Free The Bwy Hir Complete Trilogy by Lowri Thomas Page B

flash of brilliant light and took a collective step back as he burst into the room. Shaking his huge, shaggy head, he blinked a few times and peered down at the sea of expectant faces. With a booming belly laugh he scooped up the nearest Druid and lifted him to eye level by the scruff of his cowl.  ‘Greetings little man!’ he bellowed. ‘Take me to Aeron, if you please.’
    The shocked Druid pointed a shaky finger towards the doors and without further ado Gwrnach strode off in the direction the Druid had pointed, taking the man with him.
    One by o ne the Bwy Hir entered the Halls of the Druid until all were gathered in the Great Hall awaiting the arrival of their King and his heir. As they waited, they greeted each other with backslaps and arm clenches, laughter and banter, stuffing their empty bellies with loaves of bread and whole ham hocks swilled down with tankards of beer, waiting for the real feast to commence.
    Aeron was still in his chambers adding the final touches to his attire when Taliesin made an entrance accompanied by Afagddu. Aeron spread his arms wide and embraced his son . ‘My son, I almost didn’t recognise you, have you grown?’ Aeron looked down into his son’s face with mirth.
    Taliesin snorted at his father’s poor humour. ‘Not so I’ve noticed but mother reckons I will blossom any day now.’
    ‘What say you, Druid?’ he asked over Taliesin’s shoulder, ‘Do you think my son will gain his rightful place amongst our brethren soon?’
    Afagddu spread his arms diffidently. ‘If the Queen of the Summer Realm says it is so, who am I to contradict?’
    ‘So, so.’ Aeron continued his careful scrutiny of his son . ‘How fares your mother?’
    ‘She is well, my Lord,’ Taliesin replied, ‘although somewhat vexed at your early call.’
    Aeron barked a laugh . ‘Vexed I think would be an understatement. You have been around Awel too long.’
    ‘Oh, Awel had plenty to say once the call hit the hollow, they all did.’ Taliesin’s wry smile spoke volumes.
    Aeron flashed a wolfish grin. ‘I can imagine.’
    ‘May I be so bold as to remind you my Lord, that all your guests have arrived and await your attendance?’ Afagddu interjected.
    ‘You may not ,’ Aeron snapped, his good humour replaced with annoyance. ‘You can however, Councillor , leave my sight and wait to announce me in the Great Hall when I am ready.’ With a bow to hide his disgrace Afagddu scuttled out of the room.
    ‘He grows bold father?’ Taliesin said once they were alone. Taliesin had not missed his father’s Councillor one bit.
    ‘It would seem so, my son.’ Aeron retrieved his gold torc from its stand before placing it around his neck, the weight of it felt reassuring as it lay heavy against his collar. ‘It seems he has had free rei gn in my absence, something I intend to remedy.’
    Taliesin frowned . ‘Perhaps I should have stayed–’
    ‘No, Taliesin, your place is with your mother while I slumber, or at least until you take your rightful place among us. This bleak mountain, crawling with Druids, would be a wretched place to stay alone all Summer.’ Aeron grimaced at the thought. ‘Come let us go and make merry, and do not worry about Afagddu, I will bring him down a notch or two before this night is through.’
    But Taliesin did worry about his father’s Councillor, if truth be told he was a little fearful of Afagddu, and not just because of his repulsive appearance. Something about the Druid gave Taliesin cause for unease, he just couldn’t put his finger on why.
    Afagddu cringed inwardly as he watched father and son stroll down the hallway, smiling, at ease in each other’s company. Affection was a sign of weakness, a chink in the armour: a fault.
    With a nod from Aeron, Afagddu slammed the butt of his ceremonial crook three times on the stone floor before intoning, ‘He comes, He comes, Aeron Ddu, King of the Winter Realm, imminent Suffragan Orphanim of the Bwy Hir. He comes, He comes. All