Wolfbane (Historical Fiction Action Adventure Book, set in Dark Age post Roman Britain)
Page 10
‘Kill him,’ said Murdoc. ‘He doesn’t deserve our mercy. He must pay for invading our land. I for one will not swear to Christ to spare him.’
Dominic turned his attention back to Withred. ‘I don’t believe in the Christ, and my friend will not swear to him. Anyway, I already know what you’ve done for them—the woman told us much. But if I let you live I’m faced with two choices: to release you, whereby you’ll return with news of our position to your companions, or take you captive, and then I’ll forever be looking over my shoulder in fear of your treachery. It will be easier to send you to your pagan hell I think. You tell me. What would you do if faced with such a choice?’
‘I’ve no wish to ride with the raiding parties anymore and I can be useful if you allow me to accompany you, not as a captive but as an ally.’ You’ll have to face them sooner or later and my knowledge and skill in combat will aid your cause. Of that you have my word. So in answer to your question; I would increase my numbers if I were you and accept a fierce warrior into your party.’
Silence hung in the glade as Dominic considered Withred’s deal. He glanced at Murdoc, whose slight shake of the head advised, Do not trust him.
Dominic raised his bow again and aimed it at Withred’s head. ‘Release the old man then walk to the hut and get out of my sight until I decide what to do with you. That’s my decision. You’ve no other choice. Hesitate and I’ll kill you. Be sure of that.’
Withred kept hold of Simon a moment then let him go and pushed him away. He dropped his sword to the ground, held up his hands, and backed up towards the building. ‘See … I do as you ask.’
Murdoc looked to Dominic whose bow pointed at Withred at full tension. ‘We owe him nothing,’ he said. ‘Remember what these people have done to our families.’
Dominic looked thoughtful as he recalled how Tomas had reacted when speaking of Withred. ‘Yes, they’ve done many bad things since arriving on our isle … but maybe not this man. Keep with me on this, Mur, he could provide us with some much-needed help. Don’t forget we are only two men—three now with Simon—against many.’
‘As you will, but I’m not easy with it.’
Dominic lowered his aim and shouted at Withred. ‘Get inside the hut now before I change my mind, and be sure of this: one wrong move and I will kill you.’
Withred nodded his thanks, then turned and entered the hut.
Concerned, Murdoc approached Simon. ‘How are you, man?’ he asked. ‘Martha told us what you both went through, and you look completely worn out.’
‘I’m fine,’ said Simon. ‘Your news of Martha’s rescue has already lifted me. But what about you two. I never expected to be saved by fellow Britons this day.’
Dominic told Simon his own tale: of his life in the forest. Then he continued with his account of Martha’s liberation and the acquisition of Tomas. Murdoc then recounted the harrowing tale of the razing of his own village.
When they had finished, Simon embraced both men in thanks and consolation. He gave his own account, ending with the story of the raid. ‘Like you I was away from the huts when they struck ….’ He paused a moment, his emotions sending a subtle betrayal across his face. ‘Like you … I witnessed the slaughter, and don’t wish … don’t wish to see anything like it again. I could not do anything for them. I did not…’
Penetrated, Murdoc placed a consoling arm around Simon’s shoulder. ‘I know how you are feeling … believe me,’ he said. ‘I understand how you are being plagued right now.’
United in their grief, they were silent awhile before Murdoc continued. ‘Our first task is to stop the others returning to the east with news of new land to take. I guess we’ve little time to prepare for their return; they must have found other villages by now or failing that abandoned their search. We need to be ready for them even though they outnumber us.’
‘We’ll use cunning then,’ said Dominic. ‘Patience and cunning will reduce their numbers as before.’
By late evening the group were together at the camp. Simon and Martha had embraced warmly upon their re-union.
Dominic had reasoned they would be safe enough staying in the relative comfort of the outpost providing they watched the track ahead for signs of the returning raiders. It would be easy enough to slip into the woods or return to the tree house if needs be. They would continue with the task of hunting down the invaders one by one.
The Saxons had gifted them a welcome abundance of ponies and some of these grazed contentedly on the lush grasses at the forest edge. Others languished under the open lean-to at the side of the hut.
Withred sat alone against the wall of the stone hut. Dominic and Murdoc had allowed him to take the evening air, preferring anyway to keep him in sight.
Martha looked at him and said to the others. ‘I don’t understand that man; he rode with the raiders yet seemed not to like them.’
Simon nodded. ‘Yes, he’s a mystery that’s for sure.’
‘He does hate Egbert,’ said Tomas, ‘and that has to be in his favour. He alone had the power to stop him from running completely mad on the raids. He’s high ranking, I know that.’
Dominic was testing the balance of Withred’s recovered sword as he stood in front of the others. He locked a hard stare on Withred. ‘Yet I would have killed him without thinking’—he raised his voice so that Withred could hear—‘and may still do it with his own sword unless he gives me reason not to.’ He walked over to Withred while the others watched. ‘Well Saxon?’ he challenged. ‘What can you offer us and why should we trust you?’
Withred stood slowly and met Dominic’s stare. ‘I’m of the Anglii people, I am not Saxon.’ He looked over to Simon, Martha, Tomas and Ceola. ‘Not that it made much difference on the raids—Angles also committed foul deeds.’ Frowning, he looked to the woods as if trying to figure out his reasons for coming to Britannia. He turned to the waiting huddle of Britons. ‘I came here as a warrior to fight and gain land for my people, I make no excuse for that, but what they have told you is true. I took no part in either rape or wanton killing.’
‘So why would you side with us now?’ asked Dominic. ‘What’s changed apart from the desire to save your neck from this sword?’
Withred smile was sardonic. ‘They will take this land, make no mistake, but I want no part in how it’s done. I grew up in a country similar to this, and worked the land as a boy. I respect the weak and old, and that’s still how I wish to live my life. If riding against you means I have to watch senseless and brutal acts, then I no longer want a part in it.’ His eyes suddenly blazed with a sincere intensity. ‘Believe me, Briton; I’ll fight for you against them because at least it will be man against man.’
Murdoc joined Dominic. ‘We’ve but two choices,’ he mused, ‘kill him or trust him. At first I wanted to kill him, and if the others had not spoken in his favour or if I had the slightest doubt about his conduct on the raids he would already be dead.’ Murdoc held out his hand. Dominic handed him the sword. ‘We put our trust in you,’ he said as he gave Withred the sword. ‘Do not betray it.’
‘I thank you,’ said Withred. He pointed to the hut. ‘There are many spare weapons in there we can use. You didn’t search the cellar before you locked me in. Maybe I’ve already shown I can be trusted.’
Dominic walked into the hut and descended into the cellar. One of the alcoves was piled high with weaponry, including spears, daggers, and axes. He emerged from the hut shortly after holding two well used but effective swords, one of which he threw to Murdoc. ‘These swords are worth a year’s harvest and are an amazing find. Now we all have a weapon, including Martha.’ He looked at Withred. ‘Maybe you can help us after all … Angle.’
Withred looked towards the west, along the line of the track. ‘You’ll not have to wait long,’ he said. ‘They’ll be back soon and we need to be ready for them when they arrive.’ He looked to the sky … at the failing light. ‘Not this day, though,’ he added. ‘They don’t travel through the night.’
That night they slept around a low fire. By first light, they met and decided that two men would head up the trail to scout.
Dominic stayed behind. After Murdoc and Withred left, he walked to the edge of the clearing and brushed a layer of dirt off the floor to reveal a wooden hatch. He lifted the cover. Below was a deep storage pit.
The others prepared breakfast as Dominic went about the business of throwing scraps of food into the pit. Whistling cheerfully, he went about his work, winking mysteriously at a bemused Tomas as he passed by him. ‘Come on lad,’ he said, ‘you can help me find any scraps of old meat. Fresh or rotten, throw them all into the pit.’
Tomas was happy to help, and went about his task with gusto, delighted to be of use to Dominic whom he had begun to worship with his boyish enthusiasm.
Ceola chattered softly to a pair of toy twig-men on the dusty floor, while Martha and Simon sat by the fire watching Dominic and Tomas keep busy.
‘A tidy one is Dominic,’ laughed Simon.
‘Yes and they’ll find much to throw into the pit,’ said Martha. ‘The entire surrounding bush is littered with bits of old meat from many meals.’
After they partly filled the pit with all the throwaway scraps they could find, Dominic replaced the original hatch with a lightweight, hide frame, covering it with a layer of soil and leaf litter.
He put his arm round Tomas’ shoulder. ‘Thanks for your help lad, now I’ll show you how to use a bow.’
He entered the hut. Tomas’ face lit up when Dominic emerged a while later with a bedraggled straw figure in the shape of a deer. They walked to the edge of the clearing and Dominic placed the dummy in front of a tree and began to teach Tomas the art of the arrow.
Two days passed with little change to routine. Dominic, Murdoc and Withred took turns to watch the track or hunt, while the others busied themselves around the camp.
The relationship between Murdoc and Martha had begun to develop and grow stronger. She met him each day as he returned from his watch, and one evening slipped her hand in his as they walked back to the clearing. Murdoc, at first, felt a deep guilt as he thought of his wife Megan whom he had loved deeply, yet he could not deny the warmth he felt at Martha’s touch.
He had spent many happy years with Megan, and although village life could sometimes be uncomfortable and tough, he had always hoped he would spend the rest of his days with her in his unchanging pastoral world. Yet he could not deny that Martha was sweet natured and lovely, and for now was happy to let things develop naturally between them. Ceola had taken to Martha immediately, and would sit between them in the evenings when the group conversed around the fire.
Withred and Simon had also started to get on well, speaking at length about their varied lives as they went about their tasks.
That night the group slept around the dying embers of the fire and there was no movement in the camp. Murdoc and Withred were up the trail on their watch. It was Dominic who awoke first as he heard a distant snuffling. He was quickly to his feet, his sword ready as he saw a bulky shadow amble towards the stinking food pit at the edge of the camp. A roar and terrific commotion ensued as the shape fell into the pit.
He ran over and looked down at a grunting bear. It reared to its full height then crouched and sprang up towards the rim of the pit. Dominic leaned back slightly but stood his ground, confident the sink was deep enough to contain the animal. After several more furious attempts to jump out, the bear began to pace around below them. The others, now awake, joined Dominic at the edge.
Tomas’ worried gaze went from the bear to Dominic. ‘How are we to stay here with that thing in the pit?’ he asked.
Dominic seemed perfectly relaxed as he studied the creature. He nodded towards a felled bough nearby. ‘No need to fear it, Tom. It can’t get out until I allow it to with that branch. First, though, it’ll feed, and when it’s earned its freedom it can go on its way.’
Simon placed a protective arm around Martha as they gazed at the predator. He frowned and looked to Dominic. ‘Earned its freedom—what d’you mean?’
‘That I’ll let it go when it’s done us a favour,’ replied Dominic enigmatically, as he stooped and peered into the pit.
Tomas was unconvinced and that night settled as far away from the bear as he possibly could.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
After killing the boy, Egbert had galloped into the forest in a fit of hysteria, shouting at the sky and slashing at the forest undergrowth with his war ax.
Wlensling looked at Cissa, a grim cast to his eyes. ‘He’s as mad as a mullet Cissa. I never thought I’d be glad to get back to the east and Osric.’
‘If he takes it out on them I don’t give a shit,’ said Cissa. ‘The whelp would’ve died or been taken to the slave markets next year anyway.’
The men sat motionless as they waited for Egbert’s bloodlust to abate. When he eventually returned to the group he was pale and drawn, seemingly exhausted by his fit of hysteria.
He looked at Wlensling. ‘You’ll take the bulk of the men back to Osric but not the way we came. I want you to ride back along the edge of the forest. That way you may find more villages for next year’s raids and that will save us time. I’ll return to Withred at the clearing, along with Cissa and one other man.’
He looked at the group milling around him and pointed at a burly youth no older than twenty years. ‘Hereward, you’ll do. Get ready to ride with me and Cissa. You’re going to stay at the camp over winter. Tonight, we’ll settle here and ride in the morning.’
Four days later, a sombre minded Egbert dismounted his pony and led it through a badly eroded section of the track. ‘I remember this,’ he said, ‘we struggled to get through here before. We draw near to the camp I think.’
As darkness approached, it was Cissa, riding ahead, who first saw the glow of firelight through the trees. He waited for the others to reach him. ‘It seems we’ll be dining on fresh meat before the day’s out.’
Egbert frowned. ‘I hope you’re right, otherwise we’ll have to roast the old goat on the spit.’
Cissa shifted uneasily on his pony. ‘Talking of the Britons, what are we to do with them? Kill them as you said before we left?’
Egbert’s inner malevolence was betrayed by a darting of his eyes as he considered a myriad of pernicious possibilities. ‘The old one I’ll kill as soon as he’s cooked the evening meal for us. I intend to leave in the morning and get back quickly to Osric and I’m not leaving Withred with a good cook, that’s for sure. The woman, I’ll take back to Osric as gift and compensation for that lost rat, Tomas. Doubtless, I’ll have her practice her duties on me before I hand her over though.
Cissa was sceptical. ‘You think Withred will just let you go ahead and ravish the woman and kill the old man?’
Egbert gave Cissa a contemptuous look. ‘Do you think I’ve no teeth man, is that what you’re saying?‘ Giving Cissa no time to reply, he continued. ‘Well I have, and it’s time Withred realised who’s in charge of this war band. If he interferes again I’ll awaken him from his soft bed this night with my ax. It will be worth the payment of wergild just to see his brains daubed around him.’
Cissa looked anxious. ‘I’ll have no part in it. If he awakens before you finish him, he’ll kill you. He has no equal in combat.’
‘Then I‘ll just have to take care, won’t I? And I’ll have the woman this night as sure as Woden shits fire, I will.’
They dismounted and walked into the cleared square. Hereward tethered the ponies alongside the other mounts under the lean-to.
Simon was at the spit where a haunch of venison was cooking slowly. Occasionally, a rivulet of fat ran down the meat and dripped into the fire, causing a curl of black smoke to rise. Martha stood by the trickle of water that ran down the bluff beside the hut. She filled a leather flask with water. No one else was around.
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nbsp; Egbert shouted towards the hut entrance. ‘Withred, show yourself! I’ve returned with good news!’
It was a moment before Withred stepped out. His eyes were wary. ‘Egbert you need to know something…’
Dominic, who hid nearby with Murdoc, gritted his teeth. ‘The stinking traitor,’ he hissed. He raised his bow towards Withred. ‘How could we be so stupid to trust him.’
Egbert eyed Withred then looked hastily around.
‘… You need to know,’ continued Withred, ‘that your timing for the feast is almost magical.’ He started to clap slowly in mock appreciation, and nodded towards Simon who attended the roasting spit. ‘See, the roast is almost ready. It seems you’ve not lost your talent for sniffing out a feed, eh fat belly, even after days in the wilderness.’
Dominic lowered his bow.
‘Yes it’s true I’m hungry,’ said Egbert, ‘but where are the men?’
Withred nodded towards the forest edge. ‘Out hunting. It’s been all I could do to keep them from the woman.’
Egbert glanced at Martha who quickly averted her gaze and busied herself with her chores. ‘You’ve served me well, then.’ He smirked towards Withred. ‘Did you see how the sow just smiled at me? She’s a fever for me. I think it would put a sharp edge on my appetite if I ride her before I eat.’ Hereward stood beside him now. A yellow grin split Egbert’s beard as he slapped the youth on the shoulder. ‘Come on you young shit, you can hold her still and watch your master at work.’
Martha, aware of Egbert’s intention, turned to face him. She edged away.
Eager to perform his duties, and hoping for leftovers, Hereward stumbled as he moved towards Martha. He fell from sight as he crashed through the hide cover and into the bear pit.
Egbert checked his stride and so avoided the trap. His astonishment intensified when Dominic’s arrow parted the air a finger’s width from his face. Aware that another would follow, and displaying an agility contrary to his bulk, he rolled onto the dusty floor of the clearing. This time the missile slapped into the meat of his thigh.