Prophecy: Web of Deceit (Prophecy 3) Read online

  M. K. HUME

  PROPHECY

  BOOK THREE

  WEB OF DECEIT

  Copyright © 2013 M. K. Hume

  The right of M. K. Hume to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publishers or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.

  First published as an Ebook by Headline Publishing Group in 2013

  All characters in this publication – apart from the obvious historical figures – are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Cataloguing in Publication Data is available from the British Library

  eISBN 978 0 7553 7153 2

  HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP

  An Hachette UK Company

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  London NW1 3BH

  www.headline.co.uk

  www.hachette.co.uk

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  About the Author

  Also by M. K. Hume

  About the Book

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue

  Chapter I: An Unpromising Welcome

  Chapter II: Where the Soft Winds Blow

  Chapter III: An Unwilling Servant

  Chapter IV: The Master of the Sun

  Chapter V: A Celtic Woman

  Chapter VI: Plots, Counterplots and Bloody Thoughts

  Chapter VII: Under the Oak Tree

  Chapter VIII: Back on the Road

  Chapter IX: Thorny Burdens

  Chapter X: The Round Hall of the Celts

  Chapter XI: All Things Must End

  Chapter XII: Beyond Tears

  Chapter XIII: The King of Winter

  Chapter XIV: The Dogs of War

  Chapter XV: The Boar of Cornwall

  Chapter XVI: A Curse of Love

  Chapter XVII: Uther’s Bane

  Chapter XVIII: Loss

  Chapter XIX: The Judas Kiss

  Chapter XX: Tintagel

  Chapter XXI: The Woman of Glass

  Chapter XXII: The Bloody Child

  Chapter XXIII: The Long Road to Nowhere

  Postscript

  Author’s Notes

  Glossary of Place Names

  Maps and Charts

  MYRDDION’S CHART OF PRE-ARTHURIAN ROMAN BRITAIN

  THE HEALER’S JOURNEY FROM DUBRIS TO VENTA BELGARUM

  THE FAMILY TREE OF UTHER PENDRAGON

  THE FAMILY TREE OF KING GORLOIS OF CORNWALL

  THE HOUSE OF THE HEALERS IN VENTA BELGARUM

  MYRDDION’S CHART OF PRE-ARTHURIN WALES

  THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE PICTS AND THE BRIGANTE IN NORTHERN BRITAIN

  THE BATTLE OF VERULAMIUM

  ROUTE TAKEN BY AMBROSIUS’S ARMY FROM VENTA BELGARUM TO VERULAMIUM

  THE CELTIC TRIBES OF BRITAIN

  AMBROSIUS’S ROUTE FROM DEVA

  DISPOSITION OF CELTIC FORCES SOUTH OF CALCARIA

  TINTAGEL CASTLE

  About the Author

  M. K. Hume is a retired academic, who is married with two grown-up sons and lives in Queensland, Australia. Having completed an MA and PhD in Arthurian Literature many years ago, M. K. Hume has fulfilled a lifelong dream to walk in the footprints of the past by retelling the epic tale of Arthur in a magnificent trilogy, Dragon’s Child, Warrior of the West and The Bloody Cup. M. K. Hume’s first two books about the life of Merlin, Prophecy: Clash of Kings and Prophecy II: Death of an Empire, are available from Headline as paperbacks and ebooks.

  By M. K. Hume and available from Headline Review

  King Arthur Trilogy

  King Arthur: Dragon’s Child

  King Arthur: Warrior of the West

  King Arthur: The Bloody Cup

  Merlin Trilogy

  Prophecy: Clash of Kings

  Prophecy: Death of an Empire

  Prophecy: Web of Deceit

  MERLIN’S DESTINY IS FULFILLED . . .

  Returning from Constantinople, Myrddion Merlinus finds Briton in the grip of Uther Pendragon’s blood-thirsty war against the Saxons. Coerced into obedience, Myrddion serves Uther’s brother Ambrosius, the High King, in order to spare the lives of his fellow travellers, and he uses his skills to set up a spy network while training healers across the land. But following Ambrosius’s untimely death, Uther, the new High King, forces Myrddion to accede to his unthinkable wishes. Myrddion’s only solace is the prophecy that his suffering shall not be in vain. But will he survive the taint of Uther’s madness and enable good to come from this web of deceit?

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to Doctor Maurice Heiner, a thoracic physician par excellence who achieved the impossible task of convincing my recalcitrant husband, Michael Hume, that if he did not give up smoking his tenure on life would be measured in months.

  That he was successful is a measure of Maurice’s professional ability and the personal qualities that Michael admires in all of his friends.

  Michael has survived to continue his adventurous life for twenty-three years after coming under Maurice’s care, twenty-three years of leaping (small) buildings at a single bound and only tripping on rare occasions. He hasn’t touched a cigarette, not for fear of the Grim Reaper, but for the sole reason of not wanting to fail Maurice’s confidence in him.

  In many respects, Maurice is probably responsible for all of my books being written, for Michael is the renowned bully who frog-marched me into becoming a novelist. Without his ‘pushy’ manner and his unsurpassed ability as an editor, my writing career wouldn’t have happened.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I know that most readers are so anxious to get into the nitty-gritty of their latest acquisition that they barely glance at the acknowledgements pages of a novel. But I hope you make an exception in this case because my advisers and helpers have made a major contribution towards bringing this novel to life. They made a deep impression on me, the book and the outcome I was seeking.

  My editor, Clare Foss, is a veritable tiger: she is a dynamite stick and is the ideal editor for an author who lives in remote parts of the world. She is clever, supportive, quick-thinking and far-sighted, and I’m so glad that she brings my books to the public. I thank her.

  Aslan Byrne and Emily Griffin are vital to the support I receive from Headline, and both gave me excellent moral and practical help in the production of this epic. Aslan is a Sales genius whose finger is firmly on the pulse, while Emily helped to smooth the way and, for a distant Australian, what more can I ask? My thanks go to you both. My thanks also go to the editors and artists whose labours and professionalism have brought my Merlin to life. I thank you, and I couldn’t have completed this mammoth task without you.

  Nancy Webber, my copy editor, is a genius, pure and simple. I always try to present a mistake-free manuscript, but Nancy finds every weakness, every redundancy and every error. Her wit, cleverness and deft touch will always make her a valuable asset for any publishing house. Thank you, Nancy.

  Yet, it’s the faces of the people I met when researching this work that still haunt me, friends who took in this wandering Australian and treated me kindly in strange historic places. Inga Hobbs, Ken Warner and Veryan Polglase of Glastonbury and the people of The Marketplace Inn were a joy to meet and a pleasure to befriend. I also thank you. Nancy Noble, Pat and Nic
k Taunton and Niel Owens of The Coachhouse Inn of Chester were also wonderful, and are people who are going to play a major part in a future project.

  Thank you also to Julie and Peter Humphreys and Gwyllym of Carnavon who provided me with a whole new perspective on the Welsh People. Up and down the wild and strange places, I travelled and marvelled at their generosity of spirit. Again, I thank you, and I hope you like Myrddion’s tests of strength. As my husband often says, the greatest export that ever came out of Wales were the Welsh people, both men and woman, who emigrated to foreign countries such as Canada and Australia and made our world such a wonderful place in which to live. Their courage heartens me.

  M. K. Hume

  DRAMATIS PERSONAE

  Agricola

  The Roman commander who conquered Britain during the first century AD. Among other atrocities attributed to him was the mass murder of the Druid population who had been driven from Britain to Mona Island off the coast of Wales.

  Ambrosius

  Also known as Ambrosius Aurelianus or Ambrosius Imperator, he was the son of Constantine III and the brother of Constans II and Uther Pendragon, all of whom were, at various times, High Kings of the Britons. According to the legend, Constans II was succeeded in turn by Vortigern, Ambrosius, Uther and Arthur.

  Andrewina Ruadh

  Also known as Bridei (Pict). As a young girl, Ruadh is captured by the Picts, marries Garnaid and bears his children. Later, she is captured by the Celts when King Talorc is defeated in a battle with the forces of Prince Luka of the Brigante. She becomes the concubine of King Ambrosius and, later, of Myrddion Merlinus. She is an essential character in the birth and rescue of the babe, Artorex, from the clutches of Uther Pendragon.

  Annwynn

  A female healer who resides in Segontium. She is the original master of Myrddion Merlinus.

  Ardabur Aspar

  Flavius Ardabur Aspar, Magister Militum of Constantinople, made a clandestine visit to Britain approximately 435AD. Shipwrecked and washed up on a remote beach outside of Segontium, he was rescued by Branwyn, a royal princess. He raped her and she became pregnant with Myrddion Merlinus.

  Artorex/Artor:

  The legitimate son of Uther Pendragon, High King of the Britons, and Ygerne, widow of Gorlois, the King of Cornwall.

  Aude

  Aude is one of the women who is recruited into Myrddion’s household as a servant woman. She is placed in charge of the cleanliness of the house, bandages and medications used by the healers. She had previously been a prostitute.

  Berwyn

  A female gardener at the House of Healers. She is disfigured by a strawberry mark across her face.

  Bors

  The nephew and successor of King Gorlois of Cornwall.

  Botha

  A senior officer in the service of Uther Pendragon. He is oath-bound to the High King for life.

  Bouddicca

  The Iceni queen who led a revolt against the Romans in the region surrounding Londinium.

  Brangaine

  A camp follower whose husband died in the service of King Vortigern, she becomes an assistant to Myrddion Merlinus and travels to Constantinople with the party of healers. She adopts two children during the journey.

  Branwyn

  The daughter of Olwyn and Godric, and granddaughter of Melvig ap Melwy, king of the Deceangli Tribe. She is the mother of Myrddion Merlinus after suffering rape at the hands of Flavius Ardabur Aspar.

  Bridie

  Like Brangaine, she is one of Myrddion’s assistants who travels to Constantinople. She marries Finn Truthteller and bears a child to him. Myrddion agrees to accompany Uther to Venta Belgarum if Bridie and Finn are permitted to return to Segontium.

  Brychan

  ‘Fat-Arse Brychan’, as he is called, is a slovenly innkeeper at Tomen-y-Mur. Myrddion stays here when he visits his mother. He also uses this inn to meet with the ex-slave, Gruffydd, who is part of Myrddion’s spy network.

  Bryn ap Synnel

  Father of Llanwith pen Bryn, later to become mentor to King Arthur.

  Cadoc ap Cadwy

  A warrior in Vortigern’s service who comes from the Forest of Dean. He becomes Myrddion’s assistant and accompanies the healer on the journey to Constantinople and later follows him to the court of King Ambrosius.

  Cait

  The serving girl at Brychan’s inn at Tomen-y-Mur. She is Brychan’s bastard daughter.

  Carwen

  A prostitute in Aquae Sulis who seduces Myrddion Merlinus.

  Carys

  Daughter of Calgacus Minor, the son of Calgacus Major, King of the Novantae Tribe. Uther’s concubine, she is murdered by the High King.

  Cathan

  Cathan is an infant found under a pile of dead bodies at the wall at Verulamium when the common folk who lived outside the town walls were slaughtered by the Saxons. Brangaine becomes the child’s foster mother.

  Catigern

  The illegitimate second son of King Vortigern who is killed by Hengist in revenge for his brother’s murder on the Night of the Long Knives.

  Ceridwen

  A Celtic enchantress. She possesses the Cauldron of Poetic Inspiration.

  Cletus One Ear

  Husband of Fillagh, and brother-in-law of Olwyn. He is a successful farmer, and lives with Fillagh on a farm near Caer Fyrddin. Along with his son, he becomes part of Myrddion’s spy network.

  Constans II

  High King of the Britons and elder brother of Ambrosius and Uther. He was murdered by Vortigern and his throne was stolen.

  Don

  The Celtic goddess representing the Mother. Out of superstition, her name was rarely spoken aloud. She develops some of the characteristics of the Roman goddess as well.

  Dyfri

  A male servant at the House of Healers. He works in the scriptorium and is trained as a herb-master responsible for potions and herbs.

  Fillagh

  Aunt Fillagh is the younger sister of Myrddion’s grandmother, Olwen. She assisted with his birth and gave sanctuary to Branwyn and Olwen in her home at Caer Fyrddin.

  Finn (Truthteller)

  Finn is Myrddion’s apprentice who travels with the healer to Constantinople. He marries Bridie.

  Fionnuala

  Fionnuala is the wife of Gron, the owner of The Flower Maiden Inn, which is situated just within the walls of Verulamium. Myrddion’s party breaks a journey here and they are trapped here during a Saxon raid.

  Flavia

  One of Myrddion’s great loves who betrays him and becomes a concubine of his father, Flavius Ardabur Aspar.

  Flavius Aetius

  Aetius, the last great general of the Roman Empire, was murdered by the Emperor Valentinian. With a coalition force of 200,000 Visigoth, Frank and Roman warriors, he fought an army of twice that size under the command of Attila the Hun at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains near Châlons. The battle took approximately one day, and he fought Attila’s forces to a standstill in one of the world’s greatest battles of all time.

  Fortuna

  The Roman goddess of chance or luck.

  Gawayne

  Son of King Lot and Queen Morgause, brother of Agravaine and Geraint.

  Geoffrey

  Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote a number of works including The History of the Kings of Britain and the Vita Merlini. His writings are influential in that they are believed to be copies of far earlier works that have been lost over time.

  Goll

  Goll is a humble shepherd who tends his sheep near Tomen-y-Mur. He gives information to Myrddion about his master, Maelgwr, who is Branwyn’s husband.

  Gorlois

  The Boar of Cornwall who is the king of the Dumnonii tribe. He is married to Ygerne, and is the father of Morgan and Morgause.

  Gron

  Gron is the gloomy, pessimistic landlord of The Flower Maiden, an inn just within the walls of Verulamium.

  Gruffydd

  A Celtic warrior who is taken into captivity by the Sax
ons. A fluent Saxon speaker, he becomes central to Myrddion’s spy network and later becomes an aide to Uther Pendragon and King Arthur.

  Hengist

  A Saxon aristocrat who serves under Vortigern as a mercenary for a number of years. He eventually rejoins the Saxons and becomes the Thane of the Kentish Saxons and, later, rules the lands to the north of the Wash.

  Horsa

  Horsa is the brother of Hengist. He was treacherously murdered by the Celts in an incident that resulted in the famed Night of the Long Knives. In the Saxon histories, he is linked in legend to the horse.

  Hrothnar

  A Saxon bully who holds the post of docks master in Dubris.

  Leonates

  Leonates is the king of the Dobunni Tribe. They are notable for their Roman, epicurean habits.

  Llanwith pen Bryn

  Son of Bryn ap Synnell. He becomes a mentor to King Arthur.

  Lot

  King of the Otadini tribe north of Hadrian’s Wall. He is the husband of Morgause.

  Lucius

  The Bishop of Glastonbury.

  Luka

  Prince of the Brigante tribe. He becomes a mentor to King Arthur.

  Madoc pen Madar

  Ex-king of the Cantii tribe. He is the Seneschal in the court of Ambrosius.

  Maelgwn

  Elder brother of Maelgwr. He is the first husband of Branwyn.