by Griff Hosker
We paused at the top and listened. We could hear nothing save the sounds of the birds. Using the moss on the trees as a guide Aedh led us through the woods. He kept us moving towards the fort Aed had told us about. There was a path once more; this one had been made by the feet of men. It would lead somewhere. The trees along the path were not close together and we came out into patches of sunlight before being plunged into darkness again. Suddenly Aedh waved us to the side. Something was coming. We dived into the undergrowth. I found myself lying next to Aedh under a hawthorn bush. I watched as he grabbed some damp soil and smeared it on his face and hands. I did the same until he grabbed my hand to still it.
I could hear nothing. I looked at Aedh who just held his hand up as though I ought to be patient. I wondered why for I could hear nothing and then I knew what he meant. We could no longer hear the birds. Someone was coming. As I put my hand on the ground I felt the vibration. Feet were coming down the trail.
When the voices spoke they seemed to be almost next to me and I had to fight myself to remain still. “It is a waste of time if you ask me.”
“Well no one asked you. The Prince told us to check it out and check it out we will.”
“But it was one little fishing boat! You know what? I bet he was fishing!”
“Tadgh you are a real comedian! The fishing boat was heading away from the island. It was not fishing.”
“Well what do they expect us to find?”
“Listen, you half wit, we have captured that sword, Saxon Slayer. The Welsh won’t like that. That new warrior thinks that they will come to get it. In fact I heard him telling the two princes that he expected someone to come in the next few days.”
They were moving away but I heard the first voice give a lascivious laugh, “I wouldn’t mind a piece of that woman he brought with him.”
“I wouldn’t go near her, my friend, I have heard she is a witch!”
I could not hear what Tadgh thought of that for they disappeared. We remained still for some time until Aedh gestured for us to rise. “We know now that the sword, the witch and Morcar are here. What we need to find out is where they are being kept.”
Aedh shook his head. “But not down this path. We will have to break trail. If three warriors use it then there may be others.”
As he led us away I marvelled at his skills. I had heard the voices of two men but I could not have been able to tell how many men had passed.
We went to the east. It was hard going for there was no path and Aedh was trying to avoid leaving evidence of our passing. I followed in his footsteps and his men made sure that there was no sign left behind us. After a while we emerged from the woods. Aedh pulled us back in almost immediately. There, not far away, was the wooden wall guarding the Saxon village. We hid behind the trees as we assessed it. Aedh pointed to the nearest large tree and Geraint scrambled up like a human squirrel.
When he descended he spoke quickly and quietly. “It is the Saxon village. I can see, beyond, the masts of at least two ships. The village has a wooden wall all around and is on a low hill above the water. I can see just a shallow ditch.”
I had brought us here but I had not thought how we could get into the village. The fact that Aed’s boat had been seen meant that they were now wary. We would not be able to just march into the village as though we were visitors. They would examine every face even those dressed as Saxons. I was too well known. I would be recognised. I had to change my plan. What would my father have done? I smiled to myself. He and Myrddyn would probably have flown in. But I had no Myrddyn here. Then I cursed myself. I had Gawan. Myrddyn had been right; we were two halves each making up one whole. He might have a damaged hand but here I needed a mind and not a warrior. I would have to think for myself.
Aedh pointed to a high point beyond the settlement. “I think if we can reach there we might be able to spy on them.”
It took one of my father’s old warriors to come up with the solution. “Lead on, Aedh!”
We edged back through the undergrowth until the land began to rise. Aedh seemed to sense which way to go and, after we had left the security of the undergrowth he found a patch of scrubland which dipped away from the village. We remained hidden. The climb to the vantage point was over a rocky weed ridden piece of ground but it brought us up behind the small rise. Three of us bellied up to it while Geraint sat at the bottom watching the trail we had just used.
Although we were at least four hundred paces from the west wall we could see clearly the fort and the sea beyond. I took in that there were just two Saxon ships. One was the one which had evaded us and the other was of similar proportions.
“How many men would you say the ships could hold Aedh?”
“There are just eight oars on each one. If we assume that they have two men to an oar and the same number of passengers then thirty two.”
“I think that there can only be double that number within these wooden walls. I cannot see any other ships. Count how many warriors you see and keep your eyes open for Morcar and Morgause.”
We saw Oswald and Oswiu long before we discovered where the two fugitives were. The sons of Aethelfrith were in the large wooden hall. We saw them emerge when three men entered the gate. The three men pointed south and shook their heads.
“They must be the men who were seeking us, Warlord.”
“Aye and it looks like they found no trace of us. Well done. Aedh.”
The five of them went down to the water. I saw a conversation take place with much waving of arms, especially from Oswiu. Eventually a warrior ran to the warrior hall and returned with ten warriors. They climbed aboard the ship we had seen on the mainland. It began to pull away from the land. Daffydd asked, “Are they leaving?”
“No, I think not. I suspect they are going to sail around the island and make sure we are not here.”
“So far I have the thirteen warriors on the ship and I have counted another twelve who are in the village.”
We watched until late afternoon. Worryingly there was no sign of Morcar or Morgause but we did see, coming from the north, a line of warriors who had been hunting. There were ten of those. When they entered the compound there was a cheer and another five warriors emerged from the warrior hall.
“Forty warriors all together.”
Just as Aedh said that my attention was drawn to a small hut which was just inside the gate. Morcar came out when he heard the cheering and, draped on his arm, was Morgause. I saw that he still had Saxon Slayer around his waist. He was assiduously ignored by the warriors who had just returned. I found that interesting. Morgause put a small jug into the large amphora which was outside the hut. When she carried the dripping jug towards the hut I knew it contained water. They returned into the hut once more.
When the ship returned, just before dark we had manage to gather the numbers of all the warriors and others in the village. There were only five women and four children. They appeared to have few slaves. We counted only six. Either they had another ship or they had arrived at the island on overcrowded boats.
Once the sun dipped behind us we watched as they shut and barred the gates. They had torches lit close to the two ships and we saw a deck watch of four men on the two Saxon vessels. Once the gates were slammed shut another four men became the sentries. They had one on the main gate; a second on the small gate to the west and the other two looked to be patrolling around the walkway.
When it became too dark to see any more we slithered down to the bottom of the small rise and headed back to the undergrowth. We needed somewhere we could talk and sleep undisturbed. Eventually we made it back to the small valley we had first used. It was some distance from the village but there was water and we could sleep safely.
Geraint and Daffydd went up and down stream to set traps and alarms to protect us while we slept. I sat with Aedh and we ate the food we had brought with us. “What is your plan, Warlord?”
I laughed, “What you really mean, Aedh is, have you any plan at all?”
He was right, of course. My father and I had studied in the east at the court of the Emperor. We had learned that there were many different ways of approaching a problem.
“The key is the sword. Now that we know it is kept close to the gate then we can get to it quickly.” Aedh just nodded and chewed. “It will be just as hard or as easy to get in and take the sword as to get in and destroy the Saxons.”
His eyes widened a little. “You are thinking of fighting Oswald and all of his men then?”
“I am. It all depends how many men Tuanthal brings.” I chewed and reflected. The warriors with Oswald were not the best I had ever seen. Even if Tuanthal only brought twenty warriors with the three I had with me we would be more than a match for the Saxons. The key would be surprise. There was almost no ditch and only four sentries. If the gates were held and if we could contain the warriors within the hall then we might succeed. I would have to ensure that Morcar and the sword were both captured.
I realised that Aedh was looking at me with a bemused expression on his face. I smiled, “I am resolved. When Tuanthal comes we attack and we rid ourselves of this den of rats so close to our land.”
“Good. It will be an ending then.”
Chapter 21
I woke stiff and hungry. As I threw some water on my face I chastised myself. I was getting soft. I needed to become a warrior once more.
“I want Geraint and Daffydd to wait for Tuanthal at the cove. It could be any time in the next two days.” When the two scouts came Aedh explained what they should do.
“We will, Warlord.”
“When they arrive then bring Captain Tuanthal and his men to the hill above the village; the place we watched from.”
“And where will we be, Warlord?”
“We will be watching there to ascertain more precise numbers and to try a little mischief.” I turned to Geraint. “If we are not at the hill then tell Tuanthal to wait for us.”
“I will, Warlord.”
We separated and Aedh and I retraced our steps. We knew the places now which were dangerous and we went more carefully there. At other times we were able to move quicker. We made it to the small rise and settled ourselves down to watch.
“You have a plan Warlord?”
I nodded, “The beginnings of one.” I pointed to the hut used by Morcar and Morgause. “You see the amphora by the hut?” he nodded. “I intend to sneak down there and put the belladonna which Gawan gave us into the jar. It will either kill them or make them sleep. Either suits us.”
“But how will you get the poison into the jar. It is close to the gate.”
“I do not know yet. We need to watch for something which might help us.”
It was a long slow morning as we peered down into the village. The only ones who appeared to leave through the gate were the slaves and a couple of women. They went to the northern part of the shore where we saw them gather shellfish. When it was slaves who went foraging then two guards went with them and watched. They looked to be our only chance.
In the early afternoon we saw the brothers. They went to Morcar’s hut. He and Morgause came out. There appeared to be a heated discussion. One of the brothers, he looked younger than the other, and I took him to be Oswiu tried to hit Morcar at one point. I saw Morcar’s hand go to Saxon Slayer before Oswald intervened. Morgause must have said something for Oswiu retreated a little. Then the four of them left and walked down to the ship. They all boarded and it left. It went in the same direction as the previous day and headed south.
Aedh said, “They are looking for us again.”
“Will Geraint and Daffydd be safe?”
“You know where they are but I would defy you to find them if we went there. They will not be discovered.”
“I have an idea. Let us go to the northern beach where they collect shellfish and see what transpires.”
I could see, from Aedh’s face that he thought it a bad idea but I was Warlord. “Then follow me and keep low.”
There were plenty of gorse bushes and, by crouching, we were able to make it into the rocks close to the beach where we had seen them collecting shellfish. We both drew our swords and laid them next to us in the sand.
“How do you know they will come again this afternoon?”
“I am guessing. We saw no hunters going out. Unless they have vast quantities of food laid in then they will have to use what is around the settlement. They will want shellfish which is fresh. When the tide turns again they may come for more.” I shrugged. “If they do not come then we will try again in the morning when we know that they will come.”
He nodded and we settled down to watch. As the tide began to recede I became more hopeful. It seemed likely that they would come when the tide was on its way out. The wait became more tolerable as I anticipated a result. We saw the four thralls come down. They were carrying large baskets which, I assumed would become heavy as they collected more shellfish.
The reason why the guards were necessary was answered when the two guards followed them. The women had been waiting by the water’s edge. The guards gave them crude knives. Obviously the slaves were not to be trusted with weapons however small. We had both missed that in the morning but it gave us a chance. They would need to collect the knives back from the slaves before they returned to the settlement.
The women worked quickly. Their hands plunged into the water and after they had used the knives they would put their catch into the basket. Three of them worked in the water whilst the others clambered around the rocks hacking off mussels, barnacles and oysters. Either there was little game on the island or the Northumbrians were lazy. The two guards then began to drink from a skin. I assumed it was a potent brew for they appeared to enjoy it.
Gradually the thralls filled their baskets and one by one they returned their knives to the guards and then headed back to the settlement with their baskets on their heads. Soon there was but one left. She was a young girl of no more than fifteen summers. As she drew close to the two guards I saw them exchange a look. My mind began to work out what would happen next. “Be ready to follow me, Aedh.” He nodded.
One of the guards held out his hand for the knife. As she handed it over the other grabbed her other arm and dragged her beneath the rock on which they had been sat. I knew from our observations that they were out of sight of the guards. The other warrior joined his friend. I heard a muffled shout.
“Now Aedh!”
We raced towards the rock. He went one side and I the other. I did not pause, I hurled myself at one warrior and threw my arm around his neck. I knocked him from the girl. I landed on top of him and my weight took his wind. Before he could recover I ripped my sword across his throat and he bled to death. Aedh did the same for the other. The girl was shocked and I jumped towards her and put my hand across her mouth.
“Ssh!” She nodded her acquiescence. “What are your people?” She looked confused. “Where were you taken?”
“Rheged!”
I was relieved beyond words. “I am the Warlord of Rheged. Will you help us? We will take you home.”
“I will. Will you take my sisters too?”
“We will take all of you.” I turned to Aedh. “Put on the dead man’s clothes.” We stripped the dead and we dressed in their clothes. Both men had had hoods and we put them up. “Now then…?”
“Ciara.”
“Now then Ciara, I want you to pretend that the men violated you. Pretend to weep as we go through the gate. Can you do that?”
“I can.”
“Say nothing to the others but we will come back. That I promise you.”
She leaned up and kissed me on my cheek. “You saved me from more pawing and groping. I am grateful.” She pointed to one. “He is Aella and he,“ she pointed to the other, “is Egbert.”
“Thank you Ciara. You are b
rave.”
She put the basket on her shoulder and began to move towards the gate. I took the wineskin and held it to my mouth and put the other arm around Aedh. It hid our faces and made us look drunk. Ciara’s tears sounded real but had no effect on the guards.
“You two horny bastards will come a cropper one of these days. Hey, Aella, I am talking to you.”
I affected a slurred voice, “Ah go play with yourself, you queer.”
They must have bantered before for the guard merely laughed. And then we were inside the settlement. Aedh began to urinate against the gate. One of the guards said, “Dirty bastard!”
While they were watching him I poured the belladonna into the amphora. Just then the guard said, “Here, watch out, the Princes are back.”
I looked up and saw the ship returning. I staggered towards Aedh and said, “Shit, I have left my knife on the beach. Egbert, come and help me find it.”
The guard laughed, “You had better hurry up then, we intend to bar the gates when they are back inside.”
We staggered drunkenly towards the rock. When I was sure that we were out of sight we scurried back up the hill. Aedh made sure that we leapt from rock to rock to avoid leaving tracks. When we reached the safety of our lair Aedh began to laugh.
“You are the Warlord’s son. Only you or Lord Lann himself would have tried that!”
I shrugged. “Men see what they expect to see. Our problem now is will those men be missed.”
We peered over the rise and watched the Northumbrians with Morcar and Morgause walk from the ship. When they reached the gate Oswald said something to the guards and they ran back to the ship. They returned carrying something, we could not see what but it took two of them to carry it. When the two guards were through the gate it was closed. With luck the two guards we had killed would not be missed until morning or even later. I hoped that, by then, Tuanthal would have reached us.
The night was not an easy night. We heard the sounds of screaming coming from the village. We could not work out what was going on. Our vantage point did not allow us to see inside the huts and they had no fires burning outside. Worried by the noises we took it in turn to sleep. I had the last watch before dawn. When Aedh roused me dawn was just breaking to the east. His face was grim.