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'Then it is true?' Bors wondered, turning wide eyes towards Arthur. 'From the moment we made landfall, I have heard nothing but talk of this Holy Grail. I thought it must be one of those peculiar rumours that surface from time to time - like that enormous serpent living in the lake up north.' 'Afanc,' I told him. 'I know a man who saw it snatch one of his cows from the shore of the lake where it was grazing. I myself have seen it.' 'The serpent?' asked Bors in astonishment. 'No, the lake.' They all laughed at this, and Bors thrust the cup into my hands. 'Drink, brother! Ah, but it is good to be back among true friends.' Rhys arrived while Bors was speaking and whispered something to the king. 'I fear, Lord Bors,' said Arthur, 'Gwenhwyvar and I have been called away. We must speak to Myrddin before he disappears again. But you will sit with me at table tonight,' Arthur promised, 'and I will tell you all about the battles you have missed.' The Pendragon and his lady moved away then, and Bedwyr made excuses, too, saying he must see to the night watch and supper for Llenlleawg. He hurried off to order the Cymbrogi, leaving Cai and me to help Bors with the welcome cup. 'Where is our Irishman?' wondered Bors. 'At the shrine,' I answered, and went on to explain about the Fellowship of the Grail. 'We each take it in turn to guard the shrine,' I concluded. 'It was Llenlleawg's bad luck to draw the short straw - he has the watch tonight.' 'Alone?' asked Bors, passing the cup to me. 'Nay,' replied Cai, 'there are eight Cymbrogi with him - or soon will be - so he will not lack for company.' 'When did you arrive?' I asked, taking a drink and passing the cup to Cai. 'At midday, just,' Bors replied. His features grew keen. 'But tell me, have you seen this Grail?' 'Man,' Cai hooted, 'for three whole days I have done little else save stand beside it from dawn to dusk.' 'Where is this shrine?' Bors asked, excitement growing. 'Take me.' 'Now?' said Cai. 'We have just this moment returned from there.' 'Now,' Bors insisted. 'I want to see this marvel for myself. If it is as you say, even a moment is too long to wait.' 'But the shrine is closed now,' I explained. 'Even if it were not, people in their hundreds have waited through the day to see it, and now must wait through the night as well. They stand ahead of you, brother. But never fear, I have the watch tomorrow, and I will take you and make certain you get to see it.' Bors yielded with good grace. 'Very well,' he said, 'if I must wait, then at least I tarry in good company. Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Bless me, but I am sorry I missed the fighting. Was it bad?' 'Bad enough,' I replied. 'The Saecsens were worse, of course, but the Vandali were nearly as bad - fiercest when backed into a corner. Fortunately, Arthur saw to it that did not happen very often. Mostly, we chased them up and down the valleys. They had their women and children with them.' 'God in Heaven!' He shook his head in disbelief. 'Truly,' I declared. 'It seems they had been forced to flee their homeland in the southern seas somewhere, and they were looking for new lands for settlement.' 'They chose the wrong place when they chose Britain,' Bors said. 'They tried lerna first,' I said, 'and when we chased them away from those green hills, they came here. It took the whole summer, but we vanquished them at last. Even so, they have not done too badly.' 'No?' He regarded us dubiously. 'For a truth,' Cai declared, nodding. 'In return for peace and sworn allegiance to the High King, Arthur gave them lands in the north.' 'He never did!' 'Did and done,' I told him, and related the story of how Arthur had undertaken single combat with the Black Boar, and received the deadly wound which ended in the miraculous healing. 'I believe it is for the best,' I concluded. The Grail is established, Britain is at peace, and the Kingdom of Summer is begun. Never has there been a better time to be alive.' Bors regarded me curiously, trying to determine if I was sincere or not. Unable to decide, he reached for [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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