Emily Lloyd-Jones

copper was discovered in the nearby mountains, the village flourished. Eynon, a distant relative of the cantref prince, came to reside in Colbren, and he took control of the mine.

With full bellies and heavy purses, they did not think to send the yearly offerings into the forest. After all, magic had gone. Why should gifts be left for the forest?

But then one of the mine shafts collapsed

The wealth that had once streamed into the village slowed to a trickle.

Annwvyn,” she said. “The land of the otherfolk. The birthplace of monsters, of magic, and where Arawn used to rule.”

The mine closed twenty-five years ago,” she said. “The bone houses appeared… I don’t know. I was too young to remember. Fifteen years ago? Eighteen?”

king of the otherfolk, Arawn, who made his home there

afanc, who lurked beneath the surface of rivers, watching for unwary travelers; the pwca, shape-changers and creatures of fortune that might bestow luck or bring a person to ruin; and, of course, the tylwyth teg—the immortals, who held revels that would last decades

THE MOUNTAINS OF Annwvyn

Otherking; he had those red-eyed hounds, as well as great knights, a cauldron said to raise the dead, and an undefeated champion.

he met Arawn’s champion.

If Gwydion had fought fairly, he would have perished. But he was a clever, wicked sort, and he did not fight.

Rather, he spoke the champion’s true name.

And broke his power.