by Griff Hosker
“Not as such. If you please, bring all of my captains to the main hall.”
Hogan knew better than to question me in public and he bowed and said, “It will be done.”
I turned to Myrddyn. “You had better bring Oswald.”
I dismounted and gave the reins of my horse to the stable boy who waited patiently. I strode towards my quarters. I would have time to speak with my wife and, if I was late, it would do them no harm to cool their heels and wonder why I had summoned them.
Gawan erupted from his room when he heard my boots on the floor. “Father, you are back! When can we practise with our swords?”
I smiled at the ball of energy as he threw himself into my arms. “First I will see my captains and then we will practise.”
He looked disappointed, “Can I not come to watch?”
“When you learn to listen and not speak then I will allow you to attend.” I held him at arm’s length. “Do you think that you can do this now?”
I had taught all of my children the value of honesty and he shook his head. “But one day…”
“Aye, and one day you shall attend. Now where is your mother?”
“Here, my husband.”
Myfanwy had grown older, as we all had, but she had lost none of her beauty. She had fewer lines than the other women her age and her hair was not riven with white. I embraced her. “You look beautiful as ever.”
“Get away you old flatterer.” Her smile belied her words.
“I have to speak with my captains but it will not take long.”
My wife knew me well and she looked at me carefully. “You dreamed?”
I nodded, “The spirit of Wyddfa came to me.”
She smiled as she led Gawan away. She knew that the spirit was my dead mother. We had no secrets from each other. I removed my cloak but left Saxon Slayer, my sword on my belt. It was the unifying force at my table. Each man had sworn their allegiance on it and that was as sacred as the cross of the White Christ which Oswald kept about his neck.
My hall had a large oval table within it. It was a copy of the one I had on Mona. It could seat thirty and all could see each other. I had learned, when in Constantinopolis, that men would conceal their thoughts and feelings. They kept secrets and I wanted nowhere for men to hide in my hall. I wanted all of us to see each other’s faces and read the words in their eyes. I had detected traitors before by looking into our faces.
They were all seated around the table when I entered. I was no king and none stood when they saw me. Within this room we were all equals. Once we went to war, then I was Warlord once more but here any could give his opinion.
Kay stood looking forlorn in the corner, still with his guard. Pasgen looked angry and sullen. I had known him since he was a child and I had helped to train him. I recognised that look. I also knew how to snap him back into the fold. Brother Oswald had brought pen and parchment as he always did. He kept a record of what was said. Brother Oswald had learned this from King Urien’s priest, Brother Osric. We still used Osric’s writings to guide us.
“Kay, come and take a seat. You guards can go.”
Prince Pasgen stood and banged the table, “Warlord! I protest! This man is a deserter and should be flogged at the very least.”
“Prince Pasgen, if you bang my table and shout like that again I am afraid it will be you who will be flogged.” My calm quiet words had a threat within them. He sat down and reddened. I flashed a look at Myrddyn and Oswald who had shared a smile. “Although no man, as far as I know, has ever been flogged here; I think this would be a bad time to start such a practice.” Many of my captains nodded their agreement.
Kay came forward and sat opposite me. There was no-one for a number of seats on either side of him. I looked at the faces before me. There were just eight captains present. The rest were either on the border, in the forts, or at Caer Gybi. My brothers Raibeart and Aelle ruled Mona in my absence and I was confident that they could defend it against any attacker. They would not be needed for this venture.
“Kay, tell us your story.” I turned to Pasgen who was seated just four seats from me. “And I would appreciate no interruptions until he has finished.” I saw confusion on some of the faces, not Hogan’s, but some of the others. “Kay here, deserted because he received a message from Rheged that his brother was still alive but was refused permission to seek him out. He has now returned from the north with news which will be of interest to all of us. I will talk of the message later on. Pray speak.”
The mention of Rheged had made them all sit up and take notice.
“I sailed on a trader as far as Alt Cult where the Saxons had been thrown back. I had a little money and I bought a horse and travelled the back roads and secret ways into Rheged. I expected to see it populated by Saxons but I found very few and they were easy to avoid. They still squat in Carvetiorum but there are none in the land of the lakes and Lord Aelle’s fortress has been burned to the ground. Nothing of it remains. I tell you this because I expected that they would have made it a fortress but they did not. I found my brother and his family. They were living close to the long lake which lies by the mountain called the Old Man. They have a good living but each year the Saxons come and take all that they have stored for the winter. Many die then. I travelled over the whole of Rheged and found the same story. These Saxons let the folk of Rheged do all the work and then they steal what they have done. They come each harvest time and take whatever they choose for there is no one to oppose them. Their girls are taken as slaves to work in their halls. Anyone who shows any sign of resisting is killed.”
He paused and I signalled the servant who hovered nearby to give him a drink. He drank gratefully.
“I travelled as far as The Dunum and then to the Roman fort of Eboracum and found the same story. I crossed the mountain and arrived back here. I saw no Saxon armies on my journey but there were some at Eboracum and Mamucium. The message I bring back is simply this. Will the Warlord come and free his people?”
“Thank you Kay.”
I sat back and waited. The room erupted in many conversations. Oswald and Myrddyn sat quietly listening and Prince Pasgen no long fumed but looked embarrassed.
Eventually the voices stilled and Hogan Lann said, “Warlord, you said that you would speak of this message from the north. Did you know of the message before you saw Kay?”
I was proud of Hogan Lann; he was my son in every way. I stood. “As you know Myrddyn and I were in the cave of Wyddfa for the solstice and I dreamed. The spirit of Wyddfa told me to heed the message from the north and said that my people needed me.”
That brought smiles to their faces. I turned to Prince Pasgen. “Forgive me for my blunt words before, Prince Pasgen. Do you still wish to punish this man who risked his life to bring the message from our people back to us?”
Silence descended on the table and all eyes were on Prince Pasgen. He was amongst friends. All of these men had stood shoulder to shoulder with him in battles and he was the last King of Rheged. My words had given him a way out and I prayed that he took it and saved face.
“Warlord, forgive me. I acted and spoke hastily and I can now see that I should have allowed Kay to return home last year. My father made you Warlord and each day I thank him for that wise decision.” He shook his head. “Every time I think that I can be as you are I come up short. I still have much to learn.”
“Good and there is nothing to forgive. We are men and we have tempers. Better to let it out than let it fester. Now to business. Brother Oswald will you summon my council to meet me here in two days time.” He nodded. “Kay would you like to rejoin Prince Pasgen’s men or another company?”
There was silence again, “Prince Pasgen, if he will have me.”
The Prince strode over to him and embraced him. “Of course.”
As the meeting broke up Myrddyn said, quietly, “You become more Byzantine each day.”
I did not rise to the bait, “Perhaps I merely become more like a wizard each day
although they are much the same thing anyway.”
Chapter 2
While we waited for my captains and brothers to arrive I sent Aedh with Daffydd to gather as many of the hill ponies as they could. I wanted every man we took north to be mounted. I had no doubt that I would take my army north. No matter what my council said the idea had been planted in my head and nothing would shift it. It made perfect sense and the time was right. My horsemen and archers would never be better than they were at this moment. They were fit, well trained and eager to fight.
I went to the stables. I had three horses and I would only be taking one. I had three to choose: Nightstar was the biggest and the bravest warhorse I had. He was jet black with a white star blazoned on his forehead. He was fearless in battle. Then there was Silver Spirit; she was pure white and smaller than Nightstar. She moved smoothly and was quieter than any horse I had ever owned. Finally there was Mona; she was gold in colour with an almost blond mane and two white socks. I had had her the longest and she was old. Not as big as Nightstar neither was she as swift as Silver Spirit but she had a heart bigger than any of my other horses. She would carry on to her last breath. I think I had decided to take her. First I needed to find out the condition of all my horses.
As I was talking with the stable captain, Hogan Lann came in. He knew me as well as any man save Myrddyn. I sent the stable captain away so that we could talk.
“Why do we go north, Warlord?”
“I have not heard the council’s views yet.”
He laughed, “As if that would make any difference at all. We are going north then?”
“And you think it is a bad thing?”
“I did not say that. I am merely trying to find out your reasoning. Here you keep the people of this land safe but in Rheged….are you doing this to make Prince Pasgen king?”
I had not thought of that. “I don’t know. Would he want to be king?”
“You are the only man I know, save Myrddyn who would not be king so I think we can safely say that he would be king.”
“That may not be a bad thing.”
“True but why do you need to go?”
I narrowed my eyes; King Iago had feared his son might usurp his power and therefore had him imprisoned. Had I reason to fear my son? It was as though I had suddenly changed to become a monster. How could I even suspect my son of that kind of disloyalty?
“If you were Warlord what would you do?”
“Oh I would go in a heartbeat.” I had not expected such open frankness and I was taken aback. “My men and I are the best trained warriors in this whole land and for four years we have chased bandits and sheep stealers. Our squires have had no opportunity to become equites. I would go now. I would go with just my men.”
“So you would lead the army and leave me at home?”
He shuffled his feet. “Who else would you leave at home to guard your family and people?”
“My brothers.”
“Oh.” He seemed surprised at that. He nodded. “That makes sense.”
“Why do you not wish me to go?” I held up my hand. “Let us be honest with each other, my son. I can read beneath your words that you do not wish me to go but I cannot read the reason.”
“You are a symbol of our people. The army which goes north will be pitifully small and all of us will have a greater chance of dying. Our land can live without me and Pol, even Pasgen but it cannot live without you. You are the very heart and soul of this land.” He pointed to Wyddfa. “You are like the mountain.”
I was touched. “And that is the reason why I must go. My presence will bring forth all those old warriors and sons of old warriors who remember my name. I was never defeated and they will remember that. I spoke today after the meeting had dispersed with Kay and he told me the legends surrounding my name. The people say that I sleep under the mountains waiting to be called and save Rheged. Others believe that I passed over with King Urien and was sent back as a spirit of Rheged. The legends are just stories but they show that the people want me. Those legends mean that we can go there with small numbers and have a chance.”
He put his arms around me. “Then I am convinced. You shall lead us and we will win.”
“And your fears for Prince Pasgen?”
“I am not sure he would make a good king.”
I nodded. “We will cross that bridge when we come to it. He may not be his brother either.” His brother had sided with the Saxons against us. He had been killed but the taste was still bitter in the mouths of many a Rheged warrior.
My brothers and my other captains all arrived well before the appointed time. They knew that I only called such council meetings when it was an important matter. Lann Aelle rarely saw his father; there was no discord, in fact they were as close as Hogan Lann and I were, but Lann Aelle led his men well and was needed by them. They were often on patrol. I was pleased to see them greet each other so warmly. Raibeart and his son, Morcar, were also there. I had never taken to Morcar. That was probably because he was not a warrior like my son. He was pleasant enough but he enjoyed the comfortable life of a young noble who hunted and wenched. When Hogan Lann became Warlord he would have that particular problem to deal with.
The table was almost filled when they all took their places. The Bishop of St.Asaph was also present. I had known the saint when he had been bishop of the monastery and the monks were friends of ours. They helped us and we protected them. It was a symbiotic relationship. The bishop had learned that most of my men were not for conversion. We followed the old gods and the old ways. They were happy that we were moderate men and could be trusted.
I stood and the table went silent. I told them all Kay’s story and of my dream. I hid my smile as the Bishop of St.Asaph shifted uncomfortably in his seat. If you had a profound dream then it should come from the White Christ or his mother, not a woman of Rheged who may have been a witch of some kind.
“I will take your advice now but you should know that I am of a mind to travel north.” I noticed Hogan Lann and many of my other captains nodding. I knew that they were ready for war.
Raibeart stood, “We have had peace for four years now brother. Do you deem it wise to stir up the hornets that have been quiet for the past four years?”
I was reading men even as they sat. Raibeart only used the term brother when he was trying to make me do something. He normally called me Warlord as they all did. It was an honourable title and a term of respect.
I said nothing but looked around the room. Aelle, my younger brother was before me and I caught his eye. He was a reflective and clever little brother. When he had lost his arm in King Urien’s wars he had changed from a warrior to a planner; there was none better.
“What of King Cadfan? Would he be part of the quest?”
Again I merely nodded and waited for more comments. Finally the bishop stood. “I feel that I agree with Lord Raibeart. The Saxons have been quiet of late and many of them are converting to Christianity.”
The bishop should have known better. His call for leniency on religious grounds would fall on my deaf ears. I had heard enough. I stood. “The fact that the captains have said nothing I take as approval.” They all banged the table and said ‘Aye’, as one.
I held my hands out to silence them. I knew what they would say. “As for those who caution me,” I looked at Aelle, “I will visit King Cadfan on the morrow. I would not expect him to travel with me and risk the men of Gwynedd.” I looked at Raibeart, “It is not his people he is saving. And I would not leave if I thought that King Cadfan could not protect the Mercian border.” Aelle nodded, satisfied. He would have made a great diplomat and I always felt it sad that he had not visited Constantinopolis. He would have gained even more than Myrddyn or I had.
“If the Saxons are followers of the White Christ then they will turn the other cheek and we will not have to fight them will we?” I knew that mocking the bishop was not honourable but I had had this argument over the years with Brother Oswald. The passive nature of
the religion did not sit well with the warrior code.
“Finally, brother, why should we disturb the hornet’s nest? Because, while those hornets leave us alone, they plague our people; the ones we deserted.” I saw many of those around the table shift in their seats when I used the word deserted. “I swore an oath to the King of Rheged to be Warlord and protect the people of Rheged. Until Kay returned I thought that they had all perished. Now I know the truth and I tell you this, I would go alone to fulfil the oath I swore. I am no oath breaker.”
There was a hubbub as voices were raised. Myrddyn stood next to me and said, quietly in my ear, “A masterly speech Warlord, you have learned well.”
“Thank you Myrddyn although it gave me no pleasure to embarrass the bishop and my brother.”
“You did not, you spoke the truth, and that is sometimes uncomfortable for people to hear.”
I spoke privately with Raibeart and Aelle before I left to visit with King Cadfan. Raibeart was disappointed in himself. I could see it in his face and hear it in his words. “I did not mean to challenge you. I would follow you to the edge of the world if you asked and you know that.”
“I know and I did not take it as a challenge. I realise that you and Aelle had shunned the world of war and taken the road to peace. That is good. My people need leaders like you and one day they will no longer need a man of war to lead them. Until that day I must defend all the people who lived on this island before the Saxons came to steal what is ours.”
Aelle, although the youngest, was in many ways the wisest of the three of us. “So brother, will you leave Hogan in your stead?”
“No Aelle, I have no need to. I have two brothers who can rule and protect my land and my home just as well as I can.”
Raibeart seemed taken aback. “You would leave us in command?”
“You will have no need of war craft for each of my forts has a capable captain who will be more than able to defend our borders. I need men of vision who can provide food for our people and continue our trade with the far off places.”