Friendship and Devotion

Of all the themes in the novel, the theme of Friendship and Devotion is perhaps the strongest of them all. It is Artos's devotion to Ambrosius's vision for a united Britain, that governs and colors most of the decisions that Artos makes, both as the captain of the guard, and as the High King. He believes what Ambrosius does in regards to Britain, in large part, to the fact that Ambrosius treated him kindly when he had every reason not to after Utha's death.

The theme of devotion is not limited to people, either. Artos's first dog, named Cabal (as all dogs after him are also called) was killed defending Artos in battle. Later, when Artos takes another dog as a companion, he finds the dog because of its devotion to its dead master. Artos acknowledges this in the dog, and instead of forcing...