Death

Chapter 6 of Act 2 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?

The murder trial resumed. Cynwal, mad with grief, stabbed Arddun quite a bit, but especially when Panawr refused to confess. It turns out that Indeg holds the key to the truth in her memory of the incident.

Chin trembling, Indeg relayed her memory of the duel: the initial sparring as the two took each other’s measure and the brief flurry of short thrusts that followed. This cycle of circling and taking aim happened twice more. It ended in Cynwal taking sharp blow to the stomach. The replay of her memory happened in moments.

Indeg bent over, sobbing, hands covering her face.

:I know that was difficult and I am sorry for it.: Panawr knew he didn’t sound particularly apologetic. The faster he proved his innocence, the sooner he could rescue Arddun from Cynwal’s deadly grip. :Could you show us again? Are you able to slow down the time so we may see more clearly?:

Indeg shook her head, sinking to her knees and folding over.

:I promise I won’t let you revisit that last moment again.: Panawr allowed his thoughts to gentle, pitying Indeg. :Father, may I ask you to interpret? I ask Cynddylig ap Esni, the captain of our royal guards to confirm your words. That way, we can be sure there is no bias.:

:I do not wish to choose between my two sons,: Rhydderch declared. He left his place next to the throne and crouched by Indeg. :My dear, let me hold your hand. You’ve been through so much.: He shot a confused disappointed glance at Cynwal, a silent question of his failure to support his partner in this moment.

:Begin,: said the Esteemed, her face pale.

Indeg recalled the start of the duel. In her memory, Cynwal and Trachmyr stood side on to each other. They circled, the spear shafts held close to their bodies. Trachmyr engaged first with a flurry of jabs against Cynwal’s defences. Cynwal responded with a set of his own.

:Father, what are we seeing here?:

:A standard opening to any sparring session. They test each other’s reaction speeds and styles.:

:I agree.: Cynddylig nodded.

:Continue with the memory, if you please.: Panawr directed Indeg.

She sat back, her hand hidden within Rhydderch’s large paw.

In her displayed memory, the two engaged in earnest. The spears that had flashed almost too fast to see now slowed down.

:Father, could you explain what is going here? I’m sure to most people it looks like they’re poking at each other randomly.:

:Hardly random,: Rhydderch replied. :Sparring becomes a dance, a give and take while you search for the other’s weakness. To do that, you have to suggest an opening for the other to attack, retreat, find a fresh opening in your opponent’s defences, which opens you to a fresh attack, and so on.:

:Where did Trachmyr try to stab the prince?:

:Shoulder, knee, stomach, Trachmyr held back there, neck—: Rhydderch paused.

:Father?:

:Stomach.:

:Neck, then stomach,: Cynddylig confirmed.

:This is significant?: Panawr asked.

:Don’t make me relive this again,: moaned Indeg.

:Of course not, Indeg ferch Wyddel. You’ve endured more than enough.: Panawr’s cool tone held the smallest bit of sympathy.

She bowed her head, her body shaking with grief.

:The significance?: Panawr repeated.

:Usually you retreat as fast as possible, but Cynwal blocked Trachmyr. That should have been Trachmyr’s chance to finish him, but instead he backed off.:

:From what you recall from the duel, how many times did this happen?:

:Twice more,: Rhydderch said, and glanced at the Cynddylig for confirmation.

:Twice. Trachmyr broke off his attack, when Cynwal blocked instead of retreated,: Cynddylig agreed.

:But not the final time.: Rhydderch’s gaze narrowed, growing distant. :The last time, Cynwal’s spear swung a little too hard and thus left himself open a little longer before Trachmyr slipped through his defences.:

:Father, what are you saying?: Cynwal’s knuckles turned white from his tight grip on Arddun’s shoulder.

Rhydderch shook his head, putting his arm around Indeg and patting her shoulders.

:I made a mistake,: Trachmyr spoke. Panawr turned to him, begging him to be silent. Trachmyr ignored him. :The prince told all of us before we started that if we faced Cynwal, we must avoid his midsection at all costs. That the consequences would be too great if we forgot even with our blunted spears. I assumed it was because he’s a prince.: Trachmyr bowed his head. :But he kept dangling that opening at me.:

:Did you need to hit so hard?: The question came from Cynwal.

:You failed to recover your centre,: Trachmyr snapped. :I expected your spear to intercept mine.:

Cynwal’s gills thrummed against his neck. :Your confession, Panawr,: Cynwal demanded.

Arddun jerked at his words, air bubbling from her lips. Panawr imagined the blade twisting in her back. He did not have much time

:I suggest you consider your words carefully, brother,: the golden prince warned.

Panawr straightened his back and allowed his remorse to peek through. :I am at fault for not explaining to my fellow competitors why they needed to avoid Cynwal’s gut. I put the royal family’s secrets above the life of my niece or nephew. Had I told them, Trachmyr would not have forgotten in the heat of the fight.:

:And?: cooed Cynwal,. Arddun jerked, her eyelids drooping. :Confess your guilt, little brother.:

Panawr longed to reassure her, to beg her to hold on, but all would wonder at the private communication. He couldn’t incriminate her further. :I suspect you already knew I had done this to protect you and your unborn child. You tempted Trachmyr to attack you precisely there.:

:How dare you?: Indeg stumbled down a couple of steps toward the kneeling men. :He would never do that!:

Panawr turned his attention from the distraught Indeg to Cynwal. :I think it best we conclude this conversation privately.:

:I have nothing to hide.: Cynwal’s chin jerked upward. Arddun emitted a high-pitched yelp, the remaining colour draining from her face.

Panawr’s gills pulsed as he tried to bury his panic. He couldn’t let Arddun stay within Cynwal’s reach much longer. :I think you are hiding far too much,: he lashed.

:Enough!: The Esteemed raised a hand. :Let me render judgement so it is clear to all.: She straightened. :Everything I have heard today can be construed as opinion—:

:Eigr!: Rhydderch looked over his shoulder at his wife.

:Some of it, expert opinion,: the Esteemed amended. :There is no provable conspiracy. Arddun is foolish for offering advice without knowing how it would be used, but she is innocent. My own Consort’s testimony gives sufficient ambiguity that it could indeed be an accident, provoked by the same error my son made three times in a row. Untie Panawr now.:

Cynwal turned toward his mother, loosening his grip on Arddun. :Have you lost your mind? It’s so obvious! He’s working against us.:

The guards unfastened Panawr’s ropes. He shoved the ropes to the ground, rising to his feet. He took a step toward the throne, toward Arddun. Cynwal saw and pulled Arddun to him. The pain flashing across her face halted his steps.

:However,: the Esteemed continued, :my grandchild died. There is one who is definitely at fault for that, witnessed by many.:

Panawr’s gaze shot to the Esteemed. His eyes narrowed. :Esteemed, may I remind you that you just said it was an accident.:

:It could have been an accident,: she corrected.

Panawr’s gaze returned to Arddun, drooping in Cynwal’s arms. :Please,: he begged, :delay your decision until our family has had more time to mourn. This has been hard on all of us. There is also the question of the intentionality of Cynwal’s repeated error.:

:Do you have evidence?:

Panawr had to admit he didn’t. :I’d never have suspected my brother of such a thing until I saw Indeg’s memory. I need time.:

The Esteemed clutched at the throne’s arms, tiny particles of coral coming off with the force of her grip. :Advocate, you have said enough. I will decide.:

Panawr held his breath, pain flaring deep in his heart. He knew his step-mother’s words before she spoke them. He had to save Trachmyr and save Arddun, but could he do both?

Her gills flared once, twice. :Death, Trachmyr ap Geir, your sentence is death.:

Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Panawr stilled. :We dreigiau môr do not sentence a soul to death. Exile is the worst sentence, you cannot—:

:Silence!: thundered the Esteemed. :A child is rare. Who can say if Cynwal will carry another? My decision is final.:

Trachmyr still on his knees, bowed his head, shoulders slumping. Panawr stepped back and knelt beside him. :Mercy, Mother. I ask you, no, I beg you, for mercy, clemency—:

:Enough!: The Esteemed’s thought cracked on her shout. :Enough. It is decided. This concludes today’s court.: She rose, processing out, Rhydderch’s arm supporting her. Cynwal kept Arddun in front of him as he left. Indeg trailed them.

Panawr watched their progress, debating whether to follow. Arddun still lived. He had time. He turned from the dais, drawing Trachmyr to stand and clasped the bound man in a tight hug. :I will save you,: Panawr whispered the thought. :I will.:

:It’s no use,: Trachmyr replied. :What is done, is done. I’ve had an ill-fated life. Let me go, Panawr.:

The prison guards led away the condemned man.

:Panawr…: Arddun’s faint thought reached him.

She needed him. Panawr ran up the dais steps and through the door that led to the palace. In the antechamber, the Esteemed Eigr bent double in her Consort’s arms. Cynwal had released Arddun, holding an inconsolable Indeg. Arddun swayed in the current, somehow remaining standing.

On seeing his brother enter, Cynwal pulled the spearhead from its hiding place in his sleeve. He tugged Arddun to him, ignoring her cry of pain.

:I warned you,: Cynwal snarled. :I keep my word, little brother. You did not confess, so—:

Before Panawr could act, Cynwal plunged the spearhead deep into Arddun. She screamed, a thin wailing sound.

She collapsed, landing face-down. Blood streamed from multiple stab wounds in her back. Her eyes fluttered shut.

Panawr’s gills flattened against his neck. :A healer!: he called. :Now!: He dashed forward, sliding to his knees at her side. Indeg already knelt, pressing her hands over the gory gashes. His hands joined hers, cursing himself for not acting sooner. He never expected Cynwal to hurt her this badly, let alone go through with his threat of killing her. ‘Lady,’ he begged. ‘Save her!’

The Esteemed’s own healer arrived, halting when he saw Cynwal’s dripping spearhead. :What has happened here?:

:An accident,: Rhydderch said, avoiding his younger son’s horrified and disbelieving gaze. Even now he took Cynwal’s side, the son of his one true love.

The chief healer knelt and set to work. The blood flow slowed but continued oozing. The healer looked up. :I need assistance!:

The Esteemed slumped forward, blood staining her lips.

:Mother!: cried Cynwal. He grabbed the chief healer by the shoulder. :Leave her. The Esteemed is your first priority.:

:I have already called for more healers to attend.: The chief healer abandoned Arddun and went to aid the collapsed ruler. The room soon filled with additional healers and just as soon emptied, the Esteemed and her healing team leaving first. The healer caring for Arddun paused on the way out. :We will take her to the Golden Prince’s chambers.:

:Not there.: Panawr swallowed. :Stabilise her in the guards’ barracks and then take her home.:

The room empty, Indeg turned to face Panawr, her hands red with her sister’s blood. :What did you mean when you said Cynwal did it on purpose? He promised me our baby would be safe.:

Panawr shook his head. :I have no proof. I found it odd he made the same mistake so many times. His stomach should have been the most protected part of his body, at the risk of incurring injury elsewhere. You’ll have to ask him.:

Indeg’s lips thinned. The knuckles of her clasped hands turned white through the rivulets of Arddun’s blood.

:It could just be an accident,: Panawr soothed. He felt sorry for the woman, caught between her heart and her partner’s ambition. :Has he practiced since the two of you were handfasted?:

Indeg’s lower lip trembled. :No. That… that could be why, couldn’t it?: She bowed her head. :I need to see him.: She hurried from the ante-chamber, leaving him alone.

Panawr exhaled a slow, shaky breath. Part of him really wanted to twist the knife and sow discord between Cynwal and Indeg. The unborn child could have been a sacrifice for a stronger alliance with another caer family. Yet his brother grieved… He may have succeeded separating them even though he had held back for Arddun’s sake.

Arddun. His chest tightened. He needed to find out if Arddun survived, and then he needed to save Trachmyr.

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