Chapter 2

‘The Cauldron of Tyrnoc’

Gently Herne removed Ceri’s jerkin and trousers and patted his way down her body to satisfy himself that there were no broken bones. Then he tucked a straw filled pillow beneath her head, covered her with sheet and blanket and walked across to the other occupant of the tent.

The young man slept peacefully, he lay on his side and Herne had already examined him, the great gaping wound in his belly had closed with only the faint traces of a scar, even the scratches he’d received were already healing.

Agrivaine entered and gently rested the back of his hand against his son’s face before he walked over to where Ceri was lying, “How is she, my lord?”

“I am about to ascertain that, Sir Knight,” Herne replied, “I was about to administer a stimulant.”

He filled one of the goblets with the ruby wine and added a pinch of a grey substance that looked like cigarette ash. Slipping an arm beneath Ceri’s shoulders he raised her and held the goblet to her lips.

Ceri was aware of a vile taste in her mouth, she swallowed and immediately wished that she hadn’t as it burnt the back of her throat and made her cough. She opened her eyes and stared up into two faces.

“That was the worst drink you’ve ever given me, Lord Cernunnos,” she muttered.

“But it had the desired effect, my Lady,” Herne replied blandly.

Agrivaine knelt on the hard earth floor of the tent and took Ceri’s hand in both his own, “I do not know what to say to thee-”

“Sir Agrivaine,” Ceri began gently, “my first desire is that thou shouldst not be so formal. If you were to say that you would give me anything that I could desire, my desire is that you make peace with Artus.”

Agrivaine smiled, “I have already done so. But if you asked me to make peace with Morgana or Morgaine, I would do if for your sake.”

Ceri smiled and Herne slipped two more pillows behind her, “You can sleep now if you wish, my Lady. I wished to make sure that you were capable of being roused.”

Ceri leant back against the pillows and Agrivaine said, “What would you like me to talk about, Lady Cerian?”