Merlin's Nightmare (The Merlin Spiral)

by Robert Treskillard

  When Merlin reached the front, he bowed and placed the torc into Dybris’s hands.

  The monk raised it aloft, and its metalic beauty enthralled Arthur. Was this really happening? Was he about to receive his father’s torc? He bit his tongue in anticipation.

  “As priest of God Most High,” Dybris said, “I solemnly charge you, Arthur mab Uthrelius, with the task of guarding your people, the Britons, against all enemies. Remember well that you are not the High King of Britain, but rather of the Britons. The land is not yours — rather, it belongs to God first, and is given by Him as a goodly blessing to all His children who tend it.”

  Dybris paused here and looked heavenward. “Your kingship, then, is a call of protection, not overlordship, and God will bless your reign if you will always remember these truths. Many will whisper in your ear to use your power for selfish gain, but heed them not! The Mighty King over you stands at the door with a great sickle in His hand, and if you but stray He will end your reign as swiftly as He has given it.”

  Dybris sighed, and then continued.

  “So in light of these admonitions, do you, Arthur — son of Uthrelius, son of Aurelianus, son of Constans, and also of the uncorrupted line of Vitalinus — willingly accept this torc of the High Kingship?”

  Arthur nodded. “Truly, I do.”

  Spreading the ends of the torc, Dybris placed it upon Arthur’s neck.

  The severe weight of it upon his collar surprised Arthur, and it was then that Dybris’s fretful words were made manifest to him. This thing did not mark him for privilege — rather it was a burden that he must bear. The heavy mantle of his father’s fallen throne. The mantle of all those that had worn the purple before him.

  Arthur let out his breath. Yes, he would try.

  Dybris embraced him in congratulations, and then took Arthur’s right hand and turned him slowly around in the dais to face all the people. Merlin stepped up and took Arthur’s left. Lifting their joined hands together, Dybris and Merlin shouted:

  HERE IS YOUR KING!

  In silence, the people blew out their candles so that only the three candles on the altar in the very center remained lit.

  And then, from the darkness came the shout of a familiar voice. It was Taliesin, standing on a bench, and his words shocked the assembly. “Look! Up there!”

  Everyone glanced to where he pointed, but this was behind Arthur, and he had to turn to look out the high central archway that faced westward.

  There floated something unlike anything Arthur had ever seen in the sky. It appeared to look like a star falling toward the final glow of the sunset, but it was suspended in the heavens, unmoving, with two tails — one straight, and the other curving away toward the left.

  Colvarth had once shown Arthur a scroll with drawings of such celestial portents, and so he knew this was a Dragon Star . . . a dread omen that had not been seen during his lifetime.

  Fear swam in Arthur’s gut until his legs began to shake and his eyesight blurred. The room tilted and Arthur fell upon the hard floor, his arms outstretched before the altar.

  There he beheld a vision of every clan and people of Britain gathered together. And all of them — from the youngest peasant to the dusty farmer, from the calloused-handed craftsman to the rotund, vassal king of Lundnisow — all worshiped the Dragon. Yet when they bowed, the white-scaled beast betrayed them and blazed upon their backs the green flames of death. All through the land it burned, and from within the flames, untouched, came the armies of the stocky Saxenow and the painted men of the north — and these took the land as their own and killed the Britons who tried to resist.

  Death. Death and destruction.

  The souls of many wept, and within the flames a lone woman stood. She was Myrgwen, Arthur’s sister, and in a loud voice she called out:

  Woe! Woe to Britain!

  For the Dragon has come,

  and who will save us?

  (To be continued in the Pendragon Spiral)

  PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

  The following helps are for British names, places, and terms and do not apply to Latin. If you find an easy way to pronounce a name, however, feel free to ignore the following. Your first goal is to enjoy the novel, not to become an expert in ancient languages.

  Vowels

  a short as in far, long as in late, but sometimes as in cat

  e short as in bet, long as in pay, but sometimes as in key

  i / y short as in tin, long as in bead, but sometimes as in pie

  o short as in got, long as in foam

  u short as in fun, long as in loom

  Consonants — the same as English with a few exceptions:

  c / k hard, as in crank, not like city

  ch hard, as in Scottish loch, or sack, not like chat

  f f as in fall, sometimes v as in vine

  ff f as in offer

  g hard as in get, not like George

  gh soft as in sigh

  r lightly trilled when found between two vowels

  rh pronounced as hr, strong on the h sound

  s as in sat, not with a z sound

  GLOSSARY

  Pronunciation Note: The goal is for you to enjoy reading Merlin’s Nightmare, and so, where possible, easier spellings have been chosen for many ancient words. For instance, the word gorseth would more properly be spelled gorsedd, with the “dd” pronounced similar to our “th.” This is also true of the decision, in some words, to use “k” instead of “c.” The goal is readability. A pronunciation suggestion has been provided for each word. Again, please relax about how you say the names. If you are a language purest, then indulge the author, knowing he is well aware of the depth, history, and complexities of the Brythonic and Goidelic languages represented here.

  Also, since this spiral of Arthurian stories begins and ends in Cornwall, Cornish has been chosen as a basis for many of the names and places. Though Welsh, Irish, or Scots Gaelic could have each served for this purpose, Cornwall is the nexus of the story line.

  Historical Note: Although many of the following explanations are based on history and legend, they are given to aid your understanding of Merlin’s Nightmare and thus are fictional. If you feel inspired, you can research Roman, Celtic, and Arthurian literature for a deeper appreciation of how they’ve been uniquely woven into the entire Merlin Spiral series. An asterisk has been placed next to those words that will yield a wealth of information.

  Abransva — (ah-BRAWN-sva) The meaning of the word is simply “eyebrow.”

  Àille Fionnadh — (EYE-la fi-OH-neyg) Natalenya’s pet name for Merlin, which Ector teases him with. It means “handsome hair.” This is the author’s version of the name Elffin*, who was the father of Taliesin in legend. Some think Elffin is based upon Aill Fion*, which means “bright rock.”

  Allun — (AL-lun) The name of Bosventor’s miller in Merlin’s Blade.

  Aquae Sulis* — (OCK-way SUE-liss) The modern day city of Bath*, which includes hot springs and many Roman baths. This city is near to Glevum, and is Vortigern’s third-most important city.

  Arthur* — (AR-thur) The orphaned son of Igerna and Uther, and heir to the High Kingship. He is being taken care of by Merlin and Natalenya. His sisters are Eilyne and Myrgwen. He is eighteen years old.

  Atle/Atleuthun — (AT-lee/at-lee-OOH-thun) The king of Guotodin in the far north that Merlin visited in Merlin’s Shadow, his fortress was at Dinpelder. He is Gwevian’s father and Merlin’s grandfather. In legend he is known as King Lleuddun*.

  Aurelianus* — (ow-rell-ee-AH-noos) the former High King, Uther’s father, and Arthur’s grandfather. He slew Vitalinus Gloui to revenge his father’s murder.

  Bank and Ditch — A simple method of making a fortress harder to attack by digging multiple ditches around it in concentric rings and throwing the dirt up on a bank. Sometimes wooden spikes are placed in the ditches.

  Bedwir* — (BED-weer) A former chieftain under Vortigern, he is pledged now to help raise, protect, train, and serve Arthur.
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br />   Bélre Cèard — (BEL-rah KAIRGE) This is the “Speech of the Tinsmiths,” which Gogirfan, Gwenivere, and Gwenivach speak. As a cant language*, the Walkers use this speech as a secret way of speaking with each other using a twisted form of the common language in Britain. Today it is known as Beurla Reagaird*.

  Bors The Elder* — (BOARS) A king of Silures, Kembry, he is a distant relation of Culann.

  Bosvenna Abbey — (bos-VENN-ah) An abbey of the Celtic church in Kernow, which was destroyed by fire in Merlin’s Blade. Bosvenna* (or Bos-menegh) means “the abiding place of monks.”

  Bosvenna Moor — (bos-VENN-ah) The highland area in central Kernow, covered with forests and marshes. Before the monks came, it was known as Tir Gwygoen, “land of the woodland moor.” Today it is called Bodmin Moor* and is cleared for grazing.

  Bosventor — (bos-VEN-tore) The village and fortress where Merlin grew up. It was built upon the slopes of the Meneth Gellik mountain six years after the abbey. South of modern-day Bolventor*, Cornwall, an actual iron-age village and fortress existed at this exact location.

  Brewodwyn — (breh-WODD-win) Modern-day Broadwoodwidger*.

  Brihem — (BRIH-hem) The order of judges within the wider order of the druids. Normally spelled brithem* or brehon*.

  Britain — (BRIH-ten) The land occupied by the people who speak various forms of the ancient Brythonic* language south of the River Forth*.

  Brittania Prima — (brih-TAN-ee-ah PREEMA) The area of Britain bordering the southern coast, generally south of Lundnisow / London.

  Brythanvy — (brith-AHN-vee) The same as modern-day Brittany*, France. This was a Celtic-populated area.

  Bysall — (BY-sall) A small coin, usually a ring of brass or iron. Bysallow is the plural.

  Casva — (COSS-vah) Arthur’s black stallion.

  Cathures* — (kath-OO-ress) A village of southwest Scotland on the Clyde River that began with the church that Garth planted. Modern-day Glasgow*.

  Caygek — (KAY-gek) A former druid who has become one of Arthur’s warriors and protectors. He is named Cai* in the Arthurian legends.

  Colvarth — (COAL-varth) The former chief bard of Britian; he passed away before the beginning of Merlin’s Nightmare. His given name is Bledri mab Cadfan, and he is known as Bleheris* in Arthurian literature.

  Constans* — (CON-stans) A former High King. He is Arthur’s great-grandfather and father to Aurelianus. Murdered by Vitalinus Gloui for the throne of Britain.

  Corinium* — (core-IN-ee-um) Modern-day Cirencester*, and a former Roman fortress. This city is near to Glevum, and is Vortigern’s second-most important city.

  Coynall — (COIN-all) A single-sided coin made of silver. It is worth eight bysallow, and it takes three coyntallow to make one screpall.

  Cradelmass* — (crah-DELL-mass) The haughty king of Powys, he is distantly related to Vortigern.

  Crennig — (CREN-nigg) A fifth-century roundhouse. They are normally made of wooden timbers staked into the ground to form a circle, but sometimes they are made of stone if it is readily available. The roof is conical and typically woven from thatch. On occasion they are built out in a lake for easier defense. Cren means “circular,” or “round.” Spelled Crannog* outside of the Merlin Spiral.

  Culann — (KULL-lann) One of Arthur’s friends who goes journeying with him. He is the son of Llachau, and in legend he is known as Lancelot*.

  Derwent* — (dare-WENT) One of the streams that runs through the Nancedefed valley, down a series of falls, and into Lake Derwentlin.

  Derwentlin, Lake — (dare-WENT-lin) The lake just north of Dinas Crag. Called the Derwent Water* today.

  Deva — (DEH-vah) More properly called Deva Victrix, which is modern-day Chester*, England.

  Difnonia — (diff-NO-nee-ah) The kingdom to the east of Kernow, today called Devon*. Ruled by the Roman-established town of Isca Dumnoniorum (modern-day Exeter*).

  Dinas Camlin — (DINN-ahs CAM-linn) A large hill fort. Old Pelles is the chieftain, and his grandson is Gwalahad. The fortress has a large, circular, two-story feasting hall. Situated on the western side of a bay fed by the Camel* River. Modern-day Padstow*.

  Dinas Crag — (DINN-ahs CRAIG) A rocky hill fort in Rheged, north of Kembry, which protects the Nancedefed valley where Merlin and Natalenya live with Arthur, Taliesin, and Tingada. Merlin’s father grew up here, and Merlin’s uncle Ector is now the chieftain. Modern-day Castle Crag*.

  Dinas Hen Felder — (DINN-as HEN FELL-der) An iron-age hill fort at the site of modern-day Launceston Castle*. In Merlin’s Nightmare it has been given the name of “Old Watchful.” Also known as Dunheved* in later times.

  Dinas Marl — (DINN-ahs MARL) An aging fortress that Vortigern is defending against the Saxenow, it is built on an ancient mound around which modern-day Marlborough* sits. “Marl” means “marbled clay,” and “bar” means mound, or barrow.

  Dintaga — (din-TA-guh) The fortress of Gorlas, King of Kernow. Dintaga means “the strangled fortress,” and is modern-day Tintagel*. It is on an island separated from the land by a narrow causeway that is inundated with water when the tide comes in.

  Dosmurtanlin, Lake — (doss-mur-TAN-lin) A lake north of the village of Bosventor, on the other side of the Meneth Gellik mountain. Legend says that when a portion of the Dragon Star fell, it gouged out the earth, and the water filled it in, forming the lake. Dosmurtanlin means “the lake where a great fire came.” It is the same as modern-day Dozmary Pool*. Merlin’s mother, who was changed by the Stone into a water creature, is confined to this lake.

  Dowrtam River — (DOUR-tamm) Known today as the Tamar*, it flows south past Dinas Hen Felder and spills into the ocean at modern-day Plymouth*.

  Dragon Star — The comet that Muscarvel saw in the night sky seventy years before Chapter 1 of Merlin’s Blade.

  Druid* — (DREW-id) The order of priests within the wider order of the druidow. They also carry out the laws as set forth by the Brihem judges.

  Druidow — (DREW-i-dow) The plural form of druid, this term can sometimes refer to the wider order of all the druidow, filidow, and Brihem judges combined.

  Dubrae Cantii* — (DEW-bray CAN-tie) Dubrae is a city among the Cantii tribe south of Lundnisow. This is the primary area the Saxenow were invading. Some of Uther’s warriors came from this area. It is modern-day Dover*.

  Dwin — (DWIN) Based on the Arthurian warrior Bradwin, or Bradwen*. His name means “pleasant and agreeable.”

  Dybris / Dybricius* — the only monk left who still works in the village of Bosventor. He was the one who originally brought Garth, the orphan, with him from Porthloc, a small village on the northern coast of Difnonia. He is known in modern-times as St. Dubricius*.

  Dyfed* — (DIE-fed) A kingdom in southwest Kembry.

  Dyslan — (DIE-slan) Natalenya’s younger brother.

  Ector* — (ECK-tor) Merlin’s uncle and the chieftain of Dinas Crag. He has traditionally been shown in Arthurian legend as fostering Arthur during his growing-up years. Ector’s wife is Eira, and his younger brother is Owain, Merlin’s now-deceased father. Ector and his wife are childless.

  Eilyne — (EYE-line-uh) The oldest orphaned daughter of Uther and Igerna, and sister to Myrgwen and Arthur. When she was young, she and Myrgwen were pursued by Vortigern and fled into the marsh. No one has seen her since. In the legends, she is Elaine of Garlot*.

  Einkorn* — (INE-corn) An ancient form of wheat.

  Eira — (EYE-rah) Ector’s wife at Dinas Crag, and Merlin’s aunt. The word in Welsh means “snow.”

  Eirish — (EYE-rish) The people from Erin, which is modern-day Ireland.

  Elmekow — (EL-meh-cow) A coastal British kingdom southeast of Rheged.

  Erin — (ERR-in) The island of Ireland west of Britain.

  Ewenna — (ee-WHEN-ah) Gorlas’s companion at Dintaga.

  Fairyglove — Foxglove*.

  Fili* — (FILL-ee) The order of sages and poets within the wider order of the druidow. Filidow is the plural, and they are led
by the arch fili.

  Flavia Caesariensis — (flah-VEE-ah see-zar-ee-EN-sis) The area of Britain north of Lundnisow / London, westward to the border of wales, and as far northward as modern-day Manchester.

  Fodor — (FOE-door) An envoy of Vortigern who carries news to Dinas Crag. He wears a gaudy hat and is always concerned with knowing one’s proper ancestry.

  Fossa — (FOSS-ah) A Roman road leading from Lindum (Lincoln*) all the way down to Isca Difnonia (Exeter*). Currently called the Fosse Way*, the road was built up by digging up the soil at its side to form a ditch. Fossa means “ditch” in Latin.

  Fowaven River — (foe-AY-vehn) The stream that lies east of the village of Bosventor. It generally runs southward through Bosvenna Moor and, fed by many springs, it soon becomes a river, known today as the Fowey*.

  Fowavenoc — (foe-AY-vehn-ock) A major town on the southern coast of Kernow where the Fowaven River spills into the sea. Modern-day Fowey*.

  Gaff — (GAFF) Goffrew’s female pup

  Gana/Ganieda* — (GAH-nuh / gah-NYE-dah) Merlin’s half sister, who became Mórgana in Merlin’s Shadow. She is the daughter of Mônda and granddaughter to Mórganthu.

  Garth/Garthwys* — (GARTH / GARTH-wiss) An orphan who used to live at the abbey with Dybris when he was young. His father, Gorgyr, was a fisherman at Porthloc in Difnonia, and so Garth was raised on the sea.

  Gladius* — (GLA-dee-oos) A stout Roman-style sword, generally of medium length.

  Glevum* — (GLEH-vuhm) The Roman fortress of Glevum, and the seat of Vortigern’s kingdom. Modern-day Gloucester*.

  Goffrew — (GOFF-rue) Ector’s hound who had two puppies, Gruffen and Gaff.

  Gogirfan Gawr* — (go-GIRR-fan GOW-er) A giant tinker who is the father of Gwenivere and Gwenivach. He is a Walker, and is descended from the first peoples to settle the island of Britain. Some scholars think that the name Gogirfan is related to the word for “crow.” Gawr means “giant.”