ld think you would make a good king, Mr. Merlin."

"My father was an incubus," Merlin said, as though that explained
everything. He peered down the road as the sound of hoofs reached them.

Wilbur followed Merlin's gaze and saw a young man on horseback coming
toward them from the direction of Camelot. The young fellow wore a shirt
of mail but no helmet, and his horse was not armored. Merlin held up his
hand and the mounted man drew rein. Wilbur got a good look at him.

He was almost as big as Sir Kay, but with a fair complexion and light
hair. He could not have been much over fifteen, despite his size. His
manner was easy, giving the suggestion of enormous strength in reserve,
yet with a hint of gentleness. But it was his eyes which were his
outstanding feature. They were a clear brown, wide, and with an
expression of complete fearlessness.

"Where to, Arthur?" Merlin asked.

"My brother Kay has broken his sword. I must get him another."

"Tarry a moment," Merlin said. "I have a question which troubles me. The
enemies of our land march against us, and they outnumber us five to one.
Were you king, what would you do?"

Arthur laughed, a clear ringing laugh that showed rows of white teeth.
His brown eyes glowed with an inward fire.

"Do? I would take the field against them, of course! Even though they
outnumber us fifty to one."

Wilbur thrilled to the words. But Merlin shuddered slightly and Wilbur
heard a faint groan of distress come from his lips.

"Got here in the nick of time," the old man muttered. He looked up at
Arthur and said aloud: "You may have your chance. But first you must
make me a promise. You must come to my castle this very night and drink
the draught I shall prepare for you."

"I promise," Arthur said unthinkingly. "And now I'll be getting that
sword for Kay."

"This looks like a good one," Merlin said. He pointed to the sword in
the stone.

"It does indeed," Arthur agreed. Without a second look he bent and
seized the hilt and wrenched it free. He raised the sword in a salute to
Merlin and Wilbur, laughed his ringing carefree laugh, and was gone in a
cloud of dust.

* * * * *

Merlin's castle was not overly large, and as far as Wilbur could see
after he got inside, most of it was under ground. He and the old man
were in a great damp chamber, the walls of which were solid rock. The
room was filled with Merlin's jugs, with tripods from which boiling
kettle