It had been some seven years since anyone had seen Sir Gherard, and so there was joy at this unexpected reunion. The older knight related his story to the knights of Salisbury. After the feast of 491, he had married the Dowager Countess Edwina and the two had lived together happily. She passed away only a few years later, shortly before the death of King Uther and his court at Saint Albans. Sir Gherard had been unable to attend, for he had been wounded in a scuffle with brigands, and too unwell to be able to attend the battle. The Baron of Devon died in at Saint Albans, and his heir was a lesser man, who was jealous of the more illustrious Sir Gherard. At a feast, the new Baron insulted Sir Gherard, impugning his honour. He said that Sir Gherard's exploits were only hearsay, that he had failed his duty a result of being wounded in a pitiful affray, and that he was a disgrace to his glorious ancestors. Sir Gherard had, of course, rose to the bait. So he swore before the court of Devon to prove his worth. He would not return to Devon unless he brought with him one of the Thirteen Treasures of Britain.
Sir Gherard had left his home, with what men would follow him. Foremost amongst them was his step-son, Sir Edwin, then but a young knight. They travelled throughout the war-torn land, seeking word of one of the treasures. After a year, they heard of the Hamper of Gwyddno Garanhir, a magical basket which contained endless food. It was said to be in the Cantrev Gwaelod, a kingdom of Wales which lay on the ocean floor! Legend spoke of the Lost Isle of Manannan, where the ancient sea god dwelt. Sir Gherard did not believe in the old gods, but it seemed the best place to seek a path beneath the waves. He and his men managed to sail through the wall of fog that guarded the Isle of Manannan, but were captured and flung into prison when they made land. (It was here that Sir Gherard smuggled out the note which Sir Esther would later receive.)
It was the custom of that castle that every solstice, a man should be executed. Over the long years of imprisonment, one by one Sir Gherard's men were taken out to be slain in this pagan rite. When only Sir Gherard and Sir Edwin survived, and it was time for them to die, a strange occurrence saved them: the castle was attacked by a monstrous dragon. In the confusion, the two were able to escape and make their way back to the mainland, from where they sought out their companions. Sir Edwin blamed his step-father for their misadventures, while Sir Gherard lamented the fall of his adopted home to the Cornishmen, and the fact that his oath kept him from returning home.
A week passed. Sir George departed from Cameliard, to fight another dragon. (Word would later come that he had been eaten by it.) Sir Cuthbert continued to recover from his ordeal of the previous year. Meanwhile, Sir Esther had a strange dream. She was caught in a terrible storm, and wherever she tried to shelter was destroyed by wind and rain and lightning. On the horizon the storm seemed to grow fainter as a red light grew. Then Saint Gwiona appeared behind Esther, untouched by the storm that raged about her. “You must return to Amesbury immediately,” she said, before fading back into the storm.
Sir Esther immediately told her companions. Sir Bleddyn, Sir Edwin, Sir Esther, Sir Gherard, and Sir Helbur rode south for Amesbury with all haste. When they drew near, they saw a plume of smoke rising from the monastery - and immediately began to fear the worst. The knights espied a small group of Saxons fleeing the monastery, heading east, and rode them down, taking one alive for questioning. Then they headed towards the monastery itself. Flames were billowing from it, and some of the buildings had collapsed. The front doors were shattered, and inside the slaughtered bodies of nuns and monks lay.
Sir Edwin led a search for survivors, while Sir Esther ran to find Saint Gwiona. Sir Edwin heard a noise from a cellar, and found a small group of acolytes huddling there. Gwiona had summoned everyone to assemble shortly before the Saxons attacked. She warned them that violence was coming, and that everyone needed to hide. Only some had managed to do so before the Saxons arrived, and some hiding groups had been discovered and massacred. The Saxons were clearly looking for someone. Sir Edwin and the others led the survivors outside, and treated what wounds there were. Meanwhile, Sir Esther found Saint Gwiona's sparse chambers empty. With a terrible foreboding feeling, she ran towards the main chapel, where she found a grisly sight. The Saint lay dead before the altar, hacked to pieces. The brave knight fell to her knees and wept bitterly.
Continuing to look for survivors, Sir Edwin went deeper into the ruined monastery. In the guest quarters, the knights discovered Queen Igraine, catatonic with shock. Nearby, young Morgan idly drew on the floor with a stick. And on them, about them, dripping off every wall, was the gory remnants of the rest of the Saxon raiders. Horrified by the carnage, the knights took Igraine and Morgan to join the other survivors.
The knights were soon able to piece together what had happened, from the survivors and from their captive. The raiders were men of Essex, led by Prince Aescwine himself. They had travelled to Amesbury to abduct the Queen and drag her back to be married to their King Aescalax. When they finally found her, however, young Morgan's magical ability manifested itself and she tore then asunder from within. Prince Aescwine himself was dead - and a grief-stricken Sir Esther killed the captive Saxon herself. But her sorrow was not over, for there was one final letter from Saint Gwiona, addressed to her.
To my beloved Esther,
I write this letter knowing that I will soon be dead. I do
not know how or why this will happen. I feel neither fear nor regret: I have
lived as well as I have been able, and none can ask for more than that.
I may not fear the future, but it is wise to prepare for it.
Therefore I ask you, Esther, to succeed me as Abbess of Amesbury. I know that
this is a role for which you will not wish. It is my belief that this makes you
more appropriate than any other. Furthermore, when we consider all that has
been accomplished in my name, the greatest part was accomplished by you. There
are monasteries across Britain which offer aid to the defenceless, and it was
your work that made this come to pass.
In all things, the Lady God reveals herself to us. As I go
to join her, so I know that her work will be carried out by you. Go now and
make me proud of you – as I always have been.
Gwiona
A few days later, four knights returned to Cameliard. The fifth remained behind forever, laying aside her sword and starting her new life as the Abbess of Amesbury.
