the daughter of Caradew previously called Gladys, who married Pudens, a Roman, and had a daughter Pudentia. In his twenty-eighth year, Caradew was betrayed to the Romans by Arisia, queen of Bryantis. He married Genuissa, daughter of Claudius, to bind the peace agreement. The name 'Caradew' means 'filled with love,' but he preferred to use a warrior name. BRT:5:22 Gladys, sister of Caradew, married Aulus Plautius, a Roman commander. Caradew held an estate in Siluria, and he was made warchief when Guiderius, son of Kimbelin, was slain by a slingshot, near the river Thames. In the year 59 of our Lord, the British rose up tinder Woadica, the horsefighter, who died nearly three years later when Gulgaes became
warchief.
BRT:5:23 Caradew went forth with the bright, flashing, sharp pointed spears of war. Bards, renowned judges of excellence, sang his praise. Even druids of the three great circles launched their eloquence in the five dialects and four tongues. Dancers from the steep mount gaily preceded him, and diviners from the high-pillared gates declared wise oracles. BRT:5:24 I am one who lived in those brave days. It is my right to be the master singer, for I stand in the last line of blood from the golden strong- armed kings of old. My fathers father was a bard of the high enclosure, prince of the true tribe, high-caller of the Kimwy, a giant of song born of melodic
race, light-tongued, harp-voiced. BRT:5:25 Well fitted am I to sing Caradew's praise. Excepting great Keili and the all-seeing diviners of the land, and sagacious druids of the fine woven gold chains, and chiefs of the splendid wars, I am first above all to open his mouth in honour. He honoured all blue-gowned bards, singing bards of the land, guardians of the storehouses of winged words. Guests such as I were never wanting for provision while Caradew reigned, a high king over the wide land of heroes. He paid them well in sleek, fleet-limbed coursers,
chasers of the wind-borne hare. BRT:5:26 The valorous druids, feared by foes, the flowing-robed judges of disputes, said, "Let songs be composed with melodious refrains to praise
the savage-subduing heroes." BRT:5:27 The power of the bard is in the uplifted shield shaking before the tumult, high-riding on the battleleader's shoulder. It is in the quivering hare crouching in the bracken-buried hallow. It is in the soft-sighing promise
of a fair-skinned maiden. In the finely-shaped form of the terrible spear- blade. In the bright-bladed sword clashing in the heat of the conflict. In the homely, comforting abode of the family. BRT:5:28 I have sung my last day, the wonder days have gone and strangers walk the land. The high-hearted bards have gone to their rewards and the diviners mouths have been sealed. Now it is the fashion to hear the babbled words of Brandigan of Walsogo, which stand before the Resounding Halls, by the stream of sorrow, at the very gates of hell. BRT:5:29 The purifying Kolgarth fires remain as transmuters to Heaven. Happy is the flame-borne one. Our fathers of old believed that fire was a form of creature, which had to be fed with fuel, given share of the food and in stressful times the sacrifice of a human. They who read the flames and embers are no longer with us, for they have been supplanted by the omen
readers.
BRT:5:30 As dogs can see happenings in the world of spirits, then whatever they do is important, and a wise man watches them and takes heed. For if a dog sleeps before the fire, all is well, be at peace. If he sleeps on a bed, then beware. To sleep in a corner means strife, and to howl means a death. To crouch and whimper indicates the presence of a spirit. BRT:5:31 Happy are the bright spirits in Elendon, the glorious sky isle where they await their call to return. All here have the Kailight around their heads. Come night, and they visit Earth in their dreams. If there be confusion in dreaming, then there is confusion in the daily round of life. Dream without confusion, and see clearly and know you live well. BRT:5:32 Seek not to dream through the spotted elfincap, though it give enormous strength, visions and the gift of prophesy. Do not dream with the dungchild, as did the seers of olden times. Do not look through the window of the egg vessel. These things are forbidden to you. Nor may you consult the
tree-bound maiden who, in truth, is the viper-blown Glainid. That, which was done on the high night of Summer shall be done no more.
BRT:5:33 Gems from the serpent must not be sought, nor may you follow the swanship, though that, which it bears within itself may be yours. Even so, it is unwise to bring the majestic sun down to incarnate in a stone. Know the secret of the sunship and all wisdom will be the reward. Seek it at Karelen.
BRT:5:34 Those worthy ones who could drink from the Gloryglian are no longer a voice for the land, but there is a new chalice at the well. The phoenix sleeps in the holyhole of Karperal. If a man would know the mystery of life, the secret of these things, he must climb the Mountain of Tears in the Vale of the Dead, at the trysting place of the sun and the moon chalice. Thence must he go to the Place of Brandigan, following the path of mysteries. If he does
by the wanderer's way, he is lost.
BRT:5:35 The secret of Dwyva is known to the Knights of Karwidrin, who sit within the Sacred Circle. They fight the never-ending war with the Powers of Darkness. It is victory in the conflict of the soul, which entitles the warrior to drink the cup of immortality. The Knights of Karwidrin seek in a never-ending quest. The wisdom of the way by which knights and their ladies live is, 'Let men follow the natures and ways of men, and women follow the natures and ways of women, and let each serve the other rightly.'
BRT:5:36 The heart of Britain is the moon chalice, which was brought here by the hands of the Chief of the Kasini. He came shipborne to Rafinia, which is by the Mount of Lud, against Ardmoal. Passing Insdruk, he came to Itene where he hid the treasure in Trebethew. It was not captured, as men say, nor could it decay. In the fullness of time, it came to Kargwen. There it was kept secure with the Grailstone and the ever-virgin vessel which was brought down the rays of the sun. Thus it was that these treasures of Egypt came to
Britain. This was the secret of Britain.
Chapter Six - The Writings of Emris Skinlaka
BRT:6:1 The master was born under the sign of the Churlswain, at Dinsolin, called Insel by the Sons of Fire, in the year that the warwolves drove back the Children of the Horse. His father was one of the ornaments of Hew. In his youth, he was a battle-blooded warrior.
BRT:6:2 He was a dashing leader into the thick of the fray, a dauntless captain in the heat of the battle. The bearer of the battle-hammer was the great-hearted valiant warrior. He stood stern and steadfast in the grim work of bloodletting. Proud as the high-flying death eagle he stood.
BRT:6:3 A dark doomsbird flew over the land when the daring hawk gave battle. Behind came the sharp extractors of blood, the thrusting spears darting eagerly to the thrust. Like ripples across a pond, further and further spread the dying groans of doom-gathered men. The spear horde stood firm to protect the Vale of Tadwylch. It was a testing time of manhood. BRT:6:4 Knightly men will read these words with a swelling heart. They will feel for the heroic brides of bloody spears, for the shattered shields and splintered hafts. The valiant captain of men sounds the red horn and sweeps over the fearsome foe like foaming seas. They were consumed by his bright- burning breath, like the fierce bush flame raging through the brown bracken. BRT:6:5 The horse-vaulting warriors rode in for the final assault. The patron of the blue-bound bards swept the foe before him. Raising the red shield, holding high the sharp-slashing sword enjewelled with the ruby-red blood of warriors. It was a proud day for the ruler of the battle, the leader of strong, mail-clad spearmen, the scion of an illustrious race. BRT:6:6 Only real men know the exultation of victory. They cheered the battlechief irresistible in the war rush. His spears dismayed the blood- thirsting, frightening foreigners. He wielded the dreadful blade of battle, which tested the manliness of men. Those were brave days. Now, only mean- minded, faint-hearted buffoons lampoon the heroes of renown. Where are the