by Griff Hosker
“No magic but we dropped the damaged sail over the side. The sea forced it against the side of the ship and it has blocked the hole. It is soaked already and the water cannot penetrate. Eventually the water will seep through it and cannot last long but there are lights close to the north. I think that we can make port.”
The wizard was right but it seemed to take hours to reach it. The captain’s voice was welcome as we toiled against the sea.“Just another half a mile and we will be in Gwyr and land!”
The last half mile was the hardest but we made it and we limped into the port with the sea less than a hand span from the rail at the side of the ship. That was how close we had come to being sunk. But for Myrddyn we would have been lost beneath the grey waves. That became obvious when the captain and the crew heaped their praises on the wizard. We tied to the quay and the captain ordered everyone from the ship. He did not trust the ship to remain afloat. We huddled under our cloaks until a thin grey morning awoke us and we could assess the damage.
When Captain Basil returned, his face was grim. “We will have to empty the ship and pull her from the sea. We will have to repair her hull.”
“How long will it take?”
“The best part of a month. It is a large hole. I am sorry.”
“Is this Gwyr?”
“Yes, why?”
“We trade with them. I may be able to get us passage on one of their ships which travel to Caer Gybi.” The captain looked dubious. “I am anxious to return home, Captain Basil. It is nothing to do with your company or your vessel.”
The three of us walked to the walled settlement on the hill overlooking the harbour. It was small and made Caer Gybi look impressive. I shook myself. I must stop comparing the size of settlements. There was only one Constantinopolis. The gate was open but there were two guards there. They looked at our weapons and I could see fear on their faces. I smiled. “I am Lord Lann, Warlord of Rheged and our ship has damage. I would speak with the headman.”
I think they were both taken aback by the fact that I spoke their language. We must have looked strange with our tanned skin and Saxon weapons. They pointed to a large hall just inside the gate. As we approached four men walked out to greet us.” I am Lord Lann, Warlord of Rheged. I need a ship to take me back to my land of Mona.”
As I said my name and my destination, their faces broke into smiles. “At last we meet. I am Gruffydd ap Llewellyn, the headman and I am pleased to meet you.” His face fell as he pointed to the harbour. “Sadly the storm has damaged all of our boats. Yours is the only one left afloat and I think the gods must favour you.”
“I was anxious to return to my home on Mona.”
“Can you not wait until your ship is repaired? We could gladly be your host for we have prospered much as a result of our trade with you and your people.”
Myrddyn stepped forwards. “Is it not possible to travel over land? How long does it take?”
“By horse it would take seven days, perhaps less if you travelled light but are you not worried about bandits and brigands? Dyfed is safe but Ceredigion less so.”
“Do you have horses we could buy?”
“We have but we have few of them and they would be expensive.”
The thought of the Emperor’s gold in my chests made me smile. “Do not worry about the cost.”
“And you would have to ask permission of our king but as his castle is on the way that would not be a problem.”
“Good then we will get what we need and bid farewell to our captain.”
Captain Basil was appalled. “It is too dangerous, even for a renowned warrior such as you.”
“Do not worry about me, Captain Basil. We will be safe enough. My wizard is close to his precious mountain of Wyddfa and he is clever enough to get us out of any danger. Would you take the chests to Caer Gybi when your ship is repaired?”
“Of course but I wish you would heed my advice.”
“When you land at Caer Gybi I will hold a feast for you and your crew and I will tell you of the adventures we are bound to have.”
He was not convinced but we took our leave anyway. We were armed and armoured and I took the bag of coins the Emperor had give me. It was not that I did not trust the captain but I did not know what expenses we would incur on our journey north. Already I was feeling the cold as the wind howled in from the west. Spring was still some way off and we had become softened by our time in the sun. The headman took us to see the horses which were in a fenced off area at the other side of the town. They were not a good selection but they looked sturdy enough. They were smaller than we were used to and looked as though they were designed for climbing hills. We agreed an inflated price for four of them. I wanted to have a spare in case of unforeseen problems. When I gave them the gold piece they looked as though they had never seen gold before. While my change was counted out they passed the coin around. I smiled as each one bit into it to test its authenticity.
When I had the silver coins in my pouch I asked, “Is there a guide to take us to your king?”
I was about to offer a coin when a youth about Lann’s age said, “I will take you Warlord and I will do it for free.”
The headman shook his head, “My son is a little eager sometimes and does not know how to behave. Forgive him Warlord.”
“No, I have a son and know how they are. You shall have a coin for a good guide is worthy of his hire. What is your name?”
“Daffydd ap Gruffyd.”
“Well Daffydd, do you have a horse?”
“No, my lord.” He looked crestfallen.
“Do not worry.” I took out some more coins. “Another horse for our guide then.”
We left as soon as we were mounted for we were told it was a day’s ride west to the king’s home. I, for one, felt happy that I was back on my island and back on a horse. Life was more predictable on land than on sea.
Chapter 5
Daffydd was a bright and lively youth and he and Lann chattered non stop as we rode along the coast road. Myrddyn spoke quietly to me. “Did Lord Lann notice those two men in the hall? The ones who took such a keen interest in the gold?”
“I did, wizard, although I was sure your sharp eyes would have picked them out. “ I looked ahead. The road looked open and clear. It was a Roman Road and ran straight and true. “They will know the land and will find a good ambush site.”
Myrddyn pointed to our guide. “They are obviously not friends of his father.”
I shrugged, “You know the way it is in these places. Someone always wants what the other man has and they may resent the headman. It makes no difference but we will try to take them alive.”
“Are you becoming a Christian then, my lord?”
“No, I just think it is rude to slaughter another man’s subjects even if they do deserve it.” We did not speak of it again as we tightened our cloaks about our ears. I was glad of the wolf skin. The wind and the rain were driving in from the sea and I felt colder than I had ever felt before. The icy blast helped me to focus and concentrate on watching for ambush sites. I knew that Myrddyn would be doing the same. A huge outcrop of rock had forced the Roman Legionaries, who had built the road, to go around the immovable object. I looked up but I could see no-one hiding close to the top. That is where I would have had someone to observe the travellers I wished to harm.
“Hold there, will you? I think Myrddyn has a stone in his horse’s hoof.” The two youths stopped and continued chattering.
Myrddyn obliged by dismounting. As he picked up the hoof it gave him the chance to look up at the skyline to see if anyone was at the crest of the rock. He shook his head. As he mounted I said, “We have sheltered behind you long enough. We will ride in the fore for a while. How far to go, young Daffydd?”
He looked puzzled; he obviously had no concept of distances despite the fact that there were mile markers on the Roman Road. “About two hours, my lord.”
I suspected his estimation of distances was equally flawed. “Good. I coul
d do with a warm fire.”
I slid Saxon Slayer in and out of its scabbard a couple of times to loosen it. I wore, as I always did when riding, my shield slung loosely over my left shoulder. I assumed that, if there was an ambush it would be from our right as we could see the land to our left and it was flat and with few trees. My shield would not afford me much protection. I had no idea what weapons the bandits would have but I hoped that my armour would be their equal. Myrddyn was not just a wizard, he was a fine warrior and had fought in my shield wall. I would not worry about him or Lann but Daffydd appeared unarmed. Lann would have to protect him. As we turned around the rock ten warriors appeared in a semi-circle in front of us. Two were on my left. One smiled as he stepped forwards. I did not give them the chance to speak. I kicked hard at my horse and drew my sword, “Lann! Watch the boy!” I swung at the man who had stepped forwards to speak and took his head off in one blow. Myrddyn had slashed at one with his blade and killed him. I swung my sword at the next warrior who was transfixed by the sight of his leader’s head bouncing down the road. I turned my blade and hit him on the side of the head with the flat of it and he went down like a sack of apples.
I put the point of Saxon Slayer to the throat of the next man and roared, “Drop your weapons or you will all die!”
One man at the back, braver than the rest by virtue of his distance from us, shouted, “There are still six of us who can fight.”
There was a whistling in the air and then a scream as Lann’s arrow thudded into his right hand. “Any more heroes?” They all dropped their weapons. “Myrddyn, collect the weapons. Are you hurt Daffydd?”
I heard his quavering voice, “No, my lord.”
“Good. Do you know these men?”
There was a pause and he said, “I know some of them. The one you killed was from my village as were the one Lann hit with an arrow and the one you knocked out.”
“Good. “ I pointed at the bandit holding his bleeding hand. “You will return to Gwyr and present yourself to the headman. Tell him what you have done. Daffydd here will make sure you have done so. If you do not then you will be outlaw. More than that I will return and hunt you down like the dogs you are and I will not be merciful the next time.”
After Myrddyn had collected their weapons we continued our journey. They were laying rocks on the two bodies as we lost sight of them. “Good shot, Lann.”
“No my lord it was awful, I was aiming at his head.”
Myrddyn laughed, “Well we got the result we wanted. Do you think they will return to the town?”
“I think some of them will but none of them will wish to be outlaws. They hoped to kill us and take the money. They did not give thought to the consequences. Their two dead friends will, perhaps, straighten them out.”
King Cloten’s castle was a wooden hall surrounded by a timber palisade and a deep ditch. It did stand on the crest of a steep hill and would have been difficult for the local warriors to take. With our bolt throwers it would not last half a day. The guards at the gate recognised both Daffydd and my name and we were admitted. The king, it appeared was still out hunting and his steward invited us into the hall itself. Our arms and armour, even without our names, marked us as warriors of note and we were treated well.
When the king arrived he came directly into the hall. He was a short stocky man. He was all muscle. He had the blackest hair and the blackest eyes I have ever seen but he greeted me like a long lost friend. He threw his arms around me. “Lord Lann, The Warlord of Rheged. This is an honour and a pleasure.” He turned to his fellow hunters. “This boys, is the man who defeated that piece of sheep excrement, Iago.” He held up two fingers, “Twice! This is a man I have longed to speak with!”
“Thank you for your hospitality King Cloten. Can we stay the night?”
“You can stay as long as you like as my guest!”
“No, one night will be sufficient, I am anxious to get home to my family.”
“We shall have a feast tonight. Steward, get the cook to prepare that boar. Come let me take you to your chambers. We are cramped here I am afraid you will all have to share a room.”
“Do not worry, we are used to making do.”
The meal was a noisy and boisterous affair. They insisted on Myrddyn telling the tales of the deeds we had done. I think he was put out to be considered nothing more than my minstrel but he told them truthfully. I felt uncomfortable when I heard my deeds recounted. It was even worse as they cheered at various points such as when I killed Bladud, or King Aella. They whooped when they were told of Morcant Bulc and his end. I was beginning to tire of it all when King Cloten took me off to one side. He, like me, had watched how much he drank.
“Come, Myrddyn can amuse my men but I could see that you were uncomfortable with the tales of your deeds. It is what I expected of you. Tell me what brings you here.”
I told him of my trip to Constantinopolis and what was expected of me and how our ship had nearly sunk and then I finished with the tale of the ambush.”I would have killed them all!”
I shook my head. “We will all need as many men to fight for us as we can if we are to defeat the Saxons.”
“They have not come here yet. It is Iago who is our enemy.”
“He has merely slowed down their advance. They will come again.” I tapped the walls of the hall. “I would build in stone. You live close to mountains where there is a plentiful supply. It is how you will stop them.”
“Thank you and for the trade you have brought our way. We are far richer now than we were.”
“And it will continue. I have plans to build more ships ands stop the Irish slavers while still protecting our trade routes.”
“They are a plague on all of us but I had noticed that they have been less active of late.” He looked at me, “You?”
“Aye they have tried twice to defeat us and both times they left with their tail between their legs.”
“So you would go by land to Mona?”
“Is it difficult?”
“It can be but King Arthlwys and I have an understanding. We are both united against King Iago and I will go with you on the morrow. I would not have you robbed again and it will be good for the three of us to speak. We have much in common.”
“You are right. We have much we need to share and I would forge an alliance between us.”
“Tell me, why are you not a king? You could have your own kingdom; you have your own kingdom in all but name.”
“King Urien made me Warlord and the Emperor of Rome made me Dux Britannica. I am happy with that. It means I protect the whole island and the people who are not Saxons are those I will fight for.”
“Including Iago?”
“Including Iago; I fought alongside him once but he then betrayed me. It is the Saxons who are our enemy.”
“Then I will be your ally and I suspect that the king of Ceredigion will be a second.”
The next day the king and twenty of his bodyguards rode with us along the coast towards the kingdom of Ceredigion. It is a most beautiful land and the coast is the only one to rival my own on Mona. We took Daffydd with us. I did not want him travelling home alone and I thought that Basil could return him, and the horses, back to his father in Gwyr. It was a two day journey along the coast and Myrddyn and I spent most of it in discussion with King Cloten. He reminded me of Rhydderch Hael. He was bluff and he was honest. You knew that if he gave you his word then it meant something.
I worried about his army and his ability to fight off King Iago. His men were unarmoured and most just had a round shield and a spear. In fact the only sword I saw was that of the king himself. They also wore only leather caps. I asked the king about this.
“You have fine iron King Cloten. Why do you not have armour and helmets for your men?”
“We have not the skills to make them.” He smiled. Lord Lann you are a Roman. You lived in the land of Rome, behind the wall and you benefited from all that Rome had to offer. Our people were never conquered and
we were denied those skills.”
“I have fine smiths. We will trade.” I pointed to Lann’s helmet. “That was made at Castle Cam and we can make many such as those. We can make good swords.”
“Swords such as yours, the Saxon Slayer?”
“Sadly not of that quality for, as I have recently discovered the blade is more ancient than the Roman Empire and the skills which forged it are lost. Our swords and axes are fine weapons and, for an ally, we will trade you for the best.”
“Thank you Warlord. The ill wind which brought you to our shores was a good wind for us.”
The people of Dyfed had been lucky in that their mountains had protected them from the Romans but it had meant that they continued their primitive existence. Unless they became better armed then the Saxons would easily defeat them. I began to formulate some ideas in my head. I would need to refine them with Myrddyn but I saw a light at the end of this tunnel. I saw an alliance of Britons to hold back the tide of the Saxons.
The castle of King Arthlwys was imposing. Although, like Cloten’s, built of timber, it stood on a high promontory overlooking the sea. It would be a hard place to attack. That showed him to be a wise king who would defend his land. He was younger than Cloten and far more serious. He had heard of me, which helped.
“You must stay with me in my humble home. I am afraid I only have a warrior hall and not the fine chambers you are used to, Warlord.”
I laughed, “It is only recently that I have enjoyed such pleasures. Before then it was a warrior hall and before that a hut on the high mountains. There is nothing wrong with the company of warriors.” As he led us to the warrior hall I saw that his men were armed the same as Cloten’s. Only the king had armour. I saw that just a few of his guards had helmets and swords. In the warrior hall Lann and I took off our amour. I saw the hesitant and curious looks from the warriors. “Please, touch the armour. It will not bite.” I pointed to the helmet. “Try on the helmet.”
They were like children. At first Lann was a little unhappy about the warriors holding his precious armour and trying on his helmet. I took him off to one side. “Lann, remember before you were my squire; you wanted to touch the armour and try it on did you not?” He nodded. “Then this is a small price to pay for hospitality and a speedy journey home. If they can break your armour then Ralph needs to improve his skills.”