The Bwy Hir Complete Trilogy (53 page)

CHAPTER
TWENTY SEVEN

Awel and Celyn-Bach waited until the first rays of the sunlight touched the tip of the mountain before uncurling themselves from their kneeling position on the floor. They had remained in silent candlelit vigil at Artio’s side all through the night and now a new day was dawning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the green glazed window panes; it was time to release Artio’s body to the four winds.

Celyn-Bach and Awel exchanged glances and on receiving his nod, Awel made her way to the foot of where Artio was laid out. She filled a silver bowl with water and then removed the death shroud that covered Artio’s body and began to gently wash her skin with a soft, wet cloth while Celyn-Bach removed her death veil and brushed Artio’s hair with a comb, before placing flowers in her tresses.

They worked in silence, preparing Artio’s body, wrapping the death shroud around her; like a child in swaddling, securing it in place with a golden broach depicting a running horse. Awel had chosen the broach, a perfect motif for Artio.

Awel and Celyn-Bach cleared away the remnants of their preparations and blew out the candles, allowing the soft coppery sunlight to illuminate the room as they waited for the Bwy Hir to join them for Artio’s final procession.

The Pride and Host came together, opening the doors to the chambers and gathering around Artio’s body. No words were spoken and no songs were sung as Artio’s body was carried through the Halls of Maen-Du and out onto the slopes of Eryri.

Behind the Bwy Hir came the Elder Druids and behind them the Elder Chosen following in silent procession as they snaked their way along the path to a snow covered bluff glistening in the morning chill.

There they laid Artio’s body on the ground and the Bwy Hir arranged themselves in a circle, the Elder Druids and Chosen stayed back to view the ceremony from a short distance away.

Aeron was the first to speak.
‘Let the lightning strike and thunder crash, the Host is come.’

Mab spoke after him. ‘Let the mountains quake and the seas recoil, the Pride is come.’

‘We have come together to give the body of our sister, Artio, to the four winds, so that her body may forever be united with earth, wind and water. Let it be so.’ Aeron’s voice rang out over the mountainside as he lifted his arms and called the wind to his command.

From North and South, East and West the wind came howling through the valleys, churning and spinning around the body of Artio. Slowly her body was raised to the sky where it hung suspended above the circle of Bwy Hir. Aeron began the
marwnad.
‘
Sad of heart we give release …’
The Bwy Hir joined voices to sing the marwnad of Artio.

‘Sad of heart we give release

Four winds to her body keep

Her soul has flown away.’

‘Sad of heart we give release

To mountain high and waters deep

Her soul has flown away.’

‘Glad of heart we give release

Four winds to remembrance keep

Her soul has flown away.’

Once the last words were spoken Aeron raised the body higher and the remaining Bwy Hir outstretched their hands. One by one they released a stream of fire towards Artio’s body, until it blazed as a beacon to rival the sun.

The snow glittered orange and yellow as Artio’s body was consumed until finally, one by one the Bwy Hir closed their hands and bowed their heads. Aeron then forced the wind away, sending it hurling across the mountains, carrying the ashes of Artio in every direction.

‘It is done.’ Aeron bowed his head and joined in the silent memory of Artio of the Bwy Hir Pride. The Elder Druids and Elder Chosen bowed their heads and silently removed themselves from the hillside.

There would be no celebrations, not gathering in remembrance of Artio. For the Bwy Hir, Artio was gone and these last moments of silence to mark her passing would be the end of mourning. Life would continue; the Elder Druids and Chosen would already be waiting in the Council chambers for an emergency Triskelion meeting that had already been scheduled.

Taliesin felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up into the arcane eyes of Awel. ‘Come,’ she said to him, ‘let us return to the Halls, there is something I wish to discuss with you on the way.’

They walked side by side, trailing behind the rest of the company. Awel pulled her cloak closer, shivering as a cold wind snagged at her white mane. ‘I hate Winter,’ she grumbled, ‘too cold, too cold.’ Taliesin smiled, he had missed Awel’s company.

‘Taliesin, I have been thinking ...’ She had found another staff and was using it to aid her way through the snow as she spoke quietly. ‘How do you know about the dark arts?’

Taliesin thought about the answer. ‘I’ve learnt some from the Grimoires in the Great Library. I had been studying a number of them with Elder Madog. In fact it was he that gave me instruction about different bloods, how different bloods were used for different potions – take for instance eagle’s blood – it is a binding for the cure for blindness–’

Awel waved her hand. ‘Never mind blindness,’ she said testily, ‘why was Madog instructing you on the Grimoires? Why not history or mathematics? Why the Grimoires?’

Taliesin shrugged his shoulders. ‘Afagddu had said it was good I had an understanding of them and they are – were, of great interest to Madog, he enjoyed instructing me on them, he and Afagddu spent a lot of their time with the Grimoires.’

‘How much did you learn about possession?’ Awel probed.

‘Not much.’ Taliesin was confused by Awel’s interest. ‘There is quite a lot written in y Grimoire o gyfrinachau but I’ve only just started reading that. I can show you where it is in the Library if you wish.
’

‘I do wish. Make yourself available to me after this damned Council meeting.’ She pursed her lips in thought; she had an inkling, a terrible, dark inkling that she needed confirming. Awel exhaled. ‘Come, let us catch up with your mother.’

The Bwy Hir returned to Maen-Du and went straight into the Council chambers where the Elders were already gathered amongst the benches, sitting on opposite sides of the chamber. Aeron took his seat high above the Elders’ heads, while the remaining Bwy Hir stood to the left and right of him. Mab frowned that a chair had not been set for her next to Aeron’s, but she let the slight go – for now.

Elder Nissyen leaned on his ceremonial staff as he stood, knocking the butt on the floor three times to bring the Council to formal session. Glyn-Guinea glared at him from the opposite bench and Nissyen returned the glower with equal distain.

Elder Tomas stood and raised his arms in welcome. ‘Thank you all for your prompt attendance, especially to those whom have travelled a long way to be here. Hopefully the use of the mirrors can be restored quickly to avoid such lengthy travelling.’ The Chosen Elders nodded their thanks for his consideration. ‘Without further ado let us get to the heart of this meeting.’ He turned to Aeron and said, ‘Perhaps my Lord would wish to speak first?’

Aeron nodded from his lofty seat and leaned forward to look down on the assembly. ‘Arawn.’ The name brought silence to the chamber. ‘Arawn has risen.’ The Chosen whispered worriedly amongst themselves while the Druids stared blank faced – they had witnessed Arawn’s entrance into the lands of the living.

Aeron continued. ‘Why? I do not know. How? That can be answered, thanks to Afagddu and Atgas.’ More murmuring from the Chosen ranks. ‘But the question that concerns me now is: Where is he now and how do we destroy him?’ Aeron sat back in his chair, leaning on the arm rest. ‘It should also be known that Arawn is no longer spirit – he is flesh. He has possession of Afagddu’s body and therefore there will be no Triskelion jury, nor the R’hela for him.’

Elder Nissyen stood with great effort and waited for Aeron’s permission to speak. ‘This is the very thing I do not understand,’ he said, scratching his balding head, ‘I have studied possession and
Ysbrydion for many, many years. Countering evil became a speciality of mine, I have even written a number of dissertations on this very subject.’

Glyn-Guinea rudely interrupted. ‘What’s your point?’

Nissyen scowled at him before he recovered his train of thought. ‘My point is,’ he replied crossly, ‘that a spirit cannot harbour long in a body before the body begins to wither and die and in the same vein the Ysbrydion – even fed Ysbrydion cannot sustain themselves outside a body for very long – not in the land of the living.’

‘Also there is the fact that Arawn is – was – is Bwy Hir and therefore cannot use his powers while trapped in a Human body. I myself saw him wield power, but that was while he was in spirit form and the power was not divine – he had harnessed some sort of electrical power – again, he could not do that in a Human body, he would electrocute himself.’ He paused to moisten his mouth and the assembly waited, poised to hear his conclusion. ‘Therefore I must conclude that unless Arawn can acquire a living Bwy Hir body, then he is next to powerless and his attack on Maen-Du was pointless.’

Aeron looked to the Bwy Hir. Awel was standing to his left, her face was ashen. ‘What say you, Awel? Do you think Nissyen is correct?’

Awel took a moment to answer and when she finally spoke, it was almost a whisper. ‘The Elder speaks the truth. Arawn needs a living body and it must be Bwy Hir.’

‘Then it is over before it has begun?’ Aeron said disbelievingly.

‘No.’ Awel stood forward. ‘He must seek permission to enter a body and this he would never receive from one of us … but a child? An unborn? There is one way he needs no permission … and that is the coupling with a pregnant Bwy Hir. He can then enter the unborn child and essentially be born again.’

Gwrnach pulled Olwyn towards him. ‘He’ll not get near,’ he growled.

Awel pressed her lips together at Gwrnach’s interruption. ‘If he has an
ateb, then he can mate with Atgas – he could quite literally father himself.’ Awel spoke with disgust but what she was saying was a real possibility. ‘Although, it would be quicker and easier for him to take possession of an already pregnant female.’

Gwrnach was growling again and Awel turned to him angrily. ‘Calm yourself, Gwrnach. In case you have forgotten there is another expectant mother and she does not have the luxury of your protection.’ She turned to Mab and Aeron. ‘I had hoped to prove myself wrong in the Libraries later today, but the Elder’s words already confirm my worst fears. Arawn will seek out Anwen Morgan of Ty Mawr Farm. He will either possess her child, or if he finds her too late will keep her to carry his next child. She has not the powers to protect herself.’

‘Elder Tomas,’ Aeron shouted across the chamber, ‘bring me the girl – now.’ Aeron craned his neck to seek out Taliesin but had already slipped out and was running towards the Cerdd Carega as fast as his legs would carry him.

CHAPTER
TWENTY EIGHT

Gwyn was awake first. He padded into the kitchen, and opened the curtains. A clear blue sky greeted him, a rainbow of crystals sparkled on the snow outside the window causing him to squint.

Bara sat patiently next to the Aga, waiting for her breakfast to be provided. Gwyn ignored her as he put the kettle to boil and pottered around the kitchen gathering mugs, teabags and milk. He cut some bread ready to make toast and fetched the eggs from the larder: a normal, routine morning and Gwyn was appreciating the ordinariness of the moment.

Gwyn heard the toilet flush upstairs and the sound of the shower being turned on – Anwen was awake. Gwyn smiled.

‘Morning, Gwyn.’ Dafydd stretched before sitting down at the kitchen table, narrowing his eyes to combat the brightness of the morning. Bara wagged her tail.

‘Looks like a thaw.’ Gwyn made light conversation as he broke the eggs into the frying pan.

‘Good.’ Dafydd yawned. ‘It was too early for snow. Bloody Aeron.’

‘R’hela’s this week. Are we going?’ Gwyn concentrated on the eggs.

‘And who will watch after Anwen if we do go?’ Dafydd picked up the newspaper. It was days old but he hadn’t had time to read it until now. Gwyn didn’t reply.

Dafydd had only got to the fourth page of the paper by the time Anwen breezed into the kitchen. She had washed her hair and scrubbed her skin, she looked refreshed if still a little tired.

‘Do you want me to do that, Gwyn?’ Anwen offered but Gwyn shook his head. ‘No, you sit down – I’m nearly done.’

‘Smells good.’ Anwen took the chair opposite her father and poured herself a cup of tea. She had just put the mug to her lips when the back door shook with urgent pounding.

‘What the hell?’ Dafydd jumped out of his seat and flew into the hallway. ‘It’s Taliesin!’ he called into the kitchen as he unbolted the door. ‘What do you want?’ Dafydd was furious at his sudden appearance. ‘It’s bad enough I’ve got Seekers lurking around the place – yes, I saw ‘em – and now you. Why can’t you leave us alone?’

Taliesin stumbled into the hallway. He was flushed with exhaustion and something more: he was shaking and sweating, his veins pulsed and writhed under his skin. His face was etched in pain. ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Dafydd stepped towards him but Taliesin waved him away.

‘Anwen has to leave – Now!’ Taliesin groaned as he leaned heavily on the wall.

‘Tali, what is it?’ Anwen and Gwyn were standing in the kitchen door way. ‘What’s wrong?’ She felt a tremor of fear and her stomach lurched.

‘You have to go. My mother intends to take the babe as soon as it’s born.’ Taliesin clutched his stomach and grunted in pain. ‘That is if Arawn doesn’t get to you first – you’re in danger Anwen – so is the babe – you must leave – now, Anwen, now.’ Taliesin was clenching his teeth, fighting to stay upright.

‘Who is Arawn? What the hell is wrong with you?’ Dafydd watched the boy writhe.

‘The Arawn.’ Taliesin groaned as he clutched his stomach. ‘You must go, Anwen,’ Taliesin said desperately, ‘I can’t help you, the blooming has begun.’ His skin was covered with a glossy sheen, his eyes bulged and he looked imploringly to Dafydd. ‘Get her out of here!’ he shouted, as he dropped to one knee. ‘Anwen, take this and go, please.’ He groaned as he handed her a small, black book. ‘Go.’

Gwyn pushed past Anwen, grabbing her arm, dragging her past Taliesin towards the back door. Dafydd was right behind them, car keys in hand. ‘Go!’ he yelled as he threw the car keys towards Gwyn, who caught them with confusion and then he saw him too; a Seeker striding towards the house from the fields, a Helgi at his heel.

Dafydd returned to the house, a moment was all it took to retrieve his shotgun and return to stand between the Seeker and the car Gwyn was desperately trying to start. Anwen was sitting in the passenger seat, shouting something Dafydd could not hear. ‘Go!’ Dafydd yelled behind him as he planted his feet and raised the shotgun to his shoulder.

The engine roared to life and Gwyn slammed his foot on the accelerator, tearing out of the yard and onto the road. The Seeker was too late, only the Helgi stood a chance of reaching the car as it bounded to intercept them. Dafydd pulled the trigger and the Helgi fell. The car flew out of sight, carrying Anwen and Gwyn away.

Dafydd turned the gun to the Seeker but it was already over. Dafydd erupted into flame.