"You do not have to do this thing," Bradan said quietly. "Your mother advised you not to, as did Ceridwen of the People of Peace."
"I know that," Melcorka said.
"Defender, your sword, will not avail you if you pursue this matter," Bradan said. "And without Defender, you are only an island girl. Brave, tough and agile, but without any magic."
"I know that as well," Melcorka agreed.
"And yet you still wish to continue?" Bradan tapped the end of his staff on the ground. "You could be killed."
"I also know that," Melcorka said. She looked around, appreciating anew the beauty of this peaceful place, where men and women lived in harmony, contests of shinty were more important than war, and there was neither killing, nor hatred, nor fear. If King Arthur"s Camelot had ever existed, it would h
