I knelt to her, something I had never done. ‘It was your victory, Lady,’ I said, ‘all yours.’ I offered her the sword. She strapped it on, then lifted me up. ‘Thank you, Derfel,’ she said. ‘It’s a good sword,’ I said. ‘I’m not thanking you for the sword,’ Guinevere said, ‘but for trusting me. I always knew I could fight.’
