by Griff Hosker
Myrddyn took the opportunity to visit Aelle too as there were herbs and roots there which he needed for his remedies. As we headed south, despite the rain, we were in good spirits. The rain does not seem as bad if you are hunting or fishing; just when you are standing on a stone rampart peering through the gloom for hours on end. I would let Garth take the other half of the garrison when we returned.
My brother’s warrior hall was empty and warm and we enjoyed our hunting. Hogan got to join in a wolf hunt although he did not manage to kill one. Pol was alike a big brother to him, watching his every move. His dedication cost him the chance to get his own wolf skin. We also managed to kill some deer so that when we returned, after seven days, we all felt like new men. Even the rain stopped for the last two days so that we rode in the dry with the chill but refreshing wind of autumn in our faces. The same men who has squabbled and fought now bantered and joked. Pol had a new admirer in Hogan who plied him with questions he could not ask his father and Myrddyn buzzed like a summer bee with the excitement of the plants he had collected. That day I truly saw the precocious nature of wyrd.
I had a premonition of the disaster I was about to encounter as I approached the main gate. There were but two men on duty and they had a deathly pallor about them. Inside there were but two or three sorry looking warriors on the walls. I had left half a garrison but there was only a handful left. Had the castle been attacked in our absence?
As we clattered over the bridge Brother Oswald, looking like a ghost raced up to Myrddyn. “Thank God you have come, Myrddyn. It is the plague! ” As he turned he glance up at me and said, “I am sorry, my lord.” I thought it was typical of the man to apologise for something which was not his fault.
Myrddyn leapt from his horse and ran with him. The plague had struck many towns but we had been mercifully spared. The condition of the men at the gate was now explained. “Tuanthal, find Garth and send him to me. Pol see to the horses and, Hogan, let us find your mother.”
When I reached the chambers I was struck by the silence. Normally the baby would be crying or the children would be squealing but there was just silence. I opened the door to my bedchamber nervously. I wondered what I would see. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight of my wife and my bairns laid out in their shrouds. The plague had taken my family and now there was just Hogan left. As I held her dead hand for the last time I recalled that I had just left the castle as I normally did. I had not told her how much I loved her and she meant to me. Neither could I tell my dead children of my hopes for their future. I took it for granted that I would return and see them again and I had been punished, I had paid for the murder of King Morcant Bulc.
Chapter 9
When Garth found me he too looked ill. He was tearful as he explained. “It was three days ago. A few of the men became sick and took to their beds. The next day almost all the women and half the men had the illness and Brother Oswald tried every remedy. Your wife and your children became ill last night and they were dead by the morning” He looked at me in terror. “It was so sudden and Brother Oswald…”
I patted his arm. I knew that they would have done all that they could. “I know you will have done your best. Now we will have to see what Myrddyn can do.” I took a breath before I asked the inevitable question. “How many dead?”
“Sixty three. Forty of them warriors. There are another twenty six who are ill.” He hesitated and then said, solemnly, “Scean died yesterday.”
That news probably hit me as hard as the news of Aideen’s death. Scean had been with me longer than any other warrior, my brothers excepted, and he had been invincible in battle. He had been laid low and taken by an illness and I had never said goodbye. I would have to wait to see him with the other fallen friends. We had lost more men in a couple of days to an illness than we had in some battles.
Hogan looked up at me with tears in his eyes. I put my arm around his shoulders as he sobbed into my chest. There were no words that I could say. Even though there was sadness in my heart I would mourn quietly and in my own way. I was Warlord and I had to be strong for the people of Rheged.
Myrddyn worked tirelessly and no more of my people died but, exhausted as he and the others were, he came to me. “My lord we must burn the bodies or the pestilence may return.” The shock on my face must have shown despite my attempts to be stoic. “It is the only way.”
I relented but we had two pyres; one for the garrison and one for my family. Brother Oswald said words over the dead of the garrison some of whom were Christian. I saw him looking at my family’s pyre as it burned but I would have no words other than my own invocation to the gods to welcome my family in the Otherworld until I came to them. Hogan’s sobs had ceased and Pol stood behind us with his arm on my son’s shoulder; that made me feel better; we were unified even in tragedy. The rains returned as the fires smouldered and seemed appropriate that the skies were shedding their own tears. We collected the ashes when they were cool and placed them in a pot. The pot we buried.
After Hogan had gone to bed I sat in the solar with Myrddyn, Garth and Brother Oswald. “I have brought this curse upon my family and my people. I was a murderer and this is their punishment.”
“No, my lord. If anyone is to be blamed then it is me for all the ones who were sick and have been treated by me have recovered. Had I not been in the south then I could have saved them.” I looked at Myrddyn wondering if this were true. I could not blame him for he had not known the pestilence would strike us. Then he continued. “However, as I saved the people with the herbs and roots I gathered in the south, if I had been here with them then perhaps I would be dead too along with those I have saved.” His eyes bored into mine and I saw Brother Oswald nod at the logic of the statement. Wyrd!
I am not as quick a thinker as those two and it took a moment for the import of the words to sink in. “This would have happened no matter what we did?”
“I am afraid so.”
My heart went cold and I looked at the skies filled with precocious gods who played with us mortals as though we were toys. I changed a little then and pity left me for a while.
Over the next week messengers arrived telling of the same pestilence in the capital and in the cities to the north. When Raibeart and Aelle arrived I dreaded the worst but they brought good news. They had not been affected by the disease. I knew they meant well with their sympathy but that did not bring my family back. We held a feast of mourning to celebrate the lives of those who had died. We told tales of the bravery of those such as Scean and recalled those things about Aideen and the women which brought a smile to our faces.
Raibeart looked at Hogan who was sat between the two of us. “And what of my nephew, brother, what would you have with him? My wife or Freja would care for him if you wished.”
Before I could speak an angry Hogan burst out. “I am not a child. Do not talk about me as though I am not here! I will be a warrior!”
All the warriors smiled at the words and it was true, if he were not my son, then he would have joined the slingers already. I looked at Garth. “Well Captain of my remaining warriors. Could we train my son to be a warrior?”
“My lord, I have a suggestion.”
I looked over at Pol who had been quiet all evening. “Why not have your son as your squire. I could train him while training to be a warrior.”
I saw Hogan’s face erupt into a grin for the first time since we had hunted. “Would that suit you son? Before you answer, know that Pol has had to suffer my cantankerous temper and tongue.” Pol nodded.
“I know and I would deem it an honour.”
“Then that will be so.”
Myrddyn coughed. “If I might make a suggestion, Lord Lann.” I sighed and spread my hands in acceptance. “Since we have lost so many warriors and Scean has also died might Pol not become your Standard Bearer. He stood next to Scean in battle more than any other warrior and I know no-one who would be more loyal.”
Garth too smiled, “I think he would be a
wise choice and it would mean he could still watch over Hogan.”
“Pol? It means you will not fight in the shield wall.”
“That matters not my lord for I envied my friend Scean each time he raised the banner.”
“Then it is decided but I must warn all of you that the losses mean that if the Saxons do come then we will struggle to defend this castle. We will need more warriors training and training quickly.” I gestured towards my brothers. “Our warriors, those who you command, will have a greater burden now than they would have had.”
Aelle smiled, “We know and it is a burden we accept. If any Saxons come they will not come from the south that we can both promise.”
That evening saved my sanity for Pol took over Hogan’s education and training. I suspect that Myrddyn had more than a little to do with it but it allowed me to concentrate on preparing Rheged for the onslaught which would come in the spring. Tuanthal and I rode every inch of Rheged checking on the incursions of the Saxons. The fact that we saw none did not reassure us.
At the festival of Yule we all stayed in our own castles and strongholds. My brothers and theirs families invited Hogan and me down to theirs but we were quite happy to stay in the male world of Castle Perilous. Civitas Carvetiorum was no longer an option since the deaths of Brother Osric and Queen Niamh. The fact that King Ywain did not seem interested in our welfare also had something to do with it. His younger brother Pasgen had visited, as had Riderch. Both had suffered some losses due to the plague but not as many as we had. King Ywain was noticeable by his absence. When they had gone I wondered if this was part of the gods’ plan to replace us with the Saxons. I knew that we were fewer in number than the last time we had fought.
When spring came and the land began to dry we prepared for the invasion from the east. We rode as far as the Saxon camps on the road, which had been strengthened over the winter, but there was no sign of movement. Their sentries just stared at our patrols impotent to do anything about us. The numbers of warriors who we trained began to rise slowly but it is hard to make an archer or a warrior for the shield wall overnight and I knew that the next time we fought there would be many untried and untested men. I hoped that they would not break.
Summer had already begun when we discovered why we had not seen the Saxons; they had invaded Strathclyde and defeated Rhydderch Hael in battle. He had died along with many of his men. I was sad for they were doughty warriors and had saved us from defeat before now. His sons were busily fighting off the invaders but they had few strongholds and I knew that it would be merely a matter of time before they turned their attention to us. I visited Banna and spoke with Riderch and his brother.
“They will come south and you will need to hold them until I can reach you with my men and the rest of Rheged.”
I could see that Riderch had improved his defences. He had the advantage that the old Roman wall protected the north and would slow the enemy down. “We will hold them.” He looked serious and asked quietly, “Do we know what King Ywain will do?”
I looked at him curiously. “What have you heard?”
“He has stopped patrolling and left that to Lord Gildas and Prince Pasgen. It is said he never leaves Civitas Carvetiorum.”
“I will visit him but remember this, I am Warlord; I raise the army.” My words sounded confident but I had Brother Osric’s words ringing in my ears; perhaps the king would not wish to fight.
I travelled with just Pol and Hogan as my escorts. Until the Saxons crossed or neared the wall then we were safe. I was pleased that the guards at Rheged’s main city still looked as alert as ever and the defences had been maintained. This was our Din Guardi and, so long as it stood, we would survive. It felt strange not to seek Brother Osric or Queen Niamh but I went directly to the king’s chambers. He looked much older than the last time I had seen him. His hair was thinning and turning grey. He had put weight on again and his eyes looked red as though he had been indulging himself too much.
I had not seen him since the death of my family but he ignored that and began, “Have you heard? The Saxons are in Strathclyde. What should we do?”
“I have visited Riderch and I will visit Prince Pasgen and Lord Gildas. The river and the Roman Wall will give us some protection and I will prepare the army to defend the wall when they do come. We will have a larger number of men available because they have attacked Strathclyde first and will have suffered casualties. How many men will be available from Civitas Carvetiorum?”
He looked terrified. “I am not sure I can let you have any. We need all the men we have to defend the walls.”
I was taken aback by what I took to be craven cowardice. His father would not have behaved in this manner. “We can leave a healthy garrison but your horsemen and your warriors will serve better with the army.” He shook his head. “I am Warlord.”
He half stood, “And I am king.”
We stared at each other. “When the Saxons come then it will be war and I will order your men into battle, King Ywain. I was appointed warlord by your father. Would you remove me from that office?” Before he could answer, I added, “Would you lead the army into battle?”
I saw the terror in his eyes. “No! No! You may continue to be Warlord but do not take the men until you need them!”
When I left I had a bad taste in my mouth and both Hogan and Pol kept their distance and did not try to talk to me. I rode directly to Prince Pasgen. His stronghold was not far from the city and close to the coast. His reception was much warmer. I spoke with him alone and told him my fears. His face told me that he knew what the problem was. “You are still Warlord, Lord Lann and you will have the support of every lord in the land.”
“But if I have not the support of the king then what is the point?”
“We will use the men from the capital, even if I have to ride there and order them myself.” I felt reassured. “Gildas and I keep constant patrols along the wall and we have fortified some of the towers. They will not find it easy to invade our land. I will send daily despatch riders to you. If a day goes by without one then hasten north for I shall need you!”
When I left the prince I felt more confident but I took Pol, Hogan and the inevitable Wolf, north to the wall to see the fruits of their labours. At this, western end, the wall was mainly turf. If a stone wall had ever been built then the stones had been taken. Prince Pasgen had erected a wooden wall which would slow up an enemy but could never stop a determined force. I had fought the Hibernians close to here and knew that archers could cause serious damage when warriors were emerging from the water but, as I peered west, I saw that if the Saxons brought their ships they could land their men behind the wall. Prince Pasgen would need a fort building there to deter them. We rode along the wall to Banna and I saw that every few miles was a wooden tower with sentries. They were not there to defend but to warn and I saw the beacons they had made. When I passed through Banna I would tell Riderch to do the same.
It was dark when we reached home. I would not be suffering the sharp edge of Aideen’s tongue, much as I might wish it. Instead I saw the three reproachful faces of Garth, Brother Oswald and Myrddyn. The accusatory looks did not make me feel in the least embarrassed or guilty. I was Warlord; let them worry. Pol and Hogan saw to the armour, horses and weapons while I went to my hall for food. They had all eaten but left plenty for me. As I wolfed down the food with a hungry dog next to me with his dinner, I told them of my discoveries and what I had learned.
“I always worried what would happen when Brother Osric’s hand was no longer on the helm. Now we can see why he pushed for your appointment as Warlord.”
“Yes Myrddyn, “I mumbled through a mouthful of stew, “but the king can take that away from me in an instant. I think that the only reason he did not was because he feared he might have to lead the army. At least Prince Pasgen has got a pair of balls between his legs.”
“Why did he change so much, my lord? He was always a brave warrior in his youth.”
“He ma
rried, Garth, and she changed him. Some men, like my brother Aelle, become better for marriage. But others, like King Ywain become lesser men. Wyrd.”
“Well then Lord Lann, what are we to do?”
“Whatever we have to, Myrddyn. I want the farmers and men of the domain arming and training. We will leave the older warriors and those with wounds to guard the castle although with so many dead it does not seem as important. We will then move northwards to Banna. I will build a camp between Prince Pasgen and Riderch.”
“Suppose they attack the wall further east?”
“I intend to use Tuanthal and any horsemen I can prise from King Ywain’s grasp to watch there but that part of our land is more difficult to traverse. Here they just have a river and they are men of the sea. It will not pose a problem.”
“And Lord Gildas?”
“I will have Lord Gildas build a fort to protect the coast in case they try to attack there.” I leaned back, satisfied. My squire and standard bearer had entered and were busily filling their faces as young men do. There would be a clean cauldron when they had finished. I stared at the three men on whom I relied so much. They deserved the truth. “I do not think we will stop them this time. If I was Aethelric I would attack from the east whilst attacking from the north. We would not have enough men to defend both fronts but, even if he does not do that, we do not have enough men to defend against him and I now doubt the king’s will. We will be leaving some of the best warriors guarding Civitas Carvetiorum, instead of defeating the enemy on the field.”
We sat in silence. Wolf happily washed himself, oblivious to the impending disaster. Myrddyn looked at each of us in turn. “Wales then?”
I nodded, “Wales but we would retreat from here to my brothers’ castles first. There are many places to slow up a large army and we would need time to evacuate all who wanted to leave.” I shrugged. “There may be some who will wish to stay.”