Seventh Child

by Peter R. Ellis

  “Men wear trousers.”

  “Is that a law which must be obeyed?”

  “No, it is customary, but not a rule.” September would have enquired further but the door opened and Berddig entered. His face opened into a broad smile.

  “Cludydd, you look much refreshed. Are you ready to meet?”

  “Arianwen has been very kind.”

  “Good, well come then. There is a lot to discuss.”

  September followed Berddig out of the house with Arianwen behind them. As they walked along the paths between the buildings, people paused in what they were doing and hailed her with greetings and good wishes. September felt uncomfortable being treated like royalty again and blushed as she responded to the calls with small waves of her hand. Now it was daylight she could see more of the layout of the village. Not that there was a clear plan. The round mud-walled, thatched buildings were not in neat rows but clustered haphazardly, close together on the bank of a reed lined lake. Behind the village was the edge of the woodland, about three hundred metres from the water’s edge.

  Berddig led them into a space with a circle of wooden benches around an open hearth. Three people rose from their seats as they arrived. They were familiar to September from the night time gathering at the Refuge but she couldn’t remember who was who. She needn’t have worried because each approached her with arms outstretched. Two were women, dressed like September in ankle length white gowns. One was a tall mature blond while the other looked barely older than September. The last member of the trio was a grey haired man with a slight stoop wearing a long grey robe, who spoke first.

  “Welcome Cludydd. I am Padarn, cludydd o plwm.”

  “Ah, yes, I remember,” September said shaking his hand.

  “This is Eluned,” he introduced the younger of the women, “the cludydd o arianbyw. She may look like an innocent young girl but her powers can deceive you.” The young woman stepped forward and kissed September on the cheek.

  “Ignore, Padarn,” she joked, “he’s envious because he’s not young anymore.”

  “Jealous, perhaps, but not envious of the future that awaits you young people,” Padarn said gravely, “and this is Catrin, cludydd o efyddyn.”

  The tall, graceful woman also stepped forward and grasped her hand.

  “We are delighted to have you amongst us, Cludydd.”

  “Oh please, don’t call me that. My name is September.”

  “As you wish,” Padarn said, “Now where is Iorwerth?”

  A burly young man ran into the space and stopped in front of September. She was impressed that he did not look at all heated by his run.

  “Am I late? I am sorry if I am, there’s so much work at the forge,” he said.

  “No, we were just introducing everyone to September,” Berddig said.

  “Ah, September is your name,” Iorwerth said bowing deeply, “the Cludydd o Maengolauseren.”

  “Just call me September. You must be the cludydd o...” September couldn’t remember what all the metals were.

  “Haearn.”

  “Oh yes, that’s the easy one, iron. And plwm is lead, but arianbyw and efyddyn, I can’t remember.

  “Quicksilver, mercury,” said Eluned.

  “Copper,” Catrin added.

  Berddig spoke, “Right, well now that we are all here we must begin. Let us be seated.” He gestured to September to a place on the circular bench. They all sat close to each other, in an arc of the circle on both sides of Berddig. There was a pause as each shuffled into a comfortable position. September felt strange sitting amongst these people. They were so welcoming and friendly but she knew they expected a lot of her. While the introductions had taken place villagers had come into the clearing and stood behind the bearers watching and listening. The sounds of sawing and hammering stopped. It seemed that everyone in the village had come to see the Cludydd and hear the speeches, whatever there was to discuss.

  “I’ll get the formal bit over first,” Berddig said in an aside to September and then continued in a firm voice, “We are delighted to welcome the Cludydd o Maengolauseren, September, amongst us. The Adwyth has grown in power since her first appearance to us and we all know the destruction and death that has occurred. That will not end now that September has joined us, but with the power of the Maengolauseren we can and will defeat the Evil.”

  The other bearers nodded and there were mutters of approval from the watchers. September felt lost. How could she help? What power did the starstone give her?

  “We are meeting here today,” Berddig continued, “to decide what must be done, but first I feel I need to explain to September how we make our decisions here.” More people had arrived pressing into the circle. Some sat on the circle of benches, facing the cludyddau.

  Berddig faced September and spoke in a voice that although it was meant for her ears was clearly heard by the assembled crowd.

  “If the Mordeyrn was here he would be leading the meeting but as he is not I take his place. This is because as cludydd o alcam I have certain skills that I have acquired during my training and through the power of the metal. The people respect the cludyddau because of the gifts that the metals give us. But those gifts also bring responsibilities, to our people and our land. We are not rulers; everyone here has a say in what we do and amongst us are many skilled people – woodworkers, moulders of clay, farmers, herdsmen, fishers, nurses, teachers, bakers, cooks. All have a role in our lives and all have duties to each other. So today we welcome you, Cludydd o Maengolauseren and invite you to join with us.”

  There was a murmuring of approval around the throng which had grown still more as Berddig spoke. September had tried to follow what he had said. It seemed that the village was run by all the people with no-one in overall authority but that the bearers were held in particular regard because of the powers they apparently had, drawn from the metals they wielded. It seemed too good to be true. Back home, September recalled, even discussions in class at school broke down into ferocious arguments and they had trouble deciding anything. She had always kept quiet thinking she had nothing worthwhile to say and anyway, the others told her to shut up if it looked as though she was going to open her mouth. Perhaps Berddig did have magical powers of persuasion.

  Berddig turned to address the throng.

  “Obviously our first duty is to continue the repairs to the village. There will be further attacks by the servants of the Malevolence and we must be prepared for them.” Iorwerth clenched his fist and looked fierce but said nothing.

  Berddig continued, “I told September last night about the great disaster that occurred when we were last attacked. The destruction of the Mordeyrn’s golden plate, his instrument of power.” A moan arose from the crowd. September looked at the sea of sad faces.

  “That was a great setback for us,” Berddig went on, “The Mordeyrn provided us with the power and the will to take on our attackers. Without his power and his knowledge and wisdom we are much weakened.”

  “Where is the Mordeyrn?” September asked and raised her hand to her mouth realising that she had spoken. She expected someone to tell her shush but they didn’t. All the faces were grave.

  “He left us soon after the attack. He is journeying to the Arsyllfa, the great observatory in the Bryn am Seren, to discuss with the astronomers and the other learned people how to regain his power and what we must do to fight the Malevolence. He left word that when you arrived among us you were to follow him.”

  “Oh,” September gasped, “is it far to this Observatory?”

  “Indeed it is. It is many days travel westwards along the Afon Deheuol, our great river and then up into the highlands to the hill of stars.”

  “That’s it then,” said Iorwerth, “What more do we need to discuss? Let’s get on with our work.”

  September was quite sure that there was a lot more to talk about before she set off on a long journey.

  “But why do I have to go? Can’t I wait until the Mordeyrn returns?”

>   “The Mordeyrn has asked you to follow him,” Arianwen said.

  “But I thought you said that everyone has a say in what happens,” September was feeling aggrieved and scared of taking on a long journey in a land that she did not know.

  “That is true,” Arianwen said soothingly, “but the Mordeyrn is wise and can foresee what must be done.”

  “The Mordeyrn may not return here for a very long time. He may not return at all,” Berddig went on, “He wants you with him so that he can help you develop your powers. The members of the Arsyllfa will also help you.”

  September could see the sense in what Berddig said, but it didn’t stop her feeling scared about a long journey. Berddig went on.

  “What we do need to decide, Iorwerth, is who should guide and protect September on her journey.” Iorwerth shrugged in agreement.

  “One of the cludydd?” Padarn asked, “although I think I am too decrepit to make the journey.”

  “I’ll go,” said Catrin.

  “No,” Berddig replied. “We need you here to communicate with other parts of Gwlad and to keep in touch with the Mordeyrn as he travels. In fact we cannot spare any of the cludydd. All are needed here to restore and strengthen our defence against the manifestations of evil.”

  “I know who it should be,” Iorwerth said, “Tudfwlch, my apprentice. He is young but is learning the arts of using haearn and he is a skilled warrior. He may even have the skill to become a cludydd one day.”

  “A good suggestion,” Berddig said and the other cludydd nodded in agreement, “Is Tudfwlch here?” There was a disturbance in the crowd and a young man pushed to the front. September thought he looked no more than her age, a smooth faced but strongly built youth with unruly dark brown hair.

  “I am here and ready to escort the Cludydd,” he said proudly. The people cheered and he blushed. “That is if the Cludydd wishes it,” he added. September still was not at all sure she wanted to go anywhere but Tudfwlch looked friendly. She hadn’t had many friends in recent years, and certainly no boys had shown any eagerness to protect and guide her, but she felt more sure of herself in this new body so she smiled at him and he nodded his head.

  “Good, Tudfwlch,” Berddig said, “but you have not travelled from Amaethaderyn once in your life. A guide will be needed. Someone who has travelled along the river and knows its moods and dangers.”

  There was a sudden cry from the back of the crowd. People pointed into the sky.

  “Adarllwchgwin!” they cried. People started to push and jostle away from the clearing. Some fell and were in danger of being trampled until others came to their aid and lifted them back to their feet. The meeting was breaking up as everyone hurried off in different directions. September looked around herself wondering what was happening. Iorwerth and Berddig were peering into the sky above the far side of the lake.

  “Three of them,” Iorwerth said, “coming this way fast.”

  “We must prepare our defence,” Padarn said, rising to his feet and hobbling away to the buildings.”

  “Come, September,” Arianwen said, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet, “we must get you away from here.”

  “Yes,” Berddig said taking his eyes off the approaching trio of birds, “You look after her Arianwen. Take her into the woods. Eluned, Catrin, you know what must be done.” The other women hurried away.

  “I will organise my warriors,” shouted Iorwerth as he ran off. September looked into the sky.

  “Aren’t they just birds?” she asked but knew straight away she was being silly. The people knew what was coming. Her birthmark was itching.

  “No, they’re not,” Arianwen said tugging at September’s arm. “They are huge fierce birds ridden by wickedness. Come, we must get out of sight.”

  The Adarllwchgwin were closer now and September at last was able to appreciate their size. They were over the lake and only moments from the village. She saw that they were like eagles but the size of a horse with wings ten metres across. Each carried a flaming bush in its huge talons and was ridden by a crimson-skinned being. The three birds made a squawking noise that filled the sky. They were over the lake and diving towards the village.

  At last fear gripped September and she responded to Arianwen’s tugging on her arm. She followed the silver haired woman away from the meeting place. They hurried between the round huts turning this way and that. September soon had no idea of their direction. Behind them there were shouts and screams. September slowed and looked over her shoulder. The birds were over the village now. One after another they released their burdens of fire and the thatched buildings exploded in flame. The riders urged their mounts on and aimed the three-pronged spears that they held. Gouts of vivid red light shot from them to unseen targets on the ground. The birds flew on towards September.

  “Hurry,” Arianwen urged, “we must get under the trees.” September turned and ran after her. They reached the last of the houses, but there was still a gap of a hundred metres or so given over to allotments before the line of trees. Arianwen ran through the beds of lettuces and onions. September followed, finding the cultivated soil slowing down her flight. Her birthmark was burning like fury. Her left foot sank into the loose earth and her right foot caught in the hem of her dress. She fell and rolled over on to her back. Now she saw the three eagles coming straight towards her. Their huge hooked beaks opened and emitted a deafening screech; their small, red eyes were fixed on her. She saw their feather covered legs, as broad as an elephant’s, with their unencumbered talons poised to grab and tear. Their great wings spread wide to soar towards her and the riders held their tridents raised.

  September realised that all three of the Adarllwchgwin were coming for her. She was their prey. But why? Fear gripped her and her mind was blank. Her birthmark hurt as if someone was stabbing her with a knife. The pendant somehow was in her hand with the catches undone and the stone exposed. She raised it up. The stone glowed with a fierce blue light. What now?

  The leading Adarllwchgwin reared up over her, preparing to grab her with its talons, its rider leaning to the side to aim his trident. Its outstretched wings filled the sky. The sulphurous stench of its breath blew over her.

  What had the Mordeyrn said when he repulsed the comet? Unbidden the word came from her unconscious memory.

  “Ymadaelwch!” she screamed. A violet cone of light leapt from the starstone enveloping the hovering bird. For a moment the Adarllwchgwin was caught like a moth in torchlight and then there was a huge crack of thunder as if the sky was parting and it was gone. The blast of air pressed September into the earth and caught the other two birds by surprise. They tipped sideways and their wings touched the ground. They crumpled and fell to the earth. The riders clung on and urged their mounts to right themselves but now September saw other figures running from the buildings.

  A white tiger loped across the tilled soil, its jaws wide and roaring. It leapt at one of the birds, tearing at its neck with its knife-like teeth. The bird twisted and fought to get away but the tiger hung on, gnawing at the bird’s throat. Its rider struggled to direct its trident at the tiger. Red flashes shot from its prongs but they missed the attacking animal and struck the earth harmlessly.

  A band of men carrying spears lead by Iorwerth whirling his great sword attacked the other fallen bird and the red figure that clung to its back. With each stab of their haearn tipped weapons there was an eruption of rust-red light and the bird and rider screamed in agony.

  Two more powerful detonations ripped through the air and the scene was obscured with a curtain of smoke.

  September lay in the earth unable to move, the pain in her hip fading, just looking around her. As the smoke settled she saw that the Adarllwchgwin had disappeared and so had the tiger. A naked female figure stood where the bird had fallen. September saw that it was Eluned. The warriors also stood still holding their spears upright. Some wiped dust and sweat from their faces. Iorwerth wiped his sword against the hem of his tunic. Eluned waved to Septe
mber and ran off back to the houses.

  “Cludydd, are you injured?”

  September turned her head to see that Arianwen was standing over her, a look of concern on her face. September realised that she was in one piece with nothing hurting.

  “No, I’m fine; I tripped over this stupid dress,” she said pulling at the hem so that she could regain her footing. She stood up.

  “Did I see that tiger become Eluned?”

  “Trawsffurfio, the ability to transform. It is the power of arianbyw,” Arianwen said, “but you defeated the Adarllwchgwin, you wielded the Maengolauseren.”

  September looked at the stone which she still held in her hand. Though clear it was now dark again. “I don’t know how I did it. And it is daytime, how could it work at all?”

  “It draws power from all the objects in the sky – stars, sun, moon. With wise use it can be harnessed at any time. You have shown that the Maengolauseren has indeed chosen correctly, for even without training you can call on its powers.”

  September shook her head in disbelief.

  “But what happened to the birds and their riders? They just disappeared.”

  Arianwen put an arm around September’s shoulders and guided her towards the waiting warriors.

  She explained, “The manifestations of the Malevolence are elemental in form. The Adarllwchgwin are creatures of air. When they were defeated their forms returned to the air. Similarly the Draig tân are the embodiment of fire. There are other monsters the evil can conjure from earth and water.”

  As they drew near to the waiting men September was greeted by cheering. Iorwerth came forward and held out his left hand to shake hers.

  “A magnificent victory,” he said grinning, “Aldyth has pierced the flesh of evil,” he added waving the long sword in his right hand.

  Berddig ran up panting. He saw September and stopped, breathing deeply and looking relieved.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  “The Cludydd destroyed one of the Adarllwchgwin and brought down the other two. Then we despatched them,” Iorwerth replied. Berddig looked questioningly at September who shrugged her shoulders.