Part 52 (1/2)

Epilogue.

And now, Malcuim, stand, and facing west, and taking up the Crystal, bow down. From this quarter, the Meri, the Firstborn of the Spirit, divine and enlightened, lives, abides, sustains Herself and teaches the Art. Pure in name, glorified in every corner of the world of being, the blessed Meri, Her manifestations equal to the sand of the Sea, giving the Tell of the Spirit, She answers the needs of men eternally. This Name you must honor, celebrate and glorify.

-Rite of Coronation.

Taminy-Osmaer to Cyne Airleas Malcuim.

Airleas let his gaze wander the great central courtyard of Halig-liath, taking in the brilliance of the day, the colors of sky and bright clothing and House banners snapping in the clean cold breeze. Beneath those banners the Houses gathered, Chieftains to the fore, their families about them, their people arrayed behind.

All the Chieftains were here and all of their Elders. From Iobert Claeg, eyes like Sun-kissed frost, to Leod Feich, still mourning the loss of his miscreant son.

Airleas s.h.i.+vered, but not with chill so much as excitement. This was his rite, his coronation, his moment of standing before the eyes of Chieftains and Elders, Osraed and Ministers, Eiric and citizens. All of Nairne was here, in this courtyard, and representatives from villages and settlements from all over Caraid-land. They were here from Creiddylad in the south, Eada to the west, Norder in the north, Cuinn holding and Moidart to the east.

All were here to watch him stand before the Stone of Ochan, awesome in its splendor beneath the winter Sun. To watch Osraed Saxan, Apex, set the Malcuim Circlet on his brow. They had come to hear Taminy chant the words of ceremony that called upon him to respond as, six hundred years before, the first Malcuim Cyne had responded.

He glanced to where the waljan stood, his mother among them, before the gallery. The look of loving pride in her eyes, the radiance of peace that smoothed her brow-that was the world to him. In that glance Airleas fully realized that his perception was no longer limited to what he could see or hear or touch. He could feel the pride his mother's heart held, he could scent the perfume of affection that rippled to him on the crisp currents of river air from the others who had shared his exile.

Even sad Iseabal smiled at him, even sober Wyth, even Taminy's new husband, the unreadable Catahn. Even bristly Aine's face was softer this morning-gone, the scowl that usually flirted between her garish brows.

Of course, he realized, his eyes s.h.i.+fting to Saefren Claeg, who also stood among the waljan, he might not be entirely responsible for that miracle.

He found Gwynet Alheart, front and center. Felt her touch, warm and sweet, within his very soul. Playmate, sister, dearest friend, closest confidante. She smiled at him, tears glistening in her eyes. He returned the smile, not quite sure that was appropriate to this moment of moments, but not caring.

Lastly, he let his eyes and aidan go to Taminy who stood with him upon the low gallery against Halig-liath's eastern wall. She did not block him, just now, and what he received from her made his heart swell almost to bursting. She had finished the verses and now waited for him to make the refrain.

Around him, the air stilled, antic.i.p.ating, the only movement in the banners of cloth and breath that unfurled in the crisp air. He turned, facing the Western Sea, and removed the Osmaer Crystal from its pedestal. It woke to a blaze in his hands, brighter than the Sun or the clouds that framed it. He came to his knees on the stones of Halig-liath, and bowed his head to drink the stillness.

Then, raising his face to the sky, he spoke in a clear loud voice, wanting all of creation to hear him.

”I look to the Meri, Firstborn of the Spirit, divine and enlightened. She who lives, abides, sustains Herself and teaches the Art. Pure in name, glorified in every corner of the world of being, the blessed Meri, Her manifestation equal to the sand of the Sea, gives the Tell of the Spirit and answers the needs of men eternally. Her Name I honor, celebrate and glorify.”

Osraed Saxan moved then, stepping forward to place the Circlet on Airleas's head. Airleas smiled at him, unable to resist the gladness bubbling up from inside. Saxan returned the smile and bowed. That was not part of the ceremony.

Airleas turned his eyes to Taminy, but she was not looking at him. She now faced the great gathering spread out before the gallery and said, ”I give you Airleas Malcuim, heir of the First Malcuim, Cyne of Caraid-land.”

Airleas rose to the cheers of the crowd, some sincere, some perfunctory. Soon, he thought, they will all be sincere. I will be a good Cyne.

Holding Ochan's great Crystal before him, he faced his people, bowing to each quarter to make of himself a humble offering. Then, he moved to return the Osmaer Crystal to its pedestal.

Taminy stopped him.

In the moment of chaotic thought that followed, he was vaguely aware that the crowd had, once again, stilled. Taminy smiled at him, moving her fingers to cover his upon the Stone.

Turning her gleaming face to the a.s.semblage, her voice ringing to the farthest corners of the courtyard, she said, ”I give you Airleas Malcuim, Osric. Cyne by Divine right.”

While the crowd around them reacted to her words, cheering, crying, gasping in astonishment or outrage, she leaned close to him and murmured, ”You asked for a stone to focus your gift. Here it is. Use it with wisdom.”

Hands quaking, Airleas held the Stone before his face and let it pull his gaze deep into its brilliant heart.

”My first decision must be to appoint a Durweard,” he said, and glanced at Taminy. ”May I have two?”

Her mouth tilted with humor. ”You can have as many as you please, Osric Airleas.”

”Then I'll have two-you and Catahn. I doubt I could do better than that.”

Taminy smiled. ”Humility prevents me from commenting.”

Airleas laughed, and raising the Osmaer Crystal over his head, turned back to the embrace of the people to whom he now belonged.

THE END.

Appendices.

Phonetics Key.

ay = ”ay” as in ”hay”

bh = ”v” as in ”victory”

dd = ”th” as in ”the”

dh = a soft ”d” with a slight aspirant ey = ”eye”

fh = the softest possible ”f”; almost a ”v”

gh = a hard ”h”

th = ”th” as in ”the”

y = a long ”i”

Appendix 1: The n.o.ble Houses of Caraid-Land and Their Banners.

Claeg (Clayg): ”House of Earth” - midland House of traditional warriors; sword-cleft rock on a field of red.

Cuillean (Kwil-een): ”House of the Bear” - northern House; brown bear on a green field.

Dearg (Deerg): ”House of the Red Man” - midland House; red hand on a white and yellow field.

Floinn (Flown): ”House of the Red Child” - breakaway northern House related to the Dearg; dagger-bearing hand on a yellow and white field.