by Lisa Rector
“How extensive are your forces?”
“Thirty-thousand strong.”
Aneirin bit his lip. “Not nearly enough. Gethen’s army is at least eighty-thousand strong.”
“This is why we haven’t retaliated. We lack the men to liberate Terrin.”
Aneirin leaned toward the king. “I’m hoping to convene the council in Gorlassar. It’ll be difficult, but possible. I hope to rouse the Dragon Riders to aid. Dragons in the sky would make for strong allies. With them I have no doubt we could defeat Rolant and retake Terrin. Ahnalyn’s son will sit on the throne of Hyledd.”
King Sieffre’s face turned a shade of pink, and his eyes shimmered. It took Aneirin a while to realize he was crying.
“Ahnalyn’s son? She has a son. Brenin’s child? My grandnephew?”
“Yes. She was with child when Brenin rode into battle. Her rescue was the same eve she gave birth. They’re safe in the treetop village of the Eilian.”
Sieffre slapped the tabletop and stood. The chairs in the room squealed as each man rose to his feet as well. “These are glad tidings indeed. We owe much to you, Son of Light.” King Sieffre beckoned to him. “Come. Let’s convene in the war room. I want to show you the maps and lay out a solid strategy.”
Aneirin followed the king and his men down a short hallway. Soon he found himself in a spacious room lined with bookcases. A massive oak table in the center displayed a map. Aneirin could see the entirety of the three mortal realms.
Sieffre pointed on the map at a long road that left Talfryn and followed the Great River the entire distance to Hyledd and the sea. “Brenin and I had a straight trade highway between our kingdoms. Caedryn established a blockade, greatly hurting our resources. We relied on the trade from the outlying villages and seaports in the north.”
Sieffre indicated the mountains. “As you can see, and probably from your dragon’s eye view in the sky, Talfryn is encircled by a ring of mountains with two openings, the one considerable gap in the south and the water way, which is impassable. The Great River drops a hundred or so feet to the bottom. Not easily scaled. So we’re either well protected or cut off. Our land is self-sustaining. We’ll have to adjust without the luxuries we were accustomed to from the trade.
“We’ve been working on fortifying our borders, here.” Sieffre traced the lower gap in the ridge. “The easiest way into our realm is through this pass. Lord Caedryn would have to march through his northern gap, which is nothing more than a narrow fissure, turn south along the edge of the Great Forest, and cross the Great River to reach our lower gap. It would take two months for him to do this, and we’d be ready. We have a limited supply of men and could mount but a modest defense.”
Sieffre paused.
Aneirin studied the map. Talfryn was well protected. They might be able to hold the gap. The ground was higher, but Aneirin had an uneasy feeling.
“King Sieffre, how much do you know about the emrys and their abilities? What has Niawen shown you?”
“She told us an emrys is a Child of Light—that you are light. She healed my wife when she was sick with a debilitating illness and a bricklayer’s broken leg when he fell from some scaffolding. She showed me how she could protect herself with a blast of energy. You’re stronger than men are. She fought my best warrior in hand-to-hand combat and beat him.”
Aneirin smiled. That sounded like Niawen. Aneirin pictured her sure smile and assertive stance—never one to back down from a challenge or never the last to instigate one. By the Master, he missed her.
“Great, you understand we’re strong. I want you to understand, the emrys do not know this world. Gorlassar is a realm of light and goodness. Out here is different. Lord Caedryn is different. He’s not a normal man. He has powers.”
Sieffre nodded his head as if to indicate Aneirin should go on.
“He has great power, which doesn’t come from the light as it does with the emrys. His energy rivaled my own, and he ensnared Seren with a tentacle of power much like a clawed whip. No, he’s not light. He’s something else. It distresses me that the emrys know nothing about his abilities.”
“Welcome to the mortal realms, emrys. Men can be evil. I’d like to think the majority of our inferior race is good, but the occasional few are wicked to the core. Are you worried Lord Caedryn, whoever he is, man or creature, could be more powerful than your own pure light? He’s but one man, and his men are mortal, yes?” Sieffre asked.
“It appears they are.”
Sieffre stood to his full height. “I might not have met this Lord Caedryn of Rolant, but he is one, and if your emrys come to our aid, we will be many. I feel great hope indeed.”
Aneirin deflated inside. This hope relied on his ability to convince an uncompromising, ancient council to abandon tradition for the past several thousands of years. He tried to sound as positive and hopeful as Sieffre looked. “I shall seek counsel with my people. The best recourse to pursue would be to seek the help of the Dragon Riders. If we could destroy Lord Caedryn, the darkness would recede from the land, and Talfryn and Terrin could live in peace once more.”
“I welcome it. Talfryn would be honored to receive help from the emrys. Please, seek counsel from them. I will send my best diplomats with you.”
“The idea would be good, but I’ll approach the council first.” Aneirin didn’t think it would earn him grace to bring any mortals into Gorlassar, if they could enter at all.
Sieffre nodded. “I’ll await your answer. We’ll do our best to fortify the realm and have an army at the ready. Help to defeat Caedryn, I feel great hope!” Sieffre said, his face shining.
***
Aneirin told Cephias he’d sleep a few hours in Cynwrig before traveling on. Being up most of the night during the long flight, followed by the many hours in council, left him exhausted. Courtesy of King Sieffre, Aneirin slept in a substantial bed instead of a piteous pallet outside. Also, time away from everyone, mostly Ahnalyn, would give him some perspective.
He kept replaying the argument he’d had with Ahnalyn. Why am I feeling so guilty? He was right, without a doubt. Ahnalyn didn’t need to fly with him. Though Aneirin did understand that she’d just had a baby and her life had been turned upside-down. He tried to envision life from her perspective. Aneirin knew how it felt when his parents didn’t take him seriously. Ahnalyn wanted to be treated like any person. She wanted a choice, and he’d taken that agency. Aneirin realized he handled the conversation all wrong. She wanted a choice. If he had asked her if she wanted to come, perhaps she would have reasoned it would have been better to stay.
When he returned to Eilian, he’d apologize to Ahnalyn. The pair would spend a lot of time together saving Seren, and the undeniable fact was Seren and Cephias were mates. Aneirin and Ahnalyn would be around each other forever—just like he and Niawen.
A couple of hours later, Aneirin woke and called out to Cephias. Brother, I’m ready to fly!
Good! Guess what. I found her! I found Seren. We have to save her. The cave is in the southern mountain range, as Ahnalyn suggested. I figured Seren is heavy, so they couldn’t carry her far. They must have come straight south from the citadel. I saw a group of soldiers with a deer. They took it right to her cave! After they left, I flew down to see her. Seren is uninjured, but I couldn’t move past the barrier. Maybe your light would work.
This changes everything. We’ll save her before heading to Gorlassar, but we have to bring Ahnalyn. She’ll be highly disappointed if we don’t bring her to free Seren. She insisted, and I don’t want to remain in her disfavor. Then we’ll head to Gorlassar.
You mean stay in disfavor. You haven’t exactly made up, Cephias teased.
Yes, don’t remind me. Aneirin gave his head a slight shake.
Before long, they were in the air.
How am I going to mend this rift between us?
What are you talking about, Aneirin? Just turn on your charm. Oh, and grovel… a lot.
Aneirin laughed and playfully thumped Cep
hias on the back.
Why do you care so much anyway? Cephias asked.
Do you realize we’ll be spending a lot of time together? Aneirin asked.
Are you sure there’s not another reason?
Maybe, Aneirin said. Maybe. Or maybe he owed it to Seren. He was the reason Niawen left. He was the reason Seren was without a rider for so long.
CHAPTER TWELVE
DARKNESS FALLS
Ahnalyn’s lips were pursed together, and her arms were crossed tight over her chest.
How are woman so beguiling even when they’re sulking?
Resist the charm, dear brother, resist, Cephias said while flying away, after dropping Aneirin on the treetop platform.
Stay close. Circle in the air, Aneirin said.
They would leave as soon as Aneirin explained the situation to Ahnalyn. It was just after dusk, and flying to Seren under cover of night would be best.
Aneirin carefully approached Ahnalyn. “I don’t know if Seren told you… Cephias found her. Would you like to come with us to rescue Seren?” He figured asking her would be the smartest move.
Ahnalyn didn’t say anything, though he saw her perk up when he mentioned Seren.
“Look—” Aneirin said.
Grovel, he heard as a gentle reminder.
Ahnalyn cut him off. “So now you want me to come with you? A day later you think I’m fit for flight. Remember what you said yesterday?”
Aneirin took a deep breath and let it out while looking down at his feet. Ahnalyn waited.
“I’m sorry about yesterday… and I’m sorry about the night before. With our dragons being mates, we’re going to be spending a lot of time together. I want to start over. I apologize. As it is, the situation has changed, and I need you to help free Seren.”
Ahnalyn’s eyebrows lifted. “You need me?” Her voice noticeably softened.
Hmm, magic words, Aneirin thought. “Yes, I need you. I know how important it is for you to help Seren. Will you come with us?” He reached forward and grabbed her hand, holding it until she answered.
“All right, how will we rescue Seren?” Ahnalyn asked.
***
Emlyn and Hadyn said they’d keep Einion safe. They assured Ahnalyn a new mother three huts away wouldn’t mind being his wet nurse—Emlyn said something about her having enough milk to feed a litter of puppies. Einion wouldn’t be lacking in love or attention, but Ahnalyn still broke down in tears. Suppose the worst did happen on this rescue? Ahnalyn told Emlyn about his granduncle. He would have family in Talfryn if she were never to return. Emlyn waved her off with, “You’ll be fine, dear.” Ahnalyn held her angelic, squirming baby until the last second when Cephias landed, and she handed him over.
Emlyn scurried inside with Einion. Hadyn stood by, watching Cephias lift-off, pots blowing over, and dirt spilling everywhere. Hadyn said, “Not the pots again! Oh goodness!” But he waved. “Goodbye and good luck. See you when you return. Never mind the mess. We’ll fix it right up. Take care, goodbye!”
Behind her, Aneirin laughed. Ahnalyn turned to see what was so amusing. Hadyn was running around and righting pots and hastily scooping dirt back into them. Ahnalyn swiped at her tears and let out a weak laugh as well. She couldn’t be more thankful for such little, darling people who had come into her life.
As they flew, Cephias explained to Ahnalyn that he found Seren in a cave just south of Islwyn in the mountains. The cave was difficult for him to see unless he flew in close between two jutted peaks. When he searched the mountains the other morning, Cephias took a chance of being seen, but his impatience warranted it.
Nervously gripping the saddle, and feeling like a leaf being blown hither and thither on the wind, Ahnalyn sat in front of Aneirin. Cold air rushed in her face and up the sleeves of her dress. The little adjustments Cephias made with his flying shifted Ahnalyn around. The tension in her legs and arms grew.
“You become used to it.” Aneirin’s hands created a secure hold around her hips, steading her. “I’ve been flying for eighty-three years since I was fourteen years of age. Cephias is a skilled flyer. He’s flown through heavy storms with tremendous winds. I recall one that was quite the adventure.” Aneirin laughed.
“Yes,” Cephias said. “And I recall you were terrified.”
Ahnalyn laughed.
“Yes, well, flying in a storm is different,” Aneirin said, sounding embarrassed.
Ahnalyn pulled her cloak tight around her body. The Eilian had given her a fine woolen cloak, one they’d lengthened by sewing two together, but even so, after a couple of hours, Ahnalyn was cold to the bone. Aneirin acted as though the frozen air didn’t bother him. In fact, heat was coming off his body as if he sat facing a campfire.
Oh, how she wanted to lean wholly against him, but she wouldn’t let herself. Her quick-to-ignite temper had flared too much lately, and Aneirin had taken the heat. Why does he goad me so? Deep inside, an itching irritation nagged that she wasn’t good enough. Was she supposed to start this new life because she learned she was someone else? When he radiated his light into her on the deck the other night, didn’t Aneirin prove she was less than worthy to be an emrys? How was she supposed to react? Didn’t he know how it made her feel to know that he knew she didn’t have much light? A miniscule spark. And she was supposed to radiate light too, but she couldn’t grasp the concept of this light inside her. How am I supposed to make it grow? Can I learn to radiate light as well as Aneirin?
Ahnalyn, you’ll be an incredible emrys. Give it time. This is new to you, Seren said.
Oh Seren, I’m sorry I snapped at you the other day. I don’t know what came over me. This is so different. I’m not sure who I am anymore, Ahnalyn answered.
You’re the same person you always were. You’ve just had new experiences, which broaden your outlook. You’re growing and learning.
Was my mother a great emrys? Did she have a lot of light? Ahnalyn asked.
Seren laughed. Your mother was phenomenal. She was bold and fierce and had a love of life that got her into trouble.
Why’d she leave the dragon realm?
Niawen was restless. She sought adventure. Seren sighed. I never thought it’d take us down the path we followed.
What happened? Ahnalyn pressed.
We had a quarrel and separated for a time. By then it was too late.
What do you mean a quarrel? Why was it too late? She still had her dragon stone, and you could communicate with her.
I know, but she’d shut her mind to me for the longest time. In the end, when Niawen reached out, she was married and had you.
I don’t understand why you didn’t come for us. Are you saying it’s because my father is mortal? Didn’t my mother want to come back to the dragon realm? You could have found her, Ahnalyn said.
I should have. No matter what Niawen said or what anyone else thought. I’ll carry this guilt forever.
I’m sorry, Seren. I’m sure I don’t understand the details, but we’re coming to rescue you. We’ll keep our connection, Seren. I promise.
A shiver ran through Ahnalyn. She had to decide what to do after they rescued Seren. Returning to her father and saving her people was a number one priority, but she had her son to think about. He must be kept safe and far away from Caedryn’s clutches.
***
Ahnalyn’s shivering resonated through Aneirin’s hands. He sighed. She had stiffened away from his body despite being smashed together on the saddle. It was like a void wedged between them.
Though emrys could discern the feelings of other beings who carried light, no matter what the varying degree, the skill needed to be practiced. And Aneirin was skilled enough to understand Ahnalyn. Her feelings were plain. She was too proud to admit she was freezing and too embarrassed from her prior behavior to ask for help. Among other anxieties—her confusion about her current choices in life tormented her.
Aneirin leaned closer to her until his chest touched her back. “You’re wrong you know.”
She recoiled. “Excuse me?”
“Your worth is not judged by how much light you carry.”
She turned to look over her shoulder at him. Aneirin’s face was too close, and she turned forward again, looking down and shaking her head quickly side to side. “Are you reading my mind?”
Aneirin winced and cleared his throat. “I can’t read your mind, but I can sense your emotions.”
Ahnalyn slapped her thighs, nearly missing Aneirin’s hands. “Why do I even bother yelling at you if you already know I’m upset?”
His grip impulsively tightened on her hips, and he whispered in her ear. “It’s so endearing to watch flames shoot out of your mouth.”
Watch it, Cephias said.
“What?” Ahnalyn’s voice rose over the wind. “You think you’re so amusing. My emotions are not for you to play with!”
“Have you been this uptight your whole life?” Aneirin asked.
Cephias sucked in a loud hiss of breath. Wrong line! Wrong line, Brother.
Ahnalyn nudged Aneirin with her shoulder, but his arms came around her, one across her waist and the other over her arms crossing her chest. She squirmed in his grip, but he pulled her tighter. Aneirin pushed light from his heart-center into Ahnalyn and concentrated on spreading it throughout her body. She relaxed, her rigid extremities releasing, completely softening against him. A deep exhale slipped through her lips.
A sudden fire rushed over Aneirin, which he realized was not originating from his light but was a reaction to the way Ahnalyn’s body responded. His arms tightened around Ahnalyn, and without hesitation, he pressed his face against the side of her neck and into her hair. Aneirin took a deep breath in. She smelled like the honeysuckle vine that grew back home. His head swam with distant memories, nostalgia that he couldn’t name. Such feelings, originating inside, felt rare and fleeting. His heart pounded—a memory flash. Cephias was open about his feelings for Seren. Aneirin often caught glimpses from Cephias when he and Seren shared “tender moments.” It couldn’t be helped. Sharing a connection with someone meant those nuances were unavoidable. Aneirin became aware of what this must mean.
