Bastard Prince: The Queen of Candelor Series, #6

By JoEllen Conger

Even the High Merlin Kevin, and her husband, Prince Laurance have pleaded with Gwyndalin to reveal her secret, yet she declines fearing for Gallagher's safety. Will there come a time she will feel free to reveal her life's secret?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781613094136

Book preview

One

Once upon a time...in a land far away

The Dowager Queen Gwyndalin of Candelore (no longer serving the boy king as regent) had served Anthony the First as queen and Lady-Wife. She dreamily sat before the fire with the young royal couple with their legs stretching out in front of them to soak up the heat from the open hearth. They all were simply enjoying watching the royal children at play with their wooden toys on the open hearth.

With a family growing so large, I suppose all these guard dogs are necessary, Gwyndalin speculated.

The guard dogs, who lay on either side of High King Anthony’s leather chair, also watched the children at play. It was indeed a magical moment as the fire reflected blends of gold highlights in the children’s hair.

So, Anthony, Gwyndalin began, Who be the big dog giving me the stink-eye?

Oh, Pucca be all right. He just dina know ye, Anthony answered. He be one of King Brude’s cross-breed mixes and very dedicated to protecting me. Even me Lady-Wife must be cautious, he said with a grin. Be that right? He glanced her way for confirmation.

What be the other half? wondered Gwyndalin aloud. The dog be every bit as big as a horse.

Mastiff, injected Bodicca, high queen to all of Brightland. Me brother, King Brude of Castlerald, thought we might find favor in the mix as a fighting animal. After me da died in battle, Brude succeeded me da’s rule of our kingdom. So, he also took over command of me father’s royal kennels.

And, did ye find him better suited, than yer wolfhounds?

Well nay, answered the king. He be not as nimble on his feet, nor as fleet, but for pure ferocity he be grand. Yet, grandly intimidating.

Interesting. Yet do ye trust him with the smaller children? quizzed Gwyndalin.

Nay, not so much. Especially if they have food in their hands. That’s how he got to be Anthony’s charge. He suits a man better, anyway, confessed Bodicca. Ye haven’t seen the nursery hound. He be visiting me girls down at the kennel...goes by the name of Liam.

Melancholy drifted over Gwyndalin as she watched the children play. This had been the one thing she had never been able to give to her king...children...his children! Heirs for the future. It wasn’t as though they had not tried. After his accidental death, she had raised Anthony II as though he had been her own. She had always seen to his education, weaponry, riding, then fighting strategy...things he needed to know to be king. For years she had watched Anthony grow from infant to manhood. Man enough to be the high king.

Gwyndalin was particularly drawn to watching the nine-year-old royal twins. They played by themselves, as though they were in a world of their own. The twins reminded her of herself at that age. They had been born before she was married to her Royal Companion. After that, moving to Joyous Keep had totally changed her lifestyle. Life at Joyous Keep was simpler than meeting the required duties she’d had held in Candelore.

Time for cake yet? whined Anthony, sitting up straighter.

It be here on the table as though ye didn’t know, Gwyndalin chided.

We already have the little plates, announced one of the nursemaids.

Go ahead. Make a wish, shouted Bodicca.

"I’m coming. Let me cut it," Gwyndalin insisted. She bounded from her chair and a large wolfhound with unusual markings blocked her way, drool forming on his lips. She froze, her hands drawn up breast high.

"Stad, not ye, Conan, cead!" Bodicca ordered the hound away from the cake.

Make a wish, came more loudly.

Gwyndalin stood by the cake table as the family shifted to cozy chairs. She stood unmoving for a few moments to make her customary natal day wish before blowing out the candle. I wish only for happiness for the future of the Darkdragon Clan.

She opened her eyes and blew out the one candle lit on her cake in celebration of her thirty-fifth natal day. Then taking her dirk from her waistband, she cut small slices for each of the royal littles. They came running, jumping up and down in their excitement, their eyes sparkling.

Pointing with her dirk, Gwyndalin called, Ceptus Rose and Crotas Bud, step forward and tell me yer names and ages, she said as she picked up two small plates.

The twins hip-bumped each other as they came forward, amused at being interrogated. Arawn, the twins’ guard dog, jumped up and danced about the two girls as they came up to the table. One of them pointed down, and the youngish bitch sat immediately, but her tongue lathed her chops. I be Princess Ceptus Rose...And I’m Crotas Bud. The twins curtsied at the same time. We’re eight, they said as one, giggling together as they reached out to accept their cut of the cake.

Next up was a precocious tike, already reaching for his serving. Gwyndalin refused to let go of the plate. She saw the look in his eyes when he finally realized he had to play the game. Arthur Durrin, I be nine years. His chin held high, his lips sneering, he added, I be in royal training to become the king, he announced in a condescending tone. Dancer had not followed him from the hearth. She was old enough to reflect her training, yet her eyebrows expressed that she wouldn’t refuse any crumb coming her way.

Gwyndalin was so surprised by Arthur’s tone of voice she suddenly released her tightfisted grip on the plate. I must speak to Bodicca about his unacceptable attitude.

Next in line, stepping up with his chubby hands tucked beneath his chin, he shouted, Six, Mylow the Younger, spoken all on the same breath. And he snaked his hands out to accept the plate handed to him.

The next child was a thin rendition of Anthony and spoke so softly he could scarcely be heard as he said, Arden. I be seven cycles of the wheel. Thank ye fer bringing the treat, he said, ducking his head.

What nice manners ye have. Yer very welcome. Gwyndalin handed him a plate with a slightly larger piece. Arden’s eyes lit up as they shared their secret.

Wasn’t there another? Gwyndalin asked, glancing around.

Aye. Fer the record there be Turrin Boyd, now twenty...married to the Iberian princess, Lena Marie. He and Lena be not with us tonight, Bodicca said wistfully.

Gwyndalin’s heart jerked with disappointment at missing an opportunity to embrace the girl-child she had loved so dearly...the runaway bride from the youngest son to the Tzar in Far Northland. Princess Lena Marie be not here? Has she been told that I came?

Mayhap not. We twere not expecting ye, but I will send a runner immediately, Queen Bodicca apologized.

ANTHONY, HIGH KING to all Brightland, had watched as his brood clambered noisily forming a line to receive their sweets. "Come on, me leanai, keep yer voices down, he admonished the noisy gaggle of royal children, before turning back to Gwyndalin. Nana, he said, calling her by his pet name for her, I’m positively thrilled ye came all the way back to Candelore to share yer century mark with us."

Only her thirty-fifth, corrected Bodicca, his queen and the mother of all his issue. She lounged nearer the crackling fire, nursing one of their latest offspring.

Anthony chose to ignore her correction.

When Bodicca received her slice of cake from one of the maids, she loudly proclaimed, Twenty-one, High Queen Bodicca of Brightland!

So not to be outdone, Anthony played it to the hilt as well. When he was presented his piece of Gwyndalin’s natal day cake, he crossed his arms. Me name be High King Anthony of Candelore, ruler to all Brightland and the United Clans.

Amused that the introductions had escalated, Gwyndalin felt challenged to do better.

She curtsied low, saying, "Me name be Dowager High Queen Gwyndalin of all Brightland, retired...and let this cake declare I now be thirty-five cycles of the wheel."

Bodicca giggled. Yer so funny, Gwyndalin. I absolutely adore ye.

While eating great bites out of his piece of cake, Anthony asked, Gwyndalin, coming back to Candelore after being gone fer such a long spell, ye must indeed have many memories, he speculated. Can ye tell us about one of yer stories?

Gwyndalin smiled as she thought back to younger days. It seemed forever ago. Yer sire’s life with me here twere cut way too short...but aye, I have many memories. Some good...others frightening.

Frightening how?

Oh...like when the Christ monks poisoned me in me own bed chambers, and it twere me Royal Companion, Laurance, who saved me very soul. But I don’t want to talk about that tonight. Not this night. I want tonight should be a joyous celebration of me life.

Anthony quickly changed the subject. I’ve heard tell ye helped build this stone castle with yer very own hands! Be this true? his gesture was all inclusive. Me clever Nana.

Aye, Bodicca joined the conversation. Thank ye fer making the chambers so...so grand. They be large enough to turn around in without bumping yer bum on the wall. I like that.

That I did. I’m so happy to see the two of ye be content here. I designed the floor plan long before ye were born to yer father, she said to Anthony. However, I twern’t here for yer birthing.

I don’t believe I’ve heard that story. Ye must share yer telling of it some eveningtide over a glass of mulled mead.

It would indeed be a very long tale in the telling of it, Anthony. It would take more than just a single evening.

But, Nana, I’ve not heard yer stories, and ye be the last one who can tell them.

Anthony, not so! I’m happy to say ye be wrong about that.

Who else? The high king leaned forward in question, encouraging her.

Prince Laurance would be better gifted for weaving such a long account than I.

But Nana, it all be me history as well! I want to know how it all came about. It be not Laurance’s life I wish to hear about...it be yers.

Well then, mayhaps I should invest in a stack of blank parchment, a quill and an inkwell to start scribing notes for meself. There be simply so much, I’d need to muddle through it, to put all me thoughts into any sort of order. Of course. it would start out, ‘Once upon a time in a land far away’ Gwyn dramatically panned her palm across in front of her as though she saw her life marching past.

I hope ye be not overly long in the writing, he encouraged her.

I’ll think on it for the telling sometime in the coming future, mayhap when next I visit. I promise.

As Lady-Wife to me much-missed friend, Prince Laurance, how has life been treating ye away from court? inquired the high king.

Well enough. As yet we have no King’s Council at Joyous Keep. Be yer new Companion, Ryan, still with ye?

Religiously. I haven’t caught him spying since then.

That’s reassuring. Well...Laurance and I have enough going on without a royal court to take up our time, she teased the king. What with the ripening grapes being pressed, and the wine put into kegs to season, and all of Laurance’s horse flesh being bred for that upstart king of ours, we manage to keep busy. And let’s no forget his new sailing fleet.

Ooo, an upstart! the king mocked. If ye say so! Who might that king be? He sounds rather pugnacious. Then Anthony giggled softly, enjoying having a word battle with Nana.

Pugnacious! Gwyndalin repeated. Gracious, that be a splendid word.

Another thought came to Anthony. I guess ye served as me regent for so many years ye’re feeling blessed to step away from it. Yet there come times when I wish I still had ye sitting beside me in the council hall.

Ohhhh? For what reason? She had continued to cut slices of cake for the adults, including the serving maids, who delivered the small plates around the room without interrupting the flow of conversation.

Suddenly, Anthony laughed aloud. I had one a few weeks ago that could have used yer quick wit.

Oh? What was that, dear?

Remember that one ye had where the man who didn’t own the pig and the small boy? And ye sent them both to the far end of the hall, each with a little cake, and told the man to call the pig. And the pig didn’t budge. Oh, ye always came up with the most divine consequences. I learned to bow to yer wisdom.

Ye have never mentioned that a’fore today. Why is that? Have ye finally realized how difficult it can be sometimes to run a country?

"Don’t forget I was in training then. I believe in those days my faithful tutor always reminded me to be silent. That listening would bring me great wisdom." Then he guffawed.

Well, obviously it must have worked, Gwyndalin retorted.

High Queen Bodicca joined the laughter. I believe me da twere always saying something similar, when me brother, Brude, persisted in asking, ‘Why this?’ or ‘Why that? Because the children had become so noisy, she suddenly stood and clapped her hands sharply. Every head turned in her direction. All right, me littles. Time for bed. There came dispirited moans. And ye too, Ardan. Let’s go! She clapped her hands four or five more times for emphasis. The children looked up startled, with crumbs on their lips. They hurried to finish their last bite of cake before the nursemaids shuffled them off to make them ready for bed.

Gwyn, will ye be staying long? questioned Bodicca.

"Nay. Only as long as it takes to reload the wagons with the empty wine kegs to take back to Joyous Keep for refilling. I just thought while the caravan be coming this way with an escort, I’d take the opportunity to come share me natal day celebration with ye. However, Laurance said he twere too busy to join me. He watches those grapes being processed as though no one else could possibly do it right without him being there.

Plus, I realized I’d get to play with yer brood and see the new baby. And well, here I am. Will five be enough for ye, or will ye be set on making up yer very own army? Bodicca mugged a long face at her, while passing off the babe she’d been nursing to one of the young nursemaids.

It be all yer fault, Gwyndalin, Bodicca retorted, shaking a finger at the dowager. Yer the one who designed so many empty rooms.

My dear, I hadn’t realized having such a plethora of empty chambers would imply to ye that ye needs must fill all these empty rooms all by yerself! Someday ye may have need of an empty room or two, from time to time, Gwyndalin teased.

"Never fear, come whenever ye will, Gwyn. Yer rooms will always be yer rooms, just waiting for ye to come. I asked one of the housemaids to run over to yer rooms to ready it fer ye."

Thank ye, Bodicca. That’s very thoughtful of ye. However, I’m not sure how often I might have time to travel the distance. Well...unless I can ride astride like a messenger. She chuckled at her own joke. So how many offspring have ye now, me dears? There must be at least five?

King Anthony answered proudly, We have two sets of twins, which helps bring the count up, Nana. Gitl and Mail make it seven, Anthony indicating the second newborn infant sucking at Bodicca’s breast. Four in line for the Royal Darkdragon title, and four others.

Really! Gwyndalin scowled, I’ll have ye know I really can run me numbers, Anthony. Ye said ye had seven. So how did ye come by eight?

"Well, ye may recall that during the last skirmish I took on Boyd as blood-kin...to be me first born. I did this the last time Ivor came to claim our Lena...because Boyd has never taken the king training. I couldn’t very well do that to him. He twere already fifteen. Way too long in the tooth to begin weapons training. He could never have been next in line for the title. Nonetheless, he was a brave lad that day he stood up to the Far Northland Prince, Ivor Irinushka, vouching he and Lena twere married.

Plus...ye will recall I named Gallagher as blood-kin...

Whenever was that?

Ye weren’t here, Nana, when Cheryl Lain nursed our twin girls back to health. Bodicca hadn’t enough milk to support the two of them.

"Nay, I hadn’t forgotten that, but hadn’t thought to wonder if the lads twere thus in line to meet the obligation of the title. Gallagher, at least, has had some training in defense. However, I think it wise of ye to say nay to them.

Be Lena and Boyd staying here? No cake for them if they knew I twere here but didn’t join us.

Anthony continued the countdown. "Turrin Boyd has always been ‘swaggelsmacked’ over Lena. There be no question about that. Now that she has become a full woman, fifteen this year, they stay pretty much to themselves. Although we’ll see them at night meal. I’ve never required Turrin to meet the responsibilities held by the first born, simply because I adopted him." Gwyndalin nodded, taking in all new information. She was keeping count on her fingers.

I guess Mylow the Younger will be our first in line to take over the Darkdragon responsibilities. Instead, I’ve put Boyd in charge of the horse flesh. No point in expecting him to do what he has never been trained for.

Any babies there?

Nay. He still has not courted her. The lad has been true to his vow.

Which vow was that...? Gwyndalin wondered.

Not to treat Lena as his Lady-Wife while she twere but a child. He has waited through all these last five years like a gentleman, waiting fer her to grow up to become a woman.

Commendable, I’d say. Gwyndalin nodded in approval. Any more trouble about her cursed witch-magic?

Who knows? Neither one of them says a word about her cursed witch’s power. However, when she has been petitioned for aid, things do happen. Yet, she has been very cautious about using her power since ending the last invasion by that wicked prince. I believe she realized that day just how empowered she had become, with that whole circle of witches sending her their added power...to end the killing. Having come into her own power since could be disastrous if she gets carried away.

Be there no more plaid dragons to sup tea with her? questioned Gwyndalin.

Anthony shook his head. No new ones at any rate. That pair has been living out in the woods. I hear stories from the woodcutters.

The nursemaids having left the room with the children, there began a lengthy void of conversation, while each entertained their own thoughts. The only sound was the salt-laced driftwood popping on the hearth.

Finally, Gwyndalin said, "Laurance and I live not alone. Me baby sister Cheryl Lain stayed on. She and Gallagher live on the second floor of the Keep with their two little ones. Both boys. Lugas and Grayson...eight and six respectively.

At first I worried about them being so near the ancient forest and its ghostly haunts. But actually, I’ve never seen the creatures in the fog meself. Cheryl ben’t disposed to talk about her experience, yet Kevin insisted it twere the souls of the logged off ancient forest that once lived in the canyon that twere after Lugas’ spirit...but she hasn’t mentioned anything about them during her laying in with Grayson. But then, I’ve not seen her go anywhere near that canyon...not even to take the trail down to the beach to attend rituals.

Be there another trail to the beach she could take? asked Bodicca.

Indeed. There be a much longer trail that travels far away from the head of the canyon leading to the beach. Cheryl always uses that trail. It ben’t as steep, she says. She confesses when she carried Lugas to have been frightened greatly by the spirits that lived in the ancient gully...as she rode that day...before Laurance finally found her. And Laurance wouldn’t even speak about what he saw that day when I asked him.

So, tell me about yer mob, Anthony. I may nay be a member of yer clan, but I feel as though I be a kin to ye. What be they like? The sprouts.

"Ye can see for yerself. The twins...the first set of twins...Ceptus Rose and Crotas Bud. They just be more-so, now that they be eight. Talk more to themselves...more involved. More inquisitive, more out and about learning new things. Getting them to speak to anyone but each other be difficult. Plus, they speak a tongue no one has ever heard.

Of course, Turrin Boyd hasn’t changed a bit. He idolizes Lena, the Iberian princess, and looking after her. She be coming up fifteen this year and he’s just turned twenty. He’s turned into a good-looking lad. Dedicated to looking after the mares. Seemed right. That’s where he started in life.

"Mylow the Younger at five be still full of pretend playing. He hasn’t come to realizing that life is going on around him all the time. Ardan be seven. Just now weaned away from Bodicca’s side to make way for the new twins. He be a loner, off in his own world. Talks to people we can’t see. I wouldn’t be too surprised if he wouldn’t turn up becoming our new Merlin rather than Mylow. As for the new twins, Gitl and Mael, it’s too soon to guess where their hearts will lead them...they being only a