Part Two, Mynydd Baddon Summary

As the countryside emerges from winter with the coming of spring, Arthur sends Derfel an invitation to a special convocation at Lindinnis for the feast of Imbolc. All Arthur's leaders attend, including Arthur's new wife, Argante, Princess of the Uì Liatháin. Fergal King Mordred's Druid, officiates at the ceremony, which in fact is another fertility rite, which he calls Nantosuelta. This involves maidens leaping through a large circular fire struck arch. Fergal startles everyone, including Arthur, by ceremoniously slaughtering lambs and then entices Argante, who appears to be in a trance, to leap through the giant hoop. She does so and also dips her fingers into the blood of the newly slaughtered lambs, suggestively licks her blood stained fingers and then places her hand up her robe to put the blood on her thighs. When Arthur...