by Lowri Thomas
‘Taliesin is a child, he is no match for the quest you set him.’
‘You underestimate your son, Mab. He is capable. He is more than capable, and besides, he must accept responsibility for his actions, he must learn to right the wrongs and restore the balance.’ Awel raised her hands to stall Mab’s further protests, ‘It is done, Mab. Time grows too short and we grow too weak to meddle further. The Solstice is upon us, your reign is over.’
Mab knew Awel spoke the truth and slowly the fight drained from Mab, leaving her shoulders slumped, her resolve spent. ‘Never in the history of the Triskele have I ever witnessed so much turmoil. I fear for us all, Awel. I will protect my Pride and I will not keep these things from them. I pray we do not destroy ourselves with our secrets and deceits.’
‘Pray as much as you like, Mab, our prayers do not reach the ears of heaven … we weather the storms alone, storms we have created ourselves. If you must pray, pray for strength, cunning and courage, we will all need these virtues in the coming days.’
Mab squared her shoulders. ‘I will meet the Pride now, Awel, announce me.’ Awel stood, biting her tongue. As they left Mab’s pavilion they both felt Winter’s chill creeping ever closer, the reign of Summer was over.
Awel announced Mab to the expectant gathering in the hollow. All the Pride were present and keen to know the reason for the unexpected call.
Mab felt suddenly nervous, she had to handle this correctly or she could suffer a backlash from an angry Pride. She took a deep breath and schooled her face before she began, ‘Sisters, I must first apologize for dragging you away from your personal preparations for the Solstice, but I have many things I must share with you. As you know I am not secretive by nature and I believe a strong Pride is a united Pride.’ Mab paused for breath and stared at the faces waiting expectantly for her words. ‘I must consult with you on grave matters that have only just come to light but cannot wait until Spring and I apologise now if I send you to your slumber with troubled minds.’ There was a stir among the gathering and Mab continued over the murmuring. ‘Firstly, and most worryingly, I have been concerned over many seasons about the dwindling of the Chosen.’
‘We all dwindle, all the Triskele wane!’ Llinos called out.
‘Yes, Llinos but I believe the Chosen’s demise is not a natural one … they are being culled.’
Awel sighed as the Pride erupted in shocked uproar. ‘Calm yourselves, Pride, remember who you are!’ Awel’s firm voice calmed those gathered and Mab continued.
‘We believe a Druid or Druids are responsible for too many deaths, too many disappearances among the Chosen, too many to be coincidence, even as we speak one woman of the Chosen has disappeared and one runs for her life, she swears a Druid entered her home and fought with another woman of the family. That woman is missing, the other fears for her life. The family is well known and respected, they are the Morgans of Ty Mawr Farm.’ There was hushed silence. Mab gave a wry smile. ‘Yet, as if that was not enough, I must reveal to you something that concerns us all … A new ateb has been created, a Bwy Hir creation that not only does not have the vile side effects of the Druids’ ateb, but one that has already been tried and has delivered two pregnancies already.’
The Bwy Hir erupted once more. Mab looked to Olwyn who stood to the side of the group, smiling up at her.
‘Who are the expectant mothers?’ someone cried. ‘Who invented the ateb?’ cried another. The mood of the Pride was mixed and Mab had no idea how they would react to what she planned to say next.
‘There were two couplings … one was Gwrnach with Olwyn who is now an expectant mother.’ Mab returned Olwyn’s smile, trying to gauge the mood of her Pride. Again, it was mixed, a blend of surprise and curiosity. ‘The other was without my knowledge and certainly without my approval, but the ateb was used naively by my own son while he resided here during my reign and so I must take responsibility for his actions, however innocent and guileless they were.’ The Pride all looked at each other, weighing up who Taliesin could have coupled with. Mab took a deep breath. ‘The expectant mother is Anwen Morgan of Ty Mawr Farm.’
Awel had expected a hue and cry, a monstrous surge of anger, but the Pride remained silent as they stared at each other and back at Mab.
‘How can this be?’ Artio called up to Mab, ‘It is impossible!’
‘It should be impossible,’ Mab replied calmly, ‘but it has happened and I reveal this to you first, the Host are still unaware.’
‘What does this mean?’ Llinos shouted over the murmurs, ‘It is forbidden for the Host to couple with Humans, as it is for the Pride.’
‘Taliesin is not part of the Host, he has not reached maturity yet,’ Mab replied calmly.
‘You split hairs, Mab!’ Llinos shouted angrily, ‘You exiled your own sister for the same transgression as your son, yet you protect Taliesin!’ Angry shouting broke out, for and against Mab as the Pride split into factions.
‘Enough!’ Awel stepped forward, she was enraged at the scene erupting before her. ‘I said enough!’ she roared, and the crowd fell to silent, spiteful mutterings. ‘Look at us! Look at us! The first sign of trouble we turn on one another, it is pitiful, pitiful!’
‘What did you expect, bringing this to us on the eve of the Solstice?’ Llinos spat hostilely.
‘I expect unity! We are the Bwy Hir Pride – you forget yourselves!’ Awel spat back. ‘You are very quick to condemn Mab for Atgas’ exile, but your memory is flawed, Llinos, we all voted Atgas into her exile, you included.’ She pointed a finger towards Llinos.
‘And I shall vote the same for Taliesin!’ Llinos’ eyes glittered.
‘He is not Atgas.’ Awel included all the Pride with her glower. She deliberately entrapped Human men, bedded them and drank their blood in her quest for eternal youthfulness and to satisfy her own base lusts. Taliesin is guilty of no such crime! He fell in love, a misplaced love, but love nevertheless, and with one woman, not a harem, but one woman, and she is no ordinary woman–’
‘Awel, no.’ Mab clutched at Awel’s arm, but Awel would not be dissuaded and the gathering Pride hushed expectantly.
‘Anwen Morgan of Ty Mawr carries a trace of Bwy Hir blood in her veins, which is why it is possible for her to carry Taliesin’s child.’
‘You lie to protect Taliesin!’ Llinos was unrelenting as she sought support from the gathered Pride.
‘I do not lie, Llinos but I do grow weary of your spite, so hold your tongue.’
‘Calm my sisters, calm,’ Mab interjected. ‘Listen to me, Taliesin has given us a gift – can you not see that? An ateb with no side effects, a Bwy Hir creation, a breaking of a tie that holds us captive, this is ours, not the Druids’, an ateb that does not turn the Host into violent monsters! Please listen to Olwyn’s tale, let her tell you how Gwrnach treated her, please?’ She ushered an embarrassed but sober Olwyn to stand before her sisters.
‘It is true–’ Olwyn began.
‘Are you drunk again, Olwyn? Can we believe this tale?’ Llinos catcalled but was silenced by the rest of the Pride.
‘I have seen what the Host becomes at the Solstice, I have seen the terror in my sister’s eyes before they take the draught that will numb the horror of the couplings, but I have also tasted the honey Gwrnach gave me, there was no violence, no anger … just love … and now I carry his seed.’ Olwyn swallowed and smiled. ‘I have felt his gentle touch and affection, his eyes were not demonic, they were gentle and tender.’
‘You see,’ Mab urged the Pride, ‘you see the gift we have been given?’ She watched as the Pride began to confer and nod their heads. ‘Olwyn carries life in her womb, I know how it feels to long to hold a child in my arms, it has been such a long time since we have had a pregnancy within the Pride, and now there are two.’
‘One is prohibited!’ Llinos shouted again and aid came from an unlikely source.
‘You have been asked to hold your tongue, Llinos and yet you let it flap like a landed fish!’ Quiet, withdrawn Li
nn spoke with a passion never before displayed. ‘If what we are told is true, then a miracle has been placed in our laps. The possibility that Bwy Hir blood can survive within a Human is incredulous, but think of the possibilities, we have discovered an ateb that not only spares us the hideous couplings we have endured, but can also increase our fertility. Olwyn carries a child, how marvellous is this? Think Pride, think of the possibilities of this miracle.’ Linn’s eyes were open and honest. ‘We have two Bwy Hir children ready to be born where previously there has been naught but empty wombs … The Bwy Hir will thrive because of the gift of a new ateb, an ateb that has not been created or contaminated by the hands of the Druids. The Bwy Hir will flourish once more!’
Awel and Mab exchanged looks – the Pride were already latching onto the possibilities of the new ateb, and Taliesin’s transgression had already been overlooked; the Pride may well accept Anwen and her child as one of them. Mab knew the Host would be more difficult to sway and she feared Aeron would seek to destroy or use the unborn child to his advantage but a huge hurdle had been jumped: the Pride were one.
Awel raised her hands once more to settle her sisters. ‘We must discuss this further but as you have said, time grows too short. I beseech you to keep the unborn children hidden from the Host, only until Spring. This is our boon and must be kept as ours, so until Mab – until we regain power in Spring I ask for your silence.’
All agreed and Mab took a huge sigh of relief. ‘One more thing, my beautiful Pride – I also brought to you another matter, a most grave matter, the culling of the Chosen, let me tell you what we know …’
CHAPTER FORTY ONE
Afagddu had been summoned by Aeron and so he made his way through the halls heading towards the upper chambers. Elder Tomas and Elder Morcan had hurried by Afagddu, both giving a stern nod as they passed. Afagddu turned to watch them scurry down the passageway, their heads drawn together in hushed conversation.
Afagddu speculated at their topic as he climbed the large staircase. Was he being paranoid, or should he read something into the two elders’ guarded nods? Afagddu rapped on Aeron’s heavy chamber door before admitting himself.
‘Ah, Afagddu,’ Aeron said, smiling, ‘you are familiar with the Keeper of the Helgi?’ A nervous Keeper shuffled from foot to foot, his head bowed.
‘I am.’ Afagddu nodded as he came to stand in front of a small assembly. Aeron was flanked by Cadno and Taliesin, the Keeper stood nervously off to one side accompanied by the physician who had tended to his cuts. The last person present was Afagddu’s body servant, Cai.
‘And of course you know our esteemed physician. He tended you recently, I hear.’ Aeron ignored Cai for the moment. He was toying with Afagddu, his light-hearted voice belied the coldness in Aeron’s eyes. Afagddu had seen this pretence many times before and he did not like being on the receiving end of it. ‘Afagddu, tell me, what does a Councillor do?’
Afagddu bowed low as he spoke. ‘I serve you with diligence, my Lord.’ Aeron’s smile was grim, Cadno’s was sly and mocking. Only Taliesin and the three other Druids kept their faces blank.
Aeron spread his hand and leaned towards Cadno. ‘You see, my Councillor serves me diligently.’
Cadno’s grin deepened. ‘Alas, my Lord, my sources tell me differently.’
Afagddu’s mind was racing, this meeting was unexpected and if Cadno was involved then it would likely spell disaster for Afagddu. What did Cadno know?
‘Oh, dear.’ Aeron shook his head slowly. ‘I see … what say you, Councillor, is my brother mistaken?’
Afagddu swallowed. ‘I believe Cadno to be… misinformed.’
‘As did I!’ Aeron beamed. ‘As did I … until he brought these three Druids to speak against you.’ Aeron’s face changed in the blink of an eye. His mouth turned into a sickening sneer. ‘What say you now, Afagddu?’
Afagddu glanced at his accusers, who did not have the courage to meet his eyes. ‘I would like to hear the charges brought against me, my Lord.’
Cadno waited for approval from Aeron before he commenced with his rehearsed list of charges. ‘Then let us begin. Would you like to sit, Afagddu?’ Afagddu shook his head and Cadno chuckled. ‘Tell me about the missing Helgi, Afagddu.’
Afagddu was momentarily caught off guard, he hadn’t expected this line of questioning. ‘I don’t know what you mean,’ he replied.
Cadno sighed. ‘Did you send a Seeker and a pair of Helgi to Ty Mawr farm?’
‘Yes,’ Afagddu replied. He had no intention of expanding his answers unless necessary, he would not give Cadno any ammunition.
‘And where are they now?’ Cadno continued.
‘The Seeker did not return.’ Afagddu looked to the Keeper but his head was still lowered.
‘The Seeker is dead?’ Cadno pressed. ‘His body, or at least his Helgi body, was found in the burnt ruins of the Ty Mawr farm?’
‘We presume it is his body.’ Afagddu couldn’t see where this was leading.
‘And you didn’t think to inform your king of this?’ Cadno shook his head.
‘We are still making enquiries, there was nothing firm to inform about.’ Afagddu felt his skin flushing and his armpits beginning to sweat.
‘And the Seekers’ Helgi? Where are they?’ Cadno was persistent.
‘I presume they returned. In fact, the Keeper confirmed their safe return.’ Afagddu’s eyes bored into the Keeper – why was he not speaking up?
‘You lie.’ Cadno’s words were piercing. ‘The Helgi did not return and you instructed the Keeper to keep it a secret … where are the Helgi?’
Afagddu blinked – this was making no sense, Cadno was setting a trap for him and he couldn’t see why. ‘The Helgi returned.’
‘Did you kill them too?’ Cadno’s question was delivered with ire. ‘What are you trying to hide?’
Afagddu remained silent for a moment as he wracked his brain for a possible reason for these accusations. His heart hammered in his chest and his sides were slick with sweat. Afagddu hid many things, but the Seeker’s death was not his doing. ‘I am innocent of any crime! These accusations are unfounded!’ Afagddu shouted back.
Cadno watched Afagddu’s distress with relish. Cadno had waited such a long time to bring Afagddu down and besides, this served his own purpose; Cadno needed a distraction and Afagddu was it. Cadno waved Cai to come forward. ‘You are Afagddu’s body servant?’ Cai nodded. ‘Show us all what he told you to dispose of.’ Cadno smiled as the boy slowly revealed what he had been hiding behind his back. Afagddu hissed as Cai lifted a blood soaked shirt and robe.
‘Do they belong to you, Afagddu?’ Aeron’s eyes were fixed on the robes.
‘Yes,’ Afagddu stammered, ‘but the blood is mine, not the Seeker’s if that is what Cadno is suggesting.’
‘Too much blood to be from your wounds alone,’ Cadno cut in.
‘In case you had not realised,’ Afagddu spat in a moment of triumph, ‘these robes were bloodied many weeks after the death of the Seeker.’
Cadno raised his eyebrows, did Afagddu honestly believe it was that simple? ‘Indeed. You are correct, Afagddu but this is not the Seeker’s blood. You used derwydd yn tân to dispose of the Seeker, hence the fire. No, I am guessing this is the blood of the Helgi you disposed of when you realised they were witness to your murder of their Seeker.’
‘I deny your allegations!’ Afagddu roared, ‘Why would I kill Helgi?’
‘Ah, now to the crux of the matter!’ Cadno raised a finger, before pointing it to the physician. ‘Tell me, do you believe Afagddu’s hideous cuts could be inflicted by a small mirror?’
‘I’m sorry, Afagddu,’ the physician’s voice was full of remorse, ‘you could not have received them from just a mirror. The large cut on your face is too deep, too angled.’
‘Do you think the cuts he received could be from the Helgi, given either in attack or defence?’ Cadno was pushing and pushing.
Afagddu stepped forward. ‘I demand you retract these sp
urious charges! Why would I kill a Seeker and his Helgi?’
Aeron raised a hand and silenced the room. ‘That is what I wish to know and until I find out, Afagddu, you are restricted to your cell – see he is guarded,’ he ordered the Keeper, ‘send two Helgi to guard him.’
He returned his attention to his Councillor. ‘Afagddu if you are found guilty of any of these charges brought against you, you will suffer the R’hela, and I shall be the one to hunt you down and skewer your hide. Be gone from my sight! Cadno see him to his cell.’ Afagddu bowed his head, humiliated and broken. Aeron watched him leave, followed by his accusers.
‘I don’t understand, father, why would Afagddu kill one of his own kind?’ Taliesin asked.
‘I do not know … he hides something Taliesin but whatever it is, now Cadno is on the scent it will not remain hidden for long.’ Aeron squinted as he tried to fathom the hidden depths of Afagddu’s behaviour and why it should be of interest to Cadno in the first place. ‘Taliesin, tell me what you know of the Chosen family named Morgan of Ty Mawr, are the women still missing as I am led to believe?’
Taliesin grew still, he was surprised his father knew of the missing women, he had been so aloof of late that the happening among the Chosen had appeared to be of little interest to him, so he answered cautiously, ‘I believe them both to still be unaccounted for, but the Helgi and Chosen still look for them.’
‘Taliesin, I would have you run an errand … bring the Morgan men to me. Do it now, I will wait for you in the Council Chamber. Go.’
Taliesin bowed to his father and ran to the Hall of Mirrors to fetch Anwen’s father or brother, his heart pounding as he ran.
CHAPTER FORTY TWO
Gwyn had tried everything he could to get his father to stay in hospital. But when he had arrived at the ward to visit his father, Dafydd had already signed himself out and was sitting on the bed still wearing his nightgown. He’d refused to get back in bed and Gwyn had been forced to retrieve a set of waterproof trousers and a jacket from the back of the Land Rover to cover his father who was threatening to walk out stark naked if necessary.