The Bwy Hir Complete Trilogy

by Lowri Thomas

  ‘And yet all are outshone by the beauty, intelligence and splendour of our illustrious queen.’ Cadno had finally decided to stop sulking. They all nodded, none could disagree, Mab Rhedyn Haf was indeed the most beautiful of all. ‘Except of course for Atgas,’ Cadno exclaimed, causing silence among the Host. ‘What? Do you not agree? Was Atgas not beautiful?’ Cadno looked around his brothers, but no-one would meet his eye, only Gwrnach kept his head up, watching Cadno’s sly grin.

  ‘Atgas was indeed beautiful.’ Gwrnach spoke slowly, ‘But only on the outside. Inside she was withered and ugly. Why do you dredge her spectre into our midst?’

  Cadno rolled his eyes. ‘Just because she was banished does not mean we cannot talk about her. She was one of us after all.’

  ‘But no longer.’ Aeron’s voice cut across the room as Taliesin closed the doors behind him, ‘She is Gwaradwydedig. She is nothing to us now. We will not speak of her.’

  ‘As you wish,’ Cadno replied flippantly, as he flicked his wrist and crossed his legs, turning his back on the Host to resume his study of the fire.

  Aeron glared at Cadno’s back before taking a seat among his brothers, Taliesin perched at his father’s side. ‘So, it is time to choose.’ Aeron smiled. ‘The Pride has put forward their selection of mates. Taliesin?’ He handed his father the heavy book of the Chronicles, opened at the relevant page. Cadno became interested once more.

  ‘Any favourites?’ He smirked as he looked around the gathered Host.

  ‘Branwen for me!’ Gryff shouted eagerly to a chorus of jeers. Aeron scrawled Gryff’s name beside his chosen mate’s.

  ‘Artio if Gwrnach will concede?’ Celyn-Bach’s timid voice called and the Host renewed their jeering. Gwrnach nodded his head and laughed. ‘Conceded!’

  ‘Cadno?’ Aeron inquired, ‘Who do you wish to mate? Rhiannon? Enid?’

  ‘Hmmm, is there any other choice?’ Cadno tapped his chin with a finger. ‘My tastes change. Are Olwyn or Awel on the list?’ His jest was received with a mixture of titters and awkward silence. Aeron did not find it amusing: Awel was his sister. The Pairing was a serious business and Aeron had no time for fools.

  ‘As Cadno’s first choices are not on the list, he will receive the dregs of the list once all other brothers have made their choice.’ A silence filled the chamber. ‘Llud, who is your choice?’

  ‘Well, as Cadno is being so picky,’ he said, as chuckles filled the silence, ‘I will take the delicious Rhiannon.’ Cadno glared at a smug Llud. Rhiannon was Cadno’s preferred mate: she reminded him of Atgas.

  Gwydion and Brenig were next to choose, but they both wanted Enid, and so Aeron made the decision for them. Gwydion would have Enid and Brenig would take the feisty Llinos. The Host erupted in laughter, Llinos gave as good as she got, she was not a submissive mate. Brenig cringed at the thought of the barrage of teeth and claws he would have to overcome to couple with Llinos. Gwrnach patted Brenig’s shoulder. ‘Me next!’ Gwrnach bellowed, ‘Choose for me, Aeron, but please, be kinder to me than you were to poor Brenig!’

  Aeron grinned. ‘For you then, I bestow the young and tender Mabon.’ Gwrnach nodded. Mabon was fair enough and easily overcome, although, secretly he wanted Olwyn. ‘And finally to Cadno.’ An expectant silence filled the chamber. There were only a few of the Pride left, who would Aeron choose? ‘Let me see,’ Aeron drawled, as he imitated Cadno by tapping a finger on his chin, ‘I shall pair you with Linn.’ There was a collective intake of breath. Aeron had been cruel.

  ‘Why, thank you.’ Cadno’s grin held no warmth, his eyes sparkled with fury. ‘I will enjoy mounting that wet fish.’

  Aeron bowed his head mockingly. ‘I am glad you appreciate my choice. Maybe next year I will allow you to choose your own mate.’ Aeron finished writing the names into the page. Cadno and Aeron stared at each other a few minutes longer before Aeron closed the Chronicles and handed them back to Taliesin. ‘Take these back to my chambers.’

  ‘I will come with you.’ Cadno stood up. ‘I need the fresh air and maybe you can help me choose a suitable height to throw myself from.’

  The Host chuckled as Taliesin and Cadno left the chambers together. Taliesin held the Chronicles protectively to his chest.

  Cadno waited until they were in Aeron’s chambers. ‘Pass me the Chronicles,’ he demanded.

  ‘No.’ Taliesin stood firm. ‘The Ransom was set: you get to look at the Chronicles, not take them. If you want to look at them, you do it with me present.’

  Cadno pursed his lips. ‘Agreed but you can step away from them while I read. It was not part of the Ransom for you to know what I’m interested in.’ Taliesin nodded and passed the heavy tome to Cadno.

  Cadno quickly flicked through the pages until he found what he sought. ‘Do you have the remainder of the Ransom?’ he asked as he read.

  ‘Yes.’ Taliesin removed a small scroll from beneath his robes and placed it in Cadno’s outstretched hand.

  ‘If this is false, the Ransom is void.’ Cadno inspected the document.

  ‘It is not false.’ Taliesin felt nothing but anger towards Cadno after what he had done back in the forest. ‘The last part of the Ransom is this: Atgas resides in Caerlleon.’

  Cadno smiled. ‘The Ransom is completed.’ He closed the Chronicles and handed them back to Taliesin. ‘I feel much better now. There is no need to help me find me somewhere to jump off any longer.’ With a sly grin Cadno slipped out of the door leaving Taliesin to replace the Chronicles under lock and key.

  ‘I don’t know what you’re up to, Cadno. But I hope it brings you nothing but misery.’ Taliesin whispered, as he left his father’s chamber and returned to the Host.

  Taliesin returned to his father’s side and the merriment continued. Cadno was absent from the chamber, but everyone else was there, talking and drinking in front of the warm fire. Gwrnach came to sit beside Taliesin and patted his knee. ‘We were just saying while you were gone,’ Gwrnach said, as a smile split his face, ‘if you have the misfortune of blooming before tomorrow, you will have slim pickings at the Solstice.’

  Taliesin feigned laughter but inside he was a churning mass of emotions. He worried for Anwen, he worried for himself and his mother, but most of all he worried what Cadno was up to.

  ‘Don’t worry.’ Aeron smiled indulgently. ‘You will not bloom before the Solstice, but you will have bloomed by the next Solstice, that is my guess. We should set some time aside to talk you through what will be expected of you when the time comes.’

  Taliesin rolled his eyes. ‘I do not need a lesson in coupling, father. I am not a child.’

  ‘Ho!’ Gwrnach teased, ‘Listen to the voice of experience!’

  The Host jeered anew and Taliesin felt his face grow hot. Aeron smiled at his son. He was so proud, so wilful. An apple never falls far from the tree, Aeron thought smugly to himself.

  The Host talked long into the night. They did not sleep, and would not sleep again until Spring. The night was a peaceful and relaxed period of their day when light gave way to darkness and the feel of the mountain’s energy changed from dynamic to lethargic, when Druids would take to their beds and the halls became their own, an unshared and vast dominion.

  Tomorrow’s sunrise would bring a new atmosphere to the halls of Maen-Du in the bowels of the Eryri Mountains. An excitable ambience would flood through the halls, the Druids would scuttle about preparing for the Solstice and the Bwy Hir would rest and relax together, eating, drinking, preparing themselves for the Solstice, the Harvest, the coupling and finally the Great Hunt where Bwy Hir and Dragon would become one and ride the night, hunting deer and stag, fox and vixen. All the Bwy Hir would ride, all accept Taliesin. He would receive only the bounty from the Harvest and not the ateb. He would leave with the Pride, them to their lairs, him to the mountain to await the return of the Host.

  Taliesin had longed for the day he would blossom and join the Host, but now he wasn’t so sure. His heart belonged to Anwen Morgan of Ty Mawr.


  CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

  Dai woke with a crick in his neck. The sofa had not made a comfortable bed. Dai sat up and stretched his muscles, leaning his head from one side to the other, working out the knots.

  With a yawn he made his way to the kitchen. It was well past dawn and the grey morning light filtered through the windows. It would rain today, Dai could feel it in his bones. He set to making breakfast, he put the kettle on the hot plate and flicked the radio on, shuffling from side to side to the music as he began to fry sausages and bacon in a pan.

  The music was interrupted by a crackling hiss and Dai removed the kettle and pan from the hotplate. The interruption to the music meant one thing: a Druid had arrived. Dai went into the front room.

  ‘Ah, Dilwyn Jones.’ The Druid bowed, ‘I have glad tidings. We have retrieved Dafydd Morgan’s amulet and so return both to the Ty Mawr household.’ He outstretched his hand and Dai accepted them both.

  ‘They will be pleased.’ Dai meant it. It was good that the Morgans had their full status returned. ‘Any news on the women?’ Dai knew the answer, Gwyn had told him everything and this morning Dai looked upon the Druids in a new light.

  ‘I am afraid not.’ This Druid at least looked genuinely concerned. ‘They cannot be traced. Strange is it not?’

  ‘Strange indeed.’ Dai tried to look as concerned as the Druid. ‘I’m sure they will turn up. Did you find them in Criccieth?’

  ‘Not as yet. Our Seekers have not long returned. If we discover anything we will inform the Morgan men immediately. We have found no trace of them and I believe that is a good thing. The Helgi would have uncovered the bodies within the first search. They are not dead, and although they picked up a trace of the young girl above Betws yn Rhos, she is long gone. Perhaps you are right, perhaps they have just gone their separate ways, maybe after an argument?’

  ‘I don’t know about that, although the women weren’t the closest of friends, but they were family. They’ll turn up. Thank you for all your help.’ Dai returned the bow and the Druid left the way he had come, through the mirror.

  Dai put the amulets on the kitchen table and continued with preparing breakfast. The phone rang and Dai swore under his breath before removing the pan and kettle for the second time.

  ‘Yes?’ he said down the phone. It was his wife and she was close to hysterical. ‘Ellen’s called the engagement off? ... Oh, dear. Why’s that then? ... She’s in love with who? ... PC Mallard, you say? ... Well I never … Gary will get over it … I’m not being insensitive! ... Yes, I’ll be home soon … soon as I can … okay … ta-ra.’

  ‘How’d you pull that one off?’ Gwyn yawned as he stomped down the stairs.

  ‘Had a quiet chat with her dad on the phone last night, explained what had been going on, he agreed that we can’t take a chance of mixed blood. Whether the babe’s Gary’s or James’, PC Mallard has made his bed and now he’ll lie in it. Will Richards was very understanding, besides, he has other daughters and a son, his line will continue.’

  ‘It all comes down to blood, eh, Dai?’ Gwyn followed Dai into the kitchen.

  ‘It’s thicker than water, Gwyn, it’s thicker than water.’ Dai started the breakfast for the third time. ‘Oh, there’s a present for you on the table, one for your dad too.’

  Gwyn picked up the amulets with mixed feelings. He put his over his head. He knew it was his as it still looked shiny and new. His father’s was duller, more worn – he left that one on the table.

  ‘What time you visiting your dad?’ Dai shuffled along to the radio.

  ‘This morning, as soon as I’m ready.’ Gwyn’s stomach growled as the smell of the bacon hit his nostrils. The phone rang for a second time and Dai swore out loud.

  ‘I’ll get it.’ Gwyn rushed to the phone. ‘Hello?’

  ‘Gwyn?’ It was Anwen.

  ‘Yes, yes, it’s me. You okay?’

  ‘Tired and cold, but I’m okay.’ Anwen’s voice was shaky and feeble.

  ‘I need you to listen, Anwen, you have to get on a train and get to London. Do you have enough money?’

  ‘Yes, but why? I want to come home!’ she wailed.

  ‘You can’t. You know you can’t. Not yet.’ Gwyn felt a lump in his throat. ‘I need you to listen now, get on a train and get to Euston Station, there will be someone waiting for you, someone who will help you.’

  ‘Who?’ Anwen was crying.

  ‘A friend. Just do it Anwen.’ Gwyn was crying too, ‘And there is something else. Don’t go over the sea. Not on a bridge or a boat, or nothing, just stay away from it. It’s important, I don’t know why, but you can’t cross the sea, okay?’

  ‘I know why, Gwyn and I won’t, but when can I come home?’ she pleaded.

  ‘Soon, Anwen. Soon. We’ve just got to sort things out this end. Trust me Anwen, you’ll be home soon.’

  ‘I trust you, Gwyn. Is Dad okay?’

  ‘Yes, he’s fine, honest.’

  ‘Nerys?’

  ‘She’s still missing Anwen, so you need to stay away, you listening?’ Gwyn’s voice broke.

  ‘Okay. I’ll get on the next train … tell Dad I’m sorry.’ Anwen sounded heartbroken.

  ‘No need to be sorry, Anwen. Just look after yourself and listen, if anyone but me or dad answers the phone, you’re to hang up, okay? You hang up.’ Gwyn was boiling up inside.

  ‘I will. I love you, Gwyn.’

  ‘I love you too. You look after yourself.’ Gwyn wiped his eyes and nose with his spare hand.

  ‘Bye, Gwyn, and happy birthday for yesterday…I’m sorry if it wasn’t happy, I’ll make it up to you … Give my love to Dad.’ Anwen sounded so far away.

  ‘Bye, Anwen. Bye.’ Gwyn waited until the line went dead before hanging up. He felt that if he held onto the phone he was somehow still connected to Anwen. He shuffled back into the kitchen.

  Dai took one look at Gwyn’s face and opened his arms. Gwyn embraced Dai and heaved a huge miserable sigh. ‘You did good, Gwyn.’ Dai patted his back. ‘If Awel’s watching over her then she’ll be fine. Now, get your arse sat at the table and get some food down you before you go and visit your dad. Oh, and get a shower and a shave will you? You stink!’

  Gwyn snorted as he pulled away from the embrace. ‘I will.’ He sat down at the table and Dai produced a fair breakfast, not as good as Anwen’s but better than Gwyn could produce.

  They ate in silence, listening to the radio and enjoying the peace and quiet. Dai had promised to return to visit Ty Mawr that evening, to prepare Gwyn for the Solstice, and Gwyn would be glad for the company.

  Tomorrow evening was going to be a big event for Gwyn and his father would not be with him. He needed all the support he could get, and he trusted Dai implicitly.

  Dai put his knife and fork down. ‘Gwyn, you took a risk telling me everything last night, and I appreciate your trust, but do not mention this to anyone else, except your father of course. It’s just I’m beginning to doubt who we can and can’t trust. I think it would be better to keep this as quiet as possible. What do you think?’

  ‘I agree, Dai, I’ll keep my mouth shut, unless …’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Unless I find the bastard who did away with Nerys, then I’ll be shouting at the top of my lungs.’ Gwyn’s voice was full of anger.

  ‘Nothing rash, mind,’ Dai cautioned, ‘you don’t want out of the frying pan and into the fire.’

  Gwyn gave a tight nod. ‘Awel warned me to be careful and I will, but no-one hurts my family and gets away with it.’

  Dai remained silent, he couldn’t see a bright future for the Morgans, only a sad one, and that alone made Dai a staunch ally and friend, at least until there was no choice but to cut ties and protect his own family.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  ‘I don’t like it, Awel.’ Mab was pacing the floor of her pavilion. ‘Everything is unravelling … I don’t know what to say to the Pride.’

  Awel sat tiredly on a cluster of cushions, she was growing weary. ‘You
called them, so you decide. And what should you tell them? Taliesin has sired a Halfling. There is a murderous Druid, or Druids, culling the Chosen. Olwyn is pregnant with Gwrnach’s child. A new ateb has been created and used without consultation or permission and to complete the chaos, Cadno has chosen to blackmail their queen!’ Awel snorted.

  ‘We stand upon a cliff edge, Awel. A cliff edge that is about to crumble beneath our feet, surely it is better to reveal the truth before it is too late.’ Mab wrung her hands.

  ‘Too late? Too late?’ Awel was exasperated. ‘The Solstice is tomorrow, we are already too late! Tomorrow we will withdraw to slumber, Aeron already has control. There is no worse time to reveal anything! You should have waited Mab, waited until Spring, when you’d be strong enough and held full control of the Bwy Hir. You should have waited!’ Awel was determined; her voice was clipped and strained.

  Mab was just as unwavering. ‘The Chosen are being slayed, Awel, the Morgans are being targeted. The boy suffered a near miss by the hand of a Druid, our guardian has vanished, the head of the house lies injured by our hand and the girl has fled, carrying Taliesin’s child within her!’ She threw up her hands. ‘I must consult the Pride, they must help protect the Chosen, and as for our own, Olwyn is pregnant, they must be told!’

  ‘They cannot help!’ Awel raised her voice. ‘We are on the eve of slumber, Mab! None of us will be able to help, the Host have control, if you reveal what you intend now, you will unleash a chaos in the control of the Winter King. Who knows how he will react, but whatever he decides will be quick and cruel, no good will come of this, Mab, you mark my words!’

  ‘So I tell them nothing? They are waiting for me!’ Mab retorted.

  ‘We have done all we can do,’ Awel snapped back. ‘Anwen of Ty Mawr is protected until we wake. Olwyn’s pregnancy will be hidden throughout her slumber. Gwrnach need not know until Spring. Taliesin will watch over the Morgans, he will also watch for the assassin among the Druids. We can do no more and neither can the Pride.’