by Griff Hosker
“I think we need to add some stones and extra ditches to prevent that in the future and we need bolt throwers here too.”
“When this is over I think that the people will gladly work to prevent this happening again.”
“Did you lose many?”
“ A handful of warriors only; the ramparts protected us and they still have piss poor archers. My men were laughing at them.”
Miach snorted, “If we had had all of our archers then they would already be on their boats and fleeing. And they still do not wear as much armour as they should if they are going to fight the Warlord and his armoured giants!”
I nodded to Miach. That was rare praise indeed. “I am grateful that they do. This is why we always strip the bodies. I know that our enemies think that we desecrate their dead but it keeps us ahead of them. And now Garth, let us go and speak with this prisoner.”
The wounded man had had an arm removed but the application of a burning brand staunched the bleeding and meant he would not die, yet. “You are a brave warrior. What is your name?”
“I am Boru and you are the Warlord; the warrior with the magic sword. Where is your evil wizard? Has he disappeared and vanished into thin air again?”
I smiled; Myrddyn’s legend grew even if he did nothing. “We did not need him for your band of brigands. Who is the leader of this little raid?”
“Little raid?” He spat at the floor and Garth began to move forward but I restrained him. “This is no little raid, Roman. Soon you and all those who fled from Rheged will lie dead or enslaved and King Felan will rule here.”
I now knew their leader. I had fought him before. “So he has named himself king has he? King of what? A little shit hole in the middle of a bog?”
That stung him. “He has more men that you can imagine.” A sly grin came over his face. “You are not the only one with allies and cunning plans.”
That was all that we could get out of him. Garth wanted him tortured but I restrained him. “He is a chief and he will not talk under torture but do not give him water and we will see what the morning brings.” As we went to our quarters I felt uneasy. “The last time Felan allied with someone it was Aethelfrith. I had thought that he would be licking his wounds after his drubbing by Iago.”
“Perhaps he meant Irish allies.”
“It could be but it could also be King Iago and that worries me for where are our ships? Why has Mungo not sent riders following the lighting of the beacons? We do not have the whole picture yet and I am loath to make a decision on such scant information. Let us see what the morrow brings.”
Chapter 16
We discovered the bad news that the new dawn brought when the early morning fog disappeared. We saw a horizon devoid of Irish ships and, even worse, the camp was deserted. They had gone in the night. Despite brutal questioning from Garth our prisoner refused to give us any more information but the sly grin on his face told me that he knew that this had been planned. I allowed Garth to give him a warrior’s death for he had been true to his lord. We were now in a worse position than we had been the previous day; we had no idea where they had gone.
Raibeart was as puzzled as I was. “I did not think that they would go so tamely. It is not like them.”
“No, there is more to it but we are in the dark.”
Just then a rider galloped in from the south. “Warlord, King Iago is attacking the bridge. He has an army to the south of the Narrows and began his attack yesterday.” Garth threw him an accusatory look and he continued. “Four riders before me tried to get through but there were Hibernians who ambushed us.”
“That is where they are brother!”
“Not necessarily, Raibeart. Those Hibernians must have been there yesterday and it explains where those other ships went. They dropped another warband to aid Iago and now we know who his allies are.”
“Shall I begin the men marching south, Warlord?”
Something troubled me in the back of my mind. If the attack on Aelle and Raibeart had been intended to draw us off then why had the Irish not stayed to hold us here? It made no sense for we were as close to Mungo’s Burgh as we were to Castle Cam. And then it hit me. The Irish were attacking my barely defended home.
“Pol. Ride to Tuanthal and tell him Castle Cam is under attack. He has to get there as quickly as he can.”
Garth and Raibeart looked at me dumbfounded as Pol leapt on his horse and galloped off. “Have you become Myrddyn? How can you know this brother?”
“Lann get our horses.” As my squire ran I explained my thinking. I saw the wily Miach nodding. “Miach get your archers mounted. Garth, bring the warriors north as soon as you can.”
Raibeart said, “I will bring as many of my warriors as I can spare. It will not be many but it may help.”
We mounted our horses and galloped north. Miach rode next to me while Lann proudly held the Wolf Banner. “This is a risk Warlord. Suppose they have gone to attack Mungo? They would be hard pressed to fight off two armies, especially if one has landed on the island.”
“It is a risk but if I gamble on that outcome then I am gambling my family and our people. I can recapture a fort I cannot make people.”
We galloped in silence. “And that is why you are Warlord and I am a mere captain of archers.”
“It does not make it any easier making the hard decisions.” The only positive thought which sustained me as we rode north was that it was Myrddyn who controlled the defences but I knew that he did not have enough men to man the fort at the bridge and the castle. I assumed that he would abandon the bridge to the main island and that alone kept me going.
I could see smoke over the ridge to the north of us and my heart began to sink. I urged Scout on and was aware that I was leaving my escort behind. I cared not. It was imperative that I get there first to assess the damage. My men would be coming but they would be arriving in dribs and drabs and I had to have my mind set on a plan. When I reached the ridge my spirits rose. The smoke was coming from three of the Irish ships which were burning. I could see that there were twenty ships now. They had obviously used two diversionary attacks before launching their main one. The other ships were pulling away from the deadly fire. The catapults were hurling Myrddyn’s new weapon, Greek Fire and there was no answer to it. Even as I watched another ship was hit and seemed to explode into flame, the crews leaping into the sea. I had to admire my two enemies and their cunning plan. It was well thought out and, had I taken the bait then my family and my home would soon be gone. We had little chance even now but we did have a chance and I would seize it with both hands.
I saw that Myrddyn had, indeed abandoned the bridge forts and retreated behind the main walls. There was fierce fighting at the walls of Castle Cam but the Irish had not secured the bridge forts, they had just passed through and that was a mistake. When Garth arrived he could plug the hole and the enemy would be trapped between two sets of defences. Miach joined me. “We will secure the forts and use that as a base. When I raise the Wolf Banner then they will know I have come but they will not know I bring only a handful of archers.”
“Do not worry Warlord, if my lads are firing from those gatehouse we will slaughter any who get close. We have full quivers.”
It was eerie to approach so close to a battle and to be almost invisible. The land close to the bridge fort was lower than the land around my castle and no-one could see us approaching. Once we reached the small fort we tethered the horses and closed the gates which led to Holy Island. Miach stationed his men on the walls and then I ordered Lann to unfurl the banner. Although we were a mile from the castle the defenders would be able to see the banner and they did. Even at that distance I heard the cheer. Soon the Hibernians would have to decide what they should do. Would Felan continue his attack on the castle or would he divide his forces? If he continued his attack then I would have to go on the offensive but I counted on Irish arrogance and recklessness and they did not disappoint. “Lann go and find me a bow and a quiver. There is an
armoury down below. Get one for yourself. This will not be sword work for a while.” As he disappeared I glanced south and saw the column almost running to reach us. It would be a close run thing.
The first of the Hibernians came in a loose line with no order and I knew that Miach’s men would choose their own targets. The leading warriors seemed to run into an invisible rope as they were thrown back by arrows. There were only twenty one bows but while the enemy were few they would be lethal. Once they formed a shield wall then we would face a different enemy.
Lann almost fell up the last steps in his eagerness to join me. “Steady squire. Do not let the fort wound you.”
It was not my own bow but it was a good bow and I notched and loosed an arrow to fly beyond the first warriors and strike one who was encouraging the others from behind. He might not have been a chief but he was a leader and any dead leader would demoralise them. I saw that Myrddyn had moved the bolt throwers and the bolts began to slice through the warriors attacking us. It was a risk but the bolts which passed through the Hibernians just embedded themselves in the lower walls. Miach grunted, “If that wizard hits any of my men I’ll have his balls for breakfast.”
“Do not worry Miach, he built them and he knows how to aim them. It is working. None have shields on their backs.”
I heard the tramp of feet coming up the stairs and Garth, puffing and panting led his men to the walls. “I need to work out more my lord.”
I pointed at the field. “Myrddyn is thinning them out. When Tuanthal arrives…”
“If he arrives.”
“When Garth, when, then he can charge them. As soon as you see him then put your men behind the gate. We will open it and clear a space for the horsemen.”
Garth nodded and took one of the pila which were stacked on the ramparts. The Irish had been too eager to attack the castle and had missed some valuable weapons. Soon the Irish attack was faltering and whoever was leading this attack drew them off away from the bolts and protected from our arrows by a wall of shields. An archer shouted, ”Horsemen Warlord.”
Knowing it had to be Tuanthal I said, “Get your men down there now while there is a lull. They will attack you but you are better armed. When I give the order then split and allow Tuanthal and Hogan to do their worst.”
When the Hibernians saw the gates open they surged forwards to be met by a hail of arrows which punched them backwards. Some brave souls reached Garth and his unformed shield wall but they easily despatched their would be attackers. Confident that Garth could handle the warriors close to him I turned to speak with the horsemen who were arriving. “Tuanthal, Hogan, Garth has cleared a space for you there is one warband attacking the castle and the other are attacking us. Dispose of this war band first.” I looked at Hogan, “Destroy them, completely!” My son nodded and I knew that it would be done.
Pol reined in and raised his hand. “Lann go and give Pol the standard and then fetch our horses.” I saw the clear disappointment on his face. “One day you shall carry it but for now give it to Pol eh?” He grinned and ran off. I handed our quivers to the nearest archer. “Miach keep after them. When these are destroyed then mount and relieve the castle.” Although I was worried sick about my wife and daughter I knew that I had to rid the area of these warriors first. As I descended the steps I saw another two ships blazing, the Greek Fire had done its work and the new alliance had paid dividends already.
I tagged along behind the column of equites who emerged through the line of warriors and began forming a line. I joined the second rank for I had neither lance nor spear. Hogan and Tuanthal had both and they suddenly roared their charge and galloped towards the Irish who saw the wall of metal and horseflesh and ran. The wooden wall close to the rocks barred their way and they clambered and hacked their way through and over it but to no avail. The line of horsemen swept imperiously through the warriors brave enough to attempt to stand. I saw the lances thrusting and then withdrawing, the blood from their victims dripping from the heads of the lethal weapons. When the lance was broken some used a spear and I saw Hogan laying about him with the mace. Neither shield nor sword could stand against its force and he cut a swathe through the unfortunate warriors. Soon we were spread out across a wide front and I was able to hack and slash at the backs of the running men. If they turned to face us they fared no better for our weapons were superior and our horses were a weapon they could not face. Soon there were no warriors left on our side of the wooden wall and they were streaming towards the beach. I raised my helmet. “Garth! Take your men and finish them off. Tuanthal, reform.”
Miach and his archers rode up. “Where would you like me Warlord?”
“Join Garth and finish the Irish off. I want no survivors. We were kind last time and we have been repaid by treachery. Kill them all!”
Tuanthal and his horses were blown but I knew that we had one more charge left in us. As they rode up I heard my son shout. “Collect any spears and lances we may need them.”
I pointed to the warriors some half a mile ahead who were oblivious to the disaster which had befallen their comrades. They were still attacking the walls and were so close that the bolt throwers could not strike them. “One line and charge into the back of them. We will then withdraw, dismount and fight on foot until Garth can join us.” Their looks told me that they doubted my judgement but I knew that neither of them would gainsay me.
“Yes Warlord.”
We were soon in one line beneath the Wolf and the Dragon Banners. It was time to announce our arrival. “Charge!” As we gathered pace I roared, “Wolf Warriors of Rheged!” The wailing of the Dragon Banner added to the effect.
The whole line took it up and soon the cry was echoing across the field making the Irish there turn around. There may have been hundreds of them yet alive but all they saw was a line of horsemen who seemed to fill the field and of their comrades there was no sign. King Felan tried to organise his rear ranks into a shield wall but many had no shields and others had no body armour but they tried to do as they were ordered. The equites with lances and spears struck first and the line burst open like a ripe plum. We were like an arrowhead and we could choose who would die. I saw an older warrior turn with his shield held close to his body and his spear pointing over. He had seen many battles but I could see, in his face, resignation. It was a battle of wills, who would strike first? Scout was taking me at a fast pace and he made the decision for the veteran. He stabbed at Scout and my sword snaked out and removed the spear head and then back slashed when I was beyond him to lay open his unarmoured back. He crumpled to his death.
The ditch and the wall were looming up and I reined in Scout. I saw Pol and Lann were still with me. “Back to where we began the charge and dismount.”
As we rode back through the scene of the charge it was like trying to cross a sea of bodies. As we halted our exhausted horses I saw Garth and Miach leading their men from the beach. “They are all dead, Warlord, and their ships are coming in to take off the rest.”
I turned and saw that our last charge had broken them and they streamed towards the beach and safety. Like their dead comrades they had to negotiate a wooden wall and that gave us time to reform and march in three lines towards the beach. I was in the front rank with the warriors, Tuanthal and Hogan led the equites and Miach brought up the rear with the handful of archers. We kept our lines as they ran heedless of obstacles towards the beach, the sea and the safety of their ships. Perhaps Myrddyn had run out of Greek Fire for he had to resort to stones and the bolt throwers. Both were effective and another ship began to sink.
There were just three hundred or so warriors who were still streaming towards the beach. As we passed the wounded or the exhausted, they were slain. I could see King Felan, he was wounded, and his oathsworn were protecting him with a ring of shields. His bodyguards were stripping him and themselves of armour to enable them to swim out to the waiting ships.
“Charge!” Although on foot we had the slope with us and the Hibernians had des
troyed the wooden wall. We piled into the demoralised and disorganised Irish. They all fought bravely knowing that they would die. They would die to protect their king. Had they had our armour and our weapons then it would have been too close to call but we had the advantage and we used it. Hogan caused much devastation with his mace which nothing seemed able to withstand. One huge warrior tried to take him on with his axe and shield but Hogan took the axe blow on his shield and smashed the mace onto the Irish warrior’s shield. It shattered and must have broken his arm. Hogan raised his mace and brought it down with such force that the warrior’s head looked like an egg had been smashed open and not a skull.
The Hibernians did not surrender. Most of the oathsworn were slain where they stood but a few managed to swim out to the ships. When another ship was sunk the last three hoisted sail and headed out to sea and out of range of the deadly war machines. The beach then became an abattoir with the last remnants of the warband being slain along with the wounded. Finally we had won but what of my castle and what of my family?
As soon as the last warrior was slain I turned and ran towards the castle entrance. I could see that they had tried as hard as they could to break the defences and the ditch was half filled with their dead. I saw too some of my warriors, some with whom I had stood in the shield wall, greybeards, and they, too, were now dead. I would mourn them when I knew that all inside were safe. My heart almost stopped when I saw the bare feet of a woman covered in a blood soaked shroud and then dismissed the idea. The lady of the castle would not be left to lie dead outside. Myrddyn rushed over to see me. He had wounds to his face and he held his arm. He saw my concerned expression and smiled. “She and Nanna live. They were safe thoroughout the whole battle.” I glanced down at the dead woman. “Her husband was wounded and she rushed out to aid him, a spear aimed at someone else took her. Wyrd!”