Chapters XV - XXII Summary

Arthur's band travels to the ancient Roman-built city of Aquae Sulis. The city is cited near a river and a hot-water spring. The spring is enclosed in an ancient Roman-style bath that crumbles in decay—the Christians have determined the ancient bathhouses are Pagan worship centers and therefore forbidden. The city is large—larger than anything Arthur holds—and Gwyna is amazed at the number of people. The city also has a wall surrounding the central portions of the town. Arthur meets Valerius, the warrior in command of defense of the city. They both realize their forces are roughly equivalent. The town fathers, dressed in Roman togas, welcome Arthur because they can't reasonably refuse him entrance. Arthur also meets Gwenhwyfar, the wife of Valerius, but he dismisses her because "[s]he's not his sort...