Book III, Chapters 5-6 Summary

In Chapter 5, Mordred is consumed with the business of keeping the country running while war is being waged. News comes rarely, but one day a courier arrives with the unbelievable message that Arthur's ring has been found after a battle, but that the king is missing and presumed dead. Mordred has to give Guinevere the news, and Bedwyr, badly wounded, says the regent Mordred must take command. Guinevere joins Mordred at his side in front of the council. Back at the battlefield, Arthur is not dead, but the messenger he sent to Bedwyr with the news has been killed. Arthur heads back to his headquarters to retake command of his army.

In Chapter 6, Mordred meets with Cedric, the King of the West Saxons, in an effort to enforce the alliance. Cedric initially says the treaty is void...