Chronicle of Ages (48 page)

Blain noticed Rhun's perturbed expression as he viewed the dressing and so explained his reluctance to shake hands. ‘I injured myself … I have to keep it bound tight until it stops aching. Nothing serious,' he opened and closed his hand carefully, then shrugged it off. ‘Damn annoying, though.'

Rhun nodded, as if believing his tale, and glancing at Cai he noticed the curious look on his face. He could only assume Blain's injury was so recent that Cai had yet to see it, but the young Druid was not about to query his King in the company of another.

‘Until next we meet, Majesty.' Cai took his leave of them, bowing to Rhun and then his King on his way out.

‘Hast thou got a date, little brother?' Blain said in jest, observing how Cai was departing with more speed and purpose than usual.

‘Nay,' Cai defended, a bit too quickly. ‘I am sure thee have much to discuss,' he explained as an afterthought, ‘and so shall leave ye to it.' Cai turned and left.

‘So, to what do I owe this visit?' Blain moved to the
lounge to be seated, but waited until the High King had done so first. ‘I thought thee would be in Gwynedd deploying troops for the war in the north.'

Rhun looked Blain in the eye to gauge his reaction. ‘I fear there may be more to Riderich's war than I am being told.'

Blain's gaze did not falter. ‘I know Riderich, Elidyr and Elifler would have pursued this war with or without High Council support. Thus it wast wise of thee to aid them,' Blain granted, ‘as a denial would surely have divided the Council and probably destroyed it.' As Rhun was frowning, Blain decided he'd better pour some mead.

‘It wast clear from the ballot for High King that the council already be divided.' Rhun raised the subject he feared was at the heart of the matter, as he accepted a goblet from his host.

‘But the Gods tipped the ballot thy way and we, as mere mortals, have no right to question the Otherworld's decision,' Blain said surely.

To Rhun this seemed a strange resolve coming from one who was making a mockery of Taliesin's otherworldly warning recently. ‘But the kingdoms of the north do not adhere to the word of the Goddess as we do,' he said, pretending not to have seen Blain's open display of contempt on the day of the council ballot. ‘I fear the wrath of Gwyn ap Nudd will not be enough to keep them allied to us should fate tempt them to a contrary path.'

‘But why should they contemplate treason, when thou hast given them thy support,' Blain reasoned with a frown. ‘I do not understand thy grounds for concern?'

With a heavy sigh, Rhun raised himself from his seat
and approached the fire. ‘Call it a premonition.' As Rhun looked back to Blain, his friend's expression had turned sour.

‘Not one of thy visions, Rhun, please!' he whined. ‘Saving us from being caught seducing the house staff when we were lads be one thing … but we art men now, this be war!' he appealed.

‘Hey,' Rhun challenged. ‘Wast I ever wrong?'

Blain thought hard to recall an instance. ‘Nay,' he conceded finally and bowing his head a moment, he resolved to ask the burning question. ‘Alright.' He raised his sights to hear Rhun out. ‘Tell me what thy vision foretold?'

Rhun raised both eyebrows. How should he phrase this? ‘It foretold of the division of the Goddess' council.'

Blain rolled his eyes to imply Rhun was just a little paranoid in his new position.

‘It wast also prophesied that thy life depended on me preventing this division.' Rhun regained Blain's full attention with the claim.

‘My life?' He stood, having just conceded that Rhun was never wrong in his truthsaying.

‘Aye,' Rhun confirmed, with a deadly serious expression.

Blain approached Rhun, compelled by his own morbid curiosity. ‘Did the vision foretell how I would die?'

‘Murder.' Rhun answered in a word.

‘And did thy vision disclose the identity of my slayer?' Blain cocked an eye to question.

Rhun nodded his head slowly, heightening the suspense. ‘'Twas I.'

‘Thee!' Blain backed up, the unexpected response throwing him into a momentary state of panic. ‘But why should thee want to kill me?'

‘I wast hoping thee might shed some light on that puzzle,' Rhun explained calmly, holding wide his cloak, so that Blain could see he was unarmed.

His friend relaxed at this point, but Blain's initial response seemed to indicate that he might have just cause to fear the threat. Had Rhun put the same notion forward to Bryce, Rhun felt sure his old friend would have laughed in his face.

‘Goddess, I hate thy spooky moods.' Blain began to laugh as he ventured to approach his friend once more. ‘I shall never give thee just cause to take my life,' he announced sincerely. ‘And therefore thy concerns art a complete farce. It seems clear to me that thy vision wast nothing more than a nightmare.'

Rhun smiled as if reassured, even though he was not.

The prophecy was real. And as much as Rhun hated to admit it, Blain was hiding something from him that even a threat to his life was not incentive enough to expose. Was it just the knowledge of Bridei's existence, or did the plot go deeper than that?

 

Blain saw the High King to his mount and waited to see him depart through the portcullis — Rhun's guess was that he wanted to make certain he'd left.

Beyond the outer bailey gatehouse that led onto the main road through the village, Rhun turned his horse off the trail and headed around the stronghold.

Once he was well away from the main guard post,
Rhun pulled his horse to a stop and looked about for voyeurs. In the night shadows cast by the huge walls of the fortress, he felt fairly sure he could teleport himself back to Gwynedd without risk of being seen. The King closed his eyes to think of home.

‘Majesty!'

Cai's urgent call near startled the wits out of Rhun, who ceased his directive and looked about for his young friend.

‘Praise the Goddess, I caught thee,' the young Druid puffed and panted as he delivered a scrolled parchment into his High King's hands.

‘What on earth —'

‘Read it!' Cai cut him short with an urgent whisper, then ran back into the shadows from whence he came. ‘Thy concerns art justified, Majesty. Please beware.'

Rhun was left speechless, thinking the short encounter bizarre. Cai was usually shy and reserved; this behaviour was completely out of character for him.

As Rhun could not hope to see the note in the prevailing darkness, he willed himself to the stables at Degannwy where he could dispense with his horse and read the mysterious missive.

W
hen Cai returned to Urien's assigned quarters at Arwystli, panting and trembling from the risk he'd just taken and the speed of his passage, Bryce was alone.

‘Did thee get it to him?' Bryce blundered forth to mumble through his disguise at his brother.

Cai nodded to set his brother's mind at rest. ‘Hast Urien gone to speak with Blain?'

‘Aye,' Bryce confirmed, wary of the arrangement. ‘I am praying to the Goddess that he doth not betray us.'

‘Not Urien too!' Cai had had trouble conceiving that Blain would betray the High King. ‘Surely there be no question of Gwent's loyalty.'

‘There was,' Bryce assured him. ‘I am just hoping the threat remains in the past.'

Cai appeared as if suddenly struck by a revelation. ‘Hast Blain taken Urien to the library?'

Bryce nodded. ‘Blain's squire announced as much when he came to collect Urien, why?'

‘Then we art in luck.' Cai walked up to a protruding section of the wall, which took the form of a large feature support. ‘I think the Goddess would forgive us if we were to rely on the truth rather than hope in this instance.'

You could have pushed Bryce over with a feather when Cai nudged the large floor to ceiling section of the wall and it slid aside to reveal a hidden passageway.

‘I never knew there were secret passages here at Arwystli!' Bryce exclaimed as he wandered towards the opening. The Prince had lived in the stronghold for twenty years and had never even suspected.

‘Nobody knows, but me,' Cai grinned. ‘When I made the discovery, I did all within my power to keep the secret … it was the only place I could get any peace from my three
boisterous
brothers.'

‘What doth thou mean, boisterous?' Bryce bounded over to slap Cai about the head and shoulders in a playful manner before gripping his shoulder, thankful for his aid. ‘Lead the way,' Bryce invited in a cheery voice.

‘I am not too sure I should,' said Cai, holding his nose, ‘as I fear thy smell might give us away.'

‘Just lead.' Bryce shoved him into the passage.

 

The letter from Bryce outlined the events that had unfolded in Dyfed since Rhun's departure. It advised how Urien had been enlightened as to the existence of
his kindred, which had in turn prompted a confession from him. Bryce explained that Riderich had no cause to fight the Bernician, Morcant, as he and his neighbour, Caten, had not broken the peace. Urien had also enlightened Bryce to Bridei's existence, and claimed the war was purely to chastise those nations for siding with the true heir to Talorg's throne in Alban.

This missive made the plot all the more perplexing for Rhun, as Bridei had sworn he had no dealings with Morcant or Caten. What if the heir apparent to the Pictish throne was the one planning a war. Then Riderich's story to the council could all be the truth? Bridei's sister, Kaileah, had done a fine job of seducing Selwyn into believing in their cause, so perhaps the Merlin could not see treachery as readily as he otherwise would have? On the other hand, Urien had confessed that Morcant and Caten had not been hostile towards the allied states — but that didn't mean that they weren't planning to be. In which case, Riderich might have fair justification for being a bit premature with his attack.

‘Dear Goddess!' Rhun cried out in frustration. ‘I am at a loss to see the side of the righteous in this affair. Which side lies?' Rhun queried out loud, having made it to the privacy and quiet of his chambers. ‘Perhaps both?' He considered this likely. ‘So with whom do I side?'

His thoughts turned to what Taliesin had revealed of his own prophecy — that Blain was at the heart of the matter. Still, from what Rhun could tell at this point, his friend in Powys was the least of his problems, whether he was lying to him or not.

Rhun looked to the note in his hand. ‘Time to pay Bridei a surprise visit.' Rhun closed his eyes and concentrated on his contemporary counterpart.

 

The High King found himself in a large tent that was warmed by an open fire situated under a central opening in the roof. The sound of several women giggling immediately drew his attention to a large bed. The many fur layers that comprised the sleeping arrangement appeared to be a hive of activity.

Rhun wasn't quite sure on the protocol to use when interrupting a fellow ruler and past-life incarnation from an orgy. After all, he didn't want to spoil this experience for himself or offend his new ally. Fortunately, he was put out of his dilemma when one of the occupants of the bed surfaced for air.

Tossing her fur covering backwards a beautiful dark-haired woman knelt completely naked before him. ‘My Lord?' she queried, stunned by Rhun's resemblance to her lover, but by no means embarrassed by her predicament. ‘Thou art not my Lord?' She smiled, admiring the more sophisticated version of him, as she reached back to alert Bridei that he had company.

‘Who art thou talking to?' Bridei stuck his head out the end of a large fur. The warrior rolled on his belly to see where his mistress was pointing. ‘
Splendid,
' he announced warmly upon sighting Rhun. ‘Majesty, thou art just in time … come join us,' Bridei invited, as three other females emerged from the fur bed to beckon him hither.

Rhun may have been here on the gravest of business, but be buggered if he could remember what it was, nor
could he wipe the smile from his face. ‘Nay, I cannot.' He captured a picture of his lovely wife in his mind and held it there as an incentive to behave himself. Ten years ago Rhun wouldn't have hesitated to dive right in, but since marrying Bridgit, the idea of an extra-marital affair was just too much trouble. Rhun might have been good at twisting the truth, but lying to those he loved was something he never wished to do.

Bridei must have heard the slightly regretful strain in Rhun's voice. ‘Convince him ladies,' the warrior urged, whereby all four of the naked women rose from their coverings and converged on Rhun.

‘Aw, please,' he appealed, not meaning to feast his eyes, but it was kind of unavoidable. ‘I have a problem,' he tried to reason with the women.

‘Aye, thou hast!' Bridei laughed, as the women encircled the High King, caressing him with kisses and their bodies.

The bliss of the moment near consumed Rhun, but he savoured it for what it was to be — a non-event. ‘The fate of our entire island lays in the balance, and I am being lied at from all sides.'

As the object of their desire fixed his sights on Bridei, the women all ceased their activity and looked to their Lord.

‘Not from this side.' Bridei threw back his covers and stood naked before Rhun to insist.

As the women around him all broke into laughter, so did Rhun have to smile; if Bridei's sincerity was fake he was a masterful deceiver. The Pictish Prince seemed more likely to be planning a picnic than a battle. ‘Art
thou going to wage war against Talorg?' the High King asked him straight.

‘Eventually,' he admitted, as if he had been a bit slack on that front.

‘Hast thou allied thyself to Morcant the Bernician, or Caten of Lothian in order to do this?'

‘Nay!' he insisted, annoyed to be asked again. ‘I told thee, I do not know either king.' Bridei motioned the women to go plant themselves by the fire.

‘Then why art four of the allied kingdoms declaring war on Morcant and Caten for allying themselves to thee?' Rhun slapped the piece of paper he held into Bridei's hand.

Bridei frowned and screwed up the document without bothering to read it. ‘Their support be news to me.' Bridei looked Rhun square in the eye as he tossed the letter to the flame. ‘Perhaps I should go out of my way to get acquainted with these supposed allies of mine.' The warlord seemed quite irate, as he finally took a moment to find his trousers. ‘Perhaps then we shall get to the bottom of all these lies about me!'

Rhun could not will himself to a meeting with Morcant and Caten, because he was unfamiliar with their appearance and the terrain of their territory. But if someone he
was
familiar with sought them out, like Bridei, Rhun could simply will himself to him. Bridei knew Selwyn had the ability to teleport himself and others from place to place, and that was acceptable to the warlord. Selwyn was a druid of whom such wonders were expected. But if a king were to be discovered to have such a talent, that would be something to be
feared. Rhun had to make sure that Bridei continued to believe that it was the Merlin who transported him from place to place.

‘I would keep an army close by.' Rhun let Bridei know that he thought his idea to seek out Morcant and Caten a good one. ‘Anyone entering the said territories shall more than likely have to fight their way out again.'

Bridei, now mostly clothed, approached Rhun appearing a little puzzled. ‘So, let me see if I have this straight … Talorg shall be at this battle fighting for thee, against me. And now thou art advising I take an army to the aid of thy
enemy
… just whose side art thou on?' Bridei frowned and held his palms up in question.

‘These kingdoms may not be our enemies, but they certainly will be if I sanction this war against them without just cause.' Rhun began to formulate a plan of action. ‘I shall march a peacekeeping force from Gwynedd to the Wall and prevent this conflict unfolding before the truth of the cause comes to light. Anyone who wishes to oppose me before that time, let them come forth and challenge me and my army of Master warriors.'

‘But thee may lose the support of thy existing allies?' Bridei considered it rather extraordinary that a ruler would risk so much for the kingdoms of strangers.

‘More than half my allies art loyal to me, or I would not be High King. And I would rather be allied to truthful strangers, than treacherous kindred. The innocent in this affair art my allies, for that be the will of the Goddess,' Rhun vowed and Bridei gave a firm nod to agree with his reasoning.

‘What if the truth and the lies art so intertwined that neither side be worth supporting?' This was what Bridei feared was the case. ‘Then it will be thee and me versus the rest of the Island!'

‘And know who would win?' Rhun spun the rhetorical question. ‘We would,' he stated, surely, ‘because we have the Otherworld on our side.'

‘Damn right, we do!' Bridei grabbed the High King's wrist to shake on it.

As Bridei grasped his bare skin, Rhun could feel the excitement and goodwill radiating from him. At least he could eliminate one person from the long list of possible deceivers.

‘Such a show of force in the north will leave thy own kingdom exposed and under-guarded.' Bridei let go of Rhun, completely unaware that he had just won the trust of the High King for life. He clapped his hands to get some food and mead organised, whereupon all four women snapped from their captivated reverie to go about his bidding.

‘All the rulers in a position to invade Gwynedd art already involved in this dispute. Their forces art badly strained and will be concentrated on the battle to the east,' explained Rhun, as he took a seat on the ground by the fire next to his new ally.

Bridei grinned as he considered their scheme and passed a goblet to Rhun. One of his lovely ladies, now clothed, poured them mead from a jug. ‘This attempt to keep the peace may very well end in a bloodbath.'

‘'Tis headed that way at present. If a hostile enemy takes the Wall, our trade route through the north will be
lost and the allied states cut off from one another. Still, as it seems they art already divided in mind and spirit, it seems only logical that the body of our island will follow,' he mumbled, giving a shrug as his eyes gazed vacantly in the firelight.

‘Otherworldly quests art never thwarted!' Bridei slapped Rhun's knee in the hope of perking up his spirits a bit. ‘To the peace keepers.' He held high his goblet to toast.

Rhun looked back to the primitive likeness of himself, forced to smile at the reckless abandon reflected in his words. ‘To peace.'

Their goblets clunked and the leaders drank, leaving their fate and that of their kingdoms in the hands of the Goddess.

 

Behind the library wall at Arwystli, Cai and Bryce huddled near a wide crack in the stonework, straining to hear what the King of Powys and the King of Gwent were planning.

Blain's queen, Javotte, had also joined the conference and was doing her best to calm her husband — something Rhun said had spooked the King of Powys into a bit of a state.

‘Whatever we stand to gain, 'tis not enough. I want out!' Blain stressed.

‘Blain, my love.' Javotte was using her calm, reasoning tone. ‘How am I to advise thee, if thou will not disclose what the High King said to distress thee so?'

‘He hast seen my death,' Blain shot back at her and all went quiet for a moment.

‘A clever trick,' Javotte decided, ‘to keep thee in line. Rhun knows none of us will doubt one of his
prophecies.
He toys with thee as he always hast, but he will not win this time
.
'

She had a real way with words, Javotte. Bryce considered she was far too manipulative for her own good.

‘Nay, thou art wrong,' Blain defended his resolve. ‘Somehow Rhun knows what shall befall.'

‘My sweet, I am never wrong,' Javotte reminded him. ‘Still, thee may be right in regard to how much the High King knows … if my instinct serves me correctly, I would say the leak may well lie with thy druid. Selwyn hast always been more partial to Gwynedd and hast been absent a lot of late?' She paused, and the silence meant Javotte had got Blain thinking. ‘If thou hast any sense, which I know thou hast,' she flattered him sweetly, before going in for the kill, ‘I would banish the merlin back to the land he loves so well, and his novice along with him!'

Cai gasped at the suggestion, but Bryce was quick enough to clap a hand over his brother's mouth and muffle the sound.