LITMIR.BIZ

      Prologue

      ANCIENT BRITAIN BEFORE THE DARK AGES

       The Enchanter looked directly at Lord Ector. “Arthur may not marry the girl,” he said.

      “But why?” Lord Ector protested. “Her father and I have made an agreement that Lynior and Arthur will wed at Beltaine. She is already ripening with his child. It is a good match for a nameless foundling. Lynior is her father’s only child.”

      “You should have consulted me first before you made any life-altering decisions for the lad,” the Enchanter said quietly.

      “Consulted you? You have not been back here since the night you brought Arthur to my wife and me as a newborn infant,” Lord Ector said. “We don’t even know who you are, but since you appeared in our hall in a puff of smoke we assumed you came from the Fair Folk, and it would have been dangerous for us to refuse an emissary of the Fair Folk.”

      “I am Merlin,” the Enchanter said quietly.

      “The king’s Merlin?” Lord Ector was impressed, and perhaps just a little afraid. Merlin, half fairy, half human, was known to be a most powerful sorcerer.

      The Enchanter nodded. “I was in Uther Pendragon’s service once, but the king died thirteen years ago, Ector of Gwynedd. Since then Britain has been at war with itself, as you must surely know. The lesser kings cannot agree on a High King. Now I have called a council to be held in London at the time of the Winter Solstice, which the Christians call Christ’s Mass. The new king will be chosen then by my hand, and you must be there with your fosterling, Arthur, and your son, Cai. You cannot refuse me.”

      “Nay, I cannot,” Lord Ector said, “but why do you forbid Arthur his marriage to Lynior? What difference should it make to you?”

      “Come to London at the Solstice, and you will see,” Merlin replied quietly.

      Lord Ector sighed. “Lynior’s father will be very displeased, especially considering his daughter’s condition.”

      “Tell him that Arthur will, at the proper time, recognize his child, and that neither his daughter nor his grandson will suffer for it. I will personally see that the maiden is given a husband of good family who will cherish her and her child. Tell him that Merlin the Enchanter has made this promise.”

      “I will,” Lord Ector said, nodding, and then he blinked hard, for Merlin was gone. Shaking

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