summoned. Autumn had been declared.
Riding on the wind the call was lifted up and away, rippling over the hills and mountains, through field and vale carrying its message far and wide. Down it sped to the shores of Llanberis Lake, throbbing through the darkest waters to the hidden caves beneath, reaching the sleeping occupant cradled within. Gwrnach’s sparkling eyes snapped open, his black plaited beard splitting to show a broad toothy smile.
On it flew to the Coed y Brennin forest, sweeping through the trees and skimming the forest floor until it pierced the mossy mantel of Cadno’s lair, where he stirred and stretched luxuriously.
On and on, rushing, rippling. Gwydion, Gryff, Brenig, Llud and Celyn-Bach were the next to hear the call, yawning and stirring from their slumber. Last to be summoned was Bran, short tempered and inimical, he growled at the intrusion and flexed his fleshy fists. Its purpose complete, the call faded into the darkening sky, spent and silent.
Afagddu wiped the spittle off his lips as the last note faded, carried away on the evening breeze that blew through the saddle of the mountains.
Druids were sent scurrying in all directions in preparation for the arrival of the Bwy Hir soon to descend upon the Halls of the Druid.
The vast kitchens housed in the lower floors sprang into action. Cooks and lackeys alike bustling to stoke fires and prepare a feast magnificent enough to sate the most ravenous of the assembly just woken from sleep.
To call the male Bwy Hir from slumber this early was rare and Afagddu couldn’t fathom the reasons for Aeron’s sudden haste. Afagddu flinched at the knot in his stomach. Aeron had unsettled him, his new found strength and sudden vitality were disturbing enough, but this new guile and peevishness was unnerving and Afagddu hated how it left him feeling so vulnerable.
Afagddu descended from the bartizan and made his presence felt in every nook and cranny of the halls below. Nothing would go wrong tonight, everything would be perfect for the reunion of the Bwy Hir Host, he would see to it himself. He would give no reason to anger Aeron further. Afagddu hadn’t missed Aeron’s deliberate display of power as he’d dismissively lit the fire – his antagonistic reminder of the vows undertaken by every Druid initiate and the barbs hidden within every Bwy Hir bequest. He ground his teeth in vexation; he preferred it when Aeron slept.
Afagddu strode past the Hall of Mirrors and twisted his head to watch Druids passing in and out of the ranks of mirrors fastened to the walls. He was always drawn to the marvel of glass melting into mist and solidifying to reflect the perfect moonlight shining onto each mirror from the ingenious system of angled reflective plates rigged in perfect angles up through the ceiling to reach the open sky far above their heads to reflect the sky back down to each of the Druid mirrors that had a twin in every Chosen house. These were the doors to the Chosen; a Druid could be standing in a Chosen house in a second by simply walking through the misted mirror to the other side. These were another gift from the Bwy Hir and although they were a poor cousin to the Cerdd Carega, they were invaluable to the Druids nevertheless.
Satisfied nothing was amiss in the Hall of Mirrors, Afagddu continued on into the Great Hall to oversee the preparations personally. Berry -sprinkled garlands were draped from the huge candlelit iron sconces suspended from the cavernous ceiling. A roaring fire blazed in both fireplaces set at each end of the hall, barrels of beer and mead were rolled into position against another wall next to tables laden with bread, cheeses, fruits and cold meats.
A feast of venison and swan was being prepared by the most senior of cooks, the less er relegated to preparation of the copious quantities of accompanying vegetables.
The most accomplished bards would be summoned to entertain later in the evening and the sound of harps and strong
Riding on the wind the call was lifted up and away, rippling over the hills and mountains, through field and vale carrying its message far and wide. Down it sped to the shores of Llanberis Lake, throbbing through the darkest waters to the hidden caves beneath, reaching the sleeping occupant cradled within. Gwrnach’s sparkling eyes snapped open, his black plaited beard splitting to show a broad toothy smile.
On it flew to the Coed y Brennin forest, sweeping through the trees and skimming the forest floor until it pierced the mossy mantel of Cadno’s lair, where he stirred and stretched luxuriously.
On and on, rushing, rippling. Gwydion, Gryff, Brenig, Llud and Celyn-Bach were the next to hear the call, yawning and stirring from their slumber. Last to be summoned was Bran, short tempered and inimical, he growled at the intrusion and flexed his fleshy fists. Its purpose complete, the call faded into the darkening sky, spent and silent.
Afagddu wiped the spittle off his lips as the last note faded, carried away on the evening breeze that blew through the saddle of the mountains.
Druids were sent scurrying in all directions in preparation for the arrival of the Bwy Hir soon to descend upon the Halls of the Druid.
The vast kitchens housed in the lower floors sprang into action. Cooks and lackeys alike bustling to stoke fires and prepare a feast magnificent enough to sate the most ravenous of the assembly just woken from sleep.
To call the male Bwy Hir from slumber this early was rare and Afagddu couldn’t fathom the reasons for Aeron’s sudden haste. Afagddu flinched at the knot in his stomach. Aeron had unsettled him, his new found strength and sudden vitality were disturbing enough, but this new guile and peevishness was unnerving and Afagddu hated how it left him feeling so vulnerable.
Afagddu descended from the bartizan and made his presence felt in every nook and cranny of the halls below. Nothing would go wrong tonight, everything would be perfect for the reunion of the Bwy Hir Host, he would see to it himself. He would give no reason to anger Aeron further. Afagddu hadn’t missed Aeron’s deliberate display of power as he’d dismissively lit the fire – his antagonistic reminder of the vows undertaken by every Druid initiate and the barbs hidden within every Bwy Hir bequest. He ground his teeth in vexation; he preferred it when Aeron slept.
Afagddu strode past the Hall of Mirrors and twisted his head to watch Druids passing in and out of the ranks of mirrors fastened to the walls. He was always drawn to the marvel of glass melting into mist and solidifying to reflect the perfect moonlight shining onto each mirror from the ingenious system of angled reflective plates rigged in perfect angles up through the ceiling to reach the open sky far above their heads to reflect the sky back down to each of the Druid mirrors that had a twin in every Chosen house. These were the doors to the Chosen; a Druid could be standing in a Chosen house in a second by simply walking through the misted mirror to the other side. These were another gift from the Bwy Hir and although they were a poor cousin to the Cerdd Carega, they were invaluable to the Druids nevertheless.
Satisfied nothing was amiss in the Hall of Mirrors, Afagddu continued on into the Great Hall to oversee the preparations personally. Berry -sprinkled garlands were draped from the huge candlelit iron sconces suspended from the cavernous ceiling. A roaring fire blazed in both fireplaces set at each end of the hall, barrels of beer and mead were rolled into position against another wall next to tables laden with bread, cheeses, fruits and cold meats.
A feast of venison and swan was being prepared by the most senior of cooks, the less er relegated to preparation of the copious quantities of accompanying vegetables.
The most accomplished bards would be summoned to entertain later in the evening and the sound of harps and strong
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