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we know
for certain - will the empire be restored, or are we truly
alone?"
    Merlin sighed softly. "I am not hopeful of
success from such a quest, yet I see no harm in trying. Whom do you
propose to send?"
    "I have considered it, and I have decided to
send Uther. Alas, Merlin, I fear he and I have been as water and
oil. I would that things between us had been different. I tell you
truly, Merlin, Uther is, in many ways, the most like me. All my
sons are noble men and fill me with a father's pride, but my
youngest was born with the lion's heart. Would that he were eldest,
yet men cannot control such matters."
    Merlin looked concerned. "Uther will not want
to leave you when battle is in prospect."
    Constantine's face betrayed a slight smile.
"Indeed. But the boy must learn that duty and honor demand more
than courage in battle. Uther is the youngest, so he is destined to
serve his elder brother, and he must do so in many ways, not just
with axe and sword. Perhaps such a journey will teach this to my
son, for he will see many things and come to know a world far
larger than Powys or Britannia."
    "There is greatness in Uther.” Merlin spoke
abruptly, with considerable emotion. "I feel it strongly. Such
travels, I believe, will give him much. I think your plan is a wise
one."
    They spoke a bit longer, but finally Merlin
bade his friend to retire, for he was weak and fatigued, and the
morrow would be a long and trying day. Taking leave of his
companion, Constantine walked to his bedchamber, but he knew he
would not sleep. My body is dying, he thought, but my mind is still
strong. I will see that my kingdom does not fall, by God, whatever
I must do. Just give me the time, Lord, for there is much work
ahead.

    After his father had retired, Uther found
Merlin sitting before the fire in the great hall. The advisor, some
said wizard, sat quietly in a large oak chair. Next to him, on a
small wooden table, sat a silver plate and a flagon of spiced wine.
On the plate was a small honey cake, only half eaten. The room was
quiet except for the crackling of the fire and the sound of the
wolfhounds gnawing on bones in front of the hearth.
    Uther entered from behind, but as he walked
through the doorway, without turning around Merlin laughed. "Ah,
Uther, my boy. I thought you would find me. It has been too long.
Much too long, my young friend. How have you fared since last I was
here? When was that...midyear last?” He paused, smiling at Uther.
“Yes, it has been far too long."
    Uther stopped to play with the hounds, for
they leapt up when he entered the room and ran over to greet him.
"You have been missed, Merlin. Indeed, Caer Guricon is not the same
when you are abroad."
    Merlin smiled and motioned for Uther to sit.
"Grave tasks I had to fulfill, and it is they that have kept me so
long from the company and comforts of Caer Guricon. Indeed, it was
a cold winter where I traveled long, and the warmth of this hearth
and company would have been most welcome."
    "War is coming, is it not, Merlin?" Uther
walked past the dogs and took one of the other seats in the room.
"For I have read many signs, not only that my father has called the
council. He is deeply troubled, as I have never seen before." Uther
paused uncomfortably before continuing. "And he is ill, gravely so,
I fear, though he thinks he hides it."
    Merlin tried to suppress a smile for, though
he knew Uther well, the boy still surprised him. "He is ill, Uther,
and it is indeed serious. I am going to make him a potion that will
ease his sufferings, yet he is old and his time grows short."
    "I feared it was so.” Uther was somber, his
voice gentle. "I have noted the difference in him for some time.
Alas, I fear I have not been the son he wished me to be, and though
I am who I am, I regret that I have been a disappointment to
him."
    "Nay, Uther," replied Merlin. “You are far
wide of the truth, for your father is proud of you and loves you
greatly. I have seen the two of you clash for years,