Isolde: Queen of the Western Isle Read Online Free PDF

unnaturally dark, and he met Merlin's eyes with a sloe-black stare. The old enchanter's hand flew to his own careful locks, each curled and perfumed, and he shuddered inwardly. When the Gods had made a man so ugly by nature, why did he have to make himself look worse?
    "Greetings, Brother Dominian," he ventured haughtily.
    The holy man stared, his glittering eyes intent. "Lord Merlin, you are a man of high concerns. What brings you here to us?"
    "I was just about to ask him that myself!" cried Mark importantly. "What is it, Merlin? Speak."
    Merlin drew a breath. "We have had word that an attack threatens Cornwall from the Island of the West."
    Mark's jaw dropped. "It can't be true!"
    Andred tensed. "Uncle, it can." He nodded at Merlin, tight-lipped. "Tell us what you know."
    "I can tell you what I guess. The Queen of the Western Isle will not make open war. She will send her champion here to challenge you."
    "Sir Marhaus?" Mark gagged. "God in heaven, he's the most ferocious fighter in the West!"
    "And I have seen his ship," Merlin pressed on. "He is already on the way. He will say Cornwall should be the vassal of Ireland, not of Queen Igraine. He will call you to single combat, and by the laws of chivalry you may not refuse."
    Mark gathered his scattered wits. "Queen Igraine!" he exclaimed. "We must march on Tintagel, to defend the Queen!"
    Merlin frowned. "That is Arthur's concern. He is hastening here now with Queen Guenevere and a force of men. But Igraine is not in danger!" He struck the floor with his wand. "No knight will challenge an aged queen, and besides, Igraine is well accustomed to defending herself. No, your enemy will come here to Castle Dore. He plans to kill you, and take your throne!"
    Mark tried to speak but could not. With a glance at his uncle, Andred leaned forward to take charge. Merlin could hear the young knight's mind darting like a fish. "Is there no way out?"
    Dominian pursed his lips and filled the silence that ensued. "You may offer the invaders blood gelt for the life of the King. In the past, Cornwall has paid tribute to the Irish to keep them at bay."
    "Yes, yes!" cried Mark. "Tribute—we can pay it! Cornwall is fertile and our lands are rich—"
    "Sire-" Andred shook his head impatiently—"they would be back for more with every spring tide. That would only enslave us for years to come."
    Mark's voice rattled in his throat. "Then in God's name, what can we do?"
    Merlin waved a hand. "You may offer a proxy—a knight who will take on the battle in your stead."
    "My knights, yes!" cried Mark. "Andred, who is there?"
    There was a deep pause as the same thought went through every mind: no knight of ours could go against Marhaus.
    Dominian raised a hand. "But ours are not the only knights in the land. Sire, you hold Cornwall from King Arthur himself. Send to him for help."
    "Thank you, Father!" Mark straightened up in the grip of this happy thought. "Well, there's Sir Gawain, Kay, and Bedivere—who shall it be?"
    Andred turned on him, scarcely masking his irritation. "Uncle, with Sir Marhaus on the way, we have no time!"
    Merlin turned on Andred with a killing smile. "Well then," he said silkily, "it must be you."
    Andred's eyes bulged. "I—"
    "Never, Merlin!" cried Mark. "For God's sake, man, Andred's my nephew, my heir. Whoever has to die, it must not be him."
    Never fear, Merlin chuckled to himself, your loving nephew has no wish to die. He drew a breath. "Sire, you say blood is blood. Sir Andred is your nephew on your brother's side. But had you not a sister who married the King of Lyonesse?"
    Mark's soft eyes filled with tears. "My poor Elizabeth, yes. But you know she lost her life in childbirth long ago."
    "Bringing forth a son?" prompted Merlin. "A son she called Tristan for the sorrow in which she died?"
    Mark covered his eyes with his hand. "Gods above, Merlin, d'you think I could forget? But there was trouble at court and the boy went away. Tristan has been lost to me for