“I am even as a child,” he said.
Merlin’s lips quivered.
“The dawn breaks, sire, the night is past. Tidings come to us. Let us ride on.”
Uther seemed sunk in thought; he bowed his head, and looked long into the valley.
“Am I he who slew Gorlois?”
“Courage, sire.”
“My blood is as water, my heart as wax. Death and destiny are over my head.”
“Speak not of destiny, sire, and look not to the skies. In himself is man’s power. Thou hast broken the crucifix. Now trust thine own soul. So long as thou didst serve a superstition, thou didst lose thy true heaven.”
“And yet—”
“Thou hast played the god, sire, and the Father in heaven must love thee for thy strength. God loves the strong. He will let thee rule destiny, and so prosper.”