Emrys looked around with tears in his eyes, as all of his dreams played out before him. The crowd of commoners fell to their knees at once. The Elder Druid bowed his head in subservience, even if he did shoot Emrys a dark look whilst doing it. There would be a feast, as there ever was following a duel in the stone circle. Emrys would be the heart of attention as his people ate, drank and made merry.
He raised his club in the air, and the people of Cwm cheered. Their approval rang in his ears. On some level, he realized he had been waiting to hear it all his life.
“No.”
Emrys turned. Gwern was on his feet again. He was a pathetic picture, caked in mud, his body covered in bruises. He managed to get himself upright, but wobbled where he stood, as though he might fall again any moment.
“P
