strike the water — but they didn’t find us. It was a tense time, but we eventually escaped and struck land. We came upon an abbey, and a good monk gave us shelter.”
His father paused, and the light of the forge lit up his eyes. “We were married … sweet Gwev and I. Yes, we were married … and lived there in hiding for a year. You were born in that abbey.”
“Now I understand why you fled south, to Kernow,” Merlin said.
“We couldn’t stay near Atle, and I couldn’t show my face to Uther or my father. So you’re right. Kernow was as far away as we could get without going to the Eirish lands of Lyhonesse.”
Merlin looked toward his father with awe. “You saved her. You —”
“No! I just postponed her death. I … I failed her. At the lake, she …” He broke down and fell to his knees. “Dear God.”
Merlin wrapped his arms around his father’s heaving chest. “I know, Tas. God showed me in a vision. You did your best. It was the Druid Stone that killed her. The Stone, do you hear? It was at the bottom of the lake.”
His father became still. “The Stone?”
“Yes.”
Owain roared as he rose, breaking Merlin’s grip. “We must stop this. Mônda and Ganieda are still there, worshiping it. We’ve got to get them away from it.”
“But Tas, she tried to have you killed.”
“No, she just doesn’t want me to leave her. And by God’s strong arm, I won’t!”
“Tas, you need to leave her. She’s Mórganthu’s daughter, and she’ll never change. Save Ganieda, sure, but with Mônda it’s hopeless —”
“Drop such talk. I have to try. Once when you were young, Mórganthu tried to convince Mônda to sacrifice her life and blood to these pagan gods, and I stopped it. I can’t abandon her now, and I won’t fail her like I failed your mother. Get your staff. We’re going.”
“But the sword —”
“We’ll finish it when we return. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 20
THE ARCH DRUID
It comforted Merlin to have his father lead him as they walked through the darkness to the village green. And through that slight touch on his father’s shoulder, Merlin sensed some excitement in Owain’s stride. The indecision was gone. Even if Merlin didn’t think Mônda would leave the druidow, he was happy his father wanted to try. And his father was proof that a person could be transformed. Who knew what God would do?
The bright smear of a bonfire appeared to his right, and voices drifted across the field.
“I don’t know what everyone is doing at this hour,” his father said. “I thought it would be quiet.”
“Do you see Mórganthu?”
“Too many people around the Stone to tell, but I would guess he’s here. The monks are just inside the gate. Let’s head in their direction.”
Merlin followed a step behind as they passed through the wooden gate. As they approached, his father hailed Dybris and explained how he had regained his faith.
“That gives me strength … for my task tonight,” Dybris said. His tone was cheerful, but with a hint of apprehension, and he proceeded to explain how he’d come up with a plan to Christianize the Druid Stone.
The more Merlin heard, the more alarmed he became. He reached out to Dybris, found his shoulders, and gripped them tightly. “You mustn’t try it!”
Dybris stiffened. “I’m not afraid.”
“There’s something deeper I don’t understand about the Stone. It’s evil.”
“How do you know?” Dybris asked, breaking Merlin’s grip from his robe.
“I’ve touched it. You must trust me when I say your plan is reckless.”
“Don’t you care about Garth? The others?”
Merlin’s face grew hot. “My back is still sore from my flogging. Don’t tell me —”
Someone stepped in between them. “Peace, Merlin … I think our enemy will bury us all if we don’t stick together.”
Merlin steadied his breathing and turned toward the voice. “And who is this?”
“Crogen, our new abbot,” Dybris said.
“May God bless your leadership,” Merlin said, pressing the back of his hand to his forehead.
“And may God give us all wisdom tonight.”
But was Dybris’s plan wise? Merlin weighed it in his mind, and it continued to gnaw at him. When he had touched the Stone by accident, he’d encountered a depth of evil and darkness he hadn’t known was possible. The Voice’s words still echoed in his memory. What would the Stone do to Dybris? Prontwon certainly hadn’t foreseen its power.
“Dybris?” Merlin asked. “Since you are firm in your decision, who is going with you?”