by Griff Hosker
I nodded, “It is but it is the most important for it protects the neck. I have forgotten how many warriors I have despatched with a blow to the throat or neck.”
“And you, cousin, will need to learn how to do this. Remember you are the Warlord’s squire now.”
Morcar handed me Saxon Slayer. “I know and I am honoured.”
“I will not ask if it is sharp I know it is.”
Morcar laughed, “To show you how sharp just feel my chin. I shaved with it this morning.”
“That is no test cousin; put some milk on your beard and the cat could lick it off.”
I smiled until I saw that Morcar had taken it seriously and had reddened. “Do not mind Lann Aelle, Morcar. Pol and Hogan Lann both teased him the same way. It is what happens when you are new.”
“One day I will not be new. One day I will lead armies. Just you watch. Then no one will mock me!”
“Of course you will cousin. Do not listen to me.” Lann Aelle had only been bantering. It spoke of the state of mind of Morcar. He had yet to prove himself. Until he did he would be sensitive to all comments. And of course there was Morgause…
The chosen warriors waited eagerly. They had all been chosen because they had good mail and sound weapons. Bors and Kay led the men of Rheged and Penda those of Mercia. I was happy with their choices. While we waited we practised marching in formation. None of the warriors I was leading had fought with the others. This would be a baptism of fire.
We could see, in the first light of dawn, the sea as it began to recede. I gathered the warriors behind me on the sandy shore across from the gate. The sentries inside the Northumbrian stronghold had seen our movements and I watched warriors beginning to line the walls. That was a good thing. We had their attention.
Bors and Kay stepped in front of me. “You can lead Warlord but not in the front rank. That honour goes to Kay and me.”
I noticed that Bors wielded his war hammer. He meant business. “Very well.”
Penda said, “And I will have my warriors with axes close behind, Warlord, just in case they do not open the gate for you when you knock.” My warriors all laughed. Penda had a sense of humour and they had already forgotten that he was a Saxon.
We formed up with Kay, Bors and three men before me. Two of Bors’ men were to my left and two of Kay’s men on my right. Morcar was tucked in behind me and Penda and a warrior were to his right while two other Saxons were to the left. I hoped that all would see the trust I had in Penda and his men. It would be simplicity itself if the Mercians chose to kill me as we marched. Of course they would be slaughtered themselves but by then the damage would be done. I laughed inside at myself. I knew who would kill me already and it was not a Saxon.
“Sound the buccina!”
The Roman horns were blown and we began to march across the damp sand towards the gate. Bors and Kay began to chant to help the men keep the beat. We all knew to start on the same leg. Speed was not important but a solid front was.
The path to the gate was, as I recalled, just wide enough for five men. We could have marched with a much wider front across the wet sand but that risked losing order when we tried to change to an attacking formation. With just Bors, Kay and three others before me I would be clearly visible by the time the sun came up. The tide was almost racing out now but it meant we were now walking on wet, soggy sand and, with our armour and weapons weighing us down, we began to sink a little deeper into the soft sand. It slowed us down.
The helmet I wore gave me good protection but also afforded me a good view ahead. It was well designed. I saw the stone walls of the fortress, now lit by the morning sun, lined with armed and helmeted men. I could hear their shouts. This was what usually happened before armies came into contact. It helped to bolster the defender’s confidence. Behind me the men I led began to take up a different chant, “Rheged! Rheged!” It seemed to help us march across the wet sand. It helped us to keep time. The two sides were challenging each other. The difference was that the men I had had fought before and won. The Saxons had been sitting behind their walls for years.
Bors must have seen something for he shouted, “Arrows!” We were less than a hundred paces from the walls but the height of the archers meant they had a good chance of hitting us. Our shields came up as one. I hoped that Morcar, directly behind me would be able to cope with the standard and the shield; he would need concentration and coordination. Arrows and stones from sling shots pinged off the metal helmets and cracked off the wood. I heard no cries of pain. I felt something strike my helmet. It made a loud noise but nothing more. Then I heard the whoosh of arrows as Daffydd ap Miach marched his archers up behind us and they began to strike the enemy hard. The enemy arrows slowed a little. It takes a brave man to willingly stand in the path of arrows unless he has a shield and fine armour. We had both. The arrows were an annoyance.
Kay shouted, “Path!”
The going became easier as we started up the path. It was steep but it was firm under foot. The warrior on the right had the comfort of the wall while the one on the outside would see, hear and smell the sea just a pace or two from his feet. I braced my shield for the path meant we were below the warriors on the walls. They would begin to try to hit us with rocks and anything else that they could drop. That required no skill and everyone within the walls would be drafted to help repel us. I heard a cry and the warrior next to me fell to the floor. I caught a brief sight of his head which had been crushed by a rock. It looked like a ripe plum had been pulped. Then his place was taken by the next warrior, this was a Saxon I did not know. I began to count my steps. We had estimated that it would be a hundred footsteps to the gate. I had decided to draw Saxon Slayer when we were just thirty paces from the gate. It would raise the spirits of the men. The counting helped me to hide any fear I might have had. The cracks and cries made it obvious that we were losing warriors. We had expected this. No one attacked such a fortress without heavy casualties. I hoped that Fiachnae mac Báetáin and his men had secured an entrance into the fortress or all this could be in vain.
I counted seventy and drew my sword, “Saxon Slayer!”
There was a huge roar as the men around me heard my cry and the chant began. “Wolf Warrior! Wolf Warrior! Wolf Warrior!” It became faster and our speed towards the gate became much quicker.
Bors screamed, “Gate!” As he smashed his war hammer against the wooden beams the rest of the warriors raised their shields and Penda led forward his axe men. We might not be able to use a ram but we had strong men with mighty weapons; they would have to do. The cover of shields was not complete for one of the Mercians fell, transfixed by a spear. Another warrior took his place.
Soon there was a cacophony of noise as the axes and hammers struck the gate and stones, rocks and spears crashed down on our shields. I knew that they would be preparing boiling water and oil to use. I was just grateful that they had not had the foresight to prepare them before else we would now have been burned, boiled and beaten.
I raised my shield slightly and risked a look at the gate. I could see daylight where there should have been wood. There were cracks and chips in the ancient doorway. The warriors wielding their mighty weapons were attacking the gate as though their lives depended upon it.
Suddenly I heard a loud cry from beyond the gate. I hoped that it meant our men were within the walls. I risked a shout. “Our men are inside! Just a few more blows. We fight for Rheged!” I was rewarded by a huge cheer and felt a surge of pressure as they all pushed forward.
I saw Bors pull back the hammer. “Give a man some room!” he shouted and gave the gate one almighty blow. The gate shattered open. We did not wait but poured through. The press of men was like the water behind a burst dam. It had only one way to go; through the gate. All sense of order was gone. We raced to close with any Northumbrian foolish enough to stand against us.
One warrior, braver than the rest, hurled himself at me. He barged one of Penda’s men out the way; the Mercian tumbled down to th
e water below. I just reacted. I braced myself behind my shield and as his whole body struck my shield I angled it away. He tripped over a dead warrior and fell at my feet. I stabbed down at him.
Even as I withdrew my sword a spearman thrust his spear forwards. My shield was at my side and my sword still being drawn from the dead warrior. The metal head scrapped noisily against my metal throat protector. Morcar jabbed at the spearman with the wolf standard and the metal spike went into his eye, killing him instantly. I turned to Morcar, “Thank you nephew!”
A space cleared before me and, mindful of Hogan Lann’s words, I paused to take stock. The courtyard was filled with small, individual, combats. I saw Hibernians ahead of me and knew that they had gained entry. Behind me I saw Dai leading fresh men of Gwynedd to boost our numbers.
“On! Let us finish them!” I could not move swiftly because of my injured leg. Marching in time was not a problem but trying to run uphill to get to the keep was not easy. We were gradually left by others as they surged past us. Morcar kept by my side. I saw that he held a dagger in his left hand as well as his shield. Lann Aelle had taught him that.
I saw a knot of warriors trying to rally. “Morcar bring the standard. Stay on my right and keep the wolf banner held high.”
One Northumbrian was keeping my men at bay. He had a long pole and, at the end was an axe head. It meant he could swing with impunity. He was protected by a hedgehog of spears. Even as I watched I saw one of Bors’ men lose his head. It bounced and rolled out of the gate and into the sea. I had fought against warriors like this and knew that the only way to tackle them was to time your run well.
“Morcar, put your shield on your right arm and hold the standard like a lance. When I say run keep with me.”
His voice trembled a little as he said, “Aye, Warlord.”
I could not run for long distances but by launching off my good leg I could cover the ground to the man so long as I timed it right. I saw the axe head begin another swing. “Now, Morcar!”
We took everyone by surprise as we burst through the warriors who were falling back. The warrior with the axe looked in horror as we closed within his swing. The spike on the standard knocked a surprised Northumbrian away and I stabbed into the unprotected stomach of the axe man. I pushed it all the way through until it ground along his spine and out of his back. Twisting the blade I withdrew it as he fell down dead. My men fell upon the spearmen as though they were not even there.
By the time we reached the door of the building the defence was effectively over. Our men were despatching the wounded. We had won.
It felt strange to revisit the scene of one of my more famous exploits. The last time I had been within these walls I had been a young warrior and now I was returned as an old one. Myrddyn shook his head when I greeted him. “They did not seal up the tunnel. Perhaps they did not know we had used it. If we are going to garrison this then I think we should stop it up.”
I agreed. I saw King Fiachnae mac Báetáin approaching. I could see from his weapons and the blood on his armour that he had been in the thick of the fighting. I grabbed him by the shoulders, “Hail Fiachnae mac Báetáin of Din Guardi!” it soon became a name famous throughout Britannia and Hibernia.
He looked embarrassed. “Our task was easy. We just crept through empty corridors and then fell upon those intent upon killing you. The honour should go to you, Lord Lann, Warlord of Rheged.”
“No, my friend, this day is yours.” I pointed to his bent and broken sword. “I would choose a Saxon weapon. Most of them are better than yours.”
He smiled, “I can see that now.” He turned to his men. “Let us arm ourselves with some decent swords now. Today we begin to become warriors like those of Rheged!”
Everyone cheered. It was as though we had won the war but Myrddyn and I knew that this was just one step on the way to victory. As I sheathed my sword I watched as the Hibernians plucked weapons from the still warm hands of the dead Northumbrians. I saw one pick up the mighty axe which had almost taken off my head. I hoped that the warrior who would wield it had more luck than the Northumbrian.
Chapter 15
We had many days to consolidate our hold on the land. Hogan Lann, King Cadwallon and Lann Aelle led columns of equites who flooded north and west to eliminate pockets of Northumbrian resistance. They spared the civilians but slaughtered any warrior who stood against us. By the time that Gawan’s riders returned we had secured the whole of Northumbria north of the Tineus.
King Fiachnae mac Báetáin and Penda revelled in their victories. The armoury of the fort provided all of their warriors with better helmets, shields, armour and swords. We had an army which was better equipped than any on the island.
Myrddyn and I explored the fort with Morcar and Morgause. There were treasures hidden which were beyond gold. We found maps and writings which made Myrddyn’s eyes widen with delight. It was a veritable treasure trove.
It was when we were exploring that I came to know Morgause a little better. I had taken her to be little more than a child but, as we explored the cellars and hidden places I discovered that she had see more than twenty summers. She was a woman.
“My mother made us all appear younger than we were. She knew that it would protect us. She had been descended from a long line of those who worshipped the Mother.” As she said that she had looked at me with a shy look. “She told me that some of our ancestors had lived in Rheged.”
Wyrd! The gods and spirits moved in strange ways. Who would have known that chancing upon that monastery would have led to such revelations? I could see why my nephew was so attracted to her. I looked at her as she helped Morcar to reach the high awkward places. They giggled together. I could now see that she did not look like the people of Mona. There was a different look to her.
I drew Myrddyn to one side. “The women of the Mother cult, are there many left?”
He shook his head. “No, Morgause and her sisters may be the last of them. The Romans feared them and tried to wipe them out. They crucified them, burned them or sealed them in their caves. It is that way with many people. They fear what they do not know.”
“You do not fear them?”
He laughed, “Of course not. There is much to learn from Morgause. It is good to have an apprentice again.”
For a while Gawan had trained with Myrddyn and he had learned much but when he had married they had drifted apart and Gawan had ceased his studies. Myrddyn had understood but he had missed his young companion. Now he had Morgause and also a little of Morcar. It explained the spring in his step.
It was as we ascended the stairs to the main hall that I suddenly had a thought. ”Myrddyn. Where is the treasury? We found weapons and we found writings and maps to delight you but where is the treasure of Northumbria?”
Unusually I had taken Myrddyn by surprise. I suspect it was the presence of the young witch which had distracted him. We descended again to search for hidden passages and doors but there were none.
The only survivors of our attack had been the old and the servants. We sought out the old steward. He looked to be ancient, even to me. He had no fear in his eyes as he was brought into my presence. When you are that old then death might be around any corner anyway. He looked me proudly in the eyes.
“Have you served here long?”
He stared back at me and never blinked. “I have worked here since before the days when you slew King Morcant Bulc of Bernicia.”
I smiled at his impertinence. “So you are Bernician?”
“Bernician, Saxon, Northumbrian- they are all just names. I am who I am.”
“Good. I like your honesty and your lack of respect does not upset me old man. What does upset me is a lack of truth so answer truly or it will go ill for you.”
He chuckled, “I have outlived my sons and two wives. I think I will outlive you Warlord but I will answer you truthfully for men say you are honest and I was sad when King Urien was murdered. Ask your questions.”
“Where is the s
ecret room with the treasury?”
He laughed aloud. “The treasury has gone! King Aethelfrith was a greedy man and when he left to war in the south he took it with him. He had five wagons filled with the treasure it had taken years to accumulate.” He shrugged. “Perhaps he took it with him to his grave.”
“Perhaps he did. And thank you for your honesty. Will you stay on here?”
He shrugged, “Where else would I go?”
After he had gone and we had told the others of the treasure Hogan Lann asked why I was so concerned with treasure. “You do not care over much for gold, Warlord.”
“I still do not care for gold but whoever has that treasure can buy arms and an army. Had it been here then we would have known that the Northumbrians could not use it to raise a bigger army. Now we are in the dark.”
“Perhaps Aethelfrith did hide it.”
“Then someone will know where it is. Until that day we seek the treasure.”
Gawan’s riders arrived the next day. It was one of the boy riders. “Warlord, the Northumbrians are gathered south of the Dunum. Your son says there is a mighty host. He says there are East Angles with the Northumbrians.” I saw the concentration on his face as he tried to remember every word my son had told him.
“You have done well. You will be a fine horseman soon.” I left him beaming as I sought the others.
King Cadwallon looked up at me after I had told them the news. “You know this land better than I; how long will it take us to reach there?”
“Two, perhaps three days for the whole army but I will send the horsemen south today. Horses will cover the distance quickly. There is a fine Roman Road to the south. They can deny the Northumbrians the crossing of the river for the bridges are few and far between.” Although there were only a handful of bridges across the river it was quite narrow in places and we had crossed greater ones before using boats as bridges and swimming the horses across. If Hogan Lann and his equites were there they could counter any advance which King Edwin might make.