The Two Tanists (A Bard Without a Star, Book 2) (11 page)

“Why did you start the cattle
raid?” Columb said.

Gwydion sighed. “To bed
Arianrhod and allow Gilventhy to bed Goewin.”

“And what did you tell Math
the reason was?”

“Because the Dyfedians were
raiding our southern border with stronger intent than just stealing cattle.”

“Did you have proof of this?”

“Yes.”

“And was any of this
reasoning false?” Columb said, his eyes twinkling.

“No, but it wasn’t the
driving reason,” Gwydion said.

“So you started with one
goal: bedding a young lady. But the method you chose for that goal, going to
war, had a valid reason?” Columb leaned forward again. “Did you lie to your
uncle about the Dyfedian threat?”

“No, but—”

“So you did not deceive him?”

“I did about my intent,”
Gwydion said.

“So the fact that Kyrnin
incited his laird to kill your laird had nothing to do with it?”

“Of course it did.”

Columb tapped the table.
“I’m trying to get you to see that even though you had ulterior motive, the war
you set in motion was not exactly avoidable. You brought things to a head
faster than it might have happened, but maybe only by months.”

“But the rape, and the
tower—” Gwydion protested.

“Did Gil tell you he would
take Goewin against her will?”

“No, but—”

“And did you request a bardic
judgment?”

“I did, but—”

Columb waved away his
complaints. “You are not responsible for Gil’s crime. And it is not a crime
to defend yourself from someone trying to kill you.”

“So what you’re saying…”

Columb rose to his feet.
“Gwydion ap Don, I am ready to render my judgment in this matter: you are
hereby cleared of any wrongdoing in the rape of Goewin, and in the death of
Math ap Mathonwy and Gilventhy ap Don.”

Gwydion felt a little light
headed. “I’m innocent?”

“I’m not finished,” Columb
said. “There is the matter of how you defended yourself against your uncle.”

“There is?”

Columb said, “You are not a
bard. Your use of bardic magic is of great concern to me. So I hereby order
you to study for the bardic star. If you succeed, you will become a bard.”

Gwydion said, “And if I
fail?”

“You will be bound magically,
taken to Gorsedd Ogham, and stripped of your bardic power.”

“You can do that?” Gwydion
said.

“I can,” Columb said.

Gwydion did not doubt the
flint in the Pen Bardd’s eyes, but a thought struck him. “And that’s it? What
about Gwynedd? And Caer Dathyl, and all the people affected by what has
happened?”

“You will no longer be
Tanist,” Columb said. “So it is not your concern.”

“How can you say that?”
Gwydion said. “It’s my home!”

Columb shook his head. “Not
any longer.”

“And if I refuse the
training?”

“Then we will go to Gorsedd
Ogham today.” Columb sighed. “I understand your guilt, I really do. But you
must learn to control your power, one way or another.”

“I know,” Gwydion said.

“Well?” Columb asked. “What
will you choose?”

Gwydion looked him in the
eye. “When do I begin?”