Heart of Alban

by G L Roberts

  “Do not for one moment think I side with you, mother. I know you believe I should be the one wearing the jewel. I know you believe you were cheated when clann Brae was chosen. I know you believe Lady Arlendyl deceived you when she gave birth to a girl.”

  Lady Anestar stood up, and her chair fell behind her. She reached over and slapped her daughter on the face. “You know nothing! You ride the beast and follow its wishes, not mine. At least Arlendyl had a daughter who grew to be a woman. My daughter wishes she were a man. She rides like a man, dresses like a man, follows a shieldmaiden like a knight. Our clann needs a leader to bring them back to the place of the High House. That leader must be a woman.”

  Kenna held her hand against her cheek feeling the warmth of her mother’s blow. She clenched her teeth and drew her sword. She placed the sword on the table between them.

  “The next time you strike me, you had better kill me, Mother. I am everything you taught me to be. I am strong of will, heart, and mind. And my will, my heart, and my mind tell me you are bluff and bluster, my mother. You are envious of Arlendyl because she chose the half-elven to strengthen the bond. She did what her lineage told her to do. You, on the other hand, were too strong of will to consider following anyone’s rules. Where has that led you? Here, isolated and alone. You wanted me to claim the Jewel for your benefit, not the whole of Alban. You wanted to say to your sisters ‘Here is the Jewel that will unite the clanns. My house will rule.’ They would have turned their backs on you, Lady Anestar. And you know this is the truth. In your heart, you know this.”

  Lady Anestar started to reach for the sword. Kenna raised her chin. “Strike true, mother. Leave no doubt.” Kenna continued to keep her chin up.

  “Go,” Lady Anestar said. “Follow the Brae, but remember your birthright. You could have been the Jewel.”

  “You still do not understand, do you mother?” Kenna took up her sword and placed it back in the scabbard. “You see mother, I carry too much of your anger and hatred in my heart to unite one clann, let alone a country with many clanns. I would never have been the Jewel. The Jewel would have never chosen me.” She ran her hands over the edge of her tunic. She bowed her head slightly, then she glanced up at her mother's eyes.

  “I take my leave now. I will not come back. Others will return and give the Bridei word of the Council and any future plans for the Norsemen.” Kenna turned before Lady Anestar could speak. She left the hall and never looked back.

  Leus left the elders and sought out his sister. Neulta was standing in an open space in the forest, watching her brother’s dragon sleep. Leus walked up to his sister and touched her arm. “Quite a remarkable creature,” he said.

  “Remarkable you find it so,” Neulta said.

  “Why would you say this?”

  “We have never bothered with dragons.”

  “Truly, that is our mistake.” Leus took his sister’s hand in his. “When we turned our eyes away from the others in this world, we doomed our race. Humankind, the druid clanns especially, have kept a balance between all living things. I find them the nobler of the two races.”

  “You are enchanted, romanticizing their lifestyle. Surely, you do not wish to be like the humankind?” Neulta asked. Her brow furrowed and she shook her head. “What spell has been cast to have you feeling this way?”

  “We elves are warriors. We fought battles long before these Norsemen came to this world. We fought for our place on this earth. Then we turned our backs on all the races who came after us. We even turned our backs on the races who were here before us. The dragons were here long before we first appeared. Then when they came to us to befriend us, we treated them with great disdain and contempt. How, we asked, could we lower ourselves to ally with creatures who did not stand on two legs?”

  “It was a valid question.”

  “No, dear sister, it was not. We did not even consider it was these beasts who approached us. Their keen sense of fairness and their deep affection for all on the earth was lost to us. We believed our race to be superior because we walked and not flew. How was that valid?”

  “I do not know the thoughts of our forebears. I only know what has been taught to us since time began. We are the wiser. We are the better of the races.”

  Leus sighed and shook his head. He kissed his sister’s cheek. “I must leave now. NightWatcher and I will attend the council.”

  “Come back and tell me more about the humans.”

  “I will return and ask if you still follow the Lady Athebryn.”

  “Of course. Lady Athebryn is the Jewel of Legend.”

  “Of that, there is no doubt,” Leus said. He let go of his sister’s hand and walked over to NightWatcher. The dragon bowed his head, and Leus climbed onto his neck. Leus nodded to his sister. He leaned down and spoke to the dragon.

  “Swiftly now, take us to Bynack More.”

  FireSong set down at the base of Bynack More and Arryn slid off his neck. The dragon lifted his head and sniffed the air.

  Arryn watched as his dragon took in the smells on the wind. “I think we are the first here.” He felt the vibration under his feet when FireSong acknowledged him with a slap of his tail on the ground. Arryn patted FireSongs scales. “Since we have the place to ourselves, feel free to wander a bit. I am going inside the ring of trees and light a fire.” Arryn walked toward the trees and felt the vibration again. He glanced once back over his shoulder and saw FireSong turn and look back as well. In the distance, Arryn could see two tiny specks on the horizon. “Ah, we are not alone after all.” FireSong touched Arryn’s back with his tail.

  “Hey,” Arryn said. “I think I understand. A tail slap means no. A tail touch means yes!”

  FireSong touched Arryn on the back again. Arryn smiled and rubbed FireSong’s forehead. “Keep this up, and we’ll be swapping growing up stories in no time.” Arryn looked back at the specks. “Two, side by side. I would guess that it is Thalynder and Malcolm. I’d better start the fire.”

  As Thalynder and Malcolm stepped off the backs of their dragons, Kenna and Caraid dropped down beside them.

  “You felt it too,” Kenna said to Thalynder. “There was a need to come here sooner than asked. There is so much heaviness in the air.”

  Malcolm gestured toward FireSong. “Yes,” he said. “Arryn is waiting here as well. Something is wrong.”

  “Do you believe as we, that the twin stars and the bright light which followed them, was Meriel?” Thalynder asked.

  Kenna nodded. “I do. Our little one has found her way home. But what I do not understand is why she had to die. I was hoping to find Lady Athebryn here with the answers.”

  “There are four of us here now,” Malcolm said. “Let us join Arryn, and we can discuss this together.” Malcolm led Thalynder and Kenna to the ring of trees. They walked through the trees and into the clearing. Arryn was adding wood and peat to the fire ring. Beside the pile of wood was a brace of rabbits. Malcolm walked to Arryn, and they embraced. Arryn bowed to Kenna and Thalynder.

  Thalynder walked over to Arryn and hugged him. “I believe we can be ourselves when it is just the council. Bryn wants us to be close, or she would not have chosen us.”

  Kenna embraced Arryn. “Agreed. I am glad the Epidii did not sway you to stay with them.”

  “And the Bridei you,” Arryn said. He turned to Malcolm and Thalynder. “And the kingdoms? Are we assured of their support?”

  Thalynder walked over to the fire. She pushed dirt with her foot and looked up at Arryn. “We have two of the three larger kingdoms secured. My father will speak with Heli and Edmond and secure the smaller outer kingdoms. By the end of the month, we will have our army.”

  “Provided my brother Lludd does not have other plans,” Malcolm said. “The lesser kingdoms were to be his when I married and joined the two realms, Wessex and Mercia.”

  “And now? Is there to be a marriage?” Kenna asked.

  Malcolm smiled. “Not a marriage, a union. Lady Athebryn is our liege. We serve Al
ban.”

  “Then we are all on the same path,” Arryn said. “Princess, is your father amiable to this change?”

  “Please, Arryn, call me Thalynder when we are among council members. But to answer your question. He is most amiable. He too believes Alban needs many voices in the choir, but only one to lead.”

  “My mother does not agree,” Kenna said.

  Arryn touched Kenna’s shoulder. “Nor do the elders of the Epidii. Let us get these rabbits over the fire, and we can talk while we wait for Bryn and the others.”

  Kenna took her knife from her belt and began to dress one of the rabbits. She shook her head slightly. “I am glad we are together again, but I am still restless. Something is terribly wrong.”

  “I feel this as well,” Thalynder said. “Perhaps one of us should look for Bryn.”

  Arryn looked at Malcolm. “Where would we start?”

  NightWatcher approached the other dragons and set down on the damp grass at the edge of the ring of trees. Leus touched the top of NightWatcher’s head and slid off his back. He began to untie his bag from under the dragon’s wing when a horse and rider came over the hill. Leus instantly recognized Rythale. He waited at NightWatcher’s side as Rythale came toward him. He saw she had two saddlebags and a bedroll. He cocked his head, trying to understand why she came on horseback. Rythale stopped a short distance from Leus.

  “Why did you not fly?” Leus asked.

  “I have yet to be chosen by a dragon,” Rythale said. “I await one of my own.” She removed one of her saddlebags and looked toward the ring of trees. “I smell rabbit cooking.”

  “Yes, from the air I could see others around a fire. Let us join them.” He touched Rythale’s arm and smiled at her. “Do not worry, if a dragon does not choose you, you may ride with me.” NightWatcher swung his head around and snorted.

  Rythale laughed. “I think it best I wait for one of my own. My horse will serve for now.” She smiled at Leus. “As you said, let us join the others. Did you see Lady Athebryn among them?”

  “No, and I worry. All is not right with the air. And there is a sadness in the color of the sky.”

  Rythale nodded. “Yes, the gray is like a curtain of sorrow. I did not know the elves saw the colors of the sky as the Picts do.”

  “I think there are many things we have in common.” Leus took Rythale’s hand, and they walked into the trees.

  “Is the Lady Athebryn here as well?” Leus asked as he approached the fire.

  “No,” Thalynder said. “Lothan of the Inceni is yet to arrive as well. The rest of the council is here.”

  “May I eat?” Rythale asked.

  Arryn stepped toward Rythale “There is plenty of meat,” he said. “Did you arrive together?”

  “No, I came on horseback,” Rythale said. “I have yet to be chosen by a dragon.”

  Malcolm stood up and approached Leus and Rythale. “I am sure it will happen. Lady Athebryn would not have brought you to the council if you did not have a dragon somewhere. It will find you sooner than you expect.”

  Rythale and Leus joined the others, and as they ate, another day ended and still no word from Bryn. Soon, the others left the fire to join their dragons in the field. There they would sleep against their warmth, protected by their keen senses. Rythale started for her horse, and Leus again took her hand. He led her to NightWatcher, and there the two lay on the grass under a night full of stars.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Bryn woke from a deep, dreamless sleep. It was the first dreamless sleep she had experienced in many months. Though her body was now rested, her mind was still full of questions. She moved and stretched. She rubbed Meydra’s tail and sat up to watch Meydra wake. Meydra too, had slept a deep and dreamless sleep. As Meydra stirred, Bryn sat silent, waiting for her.

  “Did you sleep?” Meydra asked.

  “Dreamless, but yes, I believe I slept. And you?”

  “In this place, I sleep without concern. You are still troubled.”

  “I, I doubted you. I was angry and filled with so much pain with the loss of Meriel and Mediter. My thoughts of you and Thalynder; all filling me with so much pain and sorrow. How do I deal with so much sorrow and still attempt to lead the clanns?” Bryn stood up and took a few steps toward the adjacent wall of the cave, distancing herself from Meydra. “What good is sleep when the voices return when you wake?”

  Meydra stood up and took two backward steps where she bowed her head and held it there.

  Bryn turned to see Meydra bowing. “I do not need your servitude. I need your wisdom.”

  Meydra kept her head bowed.

  “Stop it, Meydra. Lift your head and look at me.”

  Meydra, her head still bowed, moved back two more paces.

  “Do you not hear all these voices? Do you not wish for a moment’s peace?” Bryn held her hands over her ears. “Enough!”

  Meydra backed out of the smaller cave and into the large cavern where she spread her wings. She turned away from Bryn and flew out of the cavern.

  Bryn sank to her knees. She reached behind her and pulled her sword and scabbard toward her. She removed Calibairn from the sheath and held the blade to see the inscription. “I am not that which was lost. I am lost!” she called to the cave. “Take this burden from my heart. I cannot stand the pain.” She dropped Calibairn and hung her head. The tears fell like rain, and as they touched the earth, the earth took the tears deep. There in the ground, the tears became bright clear jewels. Hidden until needed.

  Bryn cried until tears no longer fell. When her tears were spent, she raised her head and sat very still. There, standing in front of her, was another dragon. More significant than any dragon she had ever seen. Beautiful beyond words. Bryn reached out to touch the pearlescent scales but found no substance.

  “Are you one of the voices in my head?” Bryn asked.

  “And in your heart,” the dragon replied.

  “Are you a high dragon?”

  “You have so many questions.”

  Bryn wiped at her face. A tear touched the top of her hand and became a small diamond at her wrist. She looked at the gem, then shook her head to clear her thoughts. The glittering tear remained.

  “Yes, I have questions. More questions. I do not even know where to begin.”

  “Then let me begin,” the dragon said. “I am Ua.”

  ❦

  Meydra stepped down in the field and greeted the other dragons. She could smell Thalynder coming out of the trees, and she turned to bow her head. “Princess,” she said.

  “Meydra! Oh, it is good to see you. Where is my Bryn?”

  “She is not here.”

  Arryn walked toward the open field and paused when he heard Meydra’s answer. He quickened his step and went to stand beside Thalynder. “What do mean she is not here? If she is not here, why are you here?”

  Thalynder placed her hand on Arryn’s arm. “Meydra, where is Lady Athebryn?”

  “She is resting.”

  “Then, why are you here?” Malcolm asked as he walked into the clearing.

  “Lady Athebryn needed me to leave.”

  Thalynder frowned. “Meydra, what has happened? And why is Bryn alone?”

  “Lady Athebryn requested a trip to the Standing Stones.”

  “Okay,” Arryn said. “Is she still there?”

  “No, she is elsewhere.”

  “Meydra, will you not tell us where she is?” Thalynder asked. “Can you not better assure us she is safe?”

  “Is my word not enough for you?”

  “Meydra, we are not dragons,” Arryn said. “We need to see to believe.”

  “Then, I am sorry. I cannot show you.”

  Thalynder pulled Malcolm and Arryn aside and spoke quietly with them. After a moment, the two men walked away and left Thalynder with Meydra.

  “The Council is here,” Thalynder started. “The dragon companions are here. Our liege is not. Am I to believe Lady Athebryn would wish us to conduct this council with
out her presence? I do not believe that to be true.”

  “The council can wait.”

  “Wait for what? For how long, Meydra?”

  Meydra’s tail flicked behind her. Thalynder recognized the gesture and knew Meydra was struggling with the situation. Thalynder reached out and rubbed her hand over Meydra’s chest scales.

  “I know you have her in a place well protected from harm,” Thalynder said. She tried to soothe Meydra’s frustration. “You would not leave our Bryn exposed or alone. Do you not see the council also has her best interest at heart. Search your own heart. Are we not her closest allies?”

  Meydra pounded the ground with her tail. She raised her head and snorted. After a long moment, Meydra lowered her head and looked at Thalynder.

  “Lady Athebryn doubts her ability to lead after the loss of the two dragons. She is consulting with the ancient ones. She is in no danger.”

  “Thank you, Meydra, But why do you say two dragons?”

  “Mediter went with Meriel.”

  “That will give our secret away!”

  “He was meant to guide Meriel. Lady Athebryn asked him to stay with the little one. He gave his life to take Meriel home to the stars.”

  “Oh, then it was the death of the dragons we saw last night. I know now why Bryn is doubting. But, Meydra, Bryn should not be alone. Even with the ancient ones, she needs a human hand or human voice in this time of sadness.”

  “That is why I am here,” Meydra said. “She did not want me.”

  Thalynder reached up and touched Meydra’s cheek. She kissed her forehead and held Meydra’s face to look at her.

  “Dearest Meydra, Bryn is hurting. When she hurts, she wants no one to see. Not just you, me as well. She does not want us to see or feel her pain any more than she wants to feel it.”

  “Then I should return?”