“My thanks, Iago,” Gwydion said shakily. “You saved my life.”
“My Archdruid has given me orders to give you any aid I can,” Iago said modestly. “I am glad to have been of service to you.”
“Well done, Iago,” Princess Elen said with a smile.
Iago flushed, but did not reply. But his heart in his eyes as he looked at the young and beautiful heir of Ederynion.
At that moment Olwen, followed closely by Llwyd, imperiously made her way up to Gwydion. The people around him fell silent.
“What happened here?” the Queen demanded.
“Someone tried to kill the Dreamer,” Talhearn said. “Tried to kill him in our own sacred grove.”
“Angharad and Emrys went after him,” Elen volunteered. “I hope that they catch him.”
In this hope Elen was not disappointed. For just then Angharad and Emrys returned to the grove, each holding the arm of a man. The man’s clothing was nondescript—brown riding leathers and well-worn boots, one with a crack on the heel. Blood dripped slowly from a minor head wound. He had long, greasy hair and a bushy beard.
“Who are you?” Olwen demanded.
But the man refused to answer, simply staring at the Queen. His eyes shifted to Gwydion, and narrowed when he saw the Dreamer was unharmed.
“That’s right,” Gwydion said softly. “The knife you threw was deflected by the Druid. You have failed your master.”
“What is your cenedl?” Olwen demanded. “Who are your kinsmen?”
“My kinsmen know nothing of this,” the man said. “And I will not tell you who they are.”
“You will tell me,” Olwen said, her tone deadly. “Believe that.”
“I do believe that I would if I were alive,” the man said with a grimace. “But I will not be.”
“Stop him!” Gwydion cried as the man broke free of Emrys’s grasp. The man brought his hand to his mouth and swallowed something. Angharad and Emrys took him in a fresh hold, Angharad forcing the man to his knees.
“What did you take?” Gwydion demanded as he knelt beside the man. “Tell me!”
“I will tell you,” the man rasped. “Because it is too late to help me. It was pennyroyal.”
“How much?”
“All that I have. I am a dead man, Dreamer. You will get nothing from me.”
“You would kill yourself rather than betray your employer?”
“It was in the terms. I do not make promises I cannot keep.” The man gasped and clutched his belly.
Regan also knelt beside the man and put her hand on his forehead. She shook her head. “He’s right. He’s a dead man.”
Even as she said that, the man stiffened and cried out. Then he went limp and slumped to the ground. Angharad gestured and four warriors picked up the would-be assassin’s body and left the grove.
“Take him back to the fortress, Angharad,” Olwen said coldly, gesturing to Gwydion.
“Yes, my Queen,” Angharad bowed.
Olwen turned to Gwydion. “Tomorrow you will be gone from my city. See to it that you make for the border as quickly as possible. I want you out of my kingdom.”
Gwydion held up his hand. “My safety, Olwen,” he said coldly, “was in your hands. Yet I almost died tonight while under your protection.”
Olwen flushed but did not answer, for she knew the truth of that statement.
“You owe me a boon.”
“Name it,” she said between gritted teeth.
“Your Captain, the PenAethnen, must journey to Caer Dathyl. She must be there by Suldydd, Cynyddu Wythnos, Ysgawen Mis.”
“Very well,” Olwen said stiffly.
Llwyd Cilcoed’s face darkened. “My love, surely you don’t mean to do as he wishes.”
“It is the law,” Olwen said shortly. “The safety of the Dreamer as my guest was compromised. He is within his rights to ask me for a boon. Go now, Gwydion ap Awst. I trust we will not meet again.” So saying she stalked off, with Llwyd close behind.
“Come, Gwydion,” Angharad said sternly. “You’ve caused enough trouble for one evening.”
Gwydion bowed to Iago. “My thanks for saving my life. If there is anything I can do in return, you may call on me.”
Iago, Angharad, Emrys, and Talhearn escorted Gwydion back to the fortress.
When they returned to him room, Angharad said, “I’m locking you in for the night, Gwydion. Both Emrys and I will be right outside your door. Iago, keep an eye on that secret entrance from Gwydion’s room. Have Talhearn stay up with you to watch. I don’t think there is another assassin here, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“Yes, Angharad,” Iago said. “Good night, Gwydion.”