Part 5, The Shield-wall, pgs. 398-425 Summary

Derfel insists that the bards have gotten the Battle of Lugg Vale wrong. The first clash occurs in the river ford and turns into a shoving match. The next fight is on the near bank as the enemy try to flank them. Sagramor orders the retreat and, with no sign of reinforcements from Tewdric, falls back to the tree fence. Derfel fights savagely in the center, with Nimue behind, shrieking and cursing. Galahad brings bad news: no reinforcements from Gwent. Unexpectedly, Tristan arrives with six fighters from Kernow, against his father's orders. They are assigned to the middle. As the battle wages back and forth, Arthur charges, scattering the enemy. Gorfyddyd orders a new shield-wall, sacrificing a third of his men but, outnumbered, Arthur's cavalry is stopped. When Cuneglas asks them to surrender, he passes...