XVLater that night, when Artos had left the feasting in the hall, and sat by a small fire against a hide windbreak with his friends, Bedwyr said, “Only a man who feels the gods in his heart would dare slay the horn-man.” Artos warmed his hands over the fire and smiled. “Who knows?” he answered. “It seems to me that any man who dares might gain greatness.” He looked at Medrodus as he spoke, but the dark-haired one looked away, recalling how the sword had been taken from him by a trick.
Then Cei said, “I know nothing of greatness, Bear. But I do know that a brave king with five hundred horsemen could take Britain now and hold it for his own.” He looked straight into the eyes of Artos as he spoke.
“Do you hanker after a kingdom, friend?” asked Medrodus slyly.
Cei did not turn to face him a
