As Gwydion made his way to the altar he saw that Iago, the Queen’s Druid, was standing behind it, waiting for him. Iago was dressed in the Druid’s robe of dark brown trimmed in green. His long, black hair was held at the nape of his neck by a golden ring. His huge, dark eyes glittered as he looked at Gwydion. Solemnly, he drew back and let Gwydion take his place behind the altar.
Off to one side the Queen stood magnificently attired in sea green and pearls. Her face was cold and unyielding. Llwyd Cilcoed stood next to her, a sneer on his face.
On the Queen’s left her daughter, Elen, stood. Dressed in a white gown Elen shone like a luminous candle. Her auburn hair was woven with sea green ribbons and pearls dangled from her delicate ears. A younger boy, about fourteen years old, stood protectively behind Elen. Gwydion knew that this was Lludd, Elen’s younger brother. The boy was tall and broad for his age, and stoicism sat ill on his good-natured features.
Angharad, Emrys, Regan and Talhearn had taken up places near the altar and Gwydion lifted his hands and gestured to the unlit torches. “This is the Wheel of the Year before us,” he intoned. “One torch for each of the eight festivals when we honor the Shining Ones.” As he pointed to each torch it burst into flame. “Alban Nerth, Calan Gaef, Alban Nos, Calan Morynion, Alban Awyr, Calan Llachar, Alban Haf, and Calan Olau, which we celebrate tonight.”
After the torches were lit Gwydion continued, “We gather here to honor Mabon of the Sun, King of Fire, who brings the harvest to Kymru.”
As one the crowd chanted, “We honor him.”
“Let the Shining Ones be honored as they gather honor the giver of the harvest,” Gwydion said. “Taran, King of the Winds and Modron, Great Mother of All. Nantsovelta, Lady of the Waters. Annwyn, Lord of Chaos and Aertan, Weaver of Fate. Cerridwen, Queen of the Wood and Cerrunnos, Master of the Hunt. Y Rhyfelwr, Agrona and Camulos, the Warrior Twins. Sirona, Lady of the Stars and Grannos, Star of the North and Healer.”
“We honor the Shining Ones,” the crowd responded.
Lludd stepped forward to speak his part in the ritual. “Why do we gather here?”
Gwydion replied, “We gather to honor Mabon. For behold, he has gone to the depths of Gwlad Yr Haf and returns with the harvest in his hands.”
Then Gwydion began the chant, “In the long night of the year—”
“The land was bare and cold,” the crowd intoned.
“In the dawn of the year—” Gwydion continued.
“Buds burst upon the trees, shoots sprouted from the ground,” they replied.
“In the noon of the year—”
“Flowers bloomed, grain grew, the land was fruitful.”
“Now is the time of harvest. Ripened fruit falls into our hands. The golden wheat falls beneath the scythe. For Mabon has returned victorious,” Gwydion finished.
He raised the bowl of grain and cried, “Behold, the grain that Mabon has given.” He came out from behind the altar, followed closely by Iago, and made his way to the unlit fire of rowan wood.
Iago lit the wood with Druid’s Fire and Gwydion tossed the grain into the fire and said, “The light of Mabon, King of Fire, shines on us at night. The light of Mabon, Lord of the Sun, shines on us by day.”
Returning to the altar, Gwydion held up the loaf of bread. As he did so, loaves were distributed throughout the grove. When everyone had a piece of bread, Gwydion said, “From Mabon comes our bread.” He tore off a piece and ate it, gesturing for the people to do the same. “All hail Mabon!” he cried.
Around the blazing fire people began to dance, singing the ritual song.
Greetings to you, sun of the seasons,
As you travel the skies on high,
With your strong steps on the wing of the heights,
Victorious hero, bringer of harvest.
Sweet acorns cover the woods,
The hard ground is covered with heavy fruit.
Grain has ripened golden.
Greetings to Mabon, bringer of the harvest.
Gwydion turned to Iago, to thank him for his aid in the ritual. His back was to the surrounding trees, so he was completely unprepared for what came next.
Iago gave a shout and pushed Gwydion to the ground. Out of the corner of his eye Gwydion saw the flash of firelight on a knife that flew from the trees toward the place where he had been standing a moment before. With a gesture Iago Shape-Moved the knife, stopping it in mid-air, causing it to fall harmlessly to the ground.
Gwydion, lying prone on the ground, suddenly seemed to be surrounded. Prince Lludd, Princess Elen, Talhearn, and Regan clustered around him to offer further protection from peril. Angharad and Emrys plunged into the trees after the assassin.
Iago reached down and helped Gwydion to his feet.