I wouldn’t want to give the wrong impression of the villagers though, some of them may have been less than trusting of me, but on the whole they had good hearts and saw us off the next day with plenty of provisions to see us through to the capital without the need to hunt for dinner. Sir Harold thanked the leader and promised to deliver the village’s requests to the King as soon as he was able and with that we rode off on our way.

Although for a time some of the village children ran alongside us, they were extremely amused by the ‘trap’ and wanted to see it in action. I felt rather self-concious especially since they kept giggling and seemed to find it all quite a joke. It seemed that everyone in Camelot knew how to ride a horse. I had a feeling I’d probably need to learn how to if I was going to get any respect here.

The children were eventually called back by their parents and waved at us until we entered the forest and were out of sight.

For most of our journey I hadn’t really listened to any of the guards’ conversation, apart from anything else I’d been too busy making sure I didn’t fall off the ‘trap’! But after three days I’d got quite used to sitting in the thing and as we rode on I couldn’t help over hearing their discussion this time.

“Do you think you may have promised those people too much?” Sir Harold’s right hand man sounded concerned. But then he seemed to me to be a worrier by nature. “You know how His Majesty can be.”

“There are more ways to assist those people than royal favour, Jared.” Sir Harold spoke with confidence, but I noticed his brow furrowing. “Besides, His Majesty agreed to the settlement becoming official, I’m certain he plans to follow through on his promise to the villagers.”

As the two spoke it occurred to me that I had overlooked something very important when I had decided to come here to Camelot and that was the King. I had absolutely no idea what he was like, or how he felt about foreigners and considering that the Royal Archivist was, of course, royal, this was a rather large oversight. I wondered for a moment if I had come all this way only to be let down at the very end. But almost as soon as the thought entered my head, I dismissed it. There was no way I’d come this far to let unfounded doubts stop me now, besides, how likely was it that I’d even meet the King of Camelot. Royal Archivist he might be, but I was quite sure that that Cedas wouldn’t be in the King’s company all that often and if I managed to become his apprentice, I was sure I wouldn’t be in the King’s company at all, he probably wouldn’t ever know my name.

Having satisfied myself that I wouldn’t be incurring royal disfavour any time soon my thoughts turned to the Royal Archivist himself, remembering from the letter that he’d been described as quite...difficult. I had to wonder what exactly did that mean? After all one persons irritation was not another’s and I liked to think I was rather easy going when it came to such things. And of course many people found scholarly individuals rather trying, although considering Bishop Maxim’s own literary bent – religious though it was – I didn’t think he would complain about that.

Finally I decided that there was no point in worrying about that now, Camelot was less than a day’s ride away now! Just one more night and I’d be there. I found myself almost bouncing in my ‘trap’, which would have been a very bad idea indeed, so fortunately I restrained myself.

But still! The excitement was building, I wondered just how I would react when I finally reached the great city itself.

I didn’t have long to wait.

We arrived at the tiny settlement a day and a half later, by which point I thought my arms were going to fall out of their sockets. I might have been used to riding in wagons, but I certainly wasn’t used to having to hold the reins. It was a damn tiring business and I had decided that if I ever had to do it again, it would be too soon.

The settlement as Sir Harold had said was new and hardly had any of the usual buildings that even a small village would, including a tavern. Not that I wanted a drink, but a chance to get inside and sit on a proper chair wouldn’t have gone amiss, but alas it looked as if I was going to have to wait a bit longer for that privilege.

While Sir Harold and his guards did...whatever it was they were required to do, I looked about trying to figure out what exactly the differences were between a Camelot village and a Caerleon one. It was nothing particularly evident, the building structures weren’t radically different, nor were they doing different work, but the behaviour and dress of the villagers was different. For one thing their clothing was less...slapdash, not high quality fabrics by any means, but where as a Caerleonian didn’t pay that much attention to what type of fabrics they wore, mixing wool, leather and cotton with abandon, the people of Camelot were far more likely to have clothes that complimented each other, not quite to the extent of Mercians, but they looked quite a bit more put together, for lack of a better term.

As for their behaviour, well, there seemed to be a general politeness, their accents were more refined than that of the average Caerleonian, although on the whole my own accent and that of my parents weren’t particularly harsh, but I could still tell the difference.

All in all I found this study fascinating, I might not have any use for it so to speak, but as a general thing, just to know was good enough for me.

We didn’t stay in the settlement for long, just a night, but I was impatient and one can only spend so long studying human nature, so it seemed the time dragged. It didn’t help that there was nothing I could really contribute to the situation, indeed a few of the older villagers gave me distrustful looks. It seems that it hadn’t been all that long ago that our two kingdoms had been at war.

In addition because the settlement was so small and we were a rather large group, only Sir Harold was offered a bed to sleep in. The rest of us had to make camp on the hard ground near the village stables. Of course, I didn’t complain out loud, it would have been badly done, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit put out and my annoyance was probably the reason I slept so poorly that night. Well that and the incessant braying of the donkeys in the stables. Not being from a farming family I had no real experience with donkeys and I certainly had no idea that they were wont to stay up all night making noise. They timed it well too, it seemed that no sooner had I begun to drift into deeper sleep than one of them would make an almightly racket that would jerk me awake and I’d have to go over the whole process all over again.

I can safely say that night proved to me that farming would never have been a viable career option for me. I thanked the Lord that I had discovered the pleasures of literacy instead.

As Bran the guard had said, on the third day the patrol arrived to relieve him.

There was just one problem, they arrived with the sounds of cluttering hooves, they were on horseback!

Somehow it had never occurred to me that horses would be involved, which was quite short sighted of me, there was, after all no faster way to travel than that.

The problem was that I had never ridden any distance on a horse before, considering Father’s position we had always travelled by wagon and when I went to visit Bishop Grigor I went by wagon as well.

I couldn’t imagine being perched a top of a horse for any length of time without suffering some sort of serious injury.

I immediately sought out Aldric, who found my predictment hilarious for some reason.

Eventually, he calmed down enough to speak. “You’re a strange one, Geoff, no doubt about that. They’ve got horses in Caerleon, at least they did last time I checked.”

“There still is, it’s only I never had occasion to ride any, frankly I prefer not to, I don’t much care for horseriding.”

“Seems to have come back to bite you,” Aldric remarked with a raised eyebrow.

I folded my arms and grumbled. “What am I supposed to do Aldric? Walk to Camelot?”

Aldric seemed to consider that quite seriously for a few moments. “Well, the roads are pretty good here, it’d take you a week probably, but you’d get there.”

“I can’t walk through a strange kingdom, I have no way of defending myself. And if that was what I planned on doing I would have left days ago.”

Aldric made a show of swooning, putting the back of his hand to his head. “Good God, we never would have met!”

I attempted to glare at him, but I instead a smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. Aldric was a very strange man there was no doubt about that, but he certainly had a sense of humour.

All the same, that was not going to get me out of my predicament.

I considered my options of which there weren’t many, after all there was no way I could learn horse riding in five minutes, and I certainly wouldn’t be able to run along side the horsemen for hours at a time.

It was clear the only thing I could do was go by wagon but surely that would be too slow, the horsemen would undoubtedly refuse to have me join them if I was going to be such a drag on proceedings.

I turned to Aldric in despair. “Don’t you have any ideas that can help me?”

My new friend pursed his lips thoughtfully and to my relief and, dare I say, surprise he gave a nod. “What you need is something that’s not a saddle and is faster than a wagon. A horse cart!”

“A horse cart,” I repeated slowly, raising an eyebrow. It sounded a little too...simple for me.

“They’re hardly that fast don’t you think?”

“Depends on the kind of cart you’re using really, I’m not talking about the regular sort, this is something rather...lighter.”

“Lighter?” Did I even want to know?

Whether I did or not it seemed I was about to find out, for Aldric took hold of my arm and lead me across the way and around the back of a rather ramshackle looking building.

“Here you go.” Aldric waved a hand in a rather dramatic fashion as if he was showing off something truly beautiful.

It took me a good moment to realise what it was that he was pointing at, at first I took it to be just a pile of refuse, but taking a closer look I realised that the sheeting and wood were what I was supposed to be looking at.

“What is that?”

“It’s a trap. The lightweight of horse carts, a good horse pulling this can go almost as fast as one with a rider.” Aldric paused. “Well, unless the guards need to run somewhere, but that’s not likely to happen.”

“Not likely?” I didn’t particularly care for the sound of that.

Aldric shrugged. “Well, it’s pretty quiet at the moment, but you never know when things might take a turn. But look if you want to get to Camelot within a week this is your best bet.”

I took a few hesitant steps over to the ‘trap’, with a name like that I wasn’t all that sure I wanted to take my chances with it. It looked as ramshackle as the building and my confidence sank even lower when I realised that I wouldn’t be supported by wooden beams, but by a fabric ‘sling’ between the two wheels. I looked at Aldric in disbelief. “Are you serious about this? Does this contraption even work?”

“Of course it does,” Aldric looked rather offended by my question. “I had to ride in one myself once, when I broke my leg. Not the sturdiest of rides I’ll grant you that, but as long as you hold onto the reins you’ll be just fine.” He gave me a pat on the shoulder.

I sighed. I knew that the guards wouldn’t be in the outpost for long, just enough for a meal at the tiny tavern, to stock up on supplies and give their horses a rest before they’d be off again. If I was going to join them I’d have to make my decision now.

“If you’re sure...” I spoke hesitantly.

“Of course I’m sure! Look why don’t you take a seat in it? It’s not as bad as you think I promise.” Aldric gave me a friendly shove towards the ‘trap’ and moved over to the harness to keep it steady as I gingerly lowered myself into the fabric sling.

And immediately jumped up with a yelp.

“What?” Aldric peered at me. “Don’t be such a girls petticoat, Geoff, you barely even put your full weight on it.”

“I’m wet!” I spluttered in dismay, wiping down the back of my tunic in a rather vain attempt to dry myself off. But it was a hopeless effort, the seat of my clothing was absolutely drenched.

Aldric had the audacity to laugh at my predicament, and my glare only served to amuse him more.

“Sorry, Geoff,” he apologised when he finally caught his breath. “It’s...well the look on your face.” He shook his head. “Sorry about that...should have known it’d be a bit damp, it’s being out here for months now.”

“Brilliant,” I shook my head in disgust. “Now I’m wet and probably dirty.”

“Come on, Geoff, don’t be such a ninny, you’ve got more than one tunic, I’ve seen you in a few since you got here. Settle down, go get changed and I’ll dry this thing off.”

I felt like snapping back at him, but really, he was being rather nice, so I held my tongue and headed off to change. I could feel the wetness beginning to spread and it was a decidedly unpleasant feeling.

I’m not sure what exactly was in the cart, but I don’t think I ever want to know because once I removed my tunic the brown stain and stench was enough to make me wince and decide it wasn’t worth taking it with me. Instead I tossed it into the shrubbery outside my window and gave myself a quick wash. Fortunately whatever the Hell was on the tunic hadn’t soaked through and once I had on another tunic I felt clean enough to return to the trap, where Aldric had finished mopping up whatever had been in the trap.

“There! Good as new, it’s oilskin, waterproof, easy to clean off.”

“Easier to clean off than me.” I muttered.

Aldric rolled his eyes. “Just get in and I’ll show you, it’s sturdier than it looks.”

I gave the trap a close look before I took my seat. It did cave in slightly but as Aldric had promised it was surprisingly thick and somewhat stable. It seemed likely that I would be safe enough in it and wouldn’t end up being dragged along the ground.

“If you think the guards will agree to let me come with them in this...” I began slowly.

Aldric waved a hand. “Not to worry, they owe me a favour. I gave them extra ale last time they came through.”

I hoped that he wouldn’t be extending the same favour this time around, because having to follow some less than sober riders wasn’t my idea of a safe journey.

The guards seemed to have all their faculties when I met them an hour later ready to leave the outpost and enter Camelot proper. They did look rather uncertain about having me come along, but Aldric had obviously given me a good recommendation because they didn’t say anything to my face about their doubts instead they were rather welcoming.

“So they don’t have saddles in Caerleon or something?”The leader, a Sir Harold, asked me in amusement.

“No, they do, I’ve just never needed to use them.” I explained to be greeted by laughter from the group and a lot of head shaking.

I looked at Aldric with concern, but he was chuckling along with the rest of them and gave me a punch in the shoulder.

“You’ll get along famously,” he said with much more confidence than I had. Then he looked serious. “Looks like this is goodbye then, Geoff. It was...interesting,” he laughed and threw an arm about my shoulder. “I’ll miss you, if you ever get a chance come by for a visit, all right?”

I was surprised that I’d made such an impression on Aldric, I’d always considered myself rather...uninteresting, so really, I was rather touched. “I’ll do my best, I want to visit my parents of course, and I’ll be sure to come by this way.”

“I’ll keep your favourite chair warm for you, I’m sure you’ll have something else to read.” Aldric promised, giving me one last punch in the arm. I had to say, I really wished he’d find another friendly gesture, my shoulder was beginning to feel numb.

But there was time for it to regain its feeling because shortly afterward the ‘trap’ was set up to one of the guards rest horses and off we set.

It proved to be a rather bumpy ride, the roads of Camelot were far better than those of Caerleon, but they weren’t a patch on the roads of Mercia, not to mention the fact that the ‘trap’ completely lacked anything in the way of suspension or support so I felt every jolt. But I was certain that I would have been far worse off had I been in the saddle.

Still by the end of the day every joint and muscle was aching and I felt like an old man as I climbed out of the ‘trap’ and flopped down on the ground, which probably wasn’t the best idea. It was hardly a mattress.

“You all right there, Monmouth?” One of the men asked me as I winced.

“Uh...er...yes, fine.” I didn’t want to draw too much attention to myself, I didn’t want them to consider me some sort of drag on them. I didn’t want to find myself be left behind in the next town.

I decided to change the subject and instead asked how many days they thought this trip would take.

“Another three days,” Sir Harold replied after issuing instructions to another guard to prepare dinner for the night. “We have to stop at a new settlement on the way, just to take a look at the place and see how they’re getting along there.”

My face fell a bit at this news, I mean I had nothing against this new settlement, but I wanted to get to Camelot as quickly possible and I wondered if there was some...polite manner to ask how long it would take and to kindly request it not take too long. But I couldn’t think of a way, so I kept my mouth shut.

I managed to sleep quite well that night, I guess after being in the ‘trap’ lying on a non-moving surface even one that was as hard as the forest floor was a relief. Although I was still quite stiff when I woke the next morning and found myself wishing that I didn’t have to get back in the cart. But there was nothing else for it, so I gritted my teeth and climbed back in as Sir Harold called for the group to move on.

I would be lying if I did not admit that there were many times on the journey to Camelot that I considered abandoning the entire plan. My eighteenth birthday for example would be occurring while I was on the road and although my birthdays had never been anything too special, they had at least been acknowledged and beyond that this one was quite an important one, but instead of being able to mark the occasion with Mother and Father I would have to do so by myself, unless I wished to take some of the soldiers I was travelling with into my confidence. Which, I could do, they weren’t a bad bunch, if I had been worried about them treating me the way the Prince did I was certainly proved wrong there. On the other hand, I was currently on my way out of the kingdom to avoid being pressed into service and they were the ones who could do it!

So my birthday passed unremarked, unless the fact that we arrived at the border to Camelot counted as remarkable…which I supposed it did, in its way.
This was it, the head soldier, Hywel told me that if I entered Camelot unarmed and announced my intent at the border town I would, in all probability be admitted.

“All probability?” I had to question that, it seemed to be a rather important point.

“Well, there’s no official treaty with Camelot,” Hywel explained in what I found to be an entirely too casual manner. “So while we’re hardly in a state of war, you can’t really say we’re allies.”

“No-one told me about this,” I spluttered, staring at him in complete disbelief. Did he think I was mad? That I would just walk across the border with my hands held up in surrender when there was the smallest possibility I might not make it?

“I would have thought you knew,” Hywel gave a shrug. “It’s common enough knowledge, among us at least.”

“Well, I am not one of you,” I grumbled.

Hywel shook his head. “You’ll be fine, no-one in their right mind would be threatened by you.” He gave a laugh.

“Oh, well, thank you.” I rolled my eyes.

Hywel clapped a hand rather roughly on my shoulder, almost knocking me off my feet. “You’re all right, Geoff, for a bookworm.”

I sighed. I supposed risks had to be taken if one was to get anywhere in life and I’d come this far.

The border town was really more of a village and it was about two miles over the border, so the fact that I even reached it either meant I wasn’t viewed with suspicion or that there just weren’t any patrols about at the time.

Much like the trip into Mercia it was hard to really see that I was in a new kingdom, my surrounds were not any noticibly different, at least things didn’t seem much different until I entered the border village. At first I couldn’t quite explain what it seemed so different, it was not as if they buildings were constructed all that differently from the ones in Caerleon and the people weren’t even dressed markedly differently, but as I passed through the town looking for the watch house, which Hywel said would be a tower, I realised what the difference was. There was no church or even a chapel. I was so used to towns with open signs of Christianity within them, that the absence of such was enough to throw me off.

Although it seemed I didn’t make myself too obvious as a stranger because no-one stopped me and asked what my business was, at least not until I reached the watch tower where quite suddenly I was told to halt.

I did and looked up to see someone leaning over the side of the balcony that surrounded the top of the tower.

“Who are you, what business do you have here?”

I wondered briefly if he actually knew that I wasn’t from Camelot or if this was just the question they always asked anyone who passed by. I decided it must be the latter, Camelot’s population wasn’t small enough for that to be possible.

“My name is Geoffrey, sir,” I called out in a tentative tone. “I…I’m from Caerleon, I’m travelling to the capital here to see Cedas the Archivist.”

The guard put up his hand. “All right, all right, don’t need your life story,” he shook his head at me. “And you want to see Cedas? Brave lad. Hold on, I have to check you over personally.”

I supposed if I was here to cause trouble this would have been the time to run, but since I was not I waited for the guard to emerge from the door to the tower.

When he came through the door I discovered on very big difference between the clothing of Caerleon and Camelot, and that was in the military. The guard was dressed in chain mail and wore a long billowing red cloak.

“Right, Geoffrey from Caerleon, I have to inspect you any weapons or secret messages or things of that nature.” The soldier shook his head and looked very amused, I suppose as Hywel had said I was not a particularly dangerous looking person. Still I found it rather undignified been forced to hold out my arms while the guard patted me down.

“You’re fine.” He finally announced and took a step back looking at if he was about to return to his post.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

“Is there some sort of…patrol group I can travel with, I mean…I’m not sure how to hunt or defend myself.” It was somewhat embarrassing having to admit that, but better than coming to grief in the forests.

“Not for a few more days, yet,” the soldier looked sour faced, “unfortunately for me, since I’m the one getting relieved.”

“Oh,” I was disappointed, I had hoped I would be able to go directly through to the capital, but I supposed there was nothing for it.

I did not have very much with me, just a few rucksacks that held my books, I hadn’t brought many clothes since I figured that the method of dressing would be different here and I hadn’t wanted to have to bring a cart, that would have just slowed me down.

But I had quite a bit of money, so it was not as if I couldn’t afford to stay for a few days, it was just the waiting that was difficult.

Still, I supposed it would give me time to adjust to life in the kingdom, there were many things that could be different and it was probably best to know of them before I attempted to become Cedas’s apprentice, especially if he was as cantankerous and particular as it seemed.

I thanked the soldier, whose name I learned was Bran, and headed back into the village hoping to find an inn. As it transpired, Camelot was not a kingdom famous for inns, there was however a tavern at least and the propertier there offered me a room for the next three nights for only ten copper coins, so at least I was getting a very good deal.

Once I had set my rucksacks down in the room and making sure the door was locked and I headed back out into the village and went looking around to see what else was there.

There were the buildings you’d expect, the smithy, an apothecary, a meat seller, but there were also some that I had never seen before, although a few questions cleared things up. They were small shrines to the various Old Religion groups, I wasn’t exactly sure what to make of them, I didn’t want to gawk at them too much because that would have been rude, but I was curious. What did all the symbols etched in stone and painted on wood mean? How often were the Old Religion Gods prayed to? And was there really that much magic in the kingdom? These were all questions I wished to ask, but as unsure of the etiquette in doing so, some people were particularly defensive of their religions, and I didn’t want to offend anyone.

That evening as I sat in the tavern eating my dinner – which consisted of rather rough mutton and vegetables – I was approached by a young man who had the tanned look of a farmer, who tapped me on the shoulder.

“I heard you’re new here,” he began, but he had a friendly smile on his face, so I didn’t fear for my life. “From Caerleon.”

I nodded. “Yes, Geoffrey, from Monmouth.”

“Aldric of here,” he gave a laugh. “Although I have family in Caerleon, at least I did ten years ago, haven’t really heard from them in a while.”

“Are they from near Monmouth? Or Abertawe?” I asked. “Those are really the only two towns I know of well.”

Aldric shook his head. “No they were in – But that’s not why I’ve decided to grace you with my presence, no, it’s more I’m curious, you came all the way down here for some books or something?”

I invited him to take the seat beside me and went on to explain. “Not exactly, I’m hoping to become an apprentice, in the archives. I heard you keep meticulous archives here.”

Aldric pursed his lips. “Can’t really tell you if that’s true or not, I can’t even read. But I do know that a couple of years ago, that old archivist passed through here, he was taking a census or something, you know, the thing where they take down everyone’s name in the kingdom. So somewhere in those archives at Camelot is my name, Aldric of Stonewall.”

Well, we’d never had a census taken in Caerleon, at least not that I knew of, so this sounded very promising indeed!

“Have you ever been to the capital?” I asked, remember what Deacon Maxim had said about that.

“Can’t say I have actually,” Aldric looked disappointed by this fact. “I almost got there once, but the river flooded and I had to turn back. Not only a lost opportunity but a complete waste of grain. That wasn’t a good harvest season for me.”

“I’m sorry,” I sympathised, not that I knew anything about harvesting.

Aldric waved a hand. “Not your fault,” he then got a sly look upon his face. “You could treat me to some ale, though, if you really feel bad.”

I laughed at his cheek, but since the ale was so cheap I decided I may as well.

We fell into talk about our relative kingdoms and I found out a few things more about the Old Religions, although since Aldric didn’t follow any in particular I didn’t find out anything too detailed.

“Personally I don’t put much stock in most of it, but there a few interesting ones out there,” Aldric said between sips of his ale. “The ones with the priestesses especially, but then I’m often called a leach.” He laughed clearly amused rather than offended by the name.

I though remembered what Dylis had said all those years ago about the naked dances that used to take place during the Midsummer’s Eve festival, I wondered if here in Camelot that still happened and if so what I would do! I suppose I could just stay in my home – when I got a home that is – and keep my eyes averted.

Aldric and I talked long into the night until eventually my eyelids were so heavy I almost fell asleep on the table! Aldric poked me in the shoulder to wake me up and said that if I wanted to get more of a feel for the place, I could come and visit his farm tomorrow. I told him I was more than happy to do so – having never been on one before - and the next morning, I walked about half a mile out of Stonewall where a rather small house stood not far from the road but was surrounded by a huge expanse of field.

On my arrival I was greeted by Aldric, who despite having stayed up later than I had and drinking far more had obviously been up for hours and he seemed quite clear headed.

“You get used to the life,” he told me, “and working all day long in the sun seems to have the benefit of allowing one to avoid the horrors of a hangover. I hope your head is all right?”

I assured him it was fine and so it was, I was just surprised that he was fairing so well!

My introduction to the wonders of farm life proved to be an interesting one, I had read about the farming practices of the Romans in books, but that really wasn’t the same as actually seeing it being done - though you would be hard pressed to get me to admit that being a lover of books as I am.

However the benefits of books are that you don’t get exhausted and dirty from studying them in detail…by the end of the day I was covered in mud and some unidentifiable plant matter and my body was aching from all the walking and the brief time I spent baling hay just to see what it was like.

Aldric seemed to think that was very amusing and spent a great deal of time laughing at me. But at the end of the day he said I had done quite a good job for a beginner, but if I didn’t want to get into farming he could more than understand that.

I thanked him and said that I hoped I would see him about the tavern, before I returned to it myself and availed the use of the bathtub, where I spent a good hour cleaning off all the dirt, I started to think I would never be clean again!

If I had learnt nothing else from this experience it was that the rural life was most certainly not for me!

I did not bring the letter to Mother and Father’s attention right away because by the time I re-emerged from my room he was all ready speaking about what he had seen on his trip. I didn’t particularly mind not been able to speak right away, it gave me time to think, beyond that, Bishop Grigor had quite a tale to tell! It seemed hard to believe that Brittany was just a short trip across the Narrow Sea, it sounded more like the other side of the world.

“Although, if it were so far I’d never take a journey to it. A few days a-ship was almost enough to do me in.” Bishop Grigor shook his head. “I will never get used to the feeling of the floor moving beneath my feet, I can’t abide it.”

He continued on to tell us about the Bretons and their tendenancy for flowery language and how he thought he might be there for much longer than a month.

“But eventually I effected an escape and so am here before you now able to tell my tale.”

He continued on to tell us about the sights of Brittany and the difference between it and Albion, which seemed to be many! Their grass felt different under one’s feet, the roads over there were all paved and there were far more towns and cities and Christianity was well established.

I wondered if one day I might travel there or perhaps to other lands as well, but I was not from a rich family so I sincerely doubted it. But then there were books, many, many books to read on the subject so I guess I would have to turn to them and just imagine I was there to see it all.

When Bishop Grigor had finished his story he turned to me. “And did the letter I brought you bear good news?”

I was glad that I had told Mother and Father my plans otherwise they would have been very confused at that moment, as it was though, I was glad Bishop Grigor had brought it up and it gave me the opportunity I needed to excuse myself to get the letter and bring it back for Father to read. Over the years he had got somewhat better at reading and he finished it in about two minutes before turning to Mother in order to explain what it said.

To my relief, he took the letter in rather good humour.

“It seems the capital of Camelot is a wonder to behold, there is a cantankerous archivist, who apparently in charge of the greatest archive in Albion and there are not many Christians.”

Mother turned to me. “And you wish to go there? It’s very far, Geoffrey and what if you can’t stand this archivist?”

“I’m sure he’s not all that bad, Mother,” I was quite confident, “and as Father said, it’s apparently the greatest archive in the world, if it’s half as fine as that, it would be well worth it I think.”

Mother sighed and gave Father a worried look before turning to speak to me again. “And when do you plan to leave for Camelot?”

I considered her question, my eighteenth birthday was in late July, only two months away now, beyond that, the weather tended to turn around that time, it was far better that one not be on the road if that might happen…on the other hand I’m sure Mother wouldn’t want me to leave so soon.

I chose my words carefully. “Before winter, of course, but I have to make sure all is in order. I should write to the Archivist Cedas introducing myself, even if I don’t get a response he should get it before I arrive at least.”

“You don’t plan on going by yourself do you?” Mother asked. “The furthest you’ve ever travelled by yourself is to Abertawe and that hardly compares to what a trip to Camelot would be.”

It was actually a very good question, I hadn’t even thought of that! Did I really want to travel all that way by myself? On the other hand, I didn’t think that Father and Mother would be able to spare the time to accompany me. The journey would take a week or more.

“If I might make a suggestion,” Bishop Grigor spoke, “it has yet to be announced but I know that there is to be a Bishop’s Conference in the capital around that time, so you two will be able to accompany Geoffrey part of the way.”

Father turned to Mother. “Well, there you are Blodeuyn I think the Lord may be trying to tell us something.”

Mother still looked worried. “The capital is less than a third of the way to the city of Camelot, what about the rest of the way?”

“There’s usually patrols who cover the road between the capital and the south-east border, Geoffrey will be able to go with them I should think.”

That sounded better than going alone, provided the Prince wasn’t in one of those patrols.

Mother sighed once more. “It seems it’s all decided now,” she reached across the table to grab my hand. “I will miss you, Geoffrey, so much.”

“I’m not leave for two months, Mother,” I protested, but I felt a lump in my own throat, but crying in front of Bishop Grigor would have just made the situation worse as far as I was concerned.

There would be time enough later for tears and regrets.

I had thought having to wait a mere month to receive a reply via Bishop Grigor would be more than easy, but as time is wont to do, it began to drag on interminably and soon I was starting to wonder if it had stopped all together! Surely I could go to Camelot and back myself in the time this was taking! I supposed it did at least give me a chance to bring up my plans with Mother and Father, after all, if I had told Bishop Grigor what I was planning to do it was only fair that I tell them.

“Leave Caerleon?” Mother demanded once I had finished, she looked at me horrified. “For the rest of your days? Why would you wish to do such a thing?”

For a moment I thought she was jesting, I may have avoided letting the whole town know that the Prince had assaulted me, but Mother and Father knew well enough! So really, why was the question needed?

However, the way she was looking at me made it quite clear that she really didn’t understand my thinking.

“Not for the rest of my days, I’ll return for visits of course,” I promised. “It’s only that…well, there’s nowhere for me to apprentice here. And I have to leave before my eighteenth birthday.”

Father looked concerned. “Your eighteenth birthday? This isn’t about the year of solidering are you? I’ve told you Geoffrey, you have no reason to worry. I managed to get through it right enough.”

“You don’t understand, Father, I can’t be a soldier, especially not if the Prince is going to be inspecting all the troops.” Which is apparently something he did, at least that was what heard from gossip in the town. Not that I listened to gossip of course, well, not on purpose, but sometimes you couldn’t help hearing things.

“I will admit that the Prince seems to have taken quite a dislike to you, Geoffrey,” Father spoke, clearing his throat. “But how one acts off-duty is quite different to how one will act when conducting an inspection.”

“I’m sure it will be, Father,” I said, dryly, “who knows, perhaps he might have an accident with one of those bow and arrows he prizes so much.”

Mother looked concerned now. “His Highness does seem to have quite a temper, Galfridus,” she turned to Father, “there’s no denying that. But still…to live Caerleon altogether, Geoffrey? Where will you go?”

“I told you, I’ve been looking for an apprenticeship throughout the six kingdoms.”

“But you haven’t got a response yet.”

“I have…of a kind, a man who runs an archive of ships in Cornwall wrote back to me to suggest that Camelot might be a good place for me.”

“Camelot?” Mother looked aghast. “What do you know of that kingdom? I have heard the strangest tales from there.”

Father looked a little concerned himself. “They are certainly the least Christian of the six kingdoms there is no doubting that.”

“I assure you, I do not plan to turn to Druidism,” and I wasn’t, the…naked dancing was too much for me. “And the rest of it…well, it sounds more like the sort of tales parents tell their children to make them behave.”

“Perhaps a lot of it is,” Mother admitted. “But if even some of it is true.”

“That’s why I’m awaiting Bishop Grigor to return with the letter from the deacon he knows. I’m sure a man of the cloth will be honest with me and if Camelot really is as bad as you say I won’t go there.”

Mother reached out and patted my hand. “Well, good, I know you have a good head on your shoulders, Geoffrey.”

Well, yes, I did, although I was still desperate to ensure that I never had to be near the Prince in a military capacity. If Camelot didn’t prove to the place I could go to, I’d have to find something… Perhaps Mora had a need of someone? Or maybe even Northumbria could be an option, although admittedly we knew even less about life there than we did about Camelot.

I felt a sense of relief after speaking to Mother and Father, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I hadn’t even realised it was there! It also seemed to have the effect of speeding up time, or at least returning it to its normal pace and the last two weeks of waiting for Bishop Grigor to pass through was not nearly so excruciating.

Bishop Grigor arrived on a Sunday, which meant that a large portion of that first day was taken up with religious observance, I must confess I was even more distracted than usual! But it was hard not to be, my entire future was potentially resting upon the letter the Bishop was carrying. How was I supposed to remain calm in the face of that?

Finally, church services ended for the day and I was able to ask Bishop Grigor if he had brought anything back for me.

“Ah yes, Deacon Maxim was more than happy to provide a reference for the kingdom of Camelot,” Bishop Grigor looked rather amused as he reached into his pouch and drew out a folded bit of parchment which he handed to me. “With the proviso that he is a born and bred Cornishman, so he can be trusted in his assessment.”

I wasn’t entirely sure about that, but it couldn’t hurt to read it. I thanked Bishop Grigor and hurried from the room, which was probably rude since I’m sure he had many tales to tell of Brittany, but I would make sure to ask him about that later. At that moment though, reading what Deacon Maxim – and what an odd name that seemed to me! – had to say.

The letter was sealed with a plain wax seal which I hurried to break and then unfold the parchment to read what it contained.

Dear Geoffrey,

His Grace Grigor has acquainted me with your desire to occupy some position that requires the use of your love of books and reading. He has told me that Ewaine of Truro has sent you information that the Archives of Camelot are the envy of historians and librarians in Albion. I can tell you that whilst that is an exaggeration it is only a slight one. The Archivist of Camelot, Cedas was trained in the great city of Rome and has a Roman’s view of how records should be kept, which is with a great amount of accuracy and in large numbers.

I will say this, though, Cedas is not considered the easiest gentleman to get along with, hence I do believe there would probably be a fair possibility of you been accepted as an apprentice to him if you can adjust to his difficult personality.

In so far as the kingdom itself is concerned, I would like to assure you that many of the more salacious tales about Camelot are quite unfounded. It is however, a kingdom that is heavily involved in the Old Religion, having said that though, I hasten to add the Old Religion is not in fact a singular one, like ours. There are different sorts, different deities prayed to, most of which a quite harmless in their way, with nothing particular dangerous about them (in a physical sense I mean, spiritually speaking –

At this point in the letter, Deacon Maxim went off on a long tangent about how adherents to the Old Religion…or Religions as the case may be would imperil souls and so on, but finally he got back on point.

Christianity is not particularly strong here, but it’s welcome enough, I know that your father is a bishop and I’m sure that is a concern to you, so I can put your mind at rest on that point.

Also, I must give credit where it is due when it comes to the city of Camelot, the kingdom itself is a rather rough, but no-one can fault the capital, which puts Tamworth to shame. I imagine you’re a young man who appreciates civilisation and you will find it there in spades.

Having not met you personally I am unable to give a personal reference you to send onto Cedas, but as I have written he’d probably be happy to hear from an interested party.

I wish you good luck in your future endeavours, young man.

Yours in Christ,
Maxim

Well, there were a few bits within the letter that were cause for concern, mostly about this Cedas, just how horrible was he? And it was possible that Father would be more interested in the tangent about the Old Religion than I was, but really seeing as I was the one who was going that wasn’t so significant. I would have to show the whole letter to Father though, so there was that.

But I was more than intrigued by the idea that Camelot’s capital could possibly be better than Tamworth. I would have to see it to believe it!

I never did explain to anyone how I got my injuries, but then I was careful not to make a big deal out of them, because I knew if I did Father would definitely say something to the King and then God knew what a mess I’d end up in. Instead I laid low for the rest of the time His Majesty and his guard were in Monmouth, which fortunately was only for three more days.

I took this time to concentrate on what I could do and exactly where I could go. Tamworth still seemed a possibility to me, perhaps I couldn’t work in the official public library, but surely there were other libraries, perhaps in other towns, Mercia was a huge kingdom. Or perhaps someone needed a librarian within their private library, I had heard tell of private libraries that rivalled public ones in size and range.

And there was of course, the rather loose alliance of the six kingdoms, which aside from Caerleon and Merica, included Cenred, Camelot, Cornwall and Deria. Of course, communications between those further kingdoms was far more difficult, although there was always the possibility of Prowys. Although relations with that kingdom were nowhere near as cordial, there was no treaty or even a suggestion of one, so sending letters there was difficult and getting an answer was more a vague hope than anything else.

I decided that it couldn’t to write to anyone and everyone, once I got information of course. Fortunately, Father’s position meant that he had that from numerous contacts, in fact, I think he may had more contacts then the King himself. There were benefits to having a unified religion, although I never mentioned that particular belief to Father, he would have been bound to lecture me that that was the very last reason one should associate themselves with a religion.

If it had seemed like an eternity for me to get an answer from Tamworth Library, sending letters all over the south of Albion and waiting for replies was interminable. My seventeenth birthday came and went with no answers whatsoever, in fact I had all but given up when one day as I walked through the town my mind drifting when my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Rhys’s voice.

“Geoffrey!” I turned to see him waving at me to come over and once I did he held out a folded piece of parchment for me. “This arrived for you this morning, I’m not sure where from.” Rhys couldn’t read, but obviously the messenger had told him who it was for. I thanked Rhys and looked the parchment over, trying to figure out where it might have come from, but it wasn’t really clear. There was a seal on it, of course, but it was not one I recognised, but then I hardly expected I’d be able to, if it was from a foreign land.

Having established that I wasn’t about to get any really useful insight from the seal, I broke it and unfolded the parchment, hoping I’d be able to read what was inside well enough. Some people really did have the most atrocious handwriting.
I was in luck, however, the handwriting was neat and concise and just a few lines was enough to make the senders meaning clear to me.

And it was a very...odd meaning.

The letter was from Cornwall, however, the sender was not recommending one of the libraries of that kingdom to me, instead he spoke to me about Camelot.

I really didn’t know all that much about Camelot despite the fact Caerleon shared quite a sizable border with it. From what I had heard of it, it was an odd kingdom, still immersed in the ways of the Old Religion, rumour had it that a group of the most powerful priestesses lived there on some isle. In amongst all this Old Religion importance, however, the kingdom was ruled by a family with very strong Roman connections, or at least as strong as connection with them as could be had when the Romans had not been in the country for centuries. It was for this reason that the kingdom was a rather turbulent place, a sort of uneasy truce between the old ways and the new, even as far away as Monmouth we had heard about the odd internal skirmishes taking place. For all that though, the kingdom was still standing, certainly no-one had thought to try and absorb it, not even Mercia.

But really, I had never really considered Camelot a possibility, even though its capital was rumoured to be the most spectacular of all the southern kingdoms. Its castle apparently put all others to shame, but despite my love of architecture I would need more than that to go there.

This letter though, seemed to be advocating just that, its writer a man called Ewaine wrote that while Cornwall had no place for someone of my interests the city of Camelot boasted the greatest archives in the land. That was the first I’d ever heard of this! However, I was not about to base the future direction of my life upon one letter, the problem was I had no idea who I could write to and how I could guarantee an answer.

As it happened however, I was in luck because when Father came home that evening he gave Mother and I the news that Bishop Grigor would be coming through town for a visit and not only that but Monmouth was but one stop on his journey, he was going to Brittany and because he was such a bad sea traveller he was travelling overland to avoid being on a ship as much as he possibly could. And one of the stops on his trip would be a small village on the border of Camelot and Cornwall where he would stay with one of the deacons there.

Well, as soon as I heard this news I got to writing and the next morning approached Bishop Grigor with the result folded in my hand.

He looked bemused. “I wasn’t aware you knew the deacon of Fielding.”

“I don’t,” I explained, “but I’ve been tying to find out where I should go to continue my education and someone suggested Camelot.”

“Camelot? Well, I know our kingdom is not known for a love of books and reading, but I wasn’t aware Camelot had such a distinction.”

“Neither was I,” I answered, “which I why I have to write to someone there, to find out if it’s really true. Apparently, its capital has the greatest archives in Albion.”

Bishop Grigor chuckled and shook his head. “That’s quite a claim, but then people do tend to have bias towards their own land.”

“But it’s not someone from Camelot,” I said, and hurried to my room to retrieve the letter from Ewaine, bringing it to Bishop Grigor. “This man is from Cornwall.”

Bishop Grigor looked the letter over, still looking uncertain, but at the end of it he shrugged his shoulders. “Well, I have heard tell of the closeness of Cornwall and Camelot, perhaps this Ewaine has a vested interest? But I suppose sending another letter can’t hurt. I would be happy to deliver it for you, Geoffrey.”

“Thank you.” I gave him a relieved grin.

“It will be a month before I return,” Bishop Grigor felt the need to reinterate this to me. “So you’ll have a wait.”

“I took nearly half a year for this letter to come,” I held up the one from Ewaine. “One month is easy to take in light of that.”

Bishop Grigor was only with us for another day and most of that was spent in discussion with Father, apparently his mission to Brittany had to do with further cementing ties with those there of the Christian religion. I found myself wondering once again if that would make communication quicker and more reliable, but seeing as I was not intending to go to Brittany it wasn’t really relevant to me.

While Bishop Grigor was gone I received some more replies from my various enquiries, all of which failed, it seemed no-one had a place for one such as myself. Frankly I was beginning to think there might be something wrong with me! This was becoming quite serious, time was running out, when the new year began I would be required by the laws of the land to put my name forward for duty as a soldier. They would of course wait until I actually turned eighteen before they called me up, but the fact remained that this would be the first step towards that possibility and I really didn’t want to be forced to run away, for all I knew that would make me some kind of fugitive. I would, after all, like to be able to visit my parents once I left the kingdom!

I did the best I could to remain calm, keep myself to myself and out of the way of the Kings guard. At first it didn’t seem it would be all that difficult, being on the other side of town it was unlikely I would cross paths with the soldiers unless I went out of my way to do so. It was as if I had any talents that meant going to the training fields, in fact the opposite was true.

But that only worked so far as I was concerned, there was nothing to stop the Prince coming to find me.

And so it was a few days after the dinner at Lord Folant's while I was walking over the main bridge a voice rang out. “Do you find me funny, Mudmouth? I saw you the other night, laughing at me."

I considering running, but I immediately sensed that would be a useless endeavour, the Prince was more than capable of chasing me down. Instead I took a deep breath, attempted to steel my nerves and turned around.

“I wasn’t laughing,” I quickly blurted out defensively.

“Oh, of course not, you held back, how gentlemanly of you, Mudmouth. You planned only to mock me behind my back?”

“I wasn’t planning to mock anyone,” and I certainly hadn’t been...it had just been a stupid mistake. Couldn’t Prince Caerleon let bygones be bygones?

Obviously not because he took a step towards me, he towered over me and strength was evident in every muscle and sinew. It was enough to make me take a big step backward, the result of that was my back coming up against the wall of the bridge.

“Not so brave when it’s just us facing each other man to man are you? This is why you’ll never be anyone, Mudmouth.”

I didn’t argue with him, because I was quite sure I wouldn’t be anyone, at least not in the Prince’s mind. Also, I was more than sure, that the less I said the better.

But, I hadn’t counted on the fact that the Prince was looking for a fight and nothing was going to change his mind.

In fact, I didn’t realise what I was in for until Prince Caerleon suddenly grabbed me by the front of my tunic and pushed me back so that my upper body was all but hanging over the side of the bridge.

“Still think I’m funny now, Mudmouth?” The Prince snarled, leaning me back even further which sent pain shooting through me.

I could only make a strangled noise and that only made the Prince’s smirk widened.

Suddenly, he yanked me forward so that my back scrapped hard against the stones of the bridge wall. Almost immediately there was a sensation of wetness and I realised that I was bleeding.

“You show a lack of respect for your betters, Mudmouth, one day I’ll be your king, do you really think it acceptable to laugh at your king?”

I couldn’t really answer apart from a whimper.

The Prince threw me roughly to the ground and before I could even make a move to get to my feet he jammed his foot against my back, making it sting even more.

“You know what that is, Mudmouth? It’s called treason, you know what the penalty is for treason?”

The pain in my back was like fire and robbed me of the power of speech.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, the Prince actually twisted his foot against my back, the result was intense daggers of pain.

“Execution.” The Prince said the word with relish.

I had no answer for him even if I could have answered and it seemed that was the best option for me at the time, because mercifully he lifted his foot off my back.

“But, I’m a benevolent soul,” the Prince drawled, “so...I’m prepared to allow you to live this time. But I warn you, Mudmouth. Cross me again and you won’t be so lucky.”

And with that the Prince turned on his heel and strode away, leaving me face down on the ground in blinding pain, I was unable to move for a good ten minutes or so. Finally, I felt coherent enough to be able to get to my feet and sort of...hobble away.

The Prince’s words echoed in my head as I limped towards home, I took them to heart.

Staying in Caerleon had become even less tempting to me now.

I had hoped that I would be able to avoid the Prince for the rest of the royals stay at Monmouth. I didn’t think they would even be here that long, surely the King had important matters to attend to.

However, I hadn’t reckoned with the fact that as bishop, my father really was an important man and thus not even a day after my run-in with the Prince, Father was announcing to Mother and I that Lord Folant had invited us to his mansion that very evening for dinner with other important members of the area and the King and Prince.

“Dinner with the King himself?” Mother gasped. “And tonight? I’m not ready! We’re not ready, we don’t have the appropriate clothing, Kathy is still working on it!”

Father held up a hand. “Now, now my dear, stay calm, I’ve all ready sent a message to the seamstress, she will make do some temporary stitching and make sure everything’s ready, it’ll be fine.”

Mother was not entirely convinced, but not being able to do anything about our clothing she turned to other matters, ordering Father and I to bathe before that evening and ensure that we were properly groomed. She was clearly very excited to have this opportunity and Father was happy that she was happy. I however, was wracked with nerves the last thing I wanted was having to see the Prince tonight. I wondered if perhaps there was a way to get out of this, but aside from outright lying – which I had absolutely no skill at – I couldn’t. All I could hope for was that there would be a lot of people at this event and I would be able to hide in amongst the crowd.

That however turned out to be too much to hope for.

Not only was the dinner a small event, but Father was given a place of honour as the bishop, and he along with his wife and son were afforded a place at the head table.

The head table not ten feet from where His Highness, Prince Caerleon was sitting with the King!

For the first time in my life, I truly considered telling a bald face lie, claiming that I was ill and begging off, but to do such a thing would only draw attention to myself and properly embarrass my father and mother to top it off!

All I could do was hope that the food would be good enough to prevent the Prince from even noticing that I was there, if nothing else, I was at least very good at blending in.

For a while it seemed that was how it would pan out, it helped that Lord Folant had arranged for some entertainment, a magician, who kept our attention with disappearing, conjuring and even levitation tricks! It was hard to concentrate on anyone else at the table with such amazing sights to behold.

Sadly, the magician’s tricks came to an end about the time desert was served and conversation followed. Or at least amongst the older of the table, I might have sunk a little in my chair and attempted to make myself all but disappear – although I was nowhere near as talented as the magician.

However it almost worked! It did help, I suppose that the Prince seemed distracted himself, or perhaps bored would be a better description. In fact he seemed to want to be somewhere else, so at least I wasn’t the only one.

Unfortunately, the King noticed his son’s distraction and towards the end of the evening turned and actually nudged the Prince.

“Are you with us, Caerleon?”

The Prince turned quickly in his father’s direction and in doing so his sleeve caught on his goblet, knocking it over and spilling wine across the table and into his lap!

There was quite commotion as the Prince leapt to his feet, knocking over his chair and spluttering as a red stain spread across the front of his trousers.

It was actually amusing and there I made a rather stupid misstep, I almost laughed, I managed not to of course, but as the Prince grabbed part of the table cloth to wipe at the wine before the stain set, I came into the Prince’s line of sight and the look that came over his face clearly indicated that he had seen my amusement.

And it was quite clear by the look upon his face that I would not be forgiven for it any time soon.

If I was anxious before, now I was absolutely terrified.

The King remembered my father well, it was actually rather impressive when one considered how many people the man must meet in only a few months, never mind over several years. It was rather an honour.

I felt less honoured to be remembered by the Prince, in fact even though I had told Father that it would happen, I was actually surprised that it did. Was I really so memorable, or was it simply a case that I hadn’t changed in the intervening six years, which if it were the case was rather depressing.

I was so distracted by my thoughts that I didn’t realise that the King himself was in front of me until he spoke.

“And young Geoffrey! Did you ever learn to shoot a bow and arrow?”

I almost jumped at the sound of his voice, but thankfully I managed to hold my poise, although I really had no answer whatsoever to that. I hadn’t so much as looked at a bow and arrow since those dark days when the Prince had revelled in tormenting me.

But I had to say something to this King. “I…haven’t had that honour, sire.”

“No? Well, with any luck you’ll have a chance while my guard and I are encamped here.”

I almost shouted ‘No!’ because I feared he would enlist his son’s help in that and the last thing I wanted was to be around sharp objects with the Prince.

But I held my tongue and fortunately, nothing else was said by the King and fortunately the Prince did not require individual greetings.

Lord Folant made sure to make a truly impressive and lengthy speech of welcome to the Royal Party, one that lasted long enough to make the young and even a few of the not-so-young shuffle from foot to foot waiting for it to finish. When he finally did finish, it was Father’s turn and he thankfully made his speech rather short.

Once that was done there was no reason for me to have to stay in close proximity to the Prince and I moved to get out of his line of vision as quickly as possible.

I hoped that the King’s guard would be encamped on the outskirts of town, near the large stables where the few soldiers who had passed through Monmouth stayed, but then this was a royal party and it was quite likely things would be different.

Still, I consoled myself by remembering that Lord Folant’s home was on the opposite side of town to the church and our home, so chances were I wouldn’t have to cross paths with the Prince at all!

At least, that was what I thought would happen, but life seems to have an uncanny ability to do the exact opposite if what you hope it should. Sometimes it even seems as if it enjoys mocking you. It certainly seemed that way to me, because as I hurried towards home, who should I almost trip over but Prince Caerleon himself.

He was almost unrecognisible in his armour and helm, but his eyes were the same, cold blue and full of contempt.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Mudmouth," he sneered at me and looked about him with absolute disgust. "It appears that I was too kind, Mudmouth is too kind a description for this dungheap of a village."
I stiffened slightly, as intimidated as I was by the Prince, I found the insult to my home, the town that had put so much effort and expense into welcoming him and his father was almost enough to make me object.

I didn't actually say anything, but it seemed I didn't have to, because the next thing I knew, I was been grabbed by the shoulder of my jacket.
"You want to say something to me, Mudmouth? Come on, don't be shy, I'm all ears."

I swallowed hard, I wasn't about to say what I had been thinking. I wasn't a complete fool, I was in enough trouble already, I certainly wasn't going to compound it.

The Prince grinned and gripped my shoulder to the point I winced. "Not a brave one, are you? Happy to glare and mutter under your breath, but not man enough to actually say something. You make me sick, you know that?"

The next thing I knew my shoulder was being wrenched and I found myself on the ground, my eyes stinging as I held back tears. The last thing I wanted was the Prince to see me cry. That would only make things worse, if that was possible.

"Well, got anything to say now, Mudmouth?"

I shook my head, not looking up, getting slowly to my feet. I needn't have bothered because the next thing I knew there was a shooting pain through my shins and then my hip as I ended up in the dirt once more.

"Did I say you could get up?" The Prince jeered with a laugh.

I looked over my shoulder and up at his self-satisfied expression wishing for once I could do or say something, but I was bruised enough all ready.

"Good, you're starting to learn," he folded his arm and smirked triumphantly. "People seem to have no respect for royalty these days, but I think you at last are getting the message, aren't you?"

Once again all I could do was nod.

"Well, now that's all in order, I must be off, I have very pressing matters to attend to."

But if I'd hoped that was the end of that, I was sadly mistaken, for as the Prince walked by me, he very deliberately stepped on my hand and this time there was no holding back the tears.

As so happened, I did not have to wait long to discover whether or not Prince Caerleon remembered who I was. I hadn’t really thought about that King’s promise that he would one day visit Monmouth. The promise had been made so many years ago I figured he had forgotten, which wasn’t really all that surprising, the King was a busy man.

But for whatever reason in the summer of my sixteenth year, the town received word that the King and his main guard would be riding through Monmouth at the beginning of July.

The whole town was abuzz with this news, the visit of the King meant that hundreds of people from surrounding farms and villages would be crowding in to catch a sight of their monarch. In turn this meant there needed to be plenty of food and lodgings available and of course the town needed to look its absolute best so as to impress the King.

As the Bishop, Father was going to be particularly involved in the celebrations, he had to create a sermon and write special blessings for various events. Meanwhile, Mother joined forces with many ladies in the village to make all sorts of delicious delicacies, there was one important benefit to all this, namely that there were a lot of test runs of various food to try and I of course made sure that I was always available to be a tester.

In fact, I was looking forward to the King’s visit as much as anyone else in Monmouth until we heard more about his main guard, for some reason I hadn’t even considered that as the heir to the throne, Prince Caerleon would, of course, rank among them.

That news immediately made me change my outlook on the King’s visit. Now I wished I had some sort of excuse to be out of town, fearing what would happen if the Prince saw me. Perhaps he wouldn’t realise who I was, but perhaps he would and if he did, what exactly was I meant to do?

I attempted console myself, thinking that realistically as long as I kept far away from the prince and made sure we only met in public places I would be perfectly safe.

However, I couldn’t hide my distress and Father eventually noticed it and took me aside one day to ask me about it, when I explained he shook his head.

“Geoffrey, son, you really do worry too much. I can assure you it’s been many years since you saw the Prince, you were just children then, now the he’s a trained knight –“

“Is that meant to make me feel better?” I had to interject.

“What I’m saying is he’s had many more life experiences and I really don’t believe a childhood rivalry will even enter his mind. Apart from anything else, the Prince will have meant thousands of people in that time, I’d find it hard to believe he’d even remember you.”

“Maybe he won’t…but he could still hate me on sight anyway,” I thought that was quite likely. “You don’t understand how much he tormented me back then.”

Father shook his head. “Everything seems worse when you’re a child, Geoffrey, you’ll be fine, I assure you. You probably won’t even see the prince, at least, not up close.”

I can’t say I believed him, but I gave him a smile because…well…what else could I do?

As it turned out, things were so busy in the lead up to the King’s arrival, I didn’t really have enough time to worry unduly. All the young men in the village, including myself, where pressed into service, carrying this and that hanging flags and banners from the buildings in the main street. Lord Folant ended up going to extremes, at least in my opinion, many of the buildings were repainted and the day before the King came everyone in Monmouth was recruited to clean the streets, actually clean them, as if the King was expecting them to be glimmering when he rode in. I will admit though, the result of all that scrubbing was quite spectacular, to this day I can still clearly picture how Monmouth looked on that day.

At the time however, I was decidedly anxious as the day arrived and not only the entire population of Monmouth, but what appeared to be every person within twenty miles of the town lined the streets awaiting the arrival of the Royal party.

Father was dressed in his finest robes for the occasion and he looked quite different at least to me, awe inspiring in fact and though I greatly respected Father I’d never before seen him as such. In fact, when he came out wearing the golden robes and holding his staff of office, Mother and I actually bowed our heads to him. His response to this was to laugh, and suddenly he was Father again and we all hugged each other.

But as I stood in the street I realised that Father’s statement that I would not even see the Prince up close had one flaw to it… As the son of the bishop I would be standing in the greeting party, about as close as one could get to the King. So, I was trying not to shuffle from foot to foot and instead had to content myself with swallowing hard.

Lord Folant had commissioned trumpters to announce the arrival of the King, he had hired two dozen in fact and they lined the main road to Monmouth. It had the effect of letting us know the King was drawing near as in the distance we heard the fanfare as His Majesty passed one pair and then another, coming closer and closer. I might have grabbed onto Mother’s hand when the group of around twenty men appeared in sight. I thanked God that Caerleon wasn’t a kingdom that liked to armour its knights, I may well have fainted dead away had I seen them in gleaming armour, they were intimidating enough on horseback.

Everyone bowed low as the King and the Prince passed and I probably made my bow last the longest, if only to hide my face, but eventually I had to straighten up if I was to avoid looking completely ridiculous.

And of course, as soon as I straightened up I found myself eye to eye with Prince Caerleon and in that moment I realised, unfortunately for me, that he did still recognise me.

And furthermore, it did not seem that he was willing to let bygones be bygones.

Upon our return to Monmouth, things became very quiet indeed with no more trips on the horizon.

I spent many hours thinking of the grand library in Tamworth and whilst it seemed a strange thing to be contemplating, I considered what my life would be like if I left Caerleon for Mercia. I wondered what Mother and Father would think of such a move and I wondered if those at the Tamworth Library would even allow me to work with them. Perhaps there was some sort of rule about only using native Mercians…I had no idea.

So I decided I would write to Bede and see what he had to say about my proposal.

It was the first time I’d ever written a letter on my own behalf and I made many drafts before sending it off. I wanted it to be perfect after all, I was attempting to prove my creditals as an apprentice.

If writing the letter didn’t prove to be difficult enough, sending it was even harder.
Messengers were hard enough to come by and since Monmouth wasn’t considered a main thoroughfare yet weeks often went by without one of them riding through. And even when they did it was usually in the opposite direction and there was no guarantee that even with our treaty, letters passed at the border would be carried onward.

Still, it was the only way I could possibly get word to Tamworth, so I took the chance, although I didn’t expect to get an answer.

And for a long time I didn’t. Many months passed and I had almost forgotten about even writing the letter when one day, while I was in town Lord Folant, owner of a high number of farms in the area, waved me over.

“Someone knows who you are, young Geoffrey,” he greeted me with a smile.

“They do?” I asked, confused.

Lord Folant nodded and pulled from his coat a folded piece of parchment. “This came for you, from Mercia. I had no idea you were in contact with anyone there, you personally that is. I know you father has sent the odd missive to the bishops in that kingdom, but this is from some sort of library.”

My heart leapt and I almost grabbed the parchment from his hand, I managed to control myself however.

“I…well…I visited the library when I was there and I wrote to them a few months ago.” I explained, trying not to blush as I wondered what Lord Folant thought of that. He didn’t seem upset, just surprised, it seemed Father’s prediction that old hatreds and distrust from years of fighting had diminished and the mention of Mercia no longer brought suspicion.

“A few months ago,” Lord Folant laughed and shook his head. “We really must work on making things a bit faster. Well here you are, I hope the news is good.”

I hoped so too. I thank him and gave a little bow, before turning and walking away at an even pace so as not to attract too much attention to myself, as difficult as that was.

Once I was sure I would be undisturbed I opened the seal on the parchment and opened it, my hands shaking slightly.

The letter was from Bede himself and as such it took me a moment to get into the rhythm of his handwriting and thus be able to read what the letter said.

It was a nice enough letter, Bede remembered me thanks to some antecdotes I included in my letter to him, but as I read on, I quickly realised that it was not at all good news.

Bede thanked me for my interest in being his apprentice, but stated that because of the prestiege and importance of the library in Tamworth, any apprentice had to be picked from Mercia’s own subjects.

The letter ended with him wishing me luck and saying that I was always welcome to visit and high hopes that I would find an apprenticeship within my own country.

I wasn’t too sure about that, Caerleon remained a kingdom without much interest in public libraries. Our people were more interest in martial conquest and trade deals.

My only hope for an apprenticeship of the type of sought here was the Royal Archives and I was still unprepared to expose myself to something like that. Although, eventually, it occurred to me that more likely not, Prince Caerleon wouldn’t even remember me.

One could always wish right?

Fortunately, there were no naked displays during the Bonfire and the next day I was able to go to the market and buy a few more books, although none on the Old Religion, they were rare as most of the religious lore was kept orally. I wondered though, with a new religion spreading throughout Albion – the kingdom of Powys had recently decreed that they would follow Christianity too – if the Durids would begin to write things down, to make sure their history wasn’t lost forever.

With my fifteenth birthday fast approaching I began to wonder if I might be given more freedom, to travel to various places in Caerleon and find out about them. I was sure that I wouldn’t suffer nervousness about being separated from my parents, I was almost a man after all!

Mother, Father and I remained in the city until the end of June, during which I saw Dylis more than a few times. I realised later on, much later on that she was flirting with me! Sometimes I wondered what would have happened if I’d realised such a thing…although I’m sure I’d still be blushing to this day.

I think Dylis decided I was lost cause before I left, because the last time I saw her before our departure, she was talking with one of the new squires, I could tell he was a squire because he had the patch of one on his tunic.

She noticed me shortly after I saw her and moved forward with a wave. “Geoff!”

“Hello, Dylis,” I greeted her with a smile and a nod. The squire she was with looked at me closely, but there was no sense of danger in his gaze.

“This is Padrig, he’s the son of Lord Eurig of Wysg and has just arrived in the city to begin his training.”

“Hello, Padrig,” I rather awkwardly stuck out my hand for him to shake, I never knew how to properly greet people. Padrig seemed more amused than anything else, however, and shook my hand briskly with a very tight grip.

“And this is Geoff, from Monmouth, its north of here, but that’s about all I know.” Dylis gave a laugh and shook her head.

Padrig though gave me a nod of recognition. “I know of Monmouth, my mother was from there. A very fine town, although I haven’t visited there for some years. Is Rhys still blacksmith there?”

“He is,” I answered with a nod and for a few moments we exchanged news about my birthplace and then Padrig excused himself, citing a meeting with the knight who was sponsoring him.

Once he was gone, I turned to Dylis. “I’m afraid I’ve come to say farewell, Father, Mother and I are returning to Monmouth this afternoon.”

Dylis’s face fell. “All ready? You only just got here, Geoff.”

Perhaps I was wrong about her having lost interest in me – though I could hardly think why she’d be interested in the first place – I patted her hand because that was all I could think to do.

“We’ve been here for almost three weeks, and Father is needed back at Monmouth, he is bishop after all.”

“Well, you don’t have to go with them do you?” Dylis asked, threading her arm through mine. “You’re of age to be a squire yourself, you know.”

I couldn’t help blanching at that. “I would be an absolutely awful knight, Dylis, I have no warrior skills whatsoever.”

Dylis looked me up and down then grinned. “You have no illusions of yourself, do you, Geoff?”

“Well, there’s not much point in that, is there?” I asked, looking at her slightly confused.

“I suppose,” Dylis patted my cheek now. “Still very honest of you.” She tilted her head at me curiously. “I’ll miss you, Geoff. If you’re back in the capital you have to visit with me.”

“Of course,” I promised, although I really wasn’t sure when next I’d visit the capital, it did not appear that it would be getting a library any time soon. I supposed there were royal archives, but the idea of going anywhere near the Prince Caerleon wasn’t the least bit appealing.

Dylis wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace and planted a kiss on my lips much to my embarrassment. Somehow we weren’t noticed doing so there were no repercussions for either of us for such a public display.

Before I left Dylis, she showed me where she lived, a rather modest house, but one that was not too far from the castle. She took the opportunity to introduce me to her mother, her father, being a commander in the army was away on patrol somewhere. Her mother was a rather portly woman, with the same bright red hair as her daughter’s.

“Geoffrey, is it? Dylis has mentioned you,” she greeted me rather politely, but all the same she seemed rather bemused. “I am Lady Gladys.”

I bowed my head to her. “Honoured to meet you.” Her husband being a commander and all I had to assume she was a lady of some position.

Lady Gladys invited me to sit and a servant brought us some cold meat and honey drink for lunch.

The conversation proved to be slightly stilted seeing as I had no idea what one was supposed to talk about in such situations. Somehow we ended up talking about how I learnt to read here in the capital. Lady Gladys was extremely excited to hear that I had met the King and Prince, admittedly I didn’t tell them the whole truth about the Prince, because, well, that would have been treason.

After about an hour, Lady Gladys excused herself and I told Dylis I had to go. I promised that I would remember it – the door of the house was painted a bright red – and with a final wave I headed off towards the Bishop’s Palace making sure to arrive in time to check my room and assure myself I hadn’t forgotten anything before Mother, Father and I bid the Bishop of Caerleon farewell and climbed into our cart for our journey.

As travelled up the road, I leaned back and thought about what the future would hold for me. Dylis had had a good point, many boys of my age….well, were no longer boys, they were men. It would not be all that long until I was expected to put in a year of soldiering, and while it wasn’t as if I didn’t feel a sort of…loyalty to Caerleon I knew more than anything else, that there was no possible way I could undertake such a thing.

Besides, it didn’t take me long to figure out what it was that I wanted to be.

A scholar, a dedicated researcher, someone who would always have books close at hand.

The question was…how would I achieve such a thing?

The large square of the city was packed with people when Mother, Father and I arrived as the sun was setting. It seemed that everyone in the entire capital had come, including the King, Queen and Prince.

It was my first sight of Prince Caerleon in years, he was now a fully fledged knight, sixteen years of age and imposing even from a distance. He had a look of smugness upon his face as he stood up on the dais that had been erected for the royal family. As if he owned us all, which I supposed technically, he did or would.

Still, I was safe enough where I was, I hoped. I supposed it was possible the royals might go into the crowd as they were wont to do at such events.

Mother and Father stood close together and I asked if I could be excused because shortly the second evening bell would ring and I should at that time be in front of the building with the intricate stonework to meet with Dylis.

“Well, be careful,” Mother remarked and patted my shoulder.

“I will,” I nodded and then began winding my way through the crowd towards the building we had agreed to meet at. I arrived there first and for some minutes I could see no sign of Dylis and wondered if she was coming after all.

The King had stepped forward and raised his hands for silence from the extremely loud crowd so that he could speak.

“My people, I welcome you to our Midsummer’s Eve Festival, a long and celebrated tradition of this great land. And since we are holding our decennial Market I can see we have an even greater number of people than usual with us today. My special welcome in particular to you.”

At that moment I felt a hand suddenly upon my shoulder, which made m jump.

“It’s just me, Geoff,” Dylis’s voice sounded in my ear. “Honestly, you’re so jumpy. Do raiders invade the town of Monmouth often perhaps?”

I shook my head. “No, I just thought, perhaps…never mind.”

Dylis looked at me curiously and for a moment it seemed she would ask me to explain, but then she shrugged her shoulders and looped her arm through mine. “Come on, let’s see if we can get to the front of crowd, we’ll have a much better view there.”

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do that, because it certainly made it more likely that I would be spotted by the Prince and if I was what would I do?

Still…I suppose even if he did he wouldn’t do anything in front of so many people, that would be ridiculous, wouldn’t it?

I held on tightly to Dylis’s hand as we wound through the crowd at one point we passed Meurig who joined us and considering the width of him allowed us to make even better progress.

“So, you’ve been spending a lot of time with my sister, should I be concerned?” He asked me with a raised eyebrow.

I blushed bright red, but thankfully it was quite dark, so I don’t think he noticed. Still I didn’t actually answer him and he gave me a punch on the upper arm. “Don’t panic, I trust you, seeing how you gamble.”

“Leave Geoff alone, Meruig,” Dylis gave him a look. “He’s a complete gentleman.”

Well, that was a nice compliment.

We finally did get to the front of the crowd, near the partitions that separated us from the bonfire. The royal family was still mingling with their subjects, so I breathed a sigh of relief.

It wasn’t all that long lived however, because after only a few moments, there was more jostling, the crowd moving to allow the King, Queen and Prince back to the front. The Prince passed within mere feet of me, and I had the absorbed urge to duck down behind Meruig so he wouldn’t see me. He didn’t look in my direction however, so I decided I was safe and so was able to relax.

The King spoke to us once again. “I wish I could spend longer with you all, my people, but the night won’t wait. So! It is my honour and pleasure to instruct my son, the Prince Caerleon –“ There was a pause as the crowd gave a great roar, evidentally they didn’t know him as well as I did – “to light the fire for this celebration of Midsummer.”

There were the sounds of drum rolls and a large man, who I assume was the King’s Champion moved across the square with a large brazier in hand. The Prince, somehow managing to look even more smug then he had before, stepped forward with a torch in this own hand. He and the King’s Champion met and the Prince lit his torch from the brazier then turned and headed over to the pile of wood.

There was a great cheer as the Prince tossed the torch upon it and it erupted into flames with a whoosh. It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen! Never in my life had I heard fire make a sound like that and the feeling of heat was immediately evident. Which when one thought about it, wasn’t exactly what one needed in the middle of summer, but the Druids would have their reasons I suppose. I decided then and there I would need to get a book about the Old Religion.

Dylis leaned in close and spoke over the now crackling flames. “It’s beautiful isn’t it, Geoff?”

“Yes, but hot,” I shook my head.

Dylis giggled. “It is, do you know what they used to do, when the Old Religion was still here?”

“Um, no,” I couldn’t imagine.

“People used to undress…completely and dance around the bonfire.”

“They what?”

“Dance around the bonfire naked,” Dylis repeated, laughing some more. “It was warm enough to after all.”

I shook my head, I couldn’t even…the very idea! I prayed nothing like that would happen tonight, I mean really…

“It’s a bit of a shame,” Dylis gave a sigh, then patted my cheek. “But we can imagine can’t we?”

I coughed and spluttered in complete and total embarrassment.

Really, Dylis was a strange girl.

Or perhaps more to the point I was a strange boy as she said.

I decided that I would donate it to the orphanage in Monmouth, after all, the children there could certainly use it. So that very evening I tucked the coins safely away in the bottom of my travelling trunk before venturing out to the markets again. I was sure there were other book stalls to be looked at and perhaps there were also more bargains to be found at the first stall.

Sure enough I found another book stall, the stall keeper at this one was significantly more polite, even making a few suggestions about what I might like to read.

I was going over a particular interesting looking tome on Gaulish architecture when there was suddenly a tap on my shoulder. I gave a jump and turned around to come face to face with Dylis.

“Geoff, what are you doing?” She looked at the book in my hand completely baffled.

“I’m just looking at these books,” I gave the rather obvious answer, after all, wasn’t it clear?

“Well, yes, I’m not blind, Geoff,” she leaned in and patted my cheek. “But why?”

“I like to read.”

“I see…” Dylis tilted her head quizzically at me. “You’re a strange one, Geoff.”

“Um,” I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, it certainly wasn’t a compliment.

Dylis tucked her arm through mine. “I’m sure it has its pleasures, but there’s far more fun to be had at the Great Market. Come on.”

I hesitated, but at the same time I was curious. “Just let me buy this and we can go.”

Dylis waited patiently why I handed over three copper coins for the book and then pulled me along down the streets.

“Where are we going?” I asked as we moved through the crowd, I had to admire how Dylis was able to steer us through despite the fact the streets were almost as crowded today as they were yesterday.

“It’s a surprise.” Dylis looked over at me and gave a wink.

I bit my lip and hoped it would be a pleasant surprise.

Eventually we ended up in one of the town squares, where a large number of gaily dressed people were milling about, a few of them where bringing over various sticks and branches towards what was quickly becoming a huge stack of wood.

“It’s for the Midsummer’s Eve bonfire,” Dylis explained to me. “It’s going to be the biggest one in decades, truly a sight to be seen.”

I had never actually attended a Midsummer’s Eve before, it as not exactly a Christian festival. Not that there was anything prohibiting attending one so to speak, at least not in so many words, but since the evoking of the Old Gods and Goddesses would probably show up at some point, which certainly wasn’t approved I didn’t know if it was appropriate for me to be there.

Actually I was rather surprised that King Caerleon would be allowing the festival to go ahead.

Dylis rolled her eyes. “Oh, the priests can be complete idiots, no offence intended,” she gave me an embarrassed smile.

I smiled back, but that was only because I really didn’t know how else to respond.

“We’re not evoking the Gods, we’re just enjoying the fire, its going to be amazing. And everyone’s invited to add fuel, a way to join all the people in the city.”

Well, that sounded…rather nice, bringing everyone together like that, I couldn’t see how that would be offensive to anyone, Christian or otherwise.

“So, want to go and collect some wood together?” Dylis asked, poked me in the arm – which I thought was a rather strange gesture, but it seemed to be her way.

“All right.”

Dylis seemed very pleased indeed about this and once again I found myself propelled along this time towards the outskirts of the city, which wasn’t really all that far although the forest was on the other side of a small river.

Dylis dropped my arm and to my complete and utter shock began to hitch up her skirts.

“What are you doing?” I spluttered and I blushed to the roots of my hair.

“We have to get across the river, don’t we? My mother would kill me if I ruined this dress.” Dylis pulled off her shoes before looking up at me and seeing the look on my face seemed to strike her as absolutely comical because she began to laugh. “Oh settle down, Geoff, it’s just my shins.”

I looked away and decided to busy myself by removing my own shoes and rolling up my trousers. I paused as Dylis strode to the bank. “The river isn’t very deep is it?”

“Not at all, otherwise I would have put my skirts up higher.” She looked at me with twinkling eyes. “Well, maybe I wouldn’t you might just faint dead away.”

I have to confess, I smiled and shook my head, following her into the water. It was really quite refreshing, the weather was even hotter today then it was yesterday.

As Dylis promised the river was not deep, it was really more of a stream and once we were in the other side we dried our feet on the grass and I immediately pulled my shoes back on.

“What are you doing that for?” Dylis asked, amusement written on her face.

“There’s rocks on the forest floor, I don’t want to step on anything.”

Dylis shook her head. “You’re a very strange one, you know that, Geoff?”

All the same, I noticed she put her shoes back on as well.

As we wandered into the forest and began collecting sticks and twigs, the air became cooler and everything became quite serene. I found it all very enjoyable indeed!

Once we had a good bundle of wood in our arms, we started to head back towards the city, but as we came to a fallen log, Dylis suggested that we sit down and rest our legs.

“My legs aren’t tired,” I answered.

Dylis rolled her eyes and sat down, settling her wood pile down beside her. “Just sit down, Geoff.”

I was still thoroughly confused by the request, but I sat down nevertheless, setting my wood pile down as well.

“I’ m glad I met you, Geoff, things were getting very tedious before I did.”

“I’m...glad I could help.” It was a ridiculous response, but I didn’t know what else to say.

Dylis laughed and leaned towards me. “You’re absolutely hilarious, you know that?”

I blushed and looked down, because I didn’t aim to be, at least not most of the time. But I suppose it was nice that Dylis got amusement out of being around me.

She brushed against my shoulder. “I asked about Monmouth the other day, to my father, he’s a knight. He says it’s a little town two days gentle ride north, is everyone there as interesting as you?”

“I’m...not sure what you mean.”

“You know, all bookish and ignorant about taverns?”

“Oh, no, no, I’m just...” I trailed off.

“Special, that’s what you are.” Dylis supplied and the next thing I knew her arms had wound around my shoulders and her face was right next to mine.

I shifted on the log somewhat uncomfortably, I wasn’t used to having people so close to me.

Little did I know, Dylis planned to get closer, the next thing I realised she was pressing her lips against mine!

I’m rather embarrassed to admit that it gave me the shock of my life and my first reaction was to move away. In doing so, I managed to topple off the log, landing heavily on my back on the forest floor.

“Geoff! Are you all right?” Dylis swivelled around and stared down at me. She frowned. “You don’t have a lady at home, I hope?”

“N-no,” I stammered, hurrying to sit up and picking leaves out of my hair. “I just...um...”

Suddenly Dylis burst out laughing and held her hand out for me to take so she could help me up. “Was that your first kiss, Geoff?”

“Er...yes.”

Dylis shook her head and patted me on the cheek. “Are you sure the people of Monmouth aren’t a bunch of shy creatures like yourself? Do your parents live in a convent?”

I stared at her confused. “No, my father’s a bishop.”

“I’m just jesting you, Geoff.” Dylis shook her head and moved in to place a kiss on my cheek. Then she jumped to her feet and gathered up her wood pile. “Come on then, let’s get back to the square. If we dally too much they’ll have lit the bonfire before we can get back.”

I sincerely doubted that since the sun was still high in the sky, but I realised she was probably, yet again, jesting. So I gathered up my woodpile as well and we retraced our steps, out the forest and back across the river.

It might not have become dark while we were gone, but the bonfire pile and increased noticibly. It seemed everyone in town was adding fuel to it. I wondered about that, I would have to ask Father when I got back to the Bishop’s Palace.

After Dylis and I had added our wood to the pile she turned to me. “I suppose you’ll be wanting to get back to your book search?”

“That would be nice,” I said, rather awkwardly, I had an idea that there was some sort of etiquette to be observed after kissing a lady, but perhaps it did not apply when the lady kissed you?

“I’ll be here tonight of course, how about we meet over there when the second night bell rings?” She pointed over at a rather ornately facaded building across the way from us.

I didn’t answer for the moment, I still wondered if it would be acceptable for me to attend this even, being the son of a bishop and all. “All right, if I can come, of course.”

“Of course,” Dylis smiled, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze. “Have fun book hunting, Geoff!” And with that she hurried off across the square heading who knows where.

I returned to the market, where I got another book on the birds of Albion, but I was admittedly distracted thinking about the Midsummer’s Eve festival. So much so that I returned to the Bishop’s Palace much earlier than intended, hoping to find Father in between conference and I was lucky enough to do so.

“Geoffrey!” Father looked surprised to see me walk into the foyer. “I thought you wouldn’t be back for hours yet, your mother is certainly nowhere in sight.”

I smiled and produced the two books I had purchased that day from the small bag I carried over my shoulder. “I thought I’d bring these back for safe keeping.”

“Ah, a very good idea.” Father nodded.

“But, also, I wanted to ask you something.”

“Certainly,” father smiled, then chuckled. “Unless it’s a request to borrow money, then I’m afraid that is something I can’t do for you.”

“No, no, I’m fine, I was just wondering...have you heard about the Midsummer’s Eve Festival, it’s on tonight.”

I had worried that Father might be utterly horrified by this news, but he seemed quite composed. Perhaps it was not such a big deal after all.

He didn’t say anything for a while though, at least a minute passed before he gave a nod. “Ah yes, the people do enjoy clinging to their traditions, New Religion or not.”

“Is it a bad thing?”

“Not as such, no, there is no law against celebrating,” Father gave me a reassuringly look. “It would, of course, depend on the reason you are celebrating more than anything else.”

“So will we be attending?”

“I wasn’t planning too, but then you know how I am, rather spend a nice quiet evening at home than up and about. I’m sure your mother will have something to say to that, however.” Father chuckled again. “I have a very good feeling that we will be in that square tonight when the bonfire is lit.”

I was rather relieved to hear that, if nothing else it would be interesting to observe on of these ceremonies, even if there wasn’t going to be all the rituals once involved in such things. It was more knowledge to be had.

It seemed I had drastically underestimated the value of copper, because the metalsmith was not only excited by our discovery, but he offered to buy it from us for a gold coin! I’d never seen a gold coin before, and this time I only saw one for a few moments, because we had to split it seven ways. Except, you can’t split a gold coin seven ways evenly, but Aled declared that because I was the one who knew where the gold was and found the copper piece I should get slightly more. In the end we each got a silver piece and I got eleven copper coins, while the rest of my friends got eight.

I didn’t know what to say, because that meant…despite everything, Aled, Gruffud, Sewyl, Wynn, Berwyn and Ifan really were friends to me, or at least they were fair.

That being the case, well…I was actually sorry to have to leave them, although I was looking forward to returning to Mother and Father, especially with all the stories I had to tell them!

Bishop Grigor and I left that very afternoon, my friends waving to me as we left Abertawe.

The ride back to Monmouth seemed to take a lot less time even though it was the same distance and upon my arrival, Mother and Father were waiting to greet me. I’m not ashamed to say I gave them both a warm embrace.

Father Grigor could not stay long, though, which was a shame, he said he would visit on his way back.

Mother and Father listened with great attention over the following days as I related my adventures in Abertawe and they were especially interested in the book Bishop Grigor had given me and the money from the copper.

Which was money I was allowed to keep, to spend as I would wish.

However, I can’t say I was much of a spender, so it sat in the bottom drawer of my cupboard waiting for the day when I find good use for it.

As the end of my thirteenth year came and went I travelled once more to Abertawe, staying with Bishop Grigor and meeting my friends again. They had decided to move on from caves and were now devoting their energy to creating rafts to sail on the river.

Having yet to learn to swim, I was even less enamoured of this idea than searching caves for gold! When Aled found out I couldn’t swim he was more than a little amused and made it his mission to teach me how to before I had to leave again.

I’m not entirely sure how successful he, his brothers and Berwyn and Ifan were, I didn’t get on any of the rafts, but I did at least manage to learn how to stay afloat long enough to go from one side of the river to the other.

That wasn’t the only thing I left Abertawe with, Bishop Grigor allowed me to take yet another book.

In fact the only books I had in my collection where ones that I received from the good Bishop, as I said, bookstalls did not come to Monmouth, nor did they come to Abertawe. So my money remained unspent.

That was until the summer just before I turned fifteen, Father was called to yet another Bishop’s conference in the capital. I was more than happy to go, but he had to plead and almost beg to convince Mother to come, something that piqued my curiosity somewhat, why did he want her to come so badly? Neither Mother nor I were able to figure it out and Father, unusually for him remained tight lipped on the whole subject, except to say I should bring my coins with me.

So we were left to be surprised on the day we passed into through the city gates to discover the capital more bustling and busy then we had ever seen before.

“What is all this?” Mother looked around as we found our cart stopped waiting for the road to clear so we could continue on to the Bishop’s Palace.

“I’ve never seen so many people!” And it was true, not even Tamworth had been so crowded and that large group of soldiers we met on the crossroads didn’t have that many people!

Father looked rather amused. “I do believe it’s the Great Harvest Market, it happens every ten years. It seems we’ve arrived just in time to enjoy it.”

Mother turned to Father and hugged him tightly. “Galfridus, you sly -! You knew this was happening!”

“Perhaps.” Father had no talent for subterfuge so it was indeed a miracle he’d managed to keep this from us.

As I looked through the crowds I realised that this market was so enormous that just about everything one could buy would be there. Including books!

I looked at Mother, who I was sure was marvelling over the possible fabrics that could be for sale and we came to the same conclusion.

“Can we go and look right now?” I asked Father. “I’m not tired at all. There has to be books out there.”

“Yes, Galfridus,” Mother agreed, barely able to sit still. “You can hardly bring us here and not expect us to want to go looking right away.”

“Of course, my dear,” Father smiled at both of us. “There’s not much point in you two sitting in this cart after all.”

Mother immediately planted a kiss on Father’s cheek. “You wonderful man, we’ll see you this evening.”

“Be careful,” Father told us as I climbed down from the cart and helped Mother down.

I was tempted to run off into the crowd looking for the nearest book stall, but such a move would have terrified Mother so I stayed where I was and took in the entire scene. There was bunting and flags hanging from every possible window sill of the buildings that lined the lanes where the market winded off from the main street and these lanes were positively bursting with people!

Mother gripped my hand rather tightly, which presented quite a problem, how exactly was I going to hunt down books if I had to follow her everywhere? The last thing I wanted was to have to visit every fabric seller in the place.

“So what should we go and see first?” She asked.

I might have gulped somewhat nervous about what I was going to ask, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to convince her, but I had to try.

“Mother, I thought...well, I want to go and see the bookstalls and you want to go to the fabric stalls-“

Mother looked at me, raising an eyebrow. “Indeed so, Geoffrey, but we can do both, I’m sure we have lots of time.”

“But there’s so many of them and I don’t want to keep you from seeing all the things you want to see.”

“That’s very nice of you to think of me, dear, but it’s extremely busy here, I wouldn’t want you to get lost.”

I made a face, really...how embarrassing, I was almost fifteen after all! “Mother, I don’t think you have to worry about that, I can find my way back to the Bishop’s palace.”

“You want to wander through this?” Mother gestured about. “By yourself?”

“I think I’m old enough, I’ve gone to Abertawe on my own two times now, you and Father have trusted me then.”

“Geoffrey, I don’t think you can compare the two, Abertawe is a tiny village, smaller than Monmouth, this entire market is probably the size of it!”

“Then I’ll have plenty of practice at it,” I said, somewhat bravely.

Mother stared at me and I braced myself for a possible lecture, but then...the corner of her mouth twitched up and she laughed, shaking her head.

“Oh, Geoffrey. Really...do you think this is a good idea?”

“I promise I can managed it, I can meet you back at the Bishop’s Palace in time for dinner, you can trust me.”

“Well,” Mother pursed her lips in thought, obviously weighing up my general good behaviour with the things that might possibly go wrong if I wandered off by myself – although admittedly I couldn’t really forsee that much danger, it wasn’t as if the market was dangerous with bandits wandering through at leisure.

“I’ll be perfectly safe,” I pushed the point and gave her my most responsible and hopeful look.

Finally, she sighed and shook her head. “You’re growing up, aren’t you,” it didn’t seem to be a question, although I’d have answered in the affirmative if it had been. “Well, all right...but I want you back at the Palace before the sun sets, understand? Otherwise, I’ll come looking for you.” That last part was said jokingly, but there was an undertone of seriousness to it.

I nodded, squeezing her hand. “I promise, Mother. Thank you! Thank you so much.”

And with that we parted ways, although I admit I looked over my shoulder a few times, just to see which stall Mother had gone too, not for any particular reason...just...because.

It didn’t take me long to come across a bookstall, with more books than I’d ever seen out in the open before.

“Hello,” I greeted the stall keeper, not entirely sure of market etiquette.

That was evidentally not the way as the stall keeper looked over at me with a raised eyebrow.

I blushed. “I’m just....looking for a book.”

“Well, you’ve come to right place then, haven’t you,” the stall keeper said with a shake of his head. “It’s all split into price categories, cheapest books are there,” he pointed to his left, “and the most expensive over here,” he pointed to the right.

“Um...thank you,” I stuttered and moved to the left side of the stall, I wasn’t exactly sure how cheap the cheapest were, but it sounded like a good place to start.

Some of the books were new and had easily read titles on their spines, others though were much older and required me to look inside them to see the titles.

One in particular caught my eye and I was surprised to find it amongst the books that cost two copper coins, surely that must be a mistake! I didn’t own many books myself, but I had learnt a lot about collecting them from Bishop Grigor. For a moment, I considered not mentioning my concerns and just handing over the copper coins, it was the stall owner’s mistake after all. But I couldn’t do that, it wouldn’t be fair.

“Excuse me, sir,” I spoke up, tentatively, because the stall owner had turned away from me to talk to someone. He turned back to me and looking at the book in my hand simply said.

“I told you two coppers.”

“I just mean…this is a book about the Romans, I understand that these are very rare.” I said slowly.

The stall keeper raised his eyebrow not looking the least bit interested. “If it’s in the two coppers section that’s what it costs.”

I considered objecting again, but then…if he was going to insist and look at me like I was some fool.

I reached into my pouch and extracted two copper coins and handed them to him.

That done, I tucked the book securely under my arm, the stall owner mightn’t think it was precious, but I certainly did. I decided that I would go to the Bishop’s Palace right away so I could it put it safely away.

As it turned out however, it was not as easy as all that…the streets were a mass of people and as I attempted to make my way westward, I instead found myself pulled in the opposite direction.

I realised quickly that it would be no use trying to fight against it, I supposed I would have to take the long way around, at least that was my plan instead I ended up in a tavern.

I had never been inside a tavern before…I’d been in plenty of inns, but there was a very big difference between the two. For one thing taverns were full of far more people, a lot more noise and a lot more alcohol.

The momentuem of the crowd was such that I almost ended up all going over the bar!

The bartender looked up at me, looking quite bemused indeed. “Can I get you something, lad?”


I swallowed, I was in fact, rather thirsty, it was hot outside being the height of summer.

“Do you have lemonade?” I leaned forward to ask, hoping that no-one else would hear.

It was just my luck however that there was a lull in the rukus as I spoke and a number of people near us did hear and laughed, shaking their heads.

“Is this some sort of a jest?” The bartender demanded his lips curled in disgust. “Are you old enough to be in here, boy?”

I straightened my shoulders. “Of course I am. I’m almost fifteen.”

“Well order something with alcohol in it, boy, or don’t waste my time.”

I bit my lip, it wasn’t as if I hadn’t had alcohol before, but I had a feeling it would be quite a bit stronger here.

Finally I said. “I’ll just have cider then.”

The bartender rolled his eyes and turned to get me my drink as I set down a copper coin on the bar top.

I took the tankard and turned away from the bar before taking an experimental sip.

There was obviously more alcohol than apple in the cider however, I almost spat it out!

With a sigh I set the tankard down on the nearest table – even if it had cost a copper coin I certainly wasn’t willing to drink it – and made to leave the tavern, only to run into someone.

“Sorry!” I gasped.

“Oh no, no trouble at all, wasn’t watching where I was going.” The person, a woman replied with a cheerful laugh. She patted my arm. “You all right? You’re a slight one, aren’t you? I could have squashed you flat.”

I think I may have blushed a bit as I hurried to answer. “I-I’m fine, thank you.”

“I can see that.” The woman was eyeing me in what I found to be a rather…odd manner. “What’s your name, lad?”

“Uh…Geoffrey.” I answered.

“Well met, Geoffrey, I’m Dylis.” She held out her hand, I suppose I was meant to take it? I did and gave it a shake, which made her laugh.

“Haven’t seen you around before, new in the city?”

“I’m visiting…with my parents, from Monmouth.”

“Never heard of it.” Dylis gives a shrug, but continues to smile at me. “So, Geoffrey, what brings you to this fine establishment?”

I wasn’t entirely sure if she was being serious or not, but I decided it was best not to speak my true feelings on the place. “I wanted to get out of the sun for a moment.”

“You’re as pale as a sheet, Geoff, I wouldn’t worry about it.” She actually leans in and pats my cheek. “Where’s your drink?”

“Uh, I’m not thirsty,” I said quickly.

Dylis grinned and took my hand. “Drinking not your thing? Understandable. How about a few games?”

“Games?”

Rather than explain it to me, Dylis tugged me by the hand and led me across the tavern to a table around which five men were sitting.

“Dylis, where’re the drinks?” One of them with a big bushy red beard demanded in annoyance.

“Get them yourself, I’m not your serving girl.” Dylis shot back and then pulled me forward. “Besides I ran into Geoff here and I figured you’d like to add an extra hand to the game.”

The five men turned to look at me and the man with the red beard looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “This boy? How old are you? Twelve?”

“Shut up Meurig,” Dylis snapped looking even more annoyed, she squeezed my arm. “Geoff’s sixteen at least.”

“Um…I’m almost fifteen,” I said.

“Fifteen?” A man with a black beard leaned forward in his seat to get a better look at me. “Could be worse I suppose.”

“You ever been in a bar before, boy?” Meurig asked.

“Uh…no,” I never was a very good liar.

Meruig shook his head, but as Dylis glared at him he gave me a small smile. “Feel free to join us though, it’s your money. You have money don’t you?”

“Um,” I hesitated.

“Of course he does,” Dylis said, authoritively. “Shove over Meurig and let us sit.”

And so I found myself squeezed between Dylis and Meurig, watching the game they were playing, which didn’t seem to involve any strategy that I could see.

Instead it involved throwing two dice across the table and calling out a number and whoever got the closest won the money wagered.

“Care to make wager,” Meurig asked jiggling the dice in his fist and watching me closely.

I looked about awkwardly, I’d never gambled in my entire life, it was something Father frowned upon actually. On the other hand, I imagined that if I refused Meurig and his friends would mock me mercilessly and I’d rather avoid that.

So, I carefully withdrew a copper coin from my pouch and placed it on the table, an act that elicited laughter from those at the table, who had pushed forward five or more copper coins.

“Looks like we’ve got a big spender here,” Meurig said to more laughter and then each of them called out a number.

Except for me, at least I didn’t until Dylis grabbed my arm. “Pick a number, Geoff!”

“Fifteen!” I blurted the first number that came to my head, I had mentioned enough the past hour.

Meurig released the dice and it rolled across the table, finally coming to stop, one came up with seven, the other came up with eight.

“Geoff!” Dylis’s arms were suddenly around my shoulders and I felt a wetness on my cheek. It took me a moment to realise she had kissed me. “Geoff! You won, you won!”

Meurig was shaking his head a look of complete disbelief on his face and for a moment I feared that things might get uncomfortable, but to my surprise he clapped a hand on my shoulder.

“So I have to eat my words it seems. Good play, lad, very good play.”

Somewhat belatedly, I realised that as the winner I was now in possession of the coins on the table, which all together equalled nearly half a silver coin! I couldn’t possibly take it!

“I…I don’t really think…I mean, I can’t take your money.” I spluttered, shaking my head.

That was apparently the wrong thing to say, the five men stared at me as if I were mad.

“What?” Meurig demanded. “Of course you damn well can, you won it!”

“But I really…I’m not…”

Dylis gripped me tighter around my shoulders and whispered in my ear. “Geoff, you won, take the money would you?”

I realised that I would be offending them greatly if I kept refusing to take the coins, so rather hesitantly I reached out and scooped them up putting them into my pouch.

“Um…well, thank you.”

Meurig rolled his eyes. “Yeah, you’re welcome, lad.” He turned to Dylis. “You certainly know how to pick ‘em, sister.”

“Shut up,” Dylis snapped back, then turned to me. “Care to try your luck again, Geoff?”

“Uh…no thank you, I should go, my parents will be expecting me.” It occurred to me that they probably would, and I didn’t really want to think about the reaction I’d get from either Mother or Father if they found me in a tavern, gambling.

Dylis stuck out her lower lip and looked quite put out. “You only just got here, Geoff! Besides I think you’ve got luck on your side.”

“No, really I have to go.” I managed to wiggle out of her grasp and get to my feet. “It was nice meeting you all.”

“We’ll see you again, won’t we, Geoff?” Dylis looked rather hopeful.

“Um…” I wasn’t sure what to say to that, because I didn’t really expect to. “Maybe.”

And with that a hurried out of the tavern to discover, to my relief that the crowding in the streets had dwindled now that the sun was setting and I easily made my way back to the Bishop’s Palace.

I arrived back at the Palace just as the sun dipped beneath the horizon and candles were beginning to shine through the windows of the surrounding buildings. I had to knock on the door to gain admittance and who should open it but Mother.

“Geoffrey, where have you been?” She asked, not sounding angry, but more surprised.

“Just…looking around.” I hoped I sounded convincing enough, I was, as I said no good at lying.

“Well, you almost missed the dinner bell, come on, you don’t want to offend anyone.” Mother ushered me inside and I wondered if she could hear the rattling of my pouch, but if she did she gave no indication.

Throughout dinner, I was quiet and I wondered what I was going to do with the money I’d won.

Over the next few days when I wasn’t in Bishop Gigor’s library poring over almost every book in it I was helping the boys…my friends…in their hunt for Welsh gold.

I can’t say we were very successful, it seemed t be a vain hope as the days passed, I found plenty of treasure in books, but no gold.

Gruffud became increasingly despondent about this. “Aled was so sure, how could the stories be wrong?”

“Well, it’s been many generations since the Romans were here, even if they didn’t find the gold, maybe other people did.” It was all I could think to say, which probably didn’t make Gruffud feel any better.

My anxiety about being far away from my parents had all but diminished, in fact, I didn’t want the fortnight to end!

On the last day, Bishop Grigor came to see me in the library.

“You’ve treated my books with amazing care and respect, young Geoffrey,” he began, smiling at me. “I think you deserve something for that.”

I looked at him curiously, wondering what he could mean.

“I want you to select any book you wish,” what Bishop Grigor said absolutely shocked me.

“Any book? But…you couldn’t have read them all! What if I pick something valuable? Or something you really want?”

Bishop Grigor shook his head. “Every collection starts with a single item, and I would be honoured to have given you the item that began yours.”

I still looked hesitate and he continued. “How’s this, if the book you choose is one I really do like or haven’t seen then I let you know and you can pick something else.”

I nodded and then went and looked, wondering…trying to figure out what I could pick, there were so many possibilities!

Finally I settled on a book about the caves around Abertawe, it seemed…fitting.

The book safely tucked away in my satchel, I left to meet with my friends one last time.

“I can’t believe we didn’t find even a scrap of gold,” Aled shakes his head, despairingly. “And now you’re leaving who’s going to get in the high areas.”

“Gruffud could climb on our shoulders.” Sawyl said, smirking at his little brother, Gruffud responded by making a face a him.

“Well, I was looking at a book about the caves around here this morning,” I began tentatively, I was after all going to be the one who was going to be hoisted up in a rather precarious manner. “I think there’s one we might have missed.”

The boys all turned to me, eyes wide and hopeful.

“It’s a mile up river, it’s hidden in a little valley of sorts, but we should be able to get there in time…if we hurry.” I added.

Unsurprisingly, I found myself almost lifted off my feet and dragged along as the boys moved in one big cluster, as they often did.

I wasn’t entirely sure how long a mile was, distance was never my strong point, but Aled seemed to have a very good sense of it and the book had been accurate about where the cave was.

It was quite a bit larger than all the other caves we’d gone into so far, which certainly made things easier, but it was also higher, even tall as I was and in all honesty I really wasn’t all that tall, how were we going to get to the top crevices anyway?

“This is huge!” Aled’s voice echoed. “I can’t believe we never found it before. Come on! Let’s find some treasure!”

You could say one thing about Aled…he was always positive.

We began scouring the cave, I certainly never expected to find anything, it was ridiculous to even hope for! Which was why when my hand brushed against something cool and completely different in texture from the rock that lined the cave walls, I almost didn’t believe it.

I was sure it had to be something else, I wasn’t sure what, but I would soon know. It was loose and I clutched it in my hand and pulled it out into the light.

I knew at once it wasn’t gold, but it didn’t seem to be ordinary stone either, I turned it over.

“Geoff, you found something!” Aled appeared quite suddenly at my shoulder. “What is it? What is it?”

“I don’t know.” I handed it to him.

The other boys crowded around us as Aled examined it and scratched at it with a fingernail. Then he looked up at us with a huge smile upon his face. “Geoff, this is copper!”

Gruffud, Sewyl, Wynn, Berwyn and Ifan were just as excited, but I wasn’t sure what it was all about myself. Copper coins were the cheapest and most abundant of coins, what good could even a large size portion of it be? Especially if it needed to be spilt seven ways.

But Aled immediately insisted on returning to town as quickly as possible to take it to the metalsmith, so off we went and I can’t say I was sorry to have left the caves behind.

Stefan and his guards accompanied our party as far as Monmouth before they went their separate way, riding quickly so as to return to their posts faster than our carts would be able to take us.

I was accompanying Bishop Grigor of course, so at the crossroads on the outskirts of Monmouth, I kissed Mother and Father goodbye and carrying my satchel went to join Bishop Grigor in his cart. I would be staying with him for two weeks and he would accompany me back to Monmouth on his way to the capital to deliver a report to the King.

I was full of excitement as Bishop Grigor and I set off westward, I leaned out of the cart in order to wave to my parents, until they disappeared from view and then Bishop Grigor and I discussed this and that and I decided travelling without one’s parents was not so bad after all.

At least until night fell.

Bishop Grigor and I stopped at an inn and as I sat down for dinner I was suddenly overwhelmed with the oddest feeling of emptiness. I had always had dinner with at least one of my parents and we had always talked about our day. Not that I couldn’t talk about my day with Bishop Grigor, but there really wasn’t much to say and I didn’t feel comfortable just sprouting nonsense.

Things only got worst when it was bed time, I would go so far as to say I was actually scared. I had my own room, but I think I would have rather slept on a mattress on the floor of Bishop Grigor’s room. I felt entirely alone and the quietness of my room seemed to take sinister undertones. I knew quite well that I was being ridiculous, but that didn’t seem to make my worries any less and I tossed and turned for most of the night, although I did eventually get to sleep.

The next morning though, I was quite tired and even dozed in the cart as Bishop Grigor and I continued our journey. For some reason it was rather easy to sleep during the day….how strange the human mind is!

We arrived in Abertawe as the sun was setting and many people came out into the streets to greet their Bishop and a fair number of them looked at me rather curiously, which was understandable! They were probably wondering why their Bishop had brought home a small boy.
Bishop Grigor’s house was slightly bigger than Father’s, but of course, paled in comparison to Bishop of Tamworth’s and even our own Bishop of Caerleon.

I, of course, wished I could see the library right away, but I managed to hold my tongue and remember my manners. Besides, I’m sure Bishop Grigor wanted to settle in before he started giving me a tour.

The only downside of being patient was that it left me in a position to think, and as had happened the preceding evening I began to feel increasingly anxious and lonely. I decided to go and take a look around Abertawe, just to distract myself. It was much like Monmouth in a way, being on a river, but it had been a town for a lot longer and was therefore bigger, although not by much. It wasn’t a very good time to go investigating, the sun having set meant just about everyone had gone to their homes for dinner. Bishop Grigor and I had had a late lunch however, so I wasn’t very hungry.

As I looked down the well just in front of the church, trying to gauge its depths a voice sounded behind me and nearly made me jump head long into the well.

Fortunately, I managed not to, instead I turned around and came face to face with a young boy.

“Who are you?”He demanded.

“I’m Geoffrey, from Monmouth,” I replied, then added. “You shouldn’t sneak up on people, especially when they’re looking down wells.”

The boy, he couldn’t be any more than seven or eight simply shrugged. “Monmouth? Where’s that? I’ve never heard of it.”

“You haven’t?” I was surprised, surely Monmouth was big enough to be widely known in the kingdom. I had heard of Abertawe after all. “It’s a day and a half’s ride east from here.”

“Oh. What are you here for?” He seemed to be a very curious lad.

“I’m visiting with Bishop Grigor, my father is a bishop too.”

“A bishop?” The boy makes a face. “How boring.”

“My father is not boring,” I objected, wondering where this child had learned his manners. “Who are you?”

“I’m Gruffud,” the boy replied. “My father owns most of the shops in town.”

Well, I had to admit that was rather impressive, although it hardly made his father any more interesting than mine was.

Gruffud seemed to be waiting for some sort of response from me.

“He must be important then,” I finally said.

“He’s the most important man in the whole town,” Gruffud boasted.

I nodded and decided it was probably time for me to go back to Bishop Grigor’s house and considering how dark it was getting Gruffud should be getting home too.

“Um...where do you live? It’s dinner time I should think.”

Gruffud lifts his chin. “I’m allowed to be out to whenever I want. No-one would come after me.”

“I’m sure they wouldn’t, but aren’t you hungry, at least?”

Gruffud shook his head. “Of course not,” he reaches into the pouch attached to his belt. “I have honeycomb! From the bee keeper.” He holds it out towards me to inspect.

I loved honeycomb, I rarely got to have it though and to think that Gruffud got it all the time!

He doesn’t offer it to me, unfortunately, returning it to his pouch. “You should come and join us at the river tomorrow.”

“Us?”

“My brothers and the other boys in town,” Gruffud elaborates. “It’ll be fun.”

“Er…well…thanks, I’ll see…” I’d never be invited anywhere like that before. It seemed genuine enough as well, completely unlike how Prince Caerleon spoke to me. All the same…

“We meet at noon just on the outskirts of town. See you then, Geoffrey,” Gruffud seemed to take it for granted that I would definitely be coming, turning and running off in the direction of his home before I could say anything else.

I shrugged and decided I would go, I wasn’t a hermit after all, who knew, I might actually enjoy myself.

Although that night definitely proved as difficult as the one before, I might have even cried a bit, but I was more than fine the next morning, especially when Bishop Grigor took me to his library. It was a generously sized room with shelves that reached to the ceiling at least and nearly all of those shelves were packed with books.

“Did you pick every one of these yourself?” I asked with wide eyes.

“Well, some of them were brought in bulk auctions, and others were given as gifts, but mostly yes.”

I looked around, wondering what it would be like to have a library of my own like this. I wasn’t sure how I’d ever get the money for it though. I wasn’t sure what I occupation I would do when the time came for me to make my own way in the world. I sincerely doubted if I could ever be a priest like my father and I wasn’t sure what other talents I had. I would have to figure it out soon though…I couldn’t depend on my parents forever after all.

Bishop Grigor was more than happy to give me free reign of his library and I was happy to oblige him!

In fact, I completely lost track of time and I certainly didn’t hear the midday bell despite the fact the church was just next door.

However, Gruffud had not forgotten me, I wonder what Bishop Grigor thought when there was a knock on his front door and Gruffud was there asking for me.

Unsurprisingly, he knew who Gruffud was and let him in and I found my reading interrupted quite suddenly as he burst into the room.

“What are you doing?” He demanded loudly, staring at me as if he’d found me in some horrible cave with a troll holding me prisoner.

“I came to see the Bishop’s library, I told you so yesterday.” I looked at him in surprise.

“I thought your father was making you do that, you don’t actually like to read do you?” Gruffud looked appalled by the very thought.

“I do like to read.” Well, I wasn’t about to deny it, why should I?

Gruffud made a face, but then after a moment shrugged. “You forgot to meet us at the river, everyone’s waiting, come on.”

I set down he book I was reading, I was at a really interesting party but I decided that I better go, since Gruffud was being…sort of nice I guess? He didn’t sound like he wanted to beat me up at least.

Gruffud led me out of Bishop Grigor’s house, he told the Bishop that he’d have me back in one piece, and down the main road to the outskirts of town, where a large group of boys was waiting.

“This is him, Gruff?” One of the boys called out as we came into earshot.

“Yep!” Gruffud replied cheerily. “Geoffrey, from some place called Monmouth.”

The other boys didn’t look like they had any idea where Monmouth was either, I had to wonder about that.

“He’s tall enough at least,” the boy continued, looking up slightly at me.

“Tall enough? For what?”

The boys looked at each other and the head one spoke again, a grin on his face. “You’ll see.”

I started to pray that I hadn’t walked into something stupid, something I might regret, I gave Gruffud a quick look. He didn’t look concerned, but I wasn’t sure if that was because I was worrying for nothing or because he didn’t mind what was about to happen to me.

The other boys came over and surrounded me. “Come on, then,” the head boy who must have been about my age but his arm around my shoulder. “I’m Aled, Gruff’s older brother and those are Sawyl and Wyn, the twins.”

I hadn’t noticed until that moment that two of the boys were identical in appearance, except for the different colour of their tunics.

“And Berwyn, the son of the candle maker and Ifan, the son of Lord Meruic of Tawe.”

I decided it was best I be polite, so I smiled and gave a nod. “Hello.”

“Right, let’s go. We’ve got a lot to do, seeing as someone decided to run late.” Aled gave me a grin and pretty much pulled me along the river bank. I’m not sure where we going, but I couldn’t help but throw a rather longing look over my shoulder, wishing that I hadn’t had to leave my books.

Finally Aled stopped dragging me along, coming to a halt in front of what, at first looked like a sheer rock face, but then slowly I noticed a narrow fissure in the rock, an entrance.

“This is what we’re looking at Geoffrey,” Aled squeezed my shoulder in what I think was meant to be a friendly gesture, but really, who knew?

“A cave?” I hazarded a guess.

“Not just any cave, Geoff, legend has it that the old Celts who once lived here hid their gold before the Romans came, so they wouldn’t be able to find it.” Aled spoke in a hushed voice. “And apparently the Romans never did, which means –“

“It’s still here!” The boys chorused, very close to my ear which was almost deafening.

“Gold?” I repeated.

“Real gold,” Aled said with a nod. “Problem is, none of us have been able to get to the highest crevices of this cave, but with you here.” He poked me in the arm in what I supposed was meant to be a friendly gesture. “We’ve got someone here who’s tall enough.”

That was what they wanted me for? To be some sort of…ladder? So much for having found friends…

“That’s what you need me for then?”

Aled seemed to realise I wasn’t jumping up and down with excitement. “We’ll spilt the gold with you of course,” he looked almost affronted. “We’re a fair bunch.”

There were general murmurs of agreement from the other boys.

“Imagine that, Geoff,” Aled continued. “Your own part of the treasure of…whatever this cave is called.”

I raised an eyebrow, it seemed to me they really hadn’t done their research all that well.

“What?” Aled demanded.

“I was just wondering…do you know for sure this cave has gold in it?”

“Of course we don’t, but we won’t know until we check everywhere, come on! Don’t you want to find gold?”

Well…I was a lover of knowledge, of course, but there was something to be said of gold…If it was true that is. And Aled had a point, we would never know if we didn’t look.

“All right,” I finally said, which earned me more slaps on the back from the other boys. I’d never understood the appeal with backslapping, it certainly never struck me as friendly.

“All right, boys.” Aled straightened his shoulders as if preparing to go into battle. “Let’s begin.”

I’d never been in such a confined space as a cave before and as Aled gestured me to go first I gulped. The fissure in the rock face was hardly worthy of the term ‘opening’.

I had to squeeze through it and for a brief moment I was certain that I was going to become stuck! But Aled or one of the other boys gave me a shove and I managed to make it through and come out the other side.

The rest of the boys followed and we squeezed into the small space, there was barely enough room for us all.

“Is this all there is?” I asked, feeling more than a little anxious by such confinement.

“No need to panic, Geoff, we’re here with you.” Aled said with a chuckle.

That didn’t make me feel much better.

“Where are these crevices you can’t reach?” I decided to get through this as fast as possible.

“Up there,” Aled had to move about in order to raise his arm to point up into the shadowy recess towards the ceiling of the cave.

“Do we all need to be in here?” I asked, as Sawyl or was it Wynn jostled me.

“Of course we do,” Gruffud spoke up, “we have to all be here when the gold’s found, otherwise we won’t all be entitled to a share!”

Apparently I had a better view of human nature than they did because I would have been more than happy to split everything seven ways.

“Besides you’ll need us to hold you up, you’re tall, but not that tall.” Aled grinned at me.

“Hold me up?” I swallowed, this suddenly didn’t sound like such a good idea at all.

They didn’t take it as a question, but rather a statement that I was ready because the next thing I knew I was been lifted off the ground.

“See, Geoff, there’s all these crevices up there, put your hand in there and see what you can find.”

I hesitated, gripping the wall to make sure I didn’t fall to the ground. “I…what if there’s bats or spiders or snakes in there?”

“Don’t be such a girl, Geoff. They’re more scared of you than you are of them.” Aled grunted.

I sincerely doubted that, but it was clear they would not let me down until I did what the asked, so swallowing hard I reached out a hand and began feeling around, praying desperately that nothing would fly out, creep up my arm or bite me.

Fortunately, there was nothing like that, although there wasn’t anything that felt like bags of gold either…

“I don’t think there’s anything up here,” I finally called down.

There was a groan from the boys and found myself rather uncermoniously dropped to the ground.

“We’ll have to search the other caves.” Aled announces.

“The other ones?” I almost winced.

“Don’t worry, Geoff, you’ll have the day to recover, we all have to get back to our lessons.”

There was another groan, this one not directed at me.

“You get to have lessons?”

Gruffud nodded. “They’re a nightmare.”

A nightmare? Obviously Gruffud and his brothers didn’t know good luck when they were receipents of it!

But I didn’t have a chance to point that out to them, because they were in rather a rush to get back to Abertawe, hurrying me out of the cave – the brief hold up as we squeezed through the small fissure notwithstanding.

“We’ll meet back here tomorrow,” Aled declared, looking at me rather hopefully. “Right, Geoff?”

I considered saying no for a moment, cave exploring wasn’t really for me…but on the other hand, they were friendly, in their own way…

So I agreed.

For the next three days, I all but lived in the Tamworth Library, looking through book after book and enjoying every minute of it! So much so, that when on the third evening Father stated that the Conference was over and we would be leaving the very next day.

“Don’t you think we could stay a little longer?” I asked, pleadingly.

Father shook his head. “I’m afraid not, Geoffrey, I do have a parish to look after and by the time we arrive back in Monmouth I’ll have been gone nearly a fortnight.”

I sighed and knew better than to ask if perhaps Mother and I could stay behind, Mother would never agree to such a thing because I could tell she was still nervous about being her in Mercia.

Seeing the look on my face, Father patted my shoulder. “Don’t despair, Geoffrey, you’ll see plenty of libraries in your time.”

“But there’s no libraries like Tamworth’s in Caerleon,” I was trying not to whine, it was a rather unbecoming habit. “There’s only private libraries and we don’t know anyone with one.”

Father put up a hand. “Ah, well, it just so happens that we do, now. Bishop Grigor of Abertawe happens to have a private library.”

I looked up at him, my eyes widening. “He does? Which one is he?”

Father gave a chuckle. “I’ll introduce him to you tomorrow before we leave.”

“Can we a least stop by the library? So I can say goodbye to Librarian Bede? He’s been very good to me letting me see all the books I want.”

Father patted my shoulder. “Well, perhaps, it depends on timing. You could always write him a thank you letter, however, put your skills to very good use.”

“I suppose.” But I still hoped I would see Bede.

As it turned out, though, I did not, however the very next morning as was stood in front of the Bishop of Tamworth’s house waiting for our carts to be brought around, Father brought me over to a tall man with dark hair.

“Bishop Grigor, this is my son, Geoffrey.”

“Ah, young Geoffrey, your father mentions you often, a very proud father indeed.” Bishop Grigor put out his hands and we shook.

“Thank you, sir, um…” I trailed off, not sure what to say back since I had only just heard of him and it seemed quite rude to mention his library the moment I met him!

“I’ve hardly seen you during this visit, Geoffrey, your father mentions that you love to read?”

“I do, sir,” my face brightened, since he had brought it up now I could speak about it too.
“Father told me you have a library too?”

“I do indeed, although it is nothing compared to the library here. I do my best with collecting.”

“I’d love to see your library, Father can I go and see it?” I blurted out, which I shouldn’t have done, no-one had suggested and I had put Father on the spot.

Luckily for me, Father looked more amused than angry, in fact he and Bishop Grigor exchanged a look before he spoke. “Well, if neither Grigor or your mother has any objection I don’t see why not.”

“Well, let me put your mind at ease on one part of it, lad,” Bishop Grigor looked at me. “I’d be pleased to show an interested party my library.”

Now all that was left was to convince Mother, which would be easier said than done, although on the other hand, Abertawe was in Caerleon, so she couldn’t be uncomfortable on that account. She seemed to want to return home as quickly as possible, and since I wanted to be on her good side, I decided not to plead once more to stop by the library on our way, but instead intrusted my letter of thanks to Librarian Bede with the Bishop of Tamworth who promised me that it would be delivered.

As we left the city, I looked at Father and he catching my glance turned to Mother.

“My dear, Geoffrey and Bishop Grigor have got to talking,” he began.

Mother must have heard about Grigor’s library because she turned to me with a smile. “And let me guess, he told you all about his library?”

“Yes, Mother,” I nodded. “And…um…he said I could come and see it. Now. I could continue travelling with him to Abertawe, I mean.”

Mother raised her eyebrows in surprise and shot my father a look. “And you wish to do that? Without either your father or me? ”

I paused, it was true I had never gone anywhere without either of my parents, and more often than not, both, but I was almost thirteen years old. I had heard that the knights of Mercia began training their pages at that age! And here I was having never been away from my parents?

Besides, I really wanted to see Bishop Grigor’s library.

Mother still looked slightly uncertain, but then she sighed. “I suppose I cannot keep you tied to my skirts forever, very well, you may go. But I hope you will at least accompany your old parents to Monmouth.”

I laughed and leaned forward to hug her. “Of course I will, Mother!”

And I was more than happy to.

I did learn to swim that summer, although I was not particularly good at it, I did however learn enough that if I was to ever fall into a body of water again I’d be able to get out of it. But I would certainly never go swimming for pleasure.

Just after my twelveth birthday, some very exciting news came.

Caerleon was not the only kingdom in Albion who had turned to the Christian religion, the largest kingdom in the country (except perhaps for Moray) had also embraced it, which meant that our two kingdoms were now allies at least in a religious sense.

As a result of this, there was to be a Bishops Conference between the Bishops in Caerleon and Mercia to take place in the capital of the latter, Tamworth.

This was my chance to travel to an entirely different kingdom and see what it was like! Or at least I hoped it would be, providing I could get Mother and Father to agree to let me go.

I decided to convince Mother first, primarily because I knew she would be the hardest to convince and secondly because if I actually managed to, Father would probably agree right away.

It did not however, get off to a very good start.

“Geoffrey, I don’t even think your father should be going there, I certainly don’t want you to.”

“But Mother,” I looked up at her with my most pleading look. “It can’t be that dangerous, we’re at peace with Mercia now.”

“Oh, yes, yes, there’s been a treaty signed, but what does that mean in practice, Geoffrey? The army in Mercia is probably the size of the entire population of Caerleon and it wasn’t so long ago that skirmishes between the kingdoms was a fact of life. An army doesn’t change its way of fighting overnight, so those men are wandering around, waiting for a fight, overeager for one.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but I didn’t know what to say, I was quite young after all.

It turned out that Father was the one who came to my rescue, he entered the house at about that point and Mother turned to him.

“Your son wants to accompany you into Mercia,” she said, shaking her head. “The very idea!”

“Really, Blodeuyn, there’s no need to worry so, we will be going under a religious banner –“

Mother raised her chin. “Banners can be misread, and in the end who are the ones who are maimed and even killed? The unarmed ones!”

“We shall have a guard as well, the King is not just blinding sending us into Mercia. In fact, I would quite like to have Geoffrey’s company on this trip. You want to come don’t you?” He looked over at me and I nodded so hard I almost made myself dizzy!

“We’ll be quite safe, my dear, that I assure you.”

Mother folded her arms. “Oh, you think so, do you? That being the case, you won’t mind if I come as well?”

I’m not sure what response Mother was expecting, but Father immediately took her hands in his. “I would rather enjoy it, my dear! Leaving family behind is the worst thing about such trips. So, no I wouldn’t mind.”

I couldn’t see Mother’s face, so I’m not sure if she struggled with her answer, but after a moment she agreed.

“After all, someone has to take care of both you.” She turned to look over her shoulder and smile at me.

I leapt to my feet and immediately came over to embrace them both, I couldn’t wait!

But wait I had to, because it was another month before the travelling party arrived, it had started in the capital and picked up Bishops enroute, Father was the second last to be collected and the only one who wished to bring his family. The King’s guards seemed rather bemused to see two extra people waiting to join the party, but they didn’t argue.

The guards were mounted, but the Bishops and Mother and I were in carts, which was a relief, because it would be a long trip – two days just to get out of Caerleon! – and I was quite certain I never would have been able to go had we needed to be on horseback.

I wasn’t sure what I expecting about visiting another kingdom, but I was certainly surprised when I discovered when we stopped at an inn on the third day that we were in fact in Mercia! I suppose I had expected a new kingdom to have different foliage and animals, or something of that nature, but everything looked the same.

Although, as I discovered the next morning, the people of Mercia were quite different from those in Caerleon.

I woke up first and Mother sent me down to ask for our breakfast to be prepared so we wouldn’t be delayed in leaving, since we were on a rather tight schedule.

When I got downstairs there were two knights in the main room, I knew they were knights because they were wearing armour, which was a surprise to me. We had knights in Caerleon of course, but they rarely if ever wore armour, our fighting force saw armour as more of a hindrance than help.

I wasn’t sure what to make of them and I suppose I rather rudely stared because one them turned in my direction.

“What’s the matter, boy, never seen knight before?”

“No,” I stammered out quickly. “I was just…um….”

Everyone spoke the same language in Albion (well, mostly) and there wasn’t really that much different in accents between those who lived in south, but if one had a good ear, it was possible to pick up on it. And these knights had a good ear.

“You’re not from around here, are you, boy?” The second knight interrupted me.

“A Caerleonian I’d say,” the first one sneered at me. “The mighty lion, if that was ever an misplaced emblem.”

“Um…boar actually,” I said in a small voice.

“What?” The first knight barked at me, almost making me jump.

“The emblem of Caerleon is a boar,” I said quickly.

“Is it?” The man turned to his friend. “That’s more like it then!” He remarked and they had a great laugh.

At about that point the inn owner appeared from the back rooms and rescued me.

“What can I get you two?”

“Ah, Pedur,” the first one said cheerfully, “the regular.”

The inn owner gave a nod, and directed them to take a seat and a serving woman would bring them their meals shortly.

Once the two of them were out of earshot, the inn owner turned to me. “Morning, lad.”

“Good morning,” I replied, relieved. “Um…my mother asked me to come down and ask for breakfast for our travelling party, the Bishops,” I added, probably unnecessarily, the inn was quite small and we were possibly the only guests at that time.

If it was stupid, though, the inn owner didn’t mock me for it. “Our famous breakfast, of course, lad, won’t be long, take a seat.”

I took a seat on the other side of the room from the knights, which may have been foolish, but I really didn’t want them to speak to me again. I may have been letting Mother’s suspicions get to me, but I couldn’t help seeing them as slightly blood thirsty, just looking for an excuse to start a fight.

They were more interested in their food however, their ‘regular’, a pile of food! I wondered if it was the same as the famous breakfast because I couldn’t possibly imagine anyone being able to eat so much. I suppose having to carry around all that armour kept the knights from becoming fat, but I doubt the same could be said for our party.

Needless to say, it was a very big breakfast…and there was no way we could eat it all, however considering the size of Mercia, that was a good thing, who knew if we’d pass another in and if that was the case, we would have to hunt for lunch.

And hunting was very unreliable I found, there was never a guarantee that we’d catch enough and sometimes…well I think calling it dinner was generous…So with the leftovers we'd at least get a good meal.


Despite Mother’s fears we did not encounter any large groups of soldiers, only knights in their twos or threes, who if they had any thought of trying to attack us, the presence of our guards put them off.

I soon came to realise that there was something that marked Mercia apart from Caerleon that wasn’t just in the people.

Mercia had roads...proper roads, like the ones that the Romans had made when they had been here. They had of course made them all over Albion, but since they had left most kingdoms had allowed them to fall into disrepair or had torn them up complete to use the stones for other buildings. Mercia however, being such a large kingdom, had quarries enough to supply them with stone so the roads had not only remained, but were cared for, stretching and winding through the forests and plains.

It was quite an experience, riding on roads, it was significantly smoother for one thing, although at certain points when the road was wet, it could be rather treacherous. All the same, I much preferred travelling on proper roads than not.

Our journey was very peaceful, something Mother remarked upon often, seeing as she could still remember a time when soldiers would have been everywhere. At one point she even remarked that perhaps she had worried for nothing, which might have been tempting fate, because the very next day, our sixth past the border of Merica when we were almost to Tamworth, we finally saw a glimpse of the mighty army of Mercia.

We were approaching a crossroads, heading north when we sighted them moving west, a huge coloumn of knights all on horseback, all armoured and all looking ready to fight should they be called upon.

And no sooner did we see them, then they saw us and their leader put up his hand and barked out. “Halt!”

And we did, I instinctively grabbed Mother’s hand as the head knight lifted his visor and looked our party over. “State your business, strangers.”

Our lead guard, a man called Stefan was, I believe a man without fear, because in the face of all that metal he merely lifted his chin and said. “The Bishops of Caerleon, here at the express permission of King Ocet.” Then he added breezily, gesturing to our carts. “Can’t you see out of those helmets of yours.”

I gulped, expecting a forest of swords or who knew what to be pointed in our direction, instead the head knight lifted his visor and peered at the carts which were marked with a cross and halo.

He turned back to us with a hard look. “Anyone can put a cross on a cart cover, wouldn’t take more than an hour.”

Mother grabbed Father’s sleeve.

Stefan however, remained cool headed. “They could, but you have my word we have not, you can attack us if you like –“ I think I almost fainted at that point – “But then you’d have to answer to your king and ours and kings I’ve found are a very ill tempered lot.”

There was the sound of murmurs and creaking metal from the huge group of knights and their leader stared at us and I trembled wondering what it would be like to be run through and wishing I would never have to find out when suddenly the leader threw his head back in a loud laugh.

Mother and I stared at each other in complete confusion and I quite sure a few of the other Bishops did too. Was that some sort of strange code for his men or -?

“You have balls, my friend.” The head knight shook his head. “Only a king’s man could be so cocky.”

Stefan grinned back, seeming to find it all a rather good joke. “Or an idiot, but I can assure you, sir, I am not. You need only look at this party to know we pose no threat. We’ve even got a woman and child with us.”

The head knight looked in the direction of Mother and me, and apparently satisfied gave a nod and the men behind him immediately fell back.

“You may pass, but I should warn you, for the sake of your party’s health you should be a bit more humble when so outnumbered, my friend, we wouldn’t want anyone to die of fright.”

Stefan laughed and tapped his forehead in a salute. “I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”

The head knight gave a nod and waved us through the intersection, once we had passed he gave the signal to his men to continued their westward march. I craned my neck to see them as they passed trying to count how many there were. I couldn’t give an accurate number, but there had to be at least a hundred and probably more.

Mother was still clinging to Father’s sleeve, seemingly at a loss for words, this did not last long and soon she was hissing. “Galfridus! What did our guard think he was doing? Is he mad, or simple? He almost got us killed!”

Father patted Mother’s hand and shook his head. “Stefan is one King Caerleon’s most trusted guards, my dear, he knows what he is doing. If there was one thing I learnt during my brief stint as a soldier, it was that they respect rough talking.”

“Oh really?” Mother looked more than a little cynical at this.

Father smiled. “Really.”

At that moment, I realised something, the whole time during the confrontation Father had been completely calm. I had never considered Father a coward, but at the same time, I’d never thought of him being particularly brave either, I had to ask. “Weren’t you scared, Father, of what might have happened?”

Father reached over to toussel my hair. “No, Geoffrey, I find it best to leave these things in the hands of the Almighty, He knows best.”

I suppose that was why Father had been selected to be a Bishop, he had complete trust in God. I have to say, I couldn’t be that certain about it myself. Still, we had got through that confrontation safely, so maybe there was something to Father’s words.


An hour after passing through the crossroads, the city of Tamworth came into view and it was my first look at a foreign kingdom’s capital.

It was clear, even from a distance that the roads were not the only things, the Mercians had kept of the Romans, Tamworth itself was a testament to Albion’s past occupiers.

There were columns on nearly every building and the market wasn’t just a square as it was in Caerleon, but something more like a forum. And most noticeable of all was the fact that marble and alabaster was everywhere! I felt like I had stepped back in time. I almost fell out of the cart, I was so busy trying to take everything in.

Soon we arrived at the mansion of the Bishop of Tamworth, a marble columned building that made the Bishop of Caerleon’s mansion pale in comparison.

We all alighted from our carts, grateful to be able to stretch our legs, almost as soon as we had our arrival was greeted by a slew of some forty bishops, Mercia being about four times the size of Caerleon. It was easy to identify the Bishop of Tamworth, he was the one wearing a gold tablard and carrying his staff of office.

“Welcome, brothers from Caerleon,” he greeted us, warmly, although he looked somewhat bemused by our guard, I suppose the lack of armour and shields would be confusing to a Mercian. “I am so pleased that His Majesty was able to guarantee your safe passage here so that we could have this conference. His Holiness is very much looking forward to our report.”

I turned to ask Mother if we could go to the market, seeing as we weren’t bishops and thus really had no business being welcomed, but she put her finger to her lips before I could even open my mouth. I suppressed a sigh and waited patiently as the Bishop of Tamworth continued his – as it turned out – very long greeting, which included shaking everyone’s hand, at least until he got to Mother and me.

“This is your family, brother Galfridus?” He looked at Father.

“Indeed, brother, this is Bloudeyun, my wife and our son, Geoffrey.”

The Bishop of Tamworth, a tall and rather imposing man looked down on us with a kind smile and then made the sign of the cross over our foreheads, blessing us.

“Please feel free to treat my home as your own,” he spoke to my mother. “If you need to rest while the rest of us beginning our long discussions, just speak to the houseman.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” My mother inclined her head and smiled.

Having greeted everyone, the Bishop of Tamworth made his way to the front doors of the mansion and invited all the bishops in and at last I was able to turn to Mother and ask about the market.

“You don’t wish to rest?” I thought I saw a gleam of jest in her eye as she asked.

I shook my head emphatically, jest or not because I really wanted to get my point across. “No, I definitely want to see the marketplace, I bet it’s five times bigger than the one at Caerleon.”

Mother laughed and took my hand. “Not as much as that, but quite a bit larger all the same. All right then, we’ll go, but stay close.”

“I will, Mother.”

And I did, for the walk to the market, but on our arrival my eye immediately caught sight of what I had been hoping to see since I’d heard of our journey to Tamworth.

A book stall!

At the same time, Mother saw a shop full of silks and other fabrics, in the opposite direction, so that we both stepped away from each other to go where our interest lay.

“It’s a book stall, Mother, please can I go look?” I knew that if I had to follow her into the fabric shop I’d be in there for ages.

Mother, could of course, accompany me to the book stall, but I was quite sure she’d rather not. She looked from the shop to the stall, which were just across the way from each other and came to a decision.

“All right, you can go look at the books, but don’t wander away, all right?”

“I won’t!”

With that she let go of my hand and I rushed over to the stall, where rows of books were lined up, some of them new, with the gold ink on their spines reflecting the sun.

I didn’t know what to look at first! Before I had a chance to so much as touch one of the books though, the stall owner came over.

“Can I help you, lad?” He seemed somewhat gruff, and suspicious, as if he didn’t trust me. I suppose that wasn’t a surprise, most boys probably wouldn’t be well behaved around books. But I was not most boys and I gave the man my most serious look.

“I was hoping to look at some of your books.”

“I see,” the man raised an eyebrow and folded his arms. “And how much money do you have with you?”

My face fell at this question. “None, sir.”

The man continued to look at me with a frown, but then the corner of his mouth turned up. “These are very expensive books, lad, I hope you understand I don’t want everyone handling them, especially if they can’t afford to buy one. But there’s no need to look like that, the library’s just up the road so-“

“The library?” He had spoken the magic words! “A public library?”

“That’s right, it’s just a few blocks up that way,” he pointed. “You can’t miss it, it’s got columns with scrolls carved into the base.”

“I...thank you!” I barely knew what to say and I almost ran off up the street! Fortunately I remembered Mother and instead dashed across the street into the fabric shop.

The owner of the shop was showing Mother some gauzy purple fabric when I entered.

“Geoffrey?” Mother turned to me in surprise. “I thought you’d still be looking at books.”

“I will be, Mother, there’s a library here! A public one, open to everyone! It’s just up the street, can I go and see it? Please?”

Mother looked uncertain for a minute, she gave the owner a quick look and at the woman’s nod looked at me with a smile. “Of course, you may, I’ll walk you there.”

I could barely keep myself from running, I couldn’t wait to see the library! I’d heard of public libraries, big buildings kept by monks who took care of the books and let anyone who wanted inside.

I wasn’t sure what sort of building I was expecting, but what I saw surpassed anything I could have imagined it. It was enormous! I saw the columns that the book stall owner had spoken of, but they were wider than me!

I couldn’t gape at them for long though, because the inside of the library was wating! Turning back to Mother we headed up the stairs into the wide, cool, high foyer. I was overcome with awe at the feeling of knowledge that radiated from the walls and the silence was almost loud in its quietness.

I looked about me at the statues that stood in the foyer, all of them towering about Mother and me. As I looked left I saw a huge desk , a man with long white hair bent over his work.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Mother asked.

I shook my head. “You can go back and look at all the fabrics, there’s probably lots of bargains to be had.”

Mother laughed and shook her head, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “You know me well, Geoffrey, I’ll come and collect when the castle bell rings the fifteenth hour.”

I nodded. “Yes, Mother.”

Once she had left the foyer I headed over to the great desk, it was even bigger than I thought it was and I had to stand on tip toes to get my face above the top of it. I waited to be noticed, but the white haired man kept working away, the quill in his hand rushing across the parchment in front of him.

Finally, I had no choice but to cough in order to get his attention.

The man finally looked up, and at the sight of me, his brow creased. “May I help you?”

“I was hoping I could see the books, please?” I very excited I cold barely keep my voice from quivering.

The man’s brows only furrowed further. “This is not a play house, boy, this is a place of learning.”

“Oh, I know,” I said quickly, beginning to worry that I might not be allowed in. “I want to read them.”

“Read?” The man’s left eyebrow shot up in a sceptical look.

“I know how,” I promised earnestly.

The man leaned back in his seat and then reached for a scrap of parchment beside his elbow. “Can you now? Well, then, read this.”

I found the request more than little strange, but I wad determined to see the books so I reached out and took the paper. It was hand written, and the writing was very messy, even worse than Father’s! However, I had practice reading Father’s less than neat writing, so I began to read aloud slowly at first, but the writing seemed to become more and more decipherable and soon I was reading fluently.

The man’s eyes widened as I did and after a moment he held up his hand. “Knock me down, you can read,” he looked rather impressed, then he got to his feet and stepped down from behind the desk, coming around it and revealing that he was hardly taller than me.

“I’m not used to young boys having any real interest in reading, lad, so one gets to be suspicious.”

“I promise I’m not here to cause any damage,” I told him, I almost put my hand over my heart. “It’s only I’ve never had the chance to see a library like this.”

The man peered at me closely again. “You’re not from Mercia are you lad?”

“You can tell?” I asked in surprise.

“Of course I can, language is my life’s work. You sound….like a Caerleonian.”

“I am,” I nodded. “I’m here with my mother and father. Father is a bishop.”

“Ah, the Bishop’s Conference,” the man nodded. “I heard about that, well, lad, I’m Bede, the Librarian here and you are?”

“Geoffrey, sir, from Monmouth.”

“Welcome to the Library of Tamworth, Geoffrey from Monmouth,” Bede seemed rather amused, his eyes twinkling.

And with that he lead me through what surely must have been the most amazing building in the kingdom. There were entire rooms devoted to certain subjects, the library was run by monks, so there was a very large religious collection, but there was also an entire room devoted to military strategy and another one to sea vessels and there was a small room devoted entirely to the architecture of Tamworth from its very earliest day.

I asked Bede if I might spend time in this particular part of the library because I still wanted to learn all I could about building.

“Of course, lad,” Bede gave me a nod and patted me on the shoulder. “I have to return to my work, but I’m sure I can trust you. Enjoy.”

And enjoy I did! Many of the books were too big for me to lift and carry to the nearest table, but there were more than enough that I was able to lift and soon I was seated at the table, poring over numerous volumes.

Unsurprisingly, I lost track of time, I didn’t even hear the fifteenth hour bell, nor the half hour bell either. I didn’t sense anything at all outside of myself until a felt a hand on my shoulder, which made me jump!

“Sorry, Geoffrey, dear, I hate to interrupt you,” it was Mother. “But as tonight’s the welcoming dinner for all the bishops I think we should be there.”

I nodded. “Of course, Mother, sorry you had to come and get me.”

Mother laughed. “Its fine, now, let’s put these books back, you wouldn’t want the librarian to refuse you entry when you come back, would you?”

No indeed!

So with Mother’s help we replaced all the books in their proper place and then left the library, I waved to Bede as I left and he gave me a nod and a smile.

As soon as we had left the building, I wished I could go back, I couldn’t wait until the next day when I could!

It was the beginning of a lifelong passion.