The Dark Age

by Traci Harding

  The Merlin encouraged her to continue, leaning back on the bed to get more comfortable. Let’s see how much she remembers.

  ‘Alright,’ Tory began, a mite bothered that he saw fit to test her. ‘The astral plane is the second body or plane, which is comprised of emotion. As Earth’s etheric double, it penetrates the physical. On the third plane, the forces of will find expression, as it is the plane of thought. Again penetrating the first two planes, it is of a faster vibrational frequency. Therefore, like the astral plane and the planes that exceed it, it cannot be viewed by the human eye, but may be perceived through the third or mind’s eye.’

  The Merlin bowed his head as if to compliment her understanding, and awaited the rest of the address.

  ‘The fourth is the plane of wisdom, from whence all imagination and inspiration comes. The fifth plane is spiritual or the plane of the self, from which stems desire, but only the desire for the highest good of the overall plan of creation. Must I go on?’

  ‘Please.’

  ‘The sixth plane is … let me think? Oh yes! The sixth is that of involution, the last progression of the soulmind before it again becomes one with the perfection of totality, which is, of course, to be found on the seventh plane. Hence where comes the term “seventh heaven”. Good enough?’ Tory concluded, rather pleased with herself.

  ‘That’s what you meant, isn’t it?’ she realised. ‘When you said you had been forward and backward in time. Time meaning the moment when you parted from totality, to the moment you shall become one with it again. Rather than human time, as it is known and counted in years or minutes.’

  Taliesin smiled, pleased with her conclusion. ‘You have learnt your lessons well, Tory Alexander.’

  He paused to observe her for a moment, making Tory feel altogether ill at ease. It was as if he was adoring her and she experienced an eerie sense of deja-vu.

  ‘So in answer to your question, “where am I now?”’ he sat upright, ‘in angelology terms I would be known as a master, as say the Master Buddha before he moved on in his journey toward awareness. This be the last level of consciousness where I may still function in a physical body. Beyond the understanding I have, there are only two higher realms of awareness that exist in the etheric world — Lordship and Godhood.’

  ‘The sixth and seventh planes …’ Tory uttered, as she attempted to digest his story. ‘So what you’re telling me is that you are a real, honest to god angel!’

  ‘Angel, deva, etheric world intelligence, whatever you want to call it; as is everyone and everything that has a soul, to differing degrees and polarities.’

  Tory was fit to faint. ‘But how? Taliesin, you must have been human once, how did you become so aware?’

  ‘Well, to tell you the truth, it was a bit of an accident really, and a very long story …’

  ‘Please, Taliesin, I would love to know, if you are in any way disposed towards enlightening me,’ Tory pleaded, using her big green eyes to her best advantage as she knelt down beside the fire.

  ‘Well, if you really want to hear it.’ He reclined on the bed to tell his tale. ‘I’ve lived many different lives, just as you have, not consciously recalling one from another, until I was born in Britain, the son of Gwreang of Llanfair who named me Gwion Bach. This was about the same time the great Pyramid wars were taking place in Egypt, and here in Britain, it was a time of great sorcery, to be sure!’

  ‘But that was four thousand years ago! I didn’t realise Britain was even populated then, by civilised folk anyway.’

  ‘Oh yes,’ Taliesin assured her. ‘What of Stonehenge and the Glastonbury Zodic? Under the roads built by the Romans during their invasion, there are tracks dating back thousands and thousands of years. The Middle East was not the only area to which the Atlanteans fled,’ he explained before returning to his story. ‘It was here in Gwynedd that I met a High Merlin, through whom I was eventually introduced to the great Goddess, Keridwen.’

  ‘Your mother?’ Tory was confused already.

  ‘My spiritual mother. She transformed my consciousness and thus I was reborn and proclaimed my true name, Taliesin. Keridwen was once a guardian of Britain, as I am. I inherited the position, so to speak. And although she now resides in the Otherworld, she still sees and speaks through the more enlightened souls who remain here in the Middle Kingdoms.’

  ‘I don’t understand. What do you mean when you say Keridwen transformed your consciousness?’

  ‘Ahh well, that’s where the mistake comes in. You see, I was assisting in an experiment, the creation of a brew of knowledge that was intended for her son. Keridwen had many children, two of which were twins, a boy and a girl as it happens. Her daughter, Creirwy, was a raving beauty, intelligent and perfect in every way.’

  ‘But he was just the opposite, right?’

  ‘Right. Monfan, which meant great cow, was nicknamed Afagddu, meaning utter darkness.’

  Tory burst into laughter, but her expression reflected disgust. ‘Didn’t have much of a chance either way, did he?’

  ‘Not really, no. He was so ugly that no man would fight him at the battle of Camlann, mistakenly thinking he was the devil. Hence with her brew, Keridwen sought to make Monfan wise, to overcome his other more obvious disadvantages.’

  ‘You didn’t drink it, Taliesin?’

  ‘No, but just as the cauldron had almost burnt dry, after a year and a day of careful tending and stirring, one drop of the three that remained accidentally splashed on my hand, and I was rushed by waves of knowledge for which I was totally unprepared. Needless to say, Keridwen’s potion was ruined.’

  ‘She must have been furious,’ Tory said, fascinated. ‘What did you do?’

  ‘What did I do? I changed into a hare and fled as fast as I could.’

  ‘Can you really change form?’

  ‘Even Maelgwn could change form when he was a child, and was well practised at it. I learnt the craft from a High Merlin way back in the early days of my youth as Gwion Bach. In any case, I needn’t have bothered. Keridwen caught up with me in no time.’ Taliesin came to sit by the fire with Tory. ‘The Goddess knew it hadn’t really been my fault, yet I did pose a problem. A soul mind as naive as mine was then wasn’t ready for the wealth of knowledge that had been bestowed on it. I became, as most who delve into mysteries and powers beyond their understanding, prone to be led astray by negative or dark forces, like Mahaud, for example.’

  ‘Mahaud!’

  ‘Yes, but I shall speak of her another day,’ Taliesin said quickly, as they had already moved too far from what he’d really come to say.

  ‘So how did Keridwen expect her son could cope with all this knowledge?’

  ‘She intended to mould him over the years, and was not so inclined towards awarding me such time and attention. Yet, she did not want to waste the knowledge I had gained. What happened next is hard to explain. She swallowed my soul, and it was how it might feel to you when she takes over your body: purifying, exhilarating, enlightening! She stayed at one with me for nine months.’

  ‘You must have been completely wiped out.’

  ‘Well I was! When I emerged from the daze I was unrecognisable and remembered little. I was sent as a bard to the court and service of Elffin, a distant ascendant of Maelgwn’s great grandfather. The rest is history really. In time, I discovered that I had transcended death. I was free to explore all the realms of time and space, those to which one can transport a physical form, that is. I’ll grant that the thought of being immortal, free from disease and death for all time, was rather daunting at first. Until I discovered that it was just one simple step in many during my soul mind’s evolution.’

  Tory leant back against a chair, her brain on overload. ‘Is there a reason why you’re telling me all this now?’

  ‘Yes there is,’ he confessed, not feeling as eager to be out with it now.

  Tory closed her eyes, already knowing what Taliesin was about to say. ‘I knew it, I should have died at Arwystli.’

&n
bsp; ‘Indeed.’

  ‘So I’m immortal, am I!’ She scoffed at the notion.

  ‘Haven’t you noticed that your body is no longer scarred or blemished, and all those aches and pains you used to have are gone?’

  Tory couldn’t dispute this. She wasn’t sure that she wanted to know anymore, but she had to ask, ‘How, Taliesin?’

  ‘An immortality potion of the ancients. I have been saving it for eons.’

  Now Tory really was confused. ‘Well why didn’t you just give the potion to Sorcha when she was dying? It would have saved you all this trouble?’

  Taliesin was somewhat disconcerted by the question. Tory sensed this and what’s more, he detected her doing so. ‘It wasn’t meant for Sorcha, the ancients intended it for you.’

  ‘But why me? Are the Gods following the development of everyone on this planet as closely as they have apparently been following mine?’

  ‘Yes they are, as a matter of fact.’ He bowed his head to confess what he must. ‘I have been deceiving you, Tory Alexander.’

  Tory was taken aback, as a white light began to exude from his body and a transformation began. She stopped breathing as the Merlin’s hair, skin colour and very form changed before her eyes. Staring back at her was a totally different man.

  ‘Teo.’ Tory beheld her sensei of many years. He was, besides Maelgwn, the only man she’d ever slept with. ‘God, no.’ She rose to her feet, scared of the feelings the sight of him aroused in her. ‘It isn’t true.’

  ‘Tory, be calm.’

  But she turned away, not wanting to look into those dark eyes so full of reason. Unfortunately, Teo had a body and face that would shame Adonis. His long dark hair fell in a braid to his waist and his smooth olive skin had never known a blemish.

  ‘I knew he was too perfect to be real,’ she exclaimed.

  ‘This is how I appeared when I was Gwion Bach. Teo was one of my earthly incarnations, long before I ever met with Keridwen. What I felt and did when I was Teo was very real, to me anyway.’

  She raised her hands to block her ears, for it was Teo’s voice also. ‘So why the disguise? Why did you allow me to fall in love with Maelgwn, if you only intended to haunt me thus? Or is this your revenge for my decision, when it was you who served me the ultimatum?’ Tory burst into tears.

  Taliesin took hold of her arms, his energy calming her at once. ‘Listen to me, I did not assume this form to deceive you. With all my travels through time I found a disguise necessary. I have bumped into many of my past-life incarnations in different periods of history, and it saved me from being confused with them, or giving them heart failure upon meeting themselves. Maelgwn is your destiny, I know that now. Please believe I am beyond the concept of earthly love, as you and Maelgwn know it. I flourish, as do we all, on the pure energy your devotion for each other creates. The last thing in the world I wish to do is to divide you.’

  ‘I did love you, Teo. I remember everything you taught me.’ She drew enough courage to reach out and hold his face. ‘I always thought you had the makings of an angel, and now you are.’

  ‘See, you made the right decision after all. If you’d stayed with Teo, you wouldn’t have ended up here.’ He let her go and took a few steps back, resuming his normal form. ‘I can be of much greater assistance to you now than I could ever have been then.’

  ‘You are. I want you to know that, no matter how I do challenge you at times.’

  ‘I know.’ He put his arm around her and gave her a squeeze of assurance as he led her back to the fire.

  ‘You still haven’t explained why the Gods chose me.’

  ‘Why do they choose anyone?’ he answered. ‘All shall be made clear to you in time. As I have had to seek my own truths, so must you seek yours.’

  Tory resumed her seat on the large floor cushions, with Taliesin beside her, finding his reason of no comfort. ‘Well how are we going to break this to Maelgwn?’

  ‘A good question, but you must decide the answer on your own, I’m afraid. Although, I will say this, if you wish it, Maelgwn and indeed all around you may witness you age gradually. You can appear to be whatever image you choose to project, as I do. You shall simply outlive everyone and move onto new realms and adventures. But you won’t have to die in between, and you won’t lose track of your accumulated knowledge.’

  ‘I will see everybody die.’ Tory was saddened by the thought.

  ‘And reborn again.’

  She tried to comprehend his words, but the concept was too overwhelming to cope with in a second. ‘You will always be here?’ she asked, seeking some sort of stronghold in the universe she now seemed lost in.

  ‘For some time yet.’

  Tory exhaled deeply and her thoughts turned back to the King; this was a tough one. ‘I have always been honest with Maelgwn. But I dare say, if he finds out you were an old flame, past incarnation or no, we’d have Buckley’s chance of you ever being allowed to teach me anything.’

  ‘Now did I say anything about instructing you?’

  ‘Come on, Taliesin. I may be naive but I’m not stupid. Isn’t that what this is all about? You’ll want to move on eventually, as Keridwen did, and seek another to take your place.’

  Taliesin didn’t have to confirm her query, as his grin gave him away. ‘Perhaps that is the way of it, but only time will tell.’

  Tory and Taliesin talked well into the evening before he bid her farewell. The High Merlin still had much work to do before summer solstice, when he would attempt to send Tory home. Taliesin swore he would return with Selwyn before Beltaine, May first, to celebrate the feast of the Goddess, and indeed his own birthday, with all at Aberffraw.

  As predicted, Brockwell, Tiernan and Vortipor returned to Aberffraw within the month, eager to resume their training and the company of their close circle of friends.

  The winter cold was well upon the isle, isolating it from the treachery and strife of the outside world. Those staying at the castle were more than thankful for the time to recuperate; their peaceful interlude would span near one third of a year.

  20

  BELTAINE

  By spring the snow had passed and torrential rain had transformed the pure white fields into dirty brown puddles of sludge. It wasn’t until late April that the sun really burst through the clouds, awakening the land from its sleep. With the days growing longer, farmers began ploughing their fields, and the animals were freed from their winter confinement. Trees and flowers were budding, and it seemed the whole land was crying out for joy in the warmth of the sun’s rays.

  The soldiers who’d left Aberffraw for the cold spell, now returned to their posts. Lady Gladys and the young Earl of Penmon arrived back earlier than expected. The suspense of waiting to hear what had happened at the castle over the cold seasons had become too much to bear. Bryce was particularly eager to get back to all the action, and had been so for months. Lady Gladys was overjoyed to learn of Calin’s intent to wed Lady Katren, and the old schemer acted completely surprised when he told her. But when Calin sprang on her the news of his Princedom, the old lady became so excited, she fainted. When she was revived the courtiers all teased her by threatening not to tell her the rest of their news as they feared it might be fatal.

  Bryce could hardly contain himself when he learnt he was to be a prince, and was addressing Calin as father by the end of lunch. Likewise, the child was thrilled to know that Lady Katren would soon be his mother. He had wished for nothing more since the day they’d first met, and quite openly stated as much. The young Earl of Penmon, unlike his father, had no problem expressing his emotions.

  Jenovefa and Rhys introduced Lady Gladys to their new son, Gawain, and she eagerly embraced him.

  Amidst all the stories of creatures, sorcery, villains and battles that were being sprung on the wide-eyed boy and his grandmother, Cara and Vortipor brought the whole room to silence with the announcement of their engagement.

  Vortipor apologised for having to steal such a lovely lady from the ho
usehold at Aberffraw, but he could not bring himself to leave without her. The couple planned to leave for Dyfed before Beltaine, also wanting to wed on the feast of the Mother Goddess, but in accordance with the traditions of the Desi Clan. King Maelgwn congratulated his friend, expressing his heartfelt disappointment they would not be able to attend, with Calin and Katren’s wedding the same day in Gwynedd. Vortipor understood and promised he would stay with them until after Calin’s inauguration, two weeks hence.

  In the short time that was left of their winter training, the masters began to practise in the wide open spaces. Tory held kata on the beach, which was quite a spectacle for the locals. Stories of the masters’ escapades had spread throughout the land over the long cold months. Common folk and soldiers alike had begun to gather at dawn to observe the band as they practised the art of the Goddess. Within a few days, Tory noticed that some of the onlookers were trying to grasp the movements, especially the children.

  This pleased her very much, as the work on their school was nearly complete, and it was obvious that the youngsters would take to the training as ardently as had Bryce. Alma was appointed to instruct the local children in self-defence and meditation over the warm seasons. Angus was training the men at Aberffraw, so the pair could still work together.

  The female hall was only weeks away from opening — Old Hetty’s girls and the young maidens throughout the kingdom would be able to take up residence after Beltaine. Ione would be their instructor. She was to sort out the warriors from those who were more domestically inclined, and thus develop the girls’ individual interests and talents. The maidens who opted for domestic training would be assigned to Lady Gladys and the head maid, Drusilla, for some of their instruction, but all would be taught basic self-defence.

  Ione was now enjoying a vastly different lifestyle and outlook. She strutted around dressed like a man, as did the Queen more often than not, her sword at her hip and her head held high. Men who had once abused and looked down on her, now praised and adored her, for she was the woman who had defeated Ossa, Warlord of the Saxons, in armed combat. This was a formidable triumph for any warrior. So Ione, who claimed to be totally disinterested in men, had more suitors than she knew what to do with, though Tiernan wasn’t one of them. The gift of speech didn’t seem to make it any easier to express her true feelings; after eleven years without words, they did not come easy.