King Arthur: The Bloody Cup: Book Three by M. K. Hume

Author:M. K. Hume
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Headline Review
Published: 2010-03-04T06:00:00+00:00

Galahad permitted their beasts to take no rest on the journey to Cadbury. The horses were near to exhaustion when the two warriors reached the southern road leading to the tor. Galahad demanded fresh animals from a group of pilgrims en route to Glastonbury. They saw the red fever in Galahad’s eyes and handed over two of their horses without hesitation. As Galahad spurred his new mount into a gallop, the pilgrims crossed themselves.

Every fibre of Percivale’s being screamed the need for caution, but Galahad’s fervour permitted no argument. In vain, Percivale pointed out that Artor was likely to be absent from Cadbury and could be waiting in Venta Belgarum for more clement weather, in case the damaged Saxon forces of Anderida made another abortive attack on the Celtic forces in the south.

‘All the more cause to hurry in case Artor hasn’t left for the south,’ Galahad insisted.

‘But if he’s gone, we’ll have to follow him!’ Percivale called after the prince’s back. ‘The horses will die if we keep up this speed.’

‘Then they’ll die, and we’ll just take others,’ Galahad shouted back.

Eventually, in an exhausted daze, Percivale glimpsed Cadbury Tor pointing skywards like the index finger of some buried giant, and he thanked God for His mercy. At the wall that ringed the tor, the sentries told unsettling news. The king was absent from Cadbury. Galahad ordered the king’s steward to send a courier to Artor with a simple message.

‘What you seek is found. Return to Cadbury.’

Privately, Percivale was furious. Galahad’s eagerness had told the entire west, and its many enemies, that they had discovered information of great importance.

The court boiled with curiosity after the return of Percivale and Galahad. Within a few hours, Balyn and Balan also arrived to report to the king on other security matters, so the court was set abuzz with rumours before a single night had elapsed. Percivale thanked God that the arrival of the twins had diverted some attention away from Galahad’s crazed intensity.

Modred appeared unconcerned by the frenzied activity in Cadbury but he listened in corners more than usual. Wenhaver was sullen with resentment; when she summoned Galahad to her bower, the young man refused point blank to tell her why he had returned to the court in such haste.

‘But I’m your queen,’ she demanded, her chin lifted arrogantly. ‘I insist that you impart to me the reason for your return to Cadbury. I speak for the king!’

‘No, Your Majesty. I am on pain of death from King Artor not to discuss my mission with any person other than my liege lord, the High King himself,’ Galahad replied evenly, and all her threats and tantrums had no effect.

When Wenhaver remembered that Percivale was also present at the court, she demanded his presence in her bower. Artor’s warrior choked at the summons.

What could he say?

Artor might have affection for him as a friend and body servant, but Wenhaver had no reason to care a jot for him. In fact, Wenhaver resented Artor’s friends and was inclined to believe that they conspired with Artor against her.

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