Heart of Alban Read online

  And there is my Thalynder. My love and princess to the largest and most powerful realm in lower Alban. Heir in line to rule and capable of doing so with courage and passion. An allegiance with The Realm That Touches Two Seas would benefit the northern clanns. I understand this all too well. My heart tells me Thalynder should remain in her father’s Keep, far away from the enemy. My head tells me Thalynder’s courage will motivate others. She is my hope and my heartache.

  “We have lost one of the council,” Bryn said quietly. “Teela was brave and fearless. She faced the enemy and stood her ground. We knew her little, but the honor of knowing her is great.” Bryn removed Calibairn from the scabbard and touched the tip to the ground. The company did the same, and as each member bowed their head, Bryn began to sing softly for all the fallen.

  Above the sky in the hall of the ancients

  There they wait, those bravely fallen

  Swords at rest at the feet of the chosen

  There they wait, with shields unbroken

  Hail the Brave! Names not forgotten

  There they remain until we join them

  The dragons bowed their heads, and in her heart, Bryn heard their own lament for the little dragon, Meriel.

  Bryn looked again at her council. “You need to hear these words. As hard as they are for me to speak.” Bryn closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she took a deep breath.

  “I made the trade. I chose Princess Thalynder over the little dragon, Meriel.”

  “They will covet the dragon and want more,” Lothan said.

  Malcolm ran his hand over his tunic. “To what end?”

  “I do not know,” Bryn replied. “Meriel remains with the boat of King Heardred and his daughter.”

  “She is a dragon. Why does she stay with them?” Leus asked.

  “She buys us time,” Arryn replied.

  Bryn nodded at Arryn. “She keeps them occupied for the moment. She knew what she was doing.”

  “And you let her go?” Kenna asked.

  “It was her choice. Princess Thalynder would have been taken or killed, and we would have followed on the backs of our dragons. We would have exposed our secret. Meriel understood this, and when Heardred asked for Meriel, I agreed.”

  “Will they kill her?” Rythale asked.

  “I do not know. I only know that for now, Meriel is safe and we have time to regroup.”

  “Are you certain we have three months?” Malcolm asked.

  Bryn placed Calibairn back in the scabbard. “Yes, I am. The Norse have lost five boats to us. They have lost over one hundred of their own to us here on our Alban. They know we are not sheep. They will take time to consider and to rethink their methods. They will tell of this battle, and the other tribes will listen. They may even unite under one tribe as we attempt to do. They will use this time to strengthen their armies. And we will use every day to do the same thing.”

  “Go to your homes and honor your dead. Spread the word that we will continue to make the Norse regret coming to Alban. In twenty-one days we will meet again at Bynack More. Then and there we will devise our plan.”

  “We will need to discuss the dragons as well,” Leus said. “They can be more than just our eyes and ears.”

  Lothan put his sword in the scabbard and adjusted his belt. “I agree,” he said.

  “Yes, we will discuss the dragons, cousin,” Bryn said to Leus. “It is why I ask for twenty-one days. I wish to speak with the dragons and determine how and when to involve them, if at all. They will be summoned to me while you are away with your families and clanns. I suggest you come to Bynack More on horseback. Do I have your permission to summon your Companions?”

  “You could do so without our permission,” Leus said.

  “And that would be a mistake I would not wish to make. I cannot lead if I am not trusted.”

  “As I do not have a dragon,” Rythale said, “I will come to you at Bynack More on horseback as you command.”

  Bryn smiled at Rythale. “Do not worry overmuch about a dragon, Rythale. You are now and will remain a member of this council.” Rythale bowed her head.

  “You may summon IronHeart,” Malcolm said and raised his fist to his chest. “You are my liege, and I will meet up with you in twenty-one days. I go now to ride with my father. Will you be joining us, Princess Thalynder?”

  “I will not be long behind you. Lady Athebryn, you have my permission to call An-Yun as needed.”

  “Caraid will come when you summon her,” Kenna said.

  Arryn nodded. “FireSong is yours to command.”

  “You have my permission,” Lothan said.

  “And mine,” Leus said. He bowed his head for a moment. He raised it again and looked at Bryn. “Will another take the place of Teela of the Erui?”

  “I desire to have another. I will ask Lady Albistan to send another from Erui to the council. I still wish to have representation from all the clanns,” Bryn said. “Let us take a meal together. After we sup, I suspect you will wish to be on your way. Malcolm and Thalynder, please ask the indulgence of your fathers for another hour. I will not keep you much longer.”

  The Council left the glenn and the day, though long and weary, was over.

  Thalynder held Bryn’s hand as they walked toward the horses. “Are you certain you wish me to go with my father?”

  “I need you to remind him we need to keep the fire stoked.” Bryn lifted Thalynder’s hand and kissed her fingers. She looked at Thalynder’s face. “I almost lost you my Lynder.”

  “You would have come for me, and the Norse would have paid dearly.”

  “And have we not paid dearly? The little dragon, Meriel, is so brave.”

  “Brave and wise for her years,” Thalynder said. “She did this for you. As you said to the others, she bought us time. And time is a very precious commodity.”

  “And now who is wise for their years?” Bryn kissed Thalynder’s cheek. “I will go to Skerrabrae to summon the dragons. I will be there until time to leave for Bynack More.”

  “Will you not come home and see your family? See me?”

  “There is much to do,” Bryn said. “Perhaps, before month’s end, I will return to your realm and visit for a day or two.”

  “My realm? Do you no longer consider The Realm That Touches Two Seas to be your home?”

  “It will always be a comfort, for that is where my clann now resides. But when my clann realizes the Brae clann can move back to the North, they will do so.” Bryn touched Thalynder’s hair.

  “I wish to make Skerrabrae the home of the Council when it meets. I will come to your realm and to you soon. Perhaps you could travel with me, and we would arrive at Bynack More before the others.”

  “If that is your best offer,” Thalynder said. She smiled at Bryn. “You are as stubborn as my father.”

  Bryn smiled. “He needs you home for a while without me hanging on your every word.”

  “Then kiss me now, and I will take my leave. It will not be an easy ride back without you by my side.”

  “You will be ever in my thoughts,” Bryn pulled Thalynder close and kissed her long and deep.

  ❦

  Hansa watched the dragon’s wings beat in time with the men rowing the longboat. The jewels at the dragon’s neck caught the last rays of the sun and reflected them back onto the boat.

  We are nearly home. Soon all will see this prize, Hansa thought. We will rule from a high place, and we will set this dragon at our door. No tribe will dare to prevail over our house.

  The helmsman got up from his tiller and spoke to the man at his side. The man took the helmsman’s position while the helmsman walked along the center of the boat to the bow. He had been watching the sun play off the jewels on the beast’s scales.

  “Do you think the beast grew those?” he asked Hansa.

  “No, I do not believe so.”

  “Then where did they come from?”

  “The shieldmaiden told me that she gave them to the b
east,” Hansa turned to look at the helmsman. “Where is my father?”

  “He sleeps.”

  Hansa took a step closer to the helmsman. “Kegen, there is much about the druids of Alban we do not understand. The shieldmaiden I spoke with was probably a high ranking druid. Otherwise, why would she be on the dragon’s back? She told me she gave the jewels to the dragon. Perhaps the jewels are kept by the elders and given away as tokens of fealty.”

  “Have you tried to remove any of the jewels?”

  “I wish no harm to come to the dragon,” Hansa said. “The dragon only comes down to fetch fish from the sea.”

  “You believe this beast will give you the tribe,” Kegen said. He touched Hansa’s arm. “Do not speak it while your father still draws breath. And I would not get too fond of the beast. It is likely to die, and its head used to adorn your father’s throne.”

  Hansa feared just that. She wanted to tame the dragon. Ride the dragon as the shieldmaiden had and command from the air. But in her heart, she knew Kegen was right. King Heardred would not allow the beast to live, knowing it killed his son and heir, Helstun. Hansa shook her head.

  “I cannot allow this dragon to die. Something in my heart tells me to do so would bring the wrath of Odin himself down upon our tribe.”

  “Then be prepared to die alongside the beast. For if the shieldmaiden is more than a maid, this beast is worth all the jewels and more. The druids will seek revenge,” Kegen said. He left Hansa and walked back to the tiller. He stood and watched the beast raise and lower its wings. It is a magnificent beast, he thought.

  You are a beautiful creature. I wish I could speak with you, Hansa thought as she looked up at Meriel. “Do you understand my words? No, how could you understand me? My face is as unfamiliar to you as you are to me. Was the shieldmaiden your master?”

  Meriel listened to the two humans, and though she could not understand the words, she felt the pain. She knew she was going to die, and she would not allow it to be at the hands of the vík ingr. Mediter was above her, and he knew her heart. She raised her head and called to him.

  The sound of Meriel’s cry woke Heardred, and he swung open the small door of his sleeping room. He shoved the others out of his way as he walked quickly to the bow of the longboat. He raised his axe to strike the rope that held the beast, and it was met by Hansa’s weapon.

  “Father, no!”

  “This beast calls to another! We will be killed here on the open sea!”

  “Do not touch this dragon,” Hansa said and shoved her axe at her father.

  “Threaten me not, daughter. I will have your head mounted on a pole next to that of the beast.”

  Hansa took another step closer to her father. “Then who will rule your tribe when you are dead? Your wife’s brother? You would have your father’s house filled with carrion-eating crows! Or perhaps another bloodline would rule. If you let that happen, then you would be too ashamed to walk the halls of Valhalla. If you would even be granted entrance,” she spat the words at her father. “No, father, I will rule. Your blood is my blood. You know I am better than most men. It was I who brought you this beast. And it is mine to command.”

  Heardred did not speak for a long moment. He looked at the beast. The jewels on its scales held the last bit of sun. When he looked again at his daughter, his eyes were cold.

  “Command it then! If it will allow you. But listen well, spawn of Rán. Be wary. Many already covet this beast and its jewels. It may be dead before I am.”

  Hansa stepped back from her father. She looked up at the dragon and knew her father was right.

  Meriel called again to Mediter. Mediter heard Meriel’s cry, and he tried to calm her.

  I am here little one.

  How much farther do we go?

  I do not as yet see their land. You are very brave.

  I am tired.

  Yes, but it will be over soon. Listen to your heart. Do you not hear the others? They are all very proud of you.

  I hear their songs.

  Then let it fill your heart with strength.

  Was I wrong to do this thing?

  Bryn’s voice rose above the others. No, Meriel I was wrong. You are that one instant in time where your choice was the right choice. Never forget that.

  Will I see you again? Meriel asked Bryn.

  Of that I am sure, Bryn replied. Stay with her Mediter. She must not be alone.

  I will not leave her, Heart of Alban.

  Meriel was quiet again, and Hansa reached out to touch the tether that held Meriel to the boat. “I am sorry,” she said. “I wish I could make you understand. I need you to convince the others I can rule.” She glanced up and saw the first stars wink in the darkening sky. A shadow moved across her view, and for a moment, Hansa’s heart was filled with dread. She held the end of the tether in one hand and her axe in the other. She sat down and leaned against the side of the boat. Home cannot come soon enough, she thought.

  Meriel looked above her at the stars. Her heart was light, and she was happy to be joined by so many friendly faces. Stretching against the tether, Meriel felt it give under her. She moved a little higher off the water.

  Mediter moved closer to Meriel. He could hear the beat of her wings now. He understood what was going to happen. He knew now why Meriel had gone with the vík ingr. His heart was heavy from all the wrong he had done to the humans. All the wrong done to the other dragons. The hurt he caused Meriel and the Jewel, Lady Athebryn. It was time to do something right. He dropped a little lower.

  Meriel stretched the tether again. It gave as before, so she moved higher. She looked around and saw the other boats as they drew silently in the water, moving to be closer to one another. Meriel could smell the land.

  It is nearly time.

  ❦

  It had been eleven days since the Norsemen left with Meriel. Bryn’s heartbeat was steady and strong, but Meydra knew Bryn was hurting. If only she had the words to ease Bryn’s pain. They walked the now deserted hills above Skerrabrae together.

  Bryn stopped at the small hill behind the village and greeted the few dragons that kept vigil over it and the secret cairn. The elf-sisters had not remained when the battle was being waged, except for Lady Anestar. Bryn believed that Anestar continued to watch how she handled the jeweled crown. Waiting for a moment to criticize or condemn Bryn’s decisions. The others had gone to their homes to await news of the battle’s outcome. Bryn looked around at the once busy home of the Brae clann. The sea continued to move in and out. The air was still crisp and cool. The sky above her head was as clear as ever and its hue a deep cerulean blue. She looked at the dragons and across the rolling hills towards Staenis and the Standing Stones.

  “I will make this my home again. Skerrabrae will be a seat of power.” King Thamen had released her from his service once the Jewel was revealed to him. Bryn was now the leader of the High House of Brae, and Queen among the half-elven though she did not want the title. “Will I find peace here?”

  Queen Athyl, first to join with the dragons, was ever on Bryn’s mind while she walked toward the setting sun as it glistened off the western sea. It was here that Queen Athyl first appeared to Bryn in a waking dream as a beautiful iridescent dragon come out of the sea. Bryn looked out toward the sea and wished Queen Athyl would again appear and speak to her heart. There was nothing there this time, and Bryn felt alone. She turned away from the sea and walked back to the large stone lodge where, in time, the Council of Alban would reside. She did not expect any but the hardiest of the council to make Skerrabrae a permanent residence. Still, the hope of the Council meeting here was steadfast in her heart.

  Alone in body, but not alone in her heart, Bryn heard the voices of many as she walked around the large common room. She lit a fire in the stone pit in the center of the room, and it cheered her. Taking the Book of Clanns off the mantle at the back of the room, Bryn walked over to the long stone table. She sat down on a stone bench covered in fur, left by one of the elf-sisters.
“This is my mother’s doing.” Bryn smiled and placed the book on the stone table. She opened the book to a random page and read:

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

  Bryn paused. Those who knew first the truth. “What is the truth? Queen Athyl was first to join with a dragon. It was a joining that set the druids on their path to a deeper knowledge of the earth, sky, and water. But was that particular dragon the first to come to earth? With all the millions of stars, would there not have been one before this joining? A dragon perhaps in another guise? Someone to guide Athyl in the joining?” Bryn read on:

  Questions remain for those who continue to seek the truth of the earth, sky, and water. Each person has their own questions and each of their own answers. Thus, the truth is lost and becomes legend. Legend becomes myth. The sincere seeker of knowledge sets aside the tale and looks only at the truth. If you seek the truth, look not to others, but to your own heart.

  Bryn closed the book. “The answers are not here,” she said. “Skerrabrae is the home of questions. It was what I was told before reaching the Stones at Staenis. The Stones hold the answers. What did I learn there?”

  Meydra nodded. She listened to Bryn as she thought out the questions and sought the answers.

  You remember now.

  “There was so much happening at the Stones that I did not pause to listen. I will listen now. Meydra,” Bryn called. “Take us to the Stones.”

  Meydra stepped down in the clearing in front of the stone lodge. She waited for Bryn to come out and join her.

  “Perhaps you would like to wait until the sun rises,” Meydra said as Bryn came out into the clearing. Bryn laughed, and Meydra’s heart leapt at the sound. “You have not laughed in a long time.”

  “I have been consumed with the Norsemen.”

  “And now?”

  “You have reminded me I am of the earth, and I do not have eyes that see in the dark. I was taking my self too seriously for the moment.” Bryn ran her hands over Meydra’s scales. She took Meydra’s face in her hands and leaned her forehead against the jewel at Meydra’s brow. “I will wait, mo anam. If not sleep, then rest, but I will wait for the sun to rise before you take me to the Stones. Go now and find your supper.”