by Griff Hosker
When we awoke the next day, we saw that there were two more adornments on the walls. Murchad and one of his companion’s heads were impaled upon two spears. The warriors were all standing and watching. We looked and wondered where the third warrior was. Our question was answered when he was led out by the king’s bodyguards. King Áed Oirdnide followed holding the sword we had brought. He spoke some words and everyone cheered. The warriors banged their shields and the third warrior trudged out of the gates.
The priest came for me. “The king would speak with you.”
“What will happen to that warrior?” I pointed towards the departing figure.
“He is the new chief of Murchad’s settlement. He will return to warn them of the dangers of fermenting rebellion.” He smiled, “These are dangerous times and King Áed Oirdnide has much to think on.”
My companions were kept back while the priest took me close to the king.
“The king is pleased that you appear to be honourable men and he understands your need to find your wife. This renegade who has taken your wife has not yet appeared and the king wishes you to stay here until he does.”
I saw the warning in the priest’s eyes. The king did not yet trust us. He thought that we were working with Tadgh. It was ironic that I needed my enemy to arrive so that we could leave. He smiled, “The king suggests that you enjoy his hospitality for a few more days.”
I returned to Haaken and the others. “It seems that we are prisoners, albeit temporarily.”
Oleg growled, “We could soon escape if we wanted to.”
Haaken shook his head, “We could get beyond the gate if that is what you mean but could we reach the safety of the coast and ‘Wolf’? I think not. We will stay here I think and use the time well.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let us learn some of the language. I do not like others forming our words for us. I don’t trust the old wizard.”
I found myself in agreement with Haaken. “And we might as well investigate this fort, just in case we ever have to capture it! Divide yourselves up try to pick up some of the words and knowledge of their defences.”
I went alone to the gatehouse. The sentries there looked at me warily when I approached. I smiled and looked out of the gate. It was obvious to me that any sudden move out of the gate would have resulted in them trying to stop me. They would have both died, of course. They had no mail and their spears were not the best. I was not trying to escape- not yet anyway. The gate was solidly made and the wooden bar would have withstood an initial attack. However, there was nothing to stop a determined group of axe men from hacking it to pieces. The gate itself was not studded with iron and an axe can cut through any wooden door. The ditches were more of a problem. They looked to be ancient. The entrances were offset which would make any attacker have to suffer a barrage of missiles from the side. Once again it showed me that they had not fought warriors like us who had good shields, sound helmets and mail byrnies.
I waved to the sentries as I returned to the interior. I had only seen the warrior hall up until now. I found that they had stables and they contained a number of small horses and ponies. If we had to escape then that would be the best way. They had a small blacksmith hut but all I saw was the smith working horseshoes and spear heads. Their skills were not as advanced as ours. I wandered in and gestured at the wheel with the grindstone. He nodded and said something to the boy who began to turn it for me. I took out Ragnar’s Spirit and sparks flew as I made it sharp enough to shave with. The boy’s eyes were wide with wonder.
By now I had explored the whole of the fortress and picked up a few simple Hibernian words. I would not be able to hold a conversation but I would understand some of what they said. The others joined me and we shared our information and words. I was wondering how best to employ our time when there was a sudden shout from the gate and the sentries barred the gate. The king himself and the priest raced out and stood on top of the ramparts.
Haaken said, “I just heard the word Lochlannach!” We knew that was their name for us.
Tadgh! It had to be. The priest waved me up to the ramparts. The guard at the bottom allowed me up but not the others. I heard Oleg begin to complain, “It is fine, Oleg. I do not need a minder, not yet anyway.”
When I reached the top I saw, in the distance a large warband of Norsemen. They were too far away to make them out but I saw that half of them were mounted on the Irish ponies. I frowned. There were more men than I had thought. It looked to me as though there were at least fifty warriors. Where had Tadgh, if this was Tadgh, acquired so many men?
Myrddyn looked at me, “Do you know them?”
“They are too far away to make out.”
“But this could be the man, you say, is your enemy.”
I stared at him with hard cold eyes. “Priest, do not question my word. I have spoken the truth and no man calls me a liar. I do not care if he is a king or priest.”
The man did not seem at all put out by this. “I am just saying that these men are of your people.” He shrugged, “They could be working with you. With you inside then they could be here to join you.”
“Then if that is the case let us leave now. You are the ones holding us.”
Myrddyn translated for the king who gave me a mirthless smile and spoke.
“The king says he will see what these new visitors have to say first.”
I saw that the bodyguards were all ready to fight and the rest of the garrison was massing behind them. If these warriors did wish to take Tara then the men I had seen would not be able to withstand them. I peered east to try to discern their identity. It was Erica who told me who they were. She was being led by a halter behind a warrior on a pony. She was the only one not wearing a helmet and as soon as I recognised her I saw Tadgh next to the man with the halter.
“It is the man I seek and that is my wife.”
Myrddyn smiled, “I hoped that you would be speaking the truth. Now what does he want I wonder?” he turned to the king who nodded and then shouted orders.
Within a few moments two warriors were astride ponies and were galloping through the maze of ditches towards them. The warband halted. They did not display their arms and appeared to have peaceful intentions. I saw the riders halt before them and then a discussion ensued. I was desperate just to run down and fight Tadgh there and then but I knew it would not be so simple. It seemed an age before the two riders returned and reported to the king. He looked at me and then spoke to Myrddyn.
“It seems, Dragon Heart, that you were correct. The warrior is called Tadgh and that is your wife with him.” he paused, “He is offering her to the king as a concubine as a sign of his honourable intentions.”
I saw the two of them watching my reaction. I forced myself to remain impassive although inside I was screaming. I said, as calmly as I could, “And what are his intentions?”
“He is here offering his services as a leader of what he describes as the finest warriors on this island.”
I remained silent. I was in a helpless position. If the king took up Tadgh’s offer then my men and I would die. Even the Ulfheonar could not fight fifty men armed in the same manner as us. They both watched me and then the king said something to Myrddyn who nodded. “We will allow this Tadgh and your wife within the walls so that the king can make a judgement.”
I saw Tadgh and two warriors detach themselves from the warband who began to make a camp beyond the last ditch. Leaving the ponies with his men, Tadgh walked towards the gate. I noticed that his helmet and his byrnie gleamed. They were expensively made. They disappeared around a ditch and Myrddyn said, “If you and your men would wait inside the warrior hall…” I hesitated. He shrugged almost apologetically. “It is forbidden to shed blood within these walls.” I glanced up at Murchad’s head. “He and his fellow were executed beyond the walls.”
I shouted down to the others. “We have to go to the warrior hall.” They gave me questioning looks. I nodded, “Yes it is Tadgh.”
>
They all looked happy at that prospect. I would have to tell when we entered the warrior hall of the sanctity of this site. At last I had my enemy and soon he would be within a sword length of me.
Chapter 6
As we made our way to the hall I explained what was happening. Oleg snorted, “They do not worry me Dragon Heart. We can fight our way out.” Oleg was always one to act first and think later.
Haaken gave a derisory laugh, “With Erica fighting too I suppose?”
Abashed, Oleg shook his head, “Sorry. I was not thinking.” Oleg was the most loyal of warriors but he was never the one to send out as a scout. He tended to rush into things too quickly but as a warrior to back you unto death, there was none better.
When we reached the warrior hall, two of the king’s bodyguards awaited us. They took us to an area behind the throne. I had only seen what I took to be a hessian sack but it turned out to be an old curtain or tapestry. They had probably raided it from the mainland. It looked to be the sort of thing the Romans would have owned. The images on it were so faded that they looked like stains. The guards stood on either side of us. We were being kept hidden for a reason. This King Áed Oirdnide was a careful man. It would not do to underestimate him. I could see why he had attained the throne at a young age. He was clever.
We heard the people as they came in and we knew when the king had sat down. There was silence. I could picture the other side of the curtain. The king would be seated and the priest would be standing alongside him. I wondered if Tadgh would recognise Colm’s sword hanging above the throne on the beam. Surprisingly Tadgh spoke Hibernian. It sounded halting but they could obviously understand him. That was annoying for it kept us in the dark. I only caught one or two of the words and, out of context, they made no sense. Then I heard the priest say. “And who are you?”
Tadgh’s voice sounded only to be silenced by a roar from the king. There was a brief silence and then I heard Erica speak. “I am Erica, wife of the Dragon Heart and this man has abducted me.”
“You are still my slave and my property!” Tadgh had spoken our language and he sounded petulant. He had not had the reception from the king that he had anticipated.
“Not while my husband lives. He will come for you, you treacherous snake.”
The king shouted again and then the priest spoke, “I will speak for the king, Tadgh in your own language, so that you may know his questions and there will be no misunderstanding. Why have you come here?”
“To serve the king.”
“And be paid for doing so?”
“Of course.”
“Did you also serve Colm the Mighty?”
There was a slight hesitation. “I knew him.”
“We have heard that he planned to take over this fort and, it is said, that you were part of the plan. Your warriors were to attack us.”
I could now see the king’s dilemma. He could not afford a battle with Tadgh’s men. Even if he won his forces would be so weakened that another could wrest the crown from him. I wondered how he would extricate himself from this parlous position.
“That is a lie! Show me who says this and I will separate his head from his body!”
“You passed his head when you came through the gate. That was Murchad his brother and, as you can see, Colm’s sword is here with the king for he is dead.” There was another maddening silence and I could picture Tadgh seeing the sword for the first time. Had he been expecting Colm to bring more forces along? He had his own dilemma. Was he arrogant enough to think that he could capture the hill fort with his warband? “I will ask you again, did you plan to kill the king and take over this fort?”
I heard swords being drawn and then Myrddyn shouted, “It is forbidden to spill blood in this sanctified place.” The silence which ensued seemed to last forever. Then Myrddyn said, “You are not the first of your people to come here. We have had others like you who arrived earlier.” He said something in Hibernian and the guards gestured for us to move from behind the curtain.
As we stepped out I heard Erica give a cry of joy. She was no longer tethered. She stood protected by two of the king’s oathsworn. Tadgh had his helmet in his hand and I could see his face which was black with fury.
The king pointed at Tadgh and spoke. Myrddyn translated for us. “The king says that he has learned that you speak the truth, Dragon Heart, and this man lies for Murchad told him that this warrior was an ally of Colm.”
I pointed my finger at Tadgh. I could see him working out if he could escape from this obvious trap. “And I claim the right of combat. I will kill this thing of evil, this nithing!”
“Gladly!” Tadgh seemed almost relieved that I had given him a way out. It suited me. The last thing I needed was Tadgh and his men waylaying my tiny band as we headed for our ships.
The priest had a strangely satisfied smile upon his lips and he pointed to the gateway. “Go beyond the walls, Tadgh. Do not try to escape with your men or you will be hunted like dogs. The combat will take place before the walls of Tara.”
He and his warriors stormed out, followed by some of the bodyguards of the king. Erica rushed into my arms. “I knew you would come.” She kissed me, hard. “And Arturus?”
“Safe at home with the rest of the captives. I am sorry we did not arrive in time to stop you being taken.” I held her at arm’s length. “Did he…?” I could not bring myself to say the words in case she answered in the affirmative.
She shook her head. “I would have died first.”
I turned to the Ulfheonar. “Guard her with your lives.”
Erica gripped my arm, “Beware of him. He is cunning and does not fight fair.”
“I grew up with him. I remember what he was like.”
As we emerged from the gate I saw that Tadgh’s warband had been surrounded by a ring of the king’s warriors. It looked as though they were enclosed but the reality was that warriors like us could break through the flimsy circle as easily as cracking spring ice in the river. This was an illusion. The only way out of this would be if I killed Tadgh. His men would then be leaderless. The king and the priest walked just behind us and the other half of the bodyguards flanked them. The king was being careful still and they were taking no chances.
I turned to the priest, “What happens to Tadgh’s warriors when I kill him?”
“You are confident. That is good. When he is dead the king will see if they will serve him.”
“You would have them even though they fought for Colm?”
“You have to be practical. With an army of such warriors the king would be safe, even from Lochlannach.” This Hibernia was a different place to my own world. Here you bought your swords and had others die for you.
Tadgh’s warriors formed a double line and behind them stood the king’s spearmen. There was a large area between the warriors and us. Tadgh stood there with his helmet on, his shield ready and his sword already unsheathed. I took in the fact that my sword was longer, not by much but enough. His blade was Frankish too- it would not break. I also saw that he had a small axe and a second sword on his belt. He was ready to use any means possible to defeat me. I just had my sword and a seax which was tucked into my boot.
This was a blood feud and there was no need for any announcement. There would be no rules. One of us would live and the other would die. It was not a first blood fight. This would be a fight to the death.
As I had expected Tadgh could not resist insulting me. “The little boy thinks he can defeat me now that he has a shiny sword. You were pathetic as a child and you are still pathetic.” He pointed his sword at the Ulfheonar. “And you can only manage a handful of men in silly wolf cloaks to follow you! I have a warband and when you are dead I will take this kingdom and your woman.”
“And that is the only way you could get a woman. None would choose you of their own volition. And as for taking this kingdom? That does not surprise me for you have no honour. You are a killer in the night. You face me now but you would prefer to stab me
in the back! You are a nithing!”
He suddenly roared at me and smashed his sword overhand at my head. I took the blow on my shield. His arm was powerful and his sword heavier than mine. I felt my whole side judder with the blow. My blade had just been sharpened and I had no intention of blunting it on his shield. I feinted at his left and he brought up his shield; I turned the sword and slashed at his thigh. The blade severed some of the mail links. He swung again at my head. I stepped forwards to close with him and held my shield up. He only struck my shield with his hilt. As I moved forward I sliced and stabbed at him and felt more of the mail links rip. As we stepped away I could see what he could not; his byrnie was now holed.
“You are afraid of my shield. Well you might be for it is protected by a charm from a witch.” Tadgh took the fact that I was not striking his shield as fear.
“I thought your mother was dead!”
That enraged him and he swung at me wildly. I stepped back and his blade struck nothing but air. I did not strike but I waited. His sword was heavy and soon his arm would tire. He thought that I was weakening and came at me, furiously again. This time I turned my shield as he struck it and felt his sword rasp down the metal studs and nails. It would not be as sharp as it had been. I saw that it was a Frankish blade but it had not been finished as well as mine. He was not a true warrior; had he been then he would have chosen a better sword.
I could see that he was now becoming weaker; he was out of breath. He swung again and the blow was weaker when it struck my shield. It bounced off and still I waited. I could see links dropping from his armour with every movement he made. His eyes began to show fear for the first time. He would be wondering why I was not attacking him.
“So, Ragnar’s bum boy, you just learned to take punishment. You do not know how to fight.”