The Broken Kingdom: Episode Two: Arthur's Escape by Angus Donald

Author:Angus Donald [Donald, Angus]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-10T16:00:00+00:00

King Gorlois of Dumnonia threw the large ivory dice rattling into the high-sided tray, waited for them to settle, and scowled at the result. A Horse and a Rose. He glared at the little symbols on the upwards faces of the two dice, as if he could change them by the force of his will. They remained unchanged – a little white etching of a horse’s head on the black die and a swirling red twist depicting a crude flower on the white.

“You lose!” cackled Talek of Elmet, scooping a small pile of misshapen silver coins, old Roman denarii, towards him across the scarred wooden table.

Gorlois frowned, and scratched at his beard.

“Again!” said the King. “I will throw again.” He reached up to his neck with both hands and pulled off a beautiful torc of twisted silver with glowing amber finials. “I wager this against all of your winnings, Talek.” He gestured at the large pile of coins of various shapes and sizes that lay before the swordsman’s place.

“That is too much, Highness,” said Talek. “Your fine silver torc, given to you by Queen Bronwyn, is worth far more than these sad old coins. Were you to lose it . . .”

“I said I would throw again, Talek,” grated Gorlois. “My torc for your hoard.”

“Highness,” said another voice. Gorlois looked up at the nervous young servant hovering at his elbow. He was leaning in, his face close to the King’s. “Highness?”

“Not now. Go away. I am busy,” said Gorlois. He scooped up the two dice.

“Highness, Cathal of Gwent is at the caer gates, with his men. Do I admit him?”

Gorlois turned slightly on his stool, he swung his right arm very fast and slapped the servant hard around the face, sending the poor fellow sprawling away.

“I said – not now!” Gorlois turned back to the tray and threw the dice.

A Rose and Sword. He had lost again. Talek reached forwards and took the torc from its place beside the dice tray. “I take this as my winnings,” Talek said, holding up the silver object between them. “And now I make a gift to you, my King, an act of tribute. Please accept this fine torc from my hand as a mark of my regard for you.”

Gorlois stared at him. Then he grunted something unintelligible and snatched the torc from Talek’s hand. He fixed it back around his neck, then pushed back his stool and stood. The young servant was still on his knees, rubbing the red mark on his cheek. Gorlois loomed over him “Why are you grovelling down there, man? Collect yourself. Go and admit our royal visitor. How dare you leave King Cathal waiting!”

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