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Revelation
TEGFAN’S LEGS HEALED SLOWLY At the end of the year he still could not walk Though by noas no longer confined to the estate and could coo as I pleased, I was still idle; I was desperate to be given even the smallest of tasks Close to Christmas, Caius sent me to the smithy with a mare that was to be shod While Gofan worked over the new shoes, Marcus said towith us this year, lord?"
"How do you know I ever did?" I asked It had been eight years sinceat Elder Field There had been no revelry the year of the fa Christmas
"Caius tells me that when you were a boy you took the part of the Old Year’s son, the Winter Prince" Marcus grinned at me "I, of course, have taken on that role in your absence, but you may try to wrest it from me if you like"
"No fear of that," I returned "I think I aht you’d stopped the play"
"We haven’t done it since you’ve been back," Gofan said "But this year… for the "
"There is a conspiracy abroad to cast you as the Magician," Marcus a ntoars cdded
Magician--I? The rhy the return of the sun at the dark tiht, the figure whose task it is to recall the ht it bitter irony they should see me fit for such a role But Marcus tossed hed They said I was the ers had ever known, and that I was missed in the mines and the fields I warmed to their friendship and flattery So I came to join the inforain ’s friends and servants, at a tihter and coht cold The year’s end was ht There was no snow, only the biting, bone-deep chill that froze the little rivers solid and kept the African cats curled together on the warranaries were full, and the storehouses croith dried fruit and salted meat The people of Camlan and Elder Field wrapped thehed at the hard frost, for they were busy with the preparation of a joyous Midwinter’s feast I was torn between full enjoyuilt for the tragedy I had caused in the early autuht myself unworthy to share in And yet I could not help but share in it
On Midwinter’s Eve I returned to the villa after a long day spent on the threshing floor in one of the village barns, where we had been reen All the family were at leisure in the atrium Gareth sat in theseat with one of the cats, while Gwalchravain, in an uncharacteristic fit of patience, was teaching Gaheris and Lleu an obscure dicing gareeably over a parchment spread on the table I scooped up one of the cats and nuzzled it beneath my chin; its fur was the color of the dry savanna country of Aksum before the rains, warht suddenly of Lleu when he was no more than five years old: allowed outside in winter for the first ti as he winced away froainst his cheek
"It’s still so cold out?" Artos inquired from his couch
"Cruel," I said
"Did you see Tegfan today?"
"I did He says the pain has stopped I don’t want hih"
"Wise, my marksman," Artos said He stood before , but I knohat a trial this healing is for you Your patience is to be admired"
His praise, only his simplest kind word, could kindle warmth in me I said quietly, "Thank you, sir"
I put down the cat and began to take off loves I had scarcely set them on the table before Caius caate"
"Beggars?" Artos asked "Who would be out on such a night?"
Caius pressed his lips together tightly He spoke so that only Artos and I could hear him "The boy who let them in says it is your sister"
"No," I said aloud Artos glanced at me sharply "You sent her back to the Or sack;
Artos shook his head "She pled illness earlier in the season and requested that I allow her to postpone the journey She is supposed to stay in Ratae Coritanoru"
"But, sir!" I exclaie "You did not tell me!"
Artos looked at me with eyebrows raised "I have made no secret of her plans," he said "Her children are always cla for news of her" Then his face hardened, and he turned to Caius "Though I did not expect her here She tries my patience" He beckoned to Ginevra, and Caius explained the matter to her in low tones
"I will not have her here," I hissed "I will not live in fear of her"
"It is Christmas!" Artos returned "What would you have me do, send her back into this cold?"
"She chose to come!"