Drustina helps to resolve the issues surrounding Una's illegitimacy and her potential marriage to Dorvan the Connacht Prince. Later there is an unexpected but fortunate result (for Una's family) when the Great Book of Brendan is recovered.

http://news.nationalgeographic.co.uk/news/2012/10/121019-vik...

Compare St brendan's Chart with the Viking charts.

The Angry Mermaid 108
Or
Y Morforwyn Dicllon 108

Gisela was woken by the unfamiliar sensation of stiff fingers prodding her between the shoulder blades. For a second she failed to understand and was about to spin around and stab the offender with the knife that lay on the bench beside her pillow. At the last instant she recognised Una’s urgent whisper.

“Wake up Princess, wake up!”

“I am awake! What d’you bloody want?”

“The Lioness and the Saxon, they are gone!”

Gisela cursed softly and stumbled out of bed to confirm Una’s words. Then she turned again to Una.

“Did you see or hear them go?”

“No. The sun is quite high though.”

“We’d better get dressed. If you want to skip the search for the missing books say your wrist is hurting.”

“I was going to anyway. I wanted to tell the Lioness but if she’s gone I’ll try and tell the queen. I suppose Dorvan will have gone with Drustina and Carl”

“I wouldn’t suppose anything just yet,” Gisela cautioned, “the Lioness could have a thousand reasons for rising early. Anyway, it’s we who are late. Look at the sun.”

They had finished dressing as they talked and they rushed to the refectory to find the hall still crowded and busy. Relieved, they grabbed what food they could and approached the Lioness who was sitting with Carl, Dorvan and the Abbot. Of King Dal and the Bishop there was no sign. Drustina looked up and smiled as the pair approached.

“Hello sleepy heads, finally risen have you? Did you sleep well?”

Gisela nodded but Una made a play of her injured wrist.

“No, I couldn’t sleep, my wrist still aches. Can I be excused from the search for the Great Book?”

Drustina shrugged disinterestedly.

“I suppose so. One pair of eyes won’t be seriously missed.”

Dorvan eyed the girl solicitously and not a little salaciously. Una’s hair now hung like spun gold over her shoulders and down to her waist. Indeed many pairs of eyes had noticed the girl’s exceptional beauty now that she was cleaned up and wearing a borrowed gown. She did the gown a lot more justice than the original owner, the older of Dal’s daughters. Fortunately, none of the royal sisters were there to see it for they were not going on the search. Dorvan however was mesmerised by Una’s unexpected beauty and he couldn’t hide his attraction.

“If you wish miss, I will stay behind with you to stop you getting bored.”

Una smiled weakly and glanced to Drustina uncertainly.

“Would that be allowed Lioness?”

Drustina saw a further opportunity to advance Una’s opportunity to escape her father’s clutches. If she was left to share the day with Prince Dorvan she would most certainly seal his enamourment. Prince Dorvan’s original intellectual attraction had been compounded a hundred fold when he had looked up from his breakfast to discover the vision of loveliness that accompanied the vivacious and attractive heroine who had risked her life for him. Drustina could recognise a star-struck young suitor when she saw one. She nodded her head to Una.

“If you are happy to spend the day with this lusty prince then you may but I caution you. Do not let him take liberties.”

She then glared at Dorvan.

“If I hear that you have tried to take liberties with the maid then royal prince or not, I’ll cut your manhood from your body. Treat her with respect d’you hear me?”

A deathly hush descended on the hall for Drustina’s threat had been heard by all. Dorvan glanced nervously around then declared.

“Of course I’ll respect her. All I wish is her hand. I cannot bespoil her unsullied reputation.”

Una’s jaw dropped with shock but Drustina just smiled tightly. Her plan was coming together better than she had dared to hope, Dorvan had all but made a proposal and within earshot of hundreds. Even Carl stopped with his food poised to enter his mouth. Then a round of cheering broke out as Una blushed the deepest red and Dorvan realised he might just have jumped the gun.

Drustina defused the tension with a word of caution for the benefit of the assembled diners.

“You’d best run that proposal past your father first.”

“I’ll do it tonight.”

“You’d best do it now your highness. I don’t think your father would be pleased to hear of your intentions from a third party.”

Dorvan turned to Una and squeezed her uninjured wrist before declaring;

“My father is with the Bishop right now. There can be no better time to tell him.”

“Well hurry up lad. We’ll be leaving to start the search shortly and I for one would like to know the outcome.”

Dorvan slipped away and a loud hubbub spread through the hall as the diners gossiped about the events. Una slipped closer to Drustina for she feared a negative outcome. Several minutes later, the bishop appeared in the hall and approached Drustina.

“Lioness, you will know why I come. King Dal would like to discuss Prince Dorvan’s plans.”

He then turned to Una and his eyes widened as he could readily see why the royal prince had been so enamoured.

“You are invited too young lady for it concerns you.”

Una swallowed fearfully and stepped close to Drustina as they exited the hall.

“What will he say when he finds out about me?”

“I don’t know darling. He can only say no.”

The trio joined King Dal, Dorvan and the queen in the King’s chamber and Dal immediately turned to Drustina.

“Well Lioness, this is find how-d’you-do! You bring this urch-“

It was only then that Dal recognised the vision of beauty that peeped out nervously from behind the lioness and the bishop. He expostulated his shock.

“God forbid! Step out girl! Let’s get a proper look at you!”

Una stood trembling, not daring to raise her eyes but her demure nervousness totally besotted King Dal who then turned to his son.

“My God lad! Where did you find this rare beauty? Is this seriously that filthy mud bespattered urchin who hung on the Viking’s jaw?

Dorvan sensed his father’s growing approval and drew confidence from it.

“Yes father, the very same and a wonderful lady she is!”

King Dal’s surprise changed to a wide smile as he turned to his queen.

“Well Gwynlen? You wondered if she would make suitable bride. What think you now?”

Queen Gwynlen stared hard at the girl and nodded slowly before turning to Drustina.

“Tell me Lioness, do you know whence the girl came.”

“Partly my lady. She hails from a family with a house near the Maigue Abbey.”

The queen turned to Una and frowned.

“Would you be the daughter of Sean DalGleish?”

Una nodded fearfully as she swallowed and whispered “Yes your majesty!”

“But that makes you blood relative to Dorvan. Would the union be legal Bishop?”

“How close a relative?” The Bishop asked.

Queen Gwynlen did some quick figuring and replied. “She’s be Dal’s fourth cousin once removed. But she’s also related to me by my mother’s side. She is my second cousin.”

“Then the blood becomes dangerously close your majesty.” The bishop cautioned as he turned to confirm the bad news to Dorvan.
Dorvan let out a bellow of protest that degenerated into a curse of despair as King Dal reached out a comforting hand on his son’s shoulder. Secretly, the King had thought the match was one made in heaven and he had huge admiration for the spunky girl who had trudged through the mud and gore of battle and even wrestled with the Viking giant. A tear entered his eye as he spoke softly to the girl.

“I’m sorry Una, the blood is too close.”

Dorvan cursed again.

“Dammit father. Half the bloody nobility in Hibernia can show blood connections to our family. Fourth cousin or second cousin, it’s not that close!”

The Bishop intervened again, apology softening his words.

“I’m sorry Dorvan but if it was just one or the other, there would be no problem but the blood is on both sides through Sean DalGleish.”

Una turned to curtsey to the king and make her departure with disappointment writ large in her tears. Drustina decided enough was enough. It was obvious that the king was hugely disappointed for his son and even the queen showed regret. The Lioness decided to take the risk and she motioned to King Dal and his wife.

“Your majesties, might I have a confidential word?”

“Please do Lioness,” King Dal replied, “have you something useful to add?”

“Yes, but first I will speak with the maid. Might I speak to her first in confidence?”

“Of course.”

Drustina pursued Una into the open courtyard and took her by the shoulder. Una span around and buried her face in Drustina’s breast as the sobs exploded from her chest. Drustina squeezed her tight to reassure her then added.

“Your cause is not lost girl. Did you not tell me you were the product of a Viking rape? Your mother was violated by raiders whilst your father was fighting in the main battle.”

Una’s sobs simply became louder as she wailed.

“Yes, but that makes me a bastard. No royal family could ever accept a bastard into their circle!”

“Pisht thee child. Bastardy is not the child’s fault. You are not to blame here, nor indeed is your mother. It was a rape girl! Your mother could not resist a whole band of armed raiders. I’ll warrant you she allowed it to save her baby sons. Will you let me tell King Dal? I’m convinced he would desperately want to see you and his son wedded. Bastard or not!”

“D’you thinks so? My father has always said it would block me from ever entering a good family as a bride.”

“Rubbish!” Drustina snapped. “The prince is desperate for your hand. Let me handle this bit. I’ve handled lots of these affairs!”

“Have you?”

“Yes! I’ll tell you about them at the feast tomorrow night. Now; shall I speak to the king?”

Una nodded nervously and wrung her hands. Drustina returned to the hall to find Dorvan in heated discussion with the bishop and his parents. When Drustina appeared, King Dal turned to her.

“Lioness tell him! The stupid lad says he’ll renounce the throne if he can’t marry the girl.”

“He may not have to Dal.”

It was the first time Drustina had addressed the king so informally but her reasons were sound. She needed to present as a wise and equal advisor if she was to persuade them that Una’s illegitimacy was a way forward and not a stumbling block. King Dal hesitated then replied.

“Go on Lioness. What are you trying to tell me?”

“The girl is not blood. There are no blood connections between her and your son.”

“Oh. Explain.”

Drustina described the events surrounding Una’s conception then she declared.

“No child can ever be blamed for being a bastard. The fault lies with the father ... the blood father that is.” She added hastily.

All four stared at Drustina with mouths agape. Finally King Dal chuckled.

“But he adopted her anyway! Why the old bugger’s got a heart after all.”

“He loves his wife Dal, and it was no fault of hers that she was raped, many times apparently while he was away fighting the bloody main force on your father’s behalf.”

“So why didn’t the girl tell us this?” Queen Gwynlen wondered.

“Una has always been ashamed of her illegitimacy. Her father always thought he would never be able to marry her off to a respectable family because of her parentage.”

Dal wagged his head with disbelief.

“The daft bugger, can he not see that every noble in Hibernia would want her for a bride? Just look at the girl.”

Drustina continued.

“Apparently she wasn’t very pretty as a child and he thought he would be lucky to get her off his hands. He offered her hand to the first man to ask and that was the Earl of Gorvan!”

Dal gasped with dismay and Dorvan cursed loudly. Even Queen Gwynlen let out a cry of despair. The bishop enlightened Drustina.

“He’s a brute! There’s a rumour that he murdered his father and exiled his own mother. We have no proof.”

“I only wish I did,” King Dal finished. “I’ll contact Sean right away and have the betrothal annulled immediately. That is within my powers and if I can’t be king in my own bloody kingdom then God help me!”

Drustina sighed with relief, her effort had exceeded all expectations and she turned to Dorvan.

“Would you like to tell her?”

Dorvan was through the door before Drustina had turned again to King Dal and his queen

“Well that went better than I had hoped. I’m impressed with your tolerance your majesties, now I suppose you’ll relish telling your daughters they’re going to be bride’s-maids.”

“I’ll relish even more that at long last my finicky son has finally chosen a bride. To tell you the truth Lioness, I was beginning to think he was ... you know. No offence intended you understand.”

Drustina simply chuckled and nodded towards the column of horsemen leaving the courtyard.

“I think I’d better join my companions and see if we can find this bloody book.”

As she stepped out into the courtyard, Dorvan accosted her.

“Thank you Lioness, from the bottom of my heart thank you. Can we join the search now?”

“We’d better get changed then. We’re late as it is; and bring your swords, there might be Vikings still hiding out there.”

Ten minutes later the trio were galloping furiously after the column and met with them a mile east of the River Maigue.

~o00o~

Carl and the Abbot had prepared a search plan and Drustina simply tagged along for the ride. In truth there were more than enough searchers and it was obvious that Drustina, Una and Dorvan were surplus. Drustina chose to sit on the bank of the river in the Abbey garden and act as a chaperone to the happy couple. From her comfortable bower she smiled contentedly as she heard the squeals of laughter coming from the pair as they dashed amongst the fruit bushes and fruit trees. Finally the pair tired and rejoined Drustina who smiled knowingly. It was obvious the pair were enchanted with each other. They were eating their prepared rations when a figure appeared from the doorway that led through the garden wall and out along the river bank to a wooden bridge across the river. Even as the figure closed the door, Drustina felt Una tense.

“What’s wrong?”

“That man. He’s the farmer and gardener here, he’s my brother. I told you about him when we were coming from Askea.”

“Well call him over. I’d like to meet your family.” Drustina observed.

“So would I,” added the prince.

“But if he tells my father, they will come for me.”

Drustina wagged her head sadly then explained.

“Una. You have become the royal fiancé. You now enjoy the king’s full protection.”

Una relaxed and called across the garden.

“Linam! It’s me, Una, come and say hello to my companions.”

The figure stopped what he was doing and hurried over.

“Una! Where the hell have you been? Father’s going berserk! The Earl of Gorvan is here, he’s come to claim his bride.”

“I’m not marrying him. The King has annulled the betrothal.”

Linam stared stupidly before demanding.

“What d’you mean; annulled the betrothal. This was all agreed and signed years ago. You’ve got to honour the contract.”

“No I don’t. The king has made the contract null and void.”

“The King. Why d’you keep mentioning the King? The Earl of Gorvan is from another Kingdom, the contract stands.”

“No it doesn’t, the contract was signed in Connacht, under Connacht law. King Dal is the law.”

“I don’t understand why you keep mentioning the king. Why would his majesty become involved in the affairs of an illegitimate country girl?”

“Because father is related by blood to the king and the marriage of royal relations has to be agreed by the king.”

“How in the hell did you become acquainted with the king?”

“I fought on his side against the Vikings.”

“You what!!”

Drustina intervened the family dialogue for it seemed to be going around in circles.

“You heard her Linam. She fought against the Vikings.”

“How, where, our older brothers fought the Vikings they never mentioned her; who are you anyway?”

“I’m the Lioness of Carthage Linam, the warrior queen who helped King Dal defeat the invaders at the Cock Rock. Your sister helped tow, load and operate the trebuchet, not to mention act as our guide. Oh, and by the way, this gentleman is Prince Dorvan, crown prince and heir to the Connacht throne. He can vouch for your sister’s efforts and her participation.”

Linam’s jaw sagged with disbelief until he saw the royal crest on the prince’s scabbard. As the dawning slowly filtered into his uncomprehending brain he slowly sank to his knees.

“I’m sorry your ... your Majest ... no, your Highness. I did not realise.”

“Oh get up man; you are soon to be my brother in law besides already being my cousin.”
Even this bombshell did not immediately pierce Linam’s incomprehension and an expectant silence settled as the three waited for the explosion to detonate. Linam sensed some issue was in the air by the three pairs of eyes watching him. He became slightly defensive.

“What?”

“Did you not hear what Prince Dorvan said?” Una asked.

Linam cast back but such was his confusion he failed to remember.

“No. He mentioned we are related but I know that.”

“What else did he say?” Drustina asked.

Linam frowned in an effort to show concentration but it was obvious he had not connected. Finally Prince Dorvan repeated himself.

“I said I’m soon to be your brother in law besides already being your cousin.”

Again for a brief moment the portent still escaped Linam then the penny dropped.

“You are going to be my brother ...”

“In law ....” Una finished.

He turned disbelievingly to his half sister.

“But, he can’t marry you, you’re ... you’re illegitimate. Father always said...”

“Forget what our father said. King Dal thinks differently, so does the bishop. Provided I am not too close by blood and provided I am not already married, I don’t even have to be a virgin! Though I can swear on a stack of bibles that I am still a virgin despite what father thinks.”

Linam stared stupidly at Drustina and Dorvan.

“Is this true?”

They nodded and smiled as Linam swallowed nervously before declaring.

“Oh shit. There’s going to be ructions at home. The Earl of Gorvan waits to claim you even as we speak. He is at home now with a company of his men at arms.”

“Well the earl is going to have to find somebody else,” Dorvan declared. “I will ride to your father’s house now and explain.”

Drustina stood up suddenly but spoke softly.

“I think your highness that we had best wait until the official annulment is delivered by your father’s herald. It will be far more persuasive than your lonely declaration and from what I have heard of this earl he is a dangerous man.”

“I am not afraid of him, I am no coward.”

“I know that Dorvan, you fought bravely enough these last few days but it would be folly to go single handed into a company of armed men led by a thug with some sort of issue.” Besides you only have your sword, you don’t sport any armour.”

The prince fumed at the Lioness’s words but recognised she was right. He stepped back from his impetuous action.

“Oh very well, I bow to your greater wisdom in matters military. So what now?”

“We return to the castle as soon as the search is complete here.”

At these words Linam declared.

“I doubt you’ll find any more of them here. The only one that survived was last seen hitching a ride from the fleeing ships. He swam out into the River Shannon and was dragged aboard. Nobody’s seen any Vikings around here since you sank their ship in the river.”

“We are not searching for Vikings brother,” Una explained, “we are looking for the Great Book of Brendan.”

Linam replied quite casually.

“It’s in my garden store. I was hiding there when I saw them fling the remains into the fruit bushes. They broke all the hinges and jewels off.”

“What!” Dorvan almost squeaked with astonishment. “Are you saying you’ve had it all the time?”

“Why yes. All the monks and the abbot fled so I hid under some compost behind my store and waited until the Vikings had finished their thieving then I crept out and recovered the book. I got some other books as well, but not all I think. I knew the great book was important, everybody knows that around here.”

Una flung herself at her brother and shrieked with joy.

“Brother, you are fantastic. The bishop will reward you handsomely. Take us to it.”

Linam led them to his stores and crawled under a rack of potting plants to recover the precious pages from a recess in the wall.

Dorvan hugged him in appreciation while Drustina eagerly scanned the pages until she came to the maps.

“These I would love to copy!”

“You’ll have to ask the my father's permission.” Dorvan replied.

“He can site my charts in exchange. Mine are much more informative than these. More accurate too I shouldn’t wonder.”

“These were made from memory over three hundred years ago.” Dorvan replied defensively. “He redrew them from sketches on parchments he made during the voyage. The whole chart was only drawn back at his monastery and he was an old man by then.”

“Agreed,” Drustina replied. “I would like Gisela to see this; she can compare it to her father’s charts. We salvaged some from her ship wreck on the Godwin bank.”

“You cannot take the book from the Abbey!” Linam protested. “There is a curse.”

Drustina rolled her eyes impatiently.

“Oh very well. I will return tomorrow ... with the Bishop if necessary. For now, I will signal my men.”

With these words she returned to the bower in the garden and took her bow from where they had picnicked. Linam watched with interest as she fired of a signal arrow that emitted green smoke. Within half an hour, all the searchers had gathered at the abbey and a mood of celebration spread around the abbey courtyard. The good news was despatched post haste to the king and the bishop while the abbot fussed importantly with the precious book. From the wreckage of the writing room the monks recovered some vellum parchment and wasted no time in making a copy of the chart for Drustina. She however had to constantly deter them from embellishing the document with religious and fantastic imagery of saints, demons and monsters. By the late afternoon the bishop arrived to confirm the condition of the book and reward Linam for his services in recovering and hiding the great book.

That evening a very happy and relieved band returned to Limerick where preparations for the morrow’s victory celebrations were well afoot. Drustina, above all else, was hugging herself with secret excitement as she clasped the copied chart to her breast. As soon as they arrived in Limerick, she led Gisela down to the quay and took out the Angry Mermaid’s portfolio of charts. Back in their chambers they settled down with Carl and Heliox to study the charts. Their excitement grew.

~~oo000oo~~