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chamber just as Taran passed by. "Going to breakfast?" cried the Prince, clapping Taran on the shoulder.
"Good! So am I."
"Then we shall meet in the Great Hall," Taran hastily replied, striving to shake himself loose from Rhun's
friendly grasp.
"Amazing how one's appetite grows during the night," Prince Rhun went on. "Oh, by the way, did you
ever manage to rouse the tailors?"
"Tailors?" Taran answered impatiently. "What tailors? Oh--- yes, yes, they have done what I asked," he
quickly added, peering down the corridor.
"Splendid!" cried Rhun. "I wish I had the same good fortune. Do you know, that shoemaker never did
finish my sandals? He'd only just begun, then off he went, and that was the end of them."
"It may be he had a more important task to do," Taran replied. "As do I---"
"What could be more important to a shoe-maker than making shoes?" asked Rhun. "However..." He
snapped his fingers. "Ah! I knew there was something. I've forgotten my cloak. Hold on, I shall only be a
moment."
"Prince Rhun," Taran cried, "I must join the Princess Eilonwy."
"We shall be there directly," called Rhun from the chamber. "Oh, drat! There goes my sandal lace
broken! I do wish that shoemaker had finished his work!"
Leaving the Prince of Mona still rummaging in the chamber, Taran sped anxiously to the Great Hall. King
Rhuddlum and Queen Teleria were already at table, the Queen surrounded, as always, by her ladies.
Taran looked quickly about him. Magg, usually in attendance, was not there.
Nor was there any sign of Eilonwy.
Chapter 5
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The Oath
WHERE IS EILONWY?" Taran cried, as King Rhuddlum and Queen Teleria stared at him in
astonishment. "Where is Magg? He's made off with her! Sire, I beg you. Turn out your guard. Help me
find them. Eilonwy is in danger of her life!"
"What, what?" Queen Teleria clucked. "Magg? The Princess? You're overwrought, young man. Perhaps
the sea air--- don't shake so and wave your arms about--- has gone to your dead. Because someone
isn't here for breakfast doesn't mean they're in danger. Does it, my dear?" she asked, turning to the King.
"I should hardly think so, my dear," answered Rhuddlum. "This is a heavy charge to bring against a loyal
retainer," he added, looking gravely at Taran. "Why do you accuse him?"
For a moment, Taran stood perplexed and torn. Gwydion had bound him to secrecy. But now that
Magg had struck, must the secret still be kept? Taking his decision, he let the words tumble from his lips,
hurriedly and often confusedly telling all that had happened since the companions had reached Dinas
Rhydnant.
Queen Teleria shook her head. "This shoe-maker disguised as Prince Gwydion--- or was it the other
way around--- and ships and torch signals to enchantresses make the wildest tale I've heard, young
man."
"Wild indeed," said King Rhuddlum. "But we shall learn the truth easily enough. Fetch the shoe-maker
and we shall soon see if he is the Prince of Don."
"Prince Gwydion seeks Achren," Taran cried. "I have given you the truth. If it is not so, you shall take
my life for it. Will you prove my words? Fetch your Chief Steward."
King Rhuddlum frowned. "It is odd that Magg should not be here," he admitted. "Very well, Taran of
Caer Dallben. He shall be found and you shall repeat your tale in his presence." He clapped his hands
and ordered a servitor to summon the Chief Steward.
Frantic with anxiety, knowing that time was fleeting and delay could cost Eilonwy's life, Taran was nearly
beside himself when the servitor at last returned with tidings that Magg appeared to be no-where in the
castle, nor could Eilonwy be found. As King Rhuddlum hesitated, still puzzled by Taran's words, Gurgi,
Kaw, and Fflewddur entered the Great Hall. Taran raced to them.
"Magg! That villainous spider!" the bard exclaimed as soon as Taran told him what had happened.
"Great Belin, she's ridden off with him! I saw them galloping through the gate. I called to her, but she
didn't hear me. She seemed cheerful enough. I'd no idea anything was amiss. But they're gone, long gone
by now!"
Queen Teleria turned deathly pale. The ladies of the court gasped fearfully. King Rhuddlum sprang to his
feet. "You have spoken the truth, Taran of Caer Dallben."
Shouting for the guard, the King strode from the Great Hall. The companions hastened after him. At [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]