Hosker, G [Wolf Brethren 03] Saxon England

by Griff Hosker

  I stepped forwards. This was not going to be an exhibition. This was a fight to the death and I intended it to be his death. He was slightly taller than me and I am a big man. He would have the height advantage but I would have the speed. He was counting on his axe to destroy my defence but my shield was covered in metal. Hogan had hammered five new nails in that morning; they stood proud of the shield. He had never struck a shield like mine and it gave me an advantage. I did not wait for him to attack, I wanted him angry and I feinted with my sword and, as he raised his shield, I punched him in the mouth with mine. I heard a crunch as I broke some of his teeth and saw him spitting teeth and blood out as he stepped backwards with the blow. Some of the nails had cut into his chin below his mask. That made him angry. He swung his axe overhand at my shield. It was a powerful blow and made my arm numb when it struck but it did not penetrate the shield. Instead it held it there as he struggled to pull it free. He held his shield to protect himself and I stabbed Saxon Slayer down into his foot. He roared in agony and I saw the blood spurt. It would not slow him down but it would anger him. As he stepped back on to his good foot I spun around and stabbed my dagger into the small of his back. It pierced the rings and came out red. Before he could react I was facing him again.

  “You are not a warrior, you are Loge the trickster and I will kill you for I am a true warrior and champion.” A real warrior does not talk when fighting and I stabbed forwards with Saxon Slayer. I had a helmet the same as he had but I had a mail coif beneath it. He did not. The tip entered his throat and came out at the rear. Even behind his mask I could see his eyes widen in shock and then, as I withdrew the blade life left them and he died. I quickly stepped back to our lines.

  There was a shocked silence and then the Saxons hurled themselves forwards. At the same time Ridwyn launched the attack of the Bernicians and the men of Strathclyde. They had been waiting in a dell, hidden by bushes. The horsemen of Tuanthal followed them. The last reserves I had streamed down the slope into the unprotected flank of the Saxons. They were caught between two bands of angry warriors and the lake. The battle was bloody but brief. The Saxons outnumbered us but they could not bring all their men into action. Inevitably they broke. When I saw Aethelric flee on his white horse I knew we had won. Tuanthal and the horsemen pursued the Saxons all the way back to Castle Perilous. It was said that the carrion crows, foxes and wolves were bigger that year than anyone had ever seen. Saxon meat suited them.

  Myrddyn and the other healers worked for the rest of the day. Our warriors were more valuable than gold and we needed all of them. I took the opportunity of taking off my armour and taking a bath in the cold lake. I knew that I would no longer be able to enjoy the hot baths of Civitas Carvetiorum but that was a small price to pay for freedom. I felt much better as Hogan and Pol helped to dress me and strap on a freshly sharpened Saxon Slayer. Raibeart and Aelle awaited us in their hall.

  The smell of hot food wafted towards me as I entered the warrior hall which still looked new. My captains were there although Tuanthal was busy chasing Saxons still. I sat next to Raibeart and Aelle. I could tell from the worried looks on their faces that they were wary of speaking their minds.

  “Whatever decision you two have arrived at will be fine with me.”

  Aelle spoke, “We feel that we are being disloyal but we wish to stay here in the land of the lakes. Raibeart and his people have been displaced once already. They feel secure and happy here.”

  I chewed on some late lamb and then spoke, “I understand but I fear that the Saxons will still come for you and that will be my fault. I am the one who angered them and they will want revenge.”

  Raibeart spread his arms towards the lake outside. “The lake and the mountain of Halvelyn will protect us. I do not doubt it will be a hard fight to defend the land but it is a land worth fighting for.”

  “Then I wish you well. Know that when we reach Wales and settle I will send a message so that you could join me when the time is right.” I gestured for Myrddyn and Brother Oswald to join us. They had both been eating at a discreet distance and they hurried over. “My brothers will remain here. Go to my people and begin to load them on the carts and wagons. When Tuanthal; returns we will head south. It will probably be tomorrow.”

  “So soon?” I could see that neither of them expected me to leave so quickly.

  “Firstly we are a drain on your supplies and hospitality and secondly the Saxons will return and I want a head start. It is a long way to Wales.”

  Myrddyn nodded. “By my estimate it is over a one hundred and twenty miles.”

  Aelle gave him a bemused look. “I know you walked from Wales when you arrived but did you measure it?”

  “No, my lord. The Romans kept excellent records and they noted the distance between places. Brother Osric and I worked it out when this was first mentioned.”

  Aelle nodded, “I miss the old priest.”

  “As do we all and Rheged would not be in this state had he lived.”

  “I estimate, my lord, that it will take us between eight and nine days to cover the distance.”

  Again Aelle looked impressed. “Explain the accuracy of that statement.”

  “The Roman soldiers marched between fifteen and twenty miles a day. We have wagons and will be using a road. I estimate a minimum of fifteen miles a day but the length of the journey means that we will do fewer miles each day. Eight days is the minimum but nine is what I expect. Even if it is ten days that will not be a problem as we have sufficient supplies for twelve day’s.”

  “You have been planning this for some time then.”

  “Since Brother Osric first suggested it.”

  Tuanthal reached us before dark. He had only lost two warriors and one of those returned after dark having become lost. “We chased them all the way back to Civitas. There they entered freely. I fear you are right, Lord Lann, and Civitas Carvetiorum is now a Saxon hall despite the fact that the king still lives.”

  “Aye well we did all we could. Get your men fed and rest your horses. Tomorrow we begin our journey south.”

  Although my army went to Wide Water immediately I stayed with my brothers as I was reluctant to part. I did not know when I would ever see them again. Thus it came about that I saw King Ywain again. He was at the head of a small army. He rode to within three hundred paces of our lines. He had too much respect for our bowmen to close any closer but he would have been safe. None of us would kill the King of Rheged. He had with him his mounted bodyguards and I recognised Tadgh. The king looked angry even at that distance. He did not address me or my brothers even though we stood on top of the walls instead he spoke to our men.

  “Men of Rheged! You have been led astray by evil men and you have rebelled against your king. I forgive you and ask you to take up arms and kill the brothers called the Wolf Brethren for they are traitors. Do so and Rheged will have peace once more!”

  There was a brief moment of silence and then two things happened, Ridwyn, Garth and my officers burst out laughing and the warriors began jeering and catcalling the king. I saw one archer notch an arrow and I yelled. “Silence! Hold that arrow!”

  The men all fell silent. The king spoke again and sounded like a petulant child. “Do not listen to him. He is a traitor.”

  A wag from Raibeart’s army yelled out. “We heard you thought he was a ghost who spirited himself out of your castle!”

  The laughter erupted from my men. I waited until it had subsided and then answered. “King Ywain you do not know our men and I believe you do not know your own. You have sided with Rheged’s enemies. You have sided with your father’s enemies. If we wished you dead then you would be.” I nodded at Raibeart who had an arrow notched. The arrow landed between his horse’s forelegs. The horse reared in shock and Ywain struggled to control it. “If we were traitors and wished to take your land then your head would be on a spear and your men, at least, know it.” His men were shifting uncomfortably on their horses. I was Warlord and I had led them for
years. They knew my words were true but they had sworn an oath to King Ywain of Rheged and they were men of their word.

  The red faced king pointed at us. “When Aethelric comes for you I will enjoy watching you being roasted on a fire. Traitors!” He turned and galloped away.

  Aelle shook his head sadly. “I knew he had fallen far but until I saw and heard him I could not believe how far. You are right to do as you do.”

  I nodded sadly. As I was leaving these warriors I said, “Farewell men of Rheged. It has been my privilege to lead you into battle. I will see you all in the Otherworld!”

  Their cheers rang in my ears as I led Pol and Hogan up the slopes of Halvelyn towards Wide Water. We could have travelled down the valley and then up the lake but I had a notion to look on the whole of Rheged one last time from the top of the highest mountain in the land. The trail was clear and zig zagged up the sides. Our horses were sure footed and Wolf ran ahead showing us the way. When we reached the top and looked north we could see all the way to Strathclyde. I nodded to my two companions. “Look on Rheged. It was the last kingdom to stand against the Saxons and now it is gone. I shall never look on it again.” We stood next to our horses, each lost in our thoughts. I was no longer a young man and I had spent most of my adult life fighting for Rheged against the Saxons. I had lost my parents and my family save for Hogan. I had lost dear friends like Brother Osric, Riderch, Gildas and Angus but that part of my life was over and, as I mounted Raven and turned my back on Rheged, I looked forward to my new life.

  We rode in silence down the mountain, through the forests to the two pretty lakes surrounded my small hamlets and settlements; clear evidence of the prosperity of this land. As we turned on to the road to Wide Water I wondered how long it would last.

  Part Two

  The road to Wales

  Chapter 14

  Thanks to Raibeart and Aelle we had enough carts and wagons to carry the women and children as well as our supplies. Tuanthal and his horsemen rode ahead of us while Miach and his mounted archers watched our flanks. The warriors marched closely in a protective circle around the whole caravan. Almost as soon as we left Wide Water and the land of the lakes we found the land to be gentle and undulating; drifting away south westwards towards the sea. It was wide open country with few hills of any note and the Roman Road ploughed a straight furrow south. Although few people had used it for a hundred years or more it was a well made road and we managed twenty one miles that first day. Myrddyn was full of himself as he showed us the milestones which enabled him to accurately measure our progress. At the end of that first day we could still see the hills and mountains of Aelle’s domain but it was like looking at a foreign land now.

  My warriors did not suffer at all having marched across the country before but the farmers had problems with their feet. While my men threw up a defensive wall and rough ditch Myrddyn and Brother Oswald doled out the salve they had made for the sore and blistered feet. As we had many women with us we ate well and they busied themselves organising each other and their children to create the meal. It was almost celebratory as we tucked into that most rare of luxuries whilst campaigning, a hot meal. Tuanthal’s scouts had seen little human occupation in the land we would cover in the next part of the journey and that boded well. We did not want to have to fight our way south, especially as the Saxons could pursue us at any time.

  “If it continues like this my lord it will be like Yule, without the snow!”

  We laughed at Garth but Myrddyn warned, “So far it has been dry and it has been warm; when the weather changes then we shall see. We have food and we are well fed at the moment but if we run out then that may change things and we do not know of the people who lie ahead. When I came north all those years ago I did not use this road as I was trying to avoid attention. Let us not count any chickens just yet.”

  “This pessimism is not like you Myrddyn.”

  “Rather than pessimism, call it caution. I believe we will get to Wales and that we will not suffer too much but we both know that wyrd has a way of trickling us or perhaps it is Loge.”

  “Perhaps you are right but I will sleep easier tonight than I thought I would.”

  For the next four days all went well and we travelled through the flattest land I have ever seen. Thin tendrils of smoke in the distance bespoke human habitation but we did not come close to any signs of people close by. The scouts reported a river some fifteen miles ahead with a bridge and an encampment or settlement of some description nearby. When Myrddyn had done his reconnaissance all those years before, he had avoided the roads and taken the direct route to his island. I regretted that now. We could have planned better had we had a detailed map of the land through which we travelled.

  “There are two large rivers my lord and they are quite close together. The second is the last obstacle before we reach Wales. I would suspect that this will be where we may find opposition for there is an old Roman fortress called Deva and it guards the second river crossing. We must go carefully.” Myrddyn knew the general geography of the land while the writings of Osric told him what the Romans had built.

  I pondered the problem. I did not think that we would find superior numbers but I wanted to lose no-more men. If I could negotiate a peaceful solution, then that would save lives and I wanted no more deaths. “Garth, I will leave you in charge tomorrow. Take your time heading south. I will go with Myrddyn, Tuanthal and ten of his men to meet with the people of the bridge and see if we can negotiate a passage.”

  They nodded and then a wee small voice piped up, “And Pol and I as well father?”

  My officers fell about laughing as I replied. “Of course, for you are my squire are you not?”

  The road to the bridge was a blessing for the land to the sides was boggy and marshy. I could see why it had been shunned by the tribes of the area. Tuanthal pointed to the smoke emanating from the low lying ground ahead. “They have a wooden stockade and, perhaps ten huts.”

  “Is there a warrior hall?”

  “We did not see one but we did not wish to give ourselves away. Sorry, my lord.”

  I smiled, “Not to worry. You did the right thing. This is better. Of course what we do not know is are they Saxons or are they related to us? We shall find out soon enough.” I turned to Pol and Hogan. “You two keep quiet and watch. Use your ears. These are strangers and they may be friendly or they may not be. We shall need all of our wits about us this day.”

  The settlement was on the northern side of the Roman Bridge. They kept a watch and, as soon as we were seen the gates were slammed shut.

  “Well that means they are unfriendly.”

  “Not necessarily Tuanthal. We are armed men and we do look dangerous. I know we are used to our martial appearance but these folk may not be. Let us keep an open mind.”

  I had toyed with the idea of discarding the mail but it was too much of a risk. As we rode towards the wooden walls my mind was already assessing how we would take it should the need arise. I could capture it with five archers and twelve warriors. It was no obstacle but something in the back of my mind made me more cautious. We halted fifty paces from the walls. It was within bowshot but we all carried a shield, Myrddyn included. At the first sign of aggression we would raise our shields.

  I waited patiently for there was no-one in sight. Suddenly a disembodied voice spoke and I relaxed a little. It was not Saxon. Nor was it my own language. It was related to it and I understood many of the words but not all. Myrddyn saw my frown and said, “I understand him, my lord. He asks what we want for they are poor and have nothing worth stealing.”

  “Tell him we are not thieves but warriors from the north, Lord Lann and his people. All that we wish is to cross the bridge in peace.”

  Myrddyn shouted my words and a handful of people stood on the wood wall above the gate. When he spoke I listened carefully for I wished to answer.

  “Warriors from the north this bridge and the river is our livelihood. It will cost you one copper piece
for each of you.”

  Tuanthal murmured, “Robbing bastard. Let me and my men take them my lord and we will get through for nothing.”

  I held up my hand, “Peace Tuanthal. Let me negotiate.” I raised my voice so that they could all hear. “We are not the whole of my people.” I pointed north. “They will be arriving soon and there will be many of them. One copper piece for each person would be too expensive.” I reached into my bag and drew out a King Urien silver piece. I held it between my fingers. “This is silver. I will pay you ten of these to allow all of us to cross and my people will buy any spare supplies you have.”

  My words caused a debate and I could see much gesticulation and raised voices although I could not hear the words clearly. “Come closer Lord Lann but come alone.”

  “I will bring my counsellor for he speaks your words. I want no misunderstandings.” I rode forwards followed by Myrddyn. I was not stupid enough to put myself in harm’s way. As I passed Tuanthal I said quietly, “Watch for treachery but I can see no weapons yet.”

  By the time we reached the gates it had opened and half a dozen villagers were standing there armed with the most rudimentary of weapons. There was one sword, three axes and a couple of spears. Not one of the weapons could harm any of us. Their attire was more basic than that of my people. The homespun wool was of poor quality and shabbily made. Two of the men wore crude leather jerkins. This was not a rich community.

  “I am Gareth, the headman of this place, it is called Witherspool.” I was now close enough to the river to see why it had been named; there was a small eddy of water which spiralled below the bridge. The bridge, I was pleased to see, was Roman built. “Let me see the coin.”

  I threw it to him and he examined it closely, tasting it, biting it, and then he passed it to the others. They seemed impressed. “You said twenty of these?”

  “I said ten.”

  “Twenty would be better.”