Caradoc of the North Wind - By Allan Frewin Jones Page 0,35

few steps to the king’s horse. Branwen watched with narrowed, suspicious eyes as the prince knelt, reaching up to touch the hem of the king’s cloak.

‘My undying fealty, my lord king,’ called the prince in a loud voice that he clearly intended everyone to hear. ‘The saints be praised for the coming of this day when all misunderstandings and all grievances shall be at last expunged from the hallowed land of Powys.’

‘Thrice welcome you are, Prince of Bras Mynydd,’ replied the king, also speaking so that all the people gathered in the bailey and on the palisade and ramparts could clearly hear his voice. ‘What animus or friction stood between our royal heart and the love of our most noble lord is all swept away by the unbreakable bonds of a newer and deeper alliance between our two families.’ He gestured towards Drustan. ‘My son will wed with the Princess Meredith, and thus shall the kingdom of Powys endure for a thousand years!’

There was a lot of cheering and the beating of swords on shields at this, but Branwen still wasn’t convinced. Even when the king dismounted and the two men embraced like long-lost brothers, she still mistrusted Llew ap Gelert.

She was even less happy when she saw Captain Angor step forward and kneel in front of the prince of Doeth Palas. There was a pretty pair of vipers to hold to the king’s bosom! There was foul treachery fermenting in the egg!

Now Drustan dismounted and was enfolded in Llew’s embrace, while the rest of the prince’s soldiery and wagons came feeding in behind to fill the bailey.

‘Close fast the gates!’ cried the king. ‘Let’s to the Hall of Arlwy, where food and fires and friendship await our honoured guests.’

‘I’ve had enough of this,’ muttered Branwen. ‘I’ll not be able to keep down my breakfast if I have to endure any more.’ She turned away and pushed through the crowds to the inner slope of the ramparts. The others followed her, and she could tell by their pensive faces and their silence that they were no more convinced by Llew’s acts of public contrition and reconciliation than she was.

‘But even if Llew’s true face is hidden behind a humble mask of devotion, what can he do?’ asked Banon as the small band made their way to Linette’s hut. ‘The king is surrounded by warriors that love him – and there’s not one of us who would hesitate to plunge a knife into Llew’s dark heart if he proved false.’

‘All the same,’ muttered Dera. ‘I’d sooner he had been dragged here defeated and bloodied than ride in with such pomp and ceremony. How that must swell his treacherous heart.’

‘I don’t believe Llew will act against the king,’ said Iwan. ‘Not here – not overmatched by five to one. It would be madness to do that.’ He shook his head. ‘And yet …’

‘And yet we do not trust him.’ Branwen finished his thought. ‘And so we must be vigilant and see what comes.’ She held the wicker door of Linette’s hut open for the others. ‘And in the meantime, let’s show smiling faces and merry hearts to our ailing sister.’

‘Rhodri, ho!’ called Iwan. ‘How fares our comely comrade?’

Following the others, Branwen stooped to come in under the low thatch. She heard gasps and exclamations of delight from Aberfa and Dera and Banon and Iwan, who had gone in ahead of her. A moment later she saw the cause of their joy. Linette was propped on furs, a food bowl in her hands – and her eyes were open at last.

Praise be to the Shining Ones, thought Branwen, running forward. They have brought you back to us, just as I knew they would!

Linette was weak and ashen, but she was able to speak a little and take some nourishment. Blodwedd sat at her side, lifting every now and then a spoonful of broth to her lips. Branwen saw that she had difficulty swallowing, and behind her eyes was a lot of pain.

The rest of the Gwyn Braw sat around her, all gloom lifted as they told her of the things that had happened while she had slept, and chided her for her lethargy and sloth.

‘To fake an injury just to avoid the ride home!’ said Aberfa, patting Linette’s knee under the fur coverings.

‘And are Meredith and Drustan married yet?’ Linette asked, her voice so soft that they had to strain to hear her.

‘No, you’ve not been slumbering that long,’ said Iwan. ‘My guess