by Griff Hosker
We used no words as we moved through the darkness. It was not thickly wooded but the trees were thick and provided us with cover so that we could move from tree to tree. The soft ground helped us too as nothing crunched underfoot and the occasional squelch was not loud. The Saxons were making much more noise and there appeared to be an argument raging. We drew inexorably closer and I halted us twenty paces from the outer edge of the rudimentary camp. They had used some cloaks to rig up crude tents and shelters. They had used the trees as stanchions and it meant they were spread out over a larger area than was wise. We now had a chance. The majority of the warriors were around the fire in the middle of the camp but I could see a knot of men on the far side of the camp beneath a shelter. Two looked like guards and it seemed likely that, if the prince were still in the camp then that is where he would be. I decided we would make for the knot of men as I could not see prince Ywain near to the fire. Before I did so I spent some time listening to their conversation. Although I did not pick out all the words, for some spoke with a Frisian dialect, while others sounded distinctly Frankish it seemed that the newcomers were not happy with King Aella’s plans. It made me feel better about the day. If we had sown dissention within their ranks then that would make King Urien’s task much easier.
I signalled my companions and we slowly made our way around the perimeter. We had to keep hiding and we occasionally lost sight of the men we sought but I glanced over and saw Ywain’s helmet close by. It seemed increasingly likely that he would be with them and I notched an arrow in anticipation of action soon. We were moving almost imperceptibly the closer we came to the men. One of the three who were standing laughed and left to join the men in the middle. There were just two men standing over the man who was lying on the ground. I recognised the armour and knew that it was Ywain. One of the men knelt down next to Ywain and took out a knife. I took a sharp intake of breath. Would the heir to Rheged be killed when I was but a few paces away? Then I saw that the knife did not plunge into his body but cut away some material from the tunic which was worn beneath the armour. The man was a healer and then, as he half turned and the fire light caught his face I saw that it was Myrddyn. My acolyte lived and, he was in a position to help us. The problem would be getting by the rest of the warband for we had travelled all the way around the camp. Our mounts were even further away now than when we had started.
We moved around until we were as close as we could be and yet remain hidden. The warrior with Myrddyn was obviously a leader from his torc and his warrior bracelets. He had a long scar running down his face which showed he had been in battles and suffered serious wounds. I absent mindedly ran my finger down my scar. We had much in common. Myrddyn did not look unhappy and was smiling as he tended the prince. I could see that the prince was not awake. If we did manage to affect a rescue then that might be a problem but I was getting ahead of myself. We had not even got him in our hands yet.
I motioned for the other two to make themselves comfortable; it looked like we were in for a long wait. I had tuned out the noise and arguments from the fire and I could hear the occasional words.
“Healer, will he live? You have been working on him for some time.”
“As I told you, Lord Ida, the draught I gave him made him sleep. You could hear him raving and thrashing about. I had to get him quiet and then tend to the wound. The wound is a bad one but it is not serious. He has a broken leg and I must stitch his shoulder where the spear went through. When I have done that I will splint his leg and by then it may well be dawn!”
“I know that our king has much faith in you. If you can save this warrior and return him to King Aella then you will be rewarded. It is the son of the King of Rheged and he is a worthy prize. I will set some guards and then get this rabble to get some rest. Those warriors we pursued cannot be far away and I hear that one of them was the mighty Wolf Warrior. There is a chest of gold waiting for the man who kills or captures him. I would do it just for the honour of killing the man who maimed my brother.”
He walked across to the middle and shouted to get their attention. He had some arguments from two men and he brought their heads together with such a crack that they both fell to the ground and lay still. The rest became silent and more compliant. Four men were selected to become guards and, to my horror, one marched straight towards us. I saw my comrade’s hands go to their weapons but I shook my head and gestured for them to hide. He strode towards us, pausing only to pick up a sword and then he walked next to Myrddyn glancing down as he passed. His foot almost stood on my hand as he left the light of the camp and entered the wood. He did not see any of us. I pointed to him and then to Ridwyn and drew my hand across my throat. He nodded and followed. That would be one less guard to deal with. A short while later I saw Ridwyn appear, wiping the blood from his dagger. Our only problem would appear if they decided to check on the guards before we had escaped. That was in wyrd’s hands.
It seemed hours until the camp was quiet but in reality it was a short time. The warriors had been fighting and running all day, they would be tired. I moved forwards slightly and murmured, “Myrddyn.” I was still hidden by the bush and I spoke quietly.
“I saw you when you first came. Are they asleep behind me?”
“They look to be.”
“Then let us move swiftly. I will need some help to lift the prince, he is sleeping.”
“Ridwyn. Pick up the prince and put him over your shoulder.” Ridwyn was as strong as an ox and could easily manage the prince. The Bernician stepped forwards and lifted the prince as though he was a sack of grain.
“Do not be rough with him, he is badly wounded.” Myrddyn and Ridwyn stepped out of the light and into the woods.
“Adair get to the other side of the camp. Close to the next guard. Kill him with your sling and then close with the other.” I held my breath as I watched the unconscious prince and my men slipped from the firelight. I walked backwards with my bow notched just watching for any movement. There was none. All it took was one warrior to wake and see us and we would all be dead. When we reached Adair he had killed the first guard. “Ridwyn take the prince and Myrddyn back to the horses and we will cover you.”
Adair and I slipped quietly towards the place we had seen the third guard go. I saw him leaning against a tree and I drew my bow. Suddenly a fox bolted from behind me and he looked directly at me. Before he could utter a sound I had sent an arrow through his throat to pin him to the tree. “Let us back out slowly. We should be safe now.”
By the time we reached the horses the prince was slung like a piece of dead meat over the saddle and Myrddyn was sitting uncomfortably behind him. “Myrddyn, ride double with Adair, he is lighter than the prince. You two take the reins of the prince’s horse. Ridwyn and I will protect the rear.” We walked the horses away from the woods to avoid making a noise. Once we had travelled a mile we were able to kick them on. Adair held the reins of the pack horse while Myrddyn kept his arm on the prince’s back.
By the time dawn was breaking on a cold and damp morning we had passed the valley where we had hidden the previous afternoon. Adair had taken us further west than we had travelled to avoid the enemy but now we had to risk their patrols if we were to make the Roman Road. A murmur from Prince Ywain told us that he was waking. We had, however, no time to stop and Myrddyn just spoke some quiet words to him. We had but two miles to go before we struck the Roman Road and then we would have to find where Garth and Miach had taken the men. I hoped that it was not too far.
Although the road was straight it dipped down small hollows and climbed low ridges. The Roman legionaries who had built it had cleared the trees from both sides but it had been neglected for over a century and bushes had colonised it. It was a nerve wracking two miles for we knew not where the Saxons were. It would have been tragic to be captured so close to safety. The first of the scouts suddenly stepped out from one of the bushes, his face filled with delight at our arrival. “My lord you made it!”
“Where is
Captain Garth?”
“He has made a camp a mile up the road.”
“Good keep watch here and well done.” He beamed with pride at the praise from the Wolf Warrior.
When we reached the camp Garth shook his head as he approached us but a smile creased his tanned face. “Someone watches over you my lord. You get into their camp and not only rescue the prince but bring back our healer.”
Myrddyn ignored the words and ordered the nearest warriors. “Get the prince down from his horse and make a shelter. I had not finished with him when we left the camp.” I saw Riderch come over and embrace his brother. I suddenly missed my own brothers.
I dismounted stiffly. My leg had hurt me for two days; I blamed the rain but I suspected I had done too much. It was a good thing Brother Patrick was not around to chastise me. “We saw no sign of them but that doesn’t mean they will not be chasing us; although if they do not chase us then our mission has failed. I take it you have prepared an ambush?”
“We have dug some pits and laid ropes to trip them if they try to flank us.”He looked at Prince Ywain.”We do not have enough fit horses and horsemen to be a threat and Tuanthal will have to annoy them. The archers are running short of arrows but we can cope with one more attack.”
I put my arm around his shoulder; I could see that he felt as though he had not done enough. “You have done well. When your scouts have rested, send them south to find the Saxons.”
Miach wandered over with a bowl in his hand. “We found some game and made a stew. I’m thinking you will be ready for this.”
“I am indeed. Thank you.” As I ate they watched me. Between mouthfuls I spoke. “We are still better off than either King Urien or me expected. It is Aella’s early attack which has thwarted our plans but we have only lost horsemen and the rest are still in fine mettle. I suspect that Aella will be livid when he discovers we have rescued Prince Ywain but he will probably now take the time to organise his men and follow us with a plan in mind rather than a reckless pursuit. When we were at their camp I heard arguments between the different tribes. They are not as unified as they would have us believe.”
Myrddyn wandered over. “I have given him a draught and checked the wound in his shoulder. It is knitting.”
“And his broken leg?”
“I lied. He had a slight wound to the leg but I was playing for time until I could get him away.” He smiled. “And then, as it was ordained, you turned up.”
“Get some food and tell us your tale.”
“I took the long way to Aella. I approached from the south, from the land of Elmet. I was lucky or, perhaps wyrd intervened, for there was a chief who had an illness and they were blaming witchcraft. I was able to cure him and King Aella said it was a sign that they would win and he took me into his household as his healer. That was why I was at the camp. The king sent me for he did not want Ywain to die. He intended to trade his life for the neutrality of Rheged.”
“King Urien would never have agreed to that.”
Myrddyn shrugged, “I know but it gave me my chance. I had a draught ready to make him sleep for I did not want him to recognise me. He nearly gave the game away but I saw it in his eyes and I had the men hold him and open his mouth so that I could give him the draught. It worked quickly and my identity was hidden. I knew that you and your men would not be far away and I played for time. I told the chief that we needed a fire and he obeyed me. I thought it might make a beacon for you and so it turned out. You were lucky that the chief had sent two hundred of his men to Aella to continue their pursuit of you. They did not know of the Roman Road and they headed west. They will soon realise their mistake.”
“What did you discover then?”
“He has six thousand men and they have come from all over the lands in the east. He also has another two thousand men who are on their way from the south, from the land of the Eastern Angles. They will arrive within the next four weeks. His plan is to march north and defeat King Morcant Bulc. He knows that with the fortresses in his hands he can withstand the horsemen and archers of Rheged. It is Rheged he fears. He has also sent bribes to the Irish to begin raiding the west coast. He hopes to distract Strathclyde and Rheged.”
“You have done well. It is a pity that you could not have remained there.”
He shook his head forcefully, “No, my lord. How would I have got information to you? The aim was for me to learn their plans and I did. I also discovered that the alliance is fragile but then so is ours.” Garth looked shocked as though the healer had blasphemed but I knew he spoke the truth. King Urien alone held the alliance together. Myrddyn looked at me, his green eyes piercing and sharp. “He hates you and has sworn vengeance for all that you have done. He sees it as a blood feud between you until you are dead. There is a price on your head.”
“I know I heard the chief.”
“It is more than the chief. Every warrior who fancies himself with a sword will be hunting you.”
“Good!”
All of my leaders looked at me in shock. “Good? Are you mad my lord?”
“No, Garth for if they all come to me then they will be weaker elsewhere. We now know where the point of their attack will be; wherever I am. Now we know that the scouts will return soon and tell us that the Saxons are five miles down the road.”
The words were no sooner out of my mouth when two boys rode in. “The Saxons are four miles from here my lord; their whole army.”
The boys could not have expected the reaction they got. Garth, Miach and Tuanthal; looked at me as though I was a witch. Before they had chance to comment one of the guards to the north shouted, “Stand to. Horseman!”
Every warrior grabbed a weapon and stood fearing the worst until one of King Urien’s equites rode into the camp. “My lord, King Urien tells you that he has started bringing over the warriors he has available. He wants you to draw the Saxons to Dunelm and he will meet you there.”
I felt a huge sense of relief. “And the other kings?”
There was a pause. “King Gwalliog has left Elmet and King Morcant Bulc is also heading for Dunelm. The king of Strathclyde will bring his army and the rest of ours in fourteen days.” I wondered if this was another ploy from the king of Bernicia but we had no choice but to follow orders. “The king said to tell you not to take risks.”
Garth snorted. “A bit bloody late for that!”
For some reason that made all my men laugh. “Myrddyn take the equites and the prince. Get to Dunelm. Tuanthal begin to fortify it when you get there. Find any men you can and build walls and ditches.” They both looked to argue. “Go!” I turned to Miach. “You are now the rearguard. Mount your men and keep attacking the Saxons. Slow them up and give us time to get down the road. We have twenty miles to go. We will try to do it in one. All I want you to do is make them look at every bush and think it contains an archer. When your arrows are finished then return to us. Do not lose any men; you are the only ones who can delay the Saxons now. When you reach me that will tell me how much time we have before they attack.” Nothing ever worried Miach and he ordered his archers to mount immediately. “Riderch, Garth, get the men moving. We march and we march hard. We have a four mile lead and I do not intend to lose it.”
We were now used to moving quickly but I felt slightly naked as the archers left us to harass the enemy. We were reduced to a small warband; an efficient and dangerous warband but one without any aid. The road we travelled had not been the main one, the one we called Dere Street. This was a subsidiary connecting the Dunum with Dunelm, Dere Street and the coast; as such it had little traffic and was slippery with moss in places. Out pace was slower than on a normal Roman Road but I was determined to make Dunelm by nightfall. I wanted a river to defend and some sort of shelter, however rudimentary.
I had two men half a mile ahead as scouts. They could give us some warning of an ambush but that was all. Suddenly they came hurtling down the road. As soon as they were in sight they yelled. “Armed men ahead!”
Garth and Riderch quickly took their places on either side of me and the rest went into our wedge formation. A shield wall could be outflanked, a wedge was more flexible. We had our swords in our hands as the scouts took their places at the rear of the wedge. I wondered how Saxons had got ahead of us although it was possible that some of their army had been sent to secure the road as I had done.
We heard the hooves of at least one horse and the tramp of men. There was a slight hollow before us which meant we had a slight advantage. “Forward!” We marched resolutely to meet this unseen foe. “Unfurl the banner!” We carried the banner furled in an oiled bag when marching but if we were to fight it was worth another ten or twenty men. I felt the wedge surge as my standard bearer, striding behind me, raised the Wolf Banner.
I saw a helmet appear over the rise in the road and a shaft of lonely sunlight lit up the armour and then I heard the familiar voice. “Brother, would you fight the whole world? I bring aid!” A visible ripple of relief ran down the wedge as they recognised Raibeart, his archers and his small band of equites. I held up my hand to halt the men as Raibeart and his warriors approached. “The king sent me ahead. My crops were sown and the lambs were born early this year so we left a few days before the king. I passed Tuanthal and he told me of your plight.”He leaned forwards. “And your reckless bravery! And so we came.” He looked at my men. “They look tired and weary.”
“Aye they are but it has been tough marching and not fighting. We had but a skirmish. Aella has many warriors brother. More than the last time. This will not be an easy fight.”
“With two of Hogan’s sons fighting then they stand no chance. Where do you want us?”