Part 1: The Dark Road, pgs. 56-106 Summary

The third chapter opens with Derfel gluing the bone fragments into his sword, "Hywelbane," for luck and loosing Cavan and all but 20 men from their oaths. Derfel and Ceinwyn live in a small stone house set among orchards. Ceinwyn insists on sleeping apart until the Cauldron is found, and insists on going on the dangerous mission, for her promise is the price of their being together. Merlin will protect them. Ceinwyn reminisces about her three betrothals and how she and Derfel first meet. Arthur visits, pretending anger for Guinevere's sake, and takes Derfel's vow to fight the Saxons in the spring. Arthur declares that talk of the Cauldron and the Gods is foolish, for Britain is vastly changed since the invasions. Blood lines are mingled and time cannot go back. Arthur refuses to...