Under Hill

Leaving behind Camelot and the court of King Arthur, Sir Bradwen travels over land and sea in search of a fabled Hill of Glass.  Along the way, he gathers details about the green glass hill and the foreign maiden, Apple Blossom, trapped in a castle at its summit.

Bradwen meets a merchant, who claims to have met Apple Blossom and recalls her oval face, black hair, and royal Asiatic lineage.  The trader expresses relief that Bradwen had not asked him for money and offers details about the bell-shaped hill and the fortress at its top.  

Learning that the castle gates stand open, Bradwen wonders why the princess does not flee.  The merchant explains that Apple Blossom, enchanted, desires to be rescued and belongs to any man who might free her.  He provides detailed directions to the Hill of Glass and asks that Bradwen mention him to the princess.

Bradwen mounts his horse, whispers a prayer to Saint Joseph, and sets off for the glass hill.  After a short distance, he spots the keep and its fair prisoner and sets himself against the green slope.  Apple Blossom spies the knight and hails him joyfully.  Bradwen announces himself and his quest but, finding that he can climb no further without falling, promises to return.  Crestfallen, Apple Blossom implores Bradwen to find a means of ascent and makes several farfetched suggestions.  Bradwen resolves to pray for aid.

Returning to town, the knight visits a chapel and asks assistance from Saint Joseph.  Overnight, he dreams of a carpenter at work on a ladder.

The following day, Bradwen offers several laborers a daily wage to fabricate the ladder from his vision. 

The ladder falls short of reaching the ramparts, and Bradwen proposes lashing several together into a scaffolding.  The laborers set to work.

Running short of funds, Bradwen takes to the road in search of coin.  He again encounters the merchant, who inquires after the princess.  Bradwen describes his progress and asks for financial support.  Deflated, the merchant denies the knight’s request.

Bradwen lowers the visor of his helm, blocks the roadway, and demands payment.  The merchant threatens to report Bradwen to the local lord, but the knight brushes off the challenge. Raising his weapon, Bradwen charges the merchant and knocks him to the ground.   The knight pins the trader down and selects several coins from his purse.

Escaped from his assailant, the merchant finds himself robbed of only several coins of little value.