Chronicle of Ages by Traci Harding Page A

‘I should have gotten to her sooner … I could have!’ he confessed, his face awash with the tears of his remorse. ‘The damn rocking of the boat put me to sleep —’
    Vortipor grabbed hold of the Prince as the lad was going into shock. ‘If anyone be to blame, I am. I should have been with Cara and Bridgit, instead of —’
    â€˜I am to blame.’ Cara spoke up. ‘Had I not fancied myself as infallible, I would have had a guard with me.’
    â€˜Cara.’ Vortipor ran to support his wife’s trembling form and wrapped her up with him in his cape.
    Bryce backed away quietly. His quest was over, but he felt none the better for his deeds. In fact he felt worse. He was no longer remorseful about the life he’d taken; what disturbed him was the lingering mind torture Lady Cara would have to endure for the rest of her days.
    â€˜Violent acts against women and children will be abolished in this land,’ Bryce vowed to the Goddess there and then. ‘If I have to see to it personally.’
    He considered that perhaps the reason the otherworldly spirits had seen him through the night’s peril was so that he would reach this resolve.
    â€˜Aye.’ He decided it was. ‘Let every man think twice before contemplating such a woeful act for fear he shall fall victim to my sword,’ Bryce stated aloud with much conviction, reaching for his weapon to hold it high and seal his pledge, but it was rather anti-climactic when he recalled that it was missing in action. ‘Of course, I shall have to get a new sword first,’ Bryce explained to the Goddess behind the sunrise, only just noticing that he could now see it. The otherworldly mist was retreating.
    A bright blue-white light flooded Bryce’s senses, blinding him momentarily without the slightest pain to his eyes. He felt liberated of all his woes as he bathed in the lustre of the phenomenon, not questioning its timeless essence but enjoying it to the full.

5
When All Is Said and Done
    L et the events of this night be a lingering lesson to thee all. For it is only because the great Mother hast more compassion than I, that ye art awarded a second chance to appease her and her folk.
    As Maelgwn and Tory emerged from their dreamlike state, they were standing before the great rise at Craig-y-Ddinas, listening to the lecturing of Gwyn ap Nudd who stood atop the rise with Selwyn at his side.
    Brockwell awoke to the same tutorial. To one side of him stood Tory and Maelgwn, to the other side, Bryce. The King wanted to grab up his missing son and holler aloud his relief, but as the Night Hunter’s words demanded his attention, Brockwell simply placed anarm over Bryce’s shoulder and silently praised the Goddess for his son’s safe return.
    Likewise, Vortipor became conscious of a change of location and then of Cara beside him. She stood by her own grace, her bruised face upturned to the otherworldly being addressing them. She was far braver than he, the Protector considered quietly, taking hold of her hand.
    King Catulus of Dumnonia mysteriously found himself present at the otherworldly leader’s assembly at Craig-y-Ddinas, as did the ruler of Dalriada, Fergus MacErc. They looked to each other in wonderment a moment, but dared not speak and offend their huge and rather ominous-looking host.
    The lives lost in the mists this night, by the grace of the elements shall be restored. This time. To ensure that the unity of the Council of the Goddess be maintained in future, I order thee of the council to honour the word of Maelgwn Gwynedd, whom I appoint High King of Briton for the remainder of his days.
    No one was more astounded by Gwyn ap Nudd’s announcement than Maelgwn. What had he done to impress the Lord so much as to warrant such a high appointment of trust? He couldn’t recall ever meeting Gwyn ap Nudd, yet somehow he knew this was the said God addressing him and that they had met