"Speak a victory for us, Taliesin," said Elphin, gathering his reins.

"I will uphold you," Taliesin replied.

The column charged up the hill as a straight line, flaring out at the last instant to form a sharp-pointed wedge. They rode straight for the gate where the battle was thickest. Too late the enemy heard the thunder of their horses as death swooped over them. They turned to meet the charge only to be swept backward before it and pinned against the burning gates and wall of the fort they were trying to destroy.

The spears of the Cymry thrust and thrust again, blade-tips running red as they scythed through the melee. Here and there men were hauled from horseback to disappear under a swell of flashing blades and clubs. Those in the forefront of the attack feinted back, moving to the side to allow their comrades who had regrouped to charge into the ma.s.s again.

Taliesin, along with Heridd, Nerth, and their squads, watched the fight, and waited for Elphin's signal. The horses charged and charged again. Spears thrust and hooves flashed and the enemy fell by the score, but for every one that fell, three more took his place. Eventually exhaustion forced Elphin's company to retreat and let fresh troops take the field.

"Ride in twos!" the king cried as his mount came pounding in. "Keep your horses! Each man protect his neighbor!" Panting and sweating, he motioned the replacements into the fray.

"It is worse than I expected," Elphin told Taliesin when they had gone, wiping blood and grime from his brow. All around them men gasped from their deadly exertion. The king spoke low so those close by would not overhear. "They mean to die this day, and it fills them with desperate courage. They fight like men gone mad." He shook his head. "And there are so many of them."

Without a word Taliesin turned his horse aside and rode through the sheltering trees, back across the stream to the hill opposite the one on which the fortress was built. He rode to the crest of the hill and stopped on the barren height overlooking the scene of battle. He dropped his reins and, slipping from the saddle, drew out his oak staff and his blue robe. He threw the robe over his shoulders, walked a few paces from the horse, and planted the staff firmly in the ground.

Then he set about gathering good-sized stones, which he heaped into a small pile at the place where he had driven in his staff. Taking up more stones, he proceeded to pace off the dimensions of a large circle, placing a stone every third step. Then he plucked his staff from the ground and, raising it, closed his eyes, his lips forming the words of the incantation.

As he stood murmuring, the sun, already dim with smoke, shrank away as the smoke thickened and spread its darkness over the sky. The sound of battle-harsh clash of arms, terrified whinnying of horses, curses and cries of wounded and dying-came to him across the small valley.

Taliesin opened his eyes and saw his father's warband surrounded by the enemy and halted as they tried to force a way through to the burning gates, Elphin himself at their head, hacking away with his short sword.

Twice more Taliesin repeated the conjure and when he looked again, the foe was pressed tight around Elphin's forces six deep, and more were streaming around the walls, their angry axes flashing dull red above their horn-helmeted heads.

The barbarians, by diot of superior numbers, had stopped the king's onslaught and were forcing the warband back. Frustration growing, Taliesin turned and stared wildly around, eyes lighting on his black horse. He ran and grabbed the reins and pulled the horse into the center of the crude stone circle he had constructed. He climbed into the saddle and stood on the horse's back.

Then, raising the oak staff over his head, he repeated the incantation. This time he felt his awen awen descend like a radiant cloak; the air around him shimmered. He spoke and felt the power of his words take shape on the wind. They were not mere words anymore-they descend like a radiant cloak; the air around him shimmered. He spoke and felt the power of his words take shape on the wind. They were not mere words anymore-they were were the wind and the power behind the wind. Words flew from his lips, s.n.a.t.c.hed from his tongue by the force of their own volition. An icy blast whirled around him in a spiraling vortex that gathered and raced by, flying down the hill. This strange and sudden chill blew across the valley to where the fighting raged most hotly. the wind and the power behind the wind. Words flew from his lips, s.n.a.t.c.hed from his tongue by the force of their own volition. An icy blast whirled around him in a spiraling vortex that gathered and raced by, flying down the hill. This strange and sudden chill blew across the valley to where the fighting raged most hotly.

King Elphin's men felt the cold wind sting their faces and looked up. There on the opposite hill they saw the lean, tall figure of a man standing on a black horse, a long staff raised over his head. "Taliesin!" someone cried. "Our druid's sent a wind to save us!"

The enemy too felt the cold wind and saw the dark sky. They turned wide, astonished eyes upon the mysterious hill-figure and faltered in their attack.

That was all the warband needed. Refreshed by the sight of the long-haired Saecsen and their minions falling back, Elphin's troops wheeled and charged into the reeling ma.s.s. The cold wind howled high above the b.l.o.o.d.y battleground, and within moments the enemy was fleeing down the slope to the shelter of the woods. A tremendous shout went up from the legionaries on the walls. The gates opened and the soldiers came flooding out to give chase.

Not long after, Elphin stood in the compound facing an exhausted Magnus Maximus, his face smeared with soot and sweat. "I never thought I would see the day when a Roman legion would require the aid of an ala ala to stave off defeat." He paused and added, "But, as ever, I am grateful for your help, King Elphin." to stave off defeat." He paused and added, "But, as ever, I am grateful for your help, King Elphin."

"We sent twenty-odd boatloads to their doom this morning or we might have been here sooner."

A servant came running with a carafe of wine and a cup for the tribune. Maximus handed the cup to Elphin and poured out the wine, saying, "A bad day all around, and it is far from over yet. Still, you must have the first drink; you have worked the harder."

Elphin gulped down some of the raw red wine. "Where did they all come from?" he wondered, handing the cup back to Maximus. "I have never seen so many in one place, and never all of them together."

"Wh.o.r.es' whelps, the lot of them!" Maximus washed his mouth with wine and spat it on the ground. "Taking on a fort! They must be bewitched!"

They were still talking when a rider appeared on a stumbling horse; the beast was lathered and nearly lame. "What in" began Maximus, who took one look at the device on the horse's harness and cried, "By Caesar! Luguvallium!"

The exhausted rider pitched forward in the saddle and toppled to the ground, to be caught by two grooms. Maximus and Elphin hurried to the man, and Maximus dashed the rest of the wine into the cup and pressed it to the man's lips. " Drink this," he ordered.

The man drank and coughed, spewing wine over himself. "Tribune," he wheezed and raised a hand in a slack salute. "I come from... from"

"From Fullofaudes," said Maximus impatiently. "Yes. Out with it, man."

"The Wall," gasped the rider. "The Wall is overrun. Luguvallium has fallen."

Maximus stood slowly. "Luguvaliium fallen."

"We will go with you," said Elphin, rising with him. "With rest and food, we can soon be ready to ride again."

The tribune looked at Elphin and shook his head. "You have fought two battles already this day."

"You will need us," insisted Elphin.

"Your kinsmen will need you more. Go back, friend; defend your own."

Elphin was about to object once more when Taliesin arrived. He slipped from the saddle and walked toward them, his step light and quick, although he appeared drained. Taking in the collapsed rider and the grave faces of Maxirnus and Elphin in one glance, he said, "Bad news from the north, is it?"

"It is," replied Elphin. "Luguvallium has fallen and the Wall is overrun."

"Then we must go back to Caer Dyvi," Taliesin said simply. "While there is still time."

"Just what I was saying," said Maximus.

Taliesin turned and walked back to his horse. Elphin started after him, turned back, offered Maximus a sharp Roman salute and then remounted. With three shrill blasts on his hunting horn, the king gathered his warband at the bottom of the hill. When all had been accounted for and wounds bound, they gathered their dead and headed home.

CHAPTER THREE.

The pilgrims stayed with klng avallach for several days and then returned to the nearby hill and the ruined shrine. A few days later, when he saw that they were serious about restoring the shrine, Avallach sent provisions, for over the course of their stay he had grown quite intrigued by the good brothers and their unusual G.o.d.

This suited Charis well. She liked Collen, who regarded her with a befuddled but reverential awe and who labored doggedly with the Briton tongue. And she was fond of Dafyd, a gentle man of keen intelligence and ready wit, whose wholehearted enthusiasm for the G.o.d of love and light spilled over into everything he did. She was glad to have them nearby, and if restoring the shrine meant that they would stay that much longer, so be it.

Wet winter intervened and halted the building for a season. But when spring came, the work resumed and Charis rode often to visit the priests and oversee the rebuilding progress. Sometimes she brought them food and drink, and then they would sit and eat together while Dafyd told stories about the life of Jesu, the Great G.o.d's Son-who, if what Dafyd said about him was even remotely true, must surely have been the most remarkable man who ever lived.

Charis did not care one way or the other if what Dafyd said was true; he Believed enough for any three people. She simply enjoyed the kindly man's company and, more importantly, she valued the healing effect he had on her father. She had noticed from the first night that Avallach seemed more at ease in Dafyd's presence. A day or two later, the king himself remarked that his pain bothered him less when the holy man was near. This, if nothing else, was more than enough to endear them to Charis.

Thus, she was not all surprised when Avallach requested Dafyd to begin instructing him in the religion of the new G.o.d. Charis thought it a harmless enough occupation, but Lile- always hovering, always unseen, and always nearby-resented the pilgrims and warned that nothing good could come from chasing after alien G.o.ds.

"What will happen when they leave?" Lile asked Charis one day. Dafyd had just arrived for one of his sessions with the king, and Charis was on her way to join them. She met Lile lurking outside the king's reception hall.

"When who leaves?"

"The holy men, the priests or pilgrims or whatever they are-what happens when they go away?"

"Have they said they are going away?" wondered Charis.

"No, but it is plain enough. When they have taken enough money from Avallach and their shrine is finished, they will leave."

"That should make you happy. Why do you care?"

"I do not care-not for myself. I was only thinking of Avallach."

"Of course."

"You think I have not noticed? I know Avallach is better when the priest is with him." Lile clutched at Charis' sleeve in a clumsy, desperate motion.

Charis observed her more closely. Certainly something was upsetting Lile; the woman's expression wavered between helplessness and anger. Her tone was at once fierce and pleading. "What is wrong, Lile?"

"Nothing is wrong with me. I do not want to see my husband hurt."

"You think Dafyd's leaving would hurt him, is that it?"

Lile hesitated. "It might."

Charis smiled. "Then we must ask Dafyd to stay."

"No!" Lile cried.

Lile's misery was so real, Charis grew serious. "Lile," she said softly, "do not begrudge Avallach the peace he finds in Dafyd's words. The king will not love you less for loving this new G.o.d more."

Though the words were out of her own mouth, Charis froze. Did her father love the new G.o.d and his miracle-working son? Did she?

Was that what had drawn her to the ruined shrine? Love? Was it love that quickened her heart when Dafyd spoke? Was love the odd, quivery sensation she felt when she whispered the name of Jesu to herself?

"I begrudge him?" Lile was saying. begrudge him?" Lile was saying.

"What?" asked Charis, coming to herself again.

"You said I begrudged Avallach peace. I do not!" she insisted and then whined pitifully, "Oh, it would have been better if they had never come!"

"The pilgrims intend only good" began Charis.

"And now they have brought a whole tribe of the Britons in with them." She gestured toward the door. "They are all in there with Avallach now. Who knows what they are scheming?"

At that moment the door opened and a seneschal appeared. He inclined his head and addressed them both. "If you please, the king requests your presence." He stepped aside and opened the door wide to usher them in.

"There, now we will see what they are scheming," whispered Charis as they entered the hall together.

Charis approached the king's canopied litter and glanced toward the delegation-eighty or more, she estimated-gathered before him. Her eyes swept the odd-looking a.s.sembly and lit upon the long, lean form of a fair-haired young man.

Her step faltered. She dropped her eyes and proceeded, coming to stand at Avallach's left hand as Lile took her place on his right.

She felt the eyes of the strangers upon her and grew oddly ill-at-ease; her heart raced and her hands trembled. She took a deep breath and willed her composure to return.

"... my daughter, the Princess Charis," the king was saying and Charis realized that she had just been introduced. She smiled thinly and nodded toward the a.s.sembly.

Dafyd stepped forward and indicated the group behind him. "King Avallach, I bring before you King Elphin ap Gwyddno of Gwynedd, and, ah-his people." The priest seemed uncertain precisely who they were, but began introducing them just the same.

Charis took the opportunity to study the strangers. They were dressed in the way of the Britons, but more colorfully, more exotically than any of the Dumnoni or Cerniui she had met. The king wore a heavy gold neck ornament, a tore, as did several others in the company. They wore bright cloaks- red, blue, orange, green, yellow-gathered over their shoulders and pinned with huge, elaborate brooches wrought of silver or enameled copper in cunning design. The men wore mustaches, full and flaring, but no beards; their dark hair, though long, was gathered and tied at the neck with leather thongs. They wore loose-fitting trousers with bold stripes or checks, their legs bound with long crisscrossed strips of bright cloth to midthigh. Most wore heavy bracelets of bronze and copper inlaid with beaten gold. Several carried iron-tipped spears, and others double-bladed swords.

The women wore long colorful tunics and mantles, with wide, intricately-woven girdles wrapped around their waists; each hem, cuff, and neckband was finely embroidered with intricate borders. Their hair was meticulously braided and coiled, the coils studded with ornate bronze pins with amber, garnet, and pearl inlay. Necklaces, chains, and bracelets of gold, silver, bronze, and copper glinted from neck and wrist, and earrings dangled from their ears. One of their number, a striking red-haired woman of n.o.ble bearing, wore a slender silver tore and a great silver spiral brooch with a glinting ruby in its center.

In all they appeared rea.s.suringly regal but disturbingly alien. And Charis understood that she was in the presence of a n.o.bility very much like her own-high-born, fiercely proud, and aristocratic-but of a far different, more primitive order.

In the midst of her scrutiny, Charis felt herself an object of curiosity. The fair-haired young man she had seen upon entering was studying her intently. Their eyes met.

In that brief instant Charis felt a kinship with the strangers- as if meeting countrymen after a years-long absence. The feeling pa.s.sed like a shiver in the dark and was gone. She looked away.

The strange king, having been introduced to his satisfaction, stepped forward slowly. "I am Elphin," he said simply, "lord and battlechief to the people of Gwynedd. I have come to pay my respects to the lord whose lands we are pa.s.sing through."

Avallach inclined his head in acceptance of the honor paid him. "Travelers are always welcome within these walls," he replied. "Please stay with us if you can and allow me to share the bounty of my table."

Without hesitation, Elphin drew a knife from his Belt and presented it to Avallach saying, "Your offer is most generous. Accept this token as a sign of our grat.i.tude." He handed the knife to Avallach. Charis glanced at it as her father turned it in his hands. The blade was iron and double-edged; the hilt was polished jet, into which had been worked pearl, in the same intricate, interwoven designs the people wore on their jewelry and clothing. It was a beautiful weapon, but clearly it was no ceremonial piece intended as a gift. The knife had been used; it was Elphin's personal weapon.

Why this token? wondered Charis. Unless the man had nothing else to give. Yes, that was it. He had given his only item of value, perhaps his last remaining treasure-aside from the tore he wore on his neck. Still, the gift had been given freely and graciously, and Charis knew the significance of this act had not been lost on her father.

"You honor me, Lord Elphin," replied Avallach, tucking the knife into his own Belt. "I hope your stay will prove beneficial to us both. We will talk of this later. But now, as this is my accustomed time to take refreshment, I ask you and your people to join me."

At Avallach's nod the seneschal departed, and a moment later the doors to the hall were thrown open to admit a half-dozen servants bearing trays of drink in bowls and chalices. The servants circulated among the visitors, serving them, and when each had received a cup, Elphin lifted his high and proclaimed in a loud voice, "Health to you, Lord Avallach, Fisher King of Ynys Witrin. And health to your enemy's enemies!"

At this, Avallach threw his head back and laughed. The sound of his voice reverberated throughout the hall and echoed among the timber beams. He rose slowly from his litter and, holding to one of the canopy posts, lifted his cup. "Drink, my friends!" he said. "Your presence has cheered me greatly."

Charis watched for a while and then, while everyone else was busy drinking and talking, slipped from the room, motioning Dafyd to follow her. He caught up with her in the corridor beyond. "You wish a word, Princess?"

"Who are they?" she asked, pulling the priest further along the corridor.

"They are who they say they are," he answered. "A king and his people. I gather they have been driven from their homeland. Gwynedd is Cymric land in the north."

"Driven? How so?"

"By war, Princess Charis. By the fighting that rages continually up there. Their lands were overrun by barbarian warriors. They escaped only with their lives." The priest paused, and added, "And if what I hear is true, we will soon enough feel the heat of war in the south as well."

"Thank you, Dafyd," said Charis, looking back through the open doorway to the hall. "Thank you..." She walked away slowly, already lost in thought.

That night Avallach hosted the Cymry at his table, with Lile by his side. Charis declined to attend the meal and ate in her chambers. She sat alone in her room and listened to the sounds of the banquet proceeding in the greater hall. At one point the noise died away completely. She strained after any errant sound but heard nothing. What could it mean?

Prompted by curiosity, she moved to the door of her chamber, opened it and leaned out into the corridor, listening... Silence.

Finally she could bear it no longer and crept down to the hall to listen at the door. It was open and as she approached, moving quietly among the shadows, she heard the clear, ringing notes of a harp and a moment later the strong, melodic voice of a singer. The Cymry-some sitting on benches, others cross-legged on the floor-were gathered around one of their own, who stood illumined by the flickering torchlight: the golden-haired man.

Although many of the words were unfamiliar, Charis gathered that he sang about a beautiful valley and all the trees and flowers and animals there. It was a simple melody, strongly evocative, and she was drawn by it. She crossed the threshold into the hall, half-hidden by one of the columns.

The young man stood erect, tall and lean, his head up, eyes closed, the harp nestled against his shoulder, his hands moving deftly over the harpstrings, summoning each silver note from the heart of the harp. His mouth formed the words, but the music came from beyond him; he was merely a conduit through which it might pa.s.s into the world of men, pouring up and up like a fountain from the hidden depths of his soul to spread in glimmering rings around him. Charis listened, hardly daring to breathe lest she disturb the singular beauty of the moment.

It was a sad song, a heartbreaking song, wild and proud, a song about a lost valley, a lost land, about all the losses a human heart might hold dear and remember. As the song spun out, Charis gave herself wholly to its spell, letting the ache of her own loss wash over her in a sweet, dark flood. As the last, trembling notes of the song faded away, she saw glistening drops on the young man's cheeks.