Mordred*

To the best of my knowledge, I have never won anything. A father's affection. True love. Tournament. The Grail. None of my pursuits have ever been fruitful. But I have no great count of losses against me either. In combat I was always strong enough to prevent my opponent from winning, but I was never, never able to call myself victor. Lord of the Draw my brother Agrafainn would nickname me. An even match to any warrior, but a champion of none. Such an unfortunate fate might make one despair. Coupled with a dependency to a destructive sorceress, and a man could go mad.

Such is my lot. As I am brought away by Valerin's men, from my delusional tryst with Cerridwen, I take comfort in knowing that I can match anything that comes my way, yet I suffer the pangs of the knowledge that I cannot ever win. Even before I take my place upon the elaborate gwyddbwyll board, I know my destiny: Stalemate.

*Incidentally, the photo included is of me playing Mordred, in a 1996 production of Lerner & Loewe's Camelot.