Seventh Child

by Peter R. Ellis

  “The manifestations of the Malevolence appear when its strength grows. That is happening now – the Mordeyrn can explain why, I don’t understand enough about the movements in the heavens. It explains why you answered the Mordeyrn’s appeal and have come amongst us. The Maengolauseren is awoken by the growing power of the Malevolence.”

  “So the Malevolence is getting stronger, causing people to become bad, and stop working together; these monsters appear to attack the good people and the only answer is that this stone brings me here.” September lifted the pendant from her chest and dangled it from her finger and thumb.”

  “That’s it,” Eluned nodded, “We can fight the manifestations with the powers the metals give us but they are not strong enough and there are not enough of us adept in their use. The Mordeyrn and the other leaders and the Prif-cludyddau are going to meet to decide how they can help you.”

  “Help? I need more than help. I need to know what it is I have to do and how to do it. That’s before I work out whether I can. I’ve never done anything like this. I’ve never done anything.”

  September stopped walking and stood on the bank. They were on the opposite side of the lake to the village. The thatched roofs were visible above the reeds with several plumes of smoke rising into the sky.

  “What about the Cemegwr? Why don’t they help?”

  “Well, a few people think that they can but even if they did exist and were responsible for making the world like it is there has been no sign of them since. They have never come to our assistance before. The Cludydd o Maengolauseren is the only help we have ever had at the time of the Conjunctions. You are our hope, September.”

  “I’m not sure that I will be able to do whatever it is you think I can do,” September said with a sad note to her voice.

  “Don’t say that,” Eluned came to her side and wrapped her arms around her, “The Maengolauseren is very powerful, it will guide you and give you the strength to do whatever is necessary. After all, you have already destroyed a Draig tân and an Adarllwchgwin. The Mordeyrn and the others will help you.”

  September felt a little encouraged by Eluned’s support but she still feared what was to come.

  “But first I have to travel to meet them. A long way so everyone says.”

  “Yes. An adventure. I wish I could come too.”

  “So, do I.” September returned Eluned’s hug.

  The roar of a torrent shattered the peace; a fountain of water erupted from the lake and fell on them with the force of a water cannon. With her ears ringing, water drenching her dress and running from her hair down her nose, September saw a great horse rise up from the lake on its rear legs and loom over them. It spread vast, bat-like wings as water cascaded from a body which was the blue-green colour of the lake. The wings flapped sending a gale of wet air blowing over them. The horse stamped its feet on the surface of the water sending waves crashing against the bank and it tossed its massive head and mane, baring huge yellow teeth and letting out a roar that shook the trees. A gale of sulphurous breath blew over them. September was frozen and stared at the scene as if watching a movie but her birthmark burned as if it was on fire.

  Beside her, Eluned was not turned to stone. She stripped off her dress and dived into the lake. Moments later September saw a flash of silver leap from the water and clamp itself to the horse’s neck. The monster roared in anguish and shook its head wildly but the dolphin clung on, tearing a gash in the huge beast’s neck. Desperate to remove the irritation the horse twisted its neck. It couldn’t bring its teeth close to the dolphin but again it shook violently. The dolphin tore a strip of flesh from the horse’s neck and fell into the water. The monster, turquoise blood pouring from its wound, searched for its tormenter pummelling the water with its hooves and churning the waters of the lake. Bearing its teeth, it reared up on its hind legs again, poised to fall on its prey.

  September’s heart pounded. Eluned, her new friend, had leapt to her defence and now needed her help. But what should she do? Released from her inability to move but barely thinking, September lifted the pendant from her chest, unclipped the case and held the stone in front of her eyes. Through the clear jewel she saw the forelegs of the horse begin to fall. Consumed by fear and fury, she wished the horse could be destroyed in an explosion of fire.

  Blue light blasted from the Maengolauseren, surrounding the head and body of the great horse. For a moment the great winged horse was a silhouette. Then it exploded with a clap of thunder. Flaming gobbets of skin and muscle and bone rained down around September turning to gouts of filthy water as they reached the ground. The remainder of the body fell back into the lake with an immense splash and merged with the water creating breaking waves which crashed against the shore. The ripples rapidly decreased in height until the waters of the lake were smooth again.

  September dashed to the waters’ edge searching for the dolphin and saw Eluned’s pale, naked body floating a few feet from the bank. September leapt into the water and waded out. The water was up to her breasts when she reached the girl who was floating motionless and face down. September turned her over and began to tow her to the shore not knowing from where she had found the skill or the courage to effect a rescue. When she reached shallow water, September lifted Eluned up in her arms surprised at how light she was. She dragged her feet from the mud of the lake and took a few steps onto the bank. She laid Eluned on the grass and knelt to listen to her chest. Eluned’s heart was beating slowly and shallowly and her breath rattled faintly in her throat. September picked her up again and set off as fast as she could for the village, finding her way between the trees but keeping the lake close by.

  Before she had taken a hundred paces, September was panting and Eluned had become an intolerable weight in her arms. Her pace slowed, each step becoming a trial. A few more tens of steps and her arms were numb but still she struggled on. Suddenly she was surrounded by men and women brandishing axes, knives and wooden staves, and there was Iorwerth, with Aldyth raised in front of him. September’s knees gave way and she sagged to the ground with Eluned limp in her arms. Without a word said, Eluned was taken from her and September herself was lifted up and carried at speed to the village.

  She soon found herself again in Arianwen’s cottage. Arianwen was bent over the still body of Eluned that lay on the couch. September sat in one of the chairs, her sodden dress cooling against her skin, other villagers fussing around her. Berddig burst in.

  “What happened?” he demanded, looking at everyone in turn.

  September pointed towards the bed where Eluned lay.

  “Eluned stopped the thing from attacking me,” she said tearfully, “but the monster flung her off.”

  “I was at the river, I didn’t see,” Berddig said.

  “The Cludydd destroyed the Ceffyl dwr,” Iorwerth spoke from beside September, “I heard its roar from my workshop. When I stepped outside I could see it on the other side of the lake. Then there was a flash of the Maengolauseren’s light and the monster blew apart. We ran around the bank to find the Cludydd carrying Eluned. She is sorely injured.”

  Berddig ran to Eluned’s bed and bent down beside Arianwen. He turned his head to September.

  “Is Iorwerth correct? You destroyed the Ceffyl dwr with the power of the Starstone?”

  “I don’t know what that horse thing was and I don’t know what I did,” September said, shaking her head, “But the blue light came from the stone again and blew the thing to pieces. But I was too late. It had already thrown Eluned off. I thought she was dead.”

  Arianwen stood up.

  “She will survive, child, thanks to your power and quick thinking. She is sleeping now but her injuries are severe. Her ribs are broken and her back is strained. It will be some days before she is leaping around again. I have done all I can for her for now. The healing power of arian will do its work. Now what can I do for you, Cludydd?”

  “I’m fine, just this stupid dress got soaked.”

  “Take it of
f and I’ll find something else for you to wear.” Arianwen went to a wicker box and drew out another white dress. September pulled the wet cloth over her head and pulled on the replacement.

  “Are you sure Eluned will be alright?” she asked, “As soon as the horse thing appeared she dived into the lake and attacked it. It was huge but she leapt out of the water and bit its neck. But then it flung her off. Every time the Malevolence attacks, people help me and get hurt. What good am I if I attract this evil thing and you all get injured?”

  Berddig shook his head, “The Mordeyrn warned us that you would be a target for the Adwyth but we never realised that the attacks would be so frequent or so soon after you arrived among us.”

  “Eluned thought that my twin might have something to do with the bad things.”

  Berddig, Arianwen and Iorwerth stared at September.

  “Your twin?” Berddig said at last.

  “I didn’t know,” September went on, a sob growing in her throat and tears in her eyes, “but the Mordeyrn was right, I am my mother’s seventh child; her sixth child was my twin sister and she was dead when she was born. I found out last night at my birthday party.”

  “This is troubling news,” Arianwen said, “Our souls enter our bodies at birth from the core of Daear. The soul of your sister would have been despatched beyond the stars and is trapped in the realm of the Malevolence. Nevertheless, the bond between twins is strong and so you may have some link with your sister and the Malevolence.”

  “That’s something like what Eluned said, but it all sounds like nonsense to me. My mother may believe in souls and devils and things but I don’t. At home there is nothing beyond the stars, except more stars, not some evil thing.” September paused as a thought came to her – what do I mean, at home? Where is home?

  “We know little of your world,” Berddig said, “but the Cludydd o Maengolauseren always has a foot in both worlds. Your actions have an influence here and there. A connection between you and your twin could have an influence on the Malevolence.”

  “Only the Mordeyrn and the other members of the Arsyllfa may know what this means,” Arianwen said.

  “So we’d better get you on your way so you can meet them,” Iorwerth said bluntly.

  Berddig spoke immediately, “Now, Iorwerth, we must prepare the Cludydd for the journey. She will leave soon.”

  September felt herself getting annoyed. These people were making plans for her.

  “Look all I want is to go home. I don’t care about your Ars whatever or what the Malevolence is.” Then her eyes fell on the still body of Eluned and her anger disappeared. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. Eluned got hurt trying to protect me and I don’t want that to happen. If this thing,” she held up the pendant containing the Starstone, “won’t let me go home then I guess I have to do what I can. But I’m not wearing these stupid dresses to go on a long journey.” She grabbed a handful of the white loose dress and shook it.

  Arianwen smiled indulgently, “We’ll do what we can to make your journey pleasant and your stay in Gwlad as safe as possible.”

  “Now rest while we make things ready,” Berddig said. “We’ll eat together and give you guidance for your travels.”

  Berddig and Iorwerth left and Arianwen went to Eluned, rested a hand on her forehead and checked her pulse. September rested in the chair and found her eyes becoming heavy.

  10

  September awoke to bustling in the cottage. Villagers were moving in and out carrying trays and bowls which were placed on a low table that had been set up close to the fire. September could tell by the light that came through the doorway that the day had moved on and that evening had come. She yawned, stretched and stood up. The villagers nodded their heads to her and gave her space.

  “Ah, you are awake, Cludydd,” Arianwen appeared from the shadows, “You have had a well-deserved sleep. You will need your energy for the journey, I think.”

  “Yes, I feel better now,” she looked across to the bed where the still form of Eluned lay, “How is Eluned?”

  “She is asleep now. It is best while her injuries heal, but do not fear for her. She is a strong young woman and soon she will recover completely. What about you?”

  “I think I need to freshen up a bit.” September left the hut and found her way to the wash-house. When she returned to Arianwen’s house the villagers had left but the table was filled with a huge assortment of things to eat – salads, bread, cheese, cooked meats, jugs filled with liquids. Arianwen had been joined by Berddig and Padarn, the old lead-bearer, and were deep in discussion about something. Iorwerth followed September through the doorway, and Catrin, the wielder of copper was behind him.

  Arianwen welcomed them all.

  “Come in everyone. Find somewhere to sit.” Extra chairs and cushions had been brought in so that space in the cottage became difficult to find. As everyone sat down, the door was pushed open again and young Tudfwlch appeared with a much older man behind him. Berddig leapt to his feet and welcomed them both.

  “September, you have met Tudfwlch but this is Cynddylig. He’ll guide you on your journey. There’s nothing he doesn’t know about the river and its surroundings.” The old man grunted and reluctantly held September’s hand.

  “Hello. I’m pleased to meet you,” she said trying to sound as polite as she could but the look in Cynddylig’s eyes told her he wasn’t about to idolise her like some of the villagers.

  “Ah, well, best to get you as far away from here as possible,” he muttered.

  “Come, let us eat,” Arianwen said. “All this food and drink has been prepared for us, we should not let it go to waste.”

  The guests made a move for the buffet table, but September held back and looked at Eluned on the bed where she still lay motionless. Arianwen stood at September’s shoulder.

  “We are not disturbing her. If she awakens during the evening then that will be good. Go and eat.”

  September felt her chest lighten and she moved to join the throng filling wooden plates with the delicious food. Soon they were sitting in clusters eating and drinking and talking light-heartedly. September found Tudfwlch sitting at her feet. He looked up at her, his eyes shining.

  “You destroyed a Ceffyl dwr,” he said.

  “What do you call it?” September asked.

  “Ceffyl dwr, the water horse.”

  “Oh, that’s right, that’s the name Iorwerth and Berddig gave it. It just came out of the lake.”

  “They are a water manifestation,” Tudfwlch explained, “but they are unlike real horses.”

  “The wings were a bit of a giveaway, as well as the size of the thing,” September giggled.

  “Yes, but they move fast despite their size and they can easily trample you.”

  “How do you know this? Have you seen one before?”

  “Oh no. The manifestations of the Malevolence are described in the old stories. It’s only recently that they have begun to appear again.”

  “Now that I’ve arrived they’re all coming back.”

  “Well,” Tudfwlch looked a bit embarrassed, “there is a connection between the growth of the Malevolence and your coming.”

  “Yes, I know and it seems that people are getting hurt and their homes destroyed because of it.” She glanced across at the still form of Eluned.

  “That is true, but your presence among us gives us hope that the energy of the Maengolauseren combined with our skills, wielding the metals, will be enough to combat the evil.”

  “You sound as if you’re certain.”

  Tudfwlch smiled, “I am. You have already shown the power that you can project.”

  “I have?”

  Berddig knelt beside her.

  “Of course you have. On your very first visit you helped the Mordeyrn stop one Draig tân. This morning you brought down an Adarllwchgwin and this afternoon you destroyed the Ceffyl dwr.”

  September thought about what Berddig had said. She recalled her feelings in those three attacks
; disbelief when the fiery comet appeared in the sky followed by fear as she realised that it was a real threat; terror when the birds and the riders attacked the village and came after her; surprise and then fear and anger when the flying horse had risen out of the lake and hurt Eluned. But on each occasion she realised that the stone that hung round her neck had removed the threat. She lifted the silver pendant from her chest. It was true, she was the wielder of a powerful weapon.

  “But if you are right, Berddig, and I do have this power, why does everyone leap to my defence. Why did Eluned dive into the lake to attack the horse as soon as it appeared? Why didn’t she wait for me to blow the thing apart?”

  “Well, it’s what we are trained for – to fight the Malevolence and all its manifestations. You are untrained in the use of the Maengolauseren, you know nothing about the Malevolence, so we don’t know what you will do when faced with danger. You’ve shown already that you are a worthy bearer of the stone. You have the instinct to use it to defend yourself and us. But we and you have to be on our guard and ready or else the Adwyth could overcome you without you knowing it. You don’t know yet how you can use it to fight the more subtle wiles of the evil or how you can protect everyone in Gwlad from the Malevolence. Only the Arsyllfa can teach you.”

  “So, I have to go on this journey.”

  “I’ll be beside you,” Tudfwlch said, smiling broadly, “together we’ll take on whatever the Malevolence can throw at us.”

  “I hope we can avoid too much of that,” Berddig said sombrely, “I am afraid that despite the Mordeyrn’s warnings we did not realise how much the Malevolence would be drawn to the Maengolauseren and its bearer. If you are to make the long journey safely then we must shield you from the evil power.”

  “How are you going to do that?” September asked.

  Berddig got to his feet and clapped his hands.

  “Friends, I think it is time to prepare the Cludydd for her journey.” The talking stopped and everyone else looked to the tin-bearer. There was a shuffling and moving of chairs and stools to form a circle facing September. Berddig addressed everyone.