“Tin,” the Mordeyrn announced, “the great mixer. It hardens and protects other metals. In the hands of a bearer it reinforces and reinvigorates, building confidence and companionship.” September had an image of tins of beans on a supermarket shelf; tin as a metal meant little to her.
A striking blonde woman stepped up to the altar carrying a bell made of a shiny orange metal.
“I know that one,” September said eagerly, “it’s copper, a good conductor.” She was proud of herself; she had remembered something.
The Mordeyrn nodded as he placed the gently tinkling bell on the altar, “Copper yes, Efyddyn. Fashioned into sheets or rods or bells it reflects light, and carries heat and sound. Those who understand its powers use it to communicate across great distances and exchange energy.” Once again September felt flummoxed by the Mordeyrn’s description of properties that sounded like nonsense.
The woman bowed and stepped aside to allow a burly young man to approach. He carried a broadsword. The Mordeyrn took it from him and lifted it with some difficulty on to the altar. The blade was over a metre long and was polished to a silvery-grey lustre. The hilt and handle were a darker dull grey, engraved with spirals and curlicues. The pommel was a polished sphere.
“A sword, that must be made of iron,” September guessed.
“Haearn,” the Mordeyrn nodded emphasising the ‘h’ at the beginning of the word, “strong and hard. In weapons like this great old sword, Aldyth, it gives the Cludydd the strength and skill to fight beasts and warriors more powerful than themselves. In other forms it can move great loads.” September wondered whether he was referring to trucks and ships. They were made from iron weren’t they? The swordsman, for surely the young man was such, withdrew with a deep bow and his place was taken by a noble looking older woman. She bowed and handed a wide silver amulet to the Mordeyrn. He held up the piece of jewellery.
“Arian, the queen of metals,” he proclaimed, “Silver draws its power from Lleuad, the Moon, the nearest of the other worlds. It is the healer and protector of life. The bearers are always women who are held in great esteem amongst the people.”
September looked from the Mordeyrn and the woman to the array of objects on the altar. Six different metals, each according to the tall druid something special, although she had not taken in the various powers that the bearers were said to have. She had noticed something that the Mordeyrn has said about the last metal.
“If silver is linked to the Moon, what about the other metals?”
“A good question, Cludydd,” the Mordeyrn nodded, “Each of the metals draws its power from one of the heavenly bodies. Plwm takes its energy from Sadwrn.”
“Saturn?”
“Yes, Alcam from Iau, Haearn from Mawrth,”
“Hold it,” September held up her hands. Her head was spinning. The Mordeyrn had mentioned the Moon and Saturn but what were these other places? The language meant nothing to her but perhaps he was referring to the other planets. She struggled to recall what they were.
“Um. What’s next to Saturn? That’s Jupiter, I think. Do you mean Iau is Jupiter?” The Mordeyrn nodded. September was excited, she’d remembered the next.
“And Mawrth is Mars.”
The Mordeyrn smiled and continued, “That’s correct and Efyddyn is connected to Gwener and Arianbyw to Mercher.”
“Oh, I don’t know. What are the other planets called?” September appealed for help.
“Venus and Mercury in the common tongue,” the Mordeyrn answered.
“Oh, yes, of course,” September felt silly. The Mordeyrn ignored her grimace of embarrassment and went on.
“Which just leaves the champion of metals and one heavenly body.” Two children approached the altar struggling to carry a plate. It was half a metre in diameter and although thin, was obviously a great weight. In the light of the fires it shone with a bright yellow lustre.
“It’s gold,” September said in amazement. The Mordeyrn took the plate from the two children and raised it above his head to show the congregation before turning to lay it with the other metals on the altar.
“Aur,” he said, “the metal of Haul.” September looked at the gold plate. She had never seen such a large piece of the precious metal. It was embossed with pictures and patterns that she could not take in at a glance. “Incorruptible and unchanging,” the Mordeyrn continued, “the Cludydd o Aur can withstand evil and brings goodness and hope.”
September felt quite overwhelmed with all that she had learned but was bothered. She couldn’t remember a lot of her chemistry but she was sure there were more.
“Just seven metals? What about aluminium, sodium and all the others?”
It was the Mordeyrn’s turn to look confused.
“I do not understand,” he said.
“There are lots of other metals so my teachers tell me, and what about the other planets, um, what are they called? Uranus, Neptune.”
The Mordeyrn shook his head, “These names are unknown to me. The seven astronomical bodies circle Daear in their orbits and share their powers with the metals that we win from the rocks.
“Daear?”
“Here, this world.”
“You mean Earth.”
“So it is also named.”
“They all orbit the Earth, the Sun included?”
“That is correct.”
September was quite sure that idea had gone a few hundred years ago. Wasn’t there a guy called Galileo who said it was different. “Are you sure?”
The Mordeyrn smiled, “It is well known. When the Cemegwr made the world they fixed Daear at the centre and all else revolves around us. The evil of which I have spoken comes to us from beyond the sphere of stars.”
September frowned, “Who are these Cemegwr?”
“The Makers of everything, the Creators of all that there is.
“You mean God?”
“What is god? At the beginning of time the Cemegwr fashioned Daear and the seven planets; they are the Providers of the seven metals that we find in the rocks of the Mynydd Tywyll.”
“Seven metals and seven things in space. Seven days in a week. Seven keeps on cropping up.”
“That is true. The number seven carries great importance in our world. That is why the Cludydd o Maengolauseren is always the seventh child.”
“Hold on. The Clud... whatever, is what you called me.”
“Yes, my child.”
“But I’m only the sixth child. My mother had my sisters, April first, then May, June, and Julie, then Gus, and finally me. That’s six of us.”
The Mordeyrn shrugged, “The Maengolauseren always finds the seventh child. You must have six siblings, not five. But the night draws on and soon we will lose the light of the Moon. It is time the people returned to their homes, and you too. The time when the power of the Maengolauseren will be needed is not yet come, although I fear it will not be long. The connection has been made so you should return to your home until the starstone carries you here again.”
September looked around. The congregation was starting to disperse, collecting together cushions and cups and the other things. September’s head was in a whirl. She had barely followed all that she had seen and heard. What did he mean by saying she must be the seventh not sixth child? She recalled something about evil from beyond the stars, and a task for her and the stone that she still held in her hand, but the man, the leader of these people was saying she could go home. How? Where was home? How did they expect her to help them? Her! Silly, fat September. Except she wasn’t fat – not here. She felt fit and full of energy. She wanted this dream to go on.
The six bearers approached the altar to reclaim their objects. The older woman who collected the silver amulet slipped it on to her arm and came to stand at the Mordeyrn’s side. September noticed she was carrying something, another silver object. She held it out to September.
“You will find this useful,” she said. September saw that it was a locket on a chain. The locket was about the s
ize of her starstone. The woman pressed on the edge of the locket. The front and back covers sprang back and the top of the case hinged open.
“Place the stone inside,” the Mordeyrn said as the woman presented the locket to her. September carefully inserted the starstone within the silver frame. The woman closed the case up without touching the stone and handed it to her.
“There, now you can keep it with you. The silver will protect you from all ills.”
September placed the chain around her neck. The locket hung between her breasts. She was not used to wearing such a heavy pendant; its weight tugged on her.
“This is for me to keep?”
“It is yours as much as you belong to the starstone. Your futures are as one and when you return to us you will soon learn to control the powers of the stone.”
“So I will see you again, Mordeyrn?”
“I hope so, my dear. Your presence will be of great assistance to us in our time of trial and the starstone will certainly draw you to us.”
There was a great shouting from the edge of the throng that travelled with increasing volume towards them.
“Draig tân!”
“A comet comes!”
“The fiery dragon!”
The people huddled together, retreating from the circle of trees until they were pressed against the altar, but they took care to leave space around September and the Mordeyrn. The Mordeyrn lifted the gold plate and stepped away from the altar. He strode through the people and between the avenue of trees.
“Wait, Mordeyrn!” September called, trying to run after him but finding the long gown tripping her. She caught him as he reached the outer ring of trees. A wind had blown up and the branches of the trees creaked and leaves rustled. Her hair was blown back and the cloth of her robe pressed to her body.
“Comets don’t hurt people,” she said.
“In your world, perhaps,” he pointed to the northern sky. September looked along his outstretched finger. Sure enough there was a comet clearly visible in the night sky, a bright spot and a white curved tail.
September stared – the comet was moving. “Comets don’t move that fast do they. Don’t they go round the Sun?”
“No, they are born of the evil beyond the sphere of stars and come into existence beneath the orbit of the Moon.”
September was even more confused. This sounded like the ravings of a madman. But her eyes did not deceive her. She was seeing a comet approach.
“But surely it can’t harm us?”
“Comets bring fire, famine and pestilence. They are a manifestation of evil. I must protect my people.” The Mordeyrn stepped forward holding the golden plate aloft facing towards the comet. His arms shook with the weight of the gold. He began mumbling words that September could not understand. Still the comet approached, its tail now spread across half the northern sky and its head growing to become a ball of fire. She was mystified. What she was seeing was like nothing she had heard about, but then she had another surprise.
The golden plate began to glow in the Mordeyrn’s up-stretched arms. A beam of yellow light groped out from the plate in the direction of the comet, but faded quickly in the distance. September could see that the Mordeyrn was straining with all his might to hold the plate up and give it power. Veins stood out on his forehead and sweat ran down his cheeks but it was to no avail. The glow from the plate slowly faded. The comet was closer now and obviously coming straight towards them. The head of the comet was as big as the Sun appeared to be, growing still, and its tail obscured the distant hills and forests.
“It’s no good,” the Mordeyrn sighed, lowering his arms, “without the Sun in the sky I do not have sufficient power.” He took a few deep breaths. “Unless, you September, the Cludydd, you could help.”
“What can I do?” September asked.
“The starstone. It gathers power from the stars and all the heavenly bodies. Direct the moonlight on to the plate of gold. It will boost my power. Hold the stone aloft. Open the locket.” Once again he held the plate over his head directed at the growing threat of the comet.
September had no idea what he was expecting of her but she lifted the silver locket from her breast and opened the front and back cover. She looked at the stone. It was dark and clear. She looked to her left; the full Moon was sinking towards the horizon where the river flowed through the woods. September held the stone between her finger and thumb and tried to line it up between the Moon and the gold plate. The wind was a gale now and the approaching comet had grown huge. She was scared. Fear made her sweat and tremble and her hand holding the stone shook. The birthmark on her hip itched and she wanted to rub it but she had to concentrate on her task. It was difficult to judge the correct position but she must have succeeded because a shaft of blue light burst from the stone and onto the gold plate. She flinched and moved the stone. The beam of light faded.
“That’s it,” the Mordeyrn cried out, “Again! Hold it steady!” The comet was even larger, flames flickering around its circumference.
September wanted to do what she was told. She raised her hand again, struggling to find the right angle. A beam of blue-white light shone from the stone to the golden plate. At once the plate glowed with an intense yellow light which sprang out towards the head of the comet. September felt a tingle, like an electric current, in her hand holding the starstone. The tingle passed up her arm and into her body. It grew in intensity like a cramp locking her muscles. The birthmark burned. She held firm and the beam of light from the plate groped further towards the comet which now seemed very close and immense. Now it did seem like a great roaring dragon spewing fire with its glowing tail spread across the sky. September felt afraid. What might happen when the comet, or dragon, reached them? It was coming straight at them and already she could feel the heat of its breath. What if it fell on their heads? It grew till it seemed to September to be covering half the sky. She was locked in position, too scared to attempt to move, her hip a fiery agony, but the blue light from her stone grew in intensity.
The Mordeyrn roared out, “Ymadaelwch!”
The golden beam reached the comet. A black spot appeared where the beam touched it. The spot grew then there was a huge explosion of light and a roar like thunder tore the sky. The head of the comet broke into gobbets of fire that scattered in all directions. September thought that they were going to fall all around them. Then all the flames were gone. The Mordeyrn’s plate ceased its glow and the gleam disappeared from September’s stone. The sky was dark again except for the twinkling light of the stars and the Moon sinking towards the horizon.
The Mordeyrn lowered his arms with a relieved groan and sank to the ground cradling the plate. September found she could move again but her whole body ached as if she had been on a long run. The pain in her hip receded to a dull throb. She shivered as if she was icy cold although the air was warm. She fumbled with the locket enclosing the starstone and let it drop to her chest, taking a deep breath as if she hadn’t been breathing at all.
The people came out of the copse, cheering and whooping with joy. They gathered around her and the Mordeyrn expressing their thanks.
The Mordeyrn struggled to his feet and faced her.
“Surely you are a worthy Cludydd o Maengolauseren. No one else could have given me the power to destroy that evil.”
September wrapped her arms around herself still trembling and bemused. What had she seen? Surely that was not a real comet or even a meteor. What had she done?
“Where did it go?” she asked, “What happened?”
“That was surely a most powerful Draig tân but with the help of the power of the Moon and stars, my energy as Cludydd o Aur was sufficient to dissipate the evil and save us from its malevolent influence. But I could not have done it without you even though you are untrained in the handling of the Maengolauseren. I am sure you will prove to be a most powerful bearer.” He glanced to the west. The Moon was touching the horizon. “But now my child, you must go.”
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��But if you are already being attacked, surely I must stay.” September was not sure that she wanted to stay, she felt drained of energy and scared and didn’t know what was expected of her but it seemed she was needed. That was an unusual feeling. It felt strange having the people cheering her and while she understood few of the Mordeyrn’s words he was thanking her. She did not want to leave now; she wanted to relish this feeling of success for a bit longer.
“Comets are not unknown even when the Adwyth is not growing, but that was a most powerful example. Your arrival may have triggered a response from the Evil.”
“So my coming brings evil with it.” September was despondent. There had to be a downside.
“All actions have a reaction, my child. Some say the destructive evil of the Malevolence is just a response to the creativity of the Cemegwr. I do not know, but the Draig tân are just one of the horrors that await us. Your time has not yet come. You must continue your growth and when the starstone is ready you will return. The good you will bring will outweigh any response from the Adwyth. Now go to your own world with all our love and thanks.”
“How? How do I get home?”
“The same way in which you came.”
September tried to remember what she had done before she had found herself in this place.
“I just looked at the Moon and stars through the stone.”
“That is it then. Do it.”
Again, September took the locket in her hand, undid the clasp holding the covers and held the stone up to her eyes. The people standing amongst the trees behind began a chant that warmed and encouraged her. She looked at the people, men, women, young and old, children, all looking at her with faces that showed love, admiration, hope. She turned away, held the stone up and looked through it. She scanned the western sky for the Moon. The silver orb moved into view through the stone. For a moment she saw it clear and bright sitting on the horizon with a semi-circle of brilliant stars around it.
Blue-white light bathed her, dazzling her. She closed her eyes as the wave of light rolled over her, her ears catching cries of “Farewell Cludydd!” and “Praise to the Cemegwr!”.
Seventh Child Page 3
