Merlin's Ring by H. Warner Munn

Author:H. Warner Munn
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-09-03T09:29:59+00:00

Some were of fine Toledo and Damascus make; a few had high-sounding names engraved upon the blades of this queen of weapons; others were splendid because of their jewel-encrusted hilts.

It was an excellent spot to leave Durandal, Gwalchmai thought, but he did not like to risk such a unique treasure, whose future value to France Merlin had confirmed.

He looked about for a safer nook than on the open wall. The wagoner and Corenice were both on their knees, with heads bowed before the altar. Saint Catherine looked benignly down upon them all.

Gwalchmai wondered to whom Corenice was praying in this holy place and if she prayed for health or something less personal. She had seldom asked her goddess for anything for herself.

Neither was looking at him. He heard voices outside, but before anyone could enter, he went forward quickly. There was a narrow space between the altar and the wall, sufficient to accept the sword.

He slipped it into the gap as though into a sheath. When he released the hilt, Durandal slid out of sight and he heard it gratingly fall even farther as though there was a deeper hole, perhaps a crypt or compartment behind the altar.

He felt satisfied. Unless the altar was removed or the shrine deserted and torn down, neither of which contin-gencies seemed likely in view of its popularity, Roland’s. sword was safe. Now his errand was completed and he could devote his attention to other important-matters.

He touched Corenice on the shoulder. Her eyes were closed and her body swayed against him. Her face was pale. With a cry, he caught her tight against him. Her hands were burning hot

At that moment a middle-aged couple entered, smiling at first to see them thus, though a little surprised at their choice of place.

However, the wise, knowing eyes of the woman saw at once that this was not an act of courtship and she came up to see if she could be of some help. An instant’s examination told her all she needed to know. She turned to Gwalchmai.

“When is she expecting?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Gwalchmai was taken aback.

“How long before the child will be born? Surely you know you are going to be a father?”

He mutely shook his head.

The woman sniffed. “You men are all fools. If she was a mare or a cow, 111 wager you’d know to the minute when one would foal or the other calve. That would be money in your purse, wouldn’t it? You’d be interested in that, ey? This might cost you something, so you hope it won’t happen or pretend it isn’t so. Just like my old man!”

Her words were harsh, but she regarded the couple fondly.

“Sometimes I wonder why God made men and what women see in them! Great hairy, dirty, stupid things—always cursing and killing each other! Get her out in the air. This smoke is enough to choke a mule!”

They quickly carried Corenice out and laid her on the grass. It was not long before she opened her eyes and tried to sit up.

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