Saxon Bane (8 page)

The walls themselves were now more colourful.  Brother Oswald had found that he enjoyed painting and he had painted tableaux and murals on the walls. He had wanted to paint images of the White Christ and his mother but my warriors said that it had to be the scenes from our defence of Rheged. Some were now finished and they looked impressive. I had advised him on some of the detail and they brought back emotional memories for me.

My sons flanked me at the table and then Myrddyn while Brother Oswald sat next to the wizard.  They were an incongruous pair. On the other side of Brother Oswald sat his recently appointed assistant, Carac. The others: Tuanthal, Pol, Lann Aelle, Daffydd ap Miach, Daffydd ap Gwynfor and Bors were seated opposite. I frowned when I saw that Morcar had sat so that no-one was on either side of him.  He was still sulking over the lack of support from his cousins for his ideas.  He would have to learn.

The food was superb but having just spent many days eating rough fare at the court of King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
, anything would have tasted good. I watched my intake of wine and was pleased to see that my sons did the same. They had learned well.  The other captains quaffed copious amounts. We chatted easily over the meal.  I filled in the details of our new ally and my experiences in Hibernia while they let me know of the warriors I would be commanding.

“What is the size of our army now?”

“There are the one hundred equites I command and the one hundred squires who support them. Gawan here has fifty equites and fifty squires.  Tuanthal has his one hundred horsemen; Daffydd ap Miach his one hundred archers. Bors his two hundred spearmen and Aedh his twenty scouts.”

Over the years we had adopted the Roman idea of hundreds and tens. It meant we could use our natural leaders to command smaller sections. Hogan Lann had the most powerful force for he had Pol and Lann Aelle with him.

“Before we talk of this in public how many men will that leave us to defend our homes and our people?”

“Small garrisons only; twenty men in each fort.”

“That is not enough.  Bors can use one hundred of his spearmen to bolster the forts. We will have King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
’s men.”

“How many of those are there?”

“He can field over two hundred and fifty but I suspect that he will leave some to guard his home.”

“And are they reliable?”

“Do you mean will they fight?  Yes but if you mean will they obey orders and do as they are bid then I do not know. I am gambling that the extra men will swing the battle in our favour. They are an uncertain element.  If we do not know what they will do then King Edwin will be even more confused.”

I noticed that all eyes were on the three of us. I stood.  “Forgive me friends for speaking with my sons for so long.  We had much catching up to do.” I nodded to Brother Oswald and Carac who stood and unrolled a map which they placed on the table.  It had been begun by Brother Osric and added to by both the wizard and the priest.  It was as accurate a map as we had of Britannia but there were many places in the east which were just brown, empty areas. The towns and forts were marked in red and the Roman Wall in black.

I stood. “We are going to retake Rheged!” I waited as they all banged the table and cheered.  They had not been as restrained in their drinking as my sons had.  “I will outline what I think we ought to do and you can voice your opinions.” It was the way we normally worked.  I often wondered if their acquiescence was because they really agreed or because I was Warlord and old.

King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
will meet us at Civitas Carvetiorum and King Cadwallon will march with us.  What we have to decide is when to go and which route to take.”  They nodded and all of them stared at the map intently.

“I propose to go before the end of the month and take the western route. King Edwin will not expect us to attack this close to autumn, and the western route, thanks to all of you, is free from Saxons.  We can march north undetected.”

That set a conversation off.  I sat down and noticed that Myrddyn did the same.  He looked at me and spread his hands as much as to say, ‘what is there to discuss?’

Hogan Lann said, “I like the idea of the attack from the west, it will surprise them but I cannot agree that now is the most propitious time. We have just had a campaign against the Saxons and, whilst we did not lose many warriors, it has taken its toll of the horses and equipment.  We would have to stay in Rheged over winter and the winters there can be harsh.  We are relying on the Irish and we do not know how they will cope with winter.  I suggest we go in the spring.”

I could see that most of them agreed with my son.  The exceptions were Morcar and Myrddyn. I found myself agreeing with Hogan Lann but he did not know that my time was running out. I had to get so much finished before I died.

“Edwin will not expect an attack and all of you have weakened them considerably.  By the spring he will have recruited more men.  And it gives him longer to find out about our attack and prepare.”

I could see that my words had been thought provoking. We were almost back at a stalemate. Myrddyn chuckled, “Unless, of course, we let him know that we are coming so that he can prepare.”

Everyone looked at the wizard as though he had taken leave of his senses. Bors just said, “What?”

“We plant information which tells him that we will attack but not where.  We then let him discover information from his spies which makes him think that we will attack one place when, in fact we are heading for another.  Surprise will be all.  Imagine if he withdrew his armies from north of the wall to meet an attack further south.  We could take…”

Brother Oswald finished his sentence for him, “Din Guardi!”

Myrddyn clapped the priest on the back, “And we all know how hard it is to take that if it is garrisoned.”

Tuanthal said cheekily, “Unless, of course you know how to fly there.”

They all laughed and I saw Hogan Lann smile.  “That might just work.  How would you do it?”

Myrddyn swallowed off some of the heady wine.  “I just came up with the idea. We will work it out over the next few days.”

I allowed a silence to descend so that each man could ruminate in his own head.  “What say you? We will have to keep silent, even before our own men but I like Myrddyn’s refinement.” I put my sword on the table.

“I say, Aye.” Hogan Lann did the same and soon the table had our weapons all laid out.  We were agreed. We would go in the spring. We would plant information which might suggest a different time and place; I wanted Edwin to be confused. Had I been a dictator then we would have left before the end of the month.  I believed that my way was a better one.  Hogan Lann had disagreed and we had refined his plan.  It boded well for the future. In addition it gave Brother Oswald and Carac more time to plan the supplies we would need.  We had been successful in the past because we had more and better weapons than our enemies.

Brother Oswald and his assistant remained behind when the rest had gone. “We will need as many carts and wagons as you can manage to acquire. We will need plenty of arrows and I would like to take as much food as possible.”

The old priest smiled, “It is good that you listened to the others, Warlord, we could not have managed that in a month.” He nodded towards Carac who was busily making notes on a wax tablet. “Luckily I now have an assistant with energy who can run around more than this old priest.”

“How do you like it here Carac?”

The young man had only been with us for three or four months.  He had been washed ashore having been in a ship attacked by Hibernian pirates. He had shown himself to be a literate and hard working young man and Brother Oswald had pounced upon him as an assistant.  It was he who took on the duties of travelling to St.Cybi and dealing with the traders and captains.  It extended the time that Brother Oswald could stay at The Narrows. This was the first time I had had to speak with the young man.

“I am grateful that my life was saved.  It is good having a purpose in my life. With all of my friends and family dead I can now make new friends and Brother Oswald is like a father to me.”

I was pleased that it had worked out so well.  Brother Oswald was a lonely old man and I believed that Carac brought companionship into his life.

“Good.  I am pleased that you can take some of the burden from Brother Oswald’s shoulders.  There will always be a place for you here.”

Myrddyn and I concocted our plan alone the next day.  Al of my captains had much to do. Brother Oswald had lists to weapons and supplies which would be needed.  Spring might be some time away but winter storms kept ships in port and we needed to be prepared. We sat in my solar and worked out what to do.

“It seems to me that we need to keep King Edwin looking to his southern borders.  We know that he has the support of King Raedwald but King Cearl is an uncompromising enemy. We need to enlist the aid of King Cearl and make Edwin believe that the attack will come up the eastern side of his kingdom. He will strengthen his defences and use his influence to get King Raedwald to help him.”

“How do we get the Mercians to help us?”

“Penda is a rival to King Cearl; he is a cousin.  If we offered to take Penda off his hands he might be inclined to listen to our proposal at the very least.”

“Why would Penda wish to help us?”

“He hates the Northumbrians and Aethelfrith in particular.  His father was killed by Aethelfrith and Cearl inherited the kingdom as a result. He is a bitter man. He wants power.”

I could not fault that argument. “We will visit with Cearl when we have spoken with Cadwallon. We need to send a message to King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
.  Tell him that we will not be attacking until spring.  I hate to deceive our new ally but I thought to tell him that we would launch one attack with him and some of our horsemen from the north after we had started an attack on the eastern side.”

“It would not be a deception for when we arrived with our whole army in the north then we could say you changed your mind.”

“Aye and it gives our new ally more time to prepare his men. You think that the word will go from Hibernia to Edwin?”

“I can guarantee it.  There is still a Saxon spy at the king’s court. I doubt that the king will have uncovered him.”

“But he is Oswald’s spy.  They hate Edwin.”

“But they are pragmatic.  They might offer the information to Edwin to win his favour. I am certain that the news will travel to Edwin.  If we can plant doubts in his mind then we have already won.” He walked to look out at Wyddfa. “Edwin will know already that we plan to attack him.  Hogan Lann’s success in the west has shown him that we are on the rise again.”

I joined him and we both stared at the holy mountain. “He did well.”

Myrddyn looked at me and there was sadness in his eyes. “He is ready to be Warlord.  That is why the spirits spoke with you.  It is why we dreamed your death.  It is time for change. Rheged and Gwynedd will be safe in his and Gawan’s hands.”

It suddenly became clear. “Then the spirits have decided that my time here is at an end and I have done all that I can.”

“Perhaps or it could be that your death is needed to ensure the final victory. It may be that you are the sacrifice.” We sat again.  “Before the Romans came our people would often sacrifice a man before an important battle or decision.  He would go willingly to his death.  It would be an honour to do so. The Irish did the same although, for so reason they liked to throw their victims into a bog. Your death might be just such a sacrifice.  You would give your life for Rheged would you not?”

“Of course.  Every time I fought for King Urien I expected to die. It is just…”

“It is just that you wanted it as a surprise rather than anticipating it?”

I nodded, “Not a surprise but in battle.” I shrugged.  “I am a servant of the spirits of Wyddfa and I will do as they wish.”

Myrddyn nodded, “And I too serve them but, if it is any consolation, I wish they had not chosen to take you.  You have been my only friend and I shall miss you.” I saw that he meant every word and I was touched.  We sat in silence reflecting on our time together.  Somehow I felt more at peace as we left to begin our preparations.

I spoke with Hogan Lann before I left. “I want you to visit with King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
and tell him that we attack in spring.  Tell him there will be two attacks.  His will be the smaller one with Gawan to aid him and ours will be from the south through the land of Elmet.” He gave me a strange look.  “Remember when we were in Constantinopolis? That is a sophisticated version of what you will find in Dál nAraidi. You will need all you guile in Hibernia.  There are Saxon and Hibernian spies at his court. He knows not who they are or even that they exist.  This way we deceive our enemies.”

“And our friends?”

“No, Hogan Lann, for we will attack from the north. He will not be left alone to face the Saxons, we will fight with him. And another reason I wish you to go is to get to know him and his men. I believe they will be valuable allies for us.”

“You are not thinking of abstaining from war and staying with Myfanwy are you?”

“Of course not.  I am just using your abilities to help our people.”

I took Lann Aelle and Morcar with me to King Cadwallon.  I though Lann Aelle might help to build bridges with my nephew who had seemed a little distant since his abduction.  Certainly by the time we reached Wrecsam they were laughing and joking together.

King Cadwallon was taken into our confidence.  We told him all that had occurred and all of our plans.  He was too good a friend for anything else.  Lann Aelle and Morcar spent time with Nanna while we spoke. It was not that I did not trust them but they were young men and might be indiscreet without meaning to be.

“I can fortify my land which borders that of Northumbria. It is good that you will speak with King Cearl for I would not want him to think I was planning to attack him.  Our people have prospered in the peace we have had.”

“What can you tell me of this Penda? Myrddyn says he has a claim to the throne so why is King Cearl allowing him to live?”

“The king has no children and Eowa, Penda’s half brother, is a little, shall we say unstable?”

“Unstable?”

“Aye he has a tendency to lose his temper.  He has beaten slaves to death with his bare hands before now.  Penda is seen as the sane one.  Cearl keeps trying to father children but he has little luck.  He gets his women with child but either they die or the child does. Penda would make a good king but he is ambitious. Cearl just worries that he might wish to take the throne sooner rather than later.” He looked at me shrewdly. 

Myrddyn said, “Well I shall leave you now.  There are some maps in your fort I wish to study. Our knowledge of the land to the east is woefully poor.”

When he had gone I smiled at Cadwallon.  He had his father had been as sons to me.  They had both been my squires and I was pleased that Cadwallon would be my daughter’s guardian after I had gone. 

“There is something different about you, Lord Lann.  I cannot put my finger on it.”

I smiled and looked away, “Put it down to my age.”

“I served you as my father did and you know I trust you completely.  Cannot you trust me as completely?”

I looked him in the eye.  “You know all there is to know.  Neither my sons nor my wife knows more.”

“I dare say the truth will out one day.” I could see that I had not convinced him but he still respected me too much to bring it out into the open.  “My army will be ready by the spring.  I should be able to field fifty horsemen, a hundred archers and two hundred spearmen.”

“You will still leave enough to guard your land?”

He nodded and smiled, “Nanna and your grandchildren will be safe.” He saw Morcar and Lann Aelle approaching.  “I assume your confidence was for my ears only?” I nodded.  “You play a dangerous game, Warlord.” He smiled, “Life is always interesting around you and Myrddyn. I shall get Dai to provide a guide for you to take you to Cearl. When will you leave?”

“First thing in the morning.  We might as well make use of this fine weather and lighter nights.  Soon the nights will draw in.”

Afon, who had volunteered to accompany us, was a serious warrior.  He said little as we headed for Tomtun, Cearl’s capital the heart of Mercia.  Myrddyn gradually drew out from the warrior that his people had lived in the borders and he was the only survivor of a raid by the Mercians before the peace. I wondered at King Cadwallon’s choice of guide. I did not want our guide to start a war. We only had ten lightly armed warriors with us.  More than that would have constituted an aggressive stance.

I found the land to be peaceful. We found few fortified towns.  I suspect that the accord between the two neighbouring kings contributed heavily to that. The first few miles were over rough tracks but then Afon found Wæcelinga Stræt, the old Roman Road, which ran to the south coast we found the going much easier. When we asked Afon how far was the journey to be he shrugged, “Two days.”

Myrddyn grimaced when he heard that.  We were both used to a comfortable bed at night.  Our days of sleeping on the ground were a distant memory.  Lann Aelle smiled when he saw our reaction. “Perhaps we should have brought a cart for you, Uncle.”

It was late afternoon when the armed warriors emerged from the top of a nearby hill.  There were twenty of them and they were led by a mailed warrior. Morcar carried my banner and I knew that the Mercians would remember it from the last time we had fought.

“Keep your hands away from your weapons.” Afon looked nervous.  “Do not worry Afon, they will speak with us.” The confidence was in my voice but not my head. I had many enemies amongst the Saxons.  I had slain too many kings and princes for it to be otherwise.

They were not mounted and they trotted down the hill in a defensive formation.  Their spears prickled out of their shields and they looked for all the world like a hedgehog. Their leader had a full face helmet on and I could not see his expression.  We were riding without helmets.  I smiled, “I am Lord Lann, Warlord of Rheged and I seek an audience with King Cearl of Mercia.”

The warrior took off his helmet. “I know who you are Lord Lann for I fought against you at Wrecsam.” He pointed at my leg with the tip of his spear. “I was there when you nearly lost your leg and your life.” He pointed to the skies.  “The Allfather watched over you that day or perhaps this Necromancer with you.”

I could see that Myrddyn did not appreciate the comment.  “You know our names, Mercian, what is yours?”

“I am Penda the king’s cousin.”

So this was the man who would be king. I saw a man a little older than Hogan Lann. He was stocky and Saxon from his blond hair to his blue eyes.  His golden beard was flecked with a few wisps of grey. He was a warrior from the bands on his sword to the scars on his arms.  His armour and weapons showed a warrior who cared for his weapons.

“So, shall I take you to my cousin or shall we fight here?”

Only Morcar reacted with an angry flash of his eyes and a jerk on the reins of his horse. “Nephew, it is a reasonable question. We are in Mercian land and we are armed.” I smiled at Penda. “I would prefer to visit with your cousin but we are happy to oblige you with combat if you wish.”

He laughed, “I like you Warlord, not least because you brought about the death of my enemy, Aethelfrith. We will take you to my cousin.  If we step out we can be there by dark.”

I looked at Afon.  Why had he said two days? “Afon, we have our guide now.  You may return to the king and thank him for his help. Tell him that you saw us on our way.”

Flashing an angry look at Penda, Afon nodded and said, “As you wish, my lord. But I would sleep with a knife beneath my bed.”

He rode off and Penda chuckled, “There is a man who does not like Saxons.”

“You understood him then?”

“Aye it pays to speak their language when you live close to the Cymri.”

“His family were slain by Saxons. You can understand his feelings.”

“Aye we have all lost someone.” I noticed that they were not out of breath as they walked beside us.  We had gone into two long lines.  It gave us mutual protection.  “And you, I believe, have slain more Saxons than most.  What do you have to do with Cearl?”

I noticed that he did not give him his title. “I have killed few Mercians.  My enemies are the men of Bernicia and Deira; the ones who now call themselves Northumbrians.”

“Well there we have agreement.” He was persistent.  He wanted an answer to his question. “And what do you seek from Cearl?”

Although we had not expected to meet Penda, Myrddyn and I had prepared ourselves well for the next few days. I would be honest with Penda; as honest as I could be at any rate. “I need to tell King Cearl that we intend to attack Edwin in the spring.”

He looked up at me with surprise on his face. “Isn’t that a little dangerous?  You could be inviting an attack from Mercia?”

“I believe that King Cearl is an honourable man.  If he gives me his word that he will not do so then I will believe him.  If he tells me that he will attack Gwynedd in our absence then we will not attack Edwin.”

“That would be a pity.  I should like to see Edwin knocked from his little hill.”

Myrddyn, who had been listening to every word, chirped in, “If you wished, Penda son of Pybba, you could join the Warlord.  I am sure he would welcome any ally to fight against the Northumbrians.”

That really surprised Penda.  “You would fight with a Saxon?” I nodded.  “Then you are a remarkable man. I heard that you hated Saxons and just wanted to kill them.”