Dreamer's Cycle Series

by Holly Taylor

  Her burden felt heavy, so heavy. Taking the sword had been a mistake. Just carrying the water was hard enough; the sword flapped against her back at every step, as though chastising her for her errors. She couldn’t summon the energy to reach back and get rid of the damn thing, either. It would have meant putting everything down to rearrange the straps, and if she stopped walking, Veil was certain she wouldn’t start again.

  The dunes went on forever. At the crest of each one, she felt as though she could see to the end of the world—the desert receded eternally to the blue-hazed horizon. Only on her right, in the east, was anything else visible: the dim shapes of the Cloudripper range rode like ghosts on the edge of vision.

  By chance, she crested a dune at the same moment he did. A tiny black ant, ten or twenty dunes ahead, crawling across the boiling sands. Veil stopped and shouted herself hoarse, trying to get his attention, but if the ant shifted in its progress she couldn’t see it. She spent the next hour damning him in every way she could think of, coming up with creative torments the spirits of the Aether could subject his soul to before devouring it utterly. She saw him again a couple of hours later, a bit closer than she remembered—this time, when she shouted, the distant speck definitely paused for a moment to look back at her. Then he continued on his way, unconcerned. Veil rasped her tongue over cracked lips, took a swallow of precious water, and started down the dune.

  ISBN#1932815147

  Silver

  Price $14.99

  Fantasy

  September 2005

  www.bloodgod.com

  DEDICATION:

  To Donald Edgar Taylor, whose wife has gone on before.

  You’re the bravest man I know, Dad.

  Published 2007 by Medallion Press, Inc.

  The MEDALLION PRESS LOGO

  is a registered tradmark of Medallion Press, Inc.

  If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment from this “stripped book.”

  Copyright © 2007 by Holly Taylor

  Cover Illustration and maps by James Tampa

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law.

  Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Typeset in Baskerville

  ISBN#978-1-933836-03-4

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  First Edition

  Previous accolades for Night Birds’ Reign:

  GRADE: A

  “This is an epic novel — fat in heft, rich on detail. The characters of NIGHT BIRDS’ REIGN really grab the reader, and they do not — let me repeat do not — let go … Kudos to Ms. Taylor.”

  —Fantasy Novel Review

  “NIGHT BIRD’S REIGN is an intriguing story; one that will wow many fantasy readers … At over 500 pages, there is a lot to take in. Don’t expect this to be a quick read, but do expect it to be gripping.”

  —Round Table Reviews

  “NIGHT BIRD’S REIGN is a strong fantasy. The story line is action-packed and filled with adventure. Holly Taylor provides a stirring quest that fans will want to trek alongside of Gwydion to partake.”

  —H. Klausner, Independent Reviewer

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  It has broken us,

  It has crushed us,

  It has drowned us.

  O Annwyn of the star-bright kingdom;

  The wind has consumed us

  As twigs are consumed by

  Crimson fire from your hand.

  Gwenllient ur Caswallon

  Third Master Bard

  Circa 203

  LIST OF CHARACTERS

  IN KYMRU

  Y Dawnus (The Gifted)

  The Dreamers

  Gwydion ap Awst var Celemon: Dreamer of Kymru, half brother of King Uthyr, brother of Amatheon

  Dinaswyn ur Morvryn var Gwenllian: former Dreamer, Gwydion’s aunt, Myrrdin’s sister

  Cariadas ur Gwydion var Isalyn: Gwydion’s daughter and heir

  The Dewin

  Myrrdin ap Morvryn var Gwenllian: Arthur’s guardian,

  Gwydion’s uncle, Dinaswyn’s

  brother

  Rhiannon ur Hefeydd var Indeg: former heir to the Ardewin, mother of Gwenhwyfar

  Cynan ap Einon var Darun: Ardewin, uncle to Gwydion, Rhiannon and Arianrod

  Elstar ur Anieron var Ethyllt: Myrrdin’s heir, daughter of Anieron, wife to Elidyr

  Llywelyn ap Elidyr var Elstar: Elstar’s oldest son and heir Arianrod ur Brychan var Arianllyn: cousin to Gwydion and Rhiannon

  The Druids

  Cathbad ap Goreu var Efa: Archdruid, Myrrdin’s cousin Aergol ap Custennin var Dinaswyn: Cathbad’s heir, Dinaswyn’s son

  Sinend ur Aergol var Eurgain: Aergol’s daughter and heir

  The Bards

  Anieron ap Cyvarnion var Hunydd: Master Bard, Rhiannon’s uncle

  Elidyr ap Dudod var Llawen: Anieron’s nephew and heir, husband to Elstar

  Dudod ap Cyvarnion var Hunydd: Anieron’s brother, Elidyr’s father, Rhiannon’s uncle

  Cynfar ap Elidyr var Elstar: Elidyr’s youngest son and heir

  IN GWYNEDD

  Uthyr ap Rathtyen var Awst: King of Gwynedd (House of PenHebog), Lord of Rhos, half-brother to Gwydion and Madoc

  Ygraine ur Custennin var Elwen: Uthyr’s Queen, sister to

  Queen Olwen of Ederynion

  Arthur ap Uthyr var Ygraine: Uthyr’s son

  Morrigan ur Uthyr var Ygraine: Uthyr’s daughter

  Madoc ap Rhodri var Rathtyen: Lord of Rhufonoig, half brother to Uthyr

  Cai ap Cynyr: Uthyr’s Captain; the PenGwernan; his wife Nest and his son Garanwyn

  Bedwyr ap Bedrawd: Cai’s nephew and Lieutenant

  Susanna ur Erim: Uthyr’s Bard

  Griffi ap Iaen: Uthyr’s Druid

  Gwrhyr: Bard, son of Griffi and Susanna

  Neuad ur Hetwin: Uthyr’s Dewin

  Arday ur Medyr: Uthyr’s steward

  IN PRYDYN

  Rhoram ap Rhydderch var Eurneid: King of Prydyn (House of PenBlaid), Lord of Dyfed

  Geriant ap Rhoram var Christina: Rhoram’s son and heir by his first wife

  Sanon ur Rhoram var Christina: Rhoram’s daughter by his first wife

  Gwenhwyfar ur Rhoram var Rhiannon: Rhoram’s daughter by Rhiannon

  Efa ur Nudd: Rhoram’s second wife, sister to Erfin

  Achren ur Canhustyr: Rhoram’s Captain, the PenCollen

  Aidan ap Camber: Achren’s Lieutenant

  Cian ap Menw: Rhoram’s Bard

  Ellywen ur Saidi: Rhoram’s Druid

  Cadell ap Brathach: Rhoram’s Dewin

  Erfin ap Nudd: Lord of Ceredigion, Queen Efa’s brother

  Dafydd Penfro: Rhoram’s counselor

  Tallwch ap Nwyfre: Rhoram’s doorkeeper

  Tegid ap Trephin: Gward of Mallean />
  IN RHEGED

  Urien ap Ethyllt var Gwaeddan: King of Rheged (House of PenMarch), Lord of Amgoed

  Ellirri ur Rhodri var Rathtyen: Urien’s Queen, sister to Madoc, half-sister to Uthyr

  Elphin ap Urien var Ellirri: Urien’s oldest son and heir

  Owein ap Urien var Ellirri: Urien’s second son

  Rhiwallon ap Urien var Ellirri: Urien’s youngest son

  Enid ur Urien var Ellirri: Urien’s daughter

  Trystan ap Naf: Urien’s Captain, the PenDraenenwen

  Teleri ur Brysethach: Trystan’s Lieutenant

  Esyllt ur Maelwys: Urien’s Bard, March’s wife

  Sabrina ur Dadweir: Urien’s Druid

  Bledri ap Gwyn: Urien’s Dewin

  Isgowen Whledig: Urien’s steward, sister to Morcant Wheldig

  March Y Meirchion: Urien’s hunstman, Esyllt’s husband Morcant Whledig: Lord of Penrhyn

  Hetwin Silver-Brow: Lord of Gwinionydd

  Cadar: Hetwin’s Captain

  Olwen ur Custennin var Elwen: Queen of Ederynion (House of PenAlarch), Lady of Ial, sister to Queen Ygraine

  Elen ur Olwen var Kilwch: Olwen’s daughter and heir Lludd ap Olwen var Kilwch: Olwen’s son

  Angharad ur Ednyved: Olwen’s Captain, the PenAethnen

  Emrys ap Naw: Angharad’s Lieutenant

  Talhearn ap Coleas: Olwen’s Bard

  Iago ap Cof: Olwen’s Druid

  Regan ur Corfil: Olwen’s Dewin

  Llwyd Cilcoed: Dewin of Caerinion, Olwen’s lover

  Rhufon ap Casnar: a descendent of the Stewards of Cadair Idris

  Tybion ap Rhufon: Rhufon’s son

  Lucas ap Tybion: Tybion’s son

  HISTORICAL FIGURES

  Bloudewedd ur Sawyl var Eurolwyn: wife of Lleu Lawrient, lover to Gowrys, imprisoned in Drwys Idris by Bran the Dreamer

  Lleu Lawrient (Silver Hand): last High King of Kymru, murdered by Bloudewedd and Gorwys

  Gorwys of Penllyn: consort of Queen Siwan of Prydyn, lover of Bloudewedd, murderer of High King Lleu Bran ap Iweridd var Fabel: Fifth Dreamer, one of the Great Ones of Lleu Silver-Hand

  The Shining Ones

  Cerridwen: Protectress of Kymru, Mistress of the Wild Hunt, Queen of the Wood, wife of Cerrunnos

  Cerrunnos: Protector of Kymru, Master of the Wild Hunt, Lord of the Animals, husband of Cerridwen

  Annwyn: god of death, Lord of Chaos and the Other-world, husband of Aertan

  Aertan: goddess of fate, The Weaver, wife of Annwyn

  Taran: father god, King of the Winds, god of the Bards, husband of Modron

  Modron: mother godess, the Great Mother, mother, goddess of the Druids, wife of Taran

  Mabon: King of the Sun, Lord of Fire, god of the Dreamers, husband of Nantsovelta

  Nantsovelta: Queen of the Moon, Lady of the Waters, goddess of the Dewin, wife of Mabon

  Camulos: god of war, twin to Agrona, Y Rhyfelwr — the warrior twin

  Agrona: goddess of war, twin to Camulos, Y Rhyfelwr — the warrior twin

  Sirona of the Stars: goddess of stars, wife to Grannos Grannos the Header: god of healing, Star of the North Gwrach Y Rhibyn: The Washer at the Ford, incarnation of Agrona, a harbinger of war

  IN CORANIA

  The Warband

  Havgan: the Golden Man, aspirant to position of Warleader (Bana)

  Sigerric: son of the Alder of Apuldre

  Baldred: son of the Eorl of Tarbin

  Talorcan: son of the Eorl of Bernice

  Catha: brother of the Eorl of Pecsaetan

  Penda: son of the Eorl of Lindisfarne

  The House of Aelle

  Athelred: Emperor of Corania Athelflead: Empress of Corania

  Aelfwyn: Athelred’s daughter and sole offspring, also called Steorra Heofen

  Aesc: Anweal of Coran, brother of Emperor Athelred

  Aesthryth: Athelred’s sister, the former Queen of the Franks

  Aescwine: Anweal of Mierce, the Empress’ brother

  Aelbald: Aescwine’s son, Aelfwyn’s cousin, Havgan’s rival for war leader

  Athelric: Bana, brother of Emperor Athelred

  IN CANTWARE

  Hengist: fisherman of Dorfas

  Hildegyth: his wife

  Eosa of Calne: a wyrce-jaga in Cantware

  Frithu: a boy from the village of Dorfas

  Sigefrith: Alder of Apuldre, Siggeric’s father, Havgan’s first lord

  Elgiva: the Lady of Apuldre, Sigerric’s mother

  Wiglaf: Eorl of Cantware, Havgan’s second lord

  Sledda of Cantware: Master-wyrce-jaga of Ivelas

  Cenberht: the champion of the Eorl of Ivelas

  Athelmar: the Alder of Liminae

  Horsa: Hengist’s brother, a saltmaker in Angelesford

  Whitred: the Byshop of Cantware

  Wulf: Captain of the warband for the Alder of Liminae

  Anawin: a valla with the fair

  Egwina: a valla with the fair

  Guthlac: Master-wyrce-jaga of Cantware

  IN ATHELIN

  Guido Asti: the name Gwydion uses in Corania

  Rhea Varins: the name Rhiannon uses in Corania

  Whitgar of Mimmas: Archpreost

  Ethbrand: Arch-wyrce-jaga of Coran

  Sethwald: Archbyshop of Coran

  Gytha: a valla in Athelin

  Anflaeth: a famous valla in Athelin

  Euric Gildmar: an Austarian sea Captain

  Theo: his first mate

  IN DERE

  Ingilda: Talorcan’s mother, a descendant of the last King of Dere

  Talmund: Talorcan’s father, Eorl of Bernice

  Torhtmund: Talorcan’s younger brother

  Hensa of Dorsetas: Arch-wyrce-jaga of Dere

  Lingyth: a Godia in Dere; her husband Egild

  Berwic: Archbyshop of Dere

  Oswy: Byshop of Bernice

  IN MIERCE

  Peada: Penda’s father, the Eorl of Lindisfarne

  Readwyth: Penda’s son and heir

  Oswald: abbot of Hearth Beranburg in Mierce

  The New Gods

  Lytir: the One God, ruler of Heofon

  Sceadu: Lytir’s brother, the Shadow, who rules in Hel

  The Old Gods

  Wuotan: one of the Ostar, god of Magic, with Holda leads the Wild Hunt

  Holda: one of the Ercar, goddess of the Waters, with Wuotan leads the Wild Hunt

  Donar: one of the Ostar, god of Storms

  Narve: chief of the Afliae, god of Death

  Nerthus: one of he Ostar, goddess of Earth

  Tiw: one of the Ostar, god of War

  Fro: one of the Ercar, twin to Freya, god of Peace and Plenty

  Freya: one of the Ercar, twin to Fro, goddess of Fertility

  The Wyrd: the three goddesses of fate

  Part 1

  The Night–Bringer

  As for what may be, it will not be.

  It will not be, because it may not be.

  Taliesin

  Fifth Master Bard

  Circa 270

  Prologue

  Dorfas, Marc of Cantware

  Weal of Coran, Coranian Empire

  Natmonath, 458

  Sweltan Daeg—night

  She was barely alive when her body, battered by the relentless waves, washed up on the sands. Slowly she dragged herself farther up the deserted beach, clutching at the sand with her hands, pulling herself away from the swirling, black water inch by precious inch.

  Her breath came and went in harsh gasps as she coughed weakly, expelling water, blood, and bile from her aching lungs. Her sodden gown, its rich materials in tatters, clung to her body, weighing her down unbearably. Blood dripped slowly from her matted hair down her once-beautiful face.

  After an eternity she stopped moving and lay on her side, clutching her swollen belly, her face buried in the rough sands. A spasm rippled through her, and she clenched her teeth against the pain. She shuddered as the cold night wind whipped around her and whispered,
“No, no, bachen. For pity’s sake, wait. Not here. Not here.”

  Slowly she lifted her head to the night sky. The stars were cold and clear and the rays of the waxing moon spilled over her, wrapping her in cold, silvery fire. She wondered vaguely if the Lady of the Moon could see her lying here; wondered if Nantsovelta would take pity on her and send someone, anyone, to help her live through the storm’s sullen wake. Another spasm rippled through her pain-wracked body. “No, no, not yet,” she whispered. “Wait. Wait.”

  She had to find help. She closed her eyes. A tiny tug, a feeling of separation, and she was leaving her body behind on the chilled sands. Her soul Rode the Wind as best she could in her weakened state. Knowing she could not go far, she searched for a source of light, of warmth, for someone to help her.

  There—to the east—a glimmer of light. Spiraling down, she saw a tiny cottage at the edge of the cliffs and a woman sitting by the hearth fire, humming softly to herself.

  She had seen enough. As quickly as she could, she returned her spirit to her body, blinking salt-encrusted lashes and rubbing her eyes. Drawing herself to her knees and clutching her swollen belly, she willed the child not to come now, on this cold beach in this strange land. So intent on this thought was she that she did not even sense the man who was making his way toward the cottage along the cliffs.

  Gritting her teeth, she rose to her feet and began to walk.

  HENGIST WAS BITTERLY disappointed. The storm had passed, and though pieces of a lost ship had washed up on the beach, no valuable wreckage had been recovered.

  He walked slowly up the cliff path, not anxious to return home with empty hands. He had so wanted to bring her something beautiful, something that might make her smile as she had not done since the birthing. Since that terrible day when their tiny, perfect boy had strangled to death as it struggled toward the light, the birthcord wrapped tightly around his innocent neck.