Chapter 22 #2
“The Orwen's power never passed on, or if it did, that person has yet to come forward. We have searched for years but have never been able to locate her. This fuels the belief that many follow, that she is not in fact dead and instead the Orddu holds her captive.”
“Why would the Orddu do that, though? Besides the corrupted evil sort, what benefit does he have in keeping the Orwen captive for so long?” I had to give it to the young Western Witch; he asked excellent questions.
Brushing off her skirt, the woman stood, her cheeks red.
“The Orwen is the only known being besides the Crewrs whose power matches the Orddu. Like all things in this world, there must be balance, and wielding the mighty power of the Crewrs requires both the Orwen and the Orddu to keep the other in check. So having control over both sides of that power would benefit him greatly.”
The teenager scowled like he wasn't quite satisfied with the answers the purple-haired storyteller gave. He straightened, readying himself for a second round of questioning, but a deafening noise had every single person stopping in their tracks and paying attention.
The collection of horns that bellowed across the clearing was more like a call to war rather than a call to tell everyone the nomination part of the evening was about to begin.
The gentleman who had warned me about the wine wasn't wrong; its potency had me swaying on my feet as I staggered out of the tent.
Although the horns made me want to take off in the opposite direction and never look back, everyone else seemed to calmly collect themselves and make their way towards the large bonfire that burned in front of Llwyn Onn.
I followed the crowd like a sheep to its slaughter, the giant bonfire a beacon drawing us all in. Eventually, the crowd became so compact that I was pushed up against someone on both sides and front to back.
Within seconds, I felt my chest tighten and panic set in as I realised how closely everyone stood. No one else seemed bothered by the proximity. Even small children stood in the crowd pushing between the legs of the adults to get a better view of the fire.
My breathing became laboured, and trickles of sweat ran down the open back of my dress as the image of the bonfire in front of me seemed to split in two.
As my head lolled to the side and my knees gave out, arms wrapped around me, and the next thing I knew, I was being carried away from the claustrophobic crowd.
My vision was still blurry, but I could make out the red habit my face was buried into. Something told me this wasn't Jazz who carried me to safety.
“I've got her!” a familiar voice called to someone on the outskirts of the crowd.
Whoever carried me must have had the strength of an ox because they ran with me in their arms at a considerable speed.
Despite my grumble of defiance, they set me down, and my feet felt grass. Before me stood another two figures in red, one considerably shorter than the other.
The taller of the two, who I assumed was Jazz from the long dark hair, grabbed my shoulders and shook me gently.
“What in the gods' names have you taken? I turned my back for a second, and you were gone.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I slurred out something that sounded like shmulberry vine before covering the hiccup that escaped. I couldn't see their features, but Jazz's eyes widened so dramatically that even I could tell they were horrified by my choice of drink.
“Shit, how much? You must have drunk an entire jug for it to have that kind of effect on you.”
I motioned the rough size of the cup and mouthed a big one.
“Just the one cup?”
I nodded in response. Jazz turned and spoke to one of the figures standing behind them, “See if you can find High Healer Sioned; she might have something that can sober her up.”
The figure turned to leave, but Jazz called after them, “Addae, do not let her know who it's for. We might be able to keep this from getting back to Bron, and after the evening she's had, the last thing she needs is to add to the reasons her Ledr wants to strangle her.”
Jazz and the shorter figure, whom I assumed was Alaw, wrapped my arms around their shoulders and guided me around the outskirts of the crowd.
Alaw being considerably shorter than Jazz and I only made my stumbling worse.
Eventually, the fuzzy image of a small navy tent came into view, and Jazz lifted the door as we entered the dimly lit pabell.
A soft chair was underneath me in the next breath, and Jazz crouched in front of me, holding my arms steady as I still swayed.
“One glass really shouldn't affect her like this,” they said to Alaw, who stood behind them, arms crossed.
I slurred out I'm right here, and as I did, the pabell door was pulled back, and in strode a tall figure in red.
They handed a bundle of greenery to Jazz. “I tried to be as low-key as possible, but she's definitely suspicious,” Addae panted.
Jazz raised an eyebrow. “Who did you say it was for?”
Addae shrugged. “I just said it definitely wasn't for anyone called Non.”
A fit of hysterical laughter overcame me, but Jazz grumbled and twisted the bundle of green foliage in two.
“Don't laugh at him, he genuinely thought he was being inconspicuous.”
They passed the now fragrant bundle of dried herbs to me. “Put this under your nose and take a deep breath. You'll feel like your nostrils are being burnt off, but it should subside and hopefully clear the effects of the spelled wine you drank.”
I did as instructed. Initially, the herbs smelled faintly of mint and eucalyptus, which was pleasant. But after a moment, it began to feel like my nostrils were bleeding.
My eyes streamed, tears dripping off my nose and chin. Someone used a cloth and patted my tears away. Slowly, my mind and vision sobered.
“What the fuck was in that?” I asked as Jazz and Alaw pulled me to my feet while Addae continued to wipe away my tears.
“Not important right now. We have minutes to get you back in that crowd without Bron or Aeron noticing.”
Jazz, Alaw, and Addae all exited the tent with a swift grace. When I didn't follow, Addae popped his head back in and reached for my hand.
“You good?” His smile was crooked.
I took a deep breath. I had to give it to High Healer Sioned. Whatever was in her little bouquet certainly did the trick.
Nodding, I looked over Addae’s shoulder to see the large crowd waiting in front of the burning Aelwyd.
“What were those horns I heard earlier? They were so loud, I think I popped an eardrum.”
“The horns are called Carnyx. Each Coven has one that plays a slightly different note.
We use them for all different things, but this evening, they wanted to get people's attention. When they are all played at once, it generally means something important is happening, like now.” Addae smiled softly.
Although his unseriousness seemed to rub Jazz up the wrong way from time to time, I was glad of it in moments like this. It made it all feel more normal.
“The Coven leaders will come out of the pabell and address the crowd.
Usually, Aeron has a speech prepared. Then each Coven will put forward the competitors for this year's Anoethau.
After that, there's a few more formalities, and then the party will start. Thankfully, once the competitors are chosen, the Cyngor Blaen tend to piss off for the evening, save one or two.”
“And I am expected to do what exactly while this is all happening?”
Addae's smile widened. “Enjoy yourself! Dance, drink, but maybe steer clear of the Wimberry Wine for the rest of the evening. It's spelled to have a more intense effect, as mortal alcohol does nothing for us.”
“I drink all the time back home in Caerglan. Believe me when I say mortal alcohol had an effect on me.”
Addae scratched his chin. “Huh, weird. No wonder you were three sheets to the wind after one tankard of spelled wine then.”
Addae took my hand and led me from the tent towards the front of the crowd where Jazz and Alaw stood.
Addae positioned me behind himself and Alaw at the front of the crowd, allowing just enough of a gap for me to see the Aelwyd.
In front of the giant burning mound were four people, each in their Coven colours of red, black, green, and purple.
No blue of the East. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen a single person wearing the navy habits since arriving.
Maybe they were late? Or maybe they'd decided not to sacrifice the lives of their Coven for the sake of more power.
The four individuals in front of the fire each held an unusual-looking instrument. They towered in the air at least ten feet tall, each instrument topped with a different terrifying creature. From their trumpet-like shape, I assumed they were the Carnyx Addae had been talking about.
Movement from behind the Aelwyd caught my attention, and the various Coven leaders and their families made their way out of the large pabell, coming to stand in front of the fire.
Their family members moved to stand in front of us, leaving a line of seven.
Aeron stood alone, and I'd not been introduced to an Ail, indicating the Central Coven didn't have a second in command.
No one dressed in blue joined them either.
Looked like the East really wasn't attending.
As Addae had stated, Aeron gave a lengthy speech. Reminding everyone how grateful they should be that the gods continue to choose vassals each year. He made a small reference to the absence of the East, saying it was 'understandable' they continued to be a solitary Coven.
I wiped the sweat trickling down my temple with the back of my hand. Noticing my discomfort, Addae turned and gave me a sympathetic smile as I shifted from side to side, trying to cool myself from the blazing heat of the fire.