by G L Roberts
The jewel at her forehead filled the room with light. Bryn's eyes filled with tears. She did not want to rule a country.
I cannot do this.
Yes, you can, Meydra told Bryn’s heart.
We are all here to guide you, Ua said.
The Council raised their hands and arms, revealing the gems they all bore. Those gathered in the room saw for the first time, a Council of Alban the likes of no other. Each member a glimpse of pure light, shining like a beacon. Bryn took a deep breath. She cleared the tears on her cheeks with the back of her hand. She drew Calibairn from its scabbard and raised the sword above her head; the engraving on the blade caught the light of the jewel and sent bright sparks toward the ceiling. “For Alban.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“That was not the way I saw this meeting in my head,” Lothan said as the council stood together in the courtyard. “I had expected a little opposition from some of the rulers.”
Leus nodded. “I too am quite surprised by the events.”
“I think it is Lady Athebryn who is the most surprised,” Arryn said. “I do not believe she expected to find herself a Sovereign.”
Malcolm walked up to Arryn. “It makes the most sense, though,” he said. “We may be a council of nine from all areas of Alban and Erui, but someone has to lead the council. In doing so, this person is also leading a nation.”
“I wonder what the Elf-Sisters make of this?” Kenna said. “I could not see my mother’s face, but I did see a rather smug smile on Lady Arlendyl’s face.”
Cinnia turned to Kenna. “Lady Arlendyl is very proud of her daughter. My father explained a little of the druid hopes for a more prominent representative.”
“The druids have felt underrepresented?” Rythale asked.
“Yes, according to Conri, the druid legends are full of heroes who fall into the abyss of forgetfulness because they were druids. To have a legend who will be a leader of many is a boon to the clanns.”
Thalynder frowned. “You make it sound as if Lady Athebryn will shun the others in favor of the druids. Do not make that mistake, Cinnia. Lady Athebryn loves Alban because of its diversity, not in spite of it.”
“I meant no disrespect,” Cinnia said. “I was merely recounting what my father had said.”
Arryn put his hand on Cinnia’s shoulder. “So long as you see this council for what it truly is. A group brought together to lead the defense of a nation. We are not going to gather and conquer. Nor are we going to brand anyone or anything as something other than an Alban. Before you stand a conglomerate of clanns, kingdoms, and beliefs. The one thing we have in common is our love of this island.”
“Again, I meant no disrespect,” Cinnia said. “Perhaps, it is because I come from Erui and have been far removed from the trials Alban has been through.”
“Perhaps,” Thalynder said. “For now, as a member of this council, your viewpoint is appreciated.”
“Spoken like a true diplomat,” Malcolm said.
“Where is Lady Athebryn?” Lothan asked. “We were requested to meet her here.”
“The Elf-Sisters wished one last chance to meet alone with Bryn,” Thalynder replied. “Come, let us go out to the dragons and ready them for the trip north.”
“Bynack More for the night, then on to Skerrabrae,” Malcolm said. “Skerrabrae in the heart of winter should make for an interesting journey.”
Thalynder chuckled. “Yes, Prince Malcolm, did you remember to pack your winter undergarments?”
Malcolm laughed. “I am already dressed in them!”
The Elf-Sisters sat together at the front of the circle. Bryn sat on the bench facing the others. She held her hands still in her lap.
“Not quite what you expected, is it?” she said.
“No, not quite,” Lady Anestar said. “It is the right thing, though.”
“I agree,” Lady Albistan said. “I will gather the clann leaders on Erui. Erui will join Alban in its defense against invasion. The fact that the vík ingr came to the western shores of Alban will certainly cause the clanns to sit up and take notice now. None of our homes are safe.”
“And you will abide by the decisions made by the Council?” Bryn asked.
“The defense decisions, yes,” Lady Albistan replied. “We still intend to live our lives as we deem necessary to preserve our lifestyle.”
“Good,” Bryn said. She stood up and stepped over to where the sisters sat. “I do not intend to tell anyone what to do with their daily lives. But I will expect cooperation with the defense of our islands, Alban and Erui, and of course the outer smaller less populated islands as well.”
“As is should be,” Lady Adhar said. “The islands to the far north where the druids first lived are still sacred to all of us here. Will you return to Skerrabrae?”
“It is where I will make my home.”
“Your family is here,” Lady Arlendyl said to her daughter.
“You, my mother, and Brymender, my father, are welcome at Skerrabrae anytime. My brothers are dead. I have no other kin here in this realm. The cairn of the ancients is in Skerrabrae, and that is where I belong.”
Lady Arlendyl reached out to touch Bryn’s hand. “You have met Ua.”
“I have.”
“You have seen Athyl’s room?” Lady Adhar asked.
“I have seen her room and your books.”
“You have seen the beginning?” Lady Anethar asked.
“Ua has shown me many things. I have seen how you became the Elf-Sister to the Picts, Lady Anethar. I have seen why you fled to Erui, Lady Albistan. I have seen how you first envied, then eventually detested, your sisters and took the Bridei to the point of seclusion, Lady Anestar. Not unlike the rest of you, I might add. Each of you, sisters, took your clanns and retreated to a place far from the rest of the clanns. Isolating yourselves from each other. I have seen the elves embrace you, Lady Adhar and I have seen the children you bore.”
“There was a good reason to be isolated,” Lady Arlendyl said.
Bryn turned to her mother. “You may be the worst of all, mother. You defied the program. You stayed in Skerrabrae because of the cairn of the ancients. You waited for the right moment, did you not?”
Lady Arlendyl did not speak.
“Your silence speaks volumes, mother.”
Lady Adhar reached over and took Lady Arlendyl’s hand in hers. “Do not be angry with Arlendyl,” she said. “The rest of us fled and hid because we did not have the strength to bear the knowledge of our ancestors. Your mother did. If she abandoned Skerrabrae and the cairn as the rest of us did, Alban would now be the home of the vík ingr. We would be relegated to ceremonies of blood. Making sacrifices to gods of cruelty.”
Bryn stood in front of Lady Adhar. “Yes,” she said. “I have seen what might have been. I just wanted to hear from my mother the reason she chose to bring me into the world.”
Lady Arlendyl looked at Bryn. “I was young and naive. I did not know how it would end. I did not know this would be the result. I wanted only to show my sisters; I was just as brave as they were. Brave enough to make hard decisions too.”
Bryn reached out and touched the top of her mother’s head. “Thank you for being honest, Lady Arlendyl. I am the result you did not expect. I am the hardest decision you or anyone ever had to make.” Bryn took a deep breath. “Because of your decision, I will outlive you all. I will outlive all who are now alive. I will outlive my council, my friends and my loved ones. I will outlive the many dragons you have seen. Is this what you all hoped for? A daughter to live beyond measurable time. Keeping your memories alive so you too would live forever? It was a vain and selfish thing to do.” Bryn closed her eyes. The room became dark as pitch.
“What is this?” Lady Anestar said.
A light began to glow in front of the Elf-Sisters. The radiance became substance. At first, it was unrecognizable in shape. Then as the light shifted, a shadow filled the space in front of the sisters. The shadow grew until it was stretch
ed from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. The edges of the shadow were tinged in light. In the shadow, small pinpoints of light began to glow.
“Stars,” Lady Albistan said.
The stars took shape and formed a dragon.
“The first dragon,” Lady Adhar whispered.
The dragon's shape altered, and two of the stars fell away.
“The first to fall to earth,” Lady Anethar said.
The two stars swirled around each other and fell to the ground as one star.
“They joined,” Lady Arlendyl said. “I did not know two joined as one when they fell.”
In the dark, a voice began to fill the room.
“We fell together, but only one of us wished to remain on the earth. The other wanted to return to the stars. Because we fell together, one could not return alone.”
Lady Arlendyl gasped. “I did not know.”
“When one found a life force to join, the other was doomed to remain as nothingness until another life was offered.”
Lady Albistan looked at her sister, Arlendyl. “You found a live egg?”
“Yes,” Lady Arlendyl whispered. “And no, I found Ua.”
“I am the one who first joined with life on earth. Athebryn was the one who wished to return to the stars. She is now doomed to live on this earth until it is returned to dust and starlight.”
Lady Arlendyl clasped her hands together “No. I never meant for this.”
The room grew dark again. For several moments the women sat in silence in the dark.
“I will outlive this world,” Bryn continued. She stood before the Elf-Sisters with the jewel in the crown and the silver tendrils in her hair. “Your breeding plan to extract the pure original life worked. The only thing you did not foresee was exactly what pure original life was. I am not human. I am stardust only, and I will not give birth to another. My line, your line, the line of the ancients—stops with me. It is what all the ancients feared would happen. It is why the plan was abandoned long ago. It is why the cairn is filled with eggs that will never see life.” Bryn took her mother’s hand and held it to her heart. “I am not angry, mother. It is just a chain of events that would have happened sooner or later. Thalynder and I will have children, but they will be mortals like Thalynder.”
“We understood so little,” Lady Adhar said.
Bryn glared at Lady Adhar and pointed back toward the shadows. “All the knowledge of the ancients was there for you to learn. Ua showed it to you. I, too, have much to learn, but I will continue my education where you have neglected yours. Perhaps one day, when the world has reached the end of its cycle, I will understand why we chose the earth. Why the stars fell from the sky to kiss this small orb. Until then, I will live in Skerrabrae, and I will lead the Council of Alban in defense of this beautiful and sacred island.”
The Council of Alban stood on the hill overlooking the dragon garden of The Realm That Touches Two Seas. One by one, they were joined by their dragons. As each dragon stepped down, Bryn greeted them and touched her forehead to theirs. The crowd gathered at the foot of the hill watched in wonder as the dragon’s scales flashed and changed color when stroked by Bryn. The scales shimmered as they had never been seen to do before. Each rider, as they mounted their dragon, flashed the jewel of their own before the dragon lifted into the sky. Bryn and Meydra were the last to remain standing on the hill.
Bryn looked at the crowd. She saw the rulers and countryfolk with equal sight. She saw the Elf-Sisters stand some distance away from the others, and she felt a touch of sadness at their reclusiveness. Her heart was beating hard in her chest. It would be the last time she would see many of them. The generation to follow after those standing below her was already among her captains. Their children would decide the future of Alban. Bryn held her head high. She raised Calibairn, and it flashed in the sun.
“Quickly now, my dear Meydra, on to Bynack More.” Bryn waved the sword, and the crowd below her waved and cheered.
Meydra lifted off the ground and slowly circled the hill one time. She extended her wings and headed northeast to the home of the Armies of Alban. She understood the need to keep watch on all shores of Alban. The island was her home too.
“Will we be long at Bynack More?” Meydra asked.
“Only long enough to assign armies to all points. A week perhaps, not longer.”
“Then, to Skerrabrae?”
“Yes, mo anam, to Skerrabrae and the cairn.”
“You have a plan.”
“I do. The first step is to take the council to the cavern.”
Meydra snorted. “Ua may not allow it.”
Bryn patted Meydra’s head and smiled. “Ua will allow it. The choice is mine, not Ua’s.”
“And the dragons?”
“They will come too.” Bryn kissed the top of Meydra’s head. “Now, no more questions. I wish to enjoy this ride.”
Meydra lifted higher. She heard the giggles of a little girl in her heart, and her heart rejoiced. The wind, though cold now with the coming shorter days of winter, sped them on their way. It would be sunset by the time they reached Bynack More. Armies would be commanded. Captains named. And at some point, Bryn would need sleep. Meydra turned east and watched as the sun glinted off the bodies of the dragons ahead of her. Below them, horses with riders looked up as the reflection of the dragon’s scales touched the ground.
❦
It was a week and no longer, just as Bryn had promised. The captains of the previous campaign were already at Bynack More when the Council arrived. Jend and Bendor had pulled the army captains together, and their foresight aided the Council.
“The plan is good,” Jend said. “We can take this to the clanns and kingdoms and set up armies on all fronts.”
“With the help of the Council, this will work,” Bendor said. “Does the Council plan to visit the elders of each area?”
“That is our plan,” Malcolm said. “I will go to the South to speak with the captains of the armies of my father, my brother’s new kingdom and King Edmond in Mercia. I do not foresee any trouble from those areas.”
“Nor I,” Jend said. “Already the army of The Realm That Touches Two Seas is building a fort to house the troops.”
“Jend has my complete trust,” Thalynder said.
Bryn nodded. “Good, what about the West? Do we expect the same cooperation?”
“My sub-captains follow my lead,” Bendor said. “Lady Anestar has assured me more of the Bridei await my return with further instructions.”
“I will be in the West soon to speak with those sub-captains, Captain Bendor,” Kenna said. “We will then travel to meet with Cinnia and Calden in Erui.”
“It will be my pleasure to accompany you,” Bendor replied.
Bryn turned to Rythale. “And the North? Have we found our captains from the Picts?”
“We have,” Rythale said. “Leus and I are taking a troop of elves to Ceann Dùnaid. From there we will meet up with Lady Adhar.”
“The elves wish to join us?”
“They do,” Leus said. “The legion who joined us at Inbhir Nis have requested to remain in the North with the Picts.”
“And the Inceni, Lothan?” Bryn gave Lothan a warm smile. “Queen Betony was wise to leave the care of this warrior clann to you. You have shown us time and again that you are brave and just.”
“Thank you. The Inceni and the rest of Northumbria’s armies will be at Inbhir Nis in a fortnight. I will meet with them there.”
Arryn clapped Lothan on the shoulder. “That leaves the Northwest to me,” he said. “I meet with the clann elders in one week. They are preparing to elect a new chieftain.”
“If they are smart, they will follow your lead,” Malcolm said. “They could wish for no more loyal an Alban, or more faithful druid than you, Epidii.”
Arryn nodded at Malcolm. “High praise but the clanns are fickle.”
Bryn chuckled. “Yes, they are, and we know this all too well, do we not, Prince Arryn.”
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Arryn nodded. “I do have one advantage.”
“And what is that?” Kenna asked.
Arryn laughed. “I have a dragon at my back!”
Bryn nodded at Arryn. “FireSong is formidable. You are lucky to have such a friend. We all are.” Bryn looked at Jend and Bendor. “I believe we are ready to release our Captains to their troops.” She held out her hand to touch Jend’s arm. Bryn looked at each captain.
So sure of themselves, she thought.
“My Captains, remember, once the Norse reach their homes, word will spread. They know we have dragons and they believe we have the Jewel of legend. There will be many who will wish to see these things for themselves. We must remain vigilant.”
The Captains all touched their fists to their chests. As the last Captain left the tent, Bryn looked at her council.
“You have found the right captains for Alban,” she said. “We can leave them now and not worry about the little details.”
“You still mean for us to go to Skerrabrae?” Arryn asked.
“Yes, we have other things to discuss before we separate to the far corners of Alban.”
“Then let us go now,” Malcolm said. “Little daylight remains, and the further north we go, the less light exists.”
“Speak with your captains once more. We will meet up at the dragons,” Bryn said. “Thalynder and I will wait for you there.”
The council left the tent. Bryn and Thalynder walked toward the dragons as the others went out to their captains. When they were alone, Bryn stopped and looked at Thalynder. She reached out and touched Thalynder’s chin.
“You have been very quiet these past few days, my Lynder.”
“I know the closer we get to Skerrabrae, the sooner you will tell me to go back to my realm until such time as the council is needed.”
“Is this my intention?” Bryn gave Thalynder a little smile. “You know, Lynder, the more you think like a queen, the more I admire your natural gift of leadership.”
“How could I not think like a queen? It was all you, my father and Arryn ever talked about. Those many years of carefree youth to me were years of subtle reminders to the rest of you.”