Jewel of Fire

by G L Roberts

  Thalynder settled back against Bryn’s chest and felt the soft grass cover her feet, a benefit of being with Bryn. She closed her eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.

  Bryn waited until Thalynder had fallen back to sleep before she released her hold. She inched away from the sleeping princess. Bryn rose and approached the open field edging the dragon garden. She cherished the quiet hours of the early morning as her own, not that she did not wish for the company of the others. But it was in the early hours when the world was quiet that her mind was at its most active, and she could plan and test her ideas. Bryn walked out into the grass and turned back to look at Meydra and An Yun as they slept with their backs to the others.

  Meydra rested with her head on her arm, her tail curled around to guard Thalynder. An Yun did not seem to be troubled by Thalynder’s choice to sleep with Bryn and Meydra. Meydra had explained the unique situation with the two women to An Yun and had told Bryn that the Astrum was content enough not be troubled with human peculiarities. An Yun chose to companion Thalynder because she understood how special the princess was to the Jewel. The other dragons chose to remain with Bryn for the same reasons. The humans may believe they were companioned by the dragons, but it was Bryn who drew them and kept them near. Meydra’s breathing was shallow enough for Bryn to recognize that she was awake.

  Meydra opened her eyes and watched Bryn walk among the grass. As always, the grass swayed and circled around Bryn’s feet. Her bare feet thrilled the grass. Meydra did not move so as not to disturb Thalynder but waited until Bryn turned to look back at her.

  Has the king told Thalynder his plans? Meydra asked Bryn’s heart.

  No. He has not told her of his wish for her to remain in the realm.

  She will not be pleased.

  Bryn chuckled softly. No, she will not.

  What becomes of her seat on the council?

  She will be at the council, Bryn replied. The king will understand her importance. He will allow her to leave the realm, or he will risk losing her altogether.

  Meydra let out a little snort. Will you not sleep now?

  I have rested. I have only a short time before the others wake. I need these few moments. Bryn walked through the field and into the woods. Meydra listened to the trees as Bryn passed. After a time, she closed her eyes.

  Bryn walked along familiar ground. Many times had she walked this path to the hidden pool. Many times had she and Thalynder gone to the pool to bathe in the cool water. And many times had Bryn gone alone to be with her thoughts. She removed her outer tunic and left it on a large rock. The embroidered Tree of Life glimmered in the waning moonlight. She removed her hose and her inner tunic. She stood at the water’s edge and gazed down at her image. She had changed, and she could see the changes more clearly in this image than in any other.

  Her arm bore the jagged scar of the notched blade of the Norseman. Her waist, slimmer now, bore the bruises from the scabbard she rarely went without. And of course, there was her brow. She knelt to peer more closely at her face. She ran her hands over her cheeks and down to her chin. She stared at the crown and watched the jewel flash with a different color as her thoughts changed. She experimented with her emotions and watched the jewel glow deep red as she thought of the death of the elder dragons. It turned a bright clear white when she thought about uniting the people. It softened to the sunset lavender and orange as she thought of Thalynder and their love. Seeing the colors reflected back to her, she understood now why some may be intimidated by the crown. As she relaxed and accepted her image, the color of the jewel paled. Her skin began to glow from the inside out, matching the soft peach light that filled the jewel. She took one more look around before diving into the pool.

  Thalynder braided Bryn’s hair while they chatted about the next journey. This one would take them back to Skiel and the first council gathering of the new members. They were trying to decide on a name for the council.

  Thalynder plaited a silver ribbon in Bryn’s hair. “Would not Council of the Dragon Riders be appropriate?” The contrast between the dark hair and the silver was striking and beautiful.

  Arryn joined them. “Not all will be dragon riders.”

  “True,” Bryn said. “If Queen Betony does not send Lothan, they may not have a dragon at their side. And we have yet to know who the Picts will send. I suspect they will send Rythale, Rylan’s sister, and I have not been led to believe she is a dragon rider.”

  Malcolm sat down next to Bryn. “The Ebdanii will send a rider. The Lady Albistan mentioned one in Skerrabrae. Will it hamper the council if the Picts are not dragon riders?”

  “You forget, the elves too are not riders by their own misfortune. However, a dragon has befriended Leus, and I suspect we will find one for the Pict who joins the council.”

  Malcolm frowned. “I am still unsure of those painted creatures.”

  Bryn placed her hand on Malcolm’s arm where the small tattoo of the Triskele lay beneath his tunic. “As they are unsure of you, Prince of Wessex.”

  Malcolm stared at her a moment. He patted her hand and chuckled. “Truer words were never spoken. Should I again speak without thinking, I will look for you to remove my foot from my mouth, My Lady.”

  “I believe we will all find that our previous conception about the Picts is in error. I hold in my heart that they will join us and prove to be as staunch an ally as any captain could wish.” Bryn turned to Arryn. “I have need to speak with you before you leave for the Epidii.”

  “As you wish, My Lady.”

  Bryn turned to Malcolm. “Prince Malcolm, please escort Princess Thalynder to the dining hall. I will speak with Arryn before we meet at King Thamen’s table. I suspect that he will take advantage of our absence to speak with you two royals. He can easily dismiss the clann and the clann’s decisions, but he will want reassurance from you that Wessex will follow the clanns before he commits his own kingdom.”

  “I suspected as much. He is torn between both worlds.”

  “And you are not?” Thalynder asked.

  “No, Princess. I know where I wish to be, with or without my kingdom. Have you considered my offer?”

  Thalynder kissed the top of Bryn’s head signaling that she had finished with her braid work. She moved to stand in front of Bryn. She spoke to Malcolm. “You fully understand my love for Bryn?”

  “I believe I do.”

  She locked eyes with Bryn. “You would not interfere with that love?” she asked as she took Bryn’s hand in hers.

  “No more than I would interfere with the sun rising.”

  “And an heir?”

  “We will discuss that in due time,” Malcolm said. “For now, we need to unite our kingdoms so that we may unite all of Alban. We will fight alongside the Lady Athebryn and our friends, Arryn and Kenna. We will have Leus and the others of the council beside us. We will fight to rid Alban of the Norsemen and the threat of invasion. Then and only then will we discuss an heir to either realm, as you too must consider what befalls the Realm That Touches Two Seas once you are its queen.”

  Thalynder bowed over Bryn’s hand. Kissing Bryn’s palm, she continued speaking to Malcolm. “There are still questions in my mind and in my heart, but for now, I will say that the prospect is not unfavorable. Perhaps, we will entertain the idea this morning for my father’s sake.”

  Malcolm smiled. “Come, let us join the king and allow these two to have their words together.”

  Bryn stood and kissed Thalynder lightly on the lips. “Go, beloved, your father awaits you. Do not worry. All will resolve itself.”

  Malcolm took Thalynder’s hand and pulled her gently away from Bryn. He led her out of the dragon garden and onto the path that led back to the Keep.

  Arryn and Bryn watched the two walk away. When they were beyond the small rise, Arryn turned to Bryn. “What concerns you?”

  “You know me too well, Arryn. Many things concern me, but this morning it is our parting. Thalynder and her father will argue about who will
follow me to Skiel. I do not want you in the middle as a onetime captain of the King’s Own Guard. The king intends to lead his own guard and have Thalynder remain here.”

  “Oh, that will not settle well with the princess for one, and the guard is going to be quite adamant about the king remaining behind as well.”

  “You sound as if you understand why I am concerned.”

  “You fear the guard will look to me to persuade the king to remain at the Keep.” Arryn shook his head slightly and grinned at her. “When do you wish me to leave?”

  Bryn returned Arryn’s smile and placed her hand on his arm. “I have prepared a small meal for you here. When you have broken your fast, I will bid you farewell until we meet again at Skiel in two days’ time.”

  “You have a captain’s mind. Always thinking ahead.”

  “There is one other thing. The Norse ship has broached the horizon.”

  “There is only the one ship?”

  “Yes. They seek the Jarl only and do not as yet know the fate he met. They will arrive at the mouth of the Nis as we gather at Skiel.”

  “We have no time to lose.”

  Bryn and Arryn broke their morning fast with fresh fruit, and Arryn ate a little dried meat. During their meal they discussed Bryn’s thoughts for Arryn to take to the Epidii. Once that was done, Bryn stood and led Arryn to FireSong. She held on to his arm for a moment longer.

  “Take my words to the Epidii, dragon rider. Tell them what you saw at Loch Nis. Tell them what you saw at the Stones and what you heard at Skerrabrae. Tell them I mean to unite the clanns, and under me they will fear not the coming of the Norsemen. Tell them we will give the Norsemen reason to fear us. Take to FireSong, but have those who follow you to mount on horseback as that is how we will meet the enemy. On horse and upon the ground.” To FireSong she said, “Carry him swiftly now. Do not stop until you reach the northwest land of the Epidii. West of the Pass of Brandori at Loch Eteven.” FireSong lowered his head and moved his tail to touch Bryn’s back. He waited for Arryn to mount his neck.

  Arryn lowered his head and brought his fist to his chest. “Until we meet at Skiel, My Lady.” He raised his head and looked at the crown and the clear white light that filled the jewel. “I will take your words with me, and I will return to you with an army worthy of your sword.”

  Bryn placed a kiss on the knuckles of Arryn’s sword hand. “There are none more worthy than you, Arryn of the Epidii. Go now. We will meet in Skiel before the sun rises on the third day.”

  Arryn climbed aboard FireSong. Bryn watched as the dragon lifted effortlessly up into the growing light of morning. Without looking back, the fire-breather climbed higher. As he cleared the trees of the dragon garden, he turned west toward the forest and the rough lands of the scattered clanns.

  Bryn left the dragon garden after giving Meydra a quick pat on the cheek. “Ready the other dragons. I wish to leave at dusk.” Bryn did not know who would be going with her, but she wanted all the dragons at the ready. Glancing once at IronHeart, Mediter, and An Yun, she gave them all an easy smile as she took the path to the Keep.

  King Thamen had seized the opportunity to speak with the two royals while Bryn and Arryn were detained. The conversation, a confirmation of the events of the past weeks, eventually led to the return to Skiel and the council.

  “Prince Malcolm and I are members of the council. We were so recognized and accepted by the Elf-Sisters and elders,” Thalynder explained. “We are expected in Skiel along with Arryn and the others.”

  King Thamen remained quiet as Thalynder told him about Bryn’s wish to create an army from the clanns and the lower kingdoms. She explained that Bryn wanted the kingdoms to join for the benefit of the entire island and its people, but she did not intend to usurp any royal claims to the kingdoms themselves.

  “It is as the Lady Athebryn explained to me.”

  “You understand the Lady Athebryn only asks for a united people with which to defeat the Norsemen,” Prince Malcolm said.

  “I do. I mean to lead my people and be at her side.”

  Thalynder frowned. “You cannot do so, Father. I will lead the Realm That Touches Two Seas in your stead. You are the rightful ruler, and you must remain safe.”

  “And you are its only heir. I am expendable. You are not. Your place may be on the council, but you will not go into battle and I will have no argument.”

  Thalynder started to speak, but Malcolm laid his hand on her arm. “Your Highness,” he said to the king. “The princess is as good a soldier as any I have led. She will bring renown to your kingdom. As a future queen, she would have the support of your armies and more importantly their respect.”

  “They love and respect her already as their princess. Yet, how can I ask them to follow a child or a woman into battle?”

  Malcolm kept his hand on Thalynder’s arm. That comment would rise and stick in her throat, as it did his. He spoke before Thalynder could utter even a grunt of disapproval. “Sire,” he said soothingly. “I have seen the ferocity with which your daughter fights. She is a skilled swordsman, and her aim with a bow is deadly. I would not hesitate to follow her lead. But if you are not comfortable allowing your daughter to follow the Lady Athebryn into battle, I have a solution.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “I will marry your daughter and she, as my wife and queen, will be at my side when I accompany the Lady Athebryn.” It was not what he had foreseen as his request for the hand of Thalynder. However, if King Thamen did not allow Thalynder to follow Bryn, she would do so anyway. Her heart would be heavy and that would lower her defenses and put her in greater peril. This way, the king could not refuse, and they could all go with Bryn. He held his breath and hoped that Thalynder would not balk.

  “You would do this to allow my daughter to foolishly follow the Lady Athebryn to what might be her death at the hands of the Norsemen? Is that the kind of man I am to give the hand of my daughter and only heir in marriage?”

  “Do you think it foolish to follow the Lady Athebryn?” Malcolm asked.

  “That is not what I said,” King Thamen bristled. “You are arrogant.”

  “A bit like someone else I know,” Thalynder said.

  King Thamen stared at his daughter. He was silent for a long moment. At last he spoke. “And you are as stubborn as your mother. Very well. I will allow you to follow the Lady Athebryn, provided I too am at your side. Between Prince Malcolm and myself, we should be able to keep you from running headlong into the fray.” The king looked hard at Malcolm. “If you still wish to marry my daughter when we return to the lower kingdoms, we will talk again. For now, I will keep your request in mind.”

  It was then that Bryn appeared in the archway of the dining hall. The king rose with Malcolm and Thalynder as Bryn entered the room. The servants and attendants stopped and turned to watch Bryn walk into the candlelit dining hall. The jewel at her crown reflected the candlelight and sent little shards of yellow light out before her.

  Bryn was dressed in her riding clothes—the inner light blue tunic, dark brown hose and boots. She wore the dark blue outer tunic and bodice and looked very much like a commoner. That is until the embroidery on the bodice caught the light. The silver Tree of Life glimmered in the candlelight. The silver in the crown glowed, and the jewel covered Bryn in a veil of sparkling yellow embers. As she passed by the servants and attendants with their heads bowed, her steps made no sound. Several of the attendants—clanns people who worked for the court—stepped out of the ranks of the other servants, making obvious to the king and the court their intention to follow Lady Athebryn.

  King Thamen watched as the sight of Bryn captured all in the room. They were attracted in part to the mystery and legend. Some may even recognize the leader in her and were at once drawn to follow. He felt his own heart leap at her presence. How could he deny his daughter her own wish to be with this woman when he too felt a strong pull of loyalty to this apparition? He walked out to meet Bryn.

&nb
sp; King Thamen bowed his head slightly. “My Lady.”

  “Your Highness.” She returned the gesture.

  “Your council members have broken their fast and await your command. I have listened to argument and have concluded that it would be prudent to allow my daughter to follow her own heart. I place her safety in the hands of those who have thus far kept her from harm.”

  “We will do our best not to fail you, Your Highness. If you have concluded your meal, my council and I must leave for Skiel. The enemy has broached the horizon and will be at the mouth of the Nis by this time tomorrow.”

  Malcolm drew close to Bryn’s side. “I will ready the dragons.” He left the hall at a sprint.

  Thalynder moved to stand next to Bryn. “We have yet to send word to Wessex. We need King Heli to lend his troops.”

  “Trust me to do this for you, Lady Athebryn. I will ride for Wessex and speak with King Heli. When and where do you want the troops?”

  “Once the Norsemen reach Inbhir Nis, they will know of the Jarl’s death, Your Highness. They will immediately return to Heardred. He will gather his people, and he will send his armies to Alban. Have your captains and whomever you choose to lead them meet me at Loch Nis on the night of the sliver moon in fourteen days. It is there that we will plan our attack. Heardred’s armies once assembled will surely return within thirty days. Now, I must beg your leave.” Bryn bowed her head to the king.

  King Thamen took Thalynder into his arms and hugged her tightly. “Do as Lady Athebryn requests and keep safe, my daughter.”

  Thalynder kissed her father’s cheek and took Bryn’s hand in hers. “I will do all the Lady Athebryn requests, Father. Until we meet at Loch Nis, fare thee well.”

  While Bryn and Thalynder walked out of the dining hall, several servants and attendants approached the king and bowed their heads. He waited until his daughter had passed out under the arch before addressing the small group of men and women gathered in front of him.