The Bwy Hir Complete Trilogy (40 page)

Celyn-Bach reached out to Taliesin. ‘Calm down, so this was the cause of your melancholy in the library. This is why you asked if you were evil.’ Celyn-Bach smiled sympathetically. ‘You are not evil, Taliesin, misguided and naïve, but not evil. You are young yet, your father will see that your actions were not malicious or wicked ... as for your mate, well, without her the Pride may well be lost to us, she is our only key, your father will see that too.’ He turned to Gwrnach. ‘As for you, well, Aeron will be displeased at your secrecy, but we all are as guilty as you, for we all knew … Come, the only way to slay this beast is to attack it head on, we must return to Aeron.’

Celyn-Bach took the lead and they made their way back to the
Cerdd Carega. Taliesin trailed behind, his head bowed and his shoulders slumped as he dragged his heels. He didn’t relish his meetings with his father.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Anwen was building up the courage to ask to use Mary’s house phone. She’d toyed with the idea of using the phone when Mary had gone to bed, but that had felt dishonest and sneaky, so instead Anwen was trying her best to be pleasant and helpful while waiting for the right moment to ask. ‘Can I get you some tea, Mary?’ Anwen asked as Mary read in her usual spot by the window.

‘No thank you.’ Mary didn’t even look up from her book.

‘Anything that needs doing?’ Anwen tried to make her voice light. ‘Ironing, dusting, anything?’

Mary peered over her book
. ‘Why don’t you just ask me?’ she said in a bored tone which made Anwen grind her teeth.

‘Can I use the phone to call home, please?’

Mary smiled. ‘Yes, you may.’ She returned to reading her book. ‘Remember the rules, Anwen, you don’t say where you are or who you are with.’

‘Fine.’ Anwen turned her back to Mary and picked up the phone, she dialled the number and waited anxiously for an answer.

‘Hello,’ a familiar voice said.

‘Dad? Dad is that you?’ She was so excited to hear his voice.

‘Anwen, Cariad,’ he replied excitedly, ‘By god, it’s good to hear your voice. Are you well? Are you safe? How are you?’

Anwen laughed through her tears
. ‘I’m fine – homesick but fine. How are you? How’s Gwyn? Any news of Nerys?’

There was a pause
. ‘Gwyn’s fine, although he’s losing weight, he’s missing your cooking, Anwen. Are you safe Anwen, are you happy?’

‘I want to come home, Dad.’ The tears spilled from her eyes and ran down her cheeks.

‘Best you don’t for now, Cariad.’

‘Why, D
ad? I’m sorry for what’s happened – I just want to come home, please Dad?’ Anwen was desperate.

‘You’ve nothing to be sorry about, love.’ Dafydd’s voice cracked
. ‘No, it’s not about you, there’s some trouble up here and so you’re best away from it, at least for now Anwen, oh, please don’t cry. Who are you with, can I speak to them?’

Anwen turned to Mary who was watching from her chair. Anwen placed a hand over the receiver and said, ‘He wants to speak with you.’ Mary shook her head and gave Anwen a warning glare. Anwen scowled back and returned her attention to the phone
. ‘Sorry, Dad, I can’t say where I am or who I’m with … When can I come home?’

‘Soon, Anwen, soon.’ Dafydd sniffed and cleared his throat, ‘Listen,
Cariad, just you stay where you are, and keep in touch … if you need anything … stay safe, Anwen and I’m sorry for the way I behaved. I love you and that’s all that matters … Hang up on me, Cariad, I don’t want to be the one to hang up first, silly I know … Keep in touch.’

‘I will
… I love you too Dad, and Gwyn, tell Gwyn … bye, Dad, bye.’ Anwen reluctantly hung up the phone and then she burst into tears, flying from the room to shut herself in her bedroom.

Mary sighed. She needed a cup of tea after all. She slowly closed her book and went to make a pot of tea for two. Hopefully Anwen would come out of her room and talk to her.
What a mess
, she thought to herself as she made her way down the hallway and into the kitchen.

Mary had made a call to the valley herself only this morning to advise on the runes she had found on the
Ysgrifennu drych. She had only mentioned her mirror, she’d said nothing about Anwen owning one, and she was still waiting for a call back on what to do.
What a mess
, she thought again,
Mae'r holl beth yn llanastr.
Mary stopped what she was doing. ‘My goodness, I’m speaking Welsh after all these years!’ she said out loud. ‘Who’d have thought.’ She smiled to herself as she filled the kettle and switched it on to boil.

It had been years and years since she had spoken or even thought in her native language and it felt good somehow. Anwen was obviously having an effect on her, this new embroilment with the young girl and re-established communication with her childhood village had brought her memories flooding back, she even found herself longing for the Welsh
hills, after all these years in the English capital city! ‘Well, well,’ she muttered, ‘maybe after all this is over … maybe.’

She s
et the tea tray and filled the teapot before calling Anwen to join her. Anwen emerged from her bedroom puffy faced and red-eyed, but at least she had stopped crying, ‘Paned: tea, Anwen?’ Mary asked.

Anwen nodded and Mary poured. ‘Mary?’ Anwen, ‘My father says I should not return home
… but I’ve just had this message.’ She outstretched her hand and passed Mary the Ysgrifennu drych. Mary pulled her glasses down and looked into the mirror.
The writing was perfectly formed in italics and it read: “
Anwen, you must return. The Pride is in danger. Hurry. Taliesin
.”

Mary passed the mirror back to Anwen and pressed her lips together in thought. She turned her back on Anwen and looked out of the small kitchen window, over rooftops and gardens nestled under a grey, drizzle filled sky.

‘Mary?’ Anwen’s voice sounded small and distant as Mary continued staring into the sky. ‘Mary?’

Mary finally answered Anwen, but she didn’t turn around to face her, she instead kept her face to
ward the window. ‘I made a promise long ago, Anwen, a long time ago. You see, when I was growing up in the village there wasn’t much call to educate a young girl … but I had a thirst. You know there were only three books in our house? One was the bible, one was a book of poems and the third was titled “The
Book of Home Remedies
and Herbal Cures”, and that book, that very book inspired me to train in medicine. My father wasn’t interested in my chosen vocation and besides my parents didn’t have the money to send me off to colleges and university, so that was that – Only, that wasn’t that. My mother saw I was bright and so she arranged for me to be schooled by a very special person: Awel Chan y Bant herself, and school me she did … long and short of it, I got a scholarship and I was off out into the wide world and I never went back, Anwen. I never went back.’

Mary slowly turned
around to face Anwen. Her eyes glistened and there was colour in her wrinkled cheeks. ‘I made a promise that if Awel ever needed anything – anything, I would do whatever she asked, and she never did ask, until a few weeks ago.’

‘I was ordered to hide and protect you, at any cost. Protect you and the child
,’ she said, nodding towards Anwen’s stomach, ‘and I intend to do exactly that, so tell me how I can hide and protect you if you go toddling back off to Wales?’

Anwen sat perched on the edge of her chair
. ‘But, Mary, the Pride is in danger. Awel herself is in danger. How can I not go back? Taliesin has asked me to return, he would not do that if I was in any danger.’

‘Taliesin
…’ Mary pursed her lips again. ‘
The
Taliesin?’

‘Yes.’ Anwen swallowed before adding
, ‘He is the father of my baby.’

Mary swooned, she clutched the edge of the worktop to steady herself
. ‘That should not be possible, and yet … Awel would not protect you if he weren’t, but how?’

Anwen shrugged her shoulders
. ‘What should I do, Mary?’ Anwen pulled her top lip between her teeth and waited for Mary to answer her.

‘Does everybody know who the father is?’

‘No,’ Anwen replied, ‘it’s a secret, at least it was …’

‘Are you sure the message is from Taliesin ap Aeron Ddu? Awel hinted you were in some kind of danger.
Oh, Anwen.’ Mary stopped short, the telephone was ringing in the other room and Mary hastened to answer it.

Anwen strained to listen, but she couldn’t
hear what was being said, although Mary’s voice sounded urgent and fretful. Mary reappeared in the kitchen in a state of panic, ‘Grab your things Anwen, we must leave.’

‘Are we going home?’ Anwen clasped her hands together.

‘No. I’ll explain on the way – grab your things, quickly now.’ Mary shooed Anwen out of the kitchen and vanished into her own bedroom to pack.

‘But where are we going?’ Anwen called
, as she stuffed her new clothes in a holdall, ensuring her mirror was in her pocket and her bracelet around her wrist.

‘The one place no
Druid would dare enter,’ Mary shouted back, ‘we’re going to Chester.’

‘Caerlleon? But why?’ Anwen shouted back, but Mary didn’t answer, she was busy packing her own clothes, ensuring her mirror was in her pocket and her bracelet was safely attached around her wrist.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

By the time Celyn-Bach, Gwrnach and Taliesin appeared in the Reception Hall the sun had begun to set and the Druids were busying themselves with lighting the sconces and chandeliers decorating the walls and ceilings. Despite the normal flurry of activity in the hallways, there was also a tangible air of apprehension and many of the Druids that rushed past had an air of anxiety about them.

‘What is wrong?’ Gwrnach asked
, as he clasped the nearest Druid trying to scurry past. ‘What has happened?’

The
Druid stammered and pointed in the direction of the Hall of Mirrors. ‘R-R-Runes!’ he stammered, ‘Y-Y-Ysbrydion!’ He shook as he spoke. ‘The Dderwydd Ddrych are corrupted!’

Gwrnach released the little man and let him scurry away. The three Bwy Hir ran the rest of the way to the Hall of Mirrors
. Only on entering the huge hall did they realise the gravity of the Druid’s words. The Hall was filled with Druids, all of them Elders. They were dragging holly and mistletoe into position, laying them at the base of each mirror. Sage was burning in huge fire baskets positioned around the room.

Llud, Bran, Gryff
,
Gwydio
n
an
d
Brenig were each drawing counter runes of their own on the huge slate paved floor. Aeron stood amid the turmoil, arms folded, with a grim look upon his face. ‘Where on earth have you been?’ he yelled as he spied them entering the Hall.

‘We have been to the Dell, we thought Cadno may be hiding there,’ Gwrnach answered, as he watched Celyn-Bach stroll to the nearest mirror and peer into its surface.

‘And was he?’ Aeron snapped, looking down at his son.

‘No,’ Taliesin answered, ‘neither were the
Tylwyth Teg
.’

Aeron’s brow creased as his eyes became slits. ‘Not there? What do you mean? They are always there.’

‘They have gone.’ Gwrnach spread his hands. ‘The place is deserted, that is what we were coming to tell you.’

Aeron unfolded his arms and placed his hands on his hips. ‘That for the moment is the least of my worries – have you seen this?’ He waved his hand towards the mirrors.

‘Can it be?’ Celyn-Bach leaned further in to inspect the surface of the mirror. ‘Have you seen these runes? Gwrnach, come look, it’s fascinating, such tiny runes – look!’ He pointed to what at first glance looked like tiny imperfections in the glass.

‘Fascinating?’ Aeron hissed, ‘Fascinating? Celyn-Bach, someone or something is trying to break through. Fascinating is not a word I would use.’

‘I apologise,’ Celyn-Bach said humbly, ‘I chose the wrong words.’ He bowed respectfully to Aeron. ‘I – we must speak with you, all of you.’ The Host all stopped what they were doing to watch him as he spoke. ‘It cannot wait, Aeron. It is all connected.’ He waved his hand to the mirrors. ‘Can you spare a moment?’

‘We have done all we can do for now.’ Bran leaned up from his completed work. ‘If Celyn-Bach says it is important, then it is important.’

Aeron squinted at Celyn-Bach, Gwrnach and Taliesin in turn and refolded his arms across his chest. ‘To our chambers then. The Druids can hold fast here.’ He turned to leave. ‘Inform us of any change,’ he ordered over his shoulder and the Druids bowed at his back.

The Host made their way up to their chamber and Aeron summarised the latest news as they walked. ‘Afagddu and his little minion Madog have been taken away for questioning by the Druids. They are in Dduallt as we speak. My new Councillor is with them and he informs me that Madog is loose-tongued while Afagddu remains silent … we shall see the outcome soon enough.’

‘Madog claims Afagddu has disposed of at least six
Humans into y Gwag, there may be more, although six is a feast indeed for the hungry souls wandering the mists … I believe we can counter any Ysbrydion that try to break free, six is not enough to create too big a threat … although,’ Aeron said, fixing Celyn-Bach with a penetrating stare, ‘what if there are more? What if this has been going on for years? What if others have done the same? How big would the threat be then? Does evil truly stalk y Gwag? Does Lucifer himself have a hand in this?’

‘That is a lot of questions,’ Celyn-Bach
said, smiling kind-naturedly at Aeron’s scowl, ‘and each will need answering in turn, but first I must heap more sorrow to fan the flames of disharmony and Cadno is the least of them.’

‘Cadno?’ Aeron looked over his shoulder as he opened the huge doors to the chamber they used together
. ‘I thought he was not in the Dell?’

‘And he is not
,’ Celyn-Bach replied. ‘Please sit, all of us, sit as brothers.’ Llud and Gryff, Gwydionan
d
Brenig all sat down. Bran, as was his usual nature, stood by the fire with a suspicious scowl on his face, Aeron sat in the centre of the group while Gwrnach and Celyn-Bach stood side by side. Taliesin shied behind them, keen to shield himself from his father’s glower.

Gwrnach kept his h
ead down and studied his boots while Celyn-Bach was his normal composed self, looking around at the faces of his brothers. ‘Where do I begin?’ he asked himself, ‘I suppose the most urgent takes priority … The Tylwyth Teg are missing – the Dell is deserted and that leads me to one possible conclusion: they have gone to the Pride – I believe they know more of the disharmony in y Gwag than we do … and if that is so, then the Pride are not only in danger, but are defenceless while they slumber.’

Aeron leaned forward and
the others looked to each other, all concerned at Celyn-Bach’s revelation. ‘Can you be sure?’ Gryff and Gwydion asked in unison.

‘I am not definite, but I believe there can be no other conclusion, especially with the runes appearing on the
Dderwydd Ddrych. The question though, is what can the Tylwyth Teg
do? Can they protect the Pride against malevolent evil, especially if the Ysbrydion take form? As I understand it the Tylwyth Teg are harmless and will not raise a hand to defend themselves.’ Celyn–Bach spread his hands.

‘We must wake them!’ Bran said in his matter-of-fact way.

‘And how do you propose we do that?’ Aeron rubbed his chin, his eyes were distant, staring far away.

‘We cannot
,’ Celyn-Bach declared, ‘only a female Bwy Hir or the Tylwyth Teg can enter where they sleep.’

‘No one may enter?’ Gryff asked and Celyn-Bach shook his head
. ‘But,’ he added, ‘there is a way.’

‘I will not have Atgas anywhere near the sleeping Pride
!’ Aeron shouted above the murmurs. Again Celyn-Bach shook his head. ‘Please Aeron, calm yourself and be seated, I would never suggest such a thing.’ Aeron threw himself in his seat and sat with his arms and legs crossed, silently fuming whilst trying to get his temper in check.

Celyn-Bach looked to Gwrnach and Taliesin. Gwrnach patted Taliesin’s shoulder and then stepped forward. ‘I have a confession
,’ he said to the room, ‘there is a new ateb. A Pride invention,’ he added, while looking squarely at Taliesin. ‘And I was chosen to sample its effectiveness …’ Aeron unfolded his arms and legs and sat forward, an eagle ready to descend on his prey. Gwrnach cleared his throat and continued. ‘It worked … and now Olwyn is with child – my child.’

The room fell silent. Aeron was silent. Celyn-Bach tipped his head from side to side, gauging his brother’s rea
ctions and feelings. All except Taliesin and Aeron had known of Gwrnach’s exploits, Aeron was now the last to be told. Taliesin shuffled further behind Gwrnach, dreading the next moments.

Celyn-Bach side
stepped revealing a shrinking Taliesin. ‘There is more.’ Celyn-Bach nodded to Taliesin, but he dipped his head and so Celyn-Bach continued. ‘There is another child to be born.’ Aeron leaned over further, coiled and ready. ‘There is soon to be a Hanner- Bridia delivered unto the world.’

The room erupted. Aeron was on his feet and practically flew into Celyn-Bach’s face
. ‘What devilry is this?’ he bellowed. All the Host were on their feet, talking and shouting over one another. Gwrnach had taken a defensive position in front of Taliesin and the only person to remain calm was Celyn-Bach himself, he did not even flinch when Aeron descended. ‘I demand an explanation!’ Aeron was incensed.

Celyn-Bach waited calmly and patiently for the room to quieten before he continued speaking
. ‘Firstly, we must be aware that the Pride know of this turn of events and have accepted it. It also occurred during their rule and therefore our opinions mean little.’ Aeron grunted but appeared to calm slightly. ‘Secondly, without this event, the Pride and thus the Host would be in a sorry position indeed – we have been given a rare gift of chance, and one that will not be squandered. The Pride can be woken.’

‘
By whom?’ Aeron retook his seat but he stared at his son.

‘That is Taliesin’s story to tell.’ Celyn-Bach ushered Taliesin to the front.

‘I am the father,’ he stated with his head held high, deliberately not looking at his father, ‘the mother is Anwen Morgan of Ty Mawr.’

‘What?’
His father jumped out of his seat. ‘You bedded a Human? She carries a child? It cannot be yours.’

‘It is mine, father.’ Taliesin met his father’s eyes
. ‘Anwen carries Bwy Hir blood in her veins – I know not how, but she does and she carries my child.’

Aeron’s face grew peevish as he looked down at
his son. ‘So,’ he began, ‘so this is why you were so keen to protect the Morgan men. You sided with them against me in the Druid Hall.’

‘No father.’ Taliesin swallowed
. ‘I would never side against you. I saw an injustice that was all.’

‘Liar
!’ Aeron hissed. ‘You have cosseted secrets with your mother and you protected them as you protected yourself! Where is she? Where is Anwen Morgan?’

‘We do not know, but she can be found and she will help us.’ Celyn-Bach stood side by side with Taliesin.

‘Aeron,’ Gwrnach spoke softly, ‘she carries your grandchild within her, she is one of us now.’

Aeron threw his head back and laughed
. ‘One of us? Is she Bwy Hir? Does she tower over mortal men? Can she wield the elements? What use is she to us?’

‘She can save the Pride.’ Bran pointed out.

‘We do not know that they are in danger – this is nothing more than a guess, speculation, nothing more.’ Aeron spun on Bran.

‘We know there is evil stirring in
y Gwag, we know your Councillor fed the spirits. The Tylwyth Teg are missing. Can we afford to take the chance, Aeron?’ Bran asked flatly. ‘Can we chance losing the Pride and thus seal the fate of all the Bwy Hir?’

Aeron grunted again
. ‘That I cannot do.’ He turned to his only son. ‘You should have come to me sooner. You should not have lied to me.’ Taliesin opened his mouth but Aeron stalled him. ‘Bring me the woman.’

Celyn-Bach gripped Taliesin’s shoulder and Taliesin nodded. Aeron left the room. ‘We must find her.’ Celyn-Bach spoke softly.

‘I have written on her
Ysgrifennu drych already, I await her answer.’ Taliesin felt wretched.

‘We must find her quickly, I know that Aeron will send the Seekers immediately
if he hasn’t already. He was interested in Anwen Morgan before your revelation and now every Chosen’s house will be visited to find her.’ Celyn-Bach spoke softer still, no more than a whisper. ‘You must go to her family and explain what has happened … she must return home.’

Taliesin nodded and he too left the roo
m, feeling every eye following his departure. He retraced his steps and returned to the Cerdd Carega in the Reception Hall and lifted his hand.
Can Anwen use a portal? Could she be taught in time?
He vanished from the Hall and arrived back within the Gwydir forest.

The sky was turning from blue to grey, the sun was well past its zenith and sunset was looming, giving way to the night. As Taliesin made his way to Ty Mawr
Farm his heart sank lower and lower, matching the sun as it yielded to the darkness.

He reached the farmhouse at dusk. Light spilled from the downstairs windows and smoke billowed from the chimney. All was quiet as he stealthily approached the back door, leaning to catch a glimpse through the window, making sure no strangers were present. ‘Men of Ty Mawr,’ he called in cupped hands from the shadows, ‘Dafydd ap Morgan?’

The back door opened and Bara wagged her tail as she stared from the opening. Behind her were Dafydd and Gwyn. ‘Who is it?’ Dafydd called.

Taliesin stepped into the light and Dafydd and Gwyn stepped back to allow him entrance into their home. ‘Go on through,’ Dafydd said as Taliesin entered the house. Gwyn led the way and Dafydd closed the back door, locking it tight
ly before following them into the living room.

Gwyn was already turning off every electrical item in the room and Taliesin thanked him for the consideration.
‘Sit,’ Dafydd said and offered the sofa, but Taliesin took a seat on the floor, crossing his legs and accepting licks and sniffs from Bara. Gwyn and Dafydd sat down on the chairs and waited for Taliesin to speak. ‘Do you know where Anwen is?’ Taliesin asked.