Eisteddfod

Jon and Ama sat quietly with some of the younger children near the circle of women. Jon was poking the fire with a stick he had found while Ama started to doze. It had been a very long day. Even if the drums were right next to her, she probably would not hear them.

“So, you’re the tough guy who slays dragons, huh? Is this your girlfriend?” a voice behind her

RASSLIN!

said with a sneer.

Ama was wide awake in an instant and whirled to face the rudeness. “I most certainly am not!” she spat at him.

“Oh, so I’ll bet she does the fighting for you. She’s probably the one who fought the dragon, if there really was one,” the boy laughed. Several boys standing with him also laughed, a bit nervously though.

“What?” Jon blinked, standing up from the fire. Ama seethed.

And they're off!

“You know what, I think I am going to punch your boyfriend. Are you going to fight for him?” he said walking up to Jon. And he punched Jon squarely in the nose. “Welcome to the frontier, cousin!” he laughed as Jon staggered back from the blow.

In an instant, the boy dove on Jon and the two were wrestling on the ground, punches flying and bodies rolling. Rae stood up from the women and started toward the two when Kymeth grabbed her arm. “Don’t dishonor your brother by stepping in. Such is the way of young men.”

Jon managed to throw the boy off and stand up. The men had moved around the two and now formed a circle. Arwel laughed and clapped his hands while biting off a big piece of jerky. “Well done, lad! Take it to him!” From the murmurings and cheering, it was apparent some betting was taking place.

Both boys were on their feet landing punches and back into a clinch. The boy attempted to throw Jon this time but was cut short when Jon brought his heel down hard on his knee. There was a sickening crunch and he fell to the ground with a cry of pain. Jon got ready to leap on him when Arwel grabbed him. “Ah, lad, he’s had enough. I’m sure Dafydd has given you enough welcome for this evening. Well done, Jon! Your father would have been proud to see you go at it. And…it does look like Dafydd needs some attending to now.”

Best friends

Katrin was first to get to the young man who was rolling on the ground holding his knee and laughing. “Yow! He broke it! He broke my kneecap! Agh!” The other boys around him laughed and cuffed Jon on the shoulder. “Well done, boyo!” Rae and Katrin looked at each other and silently agreed that everyone of these strange creatures were crazy. Agreeing on the nature of men, they set to work on Dafydd’s leg and began singing the songs of healing. Dafydd hopped up and bounced a few steps of a jig. “Thank you so much! It’s much funnier when it’s not so painful,” he said joyfully. “Now that the formal greetings have occurred, Jon, you and I will become best friends.” He put an arm around Jon and said conspiratorially, “I had to see what matter of man you were. I have a place I want to show you tomorrow. Can’t tell anyone else, you understand. I’d be happy to have your sister come with us, though, since she’s one of us. Well, she will be once you introduce us. You are going to introduce me? Do you have any manners?”

“What?” Jon said confusedly.

“Your sister! Are you going to introduce me or not?” Dafydd laughed.

As the young people resolved the introductions, Arwel and Aelwen sat with Kymeth, Rae, Mae with some of the older cousins. “Your sister’s counsel to seek assistance from the Copper Dwarves is sound. The necklace you are carrying will certainly get their attention. Selwyn will be able to arrange the meeting, of that I have no doubt. And you say Beli Mawr told you the Owl Witch would be seeking you? Well, staying hidden at night and traveling by day makes the most sense. That and not having any loud arguing to draw attention from passing owls, of course.” On the last point, everyone nodded in solemn agreement. “Here the goats set such a perimeter that we are safe from that hazard, at least. It seems your daughter’s elk friend prefers their company to that of the horses. Small wonder with the company the goats keep,” he chuckled. “It seems the pipers are slowing a bit. I know it’s been a long day for everyone. Your beds are all prepared and your horses have been cared for. Off to sleep now! We will set to the watch.” With that, folks parted for rest and the valley grew quiet.

Arwelshire