The Phantom Queen Awakes by Mark S. Deniz Page A

Ande-dubnos , to
fashion the portion of the shadow realm it encompasses to her
desires.”
    The hands clasping her shoulder tightened and
Lys felt a reply was required of her. “I hear your words, my
lady.”
    “This power has its responsibilities.” She
paused and eased her grip on Lys’ shoulders. “The dreams of men
need to be cultivated and nurtured against the threat of chaos.
This requires a journey into Ande-dubnos each year to
perform such tasks as are necessary.”
    Hands lowered to grasp her upper arms and urge
her upwards. As Lys rose, she gazed into the unsmiling eyes of the
warrior.
    “I will do my best.”
    The goddess considered her carefully. “In
addition to your gaining entrance into the Anderwelt , as you
call it, the reward for this duty is twofold. I bestow on you good
fortune and a fair countenance for you and your descendants from
this day forward, as far as it is in my power to
fulfill.”
    “That is kind of you, my lady.”
    “Kindness has nothing to do with it. I grant
this not without purpose.” The goddess smiled on her without mirth,
but her expression, at least, was not unkind. “Prosperity and the
beauty of the fée have their price, but that is something that is
paid on demand and not beforehand.”
    Lys studied the face before her. Strong.
Fierce. And merciless.
    “Your fate and those of your children are from
here on intimately bound, Lys ab Gysell, with the fate of Iaun
Reith and his tribe, be it ever so small.”
    “We are to be formally joined. I see no
problem with that.”
    “But your children might. Therefore, you must
bind them to me now as well.”
    “I am willing to do this thing, but I would
ask why.”
    “Because the descendants of the Veneti and the
Condrusi will someday be all that remains of our way.”
    Lys considered the gravity of what she said
and felt afraid. She knew the Condrusi did not have the might to
overcome the powerful Roman warlord they called Caesar or the
tribes to the north and east. Her folk had formerly accepted
patronage and protection from the Treveri. The two tribes shared
kinship bonds and many customs, but the Treveri had begun to suckle
from Rome’s teat, setting her people adrift.
    Lys thought about the children she hoped to
bear. Her children’s word was hers to give as long as they were not
yet out of her womb, and her pulse quickened at the thought of the
great fortune she was receiving. “It is done,” she said and lowered
her head.
     
    ****
     
    Lys bore twin sons to Iaun within a year of
their binding. The women marveled at the ease of the birth in one
as young as Lys and at the health of her babies. The Veneti
rejoiced at the new arrivals and slaughtered lambs for the feast to
celebrate Bel’s return.
    They renewed the handfasting a year and a day
after the initial ceremony to much fanfare, another cause for the
Veneti to celebrate. Uxía tied the double knot over their crossed
hands, signifying the permanence of their union. Iaun’s vigorous
appetite for her sparked such a deep satisfaction in Lys that she
vowed to return the favor by being a good wife and leader for
Iaun’s people. A few days after the solstice, Lys realized she was
again pregnant. The fortune that the goddess had promised her
seemed already to have come to pass.
     
    ****
     
    “Why do you have to go just now?” Lys spoke to
her husband as she finished suckling her third son, born just a
fortnight before.
    Iaun watched her with an admiring gaze as he
stood in front of his weapons chest. “You heard the messenger your
father sent. They need our help. The men have grown bored over the
winter, and it will give them a chance to win some trophies. I
would also learn the extent of the threat from the Roman wolf
pack.”
    Her twins pulled themselves up on Nolwenn’s
legs. Lys had accepted the Veneti tradition that decreed the
exchange of sons among noble families and entrusted Nolwenn, the
wife of Iaun’s brother Gwened, to care for her children. After