by Griff Hosker
“I will do so your majesty.”
I almost smiled at the serious expression on my little brother’s face but I was proud of the man he had become. Now scarred, he was a doughty warrior who was adored by his slingers. I knew that he would win over the people of the lake.
The king smiled and nodded, “I know you will.” He pointed to a fort not far from the capital. “Here is a Roman fort on the old wall, Banna. It protects the road and the wall. Like Blatobulgium, there are few people there and it will be hard to defend but the walls of the fort still stand and it will be yours Raibeart to protect.”
Raibeart leaned over to look at the map. Although he found it hard to understand, as well all did, it gave the relationship of the places to Civitas.
“Finally, Lord Lann we have the most exposed fiefdom. Brocavum is the furthest west. It is but twenty miles from your old home of Stanwyck. When the Saxons come from the south or the west you will be the first to know. You are the most remote and furthest from help. The southern Roman road passes by the fort which has fallen into disrepair but there are many people who live and work there. You must make them into a force which can hold an enemy up until we can reach you.”
He paused to allow it all to sink in. I was a little intimidated. I had been fighting the Saxons for four years and I had led men for almost three and yet this would be new for I would be alone. I knew that my brothers would be feeling the same. Prince Ywain must have sensed our doubts for he spoke and there was warmth in his voice. “You should know that I will not be idle. I will be forming my own bodyguard which will be, like my father’s guards, mounted. Our role will be to travel around your forts regularly. We need the people of Rheged to know that they still have a king who rules and will defy the Saxons. This is a good time for us. Our warriors have returned to their homes and they will be telling their communities of our success. There is a dawn of hope and there is a light shining here in the west. My father, King Urien is the light of hope.”
We all raised our goblets impulsively and toasted the king who beamed at us. “I have my seven lords before me. You are the Seven Stars of Rheged, you are the new equites.”
Aelle looked puzzled. Brother Osric tutted. “If people only learned to read Latin. “ He sighed and then explained, “The equites were the high born Romans who rode horses and led their armies. You are the equites now and you have the titles which go with that.”
King Urien went to a casket and opened it. “And here are your chains of office.” He took out seven chains. They were made of bronze and each enclosed silver encrusted crosses. In the centre of each cross was a polished black stone which I knew came from the east coast. It was a precious metal called jet. “This stone was believed in the old times to bring luck.” He smiled at the three of us who were still pagans. “The cross is for my sons and the black stone is for you. We are combining pagans and Christians and together we will prevail.” Brother Osric placed the chains around our necks and we became the Seven Stars; the equites of Rheged.
As we walked back to the barracks I was not certain if we were drunk with the wine or drunk with joy. Aelle, of all of us, was the most serious. “It means we will no longer be together.”
“Not true little brother, we are together here,” I tapped my heart, “and here.” I tapped my head. “We have been placed close to each other. I am in the centre, Raibeart to the north and you Aelle to the south. I intend to visit just as soon as I have discovered what my land is like. This is not the end of something, this is the beginning.”
The next day we were summoned, all seven of us, to Brother Osric’s office. He had in front of him seven piles of coins. Ywain went to touch one and the priest slapped his hand. “The king has deemed that we need coinage. Thanks to the booty that has been accrued we have minted coins with the king’s image upon them. These seven piles represent the bulk of the money in the kingdom. Use them wisely. They are sound coins.” He took one and bit it. “This is what the people will do and it will prove their value. You all need to have a defensible home. For some of you this will be easy for there will be a fort. For others it will be more difficult as the locals will have taken the stone for their own use.” He looked at us all and I could see a paternal look upon his face. He looked like my father when one of us had done something of which he was proud. “Today the king will escort his two sons and Gildas to their forts. Tomorrow Prince Ywain will escort,” he smiled, “the Wolf Brothers to theirs. You have four months to establish your lands and then return here to begin training the army for the spring. I am sure that the Saxons will have flexed their muscles by then.”
As we left, with our bags of coins, Aelle drew Raibeart and myself apart. “Lann. I would like to be wed before we leave the fort.”
I looked perplexed. “Good.”
“No, you are the head of our family and I need your permission.”
I grinned. “You have it. Freja?” He blushed and nodded. “Then you will also need the king’s permission for they are his captives.”
“Would you ask him for me?”
“Of course. I will do so now.”
Leaving my two brothers to return to the barracks I headed for the king’s quarters. As I entered Bladud left. This was the first time we had been this close since he and his men had tried to hurt Aelle. “Is the arm healed Bladud?” I asked innocently.
He snarled his reply, “You were lucky but you will not always be so and you will die by my hand.”
I was not afraid of him and I closed up to him. “Any time you wish to try it Bladud I am ready and I will even pay for your funeral.” He was used to warriors backing down and he brushed past me angrily. Somehow it calmed me; now it was in the open. I knocked and entered the king’s quarters.
“Has Brother Osric given you the coin?”
“He has and we thank your majesty I come on behalf of my brother Aelle. He would marry one of the captives, the woman Freja with the young child.”
He stood and embraced me his face alight with joy. “This is a sign Lann. Our peoples are joined and we can survive. I am even more grateful to you and your brothers now.”
As Aelle and Freja were pagans the ceremony was conducted before the captives and us. However Brother Osric, the king and his sons also attended. Aelle and Freja had become close on the journey across the land and I was pleased that she was happy with the union. Monca, Aelle’s mother had been forced. We did not need to do so. I wondered then just how many others would take a Saxon bride.
Chapter 13
We had taken Raibeart to the windswept hillside on the wall first. I found it hard to say farewell to him; even though we would see each other again this was the first time he been on his own, without his big brother watching over him. When I had gone east he had had Aelle and the rest of the army for company. I could see emotion filling his face as he stood in the ruins of the fort of Banna. The departing soldiers had done their best to render it indefensible but the locals had not robbed all of the stone and it could be repaired quickly. It all depended upon the people who lived close by.
Ywain looked unhappy too. “I will send you each a warrior and a cleric to aid you. This is too much for one man.” We had many clerics. King Urien’s generosity meant that we had priests seeking sanctuary with us. There were also many soldiers who were not in the bodyguard and had no families. It would make us less isolated.
“Send them to my brothers first.”I grasped Raibeart’s arm. “We have done well brother already and I know that father would have been proud.” He nodded, unable to speak. “I will visit as soon as I am able.” Aelle too just embraced his brother and his eyes were heavy with tears.
Turning Blackie’s head I followed Ywain and his bodyguard, beneath their dragon standard. Aelle and Wolf followed behind and the two wagons, one with Aelle’s new family and his equipment and one containing mine. The road south rose and fell through small valleys and I could see that it was not the country for horses. We stopped on a ridge and I saw Brocavum across a sha
llow valley. It was a good site for a fort. It was on a small rise above a river and the road crossed a bridge over the river. Whoever held the high ground would control the road. Ywain rode next to me. “This is Castle Perilous Lann. It is the only way from east to west and north to south for many miles. If the Saxons come…”
“You mean when the Saxons come.”
He inclined his head and nodded. “Then they will have to reduce this fort. You will have to buy time for the rest of Rheged.” I could see that the fiefdoms had been allocated with a view to each lord’s strength. “My father has complete faith in you, as I do.”
As we rode across the bridge I could see that the walls were lower than those of Raibeart’s Banna, Someone had stolen much of the stone. There would not be enough to make the walls as they once were. I would have to compromise. They unpacked the wagon for me and covered everything with deer hides to protect them from the weather. I walked over to Aelle and his new wife. “Be safe little brother and look after your new wife. Freja, I am happy that you have joined our family and Aelle’s mother is smiling now on this union.”
“Thank you brother and I hope to be half the warrior that you have become.” I hugged Freja and saw that she too was filled with the emotion of the farewell.
Wolf came over to nuzzle me and I stroked him. “Go with Aelle and look after him and his family. The obedient sheep dog trotted off with his ears down and his tail between his legs.
When they had all left I felt quite lonely. Blackie snorted and threw his head back. “I know I still have you. Let us begin to make something of this mess eh? “ I took off his saddle and let him wander to graze the grass which looked to have been untouched since the Romans left. I found what had been the gatehouse. The huge wooden doors had been pillaged long ago as had the walls on either side but one of the towers still looked usable. I found the door which needed repair but was functional and climbed the stairs. There was a guard room which looked as though it would make a functional bedroom and then I opened the door at the top and found myself on the ramparts. I had a good view across the bridge and the road. Behind me the hills stretched away but I was still afforded a fine view. I could see why the Romans had chosen this site; it controlled the land for many miles. I had my home. The ground floor would make a secure and dry stable for Blackie and I began the arduous task of carrying my armour and weapons up to the first floor. I put everything I owned in there, even though it filled the space. I would organise it later. I went into the other tower and saw that, although the roof had been destroyed the walls were still sound. It would make a serviceable kitchen.
Leaving my towers I walked the perimeter. The ditch still functioned but the walls had been robbed. I walked up to the remaining stones. I could build a turf wall upon them and then build wooden palisades. As yet I had no warriors but when I did we could rebuild and defend. The ditch would need deepening. All that it required was hard work. I returned to my quarters and laid out my bed. Along one wall I placed my armour and weapons and on the short wall, my spare clothes. I carried the cooking implements down to my new kitchen; that done I led Blackie to the river to get water. While he drank I filled my two buckets with the sparkling river water. When we returned to my kitchen I found some loose stones and constructed a fire on which to cook. I had some oats which I would share with Blackie. He would have his raw and I would cook mine. It would not be tasty but it would stave off the hunger pangs until I could hunt. While that was cooking I repaired the door to the ground floor. I would, at least be able to bar it from any predators, human or animal.
After my frugal meal I retired to the top of the tower. It was a clear night and I looked for the seven stars. Seven was a magical number among my people and it was said, by some, that the stars could foretell the future. I lay back and stared into the black night sky and the twinkling stars. What did they portend for me?
Suddenly Blackie whinnied; a sure sign of danger. I went to my quarters and grabbed my bow. I returned to the tower and peered cautiously over the top. I knew I would see nothing immediately. I would have to let my eyes adjust to the dark first. I detected movement. There were men and they looked to be three warriors; I could see their spear points. They were armed. The question was, who were they? I did not have a clear target and I watched the shapes as they moved up from the bridge towards the ditch. When they crossed the ditch then they would die. Whoever they were they were good. They kept a low profile and used whatever cover they could. When they neared the ditch they split up and I had the problem of choosing the best target from amongst them. Had I seen them more clearly I would have chosen the leader but I could not discern, in the dark, any difference between them. I put down the bow and slipped down to the room where I drew my sword. They did not know that I had spotted them and I would have the advantage. I would not die in this tower; that much I knew. I stroked Blackie as I passed my horse, munching oats, a rare treat for him. I slowly unbarred the door and crept around the side of the tower. I held a dagger in my left hand and my sword in my right; I was calm and I was ready. They had split up which gave me the advantage. They would come at me one by one and, thus far, even champions did not worry me. I could handle three rogue warriors.
I saw the first blade appear around the edge of the gate and I swung the sword around. Just before it connected with the warrior’s throat I recognised him. It was Garth; it was one of the warriors from my shield wall and wedge. He dropped to his knees. “My lord! I am sorry. We thought you were a Saxon.”
I burst out laughing, “And I thought that you were three assassins.”
The other two stepped from the shadows and I recognised them as more warriors from our warband. “Come, let us go from the shadows. I am sure I have something to drink and to celebrate this reunion.” I opened the door and Blackie gave us a bored look and went back to his oats. I found a flint and lit a tallow candle which gave off a smoky yellow light. I led them to my quarters and found the jug Brother Osric had given me. I searched around and found three beakers. I poured a little into each one and held the jug up. “Here is to the victors of Metcauld.” I swallowed from the jug and they quaffed their beakers.
“What are you doing here my lord?”
“I am the new lord of this land. The king has commissioned me to raise a force to defend this land from the Saxons.”
The three of them cheered. “That is the best news we have heard in a long time my lord for the Saxons have raided here many times and taken away slaves.”
“You live here?”
“Aye.” The three of them were young warriors although they were large men and had shown great skill in the wedge. “Our families all have farms hereabouts.”
Wyrd! Once again forces greater than I could comprehend were working in my favour. “Would you like to be the start of my army?” Their faces gave me their answer before their answers confirmed it. “Good then return to your homes and tell your families that you will be stationed here. You are the first warriors in my warband.” Had I given them a box of gold I could not have had a better reaction. I had been worried that I would be alone here and now there were four of us. Not much of an army, but a start.
The next morning there were not three warriors but ten. I frowned. I did not want to take away workers who would be needed to tend animals and look after the land. I looked at Garth. “Are these men not needed on their farms and in their homes?”
Garth grinned and shook his head. “They will return home to work on their farms when you do not need them my lord but when they heard that the Wolf Warrior with Saxon Slayer was the new lord they could not wait to serve you.”
“In that case they are welcome but I am aware of the needs of families. I want you all to return home and give your parents this. It is compensation for the loss of your labour.” I gave each of them one of the silver pennies with King Urien’s face upon it. They looked at the silver in amazement. Some of them had never seen coins before. “I will pay for all goods and services hereabouts. I am here, w
e are here to protect the people, and not to rob them.” It was only much later that I realised that the simple act of giving the coins embedded me in the community faster than a victory on the battlefield. No one had given these people anything before. Others had taken and this was a change. King Urien had brought hope.
We decided to improve the tower with the damaged roof and repair the gate first. That way the garrison of ten men would have somewhere to eat and to sleep. We moved my improvised kitchen to what had been the blacksmith building close to the walls. I delegated that task to Garth and I took the opportunity of riding around my new fiefdom. It seems word of my arrival had spread quicker than fleas on a dog and everyone greeted me by name. Many of the men touched my sword for luck and I could see that King Urien’s plan was working. When I returned I took Garth to one side. “Do you know of any of the women hereabouts who have skill with a needle or can weave?”
“Aye my lord. Carlin’s mother is a wonder with both.”
“What I want is a standard with the same design as my shield. “ I held up my shield although I knew he knew the design. “Could she do that?”
He grinned. “Let me borrow your shield and you shall have it.” I gave him a silver penny which he was reluctant to take. “She will gladly do it.”
“Garth this is silver taken from the Saxons. Give it to the woman. We take nothing and we pay for all.”
That simple act reaped dividends far in excess of the one coin. Men from the surrounding villages and farms came to deepen the ditch. I had hunted and I gave them a dinner of roast venison. As we enjoyed the food after a hard day’s work I addressed them. “I lived as you did with my family and the Angles came and killed them. The king has sent me here to stop that happening to you. If the Saxons or the Angles come, and I believe they will, then bring your families here and we will defend them. But more than that you will all need training as warriors.” I spread my arm to include Garth and his nine companions. “These warriors will be the nucleus of my army but eleven men cannot defeat a Saxon warband, even if they do have Saxon Slayer.” They all roared and cheered. “I want you all here on the holy day so that we can teach you how to become warriors.”