is Dybris’s plan, and his alone. The others are more careful of the Stone’s power. And from what you say, rightfully so. As their abbot, I will stay with them, and we will pray.”
Merlin took a deep breath and looked at Dybris. “Then I’ll go with you.”
“What? You’re against this.”
“Even if it’s dangerous, you shouldn’t go without support.”
“But there’s no need. You couldn’t —”
“Help? My blindness is exactly why I want to come. I can’t see the Stone, and that makes me safe from its enchantment. You might need someone like that helping you.”
Owain took Merlin’s right hand. “Are you sure about this? I need to find Mônda. I had hoped you’d come with me. Help me know what to say.”
“Come with us, Tas. We’ll find her afterward, together.”
“I don’t dare.” His father’s voice quavered. “The Stone’s hold over me is still too fresh. Go with Dybris, and I’ll find Mônda. With the bonds broken, I’m strong enough for that.”
Shouting rose from the crowd across the field, and Merlin listened carefully. “What’s happening?”
“It’s Tregeagle,” Merlin’s father said. “He’s laughing as he walks from the Stone, and he’s holding a gold platter the size of two horseshoes.”
“Who are the warriors?” Crogen asked. “The High King’s men?”
Dybris pointed. “The tall one there that Tregeagle’s talking to is Vortigern —”
“I guess battle chieftains must be grim,” Crogen said. “But Tregeagle giddy? Never witnessed such from him.”
Dybris stepped forward. “I shouldn’t delay. Merlin, are you sure you want to come?”
Merlin paused. Was he sure? Like large black spiders, revulsion for the Stone crept up his legs. He wished he could forget the Stone and these people. He and his father could move away and start a blacksmith shop somewhere else. What had these people done that he should risk his life for them? Look how well that had turned out with Garth.
He wanted to refuse. The words were on the tip of his tongue. But all around the pasture, the druidow began chanting, then the voices of the villagers joined in. And the drums beat.
Merlin could feel it. Change. Change that would sweep across Britain, erase the name of Christ from the people’s memory, and bring suffering and bondage in its wake. There was nowhere to run. Bosventor was the place this unholy fire could be stamped out, and he might be the only one who could confront its flames.
So did Dybris’s plan have any hope?
Very little, Merlin guessed. Yet even a sputtering candle stub of hope was better than none. If the plan failed, then their actions would still make a statement. And for that alone, Merlin would take the risk.
He cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Yes, I’m certain now.”
Owain watched Dybris and his son walk off in the direction of the crowd. How had Merlin grown so much? One day he was no higher than Owain’s belt, and the next he was a man. How many years had they lost in between? True, they’d worked together all that time, but Owain had pushed his son away on every level. Now he understood part of the reason, and he determined not to let the precious time they had left slip from his hand.
As Merlin and Dybris approached the outer edge of the mob that worshiped the Stone, Owain longed to rush after his son and support him. Yet he dared not go near the Stone — at least not yet — for its memory still burned in his mind.
He turned away. He needed to find Mônda. But anger toward her flared up in his heart like buried coals exposed to the air. Mônda had kept his spirit tied up — away from God — and as Merlin said, she had immediately run to her father’s side. Didn’t she deserve her fate?
But something nudged his heart. He had been guilty too. He’d pushed God away ever since Gwevian had drowned and so had made his heart ripe for Mônda’s plucking. Did he deserve God’s love?
Owain thrust his anger away. He had been given a second chance, and his shame was consumed in the heat of that love. God’s love. Merlin’s love. Now it was his turn to reach out.
Sending up a short prayer that he’d find Mônda at some distance from the Stone, he circled the throng and watched for someone with the dark, flowing hair of his wife, being vigilant to avoid any sight of the blue flames.
Passing by Uther’s warriors, he overheard Tregeagle and Vortigern talking.