by Griff Hosker
Hogan Lann nodded his approval. He turned to the scout. “And the land between here and the river, is it free from warriors?”
He smiled, “Lord Gawan Lann cleared away the few that we found.”
“Then we will leave now and reach there as soon as we can.” He turned to his squire, Garth ap Daffydd. “Find my captains and tell them we ride. Prepare my mount.”
I grabbed his arm as he turned to go, “Hogan Lann, be careful. King Edwin is wily. Do not fall into any of his traps.”
He looked hurt. “You have trained me too well for that, Warlord.” He smiled and said, “We will hold the rivers for you, never fear.”
King Cadwallon nodded decisively too. “And I will go with Hogan Lann and take my banner south. It is important that King Edwin and the Northumbrians know who it is who comes to do battle.”
We left Gruffydd ap Miach with thirty of the older warriors to guard Din Guardi. Gruffydd was a dependable warrior. I would have left Bors or Kay but I knew that I would need their leadership qualities before we had wrested the land back from Edwin. Thirty men could hold the castle against any enemies until we had defeated Edwin. Then we would garrison it properly. Myrddyn had pointed out that the men of Dál nAraidi were fierce fighters and allowed no obstacle to slow them down but they were wild and uncontrolled. Bors and Kay had iron control over their men.
We found carts and ponies in the fort and we used those to transport spare weapons. Daffydd’s men had carried their hundreds of arrows on their horses but the carts meant that they could travel with Hogan Lann and help my sons deny the crossing to the Northumbrians.
And so we headed south with a little over six hundred men. We were far too big an army to worry about any enemies and it was a pleasant march. I began to plan as we rode south. Lann Aelle and Pol had gone with Hogan Lann. I would not have their agile minds to augment mine. Kay and Bors were fine warriors but they did not understand strategy. I could have used Myrddyn but the old man was still preoccupied with talking with Morgause. Penda and King Fiachnae mac Báetáin found that they had much to talk about and so I ran through the different plans in my head. I used my own arguments against myself.
The Northumbrian army would be spearmen and other similarly armed warriors. They had learned to use archers but I had no doubt that my own bow men would negate them. They did not use horses. King Edwin would choose somewhere to fight where we would break ourselves upon his serried ranks of spears and shields. He knew the strength of my equites and he would make sure that they could not use their speed and armour to defeat him. I would need to employ guile if I was to outwit him. The two elements Edwin would not be expecting were Fiachnae mac Báetáin and Penda. Penda’s banner would worry him and the sight of the wild men from Ulaid would unsettle him. I had to make him believe that I had more men than I actually had. If I could defeat his mind before the battle started then the actual battle would be easier.
Bors and Kay would be my rocks. Their men would not move. I would make him attack and batter himself upon their shields and swords. I would use my allies, as the spirits had told me, to draw the enemy out so that Hogan Lann and his equites could destroy them.
We camped south of Dunelm on that first night. We camped close to an old Roman fort. The land was littered with them. This had been the frontier. I was now but ten miles or so, as the crow flies, from the place I had been born. Saxon Slayer’s home was not far from here. It was wyrd. It was like the sword was coming home. Perhaps the sword knew that my life was ending. Was it supposed to return to the hole in the ground? I would have to ask Myrddyn, when his mind was not on young witches.
We had pushed hard so that we would have an easier second day. I wanted us fresh and ready to fight as soon as we closed with the Northumbrians.
Morgause prepared the food for the leaders; the men would fend for themselves. She had a delicate touch with herbs and wild fare. She had picked wild garlic and thyme as we had headed south and she had used that to season three old hares we had trapped in the dunes up by Din Guardi. I watched her as she carefully took every bone from the dead animals’ bodies and then using the flat of Morcar’s sword she beat them flat. She rolled the small pieces of meat around some wild mushrooms and sorrel she had collected and cooked them in a pot with some honeyed ale. The smell was a meal in itself.
As we sat eating the meat, which melted in the mouth, she questioned us about our plans. I saw Myrddyn smiling at the young girl who appeared to be so interested in such manly and warlike matters. Nanna and Delbchaem would never have dreamt of asking about warfare. That was the domain of the warrior.
“You will fight with this King Edwin?”
“We will.”
“But what if he outnumbers you?”
“Undoubtedly he will outnumber us. He gathered a huge army to meet with King Cadwallon and he will have gathered more men as he came north.”
“Then how can you fight when you know you will lose?”
Myrddyn laughed, “Child, we will not lose. Lord Lann is a fine strategos and I am a powerful wizard. Besides we have better warriors here than King Edwin has. You will be able to watch the army of Gwynedd destroy that of Northumbria.”
She cocked her head to one side as though to examine my face, “But you have seen neither his army nor where he will fight.”
King Fiachnae mac Báetáin said, “I am curious about that too, Warlord. You knew Din Guardi and what to expect but you know not where King Edwin will stand.”
“But I do.”
With the exception of Myrddyn they all stared at me as though it was I who was the wizard. “How? Have you second sight?”
“No, Penda. He will have his men on a piece of high ground. His rear will be protected by higher ground and, probably a wood so that if things go awry he can escape. The ground on his flanks will protect him too. If he can he will have a piece of water before him.”
Morgause’s eyes widened, “How do you know this?”
“Because if I was Edwin that would be what I would do to face my army.”
Penda stroked his beard, “And if he does not?”
“Then he will be defeated even quicker.”
We left as soon as we could, the next day. We did not have far to go. We could almost see the sea in the distance. The Roman Road we travelled headed west towards the crossing of the Dunum. Since the Romans had left no one had built a bridge closer to the coast. I wondered why.
Tuanthal and his horsemen awaited us at the bridge. “Hogan Lann and the rest of the army are further east. They are shadowing King Edwin. He has a mighty host with him.”
“Where did Gawan find him?”
“They were just twenty miles north of the Roman fort at Eboracum. He has many hundreds if not thousands of men, Warlord. There are warriors there from King Raedwald’s army of the East Angles.”
Then Edwin too was using his allies. “Where are we camped?”
“Where the river bends and the cliffs rise to the north.”
I remembered the place well. There had been a settlement there years ago. “The river is narrow there.”
“Aye Warlord, Hogan Lann thought that we would be able to retreat north if we had to.”
He was right. We could use the horses to swim an army across and there were many trees to make a raft and ferry them. “Good. “ I summoned Ard.
“Choose twenty warriors and guard this crossing.”
The warrior was disappointed but all of my warriors knew better than to argue. I did not want to head south and find the bridge held against us. He looked at the small Roman fort which guarded it. “We will set about improving the fort. We may have need of it.”
As I headed south east I reflected that my men were so confident that they were already planning on a future here in the east. I hoped that they were not being premature. We needed to defeat Edwin first.
Hogan Lann had set up camp on the bluffs which were some four hundred paces from the small river. It gave a good view towards the south east. It w
as noon when we trudged in. While the weary warriors rested I rode with Myrddyn and Hogan Lann to see the Northumbrians for myself. We took fifty of Hogan Lann’s equites with us. As we rode he told me more of the enemy’s dispositions.
“There look to be almost two thousand warriors. Many have mail. As soon as they saw Gawan and his warriors they halted. They keep attempting to send forward warriors to shift us but we just move out of their way and then return when they try to move the rest. They are moving in short but slow bursts. The horsemen make them stop but, with the hills at their backs and the spears to their front we can do little to hurt them. They have managed just thirty miles in the last couple of days.” He smiled, “Little brother has done well.”
“I am proud of you both. I approve of where you have the camp but I wish to move it.” He nodded and waited. I peered into the distance and saw the hills rising in the distance. “He is keeping close to the moors.”
“He is. How did you know?”
“It stops us from outflanking him. He will only head west, towards the bridge when he reaches the river. He can use the river to protect one flank and there is a great deal of swampy ground to the south of the river. I do not want him to reach the river. If we have to then we will try to force him across the plain towards the west. There we can use your horse to our advantage. If he has any sense he will avoid that but you never know. He might make mistakes.”
“You seem to know the area well.”
“I should, we campaigned here when I was young and this is where we rescued Prince Ywain and Myrddyn tended to the Saxon wounded. And I was born less than thirty miles to the west. When we reach Gawan I will decide where we are to camp. I have a surprise for King Edwin. Tell me, has he scouts out?”
“Not that we have seen but he will know the land.”
“That does not worry me. We know the land too.” I pointed to the west. “I hunted close to here as well as searching for lost sheep. This is my land now!”
The flat plain before us allowed us to see the Saxons long before we were close to them. They were a dark stain against the green hillside. The Roman Road up which they travelled would have allowed them to make good speed had they not had Gawan’s horsemen threatening them. By the time we reached Gawan it was mid afternoon.
“Welcome father.” He grinned. “We have found Edwin for you.”
“You have done well.” He did not look tired. It was good to be young. “I want you to stop them going north for a couple of hours. Use Hogan Lann’s horsemen to help you.” He nodded. “We are going to set up a camp there,” I pointed north, where the hills begin to edge east. I will send a rider to you when you are to withdraw.” I reached out and touched his arm. “Do not take risks. We cannot afford to lose a single warrior and I would like both my sons in camp tonight. All we are doing is allowing me and the rest of the army to frighten him.”
He laughed, “They are too slow to do us any damage.” He was a typical horseman with a low opinion of foot soldiers.
We rode back at a full gallop and I explained to Hogan Lann and Myrddyn what my plan was. “The Hibernians and the Mercians will be tired. They will not appreciate another forced march.”
“They chose to be my allies and they will obey my orders. Besides they can rest tonight.”
Surprisingly they did not complain overmuch and we moved to our new camp site remarkably quickly. Although it was only eight miles away it still took us until close to dark before we reached my chosen site. The men began to slump to the ground. I had the buccina sounded and they all stopped to watch me.
“I want every single warrior to collect enough wood to make two fires. I want two thousand fires burning by the time the moon is up.” If they were surprised they did not show it. There were plenty of scrubby hedges and trees around and soon the evening was filled with the sound of axes and blades.
“Hogan Lann, send for Gawan.”
By the time Gawan arrived all of the fires were blazing and the men were taking advantage of the fires to cook themselves some hot food. I gathered my leaders about me. “I want all of the fires kept burning all night.”
King Fiachnae mac Báetáin asked me, “Why?”
“When King Edwin’s scouts follow Gawan they will report our camp. They will see two thousand fires and assume that our army may be four or five times bigger than it is. I want the Saxons to fear our numbers so that when we attack they will be waiting for us to send in reinforcements who do not exist. He will keep a reserve. He out numbers us by two to one; we have to outwit him.”
Morgause and Morcar busied themselves preparing food for Myrddyn and me. We had our own fires. I was not exempt from my orders. As usual the mushrooms they had gathered smelled delicious but I was fated not to enjoy a hot meal that night. They had just been served up when Aedh found me.
“Warlord, you need to come. We have found a prisoner, a Northumbrian scout.”
I looked ruefully at the steaming mushrooms. “You can have my share, Myrddyn.”
“I will keep you some, Warlord.” Our cook added as I went towards my horse.
“Thank you Morgause but I do not know how long I will be. Morcar I will not need you. Make sure you eat too.” I quickly followed Aedh. He led me to a huddle of warriors about half a mile from where our camp fire was. Penda and Gawan were there along with Hogan Lann. Two Mercians held a Northumbrian by his arms. The knee of one of the Mercians was in the middle of the prisoner’s back so that he could not move while the other held his hair so that his head was pulled back. His arms showed the pressure of the strain they were under.
I wondered why he was still alive. Penda glanced at me and then put his dagger under the warrior’s tunic. He lifted out an amulet. Hogan Lann said, “We would have despatched him immediately had not one of Penda’s men seen this.”
“And what is it?”
“It marks the warrior as one of the oathsworn of Aethelfrith. He is one of Oswald’s warriors.”
I nodded my understanding. I went close to the warrior so that I could see his eyes when he answered my questions. “Why would an oathsworn of the brothers serve their enemy, King Edwin?”
“You are my enemy!” He tried to spit but the knee behind his back and the hand on his hair meant that he just dribbled down his beard.
I laughed, “You are as helpless as a baby and we have all night to discover the truth.” A sudden thought struck me. “Where did you find him?”
“He and three others were leading six horses around the camp. “ Penda shrugged, “My men had to kill the others for they fought well. This one fell from his horse and banged his head. He is no horseman.”
Gawan frowned. “Why would they bring two spare horses and why were they trying to get around our camp?”
The answer came to me suddenly. I remembered the other spy we had captured. He had spoken of spies. There was a spy in my camp. We had searched after Carac but not discovered any. With over a thousand men it would be easy to hide one especially as we had Mercians and Hibernians with us. I nodded to Aedh who pulled out a very thin blade. He placed the blade in the fire.
“Where were you to meet the spy?”
His eyes flashed the answer before he could control himself. “What spy?”
I shook my head. “You will tell us. You will suffer pain first but you will tell us.”
“I do not care if you torture me. I swore an oath to King Aethelfrith and I will do all to protect his sons.” He tried to raise his head but he was held so tightly he could not. He grimaced, “You will die, Warlord. Even if you kill me, then you will die.”
Hogan Lann and Gawan exchanged a worried glance. “They were trying to get to you.”
“Then they failed for I am safe here and unless this man has more skill than Myrddyn then he can do me no harm.”
“Myrddyn may be in danger!” The apprentice wizard, Gawan, ran towards my camp fire some half a mile or so away.
I nodded to Aedh who took the blade from the fire. “If aught happens to my fr
iend then you will go to the Otherworld piece by piece and over many days.”
“Do your worst. I will not talk.”
There was a hiss and a scream as Aedh applied the blade to his right eye. The smell of burning flesh filled the air.
“I will not speak,” croaked the Northumbrian.
“Let me have him.” There was a menace in Penda’s voice I had not heard before.
Suddenly one of Gawan’s men raced up to us. “Myrddyn is dying and your nephew has been wounded!”
I set my face to a mask of stone. “Find the names of these spies!”
Chapter 16
Gawan was tending to Myrddyn while two of his warriors bound Morcar’s head. “How is he?”
“I am stunned. That is all.”
I looked around, “Where is Morgause?”
Morcar became anxious, “She is gone!”
“Find her. Have the camp put on alert, Lann Aelle.” My nephew had just arrived and he would seal off the camp and prevent the escape of this killer.
Hogan Lann and I knelt by the wizard. His life was now in Gawan’s hands. “Can you save him?”
“I know not. I think he has been poisoned.” He pointed to the fallen dish of mushrooms.
“Morgause!”
Morcar shook his head, “It was not her. It could not have been. There must be some mistake. I ate the mushrooms and I am not ill. Gawan you are wrong. Perhaps his heart gave out, he is old.”
I whipped around to face my nephew. “I am older and he had dreamed his death. This was not it. And do not lie to me nephew. I can see that only one person has eaten the mushrooms- Myrddyn. Do not try to protect the witch or we may think you had something to do with it.”
“How can you say that? I loved the old man!”
I was angry and I turned from him, “Gawan, save him.”