Start Here: "Obsidian and Flame"

a new weekly limited edition serial in The Môrdreigiau Chronicles universe

A prequel to A Grail for Eidothea, I found this tome at the bottom of the trunk.

What Its About

But first, a content warning. It doesn’t happen until we are well into the story, but please note that if miscarriage or early loss of a baby is something you don’t want to read, well, then this is probably not for you.

Arddun’s sister has just wed the Golden Prince, the eldest son of the Esteemed. She has moved into the palace to help her sister adjust. She very much feels out of place, as her father is a Master forager and her Gift is useless. Every dreigiau môr possesses a gift but nobody can make sense of Arddun’s gift and she cannot activate it.

Prince Panawr has the reputation of being cold and cruel. He has a terrible, deadly, secret and an awful quest he’s been reluctant to begin. When the Esteemed announces her impending retirement, Panawr realises he can no longer delay.

But something is changing: some dreigiau môr gifts are starting to fade and it’s been happening since Panawr and Arddun journeyed to the Great Barrow as children.

Can Panawr and Arddun find their way through the secrets and royal politics to save their home, or will their quest be in vain?

Check out this origin story:

Chapters

Act 1: Obsidian

Theme song:

Each part has a theme song that is so on point that I’m a little worried they give away too much. But you’re also getting chapter headings too, so …

“Poison & Wine” by The Civil Wars

Chapter 1: Sunless

Chapter 2: Stygian

Chapter 3: Ebony

Chapter 4: Midnight

Chapter 5: Onyx

Chapter 6: Ashes

Act 2: Ash

Theme Song:

“Stay With Me” by Punch (featuring EXO’s Chanyeol) from “Guardian: A Lost and Lonely God” (also known as “Goblin”) OST

Chapter 1: Ash

Chapter 2: Ember

Chapter 3: Coal

Chapter 4: Ruin

Chapter 5: Dush

Chapter 6: Death

Act 3: Flame

Theme Song:

“Flame” by Curley Gao (alas could not find a live recording of it, but here’s a translation of the lyrics)

Chapter 1: Ignite

Chapter 2: Glow

Chapter 3: Blaze

Chapter 4: Burn

Chapter 5: Flame

Chapter 6: Hellfire

Chapter 7: Incandescent

Chapter 8: Ash

Characters

The Royal Family

The Esteemed Eigr - ruler of Caer Morgana in the absence of a Chosen Court, mother of Cynwal, wears lavender robes

Rhydderch - The Esteemed’s Consort, father of Cynwal, Panawr and Morfudd

Cynwal ap Rhydderch — The Golden Prince, eldest sibling, wears golden yellow robes

Panawr ap Rhydderch - second eldest, the prince wears silver grey robes

Morfudd ferch Rhydderch - youngest, the princess’s robes are pale orange

The Wyddel Family

Indeg ferch Wyddel - handfasted to Prince Cynwal, wears robes of rose pink

Arddun ferch Wyddel - companion to her sister Indeg, wears robes of pale green

Other Characters

Teithi ap Rhun - friend and advisor of Prince Panawr

Cynddylig ap Esni - captain of the royal guard

Trachmyr ap Geir - royal guard and Prince Panawr’s sparring partner

Mabsan ap Canllaw - Head of the Council

Drudwas ap Ewin - Advocate (like an attorney)

If you’re new to The Môrdreigiau Chronicles, welcome! You might find the Glossary helpful for some of the words. Colons indicate the sea dragon’s thought communications.

Please share this with your friends and followers! This will act as the index page for the serial, so you might want to save this to return to later.