When the next three apprentices—two from Prydyn and one from Rheged—had received their horses and crystals and were assigned their posts, Elstar spoke, “I declare that these apprentices are now journeymen of Nantsovelta.”
The new journeymen returned proudly to their seats as the crowd whistled and clapped their approval. A few raucous comments were shouted, then Elstar rapped again on the floor with her silver staff for silence. Again, she turned to Myrrdin. “Three journeymen there are who seek to become Dewin. May I present them to you?”
At Myrrdin’s nod, the journeymen in robes of sea green stepped up before the dais. Gwydion knew the first two somewhat, for they were both from important families in Gwynedd. Regan ur Corfil was tall and slender, her wealth of dark brown hair spilling down her back. The other, Bledri ap Gwyn, had sandy brown hair caught up in a silver clasp at the nape of his neck, and his powerful shoulders strained against the cloth of his robe. The last journeyman was Neuad ur Hetwin, the woman who had been making sheep’s eyes at Myrrdin last night. Today she stood silently before him, not even daring to lift her eyes, the candlelight turning her hair to molten gold.
The three stood still as statues while Elstar spoke, “I declare to this company that these journeymen have served in their posts with honor for five years. They are proficient healers. They are strong clairvoyants and use their gifts only to serve. I deem these worthy of becoming Dewin. Will you accept them?”
Myrrdin stepped forward then, framing Regan’s face with gentle hands. “Regan ur Corfil, I deem you worthy of becoming Dewin, a true daughter of Nantsovelta.” He nodded to Arthur, who stood, clutching two rings in his tiny fist. The boy negotiated the steps to the dais laboriously then took his place beside Myrrdin. “My father, King Uthyr, declares that you are a true woman of Gwynedd and presents to you this ring of silver.” Arthur handed the ring to Regan and she put it on the fourth finger of her left hand.
Then Myrrdin spoke, “Regan ur Corfil, I give you this torque of silver and pearl. Wear it with honor.” So saying, he clasped the torque around her neck. “You will go to Ederynion, to the court of Queen Olwen in Dinmael, to serve her as Dewin. Serve with honor.” She bowed to Myrrdin, and stepped back from the dais.
“Bledri ap Gwyn,” Myrrdin said, his hands framing the young man’s face, “I deem you worthy of becoming Dewin, a true son of Nantsovelta.” Since Bledri was also from Gwynedd, Arthur again made his little speech and presented a silver ring. As Myrrdin clasped the torque around Bledri’s neck he said, “You will go to Rheged, to the court of King Urien in Llwynarth, to serve as his Dewin. Serve with honor.” As Bledri made his bow, Arthur returned to his seat, relieved that he had remembered his speech. Susanna smiled warmly at him, putting her arm around the boy’s shoulders.
Then it was Neuad’s turn. As Myrrdin framed her face with his hands the young woman blushed deeply. Elphin of Rheged rose and stood next to Myrrdin. “Neuad ur Hetwin,” Myrrdin said gently, “I deem you worthy of becoming Dewin, a true daughter of Nantsovelta.” Then young Elphin spoke, “My father, King Urien declares you a true woman of Rheged, and presents to you this ring of silver.” After presenting Neuad with her torque, Myrrdin paused. His eyes searched the crowd, and when he saw Gwydion at the back of the hall their eyes met and locked.
Gwydion’s eyes searched his uncle’s. He saw sorrow and he saw pain. But at the last, he detected Myrrdin’s faint, wry smile beneath his beard.
Myrrdin glanced down at Neuad’s white, set face. “Neuad ur Hetwin,” he said clearly, “You shall go to Gwynedd, to the court of King Uthyr at Tegeingl, to serve as his Dewin. Serve with honor.”
At that moment, Gwydion understood what his uncle was saying, and he closed his eyes briefly with the knowledge. As the new Dewin sat down, Myrrdin turned to the hushed crowd. “I send Neuad ur Hetwin to King Uthyr’s court, because Cynan ap Darun, the Dewin at Tegeingl, is being recalled to Y Ty Dewin. Cynan is a man of the House of Llyr, and he will take my place as Ardewin. I can no longer serve here.”
Myrrdin continued to speak in the shocked silence. “I have suffered in secret for some time of an illness I will not detail. I can suffer in secret no longer, as my condition is becoming worse. I am no longer fit to lead the Dewin. If there is anyone in this hall who has ever cared for me, you will let me go in peace.”
With that, Myrrdin started down the steps. Elstar, white faced, grasped his sleeve, but he shook her off. Pandemonium had broken out within the hall. Shocked faces started at Myrrdin as everyone spoke at once. But Myrrdin made his way down the hall, looking neither to the right or the left. Looking only at Gwydion. As he neared the huge doors, he stopped in front of his nephew.