Free The Hallowed Isle Book Three by Diana L. Paxson

at war. But during all the years of our marriage it was the same. Nonetheless, your father and I managed to live like civilized people. There is no reason you cannot do so as well!”
    â€œBut I am not married . . .” he said softly, reaching for the wine.
    Igierne stared unseeing at the faded frescoes on the wall behind him, thinking furiously. Every other time she had brought up the subject, he had turned the conversation. Why was he mentioning it now?
    â€œAre you thinking of changing that?” she asked carefully.
    Artor looked up, saw her face, and laughed. “Are you afraid I’ve fallen in love with someone unsuitable? When would I find the time?” He shook his head. “But even old Oesc has managed to find a woman—Prince Gorangonus’ granddaughter, of all people. I’ve just returned from their wedding, where I gave the bride away. I always meant to marry once the country was secure, but at this rate, Oesc will have grandchildren by then.” He took a deep breath. “I’m ready to consider it, mother, though I warn you, I have no time to go looking for a bride.”
    Igierne sipped wine, for a moment too astounded by this capitulation for words. “Perhaps you won’t have to,” she said slowly. “If my visions have not lied. There is a maiden, Prince Leodegranus’ daughter, whom I believe the Goddess has chosen. But you will have to wait for her—she is only thirteen.”
    â€œShe is a child!” he exclaimed.
    â€œAny girl who is still unspoken for is going be young—”said Igierne. “Unless you choose a widow, but that is likely to cause complications.” They both heard the unspoken, As it did for me . .  .
    â€œI won’t force a maid into marriage with a man twice her age,” Artor said grimly. “We must meet before things are settled.”
    â€œI will write to Leodegranus, and ask him not to betroth his daughter until you have seen her.”
    â€œShe must be willing.”
    â€œOf course . . .” said Igierne, sighing. She herself had been willing to marry Gorlosius, and that had been a disaster. “Your sister had doubts about marrying Leudonus,” she said aloud, “but she agreed to do it, and that pairing seems to have worked out well, even though he is much older than she.”
    She tried to interpret the play of expression on Artor’s face at the mention of Morgause. She knew her daughter resented him , but Artor had hardly met his sister often enough to form an opinion.
    â€œI have not seen her since we defeated Naiton Morbet and the Picts,” he said finally. “She was . . . magnificent. Three of her boys are with me now, and they tell me that she is well.”
    Igierne nodded. “I last saw her five years ago, when she visited the Lake with her youngest child. She seemed troubled, but Leudonus was not the cause.”
    â€œWhat, then?” Artor straightened, and she knew he was thinking like a king once more.
    â€œSince Medraut, there have been no more children, and Morgause is a woman who cherished her fertility. She wanted me to make her priestess of the Cauldron—I suspect she was looking for a new source of power.”
    â€œI knew you had kept the Sword of the Defender on the Isle of Maidens, but what is the Cauldron?” Artor asked.
    â€œPerhaps, if there is ever a season of peace, you can visit the Lake and I will show you. It is a woman’s mystery, but you are the High King, and there are some things you have a right to know.” She paused, marshalling her memories. “It is silver . . . very ancient.” She shook her head. “That is only what it looks like, not what it is.. . . The Cauldron . . . is the womb of the Goddess, the vessel from which comes the power to renew the world.”
    For a long moment, Artor simply stared. Then she saw a new light come into his eyes.