by Griff Hosker
When he left Andronikos leaned forward. “Your son and Pol enjoyed reading in the libraries of Constantinopolis about the story of famous swords. One of the librarians thought that he had a reference to your sword from some writings of the Emperors Claudius and Hadrian.”
I was intrigued and I could see that Myrddyn was. “Then we must meet this librarian for that fascinates me.”
Lann Aelle returned with the sword, still wrapped in the sheepskin. “Well done, squire, you need to protect the blade from the salt air.”
He grinned, “I learned that lesson from Pol at the expense of many a cuffed ear.”
It was my turn to smile. “Much as I cuffed your father when we were growing up.”
He withdrew the blade and placed it on the gently swaying table which was suspended from the wooden ceiling. The glow from the oil lamps picked out intricate detail on its blade. There were runes on the steel and Myrddyn peered at them. “These runes say that the blade was forged in the mountains for a leader called The Bear Killer.”
Lann Aelle ran his fingers over the runes as though he would be able to read them too. “What are these rings around the hilt uncle?”
“When a warrior wins a single combat against a formidable foe he is allowed to put a ring around the hilt. There are many rings here.”
“Does that mean Aella was a mighty warrior?”
“He was a good warrior but some of these are old and it may have been that the king did not remove the old ones.” I shrugged, “Not all men have honour.”
“Should I remove them?”
“If you do then you will need to put new bindings on the hilt as the removal will weaken it.”
“Thank you Myrddyn.”
“May I?” Andronikos held his hand out for the sword. He balanced it on his hand. “This has a fine balance.” He stood away from the table and swung it in a horizontal plane. It made a humming noise. “Do you hear how it sings? This is a fine sword. The best swords always sing. If you like we can have the rings removed and the hilt strengthened at the palace. The Emperor has his own blacksmith and he is highly skilled. He would be honoured to work on such an ancient sword. And we can find out the history of this blade too.”
When Lann took back the sword I could see the wonder in his eyes. This was no longer a weapon given to him by his father; this was a mystical weapon from another culture. He now had his own Saxon Slayer. “You should name it Lann.”
Myrddyn smiled, “It already has a name Warlord. It is called Bear Killer. It is not wise to rename a sword. What think you to that name?”
Lann nodded, “I like it. Bear Killer it is.”
Andronikos shook his head. “I understand how you appreciate a fine weapon but this naming of a weapon makes no sense.”
Myrddyn explained as though to a child, “The name means that the weapon becomes alive. The name lives on after the warrior who died using it. The power of the sword grows as each successive warrior adds his skill and power to it.”
“Does that not depend upon the warrior?”
“That is where we will have to disagree, Christian, for we believe that the weapon and the warrior become one. The weapon has a life of its own.” Myrddyn pointed to me. “Until he found the sword he was not a great warrior but the moment it touched his hand then his life changed. This warrior and his sword almost saved Rheged and they have saved a part of Roman Britain. Would this have happened without the sword?”
“You have given me much to ponder. And now I think I will retire. Sleep well.”
I had slept on boats before. I did not find the motion uncomfortable. As we had the wind with us the rowers were not used and we sailed gently south. Each mile took me further from my home but, that night, I dreamt my last dream for a while.
My mother came to me and lifted me from the ship we flew high in the sky and we became hawks. Below me were crows and magpies. I was suddenly alone for my mother had gone. I plunged down to seize a crow and I was flying with the dead bird in my talon. Suddenly I found myself being attacked by something I couldn’t see and, as I dropped my catch, I glimpsed an eagle tearing at me. Then I was falling and spiralling down to earth.
“My lord!”
I looked up and saw Lann Aelle above me. “What is it Lann?”
“You were shouting in your sleep. I was worried.”
Myrddyn’s voice sent shivers down my spine. “He was dreaming, Lann, and his mother came to him.” I looked over to him, the question on my face. He nodded, “Yes, Warlord, I dreamed your dream too.”
“What does it mean?”
He came over to me and spoke quietly. “It means that we must be on our guard, both here and in Constantinopolis.” He put his arm around Lann. “That means all of us.”
Lann’s eyes were wide, “Yes, Myrddyn. I will be careful.” He had his sword in his hand, albeit in its scabbard, “I swear by Bear Killer.” In that moment, I saw my nephew become a man.
When we had eaten we went to the main deck where we joined Andronikos and the captain. It was obvious that the captain could do without the strategos and us watching his every move. I felt sorry for him. He had a hard enough job sailing the huge behemoth, without visitors on his deck. Andronikos pointed to the land on the left. “The captain will be pleased when we have navigated this section. The cliffs are littered with savage rocks and to the south are a string of ragged rocks which have torn the bottoms out of many ships.”
Myrddyn showed his wisdom and his understanding of the dilemma of the captain. “Then let us leave the man to steer the ship for we can go forrard and see this land which is so fearsome.” I saw the grateful nod from the portly captain.
“This is the land of the Britons. They are, like you, the last peoples to fight the Saxons.”
“And are they allies of the Emperor like us?”
He shook his head. “I fear they are not as civilised as you. They killed the last envoy and destroyed his ship. The Emperor hopes that, in time, you may be able to reconcile them to the way of Rome.”
I realised then that the Emperor had not just gambled on me. He had others with whom he hoped to regain his provinces. I stored that information away for the future. “Tell me strategos, do you not worry about pirates? I know that we have passed beyond the land of the Hibernians, but here are others who would prey upon such valuable prizes.”
In answer he pointed to the bolt throwers. There were two at the prow, two at the stern and two in the mid deck area. “The bolt throwers are, as I know you have found out, effective. We are too big for most pirates to attack.”
I glanced at Myrddyn. I had already worked out how such a ship could be taken and the knowing look from Myrddyn showed me that he, too, had worked it out. “And how long to reach our destination?”
“That depends upon the wind. If we had to row the whole way it would take a long time but the winds are generally in our favour until we reach the Pillars of Hercules. However the weather is also unpredictable. We may be there in under a month or it could take us two months. We are in God’s hands.”
I wondered about that as we headed east. There were still free people on the island of Britannia who had not been defeated by the Saxons. Perhaps there was hope for us. The people of Cymri still held out and with good leadership we could begin to claw back some of the lands stolen from us by the invaders who sought to reap the benefit of the work of the Romans and the Britons. I determined, as the coastline slid by behind us, that I would rid the land of these parasites that did nothing constructive themselves but took the hard work of others. If nothing else this journey to Constantinopolis had hardened my resolve and given me purpose.
The day turned grey and stormy as we headed towards the coastline of the land of the Gauls. Once Roman, it was now a land of the old tribes fighting amongst themselves; as they had done before the Romans came. As Myrddyn and Lann wandered the ship with Andronikos I went to the stern to talk with the captain. “Is there no trade with the people of these lands?”
The portly captain nodded to the helmsman to keep on the same course and joined me. “No, Warlord, for they are unpredictable. Their leaders change frequently and the new ones just want something for nothing. Many of my friends have lost their ships and their lives because they cannot predict what the natives will do. We avoid it now and it means that they do not enjoy the benefits of trade. They live primitive lives. Your land has benefited from trade and it prospers. These people just take what they can and live hand to mouth. Your land is a haven for traders such as us.”
Suddenly a squall came from nowhere. “You must go below decks, Warlord; this will get worse before it gets better.”
I heeded the advice of the captain and returned to our cabin. The others soon joined me and they were soaked to the skin. Lann Aelle was laughing. “This is a strange way to live my lord. There was sunshine and then, within a heartbeat, there was rain. Have we upset the gods in some way?”
I looked at Myrddyn who gave the hint of a smile. He had wondered why we had not appeased the gods before we left Britannia. Andronikos shook his head, “It is just the weather. God does not punish men for sailing his seas. The wind will abate and the rain will stop. We must be patient.”
He was right although it took two days for the winds to blow themselves out. Lann Aelle was sick for most of those two days as was Andronikos. Myrddyn and I did not seem to suffer. We ate and slept as we normally did. When the wind ceased we assessed the damage.
The captain approached Andronikos. “As far as I can see we are quite close to the Pillars of Hercules and we have reached here sooner than we thought but the ship has suffered damage. We have lost four men overboard. Many oars were destroyed and the sail needs replacing.” He pointed to the mid ships area. “And we have lost two bolt throwers. We will need to repair for half a day.” He pointed to the south. “We must keep a good watch. There are many pirates here. Africa is a hotbed of brigands, bandits and pirates. I would arm yourselves.”
When he had gone I looked out at the now placid sea. “It looks so peaceful.”
“True but like the storm which came from nowhere it can change in a moment. I would suggest you do as he says. We are helpless here until we have repaired the ship.”
As we went below I saw the Imperial troops building a new bolt thrower. They worked so feverishly that I knew it was a serious situation. “When we are armed we will get out bows, Lann Aelle. I have a feeling that we will need them soon.”
I wondered if I was right as we saw the ship transformed before our eyes from a semi wrecked hulk to a working ship once more. The sailors knew their jobs. The ship obviously kept spares for just such an occasion and the vessel began to heal itself with the aid of the mariners. The hardest and the longest task was the sail. The old one had to be taken down and manhandled below for repair while the new one, stiff and unyielding, was brought up to be hoisted.
It was when we were in the middle of this delicate operation that the three pirate ships appeared. They came from the south. One headed for our bows whilst the other two each took a quarter of the ship. As we had no sail we were relatively immobile although the captain ordered the rowers to their stations despite their tiredness. They were happy to be at their benches for the prospect of capture by the pirates was not an attractive one. The five bolt throwers were manned and the Imperial troops formed themselves into three lines. The first one was armed with shield and spear while the rear two had bows. Andronikos and his servant appeared, both in the armour of Cataphractoi.
He stood by the three of us. “Interesting is it not Warlord.” He pointed at the decks of the three ships which approached us; they teemed with half naked savages who were waving weapons in the air. I could not see the weapons but I assumed they would be primitive yet effective. “We can beat any of their ships one on one. We can defeat all of the warriors in any one ship but if they attack us at the same time then they will win.”
“You do not seem worried strategos?”
He shrugged, “Worry would not win the battle and might even lose it for us. We will try to defeat each attack they make and adapt.” He smiled. “It usually works and we have the best trained men on board.” He pointed to Saxon Slayer. “However as you have never lost whilst using your mystical weapon perhaps we need not fear.”
“I wish it were that easy, strategos. Where would you like us?”
“Go with the archers and loose when they do. Wizard, perhaps if you could make their ships fill with water…?”
Myrddyn had the good grace to smile. “As this is my first sea battle then I shall watch and come up with a stratagem for the next time.”
Lann and I joined Andronikos at the prow with his men. I could see the centre ship heading directly for us. She was making herself a small target. I looked at the mast head and saw the pennant fluttering in the wind. “It is a pity we do not have the sail hoisted for the wind is with us.”
“Yes, Warlord and at that moment that aids us for they have to tack into the wind to reach us but once they are upwind of us they can pick us off at will.” He tapped his captain of artillery on the shoulder. “Whenever you are ready.”
The two bolts hurtled towards the ship. One of them struck the bow and stayed there. The other bounced off the side. Andronikos seemed pleased. “Not bad for a first attempt.”
They fired a second time and this time one struck the mast, which visibly shivered and the other struck the bow. I drew back my bow. I aimed for the mast, and I hoped that my arrow would fly over, and strike somewhere close to the rudder. In my experience, missiles raining down on men who thought they were safe had a sobering effect. I watched it climb and then plunge down. I loosed a second and a third. The bolts were still striking the African ship but did not appear to be slowing it down. Suddenly the ship yawed to the left and the next two bolts hit home close to the waterline. The early bolts had caused holes and the sudden turn must have caused water to begin to enter the boat. It began to sink. There was no cheering but the men from the bolt thrower went to the mid ships. On one side the one bolt thrower was having little effect whilst on the other there was no bolt thrower. The ship on that side was much closer. Andronikos led us there and we all loosed our arrows as fast as we could. Men began to fall over the side but still the ship came on. I was acutely aware that the pirate on the other side would be closing and there would be no diminishing of the men on her decks. When she reached us she would be fully laden.
Andronikos turned to me. “Take your nephew and try to thin out the men on the other ship. We will join you when this one is destroyed.”
I admired his confidence. When we reached the other side we could see that the approaching vessel had been hit below the water line and was moving more sluggishly but she was still approaching at a reasonable speed. As we crossed I noticed Myrddyn hauling, with the sailors, on the rope attached to the sail. I could not remember the wizard resorting to physical labour. Perhaps he had foreseen our end. “Aim at the leaders, Lann. You stop only when you are out of arrows and then we will try your new sword.”
I saw a huge warrior with a fine helmet and scimitar. He was at the prow exhorting his men to attack us. He had no armour and my arrow threw him backwards into the sea. I loosed a second as another man took his place. The effect was like emptying a beach by picking up each grain of sand; in the long run they would overwhelm us. I remembered Andronikos’ words. I stopped worrying about the outcome and concentrated on killing as many as I could. They were less than forty paces from the side of our ship. The sail was almost hoisted but it would not save us. I shouted, without turning. “They are almost upon us.” I loosed my last arrow and looked down at Lann who showed me his empty quiver. “Get your shield then.” I decided not to use a shield and took out my small axe instead. There would be no arrows coming in my direction and I wanted two hands to kill as many as I could. I settled my helmet firmly on my head. “Lann, stay to my right and guard my back.”
I heard the bump as the ship struck us and I strode to the si
de. The Africans attached grappling hooks to the ship and began to swarm up the sides. I swung Saxon Slayer in a wide arc. I felt it strike flesh and heard the screams as it bit into men’s flesh. Others fell backwards as its deadly blade came towards them. “Well done my lord!”
“They will spread out Lann. Watch for them along the side.” I was praying that Andronikos and the men on the other side would have succeeded and be able to come to assist us.
I kept swinging and was gratified to hear the death screams of the pirates until Lann shouted. “They are on both sides of us.”
“Then stand to my back and let them taste our steel.” I saw that there were forty men who had made the ship. We would never kill that many. I swung my sword around my head and one of them threw a knife at me. It clanked off my helmet and made them pause.
Suddenly I heard Myrddyn’s voice, “Lann, Warlord. Drop to the deck. Now!”
I trusted Myrddyn but I knew not what he was up to. “Lann, drop now!”
As we dropped the surprised Africans ran towards our defenceless bodies. Then the four bolts fired from the prow and the stern, ripped through them. Before the survivors had chance to recover Andronikos and the Imperial warriors leapt at them and cut them to pieces. Then we stood and found a deck slippery with blood and dead pirates. The last ship was limping away while the sharks ripped and tore the survivors from the first ship who were clinging to the wreckage. Lann and I went to the side and we watched, with morbid fascination, as the pirates were slaughtered by the terrors of the deep. Myfanwy’s sea monsters were real. When I heard the cheer I knew that the sail had been hoisted and we had been saved.
Myrddyn made his way from the stern. He smiled at Andronikos. “Not quite magic but effective, wouldn’t you say?”
Chapter 2
I looked at the bodies floating in the waters as the Augustus got under way and we headed east to the Pillars of Hercules. “They were brave warriors. Do none of them possess armour?”