by Griff Hosker
King Ywain formally gave the land I had identified to Raibeart and the survivors of Elmet. He also confirmed that all military decisions and the defence of the realm would be in the hands of Lord Lann, Warlord of Rheged. As we headed home I asked Myrddyn, “What of this prophesy of yours, the one you spoke of to King Urien but not me, the lord to whom you swore an oath.”
He did not seem discomfited by my stern look. “The prophesy is about you and is not necessarily intended for you.” My look changed to one of total confusion. “Let us say, for the sake of argument, that I told you that you die next month and the man who would kill you would have one eyed and a wooden leg.”
“That is ridiculous how…”
“Nevertheless, if I told you that then the only man you would fear would be a one eye man with a wooden leg and you might be reckless and be killed by a young boy who stands besides you as you watch for one eyed, wooden legged men.”
Pol burst out laughing and I confess I too was amused. I shook my head, “Whatever you tell me, I promise that I will not let it change me. I may not even believe it.”
“Oh you will believe it for it came, again, from your mother.”
I suddenly felt the world change; my mother speaking through Myrddyn, again.”
“When?”
“It was when I spied on the Saxons. I hid in a cave north of the Dunum for a couple of days to make my arrival seem more believable. As I slept she came to me and told me to protect the man who would be the last of the Britons and that you would not die in the land of Rheged.”
I was disappointed, as prophesy it seemed a little dull. “Is that all?”
“The king was more impressed when I told him for he said that it meant that you could protect Rheged and you would survive the Saxons. I think it was why he made you Warlord, to protect his family. As long as you live in Rheged and fight then the kingdom will be safe.”
“When did you discuss this with him?” Part of my reaction was petulance; I had been the subject of a conversation as though I was an object and not a man.
“When I healed him I had a long time to speak with him and he was interested in you and the sword. When he discovered that I had these dreams he asked me about them.” He paused, “I meant no offence my lord.”
I relented, “I know; it is just that… well I want my mother to speak with me.”
Myrddyn sadly shook his head, “You have a gift with weapons and as a leader but my gift is that of my mind and my ability to speak with the dead. We cannot change the way we are born. We just have to make the best of what we are given by the gods. I might to wish to fight as you do in battle but it is not in me to do so and you cannot talk with the dead.”
The next weeks seemed to fly by as we trained new warriors, made new weapons but, most importantly, kept constant patrols along the high divide. Riderch now had a few horsemen of his own and, with the keen and energetic Prince Pasgen to the north, we had the length of Rheged patrolled by the finest horseman on the island on which we lived.
The reports were disturbing rather than worrying. The Saxons had built some camps across the Roman roads or close to them. They were penning us in. Garth, Myrddyn and I discussed shifting them but there seemed no reason at the moment. We knew we could rid ourselves of these nuisances but it would cost us warriors and they were in short supply. We decided, instead, to send scouting parties much further afield. We used Tuanthal’s horsemen in twos with a slinger with them. This way they could cover large distances and yet we would still have enough horsemen for the patrols. What we needed, now that we were besieged, was intelligence and this was the best way to provide us with that intelligence and knowledge..
The worst part of the patrols was that they kept our men away for many days at a time and we had to suffer the anguish of not knowing if they had been captured or killed. As with most things, I would have preferred to be the one taking the risks rather than ordering someone to do it for me. I did, however, meet regularly with my brothers for we would need to act in concert when it came time to fight back or to defend Rheged. As ever, Myrddyn sat in with us and offered suggestions and ideas. He was now more of a counsellor rather than just being a healer.
When the patrols had all returned and met with Brother Oswald, Myrddyn and me it was a depressing time. They had had to hide the whole time; any of the people who had lived in the land of what had been Bernicia and conquered Rheged before the Saxons came now lived as thrall under the yoke of those oppressors. What was worse was that more and more Saxons were flooding into the Dunum and settling on all of the prime land of what had been Deira, Elmet and Bernicia. The worst news, however, was that Morcant Bulc had become a vassal of Aethelric and had acceded to the terms which meant he kept Din Guardi and was still king. Bernicia was now Saxon and we truly were isolated; we only had the men of Strathclyde as allies.
I struggled with the perfidious treachery of the act of this most self centred of kings. It was Morcant Bulc’s fault that the Saxons had been allowed a toehold in our land. It was on his orders that King Urien, the last hope of Britannia, had been killed and it was his fault that he had not pressed home his advantage when we defeated Aella. I knew then that I should have killed him long ago. I became restless and reclusive. I knew that both Myrddyn and Aideen worried about me and so, one early morning I left to go hunting with Pol. We did not hunt animals but information and we rode to Banna to speak with Riderch. My friend had been told the news of the events in his homeland and I hoped that he could offer me an insight into this King of Bernicia.
He and his brother Ridwyn had made Banna into a formidable rock upon which any attacker would break. It had been a powerful Roman fort with steep cliffs and rocks surrounding it but they were not complacent and both were serious as they discussed their homeland with me. “Tell me, and please answer honestly. Are all your countrymen of the same mind as their king?”
“It shames me to tell you but, there are a great many, especially amongst the leaders, who feel the same way. I do not believe for an instant that many of the warriors will be happy with this turn of events but they obey and follow their leaders.”
As soon as he said that I had the beginnings of an idea. “If the king died then who would become king? Is it the son or is he elected?”
“They normally elect the son but Bulc’s is but ten year’s old and I think they would want a warrior.”
“Or King Aethelric could put his own man on the throne and that might upset the loyal Bernicians.”
Riderch frowned. “What do you plan my lord?”
I sat back in the chair and half closed my eyes. “It is only the beginning of an idea but I was thinking of travelling to Din Guardi and killing King Morcant Bulc.”
There was a stunned silence. The two warriors both knew me well and had fought alongside me in shield walls but I do not think they expected me to come up with that idea. Riderch was the first to speak. “You are warlord. Is it not irresponsible to risk your life like this?”
“And with no chance of success. You have been to Din Guardi and know that it is impossible to enter without being seen.” Ridwyn knew me well and he backed up his brother.
“You may be right Ridwyn which is why this is just an idea. The next couple of hours will determine if it goes ahead or not.”
Despite their obvious misgivings I could see that they were intrigued. “What do you mean, my lord?”
“I would not even dream of trying this was it not for the fact that you, Riderch had charge of the king’s bodyguard and you must know the castle better than any other. I do not intend to storm the walls with an army. My aim is to sneak in, kill the snake and leave. Hopefully without anyone being the wiser.” I smiled. “Myrddyn’s little trick with the river made me think that we can use superstition and magic to aid us against our enemies. So, is there a secret way in?”
Suddenly he smiled. “Of course there is.”
Ridwyn, who had lived in the castle said, “There is?”
“Aye. Clos
e to the water’s edge there is a cave. It is below the sea level but, at low tide it is accessible. It leads to a gate which comes out close by the kitchens. It was built when the castle was built as a way out in case of great danger. I do not think it has been used for years. The door may not even open any more.”
“That is all very well, brother, but I assume it is locked. How would my lord get through a locked gate?”
Riderch suddenly looked deflated, like a jelly fish out of the water. “Do not look despondent Riderch. You have shown me that there is a way in. We now need to find a way to use that entrance.”
“What we need is a Myrddyn who could gain access to the castle.”
“But obviously not Myrddyn for he is too well known to all as my man.”
We sat in silence, each of us wrapped in our own thoughts then Ridwyn brightened. “I could travel back to our homeland; return to the village as though I had deserted.”
“It would be too obvious for you to try to enter the castle.”
“I know my lord and I would not. I would go fishing as I did as a boy and I would find someone who works in the castle and enlist their aid.”
“That is risky brother; suppose they betrayed you?”
“I would have to make sure of them before I told them aught. Think, my lord, this would give us the advantage that I would be on hand to get you away in my boat.”
“And how will you get a boat? The one you used will be taken. You have no boat.”
“I will have when I spend the money I steal from my brother with whom I have just had a falling out.”
“It seems a good plan but how would you be able to let me know when you have succeeded? If we use messengers then they would be spotted as strangers and the castle alerted.”
“Someone would have to come with me and then hide away close by so that I could give them a message.” He looked at his brother. “It should be a Bernician in case they are seen.”
Riderch smiled, “Then we have the perfect man. Bhru lost his hand in the last battle at the Dunum and he lost it because Llofan and the other traitors hung back. He hates King Morcant Bulc and yearns for revenge. We keep him here because he still wants to fight. We offered him a pension but he refused. He could go back with you and be a recluse, someone who is disillusioned by the fighting and wants to live alone. He could take a horse and the two of you could work out how to leave messages. It would work but, my lord, I am not certain it is wise.”
I laughed and slapped the table. “You think all the times we fought overwhelming odds it was wise Riderch? I think that few of the things we do are wise but sometimes they are right. Sleep on it and then visit me at my castle to give me your decision for I will need to sleep on it too.”
As we rode back Pol became inquisitive. “My lord what should I tell Myrddyn when he asks what we did? “
He had the innocence of youth about him but he was intelligent.
“Why, the truth of course.”
“But we did not go hunting.”
“No, instead we discussed important matters with two old friends.”
We rode in silence. “My lord can I come with you when you go to Din Guardi?”
I pulled back so hard on my reins that my horse almost stumbled. “What?”
“I could not help it my lord. I was lying in the chamber next to the one where you spoke with the brothers and I heard all.”
I was angry but at the same time it was my fault. I should have expected it of him. He was loyal and protective and rarely moved more than ten paces from my side. “In that case Pol you had better lie.”
He grinned, “With pleasure my lord.”
Chapter 5
The message came back within a day of my return home; the plot was on and I now had to wait, quietly and patiently for the news which would take me across the country. Riderch would give Ridwyn the details of how to find the door and then they would engineer a falling out. I would have to be patient and wait. I am not a patient man by nature. Partly to stop me becoming too restless and partly to allay suspicion when I finally did leave the castle, I took to visiting various people such as Aelle, Raibeart, Pasgen and Ywain. As Aideen was pregnant again she took no offence at my regular absences for she knew I did not deal with such things as pregnancy well. I made sure that I was at home for at least three days before I took off again. Pol liked the intrigue and the fact that he knew something the others did not. He had a particular rivalry with Aedh; probably because he thought I had favoured Aedh when giving him a wolf skin. It was not so but it did not stop Pol having smug looks whenever we rode from the castle. Knowledge is power and Pol had the power over Aedh.
I had visited Ywain and Pasgen and was about to leave to visit Raibeart when Myrddyn approached me. “Do you mind if I accompany you, my lord?”
“Of course not but I only go to visit my brother.”
“I know,” with a knowing smile, “I thought I would see how some of my former patients were doing, if their wounds were healing.”
Although it seemed a plausible reason I felt there was an ulterior motive which was confirmed when I saw the smiles from Garth and Oswald as we left just after dawn. We chatted easily enough but the questions he asked were probing ones and, even though he did not ask me directly, I knew he was trying to ascertain where I had been journeying.
Raibeart had constructed a wooden fort already on the top of a natural knoll. Although there was no direct water supply I could see that he had defence in mind and the stream which bubbled close by could be used in an extended fort. Not far away was a lake which I knew abounded with fish. While Myrddyn checked on his charges, Raibeart took me on a tour. “The wooden fort at the top is in case anyone comes in the next few months but we will use stone from the same quarry you used and build a wall which encloses part of the stream. We will have a warrior hall and a hall for the people as well as a stable block.” He smiled at me. “I will use your idea of a hall above the stables. When that is done we will make a stone building at the peak of the knoll where we can defend against any attacker.”
“And Maiwen and her people are they happy here?”
“It took some days and they were always looking at the horizon for the Saxon hordes but, once we had the wooden wall erected and they saw how green and fertile the land was then they became happy.” He gave me a rueful smile. “Of course the land they all wanted was to the west so that the Saxons would have further to travel to reach them.”
I told him of the treachery of Morcant Bulc and the fact that there were now just two free kingdoms. It neither surprised not worried him. “We always knew that he was a snake. Perhaps you should have killed him the day the king was murdered.”
I took a deep breath; either Aelle or Raibeart would need to be in my conspiracy and Raibeart was the man I trusted above all others. “I intend to go to Din Guardi and finish what I started and should have done years ago.”
He did not seem shocked but nodded, “With your army?”
“No brother, my army fights and kills Saxons. If I did take them to kill Morcant Bulc I would have to kill Bernicians. I would be doing the Saxon’s work for them. King Aethelric would want us fighting our fellows. No I am going into his stronghold alone and I will kill him there.”
“Murder him?” There was no outrage or disapproval in his words merely a need for clarification.
“I will give him the chance to fight me but I will have nothing on my conscience if the coward refuses to fight. The reason I am telling you is that I will tell my people that I am visiting with you. I will only take Pol with me. I have two men over there already.”
“The Wolf Warrior telling a lie?”
“Not a lie, merely a distortion of the truth.”
He laughed. “Do not worry I agree with some lies for this one will save Aideen and your people anguish and torment.” He became serious. “But promise me that you will be careful.”
“Of course. I have no death wish, you know that. Once Bulc is out of the way then
his people may either join us or fight against the Saxons; either suits us for it weakens the enemy who is growing ever stronger.”
“I know and that is the reasons why I have urged the people here to be profitable as profitable as Aelle and the rest of Rheged. We need trade so that we can have the best equipped army there is. I want my land to be as golden as their neighbours.”
As we rode back, three days later, Myrddyn told me how well the people were doing. “I know he is your brother and you think well of him already but he is a great leader. The warriors and the people all say that but for him Elmet would have drowned beneath a sea of Saxons more than a year ago.”
“I am fortunate in my two brothers for they are both sound leaders and well respected by their people. Rheged is lucky to have them guarding their borders.”
He gave me, unusually for him, a very serious look. “My lord no matter how great your brothers are, without you Rheged would fall. Everyone knows that. You must be careful.” He waved a hand at the three of us. “This is not wise. The Saxons are closer now and they would sacrifice many men to catch you alone and kill you.”
“Thank you for your concern but I do not need my men protecting me. They are better used protecting the borders.”
“Then promise me that the next time you go off on one of these little jaunts you take me, at least, as well as the redoubtable Pol.”
“You would give orders to me Myrddyn?”
“You misunderstand me, I would never presume to give orders to the Warlord of Rheged. Perhaps it would be easier if I asked the Lady Aideen if I should accompany you. I know that she would worry if she knew of the danger you put yourself in.” There was a hint of malice in his eyes. He knew he had me.
“No Myrddyn, I would not worry my lady in her condition. You may accompany me when I visit Aelle next week.” I saw Pol’s look of surprise and I gave a slight shake of my head. I do not know if it was my imagination or not but I am sure that Myrddyn saw it and a gleeful grin played about the corners of his mouth.
The journey to Aelle’s land felt like a visit to another country. Once we had crossed through Raibeart’s domain and over the col into Aelle’s the land changed. The circle of mountains protected many large and small lakes. The valley bottoms were fertile and the hillsides dotted with grazing animals. Aelle had a small tower at the col; it would not stop an enemy but it would give warning and it showed how thorough a leader he was. The men recognised us and waved as we dropped down towards the lake with the reeds which teemed with fish.