“Safely, yes. I shall be in Tintagel, and even Uther cannot come at me there. Have you seen the stronghold, Merlin? The cliffs of that coast are high and cruel, and from them runs a thin bridge of rock, the only way to the island where the castle stands. This bridge is so narrow that men can only go one at a time, not even a horse. Even the landward end of the bridge is guarded by a fortress on the main cliff, and within the castle there is water, and food for a year. It is the strongest place in Cornwall. It cannot be taken from the land, and it cannot be approached by sea. If you wish to shut me away for ever from Uther, this is the place to send me.”

“So I have heard. This will be, then, where Gorlois will send you. If Uther follows, lady, would Gorlois be content to wait inside the stronghold with you for a year like a beast in a trap? And could his troops be taken in with him?”

She shook her head. “If it cannot be taken, neither can it be used as a base. All one can do is sit out the siege.”

“Then you must persuade him that unless he is content to wait inside while the King’s troops ravage Cornwall, he himself must be outside, where he can fight.”

She struck her hands together. “He will do that. He could not wait and hide and let Cornwall suffer. Nor can I understand your plan, Merlin. If you are trying to save your King, and your kingdom from me, then say so. I can feign sickness here, until Uther finds he has to let me go home. We could go home without insult, and without bloodshed.”

I said sharply: “You said you would listen. Time runs short.”

She was still again. “I am listening.”

“Gorlois will lock you in Tintagel. Where will he go himself to face Uther?”

“To Dimilioc. It is a few miles from Tintagel, up the coast. It is a good fortress, and good country to fight from. But then what? Do you think Gorlois will not fight?” She moved across to the fireside and sat down, and I saw her steady her hands deliberately, spreading the fingers on her knee. “And do you think the King can come to me in Tintagel, whether Gorlois is there or no?”