"Wait! How can you know all this? Did you patrol the river banks?"
He shook his head. "No, but we met with Anglians fleeing from those parts, who told us what was happening. It was their flight that warned us just in time to avoid riding right in among the Saxons. Londinium's completely overrun and is serving as the rallying point for whoever these people are. According to the Anglians, they're Saxons, not Anglians or Danes, but that's all I know. As Arthur says, we crept close enough to look, but we lost count of their ships, so God alone can tell the numbers of their men. It's only by God's grace we escaped and won back here, but we were forced to hide and slide to do it, so we moved but slowly for a long, long time. I swear, Merlyn, none of us had ever seen the like of it. The land's crawling with Saxons, and they'll soon be here in Verulamium. "
I was biting my lip, appalled by the scope of what Benedict was describing. No wonder Arthur had been set to cancel this day's activities, I thought. It would be suicidal to do otherwise. But then my reason returned and I began to think more clearly.
"How far are the nearest pursuers behind you, Ben? Think!"
He frowned in concentration. "Perhaps several hours. We covered ground quickly, once we could do so without being seen. They could be here by tonight. "
"What about opposition? Are they likely to encounter any at all?"
Ben shook his head. "Not in Londinium. It's gone, already. They might have stopped there, though, if what Arthur says is true. They might be waiting there for Horsa, although I wouldn't care to hazard my life on that. There's a thin ring of our own troops out there, between them and us, but they'll be of little use if those whoresons come through at us in strength. "
I stared now at Arthur, pausing lengthily before I dipped my head and spoke again. "Well, you have a decision to make, Commander, but if you have ever valued my advice, you'll let me say what's in my mind before you commit yourself or any of your troops to action. "
It was evident that he was not pleased, but he bit down hard, bringing the muscles of his jaws into prominence, clearly resisting the urge to tell me bluntly that the responsibility of command was his and his alone. He turned his head stiffly away to gaze back towards his motionless, waiting troops, and I could tell that he was holding his breath, willing himself to be calm. Finally he relaxed and his shoulders slumped slightly as he turned back to face me, nodding his head.
"Very well then, " he said calmly. 'Tell me what is in your mind. You have never failed me in the past, and I need counsel now more than I ever have. "
"My words may be for your ears alone, Arthur, " I warned, giving him the choice.
"No. Benedict, at least, should hear it, as my senior commander here in the east. Tertius Lucca, Rufio, Falvo and Philip should know what's afoot, too. " He turned to the others whom he had not named. "Could I ask you gentlemen, if you would, to find those four and direct them here to me immediately?" The men saluted smartly and spun about to leave, but he detained them. "One more thing, if you please. I know I need not ask it of any of you, but the information you possess is... dangerous. So I will ask you, please, not to speak of it, even among yourselves. Its effects, emerging unexpectedly, could be disastrous. " The men saluted him again and left quickly.
When they were gone, Arthur looked at me. "Well? What's in your mind, Cay?" He looked simultaneously very young and prematurely aged.
"You don't want to wait for the others?"
"No, that might take too long. We'll tell them what they need to know when they arrive. "
"Very well. " I drew a deep breath. "Your first instinct was to postpone today's ceremony. I can understand that, for it was mine, too, when I heard Ben's tidings. But then my common sense intervened. You heard Ben. Despite all our fears and worst imaginings, the most sensible answer is that the enemy won't come here before tonight, and that means before tomorrow, pragmatically, since no one in his right mind would fight a night battle.
"Think of this, Arthur: it would be madness to cancel these proceedings now they're all in place. This ceremony today is more than it appears to be. It cannot be postponed or simply put off until a better day. There may be no better day, ever again. This meeting in this place is the culmination of years of planning—"
"Aye, but there are more important urgencies! We—" "No, Arthur, there is nothing more important! I thought you were going to hear me out?"
He nodded, apologetic but implacable. "Forgive me. Please continue. "
"There is no greater urgency, Arthur, no greater cause than will be served right here, this day. All of the bishops in this land are here today to celebrate Easter, and the new Arising of the Saviour. You are a saviour, in their eyes, Arthur! The saviour of Britain and of the Christian faith. That's why we are all in Verulamium and not in Camulod! There's no place big enough in Camulod to hold a gathering of this significance. It had to take place here, in the ancient heart of Britain, where thousands of people could assemble in comfort, in this very theatre, the only building of its kind in all the land that is still usable, where you will be decreed and proclaimed High King of Britain by the representatives of the Christ Himself. The Church summoned you here today, and summoned all the lesser kings of all the land to see these bishops crown you, anoint you and bless you with their full support. You command, in Camulod's cavalry, the only realistic hope that Britain has of repulsing these invasions and protecting our own way of life throughout this land. " I stopped, waiting, then asked, in a quieter voice, "Arthur? Do you hear what I am telling you?" He licked his lips, his face now noticeably paler. "Yes. "
_ It was almost a whisper.
"Good. Now, the pragmatic view. If I go straight to Enos and explain what has occurred, he can curtail the service, beginning ahead of the planned time and proceeding directly with the consecration of the Eucharist. Once that is done, he can move straight into the ceremony, crowning you with the champion's crown as the Church's representative in Britain and requiring of you that you commit your forces, and the entirety of your resources, to the preservation of the faith in Britain and the conquest of the enemies of God. It can be over in two hours, Arthur, leaving you half the day to make your preparations to confront the enemy before night approaches.
"You'll lose but little in the interval, since we're forewarned of what is coming, but think what you will have gained: God's own blessing and the championship of His entire Church, all solemnly witnessed by an assembly of the kings and people of Britain and your own army. What greater encouragement to go to war with confidence could you imagine for your troops and troopers?"
Arthur's face was now set in deep graven lines that made him look far older than his years. He nodded, once. "So be it. I'm convinced. Let's do it, quickly. "
"We will, now. But while I talk to Enos, which may take some time, have your troops start filing into the theatre as planned. You did have them draw lots, I hope?"
"Aye, they're prepared. " He looked at Benedict. "Ben, pass the order, if you will. Tertius Lucca is expecting it. " Again his eyes returned to me. "Well, Caius Merlyn, I am in your hands for the next hour or so, and I shall try to be attentive to what happens. Do you still want me to strike my sword against the stone when it's all done?"