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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Merlin say he talks to the gods?

2. What kind of man is Powys?

3. What is the name of Arthur's son?

4. Who is with the King when Derfel delivers his message?

5. How does Arthur respond to the request for Excalibur?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aelle do before Derfel leaves his castle after delivering the message from Arthur?

2. What happens when Madroc is rescued from the sacrifice?

3. What does Aelle say after Derfel has defeated the Saxon warrior in the court?

4. What is the first thing Derfel does when he realizes that he and his men are trapped in the earthen fortress?

5. What is Arthur's initial plan of attack against the Saxons?

6. What does Derfel have planted while he is trapped by the Saxon army, and what does this show?

7. Why is little background information given at the beginning of this book?

8. What happens as Derfel and his men pass an old Roman city on their way to Corinium?

9. What warning did Bors give Derfel, and how did this affect the fight?

10. What happens as Derfel and his men prepare to die in battle against the Saxon armies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Derfel's actual birthright, and what does this reveal about his character and his relationship to Arthur?

Essay Topic 2

How does Gawain die, and what does this signify about the culture of this book?

Essay Topic 3

Personal identity is one of the main themes in this book. Where does this theme appear, and how does its inclusion in the novel shape the course of the plot?

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This section contains 692 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample