May Earth Rise Read online

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Part 1

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Part 2

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Part 3

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Part 4

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  From the author of

  CRIMSON FIRE, NIGHT BIRDS’ REIGN and CRY OF SORROW

  BOOK FOUR OF THE DREAMER’S CYCLE

  HOLLY TAYLOR

  May Earth

  Rise

  Medallion Press, Inc.

  Printed in USA

  DEDICATION

  To Michelle Velona, who fights her battle with courage, dignity and grace. Thank you for teaching me how to be a friend.

  Published 2009 by Medallion Press, Inc.

  The MEDALLION PRESS LOGO

  is a registered trademark of Medallion Press, Inc.

  If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment from this “stripped book.”

  Copyright © 2009 by Holly Taylor

  Cover Illustration by Arturo Delgado

  Interior map by James Tampa

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law.

  Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Typeset in Adobe Garamond Pro

  Printed in the United States of America

  ISBN#978-193383657-7

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  First Edition

  If I break faith with you,

  May the skies fall upon me,

  May the seas drown me,

  May the earth rise and swallow me.

  A Kymric proverb

  LIST OF CHARACTERS

  IN KYMRU

  Y Dawnus (the Gifted)

  The Dreamers

  Gwydion ap Awst var Celemon: Dreamer of Kymru Dinaswyn ur Morvryn var Gwenllian: former Dreamer, Gwydion’s aunt, Myrrdin’s sister

  Cariadas ur Gwydion var Isalyn: Gwydion’s daughter and heir The Dewin

  Myrrdin ap Morvryn var Gwenllian: Gwydion’s uncle, Dinaswyn’s brother, former Ardewin and Arthur’s guardian Rhiannon ur Hefeydd var Indeg: former heir to the Ardewin, mother of Gwen

  Elstar ur Anieron var Ethyllt: Ardewin, daughter of Anieron, wife to Elidyr

  Llywelyn ap Elidyr var Elstar: Elstar’s oldest son and heir Morwen: a former teacher at Y Ty Dewin, a prisoner in Afalon Trephin: an accomplished doctor, a prisoner in Afalon Morgan ap Tud: a prisoner in Afalon

  The Druids

  Cathbad ap Goreu var Efa: Archdruid, Myrrdin’s cousin

  Aergol ap Custennin var Dinaswyn: Cathbad’s heir, Dinaswyn’s

  son

  Sinend ur Aergol var Eurgain: Aergol’s daughter and heir

  Menw ap Aergol var Ceindrech: Aergol’s son

  Ceindrech ur Elwystl: teacher of astronomy, mother of Menw

  Aldwr ap Tegid: teacher of mathematics

  Madryn ur Dyrys: teacher of religion

  Yrth ap Cyndyn: teacher of the almanac

  Hywel: assistant teacher of the almanac

  The Bards

  Elidyr ap Dudod var Llawen: Master Bard, husband to Elstar Dudod ap Cyvarnion var Hunydd: Elidyr’s father, Rhiannon’s uncle

  Cynfar ap Elidyr var Elstar: Elidyr’s youngest son and heir Elivri: an accomplished harpist, a prisoner in Afalon Maredudd: an old friend of Dudod’s, a prisoner in Afalon

  In Gwytheryn

  Havgan: the Warleader, Bana of Coriania, conqueror of Kymru, the Golden Man

  Sigerric of Apuldre: Over-General of Kymru

  Aelfwyn: Princess of Corania, Havgan’s wife

  Sledda of Cantware: Arch-wyrce-jaga of Kymru

  Eadwig of Pinenden: Arch-byshop of Kymru

  Arianrod ur Brychan var Arianllyn: cousin to Gwydion and Rhiannon,Havgan’s mistress

  Arthur ap Uthyr var Ygraine: High King of Kymru, Penerydd of Gwytheryn

  Gwenhwyfar ur Rhoram var Rhiannon: Rhoram’s daughter by Rhiannon

  Torgar: an old sailer in Havgan’s army

  Hild: a wyrce-jaga, formerly stationed in Maen, Prydyn

  Edwald: a guard at Caer Siddi

  Sigald: commander of the guards on Afalon

  Rhufon ap Casnar: Steward of Cadair Idris

  Tybion ap Rhufon: Rhufon’s son

  Lucan ap Tybion: Rhufon’s grandson

  In Gwynedd

  Madoc ap Rhodri var Rathtyen: traitorous King of Gwynedd, Lord of Rhos

  Tangwen ur Madoc var Bri: Madoc’s daughter Catha of Pecsaetan: Coranian General of Gwynedd Arday ur Medyr: mistress of King Madoc and General Catha Ecgfrith of Deorby: Byshop of Gwynedd

  Ygraine ur Custennin var Elwen: King Uthyr’s widow

  Morrigan ur Uthyr var Ygraine: true Queen of Gwynedd (House of PenHebog), Lady of Rhos, leader of the Cerddorian

  Cai ap Cynyr: Morrigan’s captain

  Bedwyr ap Bedrawd: Cai’s nephew and lieutenant

  Susanna ur Erim: Morrigan’s bard, mother of Gwyhar

  Gwyhar: bard, son of Susanna and Griffi

  Neuad ur Hetwin: Morrigan’s Dewin

  Duach ap Seithfed: a Cerddorian, Uthyr’s former doorkeeper, Lord of Dunoding

  Greid ap Gorwys: Master Smith of Gwynedd

  Dywel ap Gwyn: Gwarda of Ardudwy, brother to Bledri of Rheged,a Cerddorian

  Isgowen ur Banon: Lady of Arfon, leader of the Cerddorian in Coed Arllech

  Menwaed ap Medyr: traitorous Lord of Arllechwedd, brother of Arday

  Gildasa ur Caw: Lady of Llyn, Tangen’s aunt, a Cerddorian Cian ap Iaen: Lord of Eyri, brother of Griffi, a Cerddorian Cynwas Cwryfager: Gwarda of Aberffraw, a Cerddorian Teregund ap Moren: Gwarda of Arllech Uchaf, a Cerddorian

  In Prydyn

  Erfin ap Nudd: traitorous King of Prydyn, Efa’s brother Penda of Lindisfarne: Coranian General of Prydyn Eamer of Geddingas: Master wyrce-jaga of Prydyn Whitred of Sceaping: Byshop of Prydyn Ellywen ur Saidi: Erfin’s Druid

  Rhoram ap Rhydderch var Eurneid: true King of Prydyn (House of PenBlaid), Lord of Dyfed, leader of the Cerddorian Geriant ap Rhoram var Christina: Rhoram’s son and heir by his first wife

  Efa ur Nudd: Rhoram’s second wife, sister to King Erfin

  Achren ur Canhustyr: Rhoram’s captain

  Aidan ap Camber: Achren’s lieutenant

  Cian ap Menw: Rhoram’s bard, a prisoner in Afalon

  Cadell ap Brathach: Rhoram’s Dewin Dafydd Penfro: Rhoram’s counselor

  Lluched ur Brathach: Gwarda of Creuddyn, sister to Cadell, a Cerddorian

  Siwan ur Trephin: Master Smith of Prydyn

  Rhodri ap Erddufyl: former King of Gwynedd, Rhoram’s uncle, father of Madoc and

  Ellirri

  Marared ur Canhustyr: Lady of Brycheini
og, sister of Achren, coleader of the Cerddorian in Coed Gwyn

  Dadweir Heavy-Hand: Lord of Bychan, father of Sabrina of Rheged, co-leader of the Cerddorian in Coed Gwyn

  In Rheged

  Morcant Whledig: traitorous King of Rheged

  Enid ur Urien var Ellirri: Owein’s sister, Queen of Rheged

  Baldred of Tarbin: Coranian General of Rheged

  Saebald of Laewes: Master wyrce-jaga of Rheged

  Oswy of Gwyrin: Byshop of Rheged

  Bledri ap Gwyn: Morcant’s Dewin

  Owein ap Urien var Ellirri: true King of Rheged (House of PenMarch), Lord of Amgoed, leader of the Cerddorian

  Sanon ur Rhoram var Christina: Owein’s wife, Rhoram’s daughter by his first wife

  Rhiwallon ap Urien var Ellirri: Owein’s younger brother

  Trystan ap Naf: Owein’s captain

  Teleri ur Brysethach: Trystan’s lieutenant

  Sabrina ur Dadweir: Owein’s Druid

  Esyllt ur Maelwys: Owein’s bard, March’s wife

  Gwarae Golden-Hair: Gwarda of Ystlwyf, a Cerddorian

  Isgowen Whledig: Owein’s steward, sister to Morcant Wheldig

  March Y Meirchion: Esyllt’s husband

  Hetwin Silver-Brow: Lord of Gwinionydd, a Cerddorian

  Cynedyr the Wild: Hetwin’s son, a Cerddorian

  Menestyr ap naw: a cloth merchant, a secret Cerddorian

  Llyenog ap Glwys: Master Smith of Rheged

  Tyrnon Twrf Liant: Lord of Gwent, co-leader of the Cerddorian

  in Coed Sarrug Atlantas ur Naf: Lady of Maelienydd, co-leader of the Cerddorian in Coed Sarrug

  Feina ur Clustfeind: Gwarda of Llannerch, a Cerddorian Annyaws ur Menw: Gwarda of Iscoed, Cian’s sister, a Cerddorian Brys ap Brysethach: Gwarda of Mabudryd, Teleri’s brother, a Cerddorian

  Rhun Rhywdd: Lord of Gwarthaf, a Cerddorian

  In Ederynion

  Elen ur Olwen var Kilwch: captive Queen of Ederynion (House of PenAlarch), Lady of Ial

  Talorcan of Bernice: Coranian General of Ederynion Guthlac of Cyil: Master wyrce-jaga of Ederynion Cuthwine of Cyncacestir: Byshop of Ederynion Iago ap Cof: Elen’s Druid Regan ur Corfil: Elen’s Dewin

  Lludd ap Olwen var Kilwch: Elen’s brother, leader of the Cerddorian

  Angharad ur Ednyved: Lludd’s captain Emrys ap Naw: Angharad’s lieutenant Talhearn ap Coleas: Ludd’s bard

  Llwyd Cilcoed: Dewin, Queen Olwen’s former lover, brother to Alun Cilcoed

  Alun Cilcoed: former Lord of Arystli, a Cerddorian, brother of Llwyd

  Naf: a Cerddorian in Lludd’s teulu

  Efrei ap Gwifan: Master Smith of Ederynion

  Eiodar ur Ednyved: Gwarda of Iscoed, sister of Angharad, a Cerddorian

  Llawra ur Erim: Gwarda of Cynnlaith, sister of Susanna of Gwynedd, a Cerddorian

  Drwys Iron-Fist: Lord of Dinan, leader of the Cerddorian in Penbeullt

  Sima ur Naw: Gwarda of Is Feychan, sister of Emrys, a Cerddorian Cilyddas ur Cors: Lady of Rhwny, a Cerddorian Meilwen ur Neb: Lady of Cydewain, a Cerddorian

  Historical Figures

  Bran ap Iweridd var Fabel: Fifth Dreamer, Guardian of the Spear, one of the Great Ones of Lleu Silver-Hand

  Mannawyddan ap Iweridd var Fabel: Fifth Ardewin, Guardian of the Stone, one of the Great Ones of Lleu Silver-Hand Taliesin: Fifth Master Bard, Guardian of the Sword, one of the Great Ones of Lleu Silver-Hand

  Arywen ur Cadwy var Isabyr: Fifth Archdruid, Guardian of the Cauldron, one of the Great Ones of Lleu Silver-Hand Bloudewedd ur Sawyl var Eurolwyn: wife of Lleu Lawrient, lover to Gowrys of Penllyn, imprisoned in Drwys Idris by Bran the Dreamer

  Lleu Lawrient (Silver Hand): last High King of Kymru, murdered by Bloudewedd and her lover

  The Shining Ones

  Aertan: goddess of fate, The Weaver, wife of Annwyn Agrona: goddess of war, twin to Camulos, Y Rhyfelwr—the warrior twin

  Annwyn: god of death, Lord of Chaos and the Otherworld, husband of Aertan

  Camulos: god of war, twin to Agrona, Y Rhyfelwr—the warrior twin

  Cerridwen: Protectress of Kymru, Mistress of the Wild Hunt, Queen of the Wood, wife of Cerrunnos

  Cerrunnos: Protector of Kymru, Master of the Wild Hunt, Lord of

  the Animals, husband of Cerridwen

  Grannos the Header: god of healing, Star of the North

  Gwrach Y Rhibyn: The Washer at the Ford, incarnation of Agrona,a harbinger of war

  Mabon: King of the Sun, Lord of Fire, god of the Dreamers, husband of Nantsovelta

  Modron: mother godess, the Great Mother, goddess of the Druids, wife of Taran

  Nantsovelta: Queen of the Moon, Lady of the Waters, goddess of the Dewin, wife of Mabon

  Sirona of the Stars: goddess of stars, wife to Grannos

  Taran: father god, King of the Winds, god of the Bards, husband

  of Modron

  Dormath: the hound the guards the door to Gwlad yr Haf

  IN CORANIA

  Aesc: brother to Emperor Athelred, Warleader in Havgan’s absence

  Peada: Eorl of Lindisfarne, Penda’s father

  Readwyth: Penda’s son

  Athelred: Emperor of Corania

  Athelflaed: Empress of Corania

  Aesthryth: sister of Aesc and Athelbald, the former Queen of the Franks

  Part 1

  A Song of Freedom

  The sun rises when the morning comes,

  The mist rises from the meadow,

  The dew rises from the clover,

  But, oh, when will my heart arise?

  From Bran’s Poems of Sorrow

  Circa 275

  Prologue

  * * *

  Neuadd Gorsedd & Cadair Idris

  Gwytheryn, Kymru

  Helygen Mis, 500

  Llundydd, Lleihau Wythnos—night

  Sledda of Cantware, Arch-wyrce-jaga of Kymru, sat back in the Master Bard’s chair with a satisfied smile on his cruel, pale face. His silken black robe lay loosely against his bony flesh as he perched there like a night crow come to pick over the remains of the dead.

  His remaining eye glittered as he surveyed the Great Hall at Neuadd Gorsedd, the place that once was the college of the Bards. On the whitewashed stone wall above the Master Bard’s sapphire-studded chair hung the wyrce-jaga’s banner of black and gold. The velvety sable background shimmered in the torchlight as the tree stitched in golden thread glimmered in the flickering flames. Long gone was the Bard’s banner of white and blue; tearing the banner down had been one of the first things Sledda had done when he had been given this place for his own.

  Black-robed wyrce-jaga filled the tables set for the evening meal. Once, blue-robed bards had sat at those tables—but no more. Bards had not lived in Neuadd Gorsedd since the Coranians had come to Kymru. The Coranians had easily conquered those witches, driving them out of their colleges to hide in the mountains and forests of defeated Kymru. Soon, very soon, Havgan the Warleader would crush them all, and Kymru would truly belong to the sons of Lytir, the One God.

  Sitting in the ornately carved wooden chair that had once belonged to Anieron Master Bard filled Sledda with an even greater satisfaction—a far more personal one. For Sledda had been the one to kill the Master Bard in the dark dungeon of Eiodel those many months ago. It was Sledda who had had the honor of plunging his knife into the Master Bard’s heart, killing both the old man and the song he had been singing, a song heard within the mind of every man, woman and child in Kymru—Coranian and Kymri alike.

  Yet, though it had brought him satisfaction, killing the Master Bard had not even come close to the payment Sledda craved for the eye lost a few years ago to Ardeyrdd, the High Eagle of Kymru. The eagle had snatched away Sledda’s eye with its cruel claws, and that was something that the witches of Kymru must still pay for. He would never, never rest until the last one of them lay dead at his feet. And only then would he feel that something like true payment had been made.

  And payment would be made.

  True, Cada
ir Idris, the mountain hall of the High Kings of Kymru, was once again occupied. This was a problem, but not an insurmountable one. Arthur ap Uthyr might sit on the throne in that mountain and claim to be High King, but it did not matter. For Kymru still belonged to the Coranians, belonged to Havgan, not to Arthur.

  And what could one man and a handful of witches do against the might of the Coranian Empire? Resistance was, and had always been, futile. But the people of Kymru would recognize that the fight was over when the last of the witches, those that were called Y Dawnus, the Gifted, were dead. Dewin, Bards, and even Druids, the ostensible allies of the Coranians, would fall. And one day soon the Dreamer himself would die.

  And on that day Sledda would take the witch Rhiannon ur Hefeydd and do to her all the things he had dreamed of for so many years. She would not survive such treatment long, but it would be long enough.

  Her humiliation, her pain, her terror would consume him with pleasure and then, after a time, he would kill her. But that last gift from him would be long in coming. He had many, many things he must do to her first. Thoughts of her, bound and writhing beneath him consumed his mind. Thoughts of lashing her sweet, tender flesh until she begged and screamed for mercy set his body on fire. Thoughts of forcing her to pleasure him over and over again made him sweat and shake with longing.

  He would have her. And he would allow no one—not even Havgan—to stand in his way.

  He drank deeply from the crystal goblet of bardic blue that rested on the table in front of him. The fine wine of Prydyn trickled down his throat, easing, for the moment, the fire within him.

  They would cleanse this land of the taint of the witches. They would do it yet, and crush the Kymri beneath their heels once and for all. The Cerddorian, those ragtag bands of warriors that hid in the mountains and forests, would cease their futile resistance and surrender wholly to Havgan’s hands. Soon, the Dreamer himself would be captured, and brought to Havgan. Soon, Rhiannon would be his. Soon—