LITMIR.BIZ

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back wall of the smithy and the north wall of the hillfort. Looking east, he saw that the space ran the full length of the north wall behind the stables.

      This must be a hiding place if the hillfort is ever attacked.

      Arthur knew that the north wall was the safest place to hide because the hillfort couldn’t be attacked from that direction. The north wall was on the edge of a cliff that overlooked the village. No enemy could scale the cliff and attack the hillfort without being seen and killed by the guards who patrolled the walls.

      Arthur walked eastward along the north wall. The hidden space ended at the east wall of the hillfort. He turned around and headed back toward the smithy. He had just reached the hidden door in the back of the smithy when he saw a strange shadow close to the hillfort’s west wall. He walked forward, and saw that the shadow was the outline of a small door with sliding iron bolts on both sides keeping it locked.

      Another hidden door! This one must allow anyone hiding here to escape from the hillfort in case of fire or in case the hillfort falls to an enemy. But this wall’s on the side of a cliff. How could someone escape from here?

      Arthur tested the bolts. They didn’t move at first, but he grasped them with both hands. Small flakes of rust fell from the bolts as they finally started moving. He unlocked the door and grabbed an iron handle at the bottom. The door swung up toward him on hinges hidden at the top. Arthur looked up and saw a metal hook hanging on a leather strap above the door. He hooked it to the door handle and stepped outside.

      The north wall of the hillfort was made from timbers rising above an earthwork base that was comprised of boulders and other stones excavated when the site of the hillfort was first cleared. There was a gap between the timbers and the earthworks where Arthur stood. Looking left, he saw a path through the earthworks leading west. He followed it.

      When he reached the end of the path, he found himself on the edge of the cliff overlooking the village. Looking around, he saw what looked like crude steps cut into a path that led along the side of the cliff. He peered over the ledge and saw that the steps appeared to go all the way down the cliff.

      This is definitely an escape path.

      Arthur wanted to explore the path and see where it led, but the sun was sinking lower in the sky, and he didn’t like the idea of trying to climb back up the cliff in the dark. He retraced his steps and entered the hillfort through the secret door. He unhooked it and slid the bolts back into place to lock it. Then he reentered the smithy through the opening in the back wall.

      He had just twisted the sword to lock the wall when the blacksmith noticed him.

      “My Prince! I didn’t know that you were still here. Have you been here the whole time?”

      Arthur turned and nodded. I’ll keep what I discovered today a secret until I can explore the steps in the cliff.

      The blacksmith nodded. “You’re quiet today, my Prince. Is anything wrong?”

      Arthur shook his head. “No, sometimes I just enjoy watching.”

      Shortly after sunset, the blacksmith approached Merlin and Galerius as they walked the perimeter of the hillfort. Merlin’s left leg felt better, and he didn’t have to grip his staff as tightly as usual.

      “Forgive me, Lord Merlin, General Galerius, but I need to tell you something.”

      “What is it?” Merlin asked.

      “Prince Arthur discovered the secret door behind the smithy today.”

      “What secret door?” Galerius asked.

      “When the hillfort was expanded, Uther’s father had a space built behind the smithy and the stables,” Merlin explained. “It was designed as a hiding place in case of attack. You get to it through a false wall in the back of the smithy, and there’s another entrance in the back of one of the stalls in the stables. The space leads to a door through the earthworks at the northwest corner of the hillfort, and there are steps cut into the cliff that can be used to escape down to the village.”

      Galerius looked intrigued. “I’d like to see it for myself.”

      “Are you certain that he found it?” Merlin asked the blacksmith.

      The blacksmith nodded.

      Merlin looked at Galerius. “It appears that our young Prince is a curious lad. We should find ways to focus that curiosity and prepare him for his future, don’t you think?”

      “If he has time to find secret passages out of the hillfort, then I agree with you,” Galerius said. “Perhaps it’s time that Prince Arthur begins his training in how to rule his kingdom and in the arts of war.”

      “Exactly what I was thinking,” Merlin said, smiling. “How do you want to start his training in the arts of war?”

      Galerius looked at the guards changing their posts along the walls. “He should start at the bottom and work his way up the ranks. I’ll start him with the spear. Once he’s mastered that, I’ll teach him archery, then hand-to-hand fighting and knife fighting. When he’s old enough to ride, I’ll teach him how to fight on horseback. He’ll learn the sword last of all.”

      Merlin nodded in approval. “You should know that I’ve had requests from two members of the Council of Kings to let their oldest sons spend a few years up here learning from you and me. They’re both close to Arthur’s age, and it would be good for him to have people his own age to spend time with. I’m perfectly willing to teach them the art of ruling, but do you have any objections teaching the art of warfare to three princes instead of just one?”

      Galerius shook his head. “Who are the kings?”

      “King Cynyr of Gwent wants to send his son Cai, and King Nudd-Lludd of Bryneich wants to send his son Bedwyr. Nudd-Lludd also wants to get his son further north. He believes that Colgrin is up to something, and Nudd-Lludd is concerned that it’s his kingdom Colgrin’s after.”

      “They’re good men,” Galerius noted. “Let them know that I welcome their sons.”

      “I’ll make the arrangements,” Merlin nodded.

      Merlin found Arthur sneaking into the kitchens a short while later.

      “Prince Arthur!” he called out as he approached.

      Arthur faced him with a guilty look on his face. “Yes, Merlin?” he asked.

      “I’ve been searching for you, my Prince. May we walk and talk together?”

      Arthur nodded, and the two walked to the stairs leading to the top of the north wall. Merlin ambled with a slight gimp, and Arthur had to move more slowly than usual to keep from getting too far ahead.

      Merlin leaned on his staff as they looked out over the north walls at village below. Smoke from the cooking fires hung in the air above the houses, and the breeze carried the smells of meats, breads, and other foods up to the hillfort. “I understand that you found the secret door in the north wall today.”

      Arthur nodded.

      “That’s fine work,” Merlin said with a hint of pride in his voice. “Your father was older than you are before he found it, and he only found it because he saw someone coming through the wall in the back of the smithy.”

      “You’re not mad at me, Merlin?”

      Merlin shook his head. “Of course not, my Prince. This is your hillfort. You should know its secrets.”

      “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

      “Not exactly,” Merlin replied. “You’re at an age now when there are things that you need to learn – things that will help you be a great king. If your father were still alive, he’d begin teaching you these things. But he left that responsibility to me. Fortunately, I have someone to help me. General Galerius wants to start training you how to fight. You’ll spend time with him daily. You’ll also be spending time

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