7

September felt the damp under her hands and bottom. She was lying on her back on grass. It’s happened, she thought, I’m here. She felt elated and sick at the same time. She pushed herself on to her bare feet and slowly stood up straight. She felt her stomach, her breasts. Yes, she was back in the Land with her slim, fit body. She looked around. The scene was the same as the first time she had come. Once again she stood on the ridge with the grassy hill falling away from her in front and behind. Once again she was dressed in an ankle-length white linen dress and her hair had become long. The Moon was high in the direction that she assumed was the west and casting a pale blue light. The Moon? What did it mean that there was a Moon in the sky here and now while at home it was in shadow? Time was measured in the phases of the Moon. She was sure it meant something. She drew her gaze away from the silver orb.

She turned to face the east and gasped. The copse at the top of the hill which had been made up of rings of trees surrounding the altar had gone. Well, not gone exactly, she could see the massive tree trunks lying on the ground. Just a few of the smaller younger trees remained behind the altar. September gathered up the hem of the gown and hurried up the ridge to get a better look.

As she approached she could see that the fallen trees were laid out as if they had been blasted by a huge explosion exactly above the altar. Was that what she had seen in her dreams? Many of the trunks lay, scorched, pointing the way to the centre. A smell of burnt wood still hung in the humid air. She picked her way across the singed branches finding it difficult to fight her way through. As she approached the centre she could see the white stone altar lit up by the moonlight but she paused in shock when she saw that it was cleaved in two as if by a huge axe. There was a figure sitting at the base of the altar. She pushed desperately through the last few metres of prickly branches, thankful that the long dress protected her legs.

She must have been making a lot of noise because the figure stirred as she entered the clearing. He stood up and ran to her.

“You have come, you have come,” he called as he came, then flung his arms around her and hugged her. September staggered and responded half-heartedly. She recognised the young man as one of the metal bearers she had seen on her previous visit, but which metal she could not recall. He pushed himself away from her.

“I’m sorry, Cludydd, I am overcome with joy. We have waited so long for your return.”

“It’s only been a couple of weeks,” September said, confused.

“Not for us. It has been two years since you visited us. We have watched and waited for you ever since. I am so pleased that you have come during my period of duty. I, Berddig, cludydd o alcam, welcome you.”

“You have sat up here every night waiting for me?”

“Well, not me. Many of the people of Amaethaderyn have willingly given up their nights to keep the vigil.”

“But what has happened here, Berddig? The Mordeyrn called this place your refuge.” September looked around at the scene of destruction, the noble trees snapped off at their bases as if they were twigs and the altar riven in two. A great sadness at the destruction filled her.

“The Malevolence grows,” Berddig said sadly, “Let us set off to the village and I will try to describe what has happened.” He took her hand and guided her along a path that had been made through the fallen trees. They reached the open hillside and headed down the grassy slope into the broad valley. September looked to see where she was putting her feet while Berddig strode on through the night.

“After you and the Mordeyrn defeated the Draig tân,” he began, “we had some months of peace, but the Mordeyrn warned that the evil was growing and that we should prepare for more attacks. In the spring the first Draig tân appeared. The Mordeyrn destroyed it with his golden plate but then two more came.”

“Three comets, all at once?” September was amazed, “That can’t be natural.”

Berddig looked at her as if she had said the obvious.

“Of course not. The Draig tân are the weapons of the Adwyth.”

“Yes, I see. Didn’t he need my help to destroy the comets?”

“They came in the daytime when the Sun gives the Mordeyrn his full power. He dispelled the second Draig tân but it took a lot of his strength. He was too drained to protect us from the third.”

“Oh!”

“It burst over the Cysegr – you can see what it did. But it also spread pestilence over the valley. Many cattle have died and some of our people too.”

“Oh dear. I wish I had been here to help,” although the thought of the destruction scared September and she didn’t know what she could have done to stop it.

Berddig stopped mid-stride, turned and smiled at her.

“We would have appreciated your presence but the Maengolauseren did not bring you. You are here now. There will be many more occasions when your power will be needed.”

September felt disturbed by Berddig’s words. There was a knot of fear in her chest, fear of danger and fear of not knowing what she should do.

“What about the Cemegwr? Don’t they help you when the Malevolence comes?”

Berddig snorted, “The Cemegwr! That old myth. Oh, some people still believe that they created everything but hardly anyone believes that they are here now watching over us.”

They fell silent and September contemplated what Berddig had said. Perhaps belief in the Cemegwr was the same as belief in God at home – just held by a few of the remaining faithful. The hillside had levelled out and now they were walking across a meadow towards a line of trees that marked the river bank. She looked out across the river. It was wide at this point, the opposite bank just a dark line in the night. Ripples of water caught the moonlight and she could see that the river flowed sluggishly. It was a peaceful scene and for a moment September forgot about the Malevolence and the threat it posed. The gently moving water was calming. They reached the bank and Berddig left her, telling her to stay still until he called. He disappeared, another shadow amongst the trees. Then Berddig called out and September saw him gesturing to her from a few metres along the bank. He was standing in a flat bottomed boat, rather like a large punt, and gripping a thick rope that was wound around a sturdy tree trunk. The other end disappeared into the river some metres from the shore.

“Come and get in. This is the ferry that will carry us across to Amaethaderyn.” He held out a hand to guide her from the bank into the boat. It was broad enough to be steady in the water and she was able to take a seat on one of the cross benches without worrying about her balance. Berddig moved to the other end of the boat and pulled on the rope. The ferry moved out into the river. As he tugged, more of the rope rose from the surface dripping water. September watched with interest as the young man hauled the boat across the river. As they approached the middle of the stream the current began to tug at them. September could see that Berddig was having some difficulty.

“Can I help, Berddig?”

“Thank you, yes. This boat is big for one person to haul. We have a team of boatmen when the village travels across for gatherings at Cysegr. Stand behind me and pull on the rope.”

September gingerly groped her way to the front of the boat. She stood up behind Berddig placing a hand on his shoulder to steady herself and then began tugging on the rope. With the power of two people the ferry quickly moved out of the faster flowing stream and approached the bank and another line of trees. The hull grated on the gravel of the riverbed and September grabbed hold of Berddig to stop herself toppling over. He turned to her.

“Thank you, Cludydd. Let me help you ashore.” He stepped onto the bank and held out his hand for her to follow him. It made her feel grown up to be treated in such a courteous way and nothing like the silly girl she felt at home. He took a thinner rope tied to the front of the boat and fastened it around the nearest tree.

“Not far now,” he said, “the village is just through the trees, by the lake.” He set off at a fast pace along a well worn path with September trotting to keep up. The trees were widely spaced so the moonlight made the way easy to follow. In a few moments they emerged into a clearing and September saw ahead of them a cluster of round buildings. They were dark shadows in the night but she could see that many were ruined, their roofs fallen in and walls flattened.

“This is your village?” She asked. Berddig paused and looked at her. There was a deep sadness on his face,

“It is not as it was, I am sorry.”

“What happened?”

“A month ago we were attacked again, this time by Adarllwchgwin.”

“Adarluck what?”

“Adarllwchgwin. Giant birds ridden by red-skinned servants of the Malevolence. The birds carried huge rocks and flaming bushes in their talons which they dropped on the village. Houses and workshops were damaged and many men, women and children were killed by the rocks and the fires.”

September was horrified.

“I saw it in my dreams but didn’t understand. I didn’t think it was real. What about the Mordeyrn? Couldn’t he stop them? And what about the other, what do you call them, with the metals, don’t some of them have powers to defend you?

“The Mordeyrn tried as did the Cludydd o plwm and haearn and arianbyw. I fought too using my skills and the power of alcam to support the warriors. They did well, bringing down some of the Adarllwchgwin, but there were too many and they were too powerful. A group of the evil birds attacked the Mordeyrn. Their riders carry three-pronged spears that throw out cosmic fire. The Mordeyrn tried to defend himself but the golden plate disintegrated in the onslaught.”

“The Mordeyrn’s gold plate was damaged?”

“Destroyed.”

“But what happened to him?”

“He was winded and without the plate his power is limited, but he lives. The attackers left then but many homes were damaged and people died or were injured.”

There was a call like an owl that disturbed the silence of the night. Berddig answered with a similar cry. Very quickly as they moved amongst the buildings, there were other voices and the sounds of people stirring. Men, women and children emerged from the huts, pulling on jackets, rubbing eyes, peering into the dark. They gathered around them. In the moonlight that illuminated their faces September could see weariness, sadness, fear but there was also joy and expectation directed towards her. Berddig stopped the people from pressing close.

“My friends, as you can see, the Cludydd o Maengolauseren has returned to us. She will help us in our fight against the Adwyth, but now it is late and we are tired. Return to your beds, we will meet in the daytime and welcome the Cludydd in our accustomed manner.” Berddig urged people to return to their homes and gradually the crowd dispersed. A tall white haired lady came forward. September recognised her as the silver bearer.

“Cludydd. I am delighted that you have come amongst us. I am Arianwen, Cludydd o arian,” she said and nodded her head.

“Hello,” September relied, “I remember you from the last time I came. You gave me the cover for the stone.”

“That’s correct, Cludydd. It was a great honour for me.”

September felt embarrassed and foolish beside this graceful woman.

“Please call me September, or just Ember, I am not sure about all this cludith stuff.” Berddig and Arianwen smiled at her.

“I am sure you are tired and confused,” Arianwen said, “let us find you a bed and give you time for some rest.” She and Berddig led September amongst the round houses.

“We had a house prepared for you,” Berddig said, “but the Adarllwchgwin burnt it to the ground.”

“So I invite you to my home,” Arianwen said. They stopped at one of the buildings. In the moonlight they were all dark shadows and September could not see any difference between them. Arianwen pushed on a low, wooden door and invited September to enter in front of her. September saw the whole room in one glance because of a small fire that burned in the middle of the floor. Smoke rose and disappeared somewhere in the thatched roof. The round walls enclosed a space about six metres across. There were mats scattered on the floor and a cluster of three chairs filled with cushions. The fire only really illuminated the centre of the house. Against the circular walls were the dark forms of other pieces of furniture, including a low, single bed.

“Please sit down,” Arianwen said, pointing to the chairs by the fire. September sat in a wicker seat. The late night walk had made her feel weary and the cushions felt soft and comfortable. Arianwen went to a table set against the wall of the house and poured liquid from a jug into a cup. She brought it to September. “Are you thirsty after your journey?” she asked.

September found that she was and recalled the refreshing clear water she had drunk on her previous visit. She took the cup and drained it.

“Thank you, I didn’t realise how thirsty I was.”

“I will leave you now,” Berddig said, “I will see you in the morning when we will discuss what we must do.” He knelt at her feet, took her hand in his and kissed it. September felt embarrassed again.

“Why do you do this?” she asked.

“Because I am grateful that you have come to us,” Berddig said, “and because I know you will help us.”

“But you’re treating me like a princess, bowing and kissing my hand.”

“I do not know what a princess is but you are the Cludydd o Maengolauseren. I, we, respect you and honour you.”

“But I don’t deserve it. I haven’t done anything.” September felt Berddig’s attention as a great burden on her.

“Not yet perhaps, but you will. The Maengolauseren gives its bearer power and strength. You will deserve all the honour we give you. Now you must rest.” He stood, nodded to Arianwen and left.

September felt a tear trickle down her cheek. Arianwen noticed and came to her side, kneeling and placing an arm around her shoulders.

“What is it, my dear?”

“Everyone expects me to be some kind of hero, but I don’t know what to do. I’m not special, I’m not strong, or clever,” September sobbed into Arianwen’s sleeve.

“Oh, that young man. He doesn’t understand,” Arianwen said as she hugged September, “he doesn’t realise what a burden we are placing on you. Of course you don’t know how you can help us. But he is correct; the Maengolauseren has selected you and brought you to us. You will discover how to use its power as you did when you helped the Mordeyrn destroy the first Draig tân. But all that is in the future. For tonight you need to rest because there is a great deal that lies ahead for all of us.”

Arianwen stood up, took hold of September’s hands and drew her to her feet. She guided her to the bunk set against the wall of the hut. It was covered with a woollen blanket.

“This is your bed for tonight. Sleep well,” Arianwen said. She pulled back the blanket revealing another beneath. September sat and swung her legs onto the bed. The mattress was firm but comfortable. She rested her head on a soft cushion. Her mind was fuzzy with tiredness but full of all that she had seen and all that had been said. Arianwen rested a hand holding her silver amulet on her forehead.

“Sleep, child, sleep,” she said softly.