Hosker, G [Wolf Brethren 03] Saxon England

by Griff Hosker

  Once the sun set the sea became a threatening and dangerous place once more. The worry was exacerbated by the fact that we have to negotiate an estuary filled with Saxon ships. I, for one, would not be sleeping until I was on dry land once more. “I see the river my lord, there!”

  “Do not shout Pol. There may be sentries. We can hear you!”

  “Sorry, my lord.”

  “Now we need to be alert. Everyone.” Ridwyn’s voice carried the authority of a king on that tiny boat. I did not even dream of arguing with him. Our lives were now in his hands.

  It was fortunate that it was dark and we were such a small boat; any sentry would struggle to see us. But equally, as I was discovering, shapes on the shoreline merged and blended into each other. What was a ship and what was a bank? A low mist appeared to hang over the water and I thanked the Icaunus for the protection she afforded. We were now invisible.

  Suddenly Pol’s voice sounded sharp and strident, “A ship!” Moments later we bumped into the prow of a Saxon ship.

  There was no time for recriminations; Ridwyn shouted, “Oars!” We each grabbed an oar and began to row as fast as we could. At first we thought we had escaped unseen but then lights appeared on the ship and we heard the hubbub as Saxons crowded the sides to peer down at us. A spear hurtled across our bows and we rowed even harder. And then just as quickly we were in the mist again and hidden. “Keep rowing. It will not take them long to set off in pursuit of us. Anya, come and take the helm. I will row too.”

  Ridwyn joined Pol’s side and we soon stopped crabbing. It was not Pol’s fault; he was just weaker than Myrddyn. I could see Ridwyn looking over his shoulder and I suddenly realised why; he was looking for the place that we had fired the Saxon ships. Their rotting timbers would still be below the Dunum and could rip out a Saxon boat. I recognised the bluff on the south bank. “There Ridwyn!”

  Ridwyn almost shouted with glee when, he too, saw the place we had hidden. “Anya, push the helm over to your right as far as it will go.”

  Alarmingly the boat went at right angles to our previous course and I saw the prow of the Saxon ship less than fifty paces away. “Now put it in the middle. You are doing well my girl!” The praise made all the difference and we straightened up. Our manoeuvre took the Saxon steersman by surprise and we gained a little. I saw that the bank was less than ten paces away. If the Saxon ship continued on this course then it might run aground anyway.

  The Saxon boat had more men and I could see that it was gaining on us. I contemplated taking my bow but I could not see the steersman and the loss of the power of my oar would mean we would be captured. The Saxon ship seemed to stop in midstream, as though it was a horse and the rider had jerked back on the reins. It had struck something. If it was the bank then they would pull themselves off. A soon as it started to settle in the water we knew that it had been sunk by one of their own ships- wyrd.

  Ridwyn left his oar and took over the steering of the boat. I noticed a tender touching of the hands as they exchanged positions. I could see Ridwyn joining the married men club very soon.

  As we rowed westwards, upstream we could see the sky lightening behind us. It was slow but it was steady and soon we began to make out the features along the river and to recognise some of them. Of course we were now in Saxon country so the fact that we could see the bank did not help, it hindered. We were all tired now. Ridwyn had not slept for two days and the rest of us had catnapped in a rocking and rolling boat. It was a dangerous time and as the banks became clearer we sought any enemy who might raise the alarm. The trees which lined the river were a boon for it hid us from any who were some way from the river but we knew that we had to pass close to the Roman Bridge. Before then we should have been met by my brothers’ horsemen but suppose they were not there? We could not travel across the land without horses and we were all uncertain where the bridge was.

  Ridwyn took the decision for us. “Lower the sail Bhru. It marks us as a target. Rowing might be hard work but it is safer and, I am sorry my lord, but I am tired.”

  “My lord, why not pull in over there and hide in the bushes to allow Ridwyn to sleep. Pol and I can scout the bank and find where we are.”

  I nodded. “Except that it will be Pol and I who explore! You are a wizard and not a scout.”

  Pol and I slipped over the side whilst Bhru held on to an overhanging branch. We made our way through the tangle of undergrowth and emerged where the woods came down a shallow bank to the river. “Pol, get up to that clearing and see if you can see anyone. I know where we are.” As Pol scampered up the bank I saw that we were close to the place where Prince Ywain had been held captive whilst wounded. If we had horses then we could be on the Roman Road north within the hour. But at least I knew that we were but twenty or so miles from the Roman Bridge. We could watch the banks for Raibeart’s men.

  Pol returned, “No signs of life my lord.”

  “Good let us get back to the boat.”

  Ridwyn was sound asleep when we reached them. His head was cradled in Anya’s lap. She held a finger to her lips. I smiled. It would take a battle horn to wake a sleeping warrior as tired as Ridwyn was but I spoke quietly nonetheless. If did not do to upset a mother hen. “We are close to where we found the prince and you Myrddyn.” I glanced at Bhru. “Could you sail the boat if I steered. I am loath to stay so close to the Saxons.” Already the mist was clearing and I could not believe that they would not pursue the boat which had cost them a ship.

  “With Pol’s help, aye my lord.“ He held up his stump. “The river twists and turns my lord and we will need to use the sail more than when we sailed south.”

  I knew my limitations but I daren’t wake Ridwyn yet. “We will just try it and see how far we can get. If I prove to be a bad captain I promise we will put in.”

  I put the tiller hard over and, as the wind caught the sail we began to move. At first it was easy for the wind was coming over my right shoulder but when the river curved then it changed. “You need to go across the river and back, Lord Lann. You will not be able to sail in a straight line.”

  “Thank you Myrddyn. Is sailing another skill you have?”

  “I merely observed Ridwyn. Would you like me to try?”

  “No!” I snapped. “I will manage.” I saw the same smug smile he had affected before. My wizard needed taking down a peg or two. Perhaps because of the smile I concentrated and soon got the hang of the infuriatingly slow progress upstream but at least we were moving. The mist totally cleared and blue skies appeared above us. After bobbing up and down on horses it was a tranquil and pleasant way to travel. The herons at the river side ignored us as they feasted on the abundant fish.

  Suddenly Anya let out a scream. “The Saxons!”

  I looked over my shoulder and saw a Saxon ship rowing up the river after us. “Ridwyn! Awake!”

  Pol shook Ridwyn and he looked in horror beyond me to the rapidly approaching longboat. “We cannot outrun it. Head to shore.”

  I put the tiller to my left as the right hand bank, the northern one, was closer. “As soon as we reach the bank then get ashore.” I saw a small beach and we grounded. Everyone got off the boat and then Myrddyn said, “Turn it around and float it.”

  I was about to argue but remembered that he had not steered us wrong yet. “Pol, take Anya up the bank. Turn it round.”

  “Now push it into the stream.” While we had been obeying his orders my wizard had started a fire close to the centre of the boat. As we pushed it began to head towards the Saxon ship. He looked at me and shrugged. “It may slow them down.”

  “Well done!” Grabbing my bow I strung it and notched an arrow. I aimed at the stern of the ship and loosed three arrows in quick succession. I had no idea if I struck anyone but the combination of the arrows and the boat made the ship turn and bought us some time. “Up the bank as quickly as you can!”

  Pol and Anya had already reached the top with Wolf and I saw my squire scanning the top for danger and an escape route. B
hru, Myrddyn and Ridwyn followed in quick succession. I turned to see what had happened to the Saxon ship. They had halted in the middle and now had a row of shields protecting the steersman. I ran up the bank. “There is a dip yonder, my lord, and there are trees. They may not see where we are.” We had delayed their pursuit but soon they would be after us.

  “Good lad. You lead off.” The problem was that we had to get away from the river but that meant leaving the one place Raibeart’s men would seek us. It could not be helped. The most immediate danger was the boatload of Saxons. The dip was half a mile from the river but we reached it before the Saxons had climbed the bank. I pointed into the woods. “Wolf, scout!”

  The dog ran off and we recovered our breath. I did not want us moving quickly and disturbing the undergrowth. At the moment we were invisible but, as we had not hidden our tracks, they would be able to follow us.

  “I will lay a few snares, my lord. It may slow them up.” Ridwyn was a good hunter.

  “Be swift. I want to leave here in a few moments.”

  The three of them spread out and made snares and trips. It would not kill them but we just needed them slowed down and wary. I hoped that they would tire of the pursuit before they caught us. When Wolf returned I knew that the way ahead was clear and Pol led us again with the dog at his side. I remained at the rear, ready with my bow. As we jogged along I was aware that we had Anya with us and she would slow us down. Had I made the wrong decision in allowing her to accompany us? And then I thought of Monca and I knew that, no matter what befell us, I had made the right choice.

  Suddenly Pol shouted, “Saxons!” And I knew that we had been led to our doom by my revenge.

  Myrddyn raced back. “The Saxons are ahead. They must have landed some men behind us and then sent more to cut us off.”

  Pol, Anya and Ridwyn returned to join Bhru, Myrddyn and myself. Wolf stood growling at the invisible Saxons. Pol pointed to Wolf, “I would have raced into them had Wolf not growled. There are forty of them, at least.”

  For the first time in my life I knew not what to do. To go forward would be suicide. We could not fight forty. And what of going back? How many were there? There seemed only one choice. “Head south, back to the river!” It speaks well of my people that they just obeyed and trusted my judgement. It might have been the wrong decision but it was a decision. I gambled on the fact that the Saxons would assume we were heading in the same direction. Of course once we reached the river we would be stuck but, at least, it delayed the inevitable.

  I waited until Pol had passed me and I ordered Wolf. “Stay!” His senses would be more acute than mine. I notched an arrow and held three in my hand. I waited until Wolf growled and I drew back. The surprised Saxon was but ten paces away when my arrow smashed into the front of his skull and emerged with half his brain at the back. He fell silently to his death. “Good boy!”

  He growled again and I released but there were three of them. I notched a second arrow, even as the first fell dead and the second died, noisily, screaming his pain. I dropped my bow but Wolf leapt at the hand of the third warrior and I had time to draw Saxon Slayer. His head joined his dead companions. I turned and ran to the river. I had delayed them all I could.

  My companions had formed a defensive circle around Anya. Their relief at seeing me was palpable. “I have bought us a little time.”

  Myrddyn pointed downstream. “Their ship is there.”

  We were trapped. “Then let us sell our lives dearly. Anya you can always try to swim to the other shore.”

  She held up Pol’s old seax. “I can still kill my lord.”

  I thought then that if all of the Romano-Britons had had the same attitude then the Saxons would have left this land empty handed. I had but eight arrows left. I stuck Saxon Slayer into the ground. The Saxons would, eventually, overcome us but they would remember the last stand of the Wolf Warrior and his brethren.

  The dead bodies had made them wary but their leader had his wits about him. Despite the deep undergrowth he had his men move forward in a solid line of shields. He was driving his prey much as a hunter uses dogs to drive a stag into the waiting spears. I used my eight arrows wisely. So long as a warrior peered over the edge of his shield to see where we were he was a dead man and eight Saxons died with my eight flights. I dropped my bow and picked up Saxon Slayer whilst drawing my dagger. Ridwyn was to my right and Pol to his right. Myrddyn was to my left and, one armed, Bhru guarded the left. “I am proud to have my last moments with such brave warriors as you.”

  As the Saxons charged forwards I heard Myrddyn shout, “We are not dead yet, my lord.”

  The first warrior lost his life as I stabbed forwards when he was expecting a sweep. Ridwyn could fight Saxons all day and not lose but my other three companions were not warriors. I heard Pol yelp as a Saxon smashed his sword in two. I shouted, “Wolf, kill!” but before the dog could strike the barb of an arrow appeared between his eyes. Suddenly the shield wall crumbled as arrow after arrow struck them. Renewed with hope we hewed and hacked furiously at all before us. The hidden enemy behind them was too much for the Saxon warband and they fled but the arrows continued to fell them and then there was a silence as we looked at each other. We had been dead and now we lived. Wyrd! “Drive them before us! They weaken!” We charged after the fleeing Saxons and struck unprotected backs.

  Then a voice halted us, “I think, big brother, that we had best not ride our luck. We have won now let us go home.”

  Raibeart dismounted and I embraced him. “And I am glad to see you little brother. I thought that this was the end of the Wolf Warrior.”

  “Come we will talk while we ride but Pol and the girl will have to ride double. I did not know you would be picking up passengers.”

  As we mounted I aid, “She was the reason we were able to succeed.”

  Raibeart stopped. “He is dead? You succeeded?”

  “Aye ; it was two nights ago and he is dead.”

  Raibeart’s brow furrowed in a frown. “Do they know that it was you?”

  “I do not think so for the ones who saw me are dead.”

  I then told him of Myrddyn’s magic and he laughed aloud making his men all stare at him. “I do like Myrddyn and his imagination. I wonder what tales they will tell of that.”

  “Did you have any problems getting over here?”

  “No. We used the back trails and avoided the strong points but I suspect that they will have patrols out seeking you now.”

  “They lost one of their ships to us.”

  “You sank a Saxon ship? With the little boat you were in?”

  “It sank itself. We ran it towards the sunken ships from the raid on the Dunum.”

  “I can see there are more tales to tell but let us save them until we are safe within Castle Perilous.”

  He had brought twenty men with him. They were all mounted archers from his castle. Our little group was surrounded by them and I could tell that they were proud to be escorting the Warlord of Rheged. I felt completely safe. Raibeart was cautious and careful and we would get home. He pushed us hard and took us well to the north of the Roman Bridge. I did not need to ask where he was taking us; we would be crossing just upstream from the waterfall where the water was shallow and few men lived. It would add an hour or so to our journey but would ensure that we avoided contact. The problem would then be crossing the Roman Road. I asked him about that after we had paddled through the upper Dunum.

  “They have a fort of sorts fifteen miles from your castle. We will join the road a mile after that and make quick time. It will be after dark and we should avoid them but by then it will matter not. So long as they do not have men in the forests and tracks we will avoid detection. I left four scouts close to their camp to watch for any movement along the road.”

  It was towards dusk when a figure on a pony ghosted out of the trees next to the track we were following. “The Saxons are safe inside their camp my lord. You can join the road here. It is safe.”

&nbs
p; Soon we were clip clopping along the cobbles of the sturdy Roman Road. The Saxons might hear the sound and know what it meant but they could do little about it. When I saw the castle’s lights ahead I halted the column. “Raibeart I swore my party to secrecy. How will we explain this to those in the castle?” Myrddyn coughed. I smiled in the half light. “Go ahead magician. Tell me what you have concocted in that fertile mind of yours.”

  He did not seem upset by my tone and continued cheerfully, “Ridwyn and his brother had a falling out. Ridwyn now has a young bride.”

  “What!”

  Myrddyn spread his hands, “My lord you are a great warrior but you know little about humans. Look at them.” The two of them were looking at me and nodding. I waved at him to continue. “We say that we were on patrol with Raibeart’s men and we found them and Bhru and rescued them from the Saxons. It is a half truth.”

  I saw Raibeart nod. “Then that is what we will say.”

  Raibeart raised his voice. “And that is what we will say eh? Oathsworn!”

  They all chorused, “Aye my lord,” and we headed towards Castle Perilous with the half truth which I hoped would save lives.

  Chapter 8

  No-one thought anything out of the ordinary had occurred when we rode in my castle entrance. It was with some relief that I realised the deception I had practised, of regularly visiting my brothers, had paid off. We had only been away for a few days and we received a warm welcome. Raibeart took his men away and I settled into the comfortable life of the castle. Ridwyn took Anya and Bhru back to Banna. Riderch would be glad to have his brother back from such danger.

  Pol seemed to have grown on the trip for he had more confidence and an air about him which told me he was ready to be a warrior. I took him, Myrddyn and Garth to one side a week or so after we had returned. “Pol. I think it is time for you to become a warrior. Garth here also feels that you are ready. How do you feel about that?”

  His face lit up. “Thank you my lord.”