Cambria

Chapter 8: Epic, Part 3

Herman could see the confusion in Seth's eyes. "Come on, let's get back to work."

"Wait a minute," Seth said, grabbing Herman's arm. "You can't tell me something like that and just walk away. You have to give me some answers."

Unmoved, Herman looked at Seth's hand still holding his arm. "I wouldn't do that again, if I were you." Seth quickly removed his hand. "Let's get back to work. Maybe you should have this conversation with your mother."

Seth nodded, and then helped Herman put away the food, and they resumed planting the corn. Next, they planted tomato seeds, zucchini, and green beans. Seth was exhausted by the time the sun was setting. They placed the last of the equipment in the back of the truck as shoots of pink, yellow, and orange jetted across the sky, and Herman once again threw Seth the keys. Seth was feeling much more comfortable with driving as a result.

"It won't be long and you'll be ready to get your license," Herman announced, waiting for Seth's reaction out of the corner of his eye, peeking out from under his hat. He was leaning against the back of his seat with his hat pulled over his face and his legs stretched out before him, like a cowboy trying to sleep.

Seth nodded in agreement, but showed no signs of excitement. His thoughts were still on their earlier conversation. In fact, Seth was thinking of it off and on throughout the day. He wondered why his mother would keep something so significant from him as he drove along the now familiar dirt road back to the house.

"You did a good job out there today. Thanks for your help. I couldn't have done it without you," Herman said.

Seth laughed for a minute. "You're welcome, but I have a feeling that you could have done it without me!" Then they both laughed. "But it was fun. Thanks."

A moment later, the pale yellow house came into view, rising from the earth like a pale yellow sun. Seth pulled the car to the side of the house, and helped his uncle unload the equipment. Darkness had once again taken over the day by the time the two men were safely inside for the night. Exhausted, Seth plopped down into a chair in the great room.

"Not so fast," Herman said. "We have to cook dinner yet." Seth groaned and rolled his eyes. "Go clean up and I'll meet you in the kitchen."

Without complaint, Seth went up the stairs, gathered his toiletries from his bedroom, and walked down the hall to the bathroom to take a shower. As the warm water rushed over his body, Seth thought that a shower never felt so good in his life. The water pounded his sore muscles, washing away the day.

A few moments later, Seth threw on a black T-shirt and blue jeans, and headed for the kitchen where Herman already had dinner in full swing. Seth followed Herman's instructions and a few moments later, they were sitting at the table eating leftover chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn. Seth had also made up a salad to go along with the meal.

They ate in silence, as they were both feeling the effects of the day. Every muscle in Seth's body hurt from using muscles he never knew he had, but his uncle seemed no worse for wear, much to Seth's amazement. But after a time, Herman asked, "Before you came here, did your mother give you anything?"

Seth thought for a minute, and then asked, "What do you mean?"

Herman took a sip of his coffee, as his piercing gray eyes bore directly into Seth's. "Did she give you something special to give to me?"

Seth nodded, remembering. "Yes, she gave me an old medallion attached to a red ribbon."

"Go get it."

Seth nodded and without another word, he slipped off to his bedroom and was back a moment later with the medallion. He turned it over in his fingertips. On one side was a ship sailing on rough seas. Then he flipped it over and a castle appeared on the other side with the word "CAMBRIA" thrown into relief, written in old script.

"May I?" Herman asked, reaching for the beautiful medallion. Seth nodded, and then handed it to his uncle. "I'm going to tell you the story of this medallion. Please do not ask any questions until I've finished."

Seth nodded in agreement.

"Long ago in England, King Arthur's health was failing, which made it difficult for him to run the country. He thought that his failing health was a punishment set upon England by God because of his sins, the sins of his wife Guinevere, and the sins of England. He thought that if he had the Holy Grail, he could drink from it and return to good health. He could then save England from falling into the hands of Mordrid, his evil stepson," Herman began.

"Yes, I've heard this story," Seth interrupted, wondering why Herman was telling him this particular story. "It's the story of King Arthur and the quest for the Holy Grail."

"I said not to interrupt."

Seth nodded, before gesturing as if he were locking his lips.

"But, yes, the story of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail," Herman continued. "But there is more to the story. Once Arthur had determined the need for the Holy Grail, King Arthur called his faithful Knights of the Round Table to his side. He told them they must search the ends of the earth for the Holy Grail, and that his life and the fate of England rested in their hands.

"However, King Arthur gave a special task to Tristan, one of the greatest and bravest of his knights. Arthur told him that he must set sail for Jerusalem to find the Holy Grail. He told him that he would provide him a ship and all the provisions he could carry for the trip. Arthur told him to search the country for the Holy Grail, and once it was found, he must bring it back post haste. Arthur explained to Tristan that this trip would be arduous and may take many years. Therefore, Arthur explained, his acceptance of this task must not be made in haste. But if he did accept this quest, he must leave immediately, for there was no time to waste.