"H. Warner Munn - Merlins Godson" - читать интересную книгу автора (Munn H Warner)

the sea sailing in roundships and galleys to our aid.

Myrdhinn had asked for their help, and nobly they answered.

At that time we had but one warship, the Prydwen, a great dromon built as an experiment from a design
found in an old book, modeled to be a cruiser which could meet and plow under the enemy galleys. Its
like had not been seen in British waters for hundreds of years. Armed with ballistas and arrow engines,
driven by oars and sails and with overhanging galleries the better to repel boarders, it towered over the
hulking roundships and low galleys, like a proud cock who struts among his family, protector of all.

Already the barbarians were marching upon us, out of Wessex, while at sea a fleet sailed to land forces in
our rear.

We met them at Mons Badonicus and spent the day and most of a long moonlight night in killing, while
upon the water the allied fleet covered itself with glory.

Armorican, Hibernian and Saxon galleys crashed and flamed to heaven, while among them, ramming,
casting firepots, roamed the Prydwen in the arrow-sleet, trampling the foe under her forefoot.
Then to us at last came peace, time to live and love and rest—and for some, time to plot treachery.

Myrdhinn had planned for Arthur a marriage with Gwenhyvar, daughter of a noble chieftain, Laodegan of
Carmelide; and journeying thither in disguise to see the maid before wooing, Arthur arrived at an
opportune time. The walled city of Carmelide was besieged by a wandering foray of savage mountain
raiders, but

Arthur’s armored knights scattered them and drove them far.

Entering the city, Myrdhinn spoke for Arthur, beseeching the hand of Gwenhyvar as a reward to the
city’s savior.

It was open talk afterward that Myrdhinn had engineered this attack and rescue to bring about his own
plans, but I know nothing of the matter, having been far away. I believe him capable of it, for his mind
worked in devious ways and he was not a man to do a thing in a simple way if something spectacular
could complicate it.

This tune, however, if he was at bottom of the matter, his love for a brave show ruined himself, Arthur,
Gwenhyvar—and Britain. You see, Gwenhyvar was already hi love with a young man named Lanceloc.

Arthur was approaching middle age, Gwenhyvar and Lanceloc much younger. Theirs was the proper
union, but how could an ambitious father refuse the great Pendragon, savior of the city? Laodegaji
commanded, Gwenhyvar obeyed like a dutiful child, and evil began.

“Forbidden fruit the sweetest of all”—so runs the ancient saw. Others knew what went on in all its seamy
detail, but noble Arthur, the soul of bravery and honor, remained in ignorance for years.

Then Agrivain and Medrawd, kinsmen who aspired to be mighty themselves and who thought that could
be best done by bringing low those already mighty, came sneaking, telling tales, spewing venom upon all
that Arthur held dear, and down crashed our hopes for Britain.

Lanceloc, Agrivain and Medrawd fled into Wessex, fleeing their outraged ruler, taking their kinsmen,