The Beast of Caer Baddan (82 page)

Owain stood on the shores of the Sabrina and gazed out at the fleeing Eire boats. His painted face was drenched with sweat under the hot sun. His new armor was splattered with blood, and his glittering sword, Calybs, was firm in his grasp.

Brave Eire warriors lay dead along the beach.

Knights and soldiers of the Army of Albion gathered around Owain.

“Owain Finddu! Owain Finddu! Owain Finddu!” they cried.

Owain did not mind that they called him “black lips,” for the scars on his face were proof of his ordeal. He was the only man on the island who could boast of dying and coming back to life.

“For the land!” Owain cried, raising his sword for all to see.

“For the land!” they cried.

“For victory!”

“For victory!”

He closed his eyes and tilted his head up to the sky, letting the sun rain down on his face and the cool sea
breeze clear his mind.

“Thank you, Mam,” he whispered.

Epilogue

In the graveyard in Caer Gloui, among the tombs of the great princes, there sits a stone which bares these words:

Here lies Owain of Caer Baddan

The son of Irael King of Glouia

He was King of Glouia and Pendragon of the Islands

This is he who conquered all of the enemies of the Britannae

This is he who died and by the hand of God returned to life

Stand and be amazed

For you know not when he shall return again

Epilogue

In the graveyard in Caer Gloui, among the tombs of the great princes, there sits a stone which bares these words:

Here lies Owain of Caer Baddan

The son of Irael King of Glouia

He was King of Glouia and Pendragon of the Islands

This is he who conquered all of the enemies of the Britannae

This is he who died and by the hand of God returned to life

Stand and be amazed

For you know not when he shall return again