Ashes

Chapter 6 of Act 1 of "Obsidian and Flame"

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

Obsidian and Flame chronicles the story of Panawr, a sea dragon prince with a deadly secret, and Arddun, who possesses a useless gift and has no desire to marry a prince. When they come together, sparks fly, but they grow aware that something more is at stake than the throne. Can they save their home, Caer Morgana, or will their quest be in vain?

Honestly, my favourite chapter of all of them. Go read about Panawr’s revelation. You won’t regret it.

OK, fine. The Lady had wiped their memories of their Great Barrow experience and those memories are back for Panawr. As are his taste buds. Really, he’s super cute in the previous chapter. At least until Arddun ruined his mood.

Teithi had no need of a bard to list all the grey-robed men residing in Caer Morgana, the number being easily counted on one hand.

One by one they narrowed the possibilities. The first draig môr Panawr interviewed had arrived in the caer as a young adult, well after the events in the Great Barrow. The second, being several years younger, had been too young to attend in Panawr’s year.

The third, close to Panawr in age, remembered going to the Great Barrow. :Your father, the Consort, was there at the gate.:

Panawr leaned over his bowl of medd reismôr. He, Teithi and the grey-robed draig môr sat in one of the small drinking establishments far from the Royal Quarter. They compared notes and determined they’d served in the winter solstice rite the same year.

:It was the first year nobody saw the Lady. Do you remember?: the draig môr asked, drinking deeply from his bowl.

Panawr nodded. :I’d forgotten all about it until recently. Did anything unusual happen while you were in the Great Barrow?:

The draig môr’s eyes narrowed. :Unusual? Not every child gets to see the Lady, you know.:

Panawr traced the rim of his drinking bowl with a fingertip. :I remember coming across a crying girl. Did you?:

:A girl?: The draig môr frowned. :I don’t remember that. I must have been in a different part of the Barrow.:

Something about the draig môr’s expression made Panawr suspicious. :Are you sure? You didn’t have an issue with any of your Goddess cakes?:

The draig môr leaned back in his chair. :An issue? If my ancestors did, they were too dead to tell me so!:

Panawr quirked an eyebrow in surprise at such an unfilial response. :You don’t like your ancestors?:

:You were there.: The draig môr shrugged his shoulders, his gills flaring. :You know how dark it was. And they certainly haven’t done me any favours since.:

:What do you mean?: Panawr took a small sip of medd reismôr to hide the intensity of his question.

:It was my dream to serve in the royal guards and yet I’ve been refused several times. My parents died the year after I became an adult. My sisters won’t have anything to do with me except at solstice time. Women ignore me, and I spend my days fertilising the sea-rice beds. Not harvesting, fertilising. Nobody trusts me with more.:

Panawr thought the draig môr’s drunkenness might have something to do with it. Teithi had learned that he’d frequent one establishment after another, only going back to work when his credit ran out. :How is this your ancestors’ fault?:

The draig môr slid down in his coral chair, straining the chair spokes. His arms folded. :You were there,: he repeated. :What luck did you have afterward?:

Panawr sat back. He’d almost died at the hands of an elusive sea monster, failed to reach Maeve and receive her blessing in the process, and had been condemned to live as a virtual recluse because of his injury. The man had a point. :Are there … others from our year who have also suffered?:

:Sure.: The draig môr’s head bobbed. :You know Arddun ferch Wyddel? She was one of us and she doesn’t have a gift. Even I have something of a gift. He snapped his fingers. The water parted to reveal a brief spark. :If I could maintain that, I could have been a builder.:

Panawr rubbed at his beard. He had found his man. But how could he save him?

Arddun observed Panawr as he continued to represent minor cases in the Great Hall. Did he still test the waters, or did he try to avoid any failure? Arddun had no opportunity to ask, for Panawr spent much of his time outside the palace.

Three weeks after his first case, toward the end of a justice court session, Panawr stepped forward. :Esteemed, today, I regret to say I prosecute instead of advocate.:

:I thought you’d be more interested in tomorrow’s event.:

Her Consort Rhydderch and the Princess Morfudd sat on a lower step. The latter looked like she was carved out of porcelain.

:The guard tournament?: Panawr shrugged. :I’m here to do my duty.:

The Esteemed gestured he continue.

:There has been a series of small thefts in markets across the caer. These losses might be considered minor but the repetition has impacted many livelihoods.:

:So?:

:I investigated and discovered that these thefts occurred when the stall-holders were distracted by a royal promenade through the city.:

:The thief is using the palace as a distraction?:

:Not only a distraction. This morning, myself and two advocates made a search and arrested the thief. I hoped to resolve this quietly and have the goods returned but she protests her innocence. I ask for justice, Esteemed.:

Princess Morfudd’s composure shattered. She stomped down the shallow dais steps to confront her half-brother. :I am innocent!:

Shock rippled through the crowd, thoughts rising to a low roar. With private conversation forbidden in the Esteemed’s presence, those present openly speculated.

Arddun pressed her hand over her mouth, not daring to think anything.

:Why do you accuse the daughter of my husband?: the Esteemed asked, unperturbed. :She is well-liked. This won’t win you any favours.:

:I’m not looking for favours.: He gestured to the advocates standing with him. :These dreigiau môr with me found the items in question themselves. Each item has their maker’s mark. If Princess Morfudd ferch Rhydderch had simply returned them, I would have kept this a private family matter, but she refuses to consider this option.:

Morfudd stomped her food, her face red. :How dare you? How dare you?:

Panawr glanced at his sister before returning his attention to the Esteemed. :I have the evidence of stolen property. I didn’t myself search lest I be accused of bias. He sounded gentle and reasonable. :I have a witness who saw her steal one of the items in question.:

Morfudd startled, staring wide-eyed at Panawr, her mouth agape.

A young female draig môr stepped forward. Arddun recognised her as belonging to the princess’ circle of friends.

A sob burst from Morfudd’s lips. :She lies!:

The Esteemed raised a cool eyebrow. :I haven’t heard her testimony yet, daughter of my husband.:

The princess’ erstwhile friend related how Morfudd would point out some novel sight, which everyone wanted to see. Except once the young friend didn’t look and saw Morfudd slip something into her pocket-sleeve.

:Are your sleeves empty now?: The Esteemed shot a look at Panawr. :Did you search them?:

Panawr raised his hands, shaking his head. :I wouldn’t dare lay my hands on my half-sister’s body.:

The Esteemed Eigr stood. :Morfudd, empty them.:

The princess slipped a hand into her sleeve and froze. Her mouth dropped into a round ‘oh’ of horror.

:Morfudd…: The Esteemed warned.

The princess’ expression begged for mercy, but the Esteemed’s face remained a stony mask. Morfudd fell to her knees. :I swear I am innocent. I don’t know how this got there.: Her hand fell open, revealing a glittering brooch.

The Great Hall buzzed with excited and horrified conversations.

The Esteemed rose a hand for silence. :Morfudd, daughter of my husband. You are no daughter of mine. You are guilty of theft and will be imprisoned until I can devise an appropriate punishment for you.:

Two royal guards stepped forward and flanked the weepy princess.

:Wait!: Panawr stepped forward. Ardunn heard a desperate note to his thought. :Mother— Esteemed— I ask for mercy. As you said, she’s well-liked—:

:Not after she’s done this.: The Esteemed’s gaze narrowed. :What are you playing at?:

Again, Panawr raised his hands in surrender. :I tried to minimise this—:

The Esteemed Eigr gave him a long look before directing her attention to those in the Great Hall. :Court is dismissed. I will not hear more today.:

Ignoring Morfudd’s screams, the Esteemed crossed the dais and left via a door leading into the palace. The guards escorted the princess from the Great Hall. Those gathered filed out, the gossip current running fierce.

Arddun remained. She watched Panawr thank the girl and the two advocates before they also took their leave.

Panawr stood alone, staring at the dais. A hungry, longing expression haunted his features.

Arddun felt unwilling to interrupt his meditation but drew near. :I have witnessed enough palace machinations to know I’ve just seen a very clever one.:

:It’s no scheme.: Panawr continued staring at the throne, his features smoothing into a polite mask. :The stall holders have been pretending they were gifts, but instead of being grateful, she grew bolder. I was asked to investigate.:

Arddun stood next to him, looking at the throne instead of the prince. :Were you?: She sighed. :Somehow, I expected you to win over the people, not to eliminate your competition.:

Panawr made a rude noise. :Morfudd is too young to rule.:

:Eigr was her age when she took the throne.:

:I advise you to stop making such wild claims.: His icy thought warned her she went too far.

She lifted a hand to touch his arm but decided against it. She softened her thought. :I only want to help.:

Panawr snorted. :If you want to help, find the boy who stole your Goddess cakes … and don’t make accusations you can’t prove.:

:Why do you want it so bad?:

That startled a glance out of him. :Want what?:

:The throne. I’ve never asked.:

:Why shouldn’t I want it?: He glared at her. His shoulders stiff, he ascended the dais, leaving through the door reserved for royals.

The Esteemed demanded everyone attend dinner that night. Morfudd’s imprisonment hung over them like a spectre, although Arddun guessed it would be temporary. Nobody spoke while they ate.

At the end of the silent meal, the Esteemed Eigr pushed away from the table, her face pale. She hauled herself upright, shuddering. :Given Morfudd’s decline, I want to make one thing clear. When I step down from this throne, I will fully endorse and support Cynwal in succeeding me.:

She quivered. :I will do this for you, my son, my golden Cynwal.: Her body convulsed. Blood spumed from her mouth, suspended in a large puddle. The Esteemed sank to the floor.

At once, husband and children surrounded her, calling out to her as her eyelids fluttered shut. Arddun yelled for a healer, broadcasting the call throughout the palace.

Her gaze met Panawr’s as they huddled over the Esteemed’s still form, trying to wake her. He looked horrified, his eyes reddening from tears. His cries for a healer joined hers.

The healers arrived. After a flurry of activity, the dining room soon emptied of the Esteemed, her Consort and the healers.

The two princes glared at each other. Cynwal spoke first. :You should have left Morfudd alone. You know Mother is especially fond of her. Look at what you’ve done.:

Panawr stiffened. :Morfudd has been in trouble before. I very much doubt this event has anything to do with what our little sister has done this time.:

Cynwal’s lip curled, his arm closing about Indeg’s shoulder’s, their gold and rose-pink robes combining in a charming fashion at odds with the tension between the half-brothers. :You absolve yourself of guilt.:

Panawr shrugged, bowed, and left the dining room.

Indeg claimed Cynwal’s attention, laying a hand upon his chest. :Do you really think it’s because she’s upset? She’s made of stronger stuff than that.:

Cynwal replied, :She’s ageing…:

While the young couple talked and reassured each other, Arddun’s gaze followed Panawr. He paused, leaning against one of the archway pillars, clutching at his shoulder. He straightened almost at once.

She spun, hiding her frown from Indeg and Cynwal. Why would Panawr’s shoulder pain him so much? Had he not been truthful to her about his injury? And if he lied about that, what else did he lie about?

She bowed to Indeg and Cynwal, who did not seem to notice, wrapped up in each other. She hurried after him, catching up with him in the hallway.

He leaned against the wall. He looked over his shoulder, seeing her approach. He pushed off the wall, straightening.

:Panawr, are you well? I saw you stumble.: Why did she ask? It really wasn’t any of her business.

:I’m tired. You should be more concerned about your sister.: He waved her away in imperious dismissal.

She ignored his request, startled by his mentioning her sister. :Indeg? Why?:

:She doubtless knows what it means to have Cynwal become the Esteemed.:

Arddun blinked at him, not expecting this turn in the conversation. :Marriage instead of hand fasting once their year and a day is over?:

Panawr shook his head. :Cynwal will need to marry someone who’ll give him additional political support. Someone who will give him the numbers to become the Esteemed. Indeg will be set aside, or become a second wife, perhaps, but not Consort.:

Arddun stared at him. She’d been so caught up in her sister’s whirlwind romance that she hadn’t realised Indeg’s future had been anything other than certain. :You will be doing the same?:

:I have been making gentle enquiries, as have Cynwal and Morfudd. None are willing to commit before I win as most see it as impossible, but after I become the Esteemed, those calls will bear fruit.: He swallowed, lifting a hand to brush the back of his fingers down her cheek. :I thank you for your support and assistance, but you cannot hope—:

Arddun regarded him with ice in her gaze. Her insides melted at his sudden softness but she refused to show it. :You made that quite clear from the beginning.: Her cheeks warmed. :Why would I expect anything different now?:

Panawr’s gaze dipped to her lips. :Because…: He struggled to shape the words. :Because then … I might be able to love again.: His bleak gaze met hers. :And my new situation will render that impossible.: He stepped back, bowed, and walked off.

Arddun stared after him, confused by his strange words. She rested a hand over her pounding heart. Did he wish, or desire, to love her? Or to love in general? For an ice-cold prince, his heart seemed to burn hot.

When she reached to the Golden Prince’s chambers, Indeg stood alone by the windows.

:Cynwal?: Arddun asked, not seeing him.

:Checking on his mother.: Her sister didn’t turn around.

Arddun knew the signs of her sister’s anxiety but asked anyway. :Indeg? Are … are you all right?:

Her sister turned, smiling in a way Arddun knew to be forced. :Of course.:

Arddun bit her lip, wondering best how to proceed. If Indeg hadn’t thought of her future, would it be wise to break it to her now?

Her sister folded her arms over her pale pink robes. :Spit it out, Arddun.:

:If Cynwal becomes the Esteemed…: She couldn’t go further.

Indeg’s smile grew thin. :I know, oh I know, but you needn’t worry. Cynwal and I talked about it before our handfasting. If he succeeds, I will always be his first wife and … and the child secures my place. Arddun, you needn’t worry.:

:But you are.:

Indeg’s gills flared in a sudden exhale. She pinned Arddun with a glare. :You went running off after Panawr. Don’t think I didn’t notice.:

Arddun wished her cheeks didn’t burn. :I didn’t run off. I wanted to give you two some privacy.:

Indeg’s eyebrow quirked upward. :I thought you had no interest in marrying into the royal family.:

:That’s true.: Arddun winced. She had protested over Indeg’s handfasting. Her stomach roiled. Had she been wrong to assist Panawr? To run after him like that? Had he even told her the truth about the Lady’s curse upon the caer?

Indeg was right to remind her of her resolve not to become involved with the royal family. She was supposed to be protecting her sister, not causing problems like encouraging Panawr’s fantasies. She felt sick. :You’re right. I think I’ve made a mistake there.:

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