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unseemly to say anything about it just yet. I remember thinking, 'Later I will tell him. We must get back to
Maridunum.' Although we were in no particular hurry at the time, it seemed best to let it go.
That autumn, also, I sent my messengers to Ganieda. Whereupon, I settled down.to a drear winter of the
most restless waiting I have known. But that I have already told. . .
SIX
How long, Wolf? How long, old friend, have I sat here upon my rock and watched the seasons fly? Up
they swirl, winging back to the Great Hand which gave them. . . they fly like the wild geese, but never
more return.
What of Merlin? What of the Wild Man of the Wood, eh? Will he never more return?
There was a time when. . . never mind, Wolf, it does not matter. Orion's Belt, Cygnus, the Great Bear
 these things matter; these things are important. Let all else fade and fall. Only the eternal stars will
remain when all else is unthinking dust.
I watch the winter stars glitter hard in the frozen sky. Were I not so forlorn I would conjure a fire to
warm myself. Instead, I watch the high cold heaven perform its inscrutable work. I gaze at the hoar frost
on the rocks and see the patterns of a life there. I stare at the black water in my bowl and I see the
shapes of possibility and inevitability.
I will tell you about inevitability, shall I? Yes, Wolf, I will tell you and then you will know what I know.
We were living in Dyfed. I was ruling my people, little by little helping them to see the vision of the
Summer Realm. It was in my mind that if I could only show my people the shape and substance of the
kingdom I meant to create, they would follow me willingly.
I had no hint, then, of the forces arrayed against me. Oh, we struggle against a cunning adversary. Never
doubt it. We move about on our crust of earth and we imagine we see the world as it is. What we see is
the world we imagine.
No man sees the world as it is.
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Unless, perhaps, granted sight by the Enemy. But I will not talk of him. Ask Dafyd, he will tell you. He
will find it easier, for he has never had to stand against him face to face. Words alone are useless to
describe the repugnance, the repulsion, the utter loathsome abhorrence. . . Ah, but let ft go. Let it go,
Merlin. Linger not upon it.
I remember when he came to me. I remember his young face, full of hope and apprehension. He little
appreciated what he was doing, the young fool, but he knew how badly he wanted it, how much it
mattered to him. Of course, I was flattered a little and I saw some benefit in it for both of us, or I would
not have allowed it. As it was 
What? Have I not? Pelleas, Wolf; I am speaking of Pelleas, my young steward. Who else?
Along with Gwendolau and some of Avallach's people, I had ridden to Llyonesse to hold council with
Belyn. We were hoping to make a treaty among us to uphold one another through the barbarian
incursions that had become more than annoying of late. We needed the help of those south of Mor
Hafren and along the far southern coasts where the Irish had begun making their landfalls in the hidden
little bays and inlets. Once ashore, they could strike north or east as they would.
Maelwys and Avallach believed that by Unking the coast-land with a system of watchtowers and
beacon fires, we could discourage these landings, perhaps even end them. For if the Irish knew they
would be met in force at each landing, and that their losses would outweigh their gains at every turn, they
might abandon the war trail for more peaceful pursuits.
So we took the plan to Belyn. He was not easy to convince; he did not like the Irish any more than we
did, but working with us would force him out of his cherished isolation. He much preferred his solitary
way. But in the end, Maildun argued for us and won Belyn's support.
The night before we were to leave Llyonesse, Pelleas came to me. 'Lord Merlin,' he said, 'forgive me for
disturbing your rest.' I had retired early to my chamber  haggling always taxes me, and after three days
of it I was weary.
'Come in, Pelleas, come in. I was enjoying a small cup of wine before going to sleep. Will you share one
with me?'
He accepted the cup I offered him, but he did not drink. I could see by the look on his face that it had
cost him a great deal already to come here, and that he had a matter of some importance on his mind.
Tired as I was, I did not rush him, but let him come at the thing in his own time.
I sat down on the edge of my bed and offered him the chair. He sat, holding the cup in his hands, staring
into it. 'What is it like in the north?' he asked.
'Oh, it is a wilder country, to be sure. Much of it is woodland and there are mountains and moors where
nothing grows but the peat moss. It can be a lonely place, but it is not so bleak and terrible as men make
out. Why do you ask?'
He shrugged. 'I have never been to the north.'
Something in his voice made me ask, 'Is that where you think I live?'
'Do you not?'
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