ench.

Then the great room was filled with the clash of steel as Arthur went
into action. Out of eyes that were glassy Wilbur saw him decapitate two
men with a single stroke. Another fell dead before he could raise his
shield. The other two fled with Kay's curses following them. Only
Arthur's brother was left.

"Yield," Arthur warned grimly. Kay's reply turned Wilbur's ears red. The
two went at it. For a few minutes it was an even battle, and then
suddenly both swords came together with a force that drew sparks. Kay
was left with only a hilt in his hand.

What happened next Wilbur hardly knew. There was a clang as something
bounced on the stone floor, and a great round object that looked like a
helmet rolled past him.

"Quickly now," Wilbur heard Merlin say. "There is barely the hour left
to us."

Wilbur could hear but he could see nothing. There was a black veil over
his eyes. Powerful arms lifted him and laid him on the stone bench. Then
there was the sound of bottles being emptied into kettles. Wilbur heard
feet approach him but he was too sleepy to care. Something touched his
eye but he felt no pain.

In his dazed state time passed quickly for him. There was always the
scuffling of Merlin's feet, and now and again the old man's creaky voice
rose in weird incantations. Then something hot was pressed against
Wilbur's lips.

"Drink," Merlin said. Wilbur opened his mouth and felt a hot liquid gush
down his throat.

"I want my eye," Wilbur mumbled.

"Don't worry," Merlin told him. "I'm getting it."

He was taking his time about it, Wilbur thought. He could hear a great
stirring going on. There were muffled curses and he heard something
bouncing on the floor.

"Darn stuff is so thick I can't tell them apart," Merlin was muttering.

"Hurry!" Arthur called. "The cock crows midnight!"

"I'm doing my best," Merlin said. He was breathing hard as he bent over
Wilbur. There was a quick pressure against Wilbur's eye socket and
Merlin grunted triumphantly.

"There!" the old man said. "I've kept my promise. Now I'm going to send
you back where I found you, and good riddance. You've been nothing but
trouble."

Again something hot was poured down Wilbur's throat. It had a familiar
taste, a sort of smoky flavor. Liquid fire coursed through his veins, he
felt his body grow light and buoyant, he was floating. Then he was being
sucked down into a black vortex and through a Stygian passage. The
passage seemed endless