Free Warriors of Camlann by N. M. Browne Page B

smile was still wan and troubled. ‘My first responsibility was to find Rhonwen and send her back to Macsen. I knew from what Igris had said that she was advancing our destruction by allying herself with our people’s enemies. I found her, begged her to return with me to Macsen. She laughed in my face.’
    His expression was momentarily unreadable but Dan could sense Taliesin’s deep shame. ‘I did not intend to remain here but discovered that I could not leave. I do not understand why but each world we visit through the Veil changes us. There were worlds I visited where my limited and hard-won journeyman magic was very strong, where I could shape-shift as easily as think; while here, I have little gift and that which I have is a strange, fey, capricious thing – different from anything I have ever known.’ Taliesin spread his hands expressively.
    Dan found himself nodding – it was his own experience. He was no longer a berserker here, and Ursula no longer a sorceress. Thinking of Ursula, the anxious knot in his stomach tightened.
    â€˜But how – I mean, where were we during all this time?’
    â€˜You were caught like a fly in amber, in the Veil. Time only starts again when you are free of it – and I got free while you were still trapped in the timeless Veil. Eventually …’ Taliesin hesitated and Dan could feel his trepidation. ‘I called you here.’
    It took a long moment for Dan to understand, then he felt his face flush hot with fury as the implications of this quiet statement sunk in.
    â€˜Wait! Hear me! Let me explain!’ Taliesin reached out to touch his shoulder but Dan jerked his arm away.
    â€˜I cannot call the Veil anymore – that power is lost to me, but Igris spoke sometimes about ways in which those who had stepped outside time could always find each other again. I thought I could husband my magic to influence your destination – influence Ursula. I have touched her mind – when we helped her return from her shape-shifting. I knew her and I knew I could find her again, though it took me years to do it.’
    Dan turned away from the bard, not wanting to hear more. He had trusted Taliesin and yet it was he who had prevented them from going home, he who had deliberately brought them to this place. Because of Taliesin he might never see his sister Lizzie or his father again. He was too angry to speak.
    â€˜It was not just that I thought Ursula would get me home – after Rhonwen refused to help me. When I thought about what Igris had said I thought I knew what the Combrogi needed. I wanted – still want – to help them.’ Taliesin was pleading with Dan to listen, to understand, to forgive.
    â€˜Rhonwen has great influence here with the Aenglisc, and I believe her influence could destroy this island. Sheplays old games – making alliances with her people’s enemies, as if she had learnt nothing from Macsen. The Combrogi are fragile here, a shadow of what they once were. They were ruled for generations by those we might call Ravens or Romans. When the Roman armies left and many of their senior people were kicked out, the people who remained were Romanised Combrogi, neither one thing nor the other, somehow lacking the strength of either. There were those who rejected Roman ways and wanted to be true to their ancient roots but they lost their influence a generation ago. Their heritage is weakened but these Combrogi are still my people. I feel it and I know Igris was right – there is a turning point here. All they need is a leader to believe in – to revive their spirit.’ Taliesin paused, his eyes alight with sudden passion. ‘I thought Ambrosius might have served to unite them but the hill people, those who clung to older ways, would not follow him and Arturus – well, you have seen him. He is a good general but not a hero. So I tried to rekindle their pride and I did what I had once lived