Downfall of Cornwall: Once and Future Hearts, #8

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Table of Contents

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About Downfall of Cornwall

Praise for the Once and Future Hearts Series

Downfall of Cornwall Title Page

Who’s Who and What’s What

Maps

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

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About the Author

Other books by Tracy Cooper-Posey

Copyright Information

About Downfall of Cornwall

Can Anwen help Sagramore find a way out of the darkness?

Sagramore and Tristan are closer than brothers, sharing wine, women and an affinity for feral, furious fighting. As heir to both the King of the Magyars and the Eastern Roman throne, Sagramore is an outsider who has never been fully accepted by King Arthur’s court, or King Mark’s either.

Calm, composed Anwen Idria, oldest daughter of the King of Strathclyde, is adored by all of Camelot the moment she arrives. She refuses the attention of the passionate, fiery Sagramore, for his wildness and blistering emotions remind her too much of her father, a former slave called Idris the Slayer, who terrifies her.

When Tristan becomes obsessed with his uncle’s new Queen, Iseult, and sinks into a black maw of hate and bitterness, Sagramore must avoid being pulled in with him, for Tristan’s attachment to Iseult, a Princess of Ireland, threatens the peace of Arthur’s Britain. Can Anwen help Sagramore find a way out of the darkness? Or will the shadows which loom over Britain consume them all?

This novel is part of the ancient historical romance series, Once and Future Hearts, set in Britain during the time of King Arthur.

1.0 Born of No Man

2.0 Dragon Kin

3.0 Pendragon Rises

4.0 War Duke of Britain

5.0 High King of Britain

6.0 Battle of Mount Badon

7.0 Abduction of Guenivere

8.0 Downfall of Cornwall

9.0 Vengeance of Arthur

10.0 Grace of Lancelot

11.0 The Grail and Glory

12.0 Camlann

Readers have described Tracy Cooper-Posey as a superb story teller and her ancient historical romances as written art. Get your copy of Downfall of Cornwall today!

Praise for the Once and Future Hearts Series

Imagine how good is the author in her craft that she is capable of surprising us her readers even though the Arthurian cycle is one of the most rewritten ones in western literature.

What a great storyteller! I never thought that anyone could tell an Arthurian tale as well as Mary Stewart, but Tracy Cooper Posey has succeeded. I am just in awe of her ability to meld historical detail with legends and turn out a mesmerizing story.

It takes me back to the magic I felt when reading Mary Stewart's stories of Merlin. Tracy Cooper-Posey has written another winner!

As a long time, self proclaimed Arthurian Legend junkie I couldn't wait to dive into Tracy Cooper Posey's new series. Tracy once again proves to be a master story teller as she weaves the delicate threads of this beloved legend into her own.

Oh my goodness. Of course I was not sure what to expect with this but what I got was a wonderful story set in the time just before King Arthur. Invading Saxons, Romans, Kings, princesses, mysteries, Merlin, and romance? Wonderful beginning to a new series and I cannot wait to read more.

I also love the fact that her female characters are definitely not boring, whiny or TSTL.

Tracy Cooper Posey is brilliant at weaving stories with individuals that are completely believable in their thoughts and dialogue.

Ms Tracy has an amazing way of telling a tale. It’s magical :-)

Who’s Who and What’s What

On-line version, for easier reference. Tip: Bookmark the site page and this page in your book for future reference.

Aeron: Guenivere’s horse.

Accolon: Accolon of Gaul. Minor son of Gaulish king. Companion to Uther.

Aglovale: Son Pellinore and Alis. See Listenoise

Agravaine: Son of Lot. See Lothian

Alis: Wife to Pelinore (dec.) see Dunoding.

Alun: King of Brocéliande. See Brocéliande

Amaria: Daughter of Mair & Arawn Uther (See Corneus)

Ambrosius Aurelianus: (Welsh: Emrys Wledig). High King of Britain (dec.) See Pendragon.

Anwen Idria: Daughter of Idris & Rhiannon. See Strathclyde

Anwen of Galleva: Heroine, Pendragon Rises. See Galleva.

Arawn Uther: Son of Arawn and Ilsa. See Brocéliande. Husband of The Lady of Corneus. See Corneus

Arawn: Hero of Dragon Kin. King of Brocéliande. See Brocéliande.

Arthur: Son and heir of Uther Pendragon and Igraine. See Pendragon.

Ban of Benoic: Brother to Bors, and exiled from his own kingdom by Saxon incursions. See Benoic.

Bedivere: Welsh: Bedwyr. Bedwyr of the Perfect Sinews. Oldest son of Bedrawd, Duke of Corneus. See Corneus.

Belenus: Lancelot’s horse

Bevan: King of Calleva. See Calleva.

Blavet: Large tidal river, location of Lorient, capital of Brocéliande, Lesser Britain.

Bors the Elder: King of Guanne. See Guanne.

Bors the Younger: King of Guanne. See Guanne.

Brandegoris: Brandegoris of Estangore. See Kernow.

Brandérion: Village in Lesser Britain, the birth place of Ilsa.

Brennus: Idris’ horse.

Brigid: Caradoc & Ula’s daughter. See Brynaich

Budic: King of Morbihan. See Morbihan.

Cadfael: Hero of Born of No Man. See Dunoding.

Cador: Duke of Cornwall. See Cornwall.

Cai: Son of Ector. Companion to Emrys. See Galleva.

Cailleach: Cara’s horse

Calleva: Kingdom in the south of Britain, neighbouring Cornwall. . See Calleva.

Campbon: By the great Briére swamps of Lesser Britain. Capital of Guanne.

Cara: Caradoc & Ula’s daughter. See Brynaich. Heroine of Battle of Mount Badon.

Caradoc: King of Brynaich. See Brynaich

Carnac: King Budic’s summer residence in Lesser Britain, where Ambrosius and Uther prepared to take back Britain from Vortigern. See Morbihan.

Claire of Brandegoris: Mother of Elyan the White by Bors the Younger. See Kernow

Claudas: Frankish King and conquerer. See Berry.

Coria: Corbridge, in modern parlance.

Cynbel: Athur’s horse

Devian: Daughter of Mair & Arawn Uther (See Corneus)

Dinadan: Son of Brunor. Siblings: Breunor, Daniel. See Kernow.

Dindrane: Daughter Pellinore and Alis. See Listenoise

Dornar: Bastard son of Pellinore. See Listenoise

Doward: Hill fort where Vortigern perished.

Ector: Count of Galleva. See Galleva.

Elaine of Listenoise: Daughter of Pellinore and Alis. See Listenoise.

Elaine: Ban of Benoic’s wife. See Benoic.

Elen: Daughter of Arawn and Ilsa. See Brocéliande. Wife of Cador of Cornwall.

Ellar: Lot’s seneschal

Elyan the White: Son of Bors the Younger and Claire of Brandegoris. See Guanne.

Emrys Myrddin: Son of Idris & Rhiannon. See Strathclyde

Evaine: Bors the Elder’s Queen. See Guanne.

Forest Sauvage: Where Galleva is located, close by Hadrian’s Wall. See Galleva.

Gaheris: Oldest son and heir of Lot. See Lothian.

Gareth: Son of Lot. See Lothian.

Gawain: Son of Lot. See Lothian.

Gorlois: Duke of Cornwall. See Cornwall.

Guanne: Kingdom in Lesser Britain. See Guanne.

Guenivere: Welsh: Gwenhwyfar. See Camelard.

Hector de Maris: Half brother to Lancelot du Lac. See Benoic.

Héric: Ban of Benoic’s lands, within Guanne, Lesser Britain.

Hoel: Hoel the Great, Hoel of Brittany. King of Morbihan.

Horsa: A Saxon leader

Idris the Slayer: Northern warrior. See Lothian

Igraine: Daughter of Emlawdd Wledig. Wife to Gorlois of Cornwall. See Cornwall and Pendragon.

Ilsa: Heroine of Dragon Kin. See Brocéliande.

Iseult of Ireland: Daughter of Anguish of Ireland and Iseult the Elder.

Kahedin: Son of Hoel. See Morbihan.

Kay the Stalwart: Son of Idris & Rhiannon. See Strathclyde

Keincaled: Gawain’s horse.

King of the Magyars: Husband to Julia. Father of Sagramore. See Kernow

Lady of the Lake: A title bestowed upon powerful women who control the Perilous Forrest and the Lake at the heart of Brocéliande. The title is not hereditary. See The Perilous Forest.

Lamorak: Son of Pellinore and Alis. See Listenoise.

Lancelot of the Lake: aka Lancelot du Lac. See Benoic.

Leodegrance: King of Camelarde.

Leolin: Mair’s horse

Lot: King of Lothian.

Lowri: Daughter of Cadfael and Lynette. See Dunoding.

Luca: Daughter of Mair & Arawn Uther (See Corneus)

Lucan: Son of Bedrawd, Duke of Corneus.

Lynette the Elder: Heroine of Born of No Man. See Dunoding.

Mabon: King of Calleva.

Maela: Daughter of Vortigern. Wife to Mabon. See Calleva.

Mair: Daughter of Bedrawd, Duke of Corneus. Heroine of High King of Britain.

Mared: Daughter of Bors the Elder. See Morbihan.

Mark: Brother to Tristan the Elder. See Kernow

Merlin: Myrddin Emrys. See Pendragon.

Morbihan: Kingdom in Lesser Britain. See Morbihan.

Morgan le Fey: Daughter of Gorlois and Igraine. See Rheged.

Morguase: Daughter of Gorlois and Igraine. Wife of Lot.

Morlaix: Kingdom north of Brocéliande, in Lesser Britain.

Nareen & Isolde: Caradoc & Ula’s twin daughters. See Brynaich

Newlyn: Caradoc & Ula’s son. See Brynaich

Nimue: Lady of the Lake. See The Perilous Forest.

Pellinore: King of Listenoise.

Percival: Son of Pellinore and Alis. See Listenoise.

Perilous Forest: The heart of the Brocéliande forest, where The Lady of the Lake lives.

Rhiannon: Daughter of Anwen and Steffan. Companion to Cai and Emrys. See Galleva

Sagramore: Son of the King of the Magyars and Julia, Princess of Rome. See Kernow.

Scorff: Smaller river that runs into the Blavet by Lorient. Fresh water river.

Steffan of Durnovaria: Hero, Pendragon Rises. See Galleva

Tewdwr: Son of Hoel. See Morbihan.

Tielo: Rhiannon's horse

Tintagel: Fortified rocky island connected to mainland Cornwall by narrow natural bridge of rock.

Tor: Bastard son of Pellinore. See Listenoise.

Tristan the Elder: King of Kernow.

Tristan the Younger: Bastard son of Tristan the Elder. See Kernow.

Ula: Caradoc’s queen. See Brynaich

Urien: King of Rheged.

Uther: Uther Pendragon. High King of Britain.

Uther Rawn: Son of Mair & Arawn Uther (See Corneus)

Vannes: Principal town of the kingdom of Morbihan.

Vedra River: The Tyne, in modern parlance.

Veris: Son of Mair & Arawn Uther (See Corneus)

Via Statra: Roman road between Vannes and Corseul, Lesser Britain

Vivian of Maridunum: Mother of Merlin.

Vivian: Accolyte of the Perilous Forrest. Lover of Nimue.

Vortigern: High King of Britain. Died at Doward. Succeeded by Ambrosius. Wife: Olwen. Sons: Vortimer, Catigern. Daughters: Maela.

Ynnis Witrin: Avalon.

Yr Wyddfa: Snowden

HOUSES, CLANS AND TRIBES

BENOIC

Ban & Elaine

Ban:  King of Benoic

Elaine: (see Brocéliande)

Hector:  Ban’s son (by Suzanne de Maris)

Lancelot du Lac: Their son

BERRY

Claudas:  King

Claudin: His son

Dorin: His son

BROCÉLIANDE

Arawn & Ilsa

Arawn: King of Brocéliande

Ilsa of Brocéliande: Arawn’s queen.  (See Morbihan)

Elaine: Arawn’s sister (see Benoic)

Evaine:  Arawn’s sister (see Guanne)

Alun: eldest son of Arawn & Ilsa, King of Brocéliande

Arawn Uther: second son of Aran & Ilsa

Elen: Daughter of Arawn & Ilsa (see Cornwall)

BRYNAICH

Caradoc & Ula

Caradoc: King of Brynaich

Ula: Caradoc’s queen.

Brigid: Caradoc & Ula’s daughter

Cara: Caradoc & Ula’s daughter

Nareen & Isolde: Caradoc & Ula’s twin daughters

Newlyn: Caradoc & Ula’s son

CALLEVA

Mabon & Maela

Mabon: King of Calleva

Maela: Mabon’s queen.  Daughter of High King Vortigern & Olwen.

Bevan: Mabon & Maela’s son.  King of Calleva (see below)

Bryn: Mabon & Maela’s son. Partner of Druston (see Dunoding)

Lynette The Younger:  Mabon & Maela’s daughter.  (See Dunoding)

Bevan & Lowri

Bevan: Mabon & Maela’s son.  King of Calleva

Lowri:  Bevan’s queen. (see Dunoding)

Branwen: Bevan & Lowri’s daughter

Eira: Bevan & Lowri’s daughter

Martyn & Trevor: Bevan & Lowri’s twins ons

Betrys: Bevan & Lowri’s daughter

Deryn: Bevan & Lowri’s daughter

CAMELARD

Leodegrance & Gwenhwyfach

Leodegrance: King of Camelard

Guenivere:  Leodegrance’s daughter

CORBENIC

Pedr: King of Corbenic.  aka The Fisher King

Elaine: Pedr’s daughter

CORNEUS

Bedrawd: Duke of Corneus (serves Kernow)

Bedivere: Bedrawd’s son, companion to Arthur

Lucan: Bedrawd’s son, companion to Arthur

Mair: Bedrawd’s daughter. The Lady of Corneus, after Bedrawd. Wife of Prince Arawn Uther (see Brocéliande)

Mair & Arawn Uther

Veris: Son of Mair & Arawn Uther

Devian: Daughter of Mair & Arawn Uther

Amaria: Daughter of Mair & Arawn Uther

Uther Rawn: Son of Mair & Arawn Uther

Luca: Daughter of Mair & Arawn Uther

CORNWALL

Gorlois & Mari

Gorlois:  Duke of Cornwall

Mari:  Gorlois’ Duchess.

Cador: Gorlois & Mari’s son (see below)

Gorlois & Igraine

Gorlois:  Duke of Cornwall

Igraine:  Duchess of Cornwall (see Pendragon)

Morguase:  Daughter of Gorlois & Igraine (see Lothian)

Morgan:  Daughter of Gorlois & Igraine.  aka Morgan le Fey (See Rheged)

Cador & Elen

Cador: Gorlois & Mari’s son.  Duke of Cornwall.

Elen:  Cador’s Duchess.  (See Brocéliande)

Constantine:  Cador & Elen’s son

DUNODING

Cadfael & Lynette

Cadfael:  Hero of Born of No Man.  Vortigern’s War Duke.

Lynette:  Cadfael’s wife

Bricius: Cadfael & Lynette’s son (see below)

Alis:  Cadfael & Lynette’s daughter (see Listenoise)

Lowri:  Cadfael & Lynette’s daughter (see Calleva)

Drusan:  Cadfael & Lynette’s son, partner of Bryn (see Calleva)

Eogan:  Cadfael & Lynette’s son (see below)

Bricius & Maeve

Bricius: Cadfael & Lynette’s son

Maeve of Ireland:  Bricius’ wife

Cadoc: Bricius & Maeve’s son

Tegan:  Bricius & Maeve’s daughter

GALLEVA

Ector & Druscilla

Ector:  Count of Galleva

Druscilla:  Ector’s wife

Cai:  Ector & Druscilla’s son. Companion to Arthur.

Steffan & Anwen of Galleva

Steffan: Hero of Pendragon Rises

Anwen:  Heroine of Pendragon Rises

Rhiannon:  Their Daughter (see Lothian)

GUANNE

Bors & Evaine

Bors The Elder: King of Guanne

Evaine:  Bors’ queen (see Brocéliande)

Bors The Younger:  Bors & Evaine’s son (see below)

Lionel:  Bors & Evaine’s son

Mared:  Bors & Evaine’s daughter (see Morbihan)

Bors The Younger

Bors The Younger:  Bors & Evaine’s son.  King of Guanne

KERNOW

Tristan the Elder

Tristan The Elder: King of Kernow

Brandegoris:  Cousin to Tristan (see below)

Mark: brother to Tristan (see below)

Tristan:  Son of Tristan the Elder

Dinadan:  Friend of Tristan’s.

Brandegoris of Estangore & Julia

Brandegoris:  Cousin to Tristan

Julia:  Princess of Rome, wife to Brandegoris

Sagramore:  Son of Julia and the King of the Magyars

Claire:  Daughter of Brandegoris & Julia

Mark of Kernow

Mark: brother to Tristan. King of Kernow

LISTENOISE

Pellinore

Pellinore:  King of Listenoise, descendant of Joseph of Arimathea (see below)

Tor: Pellinore’s bastard son and heir

Dornar:  Pellinore’s bastard son

Pellinore & Alis

Pellinore:  King of Listenoise, descendant of Joseph of Arimathea

Alis:  Pellinore’s queen (see Dunoding)

Percival:  Pellinore & Alis’ son

Aglovale:  Pellinore & Alis’ son

Dindrane:  Pellinore & Alis’ daughter

Lamorak:  Pellinore & Alis’ son

Elaine:  Pellinore & Alis’ daughter

LOTHIAN

Lot & Morguase

Lot:  King of Lothian & Duke of Orkney

Morguase:  Lot’s queen.  (See Cornwall, and also Pendragon)

Gaheris:  Lot & Morguase’s son & heir

Gawain:  Lot & Morguase’s son

Agravain:  Lot & Morguase’s son

Gareth:  Lot & Morguase’s son

Idris & Rhiannon

Idris of Lothian:  Hero, War Duke of Britain

Rhiannon (see Galleva):  Heroine, War Duke of Britain

Anwen Idria:  Their daughter

Emrys Myrddin:  Their son

Kay The Stalwart:  Their son  

MORBIHAN

Budic of Britanny

Budic:  King of Morbihan

Isla:  Budic’s bastard daughter

Hoel:  Budic’s son & heir (see below)

Hoel & Mared

Hoel:  Budic’s son & heir.  King of Morbihan.

Mared:  Hoel’s queen.  (see Guanne)

Tewdwr: Hoel & Mared’s son

Kahedin: Hoel & Mared’s son

Isuelt of the White Hands: Hoel & Mared’s daughter

PENDRAGON

Ambrosius:  High King of Britain (see below).

Uther:  Ambrosius’ brother & heir (see below)

Ambrosius & Vivian

Ambrosius: High King of Britain (see below).

Vivian:  Princess of Dyfed

Merlin:  Ambrosius’ bastard son by Vivian

Uther & Igraine

Uther:  High King of Britain

Igraine:  Uther’s queen. (see Cornwall)

Arthur:  Uther & Igraine’s son.  War Duke of Britain.  (see below)

Arthur & Morguase

Arthur:  War Duke of Britain

Morguase:  Wife of King Lot (see Lothian)

Mordred:  Arthur’s bastard son by Morguase

PERILOUS FORREST, The

Nimue: Lady of the Lake

Vivian:  Nimue’s second in command and partner

RHEGED

Urien & Morgan

Urien:  King of Rheged.  Cousin to Lot of Lothian.

Morgan:  Urien’s queen.  (See Cornwall)

Owain & Morfydd:  Urien & Morgan’s twin son & daughter.

STRATHCLYDE

Idris & Rhiannon

Idris:  King of Strathclyde. 

Rhiannon:  Idris’ Queen. Foster sister to Arthur. 

Anwen Idria: Idris & Rhiannon’s daughter

Emrys Myrddin: Idris & Rhiannon’s son

Kay the Stalwart: Idris & Rhiannon’s son

Maps

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Chapter One

Cair Brithon, Kingdom of Strathclyde. 505 C.E.

Anwen didn’t know about the messenger until she was nearly home.

Dumbarton Rock, upon which Cair Brithon had stood for hundreds of years and would likely stand for a great many more, thrust high enough into the sky that a rider could see it nearly a day’s ride away. The rock covered three-quarters of the short, squat promontory it sat upon. The promontory thrust its rounded front into the River Clyde, preventing unnoticed approach from that side. The Rock barred access from the landward side except for a narrow chunk of flat land to the south, which was guarded day and night.

When she rounded the rock and the enduring, irregular walls of Cair Brithon came into view, she saw immediately that there were no ranks of fighters drilling on the flat field in front of the buildings. Only something extraordinary would suspend daily drills.

She hurried forward, tugging on Drest’s reins. Drest carried the deer she had caught. Cadi would be pleased to have fresh meat for the cooking pot and everyone who sat at the family table would also be pleased to eat something other than salted pork or herring. It had been a long winter.

Anwen took Drest around to the kitchen yard and directed three of the boys to take the deer inside for Cadi to deal with later. As they struggled and huffed, one of the more courageous of the boys looked up at Anwen through eyes slitted against the noon sun, which was weak still, but dazzling in the cloudless sky.

Messenger from the south came. The boy puffed up with importance because he knew this, and she did not. From Camelot.

That was why there were no drills, she realized. A normal messenger carried dozens of letters and small parcels and Cair Brithon might be only one of several destinations he would visit. A messenger direct from Camelot would have naught but a single message to deliver directly to her father, news which would interrupt the steady flow of days and nights and seasons.

If Anwen wanted to hear the news before it had passed through a dozen mouths, who would embroider and warp the message, then she must brave the main hall.

With a sigh, she handed the cheeky boy Drest’s reins. See he’s brushed, watered and fed, and there’s a coin in it for you. She took her bow and quiver off Drest and gave him a pat on the rump.

Drest followed the boy to the stable and Anwen hurried to her chamber to wash and swap her trews for her gown and brush her hair.

When she reached the large hall, she saw she was the last of the family to hear the news. Her little brothers, Emrys and Kay, sat on stools at the far end of the firepit. Her mother, Rhiannon, sat in her father’s big chair, pulled up to the center of the fire, with the letter from Camelot in her hands, turned so she could read the script in the light from the flames. The last of the old cedar logs were in the pit, sending up a pleasant aroma.

Her father stood at the other end of the rectangular pit, one foot on the hearth stones, his arms crossed and his back to the door in flagrant disregard of his own rule about always keeping an eye on the entrance.

Anwen’s gut tightened as it always did when she saw him. Idris was a big man, the tallest in the kingdom, and despite his age, still a powerful fighter. His captains and their men called him Idris the Slayer when his back was turned. She had learned of their name for him only because she could creep up to almost anyone if there was cover to hide her.

The hair at her father’s temples was almost white, a deep contrast to the remaining black mass. He tied the top of his hair out of the way with a thong of leather, while the rest hung loose down his back. Black wolf pelt hung over his shoulders, his tunic was black and so were the leather wristbands. The pouch he always wore around his neck peeped from below the pelt. Dark trews and boots. He wore the colors which matched his temperament, Anwen often thought. It was the reason she refused such colors in her own clothes.

He was scowling at the fire. Of course he scowled. He rarely wore any other expression, especially when he looked at Anwen.

Idris turned enough to check who entered the hall—but really, who else would be permitted to enter here? There were two guards outside the door and a hundred fighters in the other buildings, all within earshot.

Then there was her mother, who had been an acclaimed warrior in her day, even though she now wore graceful gowns and left her hair loose. Her mother’s hair had glints of grey in it, too. But she still kept a long knife in her boot, as well as her eating knife upon her belt.

Idris was also a fighter. His great sword, Cingeto, hung on the wall opposite the long table, five paces away. That was why he felt comfortable with his back to the door.

His frown deepened when he saw Anwen. I sent for you an hour ago.

Mother. Anwen smiled in greeting at Rhiannon. Her mother barely looked up from the letter.

Anwen turned to her father. I was hunting.

Alone?

The guards never move quietly. They scare away prey.

Idris took his boot off the hearth stones and planted his feet. How many times must I tell you that you cannot wander the land alone?

Everyone else does so.

"You are not everyone else!"

Are you not the King of Strathclyde? Anwen shot back. "Are you not charged with keeping your people safe? Does that not include me? If I cannot ride out alone, what does that imply about you?"

Her father gave a great hissing bellow, his chest rising as he prepared to shout.

Anwen, Idris, stop it, her mother said, lowering the letter. There is news you must hear, Anwen.

Anwen shot a glance at Emrys, hoping he would give her some sort of warning. Was this good news? Bad news? Would she like the news?

Emrys, at fifteen, was several years younger than her, but old enough to understand the language behind written words. Yet this time he merely stared back at her, a lock of pitch-black hair falling over one eye.

He was angry about something and hiding it because their father rarely tolerated tantrums in anyone but himself.

Anwen braced herself and turned to her mother, across the fire. Yes? She kept her tone polite.

Rhiannon raised the letter a little, then let it roll up into a loose scroll. King Mark of Kernow and the daughter of King Anguish of Ireland and Queen Iseult the Elder are to be wed at Camelot this summer.

Her mother had spoken before about the alliance with Ireland that Arthur, the High King of Britain, had been working to arrange. Arthur got his alliance, then, Anwen murmured.

She saw Emrys’ steely expression, the tightening of his jaw, and frowned. What was she missing? She looked back at her mother and raised her brow.

The corner of her mother’s mouth turned up. She was laughing and hiding it because Idris was back to scowling again. All of Britain is required to attend the wedding and the celebrations surrounding it. Every petty king, every duke, every clan and tribal leader is to attend the High King.

"And we can’t go," Emrys muttered, his tone sulky.

Anwen glanced at him, alarmed, and caught the look he and Kay exchanged. Emrys was talking about him and Kay, not the whole family.

Then she understood. Anwen shook her head. No.

One doesn’t refuse the High King, Idris growled.

"Then you go, Anwen shot back. There is no need to take me with you."

Idris dropped his arms. "You will go to Camelot, daughter."

No.

It is time you were presented to the High King, Anwen, her mother said, her tone calm.

I would rather be boiled in oil.

"Do not speak to your mother with that tone! Idris bellowed. You will come with us to Camelot and present yourself as the daughter of a great kingdom."

You are well beyond marriable age— her mother added.

I’m eighteen! Anwen cried.

I was married at nineteen, her mother said softly. It is time, Anwen. The most powerful and strongest leaders, all of them, will be there in the summer. It will give you a chance to assess their strength and their charms. Otherwise, we must rely upon second and third hand reports and letters to deal with such matters. Wouldn’t you rather see the man for yourself?

And inspect his teeth? Anwen asked, her