The Dark Age

by Traci Harding

  The Saxon Warlord was outraged at the insult. ‘Enough! If thee will not make a deal, then die!’ he decreed. ‘Take them, but I want the girl alive.’

  The room was thrown into chaos at his word. The Saxon cutthroats began to charge Maelgwn and his handful of knights, when the floor beneath their feet began to tremble.

  In a flash of lightning, Mahaud appeared alongside Chiglas’ throne. ‘Fools!’ the wretched hag shreiked, mocking the invaders with her laughter. ‘Thou art all going to die.’

  She raised her glowing fingertips to the closest Saxon soldier, and every man in the room took a step backwards as her victim yelled and burst into flames. Vortipor turned to the King of Gwynedd, and whispered, ‘I am beginning to wish I had let thee talk me into staying at home. How dost one compete with this?’

  Maelgwn looked at the flaming carcass, twitching furiously on the floor. ‘I wish I knew.’

  Chiglas’ laughter was resonant over the din. He applauded Mahaud’s display and continued to delight in it as she randomly picked off his foes. His enjoyment was thwarted, however, as once again the room began to shake, even more violently than before. Upon the first sign of danger, Mahaud suddenly vanished into thin air.

  Each of the long windows around the room shattered, one by one, and the large doors burst open sending a wild wind ripping through the chamber. When all had calmed and those present dared to raise their heads, they saw Tory’s bloodstained form in the doorway. She floated just above the ground, radiating a green glow so bright that the onlookers had to shield their eyes, and it was obvious to all that a divine force was upon her.

  Maelgwn fell on one knee, so thankful he was to see the Goddess; now Tory would surely live. The King was not at all surprised when Taliesin followed Tory into the room with Sir Tiernan at his side. As they advanced, all present fell to their knees to pay homage to the miracle. Except, of course, Chiglas, who was now reduced to a blubbering mass of nerves. He sat on his throne, way too overweight to move of his own accord.

  The Goddess first approached Maelgwn, touching his bowed head lightly with her fingertips. ‘Fear not my young King, all shall be well with thy Queen. Thy forefathers will watch over thy heir, and I vow he shall return to thee.’

  Maelgwn was so overcome, he could barely thank her. ‘I am deeply indebted to thee, lady.’

  Her huge, green–grey eyes turned to the Saxon Warlord, her expression more sombre. ‘Ossa, son of Octa, thy breed have been a thorn in my side, ravaging my people and my lands.’

  Ossa raised his eyes to look at the Goddess and was momentarily overcome by the great energy force that confronted him. Amazed, the Warlord experienced the wondrous peace and love that emanated from her, and begged, ‘Be merciful on us, lady. We did not know.’

  ‘How soon thy race forgets, Ossa. What of the repeated warnings Ambrosius gave thy father? Take thy due, no more or less, then return to the far east of the land with thy clan. And remember this, the moment any Saxon, Angle or Jute makes war on my native people, thou shalt all be driven from this land completely. If thee cannot live here in peace with us, thee shall not live here at all.’

  Ossa nodded to confirm his understanding. ‘Thou art too gracious. I shall do as thee bids at once.’ He raised himself, rather eager to be gone. At his word, his men rose in an orderly fashion and quietly left the room.

  The Goddess then turned to deal with Chiglas, who quivered like a great pile of jelly. ‘I have nothing to say to thee Chiglas, although I do know someone who wishes an audience.’

  Rufus’ huge head appeared outside the broken windows, eyeing the wretched King with relish.

  All of a sudden, Chiglas, throne and all, rose from the floor and was drawn closer towards the mouth of the huge beast, squirming and squealing in horror. His advisers, still cowering on the ground, prayed they were not next on the menu as the dragon opened its mighty jaws to swallow their King. The fire of its breath reduced the obese leader to dripping lard, and its mouth snapped shut, doing away with Chiglas’ evil soul forever.

  A round of applause sounded out, even from those who’d served him.

  The Goddess faced Sir Brockwell and Lady Katren. ‘As the next of the true lineage of Cunedda, after Maelgwn, I acknowledge thy right to claim the title of a King, Calin Brockwell, through thy grandfather King Einion Yrth of Gwynedd. Thou hast always done the Great Houses and thy forefathers proud, and hence I offer to thee the throne of Powys. Dost thou accept this as thy destiny?’

  Brockwell couldn’t believe his ears. Nor could Katren, realising she was to be a Queen.

  ‘I am thy humble servant, lady, and I thank thee for the honour.’

  ‘You must join with Gwynedd, Dyfed, Dumnonia and Gwent Is Coed in the pact against the foreign raiders. For although Ossa hast promised to keep his distance, his race art of feeble character. We must prepare to confront them and others like them when they return.’

  ‘Aye lady, I understand.’ Brockwell held his hand to his heart to pledge this.

  ‘Taliesin, I shall leave the Princess Vanora for thee to contend with as thou sees fit.’

  The High Merlin bowed graciously.

  The Goddess turned to Ione, who’d been watching quietly from a distance. ‘Come forth child, I will not harm thee.’

  Ione, sword in hand, came and knelt before the Goddess, her head bowed low as her eyes filled with tears of adoration.

  ‘Thou art most pleasing to us, child. So much hardship thou hast known in thy short life, and still thou hast the faith to defend my cause. I could not leave such loyalty unrewarded, and thus my dear Ione, be silent no more.’ The glowing figure reached down to hold Ione’s face between her hands. The brilliant emanation enfolded her, before it dispersed completely. Thereupon, Tory collapsed and Ione caught her up before she hit the ground.

  19

  BURGEONING

  The whole of Prydyn was thus united with Dumnonia against the invaders of Britain. Brockwell, Sir Tiernan and Vortipor remained at Arwystli to help set the kingdom’s affairs in order. Reinforcements in the form of soldiers, accountants and advisers were assigned to the city from Gwynedd, Dyfed and Gwent Is Coed. It had been decided that Awrystli, in Powys, being the point most central to all, would become the official meeting place of the allies.

  Sir Cadogan met his end in the belly of the dragon, as Maelgwn wasn’t prepared to take any more chances with him. Lady Katren conveyed to the King the story of Caradoc’s end and of his mother’s last words with him. Hence Maelgwn resolved to have Caradoc’s body taken back to Gwynedd, where he would have him cremated and his spirit put to rest in the mountains that he’d loved.

  Rufus transported King Maelgwn, his unconscious Queen, Sir Angus, Lady Katren and Ione back to Gwynedd.

  Tory remained in a deep sleep for days. Before the Goddess had left her body, Tory’s bleeding had stopped and even the gash on her arm had vanished. Maelgwn had the word of the Goddess that his Queen would be alright, so he didn’t fret for her physical welfare; it was more her mental and emotional state that worried him. Although Tory hadn’t welcomed her pregnancy at first, prior to her abduction she had begun to warm to the commitment. Consequently, Maelgwn felt her ordeal all the more tragic.

  On the eve following their return to Aberffraw, Maelgwn entered his chamber and was alarmed to find the bed empty. ‘Tory?’

  ‘Aye.’

  He turned to see her huddled in the bath, gazing at the candlelight reflected in the water. ‘How art thou feeling?’ He heeded the sorrowful air about her.

  ‘Empty,’ she answered, but did not break from her trance.

  Maelgwn’s heart sank in his chest. ‘I will not blame thee if thou doth despise me for life, I should have listened —’

  ‘Nay!’ Tory was jolted from her sad reflection. ‘’Twas not thy fault, Maelgwn, and I do not blame thee.’ Her tone was firm, yet she did not look at him. ‘I blame myself.’

  ‘That be ludicrous! How in the name of the Goddess could thee have —’

/>   ‘I did not want this child!’ She interjected, angry at herself. ‘I am responsible for everything that happens to me in this life! I create my own reality. My mentors have warned me repeatedly to be careful of what I wish for.’

  ‘But thou wast of a totally different mind before thy betrayal.’

  ‘But by then it was already too late. Dost thou not see?’ Her sorrow came to the fore and tears began to roll down her cheeks. ‘I had already sealed its fate.’

  Maelgwn couldn’t just stand by and watch her fall to pieces. ‘Come on.’ He took up her big wrap to encourage her out of the bath.

  Tory was slow to comply. But when she did finally emerge from the water, Maelgwn placed the garment around her and carried her to the bed. It was comforting to feel him close, and Tory hated to feel that she’d let him down. ‘I made the wrong decisions and sacrificed thy heir. I am so sorry, Maelgwn. I know how much it meant to thee.’

  ‘Tory!’ He placed her on the bed, and took a seat beside her. ‘Only so our marriage could be recognised and no other reason. I would not care if we never have a child, so long as I have thee. This law in regard to an heir be totally absurd. And I, as the King, intend to do away with it. If we do not have a boy child, Brockwell and his sons shall inherit the throne of Gwynedd.’

  Tory threw her arms over his shoulders to embrace him. ‘Doth thou really mean it?’

  ‘Aye, I do. Thou art the only thing on this earth that I care about, Tory. Nothing should overshadow our life together.’

  Tory drew away from him as another matter came to mind that was just as disturbing. ‘How can I still be living and breathing, Maelgwn? Was I not dying when thee left me in the prison tower?’

  ‘Dost thou not remember?’ The King had quizzed Taliesin about this, yet the Merlin refused to discuss it until he had spoken with Tory first.

  ‘Nay, last I recall was when I saw thee leave. Beyond that? Just all the blood, Sir Tiernan’s face, and then nothing.’ Tory become more anxious as her senses returned to her and she considered all she’d missed. ‘Tell me everything Maelgwn, what hast happened? Be everyone alright? What of Katren?’

  ‘Slow down. Everyone and everything be fine, I assure thee. Taliesin said he would visit soon to clarify all that I cannot. However, I can endeavour to tell thee what I understand befell at Arwystli.’

  ‘Please do.’

  The King began his tale at the discovery of her abduction, omitting nothing as he described the events that led to her collapse in Chiglas’ throne room, where the Goddess left her body cured of all its ailments.

  Tory had to admit she was a mite disappointed about the wound on her shoulder. After all that pain, she didn’t even have a battle scar to show for it. In fact, as Maelgwn pointed out, even the scar on her neck that Brockwell had given her the day they’d met had vanished.

  She was delighted to learn of Brockwell’s firm engagement to Lady Katren, and of their plan to wed on Beltaine, just as Katren had originally requested. Brockwell had also decided to recognise Bryce as his son. He knew how much his intended bride cared for the boy, and he had grown rather fond of Bryce himself. The spirited child, who was already the recognised heir to his estate and title at Penmon, would now be recognised as heir to his throne in Powys, should Calin and Katren not have a male child of their own.

  Only one thing remained to taunt Tory in the wake of the ordeal; the crone had escaped.

  ‘Who was Mahaud?’ she asked the King.

  ‘I know little, bar that she lives in the land of shadows consorting with the powers of darkness, the lowest forms of Otherworld entities that dwell in the deepest depths of consciousness. To support her earthly existence, she must feed upon the energy generated by the negative thoughts and the low acts of human beings. Hence, she attaches herself to any ruler with evil intent. This be why the dark sorceress cannot exist here in Gwynedd, as there be insufficent evil to sustain her. Cadfer sought her aid to overthrow my father but, as with Chiglas, she fled. Mahaud must have been quietly spinning her evil web in Powys ever since. Taliesin be the one to ask about her, not me. For it be the Merlin whom Mahaud fears and ultimately wishes to thwart.’

  ‘But why, what did Taliesin do to her?’

  Maelgwn shrugged, apologetically. ‘Taliesin did explain it all to me once, but I am afraid I was too young to truly grasp it. I think he said it had something to do with polarity.’

  ‘What? Like the law of opposites, positive and negative, that sort of thing?’

  ‘Aye, I believe so,’ Maelgwn confirmed, wanting to put her mind at rest. ‘Please, Tory, forget Mahaud, she cannot seek thee here.’

  But the Queen could not forget the old witch, or what she had done to their child. There were still so many questions in her mind, and Tory was sure Maelgwn was hiding something. ‘So if Mahaud was aiding Cadfer, she was the reason Sorcha took to studying under Taliesin.’

  ‘Perhaps thou art right, Tory, I really would not know. I was only two years of age at the time.’ Maelgwn raised himself from the bed.

  ‘Have I said something to annoy thee?’

  ‘All I know,’ Maelgwn replied, ‘be that after she took to studying under the High Merlin, her relationship with my father was never the same.’

  ‘Thy father did not approve?’

  Maelgwn was silent a moment. ‘He did not understand.’

  Tory knew she would only aggravate him further if she pursued the issue, so she would just have to wait till Taliesin arrived to get some answers.

  The High Merlin made his appearance at Aberffraw late the next morning. He explained over lunch, with those masters left at the house, that he’d been detained at Arwystli, weaning out Chiglas’ die-hard supporters. To set Lady Katren’s mind at ease, Taliesin remarked that most of the landowners in Powys were gratified to be rid of the tyrannous king and were eager to embrace the ways of the Goddess once more. It was common knowledge that Gwynedd had been well favoured by the Goddess, and as a result had become the most prosperous kingdom in Prydyn and most likely in the whole of Britain. Thus the lords of Powys hoped that now their kingdom would again see peace and prosper as did its neighbours within their allegiance. Taliesin explained that Brockwell, Sir Tiernan and Vortipor would return within the month to see out the rest of the cold season at Aberffraw.

  Those present at the castle had continued to train in the absence of the others, but it wasn’t the same without the complete circle of twelve. Calin’s one regret about his new appointment was that his tuition might have to come to an end. With this in mind, Taliesin suggested that the masters should continue their training during the cold seasons. Though many had kingdoms and estates of their own to run, in the heart of winter there was little required of a custodian to maintain his lands. The individual heads of State could then train their own troops in the warmer months.

  All at lunch agreed wholeheartedly to the suggestion and drank a toast to the High Merlin, the Goddess and the Masters of the Dragon.

  After they had dined, the King and Percival excused themselves as they had much work to do. Taliesin considered this rather fortunate, as he could now speak to the Queen in private. He led her to the north tower, where they would not be disturbed.

  ‘What is the great mystery, Taliesin? Why are you acting so strangely?’ Tory waited patiently while he fumbled with the key in the door. He then gestured politely for her to enter, his eyes of soft mauve meeting hers as she passed him.

  Tory climbed the stairs to the caphouse. ‘I shall send for some firewood,’ she said, as the temperature here was well below freezing.

  ‘No need,’ Taliesin replied. He flicked his fingers over the fireplace, igniting the pile of damp and rotting timber as though it were dry twigs.

  ‘I keep forgetting.’ Tory smiled, moving to warm herself by the raging fire. ‘Do you feel the cold?’

  ‘No.’ The Merlin took a seat on the bed. ‘Temperature is just the elementals playing tricks on your mind, you know that.’

  ‘Do you feel
anything at all?’

  ‘No, I do not feel … I experience. So while I do not feel the cold, I may experience it, if I so choose.’

  ‘Does the same rule apply for emotions?’

  ‘The emotions one experiences are always of one’s own choosing, Tory. Though I endeavour to surround myself with positive ones.’

  ‘But what of love, Taliesin? Have you never been in love?’

  A smile crossed his lovely face, and for a moment Tory could have sworn that he was blushing. ‘Why of course I have. I have not always been as I am now.’ Taliesin cunningly led the conversation toward another more relevant issue, and Tory took the bait.

  ‘So what are you now?’

  ‘Where, is a more apt question. Have you ever heard of the Spirits of the Seven Rays, or in angelology, the Seven Spirits of God?’

  ‘The what? It sounds like something religious, and therefore I would know nothing about it.’

  ‘No it isn’t really, though every religion and culture has its own explanation of it. I just have to figure by what term you would know it. Let me see now …’ Taliesin paused to consider. He knew Tory understood this, as in pastlife incarnation, it had been he who had taught it to her. ‘Do you know anything of theosophy, or more specifically, the Seven Planetary Chain Logoi, perhaps?’

  ‘Is that something to do with the Greeks?’ Tory had a vague recollection of it in one of her courses.

  ‘I’ve got it!’ He held up a finger, bursting into a smile of revelation. ‘The seven planes of existence, the seven bodies or principles of man.’

  ‘Now you’re talking.’ Tory slapped her hands together. ‘Yes I do, this physical or earth plane being the first of the seven and that of nature. There are planes to be found lower in density, or hell, as some might choose to call it.’