Good Men Are Unfairly Judged and Persecuted

The setting of this book portrays the dark times of the land. Men took no thought at murdering their own kin or anyone else. Merlin's uncle, Camlach, planned to kill him, in Book One, Chapter Two. Camlach's thought an innocent child blocked his path to the throne. Merlin, unfairly judged, was dispensable to him. Merlin for most of his early years was mistreated for being a bastard. The author presents the theme that good men are unfairly judged and persecuted by others.

This theme is seen throughout the book. It is used through interpersonal conflict to develop the protagonist, Merlin's character. Camlach's men murdered Merlin's servant and friend Cerdic, a good man. He was killed for spilling the oil that caused the King's death. This death began to create the dynamic character development of Merlin. He began to long for justice in...