Blaze

Chapter 3 of Act 3 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?

Arddun challenged the Esteemed, revealing the older woman’s plan to retire. She called for justice for her own attempted murder, for the four who refused to execute Trachmyr, and for Trachmyr himself. She agreed to have her case heard at the next session. Panawr and Arddun are reunited and recalled their long distance thought conversations. They kissed. Finally.

Arddun startled to attention, snatching her hand away from Panawr’s. She stumbled forward. She looked to the bard in confusion. :My case was last…:

The bard looked to the Esteemed. :A number of clients have become ill today, or are missing evidence, and other such reasons, and have asked for a delay. Arddun ferch Wyddel is next.:

Heart swelling with this unspoken support for her case, Arddun stepped to the foot of the dais and looked up at the Esteemed. :You saw the evidence for yourself.:

:Yes.:

:And that it was unprovoked.:

The Esteemed shrugged. :Who is to say what happened before you both stepped out onto the dais?:

:The provocation was to force Panawr into a false confession.: Arddun gritted her teeth and tried to keep her thoughts calm and even. She wanted to shout that the Esteemed had seen enough to know of her son’s plans and had chosen not to spare her.

The Esteemed waved a hand. :You do not need to say any more. I know all the particulars of this case and have spoken to my son about it. I understand you were badly hurt?:

Arddun nodded.

:Judgement was asked and judgement shall be given. As you have not died, you cannot ask for a life.:

:I have not, and I will not.: Arddun straightened her shoulders. :I asked for exile.:

:That is meant for the vilest criminal acts. If he had succeeded, perhaps. Cynwal will apologise to you—he’s handfasted to your sister, after all. I will mete out his punishment privately.:

Arddun shifted on her feet. It didn’t quite feel like justice to her. :I don’t object to his punishment being carried out privately but I’m sure your people would like to know how seriously you take his crime.:

:He’ll be confined to quarters without your sister—or any visitors—for a month. When he has expressed remorse to me, then he will apologise to you. Is that sufficient? Your sister will return home with you today.:

Arddun swallowed. She hadn’t communicated with Indeg since the attack. Her father had, at least, so Indeg knew she had survived. But Arddun had abandoned her for Trachmyr, for the four royal guardsmen, for Panawr, and that meant tough conversations ahead.

Arddun bowed. :Your clement decision is a kind one, Esteemed. Will you extend that kindness to Trachmyr?:

The Esteemed nodded. :Indeed I will.: She stood. :People of Caer Morgana! I have reflected upon my recent actions. Trachmyr ap Geir’s penalty was too harsh. I ask you to forgive a grieving grandmother.: She paused to sigh. :Although I no longer have a grandchild.:

She wiped her eye and spoke with renewed vigour. :I have heard your protests. I ask the Chief Bard to commit into the lore of our people that not even death may be punished by death. It can never be called upon as a punishment. Life indeed is too precious. Myself along with my family will continue to reflect upon our error and seek healing from this unhappy accident.:

Panawr stepped forward while those in the crowd whistled in approval. :Trachmyr ap Geir’s life cannot be returned to him. His family have lost their son, husband and father.:

The Esteemed resumed her seat. :They will continue to receive Trachmyr’s salary as a royal guard and an additional measure of sea-rice from the royal field. Will that satisfy?:

Panawr bowed. :I will check with the family and inform you of their response.:

:Bring them to me this afternoon. I would meet with them and make my apologies in person.:

Those in attendance sighed with her compassion and repentance.

The Esteemed stood. She looked out upon the gathering, who bubbled with hope instead of bitterness. :Know that I will always listen to your needs.: She delivered a deep bow, startling all. Everyone bowed to the Esteemed, but the Esteemed bowed to nobody.

With Rhydderch’s arm linked in hers, she processed from the Great Hall, Morfudd following. In her absence, the Great Hall buzzed with conversation and jubilation.

Panawr and Arddun looked at each other, unsmiling.

:That felt … too easy,: Panawr confessed.

Arddun nodded. :Eigr won everyone back to her side as well. How can we complain when we got what we said we wanted?:

:You’re happy with Cynwal’s punishment? It doesn’t satisfy me.: Panawr’s hands curled into fists.

She ran her fingers over the back of his hands, drawing close to him. :Me either. But as much as I want his intent to kill me to be punished, the fact is he didn’t.: She sighed. :I’m not looking forward to seeing my sister again. That’s going to be difficult.:

Panawr’s hands relaxed. He brushed the tip of her nose with a knuckle. :Stay with me tonight.:

Arddun blinked at him. :I can’t run away from this.:

:Agreed, but you can for one night.: He grinned. :Don’t look so concerned. My suite has a spare bedroom.:

Arddun blushed and she stuttered. :I—I wasn’t—!:

:We won’t.: He drew her into a close embrace. :You know we can’t. Today, we celebrate all we have achieved, and tomorrow you can deal with Indeg.:

Captain Cynddylig ap Esni bumped into Panawr’s shoulder. :You did it! I can’t believe you succeeded.: The man grinned from ear to ear and gave a knowing wink. :Am I interrupting?:

Panawr and Arddun hastily put space between them, vociferously denying the accusation. Their smiles betrayed them, however.

:Come, celebrate with my troop!: Cynddylig flung an arm around Panawr’s shoulder. :You can get romantic later.:

Panawr reached out and grabbed Arddun’s hand as Cynddylig dragged him through the rejoicing dreigiau môr.

Throughout Caer Morgana, in every public square, park or pub, dreigiau môr celebrated the release of the four royal guards and the overturning of Trachmyr’s verdict.

In one such park near her family home, they found Trachmyr’s extended family, red-eyed with grief and overcome by well-wishers surrounding them. Arddun embraced each of them, allowed them to cry on her shoulder, before they broke away to join in the celebrations.

Night descended.

Panawr led her through the caer to the palace. They ascended to the fourth floor, the highest level of the palace. He opened the door to his suite of chambers and entered, looking back when she failed to follow him.

She leaned against the doorjamb, a little breathless and tipsy. :You are so far from everyone.:

:These chambers became mine after the second healer died because of this.: He waved airily at his left arm. :When they determined I wasn’t as infectious as they feared, I decided not to move back to my old rooms.: His arm made a sweep of the interior. :This is more defensible.:

The room held only a stone couch, a table and chair. Nothing that signified Panawr as a royal son.

His hand dropped to his side. :Aren’t you coming in?:

Arddun swallowed, her gills hiccuping. :I was a guest of Cynwal and Indeg, but it’s just you.:

His smile tightened. :You’re my guest also. Let me show you where you will sleep. You’ve been on your feet all day and you’re still recovering. How do you feel?:

:My back tingles.:

He paused at that, and walked back her, weaving a little bit. :Tingles?:

:New nerve endings. The Chief Healer is a miracle worker.:

:I will send him a token of my gratitude.: Panawr grazed her cheek before taking her hand and leading her into the suite. Doors to different rooms stood opposite each other.

He opened one of the doors. :It’s not much. My mother used to stay here when I was young.: The bedchamber contained a bed and little else. She must have spent most of her time elsewhere.

Arddun sat on the bed. :You must miss her.:

:I do. She was my one ally after—: He smoothed his close-cropped beard. :I should leave you to rest.: He retreated, closing the door behind him.

Arddun lay down but before long, she sat back up again. She didn’t want to sleep. She padded out into the small antechamber and found Panawr looking out the window at the palace gardens. He had unbound his hair and it floated loose about him.

:I’m not ready to sleep,: she told him.

He turned, smiling. :Nor I.: He gestured to her to come closer. She settled within his arms, returning his smile with a happy one of her own.

Panawr bent forward. :I’ve been dreaming of this moment all day,: he murmured between light kisses upon her lips. :Now I can kiss you to my heart’s content.:

:And mine.: Arddun buried her hands in his hair at the nape of his neck. Their kissing grew fevered and then deepened as their lips parted to draw the other in. She clung to him, yearning for more than kisses.

Her hand slipped from his cheek, sliding down to rest against his chest, inching under the neck of his robe.

:Don’t—: Panawr broke the kiss, reaching for her hand.

She cried out, disappointed at the sudden absence of his mouth on hers.

:Oh Lady! Is it the disease? Arddun?: He grabbed her forearm.

Her lips rounded in a soft oh of surprise. She stared at his chest, where her hand rested flat against it, partially concealed by his robe. A golden glow emanated from beneath her palm. She couldn’t explain how but she felt warmth sink deep into his wounded flesh.

:Arddun?: Panawr’s thought sounded strangled. :What are you doing?:

Dazed, Arddun shook her head. :I know not. Maeve couldn’t make sense of my gift. Not a single chief was able to bring it forth for healing, botany, or …: She lifted her gaze from Panawr’s glowing chest to meet his concerned eyes. :Is this it, Panawr?: Her breath came in short gasps. :Was my gift meant for you? All this time?:

Arddun pulled away his robe with both hands, baring him to the waist. Where her hand had touched, the discolouration had faded.

She pressed her palm to the hard muscled plane of his chest, stained with the red-black-purple infection. Ever so slowly, she slid her palm across his skin to his shoulder. Panawr’s skin felt cold, hard, to her touch, like obsidian. How had he been able to use the arm?

His ice-cold flesh warmed beneath her touch. She caressed his bicep, trailing down to his elbow. The cold shiny black stone fell off in flakes and vanished.

The damage gone, Arddun smoothed her hand over his chest, shoulder and down his arm once more to be sure the infection had gone. One spot remained on his bicep. Her fingertips traced around the edge of it. A thick line, wider at each end. A flattened triangle lay beneath the line’s centre.

:I think this must have been where you were initially wounded.:

:Don’t touch it.: He shook his arm free of her grasp and twisted it out at an angle for a closer look. :I don’t see anything. Are you sure it’s still there?:

She squinted, scrunching up her nose. :Yes? Perhaps my gift allows me to see it?:

:Whatever it is, don’t touch it.: Panawr released a shaky breath, swiping his hand over his mouth. Giving a disbelieving shake of his head, he thought, :That could’ve gone very, very wrong.:

:But it didn’t.: The beginnings of a smile lifted the corners of her bemused lips.

They stared at each other with wonder. Hope flared in his eyes, then hers. Without breaking eye contact, Panawr reached for her belt and loosed it. :I have never been able to touch another, let alone allow myself to love them. Will you let me love you?:

:Yes,: she whispered.

He took her hand, drawing her away from the window toward his bedchamber. She couldn’t wait, closing the small distance between them, pulling him into her embrace. His mouth found hers and they lost all sense of direction, found only in each other. The backs of her legs bumped against the stone couch. They floated down onto its hard surface. There, with their robes parted, they pressed skin to skin. He covered her with his newly healed body.

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