Saxon Bane (7 page)

I heard them talking as they walked towards us.  They had no need for silence. “I am glad this is the last day we will have to squat in this midge infested swamp.”

“Ah stop moaning, Aelle, you are worse than Egbert. This will be the last time.  Just do what you normally do and sleep.”

“I would if it wasn’t for the insects. I have no idea what they eat when we aren’t here but they enjoy my blood!”

And then I saw them.  They just had swords and axes with them.  They had no shields and their weapons were in their belts. They would have to try to draw them. That would make life much easier for us. We had decided that Lann Aelle, Tuanthal and Pol would be the first ones to strike.  They were hidden towards the end of the trees which was nearest to the hill fort.  I saw one Hibernian approaching my place of hiding. Before he reached me I heard a scuffle and he looked up. I swept my good leg around and he crashed to the ground. I pinned his head with my left hand and slashed across his throat with my dagger.  His life gurgled away. All around me warriors were falling so quickly that none had the chance to make a sound.  Two of them made a break for the fort but they were wrestled to the ground and killed by Lann Aelle and Pol. One of them managed a shout and we froze.

From the walls came the shout, in Saxon, “What is happening?”

Myrddyn had the quickest reactions. He shouted in Saxon, laughing as he did so, “It was just Aelle, he tripped up.  He is clumsier than Egbert.”

The voice, seemingly reassured, drifted back. “Well, keep it down.  The scouts found horse tracks yesterday.”

It showed how close we were to the ramparts that we could have a conversation and I saw why they had chosen the spot. We all moved closer to the edge of the trees.  They would not see anything wrong with warriors in the trees now.  They would assume that they were their own men.

  “Is anyone hurt?”

One of Lann Aelle’s warriors said, “They are animals.  One of them bit me.”

Lann Aelle laughed, “You were killing him at the time.”

“Quiet.  Now we wait.”

We knew that they would not bring Morcar out for some time. They would wait until it was later in the morning. It was hard to wait within spitting distance of the walls. I began to worry that someone could come out at any time but no one did. The sun rose higher and I was expecting Morcar and the guards to come out every time the guards on the walls walked in the direction of our hiding place. One of the scouts threw a stone to attract my attention and pointed.  In the distance I could see some of the cattle boys running towards the fort. Just at that moment Morcar and his two guards came out of the gate and walked towards my hidden warriors. Their backs were to the gate and they did not see the boys. They began their walk around the walls.  The scouts we had sent had said that they walked half way around and then came back.  They never lost sight of the copse for obvious reasons.  The men in the woods were their protectors.

Suddenly ponies erupted from the gate.  Thirty Hibernian warriors galloped out and rode north. One of the guards on the ramparts shouted, “Tadgh, bring your men out and collect the boy.  It looks like they have stolen the cattle.”

Myrddyn shouted, “Understood.”

It was now or never.  The news of the cattle raid could never be precise; Aedh had to strike when he could. “Pol, Tuanthal, fetch the horses. We will have to get Morcar now.”

This was less than perfect.  The ponies could be recalled quickly. They were still less than a mile away. We had to rescue him now. The two guards had heard the noise and were bringing Morcar back. There was no time for deception.  I just had to hope that they would take us for their own men, at least for a few moments.

The two guards were briefly taken in as we ran towards them.  When we were just twenty paces away they saw that we were not the men they thought we were.  They grabbed Morcar and ran for the ramparts.  They shouted as they did so, “We are under attack!”

They would have been better keeping their hands free rather than trying to hold on to my nephew. Lann Aelle and one of his warriors reached the two guards and, even as they tried to fend off the attack, they were slain. I saw men pouring down from the fort.  I recognised Oswald immediately. Then I heard the thunder of hooves as our horses galloped towards us. With the exception of Myrddyn we were all experienced riders.  As we mounted our horses those who had been holding them loosed arrows in the direction of the advancing warriors. We headed east away from the ring fort. My aim was to put as much distance as I could between us.  I knew that the riders on the ponies would be recalled and it would become a race to the Lough and the border. Our advantage was our superior horses.  Their advantage was numbers and knowledge of the land.

“Lann Aelle, watch over your cousin!”

Morcar’s voice drifted from behind, “I do not need help, uncle.”

I turned to look at him.  Considering he had just been rescued he did not look happy. Perhaps he had hoped to emulate me and escape himself.  He was desperate for some kind of glory. I had no time to indulge him and I concentrated on watching for the enemy. We gradually turned north to head toward the Lough.  We had fifteen miles to go and anything could happen.

I shouted to those who were ahead of me and to the west, “Watch for Aedh.  He will be joining us soon.” One advantage of the recall of the warriors was that Aedh and his men would not be pursued. We did not thrash our horses to death.  It was important to keep a steady speed up.  If we had to we would be able to move faster than ponies so long as we were on the flatter areas.

Tuanthal shouted, “Warlord! Look to the west!”

I turned and saw the pursuing ponies.  They were heading to cut us off.  “How far are we from the Lough?”

One of Aedh’s scouts was with us and he shouted back, “It must be nearly five miles!”

I gambled that we would reach the Lough before they caught up with us. “Keep the same speed but be prepared to kick on if they close too fast.”  I was suffering with my old wound.  I had not ridden as far in a long time and my leg ached so much it felt as though someone was burning me with a brand. I was getting too old to campaign.

“Warlord!”

I looked to where Tuanthal was pointing.  The ponies were closing.  They were riding them to death in an attempt to reach us. “It is time to show them what the horses of Rheged can do!!

I kicked Nightstar hard in the flanks and the mighty horse almost unseated me with a burst of speed.  I was soon outstripping the others.  There was little point in reining in.  The others would be close behind me. I saw the sunlight glistening off the water ahead.  We had made it.  I glanced over my shoulder and saw that my warriors were strung out.  Myrddyn was struggling at the back and Pol had stayed with him.  Morcar and Lann Aelle were in the middle.  The warriors pursuing us were now close enough to see their weapons.  It would be tight.

As I turned around I suddenly saw twenty Saxons running from the Lough.  They had been at the ransom exchange early. Hearing the noise of hooves they must have left their place of concealment.  We would be caught between the ponies and those on foot. They were less than thirty paces from me.  If I swerved I would lead my warriors into the pursuing Hibernians. I would charge them! I drew Saxon Slayer.  This was not my death.  This was not my dream.

“Wolf Warrior!” Instead of veering away I rode directly at them. They had been so keen to get at us that they had lost all order. I leaned forward in my saddle and, swinging my blade from behind me, slashed the first Saxon from his groin to his throat. The spear he held brushed my shoulder as he stabbed at me too early. I tugged the reins and Nightstar responded.  We swung towards a knot of men with spears. As we headed for the next warriors I heard the crack as Nightstar’s hooves smashed into the skull of an unfortunate Saxon who had come too close to us.  One Saxon showed more sense than the other. He knelt before me and planted the spear into the ground. I urged Nightstar on and we soared over the surprised Saxon. I swung my sword as Nightstar’s front hoof clipped the spear and Saxon Slayer split the man’s head in two.

There were no more warriors before me, just the sparkling waters of the Lough. I wheeled Nightstar around and saw that my charge had split the waiting Saxons. My warriors were laying about them and the field was filled with death.  The ponies were closer but I judged that we would just make the frontier.  I hoped that the king would be waiting for us.

I slowed Nightstar down and my warriors gradually joined us. I was about to say ‘well done’ when there was a cry from the rear. Myrddyn had fallen from his mount. Pol reined in and grabbed the horse’s reins.  Myrddyn lay still on the ground. I could not leave my old friend and I led my warriors back. The Hibernians seized the moment and charged us on their sturdy ponies. We were outnumbered. I led the warriors towards the ponies. Morcar and Lann Aelle had joined Pol and were trying to get Myrddyn back on his horse.

We thundered towards them.  All of my warriors had bloodied swords and our mounts were also blood spattered.  Unlike the Saxons the Hibernians had no armour and few helmets.  Even so this would be hard for they outnumbered us.

I saw the leader who urged his men on.  I charged him.  He threw a javelin at me.  I tried to duck out of the way but it stuck in my shoulder.  I reached with my left hand and pulled it out. The bloody tip showed me that is had managed to penetrate, mail, leather and skin. I threw it, left handed and it struck a pony.  The leader had drawn his sword and he came at me, eager to finish me off.  He swung his sword at the same time as me.  They met and there was a crack. My sword carried on and hacked into his shoulder penetrating through to his chest.  The two halves of his sword fell from his lifeless fingers.

Suddenly arrows began to fall amongst the Hibernians. I looked and saw Aedh and his men.  My captain of scouts had used his head.  His warriors were all experts with the bow and soon the Hibernians had had enough and began to fall back. I saw that Myrddyn and Pol were heading north and we followed them. Once we reached the northern shore we stopped so that I could examine Myrddyn.

He shrugged his shoulders to make me release my hands. “Get off me, Warlord.  I am fine.  It was just an animal hole and that stupid horse stumbled.”

“But you were not moving, Myrddyn!”

“I was merely winded Pol.” He glanced up at me.  “But you have been wounded again Lord Lann.”

I put my finger up to my shoulder.  There was a tiny trickle of blood.  “It is nothing, the armour took most of the impact.”

King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
rode up. “We saw! That was well done.”

I pointed behind me. “If you send your men to the Saxons they can get weapons and armour as good as any.” He looked dubious. “Those we defeated are busy running back.  I would advise you to get some decent weapons.”

He nodded and sent his men to collect the Saxon arms. We headed back to the safety and security of the hill fort.

We rode back to the coast in silence.  We had been more than lucky.  My new wound ached a little but it was not life threatening. Lann Aelle rode next to Morcar while Pol watched over our wizard.  We watched our own.  The lack of discipline shown by the king’s men when Morcar had been abducted was a warning of their frailties.

Our farewells were rapid for I wished to find out from Morcar what had happened to him. “We will send a message to you when we are ready for the attack.  Until then prepare your men.”

“I will Lord Lann and I can see that we have much to learn from you.”

Daffydd ap Gwynfor was also glad to be away. “I saw too many sails on the horizon for my liking. There seemed to be Saxon ships everywhere. I am pleased we are travelling back with so many of your warriors.”

The captain’s words disturbed me.  We had plied the seas and traded successfully for some years.  The Byzantine ships had also begun to return to trade.  If the pirates and Saxons were in the waters of Britannia then it did not bode well. We might well return to the dark ages of a few years ago.

Much to Morcar’s annoyance Myrddyn had insisted upon examining him.

“I tell you I was treated well! I am not a child anymore!”

I hid my smile for, at that moment, he seemed like a petulant child refusing to go to bed.

When Myrddyn had finished and nodded we sat at the prow of the ship. Myrddyn watched as Lann Aelle and I spoke with Morcar.

“Tell us all you can of what happened.  It might prevent it happening again.”

He shrugged as though the whole incident had been blown out of proportion. “The hunt was going well.  The king’s brother had killed a wolf and we saw some wolves escaping.  One of the king’s men shouted for us to chase them and we did.”

Myrddyn frowned, “Did he lead you after the wolves?”

“Aye he did. He led us as though he was a hound himself. He seemed to know where they were going.”

“Did you see the wolves again?”

He frowned as he thought back. Then he shook his head. “No, for we were ambushed by the Saxons.  We stood no chance.”

“And the warrior who led you, was he slain along with the rest?”

He thought for a moment. “I do not think so for I was bound face down but I seem to remember him fleeing north.”

Myrddyn looked at me.  “It seems that the king has more than one traitor in his midst.  Calum was not working alone.”

It was a worrying thought now that we had King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
and his men as allies. If Oswiu and Oswald had a spy in our host then we had a problem. We would consider that when we returned home.

“Carry on Morcar.”

“They took me to the hill fort and asked me my name.  I told them and they seemed pleased.  I was assigned two guards.  The men you slew when you rescued me. I expected torture and death but they treated me like an honoured guest. They allowed me to walk around the hill fort each day and the two guards played games with me.”

Myrddyn suddenly asked, “Did you like the two guards?”

For the first time he seemed uncomfortable, “They treated me well.  They treated me as a warrior.”

“And the Saxons, Oswiu and Oswald?”

“Oswiu was kind.  He was only a little older than me.  He made me laugh with his stories.”

“You were lucky then.  They could have treated you worse than they did.”

He looked thoughtful, “I know.  Tell me what the ransom they demanded was?”

“Gold and Saxon Slayer.”

He looked genuinely surprised.  “So that is why you affected the rescue. You could not hand over the sword.  I thought you did not think me worthy of ransom.”

“Know this, Morcar, I would not pay a ransom, not even for Myfanwy.  If you pay a ransom and give in to such demands then it leads to more tragedy.”

“You mean that, do you not, Warlord?”

I nodded. “I have dealt with Saxons like Oswiu and Oswald all of my life.  They are not to be trusted and they will use devious and underhand means whenever they can.  They have learned long ago that we are better warriors and they have to resort to tricks to achieve their ends.”

I left Lann Aelle with his cousin as we headed south.  “What do you think Myrddyn?”

“I think there are doubts in Morcar’s mind.  He is not sure if you value him.  He has also been duped by the Saxons.  He does not see them as his enemies. We will have to watch him. The story he told came out too easily.  We will need to treat him with care.”

“I will assign him to Lann Aelle.”

“I would not do that.  He would see that as a slight.  It would confirm his view that you do not value him.  Keep him by your side and win his mind once more.  I will watch him.”

We had much to plan once we returned.  King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
would land with his army at the estuary close to Civitas Carvetiorum. He had promised to bring as many of his warriors as he could. I would need to send my own warriors there to help him to land and to protect his men while they were ferried from the land of the Dál nAraidi. Kay had some warriors who could help but the plague had thinned their ranks considerably.  I would need to send men from the south. It would take many days to move King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
’s army to the mainland. King Cadwallon and I would need to move north long before then to be able to meet him. I had hoped to make the attack by the end of summer but Morcar’s abduction had made that unlikely. I would have to meet with my captains and make a decision before we spoke with King Cadwallon.

We landed close to St. Asaph.  Hogan Lann was there as was Myfanwy.  I knew that she would be worried about Morcar. There was no jetty at the Clwyd and we had to clamber over the side.  Tuanthal and Aedh stayed on board to offload the horses at The Narrows.

We wound our way up the path to the small fort which guarded the monastery and the crossing of the Clwyd.  It was only small but it was well placed and had prevented any Saxon incursions.  It also protected our route to Wrecsam and that, too, was important.

I saw the concern on my wife’s face as she waited for me with Hogan Lann and Gawan. She threw her arms around Morcar.  “Did they hurt you?”

He shook his head, more than a little embarrassed to be cuddled like that in front of his cousins. “No, I told uncle that I am fine.”

She wagged a finger at me.  “I told you the Hibernians could be trouble.”

I put my arm around her and laughed as we entered the fort. “And it was the Saxons who kidnapped him and not the Hibernians.”

I looked up at Hogan Lann, “Oswiu and Oswald.”

My eldest son nodded. Hogan Lann was now a mature warrior.  Brother Oswald often said how much he looked like me when I had been his age.  It pleased me and saddened me at the same time.  It was as though he had become the man I was.  Where did that leave me?

“Shall we deal with them now, Warlord?”

“No.  It is more important to use our new alliance to go on the offensive against Edwin.  Besides they only have a handful of men left.”

Myrddyn’s voice sounded ominous. “Their danger is not in their numbers but in their influence. They managed to sway Hibernians to their side did they not?  Do not underestimate them.”

I did not ignore Myrddyn but I pushed the words to the back of my mind. I suppose it was a mistake but at the time I was too concerned with other matters. “You managed to clear the Saxons from our borders then?”

“We did.  There are none to the west of the mountain divide.”

That was music to my ears.  It meant they had been driven from the land of Rheged south of the land of the lakes. It confirmed my decision. “Good.  When we leave here I would like to see all my captains so that we may plan our campaign and then I will go to see King Cadwallon.”

It was good to see my children and grandchildren again.  Myfanwy fussed over me, especially when she discovered I had been wounded again.”

“It was barely a scratch. It was a lucky throw and the javelin found the tiniest of chinks in my armour.”

“And that is how it will end, through a chink in your armour.  I told you before that you do not need to fight.”

It was then that Morcar told them of my fight with Calum. He ignored the shaking of my head and gave all of the details. Myfanwy paled and then reddened as she became angry. “You do not need to fight!” She glared at Myrddyn and Morcar.  “And I thought you, old man, would have had more sense than to let my husband risk his life over a challenge!.”

Myrddyn smiled and said, “This is why I have never taken a woman, Warlord.  They seem to want to run men’s lives for them.”

That did nothing to mollify my wife. I tried to explain. “I had no choice.  He challenged me and if I had not accepted then we might not have had the alliance and besides he would have found another way to get at me.  He had been paid by Aethelfrith’s sons to kill me; he told us that. Better to face him with a weapon than risk a knife in the back.”

She seemed a little happier at that. “I am just grateful that you emerged unscathed.”

“Next time I will come with you, father, and I can take up any challenge.”

It was at that moment that I realised that Hogan Lann would have disposed of my enemy far quicker than I had. He was just as I had been, twenty years ago.

We left Myfanwy with Gwyneth and the rest of us rode down the coast road to The Narrows. We were well guarded for Hogan Lann had most of his equites with us. Morcar asked, “Hogan Lann has the best warriors in the land.  When we conquer Rheged will he become king?  Or will you Lord Lann?”

“I am the Warlord of Rheged and I have no desire to be king, nor the right. The descendents of King Urien and Prince Pasgen still live in the north.  They might not be kings any longer but the blood of kings still courses through their veins.”

“But they have done nothing to deliver Rheged from the Saxons.”

It was Hogan Lann who answered.  “We are the protectors of the land and the people.  We were appointed. We swore an oath and we will not be foresworn.  A warrior who is foresworn is to be despised.”

Morcar began to become angry, I put it down to his abduction. “But only Lord Lann took the oath.  You could become king, Hogan Lann.  You have the warriors. With the equites behind you there is nothing to stop you conquering the whole of Britannia.”

“Enough Morcar. Your father never desired to be king and I do not desire to be king. We have enough honour just being protectors of Rheged. If you wish to serve me still put such thoughts and words from your head.”

My two sons could not understand Morcar.  I could see that in their faces.  They saw that what they did was important and they understood it.  They had both studied with Brother Oswald and knew about the Roman warriors who had come from the far ends of the Empire to defend Britannia.  It was only when they left that the barbarians descended. To Gawan and Hogan Lann they were continuing a tradition of which they were proud. The sword was a visible symbol of that.  The sword had been hidden by one of my ancestors and I knew that he had been one of those warriors. That was why I had been guided to the sword all those long years ago. In a way it was my fault or perhaps Raibeart’s.  Morcar had been brought up as a rich spoiled nobleman.  Raibeart had been well off and able to indulge his eldest.  Both my sons had served as warriors from an early age.  It had been bred into them.  Perhaps I would send Morcar back to his mother. Not everyone was cut out to be a warrior.  Morcar had the skills but did he have the heart?

Tuanthal had followed my orders and my captains awaited me at The Narrows. It was no secret what I had planned but I knew that they would be excited.  It would be almost three years since I had led an army to war. What they did not know was that I expected it to be my last.

Brother Oswald had anticipated my return and I could smell the food cooking as I entered the gates.  I knew that I would have clean clothes laid out and the baths would be at the perfect temperature.  Since he had worked out how to use the hypocaust we had had warmth in the winter and hot baths whenever we wished. As much as I loved my wife I knew that the evening amongst my warriors and sons would be a rewarding one.

I went to my solar when I had bathed, trimmed my beard and dressed.  I poured myself a chalice of the heavy wine from Lusitania and looked to the west.  When I died I expected to have a view like this throughout eternity. I believed I had done enough to be rewarded by the gods. I had always enjoyed a sunset and a western view. That would be reward enough for a life fighting Rheged’s enemies.

As I drank my second chalice of wine I realised that was the difference between Morcar and me.  I had been brought up a shepherd boy on a windswept ridge above the valley of the Dunum.  He had wanted for nothing. I, along with my brothers, had had everything taken from us.  Morcar’s only loss had been his father and that when he had grown up.  I wondered if the death when he was older had had a more profound effect upon the young man. I decided that I was being too harsh on him and I would give him one more chance to prove himself.

We ate, that night, in my main hall around the oval table I had had made so that we could all see each other. Many of the captains had their names carved on the table and there were names from warriors now with the Allfather; Miach, Garth, Aiden and Mungo.  Others, like the faithful Einar, had no name there but his sword on the wall was a reminder to all of us of his deeds.