Part 1, A Child in Winter, pgs. 51-94 Summary

The High Council aims at forging peace among kingdoms. Two of the dozen thrones on the dais are empty. Below the royalty sit counselors, magistrates, and Morgan and Nimue. Bedwin and Agricola report on the Saxon threat and state of the kingdoms. Gundleus appears and takes his place. Later, Uther talks of securing his Edling's future. He disqualifies Arthur as a candidate to wed Norwenna, and Gundleus, having paid the bride-price, accepts baptism. He is unhappy to be saddled by a council and three oath-bound defenders of Mordred's life: Tewdric, Owain, and Merlin. After a terrifying performance by Nimue and talk of the "Knowledge of Britain," Morgan says that Merlin's oath is dependent on an oath from Arthur. Uther relents.

Norwenna and Gundleus get married and are parting that night, he...