shall
consider it seriously, though still we are bound by our oaths to
seek an audience with the emperor, whether our task be hopeless or
no. You hospitality we shall gratefully accept, for our travels
have been long, and are not yet ended. Your counsel on how best to
reach Ravenna we would also request." He stepped forward and placed
the small golden box on the edge of the dais in front of Euric. The
warriors flanking the king tensed when Uther first moved, but held
when they saw his purpose.
Leodegrance followed Uther, and placed the
gift from Cameliard next to that from Powys. "These small gifts we
bring as tokens of our respect and gratitude.”
Euric motioned to one of the warriors, who
retrieved the gifts and handed them to the king. "Your gifts are
indeed magnificent, and they are happily accepted. Henceforth they
shall be treasures of my house. But now, I speak too long, for you
are guests tired and worn from a long road. Rooms are prepared for
you. Go. Rest and refresh yourselves, for tonight we shall sup
together and speak more of things."
Euric motioned to several men standing off to
his side, and they stepped forward to guide Uther and his
companions to their chambers. They were led deep into the great
palace to large rooms, richly appointed. Hot baths had been drawn,
and their own servants had been given admittance and awaited their
commands.
When they had settled in and rested a bit,
and washed away the dust from the road, Uther and Leodegrance spoke
of what Euric had told them. If the empire were indeed on the verge
of collapse, what purpose could be served by their continuing on?
Should they trust Euric's word? Even if he were trustworthy, did he
read the situation truly? Perhaps one great victory in the field
would restore the empire's position, as it had a generation ago
when Uther's and Euric's fathers had fought on the field of
Chalons?
They were still speaking of such when they
were called for supper, though such is a poor name for the feast
that awaited them. At a great long table they were seated, with
Euric at the head and Uther and Leodegrance on each side of the
king. Thudis and the other lords sat next in line, in order of
rank, Uther supposed. The tablecloth was woven of silken cloth, and
the settings were of solid silver and gold. Many courses were
served - soups, bread, venison from the king's own forests, game
birds, wild boar roasted with onions. Long into the night they ate,
and even longer they drank, draining cask after cask of the king's
excellent wine.
They spoke of many things, for Euric's
grandsire was the great Alaric, who had sacked Rome itself in
vengeance after the emperor Honorius massacred the families of the
Goths serving in the imperial army. This was the same emperor who
had recognized the claim of Uther’s grandfather's to share the
purple, only to betray him to some unnamed murderer's blade.
They decided that Uther and Leodegrance would
remain as Euric's guests for ten days and then continue on to
Italia, for they concluded that whether they had hope of success or
not, they must follow their task through to its completion. Before
they left, they would join a great hunt ordered by Euric in their
honor.
For three days they rode far into the
country, and slew many stags and two large boar, and Uther and
Leodegrance became close friends with King Euric. Leodegrance asked
many questions, for the kingship of Cameliard would be his one day,
and he would learn what he could from such a mighty monarch. Uther,
too, began to understand the difference between a powerful warrior
and a great king. Though he did not expect ever to wear a crown,
Uther swore to see Britannia united under the Pendragon. He would
be more than a great fighter, he would study the arts of war and
learn how to lead armies, for he could see now that there was more
to achieving lasting victory than cleaving a few foes at close
quarters.
At the close of the third day of the hunt,
they rode back to the palace
consider it seriously, though still we are bound by our oaths to
seek an audience with the emperor, whether our task be hopeless or
no. You hospitality we shall gratefully accept, for our travels
have been long, and are not yet ended. Your counsel on how best to
reach Ravenna we would also request." He stepped forward and placed
the small golden box on the edge of the dais in front of Euric. The
warriors flanking the king tensed when Uther first moved, but held
when they saw his purpose.
Leodegrance followed Uther, and placed the
gift from Cameliard next to that from Powys. "These small gifts we
bring as tokens of our respect and gratitude.”
Euric motioned to one of the warriors, who
retrieved the gifts and handed them to the king. "Your gifts are
indeed magnificent, and they are happily accepted. Henceforth they
shall be treasures of my house. But now, I speak too long, for you
are guests tired and worn from a long road. Rooms are prepared for
you. Go. Rest and refresh yourselves, for tonight we shall sup
together and speak more of things."
Euric motioned to several men standing off to
his side, and they stepped forward to guide Uther and his
companions to their chambers. They were led deep into the great
palace to large rooms, richly appointed. Hot baths had been drawn,
and their own servants had been given admittance and awaited their
commands.
When they had settled in and rested a bit,
and washed away the dust from the road, Uther and Leodegrance spoke
of what Euric had told them. If the empire were indeed on the verge
of collapse, what purpose could be served by their continuing on?
Should they trust Euric's word? Even if he were trustworthy, did he
read the situation truly? Perhaps one great victory in the field
would restore the empire's position, as it had a generation ago
when Uther's and Euric's fathers had fought on the field of
Chalons?
They were still speaking of such when they
were called for supper, though such is a poor name for the feast
that awaited them. At a great long table they were seated, with
Euric at the head and Uther and Leodegrance on each side of the
king. Thudis and the other lords sat next in line, in order of
rank, Uther supposed. The tablecloth was woven of silken cloth, and
the settings were of solid silver and gold. Many courses were
served - soups, bread, venison from the king's own forests, game
birds, wild boar roasted with onions. Long into the night they ate,
and even longer they drank, draining cask after cask of the king's
excellent wine.
They spoke of many things, for Euric's
grandsire was the great Alaric, who had sacked Rome itself in
vengeance after the emperor Honorius massacred the families of the
Goths serving in the imperial army. This was the same emperor who
had recognized the claim of Uther’s grandfather's to share the
purple, only to betray him to some unnamed murderer's blade.
They decided that Uther and Leodegrance would
remain as Euric's guests for ten days and then continue on to
Italia, for they concluded that whether they had hope of success or
not, they must follow their task through to its completion. Before
they left, they would join a great hunt ordered by Euric in their
honor.
For three days they rode far into the
country, and slew many stags and two large boar, and Uther and
Leodegrance became close friends with King Euric. Leodegrance asked
many questions, for the kingship of Cameliard would be his one day,
and he would learn what he could from such a mighty monarch. Uther,
too, began to understand the difference between a powerful warrior
and a great king. Though he did not expect ever to wear a crown,
Uther swore to see Britannia united under the Pendragon. He would
be more than a great fighter, he would study the arts of war and
learn how to lead armies, for he could see now that there was more
to achieving lasting victory than cleaving a few foes at close
quarters.
At the close of the third day of the hunt,
they rode back to the palace
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