12: Allow Me To Introduce Myself

Chapter 12 of "A River Trembles", Book Two of The Môrdreigiau Chronicles

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The story began in A Grail for Eidothea. You really need to catch up to make sense of A River Trembles. Go on, save this post and go have a binge read. You deserve it.

The meeting with the Tregallas family ended bruisingly. The Esteemed seemed curious about Eidothea’s background and wanted to hear every detail of what had happened in losing the Greal. Eidothea resolved to tell him that the Chosen Court is forming.

:What are you going to do with this betrothal to Cornelian’s son?: The Esteemed had moved on to a fresh topic. He seemed content to keep standing, watching my every move.

I stared at him for a moment, unwilling to abandon my topic before realising my rudeness. The Esteemed had controlled this interview from the beginning. :It is already broken off,: I replied, the edges of my thought sharp. :His brother suggested there was no need for the formality.: I choked on the memory. :That Jasper is dead.:

:That family will do nothing but hurt and harm you,: the Esteemed said in the gentlest of tones although his hawkish gaze reminded me that he might be one to hurt me too. :Did they offer Ladon in Jasper’s place?:

:I refused them,: I shared my exchange with Ladon. Showing him my memories had become second nature to me. I would have to be more careful.

The Esteemed choked, hiding his mouth, but not before I caught the edge of a smile. :That is the weakest of insults….:

:I think Ladon just wanted to slap me.:

The Esteemed stiffened, a succession of emotions flitting across his face: amusement, anger, ending in a polite mask. :I will not keep you much longer. How many winters are you?:

It seemed like a safe question. :24. Why do you ask?:

To my surprise, the Esteemed’s confidence fled. The starts of words came out, he paced away, returned. He began to think another word and broke off again.

:Esteemed?: I could not understand why my simple answer had undone all his composure.

He froze, but it seemed to be in response to a thought other than mine. He gave a sharp nod. :Forgive me, Eidothea, but a matter requires my attention. Let us continue this conversation another day.:

I bowed, bending deep. When I straightened, he had gone, two guards appearing in his place.

Grandmother summoned Ceridwy ferch Heddwch and Llyr ap Peredur. It had been a couple of days since my private audience with the Esteemed and our conference was long overdue. While we waited in the meeting room where I had first met Grandmother, Rhiannon sang of the great heroes in dreigiau môr history.

On their arrival, Ondine bustled forward, leaving Ceridwy and Llyr trailing in her wake. She tapped my shoulder. :Your wound? All is well? It does not pain you?: I sensed she barely restrained herself from pulling back my robe to see for myself.

My hand closed over hers before it inched too close. :The only pain was on the day we returned from the Deeps. But that may have been caused by too much running.:

:When were you running?: Llyr broke in, arrested in his movement to take his seat at the wooden table. He had chosen the place furthest from me.

Remembering Rhiannon’s advice about no secrets, and heeding her nod, I sketched my encounter with Ladon that day. :I am surprised you did not feel my agitation and fear.:

Llyr shrugged, looking down at his hands.

Elin stood at the head of the table. :We have a number of pressing issues at hand. Shall we begin? Please avail yourself of the refreshments.: She gestured to the table before her. Drink and plates of small appetisers littered its surface.

:Whispers of the Chosen Court abound,: Ceridwy said. :Somehow Lady Angharad divined it all came from me. We should decide when to reveal ourselves.: She paused, glancing at her son, who drummed his fingertips on the table in uncharacteristic impatience. She nodded at him.

Llyr began. :I asked Ondine to join us because I have a suspicion—: He faced his sister. :Could you do this?: He mimicked looping a strand of hair behind his ear.

She repeated the action.

:Llyr…: I stared. :Do you see?:

A sinuous line curved from ear to temple, just below her hairline and normally unseen with her usual hairstyle of soft dark waves. Ondine wore braids but low at the back of her skull and over her ears.

:She fell when she was little,: Llyr said, glancing at his mother.

Ondine touched her opposite temple. :Here? I don’t remember it.:

:It’s on the other side,: I told Ondine. I leaned toward her, my hand extended to reach her temple.

Unnerved, Ondine drew back, her brow crinkled in confusion.

:Wait,: said Llyr, and I paused. :Do you see it?: he asked his mother. :You told me Ondine fell and it left a scar. We both see it. Is it still visible to you?:

Ceridwy stilled, eyeing all three of us. :That scar faded long ago! What are you talking about?:

I reached forward again. Could it be? Another of the Chosen Court right here? Why had Llyr not said anything earlier?

Ceridwy’s gaze widened. :No. No, not both of you.:

:Prepare to mask me,: I said. :The last time I touched a Chosen mark, I broadcast it to the entire city.: I gently brushed Ondine’s scar that was not a scar.

For one breath, nothing. In the next breath, the vision leapt into being. I was on a ship, but it was in the air, not on the sea, which I saw far, far below. Vertigo spun and I squeezed my eyes shut. The scene changed and I stood in the midst of devastation. Men lying in cots or on the ground, the stink of blood, infection, and bodily fluids unbearable. Hands that were not mine reached out to the nearest man and the jagged seeping wound closed in response.

I tumbled out of the vision and stared at Ondine. Pale and shaking, she stared back. :Healer,: I said. :I have no idea if that’s a Chosen Court title—: I paused and glanced sidelong at Llyr. :You were supposed to teach me,: I thought at him. I resumed speaking to the room. :Ondine, you are of the Chosen Court. You are the Healer, as I am Crown and Llyr is Prophet.:

:She has the healing gift,: Ceridwy interrupted, :but that does not mean she—:

:She bears the birthmark.: My tone brooked no argument. The sinuous squiggle represented a snake, an ancient sign of healing.

Ceridwy refused to surrender her daughter. :All dreigiau môr have a gift of one sort or another … or used to. It’s not as common now. The gifts are how we built the city, how we care for each other and the place in which we live.:

:Oh,: I breathed. :Dreigiau môr have the means to heal the world.: Lost in wonder at this incredible possibility, I almost missed Llyr’s response.

:Or at least not break it,: he put in. :If this is so, Eidothea, why would we be warned in visions of it now?:

:A revival, so everyone has a gift again?: I looked to Elin and Ceridwy but they had no opinion on the matter. :It is a possibility, but you are right, Llyr, if it was as easy as saying it, we would not need a Chosen Court for we would have the means already.:

Ondine burbled. :I’m … I’m in the Chosen Court? And the mark is on my face?: She patted her forehead, looking up.

I smiled and wondered which was worse for her—her destiny or her marked features. :It does not dim your beauty.:

Ceridwy flattened her hands not he table. :This is not what I had planned for her.:

:Mother, I am still in the room.: Dazed, Ondine’s hands twisted in her lap. :I have overheard you say that Chief Amlawdd thinks I could become the most gifted healer in decades.:

:You are too young for this!: Ceridwy leapt up, hand braced against her forehead. :You are not equipped for the dangers that lie ahead.: She paced.

Ondine pouted. :You cannot coddle me forever, Mother.: Her bright gaze darkened. :Further, I am equipped. I’m your daughter. I have seen you at work.: I admired the steel visible in the young woman.

:Support her, Mother,: Llyr’s thought floated soft. :Support us.:

Ceridwy sank back against the fossilised chair, not seeming to mind its hardness. :Oh, my children. These are uncharted waters.:

:We have Maeve.: I wanted to say something that would give her some hope. :She will know what to do.:

Ceridwy shook her head. :It’s been centuries since the Chosen Court last existed. Our people are used to being governed — and governing in a different way.: She gestured to Llyr and I. :It is well that we have kept those marks covered, but we can’t keep the secret for long. Word will get out. You two are already bound into the Chosen Court. Ondine’s turn will have to wait until we do it publicly along with the others you find.:

:My bonding won’t be like yours, will it?: Ondine’s nose crinkled and her mouth made a moué of distaste. :You slept and then —: She broke off, her cheeks reddening. :That won’t be us?:

My face grew hot and I ducked my head to hide it.

:Of course not.: Llyr shook his head. :The sleeping was part of the healing spell, the other…: His cheeks also pinked. :The other happened because I forgot to say the shielding spell and Eidothea didn’t know it at all. I will teach it to you.:

:Maeve also said only the monarch and the prophet have such an intense bond,: I added. :Does that help?:

Ondine nodded, picking at her robe hem. :It’s my fate but I’m relieved the experience won’t be so strong. That would be weird with my brother.: We nodded, agreeing. She leaned over and patted her mother’s hand. :All will be well.:

Ceridwy started. I wondered where her musings had taken her. Her features flitted with anticipation and concern. :What? Oh yes, you will be.:

:Now that we have decided that,: my grandmother remarked, somewhat acidly. :Let us discuss how best to introduce the new Queen.:

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