Saxon Bane (9 page)

“I have only ever wanted one thing; a Rheged free from Saxons. When we have reclaimed Rheged then I will sheath my sword.”

He spent the next few miles, each one marked with the Roman milestones, asking me about my sword and the stories of Myrddyn and myself.  I allowed Myrddyn to reply to his many questions about his magic.  He knew how to weave a story better than I did.

As the afternoon wore on he asked, “Where did you envisage sleeping this night?”

“Our guide said we could camp by the road.”

“Then your guide is a fool.  These are still dangerous lands. My men and I patrol the road to protect travellers. There are still bands of rogue Saxons and Angles who steal cattle and kill those who use this road.  And there are Cymri who disobey their king and steal also.”

“Would that all men were as honourable as the ones we lead.”

He nodded, “Besides we can reach King Cearl if we push on.”

Lann Aelle was at the front of our line and he suddenly held up his hand and stopped. He was just three riders ahead of me. Penda looked up at me and I said, “He would not stop without reason. Come let us see him.” We walked up to Lann Aelle. “What is it nephew?”

“My horse’s ears pricked up.” He nodded at the stand of trees and bushes some fifty paces away. “The wind is coming from the south east and I too picked up the smell,” he shrugged apologetically at Penda, “of Saxon.”

I looked down at Penda.  “Have you warriors waiting there?” His eyes flashed anger.  “I am not suggesting treachery but I trust Lann Aelle’s nose and his horse’s instincts.”

“No, Warlord of Rheged, we have no men there.  Whoever it is they mean no good.”

Myrddyn said, “If I might suggest walking into this trap then.”

Penda laughed. “Aye let us do that. My men are ready for a fight. They are disappointed that we did not cross swords with you when we met.”

“If your men stay on our right they will be protected from those on our left.  The trees to the right are closer.  As soon as we are within ten paces we charge.”

“That sounds good to me.”

I turned and passed the word to my men. They were good warriors and would not panic.  They could have their weapons drawn in an instant.  Our left sides were already protected by our shields which hung from our shoulders.  Only Myrddyn had neither weapon nor shield but he was a wizard. It would be a foolish bandit who attacked him.

I could smell the men now. The breeze was quite strong as was their smell. I knew that I could draw Saxon Slayer quickly but I slipped a dagger into my left hand just in case. When we were at the edge of the tree line I shouted, “Now!”and kicked my horse on.

Our sudden charge resulted in spears and arrows being loosed prematurely. There were Saxons hidden in the trees and bushes.  It looked to be a small warband, perhaps thirty or so warriors.  I drew Saxon Slayer as a spear was thrust up at me. I hacked down and the head was severed from the shaft. An eager Saxon tried to rip me from my saddle. I could not swing and so I used the pommel to strike him in the eye.  He fell clutching the bleeding orb.  The warrior behind me leaned forward to finish him off.  I could see that they had planned on using their bows to attack us and they were struggling to grab their shields and their swords. I watched as a warrior ran towards Myrddyn, his sword poised to strike the weaponless wizard. I urged my horse on knowing that I would not be in time. Myrddyn reached into his satchel and threw some dust in the warrior’s eyes.  He fell screaming to the ground as though they were on fire.

Morcar had not been trained to use his banner as a weapon and he was just watching the attack impotently. Lann Aelle in contrast was laying about him to such effect that the Saxons began to flee.  Lann Aelle and my riders took off after them.  I turned to see how Penda was doing.  He and his men had despatched their assailants even quicker.

I went over to join Myrddyn who was with the warrior he had blinded.  The warrior was whimpering, “I am blind, I cannot see.”

Morcar rode up and looked in horror at the reddened mess which had been the Saxon’s eyes. I watched as Myrddyn washed his hands in water.

“What was that Myrddyn?” There was awe in Morcar’s voice.

“Just something I picked up in Constantinopolis. It makes the Greek Fire we use burn a little longer.  I always keep some in my satchel and today it came in handy.”

“Will he see again?”

“On no, he is blinded for life now and he may well die. That will teach him to try to kill a wizard.”

Penda had joined us. “Were they bandits then? Rogue warriors?”

“They were rogue alright.  They are Northumbrian.” He pointed to the amulets which were clearly Northumbrian.

“Oswiu and Oswald.”

“That would be my guess.”

Myrddyn nodded, “Afon, it would appear, has questions to answer.”

Penda nodded at the blinded Saxon as Lann Aelle returned with  the horsemen. “Shall we ask him then?”

“We might as well.  Who sent you?”

“My eyes, I cannot see.”

Myrddyn’s voice oozed sympathy.  “I can ease the pain if you answer our questions.”

“Anything.  Help me I beg you.”

“I will get the salve while you answer the Warlord’s questions.”

“Who sent you?”

“Oswald the son of Aethelfrith.”

“When did he send you?”

“When we failed in Hibernia.  Please help me.”

I nodded to Myrddyn.  He applied some white paste. The relief on the Saxon’s face was obvious. “Thank you healer.”

“What did Oswald want you to do?”

There was a little more confidence in the Saxon’s voice now.  Perhaps the salve had emboldened him.  “Why to kill you, of course.”

I looked at Myrddyn who shrugged. “The paste kills pain but it also acts like heady wine it loosens the tongue.”

“What will he do now?”

“The brothers are buying an army and they will come to reclaim their throne.” The pain must really have worn off for he laughed.  “They have spies everywhere.  They will know exactly what you are doing at any time.”

“Where did they get their gold?”

“Their father was rich.  Edwin stole the throne but not the treasury.  Aethelfrith hid it.”

Suddenly he let out a scream and his body went into spasm. He shook violently and then lay still. He was dead.

“The powder must have burned down to the brain.” He said it as though it was an interesting fact rather than the horror we had just witnessed. 

Penda shook his head, “Remind me never to cross you wizard.”

There was an urgent pace to our step as we headed for Cearl’s capital. Penda did not think that there would be more of Oswald’s men waiting but he was taking no chances. All of us were exhausted as we stood before Cearl’s gates.

“Who is it?”

“Aella, if you do not recognise me then I will have to assume that you have been drinking.”

“Of course I recognise you but what are you doing with the men of Cymru, the horsemen of Rheged?”

“They are come in peace to speak with my cousin.  Now have the gate open before I lose my temper.”

The gates creaked open and a dozen warriors had their spears levelled at us. Penda drew his sword. “Lower those spears now.  I will vouch for Lord Lann.”

As soon as they heard my name the warriors took a step back.  In the dark they could not see my smile. Mothers had been terrifying their children for years with the threat of Lord Lann coming to get them.  These were grown men but they still feared me.

I turned to Morcar. “See to the horses.”

A brief moment of annoyance flickered across his face and then he dismounted and complied. The Saxons parted and Penda led me to the hall at the far end of the fort. He shook his head at the spearmen who backed away from us. “They are typical garrison warriors; frightened of their own shadow.  It must be the same with your warriors eh, Warlord?”

“We rotate our men so that even our equites have a spell walking the walls.”

“That might explain why your horsemen are so hard to beat and your forts impossible to take.”

“And I take it you have tried?”

He laughed, “Of course!”

The leader of Cearl’s bodyguards, Aelfraed, stood in the doorway. This was not a frightened sentry, this was a warrior who would die rather than let any harm come to his king. He just glared at me and then Penda.

“This is Lord Lann of Rheged and Myrddyn the wizard.  They seek an audience with the king.”

“I can see who they are.  I was at Wrecsam when the Warlord was brought back from the Otherworld.  What I cannot understand is why you brought them here.”

Penda shrugged, “We are at peace and he has something interesting to tell the king.”

Aelfraed looked defiantly at me. 

Myrddyn shook his head, “If you are afraid of two old men and a handful of horsemen then the tales of Mercian bravery must be exaggerated.”

“Then give me your sword.” He held out his hand.

Myrddyn shook his head, “That is Saxon Slayer.  If you were to touch it then you would be cursed and never be able to touch a weapon again.” It was a cold, calm and chilling voice which Myrddyn used. I saw that it had an effect on Aelfraed who stood aside.

“I will be watching both of you.  At the first sign of a trick I will have you cut down.”

Myrddyn smiled as we passed. “Unless, of course, I had flown out of the hall already.”

I knew he was teasing and I think Penda knew it too but the guards at the gate took it seriously and I saw them clutching at their amulets and charms. Myrddyn had a reputation which transcended people, tribes and kings. He was unique.

It was some time since I had seen King Cearl and he had aged.  He looked even older than I thought I looked. He was, however, courteous. “Welcome, Myrddyn and Lord Lann.  This is an unexpected visit. Sit down and break bread with me.”

He was very old fashioned and we went through the ritual of breaking off a piece of bread from a loaf, eating it and drinking some ale to wash it down.

He glanced at Penda.  “Well cousin, would you begin the tale?”

“I was patrolling Wæcelinga Stræt when I met the Warlord. He said he had some news to impart to you.  I brought him here.” The king nodded.  “However we were attacked on the road.” I looked around the faces.  All appeared to be surprised but the blinded warrior had told us of spies everywhere.  Penda and I had worked out there must be some at Cearl’s court.  I could not detect who they might be.

“Bandits or Welshmen?”

“Neither, they were Northumbrians sent by Oswald and Oswiu.”

“Where are they now, these Northumbrians?”

“Feeding the carrion.”

“So Warlord you risked death to bring me news which I might like.  I am intrigued.” He turned to Aelfraed, “See to the Warlord’s men.  Make sure they are fed.  They will be staying the night.” I was not sure whether we were guests or prisoners. The distinction might prove crucial in the morning. He waved a hand at me so that I might continue.

“I have met with King Cadwallon.  We intend to invade Northumbria in the spring.”

“And what has this to do with me.” I waited. “Go ahead; I bear Edwin no love.”

I nodded, “It is partly a courtesy, as we intend to move east and then north.  We did not wish you to think that we were breaking the peace and threatening you.”

The king smiled and nudged the newly returned Aelfraed in the leg.  “You see these Welshmen and the men of Rheged have manners after all.  And what else, Warlord?”

“We would like assurances that the peace would not be broken in our absence.”

Aelfraed snarled, “You insult my king!”

“No I do not.  I trust your king which is why we are here.  I like to look a man in the eye when I ask him a question whether he be my friend or foe. I know King Cearl to be a man of his word. I just want to hear it from his lips as he heard the question from mine.”

King Cearl smiled, “It is a reasonable question, Warlord.” He shook his head, “I think that Aelfraed spends too much time with that hothead of a brother of yours, Penda.” He looked at me and stood.  He held out his hand. “You have my word, Warlord that I will not attack King Cadwallon’s lands while he is away.” I clasped it.  “I will go further.  While you are away I will ensure that his borders are safe. I like this peace of ours for our people prosper. Mayhap this will make it stronger.”

“And that is my deepest wish too.”

“While you are in such a generous mood cousin could I crave a boon?”

The king’s face smiled but not his eyes. “Ask away, cousin, I can only say no.”

“I would like to accompany the Warlord with my oathsworn when he ventures against Edwin and Northumbria.  I would learn from him and I have a score to settle with the Northumbrians.”

The king nodded, “That you do.  I cannot see a problem although I never thought that I would live to see the day when a Saxon fought alongside the Warlord and Saxon Slayer.”

Everyone looked at me.  “Perhaps, King Cearl, the world is changing.”

Despite out misgivings the evening went well.  I hoped that Lann Aelle was watching Morcar.  He was a headstrong youth and I did not want him to say anything which might jeopardise our plan; so far it was working.

I sensed, with King Cearl, that he felt a certain frustration that he had made Mercia so powerful and yet he had no heir. When he died it would pass to someone else.  I had no throne to leave but I knew that Hogan Lann would not only be warlord when I died but a better one that I was.  He had the experience of travelling the world.  When I was his age I had only seen Rheged.  I would be leaving Rheged in safe hands.  I knew that Myrddyn would watch over him.

As I watched Myrddyn, telling King Cearl how he had walked amongst the enemy unseen, I could not see him ever dying.  He looked as young now as he had thirty years ago.  The rest of us aged but not Myrddyn.  His mind was sharper than ever.  I felt happy that he would be there for my sons.  They would not be alone.

Penda sidled over to me. “I will just bring my oathsworn with me, Warlord.”

“I saw them fight today. They will be more than enough. Bring them to Wrecsam a month after Yule.  We will not leave until spring but it is as well to be prepared.  Besides it will help to train with our warriors.”

I found it easy to talk to Penda.  I think he felt isolated from the other Saxons and we found that our differences were not as great as we had once thought. I discovered that he was driven by a hatred of Oswiu, Oswald and Edwin.  It even surpassed his hatred of us. I found myself wondering about this, seemingly unnatural hatred of all things Saxon. It had been the Angles and Saxons, who had come to Northumbria and destroyed Rheged, whom I hated.  I had no idea what lay in Mercia before the Saxons came but I knew that Rheged was still Roman and I wanted that to be returned.

King Cearl gave us an escort back to the border.  He did not want the peace to be jeopardised by an attack on our small column.  Sadly it was not Cearl who escorted us but Aelfraed.  He was an unpleasant man who hated us unremittingly.  He said nothing at all until we reached the scene of the ambush.  The blinded warrior lay where he had fallen but birds, insects and animals had used his burned out eyes as a way into his body and his was the most ravaged corpse that we saw.  Penda’s men had told everyone else about Myrddyn’s magic and even Aelfraed looked at my wizard with fear written all over his face.

When he left us at the border he rode his horse close to mine, “As far as I am concerned, Welshman, this is merely a truce.  When Eowa is king we will fall upon your lands and tear you apart.  This I swear.”

“Then be ready for a world of pain Aelfraed for I have never lost to a Saxon and that includes every king, prince and champion I have fought. Think on that!”