Gwydion had not lied to Math, stirctly speaking. It was the greatest of sins to lie to a kinsman, and even more so to lie to a king. But Gwydion was clever, and he was known for a silvered tongue.
For seven days, Gwydion rode flew south towards the Kingdom of Peredur, the King in Twilight.
On the morning of the eighth day he arrived, and was made welcome. For even in the far south, Gwydion's name was well-known. He wa sbrought before Peredur, and spoke thusly:
"Good king! I am Gwydion and I have come form the High King Math, lord of the third Realm to bring greetings. Math sends his honor and regard to you, good king. But alas, Math sits troubled upon his throne, for word has reached him that in this kingdom are twelve wondrous beasts, twelve great boars whose tusks are of gold and should those tusks be cut form then, why then, they are grown back by the next night. Moreover, Math has heard that such beasts have grown your coffers ten fold, and yet no word of this has come to him from you, King Peredur who he thought freind. Truly, As High KLing, my lord MAth is due tribute from you, his subject, and yet such beasts have been withheld form him."
Peredur heard Gwydion's words, and he was much troubled by them.
"Indeed, good prince," replied Peredur. "This is surely news to me."
"Do you deny the existence of such beatss?" asked Gwydion.
"Indeed, I do not," asnwered Peredur.
"Do you deny that Mah is Hgh King of this relam?" asked Gwydion.
"Indeed, I do not, " replied Peredur.
"Do you deny the fealty you owe him then, as your liege lord," asked Gwydion.
"Indeed, I do not," replied Peredur. "But, these great beasts, being hunted in my own forests are mine, and mine alone. Surely, I see no reason why I should not render unto Math that portion of the wealth they bring which is his rightful due; but these beasts belong here, in the lands they call home. Good sir, it would be unjust to so remove them. Let us do this: I shall render Math one half og these golden tusks, and these great boars shall remain here, tended to by mine own folk as if they were blood of my people. Surely, Math will not deny me that."
Gwydion heard the king, and knew that Math would surely agree to such terms, being so reasonable. This troubled the prince, for things were not going as he had expected. But Gwydion was clever, and he hatched a plot on that very spot.
"Very well," agreed Gwydion. "It shall be so, Come, let us celebrate so equitable an arrangement"
Peredur was only to willing to feast the young prince, for the matter had ended quietly and he had no worries of the trouble that was about to unfold.
That night, Peredur and his men celebrated, for Gwydion was good company. He told many stories of his adventures and performed great feats of magic for those who had gathered. The halls rang with song and laughter. But soon, the merriment ended as Peredur and his court made for bed. They would sleep well that night, for the wine had flowed heavily throughout the halls.
In the dark of night, Gwydion made his way from his room and through the silent halls. The guards and maids all slept soundly. Amidst the darkness, Gwydion saddled his horse and gathered together all twelve of the golden boards, and stealthily made his way form the house of Peredur.
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