He finds Dyrnwyn beneath a rock on a mountain, and kills an undead warrior, causing the destruction of the Cauldron-Born in a single chain reaction. Once Gwydion has nearly broken through, Taran spots the approach of the Cauldron-Born. The Cauldron-Born progress to Annuvin, and Gwydion’s army charges to Arawn’s inner stronghold. Assisted by the Fair Folk, they defeat the Huntsmen in charge of a horde of undead. Along with his forces, Taran fends off the Cauldron-Born, driving them into the hills. Taran goes with an army of Commots to slow the Cauldron-Born’s return to Annuvin. He strategizes to attack Annuvin by sea with the Sons of Don, since the immortal Cauldron-Born are occupied elsewhere. High King Math is killed, causing Gwydion to become the next High King. ![]() The Sons of Don and their forces seem to have the upper hand at first, but soon lose ground, resulting in the total destruction of Caer Dathyl. ![]() The council rejects him but allows him to return to his troops. He reveals that he now supports Arawn, because his war is intended to end all other wars. During the preparations for war, King Pryderi returns from the west. The party’s efforts succeed, and forces begin to assemble at Caer Dathyl. Taran, Fflweddur, and Gwystyl leave in search of allies, and Kaw goes to Medwyn to plea for support from a host of elemental creatures, united by their common interest of defeating Arawn. Refusing to make another foolish mistake, Gwydion stops searching for the sword and prepares for a war at Caer Dathyl. In the process, however, Rhun sacrifices himself. They use Gwystyl’s magical weapons to bail out the prisoners. Eilonwy sends Fflewddur Fflam in disguise to Magg’s fortress, where he discovers their friends’ condition. Gwydion and Taran go to Caer Cedarn and are captured by Magg, a despotic steward. Gwydion resolves to reclaim the sword, and the party breaks up to search in different directions and run various errands. Fflewddur reveals that Arawn himself participated in the attack Achren discovers that he shapeshifted into the likeness of Taran to disguise himself, tricking Gwydion into falling for the trap. They learn that Arawn’s soldiers ambushed the prince, stealing Dyrnwyn, a magical sword. ![]() Taran’s proposal plans are cut short when Fflewddur Fflam arrives atop Llyan carrying the Prince of Don, Gwydion. The men meet her at her estate, as well as her protector-companion, King Rhun of Mona, and a giant named Glew, who had been shrunk to human size after drinking a magic potion. Taran intends to propose to her as soon as he can. Taran travels with Gurgi to Caer Dallben, having learned that Princess Eilonwy is back from the Isle of Mona. The novel begins almost immediately after the end of the previous book, Taran Wanderer. ![]() The High King was considered a powerful ending to the series, especially for its depiction of the hero’s sacrifice and plot resonances with the devastation World War II inflicted on Europe. The book covers the land of Prydain’s final standoff against Arawn and the attempt to install a virtuous High King. The fifth and final installment of the series The Chronicles of Prydain, it borrows from Welsh mythology, following the coming-of-age of Taran as he faces off against a devious autocrat Arawn Death-Lord. The High King is a 1968 epic fantasy novel for young adults by American author Lloyd Alexander.
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