"Mary Stewart - The Arthurian Saga 03 - The Last Enchantment" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stewart Mary)

didn't like it, I confess, but he saw the point in the end. And to be honest, I would have liked him with
me...But this is something I must do alone. You might say it's as much for my own reassurance as for the
people's. I can say that to you."

"Do you need reassurance?"

A hint of a smile. "Not really. In the morning I shall probably be able to believe everything that happened
on the battlefield, and know it for real, but now it's still like being in the edges of a dream. Tell me,
Merlin, can I ask Cador to go south to escort Queen Ygraine, my mother, fromCornwall ?"

"There's no reason why not. He is Duke of Cornwall, so since Uther's death her home at Tintagel must
fall under his protection. If Cador was able to sink his hatred of Uther into the common weal, he must
long ago have been able to forgive Ygraine for her betrayal of his father. And now you have declared his
sons your heirs to theHighKingdom , so all scores are paid. Yes, send Cador."

He looked relieved. "Then all's well. I've already sent a courier to her, of course, with the news. Cador
should meet her on the road. They will be in Amesbury by the time my father's body arrives there for
burial."

"Do I take it, then, that you want me to escort the body to Amesbury?"

"If you will. I cannot possibly go myself, as I should, and it must be royally escorted. Better you,
perhaps, who knew him, than I, who am so recently royal. Besides, if he is to lie beside Ambrosius in the
Dance of the Hanging Stones, you should be there to see the king-stone shifted and the grave made.
You'll do that?"

"Certainly. It should take us, going in a seemly way, about nine days."

"By that time I should be there myself." A sudden flash. "With average luck, that is. I'm expecting word
soon, about Colgrim. I'll be going after him in about four hours' time, as soon as it's full light. Bedwyr
goes with me," he added, as if that should be a comfort and a reassurance.

"And what of King Lot, since I have gathered he does not go with you?"

At that I got a bland look, and a tone as smooth as any politician's. "He leaves, too, at first light. Not for
his own land...not, that is, until I find which way Colgrim went. No, I urged King Lot to go straight
toYork . I believe Queen Ygraine will go there after the burial, andLot can receive her. Then, once his
marriage with my sister Morgan is celebrated, I suppose I can count him an ally, like it or not. And the
rest of the fighting, whatever comes between now and Christmastime, I can do without him."

"So, I shall see you in Amesbury. And after that?"

"Caerleon," he said, without hesitation. "If the wars allow it, I shall go there. I've never seen it, and from
what Cador tells me it must be my headquarters now."

"Until the Saxons break the treaty and move in from the south."

"As of course they will. Until then. God send there will be time to breath first."

"And to build another stronghold."