“The Welsh knew already? The prophecy, was it?” I saw the whites of his eyes in the dusk. “I’d heard about that . . . the place is buzzing with it. The troops told us. They said you’d showed them some kind of great lake under the crag—it was that place we stopped at years ago, and I’ll swear there was no sign of any lake then—but there was this lake of water with dragons lying in it under the foundations of the tower. Is it true?”

“That I showed them a lake, yes.”

“But the dragons. What were they?”

I said, slowly: “Dragons. Something conjured out of nothing for them to see, since without seeing they would not listen, let alone believe.”

There was a little silence. Then he said, with fear in his voice: “And was it magic that showed you Ambrosius was coming?”

“Yes and no.” I smiled. “I knew he was coming, but not when. It was the magic that told me he was actually on his way.”

He was staring again. “You knew he was coming? Then you had tidings in Cornwall? You might have told me.”

“Why?”

“I’d have joined him.”

I looked at him for a moment, measuring. “You can still join him. You and your other friends who fought with Vortimer. What about Vortimer’s brother, Pascentius? Do you know where he is? Is he still hot against Vortigern?”

“Yes, but they say he’s gone to make his peace with Hengist. He’ll never join Ambrosius, he wants Britain for himself.”

“And you?” I asked. “What do you want?”

He answered quite simply, for once without any bluster or bravado. “Only a place I can call my own. This, if I can. It’s mine now, after all. He killed the children, did you know?”

“I didn’t, but you hardly surprise me. It’s a habit of his, after all.” I paused. “Look, Dinias, there’s a lot to say, and I’ve a lot to tell you. But first I’ve a favour to ask of you.”

“What’s that?”

“Hospitality. There’s nowhere else I know of that I care to go until I’ve got my own place ready, and I’ve a fancy to stay in my grandfather’s house again.”

He said, without pretence or evasion: “It’s not what it was.”

I laughed. “Is anything? As long as there’s a roof against this hellish rain, and a fire to dry our clothes, and something to eat, no matter what. What do you say we send Cadal for provisions, and eat at home? I’ll tell you the whole thing over a pie and a flask of wine. But I warn you, if you so much as show me a pair of dice I’ll yell for Vortigern’s men myself.”