“Thank you,” she sobbed, “I will try and do whatever it is that I’m needed for.”
“We know you will.”
They separated and September crossed to the bed at the side of the cottage where Eluned lay. Her eyes were open and she smiled at September.
“Good luck, Cludydd,” she whispered, “May all the stars and all the planets help you in your task.”
September’s eyes filled again. Eluned was her friend, perhaps her best friend but they had enjoyed so little time together. She leant forward and kissed the mercury bearer on her forehead.
“You get fit quickly. I’d like to see the tiger and the dolphin again if – when – I come back.”
Eluned smiled, “We’ll have lots of fun.”
September picked up the bag by its strings and hefted it over her shoulder. She, Berddig and Arianwen left the cottage and stepped into the bright, warm morning.
It was a short walk to the riverbank and many other people seemed to be making the same journey. When they reached the waterside September saw that a large crowd had assembled. The people made a path for them to pass through.
“Is everyone here to see me leave?” she asked Berddig.
“Of course.”
“Glad to see me go, I expect, after all the trouble I’ve caused.” There were signs of the damage caused by the Adarlwchgwin and the Gwyllian all the way through the village.
“That’s not the reason. Everyone knows how important your journey is. All their hopes for the future lie in the conference at the Arsyllfa. Don’t look so worried. Your strength is in the stone. It will give you all the power you need. Here now, let’s get you and your bag on board.”
September turned from Berddig and the crowd and saw the boat bobbing gently at the bank. It was smaller than she expected for a long journey, little more than a canoe with seating for three or four people. There were already a number of sacks, leather bags and small wooden barrels filling the available space so September’s sack made little difference.
Tudfwlch welcomed her brightly and helped her step into the middle of the boat. Then he took up a position in the bow. September looked to the stern where Cynddylig was fiddling with a grey metal box attached to a wooden tiller. She was determined to be friendly to the older man.
“Good morning, Cynddylig.”
“Hmm,” was the only reply. It seemed he was too engrossed to be polite.
“What is that box you are looking at?” she asked, trying to engage him in conversation. She had a little more success because after a moment he looked up at her.
“It is our source of movement, girl,” he said.
“Oh, an engine.” It didn’t look much like an out-board motor to September, not that she had ever had the opportunity to look closely at one, “it turns a propeller that pushes the boat forward,” she said to show that she wasn’t completely dumb and that she had some understanding of such things.
“Yes,” Cynddylig said returning to inspect the motor. September was confused because she had seen no other signs of machines run by engines in the village. All the work seemed to be done by the people themselves and wood was burned to provide heat.
“What fuel does it use?” she asked.
“Fuel?” Cynddylig looked at her with a sneer, “nothing is burned to make the boat move. We would need a boat twice the size if we had to carry wood to burn.”
“What makes the boat move then?” September asked.
“The power of Haul of course.”
“Haul?” September was confused. She had heard the word but had forgotten what it stood for. Cynddylig pointed to the sky.
“The Sun,” he said.
“Oh, you mean it uses solar power,” September was proud that she thought she understood but as she looked around she saw something was missing, “where are the solar panels?”
“I don’t understand what you are saying,” Cynddylig growled and returned to studying the motor, or whatever it was.
“I think I should explain,” Berddig said. September had forgotten that he was behind her as she had got into the boat and he had overheard the conversation. “I presume that you do not have artefacts of such ingenuity in your world,” he continued, kneeling beside the boat.
“No, I don’t think so” September shrugged.
“The engine, as you called it, is the peak of skill of the prif-cludyddau o haearn and aur.”
“You mean the Mordeyrn and Iorwerth.”
“The Mordeyrn, yes, he is the greatest bearer of gold, but not Iorwerth. He is powerful but not even he has the skill to construct this device. It is the work of the Prif-cludydd who lives with the metal miners in the Mynydd Tywyll. He wrought the iron into intricate shapes that turn the fins that push the boat through the water. The Mordeyrn provided the tiny nugget of gold that focuses the power of the Sun and causes the engine to work.”
“It sounds pretty special,” September was over-awed by Berddig’s reverential explanation. She couldn’t understand at all how a piece of gold could act as a solar power source – it was just magic, like so many things in the Land.
“It is. Our village has but two of the devices to drive our boats and many villages have none at all.”
“So once again, you are giving up something valuable and precious to the village to send me on my way.”
“As we have said before, Cludydd, you are important to us and we must ensure that you get to the Arsyllfa as soon as possible. Without the engine you would take many more days of paddling against the flow of the river. It is for all of our benefits that you should take the machine.”
“Well, thank you again, Berddig.”
“By the power of the Cemegwr! Are we getting started today, or are you going to waste more time in chatter?” Cynddylig said. Berddig looked startled then stood up.
“You are correct, Cynddylig, you should set off. Cast off Tudfwlch.” The young man undid the rope holding the bow of the boat into the shore while Cynddylig did the same with the stern rope. The crowd standing on the bank cheered and waved. September waited for a roar of the motor as Cynddylig got them started but there was no noise of an engine; there was no sound at all except for the swishing of the propeller. The boat moved smoothly away from the bank and into the stream with no sign of effort. September waved to the people while feeling amazed at the magic of the fuel-less engine.
Although the current of the river was strong the crowd was soon disappearing behind them as the little craft slipped quietly through the water. For a few minutes they passed fields and gardens on the banks of the river. September looked towards the opposite bank and beyond to the hill of the refuge and its blasted copse of trees, but then the trees crowded together at the water’s edge and her view was lost. She made herself as comfortable as possible sitting on a wooden cross-member, resting back against the bags that filled the hull. Tudfwlch too, wriggled into a position to look ahead along the river. She glanced back at Cynddylig who was sitting stiffly, staring ahead with his hand on the tiller. And so they began their journey.
September stirred herself. There was no change to the scenery but she needed some diversion. She knew she couldn’t spend the whole journey asking “Are we nearly there yet?” because she knew they weren’t. Her recollection of the conversation with Berddig before they had left had given her an idea for some entertainment.
“Tudfwlch?”
“Yes, Cludydd,” the young man did not stir from staring ahead.
“Everyone expects me to defeat the Malevolence because that’s what happened before. Is that right?”
“We don’t expect it but you are our hope, perhaps our only one.”
There was a grunt from behind her but no further comment.
“Berddig said you had stories which explained why you have this hope.”
“That’s right. Everyone is familiar with the stories of the fight against the Malevolence but those of us training to be a cludydd have to learn the tales in detail.”
“Well, we ha
ve a long journey ahead of us and I’m going to be pretty bored if it goes on like this, why don’t you tell me some of the stories? They may help me to understand what I’m supposed to be doing here.”
Tudfwlch turned to face her and smiled broadly.
“It would be a great pleasure to tell you the tales, Cludydd, but I shall have to watch the river while I do.”
There was another grunt from behind September but Cynddylig kept his silence.
“That’s fine, I can hear you. Let’s start.”
“Ah, now that’s difficult. Where shall I begin?”
“What’s the problem?”
“Well, you see there have been several times when the power of the Malevolence has grown, many lifetimes apart. The early stories are confused and difficult to understand and make more use of the old tongue.”
“Tell me the more recent ones then. How about the last time the Malevolence appeared?”
“That’s a good idea, although even that was a long time ago.” Tudfwlch coughed to clear his throat and knelt more upright on his seat of sacks. He took a deep breath and spoke in a loud and almost melodic voice as if reciting something he had heard many times.
“It was a time of sadness and anger in the Land. Man fought against man, woman against woman, and vicious monsters arose to kill, destroy and bring pestilence on the people. Men and women despaired that the Adwyth was growing in power. That’s the name for the Malevolence in the old tongue, Cludydd.”
“I know,” September said. Tudfwlch went on.
“They thought it would gain control over everyone and everything that lived in the seven regions of Gwlad. Then the Prif-cludydd o Aur, the Mordeyrn of Coedwig Fawr, the Great Forest...”
“Where’s that?”
Tudfwlch stuttered, his recitation broken.
“Uh, um, north of here. The forest lies between the northern river and Mynydd Tywyll. It is a vast area of tall, dark, pine trees. The people live there by cutting down the trees for timbers for the miners and charcoal for the metalsmiths in the mountains.”
“I see, and this Mordeyrn was not the Mordeyrn I’ve met.”
“No of course not. This was years and years ago. Our Mordeyrn’s name is Aurddolen. The Mordeyrn’s then was Heulyn, the ray of Sun.”
“I see. Go on.”
“Um... then Heulyn remembered the stories of yore and cried out to the heavens to send us our saviour once again, the Cludydd o Maengolauseren. For seven days and seven nights he stood on a great stump of a tree in the middle of the forest and voiced his appeal. And on the seventh night, when the moon was overhead she appeared. Clad in white with hair as white as the snows of the north, she ...”
“Snow? You mean her hair was white, like mine?”
“Yes, Cludydd, she was indeed white of hair and pale of complexion. She appeared holding the Maengolauseren in her hand. She was young and beautiful ... yes, like you Cludydd... but she was confused. She had no knowledge of the Land and was unfamiliar with the ways of the people of the Land...”
“Hold on. You’re saying that this woman, who looked something like me arrived in the Land, summoned by this Heulyn, just like the Mordeyrn summoned me. And she came from my world?”
“Perhaps. She was certainly not of this world but she came bearing the stone which you now carry.”
“How do you know it’s the same one?”
“There is no other starstone of the same size and power.”
“Right, I see.”
“Shall I continue, Cludydd?” Tudfwlch asked glancing at September.
“Yes please, but call me September.”
“Yes Clud...September. Heulyn instructed the Cludydd o Maengolauseren in her powers and very soon her skills were tested. Just a few days after her arrival amongst the people of the Land the forces of the Malevolence attacked. A Draig tân descended from the heavens and hordes of Adarllwchgwin hurled stones and fire at the people of Coedwig Fawr. There was great destruction and many died or were injured but the Cludydd triumphed. She fought off the beasts and destroyed the Draig tân. The Mordeyrn Heulyn realised that this victory was not enough however. The Malevolence had not been weakened, just held back for a time. Heulyn knew that the people of Gwlad and in particular the bearers of power must work together. He called the Prif-cludyddau to a conference in the Mynydd Tywyll and guided the Cludydd o Maengolauseren there himself. Their journey was beset with attacks from the evil; monsters of the earth, air, fire and water and also people who had turned to evil. I won’t go on with the tales of the journey, September.”
September was roused from the ancient times to respond to Tudfwlch’s last comment.
“Why not?”
“It is very long and while exciting to children to hear about how the Cludydd defeated the servants of the malevolence it is, um, a little repetitive.”
September realised that wasn’t quite what Tudfwlch meant. They were on a journey to meet the Prif-cludyddau, she was the bearer of the starstone, and the Malevolence was at large. They too may be attacked at any time.
“But perhaps there are clues as to how I should deal with the Malevolence and its servants?”
“Ah, yes, that is true,” Tudfwlch said, pondering, “I will tell you the stories later – we have plenty of time. I wanted to get to the part where the Malevolence was defeated.”
September was still thinking over the story.
“You say this earlier Cludydd was attacked all along her journey?”
“That’s right. The Malevolence sensed her presence and her importance and attackers manifested from the soil, the air, the rivers and lakes all along their route.”
“She didn’t have a cloak to hide her from sight?” September indicated the silver garment that enrobed her.
“No, that is a new invention of Berddig and Padarn suggested to them by the Mordeyrn.”
“But it hasn’t been tested except for last night?”
“How could it? It needs you and the Malevolence for its fitness for purpose to be proved.”
“Ah, yes.”
“We will have to wait to see if it works but the Gwyllian last night were unable to perceive you. If they had they would have come straight to Arianwen’s house instead of destroying all the other huts. I think that is a good sign, September.” Tudfwlch’s voice had a merry tone to it. Remembering all the destruction wrought by the Gwyllian, September wasn’t so sure. She turned to Cynddylig.
“Is Tudfwlch right? Is the cloak keeping me hidden from the Malevolence?”
Cynddylig shrugged.
“Perhaps the Cludyddau have been successful in making you invisible to the Malevolence but the evil knows that you are in the Land. We have a journey of many days. Who knows whether the robe will keep your whereabouts secret for all that time.”
September was not cheered by Cynddylig’s words but she realised that it was not in the character of the man to be encouraging. Perhaps he was being realistic and not defeatist. She turned back to Tudfwlch.
“There’s something else. They didn’t travel to the Arsyllfa?”
“It did not exist in those times. Although the Arsyllfa seems an ancient institution to us today, and indeed it is many hundreds of years old, it was only after the last rising of the Malevolence that it was established and the observatory built in the Bryn am Seren. After the Cludydd defeated the Malevolence it was Heulyn’s life’s work to set up the Arsyllfa to prepare for the next coming of the evil. But I’m getting ahead of the story.”
“No, wait. You’re saying that things are different to the last time.”
“Well, the Arsyllfa was established to collect knowledge of the Malevolence, to observe the heavens which control the waxing and waning of its power and to dispense instructions for preparations throughout Gwlad.”
“Why was nothing done before?”
Now it was Tudfwlch’s turn to shrug.
“We are an independent people, scattered across the Land. We work hard to maintain our homes and families. It is
not easy providing sufficient food, and clothes, and tools. Each village largely looks after itself, with just a few people travelling from one to another.”
“Is there no government?”
“Government?”
Tudfwlch didn’t appear to understand the word.
“Leaders, laws, taxes. All that stuff.” September recalled her father ranting at the impositions of government.
Cynddylig spoke, “He doesn’t understand you girl. You speak words that have little meaning for us, as opaque as the thoughts of the Cemegwr. Each village has its rules of life and its tithes and the cludyddau are leaders of a sort, but the whole of Gwlad has no such organisation – well, until recently.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Mordeyrn Aurddolen has attempted to impose his views about the Malevolence on the other Prif-cludyddau. This conference of the Arsyllfa is his parliament of the whole of Gwlad.”
“Perhaps it is needed to oppose the Malevolence,” September said.
“Aye, maybe it is, but some think that it is itself the work of the Adwyth, to bind us in rules and control our deeds and thoughts.”
“That’s nonsense,” Tudfwlch said heatedly, “you can’t suggest that the Mordeyrn is a servant of evil, especially after the battle in which his gold plate was shattered.”
Cynddylig dissolved into mutters and grunts. “It’s what some say. I’m not saying I believe it.”
“The point, September, is that the Arsyllfa, and the Mordeyrn, have known that the Malevolence was growing in power for some time. He is trying to prepare for it hence his first appeal to you. But the Land is a big place; it takes a lot of organisation to get the seven regions working to the same ends.”
“OK, so go back to your story. How did this earlier Mordeyrn and the Cludydd win? What was her name by the way?”
Tudfwlch became dreamy. “The Cludydd o Maengolauseren was named Breuddwyd in her own world.”
“What! That’s unbelievable,” September was shocked and excited.
“What is it, September?” Tudfwlch turned to see her face.
“That name, Breuddwyd, it’s my mother’s name. I’ve never heard of anyone else with it. She says it means ‘dream’.” Something else occurred to September. “She’s a seventh child too. I’ve got six uncles scattered around Wales.” What did this mean? Could her mother have been the bearer of the starstone at the last rising of the Malevolence? But that was centuries ago, surely it couldn’t be. September recalled that the passage of time in the Land was different to her home as only a fortnight had passed for her between her visits while two years had passed for the people of Gwlad.
Seventh Child Page 12
