Cry of Sorrow by Holly Taylor Read Free Book Online

further downfall have been laid.”
    “Does Anieron warn against doing anything?” Owein asked.
    “He does not. He suggests only additional caution.”
    “What about the Plentyn Prawf, then? It is almost time for you to begin your journey to test the children. Perhaps it would be best if you remained here this year.”
    “I cannot do that,” Esyllt said quietly. “The Master Bard would not permit it.”
    “You asked, of course,” Teleri said. “And were grateful he did not refuse you permission.” Teleri’s words were correct, but her tone was something else again.
    Esyllt flushed. “I did ask. And was relieved when he said I must go.”
    “Yes, that must have pleased you.”
    “Very well,” Owein said hastily. Teleri and Esyllt had never liked one another. “Esyllt, you will leave here to begin the testing next week. I will send Trystan with you as guard.”
    A sharp gesture from Trystan, abruptly stilled, caught Owein’s eye. “Is this acceptable to you, Captain?” he asked, surprised.
    “It is,” Trystan said steadily, “if that is your wish. And the wish of the lady.”
    “It is, indeed, my wish,” Esyllt said warmly. “To whom else could I trust my life but you?”
    Contempt flickered in Teleri’s eyes as she looked at the Bard. Well, after all, though Esyllt had a husband, he had been held captive now for two years. What matter if she should continue to take her pleasure in Trystan, as she had done for years?
    “Well, tomorrow we go to meet the wyrce-jaga who come up-river, and give them a proper Rheged greeting,” Owein said. “An early night, then. If there is no more business—”
    “There is,” Enid said. Her face was pale, but her voice was firm as she rose to speak. “It has long been on my mind that there is another way to strike at Morcant Whledig. A way to deprive him of someone on whom he depends.”
    Oh, gods
, Owein thought.
Not again
. “Enid—”
    “No. Hear me out. Bledri, our own father’s Dewin, sits at Morcant’s feet in Llwynarth, in his own way a captive, too.”
    “He is hardly a captive, Enid,” Teleri said in exasperation. “He is an advisor to Morcant, protected from the wyrce-jaga by the fact that he, too, is a traitor. Or have you forgotten that he was in on the plot with Morcant from the beginning? Have you forgotten that it was his work that delayed the warriors of Amgoed from reaching your parents until it was almost too late? It was he who prevented Hetwin Silver-Brow from coming to their aid. If Hetwin had come to the final battle, perhaps your mother and father would still be alive.”
    Enid flushed, but held her ground. “How can we know what pressure Morcant had brought to bear on Bledri? How can we know that Bledri does not now repent of his betrayal? All I ask is that you send someone to Llwynarth to talk to him, to determine if he is happy with the path he has chosen.”
    “And if he is? Just who do you think should put themselves in that kind of danger?” Teleri snapped.
    “I myself will go. I am sure that he would give anything to turn back to us.”
    “To you, you mean,” Owein said harshly. “And just what is it that makes you think he wishes to repent of his traitorous acts?”
    “I—I just feel it in my heart to be true.”
    “No,” Owein went on relentlessly, “you just wish it to be true. Because he is handsome and charming and he was always kind to you. But then you were a child. Now you are a woman. Set your heart on the Prince of Prydyn. Leave Bledri to the past. And don’t forget his hand had a part in mam and da’s death. Don’t forget they are dead, in part due to him. Don’t forget that Elphin, too, lost his life due to Bledri’s treachery.”
    “I don’t forget!” Enid cried, stung. “Who could forget that you wanted all Elphin had, even offering for his betrothed! And she refused you. Rightly, she flung your greed and jealousy back to your face!”
    “Enid!” Rhiwallon gasped as Owein turned pale. “You