by G L Roberts
“We have known for many years the Jewel was more than legend and we druids would be at risk. Long has the House of Heardred sought to eliminate the druids from Alban and the islands to the West, including Erui. The House of Heardred sought to inhabit those islands and establish a new country with the Jewel as a prize.”
“A new country? Why? Götaland is big enough for many tribes.”
“Not for the House of Heardred while your father is King,” Conri said. “He has pushed his weight around to the point of causing the other tribes to wish his early demise. Why do you think they condone his forays into the heart of Alban? They want him dead.”
Hansa stood and placed her hand on her axe. “You are treading in deep water, navigator.”
“Silence,” a female voice said. One of those seated by the navigator stood and threw back the hood of her cloak. “Enough of this bickering. Will you treat with the shieldmaiden and seek to understand what she has to offer you?”
“Who are you, and why do you ask such a question?” Hansa said.
“I am Rowan, great-niece of Adhar, Queen of the Elves of the Umbriel Forest of Alban. I am the High Druid of Götaland. Of all of Götaland,” Rowan said. “Your house has dominated the druids here long enough. If you will not listen and do as we wish, your house will fall into the abyss of nothingness. It will disappear, and there will be none left to tell about it. The shieldmaiden of Alban is someone we must meet with, and you are the messenger we have chosen to send.”
Hansa stared at the woman. She was of the same coloring and features of the shieldmaiden. Dark hair and striking blue eyes. She was strong and resolute in her manner. Yes, Hansa thought. I could meet with the shieldmaiden, and the House of Heardred will be mine as sure as I breathe. “I apologize for my ignorance, Rowan. I have only just become acquainted with the druids of Götaland.”
“Our presence here is to remain secret,” Conri said. “If you do not wish to do as we ask regarding the shieldmaiden of Alban, we will find another. No one will know we asked this of you. No one will know you refused.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Return to Alban as your father wishes. Take an army if this is his command. But you must meet with the shieldmaiden. Listen to her and learn from her. We need to know if the Jewel has been found and if it has, who wields it.”
“You believe I can just ask for a chance to talk? We have been destroying their villages for decades. Will I not be killed before I set foot on the sand?”
Rowan held out her hand. “Not if you bear this before you.” She held out her hand. In her palm was a small white jewel similar to the one the dragon bore. The light from inside flickered in the firelight. “If the legend is correct, the shieldmaiden will recognize this, and she will not harm you.”
“Will not my own shield with the gem from the dragon be enough?”
“That gem was not yours, to begin with,” Conri said. “It fell when an arrow pierced the dragon’s neck. It is an ill-gotten treasure.”
Hansa nodded. “I understand. I will leave the shield with you, and I will take this gem as you wish. When should I leave?”
“Not for three moons,” the senior elder said. “But you will not leave the shield here. You will take it and return the dragon’s gem to the shieldmaiden. If she understands you did not intend for the death of the dragon, your action may go far as a token of goodwill. We do not wish to alarm the Albans. A return too soon would feel more like an invasion and not a truce.”
“Then, I seek a truce? But with a shieldmaiden? Why not a king?”
“If a truce is what it will take to find out the truth, then yes, you seek a truce,” Rowan said. “And she is no common shieldmaiden. Unless some other with the ability to command a dragon comes to speak for the Albans, you will treat with shieldmaiden and none other. Leave now and speak of this meeting to no one. We will contact you when our plan is set.”
“I was seen coming here, there will be those who ask about it.”
Rowan looked at the senior elder and nodded. “We will give them something to whisper about.” The chief elder stood up and walked over to Hansa.
“Stand, daughter, and heir to the House of Heardred,” the senior elder said.
Hansa stood as asked. The remaining elders stood up and surrounded Hansa, while the chief elder took a long iron stick from the hearth. Hansa saw the tip was curved and it glowed red hot. She recognized the curved design as being the mark of her House and tribe. The mark she would carry as heir to the house. She clenched her teeth and closed her eyes.
❦
The sky was dark, with no moon to shine down and light the clearing. Ua and Bryn approached the edge of the trees unnoticed by the company or the other dragons. They cast no shadow on the ground, and the beat of Ua’s wings was as silent as death. Bryn saw the company seated around the fire deep in conversation. Rythale, Bryn noticed, sat next to Leus with her hand in his. Bryn smiled. Malcolm sat next to Thalynder, but his attention was on the newly arrived member of the council, Cinnia. Bryn had been told Cinnia was Lady Albistan’s choice and it was a good one. She and Cinnia had a shared history of sorts. Each was raised by someone other than an actual parent. Bryn by her step-father, Brymender, and Cinnia by Lady Albistan, when her real parents remained in Götaland. Cinnia was raised by the Ulaid clann and grew to be a skilled warrior. Cinnia, a warrior from a warrior clann, was also a trusted friend to the Clann of Brae. Calden, Cinnia’s husband, would soon join the other captains of the fledgling armies of Alban. Bryn looked for Arryn and saw him sitting with Kenna. Together they appeared to be entertaining Lothan with something amusing. “Probably a story about Thalynder and I chasing rabbits through the woods,” Bryn mused.
“Or the time you fell off Meydra,” Ua said.
Bryn smiled. “I was trying my best to be ladylike, but that is not always possible coming off a dragon.”
Ua chuckled. “Agreed. Are you ready now to come off this dragon?”
“Yes,” Bryn replied. “Thank you for the lessons, and your patience with me, twin. May I come to the cavern again?”
“Whenever you wish. You may not always find me there.” Ua stepped down just outside of the clearing on the outer ring of the trees. None of the other dragons lifted their heads at the arrival of this magnificent beast.
“We are undetected,” Bryn said.
“As it should be. Remember all you have learned, twin. You will need all the lessons, all the voices, all your strength in the coming days.”
“I will remember.” Ua grew smaller, and Bryn got off of the dragon’s neck with ease. She placed her hands on either side of Ua’s face. Ua bowed, and they touched foreheads. Bryn placed a kiss on Ua’s cheek. “I will miss you, my twin.”
“You are ever in my heart. You are the heart of all of us, Heart of Alban.” Ua stepped back, and before Bryn could speak, the dragon was gone. A shooting star in the heavens once again.
“Look,” Malcolm said, “a shooting star.”
“A dragon?” Cinnia asked.
“Not this time,” Leus said. “A shooting star and only a shooting star.”
Cinnia looked over at Arryn. “I have so much to learn of the ways of the dragon companions. Will my training begin soon?”
“Once the council has reconvened, and our Lady Athebryn has returned, you will have your first lesson,” Arryn said.
Bryn walked through the trees toward the voices of her friends. As she touched the trees, they swayed and sighed at her kindness. Bryn stopped outside the clearing and glanced over at her council. We are again complete, she thought. She stepped into the clearing at the same time the dragons in the field awakened from their deep sleep. This sleep Ua and Bryn gave to them as they approached. A slumber to hide the twin stars from them for a little while longer. Now, aware Lady Athebryn had returned, the dragons took to the treetops to watch the clearing and the reuniting of the council.
As if in a dream shrouded in mist, Bryn approached the fire. The company ta
lked amongst themselves and did not at first see her. Like a breath of fresh air, Ua had said. Bryn watched as each member of the company, in turn, realized she was again with them.
“Bryn!” Thalynder jumped up and ran to hug her beloved. “As always, your arrival is as soft as a whisper. How did you come to be here? I do not remember sending Meydra to retrieve you until just this morning.” She took Bryn’s hand and held it tight in hers. “You are wearing your old crown,” she whispered.
“I will explain the new one in the morning. This will serve for now.”
“As quiet as a whisper, as strong as a gale,” Arryn said as he stepped up to Bryn. “Welcome back, Bryn.”
“Greetings, Arryn, and all my company,” Bryn said. “Welcome, Cinnia. We are happy to have you on the council.”
“I am happy to be here, Lady Athebryn. Our aunt sends her regards as does my husband,” Cinnia bowed before Bryn.
“The first rule of the company,” Bryn said and touched Cinnia's arm. “When we are alone, we are as casual as cousins. I am Bryn and as Bryn will not accept a bow.” Bryn hugged Cinnia. “When can we expect Calden to join us?”
“He gathers the clanns now. He will arrive with his army before the next full moon.”
Bryn held onto Thalynder’s hand and continued to greet the other’s of the council. Bryn led Thalynder to a log, and together they sat at the fire.
“What news from the North?” Malcolm asked.
Bryn smiled at Malcolm. “My council is eager. There is much to discuss, but it will keep until morning. The hour is late. Let us talk of inconsequential things for a bit before seeking sleep. In the morning, we will convene the council, and all questions will be addressed.”
“Cinnia is eager to meet her dragon,” Kenna said.
“Ah, her dragon,” Bryn said. “Your dragon is in the tops of the trees with the other dragons of the company.” Bryn looked up, and the rest of the company followed her gaze. “There, pale purple as the mist on the moors, sits your dragon, Cinnia.”
“Was this one not Teela’s dragon?” Lothan asked.
“Yes, Kayleen was to be Teela’s dragon. She has graciously asked to stay with the company and wishes to companion the Ulaidi.”
“Kayleen,” Cinnia repeated. “Sounds like a name from Erui.”
“It is,” Bryn explained. “Kayleen was born near Drogheda on Inishmead, an island in the Sea of Erui.”
Cinnia smiled. “I would be honored to have Kayleen as a companion.”
“Tomorrow morning you will be introduced.” Bryn looked over at Lothan. “I wonder, is there any rabbit stew left?”
Bryn and Thalynder walked out toward the open field where the dragons slept. Thalynder was quiet, but Bryn sensed she was calm and relaxed. “Are you sleepy, my Lynder?”
“Pleasantly so,” Thalynder replied. “And you? Do you again find time to sleep?”
“I will tonight. I want you next to me all night long.”
“And I thought perhaps you had given up earthly desires.” Thalynder kissed Bryn’s palm.
“You, my love, are one earthly desire I shall never give up. Come, let us curl up against Meydra and I will try my best to convince you how much I missed you.”
“Will you reveal the true crown and Jewel as Queen Athyl said you could?”
“I sense the council already has many questions, and tomorrow I will try to provide answers. Tonight, no more questions.”
“Very well, my Bryn. Let us curl up on the soft grass and sleep wrapped in each other’s arms. Tomorrow will be soon enough for the business of war.”
War, Bryn thought. Do we indeed wish for war?
Arryn woke long before the others and as usual, found Bryn awake before him. He watched her interact with the new dragon, Kayleen. Every movement Bryn made was casual and relaxed. The dragon responded in kind, almost playful. Arryn walked out to FireSong and greeted him with a smile and a pat on the head.
“What do you suppose is in store for us today, my friend?”
FireSong opened his eyes and blinked at Arryn. He turned his head and looked out to Bryn. Arryn glanced in the same direction. “She looks rested.” FireSong touched Arryn’s back and nudged Arryn with his nose. “Okay, okay, I go.” Arryn touched FireSong’s shoulder before walking out to where Bryn stood with Kayleen.
“Good morning, Arryn,” Bryn said. “And to answer your question, yes, I slept well, thank you.”
“Do you read our thoughts now?”
“No, it is just that you always ask me if I slept.”
“True.”
“I do not think I have had a chance of late to thank you for all you do, Arryn. Forgive my forgetfulness?”
“I do not believe you are forgetful, just distracted.” Arryn took a step closer. “Something has changed.”
“Keen eye as always, Prince Arryn.”
“Formality so early in the morning? Are you trying to set the mood before we meet?”
Bryn turned from Kayleen and smiled at Arryn. “It appears so. I was reminded only recently I had accepted a responsibility to lead. At that time, I felt unequal to the task.”
“And you are equal to the task now?”
“Perhaps not equal, but prepared.” Bryn took Arryn’s arm, and they walked among the sleeping dragons. “I miss being a handmaiden with the keeping of a princess my only priority. I miss the lessons in swordsmanship and archery from a trusted friend. I miss the walks in the woods and bathing in the lake. I fear all these will soon become distant memories.”
Arryn patted Bryn’s hand. “You were always ready to assume more responsibility. Never said no to a lesson. You were a good student.”
“You are a skilled teacher.” Bryn led Arryn to the top of the hill where IronHeart stood watching the East. “What do you think of Cinnia?”
Arryn looked out over the hill. “She will be an asset to the council. She seems capable. I know her husband well.”
Bryn smiled at Arryn. “Cinnia is capable. She is also very loyal to Lady Albistan. I have one or two concerns, but I believe they will work themselves out.”
“Something, a captain, need be concerned about?”
“No, my friend, other concerns and not your worry.” Bryn stopped next to IronHeart. She let go of Arryn and began to run her hands over IronHearts scales. They shimmered under her touch.
“I never noticed IronHeart’s scales to have a shimmer before,” Arryn said.
Bryn turned and gave Arryn an impish grin. “There is more to these dragons than meets the casual eye, Dragon Companion. You are growing in your knowledge of the dragons. Faster I might say than even Thalynder who has been a companion since she was very young.”
“You have tricks up your sleeve.” Arryn ran his hands over IronHeart’s scales, but they did not shine under his touch. “Hmmm. How do you do it?”
“Here, place your hand over mine.” Bryn placed her hand on IronHeart’s scales and waited for Arryn to lay his hand over hers. “Now think of how magnificent the dragon truly is. Where did he come from? What was his beginning? Where will he travel after he is done here?”
Bryn ran her hand over the scales again. She guided Arryn with her words.
“Magnificent and magical this creature is. This dragon was born of stardust, coming to earth to companion a human. He will return to the stars when his journey on earth is over.” Bryn moved over the scales slowly. After a moment, she slid her hand out and let Arryn move his hand over the scales.
“Magnificent and magical.”
The scales began to shimmer under Arryn’s touch.
“Stardust,” Bryn continued.
Arryn looked into IronHeart’s eyes. “Here to companion a human and when your journey is over, you will return to the stars. How fortunate we are to have you here now.” IronHeart’s scales shimmered in the rising sun, and his heartbeat robust in his chest. “I will never take my FireSong for granted again,” Arryn said. “I am honored to be in the presence of these magnificent creatures.”
Bryn stepped to the side and let FireSong come up to stand beside Arryn. FireSong touched Arryn’s back with his tail. Arryn turned and reached out to touch FireSong.
“Magnificent and magical,” he said. FireSong nudged Arryn’s hand. Arryn ran his hands over FireSong’s cheeks and felt his heart fill with joy. He turned and smiled at Bryn. “Thank you. Thank you for this gift.”
“I have known for a very long time you were meant to be the companion of a dragon. I am glad for you and for FireSong. Now, I must wake Thalynder and say a few nice things to Meydra. Take your time as we will not be ready for the council for another hour.”
Arryn touched his fist to his chest and bowed his head to Bryn. He watched for a moment as Bryn went back down the hill and greeted the other dragons resting there. He saw the dragons as they greeted her and noticed they all shimmered as she approached. “Magnificent and magical is this, our Jewel,” he whispered.
The small fire, built against the coming chill of winter, did not cheer the council members. Each sat quietly, with their weapon of choice at their side; Leus, Malcolm, Kenna, Arryn, and Bryn bore swords, and Thalynder, Rythale, and Lothan carried a bow and quiver. Cinnia had laid her sword at her feet and held in her hand a long spear with an iron point. Each was also wrapped in a cloak of thick cloth or animal skin against the cold. The remnants of their breakfast stowed away again in the bags they carried on their belts. Nuts, dried meat, and fruit with a little broth from the previous night’s stew. Flagons of water and mead hung from tree limbs on the outside of the circle.
Bryn sat next to Thalynder, and glanced around the circle, seeing the concern on the faces of her friends. Taking a small item from her tunic pocket, Bryn held it in her hand. She took a little breath to compose herself.
“We have gathered sooner than originally planned, but I am truly grateful you felt the need to do so,” Bryn began. “The captains and their armies will arrive here by month’s end. We have much to discuss and decide before they arrive. First, I must explain a few things before we debate the future.” Bryn looked at each of her friends in turn. She held Malcolm’s gaze for a moment before continuing.