The Dark Age (32 page)

‘It was surely Cadogan then,' Tiernan informed Maelgwn, and Ione nodded.

‘He hast taken Tory?' Maelgwn was seeing red.

Ione nodded again, holding the tips of her fingers together before drawing them apart. She repeated this action a few times.

‘What doth that mean?' The King was stumped again and rose frustrated. If Cadogan had Tory out in this cold too long, she could lose their child; perhaps that was the whole plan. ‘Damn! This be impossible! Why did Taliesin not foresee this?'

‘It means … longer?' Tiernan ignored the King's panic, remaining focused on Ione, determined to solve the mystery.

She motioned
no
and repeated the movement.

‘She means more,' Cara uttered as she walked in and saw the blood covering the ground.

With this established, Tiernan surmised. ‘Cadogan hast taken more than the Queen?'

Ione slapped her hands together with a nod.

‘He hast taken someone else? Who?'

Cara crouched down beside Ione to look over her injuries. As she'd seen everyone else this day, she concluded, ‘Katren?'

Ione again slapped her hands together to confirm.

The King was saddened to learn this, as Cadogan would never cart an extra body without good reason. No doubt he intended to use Katren to threaten Tory
into submission.
I had best get word to Brockwell at Degannwy immediately.

‘I do not understand.' Tiernan stood to address the King. ‘Majesty, how could Cadogan have taken both of them out of the house without detection? 'Tis impossible.'

‘The same way we entered the house when Cadfer seized power,' Maelgwn surmised.

Tiernan looked to the King: ‘The west tower.'

‘Cadogan knew about the passage, we used to play in it all the time when we were boys,' the King explained as he scaled the northern caphouse steps, with Tiernan in hot pursuit.

They followed tracks left in the snow on the open wall-walk, between the north and west towers. When they descended the stairs from the west caphouse, the King's fears were confirmed. The furniture and rug that usually concealed the passage had been pushed aside. Beneath the trapdoor lay a secret path that led one way to the prison level, and the other way to an underground passage that brought one out at a cave in the cliff face some distance down the beach. This exit could only be used at low tide, which it had been earlier this morning.

‘The Queen warned me, over and over. Why did I not listen?'

‘He cannot have gotten far in this weather, Majesty.' Tiernan attempted to keep him rational.

‘If Cadogan be taking her to Chiglas, as the Queen foretold, I suspect he will have sent one of his larger boats to speed their journey to Powys.'

‘Goddess forbid, Majesty, Chiglas! What dost thou propose to do?' Now Tiernan was panicking.

The King's eyes narrowed, his remorse and anger consumed him. ‘End this damn blood feud.'

‘An attack on Powys in spring would be difficult enough. We would lose hundreds more men in this weather,' Tiernan reasoned.

‘No forces this time, Tiernan, just thee, Angus and myself. We leave for Llyn Cerrig Bach within the hour.'

It had been some time since the Dragon had overshadowed Maelgwn's demeanour, thus Tiernan didn't question his instruction. ‘As thee wishes, Majesty. We shall make ready.'

When the party met in the stables, the King was surprised to find Vortipor in attendance. ‘This be not thy fight, friend. I advise thee stay well out of it, to avoid any repercussions on Dyfed.'

‘Sorry friend,' Vortipor corrected him politely. ‘The Goddess hast clearly stated to the contrary. Be as brothers for thou art one, and let none divide thee. Thy woes art my own. Besides, if thee believes for a moment that thou art taking off on an adventure without me, thou art much mistaken.'

Maelgwn shook his hand, more than thankful for the support. ‘So be it then,' he resolved, slapping Vortipor on the shoulder. It would seem the Protector of Dyfed did take some things seriously after all.

As they mounted their horses, Ione rode into the stables, of a mind to go with them.

‘What art thou doing here, thou art ill,' Tiernan declared, knowing she was going to dispute the issue.

Ione flipped the fur cloak from her shoulders and flexed her muscles assuredly to imply that she felt fine and was raring to go.

‘I do not care, Ione, thou art staying here,' Tiernan instructed.

Ione, who answered only to the Queen, held up her middle finger in protest; Tory had been teaching her a few silent expressions of her own. She motioned to her mouth, adamant about her right to go.

‘I know thee owes him —' Tiernan began.

‘She will be useful, Tiernan. She may come,' the King intervened, then he dug his heels into Aristotle and rode out the stable doors.

Ione gave Tiernan a smug grin as she took off with the others to pursue the King.

The party sped across the white countryside. The snowfall had eased for a time and they made Llyn Cerrig Bach just after nightfall.

Tiernan and Angus knew that the derelict site housed more than met the eye. Yet Vortipor and Ione were left to wonder why the King would ride for hours in the opposite direction of his foe to visit such a desolate place.

‘Maelgwn, old boy.' Vortipor was quite sure the King had taken leave of his senses. ‘I hate to point out the obvious, but if thou art seeking assistance here, thou art about five hundred years too late. There be naught left but a pile of old ruins.'

‘Let this be a lesson to thee, Vortipor,' the King answered, then turned and headed for the temple remains. Angus and Tiernan smiled broadly as they fell
in behind the King and followed him towards the entrance. Neither had ever been granted entrance to what lay beneath the altar, but they had heard Brockwell and the King speak of the High Merlin's abode.

Taliesin hadn't been informed of their arrival, yet the torches within the temple were lit and the top of the altar was free of snow. ‘It would appear we art expected,' Maelgwn observed, taking a stand on top of the large stone tablet and helping the others up after him.

No summons was required this time as Vortipor, who was the last up, barely had the chance to get on the large stone before the illuminated mist began to billow forth from the cross.

Ione appeared ill at ease, so Tiernan thought he'd do the right thing and put his arm around her for comfort. This only served to score him an elbow in the side for his trouble. She looked at him sternly, standing firm, with her arms folded. If he wasn't afraid, she wasn't either.

Vortipor, beholding the mystic event, began to laugh. The bright light bursting forth from beneath him felt like pure life force, it cleansed and empowered him as it penetrated every fibre of his being. ‘Dragon, thee never disappoints!'

As the mist gave way to the great entrance room of Taliesin's abode, the new arrivals were awestruck.

The King didn't share their elation. He thundered forward to address Taliesin, who awaited him with Selwyn. ‘Why hast thou not told me of this, old man?
How could thee allow Tory to fall into the hands of Chiglas?'

‘Calm thyself, Dragon,' the Merlin cautioned, appearing rather angered himself. ‘Do not blame me for thy shortcomings. The Queen warned thee only yesterday, which be far more warning than I had.'

The truth hurt and only served to fuel Maelgwn's fury. ‘Thee cannot tell me that the eminent, infallible, Taliesin Pen Beirdd did not know of this. What kind of a fool dost thou take me for!' The King's harsh words resounded around the room as he glared at his mentor.

Taliesin slowly walked forward to address Maelgwn, and he appeared to be calling on such restraint to remain civil that it caused his whole body to tremble. ‘I cared for her long before thee ever knew she existed! Doth thou think for a moment that I would have gone to such pains with her, so that I could lose her to Chiglas?' Taliesin calmed himself once more. ‘Understand that we art history in the making, my friend. From the time thee wed Tory and signed the pact with the neighbouring tribes of Britain, we entered an unknown future. How can I be expected to recall this incident in time, when it hast never taken place before?'

Maelgwn realised that he had no one to blame but himself. ‘It would seem I am the fool, High Merlin.'

‘Nay, thou art human, Majesty.' Taliesin placed a hand on his shoulder. ‘And if thou art through with feeling sorry for thyself, we can see to the rescue of thy Queen.'

 

Before news of the abduction reached Brockwell at Degannwy, he and Rhys were approached by the young
maid whom Sir Cadogan had vanquished on the night of Samhain. She appeared very ashamed of herself, not looking up from the floor as she quietly announced, ‘Call off the murder investigation, I know who committed the grievous crime.'

Cadogan hadn't pursued her since the festival and, sure that he had another lover, she'd been secretly observing the knight's movements. ‘Please understand that to witness such an act 'twas a terrible shock.' She began to sob. ‘That be why I have not come forth before now.'

Brockwell, considering what Tory would do in his place, approached the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘We understand, please take thy time.'

Rhys sighed at Brockwell's patience. ‘However, we would like to catch the offender before he strikes again,' he added, hoping to move things along.

‘He will not,' she sniffled.

Brockwell went down on one knee before her. ‘How art thou so sure?'

‘He be no longer here, sir. He was sent on an errand to Aberffraw yesterday.'

‘Cadogan.' Both men resolved at once.

Rhys rushed forward to question the subject more closely. ‘What just cause did Cadogan have to murder the soldier?'

‘I do not know, sir.' She was flustered by his forceful manner and began to weep again.

‘Thee must suspect at least?' Rhys pressured her harder.

‘Rhys,' Brockwell stood and gently urged him to back up a little. ‘Please, permit me.'

Rhys agreed to Brockwell's request, moving to answer a knock at the door. He was handed an urgent communication from the King at Aberffraw.

‘Calin.' Rhys appeared rather ill as he read. ‘Forget her, I know his motive.'

‘What hast happened?'

Sir Rhys stepped forward and handed Brockwell the note.

Calin read, then crushed the parchment in his hand. His eyes moistened with the thought of the horrors that may lie in store for the women he loved. He inhaled deeply to control the anger brewing within him. ‘Let us be gone, sir.'

 

As usual, Taliesin insisted that everyone eat before he explained what he knew. Maelgwn protested, anxious about his wife and unborn child.

‘Thee may leave tonight, unprepared, or leave on the morrow with some hope of saving her.'

‘Explain.' Maelgwn hated the fact that Taliesin always got his way, and the Merlin raised his brow, aware of this.

‘I shall, after supper.'

Once the party had dined on the beef of two white bulls that had been slaughtered and cooked according to an old druidic tradition, the Merlin began to explain the reasons for their delay. ‘I can safely say that thou art one of the most fortunate men I have ever known, Majesty.'

The look the King gave him implied that the remark didn't even warrant a response.

‘Tomorrow happens to be the sixth day of the moon, when the influence of the orb be at its height. At this particular time of year, after a traditional sacrifice and an elaborate feast …' he waved his hand across the food on the table before them, ‘one can cut mistletoe from the sacred oak to make an antidote for all poisons.'

‘Be Vanora intending to poison my wife?'

‘Nay, not the Queen, but thy heir.' The King rose immediately, but Taliesin gripped his arm. ‘Thou art already too late, Maelgwn. Cadogan forced Tory to take the brew before she'd even left Aberffraw, under the premise it was just a sleeping potion. But fear not! Thy enchanted wedding gift still protects the child. But without the potion, that I can only make on the morrow, thy heir shall surely perish.'

The King's eyes closed and he resigned himself to be patient and trust in the Goddess, as she'd never steered him wrong before.

‘There be one other very good reason for delay,' the Merlin informed them, his spirits lifting. ‘If thee would all care to follow me.'

Taliesin guided them to the room housing his hexagons. The party was astonished to behold within the largest of these a holographic image of Chiglas' capital, Arwystli, and the surrounding terrain.

‘Sacred Mother!' Angus mouthed the words as his voice escaped him.

‘Great wonders of Britain, High Merlin!' Vortipor cried in amazement. ‘I am mighty glad I am on thy side.'

‘Arwystli?' Maelgwn sought to confirm, leaning against the glass to try to find whatever was amusing Taliesin so.

‘Aye,' Taliesin smiled, waiting for the King to spot their saving grace.

Maelgwn had no fear of the technology, as they'd used this equipment to crush Cadfer fifteen years ago. ‘What be all that commotion in the mountains yonder?' The King assumed the control position behind the panel and proceeded to zoom over the countryside, to take up a vantage point closer to the mountains.

‘They look like Saxons, Majesty,' Tiernan said as he ventured closer.

‘Undoubtedly,' Taliesin said. ‘It would seem Chiglas did not see fit to pay them for their unsuccessful attempt to seize Gwynedd. And with no spoils to cover the plundering scavengers through winter, they intend to take their due by force. And they will, on the morrow.'

‘Saved by the Saxons, well I never!' Maelgwn almost had to laugh.

‘Indeed, the perfect diversion. Wait for them to break through the outer defences, sneak in while all art engaged in battle, and make for thy Queen. Unfortunately, I shan't be able to tell thee her situation within the city until morn, when she hast reached Arwystli.'