CHAPTER 22
Fall of the Sky-stoneBladud watched Diomede’s departure with mixed feelings. The man had become an irritation lately, criticising everything Bladud was trying to do, insisting that he would never be able to establish Greek order among ‘these barbarians’. No matter how often Bladud protested that he was not trying to impose ‘Greek’ ways, Diomede continued to mock. When he finally packed up his belongings, Bladud was relieved. Those early days in Greece had been made easier for him by Diomede’s friendship, but Diomede seemed to have changed since he had come to Britain. He had lost his glamour. Nothing seemed to please him, and on more than one occasion Bladud felt ashamed of the arrogant way his guest treated other people.
As the ship pulled away from the shore, Bladud stood wa
