Chapter 5: The fall of Ulaid
The spies hired by Gluiucen are tough and soulless men and women, Cornish cutthroats and whistle-blowers. Their different abilities and strenghts - combined - seem to be perfect; and for a golden coin or two, they would do everything for the 'dagger maid'.
Their first task, concerning the murder of Cadan, is quickly fulfilled; two of the spies,
Manawyddan of Redruth and
Kenan Baragwaneth have heard some rumors.
The day Cadan has died, a french bishop has visited Tintagel - the
bishop of Evreux. He quickly vanished after Cadan's body was found, and he has heatedly argued with one of his attenders, it is said. Also, several men of the bishop's guard were seen at the cliffs the day before. Did they now that the young duke Cadan loved to take a walk every day?
"They might have been involved in this malediction", Gluiucen slowly says.
"At least, they might have seen the murderer. This french mucker will not get along with this ... even if a decade is delapsed. But I'm not in a hurry. First, I will brief my spies for their next missions ..."
While Gluiucen trains her spies and send them out like homers, concerning news reach the court of Cornwall in February 1152. Clydno "Dragonborn", the cornish pagan lord of Ulaid, is attacked by several enemies: the scottish duke of Moray and his ally, the welsh duke of Deheubarth. Additionally, the duke of Orkney declares war on Ulaid, and their fleets reach the irish coast.
"We shall help Clydno", Cristina O'Marr says.
"Gwynek has admonished you to preserve the Dragonborn ..."
"Well, if he's a dragon, he can help himself", Zethar japes.
"I will not sacrifice a single man for those faithless river worshippers ... and now excuse me, mother, I have to go to church."
The Cornish troups don't move, and so, the end has come for the heir of Kaye Pendragon. In April, 27th, 1152,
Ulaid is lost to the siege machines of Orkney, and Chester falls into the hands of Deheuberth. With Gwent being the last possession of the Pendragon clan, they failed the historical request of saving the pagan faith ... at least, for now.
But Zethar 's dormancy has shattered his reputation. He has not supported cornish blood, pagan or not. Is the new duke of Cornwall a wimp, a crestfallen parson?
Zethar is willing to confute this. He has heard about the scottish province Caithness, which is occupied by a scattered moorish contingent. Ironically, the so-called "Sheik of Caithness" is a remoted uncle of Ichchaam Quasim, and he is backed by the bloodthirsty Sheik of Jaffa.
"A muslim sheikdom at Scotland? That does not make sense, it's weird! And if the scottish king is not capable of abolishing this blasphemy, Cornwall will help him!"
So, Zethar leads for the first time his troups towards Scotland, on heavy cornish barges ...
The "Sheik of Caithness" fails resoundingly and flees. Zethar, not being interested in the north of the British Isles, grants the forlorn province to his current chaplain Branwalather Grey, who becomes the first bishop of Caithness.
Zethar the Priest is pleased ...
... and even more pleased when he returns to Exteter, where his wife Flandina, daughter of the English king, bears a second child - this time, it's a girl.
Sevi Cerniw is born, and the Cerniw dynasty further grows.
And Gluiucen? She presents her newborn niece a silvery dagger, and cuddles with the cute baby. But her gaze is aimed to Sevi's brother, little Donyerth.
The dagger maid has a plan, involving him.
A secret plot.
And soon, this plot will be achieved.
