by Griff Hosker
The young rider leapt from his pony and bowed. “My lord as I approached the castle I saw the Saxons fleeing north to towards the river and the sea. They let me in the castle and I told them of our victory. The king sent riders to follow the Saxons and they took ship and headed out to sea. He sent me to bring you and Myrddyn. He wishes a conference with you two and Prince Pasgen.”
I ruffled his hair, “Well done but next time a little less shouting eh? The news should come to me first.”
He looked crestfallen, “Sorry my lord.”
“I am not angry but you need to learn.”
Raibeart and Aelle looked relieved. “Should we come with you?”
“No Raibeart. The king would have asked for you. I suspect he is becoming a little paranoid so let us obey his wishes while he appears to be in a more belligerent and approachable humour. Take your armies home for I fear the Saxons may try to take advantage of your absence.”
“Very well but just send a messenger or light a beacon if you need us.”
As they prepared their troops I turned to Brother Oswald and Garth. “Have Tuanthal patrol to the west and then repair the damage to the ditches and the walls. Let us keep the people here for a while longer in case the departure is a trick of some kind.”
Pol and Hogan wished to join us but I refused. “I do not want the king to think we are ganging up on him. I will go as Warlord and you two will continue to train. You did well the last time you fought but that was not the last battle. There will be more.”
Myrddyn was still ill at ease as we rode, the next morning, along the familiar road to Civitas Carvetiorum. I could not divine if this was a result of the dream or if there was some other reason. “Do you not think it strange that the Saxons withdrew so quickly?”
I think it something of a miracle that they realised that their attack on Castle Perilous failed but other than that…”
“Aethelric has armies to the north. He could have gone to the wall and sent for reinforcements. King Ywain would never have attacked him and none other has sufficient forces. Why did he take ship?”
That had worried me too. “I do not know and, like you I am worried but no matter how many different ways I look at this I can only see that it is good for us. The Saxons have left Rheged. They had conquered, or controlled half of it, at least, and now it is all in our hands and the land is littered with their dead. And yet…”
“And yet I, too, am uneasy my lord. It is too easy. Aethelric is not the man to give up when he loses a few men. There is more to this than meets the eye but, like you I cannot make it a threat; no matter how much I try.”
“Perhaps Prince Pasgen can throw more light on the matter. We know that he was raising an army. Perhaps he raised one and the Saxons thought it was a better army than it is.”
“That could be the answer and I will be pleased when I see Prince Pasgen for he alone, remained free whilst we were all besieged.”
We could see the effect of the Saxon siege as we neared Civitas Carvetiorum; there were discarded pieces of cart and piles of rotting food. Flies and midges buzzed angrily around. “The siege works look a little, well a little inadequate to me.”
“And to me, Myrddyn. Where are the ditches? The walls look free from damage. Was there any fighting here at all?”
“I would say that the Saxons were not good at sieges but those who fought us seemed to know their business.”
“I think that Aethelric, or whoever commanded here, knew the king as well as we and decided that he did not need to risk his warriors for the king would soon acquiesce to their demands.”
Myrddyn nodded. “That would seem the most likely explanation.”
The sentries again looked shamefaced. When this was all over I would need to find time to work with these warriors; they were good warriors but their confidence had been sapped by the indolence of their leader. This unexpected and unlooked for victory had given us a breathing space which I would not waste. Aidan strode over to me. He was another with whom I would need to build bridges. He was a good warrior. I had fought alongside him but it must have hurt when the rest of the army fought off the Saxons and he and his fellows hid in the castle. “The king asked to see you as soon as you arrived, Lord Lann.”
As we walked towards the king’s chambers we made small talk. “Were there many casualties from the siege? I saw no pyres outside.”
He looked at Myrddyn and then me. “No. They seemed content to make sure we could not leave.” He half opened his mouth and then shut it then he said, “We saw the smoke from your castle and wondered… I am glad that you have survived.”
It seemed a strange thing to say but I smiled and clapped him about the shoulders. “I think I am one of life’s survivors. So far the Saxons have not got even close to me but, I thank you for your kind words.”
I do not know what I expected when I entered the chamber but I did not expect what I saw. The king and his queen were on a raised dais. There were twenty of his bodyguards around the room. In front of the king was a table with a map but there was no sign of Prince Pasgen. Two guards stood behind the chairs and King Ywain smiled as he waved his hand. “It was good of you to come so swiftly. Pray take a seat we have much to talk about.”
As we began to sit the two guards each pulled a sword and held it to our throats. Aidan and another two men disarmed us; as Aidan took my sword he said quietly, “Sorry Warlord.”
I was bereft of words. “What is the meaning of this? And where is Prince Pasgen?”
A strangely insane look came over the king’s face. “Oh you will see him soon enough. I know of the plot to replace me with my brother. Do not think that I do not know what you have been planning with your brothers, behind my back. Luckily King Aethelric, although he might be a Saxon, watches over me with better care than you did.”
I felt the bottom dropping out of my world and I saw Myrddyn’s eyes suddenly light with understanding. “You have spoken with King Aethelric? Was that before he fled?”
Ywain laughed and the queen smiled too. “He did not flee. He left for home but he will be back. You see he has promised me that, when I hand you and the wizard over to him, then I can continue to rule Rheged under his protection. There will be peace in Rheged,” his face change to a scowl, “but not for you traitor, not for the Wolf Warrior who betrayed his king. You will be the guest of the Saxon king and I do not think that it will a peaceful time for you. Take them away and put them with my brother. Leave the sword there for I think King Aethelric would like to destroy that himself.”
As we were taken away I felt a sudden despair. We had won the battle and lost the war. Hogan, my brothers and all my people would be the slaves of the Saxons; all because of one king’s paranoia. Wyrd!
Chapter 12
The guards were obviously uncomfortable as they escorted us away from the hall but they did their jobs and, as oathsworn of the king, I expected nothing less. I had gone to the meeting without armour and only carrying Saxon Slayer. It would have been suicide to attempt anything with the six armed warriors who escorted us. I was comforted by the fact that Myrddyn was with me and if anyone had a mind creative enough to escape then it was my wizard. They took us to the old Praetorium, the room that had formerly been Brother Osric’s office. I felt angry at this sacrilege until I saw the smirk on Myrddyn’s face. It was obvious why they had chosen that room, there was no way out save the one door which was easily guarded. It also had no natural light so that an escape by the window was not feasible either. The guards were gentle with us and one even said, “Sorry, Warlord, as he opened the door to let me in.
When my eyes became accustomed to the dim light I saw Pasgen lying on the floor. He had been assaulted. “Myrddyn see to the Prince.”
Even though it was useless, I began to look for a means of escape while Myrddyn saw to the wounds of the king’s brother. The room was much as Osric had left it. The three chairs, the table, the map and parchment rack. It was but twelve paces by twelve but it had always been a
neat, welcoming room before but now it seemed smaller and felt like the prison cell it had become. “I am sorry they got you as well, Lann. That brother of mine is a snake. He lured me here with a plan to rid the land of the Saxons. I came alone.”
“Do no worry Prince Pasgen, we were just as gullible but perhaps we are all gullible for if your brother believes that Aethelric will let him keep this land then he is an even bigger fool that I take him for.”
Pasgen snorted, “And when Aethelric returns we will all die. We are caught like rats in a trap.”
“We won’t die. We will be out of here tonight.”
We both looked at Myrddyn. “How…”
He held up his hands. “Let the magician have his moment. We need to wait until midnight when the guards change. I want a big audience. What I need you two to do is move swiftly when I say so and do exactly as I say.”
I stared at the four walls. “There is no way out!”
Myrddyn looked at me, calmly, and shook his head. “Who lived in the room for most of his life?”
“Brother Osric of course.”
“And do you think he would have stayed here without knowing every inch of the place and having a way to get out?”
Pasgen and I went to each wall and touched, stroked, banged and cursed every wall. “Come on Myrddyn, give us a clue.”
“No, my lord, for it will spoil the surprise. Let us just say that this was part of the first building erected by the Romans and they always built to a plan.” He tapped his head. “And the plan is here.”
Exasperated I slumped to the ground next to Pasgen. “Let us assume the wizard does get us out. What then?”
“My brother thought I would not take the kingdom from him. Now I shall. I will raise an army and return to wrest this land from him. Will you aid me?”
I had dreaded the question. I could feel Myrddyn’s eyes boring into me. I shook my head. “This breaks all oaths and now I have a responsibility to my people.”
“Your people?”
“Yes Prince Pasgen, my family, the people who farm my land, the ones who came to join me, the men of Elmet, the Bernicians and the men of Strathclyde. They have been loyal to me. I will not see them die to protect a land whose king has abandoned them. When we escape,” I smiled at Myrddyn, “and I believe that he will manage to get us out, then we will go south to the mountain stronghold of Wales. We will settle there for the Saxons know not of it and we will have the chance to create a haven for those who do not wish to live as a Saxon.”
Myrddyn looked pleased but Prince Pasgen slumped even lower. “Then we have lost if the Wolf Warrior leaves us.”
“Come with us Prince Pasgen.”
“No, Warlord. I will try to save the kingdom . If that fails, and I live, then I will join you but first we escape.” He looked pointedly at Myrddyn.
“Tell us. We can be of little use if we do not know what we are about.”
He sighed. “Come with me then, behind his desk.” We moved and sat with our backs to the parchment rack. Myrddyn lowered the candle and pointed to the floor. “This room was the office of the legion that was based here. Every legionary fort had a room which was a strong room in which the soldiers could keep their money. This is a legionary fortress and the room is beneath our feet.”
I looked but I could see nothing. “Where?”
“Give me your hand my lord. “ He took my fingers and ran them along a groove in the ground.
“But the room is a strong room. It goes nowhere.”
“True Prince Pasgen and if it were just the two of you in here then you would not escape but they believe me to be a wizard; a wizard who could fly across the country and walk through the walls of Din Guardi. When we disappear it will be with a spell and with the guards watching. When the candle goes out, that is your job Prince Pasgen, then I will lift the trapdoor and we will all descend. They will light the candle and see that we have gone. They will bring more guards and more light and search but we will have gone. Then they will leave the cell and search the castle. We will emerge and then we can make our escape at leisure for they will not search again, the place from which the birds already have flown.”
I smiled and clapped him on the back. “That will work. But are you sure you can lift it?”
“Brother Osric was old and he liked to keep his wine in the strong room for it was both cool and safe. He wanted to be sure he could open it easily and he had constructed a little piece of wood which when touched opens the door and it closes with a rope. I have been down here before and it takes less than a heartbeat to open, enter and close the door but you must be fast.”
Prince Pasgen was caught up in the moment too. “What a trick this will be and how scared will my brother be that we have been spirited away.” He looked suddenly serious. “We could kill him tonight.”
“I think that once we are found to have flown he will surround himself with guards. No, our priority is to get my sword, our horses and escape.”
“Your sword?”
“Yes Myrddyn, as you know that is part of me, part of the dream. If we are to succeed then I need the blade.”
Myrddyn nodded, “You are right, Warlord, and we will get it.”
“No my friend, I will get it!”
We heard the guards as they approached and Myrddyn nodded to us. He began to incant while dropping something in the candle. It made the candle flame with different colours and the room brightened. Although there was no window in the door there was a large enough gap that the guards would see the strange lights and investigate. At first I had been incredulous that he would want more guards when we escaped but I now saw that it was to add authenticity to the act. “Oh Great God of the earth help us now to free these earthly bonds and to fly away from this cell. Make our enemies die as they try to catch us. Come now and take us! Come now and take us! Come now and take us!” On the third shout Myrddyn threw something which made the room so bright it blinded us and then we snuffed out the candle as Myrddyn opened the door and pushed Pasgen and me down the stairs. As we hit the bottom we saw all light extinguished and we were in the dark.
At first there was silence and then we heard someone shout. “Block the door and get a light.”
A few moments’ later we saw the faint light around the edge of the trap. We heard Aidan’s voice. “What foolery is this? Where are the prisoners? If you have let them escape then your deaths will be painful!”
“We swear! All of us heard the wizard cast the spell. There were bright coloured lights in the room and then a light so bright that it was as though the sun burned and when we entered they were gone. We had two men standing in the doorway. No-one could have got by us. They were spirited away.”
“Fools, search it. Take out the desk and the parchment rack. I want the room empty.”
That was the most dangerous time and the most frightening as they scraped and scratched the furniture from the room. Then we heard, “Bring in more lights. They are here somewhere. Tap the walls. Find another entrance.”
The banging and tapping continued until even Aidan was satisfied. Then we heard the voice of King Ywain. “Where are they?” The panic in his voice was palpable; even underground and hidden from view.
“We have searched majesty but they have been spirited away.”
“Idiot! This is a trick of that wizard. Search the castle. I want them found.” There was the noise of the men leaving and then all we heard was the heavy breathing of someone waiting. Ywain was still there; he remained for what seemed like an age. Finally all became silent and we were alone.
Myrddyn cautiously opened the trapdoor and peered out. He suddenly leapt up and then we heard him whisper. “It is clear.”
Pasgen struggled out and I followed, closing the trapdoor behind me. Myrddyn looked out and then returned. “They are racing around like headless chickens.”
I nodded. “You two get the horses and I will get the sword.” They both looked as though they would argue. “Just do it. I will not leave with
out the sword, if I do so then we are all lost.” They scurried around the corner. We had assumed that the stables would have been the first place they would have looked and should be a safe place for them to wait. I still had my wolf cloak about me and I put the hood over my head. It would disguise my features and, I hoped, would add to the supernatural element we had fostered. I walked boldly across the courtyard, deliberately not hurrying: to do so would draw attention to me. There were no guards on any of the doors. They were all looking in the recesses and dark places of the castle, not the brightly lit main rooms. As I approached the king’s chambers I glimpsed a guard. I had no weapons save my mailed gauntlets I still wore. I moved quietly along the dimly lit corridor. When I was but ten paces from him he turned. I did not know him, he was a young warrior; probably a recruit. The look of terror on his face told me that he saw not an enemy but a wolf spirit, and he hesitated. I raced towards him and punched him on the chin. He fell like a sack of wheat. I removed his sword and entered the chamber. It was empty. I retrieved my sword and felt the rush of power as I slipped it into its scabbard. There were two spears on the wall and I took them both down and plunged them into the back of the king’s throne. I wanted him under no illusion; we were now enemies. As I passed the unconscious guard I took his helmet. I slipped down the stairs and out into the courtyard, feeling much more confident now that I was armed. I saw no-one as I approached the stables but I could hear the furore as the garrison searched in vain for the ghosts who had vanished from within a locked and guarded cell.
As I entered the stable a blade slid towards my throat. I glanced at the wielder, “Myrddyn, this is no time to kill your lord.”
He laughed. “We have saddled Raven and two others, now how do we get out of here?”
“Leave that to me. Mount your horses and lead mine. Watch from the stable door. When you see the gate open, then ride like the hounds of hell are upon you.”
I could see the guards at the gate. They guarded the heavy bar which prevented entry. There was another gate ten paces further on but that one did not have a bar on except in time of war. I gambled that only one would have a bar on it. I lowered my hood and put on the helmet I had taken from the guard. Keeping my face down, I walked over to the two guards. One I recognised. I had fought with him but the other was an unknown surly looking fellow. They both looked at me with an unspoken question on their lips. I watched as they expected me to slow but I did not. I strode up to the surly one and hit him so hard he also dropped to the ground. Saxon Slayer was out in an instant. “Tadgh. We have fought together and you are a comrade but be under no illusions unless you do exactly as I say then you will die. You know I am Warlord and do not use lies.”