“Llew was the king’s champion,” I declared-thinking it prudent to remind everyone that Meldryn Mawr had chosen Llew for this honor; it was the king’s final act, and the one which had caused his death. “Who would deny the king’s champion the right to pay homage to his lord?”

“You are not in authority here, bard!” Meidron said, his voice vengeful and brimming with spite. “You and your kind may have deceived my father with your sly words and cunning ways. Do not think to deceive me.”

“Why speak of deception, Meldron?” I asked. “You are surrounded by wise advisers,” I told him, watching Siawn twitching with malice. “Could it be that you do not trust them?”

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“I trust the blade in my hand,” the prince spat. “I trust my warband. Better the company of warriors, than the empty words of a bard.”

Having pressed the matter too far, Meidron did not know how to retreat with dignity. Rather than embrace Llew, which would have increased his own support-for clearly, the people esteemed Liew greatly-he chose to mock and revile.

The prince turned to all those gathered close about. “Liew has returned! We have nothing to fear, now that my father’s champion is once more among us.” He spoke with undisguised contempt. He slowly raised an accusing finger and pointed at Llew. “Yet I cannot help thinking,” he continued, “that if Llew had honored the king as highly as he claims, Meldryn Mawr would yet walk among us. How is it that the king lies dead and his champion lives?”

What the prince hoped to accomplish by this rash speech, I knew well enough: to poison the people’s good feeling towards Llew. Apparently, he thought that casting doubt upon Llew’s loyalty and ability would aid him. But, instead of sowing doubt, all he managed was confusion.

The people looked at one another in bewilderment. “What is Meldron saying? It was LIew who saved us from the Coranyid!” Several even protested outright:

“Paladyr killed the king! Paladyr it was-not Liew!” they shouted.

Yes, I thought, Paladyr killed the king. And where is Paladyr now?

But I held my tongue. If suspicion is to be loosed, let it roost in Prince Meldron’s roof, I thought. Oh, but it is a chancy thing to malign a hero who has rightly earned the clan’s affection. Meidron showed poor judgment in the attempt, and people have a way of remembering these insults and redressing them.

Having done all he dared for the time being, Meldron called for the procession to depart, then turned and thrust his way through the gathered host. Siawn Hy allowed

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himself a slender smile, then hurried after Meldron. The Wolf Pack moved away awkwardly, taking their places behind the prince.

I was relieved to see them go, and equally relieved to have Llew beside me once more.