Angor at times, and he has a troubled brow, as though he senses something bad is brewing – like a faint rank smell on the air.’
‘And has he spoken to you of what word the Saxon messenger brought from Ironfist?’ asked Branwen. ‘Was he there when Ironfist’s message was delivered?’
‘He was not. The king and Prince Llew spoke to Hunwald alone in an antechamber, but the word is that some trysting place has been agreed – neutral ground where all may feel safe – and that emissaries of King Cynon and General Ironfist will meet there soon to talk terms. Apart from that, I know nothing else.’
Branwen looked into Dera’s eyes. ‘If you learn more, will you tell me of it?’
‘On my honour, I will,’ said Dera.
‘And meanwhile we must kick our heels and bury our dead and hope for better weather …’
Dera gazed up into the clear blue sky. ‘Is this bright day not enough, Branwen?’
‘I was thinking of the bitter winds and stormy clouds that gather in Pengwern,’ said Branwen, also looking up into the crystalline sky. ‘Of this … I do not know.’
Blodwedd looked at them, as though she had somehow guessed what had just been said. She walked forward, her arms outstretched. ‘It is the Lord Caradoc who has given us this day,’ she said. ‘Do you think it happenstance that the wind blows from the south on this day of all days?’
‘A curious compassion, it is,’ growled Aberfa, standing up from having placed the final stone at Linette’s head. ‘To strike Linette down with an avalanche, and then to have the sun shine down upon her burial. Too much and too little, I’d call that.’
‘You do not understand the workings of the Shining Ones,’ said Blodwedd.
‘Then enlighten us, Blodwedd,’ said Iwan, leaning on his spade. ‘Make us understand.’
Blodwedd frowned, as though thinking. ‘There is a story from long, long ago,’ she began as the others gathered around her. ‘A Druid priest and his wife came to do homage to Lord Govannon once on a time. They rode through the forest on a great white stallion that was their pride and joy. They came to ask the Lord Govannon to bless them with a child, for they had been childless in ten years of marriage.’
‘And did Govannon help them?’ asked Banon.
‘Lord Govannon killed their horse and told them they would never have children,’ Blodwedd said dispassionately. ‘Then he sent them from him.’
Iwan blinked at her. ‘And this is a story to show us how the Shining Ones love us?’ he asked in amazement.
‘Hush,’ said Branwen. ‘There is more.’
Blodwedd continued: “What Lord Govannon knew but the man and his wife did not, was that the woman was ill to the death. She would have died within the week had Govannon not blessed her with life. But a life had to be forfeit for the woman to remain in the world, and so Lord Govannon took their horse in her place.’
‘A strange tale,’ breathed Dera. ‘But why were they left childless?’
‘Because it was foretold that their firstborn would grow evil and madness, and that upon his twentieth birthday, he would slaughter his parents in their sleep.’ Blodwedd looked around at the puzzled faces that surrounded her.
‘And how does this twisted tale relate to us?’ asked Iwan.
‘Because we cannot know what purposes drive the actions of the Shining Ones,’ Blodwedd responded solemnly. ‘Only a fool judges the depth of a lake from the shine upon its surface!’ She turned to Branwen. ‘Now, with your leave, I will ride west as I promised.’
‘Go,’ said Branwen, moving forwards and putting her arms around Blodwedd’s narrow shoulders, stooping a little to hold her close. ‘Be swift as you can, and bring back good word from the Shining Ones. We will wait.’ She released Blodwedd from her embrace. ‘Rhodri? You may go with her if you wish,’ she said.
‘No,’ Blodwedd said quickly. ‘I must travel alone.’ She walked over to where Rhodri was standing and took him by both hands. ‘I will return to you, my friend,’ she said, her voice low and full of emotion as she looked up into his eyes. ‘Look to the west and think of me when you may.’
‘I will,’ said Rhodri. ‘Be safe for my sake.’
Blodwedd smiled and moved away. All eyes followed her as she walked among the horses, but Branwen could not begin to imagine what thoughts were in those looks. The wish, perhaps, that they still had the love and protection of the Shining