by Holly Taylor
Her burden felt heavy, so heavy. Taking the sword had been a mistake. Just carrying the water was hard enough; the sword flapped against her back at every step, as though chastising her for her errors. She couldn’t summon the energy to reach back and get rid of the damn thing, either. It would have meant putting everything down to rearrange the straps, and if she stopped walking, Veil was certain she wouldn’t start again.
The dunes went on forever. At the crest of each one, she felt as though she could see to the end of the world—the desert receded eternally to the blue-hazed horizon. Only on her right, in the east, was anything else visible: the dim shapes of the Cloudripper range rode like ghosts on the edge of vision.
By chance, she crested a dune at the same moment he did. A tiny black ant, ten or twenty dunes ahead, crawling across the boiling sands. Veil stopped and shouted herself hoarse, trying to get his attention, but if the ant shifted in its progress she couldn’t see it. She spent the next hour damning him in every way she could think of, coming up with creative torments the spirits of the Aether could subject his soul to before devouring it utterly. She saw him again a couple of hours later, a bit closer than she remembered—this time, when she shouted, the distant speck definitely paused for a moment to look back at her. Then he continued on his way, unconcerned. Veil rasped her tongue over cracked lips, took a swallow of precious water, and started down the dune.
ISBN#1932815147
Silver
Price $14.99
Fantasy
September 2005
www.bloodgod.com
DEDICATION:
To Donald Edgar Taylor, whose wife has gone on before.
You’re the bravest man I know, Dad.
Published 2007 by Medallion Press, Inc.
The MEDALLION PRESS LOGO
is a registered tradmark of Medallion Press, Inc.
If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment from this “stripped book.”
Copyright © 2007 by Holly Taylor
Cover Illustration and maps by James Tampa
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law.
Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Printed in the United States of America
Typeset in Baskerville
ISBN#978-1-933836-03-4
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
First Edition
Previous accolades for Night Birds’ Reign:
GRADE: A
“This is an epic novel — fat in heft, rich on detail. The characters of NIGHT BIRDS’ REIGN really grab the reader, and they do not — let me repeat do not — let go … Kudos to Ms. Taylor.”
—Fantasy Novel Review
“NIGHT BIRD’S REIGN is an intriguing story; one that will wow many fantasy readers … At over 500 pages, there is a lot to take in. Don’t expect this to be a quick read, but do expect it to be gripping.”
—Round Table Reviews
“NIGHT BIRD’S REIGN is a strong fantasy. The story line is action-packed and filled with adventure. Holly Taylor provides a stirring quest that fans will want to trek alongside of Gwydion to partake.”
—H. Klausner, Independent Reviewer
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
It has broken us,
It has crushed us,
It has drowned us.
O Annwyn of the star-bright kingdom;
The wind has consumed us
As twigs are consumed by
Crimson fire from your hand.
Gwenllient ur Caswallon
Third Master Bard
Circa 203
LIST OF CHARACTERS
IN KYMRU
Y Dawnus (The Gifted)
The Dreamers
Gwydion ap Awst var Celemon: Dreamer of Kymru, half brother of King Uthyr, brother of Amatheon
Dinaswyn ur Morvryn var Gwenllian: former Dreamer, Gwydion’s aunt, Myrrdin’s sister
Cariadas ur Gwydion var Isalyn: Gwydion’s daughter and heir
The Dewin
Myrrdin ap Morvryn var Gwenllian: Arthur’s guardian,
Gwydion’s uncle, Dinaswyn’s
brother
Rhiannon ur Hefeydd var Indeg: former heir to the Ardewin, mother of Gwenhwyfar
Cynan ap Einon var Darun: Ardewin, uncle to Gwydion, Rhiannon and Arianrod
Elstar ur Anieron var Ethyllt: Myrrdin’s heir, daughter of Anieron, wife to Elidyr
Llywelyn ap Elidyr var Elstar: Elstar’s oldest son and heir Arianrod ur Brychan var Arianllyn: cousin to Gwydion and Rhiannon
The Druids
Cathbad ap Goreu var Efa: Archdruid, Myrrdin’s cousin Aergol ap Custennin var Dinaswyn: Cathbad’s heir, Dinaswyn’s son
Sinend ur Aergol var Eurgain: Aergol’s daughter and heir
The Bards
Anieron ap Cyvarnion var Hunydd: Master Bard, Rhiannon’s uncle
Elidyr ap Dudod var Llawen: Anieron’s nephew and heir, husband to Elstar
Dudod ap Cyvarnion var Hunydd: Anieron’s brother, Elidyr’s father, Rhiannon’s uncle
Cynfar ap Elidyr var Elstar: Elidyr’s youngest son and heir
IN GWYNEDD
Uthyr ap Rathtyen var Awst: King of Gwynedd (House of PenHebog), Lord of Rhos, half-brother to Gwydion and Madoc
Ygraine ur Custennin var Elwen: Uthyr’s Queen, sister to
Queen Olwen of Ederynion
Arthur ap Uthyr var Ygraine: Uthyr’s son
Morrigan ur Uthyr var Ygraine: Uthyr’s daughter
Madoc ap Rhodri var Rathtyen: Lord of Rhufonoig, half brother to Uthyr
Cai ap Cynyr: Uthyr’s Captain; the PenGwernan; his wife Nest and his son Garanwyn
Bedwyr ap Bedrawd: Cai’s nephew and Lieutenant
Susanna ur Erim: Uthyr’s Bard
Griffi ap Iaen: Uthyr’s Druid
Gwrhyr: Bard, son of Griffi and Susanna
Neuad ur Hetwin: Uthyr’s Dewin
Arday ur Medyr: Uthyr’s steward
IN PRYDYN
Rhoram ap Rhydderch var Eurneid: King of Prydyn (House of PenBlaid), Lord of Dyfed
Geriant ap Rhoram var Christina: Rhoram’s son and heir by his first wife
Sanon ur Rhoram var Christina: Rhoram’s daughter by his first wife
Gwenhwyfar ur Rhoram var Rhiannon: Rhoram’s daughter by Rhiannon
Efa ur Nudd: Rhoram’s second wife, sister to Erfin
Achren ur Canhustyr: Rhoram’s Captain, the PenCollen
Aidan ap Camber: Achren’s Lieutenant
Cian ap Menw: Rhoram’s Bard
Ellywen ur Saidi: Rhoram’s Druid
Cadell ap Brathach: Rhoram’s Dewin
Erfin ap Nudd: Lord of Ceredigion, Queen Efa’s brother
Dafydd Penfro: Rhoram’s counselor
Tallwch ap Nwyfre: Rhoram’s doorkeeper
Tegid ap Trephin: Gward of Mallean
IN RHEGED
Urien ap Ethyllt var Gwaeddan: King of Rheged (House of PenMarch), Lord of Amgoed
Ellirri ur Rhodri var Rathtyen: Urien’s Queen, sister to Madoc, half-sister to Uthyr
Elphin ap Urien var Ellirri: Urien’s oldest son and heir
Owein ap Urien var Ellirri: Urien’s second son
Rhiwallon ap Urien var Ellirri: Urien’s youngest son
Enid ur Urien var Ellirri: Urien’s daughter
Trystan ap Naf: Urien’s Captain, the PenDraenenwen
Teleri ur Brysethach: Trystan’s Lieutenant
Esyllt ur Maelwys: Urien’s Bard, March’s wife
Sabrina ur Dadweir: Urien’s Druid
Bledri ap Gwyn: Urien’s Dewin
Isgowen Whledig: Urien’s steward, sister to Morcant Wheldig
March Y Meirchion: Urien’s hunstman, Esyllt’s husband Morcant Whledig: Lord of Penrhyn
Hetwin Silver-Brow: Lord of Gwinionydd
Cadar: Hetwin’s Captain
Olwen ur Custennin var Elwen: Queen of Ederynion (House of PenAlarch), Lady of Ial, sister to Queen Ygraine
Elen ur Olwen var Kilwch: Olwen’s daughter and heir Lludd ap Olwen var Kilwch: Olwen’s son
Angharad ur Ednyved: Olwen’s Captain, the PenAethnen
Emrys ap Naw: Angharad’s Lieutenant
Talhearn ap Coleas: Olwen’s Bard
Iago ap Cof: Olwen’s Druid
Regan ur Corfil: Olwen’s Dewin
Llwyd Cilcoed: Dewin of Caerinion, Olwen’s lover
Rhufon ap Casnar: a descendent of the Stewards of Cadair Idris
Tybion ap Rhufon: Rhufon’s son
Lucas ap Tybion: Tybion’s son
HISTORICAL FIGURES
Bloudewedd ur Sawyl var Eurolwyn: wife of Lleu Lawrient, lover to Gowrys, imprisoned in Drwys Idris by Bran the Dreamer
Lleu Lawrient (Silver Hand): last High King of Kymru, murdered by Bloudewedd and Gorwys
Gorwys of Penllyn: consort of Queen Siwan of Prydyn, lover of Bloudewedd, murderer of High King Lleu Bran ap Iweridd var Fabel: Fifth Dreamer, one of the Great Ones of Lleu Silver-Hand
The Shining Ones
Cerridwen: Protectress of Kymru, Mistress of the Wild Hunt, Queen of the Wood, wife of Cerrunnos
Cerrunnos: Protector of Kymru, Master of the Wild Hunt, Lord of the Animals, husband of Cerridwen
Annwyn: god of death, Lord of Chaos and the Other-world, husband of Aertan
Aertan: goddess of fate, The Weaver, wife of Annwyn
Taran: father god, King of the Winds, god of the Bards, husband of Modron
Modron: mother godess, the Great Mother, mother, goddess of the Druids, wife of Taran
Mabon: King of the Sun, Lord of Fire, god of the Dreamers, husband of Nantsovelta
Nantsovelta: Queen of the Moon, Lady of the Waters, goddess of the Dewin, wife of Mabon
Camulos: god of war, twin to Agrona, Y Rhyfelwr — the warrior twin
Agrona: goddess of war, twin to Camulos, Y Rhyfelwr — the warrior twin
Sirona of the Stars: goddess of stars, wife to Grannos Grannos the Header: god of healing, Star of the North Gwrach Y Rhibyn: The Washer at the Ford, incarnation of Agrona, a harbinger of war
IN CORANIA
The Warband
Havgan: the Golden Man, aspirant to position of Warleader (Bana)
Sigerric: son of the Alder of Apuldre
Baldred: son of the Eorl of Tarbin
Talorcan: son of the Eorl of Bernice
Catha: brother of the Eorl of Pecsaetan
Penda: son of the Eorl of Lindisfarne
The House of Aelle
Athelred: Emperor of Corania Athelflead: Empress of Corania
Aelfwyn: Athelred’s daughter and sole offspring, also called Steorra Heofen
Aesc: Anweal of Coran, brother of Emperor Athelred
Aesthryth: Athelred’s sister, the former Queen of the Franks
Aescwine: Anweal of Mierce, the Empress’ brother
Aelbald: Aescwine’s son, Aelfwyn’s cousin, Havgan’s rival for war leader
Athelric: Bana, brother of Emperor Athelred
IN CANTWARE
Hengist: fisherman of Dorfas
Hildegyth: his wife
Eosa of Calne: a wyrce-jaga in Cantware
Frithu: a boy from the village of Dorfas
Sigefrith: Alder of Apuldre, Siggeric’s father, Havgan’s first lord
Elgiva: the Lady of Apuldre, Sigerric’s mother
Wiglaf: Eorl of Cantware, Havgan’s second lord
Sledda of Cantware: Master-wyrce-jaga of Ivelas
Cenberht: the champion of the Eorl of Ivelas
Athelmar: the Alder of Liminae
Horsa: Hengist’s brother, a saltmaker in Angelesford
Whitred: the Byshop of Cantware
Wulf: Captain of the warband for the Alder of Liminae
Anawin: a valla with the fair
Egwina: a valla with the fair
Guthlac: Master-wyrce-jaga of Cantware
IN ATHELIN
Guido Asti: the name Gwydion uses in Corania
Rhea Varins: the name Rhiannon uses in Corania
Whitgar of Mimmas: Archpreost
Ethbrand: Arch-wyrce-jaga of Coran
Sethwald: Archbyshop of Coran
Gytha: a valla in Athelin
Anflaeth: a famous valla in Athelin
Euric Gildmar: an Austarian sea Captain
Theo: his first mate
IN DERE
Ingilda: Talorcan’s mother, a descendant of the last King of Dere
Talmund: Talorcan’s father, Eorl of Bernice
Torhtmund: Talorcan’s younger brother
Hensa of Dorsetas: Arch-wyrce-jaga of Dere
Lingyth: a Godia in Dere; her husband Egild
Berwic: Archbyshop of Dere
Oswy: Byshop of Bernice
IN MIERCE
Peada: Penda’s father, the Eorl of Lindisfarne
Readwyth: Penda’s son and heir
Oswald: abbot of Hearth Beranburg in Mierce
The New Gods
Lytir: the One God, ruler of Heofon
Sceadu: Lytir’s brother, the Shadow, who rules in Hel
The Old Gods
Wuotan: one of the Ostar, god of Magic, with Holda leads the Wild Hunt
Holda: one of the Ercar, goddess of the Waters, with Wuotan leads the Wild Hunt
Donar: one of the Ostar, god of Storms
Narve: chief of the Afliae, god of Death
Nerthus: one of he Ostar, goddess of Earth
Tiw: one of the Ostar, god of War
Fro: one of the Ercar, twin to Freya, god of Peace and Plenty
Freya: one of the Ercar, twin to Fro, goddess of Fertility
The Wyrd: the three goddesses of fate
Part 1
The Night–Bringer
As for what may be, it will not be.
It will not be, because it may not be.
Taliesin
Fifth Master Bard
Circa 270
Prologue
Dorfas, Marc of Cantware
Weal of Coran, Coranian Empire
Natmonath, 458
Sweltan Daeg—night
She was barely alive when her body, battered by the relentless waves, washed up on the sands. Slowly she dragged herself farther up the deserted beach, clutching at the sand with her hands, pulling herself away from the swirling, black water inch by precious inch.
Her breath came and went in harsh gasps as she coughed weakly, expelling water, blood, and bile from her aching lungs. Her sodden gown, its rich materials in tatters, clung to her body, weighing her down unbearably. Blood dripped slowly from her matted hair down her once-beautiful face.
After an eternity she stopped moving and lay on her side, clutching her swollen belly, her face buried in the rough sands. A spasm rippled through her, and she clenched her teeth against the pain. She shuddered as the cold night wind whipped around her and whispered,
“No, no, bachen. For pity’s sake, wait. Not here. Not here.”
Slowly she lifted her head to the night sky. The stars were cold and clear and the rays of the waxing moon spilled over her, wrapping her in cold, silvery fire. She wondered vaguely if the Lady of the Moon could see her lying here; wondered if Nantsovelta would take pity on her and send someone, anyone, to help her live through the storm’s sullen wake. Another spasm rippled through her pain-wracked body. “No, no, not yet,” she whispered. “Wait. Wait.”
She had to find help. She closed her eyes. A tiny tug, a feeling of separation, and she was leaving her body behind on the chilled sands. Her soul Rode the Wind as best she could in her weakened state. Knowing she could not go far, she searched for a source of light, of warmth, for someone to help her.
There—to the east—a glimmer of light. Spiraling down, she saw a tiny cottage at the edge of the cliffs and a woman sitting by the hearth fire, humming softly to herself.
She had seen enough. As quickly as she could, she returned her spirit to her body, blinking salt-encrusted lashes and rubbing her eyes. Drawing herself to her knees and clutching her swollen belly, she willed the child not to come now, on this cold beach in this strange land. So intent on this thought was she that she did not even sense the man who was making his way toward the cottage along the cliffs.
Gritting her teeth, she rose to her feet and began to walk.
HENGIST WAS BITTERLY disappointed. The storm had passed, and though pieces of a lost ship had washed up on the beach, no valuable wreckage had been recovered.
He walked slowly up the cliff path, not anxious to return home with empty hands. He had so wanted to bring her something beautiful, something that might make her smile as she had not done since the birthing. Since that terrible day when their tiny, perfect boy had strangled to death as it struggled toward the light, the birthcord wrapped tightly around his innocent neck.
