Dragon of the Island Read online

  Dragon of the Island

  by

  Mary Gillgannon

  Copyright 1994 and 2011 by Mary Gillgannon

  Previously published by Kensington Books

  E-book Published by Mary Gillgannon at Smashwords, 2011

  Cover design by Rae Monet, Inc. Designs http:/www.raemonetinc.com

  E-book format by A Thirsty Mind http://www.athirstymind.com

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the Author.

  To my Irish lover, Patrick

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Reader Letter

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Britain A.D. 510

  The Dragon had come.

  Aurora pressed against the stone wall of the gate tower, watching the advancing army spill over the green hills and march toward the town. The warriors’ war cloaks and armor glinted and flashed in the afternoon sun like the scales of a huge beast. Its jaws were opening, preparing to swallow them up.

  The Dragon of the Island, they called him. Maelgwn the Great had risen out of the west like a thundercloud, killing his own kin in his brutal bid for power. After forcing all the other princes of Gwynedd to recognize him as overking, the Dragon had left his fortress in the mountains of Wales and pressed east. The old Roman town of Viroconium lay directly in his path.

  Aurora turned her eyes to her father’s troops, gathered staunchly between Maelgwn’s army and the gates of the city. The defenders were clearly outnumbered. The invading army had dozens of archers and a huge cavalry force. Even if Constantine’s army could survive the head-on charge, they could not hold them off long. Aurora could imagine the invaders swarming the city gates—just as the Saxons had, nearly a half a century before. They would kill... and rape... and burn...

  Aurora gritted her teeth, wishing for the thousandth time that she were a man. Then she wouldn’t be so defenseless. Then she would have a weapon to fight with when the enemy arrived.

  “My God, what are they waiting for?”

  Aurora was startled from her thoughts by the impatient voice of her sister Julia. Her mother, two sisters and their ladies were crowded next to her in the tower. The other women had ceased their frantic praying and were watching the scene below intently. A puzzling stillness hovered over the battlefield. The invading army was almost upon them, but there had been no battle cry sent up, no drawing of swords or engagement of weapons. Aurora saw Constantine and a handful of men riding out to meet the enemy. It seemed they meant to talk before they fought.

  Not even a whisper of breeze eased the oppressive heat. Aurora imagined the agonized tension of the soldiers below. The sweat would be dripping down their faces and pooling beneath their heavy leather tunics, the fat, bright flies tormenting the horses. In the tower, the women shifted awkwardly as the minutes dragged on.

  Aurora struggled to get a better view of the battlefield, her thoughts turning hopeful. Her father—called Constantine after the emperor—was a shrewd, persuasive man. He might be able to talk Maelgwn the Great out of destroying the city. The rich lands around Viroconium produced a bounty of grain and livestock which were traded in Gaul for luxuries such as wine, oil, furniture—even gold. There was a chance they could use their wealth to bribe the enemy into leaving them alone.

  The angry voice of Julia jolted Aurora from her thoughts.

  “Even if Maelgwn agrees to a truce, how can we trust him? He is a madman, a barbarian. They say he once burned a whole fortress in a rage, killing everyone inside. How do we know that he won’t do the same to us? How do we know he won’t just take our gold and then kill us?”

  “Hush, Julia!” whispered Aurora’s mother, Lady Cordelia, in a voice harsh with anxiety. “There’s no point in making everyone more frightened than they already are. That’s just talk—we don’t even know if it’s true.”

  “Of course it’s true. I overheard Papa. He wouldn’t have repeated the story if it weren’t true!”

  Julia’s words rekindled Aurora’s fears. The invaders weren’t civilized men. Even if her father made a truce, the enemy couldn’t be trusted not to destroy the town.

  There was movement on the battlefield. A portion of the enemy army broke away from the main force and slowly began to follow Constantine and his men toward the town gate. The soldiers were moving nearer, and Aurora could almost make out individual men. She searched for Maelgwn—the ruthless man who controlled the savage beast that waited below them, ready to tear the heart out of her beloved Viroconium. She spotted a crimson banner marked with a golden dragon. Right below it was a dark-haired man riding a black stallion.

  No wonder he was called “Maelgwn the Great,” Aurora thought in awe. Even from a distance she could sense the power which seemed to radiate from the foreign warlord as he handled the massive charger with ease. She stared at his long black hair. She had not guessed that the enemy was dark—somehow she had imagined Maelgwn as a blond giant like Hengist or Horsa, the legendary Saxon warriors who had nearly crushed the Roman Britains a generation ago.

  As the enemy leader approached, Aurora suppressed a shiver. In one of the old stone buildings in the town there was a crumbling mosaic that depicted the god Dionysus. The god was portrayed riding a panther, his long wavy hair swirling around his shoulders, his eyes savage and exultant. The Welsh warrior looked like the mosaic come to life!

  There was a shout from one of the soldiers guarding the gate below.

  “Constantine is going to make a truce. All the women and unarmed men should go to the great hall to await the announcement there.”

  The women looked around in confusion. None of them had expected that Constantine would welcome the enemy into the city. Several of the women, including Carina, Aurora’s other sister, began to pray again. Aurora reached out to touch her mother’s shoulder.

  “Mama, what are we going to do?”

  Lady Cordelia’s voice was calm and steady, her expression determined. “If Constantine brings Maelgwn and his men into the city, then they are our guests. We will treat them accordingly.”

  “I won’t play hostess to those... those barbarians!” Julia sputtered.

  “Indeed you will,” her mother answered. “You will not dishonor your father by being rude to our guests. Come, we must go down and make ready for them.”

  The women watched numbly as Lady Cordelia gathered
up her skirts and began to climb briskly down the ladder to the ground. Aurora was nearly the last to escape the hot tower, and in the few moments of waiting, she considered her mother’s words carefully. If Constantine was bringing the enemy into the city, he must have some plan. A crude barbarian would be no match for her clever, well-educated father. Aurora hurried down as fast as she could, anxious to see what her father had in store for the foreign warlord and his men.

  She raced ahead of her mother and the other women, determined to reach her father’s feasting hall before everyone else. The great hall stood in the center of the town, looking cool and welcoming in the afternoon heat. The timber structure was built along the same lines as the Roman basilica it had replaced, with steps leading to a porticoed facade. Aurora ran lightly up the steps and across the scarred mosaic floor of the entryway. She found a place near one of the carved supporting beams and pressed her body tightly against the slippery wood, determined to keep her vantage point as the crowd increased.

  People poured in around her, filling every inch of space—first the townspeople and the soldiers, then the enemy troops. The room was surprisingly quiet, and Aurora was reminded of two groups of dogs, meeting for the first time and sniffing the air, testing it for the sharp scent of danger. Just when Aurora decided she could not endure the tension a moment longer, Constantine moved to the end of the room, climbed the dais and gestured for quiet.

  “People of Viroconium,” he began. “Today we have avoided a great battle and the destruction of our town and homes.” Constantine’s voice was rich and melodic, and Aurora felt a surge of pride for her father.

  “But there is a price for our continued peace. As your leader, I feel that it is only fair that I tell you what has come to pass.”

  The leader of the invaders stepped forward impatiently. The man was so tall he did not even need to climb the dais to be seen, and his voice—despite the strange accent—was deep and commanding.

  “I am Maelgwn of Gwynedd,” the man began. “Your leader”—Maelgwn nodded curtly to Constantine—”has seen the wisdom of surrendering to me. Because of that, we will be generous. We will let you live.”

  There were smiles from the bold warriors who accompanied Maelgwn, and angry looks among the townspeople. Aurora felt her anger rising as well. Who was this man to speak so arrogantly? The people of Viroconium were not defeated yet. The enemy commander had no cause to gloat.

  Maelgwn began to recite a long list of the tribute he expected. He demanded gold and precious metals of course, but also grain, cattle, sheep and other produce. Surprisingly, he also asked for craftsmen—men skilled in masonry, carpentry, enamelware and pottery-making.

  Aurora listened to the list intently. Maelgwn’s terms were harsh, but not unbearable. She knew the people of Viroconium would gladly part with some of their wealth if it meant they would be left in peace.

  “Finally, in as much as you will be a subject people, submitting to my authority as your overlord, I would seal the alliance by taking one of Constantine’s daughters as my wife.”

  Maelgwn’s last words drew a sharp sound of surprise from the crowd, and Aurora felt her throat tighten in fury. How dare he? She and her sisters were not possessions to be bartered off to keep the peace. Constantine would never hear of such a thing, he would not allow it! She looked toward her father, still standing on the dais. Constantine’s head was bowed slightly, his face furrowed with lines. Aurora wanted to run to him, to throw her arms around him and beg him to refuse this outrageous request. She was held back by the people packed tightly around her, and she could only watch in dismay as Constantine lifted his head and faced his conqueror.

  “Maelgwn of Gwynedd,” he said slowly. “We do agree to your terms.”

  Maelgwn nodded curtly, then faced the crowd again.

  “Now we will feast with you, and after we have satisfied ourselves, I will choose my queen.”

  Aurora’s chest was tight with shock. Her father couldn’t possibly mean to go through with this agreement. Surely he had another plan, some plot to defy this madman!

  Aurora pushed frantically through the crowd, trying to reach her mother. As she struggled by, she heard the relieved comments of the townspeople.

  “Well, he was hard, but at least we can live with his demands.”

  “Aye, live with them, we can. I thought it would come to war, and I am too old to fight those young, well-drilled devils. It is too bad about Constantine’s daughter though.”

  “He will choose Julia, I’m sure. She is the oldest and quite a beauty.”

  “All the girls are fair,” countered another man. “That must be the hardest part for Constantine to swallow—imagine having to give your child to that brute!”

  The words affected Aurora like a blow, and she struggled even more furiously against the crowd. At last she was able to break away and reach the kitchen. It was crowded and chaotic. Servants hurried to and fro, trying frantically to prepare the unexpected meal. Aurora asked one of them about her mother, and the man gestured to a small anteroom that was used for storage of wine and oil. Aurora found her mother and Julia there, arguing. Julia’s blue-green eyes flashed with fury, and her fair skin was flushed scarlet.

  “He can’t do this! Father can’t possibly agree. We aren’t cattle to be sent off to pay a war debt.” Julia grabbed a small knife from the nearby table and waved it menacingly. “Why, if that beast of a Welshman tries to touch me, I’ll kill him myself!”

  Aurora felt a surge of pride at her sister’s defiant words. Julia was right—their conqueror was an uncouth monster. No Cornovii princess should have to marry him!

  Her mother’s next words reminded Aurora of the grim truth.

  “I’ll not have you blaming your father and bringing shame upon him,” Lady Cordelia said firmly, taking the knife from Julia’s trembling hand. “He has done the best he could to protect his people. He cannot refuse Maelgwn’s demand without risking our lives.”

  Aurora’s mother’s face softened. She reached out for Julia and gathered her into her arms. “Would that he could spare you, Julia, but your father is king. He must do what is best for his people, and you must obey him.”

  Aurora felt her own heart sink, and she turned away quickly, unable to face Julia’s tears. Her hope that her father had some plan to defy Maelgwn was completely dashed. It was likely that her oldest sister would be forced to wed Maelgwn, and there did not seem to be anything that anyone could do about it.

  On the way out of the kitchen Aurora met her other sister.

  “Carina! Where have you been?”

  “I have been praying.” Carina reached out and clasped Aurora’s hand gently in her own. “Are you all right, little one?”

  “Aye—except that I am so angry. It’s not right that one of us should be forced to marry that arrogant savage.”

  “Right or not, it is the way of the world. We are all destined to marry foreign chieftains. The bond of our blood will forge alliances for the future of Viroconium.”

  Aurora stared at her sister’s calm blue eyes. “You mean you are not afraid? What if Maelgwn chooses you?”

  Carina sighed faintly. “If it be God’s will that I marry this man, then God will be with me to bear it.”

  Aurora felt the anger in her bubbling up and spilling out. No one seemed willing to fight Maelgwn. It made her furious.

  “It/s fortunate I am the youngest and unlikely to be the bride. I don’t think I could endure it!”

  Carina shook her head reprovingly. “Come, Aurora, we must go back to the villa and change before the feast.”

  “No,” Aurora answered, pulling away. “I have no intention of dressing up to impress that tyrant. The rest of you may be willing to grovel before Maelgwn the Great, but I am not.”

  Chapter 2

  Aurora left the great hall and took off at a run, darting down the old Roman streets until she was breathless and sweating. Near the edge of the town, she paused to gaze up at the towering ruins of the old bat
hs, silhouetted in the fading sunlight. Even cracked and half-shattered, the vast archways and proud pillars of the once-magnificent building stirred Aurora’s pride. She squinted and tried to imagine what Viroconium must have been like in the old days, when the buildings were all of stone, the streets fine and smooth, and the town filled with the color and pride of the legions.

  She sighed and continued on until she reached the town wall. Walking along it for a short distance, she came to a place where it had begun to tumble down. Hiking up her skirts, she climbed the crumbling wall and jumped down to the other side.

  In the distance she could see the white stone walls and red tile roof of her father’s villa. The sight lifted her spirits and calmed her nerves. The villa was home—she knew every fragrant corner of the orchard and garden, every secret nook around the sprawling house, every horse in the stables, every hound in the kennel.

  Aurora hurried down the dusty road and through the villa’s gate. As she crossed the paved courtyard, she picked up speed. Marcus, a slave in her father’s stables, was her best friend and closest companion, and she could hardly wait to tell him the news of the enemy army’s arrival. Inside the stables, she squinted in the dim light and made her way past the stalls until she found Marcus below the hayloft, repairing some harnesses with studied nonchalance. The white boarhound puppy she had given him in the spring wagged its tail in greeting and ran to meet her. Marcus only looked up and then went back to his work.

  His indifference irritated Aurora’s jangled nerves past endurance.

  “Aren’t you glad to see me?” she demanded. “Maelgwn and his men might have sacked the city and killed us all, and yet you stay here and go about your chores as if you had not a care in the world.”

  “You forget that I am a slave and cannot bear arms,” Marcus answered slowly. “What use would I be to you if I went into town?” His gray eyes narrowed. “Besides, I didn’t really think Constantine would fight.”

  Aurora gasped with annoyance. “You knew my father was going to surrender?”

  Marcus shrugged. “What else could he do? He couldn’t stand against an army such as Maelgwn’s. I assumed Constantine would meet the enemy’s terms.”