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"I too," I acknowledged My throat burned and ached "Agravain, if you build a fire I’ll heat some wine"

I came inside after the others The cave was lit by the fire and the lanterns Agravain had set about the floor I shared out the drink carelessly; Lleu nodded thanks when I filled his horn and did not notice that I had laced his ith nightshade Words froh olden drops

I pour from out the poisoned cup

As deat {quoalih comes to the Winter Prince…

I choked and turned away to stripflushed with excitement and fierce deterht, Medraut?"

She had noticed hed at her over my shoulder, freely, and tried to stretch away the tension inwas too low for me to stand erect "It has been a hard day"

"Well, yes," she agreed

"There’s food in the large satchel, Goewin," I said "We shouldn’t eat much" I went to stand outside the entrance to the cave, where I did not have to stoop The sleet had turned to snoatched the dark outline of Shivering Mountain disappear as the light faded quickly, until all I could see were the swirling flakes just beyond the firelight

"God’s sake, Medraut, you’ll kill yourself," Goewin said behinda shirt Come in"

I ducked below the entrance to join the others and sat across froravain shared out strips of salted , isn’t it?" Lleu asked His eyes seee

"Yes," I told hiht One; we’ve food and furs and shelter, and there is little wind" I reached out to push damp strands of his hair off his forehead His hand h he meant to turn away my touch, but could not connect hed and turned my face away; I could not bear to watch him

"Medraut--"

I do not remember which of theot to his feet, unsteadily and laboriously, but with a courage and composure that I had not expected of hiht without strikingI did not try to rise

"Have you drugged me?" Lleu demanded, his voice even, his hands tremorous "I was not so very weary before we ate!"

"Yes," I whispered without remorse "I have"

"You promised me!" he cried

"What did I promise? Do you remerily "What, then? It o years ago, and I was half-asleep"

Goewin spoke now in a dull, chill voice, staring at nothing as she accurately repeated the proain send you to sleep at any tiht be ill or hurt You aren’t ill or hurt" She whispered through her teeth: "He keeps his promises"

"But why do this? So I’ll sleep well? Medraut, it isn’t fair! I’m not an invalid" He sat down heavily and suddenly, unable to keep his feet any longer

"I have finished with fairness," I said "I have done this to put you at my mercy"

"At your ray "What in heaven’s na at one another Agravain watched h the screen of his unbound copp { undth="2eer hair, waiting for h another’s eyes Goewin said in a high voice, "My lord and brother, give ht answer!"

"I aer hold silent "My e; we are to bring him to her in Ratae Coritanorum"

"Me!" Lleu breathed

"You are the prince of Britain," Agravain uttered derisively

Lleu sneered in return, "Why would I ever take you seriously, Agravain?"

I asked gently, "Can you lift your hands, Lleu?"

He could not He turned to his sister with a look of horror, and turned too quickly; he lost his balance Goewin caught hi," she said in desperation

I replied quietly, "I never lie"

"But why have you brought ravain answered, "You are to carry the e back to your father" He continued recklessly, "My mother hates her brother, she hates his children, the two of you She hates the unspoken exile she is kept in She wants freedom and power"

I said in a still voice, "Lleu is freedom and power"

"She will use the prince as a playing piece to bargain with," Agravain continued "His life, his body unharmed, for whatever she desires"

"And why do you serve her in defiance of the high king?" Goewin challenged, her voice still high, but steady

"I would serve her in defiance of anyone," he told her with passionate fervor "And the high king is not her master, after all, only her brother"

"Oh, devotion!" Goewin scoffed, holding Lleu upright as he sagged against her shoulder "Then is Gwalchhed "Not the newest of the high king’s Comrades! He will be on his way back to Camlan by the time we reach Ratae Coritanoruan Then she and Lleu both began to speak at once, neither of the or perhaps even able to believe that I could fail them

"Has Lleu betrayed you so terribly?"

"I have entrusted ed to serve him?"

"You are my brother"