before losing consciousness was Kernunnos slipping toward him through a haze. Before his face he held Uther’s bloodstained sword pointing to the moon.
CHAPTER 24
OATHS UNTAKEN
With a start, Merlin found his blotched eyesight had returned. In his hands he still held Uther’s sword. His arms throbbed as if he’d been holding it for hours.
“Merlin?” said a voice nearby. It was gravelly, and the person spoke slowly.
“I’m here.”
“It is I … Colvarth, and I hold a rag for you to clean the blade.”
Merlin felt a wet cloth touch his left hand. Taking it, he wiped down the sword until the metal felt clean and cold, finally drying it with the other end of the rag.
“Let us … take the blade to Uther, and when he is ready, he will … ask you to swear fealty.”
Thunder sounded in the distance as Colvarth took Merlin’s arm and led him back to the Judgment Rock, where Uther again sat before the villagers.
Merlin held out the sword, hilt first, and Uther received it.
“My thanks, Merlin. You are dismissed for the moment.”
Colvarth directed him to a place on the grass next to Owain, who spoke to him. “Why the trouble cleaning Uther’s sword? Are you well?”
“I have a heavy burden. I can’t it explain now.”
Apparently he had missed some proceedings, for Abbot Crogen spoke. “And so, my lord, we ask for justice as well as help regarding the burning of our abbey.”
“Do you have witnesses against the druidow?”
“Yes, my lord. Two of our number witnessed three druidow lighting fire to the thatch roofs. Brother Melor and Brother Herrik, please step forward.”
Uther examined them, asking details of how they knew the torch wielders had been druidow. Then he called for other testimony.
To Merlin’s surprise, his father stepped forward.
“Yes, my lord, I was here on the village green last night prior to the burning of the abbey, and three druidow wearing the same clothing the monks described lit torches in my presence and ran eastward toward the abbey.”
Uther asked a few more questions, then, apparently convinced by the answers, he dismissed Owain. “My judgment goes against Mórganthu and the druidow. Tregeagle, approach.”
The magister stood before the High King.
“Tregeagle … as I must meet Gorlas at Dintaga, I charge you to exact the equivalent of five gold coins from the druidow as recompense to the monks of Bosvenna Abbey. You may collect cattle, clothing, coins, or any other possession of theirs.”
“Assuredly, my lord, without delay.”
“That is well,” Uther said. “And to assure the good abbot of your faithful collection, I ask you to pay him now.”
Tregeagle gulped loudly. “Now, splendid lord?”
“Yes, of course. From your treasury.”
“But —”
Uther sat forward. “You are planning to make Mórganthu pay, are you not?”
“Yes, but —” Tregeagle stammered.
“Is there a problem?”
“Splendid lord … I did not bring such a sum.”
Uther stood, holding his new blade in the air as if he was inspecting it. “Assuredly you did.”
Merlin’s father whispered. “He’s taking his sword and slicing Tregeagle’s belt …”
The belt fell ringing to the rock, and some of the coins rolled away.
Owain laughed. “Tregeagle’s going to faint!”
“Take five and pay the good abbot.”
“My lord,” Crogen protested, “three would suffice.”
“Five,” Uther said. “You must purchase supplies as well as pay the workers. And this amount still does not cover the lost years of work on the Scriptures. There is no price that can be put on such labors.”
Tregeagle groaned as he knelt to pick up his severed belt and scrabble after the lost coins.
Merlin could imagine how red his face must be as the magister slowly stood and dropped the coins into the abbot’s hand.
Tregeagle turned to leave, but Uther called him back. “Five. Your ability to count has grown stale, my magister.”
“Ah … yes, lord.” Tregeagle turned back to Crogen, dropped the final coin clinking into Crogan’s hands, then stepped off the rock.
“God’s blessings be upon you, my lord,” Abbot Crogen said once Tregeagle had gone.
Uther took a happy, babbling Arthur in his arms and sat down again. “Merlin, step forward so I may receive your fealty of servitude.”
Merlin let out his breath and bowed his head. How he wished that his father hadn’t pledged him. Why now — right when the two of them had finally grown close? A few steps, a few words, and his life would change forever. There would be no going back. He would have to leave Bosventor, his friends, and his family. Was this really the penance that Merlin’s father had to pay? Couldn’t they work this out some other