The Bwy Hir Complete Trilogy

by Lowri Thomas

  And then there was Cadno. Aeron’s eyes glared into the flames. Why had Cadno fled from his brethren? Why had he tampered with the ateb? Was it Cadno? Where had he gone, to Atgas? Aeron flexed his fists, he wanted Cadno back and he wanted him punished.

  Aeron stood up and fetched himself a goblet of wine as he pondered over yet another problem: the Dderwydd Ddrych. There was no doubt that Ysbrydion were lying in wait behind the mirrors, even now Druids were studying the runes etched on a number of the mirrors. The Hall of Mirrors was being watched twenty-four hours a day. Reports of Ysbrydion testing the surface of the mirrors was alarming in itself, but Aeron could not understand how they were becoming so strong, so substantial. How were they being fed? There was no way that Afagddu could have killed enough people to feed the Ysbrydion to this dangerous level, so what was happening?

  Aeron disliked being out of control and though it pained him to admit it, he would be grateful to receive counsel from both his counterpart and his sister, Awel. Could the girl be taught to travel through the Cerdd Carega? Could she reach the sleeping Pride and wake them? With a sudden flare of anger, Aeron threw his goblet across the room. ‘How have we come to this?’ he bellowed to the ceiling. ‘Why are we being punished?’

  He stalked to his balcony and raised his arms. He needed to calm down, to vent his anger and there was one way to do that. With all the power he could summon he began to cast. ‘Let the winds howl and the snow fall!’ he called out over the mountains, and it was so.

  Celyn-Bach and Taliesin heard his father’s voice ring out over the mountains. ‘We better be quick,’ Celyn-Bach said to Tali, ‘I do not want to be caught in a Winter storm this night and although I have studied the maps I have never travelled to Caerlleon, so let us hope we can get there quickly and return with the girl.’

  ‘Her name is Anwen,’ Taliesin said bluntly and Celyn-Bach nodded an apology. Carrying the hand mirror and his bow Taliesin followed Celyn-Bach to the Reception Hall and took his arm. ‘Let us be away.’

  They reappeared in a grassy field surrounded by hedgerow and ash trees, the sky was growing ashen and the last rays of evening sunlight cast long shadows across the ground already hardening with the promise of frost.

  Directly on the horizon were the walls of Caerlleon; they had arrived here in one jump and Celyn-Bach was pleased at the time saved. He surveyed their surroundings; there were thankfully no buildings or streets close to where they stood and the hedgerows gave them ample cover from a chance sighting by the Lost.

  They sat down on a small outcrop of stone and Taliesin took out the hand mirror and passed it to Celyn-Bach. ‘Will you draw the hunter-bind rune?’ he asked and Celyn-Bach accepted the mirror. He etched the required rune and watched the arrow appear before handing it back to Taliesin. ‘Just follow the arrow.’

  They stood in unison, preparing to leave when Celyn-Bach grabbed at Taliesin’s arm, pulling him back into the concealment of the trees. ‘Someone is coming,’ he whispered. They crouched down and waited, Celyn-Bach slid a hunting knife from its sheath and Taliesin closed the mirror, pocketed it and drew his bow.

  The Helgi appeared first, all three on leads, the smallest had a makeshift lead of a leather belt tightened around its neck and Celyn-Bach was surprised to note it was a female. At first he presumed the owner of the Helgi must be Atgas and he steeled himself for an all-out attack, but the person who appeared was not Atgas but Cadno.

  Celyn-Bach motioned for Taliesin to stay hidden and then he himself stood, appearing before Cadno like an apparition. ‘Ho, brother,’ he called to out and Cadno took a step back in surprise.

  Cadno took a moment to gather himself and then he forced himself to relax, he eased his hold on the Helgi and feigned happiness to see his brother. ‘Celyn! Thank the stars it was you, I thought Atgas had beat me to the Cerdd Carega, I was just about to return to the Host and reveal what I have discovered!’ He smiled what he hoped was an honest and genuine smile.

  ‘What are you doing with Helgi? Is that a female?’ Celyn-Bach stood with his feet planted apart, ready to defend himself should Cadno be not all he seemed.

  Cadno looked at his three Helgi. ‘Yes, she is female, can you believe it? Atgas was planning to breed them and so I stole them from her. She is quite mad you know. There are things I must tell Aeron, things she is doing, I’m afraid she is truly evil, Celyn, truly wicked.’

  ‘You were returning to Aeron?’ Celyn-Bach asked with a tinge of disbelief in his voice. ‘Do you have any idea how angry he is with you?’

  ‘I can explain everything to him, he’ll calm down. Why are you here?’ Cadno asked suspiciously.

  ‘Looking for you,’ Celyn-Bach lied, ‘there is trouble in the Halls of the Druid, Ysbrydion stalk y Gwag,’ he said ominously.

  ‘And I know why!’ Cadno exclaimed, ‘It is Atgas! I must return to Aeron immediately, come brother, we shall go together.’

  Celyn-Bach studied Cadno for a moment and wondered whether he could trust him. ‘We shall leave together, but first open your mind to me Cadno.’

  ‘What?’ Cadno shied back. ‘Why?’

  ‘Because I want to ensure you remain as cooperative as you are until I get you back to Aeron.’ Celyn-Bach watched Cadno like a hawk, anticipating some sort of trickery.

  ‘There is no need.’ Cadno had become defensive. ‘I was returning to Aeron anyway, without you, I do not need you to “calm” me, I am no danger to you.’

  Celyn-Bach heard the twang of the arrow and watched Cadno crumble to the floor. The Helgi took one look at Cadno’s unconscious form and sat down passively in the grass. Celyn-Bach leaned over Cadno and then used one of the Helgi leads to bind his wrists and ankles.

  ‘I got him!’ Taliesin emerged from his hiding place and retrieved his arrow. He had removed its head and shot at Cadno’s temple with a blunted butt, knocking him unconscious.

  Celyn-Bach smiled at Taliesin’s inventiveness. ‘Well done. I will keep him here – you go and get your Anwen. Be quick Tali, time is running short.’

  Taliesin retrieved the hand mirror and handed his bow to Celyn-Bach before trotting off in the direction that the Drych Ysgrifennu pointed, while Celyn-Bach watched over the still form of his brother and the three docile Helgi. The appearance of a female Helgi was unsettling. Why would Atgas do such a thing? Why breed Helgi? What would the Host make of such a thing? How would the Druids react?

  Celyn-Bach sat down on the grass and waited for Taliesin’s return. It was nearly dark and so Celyn-Bach was extra vigilant as he surveyed the field, the last thing he needed now was Atgas to appear. Is Cadno telling the truth? he thought. ‘Hurry up, Tali,’ he whispered.

  Taliesin ran through the damp grass, his breath misted in front of his face as he ran. He cast a look back over his shoulder but Celyn-Bach was already shrouded in darkness. He sprinted up a low rise, onto a tarmac road and vanished between two sandstone buildings, the buzzing in his head started almost immediately, the stink of Humanity clogged his nostrils as he twisted and turned through the cobbled streets of Caerlleon following the hand mirror that would lead him to Anwen.

  It was fully dark now and the streets were lit with the orange hellish glow of streetlights and the buzzing in his head increased. The streets were quiet, only a few Lost dotted the streets, laden with shopping bags and completely oblivious to the Nephilim that rushed by them in search of his quarry.

  Finally Taliesin skidded to a halt in front of a terraced three storey building. A warm glow oozed from the Georgian windows and the white painted door was shut tight keeping the cold wind from entering its sleepy interior. ‘Anwen!’ he called up at the windows, ‘Anwen?’

  The face of an elderly woman briefly filled a window on the first floor and then it vanished to be replaced with the flushed and beautiful smiling face of Anwen Morgan. The front door opened and the elderly lady stepped onto the doorstep barring his admittance into the house. ‘Good evening, Taliesin ap Aeron Ddu.’ The greeting held no warmth. ‘So, you have c
ome for Anwen?’

  Respectfully, Taliesin bowed to the woman. ‘I have and we must be away.’

  ‘Awel herself instructed me to hide and protect Anwen. Why should I then hand her over to you?’ Her voice was gruff, she was obviously unhappy with Taliesin’s appearance.

  ‘Honoured lady,’ Taliesin said, bowing once more, ‘I shall protect Anwen and our unborn child with my life. She will not come to harm, but she is needed, Awel and the Pride are in danger – Ysbrydion stalk y Gwag and we fear for the Pride. Anwen must wake them.’

  The woman snorted and said, ‘And how do you propose to protect Anwen in the Cerdd Carega?’ Taliesin remained silent. ‘I thought as much,’ she said peevishly, ‘you are full of fine words, youngling, but they are hollow.’

  Anwen suddenly appeared and pushed past the old woman, throwing herself into Taliesin’s arms. ‘Oh, Tali, I have missed you so!’ she cried.

  Mary watched the couple as they embraced and felt a pang of regret; she should have kept Anwen as far away from this young man as possible, but done is done as the saying goes. ‘Look after her Taliesin ap Aeron Ddu,’ she said as she turned her back on them.

  ‘Mary,’ Anwen’s small voice called out, ‘please, I don’t want to leave on bad terms with you.’

  Mary turned back. ‘Listen to me, Anwen Morgan of Ty Mawr Farm, we are not on bad terms. If you ever need me, you know where to find me, I am returning home to London in the morning. My door is always open for you, Awel would expect no less of me.’ Then Mary entered the house and closed the door behind her.

  Taliesin folded her hand in his. ‘We must be away, Anwen, my brother waits for us.’

  ‘Where are we going?’

  Anwen allowed herself to be led through the streets, Taliesin’s head swivelled left and right at every junction. He was wary and that made Anwen feel nervous, she instinctively placed a protective hand over her belly.

  ‘To a Cerdd Carega, we need to leave Caerlleon as soon as possible.’ Taliesin paused between two buildings before hurrying over a road and down a grass embankment. Anwen could see nothing in front of her and clutched onto Taliesin’s arm; he at least, seemed to know exactly where he was going. ‘Celyn?’ he called out.

  ‘Down!’ came the answer and Taliesin ducked, dragging Anwen to the ground with him as the night erupted into flame. Derwydd yn tân was being wielded above their hands and behind them, hot, searing bursts of flame lit the night. ‘To me Tali!’ came Celyn-Bach’s shout through the roaring chaos and Taliesin scooped Anwen in a protective hug and pulled her towards Celyn-Bach’s shouts.

  More bursts of Derwydd yn tân filled his vision as they stumbled towards the Cerdd Carega. Anwen stumbled and cried out but Taliesin carried her forward, half dragging her towards their goal.

  A chaotic scene greeted them as they stumbled to the Cerdd Carega: Cadno lay on the ground frantically straining against his bonds, the Helgi were tied to a Seeker and straining against their bonds, baying to attack their foe. Three Druids surrounded the Cerdd Carega, two shooting Derwydd yn tân from their outstretched hands and one fighting to control the Helgi. Celyn-Bach stood upright, towering over the Druids, a bow held taut in his hands ready to shoot.

  ‘Atgas was hot on your heels!’ Celyn-Bach shouted over the roar of flames. ‘I returned just in time – I went to get help to lead the Helgi and carry Cadno back to Maen-Du and lucky I did.’

  ‘Anwen is hurt!’ Taliesin cried, as he gently aided her to the ground, ‘She has been shot!’ Dismay filled his voice as he knelt beside her. From Anwen’s left leg an arrow protruded through the calf muscle, a trickle of blood tracked down towards her ankle and she whimpered with pain.

  Celyn-Bach’s voice was firm as he scanned the vista, trying to catch sight of their attacker. ‘Listen to me, Taliesin, I will protect Anwen, you take one Seeker and the Helgi through to Maen-Du and return here instantly, then you will take Anwen and I will follow with Cadno and the other Druids – they cannot travel without us. Go.’

  Taliesin did not want to leave Anwen, but he could see the sense in Celyn-Bach’s rationale and so he squeezed Anwen’s hand and looked into her terrified face. ‘I will be back, my brother will protect you.’

  Anwen didn’t reply, she stared into Taliesin’s face with huge eyes and then looked up at Celyn-Bach in horror. The only Bwy Hir she had ever met was Taliesin himself, she hadn’t realised what an adult Bwy Hir would look like. The Bwy Hir standing above her was over seven feet tall, he was muscular and beautiful and terrifying. Would Taliesin look like this? A god-like creature, statuesque and divine? Anwen dragged her eyes away from Celyn-Bach and from the writhing Cadno, equally statuesque even in his current position. She sat huddled into herself, rocking back and forth in silence.

  Taliesin sprang into action, nodding to the Druid straining with the Helgi. ‘Ready?’ He grabbed hold of the Druid and placed a hand on the Cerdd Carega and with a flash of brilliant blue light they vanished. Anwen whimpered.

  Taliesin returned within minutes to a quieter scene. ‘She toys with us.’ Celyn-Bach was crouched with the bow still drawn. ‘Take Anwen through first, be quick Tali.’ Taliesin knelt down to Anwen and she flinched at his touch.

  ‘Anwen, we must go, can you walk?’ Anwen did not reply. He gently picked her up in his arms, circling her arms around his neck and holding the weight off her legs. ‘We’ll get your leg seen to as soon as we get to Maen-Du.’ He held her to him and touched the Cerdd Carega. Anwen was not prepared for the journey.

  A blue-white light flashed through her brain, she was temporarily blind and was suddenly overcome with a terrible dragging sensation, akin to the descent of a rollercoaster. She felt as though she was being drawn out, stretched and pulled. An awful keening sound ripped at her ears, it was like being caught in a whirlwind or thrown into a waterfall. And just at the point where she thought she was going to die, the sensation abruptly stopped and she collapsed unconscious in Taliesin’s arms.

  He dragged her away from the Cerdd Carega to give room for Celyn-Bach’s return. A huddle of Druids rushed forward to help Taliesin and they lowered Anwen to the floor. ‘Call the physician!’ one of them shouted.

  Taliesin looked up and saw Gwrnach and his father hurriedly making their way into the Hall. His father looked furious. Another flash and Celyn-Bach burst into the room dragging Cadno behind him. The two Druids with them dropped to the floor panting and retching, their duty complete.

  Cadno writhed as he fought his bonds, he had been gagged at some point and his muffled cries sounded angry. Celyn-Bach stood erect as he caught his breath, Cadno was heavier than he looked.

  ‘Cadno?’ Aeron said incredulously, as he entered the Reception Hall.

  ‘Indeed it is.’ Celyn-Bach smiled. ‘And we have Anwen Morgan of Ty Mawr, although she is in no fit state to greet you formally.’ He nodded to the corner of the room where Taliesin and Druids were kneeling around the tiny Human girl.

  ‘She is hurt?’ Aeron looked concerned but not for the girl’s safety, he was more concerned about the key to the Pride.

  ‘Shot by Atgas,’ Celyn-Bach said, and there was an intake of breath.

  ‘Atgas?’ Gwrnach dragged his meaty hand through his beard. ‘She attacked you?’

  Celyn-Bach nodded. ‘And without the Druids we would have been sorely pressed.’ Cadno was still lying on the floor, desperately trying to communicate through his gag. Celyn-Bach leaned down and removed the cloth from Cadno’s mouth.

  ‘She shot me too!’ he wailed. ‘I told you she was insane, Celyn, take it out, take it out!’ Cadno rolled onto his side and there poking from his buttock was an arrow. The shaft lay against his hamstring and the head was neatly nestled in the flesh of backside.

  Celyn-Bach glanced at Gwrnach and they both sniggered before Celyn-Bach plucked it out of Cadno. He inspected the tip. ‘No poison, you’re lucky, Cadno.’

  Aeron stood with his arms across his chest, he looked down at Cadno and then in a flash of temper planted his boot i
nto Cadno’s chest. ‘You!’ he spat, ‘Are Gwaradwyddedig: Shamed and confined to Maen-Du until I decide what to do with you.’ He thrust a finger inches from Cadno’s pained face and Cadno writhed in shock and pain. Aeron stood erect. ‘Take the girl to the Infirmary, I want her on her feet as soon as possible. Gwrnach, take Cadno to Dduallt and see he is deposited in a Bwy Hir cell. Taliesin, Celyn-Bach with me.’ Aeron strode from the Hall and Taliesin and Celyn-Bach followed. Taliesin tried to linger with Anwen but Celyn gently pushed him forward. ‘She will be taken care of, you can visit her later in the Infirmary.’

  ‘Wait!’ Cadno yelled, ‘You need to know about Atgas!’ But Aeron had already left and so he turned to Gwrnach. ‘Brother, you must listen …’

  ‘We will talk in your new chambers, Gwaradwyddedig, so be silent.’ Gwrnach grabbed Cadno under the arms and threw him over his shoulder. ‘Aren’t you going to untie me?’

  ‘No,’ answered Gwrnach.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Gwyn and Dafydd Morgan woke to a white vista. The snow had fallen through the night and the fields were blanketed in crisp white snow. ‘Two inches by my reckoning.’ Dafydd spoke to Gwyn over his shoulder as he looked out of the kitchen window. ‘We’ll need to feed the sheep this morning, start at the top fields and work our way down.’

  Gwyn nodded as he took a sip of tea from his mug. Bara sat in front of the Aga waiting for her portion of bacon sizzling in the frying pan. ‘All Hallows Eve and the R’hela will be here soon, are we going?’

  Dafydd sighed, this would be the first winter without Anwen. Come Christmas she loved to decorate the house with pinecones and fir branches straight from the forest, she always decorated the tree and hung the mistletoe from every doorway, but not this year. Nor would Nerys be visiting to watch over her while the men attended the R’hela. This time of year was usually something to look forward to; beer and hog roasts, mulled wine and Bara Brith, tug of war contests, archery and shooting competitions, arm wrestling and log splitting contests, all rounded off with the R’hela, the most eagerly anticipated spectacle of them all.