boulders as large as houses. Nothing moved, the air stale. The clop of hooves on dry-packed earth echoed from all sides. They wove single-file into the heart of the mountains, the peaks of the Snowdon like crooked skyscrapers, the path become barely wide enough for the large Rhedewyr to pass. Richard remained alert for whatever was to come.
As the path leveled, they rode into a broad circle of grass dotted with clover. Ancient rhododendrons burst from the soil, forming a perimeter forest of their own, displaying dazzling clusters of flowers in all colors. At the back of the meadow, a glimmering granite rock face lay bare to the sky like a monolith, dwarfing the company from Arendig Fawr.
Staring darkly at them from the granite, a rectangular hole like a mouth yawned mystery, its depths lost to the sunny day.
Richard ignored the doorway, staring instead at the giant.
A man as tall as a Fomorian sat upon a shorter boulder next to the entrance, leaning against the rock shelf and snoring with enormous gulps of air.
Puzzled, Richard sat Lyrian unmoving, but Lugh, whose eyes could have pierced steel, brought Areadbhar to bear. The enormous man ignored the newcomers, sleeping the day away, his meaty arms folded over a barrel chest, the long stained and soiled coat he had wrapped about him a patchwork of rotting cloth poorly stitched and holes not yet given the treatment. A wealth of bushy yellow-red hair sprang from his head in matted clumps and a beard impaled by twigs and leaves clung to a jaw shaped like a brick. The sour stench of unwashed body emanated from him. He was a monstrous man with an evil, thieving look to him; even mounted on the high back of Lyrian, Richard felt dwarfed by the sleeper and feared what he might be capable of.
Richard dismounted and, leaving Lyrian to Kegan, walked toward the opening.
“Do not enter.”
Richard stopped, turning toward the giant. The rise and fall of the man’s chest did not deviate, but the snoring had stopped.
Llassar barked a laugh and leaned forward, his massive girth broadening in the sunshine. “Ah see whoeveh ye are, yeh’ve got a pet warrior wit ye.”
Lugh darkened, his fair coloring burning. “Llassar, you—”
“Ah oughta kill ye dehr and now,” Llassar said, eyes blazing.
“Areadbhar awaits,” Lugh answered firmly. “What you did in Arendig Fawr has no place in this world. The Queen should have ended you right there and then.”
“Fault lies with ye and yer hellyll,” Llassar rumbled. “Ah only wanted a few days of meals and ale.”
The warriors moved to the forefront of the group, alongside their leader. Lugh did not deviate. “And you got that. Then after getting drunk on Govannon’s ale, brawled with your wife until several homes were destroyed and three people were severely hurt. You are welcome no more for good reason.”
“And dey shoulda minded der own business!”
“Silence!” Richard roared. He looked back to the giant. “Your petty arguing has no place at this moment. Where is your wife?”
“Gone ahuntin’,” Llassar said, snorting phlegm and spitting it in front of Lugh’s horse. “Should be back nigh, ah’d wager.”
“We seek audience with Lord Fafnir,” Richard said.
“Be awaitin’ a long time den. Fafnir has no wish to see ye.”
“How can you be certain of that?” Richard asked. “Lord Fafnir should have been notified of a summons by letter days ago. Surely you saw to this request.”
“Ye mean dis letter?”
The giant pulled the rotting husk of a bird from the interior of his jacket. On its leg, a wound piece of parchment dangled freely.
“That one, yes,” Richard said. “We have come—”
“Fafnir wishes to be left alone,” Llassar grunted. “Ah make sure dat happens.”
“Left alone?”
“Aye,” Llassar said, standing with a deftness that defied his size. He blotted out the sun; he towered over everyone. “Left alone.” Silence captured the moment. Richard did not move. Battle infused the air, the tension thickening every moment.
“Kegan, please tie up the horses,” Richard requested simply.
“Leaving me food, ye fool?” Llassar grinned. “Horse has a greasy taste ah favor.”
“I was hoping to not do this.”
“Do what, leader of dolts?” the big man snickered.
“This.”
Richard murmured ancient words beneath his breath. With their cadence bearing lilting Welsh, warmth crept from Richard’s chest as he tightened his control over them. He called on the grasses of the world. He called for a trap. He sent his energy