by Holly Taylor
Typeset in Adobe Garamond Pro
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN#978-193383657-7
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
First Edition
If I break faith with you,
May the skies fall upon me,
May the seas drown me,
May the earth rise and swallow me.
A Kymric proverb
LIST OF CHARACTERS
IN KYMRU
Y Dawnus (the Gifted)
The Dreamers
Gwydion ap Awst var Celemon: Dreamer of Kymru 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: Gwydion’s uncle, Dinaswyn’s brother, former Ardewin and Arthur’s guardian Rhiannon ur Hefeydd var Indeg: former heir to the Ardewin, mother of Gwen
Elstar ur Anieron var Ethyllt: Ardewin, daughter of Anieron, wife to Elidyr
Llywelyn ap Elidyr var Elstar: Elstar’s oldest son and heir Morwen: a former teacher at Y Ty Dewin, a prisoner in Afalon Trephin: an accomplished doctor, a prisoner in Afalon Morgan ap Tud: a prisoner in Afalon
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
Menw ap Aergol var Ceindrech: Aergol’s son
Ceindrech ur Elwystl: teacher of astronomy, mother of Menw
Aldwr ap Tegid: teacher of mathematics
Madryn ur Dyrys: teacher of religion
Yrth ap Cyndyn: teacher of the almanac
Hywel: assistant teacher of the almanac
The Bards
Elidyr ap Dudod var Llawen: Master Bard, husband to Elstar Dudod ap Cyvarnion var Hunydd: Elidyr’s father, Rhiannon’s uncle
Cynfar ap Elidyr var Elstar: Elidyr’s youngest son and heir Elivri: an accomplished harpist, a prisoner in Afalon Maredudd: an old friend of Dudod’s, a prisoner in Afalon
In Gwytheryn
Havgan: the Warleader, Bana of Coriania, conqueror of Kymru, the Golden Man
Sigerric of Apuldre: Over-General of Kymru
Aelfwyn: Princess of Corania, Havgan’s wife
Sledda of Cantware: Arch-wyrce-jaga of Kymru
Eadwig of Pinenden: Arch-byshop of Kymru
Arianrod ur Brychan var Arianllyn: cousin to Gwydion and Rhiannon,Havgan’s mistress
Arthur ap Uthyr var Ygraine: High King of Kymru, Penerydd of Gwytheryn
Gwenhwyfar ur Rhoram var Rhiannon: Rhoram’s daughter by Rhiannon
Torgar: an old sailer in Havgan’s army
Hild: a wyrce-jaga, formerly stationed in Maen, Prydyn
Edwald: a guard at Caer Siddi
Sigald: commander of the guards on Afalon
Rhufon ap Casnar: Steward of Cadair Idris
Tybion ap Rhufon: Rhufon’s son
Lucan ap Tybion: Rhufon’s grandson
In Gwynedd
Madoc ap Rhodri var Rathtyen: traitorous King of Gwynedd, Lord of Rhos
Tangwen ur Madoc var Bri: Madoc’s daughter Catha of Pecsaetan: Coranian General of Gwynedd Arday ur Medyr: mistress of King Madoc and General Catha Ecgfrith of Deorby: Byshop of Gwynedd
Ygraine ur Custennin var Elwen: King Uthyr’s widow
Morrigan ur Uthyr var Ygraine: true Queen of Gwynedd (House of PenHebog), Lady of Rhos, leader of the Cerddorian
Cai ap Cynyr: Morrigan’s captain
Bedwyr ap Bedrawd: Cai’s nephew and lieutenant
Susanna ur Erim: Morrigan’s bard, mother of Gwyhar
Gwyhar: bard, son of Susanna and Griffi
Neuad ur Hetwin: Morrigan’s Dewin
Duach ap Seithfed: a Cerddorian, Uthyr’s former doorkeeper, Lord of Dunoding
Greid ap Gorwys: Master Smith of Gwynedd
Dywel ap Gwyn: Gwarda of Ardudwy, brother to Bledri of Rheged,a Cerddorian
Isgowen ur Banon: Lady of Arfon, leader of the Cerddorian in Coed Arllech
Menwaed ap Medyr: traitorous Lord of Arllechwedd, brother of Arday
Gildasa ur Caw: Lady of Llyn, Tangen’s aunt, a Cerddorian Cian ap Iaen: Lord of Eyri, brother of Griffi, a Cerddorian Cynwas Cwryfager: Gwarda of Aberffraw, a Cerddorian Teregund ap Moren: Gwarda of Arllech Uchaf, a Cerddorian
In Prydyn
Erfin ap Nudd: traitorous King of Prydyn, Efa’s brother Penda of Lindisfarne: Coranian General of Prydyn Eamer of Geddingas: Master wyrce-jaga of Prydyn Whitred of Sceaping: Byshop of Prydyn Ellywen ur Saidi: Erfin’s Druid
Rhoram ap Rhydderch var Eurneid: true King of Prydyn (House of PenBlaid), Lord of Dyfed, leader of the Cerddorian Geriant ap Rhoram var Christina: Rhoram’s son and heir by his first wife
Efa ur Nudd: Rhoram’s second wife, sister to King Erfin
Achren ur Canhustyr: Rhoram’s captain
Aidan ap Camber: Achren’s lieutenant
Cian ap Menw: Rhoram’s bard, a prisoner in Afalon
Cadell ap Brathach: Rhoram’s Dewin Dafydd Penfro: Rhoram’s counselor
Lluched ur Brathach: Gwarda of Creuddyn, sister to Cadell, a Cerddorian
Siwan ur Trephin: Master Smith of Prydyn
Rhodri ap Erddufyl: former King of Gwynedd, Rhoram’s uncle, father of Madoc and
Ellirri
Marared ur Canhustyr: Lady of Brycheiniog, sister of Achren, coleader of the Cerddorian in Coed Gwyn
Dadweir Heavy-Hand: Lord of Bychan, father of Sabrina of Rheged, co-leader of the Cerddorian in Coed Gwyn
In Rheged
Morcant Whledig: traitorous King of Rheged
Enid ur Urien var Ellirri: Owein’s sister, Queen of Rheged
Baldred of Tarbin: Coranian General of Rheged
Saebald of Laewes: Master wyrce-jaga of Rheged
Oswy of Gwyrin: Byshop of Rheged
Bledri ap Gwyn: Morcant’s Dewin
Owein ap Urien var Ellirri: true King of Rheged (House of PenMarch), Lord of Amgoed, leader of the Cerddorian
Sanon ur Rhoram var Christina: Owein’s wife, Rhoram’s daughter by his first wife
Rhiwallon ap Urien var Ellirri: Owein’s younger brother
Trystan ap Naf: Owein’s captain
Teleri ur Brysethach: Trystan’s lieutenant
Sabrina ur Dadweir: Owein’s Druid
Esyllt ur Maelwys: Owein’s bard, March’s wife
Gwarae Golden-Hair: Gwarda of Ystlwyf, a Cerddorian
Isgowen Whledig: Owein’s steward, sister to Morcant Wheldig
March Y Meirchion: Esyllt’s husband
Hetwin Silver-Brow: Lord of Gwinionydd, a Cerddorian
Cynedyr the Wild: Hetwin’s son, a Cerddorian
Menestyr ap naw: a cloth merchant, a secret Cerddorian
Llyenog ap Glwys: Master Smith of Rheged
Tyrnon Twrf Liant: Lord of Gwent, co-leader of the Cerddorian
in Coed Sarrug Atlantas ur Naf: Lady of Maelienydd, co-leader of the Cerddorian in Coed Sarrug
Feina ur Clustfeind: Gwarda of Llannerch, a Cerddorian Annyaws ur Menw: Gwarda of Iscoed, Cian’s sister, a Cerddorian Brys ap Brysethach: Gwarda of Mabudryd, Teleri’s brother, a Cerddorian
Rhun Rhywdd: Lord of Gwarthaf, a Cerddorian
In Ederynion
Elen ur Olwen var Kilwch: captive Queen of Ederynion (House of PenAlarch), Lady of Ial
Talorcan of Bernice: Coranian General of Ederynion Guthlac of Cyil: Master wyrce-jaga of Ederynion Cuthwine of Cyncacestir: Byshop of Ederynion Iago ap Cof: Elen’s Druid Regan ur Corfil: Elen’s Dewin
Lludd ap Olwen var Kilwch: Elen’s brother, leader of the Cerddorian
Angharad ur Ednyved: Lludd’s captain Emrys ap Naw: Angharad’s lieutenant Talhearn ap Coleas: Ludd’s bard
Llwyd Cilcoed: Dewin, Queen Olwen’s former lover, brother to Alun Cilcoed
Alun Cilcoed: former Lord of Arystli, a Cerddo
rian, brother of Llwyd
Naf: a Cerddorian in Lludd’s teulu
Efrei ap Gwifan: Master Smith of Ederynion
Eiodar ur Ednyved: Gwarda of Iscoed, sister of Angharad, a Cerddorian
Llawra ur Erim: Gwarda of Cynnlaith, sister of Susanna of Gwynedd, a Cerddorian
Drwys Iron-Fist: Lord of Dinan, leader of the Cerddorian in Penbeullt
Sima ur Naw: Gwarda of Is Feychan, sister of Emrys, a Cerddorian Cilyddas ur Cors: Lady of Rhwny, a Cerddorian Meilwen ur Neb: Lady of Cydewain, a Cerddorian
Historical Figures
Bran ap Iweridd var Fabel: Fifth Dreamer, Guardian of the Spear, one of the Great Ones of Lleu Silver-Hand
Mannawyddan ap Iweridd var Fabel: Fifth Ardewin, Guardian of the Stone, one of the Great Ones of Lleu Silver-Hand Taliesin: Fifth Master Bard, Guardian of the Sword, one of the Great Ones of Lleu Silver-Hand
Arywen ur Cadwy var Isabyr: Fifth Archdruid, Guardian of the Cauldron, one of the Great Ones of Lleu Silver-Hand Bloudewedd ur Sawyl var Eurolwyn: wife of Lleu Lawrient, lover to Gowrys of Penllyn, imprisoned in Drwys Idris by Bran the Dreamer
Lleu Lawrient (Silver Hand): last High King of Kymru, murdered by Bloudewedd and her lover
The Shining Ones
Aertan: goddess of fate, The Weaver, wife of Annwyn Agrona: goddess of war, twin to Camulos, Y Rhyfelwr—the warrior twin
Annwyn: god of death, Lord of Chaos and the Otherworld, husband of Aertan
Camulos: god of war, twin to Agrona, Y Rhyfelwr—the warrior twin
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
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
Mabon: King of the Sun, Lord of Fire, god of the Dreamers, husband of Nantsovelta
Modron: mother godess, the Great Mother, goddess of the Druids, wife of Taran
Nantsovelta: Queen of the Moon, Lady of the Waters, goddess of the Dewin, wife of Mabon
Sirona of the Stars: goddess of stars, wife to Grannos
Taran: father god, King of the Winds, god of the Bards, husband
of Modron
Dormath: the hound the guards the door to Gwlad yr Haf
IN CORANIA
Aesc: brother to Emperor Athelred, Warleader in Havgan’s absence
Peada: Eorl of Lindisfarne, Penda’s father
Readwyth: Penda’s son
Athelred: Emperor of Corania
Athelflaed: Empress of Corania
Aesthryth: sister of Aesc and Athelbald, the former Queen of the Franks
Part 1
A Song of Freedom
The sun rises when the morning comes,
The mist rises from the meadow,
The dew rises from the clover,
But, oh, when will my heart arise?
From Bran’s Poems of Sorrow
Circa 275
Prologue
* * *
Neuadd Gorsedd & Cadair Idris
Gwytheryn, Kymru
Helygen Mis, 500
Llundydd, Lleihau Wythnos—night
Sledda of Cantware, Arch-wyrce-jaga of Kymru, sat back in the Master Bard’s chair with a satisfied smile on his cruel, pale face. His silken black robe lay loosely against his bony flesh as he perched there like a night crow come to pick over the remains of the dead.
His remaining eye glittered as he surveyed the Great Hall at Neuadd Gorsedd, the place that once was the college of the Bards. On the whitewashed stone wall above the Master Bard’s sapphire-studded chair hung the wyrce-jaga’s banner of black and gold. The velvety sable background shimmered in the torchlight as the tree stitched in golden thread glimmered in the flickering flames. Long gone was the Bard’s banner of white and blue; tearing the banner down had been one of the first things Sledda had done when he had been given this place for his own.
Black-robed wyrce-jaga filled the tables set for the evening meal. Once, blue-robed bards had sat at those tables—but no more. Bards had not lived in Neuadd Gorsedd since the Coranians had come to Kymru. The Coranians had easily conquered those witches, driving them out of their colleges to hide in the mountains and forests of defeated Kymru. Soon, very soon, Havgan the Warleader would crush them all, and Kymru would truly belong to the sons of Lytir, the One God.
Sitting in the ornately carved wooden chair that had once belonged to Anieron Master Bard filled Sledda with an even greater satisfaction—a far more personal one. For Sledda had been the one to kill the Master Bard in the dark dungeon of Eiodel those many months ago. It was Sledda who had had the honor of plunging his knife into the Master Bard’s heart, killing both the old man and the song he had been singing, a song heard within the mind of every man, woman and child in Kymru—Coranian and Kymri alike.
Yet, though it had brought him satisfaction, killing the Master Bard had not even come close to the payment Sledda craved for the eye lost a few years ago to Ardeyrdd, the High Eagle of Kymru. The eagle had snatched away Sledda’s eye with its cruel claws, and that was something that the witches of Kymru must still pay for. He would never, never rest until the last one of them lay dead at his feet. And only then would he feel that something like true payment had been made.
And payment would be made.
True, Cadair Idris, the mountain hall of the High Kings of Kymru, was once again occupied. This was a problem, but not an insurmountable one. Arthur ap Uthyr might sit on the throne in that mountain and claim to be High King, but it did not matter. For Kymru still belonged to the Coranians, belonged to Havgan, not to Arthur.
And what could one man and a handful of witches do against the might of the Coranian Empire? Resistance was, and had always been, futile. But the people of Kymru would recognize that the fight was over when the last of the witches, those that were called Y Dawnus, the Gifted, were dead. Dewin, Bards, and even Druids, the ostensible allies of the Coranians, would fall. And one day soon the Dreamer himself would die.
And on that day Sledda would take the witch Rhiannon ur Hefeydd and do to her all the things he had dreamed of for so many years. She would not survive such treatment long, but it would be long enough.
Her humiliation, her pain, her terror would consume him with pleasure and then, after a time, he would kill her. But that last gift from him would be long in coming. He had many, many things he must do to her first. Thoughts of her, bound and writhing beneath him consumed his mind. Thoughts of lashing her sweet, tender flesh until she begged and screamed for mercy set his body on fire. Thoughts of forcing her to pleasure him over and over again made him sweat and shake with longing.
He would have her. And he would allow no one—not even Havgan—to stand in his way.
He drank deeply from the crystal goblet of bardic blue that rested on the table in front of him. The fine wine of Prydyn trickled down his throat, easing, for the moment, the fire within him.
They would cleanse this land of the taint of the witches. They would do it yet, and crush the Kymri beneath their heels once and for all. The Cerddorian, those ragtag bands of warriors that hid in the mountains and forests, would cease their futile resistance and surrender wholly to Havgan’s hands. Soon, the Dreamer himself would be captured, and brought to Havgan. Soon, Rhiannon would be his. Soon—
Shall there not be a song of freedom?
He started, almost dropping his wine cup. Where had that thought come from? Of course, he had been thinking of the day he killed Anieron, and that phrase was from the song the old man had been singing. But it had not felt like a thought, had not felt even like a memory. For it had come to him as though sung by hundreds of men and women. And that was not possible.
The other wyrce-jaga, their attention caught by his sudden movement, paused in their meal to stare at him. Coolly he stared back, his thin face impass
ive. For he would not let them guess that something had gone wrong.
And nothing was wrong. Nothing. Surely what had gone through his mind was only a memory of that cursed song. It could not have been—
Silence will be your portion.
And you will taste death
Far from your native home.
The voices in his head were louder as the song rang through his mind. He did drop the cup this time and it fell to the stone floor and shattered. Blue shards of glass glimmered up at him, glittering slyly.
“"Master,""one of the wyrce-jaga said hesitantly, rising from his seat. “Are you well?”
“I—I am well. Nothing is wrong. Nothing,” he hissed between clenched teeth. “Nothing.”
And then the song came and took him again, crashing through his mind again, almost making him cry out.
Shall there not be a song of freedom
Before the dawn of the fair day?
Sledda gasped, his hands clutching his head in agony.
“Master!” the wyrce-jaga cried. “What is it? What is wrong?” The other wyrce-jaga in the hall jumped to their feet, looking around wildly for the source of Sledda’s distress.
“Can you hear nothing?” Sledda managed to choke out. “Can’t you hear the song?”
“There is no song, Master,” the wyrce-jaga said, in a voice meant to be soothing. “There is no one here but us. No one singing.”
But there was. There was. The song in his head increased in volume. He thought that his head would split open with the force of it.
And I am manacled
In the earthen house,
An iron chain
Over my two legs;