The Bwy Hir Complete Trilogy (29 page)

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

Afagddu had been summoned by Aeron and so he made his way through the halls heading towards the upper chambers. Elder Tomas and Elder Morcan had hurried by Afagddu, both giving a stern nod as they passed. Afagddu turned to watch them scurry down the passageway, their heads drawn together in hushed conversation.

Afagddu speculated at their topic as he climbed the large staircase. Was he being paranoid, or should he read something into the two elders
’ guarded nods? Afagddu rapped on Aeron’s heavy chamber door before admitting himself.

‘Ah, Afagddu,’ Aeron
said, smiling, ‘you are familiar with the Keeper of the Helgi?’ A nervous Keeper shuffled from foot to foot, his head bowed.

‘I am.’ Afagddu nodded as he came to stand in front of a small assembly. Aeron was flanked by Cadno and Taliesin, the Keeper stood nervously off to one side accompanied by the physician who had tended to his cuts. The last person present was Afagddu’s body servant, Cai.

‘And of course you know our esteemed physician. He tended you recently, I hear.’ Aeron ignored Cai for the moment. He was toying with Afagddu, his light-hearted voice belied the coldness in Aeron’s eyes. Afagddu had seen this pretence many times before and he did not like being on the receiving end of it. ‘Afagddu, tell me, what does a Councillor do?’

Afagddu bowed low as he spoke
. ‘I serve you with diligence, my Lord.’ Aeron’s smile was grim, Cadno’s was sly and mocking. Only Taliesin and the three other Druids kept their faces blank.

Aeron spread his hand and leaned towards Cadno
. ‘You see, my Councillor serves me diligently.’

Cadno’s grin deepened
. ‘Alas, my Lord, my sources tell me differently.’

Afagddu’s mind was racing, this meeting was unexpected and if Cadno was involved then it would likely spell disaster for Afagddu.
What did Cadno know?

‘Oh, dear.’ Aeron shook his head slowly
. ‘I see … what say you, Councillor, is my brother mistaken?’

Afagddu swallowed
. ‘I believe Cadno to be… misinformed.’

‘As did I!’ Aeron beamed
. ‘As did I … until he brought these three Druids to speak against you.’ Aeron’s face changed in the blink of an eye. His mouth turned into a sickening sneer. ‘What say you now, Afagddu?’

Afagddu glanced at his accusers, who did not have the courage to meet his eyes
. ‘I would like to hear the charges brought against me, my Lord.’

Cadno waited for approval from Aeron before he commenced with his rehearsed list of charges
. ‘Then let us begin. Would you like to sit, Afagddu?’ Afagddu shook his head and Cadno chuckled. ‘Tell me about the missing Helgi, Afagddu.’

Afagddu was momentarily caught off guard, he hadn’t expected this line of questioning
. ‘I don’t know what you mean,’ he replied.

Cadno sig
hed. ‘Did you send a Seeker and a pair of Helgi to Ty Mawr farm?’

‘Yes
,’ Afagddu replied. He had no intention of expanding his answers unless necessary, he would not give Cadno any ammunition.

‘And where are they now?’ Cadno continued.

‘The Seeker did not return.’ Afagddu looked to the Keeper but his head was still lowered.

‘The Seeker is dead?’ Cadno pressed
. ‘His body, or at least his Helgi body, was found in the burnt ruins of the Ty Mawr farm?’

‘We presume it is his body.’ Afagddu couldn’t see where this was leading.

‘And you didn’t think to inform your king of this?’ Cadno shook his head.

‘We are still making enquiries, there was nothing firm to inform about.’ Afagddu felt his skin flushing and his armpits beginning to sweat.

‘And the Seekers’ Helgi? Where are they?’ Cadno was persistent.

‘I presume they returned. In fact, the Keeper confirmed their safe return.’ Afagddu’s eyes bored into the Keeper
– why was he not speaking up?

‘You lie.’ Cadno’s words were piercing
. ‘The Helgi did not return and you instructed the Keeper to keep it a secret … where are the Helgi?’

Afagddu blinked
– this was making no sense, Cadno was setting a trap for him and he couldn’t see why. ‘The Helgi returned.’

‘Did you kill them too?’ Cadno’s question was delivered with ire
. ‘What are you trying to hide?’

Afagddu remained silent for a moment as he wracked his brain for a possible reason for these accusations. His heart hammered in his chest and his sides were slick with sweat. Afagddu hid many things, but the Seeker’s death was not his doing
. ‘I am innocent of any crime! These accusations are unfounded!’ Afagddu shouted back.

Cadno watched Afagddu’s distress with relish. Cadno had waited such a long time to bring Afagddu down and besides, this served his own purpose
; Cadno needed a distraction and Afagddu was it. Cadno waved Cai to come forward. ‘You are Afagddu’s body servant?’ Cai nodded. ‘Show us all what he told you to dispose of.’ Cadno smiled as the boy slowly revealed what he had been hiding behind his back. Afagddu hissed as Cai lifted a blood soaked shirt and robe.

‘Do they belong to you, Afagddu?’ Aeron’s eyes were fixed on the robes.

‘Yes,’ Afagddu stammered, ‘but the blood is mine, not the Seeker’s if that is what Cadno is suggesting.’

‘Too much blood to be from your wounds alone
,’ Cadno cut in.

‘In case you had not realised,’ Afagddu spat in a moment of triumph
, ‘these robes were bloodied many weeks after the death of the Seeker.’

Cadno raised his eyebrows,
did Afagddu honestly believe it was that simple
? ‘Indeed. You are correct, Afagddu but this is not the Seeker’s blood. You used derwydd yn tân to dispose of the Seeker, hence the fire. No, I am guessing this is the blood of the Helgi you disposed of when you realised they were witness to your murder of their Seeker.’

‘I deny your allegations!’ Afagddu roared, ‘Why would I kill
Helgi?’

‘Ah, now to the crux of the matter!’ Cadno raised a finger, before pointing it to the physician
. ‘Tell me, do you believe Afagddu’s hideous cuts could be inflicted by a small mirror?’

‘I’m sorry, Afagddu,’ the physician’s voice was full of remorse, ‘
you could not have received them from just a mirror. The large cut on your face is too deep, too angled.’

‘Do you think the cuts he received could be from the Helgi, given either in attack or defence?’ Cadno was pushing and pushing.

Afagddu stepped forward. ‘I demand you retract these spurious charges! Why would I kill a Seeker and his Helgi?’

Aeron raised a hand and silenced the room
. ‘That is what I wish to know and until I find out, Afagddu, you are restricted to your cell – see he is guarded,’ he ordered the Keeper, ‘send two Helgi to guard him.’

He returned his attention to his
Councillor. ‘Afagddu if you are found guilty of any of these charges brought against you, you will suffer the R’hela, and I shall be the one to hunt you down and skewer your hide. Be gone from my sight! Cadno see him to his cell.’ Afagddu bowed his head, humiliated and broken. Aeron watched him leave, followed by his accusers.

‘I don’t understand, father, why would Afagddu kill one of his own kind?’ Taliesin asked.

‘I do not know … he hides something Taliesin but whatever it is, now Cadno is on the scent it will not remain hidden for long.’ Aeron squinted as he tried to fathom the hidden depths of Afagddu’s behaviour and why it should be of interest to Cadno in the first place. ‘Taliesin, tell me what you know of the Chosen family named Morgan of Ty Mawr, are the women still missing as I am led to believe?’

Taliesin grew still, he was surprised his father knew of the missing women, he had been so aloof of late that the happening among the Chosen had appeared to be of little interest to him, so he answered cautiously, ‘I believe them both to still be unaccounted for, but the
Helgi and Chosen still look for them.’

‘Taliesin, I would have you run an errand
… bring the Morgan men to me. Do it now, I will wait for you in the Council Chamber. Go.’

Taliesin bowed to his father and ran to the Hall of Mirrors to fetch Anwen’s father
or brother, his heart pounding as he ran.

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

Gwyn had tried everything he could to get his father to stay in hospital. But when he had arrived at the ward to visit his father
, Dafydd had already signed himself out and was sitting on the bed still wearing his nightgown. He’d refused to get back in bed and Gwyn had been forced to retrieve a set of waterproof trousers and a jacket from the back of the Land Rover to cover his father who was threatening to walk out stark naked if necessary.

They’d talked none stop all the way home to Ty Mawr. His father was enraged, determined to speak with the
Druids the moment he set foot through the door. He wanted his daughter back, he wanted Nerys found and above all he wanted his memory back, he had no recall of the events that led up to him being found under the tree. He wanted answers.

‘Dad, please,’ Gwyn implored, ‘Anwen is safe for now, but she can’t come home. She’s pregnant, remember? Taliesin is the father and we need to keep that to ourselves, even
Dai doesn’t know she is pregnant, I kept that bit from him. Awel thinks the Druids have something to do with Nerys being missing, she’s probably dead, you know that, don’t you?’

‘Just get me home, Gwyn. I’ll set this straight with them. I want my family back.’ Dafydd’s jaw was set.

‘Dad, you can’t! You know you can’t, please listen to me!’

But Dafydd wouldn’t listen. He was adamant that the
Druids and Taliesin be brought to account.

‘You’ll not mention Taliesin,
Dad – Dad?’ Gwyn kept one eye on the road and one eye on his father. ‘Promise me, you’ll not mention Anwen is pregnant?’

They pulled up to the house and Dafydd was out of the car before Gwyn had turned the engine off. Still barefoot and wearing nothing but waterproofs, Dafydd stormed into the house to be greeted by an excited Bara – her master was home at last!

‘Dad! Dad!’ Gwyn hurried after his father and came to a standstill when he saw who was waiting for them in the kitchen.

‘Taliesin ap Aeron Ddu, what the hell are you doing in my kitchen?’ Dafydd barked with his hands on his hips
. ‘I remember now, I wanted to punch you in the face!’

Taliesin looked both angry and concerned. He looked past them both into the hallway to make sure the front room door was closed tight
. ‘I bring terrible tidings. The Winter King would speak with you.’

‘Why? Does he know about Anwen?’ Dafydd and Gwyn stood side by side, fists clenched.

‘No. I fear it is worse than that. Cadno has accused Afagddu, Councillor to the King, of the murder of a Seeker and two Helgi, all of which were last seen on your farm.’

Gwyn bounced on the balls of his feet
. ‘Dad?’

‘Do not worry, you have not been implicated in this matter, the charges are le
ant against Afagddu only, but my father inquired about your missing women – Anwen included.’ Taliesin’s soft voice made him sound young and inexperienced, not like Awel, much more unworldly. Gwyn couldn’t see what Anwen had found so enticing about this lanky, pale skinned juvenile.

‘What does he want to know?’ Dafydd’s voice was gruff and gravelly.

‘I do not know, but you must not mention my involvement with Anwen or that Awel and my mother protect her.’ He was shaking slightly. ‘The Solstice is tomorrow, there is nothing my mother or Awel can do until Spring, you understand that? My father cannot find out, please Dafydd Morgan, please hold your tongue, I loved your daughter, I would not see her hurt.’ His huge eyes were sincere and full of sorrow as he pleaded with Anwen’s father.

‘Bit bloody late for that!’ Dafydd fumed
. ‘She’s already hurt because of you!’ He thrust a finger at Taliesin’s chest. ‘But, my immediate concern is for Nerys. Bring me to your father then, and if I’m to keep my mouth shut then so should you and you, Gwyn. They will not have my daughter.’

Taliesin nodded as did Gwyn
. ‘Lead on then.’ He motioned for Taliesin and brushed past them into the hallway and into the front room. ‘Gwyn,’ his father whispered, ‘let me do the talking, you keep quiet, okay?’ Gwyn nodded again before handing his father his amulet from the kitchen table.

The mirror was standing open when Dafydd and Gwyn entered the room. Taliesin opened his hand and Dafydd grabbed it
. ‘Keep hold of my hand, Gwyn.’ Dafydd extended his free hand to his son. ‘Don’t let go until you’re on the other side, we don’t want the mirror closing with you half way through it.’

Gwyn took a deep breath and gripped his father’s hand. I
t felt good to have his father holding on, squeezing tightly, reassuringly. They stepped through one by one.

Gwyn bumped into this father’s back and stumbled, it was quicker than travelling through the Cerdd Carega and much less painful, but his head still swam and he had to shake it a few times to regain his focus.

‘You can let go of my hand now, Gwyn.’ Dafydd’s voice was calm and soothing. Gwyn let go and stepped from behind his father. His jaw dropped open as he craned his neck to view the sheer size of the chamber they were standing in. A vast cavernous ceiling vanished into the darkness above their heads supported by colossal stone columns that blocked his vision to the chamber walls stretching out in each direction, punctured at intervals by massive arched doorways. Gwyn was overawed by the magnitude of the place, the scale was immense.

‘Follow me.’ Taliesin strolled through the centre of the chamber, black clad figures silently watched their passing and Gwyn stuck close to his father’s side, his head swivelling from left to right as he took in the enormity of the place.

Aeron was waiting in the Druids’ Council Chamber. He was enclosed by ranks of nervous Elder Druids called to bear witness to what was about to unfold. Aeron leaned back in his huge chair as the two Chosen entered. ‘Taliesin, introduce me to our guests.’

Taliesin bowed to his father,
Dafydd and Gwyn knelt before the Winter King. ‘Aeron Ddu, King of the Winter Realm, Arch Orphanim of the Bwy Hir, I bring before you two of the faithful Chosen, Dafydd Morgan and Gwyn Morgan of Ty Mawr.’ Taliesin’s voice rang through the chamber.

‘Stand my friends, stand so I can see you.’ Aeron leaned forward as Gwyn and Dafydd stood up. Aeron smiled at Gwyn’s obvious astonishment. ‘You are the new initiate?’ Aeron asked and Gwyn nodded, not trusting his voice.

‘A rare privilege for such a young initiate, to enter the domain of the Druids.’ Aeron leaned back, pleasantries over, ‘You understand why I have called you?’

Dafydd spoke in a steady voice, ‘No, my
Lord, I do not.’

Aeron nodded his head
. ‘Two of your women are missing, one of my Seekers is missing, two of my Helgi are missing. Can you offer any enlightenment?’

‘I cannot, my
Lord.’ Dafydd’s voice was firm. ‘But only one of my women is missing, the other is away and safe.’

Aeron leaned towards Dafydd
. ‘Explain. Our Seekers hunt for two women. How is it they cannot find them and what do you mean by
safe
? Do you fear for their safety?’

‘I do indeed fear, I fear my
aunt is murdered and my daughter ran for her life. A Druid was in my house and attacked my aunt.’

‘Do you know who this
Druid was?’ Aeron inquired as he looked upon the gathered Druids. Their faces were a mix of concern, disgust and disbelief.

‘No, my
Lord, I had a seizure while I was in the fields. I was not home. Gwyn, my son here, came to find me and left the women alone, when he got back, they were gone.’

‘
How do you know it was a Druid?’

‘Because my daughter contacted us and told us why she ran away.’

‘And you believe her story?’

‘I have no reason not to.’

Aeron leaned back and listened to the disturbed mutterings echoing through the chamber. ‘Taliesin, bring Afagddu and Cadno.’ Taliesin rushed to do his father’s bidding while Aeron smiled down at the two Chosen. The Elder Druids were stone faced and unreadable as they stood around the chamber, a feeling of apprehension hung in the air.

Gwyn took a moment to study the hu
ge, radiant figure of Aeron Ddu – he was magnificent, splendid and Gwyn was in awe. He was much, much taller than his son, bigger, more poised and incredibly handsome, but there was a cruel cast to his eyes and mouth, his movements were too fluid, too deliberate. Gwyn felt he should fear him, and fear him he did.

Taliesin returned
, followed by another tall Bwy Hir and behind him came a malformed Druid with cuts to his face, shadowed by two of the biggest dogs Gwyn had ever seen: Helgi.

The
Druid shuffled to the centre of the hall and then stopped, he raised his head and shot Dafydd a horrid glare. Absolute silence filled the chamber, a resonant calm before an impending storm.

‘Do either of you know this
Druid?’ Aeron asked the Chosen men.

Gwyn shook his head, but Dafydd was staring into the
Druid’s face. Eye to eye they stood as if reading each other’s mind. Dafydd knew that instant, that very instant that this Druid had killed Nerys, but he could not prove it. ‘I recognise this Druid from the Solstice, but from nowhere else.’

‘You have never had any other dealing with this
Druid?’

‘No, sir, but he could easily be the man who attacked my
Aunt, all Druids have access to my home through the mirrors.’

There was a rumble of discord through the gathered
Druids and Aeron’s eyes filled with fury. ‘Silence!’ he bellowed. And the room fell silent again. ‘Afagddu do you know this man and have you ever been to his home?’

‘No, my
Lord. I have little interest in the lives of farmers.’ Afagddu sneered at Dafydd and flicked a glance at the pathetic boy stood shaking next to his father.

‘I think you are the liar.’ Dafydd was calm when he spoke directly to Afagddu
. ‘We have the knife Nerys used to protect herself, it fits the cuts on his face.’ Dafydd jabbed a finger at Afagddu and for the first time Afagddu looked unsure of himself: scared. Another intake of breath from the Druids.

Cadno was growing concerned, this was not going according to plan. He wanted Afagddu accused of disposing of the two
Helgi Cadno had already stashed away ready for his departure along with the new ateb and the whereabouts of Atgas. He’d wanted a diversion, not full scale insurrection.

‘Liar!’ Afagddu spat.

‘We have a knife, my Lord, we do not lie!’ Dafydd wanted to grab Afagddu and strangle the truth out of him, but he stayed still, his hands clutched together in front of him, calm and calculated.

‘Where is your daughter now?’ Aeron asked.

Gwyn opened his mouth but Dafydd silenced him. ‘Where she’s safe.’

‘I wish to speak with her. I wish her to be brought before me.’ Aeron’s voice was hard.

‘I want her kept out of this. I’ll not have her dragged into whatever schemes the Druids are cooking.’ Dafydd felt the first flutter of anxiety as Aeron’s eyes glittered with fury.

‘What does the girl have to fear from me?’ Aeron was irritated, he was used to getting his own way.

‘She’s safe where she is. She is not Chosen and not under the jurisdiction of the Triskele.’ Dafydd raised his chin defiantly. ‘We have a knife to match that man’s face, make of it what you will.’

Aeron tilted his head to the side. He had no doubt that his
Councillor was capable of all he was accused of, but there was something more, something the Chosen was hiding. ‘Dafydd Morgan you will submit your daughter to questioning.’

‘No!’ Dafydd shouted, ‘You’ll not harm her
!’ Gwyn was confused and scared. ‘What they gonna do to Anwen?’ He grabbed at his father’s arm.

‘They want to question her, but they’ll not do it kindly, they’ll hurt her –
you can’t have her!’ he raged up at Aeron.

‘We do not need the girl,’ Cadno appealed to Aeron, ‘Afagddu will confess under questioning, let us be done with this matter, the Solstice is tomorrow, we don’t have time for this!’

Aeron watched his son, Taliesin looked scared.
Why? What am I not seeing?
Aeron pursed his lips. ‘Time …’ Aeron’s voice rang out about the uproar. ‘... Time is something I have plenty of … I make my judgement.’ The chamber hushed again. ‘Afagddu you are to be imprisoned pending further investigations … Dafydd Morgan you implicate this Druid by words alone, although you have a knife, you have little else. The only person that can truly link Afagddu to these events is Anwen Morgan herself, and yet you refuse to hand her over for questioning.’

Dafydd shook his head, he would not surrender the girl
. ‘So then, this is my judgement: Afagddu and Dafydd Morgan are both to be imprisoned until Anwen Morgan is produced and submitted to questioning, then and only then will the innocent party be released. My judgement is law.’ Aeron leaned back, pleased with himself. Cadno shrugged his shoulders. Taliesin looked ready to faint.

‘You’ll not touch my father!’ Gwyn screamed as he shielded Dafydd with his own body
. ‘You’ll bloody well leave us alone!’