Aberffraw, 878 AD
Aberffraw, 878 ADAfter deep reflection about the death of his old friend and beloved king, Rhodri, Alun ap Drystan regretted the impulse that had led him to withdraw from military life. A resentment of Rhodri’s killers—the Mercians—also invaders of Wales, festered within him. Despite his advancing years, he had now surpassed three-score, he put his body through the same punishing routine he endured when he was a young man. Alun secretly hoped that Prince Anarawd, whom he knew had idolised him since boyhood, would call upon his military services and not just his political counselling. When, at last, the two met, they discussed their mutual loathing of the Mercians at length until Anarawd mooted the matter dear to Alun’s heart, “I know you have retired from court and milit
