The crystal cave - Mary Stewart [195]
A wave crashed beside us and the spume showered the ledge, raining down on Cadal's upturned face. I leaned over and wiped it away, with some of the blood. "No," I said.
Uther said, above me: "I tell you, Merlin, you shall not use me. I'll no longer be a puppet for you to pull the strings. So keep away from me. And I'll tell you this also. I'll not acknowledge the bastard I begot tonight."
It was a king speaking, unanswerable. A still, cold figure, with behind his shoulder the star hanging clear in the grey. I said nothing.
"You hear me?"
"Yes."
He shifted the cloak from his arm, and flung it to Ulfin, who held it for him to put on. He settled it to his shoulders, then looked down at me again. "For what service you have rendered, you shall keep the land I gave you. Get back, then, to your Welsh mountains, and trouble me no more."
I said wearily: "I shall not trouble you again, Uther. You will not need me again."
He was silent for a moment. Then he said abruptly: "Ulfin will help you carry the body down."
I turned away. "There is no need. Leave me now."
A pause, filled with the thunder of the sea. I had not meant to speak so, but I was past caring, or even knowing, what I said. I only wanted him gone. His sword-point was level with my eyes. I saw it shift and shimmer, and thought for a moment that he was angry enough to use it. Then it flashed up and was rammed home in its housings. He swung round and went on his way down the path. Ulfin edged quietly past without a word, and followed his master. Before they had reached the next corner the sea had obliterated the sound of their footsteps.
I turned to find Cadal watching me.
"Cadal!"
"That's a king for you." His voice was faint, but it was his own, rough and amused. "Give him something he swears he's dying for, and then, 'Do you think I can withstand this night's work?' says he. A fine old night's work he's put in, for sure, and looks it."
"Cadal -- "
"You, too. You're hurt...your hand? Blood on your face?"
"It's nothing. Nothing that won't mend. Never mind that. But you -- oh, Cadal -- "
He moved his head slightly. "It's no use. Let be. I'm comfortable enough."
"No pain now?"
"No. It's cold, though."
I moved closer to him, trying to shield his body with my own from the bursting spray as the waves struck the rock. I took his hand in my own good one. I could not chafe it, but pulled my tunic open and held it there against my breast. "I'm afraid I lost my cloak," I said. "Jordan's dead, then?"
"Yes." He waited for a moment. "What -- happened up yonder?"
"It all went as we had planned. But Gorlois attacked out of Dimilioc and got himself killed. That's why Brithael and Jordan rode this way, to tell the Duchess."
"I heard them coming. I knew they'd be bound to see me and the horses. I had to stop them giving the alarm while the King was still..." He paused for breath.
"Don't trouble," I said. "It's done with, and all's well."
He took no notice. His voice was the merest whisper now, but clear and thin, and I heard every word through the raging of the sea.
"So I mounted and rode up a bit of the way to meet them the other side of the water...then when they came level I jumped the stream and tried to stop them." He waited for a moment. "But Brithael...that's a fighter, now. Quick as a snake. Never hesitated. Sword straight into me and then rode over me. Left me for Jordan to finish."
"His mistake."
His cheek-muscles moved slightly. It was a smile. After a while he asked: "Did he see the horses after all?"
"No. Ralf was at the gate when he