Authors: M. K. Hume
The Bloody Cup
King Arthur: The Bloody Cup
M.K. HUME
headline
Copyright © 2010 M. K. Hume
The right of M. K. Hume to be identified as the Author of
the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may
only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means,
with prior permission in writing of the publishers or, in the case of
reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences
issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.
First published as an Ebook by Headline Publishing Group in 2010
All characters - other than the obvious historical figures - in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Cataloguing in Publication Data is available from the British Library
eISBN : 978 0 7553 4968 5
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER I - A WIND FROM THE NORTH
CHAPTER II - BLOOD OATHS AND BATTLE BROTHERS
CHAPTER III - BLOOD OATHS AND BATTLE BROTHERS
CHAPTER IV - KIN, LOVERS AND SUNDRY OTHER ENEMIES
CHAPTER V - THE SINGER AND THE SONG
CHAPTER VI - THE ENEMY AT THE DOOR
CHAPTER VII - THE BLACK WARRIOR
CHAPTER VIII - BLOOD OATHS AND BATTLE BROTHERS
CHAPTER IX - ANOTHER SAXON SUMMER
CHAPTER XI - DOGGEREL AND DREARY DAYS
CHAPTER XII - THOSE WHOM THE GODS WOULD DESTROY, THEY FIRST MAKE MAD
CHAPTER XIV - THE SKEIN OF BLOOD
CHAPTER XV - THE BEGINNING OF THE END
CHAPTER XVIII - A CURSE UNLEASHED
CHAPTER XXI - COMRADES IN BLOOD
CHAPTER XXIII - THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING
Friends, real friends, are rare and special. We have family, built in, and whether we like them or not is immaterial. Mostly, we love them because we have shared history, memories and blood.
But friends are chosen because they fill the empty places in the heart. The best friends stand behind us, protecting our backs in times of trouble.
So Lynne Baker, Roger Hughes, Pauline Reckentin, Robyn Jones and Penny Steel, this book is for you. Pauline convinced me years ago that I would succeed in this endeavour; Roger is my mate, a fellow reader of odd, interesting ideas, and Robin and Lynne and Penny have stood ‘in the trenches’ with me when times were tough and I tried to slay the odd dragon.
Therefore it is fitting that Artor’s most terrible blows and most difficult decisions are dedicated to you all. You’ve been with me on life’s journey, and you have cared for me regardless of my manifold sins.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Bloody Cup
, Volume III of
The Chronicles of Arthur
, is the culmination of a perilous journey of self-discovery. Every adult person in the Western World knows that King Arthur dies at the conclusion of the Arthuriad, so how can an author find something unique to say of a man whose very existence is an inextricable part of the history of Britain?
Much of the credit for completing my task must be given to those friends and supporters who advised, encouraged and conspired to carry me over the line to complete my journey. My special thanks go to my super-agent, Dorie Simmonds, whose enthusiasm, expertise and confidence put the project together so professionally. My special gratitude goes to my partner, typist, editor, marketer and manipulator, Michael Hume, who helped me to see and understand the challenges that all men of action and ability (such as he) face as they reach the zenith of their lives and their futures begin to fade away into old age. The need to retain dignity and self-worth is important to all men, most of all those who have flown so very, very high as Arthur did during his forty years as Dux Bellorum of Britain.
To all those who helped me to try to bring Arthur back to life, may his gods walk with you through life and when you join him at last, may he recognize you - and offer you a beer! To you all, the good and the bad, my eternal thanks.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
