“In that case, Cludydd o Maengolauseren, welcome to the Arsyllfa.”
“Mordeyrn!” September ran forward and fell into his open arms. He hugged her to his white-robed chest. There was something about his father-like authority that made the Mordeyrn special to her. Perhaps it was his dedication to her; the fact that he was the first person she had met when she had first been called to the Land and the only connection with Amaethaderyn, the village that had welcomed her arrival.
“Please, call me Aurddolen.”
“Did you see what I saw?”
“Now, just before you came through the doors?”
“Yes, the woman in the cloud, dressed in black.”
“I did but I do not understand. She did not appear to be another Pwca or any other of the Malevolence’s familiar manifestations.”
“No, she wasn’t. She was me.”
“She bore a resemblance. An attempt at imitation perhaps.”
“No, I mean, she wasn’t me but like me. My twin. The twin that died.”
“Ah, I begin to comprehend. We have much to discuss you and me, but first we must welcome you properly to the Arsyllfa, make you comfortable and let you rest.”
The great doors resounded to an impact. September turned, suddenly fearful that the doors would come crashing open. Aurddolen held her tight.
“Do not fear. The doors will hold. The Malevolence does not have the power to break through the doors or the walls. Yet.” He put an arm around her shoulder and guided her into the fortress with Nisien behind them.
They left the high, spacious hall and entered a more intimate room furnished with chairs and wooden tables. Heulwen was already handing out orders to men and women who scurried around. She saw them enter.
“Ah, father and Cludydd, there you are. I am trying to get some order here. Nisien, go and help in the kitchen.”
Sieffre had been keeping quiet, standing with his back to a wall. He spoke.
“I think, Heulwen, it would be advisable if Nisien and myself cleaned up before assisting the preparation of food. We both carry the sweat of battle.”
September looked from Sieffre to Nisien and it suddenly came to her that of the six men who had set out from Dwytrefrhaedr with her, only these two survived. A sob welled up in her throat.
“What is the matter my dear?” Aurddolen asked.
“I’ve just realised. I don’t know how I could forget really, but four of our guides didn’t make it here. Alawn, Elystan, Gwrion, Collen, they’ve all been killed by the monsters. I only knew them for a few days.” She cried. Aurddolen took her into his arms.
“Brave men they were too. I knew them well. They would be pleased to know that you are here safe.”
“That’s it. It’s all about me isn’t it? All these people getting killed trying to help me and I’ve got no idea what I’m supposed to be doing.”
Aurddolen caressed her head.
“Now, now, my girl. You have done a tremendous amount just getting here and without any guidance in bearing the Maengolauseren. Come, let us go to my study and talk things over.” He guided September through the room, pausing to speak to Heulwen, “Oh, daughter, let Sieffre and Nisien get cleaned up and let the people get on with their jobs. I am sure you need to rest too.”
Heulwen was speechless and stared angrily at her father.
Aurddolen led September along a corridor and up a spiral staircase until they were far above the entrance floor of the Arsyllfa, then along another corridor. At last he stopped at a door and pushed it open. They stepped into a small study with a table, a chair, a more comfortable easy chair and a bookcase. The books caught September’s eye immediately: large leather-bound books. She hadn’t seen any reading material since she had arrived in the Land and she wondered what was in them.
“Sit down my dear. Make yourself comfortable. You must be exhausted after your climb. Oh, and you can take the cloak off now. You won’t need concealment here.”
September slipped the metallic silver cloak from her shoulders. It felt strange taking it off after the weeks of wrapping it around her.
“May I look at it?” The Mordeyrn asked.
“Yes, of course.” September handed it over then sank into the softly furnished chair. It felt delightful to be sitting comfortably. The fatigue oozed from her legs.
“It is a work of great skill and beauty,” Aurddolen said, examining the minute links made of the tin-lead alloy.
“It is and I think it worked well except that I had to get the stone out so many times,” September said.
“Yes, you met more opposition than I expected. The Malevolence has grown more powerful very quickly, and it has been surprising.”
“Surprising?”
“Yes, its attacks have seemed to have had more purpose, more direction than I expected from the old stories.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the stories tell that on previous occasions when the evil has risen, the attacks have been spread across the Land, random, unfocussed, meaningless. That is until the Cludydd and the Maengolauseren drew them. But on this occasion the manifestations have been concentrated around the route you were expected to travel, and the concentrated siege of this building over the last three days is unheard of. The Malevolence should not have the wit to maintain such an onslaught.”
“But, I’ve been told that the Arsyllfa wasn’t even built the last time and you have said yourself that it is pretty special with all the iron, tin, lead and gold in its walls.”
“You are correct of course, September, but nevertheless I am worried that the Malevolence seems to have acquired some intelligence.”
“Such as my twin sister?”
“Ah, now there you have it.” The Mordeyrn scratched his chin while sitting down in the other chair. “That is indeed an unexpected factor. A soul that failed to achieve life cast out beyond the stars and yet bound to the Cludydd o Maengolauseren by the womb.”
“She spoke. She knew who I was, my real name I mean, and she threatened me.”
“Yes, there is knowledge, intelligence and power there; something that the evil has never had before. Its blind hate has been sufficient in the past to wreak havoc until the Cludydd banished it from the Land. But with your twin to influence it our task may be more difficult than I anticipated. Hmm.” He pondered silently and September watched his furrowed forehead.
“I think,” he said at last, “we must make a start on your training at the earliest opportunity. When you have developed control over the powers of the Maengolauseren you will have the strength and resilience to probe this link with your sister.” September didn’t like the sound of that. “But first, I must act the good host and show you to your accommodation, get you fed, and acquaint you with the other guests of the Arsyllfa.” He stood, placed the cloak over his arm and held out a hand to September. Reluctantly she relinquished the comfort of the chair.
They left the Mordeyrn’s office but only went as far as the next doorway on the corridor. Aurddolen pushed the door open and stood aside.
“Enter, please, my lady. This is your accommodation while you are with us here.”
September took a step inside and then stopped. The room was much bigger than the Mordeyrn’s simple study. The marble floor and walls had brightly coloured rugs and hangings that made it warm and welcoming. There were lights in the ceiling but September could not see the source of the illumination. Oil lamps and candles had been the only artificial light she had experienced on her journey but these seemed brighter and more like electric lamps. The furnishings too were unlike anything she had seen previously. There was a bed, larger and more comfortable even than the one that she had briefly lain on in Dywtrefrhaedr, and there was a table and chairs, a sofa, cupboards and shelves.
Aurddolen strode across the room to a large wardrobe. He flung the door open.
“I knew you would not be bringing much luggage, so I had these clothes prepared for you,” he said. He hung the metal cloak over an empty coat
hanger. September saw gowns and dresses in a variety of colours and textiles hanging there.
“This is all just for me”?”
“Of course. You are our most noble guest, the one for whom the Arsyllfa has waited since it was constructed. This suite was built at the heart of the fortress to provide a safe dwelling for you.” Aurddolen moved to another door, and opened it revealing a bathroom as well equipped as any September had seen at home.
“Everyone is of course eager to meet you, hear about your journey and discuss the battles that lie ahead, but you should not feel that you have to hurry. Take your time to rest and join us for a meal when you are ready.”
“Everyone?”
“The Prif-cludyddau; assembled here to plan our defence against the Malevolence at the Cysylltiad.”
“Prif-cludyddau?”
“The senior bearers of all the metals. The Council of Gwlad, if you like.”
“They are here to meet me?”
“They are here at my bidding to face the greatest threat to our existence since the last Cysylltiad and you are the focus of all our effort.”
“I see.” What September did see was a lot of people expecting a lot of her.
“How will I find you?”
Aurddolen indicated a thick rope beside the bed.
“Pull the bell cord and someone will come to your aid or to guide you. Now I will leave you and hope to see you shortly, but only when you are ready.”
September guessed that in fact they would like to meet her immediately but that their good manners prevented them from insisting that she join them at once.
“Thank you, Aurddolen. I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
Aurddolen bowed and retreated to the door, closing it behind himself.
September walked around the room. The plush comfort seemed unbelievable after the hardships of the last few weeks. With relief she unbuckled the belt from her waist and laid the sword, knife and pouch attached to it on the table. She went into the bathroom and turned the bronze taps over the bath. Hot and cold water poured out. She had thought to wash briefly and re-join the Mordeyrn but the filling bath tempted her. She tore off the soiled and threadbare clothes she had worn for the last three days and stepped gingerly into the steaming water. It was delicious to immerse herself. She lay in the hot water for some minutes just revelling in the fatigue and fingering the phial of mercury and the starstone in its clasp that lay against her breastbone. Sleep may have come to her there and then but conscience pricked her. Soap and a sponge were placed handily on the side of the bath so she gave her whole body a thorough scrub. Then she pulled the plug and stood up to let the water run off her. She looked around for something to dry herself with and saw a pile of soft, fluffy towels on a wooden stand. She stepped out of the bath dripping water on the marble floor and flung a towel around herself.
I really am dreaming, she thought, this is like staying in a five star hotel. The contrast with the hovels at Amaethaderyn and the hardships of her journey across the Land seemed incredible. She investigated the toilet and found it as sophisticated in its flushing qualities as any that she had experienced at home.
She returned to the bedroom and looked in the wardrobe. The variety astounded her but she decided that she did not want to wear anything too ostentatious. She’d leave that to Heulwen. There was a simple white gown, not of the heavy linen that the women of Amaethaderyn wore, but neither was it expensive silk. At home it would have clung to her bulges but here it fitted her toned body perfectly. At the bottom of the wardrobe she found simple sandals. She removed the tube of mercury and laid it on the table next to her other possessions. Now, just the Maengolauseren in its silver case rested between her breasts. There was no mirror to check her appearance so she just hoped that she looked respectable. She ran her fingers through her white hair which had grown considerably in the last few weeks and now rested on her shoulders. A brush would be useful but she could not see one anywhere. That would have to wait. There was nothing now to stop her from joining the waiting throng, but she was worried. She had never been someone that people looked to expecting something of her, not even her group of friends. She was that silly girl September, talentless, brainless and despite the distinctive white hair definitely not good looking. Facing a whole crowd of people each with their skills at manipulating metals was scary. Nevertheless, she couldn’t keep them waiting for ever.
She tugged on the bell rope. There was a distant, faint, sound of a bell. She sat on the sofa and composed herself for a wait, but just moments passed before there was a tap on the door.
“Come in,” September called uncertainly, trying to find the correct tone of voice to use. She was not used to giving orders. The door opened and Sieffre entered. He too had washed and changed into clean clothes.
“May I help you, my lady?” he said, bowing slightly.
“Oh, please call me September. I’m no-one’s lady.”
A smile flickered across his face.
“Oh, I think you are, but I understand what you mean. What do you wish, September?”
“Aurddolen said there was food and a whole bunch of people waiting to see me.”
“That’s right. They are trying not to look impatient.”
“Well, you had better guide me to them then.”
“I will be delighted. Come with me.”
They walked along corridors and down stairs until September was thoroughly disorientated. At last they came to a pair of tall doors. Sieffre stepped forward, pulled both doors open then stood to the side. He signalled for September to pass through. She entered a huge room with a large table laid for a formal dinner. The diners had been sitting but now they rose, some more swiftly and athletically than the others. It was difficult for September to take it all in at first. She saw Aurddolen at one end of the table, Heulwen sitting between two middle-aged men and about ten other men and women sitting around the table. There was one empty place at the end opposite to Aurddolen.
“Welcome, Cludydd. We have kept your place for you. Please join us.” Aurddolen pointed to the unoccupied chair. September realised that it was a place of honour and she felt nervous, not used to being treated as someone special. Nevertheless she made her way to her place and was pleased that Sieffre, having closed the doors, followed her. She placed her bottom on the chair and everyone sat down. Immediately more men and women entered the room from other doors carrying plates and trays and bowls. Food was laid in front of her and a goblet filled with liquid. September discovered that she felt ravenous and quickly joined the other dinner guests in tucking into the cooked meats and vegetables with spicy sauces. September was surprised to see people serving others because she had come to believe that in Gwlad no-one was above another except in talent. Yet here the guests seemed to be treated as special people. She noticed, however, that the servers didn’t retreat or stand aside as servants were accustomed to do but they also took plates and bowls and sat at smaller tables around the room eating, drinking and chatting.
Once September had consumed a few mouthfuls of food she remembered to take a closer look at the dinner guests, starting with the pair closest to her. On her left was a man. He looked to be over seventy years of age with white hair and wrinkled face and hands. To her right was a woman who could have been the mother of Arianwen, the silver-bearer of Amaethaderyn. She too was silver-haired and sat with her back straight but her age and experience were obvious in her lined face. Having filled her mouth again September smiled at her two neighbours. They seemed to have been waiting for her to notice them.
“We are delighted that you have arrived safely, Cludydd,” the man said, “let me introduce myself. I am Heini, Prif-cludydd o arian byw.”
“Arian byw? Oh that’s mercury, Eluned’s metal.”
“Eluned?”
“She gave me some mercury which helped me find the stone when it was lost.” The elderly man looked confused. “I’ll explain some time.” He looked relieved.
“And this is Arianrhod, t
he Prif-cludydd o arian.”
“Ah, silver. You remind me of Arianwen at Amaethaderyn.”
The woman smiled.
“She is my daughter. I visited her at Amaethaderyn once. A charming place. That was where you were summoned I gather.”
“Near there. On a hill across the river from the village. That was where I, um, arrived.”
“Aurddolen’s adopted home. He seemed to sense that that was where he could make the link to you in your world.”
“But you’re not from there?”
“No. My home is on the Afon Gogleddol, the other great river, north of Amaethaderyn. That is where Arianwen was born.”
September turned to Heini.
“And where is your home?”
“A village on the eastern coast between the two rivers. I wish I was there now. The cold winds in these hills freeze my bones.”
“And these other people are also Prif-cludydd?”
“That or mordeyrn of their region,” Heini said, “Aurddolen called everyone here to discuss how we can defeat the Malevolence. I must admit we did not expect to be besieged in the Arsyllfa.”
“But we are grateful for the forethought of Heulyn in designing such an impregnable fortress against the powers of evil,” Arianrhod went on.
“This Heulyn seems to have been a great man.”
“He was,” Heini nodded emphatically, “Defeating the Malevolence at the last Conjunction was only part of it. He made preparations for the next rise of the evil.”
“Tudfwlch told me the story of the last bearer of the starstone.”
“Tudfwlch? Who is he?” Heini asked.
“He was my companion from Amaethaderyn. He died.”
“Oh, I am sorry,” Arianrhod said her face full of sympathy, “Was he a victim of the Malevolence?”
“Yes,” September’s voice croaked and she felt a tear run down her cheek.
The Power of Seven Page 2
