Heart of Alban Read online

  For the love of Dragons

  and

  For Alban

  THE HEART OF ALBAN

  Shieldmaiden:

  Book Three

  by GL Roberts

  The loss of any life fell as heavy tears from the Lady Athebryn. Curtains of rain falling from her broken heart to touch the earth. The earth felt her sorrow and took her tears deep below the surface.

  ~ Clann of Brae Writings and Teachings, Arch Druid of Brae ~

  When truth is lost to legend and myth, what is left for those who knew first the truth?

  ~ The Book of Clanns

  CHAPTER ONE

  Bryn stood on a small rise watching the eastern shore. The sunrise was swift, and she lifted her face to feel the sun’s first rays. The Council of Alban would convene soon, and Bryn used the early hour to compose her thoughts. It was when the world was quiet that she felt closest to the earth.

  Meydra stood behind Bryn and watched her breathe in and out. She knew Bryn struggled with the loss of any life and realized that Bryn grieved too for Meriel. And even though hope remained that the young dragon would escape, Meydra felt as Bryn did. A mistake had been made.

  “You had no choice but to make the trade,” Bryn reminded herself. “It was Meriel, for the Princess Thalynder. There was no choice. There could be no choice. But why had Meriel insisted on going with the Norsemen? She could have easily flown away. The dragons and my armies would have found a way to save the Princess. Her decision has forced my hand, and I am beginning to doubt myself. I cannot show my doubt to my captains or I will lose their faith in this cause.”

  Meydra had waited long enough. Her heart heard Bryn’s words, and she could no longer remain silent.

  “You did what had to be done,” she said. “Meriel was born for you, Bryn, to keep you safe. She did just that by forcing your hand. You have time now to plan your battles. You have time now to build your armies. Meriel did this for you.”

  “And she flies to an uncertain future,” Bryn replied. “I have let her go with those who pillaged, raped, and murdered the innocent of Alban. Taking the lives and livelihood of those who choose a peaceful way of life. The Norsemen will not stop because they took a dragon back to Götaland. They will covet more. They know of the Jewel legend, and they will not rest until they find the Jewel. Now, they believe we have more than just a little to hide. The gems on Meriel’s neck are enough to have all the tribes of the Norsemen coming to scar our homeland. Yes, I will have time to build my armies. But will they still wish to follow me?”

  “You saved the Princess,” Meydra said. “That will go far with the southern kingdoms. You saved the villages, and that will go far with the clanns in the North. You have shown courage and strength, and that will go far with the clanns to the West. Baendar of the Bridei chose to follow you. He gave his life for you and for Alban. Those brave men and women who were killed in battle died for you and the wish to free Alban from the hurtful Norsemen. Raise the dead up in the eyes of their people, and they will continue to follow you. You are their leader, Lady Athebryn. Do not doubt their hearts as you doubt your own.”

  Bryn turned from the rising sun to look at Meydra. “I cannot allow another mistake like this to happen. And what of Mediter? I took his hurt once and welcomed him to the company. Then I had him banished. Banished. I, who have been given the gift of these dragons and their hearts and I sent one away!” Bryn sank to her knees. She reached out to touch Meydra’s forearm. “I was so angry with him.”

  It was not your fault, a voice echoed on the wind. I allowed the death of my mother to cloud my judgment. I was wrong.

  “Mediter?” Bryn stood up and looked out over the sea. “Is that you?”

  Yes, my Lady Athebryn.

  “Where are you?”

  I follow Meriel.

  Arryn watched Bryn as she stood silhouetted by the sunrise. Often he rose before the others only to find Bryn already awake and off in the distance looking out over the land. He too used the early morning to gather his thoughts before the chatter of the others invaded the stillness. Arryn knew there was much to do before the Norsemen returned. The Council would meet this morning and decide the next steps and, Arryn believed as did the others, time was not on their side. Even if the enemy did take one of the dragons, they would not long be content with just the one. None of the Council understood why the little dragon had gone with the Norsemen. Bryn was quiet about the reason, which, as Arryn knew, was uncustomary for her. Arryn knew Bryn’s tactics like he knew his own. This silence that held her was something more profound.

  ❦

  “This battle was won.” Malcolm stood with one foot perched on a large rock. The Council members gathered around him in a clearing not far from the shore. “There will be other battles. How soon do we expect the Norsemen to return?” he said.

  Arryn paced the clearing. He stopped in front of Bryn and turned to look at the others. His eyes stopped at Malcolm. “It will take them two weeks to reach their shore if the weather remains fair. Another week to show off the little dragon and gather the tribes. I would guess at least a month will pass before they are set to return here.”

  “A month,” King Heli said. “I should leave soon and return to Wessex. A month will give us time to harness our strength and prepare. I am sure to find others who will wish to fight now that we have a victory.”

  Bryn listened to the others. A victory? She was not so sure it was a victory.

  “And I should be able to persuade the lower kingdoms to join The Realm That Touches Two Seas,” said King Thamen.

  Elder Jorid sat on a rock and held his sword and scabbard on his lap. “The clanns will wish to be included,” he said. “The Epidii will speak with the other clanns and gather them to our council.”

  “We should continue to watch the East,” Lady Anestar said. “We should leave soldiers to watch the shore.”

  “And the West, Lady Anestar,” Princess Thalynder reminded her. She stood up and walked around those gathered. “The Norsemen will not stop at the East shore now that they believe there is a prize worth taking. A prize more valuable to them then our crops and herds. They may return sooner than we expect.”

  “Perhaps it is time to engage the help of the dragons,” said Leus, Elf Prince of the Umbriel Forest.

  Arryn paced. “The dragons will not become a part of our armory. If we ask them to fight for us, then we become the marauders.”

  “And why not?” Lady Anestar asked. “Have we not kept them safe all these years? Have we not allowed them to live among us without question?”

  “You believe we are meant to rule over them as do the other elders of my clann,” Elder Jorid said to Lady Anestar.

  “I believe this to be the reason why there is a Jewel that they respond to,” Lady Anestar continued. “Why else would the Jewel come to a human and not a dragon? We are meant to control them, use them.”

  “I do not believe this to be so,” Kenna of the Bridei added. She glared at her mother, Lady Anestar. “There was much at the Stones that you did not see nor hear, mother. Why would you think the old ways are the best? This is a new age. We are faced with new challenges. Do you even consider the dragons may wish to make their own decisions? They are alive and capable of thinking for themselves. Remember, the dragons chose us, not the other way around.” Kenna walked away from her mother and stood next to Thalynder.

  “We could debate this all day, for many days,” King Thamen said. “The dragons would be an advantage, true. But I am not convinced that it would necessarily be an advantage over the long term.” He looked at King Heli. “In time, others would wish to rule the dragons, and there would be civil unrest.”

  King Heli nodded. “True,” he replied. “If the dragons can make their own de
cisions, they may eventually choose to desert us in our most critical hour.”

  Bryn remained silent while the others continued to debate. It was not until the talk of the dragons becoming assets did she feel the need to speak. She stood up and put her hand on Thalynder’s arm.

  “Please sit,” Bryn said to Thalynder and Kenna.”They will follow your lead.” Once they had taken a seat, Bryn looked at the others who remained standing. “All of you, please, be seated.” As the rest of the company sat down, Bryn walked casually among them.

  “There are many questions yet to be answered,” she began. “Many answers to be debated. There are good suggestions here. And a few suggestions that need further consideration.” Bryn walked over to where Queen Betony of the Inceni sat. Betony had been silent while listening to the others. “But all of you already know these things. Decisions will be made, only not at this meeting. Here and now, we need to remember what has happened.” Bryn touched Queen Betony’s hand and smiled at her.

  “We have driven an enemy back to the sea,” Elder Jorid said from behind Bryn.

  “An enemy who will return. An enemy who will be more determined next time,” Queen Betony explained. “They were a small company compared to what we will see return to Alban.”

  “This is true,” Bryn replied. “The enemy will be more determined and vengeful. Again, I do not wish to discuss or debate what our next steps should be at this time.” Bryn walked over to Jorid. “Gather the dead and take them home. We will convene again at Bynack More where we will ask the questions and debate the answers. There we will put a plan together as a council.” She touched Elder Jorid’s shoulder. He nodded his head. Bryn then walked over to Lady Anestar.

  “The dragon riders are coming to know the hearts of their dragons. This is because the dragons allow it, not because the riders wish it. We will lose the dragons if we force their hand.”

  “You have already allowed one to be taken,” Lady Anestar said.

  Arryn glared at the elf-sister. He wanted to speak but held his tongue. He looked at Bryn and saw she was frowning. The jewel at her brow dimmed.

  Thalynder did not remain silent. “I suppose it would have been better if I had gone with the Norsemen,” she said. “Then, the kingdoms could argue amongst themselves about what to do next. The outer clanns could wag their fingers at Lady Athebryn saying, ‘See, there should have been another to wear the Jewel.’ They would be content to remain on their islands, far from the rest of Alban and debate Lady Athebryn’s decisions behind her back. The inland clanns could again take refuge in their villages and leave the decision making to the kingdoms. That would have been better—or so you think.”

  Lady Anestar stood quickly. “I only think we should take command of the dragons. The power of the Jewel should not be wasted,” she said. “My house would have taken a different path. We would not have lost either a princess or a dragon.”

  “Enough!” Bryn stood face to face with Lady Anestar. The jewel in the crown pulsed and Lady Anestar stepped back. “You pledged fealty to me at the meeting of the Elf Sisters back in Skerrabrae. Was that a fleeting promise? You agreed that my direction and my decisions would represent Alban. I did not lose either a princess or a dragon. I do not know what you think happened, but you need to understand that I do know what happened. Elder Sister, perhaps you should take your leave now. Go home and await the council’s decision.”

  Lady Anestar started to speak but did not do so. She lowered her head and dropped her shoulders.

  Bryn turned to look towards Kenna, dismissing the Lady Anestar. “Your kinsman, Baendar, gave his life for Alban. He gave his life for the entire country and not just the Bridei clann. Teela of Erui gave her life defending Princess Thalynder, a woman of a kingdom and not even a clann member. Was Teela wrong? I do not believe so. We all came together and fought a common enemy. That enemy will return, and we will fight again. Until the council has met and a plan devised, we will not again speak of what should have happened and did not.”

  Bryn turned and looked at the others. “The Norsemen will not return until winter,” she said. “We have three months at the least before they take again to the seas. We have time to honor the fallen and return them to their homes. And we have time to debate our next move. This time we have because the little dragon knew that to go with the Norsemen would buy us this time. To honor her sacrifice, we must use this time wisely.”

  “King Heli and King Thamen, you may wish to return to your kingdoms. I do not pretend to know your hearts and minds, but I do need your aid and your strength. You will need time to decide how much further you wish to take your armies into this war. For truly, it is a war we now wage. Word will be sent to you by way of the council members of your realms. Prince Malcolm and Princess Thalynder, I ask you to accompany them and make plans to return to Bynack More in twenty-one days.”

  Bryn turned back to Queen Betony. “We will not leave you to face the returning horde alone. Lothan will return to the North with you until he is expected at Bynack More. If time allows, I would like to come to you before we plan the next battle.”

  “You would be most welcome,” Queen Betony replied. “You have kept your word, and I honor our alliance. I will take my leave now, Lady Athebryn.” Queen Betony rose and stood at Bryn’s side. She nodded toward Lothan, then bowed her head to Bryn. She walked out to the small group of her kinsman, waiting for her.

  Bryn walked over to Rythale. The Pict princess had also remained silent while the others debated. “You have been silent, Princess.”

  “I have been listening,” Rythale replied. “We have lost brothers and sisters, and we still debate about dragons. I was there when the Norsemen took Teela’s life. I saw the hate in their faces. They will return, and none of us are safe.”

  Bryn touched Rythale’s arm. “Go home and honor your dead. Hold them in high esteem and praise them. They gave their lives willingly for Alban. That giving is something that should not be forgotten. Paint that history and do not let it diminish. We will meet at Bynack More in twenty-one days.

  I look forward to seeing you there. Remain a few minutes longer. I must speak with the inner council members before we scatter like seeds in the wind.”

  Rythale nodded.

  “I appreciate the presence of all those gathered here now. You, who have stood firm to assure our enemy we will no longer allow them to invade our homes. Many lives were lost today, but do not believe those lives were lost without meaning. Lives given for the lives remaining is the highest honor any could hope to achieve. We will remember all who came to aid Alban. We have fought one battle in this new war with many battles still to come. Return now to your homes and begin your preparations for those honored dead.” Bryn stood in the center of the glen and felt the jewel begin to pulse. She drew her sword and raised it above her head. White light from the jewel filled the glade as Bryn held Calibairn high. Little sparks of light danced among the trees. Those gathered before Bryn felt their heartbeats quicken.

  Bryn lowered her sword, and the light lessened until it was a soft glow. She placed Calibairn in the scabbard and lifted her head to look at the company. “Council members please follow me.”

  “But what of the dragons?” Elder Jorid said as the company began to leave the glenn.

  Arryn shot a glance to Bryn, and she nodded. Arryn walked over to Jorid and placed his hand on the man’s arm.

  “Elder Jorid, the council will consider many things at Bynack More. Rest assured, the dragons will be a topic of discussion.”

  “Will you be returning to the Epidii?” Elder Jorid asked.

  “As soon as I am released by the Lady Athebryn, I will accompany you back to our clann.”

  Elder Jorid nodded and walked away. Arryn quickened his step to catch up to the rest of the company.

  Bryn led the council members to a small clearing near the rocks where the dragons sat waiting for their riders. Bryn looked up at Meydra. She felt Meydra’s steady heart, and it comforted her. Bryn turned
to look at the others, and when Thalynder stepped closer, Bryn reached for her hand.

  “Thank you for your loyalty.”

  “Like you, I am here for Alban. Woman, Man, and Beast.”

  Bryn touched Thalynder’s cheek and smiled. She looked at the others as they stood in front of her. She thought of how much each had changed in such a short time.

  Sir Arryn, loyal friend with a fierce defense of his new liege and his dragon, she mused. He has embraced the ideals of his ancestors and found buried in his heart the courage and kinship of those ancestors. Embracing the druid in his heart and the warrior in his mind, Sir Arryn was no more. Arryn of the Epidii Clann stood tall.

  Prince Malcolm, his unexpected commitment to our cause. I had expected Malcolm to bend to his father, King Heli’s concerns. Instead, he is as any clannsman—unshakeable in his loyalty to his new friends. He trusts in this Company.

  There is Leus, our warrior Elf-Prince; son of the highest reigning Elf on the island of Alban. Curious about dragons and humankind, his strengths lie in his ability to see beyond the Umbriel Forest and elf-kind. His presence gives me hope for our two races to again come together.

  Rythale, the quiet princess of the Picts; a brave warrior and excellent swordsman with a courageous spirit. She is strength wrapped in painted skin. Closer to the swift hand that holds the axe, she will be an excellent advisor to the Company.

  Lothan, with his youth and curiosity, comes a willingness to prove his worth to not only his Queen Betony and clann Inceni, but to my council of dragon riders as well. His youth gives us a fresh perspective. Our hope lies with the young of Alban so long as they carry truth in their hearts.

  There stands Kenna of the Bridei. She is not her mother’s favorite, this I feel. Kenna is at odds with her own feelings about Lady Anestar’s rule. She holds her head high, and with defiance, she follows me. I appreciate her spirit, but I must make sure she is not forfeiting her heritage. The bloodline of the Elf Sisters is hers as well.