And I'm Here

Episode 5 of "Hiraeth"

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Cue our theme song:

Note: All Episodes has a character list in case you need it. It also links to a glossary of Welsh terms used. The dreigiau môr communicate via thought, marked by colons (:).

The Chosen Court seek healing for their prophet, Braith, who remains unconscious. Thus far, they have dodged the deadly ferryman, and Ceri escaped abduction from slavers, meeting Bernardo, a shepherder she had to leave behind. Llewelyn tried to outrun his grief and ran into a giant monster instead.

They arrived at the Greek city of Empurion (in modern-day Spain). Braith has been accepted as a patient at the healing sanctuary of Asclepius, but the Chosen Court need to come up with the rest of the expected monies. Ceri pickpocketed and bumped into Bernardo. Gwalchmei sang for coins, and Myfanwy found work in the docks. The ship’s captain found her at the taverna and buys her a drink…

Her eyebrows rose in understanding. “I don’t know if we’ve made enough even now.”

The captain patted her forearm. “Your friend must be very ill.” His fingertips lingered on the back of her wrist before he withdrew his touch.

This month’s theme song. K-Drama fans should recognise it (and if you’re a K-Drama fan and you don’t, you really need to watch “Goblin”, also known as “Guardian: The Great and Lonely God”. It is heartbreaking.)

“I think I can help you find additional work.” The captain spoke loud enough over Gwalchmei’s singing and the conversations that surrounded them in the taverna. Myfanwy appreciated his gentle, yet constant, attention. It made a nice change from the day’s repeated rejections. “Are you interested?”

Myfanwy shrugged. “You have a ship to load tomorrow?”

The captain laughed, a warm, rich sound. He leaned close. “It was wonderful watching you work today. You have such an easy, lithe grace.”

“It wasn’t easy.” Her beverage sat uneasily on her empty stomach. She took another sip in hopes of steadying it.

“I know. That made it all the more astounding.” He swallowed a mouthful of wine. “This would be much easier and could be completed in a night, if you wished. Shall we talk somewhere privately? I want this opportunity to go to you, not someone who might overhear us.”

Myfanwy rose, thinking at Gwalchmei, :The captain has offered more work. I might be gone a while.:

Gwalchmei nodded in her direction. :Be careful.:

In the patients’ dormitory, a young woman dressed in a long chiton, her dark hair caught up in a messy bun, approached Medwyn and Llewelyn. “My name is Io. I will be attending to the patient during your stay here. The first stage is to bathe the patient. Follow me.”

Llewelyn lifted Braith into his arms. He and Medwyn followed Io out of the dormitory. They walked along another covered colonnade before reaching a broad, rather squat building. On entering the space, Medwyn noticed the temperature dropped by several degrees.

“There is a changing room for men there.” She pointed. “Please strip down to your loincloths. I’ll call another assistant to help me with the patient.”

“Her name is Braith.” Llewelyn shifted her weight in his arms. “She isn’t wearing anything under this blanket.”

Io raised her eyebrows. “That will make it easier.” She pointed to a long bench just inside the entrance. “Lay her here. I will change my clothing on your return.”

Lleu and Medwyn stripped down quickly, returning to Braith. While Io slipped away, the two divested Braith of her blanket. Io soon returned, wearing a much shorter chiton that ended well above her knees.

“Follow me,” she murmured.

They crossed the threshold to the left. Tables at waist height lined the long narrow chamber. Two other patients lay upon them, the width just enough for a body, with women dressed like Io, rubbing oil and scraping their skin.

“We begin by cleansing ourselves.” Io scanned both Medwyn and Llewelyn from head to foot. Medwyn thought her review unnecessary. She’d had plenty of time to observe them. “You are embedded with travel dirt. You must be cleaned first. Choose a table and I and my sisters will take care of everything.”

Llewelyn laid Braith upon one such table, tenderly tucking a loose curl behind her ear before lying down on the table beside her. Medwyn found another table nearby.

Medwyn sighed, relaxing under his attendant’s ministrations. The women worked thoroughly and gently, rubbing oil into their bodies. They used cloths that should have felt rough but instead invigorated the skin. He needed to remember the benefits of touch with future patients. He rolled onto his stomach at his attendant’s request, sinking into a doze.

“Io.” The woman’s voice brought him back from the point of slumber. “Can you help me with his hair?”

“I am almost done with the patient—“

“Braith,” Llewelyn grumbled.

“Get started and I will join you.”

Medwyn’s attendant began to unpick his braids. There were a lot of them and many were quite long. She combed each lock before moving on to the next braid.

He sensed another woman draw near and a second pair of hands set to work on his hair.

“Who did this to you?” Io muttered, her voice sounding near his ear. She unpicked a braid, leaning in close to untangle it.

Medwyn grinned, even knowing it went unseen. “Children, mostly.”

“It shows. At least it hasn’t been in long. Hold still.”

He didn’t dare make a noise when they tugged on his hair. He remembered his roars of pretended agony when Ceri and the children pulled on his hair while braiding, much to their delight.

As if she knew he thought of her, a sudden burst of fear radiated along the Chosen Court bond. :Ceri?: he thought.

:I’m fine.: Her reply came faintly. :I don’t need help… yet.:

He relaxed a little, keeping their connection open until her fear subsided. Something surprised her, but it wasn’t bad.

:Bernardo?: Myfanwy thought at Ceri, echoing along to him. What was the young shepherd doing here? Ceri didn’t seem to be in any danger, so Medwyn let his attention drift away.

At last, his hair was freed of braids. From his constricted viewpoint, Medwyn glimpsed another patient and their carers entering. His attendant went to them. Io remained. Oil oozed into his hair. Fingertips massaged it into his scalp.

He groaned with pleasure, feeling a spark of desire that wasn’t his. He thought the shielding spell, letting Ceri’s desire fade from his consciousness. Io’s luxurious, decadent touch remained.

She combed his hair before finally declaring, “All done.”

Medwyn sat up, an effort with his muscles so relaxed, and delivered a sleepy smile. “Thank you. That was quite wonderful.”

Io’s expression didn’t alter from her usual neutral gaze. “Follow me.”

Obediently, he trotted after her, with Llewelyn and Braith close behind.

They entered the first of the baths. The heated and well-lit chamber had fires blazing at intervals along each wall.

Io led the way into the pool. “Submerge and wash off the oils.” She looked at Llewelyn. “I’ll help with the pa—with Braith,” she amended.

They washed, using cloths to encourage the oil to leave their skin.

Medwyn submerged, rubbing at his scalp with his fingertips before surfacing. He found Io staring. Was that admiration? In Llewelyn’s muscular presence, that surprised him.

Her gaze darted away. “Follow me.”

Two more baths followed, the temperature in each progressively growing cooler. Medwyn asked Io questions about this ritual of bathing. He understood the need for cleanliness, not that this was an issue for dreigiau môr, and he’d often prescribed the hot spring house for bone-deep aching, but the other baths perplexed him. The third bath left him shivering.

Io answered in a low voice, bending toward Medwyn. “It is to create space for the divine Asclepius to enter into the patient. Sometimes, he visits the dreams of the patient’s loved ones.”

Myfanwy followed the captain to the taverna’s upper level. A series of rooms led off on both sides of the narrow hallway.

The captain opened a door and she followed him in. A sofa, long enough to recline upon, dominated the room. Long fabric scarves hung over each of the rounded ends. A low, long table lay just beyond it.

The dark wooden floorboards were bare except for a tumble of cloth bags in the far corner. A small sideboard stood against an adjacent wall. Curtains concealed the rest of the room.

The captain removed a bottle from one of the bags, located two earthen mugs from a sideboard and sat on the sofa. “Come, sit.” He patted the cushion next to him. “Let’s discuss this proposition.” He filled the two mugs with liquid. “I think we both might need a drink first.”

Myfanwy sat beside him, accepting the proffered mug. “We do?” She drank, coughing as the fiery liquid hit the back of her throat.

He patted her on the back until her coughs subsided. “Smaller sips,” he advised. “It seems you’ve never tried this.”

The liquid’s heat seeped into her chest, her heart. “If I have more of this, I will be of no use to you. What is this job you have for me?”

“Your hair is beautiful.” He gathered a lock of her white hair, running it through his fingers. “Silky soft too.”

“Kind of you to say so.” Myfanwy blinked at him. Normally she saw well in the dark but her vision blurred. Was it because she was Above Sea? Had her day working in the sun partially blinded her? “Captain…”

“I promise I will pay you well, but only because you need the money, you understand. However, if you enjoy it, we can continue for as long as you or I remain in Empurion.” He set down his cup, untouched.

“Continue with what?” Myfanwy took a small sip of the fiery liquor. It still burned when she swallowed but her muscles, sore from the day’s work, began to relax.

“Innocence at your age is so refreshing. Let me show you.” He drew her into an embrace, nibbling his way across her cheek, searching out her mouth. He claimed her lips with a punishing kiss, muffling her drowsy protest.

“No!” she gasped the moment her mouth was free, shocked to find no strength in her voice. She pushed him away, sliding to the floor on the other side of the sofa. She got to her feet and staggered.

The captain loomed, hands spread like claws. “My dear, you left with me. How can it be you did not understand what everybody in the taverna knew when they saw us go?” He grabbed the plain brooch at her shoulder and tore it off, the front of her chiton falling to her waist.

She swung a closed fist at him and missed. Her body followed her fist’s trajectory, stumbling deeper into the room. Myfanwy landed hard against a wall. “You know I didn’t—“ Her knees buckled.

“Just one night, then, my Amazon.” His unhurried stride sent a frisson of fear through her. He knew her muscles refused to respond, knew she couldn’t escape him. “And you can pay for your sick friend.”

Myfanwy tried to speak, tried to think to Gwalchmei, but words wouldn’t form.

Io led them into a rather dark space, lit only by a few sputtering oil lamps. “We end by returning to the womb, to the dream space,” she intoned.

Before them, water sparkled with sparse flecks of gold. The far wall glistened with water and white crystals.

She stepped down into the pool, her actions revealing a shallow set of steps. She descended until the water reached her waist, the short skirt of her pale chiton floating atop the water.

Medwyn sniffed. “Is this salt water?”

Io shook her head.

Reassured, Llewelyn stepped down with a naked Braith in his arms. Medwyn followed.

“It is true sea water,” Io clarified. She gestured to Lleu. “Please submerge her.”

He froze, sending a panicked glance to Medwyn. “Fully?”

She nodded. “Fully. This will symbolize her rebirth, a new beginning, a new health.”

“We can’t do that.” Medwyn struggled to come up with an excuse. “The shipwreck—“ Cold terror from his queen flooded his senses. His knees sagged.

Groaning, Llewelyn sat abruptly on the top step, splashing Io. He clutched Braith to his chest. “Myf,” he gasped.

Just as quickly, all sense of Myfanwy vanished: her terror and even her presence silenced. Their Chosen Court connection had been severed.

:Gwalchmei!: Medwyn shouted in thought, hoping he wasn’t too far away. :Myfanwy’s in danger!:

“I can’t feel her.” Llewelyn surged to his feet, swiveling to get out of the saltwater pool.

“She’s in your arms,” Io, waist deep in the water, frowned at them in confusion. “Why are you both so distressed?”

Llewelyn turned. “It’s our quee—”. His foot missed the step. He pitched forward, Braith still in his arms.

“Lleu!” Medwyn leapt for him, hands slipping off Llewelyn’s glistening bicep.

Llewelyn and Braith fell headlong into the seawater, plunging beneath the surface.

Have you started A Grail for Eidothea yet? This diary of an early nineteenth century woman is the reason I started this publication and even starting writing this, Hiraeth, my own fanfic if you will.

Check it out:

Leaping off the small stage, Gwalchmei shoved his lyre at the taverna owner. “Mind this. My friend went with a man. Which room is he in?”

“He won’t like it—“

Gwalchmei got into his face, teeth bared. “You’ll like it even less.”

“Third door on the right.”

Gwalchmei bolted, taking the stairs two at a time. He barged in, saw the sea captain arranging Myfanwy’s body upon the long sofa, saw her arm dangling limp off the sofa’s side.

The captain looked up, frowning at the interruption. “This better be goo—“ His jaw crunched under Gwalchmei’s fist.

The captain careened over the low table. The earthenware bottle and mugs shattered on the floor.

Gwalchmei crouched next to Myfanwy. She lay so still. He sucked in a frightened breath, his gaze going to her half-bared chest. It rose and fell in shallow breaths.

His gaze flicked to the captain nursing his jaw. “What did you do to her?”

“Not nearly as much as I would like.” The captain winced as he spoke, his words ending in a pained moan.

Gwalchmei leapt at him with an angry roar.

Medwyn waded through the dark pool to Io. She stared down through the water at Llewelyn’s twisting red and gold scales.

“Don’t scream.” Medwyn laid his hand upon her arm.

Io turned to him, her eyes wide and soft. “Why would I scream? They are serpentiae, sacred to the god Asclepius.” She paused. “Are you also?”

“We are dreigiau môr. If we belonged to your god, would we need to come to you for healing?”

Llewelyn surfaced, his long loose hair flying backward in an arc. Braith remained in his arms. “That didn’t just happen,” he declared, glaring at Io. “You’ll forget that you saw that.”

She retreated, bumping against Medwyn. He stroked her pebbled forearm. “You cannot say anything about this,” Medwyn warned. “Many see us as monsters.”

Her hand covered his. “You are gifts from the gods,” she murmured. “I need to inform the priests. This could be crucial to her healing.”

Medwyn exchanged glances with Llewelyn. :Should we trust her?:

Llewelyn nodded. :For now. I can fight our way out of here if needed.: His lips thinned.

Medwyn didn’t doubt it, given his past training as a royal guard, a practice he continued as the Chosen Court’s Sword.

He met her searching gaze. “Do we all need to submerge?”

Io let out a shaky breath. She’d been frightened, Medwyn realised. “It is not necessary,” she managed. “But I would like to see.”

Medwyn released her and sank slowly down into the water, his gaze upon her the entire time. He sensed his long loosened hair lift and float in a wide fan.

Water closed over his face. His gaze blurred in the moment of metamorphosis.

He saw her expression soften into wonder. She reached through the water for his face. He allowed her to trace his snout, his whiskers, his broad forehead, his soft ears. Her fingers combed through his dark hair.

Her tenderness grew unbearable. He sank to the bottom of the pool, weaving around her, seeking to regain his usual steadiness.

He moved a slow spiral around her, his fins brushing her bared legs.

He twitched when her fingertips brushed against his green scales but he didn’t shirk from her touch, letting her gently stroke him.

Medwyn surfaced, unusually breathless. Lungs heaving, he stood before Io. She touched his dripping chest, her gaze bearing into his soul.

“That was … incredible,” she murmured.

Medwyn agreed.

They gazed at each other until Gwalchmei’s thought reached them. :She’s safe. I’ll stay with her until she wakes.:

Medwyn blinked. Myfanwy’s danger had vanished under Io’s tender touch.

He apologised to Llewelyn, who chuckled in his mind. :Let’s just say you trusted Gwalch to take care of it and that you weren’t diverted by a pretty girl.:

Io cleared her throat, a soft interrogatory sound. “One more bath to wash off the salt. After that, you will sleep in the dormitory. It will not surprise me if our serpents visit you or even Asclepius himself visits your dreams.”

They changed into fresh chitons. Medwyn felt a slight disappointment that Io’s legs were no longer visible.

She led the way back to the dormitory. Medwyn fell into step beside her. “I understand rest being important,” he said, “but when will she be examined?”

Io glanced sidelong. “You are His creatures. How do you not know?”

“Because we’re not—“ Medwyn began.

:Leave it,: Llewelyn cut in. :We need to remain in her favour to make sure Braith is healed…and to get out of here.:

“Tonight her dreams and yours will guide us in a treatment plan. I will sit with you and record your dreams when you wake, then treatment will be prescribed for the pa—Braith.”

“You will watch me sleep?” How was he supposed to do that with her there?

“How can you know Braith’s dreams if she doesn’t wake?” Llewelyn asked from behind them.

“That is why your dreams are so important.”

Myfanwy grew aware of a heavy warm arm across her body. The warmth extended down her back. She stiffened, trying to remember… She’d fallen against a wall, her muscles failing to respond to her need to get away from the captain…

She sucked in a breath.

:It’s me, Gwalchmei.: He withdrew his arm. :You were so still and cold. You’re safe. I was trying to keep you warm. I’m sorry if I—:

:It’s all right, Gwalch. You just startled me.: Myfanwy grabbed his hand before he went out of reach. :Thank you.: Her thought trembled. She rolled over to face him. The early morning light streamed in from the window behind him. They were in a small wooden chamber, not too dissimilar from the captain’s.

:You gave us quite the scare.: His grey eyes shone.

Not for the first time, Myfanwy wished she could sense what he felt as she did with others in her Chosen Court. :The captain?:

:Knocked him out.: Gwalch’s gaze narrowed. :That was the right action? Medwyn said you were in trouble.:

:I was.: A storm of conflicting emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She muttered the shielding spell but not before Ceri’s concern reached her.

:He promised work, but—: Her thoughts flailed. :I should never have trusted him.: She hiccuped a sob.

Gwalchmei rubbed her arm. The soothing action made her cry. She buried her head against his shoulder before he saw her tears.

Ceri rose from the narrow bed she shared with Bernardo. He stirred, reaching for her. “Braith needs this money to heal.” She dressed, placing the two bulging pouches into her tunic.

He scrambled out of bed. “I’ll come with you. Those men might still be looking for you.”

She smiled in gratitude. Slipping her hand in his, they left their primitive love nest.

Calmer, Myfanwy chose to stay nestled in Gwalchmei’s arms. :He offered a choice and then took it from me. If you hadn’t arrived…:

He stroked her hair. :It’s over now, Myf.:

She broke free, propping herself up on an elbow. :If I could choose,: she said, gazing down on him, :I would choose you.:

A smile fractured across his lips. :Myf, love, you’re married.:

:I can marry more than one dreigiau môr if I wish. I want my next coupling to be a love relationship.: Myf bit her lip. :Unless I am not who you would choose?: She watched his grey eyes examine her. :You can tell me. I’ll respect your decision.: Myfanwy wished she didn’t sound so pitiful.

He caressed her cheek, the action drawing her closer to him. :I would choose you, Myfanwy, always, but today, I will be your friend. You need time to recover, to be certain I am the right choice for you.:

Medwyn woke. A light hand touched his shoulder. “Did you dream?” Io asked.

He rubbed his eyes. “I—I don’t remember.”

In the flickering light, he made out Io’s form, her features cast into deep shadow. She sat on the edge of his cot. Medwyn shifted to make room for her. “It is often the case for the first night. The snakes haven’t come near either.”

Medwyn grinned. “Well, we are bigger than they are.”

Beside them, Llewelyn stirred, moaning.

“He and Braith are handfasted,” Medwyn remarked. “It makes more sense for him to dream than I.”

A soft groan escaped Llewelyn. Io approached his cot. Medwyn followed. Llewelyn had fallen asleep holding Braith’s hand and his fingers tightened their grip. Deep in sleep, his muscles twitched, his eyes moving under closed eyelids.

“Oh!” Io gasped, her voice breaking. Her hand slipped into Medwyn’s.

Medwyn followed her gaze, wondering what had disconcerted her.

A tear trickled from the corner of Braith’s eye, vanishing into her dark hair. Another tear followed.

And that’s a wrap! Will Cei leave Bernardo a second time? Will the captain catch up with Myfanwy and Gwalchmei? Will Myf accept Gwalch’s answer? Does Medwyn like Io and does she like him back? Most importantly, will Braith wake?

Shall we vote on that last question? Your answer will send the story in one of two very different directions.

Or … in both directions. I had the crazy idea that I could send Myfanwy and her Court along two different timelines but I’m not entirely certain I can pull that off, and bring the timelines back together for the third season.

As I shared in yesterday’s digest, after today’s episode, Hiraeth goes on a bit of hiatus while I work on Obsidian and Flame. I fully intend to return to it once that story is out of my system, by May 2025 at the latest. It turns out I can’t work on three serials at the same time, plus it was a bit much to expect you to keep up with three different serials too.

Would you be interested in an article gleaned entirely from internet research about the healing methods of Io’s temple? Because you know I went down that rabbit hole for this episode. Let me know via comment or email and I will make it so!

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