by Griff Hosker
I looked to the left and saw my captains’ wave; they still stood. “My lord, they appear to be debating.”
I could see that he was right. Three warriors, they looked like leaders, were standing before their men and an argument was in progress. This was an unexpected bonus. Then the argument stopped and a warrior detached himself from the warband and deposited his sword and shield to the ground. He walked towards us with his arms spread wide.
“Looks like they want to talk.”
“Shall I have him killed my lord?” There was no protocol about this sort of thing. Sometimes a talk would take place but at others the poor warrior chosen would be killed outright. “No Garth, for it will buy us time and we should be able to escape after dark.”
The warrior stopped ten paces from us and spoke in Saxon. “King Aethelric would speak with you.” The disdain in his voice told me that he would have rather fought me but I was intrigued to meet the new King of the Saxons.
“I will meet him in the middle.”
“Shall I come with you my lord?”
“No Garth,” I grinned. “I wouldn’t want him to think we are afraid of one Saxon.”
“All the same I will have an archer watch him.”
I strode forwards and saw a warrior, about my own age coming towards me. He had, as I did, a scar on his face and he wore, as many Saxons did the amulets and bracelets which marked his successful combats. It confirmed what we had heard, the Aethelric was a warrior. We reached roughly the middle between our lines of warriors. Already the flies were settling on the corpses and gorging on the blood; they were the winners in every battle.
I took off my helmet and held it in my right hand as I waited for him to speak as he had initiated the truce. Eventually he spoke. “So you are the one they call Wolf Warrior. The one mothers use to frighten their children. You are the warrior my men wish to kill in single combat.”
I remained silent and he switched to Latin. “You say nothing. I was told you spoke our language?”
I gave him my wolf smile. “I do but I was waiting for you to say something I did not know and to come to the point. I normally do my talking with Saxon Slayer;” I put my left hand on the pommel and I saw his men stiffen, “the sword which has slain Saxon kings and champions since I was a boy.”
His eyes narrowed and I think he was adjusting his opinion of me. “They speak right of you that you are a man of few words and much action.” He waved a hand at his warband. “It must be obvious to you that we outnumber you and we will, despite your horses and your archers, defeat you so surrender now and I will let you and your men live.”
“In that case do it and do not waste my time making me listen to meaningless boasts.”
He looked at me incredulously. “You cannot win.”
“That is what you believe but my men and I believe otherwise.” I smiled again.
He seemed nonplussed. “Then I offer you an alliance. Join with me and Rheged will still be an independent country which gives allegiance to me.”
“I am not the king of Rheged.”
“No but you are the warlord and, as such, make the important decisions.”
He knew much and I wondered if we had another spy in the camp but then I remembered that we had many merchants and the Saxons traded with those. It would be easy to discover my role. I pointed to my men. “These men you see here are not the army of Rheged, they are my men, my Wolf Brethren and yet we have defeated your warband already and fought this one to a standstill. Why should we bow our knee to you when you have never defeated us? Until you do then do not presume to dictate terms to the men of Rheged and especially not to the Wolf Brethren!” I had raised my voice and my men heard Wolf Brethren and roared their defiance, striking shields with their pommels and cheering. “When you collect our bones then you can dictate terms, until then Aethelric fear me as Ida, Wach and Aella did. I promise you that you, King Aethelric, will meet the same fate.”
He was white with anger but he had no reply. I waited until he had turned back to his men and then I too turned. Suddenly one of my archers loosed an arrow which appeared to be coming straight for me. When I heard a thud and scream I turned to see a warrior, axe in hand with an arrow in his mouth. He was but ten paces behind me. I faced the Saxons and roared, “I see that Saxons are as treacherous as always which is why we cannot believe your lies; you have no honour!”
Aethelric must have given his orders before he met me for the whole Saxon line leapt forwards as he reached it. I barely had time to reach my men and turn before they were upon us but my archers, who were infuriated and angry with the deceit did not miss their mark. My Wolf Brethren were so incensed that they hurled themselves furiously at the Saxons, seemingly immune to wounds, and within a few heartbeats there was a wall of Saxon bodies. I watched as they withdrew and knew that their attack was spent. They had lost too many warriors and too much face to fight anymore that. Aethelric would take the defeat and regroup- we were not worth losing too many men when the easy target of Bernicia remained. When it became obvious that they were making camp I began to withdraw the men. Tuanthal, his horses, and the archers were, once again, our rearguard but the Saxons, apart from a few desultory rushes by headstrong young men, appeared to be happy to see us depart. It must have galled them to think that they outnumbered us by so many and yet they could not shift us.
Raibeart had sent some of the Elmet horsemen on fresh horses to escort us the last couple of miles to Castle Perilous although it was not necessary. I was embarrassed by the tumultuous cheers which greeted us as we crossed the bridge and into the defended walls of Rheged’s first and last castle. The emergency huts we had erected on the western side of the castle would be full for the first time and we could be a crowded castle until Raibeart and his army left us. I knew that Aideen and the other wives would not mind the over crowded conditions for they knew how close we all were to such a calamity.
Raibeart, his family and the king all stayed within the castle itself in the guest rooms. All of us were too exhausted to make much conversation and I was in my bedchamber almost as soon as we had eaten. Aideen lay next to me and her warm hands awoke me from my gentle sleep. “You have done well again my husband but again you have put your life at risk.”
I kissed her in the dark. “War has come to Rheged for the first time, my love. I no longer fight in Elmet or Bernicia but here to defend our home and family. All of our lives are now at risk. The Saxons are less than twenty miles along the Roman Road.” I felt her stiffen in my arms. The baldness of my statement had shown her clearly our danger. The next time I fought she would be able to hear the battle and she and the children would be close to the death and destruction.
“Will they win?” Her voice was small and thin and I could hear the tears which were a breath away.
I would not lie to my wife. “Eventually? I do not know. Soon? Definitely not. They will need many more men before they can do so. I faced off their whole warband with my handful of men. With the whole of Rheged behind me we could easily defeat them so sleep easy, at least for a while and Raibeart and Maiwen will be neighbours for they are going to settle the empty lands twixt Aelle’s and ours.” What I did not tell her was that once we were alone it would be a different story. She giggled her approval and her hand slipped down my body to ensure that I would not be sleeping, not for a while anyway.
King Gwallog of Elmet died the next evening. Myrddyn did all that he could to aid the king as did Brother Oswald but it was as though he had decided that, having lost his family and his land, then he should end his life. I was summoned by Raibeart when it was obvious he would not last the night. “The king is dying and he has said his goodbyes to his family. He wishes, now, to speak with you.”
I liked Old King Gwalliog for he was a true friend and a fine warrior who fought ferociously even though he was a greybeard and a grandfather who should have been dangling grandchildren upon his knee. I could see that he was near to death for his skin had the thin translucent qualit
y of the old. He gestured me over. His four bodyguards nodded but there was none of the smiles I normally received; we all knew that this was a momentous occasion.
“Lord Lann, I just wanted to thank you, for you have always been loyal and faithful to me. You saved my kingdom for me once before and you have saved my people now. Promise me that you will look after and protect my family. Raibeart is a good man but you have vision, my friend and you will survive the Saxons.”
I held his hands in mine. “I so swear and you will be revenged. I will punish the Saxons for what they have done to Elmet.”
He shook his head, “No Lann, it was wyrd. The only hope we now have is Rheged. Protect what you have.” I did not argue with him but I did not agree either. He had waited for them and had been punished. We would not wait and if we went down then they would know they had fought in a war. “One last favour Wolf Warrior, my sword.”
I passed him the sword of Elmet and with a smile upon his face he went to the next world. We buried him in a mound with his sword, banner and armour. Elmet was no longer and its symbol lay with its last leader, King Gwalliog. For me it was doubly sad, this was the second king I had buried in the last two years and of the two allies who remained alive I wanted to kill one. The last loyal ally was King Rhydderch Hael and he too was old to continue the fight much longer. When he died then King Ywain would inherit his kingdom but I wondered if that day would ever dawn.
Chapter 4
Leaving Garth and Brother Oswald to see to our people I went with Raibeart and the survivors of Elmet to the lands to the south and west of us. Aelle came to meet us and, what could have been a difficult meeting proved easy. Aelle ruled this land but he loved his elder brother. Luckily the bonds of family proved stronger and Raibeart was given a tract of land which went from the northern lakes to my domain. There were good valleys, clean water and secure flanks. Raibeart was grateful to us both.
“First I must travel to Civitas Carvetiorum to seek the approval of King Ywain. I know it was his father’s wish that the people of Elmet be given sanctuary but we must see that all is done well.”
“And I will begin a stronghold here.” Raibeart looked grim. “I have been driven from two homes by the Saxons; this is where I will die!”
There was a terrible finality in his words and both Aelle and I were shocked at the tone but, it was understandable given what had occurred. “Take care brother and if you wish your family to shelter in Castle Perilous then it is there as long as you need it.”
“Do not worry. Geraint is healed now and eager to find the Saxons; his patrols will ensure we are not surprised.”
I took only Pol and Myrddyn when I rode to see the king. It was not bravado; I just needed Castle Perilous and its warriors preparing for the onslaught I knew was heading our way. Every warrior and worker needed to improve the already impressive defences. Word had reached the capital before I got there and the guards shouted encouragement, “Well done my lord!”
We have sent the Saxons packing again!”
“A great victory!”
I wondered how the report had been disseminated to the people for, in my eyes, it was not a great victory. We had escaped by the skin of our teeth. The king was not in the castle, he was visiting his brother and I sought out Brother Osric first.
“I hear that you sent the Saxon king away with a flea in his ear?”
“He had us and the only way I could extract my men was by bluff.”
He gave Myrddyn a wry look. “And I hear that you are now the wizard who can control the waters.”
“Just a little trick.”
The old priest shook his head, “A dam! How clever. I do not disapprove for now the enemy believes we have magic on our side. We may not believe in it.” He saw the stony looks on our faces and amended his words, “I may not believe in it but so long as they do then all is well. Is your brother returning to Banna?”
”I have had the presumption to allow the people of Elmet to settle twixt Aelle and me. I know King Urien would have approved.” I added quickly.
“I have no doubt of that but King Ywain? We will see. One effect of your report will be that King Morcant Bulc will find the ravaging Saxons besieging his home sooner rather than later.”
Myrddyn nodded, “That is good news for Rheged for it gives us time to build up for their attacks when they do come.”
“And they will, believe me, they will. We are now the only outpost of Roman Britain left and when we and Strathclyde fall it will be a Saxon Britannia.”
“That is a depressing thought, Osric.”
“But true nonetheless. Saxon chiefs see this land as a place to become a king quickly. Aethelric was just a chief until Aella died and now he rules Deira, Elmet and half of Bernicia.” He tapped each place on the map which was on his table. He shook his head. “You had better see Queen Niamh or I will in trouble and I will speak with your wizard here to discover more of his tricks.”
The Queen looked very frail and tearful when I was admitted to her chambers. “I have lived too long, Lann. I have buried sons, husbands and now brother kings.”
“No your majesty, your people want you to live forever.”
“But I do not. If it was not for the grandchildren… well. Now then, “she brightened a little, “tell me of Raibeart and the others.” She leaned over to pat my hand. “Well done, by the way. Urien would be pleased that we still have a hero whom the Saxons fear.”
“We have settled my brother and the people of Elmet between Aelle and me. I came here to seek the king’s approval.”
“I think that it is a good thing. King Urien would have thought it wonderful for the three of you are a wall against which the Saxons will break. He always relied heavily upon the three of you. I will speak with my son. He will approve. And now tell me of your children. It is a year since I saw them.”
I spent the rest of the afternoon telling the old lady of Hogan and his tricks and the two younger siblings’ idiosyncrasies. The talk was good for me too. I did not see as much of my children as I would wish and telling the queen relived the memories. By the time we were called to food I felt better than I had in a long time. The king had returned when we reached the hall. He too was showing signs of grey and I wondered if I was too. I would have to ask Aideen. King Ywain was genuinely pleased to see me and I sat on his left to enable a quiet and private conversation. His wife, his mother, Brother Osric, each of them was ignored as he asked for the details of the short campaign we had conducted. After I had finished he then began to question me in great detail.
“This Aethelric what kind of leader is he?”
“He is rapacious your majesty; he wants Rheged.”
“But he offered us an alliance did he not?”
“No, your majesty, he said we could be free as long as we were subservient to him. That is not freedom and it would just be a way in the back door. I am certain that he wants this land and Strathclyde and he is as clever as Aella and his sons.”
“Perhaps an alliance would buy him off until we had gained strength again.”
I was shocked at this attitude. It was not the attitude of his dead father. All the resolve we had built up before his father’s murder had now been lost. “We will never be as strong as we are this day your majesty unless the Bernicians come over to us and so long as King Morcant Bulc rules that will not happen.”
“Then should we not acknowledge him as High King and fight under his banner?”
The table had become silent as our conversation had grown louder. When the king spoke of serving the Bernicians I could see the shock on their faces. Queen Niamh looked at her son and said, coldly, “Serve under the man who ordered the death of your father? Listen to yourself my son and grow a backbone. Listen to the Warlord for he is the only hope you have of survival. When the Saxons do reach us then you and all of our family will be the first to die.”
There was a stunned silence as the queen’s words sank in. I think it brought it home to Ywain that he could no longe
r do as he wished. As the king he had to serve Rheged and it did not sit well with him. He laughed to cover the embarrassment, “Then it is a good job that the Wolf Warrior is my oathsworn then, is it not?” He rose and took me by the arm. He led me outside to the ramparts where we stood and looked eastwards. “Lann you are the oldest friend I have and I can speak openly with you. “ He hesitated. “Since I was captured and wounded I have been afraid of battle. I have been afraid I might die.”
“All men fear death Ywain.”
He shook his head. “I have seen you fight and you fear neither man nor death. I envy you that belief but for me I cannot do that. It is why my father made you Warlord, you know that?” I nodded my head. “Then promise me that the Saxons will not kill me.”
It was, by any measure, a ridiculous thing to say but I understood him and I sympathised with him. “You know I cannot do that but know this, I will die before they can hurt or capture you. You have my oath on that.”
He suddenly became happier and embraced me. “That is all that I ask for you will outlive us all. There is something in your destiny that marks you out. My father and Myrddyn know that.”
It was my turn to be surprised. “Your father and Myrddyn both knew it?”
“You must have known that there was a prophesy of a wolf who would come to Rheged’s aid, he would bring a magic sword and so long as he lived, wielding his sword then there would be freedom.”
“I had not heard that. And Myrddyn too?”
“I did not hear that story but he told it to my father after he was wounded on the Dunum when he healed him.” I would need to be having a conversation with Myrddyn and soon!