9

Eluned guided September through the bustling village. It was as if the attack by the Adarllwchgwin had not happened. Chickens ran hither and thither and flocks of small birds flew overhead. September realised that during the attack the birds had disappeared but now they had returned as noisy and busy as before. They made slow progress because every few steps a villager would stop them, thank them for defeating the attackers and wish them well. September was taken aback. She was not used to people appreciating her or thanking her for something she had done. Back home it was mostly, “Get out of the way” or “That’s not how you do it” or “Oh, don’t bother I’ll do it myself”. It was a strange feeling not being useless.

By the time they reached the bank of the lake, September was feeling dazed. Eluned took her arm and pointed out the reed bed that stretched out into the water, the reeds that the villagers used to thatch their homes. September could barely see over the tips of the tall flat leaves to see the clear water beyond where flocks of ducks and geese were noisily taking off and landing on the water. Eluned turned to the left following the bank and soon they had left the village behind. They skirted the edge of the gardens where vegetables and fruits grew. Sparrows and starlings pecked at the ground. Then they were into the woodland with the trees growing right to the bank. The rooks squawked at them and other woodland birds called to each other.

“There are so many birds,” September noted.

“That is how the village got its name,” Eluned said, “Amaethaderyn, farm of birds.”

It was easy to find a path though the trees as the undergrowth was sparse. September realised why when she saw dark brown cattle moving amongst the trees stopping now and then to tear at some grass or nibble at a sapling. Despite the shade, she was beginning to feel warm. It was not yet noon and yet the air felt hot, surprisingly so for late September. For the first time, she had hardly had an opportunity before, September began to wonder where in the Land she was. Although the trees and plants looked sort of familiar she wondered whether Amaethaderyn was in a similar part of the Earth to her home. Was the Land even on Earth? It was another puzzle to add to all the others that were building up in her head.

It had been difficult to talk as Eluned led the way through the trees but after a short while they reached a patch of the bank where trees did not grow. Eluned flung herself down on the soft grass and beckoned September to do the same.

“This is one of my places,” Eluned said, “I come here for a bit of peace.”

“Don’t other people come here?” September hadn’t thought they had come that far from the village.

“Oh, they do, but when I’m on my own it just feels so calm and soothing. Don’t you think so?”

September looked out at the smooth water, barely troubled by a breeze and the surrounding trees standing guard. There was the smell of the water and the grass that they sat on and other unfamiliar smells from the trees and plants.

“Yes, I see what you mean, but, well,” suddenly the realisation that she was far from her own home, in unfamiliar surroundings, got to September. The sob started as a lump in her chest and rose up until it burst out of her mouth. “Oh dear, I’m sorry,” she said through tears, “everything is so different, I don’t know why I’m here, what I’m supposed to do or what would happen if those dreadful big birds got me...”

Eluned shuffled close and put her arms around September’s shoulders.

“Oh, Cludydd, I’m so sorry, I didn’t think. I’ve never been away from here. I hadn’t thought what it must be like for you drawn from your own world to defend us from the Malevolence.” She hugged September tightly until the tears ceased to flow. “I see it must be confusing, having just arrived, the gathering and then the Adarllwchgwin attacking.”

“Everyone has been very kind,” September said weakly, “but I’m just feeling lost.”

“I’ll try to answer some of your questions,” Eluned offered, “but first, let’s have a swim. It’s been a hot, tiring morning.” She released September, stood up and in one sweeping movement pulled her dress over her head. She dropped it on the grass and ran toward the bank. September barely saw her naked back before she leapt into the air and dived into the water a couple of metres from the shore. September was unsure what to do. She wasn’t used to swimming in lakes and she never took her clothes off so that others could see her rolls of fat. But she didn’t have fat here and Eluned seemed so comfortable with her nakedness and swimming in the water. September did feel hot and sweaty. She made up her mind, got to her feet and struggled to tug her dress over her head. She wanted to feel the water on her skin too. In just a few moments she stood on the bank looking down at her unfamiliar body, then at the water, deciding whether to jump, dive or step in gingerly. There was a huge whoosh and a silver-skinned dolphin leapt from the lake in front of her. It crashed back down into the foaming water and swam towards the bank, it circled around in front of where September stood, bobbing its snout, then raced away. September stared after it. Before her eyes there was another eruption of water and there was Eluned treading water.

“Come on, the water’s lovely,” Eluned cried. September decided to half step, half jump and found herself immersed in the cool water. It was nothing like as cold as she feared, practically the temperature of the swimming pool where she had been for her compulsory swimming lessons in school. She felt comfortable and relaxed. She wasn’t a strong swimmer but the new-found strength in her muscles gave her confidence. She struck out to join Eluned. Something clicked in her mind.

“The dolphin. That was you?” September asked. Eluned nodded and swam away. September chased after her.

“Can you really change into a tiger and a dolphin? What did Arianwen call it? Traws... something.” September called out. Eluned rolled over in the water and faced her.

“A tiger when I want to be fierce, a dolphin when I want to swim, a monkey that climbs through the trees and a fox that hunts by night. Trawsffurfio. It is the gift of arianbyw.” She held up the small crystal phial she wore on a silver chain around her neck. September noticed that the phial contained a silver liquid – mercury.

“But that’s magic,” September exclaimed.

Eluned looked confused, “I don’t know the word ‘magic’. When I was a child I was tested and found to have an affinity for the power of arianbyw. For many years I have been training to use the metal’s properties and the power of Mercher,” she pointed into the sky, “I hope that one day I will be able to adopt the shape of any animal I wish, as the Prif-cludydd can.” She rolled in the water, kicked her feet and surged away. September thrashed away with her arms trying to keep up. She didn’t catch up until Eluned stopped.

“Prif-cludydd?” September repeated.

“The chief, the most accomplished, the senior bearer of the metal in all of Gwlad. Each metal has one.”

“Where are they?”

“Oh, I don’t know. The Prif-cludydd o arianbyw visited here when I was very young. I don’t know where he lives but I expect he’s at the Arsyllfa now. He must be quite old. “ September had come to think of the few villagers she had met as being the only people in the Land. Now she was beginning to realise that the Land was a bigger place and that there were a lot more people in it.

“What about the others, are they Prif-cludydds?”

Eluned laughed, “Oh no. Iorwerth, Arianwen, Berddig, Padarn, Catrin. They are all wonderful cludyddau but if they were here they would be the first to admit that there are others in Gwlad who can wield their metals with more strength and skill.”

“What about the Mordeyrn?”

“Ah, now he is different. He is the Prif-cludydd o aur. We have been so fortunate to have him live amongst us, but the loss of his golden plate is dreadful. He was so ill after it was destroyed but he set out on his journey immediately.” Eluned dived and September gasped as in a blink she changed into the dolphin. It swam around her, its tail washing powerful currents against her legs. Then it headed back towards the bank. September swam as fast as she could to try to keep up with it but to no avail.

Eluned was already sitting on the bank squeezing the water out of her black hair when September reached the land. She climbed onto the bank and sat beside Eluned. Sitting there, naked in the warm air, felt natural and relaxing.

“Berddig said it was many days of travel to the observatory,” September said thoughtfully.

“Yes, it’s a long way,” Eluned agreed, “even using the river and travelling all day.”

“So the Land, Gwlad, is pretty big?”

“It’s all the land of the world,” Eluned nodded, “I’m sorry but as I’ve never been away from Amaethaderyn I don’t know a lot about the rest of Gwlad.”

“But there are other villages, towns even? People living in different parts?”

“Oh yes. I can tell you what I was taught about the seven regions of Gwlad.”

“Seven regions?” September noticed the important number again.

“Yes, we’re in the Southern River region, people that live within reach of the river and use it for travel and trade. South of here are the great plains where the nomads who ride horses live. Their lands end in the desert. To the north is the other great river, it’s cooler than our river. Both rivers end at the coast in the east where people grow rice and catch fish in the ocean. North of the northern river is the great forest where the woodfolk live and then further north still is the Mynydd Tywyll where the miners and metal workers live.”

“What’s beyond the mountains?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing!”

“Well, not nothing, but no-one lives there. It’s too cold and covered with ice.”

“So, um, let me see. What did you say the regions were? The Plains, north river and south river, coast, forest, mountains. That’s six regions.”

“That’s right. The seventh is the western hills, the Bryn am Seren where the Arsyllfa is.”

It was a lot to remember and September wasn’t sure that she had all the positions of the regions sorted but she had something of a picture of Gwlad. She realised that Eluned had described not just a country but a continent. But it was the number seven that intrigued her.

“Seven regions, seven metals, seven objects in the sky. Why is it always seven?” Then she remembered what she had discovered; was it really only last night? “And I’m the seventh child of my mother.”

“That’s what the Mordeyrn said you were,” Eluned agreed, “The Cludydd o Maengolauseren is always the seventh child.”

“Yes, but I didn’t know that until yesterday,” September said, “Last night at my birthday party I found out that I had a twin I didn’t know about.”

Eluned was excited.

“A twin! Twins often share their powers.”

“But my twin is dead. She was dead when she was born just before me.”

Eluned clapped her hand to her mouth.

“Oh, oh. That’s awful.”

September wondered at Eluned’s reaction which seemed more than just sympathy.

“Well, I was shocked, since Mum had kept it from me, but it happens.”

“No, you don’t understand September. Dead unborns go to the place above the stars where the Malevolence resides. Being a twin you will have a link to the evil.” September saw horror on Eluned’s face. September thought she was being superstitious.

“That’s nonsense. She’s dead. That’s it.”

Her birthmark started itching; September rubbed her hip. Eluned noticed what she was doing.

“Do you have a mark on you?”

September rolled over displaying her hip and her buttock to Eluned.

“Yes, I’ve always had it. It’s a birthmark. It just irritates me now and again.”

Eluned’s expression had changed to one of awe.

“It’s a rich pink colour and shaped like the new Moon. It must have formed when you were in your mother’s womb with your twin sister. It is a sign.”

“A sign?”

“Yes. A sign of your connection to the heavens, the Maengolauseren and to your twin.”

“It’s just a birthmark,” September dismissed Eluned’s ramblings.

“No, September, it could be important. Never forget your twin.” Eluned got to her feet and pulled her dress over her head, “We should continue our walk.”

September dressed too and dropped into step beside Eluned. They walked in silence for a few minutes. Eluned seemed to be thinking and not wanting to chat. September didn’t mind because she was contemplating what Eluned had said. She had hardly had time to take in the knowledge that she had a twin sister in the womb, now Eluned had suggested that her dead twin may not be lost completely, that some part of her still existed somewhere beyond the world. What sort of personality could she have? Dead before being born, she had no experience in the world. Would her only knowledge be of the Malevolence, above the stars – whatever that meant?

“Eluned,” she said to her companion as they weaved in and out of the trees lining the lake.

“Yes, Cludydd,” Eluned turned and smiled at her.

“What can you tell me about the Malevolence? I don’t really understand what it is.”

Eluned frowned and her face darkened, “It’s not something we like to discuss. It just is and it brings unhappiness.”

“But the Mordeyrn said it exists above the stars but has no leader.”

“That’s correct. It is responsible for all the sickness, disease, bitterness and jealousy in the world. It is within us and around us but its origin is beyond the sphere of stars.”

“You’re saying that anything bad that happens, any bad things that people do, is caused by the Malevolence.”

“Yes. Without it people cooperate and are happy and fulfilled, but when the Malevolence attacks, people become suspicious and greedy. Whole villages can be destroyed because people stop trusting each other and become selfish.”

“But there are also the other things – the Draig tân and the Adar-whatever – they’re real, not just characteristics of people?”

“The manifestations of the Malevolence appear when its strength grows. That is happening now – the Mordeyrn can explain why, I don’t understand enough about the movements in the heavens. It explains why you answered the Mordeyrn’s appeal and have come amongst us. The Maengolauseren is awoken by the growing power of the Malevolence.”

“So the Malevolence is getting stronger, causing people to become bad, and stop working together; these monsters appear to attack the good people and the only answer is that this stone brings me here.” September lifted the pendant from her chest and dangled it from her finger and thumb.”

“That’s it,” Eluned nodded, “We can fight the manifestations with the powers the metals give us but they are not strong enough and there are not enough of us adept in their use. The Mordeyrn and the other leaders and the Prif-cludyddau are going to meet to decide how they can help you.”

“Help? I need more than help. I need to know what it is I have to do and how to do it. That’s before I work out whether I can. I’ve never done anything like this. I’ve never done anything.”

September stopped walking and stood on the bank. They were on the opposite side of the lake to the village. The thatched roofs were visible above the reeds with several plumes of smoke rising into the sky.

“What about the Cemegwr? Why don’t they help?”

“Well, a few people think that they can but even if they did exist and were responsible for making the world like it is there has been no sign of them since. They have never come to our assistance before. The Cludydd o Maengolauseren is the only help we have ever had at the time of the Conjunctions. You are our hope, September.”

“I’m not sure that I will be able to do whatever it is you think I can do,” September said with a sad note to her voice.

“Don’t say that,” Eluned came to her side and wrapped her arms around her, “The Maengolauseren is very powerful, it will guide you and give you the strength to do whatever is necessary. After all, you have already destroyed a Draig tân and an Adarllwchgwin. The Mordeyrn and the others will help you.”

September felt a little encouraged by Eluned’s support but she still feared what was to come.

“But first I have to travel to meet them. A long way so everyone says.”

“Yes. An adventure. I wish I could come too.”

“So, do I.” September returned Eluned’s hug.

The roar of a torrent shattered the peace; a fountain of water erupted from the lake and fell on them with the force of a water cannon. With her ears ringing, water drenching her dress and running from her hair down her nose, September saw a great horse rise up from the lake on its rear legs and loom over them. It spread vast, bat-like wings as water cascaded from a body which was the blue-green colour of the lake. The wings flapped sending a gale of wet air blowing over them. The horse stamped its feet on the surface of the water sending waves crashing against the bank and it tossed its massive head and mane, baring huge yellow teeth and letting out a roar that shook the trees. A gale of sulphurous breath blew over them. September was frozen and stared at the scene as if watching a movie but her birthmark burned as if it was on fire.

Beside her, Eluned was not turned to stone. She stripped off her dress and dived into the lake. Moments later September saw a flash of silver leap from the water and clamp itself to the horse’s neck. The monster roared in anguish and shook its head wildly but the dolphin clung on, tearing a gash in the huge beast’s neck. Desperate to remove the irritation the horse twisted its neck. It couldn’t bring its teeth close to the dolphin but again it shook violently. The dolphin tore a strip of flesh from the horse’s neck and fell into the water. The monster, turquoise blood pouring from its wound, searched for its tormenter pummelling the water with its hooves and churning the waters of the lake. Bearing its teeth, it reared up on its hind legs again, poised to fall on its prey.

September’s heart pounded. Eluned, her new friend, had leapt to her defence and now needed her help. But what should she do? Released from her inability to move but barely thinking, September lifted the pendant from her chest, unclipped the case and held the stone in front of her eyes. Through the clear jewel she saw the forelegs of the horse begin to fall. Consumed by fear and fury, she wished the horse could be destroyed in an explosion of fire.

Blue light blasted from the Maengolauseren, surrounding the head and body of the great horse. For a moment the great winged horse was a silhouette. Then it exploded with a clap of thunder. Flaming gobbets of skin and muscle and bone rained down around September turning to gouts of filthy water as they reached the ground. The remainder of the body fell back into the lake with an immense splash and merged with the water creating breaking waves which crashed against the shore. The ripples rapidly decreased in height until the waters of the lake were smooth again.

September dashed to the waters’ edge searching for the dolphin and saw Eluned’s pale, naked body floating a few feet from the bank. September leapt into the water and waded out. The water was up to her breasts when she reached the girl who was floating motionless and face down. September turned her over and began to tow her to the shore not knowing from where she had found the skill or the courage to effect a rescue. When she reached shallow water, September lifted Eluned up in her arms surprised at how light she was. She dragged her feet from the mud of the lake and took a few steps onto the bank. She laid Eluned on the grass and knelt to listen to her chest. Eluned’s heart was beating slowly and shallowly and her breath rattled faintly in her throat. September picked her up again and set off as fast as she could for the village, finding her way between the trees but keeping the lake close by.

Before she had taken a hundred paces, September was panting and Eluned had become an intolerable weight in her arms. Her pace slowed, each step becoming a trial. A few more tens of steps and her arms were numb but still she struggled on. Suddenly she was surrounded by men and women brandishing axes, knives and wooden staves, and there was Iorwerth, with Aldyth raised in front of him. September’s knees gave way and she sagged to the ground with Eluned limp in her arms. Without a word said, Eluned was taken from her and September herself was lifted up and carried at speed to the village.

 

She soon found herself again in Arianwen’s cottage. Arianwen was bent over the still body of Eluned that lay on the couch. September sat in one of the chairs, her sodden dress cooling against her skin, other villagers fussing around her. Berddig burst in.

“What happened?” he demanded, looking at everyone in turn.

September pointed towards the bed where Eluned lay.

“Eluned stopped the thing from attacking me,” she said tearfully, “but the monster flung her off.”

“I was at the river, I didn’t see,” Berddig said.

“The Cludydd destroyed the Ceffyl dwr,” Iorwerth spoke from beside September, “I heard its roar from my workshop. When I stepped outside I could see it on the other side of the lake. Then there was a flash of the Maengolauseren’s light and the monster blew apart. We ran around the bank to find the Cludydd carrying Eluned. She is sorely injured.”

Berddig ran to Eluned’s bed and bent down beside Arianwen. He turned his head to September.

“Is Iorwerth correct? You destroyed the Ceffyl dwr with the power of the Starstone?”

“I don’t know what that horse thing was and I don’t know what I did,” September said, shaking her head, “But the blue light came from the stone again and blew the thing to pieces. But I was too late. It had already thrown Eluned off. I thought she was dead.”

Arianwen stood up.

“She will survive, child, thanks to your power and quick thinking. She is sleeping now but her injuries are severe. Her ribs are broken and her back is strained. It will be some days before she is leaping around again. I have done all I can for her for now. The healing power of arian will do its work. Now what can I do for you, Cludydd?”

“I’m fine, just this stupid dress got soaked.”

“Take it off and I’ll find something else for you to wear.” Arianwen went to a wicker box and drew out another white dress. September pulled the wet cloth over her head and pulled on the replacement.

“Are you sure Eluned will be alright?” she asked, “As soon as the horse thing appeared she dived into the lake and attacked it. It was huge but she leapt out of the water and bit its neck. But then it flung her off. Every time the Malevolence attacks, people help me and get hurt. What good am I if I attract this evil thing and you all get injured?”

Berddig shook his head, “The Mordeyrn warned us that you would be a target for the Adwyth but we never realised that the attacks would be so frequent or so soon after you arrived among us.”

“Eluned thought that my twin might have something to do with the bad things.”

Berddig, Arianwen and Iorwerth stared at September.

“Your twin?” Berddig said at last.

“I didn’t know,” September went on, a sob growing in her throat and tears in her eyes, “but the Mordeyrn was right, I am my mother’s seventh child; her sixth child was my twin sister and she was dead when she was born. I found out last night at my birthday party.”

“This is troubling news,” Arianwen said, “Our souls enter our bodies at birth from the core of Daear. The soul of your sister would have been despatched beyond the stars and is trapped in the realm of the Malevolence. Nevertheless, the bond between twins is strong and so you may have some link with your sister and the Malevolence.”

“That’s something like what Eluned said, but it all sounds like nonsense to me. My mother may believe in souls and devils and things but I don’t. At home there is nothing beyond the stars, except more stars, not some evil thing.” September paused as a thought came to her – what do I mean, at home? Where is home?

“We know little of your world,” Berddig said, “but the Cludydd o Maengolauseren always has a foot in both worlds. Your actions have an influence here and there. A connection between you and your twin could have an influence on the Malevolence.”

“Only the Mordeyrn and the other members of the Arsyllfa may know what this means,” Arianwen said.

“So we’d better get you on your way so you can meet them,” Iorwerth said bluntly.

Berddig spoke immediately, “Now, Iorwerth, we must prepare the Cludydd for the journey. She will leave soon.”

September felt herself getting annoyed. These people were making plans for her.

“Look all I want is to go home. I don’t care about your Ars whatever or what the Malevolence is.” Then her eyes fell on the still body of Eluned and her anger disappeared. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. Eluned got hurt trying to protect me and I don’t want that to happen. If this thing,” she held up the pendant containing the Starstone, “won’t let me go home then I guess I have to do what I can. But I’m not wearing these stupid dresses to go on a long journey.” She grabbed a handful of the white loose dress and shook it.

Arianwen smiled indulgently, “We’ll do what we can to make your journey pleasant and your stay in Gwlad as safe as possible.”

“Now rest while we make things ready,” Berddig said. “We’ll eat together and give you guidance for your travels.”

Berddig and Iorwerth left and Arianwen went to Eluned, rested a hand on her forehead and checked her pulse. September rested in the chair and found her eyes becoming heavy.