by Headlee, Kim
So did Arthur.
Her raised eyebrow invited him to explain. “When you and Loholt needed me most, I was too obsessed with my plans to retaliate against Colgrim.” The confession didn’t come easily, for those plans might yet effect a wider impact than anticipated, and not necessarily for the better. “Can you forgive me?”
She frowned. “I blamed many people for Loholt’s death—rightly or wrongly—but it never occurred to me to blame you. The Angli war was your responsibility.” She slowly rolled the unlit twig between her fingers and sighed. “As Loholt was mine.”
“It occurred to me. Often.” He swept an errant lock from her forehead and cupped her cheek. Her eyes shimmered with compassion. “I swear to you, Gyanhumara nic Hymar, Àrd-Banoigin of Clan Argyll, that I will protect our sons until my final heartbeat.”
“Or daughters?”
Rejoicing to see the teasing twinkle return to her eyes, he nodded, praying that the Lord God Almighty would deliver the world from a daughter even half as feisty, strong-minded, and glorious as her mother.
Abbot Dafydd slowly approached them. Gyan motioned him closer. “For Caledonians, the act of honoring the dead is not complete until it is shared outside the immediate family.”
“Bear ye one another’s burdens.” Dafydd inclined his head. “I am indeed honored to participate, Chieftainess.”
She unpinned Urien’s badge. “I shall make arrangements for an endowment to the monastery.” Clutching her slipping cloak with one hand, she used the other to thrust the brooch toward an astonished Dafydd. “Please consider this my promise of payment.”
“Payment?” asked the abbot.
“For your help, your wisdom, your prayers—but mostly because you continued to believe in me and for me until I could regain the volition to act in faith.” She smiled faintly. “And in love.”
As she dropped the brooch onto Dafydd’s palm, she glanced slyly at Arthur. “Is that promotion is still available, Lord Pendragon?”
“Absolutely, Commander.” With immeasurable pride, he retrieved the sapphire-eyed gold dragon from his pouch and pinned it in its rightful place. “Abbot Dafydd, you stand as witness to the elevation of Commander Gyanhumara nic Hymar to the post of Comitissa Britanniam.” As Arthur regarded her, everything else seemed to melt away. “Though you have always ruled my heart, Gyan, and always shall.”
“And you mine,” she murmured, her eyes misting.
Together, they lit a candle for Loholt. By tacit consent, they lit another candle for every pledge they repeated to each other. The combined brilliance bathed Gyan’s face in a rosy glow. The radiance of her smile warmed Arthur’s soul.
“You won’t protect our children, Artyr.” Her smile deepened as his eyebrows shot up. “But we will.”
“Indeed, Gyan, we will.”
He anticipated their reborn partnership with more joy than any treasure or accolade the world could possibly offer.
Explicit Liber Secundus
kdh, MMXIII
Psalm 30:5 (NIV), Soli Deo Gloria
Author’s Notes
FOR MY ORIGINAL thoughts regarding my historical approach, names, and whatnot, please refer to Dawnflight, either edition.
Morning’s Journey is the first novel to have benefited from my work in expanding the idiomatic language employed throughout this series. I then went back and revised Dawnflight accordingly, prior to releasing the second edition. If I seem to have gone a bit overboard, ha, well, that’s why the glossary is included here, with terms and place-names that apply to this text. Likewise, the appendix of people lists characters and, in many cases, updates to their descriptions, as applicable.
The sequel, Raging Sea, concentrates on Angusel’s story as he hones his skills in the crucible of more of Arthur’s battles and other events. According to some traditions, there were three Elaines in Lancelot’s life. Thus far, I have introduced readers to two: Angusel’s mother, Alayna, and one of his early mentors, Centurion Elian. Both characters return in the sequel, which also features the introduction of the third and most emotionally meaningful, Eileann, the “island” destined to become the serene center of Angusel’s “raging sea.”
People
ENTRY FORMAT:
Full Name (Pronunciation). Brief description, which may include rank, occupation, clan, country, nickname(s), name’s origin and meaning, banner, and legendary name. Place-names and other affiliations are given in the person’s native language.
Approximate pronunciation guidelines are supplied for the less obvious names, especially those of Scottish Gaelic and Brythonic origin. When in doubt, pronounce it however it makes sense to you.
Astute fans of the series may notice differences in pronunciations of some of the names from those given in Dawnflight. These differences represent updates in my research, based on working with the voice artist for Dawnflight’s audiobook edition.
Accolon. Centurion in First Ala, Horse Cohort, Dragon Legion of Brydein; Urien’s second-in-command and friend. Clan: Moray, Dalriada, Brydein. Legendary name: Sir Accolon.
Ælferd Wlencingsson. West Saxon prince. Son of Wlencing; nephew of Cissa; betrothed to Camilla. Banner: green griffin on gold.
Ælle (ALE-leh). King of the South Saxons. Father of Camilla. Banner: gold Woden’s hammer and fist on black. Historically, he reigned in Sussex (the “South Saxons”) from 477 until perhaps as late as 514, though no document officially recording his death exists.
Airc. Centurio Equo, Fifth Ala, Horse Cohort, Dragon Legion of Brydein. Clan: Argyll, Caledon. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic àrc (“cork”).
Alain. Heir to the chieftainship of Clan Cwrnwyll of Rheged, Brydein. Husband of Yglais; Arthur’s brother-in-law. Legendary name: King Alain Le Gros.
Alayna (ah-lah-EE-nah). Chieftainess and Àrd-Banoigin of Clan Alban, Caledon. Widow of Guilbach (Gwalchafed); Angusel’s mother. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic àlainn (“beautiful, elegant, splendid”).
Ambrosius Aurelius Constantinus. Late Dux Britanniarum. Elder brother of Uther; father of Merlin. Nickname: Emrys (EM-rees). Legendary name: Ambrosius.
Aneirin (ah-NAY-rin). Brytoni bard in the service of the chieftains of Clan Moray, based on the historical Aneirin, who probably lived about a hundred years later than the setting of this story and did compose a ballad about the historical Urien.
Angusel mac Alayna. Àrd-Oighre of Clan Alban, Caledon. Son of Alayna and Gwalchafed. Nickname: Angus. Name origin: inspired by Scottish Gaelic an càs (“the trying situation”), sàl (“sea”). Legendary name: Sir Lancelot du Lac.
Annamar ferch Gorlas. Daughter of Gorlas and Ygraine; Arthur’s half-sister; wife of Loth of Clan Lothian; mother of Gawain, Gareth, Medraut, and Cundre. Clan: Cwrnwyll, Rheged, Brydein. Legendary name: Queen Margause.
Antoninus Pius. Second-century A.D. Roman emperor, of the Aurelii family, who ordered the construction of the Antonine Wall in Britain.
Aonar. A name Angusel gives himself, based on events in this story. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic aonar (“alone”).
Arthur map Uther, a.k.a. Arturus Aurelius Vetarus, a.k.a. Artyr mac Ygrayna. The Pendragon, Dux Britanniarum (succeeded Uther). Àrd-Ceoigin of Clan Argyll, Caledon. Son of Uther and Ygraine; husband of Gyanhumara; father of Loholt. Clan: Cwrnwyll, Brydein. Nickname: Artyr. Banner: scarlet dragon rampant on gold. Legendary name: King Arthur Pendragon.
Arturus Aurelius Vetarus. See Arthur. Latin name loosely based on the ancient Roman format and in this story means “Arthur of the Aurelii, son of Uther.” After Abar-Gleann, some of his officers suggested that he add “Caledonius” (“Conqueror of Caledonia”) to his string, in grand old Roman tradition, but he declined.
Artyr mac Ygrayna (ar-TEER). See Arthur. Caledonaiche matronymic name format meaning “Arthur, son of Ygraine.” Name origin: Scottish Gaelic ar tir (“our country”).
Badulf Colgrimsson. Angli prince. Son of King Colgrim.
Bann. Chieftain of Clan Lammor of Gododdin, Brydein. Father of Bedwyr.
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bsp; Bedwyr (BAYD-veer) map Bann. Highest-ranking officer of the Brytoni fleet. Son of Chieftain Bann. Clan: Lammor, Gododdin, Brydein. Legendary name: Sir Bedivere.
Boudicca. First-century A.D. queen of the Iceni tribe in southern Britain famous for leading the rebellion against the Roman occupying forces that fell one battle short of Emperor Nero withdrawing all Roman troops from Britain.
Bryalla. Maidservant at Arbroch. Clan: Argyll, Caledon.
Byrn mac Lorana. Late Chieftain and Àrd-Ceoigin of Clan Argyll. Hymar’s first consort; Peredur’s father.
Caius Marcellus Ectorius. General (legate) in the Brytoni army, Camboglanna garrison commander. Son of Ectorius; Arthur’s foster brother. Nickname: Cai. Legendary name: Sir Kay the Seneschal.
Calpurnia. Wife of Ectorius; mother of Cai, foster mother of Arthur. Distantly descended from the ancient patrician Roman Calpurnii family.
Camilla Ællesdottr. South Saxon princess. Daughter of King Ælle; betrothed to Ælferd.
Cato. Decurion in First Ala, Horse Cohort, Dragon Legion of Brydein. Clan: Moray, Dalriada, Brydein.
Cissa (KEE-sah). King of the West Saxons. Ælferd’s uncle. Banner: white horse crowned on purple. Historically, Cissa probably was King of the South Saxons, ruling jointly with Ælle until Ælle’s death, though no reliable Saxon monarch genealogy exists, and titles and territories may have been more than a little bit fluid.
Claudius. Soldier in the Brytoni army stationed at Tanroc.
Cleopatra. Cleopatra VII Philopator, of Greek ancestry and the last pharaoh of Egypt; she ruled during the mid-1st century B.C.
Colgrim. King of the Angles. Banner: crimson eagle on white.
Commodus. Roman emperor who succeeded his father, Marcus Aurelius, in the late 2nd century A.D.—and didn’t inherit his father’s wisdom or pragmatism.
Conall. Centurion, second-in-command at Tanroc garrison, Manx Cohort, Dragon Legion of Brydein. Clan: Argyll, Caledon.
Cuchullain (ku-CUL-len) og Conchobar. Laird of the Scáthaichean of Eireann (succeeded Conchobar). Son of Conchobar; husband of Dierda. Nickname: Cucu. Banner: silver wolf running, on pine-green. Legendary name: Cú Chulainn.
Cundre ferch Loth. Daughter of Annamar and Loth; Arthur’s niece. Clan: Lothian, Gododdin, Brydein. Legendary name: Kundry.
Cynda (KEEN-dah). Gyanhumara’s maidservant, confidante. Clan: Argyll, Caledon.
Dafydd (DAH-veeth) the Elder. Monk at St. Padraic’s Monastery. Katra’s husband; father of Dafydd the Younger. Name origin: Brythonic variant of the name David.
Dafydd (DAH-veeth) the Younger. Son of Dafydd the Elder. Name origin: Brythonic variant of the name David.
Denu. Brytoni fisherman. Clan: Moray, Dalriada, Brydein. Name origin: Welsh denu (“attract”).
Dileas (DIE-lay-ahs). Caledonach courier (rank: optio) in the Brytoni army. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic dìleas (“faithful”).
Dorcas. Nun and healer living at Caer Lugubalion.
Dumarec. Chieftain of Clan Moray of Dalriada, Brydein. Urien’s father. Banner: black boar’s head on gold.
Dwras map Gwyn, a.k.a. Dwras Gwyn Peldyr (Brytonic, “Dwras White Spear”). Brytoni farmer. Son of Gwyn; husband of Talya; father of Gwydion. Clan: Lothian, Gododdin, Brydein.
Ectorius. Late general (legate) in the Brytoni army. Father of Cai; foster father of Arthur. Legendary name: Sir Ector.
Galen of Pergamum. Roman physician of Greek origin who practiced in the court of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the 2nd century A.D. His research and methodologies greatly advanced knowledge in the fields of anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and neurology, and it’s estimated that as much as 80% of his writings remain valid by modern standards.
Ganora. See Gyanhumara. This is one of many variants of “Guinevere” found in ancient literature; others include Vanora and Wander. In this story, “Ganora” is a mistaken pronunciation of “Gyanhumara.”
Gareth map Loth. Heir to the chieftainship of Clan Lothian. Second son of Loth and Annamar; Arthur’s nephew. Clan: Lothian, Gododdin, Brydein. Legendary name: Sir Gareth.
Gawain map Loth. Foot soldier in the Brytoni army. Firstborn son of Loth and Annamar; Arthur’s nephew. Clan: Lothian, Gododdin, Brydein. Legendary name: Sir Gawain.
Gereint map Erbin. Prefect of the Badger Cohort (Praefectus Cohortis Meles), Dragon Legion of Brydein; commander of the occupation force at Senaudon. Son of Erbin. Legendary name: Sir Geraint.
Gideon. Hebrew general who destroyed a Midianite encampment of thousands of men using only 300 warriors hand-selected for the way they drank water at a stream. Biblical reference: Judges 7.
Gorlas. Late Chieftain of Clan Cwrnwyll of Rheged, Brydein. Ygraine’s first husband; father of Annamar and Yglais. Legendary name: Duke Gorlois of Cornwall.
Guenevara. See Gyanhumara. Name origin: Angli/Saxon variant of Gwenhwyfar.
Guilbach (GOOL-bahk). Late Chieftain and Àrd-Ceoigin of Clan Alban, Caledon. Alayna’s consort; Angusel’s father. Clan: Tarsuinn, Caledon. Nickname: Gwalchafed. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic guilbneach (“curlew”).
Gwalchafed (GWAHL-kah-vehd). See Guilbach. Nickname bestowed on Guilbach by Uther the Pendragon honoring his battle prowess. Name origin: Brythonic gwalchafed (“summer falcon”).
Gwydion. Son of Dwras. Clan: Lothian, Gododdin, Brydein.
Gyanhumara (ghee-ahn-huh-MAR-ah) nic Hymar, a.k.a. Gwenhwyfar ferch Gogfran, a.k.a. Guenevara. Chieftainess and Àrd-Banoigin of Clan Argyll of Caledon. Daughter of Hymar and Ogryvan; wife of Arthur; mother of Loholt. Nickname: Gyan (GHEE-ahn). Banner: two silver doves flying, on dark blue. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic gainne amhran (“rarest song”). Legendary names: Queen Guinevere, Guenevere, Guenever.
Hippocrates of Cos. Greek physician who lived in the 5th-4th centuries B.C., widely considered the father of Western medicine.
Horace. Quintus Horatius Flaccus, a 1st-century, B.C. Roman poet.
Hymar (HEE-mar). Late Chieftainess and Àrd-Banoigin of Clan Argyll, Caledon. Ogryvan’s wife; mother of Peredur and Gyanhumara. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic amhran (“song”).
Iesseu (ee-ay-SAY-oo). Caledonaiche variant of Jesus.
Iesu (YAY-soo). Brytonic variant of Jesus.
Iomar mac Morra. Àrd-Oighre of Clan Rioghail, Caledon. Son of Morra; Ogryvan’s cousin. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic iomair (“to row”).
Iulius Caesar. Roman Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar, best known to Caledonians as having ordered a failed invasion of Caledonia in the 1st century B.C., though he managed to subjugate the rest of Brydein into the Roman Empire (Britannia Province).
Katra. Brytoni freedwoman. Wife of Dafydd the Elder; mother of Mari, Dafydd the Younger, and Samsen.
Liam. Brytoni farmer. Clan: Cwrnwyll, Rheged, Brydein.
Lir. Abbot of St. Padraic’s Monastery; Keeper of the Chalice.
Livy. Titus Livius Patavinus, a turn-of-the-millennium Roman historian most famous for his books about the several-hundred-year history of the Roman pre-republic, republic, and empire, collectively titled Ab urbe condita libri (“Books since the city’s founding” or, less literally but more descriptively, “A History of Rome”).
Loholt mac Artyr. Àrd-Oighre of Clan Argyll, Caledon. Firstborn son of Arthur and Gyanhumara. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic lo h-oillt (“for terror”).
Loth. Chieftain of Clan Lothian of Gododdin, Brydein. Arthur’s brother-in-law; Annamar’s husband; father of Gawain, Gareth, Medraut, and Cundre. Banner: amber bear on forest green. Legendary name: King Lot.
Lucan. Monk and teacher at St. Padraic’s Monastery. Latin name: Lucianus.
Lucius. Decurion in First Ala, Horse Cohort, Dragon Legion of Brydein. Clan: Moray, Dalriada, Brydein.
Lucius Arturus Castus. Roman centurion stationed in northern Brydein in the mid-fifth century whose military record was impressive enough that Uther appropriated the man’s middle name for his son even though he was not a blood relation.
Lucius Aurelius Verus. Brother of Emperor Marcus Aurelius who ruled as c
oemperor in the late 2nd century A.D.; a.k.a. Lucius Vero.
Lughann (LOO-ahn, Scotti, “Lugh’s Man”). Scáthaichean slave at Caer Lugubalion, a warrior captured during the First Battle of Port Dhoo-Glass.
Marcus. Centurion in the Brytoni army; Arthur’s aide-de-camp. Legendary name: King Mark.
Marcus Aurelius. Roman emperor who ruled in the latter half of the second century A.D.—and one of the few of that club who wasn’t a raving megalomaniac.
Mardha (MAHR-ah). Maidservant at Arbroch. Clan: Argyll, Caledon.
Mari. Late daughter of Dafydd the Elder and Katra.
Mathan. Horseman assigned to Fifth Ala, Horse Cohort, Dragon Legion of Brydein. Clan: Argyll, Caledon. Name origin: Scottish Gaelic mathan (“a bear”).
Medraut map Loth. Third son of Loth and Annamar; Arthur’s nephew. Clan: Lothian, Gododdin, Brydein. Legendary names: Sir Mordred, Modred.
Merlinus Aurelius Ambrosius Dubricius. Bishop; general (legate) in the Brytoni army, garrison commander of Caer Lugubalion. Son of Ambrosius; Arthur’s cousin. Nickname: Merlin. Latin name is loosely based on Roman format and means “Merlin of the Aurelii, son of Ambrose, called Dubric.” Known in Welsh ecclesiastical history as St. Dubric (or St. Dyfrig, depending upon the source). Legendary name: Merlin.
Morghe (MOR-ghee) ferch Uther. Daughter of Uther and Ygraine; Arthur’s younger sister; betrothed to Urien. Latin name: Morganna Aurelia Vetara. Legendary name: Queen Morgan Le Fay.
Morra. Chieftainess and Àrd-Banoigin of Clan Rioghail, Caledon. Ogryvan’s second cousin; mother of Iomar. Name origin: derived from Scottish Gaelic móire (“bag” of pioba-móire (“bagpipe”)).
Niall. Late Scáthaichean general, killed by Gyanhumara in the First Battle of Port Dhoo-Glass.
Niniane. Prioress of Rushen Priory. Legendary names: Niniane, Nimue, Lady of the Lake.
Ogryvan (OH-gree-van) mac Glynnis. Chieftain of Clan Argyll, Caledon. Hymar’s consort; Peredur’s stepfather; Gyanhumara’s father. Nickname: “the Ogre.” Legendary name: King Leodegrance.
