Dust

Chapter 5 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?

Arddun got Panawr’s confession and believed him. She learned his deadly secret, a monster-inflicted infection that kills other dreigiau môr on contact. Cynwal told Panawr to confess to orchestrating the murder or he’ll kill Arddun.

:Behave yourself: Cynwal murmured, his arm slung around Arddun’s shoulders. Concealed within Cynwal’s long sleeve, he held the spearhead to her side. They walked along a broad hallway toward the Great Hall. Indeg followed close behind. :If you make any sound or movement to suggest we are anything other than friendly, I will make sure you pay for it later. Do you understand?:

Arddun’s gills fluttered. :Yes.:

The royal family gathered in the antechamber, waiting to proceed into the Great Hall. The Esteemed Eigr sat on a chair, her eyes closed. Her Consort stood at her side, a hand resting on her shoulder.

Rhydderch looked up from his concerned perusal of the Esteemed. :Cynwal, I hope—: His frown deepened. :What are you doing?:

Arddun gazed up at Cynwal, searching his expression as she had when he’d woken her not half an hour ago. She’d slept so soundly that not even his weight on her bed woke her. Her eyes opened when he’d broken his spell. She shivered.

:Don’t worry, Father. Indeg still has my heart. This is all for Panawr’s benefit. Arddun has wisely chosen my side in this matter.:

:But—: Arddun sucked in a breath, unable to complete her thought, the spearhead poking into her side. It did not break the skin, but warned her that Cynwal would not stop next time.

The Esteemed Eigr fixed him with a motherly glare. :Do you have what you need to convict Panawr?:

:Of course.:

Her gaze met Arddun’s, assessing her. Arddun realised the Esteemed knew Cynwal forced her cooperation. :Without Arddun?:

Cynwal gave her a little shove away from him. :She’s his weakness. Are you telling me not to use her?:

Eigr considered the two of them. :My golden son, you are sick with grief, as are we all. Use her, but do not forget that one day soon you’ll be the one sitting in judgement. Do not embarrass or disappoint me.: She rose. :Let us proceed.: She gave Cynwal and Arddun one last, searching look. :Be careful, my son.:

They processed into the Great Hall. The Esteemed sat upon the throne, Rhydderch stood at her side. Cynwal descended a few steps but remained standing with Arddun in his sharp, one-armed embrace. Indeg settled on the top step near them.

Escorted by guards, Panawr and Trachmyr, trussed in thick red ropes, entered from a side door and stood before the throne. Trachmyr exceeded Panawr’s bruises by several degrees. One eye had swollen shut and bruises weltered such that even his robes had darkened.

:Kneel,: The Esteemed Eigr commanded. The two descended to their knees.

The point of Cynwal’s spearhead prodded her back in warning. Arddun kept stiff and still.

The Esteemed looked across at her son. :Cynwal, what is your evidence?:

Cynwal shifted to bow his head toward his mother. :Panawr’s friend Teithi ap Rhun is willing to testify that this murderous attack was planned ahead of time. Panawr himself has agreed to confess.:

:I’ve done no such thing.: Panawr’s stillness echoed the ice in his words.

The tip of Cynwal’s blade penetrated Arddun’s skin. She hissed in pain. Panawr’s gaze shot to hers. Her gaze pled with him, but whether to save her or himself, she couldn’t say.

Panawr tore his agonised gaze away from Arddun, smoothing his features into a nonchalant mask. :I have evidence to prove my innocence, to prove this was an accident.: Panawr looked to the Esteemed. :Will you hear their testimony?:

:My witness will be heard first.: Cynwal tightened his grip on Arddun’s shoulder. His blade pushed in deeper. She bit her lip, her gills flat against her neck.

Panawr cast his gaze over Arddun and Cynwal. He didn’t show any sign of noticing her distress. He nodded. :As you wish.:

:And then your confession,: Cynwal corrected.

Panawr shrugged.

The Esteemed Eigr waved, her hand drooping. :Very well. Teithi ap Rhun, come forward.:

The brown-robed draig môr moved to the front of the crowd and bowed deeply toward the throne.

Cynwal snarled. :Tell them exactly what you told me.:

Teithi folded his hands inside the long sleeves of his robe. :The idea for the competition came from Arddun ferch Wyddel. Panawr planned to show off his prowess and defeat Cynwal if possible.:

The gathered dreigiau môr rumbled at this.

:Arddun, you plotted this?: The Esteemed Eigr leaned toward her and Cynwal. :Should I have you before me with the other murderers?:

Cynwal stepped back from her, the blade leaving her flesh.

Biting her lower lip, Arddun sketched a faint bow, her body swaying. A hot wetness pooled in the small of her back, and then slid down her leg. Her breath came fast. :I suggested the idea as a way for the caer to know him better.:

:Tell the rest of it, Teithi,: Cynwal rumbled.

:I have said all I know.:

:Liar! You told me you conspired with these two traitors to have me killed.:

Teithi’s polite smile grew thin. :I told you that so you wouldn’t torture me further. It was pretty obvious what you wanted to hear. However, I don’t dare lie before the Esteemed.:

Enraged, Cynwal turned to his mother, grabbing Arddun’s upper arm and drawing her to him, the spear point sliding into her back again. :He lies! He—:

The Esteemed stopped him with a wave of her hand. :It is a special gift to know when the truth is told. Too bad it is a rare one, else I’d have someone verify this. This is all the evidence you could gather?: Her cool thought verged upon scorn. Her gaze encompassed the accused. :Panawr? Can you do any better?:

:I wouldn’t like to disappoint you, Esteemed. I call Indeg ferch Wyddel to give witness.:

:Me?: Indeg leaned back, looking ready to scramble away. :You can’t think that I’ll agree to this—:

:All I need is your memory, Princess,: Panawr soothed in soft tones. :You’re the only one I know for certain who never took your eyes off the Golden Prince. Moreover, you don’t possess the skills needed to interpret what you saw and thus be able to change that memory.:

Cynwal’s concealed blade penetrated further into Arddun’s back. Nobody said anything. How could anyone present see the agony on her face and stay silent? Do nothing? And yet, not one in the crowd spoke for her. :How dare you subject her to this?: Cynwal shouted. :We lost a child!:

Panawr’s expression lacked any emotion. :I agree she can’t be an impartial witness but I’m not asking her to be. I’m asking Father to be that person.:

Rhydderch straightened. :Son, what are you planning?:

:I’ll explain in a moment. Indeg, if you could share your memory of that fateful duel from the very beginning?:

Indeg looked to her partner for support. All of Cynwal’s focus remained on his brother.

:Indeg, dear girl, show us.: The Esteemed sighed. :None of us can know exactly what you saw. You may exonerate these two dreigiau môr or you may condemn them with your memory, or be of no help at all.:

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