by G L Roberts
“Remind me to thank whomever it is schooled you to be so astute in your observations. Yes, I am kin to the Erui and the Epidii. Now, may I have some of that clear water?”
Bryn climbed on Meydra’s neck. She looked down at Calden. “Bear the king to Bynack More. I will meet you there in three days. Keep the Norse at the camp at Loch Nis. I go now to find the others before I reach Inbhir Nis and the Norse princess.”
“You believe she comes in peace?” Calden asked.
“I have to believe it,” Bryn replied. “We all must believe.”
“We will meet you at Bynack More in three days.”
Bryn looked once at the men and women gathered around Meydra. She pulled Calibairn from the scabbard and held it up to catch the rays of the afternoon sun. The jewel on her forehead visible now, with the delicate silver threads woven through her hair. Her appearance was regal and strangely mystical. The druids among the crowd recognized the resemblance to the leaders of old. Stargazers with stars in their hair. The non-druids saw a leader of uncommon beauty and strength. All were in awe of the maid who had for a brief moment, become a dragon.
Bryn and Meydra soared high above the quiet landscape below. The northern, southern and west coasts had met the enemy and dealt it a mighty blow, but the inland valleys and villages, all was at peace. Their leader’s body lay at the bottom of a pile of burning embers. Alban had lost many of its own, and the dead would be missed in the villages all over Alban. None more missed than the good King Thamen of the Realm That Touches Two Seas. In the East, his daughter sat with the daughter of the fallen king of the tribe of Heardred. Bryn felt the sting of tears again as she remembered Thamen. “How do I tell Thalynder?”
Meydra turned toward the mouth of the Inbhir Nis. The small fires of the camp below glowed like small candles in a darkened room. Tiny dots of light from so high up. Meydra turned again and circled around the clearing at the edge of the sea. Bryn looked down at the figures sitting on the sand. She saw Thalynder and Arryn talking with Hansa. Beside Hansa, Bryn saw a man not yet known to her, but somehow familiar. “Time for us to make an appearance. Set us down between the fire and the sea.”
Meydra silently dropped down and stepped onto the sand. Bryn came off her neck and placed her hands on Meydra’s cheeks. They touched foreheads, and for a moment, the jewels at their foreheads glowed a soft sunset orange.
“We have company,” Arryn said to Thalynder. Thalynder looked up toward the sea, and Arryn rose and held his hand out for Thalynder. Thalynder took Arryn’s hand and stood up. Thalynder walked out toward Bryn and Meydra while Arryn waited.
Hansa and Conri rose and stood next to Arryn.
“It is the shieldmaiden,” Hansa said. “She is alive. I was led to believe the shieldmaiden was dead.”
Arryn grinned. “No, not dead,” he said. “She is no longer a shieldmaiden.”
Conri watched the interaction between the two women. He then saw the jewels on Thalynder’s hand sparkle as she touched the other woman. Thalynder reached up and brushed a lock of hair from the other woman’s forehead. Conri gasped when he saw the jewel in Bryn’s forehead. He dropped to his knees and placed his hands on the sand. “It is true then,” he whispered.
Arryn heard the awe in Conri’s voice. He looked at the man and understood what he was feeling. “The myth was legend, the legend is no more.”
“The legend is truth,” Conri said.
Hansa took a step toward Thalynder and Bryn. Meydra’s tail came crashing down between them. Bryn held up her hand, and Meydra raised her tail. Hansa stepped back.
“I am sorry, I meant only to come closer,” she said. “I have something to return to you, but I was told you were gone.”
“You sought the shieldmaiden,” Thalynder said. “You see, the shieldmaiden is gone.”
“Yes,” Hansa whispered. “The shieldmaiden is gone. Who stands in her place?”
Bryn stepped closer to Hansa. She reached out and took Hansa’s hand. “I am the Jewel of Legend. I am the Star which fell to the earth to consume it and give birth to the Dragons.”
Hansa held out her other hand. She opened it and revealed a small gem that glowed as if the inside was on fire.
“The high druid of my father’s tribe has sent this to you,” she said. “She said you would understand.”
“The gem of Rowan.” Bryn took the gem and held it against her forehead. As it disappeared into the light, Hansa gasped as Bryn held on to her other hand. “You have also brought another gem.”
Hansa started to turn back to the fire, but Bryn held her. “I brought the gem the little dragon lost when she was hit with an arrow from my father’s boat. I did not intend the death of the dragon.”
Bryn held up her free hand, and the shield lifted off the sand and came to Bryn’s hand. She did not look at the gem but continued to look at Hansa.
“Meriel was her name. She was born for one purpose—to lead you away from Alban. She bought us time. Time to prepare for your return. And now you are here.”
Hansa stared with her eyes wide at the shield Bryn held in her free hand. The gem was gone. “Where, where is the gem? It was meant to be returned to you.”
Bryn dropped the shield. “The gem has been returned. Now, I have something for you.” Bryn led Hansa toward Meydra, where Meydra lowered her head and waited. Bryn continued to hold Hansa’s hand. She held it up against Meydra’s scales. “This is what you destroyed with your anger and lust for power.” She moved Hansa’s hands across Meydra’s neck. When her hand touched the sack tied around Meydra’s neck, Hansa jerked her hand back. Bryn held it tight against the bag. “Your father sent boats to follow you. He came to rape the land and its people. Your father desired to take my country.”
“I did not know about the boats,” Hansa said.
“You were his daughter. You knew the way he pillaged and murdered my people. You understood full well, he would not sit still and let you come here to treat with the enemy.”
Hansa lowered her eyes. “I know he wished me dead.”
“And so he sent you ahead of him. To be met by my armies with our eyes turned away from the West where he mounted a full-scale invasion.” Bryn leaned close to Hansa’s ear. “He did not succeed.” Bryn released Hansa’s hand and untied the sack from around Meydra’s neck. She held the bag out where Hansa could see it. “This is all that remains of your father and his hatred.”
Hansa’s hands shook as she took the sack from Bryn. Its weight suggested it contained something of substance. Hansa shook her head.
“I do not wish to see my father’s head if that is what is in here.”
“It is not. Heardred's head was burned with his boat and his body.”
Hansa looked down at the sack. “What then is inside this sack?”
“The piece of his shield that bore your family emblem. A splinter of iron from his axe.”
Hansa looked at the sack again. She hefted it in her hand, testing the weight. She lifted her chin and looked at Bryn. “There is something else.”
“Open the sack and see for yourself.”
Hansa slowly opened the sack and pulled out the section of the shield. Blood was splattered over the wolf’s head, and Hansa dropped the wood to the ground. Her hands found the bit of iron from the axe, and it too was stained with blood.
“This would not be my father’s blood.”
“That is correct,” Bryn replied. “We will speak of this blood later. Look further.”
Hansa reached into the bottom of the sack and touched something cold, and she immediately realized what it was. She pulled the item from the bag and let the sack fall to the ground.
Bryn studied Hansa’s face. “Your father’s crown,” she said. “It belongs to you now. What you do with it will set the path for the future of our two nations.”
Hansa looked long at the crown. When she looked back at Bryn, her eyes were unclouded. “Tell me, how did he die?”
“With hatred and with shame. I took your fath
er's life, and he will wait at the doors of Valhalla until all the stars fall from the sky.”
Hansa looked down at the shield and the iron. She ran her fingers over the iron crown in her hands. Adorned with the polished bone of a reindeer, it looked puny and ragged next to the one the Lady Athebryn bore on her head. Hansa swallowed. She held the crown out to Bryn.
“If this is what you want, you may have it.”
Bryn touched the crown, and the bones fell off. The iron began to softly glow. Where the reindeer bones had adorned the front of the headpiece, now sat the single jewel that fell from Meriel. Hansa gasped.
“I do not want your country,” Bryn said. “I give you this jewel as a token of my wish we may come together and allow a new day to dawn for both nations. I only desire peace between us.”
Hansa watched as Bryn’s own crown sparkled with bits of light. She saw the little silver trails of light weave themselves in Bryn’s hair, and Hansa dropped to her knees and bowed her head. Tears filled her eyes and her throat. She struggled to speak.
“There will be peace between us if I can persuade the tribes to follow me,” she said.
“And I will give you the means to convince them.” Bryn held out her hand to Hansa. “Stand, Queen Hansa of Götaland.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Calden approached the hill at Bynack More with the norse prisoners. He sat on the back of his horse and watched his army move the norse into a large open area surrounded by a wooden fence. The troops began to offer food and drink to the prisoners surprising the norse who long believed the people of Alban to be savage and wild. Calden signaled for the remaining troops to come up from the long march. They did so bearing before them the biers which carried the fallen of Alban. The lead bier was draped in the royal colors of The Realm That Touches Two Seas. As the fallen passed, all paused to bow a head or touch a fist to their chest. Silently, the bier of the fallen king made its way toward the tents of the Council.
On the hill behind the tents stood seven figures; women, men and elf. With the figures stood nine dragons. Arryn removed his sword from its scabbard and lay it on the ground at his feet. He raised his fist to his chest. The others stood still as stone and watched the procession approach the tents. Outside the center tent stood Bryn and Thalynder. Bryn was now dressed in a tunic of grey with silver threads running through the bodice of the tunic to form the Tree of Life symbol adopted as the united symbol of Alban. Thalynder was dressed in the royal colors of her realm. She stood and watched as her father’s bier made its way toward her. Her face was solemn and the traces of tears were all but faded. She replayed the moment Bryn told her of her father’s death over in her mind…
Bryn had instructed the troops at Inbhir Nis to lead the norse to Bynack More where they would be joined by their kinsman and judged by the Council. When they had all gathered at the central fire, Bryn introduced Cinnia to the father she had thought was dead. Hansa had spoken with the men and women being held as prisoners. As the evening of the third day since the arrival of the norse approached, Hansa sat at the fire with the others. Conri sat next to Cinnia. Leus and Rythale stood outside the circle quietly talking. Prince Malcolm and Lady Kenna stood with the Lothan, and consoled him over the loss of his Queen. Bryn led Arryn and Thalynder away from the fire and out of earshot of the others.
“Beloved,” Bryn began. “Your father is dead.”
Thalynder lowered her head for a moment. She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. “It is what I feared you were going to tell me,” she said. “At the hand of Heardred?”
“Yes,” Bryn replied.
Arryn looked over at Hansa. “Does she know?”
“No, I will tell her before the rest of the troops arrive.”
Arryn turned back to Thalynder. “You are now the Queen.”
“I do not wish to rule,” Thalynder whispered.
“You do not have a choice,” Arryn said.
“I can choose not to rule and turn the realm over to another.”
“And cause the realm to doubt you and all they have come to admire about your family?”
Thalynder looked at Arryn. Her face was pale in the fading light of the sun. She swallowed.
“Arryn, we have been together for many years. You served my father. You watched over me. You of all people know I have never wanted to rule,” she said. “We do have another choice. We can give the realm to the Council of Alban. We have the opportunity to unite all of Alban and this could be the first step.”
Bryn pulled Thalynder close. “My Lynder, you will rule The Realm That Touches Two Seas. It is your destiny.”
“But,” Thalynder started.
Bryn pushed a lock of hair from Thalynder’s face. “No hesitation, my love. We will have a united Alban, but first we have to bring peace to each kingdom, each realm, each village. To do this, we must show them we, as a council are united. Then we will allow them to decide how the island will be ruled. It is our only chance to stave off any future invasions.”
“Bryn is right,” Arryn said. “This is your destiny. And you have us to guide and support you. Our father’s country is not the same country it once was. It is our time to lead the people of Alban.”
Bryn, still holding Thalynder’s hand, reached for Arryn’s hand. She placed her’s and Thalynder’s hand over Arryn’s hand. The jewels in Thalynder’s and Arryn’s hands began to glow. “I told you the placement of the shards was specific. You two are the future of Alban. The clanns will unite under you Arryn. The kingdoms will unite under you, Thalynder. When you raise your hands to the people of Alban, these shards will shine as bright as any star. They will become beacons for the people to follow.”
“And the jewel you wear will unite us all,” Thalynder said. “I will rule The Realm That Touches Two Seas and as such pledge my realm to the Council.” Thalynder kissed Bryn’s cheek. “When will my father arrive?”
“The procession will be here tomorrow morning. There is time now for sleep.”
“Sleep,” Thalynder repeated. “Can sleep turn back time and allow me to say goodbye to my father?”
“In dreams you may see him again as he is meant to be seen by a daughter,” Arryn said.
The king’s bier stopped in front of Thalynder and Bryn. Bryn stepped up and placed her hand on the royal robe covering her friend. She took Calibairn from its scabbard and held it above her head. The jewels in the hilt and the silver tendrils in her hair shimmered and glinted brightly in the morning sun. Bryn continued to touch the robe with one hand and to hold Calibairn aloft in the other. With a clear and calm voice she spoke to all gathered at Bynack More.
“Before us are the fallen of Alban. Noble men and women who loved this country and gave their lives to protect it and those whose lives they held most dear. Kings and Queens, captains and soldiers, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, sisters and brothers to us all. They go now to the halls of their ancestors where they will rest forever among family and friends with heads held high and proud.” The light from the jewel in the crown began to grow brighter. Bryn looked at Thalynder.
Thalynder took a step and placed her hand next to Bryn’s on her father’s chest. The soft robe yielded to her touch. She ran her hand gently over the cloth stopping over the king’s heart. “Go now, beloved father and king, to the golden halls of our kin. Your realm is now in my hands.” Thalynder’s hand remained on the cloth as Jend, now Captain of the King’s Own Guard, placed Thalynder’s crown on her head. Jend stepped back and waited.
Bryn lowered her sword and the light faded. She reached out and touched Thalynder’s right shoulder. “Rule with a steady head and a glad heart.” Bryn lowered her hand and at Thalynder’s shoulder a jewel of deep purple appeared. “The color of The Realm That Touches Two Seas is yours now.” Bryn turned back to the crowd.
“Take your honored dead and return them to their homes.”
❦
Thalynder looked out over those gathering outside the walls of the keep. She saw the colo
rs of Wessex and King Heli as he sat upon his horse. King Edmond and his entourage from Mercia gathered next to King Heli. From her position on the roof of the keep, she could see hundreds approaching from all areas of the realm for her father’s funeral. In the center garden of the keep, druids gathered. Thalynder saw Bryn standing among her kin. She sighed. Bryn had promised to stay with her for the funeral, but Thalynder sensed a restlessness in Bryn.
“She will wish to leave soon.”
“The Lady Athebryn?” Jend asked.
Thalynder turned to her Captain. Jend had taken up where Arryn had left off. At the ruler’s side in command of the Queen’s Own Guard. “Yes, Lady Athebryn does not much care for walls.”
Jend smiled. “She is most splendid on the back of a dragon.”
Thalynder returned Jend’s smile. “Indeed she is. She is also most splendid when among her closest friends and council.”
Jend looked down at the garden. She nodded in Bryn’s direction. “Does she not wish to be among her own?”
Thalynder was surprised at the comment. “What do you mean, her own?”
“The druids. Surely, the Lady Athebryn is comfortable with the druids.”
Thalynder placed her hand on Jend’s arm. “The Lady Athebryn does not consider herself to be only a druid. She sees herself as an Alban, loyal to this country and all its inhabitants. I am surprised at your prejudice.”
Jend blushed. “I did not mean to sound prejudiced. I for one am glad the Lady is loyal to all of us.”
Thalynder shook her head. “If you find her to be just a ‘druid’ then there will be others who feel the same way. Indeed, the council has its work cut out and the first issue before the council will be one of perception.”
Jend lowered her head. “I meant no offense, my Queen.”
Thalynder gently touched Jend’s shoulder. “None taken, brave captain. Remember this conversation should you encounter another with the same misgiving. Now, let us go below. My father approaches.”