Merlin's Shadow (39 page)

That night they all gathered and ate roasted fish over an iron pot of embers. Natalenya sat next to Merlin with little Arthur eating from a bowl next to her. Taking her hand, Merlin squeezed it and asked, “Where shall we put ashore?”

She looked once more at him with her beautiful green eyes and leaned her head upon his shoulder. “Does it matter?”

He sighed. No, it didn't matter. It really didn't matter anymore.

Natalenya
.

I
t was the time of
Hanternos
, and Mórgana had goaded the remaining four druidow to attend her at the Stone, including her impudent grandfather. Loth supported her with his ready blade in this task, but the druidow didn't need much coaxing — they were, after all, hoping that some sign of life might come from the Stone.

And aiding her cause was their astonishment at her transformation from a girl to a grown woman. Mórgana reveled in her newfound strength.

And Loth was more than eager to see the Stone, all his questions about how he came to Kernow having been answered to his satisfaction. Indeed, though he mourned the death of his father, his father's household, and the destruction of the temple that made their long life possible, he found a deep satisfaction in his association with Mórgana. The man longed to heap bloody revenge upon the heads of Merlin and Arthur, and in this they found their common ground.

The villagers were all asleep, the fools, and had no clue of the assembly upon their precious village green. A pasture for goats? Was that all they considered it? Mórgana would soon find out the truth.

The druidow began to chant quietly, walking in a wide circle around the Stone. Then her grandfather sprinkled ashes upon her head with a trembling hand, saying, “Thus … thus we make the circle of revelation. We call upon the stars in the sky, the creatures of the earth, our revered ancestors, and this dust of the nine sacred woods to aid us:

“These nine I plead with to bring forth the knowledge that is hidden.”

Mórgana knelt down amongst some abandoned copper coins and touched the craggy surface of the Stone — avoiding the offending blade that stuck out from it.

Mórgana must make the Stone speak once more. In the past, her grandfather had spoken to the Voice himself by touching the Stone, but there was a deeper secret here, for there were
other voices
hiding within the Stone.

Did Grandfather even know this secret? Mórgana doubted it. The Voice had told her, and her alone. To Grandfather, the purpose of the Stone was simply to enchant the stupid Britons so that they would follow him. How quaint. How boring. He knew nothing.
Nothing
. The orb and the fang should have been his clue, but did he even take a moment to ponder their origin? Why had she found them in the bottom of her father's forge underneath the hole made by the sword?

But the faintest hint of a hum interrupted her thoughts — emanating from the surface of the Stone. She pressed her palms more firmly, bending her soul to the very center of the Stone, listening, because voices stirred within. Breathing. Sighing. Hungering. Speaking.

“I hear you,” Mórgana answered, “and I sense your power.”

Yet the Stone screamed at her. It was suffering at the intrusion of the blade.

“Then we must remove it. But how?” she asked.

An image of Merlin arose. Her brother hammering in the blade.

“We hate him,” Mórgana told the Stone, “for he will never remove it.”

A snarl of rage coursed through the Stone. A faint blue light flickered within, and then an image of High King Uther appeared.

Yet
he
could not remove the sword. “He was sacrificed upon you and is dead.”

Groans, rumblings, and cries echoed from deep within the Stone, and an image of Arthur, the heir of Uther, appeared.

Mórgana lifted her head and opened her eyes in wonder — Arthur? “He may be dead.”

The stone rumbled, sighed, and shook. An image came to her of Arthur, and he was alive.

Mórgana seethed, for Atle had failed to kill the boy. And so now Arthur was the only one who could pull the sword out besides Merlin?

“But he is still young, and it will take many years. A great trap must be thought up to deceive him, and this will be an immense effort. Why should I do this? What do you offer me in return for my ser vice?”

Smoke and blue fire rose from the Stone. Her hands began to burn. The sound of snapping jaws could be heard, and the Stone shook. Images began to swirl around her of all the Britons cowering in fear at her, and those who would not lying dead and torn before her.

Mórgana nodded. “I will do it.”

If the Voice and the Stone could wait, then Mórgana could also wait. In patience she would set her trap for Merlin and Arthur — and when the time was ripe she would have her vengeance.

The following helps are for British names, places, and terms and do not apply to Latin. If you find an easy way to pronounce a name, however, feel free to ignore the following. Your first goal is to enjoy the novel, not to become an expert in ancient languages.

Vowels

Consonants — the same as English with a few exceptions:

Pronunciation Note:
The goal is for you to enjoy reading the Merlin Spiral series, and so, where possible, easier spellings have been chosen for many ancient words. For instance, the word
gorseth
would more properly be spelled
gorsedd
, with the “dd” pronounced similar to our “th”. This is also true of the decision, in some words, to use “k” instead of “c”. The goal is readability. A pronunciation suggestion has been provided for each word. Again, please don't worry about how you say the names. If you find an easy way to pronounce something, that is fine. If you are a language purist, then indulge the author, knowing he is well aware of the depth, history, and complexities of the Brythonic and Goidelic languages represented here.

Also, since this spiral of Arthurian stories begin and end in Cornwall, Cornish has been chosen as a basis for many of the names and places. Though Welsh, Irish, or Scots Gaelic could have each served for this purpose, Cornwall is the nexus of the storyline.

Historical Note:
Although many of the following explanations are based on history and legend, they are given to aid your understanding of
Merlin's Shadow
, and thus are fictional. You are encouraged to research the Roman, Celtic, and Arthurian literature for a deeper appreciation of how they've been uniquely woven into the entire Merlin Spiral series. An asterisk has been placed next to words that will yield a wealth of information.

Ailill Molt* —
(EYE-leel MOLT) The Christian king of Erin whom Mórganthu hates.

Allun —
(AL-lun) The miller of the village of Bosventor.

Anviv —
(ON-veev) The son of Mórganthu, Mônda's brother; he was killed by Uther in book 1.

Ard-Dre —
(ARD-dray) A title some call Mórganthu, meaning “arch druid.”

Arthur* —
(AR-thur) The orphaned son of Igerna and Uther, and heir to the High Kingship. His sisters are Eilyne and Myrgwen. He is one and one-half years old.

Atle / Atleuthun —
(AT-lee / at-lee-OOH-thun) The king of Guotodin in the far north; when Owain visited there, his fortress was at Dinpelder. He is Gwevian's father and Merlin's grandfather. In legend he is known as King Lleuddun*.

Aulaf —
(OW-loff) A fisherman who lives near Dinpelder.

Aurelianus* —
(ow-rell-ee-AH-noos) the former High King, Uther's father, and Arthur's grandfather. He slew Vitalinus Gloui to revenge his father's murder.

Baegower —
(bay-GOW-er) A village perched upon a cliff on the southern coast of Kembry. This is placed on the modern-day Gower* peninsula.

Bedwir* —
(BED-weer) A chieftain under Vortigern.

Belornos —
(bel-OAR-noss) An ancient god of the Celts, personal god of Mórganthu, and god of the underworld. In
Merlin's Blade
, he is represented by the moon in the night sky. Normally spelled Belenos*, here his name is embedded with lor, which means “moon,” and nos, which means “night.”

Beltayne*
— The druid rite performed near the beginning of May each year. Also known as Bel's High Day of Fire, it is dedicated to Belornos.

Benignus —
(ben-IG-noos) The leader of the Irish church after Pádraig died. He is more fully known as Benignus of Armagh*.

Berghild —
(BERG-hild) A farmer's wife who lives in Kjaringoy, Lochlan. Married to Sveinrod.

Bosvenna Abbey —
(bos-VENN-ah) An abbey of the Celtic church, which was created by the missionary efforts of early Christians in Britain, Ireland, and Scotland — Pádraig (St. Patrick) being one of the first.
Bosvenna
* (or
Bos-menegh
) means “the abiding place of monks.” There is another, older abbey to the west established by Guron. Bosvenna Abbey was destroyed by fire in book 1.

Bosvenna Moor —
(bos-VENN-ah) The highland area in central Kernow, covered with forests and marshes. Before the monks came, it was known as
Tir Gwygoen
, “land of the woodland moor”. Today it is called Bodmin Moor* and is cleared for grazing.

Bosventor —
(bos-VEN-tore) The village and fortress built upon the slopes of the Meneth Gellik mountain, it was established six years after the abbey. South of modern-day Bolventor*, Cornwall, an actual iron-age village and fortress existed at this exact location.

Brihem —
(BRIH-hem) The order of judges within the wider order of the druidow. There are five regular Brihemow, and one arch brihem,
making a total of six who vote. The arch druid and arch fili also vote. In olden times, the chief bard and high king were included in the vote, if present, but these offices have been abandoned by the druidow due to them falling into the hands of the Christians. Normally spelled brithem* or brehon*.

Brinnoc —
(BRINN-ock) Trevenna's uncle, who lives in Oswistor.

Britain —
(BRIH-ten) The land occupied by the people who speak various forms of the ancient Brythonic* language south of the River Forth*.

Brithanvy —
(brith-AHN-vee) Modern-day Brittany*, France.

Bysall —
(BY-sall) A small coin, usually a ring of brass or iron. Bysallow is the plural.

Caygek —
(KAY-gek) A fili who opposed Mórganthu in book 1. He is named Cai* in the Arthurian legends.

Colvarth —
(COAL-varth) This is the name taken by the chief bard of Britain, who served High King Uther and now seeks to protect Arthur. Colvarth, which means “criminal bard,” was originally meant as an epithet against him by the druidow after he converted to Christianity. He took the name as his own, however, to remind himself of his culpability before God. His given name is Bledri mab Cadfan, and he is known as Bleheris* in Arthurian literature.

Connek —
(CON-neck) A young thief from book 1 who tried to kill Merlin.

Coynall —
(COIN-all) A single-sided coin made of silver. It is worth eight bysallow, and it takes three coyntallow to make one screpall.

Crennig —
(CREN-nigg) A fifth-century roundhouse. They are normally made of wooden timbers staked into the ground to form a circle, but sometimes they are made of stone if it is readily available. The roof is conical and typically woven from thatch. On occasion they are built out in a lake for easier defense.
Cren
means “circlular,” or “round”. Spelled Crannog* outside of the Merlin Spiral.

Crothak —
(CRO-thak) A sea fisherman between Kembry and Kernow. A friend of Inktor and Henktor.

Demetae* —
(de-MEH-tay) A kingdom in the southwest corner of Kembry, along the coast.

Digon —
(DIG-uhn) One of Atle's guards at Dinpelder.

Dinpelder —
(din-PELL-dehr) The abode ruled by King Atle when Owain visited there. This is east of Dineidean (Edinburgh*) in modern-day Scotland, and is known today as Traprain Law*. Dinpelder means “fortress on a steep hill.”

Dintaga —
(din-TA-guh) The fortress of Gorlas, King of Kernow. Dintaga means “the strangled fortress,” and is modern-day Tintagel*. It is on an island separated from the land by a narrow, or “strangled” causeway that is inundated with water when the tide comes in.

Dosmurtanlin Lake —
(doss-mur-TAN-lin) A lake north of Bosventor, on the other side of the Meneth Gellik mountain. Legend says that when a portion of the Dragon Star fell, it gouged out the earth, and the water filled it in, forming the lake. Dosmurtanlin means “the lake where a great fire came.” It is the same as modern-day Dozmary Pool*. Merlin's mother, who was changed by the Stone into a water creature, is confined to this lake.

Dragon Star —
The comet that Muscarvel saw in the night sky seventy years before the beginning of book 1.

Druid* —
(DREW-id) The order of priests within the wider order of the druidow. They also carry out the laws as set forth by the Brihem judges.

Druidow —
(DREW-i-dow) The plural form of druid, this term can sometimes refer to the wider order of all the druidow, filidow, and Brihemow combined.

Dybris / Dybricius* —
(DIE-bris / die-BRIK-ee-oos) A monk who recently joined Bosvenna Abbey. He brought Garth, the orphan, with him from Porthloc, a small village on the northern coast of Difnonia. He is known in modern-times as St. Dubricius*.

Dyslan —
(DIE-slan) Natalenya's younger brother.

Ealtain —
(EEL-tain) A chieftain of the Picts who invades Kembry.

Eilyne —
(EYE-line-uh) The oldest, orphaned daughter of Uther and Igerna, and sister to Myrgwen and Arthur. She is thirteen. In the legends, she is Elaine of Garlot*.

Enison —
(en-IH-son) One of Vortigern's selected warriors. Brother to Fest.

Erbin —
(ERR-bin) Tregeagle's lictor and servant, he protects the Magister as well as executes his judgments.

Erin —
(ERR-in) The island of Ireland west of Britain.

Ewenna —
(ee-WHEN-ah) Gorlas's consort at Dintaga.

Fest —
(FEST) One of Vortigern's selected warriors. Brother to Enison.

Fili* —
(FILL-ee) The order of sages and poets within the wider order of the druidow. Filidow is the plural, and they are led by the arch fili.

Gana / Ganieda* —
(GAH-nuh / gah-NYE-dah) Merlin's half-sister, who is nine years old. She is the daughter of Mônda and granddaughter to Mórganthu.

Garth / Garthwys* —
(GARTH / GARTH-wiss) An orphan who used to live at the abbey with Dybris. His father, Gorgyr, was a fisherman at Porthloc in Difnonia, and so Garth was raised on the sea. Red-haired and slightly chubby, he is always hungry.

Gaul* —
(GALL) Modern-day France, which was ruled by Rome for six hundred years.

Gentian* —
(JENT-shin) A bitter-tasting plant that produces blue flowers in spring. It has been used medicinally to treat stomach ailments since ancient times.

Gladius* —
(GLA-dee-oos) A stout Roman-style sword, generally of medium length.

Glevum* —
(GLEH-vuhm) The Roman fortress of Glevum, and the seat of Vitalinus's kingdom. This is where Vortigern and Igerna grew up. Modern-day Gloucester*.

Gorlas* —
(GORE-lass) King of Kernow, whose fortress is Dintaga. He and Uther were rival suitors for Igerna's love, and this rivalry colors their relationship to this day.

Gorse* —
(GORSE) A thorny evergreen shrub that is highly flammable.

Gorseth Cawmen —
(GORE-seth CAW-men) The stone circle northeast from the village of Bosventor. Literally means “The meeting place of giant stones.” On modern maps it is shown as the Goodaver Stone Circle*, though
Merlin's Blade
describes it as having larger stones.

Guotodin* —
(goo-OH-toe-din) The most-northern Brythonic kingdom. It was ruled by Atle when Owain visited, and it lies between the two walls built by the Romans, just south of the land of the Prithager. Its principal cities are Dineidean (modern-day Edinburgh*), and the fortress of Dinpelder.

Guronstow —
(goo-RUHN-stow) The village on the moor where the abbey established by St. Guron* is located. Now known as the city of Bodmin*.

Gwevian —
(GWEV-ee-ahn) Merlin's mother, the daughter of King Atle. She supposedly drowned in Lake Dosmurtanlin when Merlin was young, and her body was never found. Merlin discovered her alive at the end of book 1, changed by the Stone into a water creature to serve it when the Stone was in the lake. She is now the Lady of the Lake*, and a merging of the legends of Vivian* and St. Theneva*.

Hanternos
— (han-TEHR-nos) The Brythonic word for Midnight.

Harp of Britain —
The harp that has been passed down through the ages from one chief bard to the next, now possessed by Colvarth. The druidow desire to take it back, but must wait for Colvarth's natural death, according to their laws, and hope that he doesn't pass it on to someone else.

Hengist*
— (HEN-gist) The leader of the Saxenow army that has invaded Britain.

Henktor
— (HENK-tore) A sea fisherman between Kembry and Kernow. The son of Ynktor, and a friend of Crothak.

Igerna* —
(ee-GERR-nah) The deceased wife of Uther, she is Vortigern's sister, and therefore descended from Vitalinus Gloui, a former High King of Britain. Her children are Eilyne, Myrgwen, and Arthur. Gorlas vied with Uther for her hand in marriage.

Imelys —
(ee-MEL-iss) Troslam and Safrowana's daughter.

Inis Avallow
— (IN-iss
AV
-all-ow) The largest island in the marsh. It has an old tower and broken-down fortress surrounded by an ancient apple orchard. Legend says this was built by a pilgrim and tin merchant known only as the Pergiryn. Its name means “Island of Apples,” and is known in legend as Avalon*.

Inis Môn* —
(IN-iss MOAN) The sacred island of the druidow. Gaius Suetonius Paulinus broke the power of the druidow and destroyed the shrines and sacred groves on the isle of Inis Môn in 61
A.D.

Inktor —
(INK-tore) A sea fisherman between Kembry and Kernow. The father of Henktor, and a friend of Crothak.

Ivor —
(EYE-vor) A false name that Vortigern uses for himself.