Hosker, G [Wolf Brethren 03] Saxon England

by Griff Hosker

  “A very kind offer but we will be away to the Dee. I can see more money coming my way.”

  As we tacked back to the land Pol asked, “That is good news is it not my lord? Now we have ships to aid us in our fight.”

  “We shall see Pol. We shall see.” Once back on land I gave Miach his instructions. “Keep the onagers manned and leave thirty of your men here with a good leader.” I turned to Gwynfor who had just tied up his boat. “Could we put a rope across the entrance to this port? Could it be just below the water? I have a mind to stop ships entering the harbour it we don’t like the look of them.”

  “Aye my lord but it would stop us getting out.”

  “We could have men operating the rope to let in those we wish to”

  He grinned. “I will put some of the young lads on that. They can lower it when we need to use it.”

  “Gareth, I want all of your people arming. It may not come to a fight but if it does I want you prepared.”

  I leapt on Raven feeling better than I had for some time. “Back to the fort. We have plans to make.”

  I spent some time with Garth, Myrddyn and Brother Oswald discussing what we would do if the Saxons came. Garth appeared puzzled. “But if this Hibernian can find the Saxons ships then he can destroy them.”

  “The problem is, Garth, that we do not know how many ships the Saxons have. This Felan has but three ships. The best that we can hope is that he finds them and warns us. Oswald how goes the beacons?”

  “They are all in place and men are placed to light them.”

  “And the people?”

  “They know to seek the safety of a fort.”

  I relaxed a little. “Good.”

  “We need to practise using the new onagers.”

  “There are plenty of stones on the beach. Make sure that Miach’s men at Caergybi have the opportunity too.”

  I closed my eyes briefly. This sudden danger was new and I felt suddenly tired. Suddenly I heard Myfanwy’s voice. It was sharp and angry. “You men are fools, Cannot you see that the Warlord is exhausted. Leave us!”

  I opened my eyes and saw the three men scurrying out of the chamber. She stood with her hands on her hips. “And you, my lord. You must take better care of yourself. If you were to fall… well I just don’t know what would happen. I don’t think you have eaten today have you?” She did not wait for an answer but handed me a bowl and a spoon. “Here, game stew. Now eat it and then get some sleep. There are others here who can watch.”

  As she stormed out I saw Hogan peer shyly around the edge of the door. “And she is right father. You need to eat and sleep more. Too many people rely on you.”

  I held up my hands in surrender. “Enough. I will eat and then I will sleep.”

  They were both right and I woke with a much clearer head the next day. I sent a message to Tuanthal to watch out for Saxons by the mainland. It would not do to underestimate Aethelric although it could be any of the other Saxon leaders. They had the free run of my country now. We had more volunteers and they were armed and prepared but they were not trained. If they survived the summer then we could begin to turn them into a warrior but for now they made up the numbers. The blacksmith had been working flat out preparing weapons and armour. He had confided in me that he was running short of iron and I knew that we would have to find a new supply soon.

  The day was an anticlimax. There were no lit beacons and neither the Saxons nor the Irish reappeared. Had I read the Saxons wrongly? Perhaps my foolish Irishman had taken them on and lost. I was assuming they would land close to me but they had the whole coastline to choose and only Tuanthal’s horses would be there to see them. I was creating my own riddling doubts and I rode, with Myrddyn, Pol and Hogan to Caergybi.

  Gareth was there and he proudly paraded the men of the town whom he had armed. I was not sure that they would stand up to a Saxon attack but all that they needed to do was boost our numbers. “They are a credit to you Gareth.” I pointed up at the onagers. “Have you seen them at work?”

  “We have my lord. We watched them this morning and they are terrifying. I would bet that Gwynfor was happy to have escaped with his boats before they started. The whole of the harbour was filled with splashes.”

  “He left for the fishing grounds?”

  “Aye, we have a market tomorrow. Folks will be coming for their fish and to bring their trade goods.”

  “The markets are going well then?” I did not bother with the peaceful activities of my domain and I felt sad about that.

  “They are growing. It takes people time to change to new ideas but they are coming round, never fear. The last one we had forty visitors. When we have a ship in then it is even busier.”

  “How do you know when a ship is due?”

  “You don’t. Even if the captains told us it would depend on the weather and the pirates. Sometimes we get three in a week and then we might go three weeks without one.” He shrugged. “I cannot see how we can be more accurate.”

  Myrddyn said, “All the ships have to travel from the south. It must take those boats hours to get around the headland. If we kept watch from the towers in the castle then we could signal you that a ship was due and you would have eight hours notice.”

  Gareth shook his head in amazement, “They are right, you are a wizard!”

  “There is a fishing boat and he is coming quickly.”

  “Good eyes Hogan. Stand to. He may just have a big fish but we will not take chances.”

  The onager crews and the archers laughed. Myrddyn added, “Begin a fire just in case it is danger.”

  I went down to the harbour to greet Gwynfor. He began shouting excitedly as he lowered his sail. “It is the Irishman. He has captured a Saxon ship and they are heading in.”

  I looked at Myrddyn and then asked, “Was there any damage to any of the ships?” His expression told me he did not understand the question. “Broken oars, damaged sails. That sort of thing.”

  Understanding flooded his face. “No, my lord.”

  “Get the boom across the harbour. Gareth; send your men to the ramparts. We may have a problem.” I grabbed Hogan’s arm. Ride to the fort and tell Miach to bring every archer and tell Garth to stand to. There may be something up.”

  “But father he said they have captured a Saxon ship.”

  “And that may be great cause for celebration but I find it hard to believe that there is no damage to any of the ships.” I raced up the steps to Miach’s men. “Have the fire ready. When I give the command I want one of you to target the Saxon ship and the other the ship of Felan. Use rocks for the first three attacks to gauge the distance and when you are happy then change to fire.”

  “And if you give no command my lord?”

  “Then we have a Saxon ship to begin our fleet.”

  “Sail in sight!”

  I saw the three ships as they edged into sight. Gwynfor waved to show that he had the boom in place and I went down to the harbour side. The rope was well hidden and the four ships did not see it until it was almost too late. They began to rapidly back oars and Felan appeared on the prow of his ship.

  “You appear to have a boom in place. Do you want to shift it so that we can bring you your prize and I can get the rest of my money?”

  He had such an easy smile and seemed so genuine that I almost doubted myself. Luckily Myrddyn’s eyes were shaper than mine and his mind moved quicker too. “Lord Lann, those boats are loaded with men. Look how low they are in the water. If they had a fight I would have expected them to have fewer men; especially as he would have had to crew the Saxon ship too.”

  “You are right.” I cupped my hands. “The boom is new and we are trying to work out how to use it. I will come aboard your ship and give you the money now eh?”

  There was a sharp intake of breath from Pol. “If they are with the Saxons then they will have you.”

  “I have no intention of stepping foot on any of their ships. Watch.”

  “No that’s all right. We
don’t mind waiting until you fix it.”

  “If you would move your ships closer to this bank and take off our prize crew my men would like some target practice for their arrows.”

  “You can’t do that. It is a fine boat.”

  “A few arrows will not sink a Saxon ship. I know I have fought them before. Just ask your crew to drop the anchor on the Saxon boat and rejoin you.” I spoke with a smile on my face but Felan’s face contorted in anger.

  “You bastard. At them!” The three ships tried to row over the boom.

  I dropped my arm and stones and arrows began to fly across the water. Myrddyn’s assessment proved accurate when a wall of shields appeared on each ship. There had to be fifty men on each boat. Even with their shields the arrows struck flesh but even more devastating was the crash of the stones. Only one struck the water and the others hit the sides of the ship and the shields. Planks shattered and oars broke. Suddenly there was a whoosh as the first fireball flew at the boats. It stuck amidships and the sail of the foremost Irish boat erupted in flames. The Saxon ship was also struck and suddenly there was panic amongst the small fleet. The two ships at the rear tried to back out. The onager crews had their distances well worked out and, with the archers adding to the destruction, the two ships were ablaze from stem to stern. They shifted to the other and, before they could escape, they had been struck four or five times.

  We watched as men threw themselves from their stricken ships. Gareth and his men moved down to the harbour wall where they butchered all who tried to land. I saw Felan strip off his armour and begin to swim to his last boat. By the time the two ships had settled in the water the battle was over and the sneak attack had failed.

  Myrddyn turned to me and just said, ”Another accurate prophesy eh my lord?”

  He was right; the men form the sea and smiling Irish. We had been saved by dreams again. Gwynfor and his fishermen fished out the dead bodies. This was partly to recover any weapons and iron we might use and partly to save the waters becoming polluted. The remaining Irish ship limped away to the west. Felan had been thwarted but I had no doubts that he would return. Gwynfor had told me that the Irish had once conquered the whole of the island when the Romans had left and it took a mighty king of Cymri to remove them. So far I had seen little evidence of the King of Wales, Beli ap Rhun, but, perhaps, one day I would meet him. Whoever he was he was exerting little influence on his land.

  Once back in my stronghold Brother Oswald organised the weapons and armour. The better pieces would be issued to new warriors and the pieces of poor quality used by the blacksmith. We always had need for iron.

  Suddenly one of the guards shouted, “My lord! The beacons are lit!”

  Garth looked at me. “The Saxons are here!”

  “Get some men mounted. We are blind and they could be anywhere.” I shouted over the sentry at the western end. “Have you seen any ships?”

  “No my lord.”

  “I will head to the northern coast. Tuanthal would be able to find any at his end of the island.” I saw Miach hurrying over. “Miach I want half of your archers on their horses now.”

  It was a pitifully small patrol I led out: ten mounted warriors, ten archers, Miach, Pol and Hogan. We were not going to fight a battle; we were going to find the Saxons. Even as we crossed the bridge the villagers and farmers were heeding the warning of the beacons. We questioned them all but they had only seen the beacons and not the Saxons. I headed directly for the coast. I reasoned that we would have seen them from Caergybi had they been close to that end of the island and the middle would afford me the best opportunity of spotting them.

  Pol’s sharp eyes saw them first. “There, Lord Lann. Down the coast.”

  I could see them about four miles away. There were six ships which meant anything from two hundred to three hundred men. I grabbed an archer. “Ride to the fort and tell Garth they are on the northern coast close to Amlwch.”I pointed to a second. “Ride to captain Tuanthal and tell him to join me close to Amlwch.”

  Miach gave me a shrewd look. “You are counting on containing them with horses?”

  “I am but I am also going to tempt them north towards the fort.” I pointed at the furled standard. “That normally works.” I raised my voice so that all could hear. “No heroics today. We annoy them and make them want to kill us.” I paused. “They normally do that anyway!” They cheered. They were in good spirits and ready for a fight. Tuanthal had forty mounted men. Now that Mungo garrisoned his fort he had the freedom he needed for his horses.

  The pall of smoke told us that they had fired the small cluster of huts. I led us slightly inland to cut them off and to see if any had escaped. This was where my scouts would have come in handy but they were now training to be warriors and we were blind without them. We found the first refugees a mile along the track. They were heading south to the bridge. I recognised one from Rheged, a one armed farmer who had fought besides me against King Ida. He seemed quite composed whilst the others were almost hysterical. He carried his old sword in his good hand. “There are about five hundred of them Warlord.” He grinned, “Although I didn’t stop to count. They are a mile or so behind us. They spent too long destroying the huts and that gave us the chance to run.”

  “Well done. Keep heading along the track and tell Captain Garth your news. Tell him I will draw them on.”

  “I will do my lord.” He turned to his party. “See I told you the Warlord would know how to handle it. Now let’s get moving.”

  With old warriors like that my new land was safe. “We know where they are now. Let us lay a little ambush for them.” There were few heavily forested areas on the island but there was a small knoll with a thin stand of trees ahead. “Miach. Take your men and hide in the woods. We will bring them to you. Five flights and then mount and get out of there.”

  “With pleasure.”

  We were now the bait; thirteen men against three hundred. As we rode I said to Hogan, “Do not get close to them. They will come for me so do not get in the way.”

  “But I am your squire.”

  “And I would like to see you a warrior. Pol, watch him carefully.”

  There was a small lake between them and my castle and I wanted them to take the northern route around the lake. We climbed a small ridge and saw the untidy yet well armed warband. There were about three hundred of them. “Unfurl the banner. Let us annoy them.” I fitted my bowstring as we trotted down the slope. We would be returning that way and I could tell that it would slow them down and tire them as they followed us.

  We were three hundred paces away when they saw us. They just launched themselves at us. “Halt!” I fitted an arrow and aimed at the leading warrior. Even as my arrow plunged into his neck I had loosed a second and a third. The first three warriors fell dead. For my fourth arrow I chose a leader not in the front rank. He must have felt safe right up until the arrow struck him in the chest and he too fell dead. “Let us retreat now, but not too fast. We want them to catch us.”

  We rode at a steady trot which made the Saxons have to run after us. Had they not recognised me then I think they would have halted but seeing the Wolf Warrior they came on eagerly. Inevitably, the fitter warriors began to catch us and they became strung out. Nearing the wooded knoll where Miach waited I veered my patrol towards it as though we were seeking refuge and they took the bait. Twenty men ran at an angle to cut us off. Feigning panic I veered right almost straight away and when Miach launched his attack, most of the warband had their backs towards the archers. It was a bowman’s delight and their fifty arrows all found marks. They wheeled to face the new threat; just in time to see Miach and his archers burst from the trees and head west, towards our bridge and fort. I too wheeled my horsemen to join up with them.

  The Saxon leader halted. I could see the walking wounded being aided and those who would not survive having their throats cut. There was a debate going on. We reined in. “Well done Miach. It looked like every arrow found a home.”

&nb
sp; “Not quite my lord, I counted eight misses.” He glared at three warriors who hung their heads. “I think we will have to have some extra practice sessions.”

  We watched as the debate went on and then they formed a column and set off after us. I suppose it made sense, if they were sent here to capture me, and I assumed that they were, they had to follow us. The leader showed that he suspected another trap and they walked this time; a depleted column of warriors. We skirted the lake on our left and even had time to, arrogantly, water our horses. When we reached the north western side, however, Pol shouted, “Saxons ahead of us!”

  There was a second warband and they had tried to trap me. Where had they come from? Of course we could out run them but it meant that they had even more warriors on my island. “Head due north!” By heading north both groups would have further to go to entrap me. “Let us kick on a little.” It was time to put a little distance between us. I was also acutely aware that I had to buy time for my people to reach their strongholds. We could all now see the second warband and it looked to be the same size as the first. They must have sailed out of sight of land and landed on the southern shore. Perhaps they had sailed through the narrows and been seen by Tuanthal; in which case they would have damage to their ships. The time would come for us to find out the truth. For now we just had to react to their actions.

  I hoped that Garth had reinforced the fort at the end of the bridge. I wanted the bridge whole and not destroyed. It had taken too long to build to throw the work away needlessly. By our own standards it was quite a primitive fort but it was still stronger than anything we had seen. There was a double ditch on three sides and the sea on the fourth. There were two gates; one over the bridge and one into the fort protected by a drawbridge over the ditch. Garth should have had time to move the onagers into place. They were not effective against lightly armed skirmishers but they could destroy a shield wall.

  The light was fading behind us and I went a little faster. It was very easy to be deceived by movement in poor light and we were the ones highlighted in the setting sun. Our horses were now tiring but I knew that the Saxons would be wearier. “Miach take your men into the fort. Put your horses on the island and man the walls.”