Pendragon: the Beginnings: King Arthur / Pendragon Series

By Anthony Lyle

Much has been written about the Arthurian legends, but very little has been done in the way of giving background to where the legends came from. His ancestors, early Britons were the first to break away from Romes grip. This story is about the grandfather of Arthur and tells about the early formations of the kingdoms of Britain and the Celts and how they broke away from Rome. It includes the early years of Merlin as well and the formation of the sword Excalibur.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: May 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466933507

Anthony Lyle

Anthony Lyle is a father, a grandfather, and a great grandfather. A truck driver, a programmer, and a brief stint in the Air Force during Vietnam. His wife passed away some years ago from cancer and has since remained a widower. He cares a great deal about his step-daughters and family. He has no main ties to any particular Christian denomination, but is a devout believer in Jesus Christ and God. He has spent some 30 years researching and studying the Bible, archaeology, world history, and some of the sciences such as Physics, Chemistry, Geology, and Biology to get a full round picture of the world. His objective is to help others understand their place in the Plan of God.

Book preview

PART 1

THE LOSS OF INNOCENCE

CHAPTER 1

He glanced around him as the silence of the dark night was broken by the sharp snap of a twig nearby. He tried to see which tree might be hiding whatever his imagination could conjure up for him without revealing his face, hidden behind the hood held around his face. The dark was heavy, and there was no moon tonight, and the fog and clouds added to the eerie night.

Nothing! He took a deep breath and kept very still as his horse slowly walked through the ominous-looking trees. Where were they? They said they would be here. He swallowed as he looked around seeing the odd shapes of the branches as they formed monstrous shapes.

Were you going to ride on by? The voice startled him, and he jerked in his seat, grabbing at his dagger without even thinking.

Ah! He recognized the voice after his startled reaction, and now he was embarrassed. I hate these cursed swamps. I wish you would choose a place that was a little less dangerous. Who knows what foul creatures hang out in these places? He was angry at the voice now for scaring the living daylights out of him!

He heard the light chuckle as he saw a form step out from behind a tree, and he strained to see more clearly as the hooded shape came toward him. A gloved hand reached out and took the bridle of his horse, and then the dark form removed the hood from his head.

He breathed a sigh of relief then. Voices could be imitated. The dark hair against the white face was something he could recognize. The man holding his bridle looked up at him. So, what is the news that I request?

He knew that the dark figure would not waste time on pleasantries. King Anglican is considering the future of his daughter.

Ah… But she is still young. The voice knew of the girl, a princess.

Yes, his plans are for finding her a suitor within the next couple of months, but the arrangements could take longer so that she will be old enough when he’s found her a suitable prince.

I see… The dark form raised his other hand to his beard and rubbed his chin in thought. I see. This is what I’ve been waiting for, for sure. You’ve done well this time. The hand disappeared and then reappeared with a small bag that the rider suddenly saw coming toward him. He reached out and caught the bag and quickly weighed it in his hand. Felt like it was enough. He was very good at gold.

Then wishing to impress the dark one with his understanding, he said, You’re thinking that young Saxon might just be that suitor. He saw the quick glance of the face toward him, but no answer. The silence was like an accusation. Maybe the rider had outwitted himself. Maybe he wasn’t supposed to know of the plans.

I’d better be heading back. I don’t want anyone to know I’m gone. He broke the embarrassing silence himself since the dark one was still watching him. The dark one let his bridle go and nodded.

Yes… Notify me when you have something new. There was no thank-you or gratitude from the dark one as he turned and disappeared behind the trees, and then he was gone. The rider was alone!

He sighed and pulled the bridle that would turn his horse back the way they had come. He sometimes wondered if he was doing the right thing. King Anglican was a good man, but he seemed to be too weak to handle the political struggles that were headed their way. It was obvious that if someone didn’t take the lead soon, there would be war in the land, and that would end up in a lot of deaths. King Anglican just didn’t seem to understand that.

Still, the rider worried that he might be trusting the wrong person here. The dark one was strong and crafty. He would lead the country, and they might even be able to break the bonds of the Romans, and then they would all be free. That would be good. No more war and no more taxes to pay to those damned Romans. Plus the invaders of the east, the Celts, would not be a threat any longer either. Briton would be a united place where a man could live in peace.

The hoot of an owl broke the night, and he jerked in the saddle as he was startled out of his thoughts back to the dark reality of the world around him at the moment. Ah, to be back in his bed, safe and sound from this horrid swamp. He inhaled deeply, but quietly so as not to attract attention to himself.

The horse’s head raised and lowered as there was a scurrying, and he thought that he heard it all around him. Something was there. He snapped the bridle against the rump of the horse and gave a kick. Yah! He leaned forward in the saddle prepared for the horse to gallop. Whatever it was was not going to get him! He felt the scrape on his shoulder and then cried out as something snagged him from the saddle. He felt his body jerk with the force of the fall against the cold, hard ground, and he cried out as he felt the scrape on his cheek where something had grazed him! He scrambled to his feet prepared for battle as he jerked his dagger from its leather scabbard at his belt.

Gwynn held the stick in her hand and smiled at her foe. Take that, you wicked monster. She flashed forward in good style, having taken lessons from her nanny, who happened to know a good deal about those things for a nanny. She struck at the monster, confident that she would not lose to this beast. She heard his growl, and she laughed.

You call that a scary growl?

The boy that was facing her laughed. My bite is worse than my growl, he answered in retort. But that meager sword will not stop me. He tried to slide past her, but she maneuvered the stick, and he found the point at his throat. She was good, he had to admit that. She was better than he was.

She laughed as she pushed him backward gently so as not to really hurt him. He backed up and put on a look of mock horror as he backed into the solid rock wall. She laughed as he flattened against the wall. Surrender, you monster, and submit to the dungeons where at least you will have life in your veins.

He laughed as she lowered the stick from his throat. The game was done, and he had lost. She was a tough playmate for a girl and for a king’s daughter at that. His father had laughed at him about Gwynn telling him that if he were to conquer her, and that was unlikely as he was just a Smythe boy, she would be more than enough for Anthyn to handle.

His father knew the king’s family well as his father was the royal Smythe, but that was partly because he was the only Smythe in town. Yet his father was the best in all the country of Briton. There were few who could forge a sword like his father. He had seen his father’s handiwork, a sword of the finest steel around. He never knew where his father got the material to make such a weapon as they weren’t really wealthy, but that was not his business to question his father. He had seen the sword only a few times once when it was done, and then it had been hidden away. He hadn’t seen it since.

True, though, Gwynn was not like other girls that he knew, and not just because she was the king’s daughter. She was really stubborn and headstrong. She didn’t want to play girlish games like pretending to be a family. Rather, she wanted to play games where there was swordplay and monsters and evil wizards and such. She was really a lot of fun, but she was good. She often won in their mock battles!

She laughed as she lowered her stick to her side. How did you do that? he asked her. She knew what he was asking, and she raised her sword away from him and did the little circling motion that brought her sword from one direction to another quickly so that one might think they could get past it but find themselves at the mercy of the tip.

He took the sword, and she began to show him how to make the motion. She had given him many such lessons, lessons that her nanny had taught her. Another person that Anthyn really admired.

The nanny was a large strong woman. She was very heavy, but the weight was more than just fat. It was a lot of muscle too, and not many men would mess with the nanny. That was why she had been chosen as the nanny of the princess of Angletown. No one would mess with Gwynn without having to first mess with Nanny.

Just then, Nanny approached with a frown. She watched as Gwynn showed Anthyn the movement that she had done. No, no… that’s not right at all. Look here. She took the stick away without any qualms about upsetting Gwynn. She made the motion, and it didn’t seem to Anthyn that there was much difference, but he knew that there must be something different in the way she did it, or she would not have corrected Gwynn.

Gwynn frowned and took the stick and made the motion again. There! That’s better. Now you try it, Anthyn. Nanny smiled, and Anthyn tried it, but he was less adept than Gwynn, and Nanny shook her head sadly. Guess we’re just going to have to show him better. And so the lesson proceeded as they practiced the motions of the sword.

Della watched out the window of her room through the curtains as her handmaiden brushed her hair. She could see the three of them practicing the sword motions, and she shook her head in frustration. Gwynn was supposed to be a lady, not a warrior. She knew that Gwynn was headstrong, and she wondered if the girl would ever outgrow her desire to be a boy!

The handmaiden shook her head and clucked her tongue. That girl! When is she ever going to settle down and be a princess rather than some tomboy?

Della smiled. Her handmaiden was as loyal as they come and took care of her every need, but she was a terrible gossip and critical analyzer of every situation. That was actually part of the reason that Della kept her around. She found out all kinds of things from her handmaiden, not one to ever be able to keep anything to herself for more than a moment.

Della smiled and waited, knowing that soon more would be coming.

And another thing… Why do you insist on letting her hang out with that Smythe boy? I mean, it ain’t right. He’s not good enough for her… being just a Smythe boy and all. His father’s nice enough and all, and he’s got the looks, but since his wife died of the plague, he ain’t very sociable as he used to be, and mind you, the boy will grow up to be just like his father… But no matter what, you don’t take the Smythe out of the man. Once a low-class worker, like me’self, then it’s hard to rise up, and Gwynn, well, she needs someone… you know… more royal.

Um-hm… Della gave a brief acknowledgement that the handmaiden was talking.

Now, I hear that Prince Saxon is a good-looking lad. Kind of egotistical, but at least he’s royal. She could do worse by him. I hear tell that the king is looking for a suitor for Gwynn and the Saxon lad might be just the thing…

She pulled the brush through the long hair as Della watched the three and smiled. Maybe it was as it should be after all. Listening to her handmaiden gave her a good perspective. She saw that Gwynn was not going to settle for just anyone. And she doubted that she would settle for anyone that the king chose. Not that Gwynn hated her father. No, the two adored each other, but they bickered constantly and more so as the girl got older. No one dared to talk to Anglican the way Gwynn did.

Della smiled as she remembered the last argument they had and how it had embarrassed the guards and the councilors that Anglican kept around him. How come Anglican didn’t do something about that girl? Della smiled. She knew the answer to that.

Anglican saw the sun rise and set on the girl. He would die if anything happened to Gwynn, and Gwynn knew it. And while Gwynn adored her father just as much, she certainly pushed the limits, and then she would giggle when Anglican would stutter as she baffled him with her illogical logic. He would turn red and turn away as though totally angry with her, but Della, again, knew that he was not.

When they were alone, Anglican would laugh. Della, why don’t you control that girl?

Della would look at him and challenge him with the same question. He would bluster, "Well, that would be like controlling you, and we both know how difficult that is." He would then go off to his toilet and go to bed.

Don’t you agree?

Hmm? Oh, I’m sorry, I seemed to have been concentrating on what goes on down there and I didn’t hear that last part, dear.

I said, don’t you agree that Gwynn needs someone more royal?

Hmmm, I’m not sure I do… , Della answered thoughtfully. I think she needs someone strong and dependable.

Her handmaiden gasped. I swear, m’lady… I don’t know what you’re thinking most of the time. I would think a good mother would want the best for her daughter.

Della turned at that, and the handmaiden covered her mouth in shock that she had said that. I’m sorry… I didn’t mean…

Della smiled and patted her shoulder. "I know what you meant, but actually, I do want the best for Gwynn. I’m just not sure what the best is for her. I’m not sure that finding someone royal is necessarily the best, Hannah."

Ah… well, maybe you’re right… You know, I heard tell that… Hannah was off on telling what she knew of one of the princes farther to the east of Angletown. Della smiled and listened to the tales of the scoundrel prince of Eastex.

King Saxon sat across the table from the Roman governor. I’m in the process of trying to unite the kingdom so that you won’t have to use your Roman soldiers to keep the peace. This should be something that you would want.

That depends. What if this united island of misfits decides to revolt? That wouldn’t be good for me, would it?

Saxon held his tongue. He knew how to keep a straight face when he wanted to. He forced a smile and shook his head as if that was a ridiculous notion. What would happen to this island of ours if we didn’t have the Romans to help us?

That is a good point. Without us here to keep the peace, you would all kill each other.

Exactly, and then there is the Holy See, the Bishop of Rome. Our churches would be without leadership.

Yes… there is that. So what is it you want from me?

Stay out of the affairs for a bit. Saxon placed a bag of gold on the table. He smiled. I’m sure that a man like you can find a good reason to let the island smooth its own affairs out without Roman bloodshed… until the time comes, that is.

The Roman looked at the bag. He smiled slightly and reached for the bag. I think it’s time I visited Caesar anyway. He is probably wondering about a report.

Gwynn and Anthyn were alone, and she sat on the stone couch in the garden. She glanced around, and Anthyn knew something was up. He looked around as well and smiled. I don’t see Nanny anywhere. I think the coast is clear.

Gwynn smiled at him and then reached inside her pocket. She pulled out something; Anthyn couldn’t quite make it out. And then he saw that there were two of them. She smiled and handed one of them out to him.

Here… I had Roger cut this coin in two pieces.

Anthyn frowned in puzzlement as he took the half of the coin. He looked and saw that the cut was jagged and rough. He wondered why Roger had made it so when he knew that it could have been cut cleanly with an even cut. He looked at it and then at the half coin that she had. She smiled and took his back from him and put the pieces together. See, they fit.

He frowned. I don’t understand…

She shook her head. Anthyn, this is a sign that we will always be friends. The light flooded in, and he began to understand. This was one of those girl things that she could revert to when it suited her purposes, but no matter. He understood that this was a good thing. He instinctively understood that he should not make fun of this.

I will keep half and, you will have half, and that way we will never forget one another, she told him, and she handed his half back to him. Plus, they are cut so that no one will ever be able to duplicate the halves… one of a kind.

Anthyn smiled at her. He remembered what his father had told him. Anthyn, you’re looking at a broken heart. She’s royalty, and you’re just a lowly Smythe. One day, she’s going to grow up, and she’s going to get married, and it won’t be to you. It wasn’t said to be cruel, but Anthyn felt it was at the moment. Still he saw the sadness in his father’s eyes, and he knew that his father was just trying to warn him.

At this moment, those words seemed very far away. He looked into her eyes, and he saw the gleam that gave her life. Her hair, her raised cheekbones, her nose—everything was just perfect.

He took the coin and put it into his pocket. She took hers as well and put it away. Now don’t tell anyone as this is just between you and me.

He inhaled. I’ve heard that your father is looking for someone to… uh… for you to…

She looked away angrily. I won’t marry whoever he picks. I want the right to choose my own husband. She turned to him and saw his worry. She smiled. Don’t worry, Anthyn. I won’t marry anyone else.

His face brightened then as he had heard it right from her own lips. It was the first time that they had talked about such things as feelings like this, but he felt such a relief. He felt like his head was spinning and the world was a grand place to live. The sky was suddenly bluer, and the grass was greener, and the bench was a wonderful place to sit, not the cold, hard bench that he was used to.

But… what about your father? He didn’t want to let his feelings get dashed. Don’t worry about him. King or no king, he is always my father, she answered with a gleam in her eyes.

He looked down at the bench. But, Gwynn, I’m just a Smythe… I’m not royal.

She frowned at him and looked away. Anthyn! I’ve known you for all my life, and I’ve never heard you say that. She didn’t find his self-pity very appealing at the moment, but she knew what he was saying was true.

He sighed. Maybe you deserve better.

She got up angrily and stalked off. He called out to her, Gwynn, wait! What did I say?

She left him as she hurried past Nanny, who had heard everything said no matter that they didn’t see her. Nanny stopped Anthyn with a strong hand on his shoulder as he started to go past. She understood both sides of the conversation, and she knew that Gwynn wasn’t so upset with Anthyn as he thought right now. Gwynn was upset at the truth, which Anthyn had spoken in his ignorance. Lord knows that you tell a girl who’s telling you that she cares about you, the truth!

Give her some time, Anthyn. She’ll get over it.

But what did I say?

Nothin’ . . . That wasn’t true… But don’t you worry none. I know Gwynn, and she’ll come around.

Anthyn sighed. Women… I think my father was right. He stopped cold as he realized whom he was talking to. Nanny laughed.

Yes, lad, you just keep that in mind, what your father says… He’s a good man. Nanny turned him toward the garden and told him to run along.

Anthyn took the half coin out and looked at it, and then the slight fight was gone as he remembered the feelings of the sky being so blue. His father noticed his lightheaded behavior and knew that something was up.

I take it that you and Gwynn talked today? The sound of the hammer landing on the metal anvil forging a farm tool rang through the air.

Yes, he answered without thinking. And then he realized that his father had guessed. He blushed. I… well, I tried to listen to you… but…

His father laughed and nodded sadly. Well, I hope it goes as your head is thinking it will, but I fear the worst in this case.

I understand.

Unknown to anyone else, Della had also seen what had transpired, and she smiled to herself, but she was also worried. She was worried for both their sakes. It would be terribly painful for both if things didn’t work out, and she was well aware that things often didn’t work the way they were planned. She sighed as she closed the curtain and listened to the droning on of her handmaiden talking to her now about the Saxon prince. She forced a weak smile at Hannah and pretended to listen. Sometimes the girl could talk for hours!

Another silent figure was standing on the other side of the wall, and he heard the events. While it might have seemed to have been an unimportant event between two youngsters, he understood the long-term consequences to the plans of his benefactor. He would need to report this right away. He hurried away to plan another trip to the swamp.

He brushed his cheek where the tree branch had scraped him and left a slightly small scar. That had taken some explaining. Fortunately, no one had been there to see his embarrassing battle with the small tree branch that had knocked him off his horse. He had pulled his dagger just in time to save himself from the shadows of the branch falling at his feet, where it had snapped off due to the force of his face against it.

He had picked it up in disgust and then tossed it aside angrily, and then he walked quickly forward to find his horse, which he had known to be just up ahead. He could see the shadow of the horse in the darkness. He had snapped another twig and jumped. Damn this cursed swamp! God sure made a mistake when he allowed this useless waste of land to be made, he spoke aloud to calm himself down.

Inside he was still shaking from the fright he had taken. He was angry at the tree and at himself for being such a coward. Beaten and unhorsed by a tree! Bah! He caught the bridle of the horse and swung himself into the saddle and gave a quick kick to the horse’s sides.

But now, he would have to make another trip into that cursed place. Damn, but this was news that he was certain would bring a gold piece or two. He went off to his room and wrote on the parchment. He rolled it and sealed it and called to a messenger, a runner that would deliver the message, and handed the boy a coin. Don’t let anyone see you. This is secret.

The boy nodded and left. It was not the first time this boy had delivered the strange messages to the king of Saxontown. He hurried off and hoped that he wasn’t killed along the way. He was the fastest runner in the area. He had won many a festival race for his swiftness.

Anglican shook his head. We don’t have to resort to war to pull this country together, he argued with the adviser.

Dwayne tried to reason with Anglican. But, sire, war is imminent if something isn’t done. Rumors are that the king of Eastex sees you as weak and feels that he is strong enough to run this country and run those cursed Romans out of here for the last time.

And what is so wrong about the Romans? They don’t bother us.

But they rule over us, and they tax us to death!

Ah… a few taxes… But they supply armies that will protect us from the invading Celts. Anglican waved his hand off as if waving off a fly.

They are aware of the dangers of the Celts, and they aren’t doing a thing about it! That lazy Augustian that they sent is a good-for-nothing leader of the Roman armies. He’s more concerned about getting back to Rome and dining on the best of the land. He’s a politician and not a military man. I tell you that he has no interest in protecting us from the Celts or from each other for that matter.

Anglican knew that was true about Augustian. The young man was lazy and good for nothing. He was more interested in being wined and dined by the local kings, and the more they dined him, the more loyal he was—until someone else dined him better! It was the sad truth, but still, the Romans were still strong. They had put down an uprising in Western Europe by the Moors, and their power was still strong throughout Europe. At a moment’s notice, they could send a force into Briton that would destroy them all. Anglican wasn’t looking for that!

And I hear tell that the witch Mariah is gaining power in the north where the Celts already have a hold on some small hidden towns in the forests up there. She’s a threat to us, I tell you.

Mariah? Why wasn’t I told that she is leading? Anglican had heard of the witch. She was powerful from all the rumors, but he didn’t listen to all the rumors. They were often the tales of frightened superstitious people. However, behind every rumor was some truth, and that bothered him.

I thought I had, sire… Sorry… But anyway, she is raising a force that is getting ready to wipe us off the face of the island, Dwayne argued.

Anglican sighed. I think it’s time we raise an army, Dwayne.

Dwayne smiled, but he wasn’t finished. Sire, might I suggest that we join with someone. Two forces are always better than one.

Blast you, Dwayne. Don’t push me. I’m well aware of that fact. However, I don’t see much of anyone around here that I can trust.

But what about King Saxon?

He seems honorable enough, but one never knows… There seems to be something that I don’t quite like.

But he’s a God-fearing man, and he has the best interests of Briton at heart.

Anglican looked at Dwayne. Dwayne blushed. From what I hear.

You hear a lot, Dwayne. How is that?

Dwayne smiled. It’s my job to hear what’s going on, sire. That’s why you have me here.

Yes, true indeed… Okay, well, first things first. We need to raise an army.

So far so good. The rider looked around nervously. He shouldn’t be so afraid. After six trips, he had not once been attacked, but there was a first time for everything. He heard the voice and jumped. Damned, I wish you wouldn’t do that!

The dark one smiled, but it was unseen. What news do you have?

Well, it would seem that as innocent as childhood loves go, that Gwynn has her heart set on the young Smythe boy. They’ve made a tryst together.

You brought me out here to tell me about some young puppy love! The dark one was not happy.

I know, I know. It seems innocent enough, but I don’t think you understand how headstrong the Gwynn girl is. She’s the only one in the kingdom that actually argues with her father!

That seemed to cause the dark one to pause. He raised his hand and pulled at his beard in thought. Yes… yes… you might have a point. I’ve heard tales of that myself… and not just from you. Perhaps you are correct. I should give this some thought. Perhaps this could be a roadblock to my son. After all, while as good looking as they come, my son can be a bit pompous for his own good.

Yes, he answered without thinking, agreeing with the king.

The snap of the king’s head made the rider realize what he had agreed with. I… I mean, I understand your concerns, not that young Prince Saxon is a bad catch.

There seemed to be a glare, and then the dark one turned to think. Okay, I’ll accept this as valid news. The hand disappeared, and then a bag was coming at him. The rider caught the bag and weighed it in his hand. It was a good sum. He smiled to himself.

Keep your eyes open. I may need your help in resolving this, the dark hooded man spoke. It might be unimportant, but I can’t afford to take any risks. I’ll deal with this directly. Young Gwynn is about to meet her match. I’m not the pushover that her father is.

The rider wondered again for the fiftieth time if he was doing the right thing. The kingdom of Briton was at stake.

The rider looked around, wary about being attacked by some tree branch a second time! He was not about to be knocked from his horse again! Damn cursed swamp!

Gwynn wasn’t angry any longer just as Nanny had said. She was her old self again, and she was the monster this time as he held the stick in his hand. Then they both had sticks and were sparring with each other as Nanny gave suggestions and went about her gardening around the two. Nanny had a basket and was picking some flowers for her room to keep the dank smell away.

Anthyn couldn’t have been happier himself. Life was worth living as he backed up to her onslaught. He laughed as she pulled his stick from his hand with expertise that was shocking. He held up his hands and then sank down to his knee and bowed his head. I surrender. Do with me what you want, fair maiden.

Suddenly, she dropped the stick to his shoulder, and Anthyn thought he was about to be beheaded. Instead, she laid the stick on his shoulder and announced, I now pronounce you to be Sir Anthyn, beloved warrior of the queen Gwynn.

Nanny perked up and watched the display. Anthyn too looked up in surprise, and he saw her eyes dancing. There! Now you will never need to think of yourself as just a Smythe again! You are a true warrior, Gwynn announced, and Anthyn stood up, his eyes bright. After the slight tiff they had had last time, he understood. This was her answer. He was not just a Smythe!

His eyes teared slightly as he was touched by the moment. He hadn’t cried since his mother had died of the plague, and he hadn’t even been allowed to say good-bye. He wasn’t allowed to come near the house while she was gripped with it. He never saw her last days.

Gwynn realized how touched he was, and she let her smile fade, but not completely. There, Anthyn, she repeated. It’s settled. She turned and left him, and he was sure that he had seen her tear up some too, but she was a proud one herself. He quickly turned and left the garden to think about what she had done.

Nanny watched as they both had turned to go home without a word of good-bye. She smiled as she saw the two of them. She understood that they both would have tough times ahead of them. She wondered if it would all work out for them. She doubted it and shook her head sadly as she bent over to pick a rose, and she held the rose up to her nose. Ah, if life was as simple as all that! She put the rose into the basket and followed Gwynn into the castle.

Anthyn was walking on clouds, his eyes raised to the skies as he smiled on his way home. Yes, it was going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay.

He could barely get his chores done that day, as he was so lost in the clouds that he kept fumbling with the water buckets, and then he spilled some of the goat’s milk and finally cut his finger while cutting some bread.

His father took his hand and glanced at it. He sniffed and let go of the hand. Not nearly as bad as your head’s going to be if you don’t get it back on the ground. He didn’t look at Anthyn, but Anthyn smiled. His father understood.

They were just ready to blow out the candles when there was a slight knock on the door. Smythe looked at his son. Wonder who that could be at this hour?

He cracked open the door. Ye… ? Suddenly, the door slammed open, pushing Smythe onto his back, and three men burst into the room. Anthyn gasped in shock and jumped to his feet, but one of the men headed toward him and cracked his skull. Anthyn cried out as the blow sent stars, and for one moment, he saw blackness and then the candle as he felt someone lift him over his shoulder and he opened his eyes.

He saw his father, blood running from a wound in his head as well. His father was lying on the floor, unconscious. Father! he cried out and struggled, but someone grabbed his hands and tied them behind his head, and then they tossed him, gagged, into the back of a wagon. He stared helplessly as he saw the last horror before losing consciousness—that of his home burning with his father inside!

CHAPTER 2

Anglican held his head. Did anyone see it happen?

Dwayne inhaled deeply. He looked away and answered that several had seen the fire and came running. Most of them had been in bed when they heard the noises, and they came running to see. A few thought they saw Smythe crawling on the floor inside the door, but he was trapped in the fire. Then a few minutes later, the entire building collapsed.

It was late. Anglican had been disturbed from his own sleep, but this was important. Not only had he lost the best Smythe he’d ever known, but his daughter had also lost someone important to her. He decided against waking her at the moment, but it was not going to be easy to tell her that Anthyn was gone and probably dead. No one knew where he was.

The witnesses were few except for the few who happened to be awake still at that late hour and had heard the ruckus and had come running, but every report was that the wooden house was an inferno very quickly, the wood being dry. Smythe didn’t have a chance to escape. The funny part was that he was crawling around on the floor. Why was that? What was Smythe doing on the floor?

Something happened, and Anglican wasn’t sure that it was good. And why didn’t they see Anthyn also crawling around the floor. He had suspicions that Anthyn was already dead or wasn’t there. At that late hour? It didn’t make any sense. He held his head.

At that moment, his beloved wife burst into the room. Husband, I have received awful news… Is it true?

Yes, my dear, I’m afraid it is. I was just about to send out a search party to find out who performed this treachery. He turned to Dwayne. I want to send out a search party.

Dwayne looked puzzled and surprised. Excuse me, sire?

I said I want a search party. Didn’t some of the witnesses say that they saw a man leaving in a wagon?

Uh… well, yes, but it was just some traveler.

Find him. I want him in for questioning. Anglican issued the order. There was something amiss here, and maybe this traveler knew something. Now, don’t waste another moment.

Dwayne hurried off. He found the guards and explained what the order was. They rushed off, and a within a short time, the horses were racing off.

Dwayne rushed back to the king still sitting, holding his head in his hands. I’ve sent the search team.

Thank you. The king didn’t look up. He held his head. Gwynn was going to be devastated. He didn’t want to be the one to tell her. He was hoping that there was foul play because then at least Anthyn would be alive. Bringing Anthyn into the castle would be the best option. Anthyn, even at an early age, would be the next best candidate for a Smythe, and it would be good for Gwynn as well—if he was alive. Anglican hoped that he was alive.

He couldn’t for the life of him see why anyone would take Anthyn, and he couldn’t see Anthyn leaving his father to die. None of that made sense. The only real answer was that Anthyn was in the building when it collapsed, and he and his father were both dead. That was the only sensible answer, but it wasn’t a good one. He stayed in the chair and waited. He prayed for some sign as to what to do.

Gwynn sobbed in her bed as Nanny told her the news. She wouldn’t believe that Anthyn was dead. He just couldn’t be. He was the only one that she would ever be with.

"Hurry up with the lad. We don’t want to be caught holding him. The king and the people will have our necks. And I don’t have to tell ya that knocking that lamp over before you left is making us guilty of murder. We weren’t supposed to harm anyone. Saxon is not going to be happy about this. No one was supposed to get hurt. The driver and leader issued the orders as the two others disappeared into the brush. He waited a moment and then looked behind him to see if anyone had followed. No sign yet. He snapped the horses and yelled a quick, Yahhhh!"

The horses started going at a much slower pace than he had been driving them, and he had gone a short ways when he heard the thunder behind him. He turned and saw the guards coming. He felt his heart skipping a beat. Did they know? If they did, he would be hanged for sure!

The man paced back and forth. What had he done? It was because of him that Smythe was dead and the boy was taken. He was the one who had told Saxon how important Anthyn was to Gwynn. He was the one who had betrayed the town. He was the one who was guilty of murder now along with treason. He looked out of his open window. What had he done? What had he done? What was he going to do now?

The guards pulled up in front of the wagon, which had stopped. Yes, sir? The driver looked at the guard who had pulled up right beside him. Another guard had pulled up in front of the horses.

We’re looking for a traveler who left the town a watch back.

Well, sir… I’ve been traveling more than a watch. You can tell by the distance that it’s been at least three watches.

The guard looked at him. So you’re saying that you didn’t see the fire?

Fire? There was a fire? Awww, that’s too bad. Anyone hurt?

Yes, the town Smythe was hurt. So you’re saying you know nothing about that fire?

I’m afraid not… I’ve been traveling a while. I didn’t see a thing. Sorry, but I’ll be no help to you.

The guard looked at the two other guards and took a deep breath. He didn’t think anything fishy was going on, but there was something suspicious about this man. He was older, and experience told him that the man wasn’t just traveling at night for no reason. So… why didn’t you stay at the tavern for the night? The roads can be dangerous for night travelers.

The driver smiled. Aye… Well, that was me own fault. I stayed too long at the inn, and I was supposed to leave even earlier, and I… well, I didn’t. So here I am… trying to make up for lost time. I’ve driven these roads before… so I think I’ll be okay.

The guard nodded and knew that it was possible. He nodded to the other two. Thank you for your time.

They rode off back toward town. The guard in front pulled up beside him as they got some distance away. He wasn’t telling us the truth. Those horses had been running a while. They were hot.

The leader looked at the other. I didn’t think I liked him either. Did you see anything in the back?

No, sir. His wagon only had a few bags, nothing that seemed so important to me.

The leader turned his horse, and they went after the wagon again.

The driver heard them and knew that his time was up. He jumped from the wagon and left it as he saw them coming, but not before shaking the reins and sending the horses flying. By the time they caught up with the wagon and found it was empty, he would be gone.

He rolled into the bushes as the wagon left him behind. He ducked down as he saw the soldiers pass by. They hadn’t seen what had happened. He waited for a moment and then walked into the woods.

The soldiers returned to the town much later. The leader walked ahead as they approached the king. Did you find anything?

Yes, sire, but no sign of the boy. There was one traveler that we questioned, but when we went back a second time, he had disappeared. I’m afraid he has gotten away, whoever he was. He must have been someone on the shady side. We questioned him, and he lied to us. When we chased him down, the wagon was empty, and while we searched for him, the dark gave him a good disguise.

No sign of the boy?

No, sire,