by G L Roberts
Meydra lowered her head and waited for Bryn to climb on her neck. She felt Bryn settle herself. She inhaled and lifted up above the trees.
I am sorry, Meydra said to Bryn’s heart.
I too am sorry, Bryn replied.
Meydra flew high enough that the landscape below her blended into one long sea of grass. She kept her pace steady as she carried Bryn farther and farther north. The night would become day again before they would reach the sacred place known only to the High Dragons. It was there Meydra’s father, Menchor, had first revealed Meydra’s destiny to her. Meydra learned the old stories of the first dragons on earth and the joining of Athyl with the First of the Chosen from this same place. The Chosen; those dragons who left the stars and fell to Earth to join with the humans. They were chosen for their ability to hear and feel the humans' own desires and needs. They were selected for their ability to touch the hearts of the humans as no other dragons could. Meydra was taking Bryn to a realm of magic and healing. There Bryn could sleep the deep sleep of the untroubled—if only for a little while.
Bryn looked down and saw Meydra had taken her over Skerrabrae and continued north. She did not feel the cold wind as they flew towards night. Nor did Bryn feel the isolation of the vast unknown lands below her. She felt the warmth from Meydra’s body, but to all other things, it was as if a door had closed behind her. Bryn watched the sky turn deep purple. She saw the stars begin to twinkle above her. The moon cast Meydra’s shadow over the silent landscape below. Bryn did not ask where Meydra was taking her. She did not need to know so long as it was far from all the pain and loss she felt with her whole being. Bryn closed her eyes to the stars.
Meydra felt the pain in Bryn’s heart—as it echoed her own heartache. She lifted her head toward the stars and flew on. As the moon rose higher in the sky and covered her wings like a pale shroud, she turned east. The landscape changed, and the ground below was covered in snow and ice. Further and further away from the center of Alban, Meydra flew. Closer and closer to the places where men and elf had not yet discovered. To a land of emptiness and desolation, of solitude and silence. Of beauty measured in words not thus far comprehended by humankind.
Meydra made one more slight turn north, and the landscape again changed. The wide-open spaces gave way to tall ice sculpted mountains and deep snow-filled canyons. Menacing, like the edge of a sword, the sides of the canyons appeared to the eye.
“There,” Meydra said above the rush of wind, “at the mouth of the last canyon.”
Bryn peered at the ice walls as they rose high on either side of the canyon. The canyon narrowed and at the cleft of the canyon was an opening. The last of the moonlight touched the ice and snow. The landscape glowed with a pale blue light. Bryn knew this place.
“We go to the hall of the High Dragon.”
“Yes,” Meydra replied. “Queen Athyl has shown this to you?”
“I saw it once in a dream,” Bryn replied quietly. “I do not know who it was that formed the dream.”
They flew lower, and Bryn felt the coolness of the ice touch her skin. She continued to look forward, and in the distance, the opening became clearer. It was the entrance to a large cavern. Meydra dropped lower again, and as the cave drew closer, the size of the gap caused Bryn to gasp. The opening loomed large as a mountain. The darkness behind the entrance reached out to touch her face, and Bryn felt a warm rush of air.
“Are there dragons inside?” she asked.
“Not as you might think. What dragons are here reside only in memory and promise.”
Bryn felt the tingle of anticipation. She did know this place and had seen it in the memories now residing in her mind. A wave of familiarity flowed over her, and she hugged herself. Meydra stepped down onto the ground outside of the cave and walked in with Bryn still on her back. The opening was large enough for several dragons to fly in together. Meydra continued to walk although flying would have been just as comfortable in the vastness of the entrance. Bryn looked at the walls and realized why Meydra now walked. The walls were covered in a myriad of ice crystals that glistened with their own light. When Bryn looked closer, she saw the likeness of many dragons in the ice.
“What wonderful faces,” she said. “Who are they?”
“The Chosen. Those dragons who have or will come to earth throughout their lifetime. These are my brothers and sisters. These are your kin as well.”
Bryn looked at each face. She smiled when she saw some of the faces were animated and alive. “Not all have passed back to stardust.”
Meydra smiled. “True. Some remain to fulfill the last promise. Some remain to guard this place. All are glad to see you.”
“And I am glad to see them.” Bryn lifted her hand and held it as if to touch the faces as she passed. She felt warmth coming from the walls. The warmth comforted her and lifted some of the darkness that filled her heart. “They are a comfort.”
“Yes, my Lady, here you may find rest.”
❦
Thalynder paced. She barely heard her father’s words. He was talking about the proposed union, and he kept insisting something about not going to Bynack More. All Thalynder could think about was Bryn and Meriel. She knew she had to find Bryn. And she had to find her soon. Looking over at Malcolm, Thalynder saw he too struggled with his own thoughts.
Thalynder turned from her father and walked toward An-Yun. Thamen continued to speak with Malcolm while she approached her new dragon. Thalynder ran her hands over An-Yun’s scales. She sighed. “I fear something has changed. I cannot place the feeling, but it rides heavy in my heart, and I am afraid.”
Malcolm came up behind Thalynder and placed his hand on her arm. “Then we should leave now. IronHeart is anxious. There is a restlessness in the dragons and in my heart as well. I believe we will find the others of the council have the same apprehension. My guess is, all will leave soon for Bynack More.”
“There is still much to discuss,” King Thamen said. “This union you propose has never before been considered by these kingdoms. Will your father agree?”
“My father too seeks a permanent solution to the rift between our kingdoms. The small kingdoms between us struggle to survive. We could bring them into this union, and there would be an army stronger than any the Norsemen could mount,” Malcolm said quickly. He looked back at Thalynder.
“Your Highness, something has happened, and both Princess Thalynder and I feel an urgent need to travel to Bynack More.”
Thalynder looked at her father. “I am sorry, father. We must leave now.”
“You do this for Alban.”
“I do.”
King Thamen turned to Malcolm. “What then of an heir?”
Thalynder touched her father’s arm and spoke before Malcolm could answer. “Father, if the clanns unite and the kingdoms unite, there may be no need for an heir. The realm will become all of Alban. With voices from each clann and kingdom to represent their interests. Lady Athebryn will govern.”
King Thamen nodded. “I feel this is the purpose of the Jewel—to unite all of Alban. But with one ruler? If it were to truly work, it would create a united front to the enemy.”
“It would, my father. I feel this is Lady Athebryn’s wish.”
“Go then, with my blessing.”
“By your leave, Malcolm and I will head to Bynack More.”
“I will tell the stables to ready the horses,” Malcolm said.
“No, we cannot wait. We will take to the backs of our dragons for I fear any delay. Lady Athebryn is deeply troubled, and she needs our help.”
“Then you feel it too,” Malcolm said.
“More strongly than anything I have felt before.”
“I too feel a closeness to the air around us. Much like a caged animal must feel.”
Thalynder turned back to her father. “Father, I must go.” Thalynder patted An-Yun’s forearm. “Call to the others dear An-Yun. We meet at Bynack More before another day sees the dawn.”
King Thamen kissed hi
s daughter’s cheek. “Go. I too feel the closeness of the air. I will send word to Heli and Edmond. We will meet while you are away.”
Thalynder and Malcolm left the dragon garden and started for the keep to retrieve their bags. They turned to look back behind them when the rush of wings was heard overhead. IronHeart and An-Yun left the dragon garden and settled in the field at the edge of the Keep. Both dragons nodded to their riders. Thalynder grasped Malcolm’s sleeve and began to run.
“I have one or two more questions regarding the council,” Elder Jorid said.
Arryn paced. “I thank you for your support, Elder Jorid. Now, I must leave.”
They had supped together and spoke of the coming council. Jorid intended to meet up with the committee once he gathered additional Epidii clann members for the growing army.
Arryn felt his heart growing heavier with each passing moment.
“Truly, I must leave.”
“The council does not meet for twelve days,” Elder Jorid replied. “Why the urgent need to leave? You are among family here.”
“And many friends; the Epidii have welcomed me back to the clann with great enthusiasm, and I do appreciate the gesture. But Jorid, there is something wrong. Something has happened or will happen, and I feel helpless here.”
“You have truly adopted the ways of the dragons, and Lady Athebryn have you not?” Jorid asked. “It is what the elders had hoped would happen.”
“I am a dragon rider. I was chosen by a dragon. Not the other way around,” Arryn replied. “I have adopted nothing that was not already my birthright, including rekindling my druid heritage.”
“And the Epidii are pleased. You must remember your clann as you move closer to the dragons and the Lady Athebryn. Once we have quashed the Norsemen, there will be a rebuilding of Alban and the outer island realms. The Epidii will hold a high place.”
Arryn turned quickly to glare at Elder Jorid. “This is not a game of balance and counter-balance Jorid. Alban is in trouble. We all face a threat from the Norseman, not just in the East, but here too. Do you not see this?”
“We see an opportunity to rid the east of a threat. We see an opportunity to reestablish the Epidii clann as a High House. Of course, we see a threat to our home if we cannot defeat the Norsemen in the East.” Elder Jorid rose from the table and walked to where Arryn stood. “But we also see no need to alarm the West. Even the Lady Anestar of the Bridei does not believe the threat will come this far west.”
“The Lady Anestar is not the high seat of the Epidii clann. Lady Anethar has always been our high seat. And Lady Albistan of Erui has ever been our ally. Has something changed?”
“No, but the Lady Anethar and her sister Lady Anestar are closely matched. We have access to both.”
“And the Lady Albistan? Does she too feel the West is shielded from the threat?”
“We have not had the opportunity to speak with the Lady Albistan of Erui. She is closer in mind to Lady Arlendyl and may be swayed by her influence.”
Arryn stood still. He felt the hair on the back of his neck rise as he looked hard at the elder of the clann.
“Elder Jorid, you never made the pilgrimage to the Stones at Staenis?”
“That pilgrimage was made by my father.”
“Did he not tell you what is inscribed at our clann’s stone? Have you forgotten those words?”
“Those words are in our book.” The elder wiped at the perspiration on his forehead.
“Our Stone stands next to the Stone of the High House of Brae. You would understand this if you made your own pilgrimage. On our Stone is a prayer, Elder Jorid. Etched next to the prayer is the shield of the Clann Brae. This prayer ends with I Am Your Servant. In the House of the Book of Records in Ceann Dùnaid, there is this prayer in full. It ties us to the Brae as protectors of the Jewel. Our clann, if you have forgotten, is the promised protector of the High House of Brae.” Arryn took a step closer and moved the sleeve of his tunic up to reveal a mark. “I am House Epidii. I was given this mark at birth, Elder Jorid, by your father. I serve House Brae.”
Elder Jorid looked at the mark. It was the triskele all the clanns had etched into their stones. But Arryn’s had one more element—the rune representing a dragon was intertwined at the edge of the mark. Jorid looked up at Arryn’s face. “You bear a different mark,” he said. “It was as the Elders suspected. You are chosen to be at the Jewel’s side. You will be an important asset to us should the clanns become divided in their allegiance.”
Arryn put his hand on Jorid’s arm and gave it a hard squeeze. “Elder Jorid, since you and the other Epidii elders are finding opportunities to discuss the fate of rest of the clanns without their knowledge, do me one favor.”
“And what is this favor?”
“Take this opportunity to reflect on what a divided Alban would mean to the clanns. Your Western shores are exposed. The Norsemen have boats we do not even as yet understand the construction. Should Götaland unite and the number of our enemy increase, they will not stop at the Eastern shore. They will take to the sea, and they will pillage all our shores, including the outer island realms.”
Jorid frowned. “But we have the dragons.”
Arryn lay his hand on the hilt of his sword. “No, you do not. The dragons do not belong to any human.”
“But the Brea controls them. You could sway her.”
Arryn stepped very close to Jorid and bit his words as he spoke them. “If the elders and Lady Anestar believe such, then you are fools, and you will perish.” He turned and left the elder alone in the room.
“FireSong,” Arryn called as he stepped outside. “Meet me in the field.”
Thalynder reached out to touch her father’s arm. “Father. We cannot wait a moment longer.”
“Yes, yes,” King Thamen said. “You are all business. I can see you are eager to leave. Very well.” King Thamen stepped closer to his daughter and spoke to her ear alone. “Are you certain this union is what you truly want? A union and not a wedding? You understand I must ask one last time.”
Thalynder turned her head to look at her father. Her eyes held unshed tears, and she swallowed hard. Her reply, though whispered, echoed deep in her heart, “For Alban and Athebryn.”
❦
Bryn slid off of Meydra’s neck and looked up at Meydra’s face. They had walked deep into the mountain, passing many smaller caves. “So many faces. So many voices welcoming me. How is it they are here?”
“They are not really here,” Meydra said. “Their memory resides here. You are one of the few who can see and hear them.”
“They light for you, High Dragon. Do they not?”
“When there is need. Today, the memories light for you.”
“What is our need at this moment?”
“Reassurance perhaps?”
“More riddles. I am tired of riddles.” Bryn looked around the room where they now stood. “Where are we now?”
“In this place, you may rest. Even sleep may come to you here.”
“I do suddenly feel the need for sleep.”Bryn yawned and looked around. Against one wall was a low bench covered in furs. “Why does it feel like this room is for something other than dragons?”
“Queen Athyl’s daughter Arstender came here to speak with her mother. It was more for her comfort than the comfort of the others.”
“The others? Do you speak of the other High Dragons?”
“And others as well.”
“Again, more riddles,” Bryn said. She walked over to the bench and lay down on the furs. “Riddles and secrets. Will I ever know the whole story?”
Meydra bowed her head and did not look at Bryn. She felt Bryn’s frustration in her heart. She wanted the child who played with her, sang with her and soared with her. The child who trusted her. Bryn had become a woman of notable strength and determination, but she was still very vulnerable. With all that had happened, Bryn's trust was wavering. Meydra lay down in the room and moved her tail to rest against the benc
h. She sighed and watched Bryn close her eyes. The jewel on her forehead remained black. It had not changed since the deaths of Meriel and Mediter.
Meydra waited for the soft sounds of sleep to fill the room. When she was sure Bryn was asleep, she whispered, “I will need your help.”
“You both will,” came a voice from within the mountain.
❦
An-Yun lifted up into the morning air with IronHeart following close behind her. Once above the Keep, they turned east. Bynack More was a day’s ride, and the riders had agreed to stop at mid-day to take a meal before making the last leg of the journey.
Thalynder looked over An-Yun’s shoulder at the shrinking landscape below her. Ahead of her lay the forest outside of The Realm That Touches Two Seas. Thalynder remembered the forest. She, Bryn and Arryn had walked that forest only a short five months earlier. Their summer was over, and she had found her true love as she had hoped. It surprised her at first to find out her beloved was her childhood friend and Waiting Lady. The easy way they had with each one another had grown into something deep and lasting. Thalynder shook her head thinking of how silly she had been, crowing about finding true love while her father planned her future with some stranger from another realm, while her heart's desire was already within reach. Now, her Bryn was in trouble. Thalynder could feel it.
Malcolm is right, she thought. There is a heaviness in the air, a restlessness in the dragons and in my heart. “I hope we do not come too late.”
An-Yun turned her head to glance back at Thalynder. She looked forward again and flew toward the rising sun.
Lady Anestar walked into her dining hall to find her daughter Kenna pacing the floor. She took her seat at the table and raised her hand, and a Page came over and filled her glass with spring water. She took a sip and continued to watch her daughter. When Kenna turned toward her, she spoke.
“Daughter, come sit with me. There is much to discuss.”
“Discuss? What have we to discuss?” Kenna said. “The council has much to discuss. You must wait for us now.” Kenna walked over to where her mother was seated. She stood on the other side of the table and leaned a little toward her mother, her hands gripped the edge of the table.