Glow

Chapter 2 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?

Panawr tried to help Trachmyr escape, but failed. Trachmyr is executed personally by Cynwal. This meant Panawr failed the Goddess by not saving Trachmyr’s life. Panawr defended the four initially slated as executioners but who refused. Arddun made a dramatic appearance.

:How are you even alive?: Cynwal demanded, his hands curled upon his knees.

Ardunn’s gaze flicked to Cynwal’s face and then away in clear dismissal. :If I were not, my father would be asking for justice in my place.:

:I will not hear these cases, Arddun ferch Wyddel.: The Esteemed rose. :I will hear no more from anybody today.: She looked down her nose at Arddun. :You know how to find an advocate and bring your case at the appropriate time, girl.:

:The time is now. If you will not hear it, perhaps it is time for a new Esteemed. You talked of stepping down months ago.:

:That was not—: The Esteemed paused and reduced the audience to her thoughts to her family and Arddun. :That’s not meant to be public knowledge.:

:Maybe you should have thought of that before allowing your son to get away with trying to kill me.: Arddun continued to broadcast her thoughts. :There are many witnesses who saw him use me to provoke Panawr into false testimony.:

The Esteemed folded her arms. :I suppose you want death for him.:

Arddun snorted, the bubbles escaping her nose, so none missed her disdain. :Exile. Exile for what he tried to do to me and for his murder of Trachmyr.:

Rhydderch touched the Esteemed’s elbow. :You are asking us to convict our son.: He spoke with gentle compassion. :Perhaps you don’t know that while you recovered from your wounds, Cynwal underwent intensive healing—:

:—And that is why four of your own guards are on trial today? Because Cynwal is healed from his madness? My sister also lost the same child and yet I don’t see her killing anyone.:

:I wanted revenge too,: Indeg murmured. Panawr realised he’d seen little of her over the months. She seemed a shadow of her former self. :Forgive me, I didn’t think Cynwal would go so far.:

:You cannot force me to do this,: the Esteemed ground out. :There are proper procedures, etiquette…:

:And will I be silenced while I wait? Will you give me your guarantee that neither I nor my supporters will be harmed by your family, or their orders, while we wait for you to hear this trial, to reach a verdict?:

The Esteemed nodded. :Today’s court session is at an end.: She rose and made a slow progression out the side door, Rhydderch by her side. Cynwal scowled at Arddun before following them, along with the rest of the royal family.

Panawr watched Arddun’s followers congratulate her before they left the Great Hall. Her father talked with her a while. He glanced Panawr’s way and with a nod to the prince, took his leave.

Panawr stared at her for what felt like a long time. Then he stepped towards her and embraced her, pulling her to his right shoulder. :Arddun.: He buried his face in her hair. :Forgive me for risking your life like that?:

She clasped him around the waist. :You’re already forgiven,: she murmured into his robe. She sighed. :I thought I’d never see you again.:

:I wanted to.: He stroked her hair. :Your father had very firm thoughts on the matter, but when you reached out to me—:

Arddun chuckled, smiling into his shoulder. :I remember. You were very drunk…:

Arddun woke in a dark room whose lights refused to come on at her bidding. The last thing she remembered was being held hostage in the Great Hall. :Panawr?:

:Arddun? Oh by the Lady, you’re alive? You’re awake?:

:Yes and yes. The room is dark. I don’t know where I am.:

:In your home, Arddun. It’ll be all right. I’ll tell your father you’re awake.:

:Wait!:

:Mmm?:

:Your words are slurring. You haven’t gone and done something stupid, have you? How long have I been unconscious?:

:Too long,: Panawr told her. :And while I’ve been very tempted to avenge you and Trachmyr, I’m afraid grief has had the upper hand. I’ve sought oblivion.:

:Speaking of vengeance…:

:You need to stay out of this.:

:Like hell. I’ve been named as an ally, even if Eigr found me innocent. You can’t expect me to stay out of this now. We need to bring Cynwal to justice. Unless it’s asking too much of you to fight your family?:

:I’ve fought them for years.: That knowledge didn’t make it any easier.: Exile will never happen. Cynwal’s her heir.:

:Eigr knows what she needs to do. At least, I don’t expect full exile for him, but there needs to be something.: She paused.

Her silence went on for so long, Panawr feared she’d fallen unconscious again. :Arddun?:

Her thought came to him, trembling and frightened. :My legs won’t move.:

:It proved we didn’t have to be in the same space to work together.: Panawr nuzzled her neck.

:But I have to say—: Her arms tightened about his waist. :I much prefer it.:

It hadn’t all been talk of vengeance. He’d encouraged Arddun throughout her painful recovery, until the healers knit together the strands of nerves shattered by Cynwal’s blade and her limbs obeyed her again. They talked about everything and nothing, from finding allies amongst the Caer Morgana community to their favourite coral.

The distance between the palace and her home became nothing and yet everything.

Panawr stroked her hair, gazing into her dark eyes. :I—I missed you. To see you before me like this is truly a miracle.:

Arddun looked over his shoulder toward the Great Hall’s exit. :Father finds it hard to believe too. He didn’t want to leave just now.:

:I don’t blame him. The palace has caused you no end of trouble.:

:The palace brought me you.:

:And didn’t I turn out to be a very fine nursemaid?: He broke the embrace, grinning.

She tapped his bearded chin and offered a small smile of her own. :And friend. And…: Her fingertip traced his lower lip.

Panawr went utterly still. :Arddun, I’ve grown to care for you—a lot—but you know we can’t be intimate.:

She touched his left shoulder. :It’s still spreading?:

He nodded. :It’s almost reached my wrist.:

Arddun sucked in a pained breath through her gills. :You never said. How long do you have?:

:Long enough.:

Panawr…: she warned.

:I don’t know. Nobody knows what this poison or infection is or why I am able to endure it when others have quickly died.:

Arddun regarded him for a long time. :I remember that night in the dungeon with you. The things you spoke of … of love. You’re—you’re the other reason I have come back to the palace.: She cupped his face with her hands and kissed him.

:Arddun, don’t.: Panawr groaned. His hands covered hers, fingers curling under her palms.

She kept her lips pressed against his, refusing to be pried loose. :If you are to die, you should at least know love,: she thought, keeping her mouth against his. The tip of her tongue teased for a deeper kiss.

:But you could die—:

:The poison hasn’t spread to your cheeks or to your mouth. If it’s because you don’t desire me, don’t love me, I’ll stop.:

Panawr surrendered, opening his mouth to hers. He buried his hands deep in her hair. Their slow kisses lingered in a drowsy exploration. His beard tickled her lips and chin. For a time, this contented them both. At last, his mouth trailed along the line of her jaw and butterflied over the gills on her neck.

Arddun bared her throat to him. Her hand slipped from his cheek, tracing his jaw, before sliding lower.

:No.: Panawr grabbed her hand, breaking off his kisses. :You can’t, Arddun. It’s too dangerous.:

She shook her hand free of his and peered into his eyes. :I don’t—I don’t fear it, Panawr.:

He sighed and broke off the embrace, setting her away from him. :I do.:

Arddun stepped back. :We promised to go to The Spear Point to speak with the royal guards and their families. We should get going.:

His smile wavered a little, his eyes a bit too bright. :It’s time they saw us working together.:

She held out her hand and he took it. Side by side, they left the Great Hall. Located close to the palace, The Spear Point acted as a regular haunt of royal guards and palace staff. A two storey building, the ground floor consisted of a cavernous room, full of supporting calcite columns, long tables and benches.

Those gathered spotted Arddun and Panawr and an approving cheer met them. Panawr released her hand, only to rest it on her lower back as they navigated their way through the crowded space.

One woman grabbed Arddun’s hand. :Do you think we can save them?: The red sash marked her as a royal guard.

Arddun squeezed her hand. :I hope we do.:

Panawr led her to the bar and hoisted her up to sit upon it. He joined her. The low ceiling lay less than a handspan above their heads. Two large bowls, brimming with medd reismôr, found their way into their hands.

Panawr raised his and the gathered dreigiau môr quietened a little, a hubbub of conversation still running strong. :For justice!:

:Justice!: they hollered in response. All drank from their bowls. Panawr drained his.

:The next justice court is scheduled in two days. This time, Arddun’s name—: He gathered her hand in his and squeezed. :Her name will be on the list and our case will be heard. Justice for Arddun and for the Four.:

:Arddun and the Four!: they bellowed in response.

Arddun leant over to him and whispered, :We should have come earlier. They are well into their cups.:

Panawr turned from having his bowl refilled with medd reismôr. He grinned. :It doesn’t matter. The time for convincing is past. They all know what’s at stake, what we risk.:

She reached for his hand and squeezed it.

He faced the gathered crowd. :We need your continued and loud support. You must speak from the heart and to all when the time comes. You will know when it’s time.:

This received a roar of approval.

Panawr grinned. :You know the risk involved. If Arddun and I could do this on our own, we would spare you the danger, but—:

:And let you two have all the fun?: yelled someone from the back.

Nervous laughter dotted the room.

:We remember that life is precious. Ours and those who disagree with us. Our voices will be heard.: He raised his bowl high. :Thank you all. I suspect it’s past time to let you drink and enjoy your night off.:

He slid off the bar. Arddun reached for him and he helped her down. She landed with his arms about her, which provoked a few whistles and calls of encouragement.

Their blushes made the encouraging worse. Waving them off, Panawr found two spare seats at the end of a long table. They sat, bowls still in hand and listened to the conversations flow around them.

Captain Cynddylig shooed away the guard sitting next to Panawr and claimed his seat. He glared at Arddun. :You threatened her today.:

Panawr propped his chin on his hand and beamed at Arddun. :I know. Wasn’t she incredible?:

Arddun ducked her head with a small smile. :Don’t worry, Cynddylig. We’re doing this by the book.:

:What did you mean when you told her you’d make justice?:

:Everyone now knows the Esteemed is planning to resign. We will encourage her to do so.: Arddun gentled her voice. :Eigr is ill, and not expected to improve. It is a sad thing for us, but the wisdom says a healthy Esteemed sits upon the throne, not an ailing one.:

:Arddun, that sounds awfully like—:

:Politicking. She resigns, the Council calls an election and everyone gets to vote. Who wins then is not up to us. It could be anyone.:

:But you want Panawr to win.:

She smiled. :Of course. Don’t you?:

A couple of hours later, Arddun and Panawr emerged from The Spear Point, the evening water cool upon their heated faces.

:I’ll walk you home.: Panawr swayed and dipped, but kept upright.

Arddun linked her arm with his, leaning against him. :You are drunker than I am. Perhaps I should walk you back to the palace.:

He snorted. :I’ll be fine.:

She walked with him towards the palace. Panawr’s face turned up to the membrane that covered the caer.

:What are you looking at?: Arddun followed his gaze but saw nothing remarkable.

He stopped walking, continuing to stare into the night-dark sea. :Just wondering…wondering what it’s like out there.:

Arddun frowned and tugged on the sleeve of the robe. :You’ve been out there before.:

:Not since I became an adult. I loved it — until the attack.: He looked down at her. They continued walking toward the palace. :One of the healers took me out through the palace gate. His specialty was healing in our dreigiau môr form. Out there, my wounds are no longer covered by my robes but visibly embedded into my scales and…:

Panawr’s gills flexed as he tried to steady his breathing and failed. :And they oozed. That healer died. Nobody was allowed to leave the palace gate for a month in case some part of the infection lingered.:

From behind, Arddun slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him close. She pressed her lips against his right shoulder. :Once you’re the Esteemed…:

:Not a sure thing by any means.: Panawr rested his head against the crown of her head.

:Did they ever catch the monster? I don’t remember about any of this.:

:My father went searching with a contingent of guards and came up empty-handed. Whatever it was rose from somewhere far deeper than Maeve’s lair. It hasn’t been seen since. At the time, and even now, I can’t coherently comprehend what I saw. I remember razor-sharp teeth and lots of hair, sharp as knives…:

They looked up through the caer’s membrane. Pressed to him, Panawr’s warmth brought Arddun comfort and a sense of wonder. Just a few months ago, she would never have imagined becoming entangled with a prince, and yet she held one in her arms with no regrets.

She loosened her grasp and he turned, capturing her face with his hands and kissing her. Arddun clung to him, their kisses growing hungrier and hungrier.

Panawr broke off, his chest heaving, his gills flaring wide. :We can’t continue like this.:

Arddun traced the line of his jaw, over the stubble of his short beard. :Kisses are enough.:

:They aren’t enough,: Panawr growled. :Not being able to safely cherish you will become our breaking, Arddun.:

Her chest grew tight with the horrid idea of separation. :There’s no need to rush. We can enjoy each other just like this, enjoy spending time together, until you become the Esteemed.: She laced her fingers behind his head. :I will have no regrets.:

:Don’t say you will stay with me until the end. At some point, it won’t be safe for anyone to be near me.:

Arddun shuddered. Her nose brushed his, their foreheads touching. :I won’t desert you. Mind to mind, I will stay with you, even if I can’t physically be near you.: Her fingers tightened in his long hair. :And I will fight parting from you.:

:Arddun,: Panawr groaned, claiming her mouth in a deep kiss that ended all too soon. :I think I better walk the rest of the way home by myself before the alcohol makes me persist in such foolishness.: He traced her bottom lip with his thumb. :Such delicious foolishness.:

He hastened away into the night, leaving Arddun to stare after him in bemusement.

In between gauging and coaxing support from among Caer Morgana’s citizens, Panawr and Arddun spent their time walking arm in arm, occasionally sneaking off into secluded corners to exchange kisses. The day soon dawned for the next justice court session.

Arddun checked in with the bard in charge of the day’s proceedings. Her case had made it onto the list for the day, but toward the bottom. The day would likely be over before her turn came.

She let her supporters know, and some grumbled, but most decided to wait with her in the Great Hall. All agreed to spread the word about the likelihood of not being heard that day.

The Esteemed entered the Great Hall from the palace, followed by Rhydderch and Morfudd. Arddun tried not to read anything into Cynwal’s absence. Eigr took her place on the throne. Rhydderch sat on a smaller chair beside her, while Morfudd sat upon a lower step.

Silence settled over the packed space. The trial for the four guards would be completed before any new cases came before the Esteemed. Arddun stood near the front of the hall so she could watch Panawr’s advocacy at work.

The Esteemed Eigr sighed. :Let’s begin.:

Panawr stepped forward.

:No need to speak, son of my husband,: the Esteemed intoned. :I have been meditating on this case. Regarding the four royal guards who refused to carry out their orders. They are guilty.:

The crowd gasped, angered comments rising.

The Esteemed held her hand up for silence. :As they have been imprisoned while waiting to hear the verdict, their punishment is already complete. They are now free to return to their duties, if they wish. This is my judgement. Next case.:

Cheers and celebrations drowned out her last words. Panawr and Arddun smiled at each other. He stepped aside, joining her in the crowd. His fingers bumped against hers and returned again to claim her hand in his.

Arddun failed to pay attention to the case that followed. Panawr’s thumb traced small circles on her palm. If she focused on that alone, she’d collapse into a puddle but if she kept rehearsing the particulars of her case and confronting the Esteemed, she’d leap out of her skin with anxiety. Better to focus on those small circles and her breathing.

:Next case.:

:Arddun ferch Wyddel,: the bard called.

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