by Griff Hosker
Myrddyn said, “Well I shall leave you now. There are some maps in your fort I wish to study. Our knowledge of the land to the east is woefully poor.”
When he had gone I smiled at Cadwallon. He had his father had been as sons to me. They had both been my squires and I was pleased that Cadwallon would be my daughter’s guardian after I had gone.
“There is something different about you, Lord Lann. I cannot put my finger on it.”
I smiled and looked away, “Put it down to my age.”
“I served you as my father did and you know I trust you completely. Cannot you trust me as completely?”
I looked him in the eye. “You know all there is to know. Neither my sons nor my wife knows more.”
“I dare say the truth will out one day.” I could see that I had not convinced him but he still respected me too much to bring it out into the open. “My army will be ready by the spring. I should be able to field fifty horsemen, a hundred archers and two hundred spearmen.”
“You will still leave enough to guard your land?”
He nodded and smiled, “Nanna and your grandchildren will be safe.” He saw Morcar and Lann Aelle approaching. “I assume your confidence was for my ears only?” I nodded. “You play a dangerous game, Warlord.” He smiled, “Life is always interesting around you and Myrddyn. I shall get Dai to provide a guide for you to take you to Cearl. When will you leave?”
“First thing in the morning. We might as well make use of this fine weather and lighter nights. Soon the nights will draw in.”
Afon, who had volunteered to accompany us, was a serious warrior. He said little as we headed for Tomtun, Cearl’s capital the heart of Mercia. Myrddyn gradually drew out from the warrior that his people had lived in the borders and he was the only survivor of a raid by the Mercians before the peace. I wondered at King Cadwallon’s choice of guide. I did not want our guide to start a war. We only had ten lightly armed warriors with us. More than that would have constituted an aggressive stance.
I found the land to be peaceful. We found few fortified towns. I suspect that the accord between the two neighbouring kings contributed heavily to that. The first few miles were over rough tracks but then Afon found Wæcelinga Stræt, the old Roman Road, which ran to the south coast we found the going much easier. When we asked Afon how far was the journey to be he shrugged, “Two days.”
Myrddyn grimaced when he heard that. We were both used to a comfortable bed at night. Our days of sleeping on the ground were a distant memory. Lann Aelle smiled when he saw our reaction. “Perhaps we should have brought a cart for you, Uncle.”
It was late afternoon when the armed warriors emerged from the top of a nearby hill. There were twenty of them and they were led by a mailed warrior. Morcar carried my banner and I knew that the Mercians would remember it from the last time we had fought.
“Keep your hands away from your weapons.” Afon looked nervous. “Do not worry Afon, they will speak with us.” The confidence was in my voice but not my head. I had many enemies amongst the Saxons. I had slain too many kings and princes for it to be otherwise.
They were not mounted and they trotted down the hill in a defensive formation. Their spears prickled out of their shields and they looked for all the world like a hedgehog. Their leader had a full face helmet on and I could not see his expression. We were riding without helmets. I smiled, “I am Lord Lann, Warlord of Rheged and I seek an audience with King Cearl of Mercia.”
The warrior took off his helmet. “I know who you are Lord Lann for I fought against you at Wrecsam.” He pointed at my leg with the tip of his spear. “I was there when you nearly lost your leg and your life.” He pointed to the skies. “The Allfather watched over you that day or perhaps this Necromancer with you.”
I could see that Myrddyn did not appreciate the comment. “You know our names, Mercian, what is yours?”
“I am Penda the king’s cousin.”
So this was the man who would be king. I saw a man a little older than Hogan Lann. He was stocky and Saxon from his blond hair to his blue eyes. His golden beard was flecked with a few wisps of grey. He was a warrior from the bands on his sword to the scars on his arms. His armour and weapons showed a warrior who cared for his weapons.
“So, shall I take you to my cousin or shall we fight here?”
Only Morcar reacted with an angry flash of his eyes and a jerk on the reins of his horse. “Nephew, it is a reasonable question. We are in Mercian land and we are armed.” I smiled at Penda. “I would prefer to visit with your cousin but we are happy to oblige you with combat if you wish.”
He laughed, “I like you Warlord, not least because you brought about the death of my enemy, Aethelfrith. We will take you to my cousin. If we step out we can be there by dark.”
I looked at Afon. Why had he said two days? “Afon, we have our guide now. You may return to the king and thank him for his help. Tell him that you saw us on our way.”
Flashing an angry look at Penda, Afon nodded and said, “As you wish, my lord. But I would sleep with a knife beneath my bed.”
He rode off and Penda chuckled, “There is a man who does not like Saxons.”
“You understood him then?”
“Aye it pays to speak their language when you live close to the Cymri.”
“His family were slain by Saxons. You can understand his feelings.”
“Aye we have all lost someone.” I noticed that they were not out of breath as they walked beside us. We had gone into two long lines. It gave us mutual protection. “And you, I believe, have slain more Saxons than most. What do you have to do with Cearl?”
I noticed that he did not give him his title. “I have killed few Mercians. My enemies are the men of Bernicia and Deira; the ones who now call themselves Northumbrians.”
“Well there we have agreement.” He was persistent. He wanted an answer to his question. “And what do you seek from Cearl?”
Although we had not expected to meet Penda, Myrddyn and I had prepared ourselves well for the next few days. I would be honest with Penda; as honest as I could be at any rate. “I need to tell King Cearl that we intend to attack Edwin in the spring.”
He looked up at me with surprise on his face. “Isn’t that a little dangerous? You could be inviting an attack from Mercia?”
“I believe that King Cearl is an honourable man. If he gives me his word that he will not do so then I will believe him. If he tells me that he will attack Gwynedd in our absence then we will not attack Edwin.”
“That would be a pity. I should like to see Edwin knocked from his little hill.”
Myrddyn, who had been listening to every word, chirped in, “If you wished, Penda son of Pybba, you could join the Warlord. I am sure he would welcome any ally to fight against the Northumbrians.”
That really surprised Penda. “You would fight with a Saxon?” I nodded. “Then you are a remarkable man. I heard that you hated Saxons and just wanted to kill them.”
“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.”
Chapter 9
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 Me
rcian 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.”