Page:Celtic Stories by Edward Thomas.djvu/99

 Gwen and Eurolwen and Teleri and Morvyth and Gwenllian and Creithylad and the two Essyllts.'

'Kilhugh,' said Arthur, 'I have never heard of Olwen until this day, but I will send men to search. Give me time.'

Kilhugh granted him until the last night of the year, but the messengers returned on that day as ignorant as they set out.

'Everyone has his boon,' exclaimed Kilhugh that night, 'only I lack mine.'

'Dost thou reproach Arthur?' Kay asked. 'Come with us and we will not part until we obtain the maiden or thou dost confess that she does not exist.'

Kay had many strange powers. He could make himself as tall as the highest tree in the forest. So great was the heat of his nature that when his friends were cold it was like fuel to light the fire. His sword gave wounds that could not be healed. And Kay rose up to accompany Kilhugh.

Arthur called also Bedwyr, the swiftest man in the island except Drych Ail Kibthar and the king himself; and Cynthelig the guide who was as good a guide in a new land as in his own; and Gwrhyr who knew all tongues of men and birds and beasts; and his nephew Gwalchmai who never returned home before a quest was achieved; and Menw who could weave charms and illusions and make men invisible. They journeyed with Kilhugh until they came to a vast open plain and saw upon it a great castle, the fairest of the castles of the world. Though they rode all day for three days they did not reach this castle. When at last they were approaching it they saw a flock of sheep sufficient to have covered the sky in summer, and on a mound sat the herdsman and his dog, a mastiff larger than a horse.