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The Kingdom of Dragons
Anna St George
Book 2 of the Kingdom Series
Kingdom of Dragons
Copyright © 2018 Anna St George
All Rights Reserved
This literary work is completely fiction. Characters and their names, places, and occurrences are made up by the author and are not to be interpreted as a real event. Any resemblance to a real life incident, place, or person or thing is purely coincidental. All rights to this literary work are reserved. No portion of this book may be used or reproduced without permission. For further information contact the author at [email protected]
Biblical quotes are from the King James Version or the World Wide English Bible in the Public Domain.
All images are from the public domain and were published in the US before 1923 and public domain in the US.
Chapter One
Berwyck Castle
Berwyck was like something out of a faerie tale when winter set in and the surrounding hills were crowned in layers of white snow. Ice glistened on the trees and fields and it made Lady Meridyth’s tales of faerie kingdoms seem very close to the truth. Lady Gwendolyn loved winter for it was the time to celebrate Christmas and she loved Christmas for she loved the castle decked with greenery and candles and the smell of spices and pine that filled the halls and it made the castle feel as if it was under some wonderful enchantment. However this year she felt melancholy without her sister Ceridwyn and Gwen loathed the arrival of Christmas without her and she watched from an upper window one afternoon as the snowflakes fell over the countryside and over the castle where she had been raised as generations of the Godwyn family before her. Her father was Lord Eustace Godwyn, the Earl of Berwyck and Gwen was the youngest of the Godwyn family.
Gwen moved briskly through the halls as she pulled the shawl tightly around her and the wind whistled steadily through the cracks and crevices. Many things had happened in her life in such a short time and she remembered a time not long before when she would walk through the gardens and fields arm in arm with her sister Ceridwyn and now Ceridwyn was gone having been won in a tournament by the honourable Artemis Munro on behalf of his brother, Fingal Munro, the son of the Earl of Inverness. This bothered her greatly not knowing when she would see her dear sister again but at least she had her sister Meridyth who had recently come back to stay after years of living away in France. And Meridyth was a dear sweet soul and always concerned for others and full of compassion and even though she had suffered much in her time away she would say little of it but Gwen knew her heart ached at times. There was also the arrival of Lord Carwyn and Lord Crewe and the army of men he brought to work on the Chapel restoration and he was certainly a contradiction of a man full of mysteries and unanswered questions and Gwen wondered what part he would play in their families future for she knew all too well, he wasn’t just there to restore the chapel. There was far more to it than that. She smiled and sighed as she looked out the hall window on the stair landing above the front hall and saw her brother Gilbert riding his horse down the stone paved avenue to the front of the castle. He jumped off his horse and went inside and after a few moments she could suddenly hear yelling coming from the front hall and she turned around and peered over the railing just in time to see her father move into view.
She paused on the landing and listened as her father’s voice bubbled over like a boiling pot. “Gilbert! It’s about time you returned!”
“Father I can explain,” he defended himself.
“You’ll explain all right. Explain where you have been for the last few days and where you have been slipping off to every week! Don’t think I haven’t noticed you sneaking off in the night. We had this argument after the battle at Silverdale and you told me your horse got lost on the way back from the Berwyck Forest. I never believed you but I let it go because we were all tired and battle weary. I know for a fact you know that area well. In fact, I believe you would know it blindfolded. Now tell me where you have been!”
“Since you’re so good at knowing everything, I’m surprised you don’t already know where I’ve been! I suppose you’ve had your faithful scouts following me,” he retorted angrily.
“Keep your emotions under control,” said Lord Godwyn firmly to his second son. “They might be the undoing of you.”
“My emotions are well under control father!” he responded harshly and turned and headed for the doorway into the great hall.
“You know what I mean! Take more care in your duties than in satisfying your sinful nature!” said Lord Godwyn sternly. This son was always making decisions based on his feelings. He needed to step back and use some wisdom and that was exactly what his father said next as he reached the doorway. “You need to exercise a little wisdom. I suppose you have been to see that witch!”
“I can’t understand how people can be so shallow minded!” said Gilbert defending his actions. “Just because she has a brain and studies plants and animals and knows how to make ointments and medicine’s to heal people. And just because she chooses to live on her own away from the villagers everyone is so quick to judge her and label her a witch!”
“So, you did go there!” his father shouted.
“Why don’t you ask one of your spies!”
“Is she a believer of the faith? Does she attend a church with other believers? No, she does not nor does she claim any faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” He looked hard at Gilbert who was clearly annoyed at this lecture. “Mark my words, no son of mine will be yoked with an unbeliever! No son of mine will be joined with a witch!”
Gilbert stormed out of his father’s presence and disappeared into the great hall.
It was that very moment that Merry appeared and she paused and listened with her sister. “Gilbert has finally returned.”
“Yes,” said Gwen. “Father is not happy.”
“No, I daresay Gilbert will be in the black books for a while.”
Gwen sighed. “He is very stubborn though.”
“Yes, poor Gilbert. He has a weakness with the ladies. Have you seen anything of Lord Carwyn?” she asked and changing the subject.
“No, I’m sorry I have not. Perhaps he is in the library.”
“Yes, perhaps.”
“So, the two of you are speaking again.”
“Of course,” said Merry. “Why shouldn’t I speak to him?”
“Well you seemed reluctant when they were riding off for Silverdale.”
“I guess I was angry about the death certificate but how can I argue when father knows about it as well and even he is in support of Lord Carwyn. There must be a reason for his secrecy. I’m sure he’ll tell us all when the time is right for him. And he fought bravely at Silverdale against the Godwyn’s enemies. We can’t deny that and in spite of all his unusual circumstances and eccentricities, I’m confident he is friend and not foe.”
“Yes I’m sure he is Merry.”
“Anyway I’m glad his cousin Lady Elinor is gone.”
“Tell me about it,” said Gwen. “I hope she doesn’t come back anytime soon, the spiteful witch.”
“Now Gwen, be nice,” said Merry with a grin as they went down the stairs that afternoon with a whim of excitement for the first time in a week. They moved along clutching their wool shawls and lifting their gowns as little as possible for there was a cool crispness settling into the area with the arrival of snow which had started earlier that week.
The large doors to the great hall were pulled back by two guards and the girls walked in. Everyone else was seated at the table and the conversation focused on Gilbert and his arrival as Merry and Gwen took their seats. Carwyn looked across the table and smiled warmly at Merry as she sat down and Gwen was certain
they were very fond of each other in a romantic sense even if Merry wouldn’t admit it. Lord Godwyn sat down and acknowledged his daughters with a brief smile and Merry and Gwen listened quietly to the argument that unfolded at the table.
“It has come to my attention that since Lionel is now wed and Ceridwyn soon to be as well that you, my son Gilbert, should also be in a holy state of matrimony.” There was extreme silence followed by whispers that moved around the table for it was a well-known fact amongst the Godwyn siblings that the state of holy matrimony was something that brought great joy to some and great tribulation to others.
“Me,” said Gilbert with shock. At the age of twenty four he had always considered himself somewhat of an adventurous explorer when it came to women. He enjoyed his single state and being free to flirt and see whomever he wanted. “Father surely, you can’t be serious?”
“Yes, I am quite serious,” said his father.
“Why me?” he asked with annoyance in his tone.
“Why not you!” He shouted. You are now the age of four and twenty and I think it is time and besides it might keep you from running off into the woods,” he finished on a firm note and Gilbert looked away sheepishly.
“Is this punishment for my . . . sins?” he asked sarcastically.
“If you want it to be,” said Lord Godwyn sternly.
“And who did you have in mind dear father. Let me guess,” he grumbled as he nibbled on a piece of bread. “Lady Delyth? I believe she has already been claimed by Lord Gruffydd.”
“It’s not Lady Delyth.”
“Hmm. No. Then you refer to Lady Rowena, a woman who is well-known to several men in the Isle’s. If I were to marry her then I would never know if a son were mine or someone else’s,” he emphasized with sarcasm.
His father lifted his brow ironically and shook his head. “No, certainly not Lady Rowena.”
“I know, Cyneburga of the house of Gwil,” said Daniel smartly and the table roared with laughter for everyone had heard of the situation which arose between Gilbert and Cyneburga at the tournament at Alnwyck the previous month when his sister Ceridwyn was still engaged to Sir Gregory Dorrigen. Cyneburga was a young lady who was nothing to his liking for she was rather plump and boisterous in nature and he desired a more delicate situation. He liked a woman with a slim fairylike figure, a girl who was dainty and feminine and Cyneburga was none of the above.
That statement made Gilbert chill to the bone and he gave his young brother an evil glare and then he turned to his father and said with great indignation. “I flatly refuse! In fact I will deny my name if you so much as even hint in wedding me off to Cyneburga of the house of Gwil!”
Lionel and Daniel both laughed. “What’s wrong with Cyneburga?” said Lionel trying to stir up his brother. “She’s a lovely girl…all two hundred pounds of her.” Lionel and young Daniel burst into laughter again.”
Gilbert scowled at Lionel. “No way!”
“I vote for Cyneburga. At least he wouldn’t be able to run off as we all know Cyneburga would be able to hold him down, literally,” said Lionel. There was more extreme laughter from Lionel and Daniel.
“That is quite enough of this silly behaviour,” said Lady Godwyn. “My good Sir, please tell your sons to behave,” she said in a tone of desperation.
“See what you started!” Gilbert shouted at Daniel. Gilbert looked hard at his young brother who it seemed could do no wrong in their father’s sight while Gilbert struggled in between two perfect brothers. Lionel was favoured simply because he was born first and would have the blessed responsibility of carrying on the family title. Young Daniel was a smart-alec, too smart for his own good. Not only did it appear that he had it on good terms with every horse in the stable, but he had brains and was well educated.
“That’s enough!” said Lord Godwyn placing down his goblet with a firm thud. “I have no intention of marrying you to Lady Delyth, Lady Rowena or Cyneburga of the house of Gwil. The lady I have chosen for you is not in Britain. I speak of a much more precious arrangement. The lady of whom I speak is across the sea and her father has recently passed away and left her with a vast estate. She is vulnerable on her own and the only daughter of my dear cousin, the late Earl of Desmond.”
Gilbert’s mouth dropped open and there was extreme silence that lasted a moment. “You don’t mean that wild, Irish girl, that crazy girl with the flaming red hair, and a mouth that needs to be held back with a bit and bridle.”
Lord Godwyn smiled at his son. “Well she’s a grown woman now. Not as wild as she used to be, I assure you.”
“Yes, and hopefully, “said Daniel. “With a bit o’ luck she’s as lovely as Cyneburga.” He and Lionel laughed hysterically which had a domino effect as it moved around the table and Gwen was amused for her brother had such a wit about him but he didn’t know when to keep his comments to himself. She was worried for him that Gilbert would get back at him later.
“Thanks a lot you little smart-ass!” Gilbert shouted. Lady Godwyn gasped at his raw language at the table. "And just you wait little brother,” he said to Daniel and pointing a finger at him. “Your turn will come.” said Gilbert spitefully and confirming Gwen’s thoughts.
“Yes, but I’m not stupid enough to get myself involved with someone like Cyneburga or half of those silly girls you are fond of.”
“That does it!” shouted Gilbert and he dropped the fork onto the table with a loud clatter that echoed off the walls in the great hall.
“That’s enough!” said Lord Godwyn and pounding his fist on the table for the second time. That extreme silence came back. “There will be no more arguing at this table! Why can’t my sons have a meal without arguing!”
“When does the delightful creature arrive, father?’ asked Gilbert sarcastically.
“She will need to be escorted here as soon as possible.”
“Well, I will get a group of men organized straight away,” said Gilbert. “I’ll head out as soon as possible.”
“No,” said Godwyn. “You will stay right here. If I let you go you would probably send a double in your place to marry her. I don’t trust you at all to make this journey. Daniel will go on your behalf.”
Everyone at the table was surprised and all attention was now on young Daniel. “Me sir,” said Daniel who was barely eighteen and had never been sent on a mission before.
“Yes, you’ve never been sent on a mission of your own before and here is a good chance and this is a fairly simple mission and should be quite easy. It will be good practice for you and give credibility to your skills as a knight. It’s the perfect mission, escorting a young lady to her husband to be.”
“Yes, sir.” Daniel nodded in obedience.
“Good, it’s all settled. Let us enjoy this lovely meal and head to the Chapel to sing unto the Lord and after that we will head to the Solar for some entertainment and some of cook’s mulled wine and spiced cakes.” Gwen smiled with pleasure for she loved singing Christmas Carols and as soon as Lord Godwyn finished speaking two of the castle guards came into the great hall and dragging a young man with them and they brought him to Lord Godwyn and threw him down on the floor. Lord Godwyn stood to his feet. “What’s happened?”
“This man was caught poaching pheasant, sir.”
“You are certain?” he asked the guard.
“Yes, sir. We caught him red handed.”
Lord Godwyn studied the man, who had weary eyes and a muddied face and torn old clothing and very much underweight. “What is your name?” Godwyn asked him.
“Gavin, sir.”
“What have you to say for yourself Gavin?” asked Godwyn.
The man grimaced at him and spit at him and it reached the floor in front of him and the guard grabbed him firmly and swung a fist into his face.
“That’s enough! There’ll be none of that,” said Godwyn.
“If you’re going to hang me, hurry up and be done wiv it.”
“Are you guilty of this crime? Did you steal my pheasa
nt?”
“Yes I’m guilty!” he screamed. “I’m guilty of it all. I stole your precious pheasant. I stole chickens from Lord Cheswyck too! I even stole a horse from Grant Searle.”
“Really?” said Godwyn. “A master of your trade, aye?”
“I confess to it all!”
Godwyn sighed deeply and studied the man intently. “Shall we hang him sir?” asked one of the guards.
“No,” said Lord Godwyn scratching his chin in deep thought. “Take him upstairs, find him a change of clothes and have the servants prepare a meal. He can sleep in the servant quarters.”
“But sir,” said Gavin with astonishment. “Aren’t you going to hang me?”
“Not today,” he said smartly and smiled. “You’ve got work to do.”
“Work, sir?”
“Yes, work. You can work for me to pay for the pheasants you bought.”
“Bought?”
“Well, what were you going to do with the pheasants?”
“Cook em and eat em sir.”
“And how would you cook them?” asked Lord Godwyn.
“Well, just boil em over a fire sir.”
“Hmm, over a fire? Well, perhaps you could help the cooks in the kitchen for a week or two to cover the cost of the pheasants. If you are skilled at the job I might keep you on. A room will be provided for you and your family.”
The man looked astonished and barely managed to say, “Really?”
“Yes. Now show him to the room. Clean yourself up and bring the family in. It’s Christmas Eve and the cook has prepared special food. And you are all most welcome to attend worship with us in the chapel this evening. Everyone here at Berwyck attends.” Gavin stared at him in astonishment. “And umm, roast pheasant is very nice,” smiled Godwyn. “Perhaps the cooks will teach you how to prepare it.”
“Thank you sir.”
“It’s mi lord,” said the guard as he escorted him out of the room. Gwen smiled at her father proudly for he was always so kind to people and would do whatever he could to help someone.
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