Night Birds' Reign(28)
“Please,” Gwydion said getting to his feet.
“Gwydion! Brother!” Uthyr exclaimed, as he swiftly crossed the room and enveloped Gwydion in a gargantuan bear hug. “I didn’t know you were coming!” Uthyr turned to Ygraine and kissed her lightly.
He went to the cradle and gently touched sleeping Morrigan’s fresh face. Then he picked up his young son and tossed him high into the air. Arthur giggled delightedly. Uthyr caught the boy and held him close. Seeing them face to face Gwydion noted that the resemblance was very strong. Arthur would have his mother’s auburn hair and dark eyes, but his face was Uthyr’s.
“Well, boyo, are you ready to take a trip soon?” Uthyr asked, and Arthur nodded his answer.
“Where is he going?” Gwydion said sharply.
“Why, he’s going to the graduation ceremonies at the colleges in Gwytheryn. They start in a few weeks. He’s the heir, so he has to deliver the gifts for the graduates from Gwynedd.”
“Are you going with him?” Gwydion asked.
“No. Susanna and Cai will go with Arthur. Ygraine and I will stay here this year, with Morrigan.”
Gwydion nodded absently, his mind racing. A trip to Gwytheryn opened possibilities that could give Gwydion the chance he needed to settle Arthur’s future.
“Isn’t Arthur a little young to be going?” he asked.
Uthyr shrugged. “No younger than I was the first time. Well, little brother, it’s good to see you! Are you here for the Plentyn Prawf then?”
Gwydion swallowed. Now it begins, he thought. “Uthyr. Ygraine. I need to talk to you both.”
Uthyr’s smile faded as he took a good look at Gwydion’s tense, tired face. Gently, he set Arthur down and straightened. “What is it?” he asked in a tight voice.
“The testing. Please, Uthyr, sit down.”
Uthyr drew up a chair next to his wife. “All right. I’m sitting,” Uthyr said firmly. “What is it?”
“I’ve sent for Susanna. Arthur must be tested privately. Here and now.”
“Why?” Ygraine asked coldly. “Heirs are always tested in public, just like all the other children.”
“Because I think I know what we will find; and because the results must not be known publicly. Not yet.”
“And what do you expect to find?” Uthyr asked slowly.
“I think you know.”
Uthyr did not reply. Ygraine turned to her husband, but before she could question him, Susanna was at the door with Duach right behind her.
“Thank you, Duach,” Gwydion said as he went swiftly to the door and pulled Susanna into the room. “I’ll send for you if we need anything.” Gwydion quickly shut the door on Duach’s surprised and curious face.
“Did you bring the testing device?” Gwydion asked.
Susanna wore a simple gown of gray wool. Her hair was loose and disheveled, and she was barefoot. “Yes,” she said acidly. “I brought it. I was also busy when Duach came and hauled me over here. Griffi may never forgive you for this. I know I won’t.”
Gwydion said simply, “It’s important, Susanna.”
The Bard was instantly serious. “All right,” she said quietly. “What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to test Arthur. Now.”
Susanna’s eyes widened in surprise. “But—”
“Please. Just do it.” Something in his tone immediately stopped all protest. Slowly, Susanna moved to where Arthur sat on the floor, once again playing with his blocks. She knelt down beside him, taking a small square object from the folds of her gown. “Hello, Arthur. Do you remember me? I’ve been gone a long time.”
Arthur looked at her, gravely considering her question. “Yes. You are Susanna. You play music.”
“Yes,” Susanna smiled. “And I do other things too. I travel all over Gwynedd and I meet many children. And when I meet them I do a little test, called the Plentyn Prawf, which means Child Test. And the test tells us if a child has a special talent. Like if they can talk to animals or see things in their minds from far away. Or if they can make things move without touching them.”
“I can’t do those things,” Arthur said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Well, you never know. I have a test to find out. Do you want me to find out about you?”
“Will it hurt?” He didn’t seem apprehensive, just curious.
“No. You’ll just feel a little prick at the end of your finger.”
Arthur considered her request for a moment, then nodded for her to go ahead.
Susanna held out the small square box. The opening at one end was just large enough to insert a finger. The box was made of some kind of silvery material that glistened in the sunlight. The top of the box was decorated with jewels. In the very center there was a group of onyx stones, arranged in a figure-eight pattern around a bloodstone. Grouped around these stones were a large pearl, a sapphire, an emerald, and an opal. At the far corners other jewels nested—amethyst, topaz, ruby, and a diamond beside a garnet.