The Son of the Prophecy
Chapter 1 - The Reluctant Boy
[Those Welsh] openly go about saying that in the end they will have it all.
By means of Arthur, they will have it back. They will call it Britain again.
Anglo-Norman account on the Cumbrians beyond Offa's Dyke
The summer of 1066 was to be remembered as one of the mistiest in Britain. The fog that used to cover our trembling skies in the warmer season since the times of the Old Gods was denser and darker than ever. June and July passed without a single sunny day for men to rejoice. Travelers from the kingdom of the Angles talked about that new invincible Norse fleet preparing to invade the island. Others said the Norse fleets were two. Great was the confusion under the skies of Cornwall.
Other rumors and voices started to spread out in the villages, especially among the elder.
“It is the willingness of the Old Gods. They are having their vindication for us having lost the old lands and forgotten the old traditions. Doom will come upon our land, but also the Saxon usurpers and all of Britain.”
Bishop Karadeg of Lannales
1, to whom Kadoc had given large religious authority over the people of Cornwall, had good reasons to be worried. Some of the old beliefs, despite being in form of oral tales that sons inherited from their fathers, had not yet vanished from the Cornish peninsula. Its people, alone among the Britons south of the river Hafren
2 who decided to stay in Britain, for long preserved their freedom – and their traditions – from the Saxon usurpers, and they were able to resist foreign rule for centuries under the leadership of its Kings. More than twenty years however had lapsed since Konan, their last descendant, had recognized the King of Wessex and England Edward as his overlord, to avoid further pain to his people. He died ten years before, and his son and heir Kadoc was not even worth one half of his father.
“However, the rule of the Saxons turned out to be a very good thing for the One Church and the Cornish lords in the end” mumbled bishop Karadeg. “The Saxons are too worried with their kingdom's affairs to really care about their westernmost possession, but thanks to their rule the Church has started to receive a big number of the peasants' money. Nowadays 'king' Kadoc has since long become a puppet, and he's only there because of his blood, to give peasants and fishermen the illusion they still have a king of the line of old dead heroes. This way, they are ultimately under the responsibility of the Church. Which means
me. Even if I have to compromise every time with
this filthy merchant.”
While Karadog was thinking all this, he knocked on the door of the largest, richest house in the town of Bosvena
3. He was attended by a servant, a young pretty girl aged approximately 17-18 who spoke with a distinct Armorican accent. Then, he heard a disturbingly known voice.
“Karadeg, my friend! How are you?!” Despite his seemingly depressed gaze, Mayor Erwan was a fat, clean, outspoken, and red-cheeked guy. Definitely a man happy of himself. Rumors told of him that with the money he collected from his citizens, he used to have lunches on Sunday after the mess where he ate more food than what a peasant could afford to eat during a whole week. “What brings you here?!”
“I'm not here for ceremonies, Erwan. You know the situation, it's pretty dim.”
“You are always too worried, Karadog. What do you expect it could happen? I know what is going on beyond the seas. Whoever wins the coming war for the throne of England, this will not affect us. William the Bastard is the most powerful of the contenders, you know. But he has Breton blood, and Breton allies. And you know, I have good friends beyond the Channel... I don't know about Kadoc, but we'll keep our positions and our good money! If Harald and Tostig will rule England, they will meet fierce resistance by the Wessex lords. It will be easy for us to switch allegiance depending on who's winning the struggle, maybe we'll make even more money. And if Harald wins in the end – well, life will run as usual.”
Karadeg turned nervous. “I know all this. We already discussed the matter. And I also sent envoys to Rome to secure the support of the Pope. The problem is not the war. It's the
boy.”
“Aaaah you mean that nipper coming from the East with that ridiculous court of Cumbrian half warriors pretending to be knights and that young blond girl? She's pretty by the way, I would... nevermind. You won't really believe those stupid stories won't you? That King Arthur will return to free Britain from the invaders and that the young boy is his reincarnation? This is stuff for the old storytellers in the villages.”
“For Jesus, are you daring to say that I, a distinguished officer of the Church, can believe in reincarnation before the Judgment of anyone who is not our Great Lord? If you weren't the most damned useful half intelligent person in this land, Erwan, I would accuse you of blasphemy!” ('Stupid of a fat merchant', Karadeg thought.) “The problem is not whether the old stories are true. The problem is what people think. I hear this from peasants, merchants, even minor parish priests! They keep asking me all the time if this young Arthur coming from the Summer Country
4 is the true King Arthur. This can take a dangerous path.”
“But Karadeg, my friend! It's just a stupid young boy! He says he was born in Avalon. And he says he's not king Arthur, but a direct patrilineal descendant of him through the line of Llacheu. Of course, we all know that Llacheu died centuries ago in the North, although... well, we don't really know. That boy even pretends to be called 'Arthur Pendragon'! That's so ridiculous! How can someone take him so seriously? And the story about the girl, that she's a descendent of Cadwallon of Gwynedd, just makes things more incredible.”
“Erwan, sometimes I wonder how could you rise to this position and wealth if there is so much little substance in your brain. There is a problem
exactly because he is a young boy. News I have about him is that he was raised in a place called Walton in the Summer Country
5 – apparently, Breton people have remained and prospered in that area under Saxon rule, as it happened in other places in Western Britain. That he practically never met his father, but it seems he brings with himself proofs of his heritage. Some people also rumor he wields the Caliburnian Sword
6.”
“That is crazy!”
“Crazy or not, this is what people say, and all that matters. What really worries me is that apparently, the boy has no intention at all to claim Arthur's legacy and lead the Britons of all countries. People who are close to him said he does not behave how we imagine the reincarnation of Arthur would, and that he only wants 'a peaceful life'. Do you understand he's just a puppet? What I am wondering is the following: 'Who's manipulating the boy? Who's maneuvering to take over Cornwall possibly taking advantage of the coming war in England and the mental sickness of Kadoc?' Our positions are at danger, Erwan. Before you realize it, the better will it be. I asked for an excommunication of the boy in Rome. It's quite dangerous to disturb the Cardinals in Rome for a ridiculous thing like this: I hope the story of the alleged reincarnation will be enough. Now you have to move. You have the money and you know the right people for such a job. Try to find out who's in the shadow of the boy...”
“Karadeg, my friend, you know that money takes long to get, and can go away very quickly. I honestly do not see the reason for such an expense. I do not think it's a threat at all...”
The noise of a gallop resonated louder in the street just behind Erwan's house. A horse neighed, and a man stopped by and knocked at the door. He shouted loud “OPEN! OPEN! I have important news from the Castle!” The Armorican servant got frightened: she wasn't sure whether to go to open the door or not. Erwan lost color and went to open the door. He recognized the man: he was his right hand, the man doing the Mayor's interests at the small court of Kadoc in Trevena, the ancient castle that the Saxons in those times called
Tintagel, where the
true Arthur was conceived many years ago. He had an extremely worried expression, and breathed heavily.
“What happened, Mawgan? Talk!”
“My Lord, Kadoc has abdicated. He said that the line of the Kings of Cornwall is extinct, for it has failed to defend the freedom of the people. He said that King Arthur has returned from Avalon and with him freedom for all the Britons will come soon. In addition, he asked his brother Bleddyn to swear that he will serve Arthur and renounce all his claim on Cornwall, for him and for his descendants. It seems everybody went crazy at the castle. I don't know who caused this but... the young boy has styled himself 'Leader of the Britons' and summoned all the lords of Cornwall to Trevena. Rumors are that he took the title reluctantly, “as an act of duty towards his ancestors” and that he promised peace and prosperity. He made a speech in front of a large crowd of fishermen and farmers in Trevena, who rejoiced to 'the return of Arthur'. Voices also are that the boy has been quite shaken by the recent events at the castle, as he has not been seen in public for three days after these events.”
Karadeg paled. “So it happened... I can't believe it! I... I have failed!”
Erwan replied. “You don't have to be worried, Karadeg. Let's prepare to leave, we have to be where the events are taking place. I don't think the boy will be dangerous...”
“My lord” Mawgan interrupted. “In fact, I am bringing instructions for you from the new Lord of Cornwall. He wants you to train the new recruits he is gathering at the castle. He said that even if we want peace, we must be ready in these troubled times.”
“What? And what about my position here? I expect to be paid well, otherwise I will lose all my revenues!!!”
“In fact Lord Arthur wants you, sir, to reside at the Castle together with all his councilors.” At this point Mawgan's eyes changed direction. “This also applies to Bishop Karadeg, who has been charged of the religious matters in this land.”
Karadeg did not express a word. His face could pale no more, it seemed that blood stopped to flow in his body.
“I underestimated the situation I admit.” Erwan replied. “We have to leave to Trevena. There we will see what is happening, and whether everybody is happy with this 'new course'. Maybe there will be nothing to worry about.”
“Let's go to Trevena.” These were Karadog's last words for the rest of that day.
This should be good.
