Dragon of the Island

by Mary Gillgannon

  Aurora shook her head. “No. I was afraid he would not believe me. I need proof.”

  Justina sighed. “Maelgwn has ever had a blindness when it comes to his sister. We must do something to make him see what she is up to. I have learned a little more at least.”

  “What is that?” Aurora asked eagerly.

  “The red-haired man’s name is Urlain, and he met with a man from the fortress named Grimerwyn.”

  Aurora frowned. “Grimerwyn was once Esylt’s lover, but he fell out of favor when we returned from Manau Gotodin.”

  “Do you think that is enough of a connection to convince Maelgwn?”

  Aurora got up from the stool and paced. “I don’t know. If only he was more reasonable about his sister, if only he trusted me.”

  Justina brought her twisted fingers to her chin, considering. “I would think that a woman who looked like you would be able to convince a man of anything.”

  “No, that is not true,” Aurora said in a pained voice. “I tried to seduce my husband once, and it only made him angry.”

  “Well, if you cannot use your beauty, then you must convince him with words. Or, there is another way I have thought of.”

  “What?”

  “If Esylt were to die,” Justina said slowly. “Then whatever she is planning with Cunedda would end there.”

  Aurora stared into Justina’s ravaged face. “Are you suggesting that I murder Esylt?”

  Justina shrugged. “I am a healing woman, and there are certain potions... if used correctly, no one can tell.”

  Aurora shuddered. “And I would be the one to give it to her?”

  Justina nodded. “You are the only one who could get close enough.”

  “I cannot do it,” Aurora said firmly. “I cannot kill anyone so cruelly, even Esylt.”

  “Aye, you are right,” Justina sighed. “It is better not to fight evil with evil. You must go to Maelgwn... you must talk to him... and soon.”

  “I will,” Aurora said decisively. “I will tell him what you told me.”

  “Of course, you can’t mention my name,” Justina warned.

  “Why not?”

  “You are the queen. Esylt dare not touch you. But me—it would be easy for me to die accidently while picking herbs.”

  Aurora stared into Justina’s eyes. They seemed weaker today, as if a film covered their luminous dark pupils. “But if I can’t tell Maelgwn how I learned these things, he will never believe me!” Aurora began pacing again, moving restlessly in the tiny room.”If I could tell Maelgwn what you know, then he could protect you and Esylt would not be able to hurt you.”

  “No!” Justina cried in a frightened voice. “Esylt knows things—some of the ancient spells, the old magic—there is no way Maelgwn can protect me from her.”

  Aurora exhaled a shaky breath. She had always suspected that Esylt had evil powers. Now Justina was telling her that it was true. Was there no way to fight her? No way to make Maelgwn see that his sister was deceitful and wicked? Aurora struggled to shake off the spell of fear. She must be strong; she must go to Maelgwn and make him understand the danger he was in.

  “I will talk to Maelgwn,” she told Justina resolutely. “Somehow I will make him believe me.”

  Aurora made a move to go—determined to face Maelgwn before she lost her nerve. Before she reached the door, Justina stopped her.

  “Here you have brought me gifts, and I have given you nothing in return,” she said, gesturing to the food Aurora had left on the table. “I must repay you.”

  Aurora waited while Justina went to the corner of the room and dug in the ground there. She returned with a little round jar made of bronze. She placed it in Aurora’s hand, closing her fingers over the faceted edges.

  “Here—in case you need it.”

  “What is it?” Aurora asked uneasily.

  “It is the special mixture I told you about. No, do not give it back,” she said as Aurora shook her head. “You do not have to use it, but you never know, there may come a time that you will need it. It only takes a pinch in a cup of wine or beer to make Esylt fall into the sleep that lasts forever.”

  “Thank you,” Aurora said softly. She could not understand why tears came to her eyes. Impulsively, she gave Justina a kiss, and then hurried out the door.

  Aurora returned to the fortress, shaking with tension. She left Paithu at the stables and went looking for Maelgwn. She found him in his office in the corner of the barracks. He seemed to be studying something on the table in front of him, and he did not look up as she entered. For a moment Aurora stood quietly, looking around the large room. The table Maelgwn was sitting at was in the corner by the fireplace, and next to him were shelves with dusty maps and a few parchment books. On the other side of the room there was a pile of sheepskins and blankets where Gwenaseth said Maelgwn often slept.

  Aurora couldn’t help contrasting the room’s sparse, ancient furnishings with those of her father’s office. It had a lovely tiled floor, a massive desk instead of a table, and tall shelves stuffed with rolled-up books. It was heated with a beautiful bronze brazier, and there were several well-made couches and chairs for guests. It was odd, Aurora thought, but despite the beauty and wealth that surrounded him, compared to Maelgwn, her father wielded very little power. Perhaps it was true that the days of the Romans were over and from now on the land would be ruled by the hardy Britains.

  Maelgwn looked up, and an expression of mingled surprise and pleasure crossed his face.

  “Aurora! What are you doing here?”

  “I need to talk to you.”

  Maelgwn got up and found an old stool in the corner and bade her sit down. He sat down again with the table between them. Despite the warmth of his greeting, his face was wary and his blue eyes blazed with deadly intensity.

  Aurora cleared her throat. “I... I have something to tell you.”

  Maelgwn nodded.

  “There has been a man down near the village who I think is a Brigante. His name is Urlain, and he has been seen talking to Grimerwyn.”

  There was no change in Maelgwn’s face. No flicker of interest. Nothing.

  “I am afraid that Cunedda is plotting with someone inside Caer Eryri to betray you, and this man is his spy.” Aurora spoke breathlessly, the words tumbling out in a flood of emotion.

  “Who is it inside Caer Eryri that you think he plots with?”

  Aurora bit her lips, and her voice was barely audible.

  “Esylt.”

  Maelgwn made an expression of disgust and stood up.

  “Well, does it not make sense?” Aurora asked anxiously. “Grimerwyn was Esylt’s lover until recently, and certainly Esylt is close enough with Cunedda that she might do something like this!”

  “Can’t you think of a better story, Aurora? Esylt has many faults, I know, but it would be stupid for her to plot against me with Cunedda. What could she ever hope to be to him, except another one of his wives? She has much more power now than Cunedda would ever give her.” Maelgwn looked at Aurora with narrowed eyes. “I should never have told you of my doubts about Cunedda. It seems I cannot trust you with any information.”

  “Perhaps I am wrong about Esylt,” Aurora said in anguish. “But the part about the Brigante man and Grimerwyn—that is true!”

  “Did you see them?”

  “No, but the person that told me is very trustworthy.”

  “Who told you?”

  Aurora looked away from Maelgwn’s angry face.

  “I cannot tell you,” she answered miserably.

  “Perhaps it was that old crone—Justina,” Maelgwn said scornfully. “I am told that she is a crazy, that the herbal potions she takes give her strange and fanciful dreams. Perhaps this is one of them.”

  Maelgwn came around the table and stood directly in front of Aurora, so close he was almost touching her. “It’s just a story, isn’t it?” he asked her coldly. “It’s just a lie you made up to try and turn me against Esylt.”

  Auror
a shook her head and stood up. “No. No, it’s not,” she said defiantly. Somehow the fear was leaving her, and she was angry and very frustrated. “Why is it you believe Esylt’s stories against me?” Aurora challenged. “I would think after Dinas Brenin you would have realized what a manipulative monster she is!”

  Maelgwn had turned his back, as if to leave, but at her words, he came back to stand close to her.

  “Who told you of Dinas Brenin?” he asked in a quiet, deadly voice.

  It seemed that there was something stuffed in Aurora’s throat. In her anger she had forgotten her promise to Justina. She did not know what to say.

  “I must have overheard someone,” she said in a voice that was little more than a whisper.

  “Liar!” he hissed. “No one at Caer Eryri would speak of it to you. No one would dare. Tell me,” he continued threateningly. “Tell me who told you.”

  “I can’t,” she answered in a quavering voice. “I can’t betray them.”

  For a moment Aurora feared Maelgwn would strike her—his face was so full of hatred. He grabbed her, his fingers digging into her arms, then he pushed her away and backed toward the door. “Damn scheming witch!” he shouted. “Your face is so sweet and innocent, but you dared to keep secrets from me and throw the ugliness of the past in my face!”

  “No! I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Aurora begged. “I am trying to warn you, to help you.” She reached out her hands imploringly. “Please Maelgwn, please believe me. I have not betrayed you... I... I love you.”

  “Love!” Maelgwn sneered. “What do you know of love except the favors your lovely body can earn for you. I am not some boy you can manipulate as you wish. I am a man, a king, and I have had my fill of scheming women for the rest of my life.”

  “Please, Maelgwn, please,” Aurora begged. “Give me a chance.” Tears streamed down her face, and she felt as if something was breaking inside of her.

  “No!” Maelgwn thundered as he reached the doorway. “You have used up all your chances with me!”

  Aurora stood in the bare, lonely office and cried silently. What should she do? She had tried to help Maelgwn, to make things right, and he had rejected her more terribly than ever. It was over, she thought bitterly. Now he would send her back to her father. She was so alone, so completely alone. Gwenaseth and Elwyn were so absorbed in each other, they no longer had time for her. There was no one at Caer Eryri she could call a friend. No one except Justina.

  Aurora wiped her tear-streaked face on her hands and tried to pull herself together. It was still early. She could easily slip out the gate and go to the village. Aurora had a great need to see Justina—to reassure herself that the intriguing little woman was real. Already she had begun to doubt her memory. Could it be that she had thrown away her last chance with Maelgwn because of a crazy woman whose head was full of twisted thoughts?

  Aurora hurried to the gate, not stopping for her horse. She would walk this time. There was no need to keep up the pretense that she was just riding in the valley. She no longer cared if Maelgwn knew she had gone to see Justina.

  It was early afternoon—just a few hours since she had visited before. The air was quiet and heavy, and Aurora knew a storm was on its way. She should stop and get a cloak, but it hardly seemed important. Aurora walked rapidly down the track to the village. In the warm, calm air, she could smell the heart-breaking scent of the star-flowers on the hill. It was late summer, and soon the flowers would be gone. It would not matter, Aurora thought bitterly. She would be gone, too, and Caer Eryri would be just a memory.

  Aurora had not yet reached the village when the small hairs on the back of her neck told her that something was wrong. She went a few paces farther and smelled smoke. The odor was acrid, intense, but mingled with it was another, softer scent. Aurora was not even near Justina’s hut when she began to suspect what she would find. She quickened her pace, full of dread. Her breathing was quick and shallow. Justina had known—that was why she had given Aurora the poison.

  Aurora reached the clearing and stopped. She could go no further. Even from this distance, the heat was intense. It was not only the dry, ancient wood of Justina’s hut which blazed so fiercely, but also the herbs which had hung along the walls—that was why the smoke smelled so sweet.

  Aurora turned her head away. She did not want to watch the wicked yellow flames, and she did not have to approach more closely to know that Justina had been inside—that she had been murdered. Aurora looked around the forest nervously. If someone had seen fit to kill Justina—why not her, too? She bolted out of the clearing like a frightened deer. Big drops of rain were falling. She could hear them sizzle on the fire behind her. She ran and ran, breathless, gasping. It was not until she was in sight of the gate that she slowed her pace.

  Caer Eryri looked so solid and ordinary compared to the tragic destruction she had just witnessed. The guard dozed inside the gatehouse. Woman were chasing a few squalling geese into their pens, while errant children played a game of tag, heedless of the rain. Aurora ran to the tower. She was soaked. She was not chilled, but steaming with panicky sweat.

  The stairs had never seemed so steep. Aurora reached the tower room with relief, and let herself in. The sky outside the room was dark and threatening, and no lamp or fire had yet been kindled. It took a moment for Aurora’s eyes to adjust to the darkness. As her eyes began to make out the familiar objects in the room, her heart flew into her throat. Maelgwn was sitting quietly on the bed, watching her.

  Aurora had not expected to see her husband again until he came to her to tell her that the marriage was over. It unnerved her to find him waiting for her. She did not know what to say; she waited for him to speak.

  Maelgwn said nothing, but stood and went to strike a flint to kindle the lamp. The golden light flared into the dim, gloomy room. Still he did not speak, but walked back to sit upon the bed. He seemed to be cupping something in his big hand, and he played idly with the object, turning it around restlessly so that it caught the glint of the lamplight and glowed eerily within his fingers.

  “What is this, Aurora?” His voice was calm, without emotion.

  He reached out his hand, palm up. The small round object stood out clearly—it was the vial of poison Justina had given Aurora.

  For a long while, Aurora said nothing, searching her mind for some story, some explanation that Maelgwn would accept. Nothing came to her, and she remained silent, listening to the sound of her own strained, harsh breathing. Maelgwn twirled the small bronze jar until the facets along its edges reflected dazzling patterns on the ceiling of the tower room.

  At last, reason seemed to return to her, and she had her answer. “It is a beauty potion from Justina,” she said in the coldest, most withering tone she could summon.

  Maelgwn stared at her a moment, as if willing the truth from her. Then he carefully removed the lid of the jar and looked at its contents.

  Aurora had not had a chance to open the jar yet to see what the poison looked like. That afternoon she had hastily dropped it on the table beside the bed before she went to see Maelgwn. Now she leaned forward, startled by the sight of the white powder inside the vial.

  Maelgwn examined the contents carefully—even sniffing it—then he moistened a finger and dipped it into the jar as if to taste it.

  “No!” Aurora shouted. “Don’t!”

  Maelgwn looked at her curiously. “Why not?”

  “Because it is... it is...”

  “Poison?” Maelgwn suggested helpfully. “I thought as much. Justina is not as clever as she thinks. I have heard of this concoction, and it is deadly indeed, but until it is mixed in liquid, its odor gives it away. Tell me, Aurora, when did you mean to give it to me? Did you plan to wait until we had a meal in the great hall, and anyone could be blamed for it?”

  “Not you!” Aurora said in an anguished voice. “Never you!”

  “Who then? Esylt?” Maelgwn’s fierce eyes bored into her. “It seems that you are the one who schemes, Aurora.
You are the one who can’t be trusted.”

  “It is not like that,” Aurora protested. “I was afraid... afraid for you. Esylt is evil—she plans to destroy you.”

  “It is funny,” Maelgwn suggested, although he looked anything but amused. “Since I was a child, whenever anyone in my family tried to justify their actions, they used that excuse. Whoever opposed them—they were always the evil ones. I am so tired of this jealous hatred, Aurora. So tired. I want it to end once and for all.”

  Aurora slumped down on the stool in the corner of the room, weak with fatigue and despair. She began to twist her rings around on her fingers. Finally she looked up at Maelgwn. He was watching her with a disgusted look that frightened her even more than his anger.

  “What are you going to do with me?” she asked in a quavering voice.

  Maelgwn walked over to her and picked her up by her long hair, bringing her face very close to his. “What should I do with you?” he demanded. “Surely if I were wise, I would kill you now, and put us both out of our misery.”

  Aurora stared in terror at Maelgwn’s deadly eyes. The blue was gone from them, and they were an empty, savage black. Maelgwn released his grip, and Aurora fell back awkwardly on the stool. He seemed to gain control of himself, and the murderous rage left his face.

  “I don’t know what I plan to do with you,” he said as he strode toward the door. “I will have to think on it. In the meantime, you are not allowed to leave this room.”

  “You mean I am to stay here? A prisoner?”

  Maelgwn nodded. “There will be a guard at the bottom of the stairs.”

  “I will not run away,” Aurora begged. “Please do not lock me up!”

  Maelgwn shook his head. “I can’t trust you. You’ve proven that. I wouldn’t be surprised if you went running to Justina again.”

  “Justina is dead!” Aurora cried. “Her hut burned in a fire.” The pain hit her sharply. Justina was dead, for a moment she had almost forgotten.

  “Good riddance, I say,” Maelgwn said coldly. “Can’t you see how she entangled you in her plot? She has always hated Esylt, and in you she saw the perfect tool to finally wreak her vengeance.”