer itself, for my coming would be noticed and discussed.
For three days we sat wrapped in our cloaks and furs before our small fire of oak twigs and pine cones,
waiting. Atmidnightof the third night, as we sat watching, a strange thing happened: an enormous black
bear came out of the woods, padded softly round the fire, snuffling at us warily, and ambled up the trail
leading to the caer.
'Let us follow,' I whispered. 'Perhaps that fellow knows something that we should also learn.'
We followed and found the bear standing on its hind legs at the edge of the wood, its blackness sharp
against the moon-bright snow. The beast's nose sniffed the seawind and its great head swung towards us
as we approached, but the creature did not move. It remained for some little time, standing, looking up at
Uther's fortress, and then, as if making up its own slow mind, lumbered on.
'Hunger has driven it from its lair,' remarked Pelleas. 'It goes to find food.'
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
'No, Pelleas, it goes to honour a birth.' I still remember the look Pelleas gave me, his face white hi the
moonlight. 'Come, it is time.'
By the time we reached the gates, the great bear, by some means animal strength perhaps had
gained entrance into the caer. The gateman, no doubt asleep at his watch when the beast appeared, had
run away to raise the alarm, leaving the. gate unattended. Men with torches dashed here and there in
confusion while the dogs barked wildly at the ends of their leashes, working themselves into a killing
frenzy.
No one saw us slip through the gates and we made our way directly to the hall, and through it to the
king's chamber. Ygerna lay in the room above, her women and a midwife or two gathered with her. But
Uther remained below, alone, awaiting the birth.
The sword of Maximus lay unsheathed across his knee.
Uther glanced up as we entered: guilt writ large upon his features for all to see. I had caught him and he
knew it.
'Oh, Merlin, you are here. I thought you would be.' He contrived to sound relieved. The sound of the
chaos outside had entered with us, and Uther seized on this to aid him. 'By the Raven, what is that
commotion?'
'A bear has entered your stronghold, Uther,' I told him.
'A bear.' He appeared to ponder this as if the thing bore deep significance for him, then said, 'My wife is
not delivered of the child. You may as well sit it will likely be some time yet.'
I motioned for Pelleas to find us some food and drink, and he disappeared behind the hanging hides into
the hall. I sat down in Gorlas' big chair Uther preferred his camp chair even in chamber and
studied die High King as he sat before me.
'I am disappointed, Uther,' I told him flatly. 'Why have you gone back on your word?'
'When did I promise anything?' he flung back angrily. 'You accuse me falsely.'
'Tell me I am mistaken then. Tell me that the sword across your knee is not for the babe. Tell me you did
not intend to kill it.'
Uther frowned and turned his face away. 'By God, Merlin, you hound a man!'
'Well? My apology only awaits your denial.'
'I have nothing to deny! I do not answer to you, Meddler.'
'Does Ygerna know what you intend?'
'What would you have me do?' He jumped up and threw the sword on the table.
. 'Honour our agreement.' I told him, thinking of many other things I could have said. I was trying to
make it easy for him.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Still the High King resisted. As I say, once Uther fastened on a thing, he was loth to give it up. And he
had had a long time to work himself up to this. He stalked around the room, glaring at me. 'I agreed to
nothing. It was all your idea I never agreed.'
'That is untrue, Uther. It was your idea for me to take the child.'
'Well, I have thought better of it then,' he growled. 'What have you to do with this anyway? What is your
interest?'
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]