by Griff Hosker
As we viewed the scene we could see the bodies still lying where they had fallen. The two rams were still burning and smoking away. Even if they wanted to use a third tree trunk they would have to wait until they had cooled down. The question I needed the answer to was, were they still camped close by? Did I dare risk some scouts? We had not lost a man and, looking at the bodies there had to be more than two hundred dead warriors before us and there would be many more wounded who had been taken back to their camp. I made a decision. “Captain Calum I want a hundred warriors. We shall go and see if they have left.”
“Isn’t that dangerous Warlord? Perhaps we should send out some scouts.”
“I am taking a hundred men because I am certain that if this is a trap then we can fight our way back. You may come with us if you have a mind but I will be taking my wizard too.”
I think it was the fact that I was taking Myrddyn which persuaded Calum that I was not losing my mind. At the gate I made sure that Pol, Myrddyn and Lann were protected by a solid phalanx of Calum’s oathsworn and they were safely protected by the bodies of men from Strathclyde and Rheged. “Open the gate and lower the drawbridge.” I was pleased to see the bolt throwers manned and the ramparts lined with archers. I did not think this was a trap but Brother Osric had once told me a story of ancient Greeks who pretended to leave and then sneaked back inside. We would take no chances.
There was still heat being given off from the rams and we had to step across the bodies in the ditch to avoid them. The gases in the stomachs had not built up yet but it was still an unpleasant sensation stepping on men who had been alive the previous day. I hoped my squire could cope with the experience. Myrddyn’s mind was a calculating one and he could not help but look at the bodies as we crossed them. “There have to be over two hundred dead bodies here. These ditches were quite deep. And it looks like we may be able to recover some of the arrows.”
“Myrddyn, these were warriors. They may have been our enemies but they deserve some respect.”
“Sorry, Warlord, you are quite right.”
Once we passed the last of the ditches I ordered a wedge formation. Their camp should be just around the headland half a mile away and we would not be able to see it until we were almost upon it. It was one of the peculiarities of this particular coast that it twisted and turned without any apparent pattern. I led the wedge towards the sea in order to ensure that we had the best view of their camp. As we stepped around I was expecting to see it deserted but, as we cleared the cliff I could see that they were still there! King Iago had not left.
This was where the training of my warriors showed itself to be superior to other armies. “About turn and double back to the fort.”
I was now the rear man and I slipped my shield over my shoulder to protect my back. I heard Pol say to Lann. “Just don’t fall, whatever you do!”
I hoped that my wizard would heed those words too. Although he had trained for the shield wall it was many years since he had been subject to its discipline. I heard a roar behind me as the whole Gwynedd army launched itself after us. Although we had a lead of over eight hundred paces I knew that some of them would catch us. I just hoped that my archers would make the difference. We crossed the first ditch successfully and I began to think we would make it and then Myrddyn tripped. I knew others would help him and I turned to see where the enemy were. To my horror there were ten of them less than twenty paces from me. I swung my shield around and unsheathed Saxon Slayer. The first warrior impaled himself on my sword in his eagerness to kill the Wolf Warrior. I punched away the second with my shield and blocked the sword thrust from a third. When the fourth warrior rushed at me with a spear I thought I was dead until Pol grabbed the spear head in his left hand and pulled the man onto his sword. Lann stabbed the stunned warrior in the throat and then four arrows took out the rest.
“Warlord, the wizard is safe. Run!”
There were hundreds of warriors who were now less than forty paces away and we ran for the gate. I heard the whoosh and crack of the bolt throwers and then the screams of the dying as they were mowed down by bolts and arrows. When I heard the drawbridge slam into place I smiled.
Calum wagged an admonishing finger at me. “Next time, Warlord, we send scouts, wizard or no wizard.” He threw an angry look at a shamefaced Myrddyn and then stormed up to the ramparts.
“Sorry Warlord. I am a little out of practice.”
“These things happen Myrddyn,” I turned to the two who had saved me, “but I am grateful for you two. Without you at my side I would have been a dead man. I thank you both.” Pol had been praised before but I think that day marked a change for Lann Aelle and he realised he could be a warrior and he could protect his Warlord.
When they pulled back we saw that they had left another pile of bodies to the original charnel house. We estimated there to be over two hundred and fifty dead warriors. The men of Gwynedd had paid a high price already. “They will begin to smell soon.”
“I know. Captain Calum, get the metal and weapons from those in the first ditch. The archers can cover you. Then put kindling on the bodies. We will burn them tonight and that may stop any night attacks. In the morning we will do the second ditch and then we will send out the scouts as you so wisely suggested.”
The weaponry and metal was collected without incident although the men of Gwynedd posted guards to ensure we did not launch a sneak attack. That night as we watched the bodies burning, we held cloths around our noses to keep out the smell and I said to Myrddyn, “I am surprised. I thought Iago had some sense about him. Surely he can see that he cannot breach our defences?”
“I do not think he is finished yet my lord. He has lost many men but most of them were lightly armed. His best warriors were kept in reserve.” The wizard pointed down to the dark sea. “He could avoid a frontal attack and come by the shore. Our defences are weakest there.”
“True but we could then use our equites. A charge along the beach would be perfect for them. But you are right that may be his plan and he does not know that we have all of the equites here. We shall see.”
The next day we managed to strip some of the bodies but that was all for they began their second attack. The rams had now cooled and largely crumbled. The bodies in the first ditch were now just ash and I think their king thought he had to show us that he was still a general. Calum’s men made it successfully into the fort and we stood on the ramparts ready to fight. He looked to have brought his best warriors for they stood in a shield wall three lines deep behind the third ditch. They had left their dead in the ditch and I suspected they would be walking on them until I saw them bringing out small bridges made of logs. The warriors used them as giant shields until they were close to the ditch and when they had laid it a handful raced across to make a shield wall. This happened in ten places along the ditch and they were soon over the barrier of the dead.
I could see no log ram and wondered if he would try a frontal assault. Suddenly there was a cry from behind me. “The mountain side! An avalanche!”
I turned and looked up at Wyddfa. His men had climbed up into the trees and had loosened rocks and chopped down trees. They then began to roll them down the mountain side. Even as I watched a wall of rock and stones hurtled down the steep stone littered slope gathering pace and material as it did so. At the same time the warriors to our fore rushed at the walls. They were brave men and my archers and bolt throwers took a terrible toll but then the rocks struck our fort and our men. One huge rock demolished a bolt thrower and crew as though they had never been. We were fighting two armies; one of men and one of rocks and trees!
“Repel them!” They were empty words for men were watching over their shoulders for the rock which would kill them instantly. King Iago had shown cunning. “Myrddyn, see to the wounded and send for the equites. We need them this day. Pol, Lann, be ready!”
They had no ladders but their plan was obvious. They had a wall of warriors protecting ten axe men who were busily hacking the drawb
ridge to pieces. The two remaining bolt throwers were slowing down their reinforcements but the archers and the slingers had been damaged in the attack. They were not as effective as they had been. The bolt throwers could not hit the men at the wall. I could see that some men would break through. I grabbed fifteen warriors from the walls. “Come with me! Calum, use the pila!” As I said it I did not know if the captain still lived but I hoped someone would hear the order. “I want a shield wall behind the gate. Pol and Lann stand behind me and unfurl the banner. Let them know who they fight. When they break through we become the gate.” I turned to look at these warriors whose death I had probably just ordered. They were grinning and eager for battle. “Are you with me?”
“Yes Warlord!” It was a small roar but it heartened me nonetheless. We had to hold them until the pila had taken their toll and the enemy were so weakened that the equites could terrify them into fleeing.
I suddenly saw the gate before me shake and knew that the drawbridge had gone. I knew that Walch and his men would keep loosing even when exhausted. They would whittle them down and we had to buy the time. “These are men with axes coming through that means no shields. One man takes the axe on the shield and the other kills. Lann you see any flesh just stab it. The gate lintel will stop them swinging their blades so stab and slash. Our armour and weapons are better than theirs and besides…” I paused to turn around, “Myrddyn hasn’t seen my death yet so it must not be my turn to die eh?” Their laughter gave me the confidence I needed and I slipped my dagger into my left hand as the first sliver of light could be seen through the gate. I knew that, when the gate went, it would go quickly and it did.
The first warrior who broke through hit the gate so hard that he fell at the feet of the man next to me who stabbed him in the neck. The others tried to enlarge the hole and five of us stabbed with our blades into unprotected stomachs and legs. The other gate breakers swung at the shattered wood enabling us to kill more of them until there were no axe men left but the gate was shattered and could protect us no longer. Through the opening I saw the warriors massing to attack us. Unless Tuanthal and Pasgen arrived quickly then it would be too late.
Chapter 14
They say that things look the blackest before the dawn and in this case they were right. A wedge of warriors came towards us and I led my handful of men into the gate. We were six abreast and so far none had died. The enemy were eager to get to grips with us and came at us individually. They were not difficult to kill; we parried and blocked and then stabbed and they died but someone organised them. Soon a solid wall of shields and blades came at us. They meant to push us through the gate and with their weight of numbers they would succeed. I was wondering how long we could hold them and then I heard the unmistakable crack of bolt throwers but they were coming from the sea and soon I heard cries as the men behind their shield wall began to die. The pressure slackened as more bolts crashed through their lines and then I heard the wail of the dragon standard and knew that the equites had arrived.
I heard Tuanthal yell, “Warlord, clear the gate!”
I did not need to look to know what they intended and I roared, “Wheel right and back.” The surprised attackers suddenly thought they had won for the gate was empty and then Hogan and four equites with lances smashed into them and the front ranks were hurled back. When Hogan had cleared the gate another five smashed through the next line and then another five. It was relentless. Attacked from the walls, the sea and now by horses the men of Gwynedd fled the field. Their best warriors lay butchered and now the rest were almost surrounded. They ran and they kept running. No amount of exhortation from their king would bring them back to face the wall of death from land and sea.
I did not wait to see the outcome; I raced up the stairs to the gatehouse. I saw the ship we had been building fitted with four bolt throwers and the weapons were scything through the enemy ranks. Over a hundred equites had spread out in a line with the lances of Hogan and his men at the head of the wedge. The ditches which had been a barrier to the shield wall were no obstacle to the horses and the men of Gwynedd could not defend themselves. It was to be expected that they would flee. We had won. I looked to see the damage the rock fall had done. There were dead and dying men lying everywhere. I could not see wounds from blades, only from rocks and flying trees. Calum and Walch came over to me. They had not escaped and there were cuts and bruises which showed where the rocks had struck.
Calum shook his head, “You were right Warlord. I should have done something about the rock side.”
“Well nature has done it for you now. On the side a way from the sea there was now a wall of rock and wood which was higher than the rest of the fort. With a little work and steps it would mean it would be more secure than any other of the fort’s walls.
Walch looked at it, “Wyrd. It is as though Wyddfa herself helped us.”
As I went to help my healer with the wounded I too wondered about that. We had lost men but the cost had been less than had we lost the battle and we were now secure. King Iago would not return for some time.
By the time the equites had returned the wounded had been looked after and the dying put out of their pain. Even though they were tired Calum’s men began to pile up the bodies which had accumulated. The ones from the earlier attack had begun to swell and we did not want disease and pestilence. I took the opportunity of riding to the shore to speak with the captain of the ship which had saved us. Gwynfor’s smiling face greeted me with Mungo next to him.
“I see you are getting a taste for sailing Mungo. But it was well done. We may have lost but for your timely arrival.”
“We would have been here a day earlier but it took longer than we thought to fit the bolt throwers.”
“I think the timing was perfect. Thank you, Gwynfor. We now need a captain for this vessel I would not like to take you away from your fishing.”
The old man pointed to the tall sailor next to him. “With your permission, Warlord, my grandson Daffydd would be honoured to captain this ship.”
“If you recommend him then the role is his. You get a share of all profits Daffydd. How does that sound?”
“I get to captain my own ship and make money? What is not to like about that?” He laughed and it was a deep rolling laugh. He was a sound and dependable captain who served us well. “I will get some of the boys I know to crew these bolt thrower things as soon as your general here shows me how to use them.”
Mungo nodded, “That should only take a few days.” He pointed to the mountain side. “Did we lose many in the rock slide?”
“Not as many as we might but too many. King Iago timed it well but so did you and our new equites acquitted themselves well.”
“Was that young Hogan I saw leading the charge?”
“It was. They are impressive with those lances. He has learned much since he began to serve with Tuanthal.”
“You should be proud.” He pointed down the coast, “And here he comes.”
Tuanthal and Prince Pasgen led my son and the rest of the equites along the beach from the north. I could not see any empty saddles but few of them still had their lances. I rode down to meet them. All three of them grinned at me, their helmets on their pommels and their sweating faces showing the exertions. “Well done my equites. That was a brave charge.”
Tuanthal pointed to Hogan, “The lances worked well and your son is truly a great warrior.”
Hogan looked embarrassed as Prince Pasgen said, “He reminded me of my father when he led the charge.”
I rode next to my son and embraced him. “Well done my son.”
The equites banged on their shields and roared, “Wolf Warriors!”
I wheeled Scout around and we continued towards the fort. “How did the lance and the extra armour feel?”
“We will need bigger horses if we are to have more armour but this mail saved my mount’s life for a warrior tried to strike at his head with his sword but it failed to penetrate. I think an axe or a club would be u
seful. When you strike with the sword it can become tangled in the mail. One of my men lost his sword that way. A metal headed club would be as effective and with the added speed of the horse would cause more deaths amongst our enemies.”
“Good. See Tuanthal and try it out. Speaking of enemies what happened to King Iago?”
Tuanthal turned around in his saddle to tell me. “They ran into the forest at the foot of Wyddfa. It would have been suicide to follow them there and the horses were tired but there are many dead twixt here and there.”
“I think it will take the King of Gwynedd some time to become a danger again. We have bought the breathing space we needed but the cost was amongst our most precious archers. Miach will have to train more.”
Prince Pasgen laughed. “Something else for him to complain about but if he cannot complain he is not happy!”
It was late in the day when the fort was made secure again. Calum and his men would have many days repairing the gates and the wall. After we had eaten I told the officers what our plans would be. “I will take the iron back to the stronghold to be made into more weapons. We will take the ship so that Gwynfor can return home and Daffydd can recruit his men. We will then use it to patrol as far as the vale of Asaph. Tuanthal can remain here for a while to ensure that King Iago has truly left the region. Then we will patrol for thirty miles in each direction. I know that it will be hard but the riders do not need to be armoured. We need advanced warning of Iago’s moves.”
Myrddyn pointed to the east. “We could build a watchtower on the slopes of Wyddfa. Eight men could man it and they could signal the fort. If we gave them horses then they could evacuate it if danger threatened.”
I looked at Calum who shrugged. “We are short of men.”
“These would not need to be warriors. They could be slingers or scouts who are in training. It would be their eyes we would need and not their battle prowess. They could even keep a flock of sheep up there and earn their keep.” I was thinking back to my days as a shepherd and thought that the plan could work. “We were lucky today and learned some lessons. The fort will hold Iago but we need to make it even stronger. I will send Brother Oswald back with our ship to improve the defences as we discussed.” I paused, “Make no mistake, King Iago will be back. We are now an itch he cannot scratch. He could ignore us before and pretend we did not exist but now his men will tell tales of our weapons and our men and horses. It will be a constant reminder of his defeat and humiliation.”