The Emerald Flame Read Online Free Page B

dead,” he said. “He was a bad man—but his son is worse still!” He shivered as though at some dreadful memory. “Redwuld Grammod he is called.”
    “Redwuld the fierce,” added Rhodri. “Redwuld the cruel. I know of that creature, although he did not live with Ironfist when I was with him. He lived at the court of King Oswald and had been there from early childhood. I never saw the man, but I heard tales of his bad temper and his viciousness.”
    “Then you must have made your escape before he returned to be with his father,” said Dillon. “He is a very wicked man! I was set to work in Thain Ironfist’s Great Hall, and Redwuld Grammod was my master. There were many servants in that horrible place … but one woman stood out from the others. Redwuld had brought her with him from the north. Very beautiful she was, with flowing chestnut hair and big eyes like a doe; and Redwuld treated her as a favorite. Leastways, I never saw her beaten as the rest of us were. She told me once that her name was Alwyn and that her father was a great warrior of Powys—one of the greatest warriors ever in the whole history of the Four Kingdoms. Lord Gavan ap Huw, hero of the battle of Rhos.”
    “And you escaped and sought out the great warrior?” asked Rhodri.
    “I did,” said Dillon, a proud light igniting in his eyes for a moment. “I was serving at a feast, and I broke a favorite drinking goblet of RedwuldGrammod’s. He ordered that I should be whipped before the whole household the next morning. I have seen such beatings. People die of them. So I waited until the dead of night, and then I crept quietly away under the noses of the guards.”
    “He arrived in Doeth Palas the same day you cut the half Saxon captive loose,” Gavan told Branwen, glancing at Rhodri. “In the aftermath of your actions, I had little time to spend on a runaway out of the east, but eventually I gave an ear to Dillon’s tale. I have no doubt that the woman he met was my Alwyn—closer than I could have ever imagined, and under the thumb of our greatest foe!”
    “And Prince Llew gave his permission for you to seek her out?” Branwen asked in surprise. Gavan had told her that the last time he had asked permission to go in search of his daughter he had been told he could not be spared. And surely the Saxon threat was as great now as it had been then.
    “He gave his permission willingly,” said Gavan. “And at the time I thought it strange that he did not refuse my request; but I see now that he was glad to have me out of his court with my unwanted questions.” His brows knitted. “I believe now that I may have been the only man in the prince’s court who did not know what he was planning. Angor was certainly deep in his counsels, and many others, too.”
    “He knew you could not be corrupted, I’d say,” commented Iwan. “But at some point, as his plansgrew to fruition, I think you would have been quietly done away with. Angor would relish such a duty!”
    “I doubt it not,” said Gavan. “But we shall see who will gain the upper hand when next I see that villain, the fires of Annwn take him!”
    “The prince would not allow Lord Gavan to take any soldiers on his hunt into Mercia,” said Andras. “But he said he could pick three lads of the court.” Pride showed on his thin face. “He chose us to travel with him.”
    “Aye,” said Gavan. “The best of a poor bunch, but trustworthy and stouthearted. And the lad Dillon asked to come with us.”
    “That was bravely done,” said Rhodri, looking admiringly at the boy. “I’d have thought twice before returning to Ironfist’s lair!”
    “He’ll not be put in danger,” said Gavan. “But he knows the layout of the camp, and he will help us get in and out undetected.”
    “I’m glad for you, Gavan ap Huw,” said Branwen. “I know how your heart aches for your daughter. I hope you are successful.”
    Gavan looked silently at her for a while, the firelight flickering in