The Dark Age (9 page)

The maid turned bright red on discovering the Prince. She curtsied to him then left as quickly as she was able.

Maelgwn's mind was set at ease by what he'd heard, and he admitted that Tory was quite correct in her analysis of his cousin. Her words gave him hope that she might be using the same strategy on him. For surely if Tory was advising another woman on Calin's entrapment, she could hold no true interest in him herself. ‘Art thou still angry at me?'

He strolled over to take a seat on the bed, while Tory silently debated the issue in her mind. ‘When thee said yesterday that thou had dreamt of me, what did thee mean?' she asked.

He found the question an amusing one. ‘I assure thee, if enlightened thee would never speak to me
again.' Some of it had been rather erotic so he wasn't lying, yet in his experience the Prince knew it to be much more than a dream; it was a prophesy. He'd had these waking dreams when the Dragon first came to him, and they would stay with him for days, tormenting and guiding him to do things he wouldn't normally consider.

‘I see.' Tory found it hard to keep a smile from her face.

The door downstairs slammed open, startling them both.

‘Majesty, thee will never guess who be here?' Brockwell reached the top of the stairs, short of breath.

‘Taliesin,' answered Maelgwn, calmly.

‘How did thee know?' Brockwell stared at his friend amazed, before racing back downstairs; he was still a bit embarrassed by his behaviour the night before and wasn't yet ready to face the repercussions.

Tory's eyes had parted wide. ‘Taliesin! The Taliesin? Maelgwn, thou dost know him?' she clutched Maelgwn's shoulder, excited. If only part of what the history books said of him was true, this renowned magician might know of a way to get her home. ‘Why of course you do!' Tory hit herself as she recalled reading something to that effect.

‘Aye. He was my tutor and occupied this very tower. My mother held him in very high regard.'

The star charts on the wall are his!
She viewed her tower in a different light now. ‘Be he as powerful and all knowing as they say? Be he truly immortal and a shaman? He could help me get home, could he not?'

Maelgwn just laughed in response to the interrogation, fully suspecting Taliesin of having everything to do with her being there in the first place. ‘Thou shalt have to ask him thyself.' He rose, eager to greet his old friend. ‘I will bring him to meet thee.'

‘Can I not come down?'

‘I believe a more private meeting be in order. I will not be long.'

 

Maelgwn hadn't seen his old mentor in over ten years, and he remembered that they didn't part on the best of terms at the time. Still, Taliesin's indignation about the puerile resolutions Maelgwn made as a boy hadn't stopped the old man from arriving when he was needed most.

Brockwell strode alongside the Prince, his conscience plaguing him. ‘I believe I owe thee an apology.'

Maelgwn was unsure of what he meant and had to stop and think about it for a moment. ‘If thou art referring to Tory, I would say she be the one to whom thee should apologise. I cannot very well blame thee,' he replied to Brockwell, who appeared surprised that the Prince was taking it so well.

‘She told thee, then?'

‘Nay, she did not. She knows about Malvina. I saw thee taking a woman to thy bed last night, and presuming it was Tory …' The Prince shrugged.

Brockwell was horrified. ‘What must she think of me now?' He wondered if perhaps the Prince had told her on purpose.

‘I am sorry, Calin, but thee made thy own bed, so to speak.'

 

As the Prince didn't have time to train with her this morning, Tory had decided to jog a few laps around the open wall-walk instead. After a few simple stretching exercises, she set off around the path.

By her fourth lap she had settled into a good rhythm when, to her horror, the door to the west tower opened and Prince Caradoc led the Princess Vanora onto the walkway.

Tory didn't slow down, but nodded in greeting as she approached. ‘Good morning, Highnesses.'

As she passed them, dressed only in her tracksuit and joggers, Caradoc's smirk broadened. Vanora just stared in cryptic disapproval.

‘Wait downstairs,' Caradoc urged her.

Vanora stood defiant. ‘Why?'

‘Just do it,' he hissed back. Caradoc watched the Princess leave and waited for Tory to make her way back around to him.

Oh shit, Tory thought, noticing that Caradoc was alone. She put her head down and picked up speed to get past him.

Caradoc leaned against the sea-wall to admire Tory's form, and allowed her to pass before demanding, ‘Halt right there!'

As she came to a standstill, Caradoc strolled up to her. ‘What dost thou think thou art doing?'

Tory was not in the mood to be reckoned with. ‘I think thou art intelligent enough to work it out.'

Caradoc smiled as he reached his hand round the back of her neck and gripped her tightly. ‘How sharp be thy tongue for one of the weaker sex.' He observed her closely, considering the pleasure to be had in breaking such spirit.

His laugh was unnerving, and he pulled her toward him, forcing his tongue into her mouth. Tory clenched her fists; this bastard really knew how to push her buttons.

‘Thy tongue be lush,' he told her. ‘It would be a shame to have to bite it out.'

‘And miss the pleasure of my conversation?' She smiled, not in the least bit fazed.

Caradoc lifted a hand to strike her but the sound of his name stopped him. He backed off, letting her go.

Tory breathed a sigh of relief as Brockwell strode up and stood between them. ‘If thou hast a gripe with my lady, thee will take it up with me.'

Tory noticed that Brockwell didn't show Caradoc the same respect he did Maelgwn.

Caradoc held his disdainful air. ‘Nay, I have no gripe,' he assured the knight as if he had never been angered. ‘But I would suggest thee teach thy woman some manners, before she lands thee in serious trouble.'

Tory watched Caradoc leave, looking forward to a time when she could kick his chauvinistic butt back to whence it came.

‘Art thou alright?' Brockwell turned to her, pleased she'd had the sense to refrain from defending herself.

‘Aye, that be two I owe thee, Calin.' Tory smiled briefly. ‘I did fancy smashing his royal worship right
between the eyes … 'twas a good thing thee came along.'

‘Dost thou not think me volatile after my wanton conduct last night?'

‘Who thee chooses to bed be thine own business. But Malvina, Calin?' She gave him a distasteful look. ‘I find that insulting.'

‘Thee did not have to wake up to her.' Brockwell held his head that ached with a vengeance. ‘I honestly swear, I remember naught of it.'

Tory felt sorry for him; men were so stupid sometimes. ‘Doth thy head ail thee?'

‘Aye, almost as bad as my conscience.'

Tory flung an arm over his shoulder. ‘Come to my tower, I have something that will fix thee right up.'

M
aelgwn entered the library to find the old wizard standing in front of the long windows, savouring the sun's rays. ‘Should I be glad to see thee, High Merlin, or hast thou come to vex me?' Maelgwn poured himself a well-needed drink and filled a goblet for his guest.

‘Thou art one of my most notable students, Maelgwn. Thee should know the answer to that. Hast thou not been expecting me?'

Maelgwn's fears were set to rest, he knew his old confidant could never truly despise him. ‘Dost thou know what lies ahead for Gwynedd?' The Prince held out a goblet in offering, observing the aging face of his mentor. Taliesin's body, though twisted and old, was still strong, and he never seemed to lack vigour.

The Merlin turned his eyes of palest violet to the Prince. Under his long silver moustache and beard
Taliesin smiled as he accepted the drink. ‘This situation be of thine own making. A monk indeed.' He chuckled at the thought. ‘No wonder thy father be so eager to see thee wed.'

‘That much I know,' Maelgwn replied impatiently. ‘Be that why thou hast sent Tory and have plagued me with visions of her?'

‘The dreams be thine own.' Taliesin cocked an eye. ‘Quite enlightening, were they not?'

‘What am I to do with her? She be driving me to distraction.'

‘Thee and every other male in this household.' Taliesin closed his eyes as he sensed a disturbance on the roof above them. ‘Even as we speak thy brother be up to mischief.'

‘Caradoc be with Tory?' Maelgwn didn't wait for an answer.

‘Halt, all be well. Brockwell hast found them.'

‘Art thou sure?'

‘Pardon?' said Taliesin, insulted.

‘My apologies, I should have known better than to ask. Now, what of my question?'

‘Well, I would marry Tory if I were thee.'

‘Of course! Why didn't I think of that?' Maelgwn gave up. ‘Thou art no help.'

‘Chiglas still despises thee for the loss of his ally, even though he claims otherwise,' Taliesin informed him. ‘Understand, Maelgwn, thy father feared losing thee to a monastery and his kingdom to Chiglas, that be why he sought this arrangement. But thine instinct serves thee well and thy own plans art quite sound.'

Maelgwn was taking him more seriously now. ‘What should I do, confront my father?'

Taliesin waved off the idea. ‘He be not of the mind to listen at present. And in any case, there will prove to be no need.'

‘So what should I do then?'

‘Thou art not a child any more.' Taliesin became serious. ‘And soon thee will be king.'

Maelgwn was unnerved by the comment.

‘Stop worrying about thy father's plans and instigate thine own.' The magician began to fade before Maelgwn's eyes. ‘The fate of Gwynedd be again in our hands, Dragon.'

‘Wait! Damn it.' Maelgwn reached for him but the Merlin was gone. ‘Thou art always disappearing before I am done with thee.'

There was an urgent hammering on the door and Lady Gladys entered with haste. ‘Maelgwn, thou art here, praise the Goddess.' She raised her eyes to the roof and took hold of his arm. ‘Thy father hast taken ill, thee must come at once.'

 

Tory waited impatiently for Maelgwn to come with the famous Taliesin, but with every passing hour she grew less hopeful of their meeting.

Selwyn had arrived for practice, as he did every afternoon around three, and upon finding Tory engrossed in a book, he'd quietly seated himself and begun to play.

Tory hummed along with his tune as she read up on her expected guest. She had amongst her things a book
that told of the Mabinogion, a volume of the ancient writings of the Britons. These were not quite fiction nor mythology, more folk tales with some history thrown in. The writings were deemed by historians to be amongst the few sources of information on the Dark Ages in Wales, as most of the great scholars and writers had retreated to Rome more than a century before. This left only the bards and the romantic poets to record the everyday life and events of the time. Tory was delighted to find a whole chapter on the writings of Taliesin. As she read a couple of passages jumped out at her — the first was a direct address that the bard had supposedly made to Maelgwn.

This long poem went on to tell how Taliesin had been present at the birth and crucifixion of Christ, with Noah on his ark, and with Moses at the River Jordan. It claimed he'd carried the banner for Alexander, and went on to name just about every significant hero and event known to humanity at this time. It also told of how Taliesin knew the names of each star and was able to instruct the whole universe. He referred to himself as
‘a wonder whose origin was not known', as one of ‘the Old Ones' who were the guardians of cosmic time.

The other passage from the book captured her interest on a more personal note.

It seemed quite possible that Taliesin would be able to give her an explanation for her predicament.

Selwyn had moved on to a new piece, which struck Tory and she was suddenly overcome with the urge to cry. A small sigh slipped from her lips, and Selwyn stopped playing.

‘Something ails thee, lady?'

‘It reminds me of a piece my mother used to play,' Tory answered, overcome with a longing for home. ‘She be a harpist too.'

‘Be she a great master like thyself, lady?' Selwyn hoped he wouldn't upset her further by asking.

‘Oh,' Tory waved him off. ‘Far better than I could ever dream to be. My mother plays alongside many famous musicians. She hast been invited to play in huge, grand concert halls all over the world, and thousands upon thousands of people gather to listen to their beautiful music.'

Selwyn's eyes opened wide in awe. ‘Thee must be honoured to have such a heritage, music be thy birthright.'

‘Although I have her love of music, Selwyn, I do not have her dedication. It is her whole life. Music consumes her completely.'

Tory sounded a little perturbed by this, and there was silence in the caphouse for a time.

‘I was not born of a bard,' Selwyn began his story. ‘I do not know who my parents were. I have no birthright to music, only a pure and loyal love of it. So it be grand that thou hast come to share thy inheritance with me. Truth be known, lady, I had never before been asked to play at court. That be a privilege reserved for high court bards, not a humble squire like myself. I owe thee more than I could ever repay.' Selwyn paused, placing the harp aside. ‘I know thee must miss thy home, but I assure thee, thou art well loved here. Many of us hope that one day thou shalt consider Gwynedd thy home.'

‘Oh Selwyn, that be a lovely thing to say.' Tory brushed a tear from her face. ‘Truly.' She went over to the young page and gave him a huge hug, which he quite innocently returned. ‘I am happy to know I could be of assistance to thee in thy quest.'

Selwyn couldn't recall the last time someone had held him thus, and it was more than welcome. ‘I swear thou art too good for this world, lady.'

 

Katren arrived later than usual with their supper. She climbed the caphouse stairs with haste to find Tory engrossed in kata. ‘Lady please, I be sorry to bother thee, but hast thou not heard, the King hast taken ill.'

‘Good grief, will he be alright?' No wonder Maelgwn hadn't made it back to see her today.

‘He be stable now, but I do not think his ailments come from natural causes.'

‘Dost thou know something of medicine, Katren?'

‘Nay lady, I do not. I am a simple farmer's daughter. But from what Lady Gladys hast told me, the King be suffering from the same ailment that inflicts cattle who have been eating hemlock.'

‘Hemlock! Art thou quite sure?' Tory knew the plant could be deadly if one ingested it in large quantities.

‘As sure as I be standing before thee. I have already told Lady Gladys of the remedy, which only be flour mixed with water to absorb the poison.' Katren was obviously proud to have had a hand in saving the King's life. ‘Lady Gladys did kiss my cheek and bless the day thee brought me into the service of this house.'

‘Good for thee.'

The maid glanced around to make sure they were alone, then added in a whisper, ‘We suspect that witch Vanora and her maid, but to send her and Caradoc back to Powys without proof of treason would surely insult Chiglas and bring his wrath upon us … and that not be the all of it.' Katren paused to catch her breath. ‘Sir Cadogan arrived with an urgent message from Castell Degannwy, and the men have been locked in council ever since.'

‘How be the Prince faring?'

‘Lady Gladys said he hast the Dragon in him this day. I do not know if this be good or bad.' Katren put her arm around Tory to reassure her. ‘Try not to worry, lady. Thy prince be the bravest and most feared in all Britain. He hast seen much worse than this. Allow me
to draw thee a hot bath, then he will
surely
come to tell thee all about it.'

Tory laughed. It was true, Maelgwn did seem to have a sixth sense when it came to her bath time. She resigned herself to the fact that there was nothing she could do, at least not until she knew all the facts. Still, deep down she had the most terrible feeling. Why had Caradoc waited until now to poison his father? Surely he would have been a much easier target in Powys.

 

The meeting adjourned a few hours before dawn. Maelgwn was tempted to drop off to sleep where he sat, but with the thought of Tory he had to see her. His father's entire kingdom was under threat, yet his main concern was for her.

As he entered the north tower, Maelgwn heard sounds of a struggle and a harrowed scream, so he made haste up the stairs. He found Tory alone, embroiled in a nightmare. ‘Wake up, thou art dreaming.' He took hold of her shoulders and sat beside her.

Tory sat up with a start, flinging her arms around his neck. ‘Thou art safe,' she cried into his shirt, not really awake. ‘I saw thee under siege.' She pulled away, the tears and perspiration trickling down her face as she struggled to recall the rest.

‘'Twas just a bad dream, I expect,' Maelgwn took her in his arms, seeking comfort in the embrace himself.

‘I am so sorry about thy father, Maelgwn. How goes his recovery?' She gently pulled away from him.

‘My father be a fighter and be holding on.' As Maelgwn brushed the hair out of her eyes, he was
alarmed to find the mark of the Dragon upon her forehead. He promptly covered his surprise and took up her hands. ‘I have had word from Degannwy that they be under Saxon attack. At present there be no serious threat, but I must leave at dawn to see to the citadel's defence in the King's stead.'

Tory gripped his hands tightly; her dream was beginning to make sense. ‘Be Caradoc going with thee?'

‘Nay, I am afraid not. With my absence and the King's failing health, he has managed to secure a station here. But,' Maelgwn jumped in before Tory had the chance to panic. ‘The King's guards suspect, as do I, Caradoc's involvement in our father's affliction. They shall keep a close eye on him and his men in my absence.'

‘Thee will not make it past the Menai, that be what I dreamt. They had thee surrounded on both banks.' The tears returned to her eyes and she tightened her grip on him. ‘I saw myself fight thy brother.'

‘Nay. I would not leave thee here with Caradoc.'

‘So thou art taking me to Degannwy then.'

‘Nay!' Maelgwn was mortified. ‘I would not take thee into battle.'

Tory pushed him away, insulted. ‘Goddamn it! Stop treating me like a defenceless female. I be one of the best warriors thou hast.'

Maelgwn stood up, and Tory suddenly felt what most referred to as the Dragon in him. ‘It hast nothing to do with whether thou art a woman, Tory. I cannot
afford
to lose thee. Our plans for an army that could conquer Chiglas and the Saxons would come to naught.'

Tory bowed her head in understanding, so Maelgwn softened his tone. ‘I have left instructions with Brockwell, he awaits thee beyond the stables.'

‘Nay, thee must take Brockwell to Degannwy for thine own protection.'

‘I trust no one else.'

‘Katren could ride with me,' Tory pleaded, at her wit's end. ‘Please Maelgwn. I felt this dream. It was
real
. Like the dream thee had about us. I did not say so before, but I have had it too.'

Maelgwn shook his head, very doubtful that this was the case.

‘I saw myself crowned as queen and the two of us making love in a forest,' Tory blurted out before she had the chance to feel embarrassed.

Maelgwn was forced to a smile by the truth of it. ‘Tory, I value thy concern, but I have many knights around me and I am weary of arguing this day. I have thought this through well, so please, dress and take thy things. Katren awaits thee downstairs and will take thee to Brockwell.' He turned to leave. ‘If all goes to plan, I shall meet thee back here in a few days.'

A terrible feeling was still brewing inside her. ‘Wait!' She sprang to her feet, and gripping hold of his shirt she drew him into a kiss. ‘I love thee, Maelgwn. There, I've said it.'

Though Maelgwn was stunned he didn't allow her to retreat, he pulled her closer. ‘Art thou quite sure about this?'