The Swan Kingdom Read Online Free Page B

leaders of men. But just as the seasons must change, the nature of men cannot remain the same. Already the change has begun. Ambition has crept into the hearts of men. Soon, this land will no longer be united. Boundaries will be imposed, and people will come to believe that the land belongs to
them
. that it is their right to take as much as they can and call themselves its owner. You live in such times, do you not?”
    My father’s words, overheard long ago, echoed in my mind:
I rule this land. I am its master.
    “Yes. My father…” I stopped, not wanting to be disloyal.
    “Oh, yes. I see it clearly,” Angharad said, her gaze wistful. “I’m afraid it is inevitable. And your father, though lacking any sight beyond that of his eyes, is not a bad man. In his own way he loves his Kingdom.” She stood, sweeping out her arms dramatically so that her cloak and gown swirled around her. “But we will make here a place where wise women will always be safe and welcome; a place where the enaid will always be strong, guarded by all the magical defenses at our disposal. And when we have finished the earthworks we will bring here seven massive stones, taller than men. Each of the wise women will chose one stone and put something of herself into it – her strength, knowledge, the sorrows and joys that make her who she is – so that even after our mortal bodies have passed back into the earth, a part of us will remain.”
    I felt sadness sweep through me. Everything she had spoken of had come to pass. When I returned to my own time, all that would be left of her would be the stone on the hilltop.
    I closed my eyes for a minute, reminding myself that there was a test to be passed. I took a deep breath and asked, “What is the test?”
    Angharad smiled. “You have already passed it, dear one,” she said. “Only a wise woman can awaken the Circle of Ancestors and pass back in time to speak with us.”
    I felt the blood drain from my face, leaving my cheeks cold. “What?” I gasped. “Me? But I’m not a real wise woman.”
    Her expression hardened. “You are your mother’s daughter, Alexandra. It is in your name: ‘helper of mankind’. You are a guardian of the land and a keeper of wisdom, and while that might seem a great burden, you cannot escape it. Your mother must have taught you this – you know what you are.”
    “She hasn’t taught me anything of the sort!” I cried. “I’m only a cunning woman! I can’t do Great workings, and I’d never even heard of the Circle of Ancestors until today. This is a mistake!”
    Now it was Angharad’s turn to be taken aback. “What?” she whispered. She reached out with one of her hardened hands and caught my fingers in hers. “But, my child … something is very wrong here. Do you mean to tell me you know nothing of the heart of the land?”
    I shook my head emphatically.
    “And your mother told you nothing of what you have come here to experience? Nothing at all? You don’t feel anything yourself? Have the slightest inkling?”
    She was listening to me at last. Relieved, I shook my head once more.
    “Oh dear.” Angharad suddenly looked old and tired. “Oh dear. Your mother… Poor Branwen. She was the only one who ever failed…”
    I blinked at her. What were we talking about now? She seemed to be lost in a kind of private reverie, muttering to herself. “I think I begin to see. Your father… I know he is not a kind man. And your mother wanted to protect you from more hurt – her own hurt … foolish, foolish, yes, but understandable … and so she just sent you along. But you’ve never seen… Oh dear.” She turned back to me. “You have no idea who you are. What you are. But I can show you.”
    “I beg your pardon,” I said with some dignity. “But I know who I am. I’m Lady Alexandra, youngest child of the king and Lady Branwen the Wise.”
    She smiled, amused. “I like that. But just wait…” She reached out her hands and placed them on either