by Griff Hosker
They both seemed happy about that. “When will you leave?”
“If we are to make gains before winter it will be in the next week or so. I do not intend to strip my forts of men. I will only be taking my horsemen and my archers. We will be mounted.”
“But the Saxons are like the fleas on a dog. They have many warbands.” Raibeart always looked on the pot as half empty rather than half full. He always saw the problems whereas I sought a solution.
I smiled, “And you think I do not know that? Do not worry Raibeart, I intend to return. I would ask that you visit my home as often as you can to give reassurance to, not only my family, but Hogan’s and Pasgen’s. A man fights better knowing that his family is safe.”
“I promise that we will do so.”
I left the next morning for Cadfan’s home at Wrecsam. I took just Aedh with me. The rest of my captains were busily preparing their men for the arduous journey ahead. I sent word that I wished to see Daffydd ap Gwynfor when I returned. I wanted to put in place a plan in case of disaster. The others might believe in my invincibility but I was a realist.
Cadfan had tried to build an army such as mine but he did not have the horsemen. My horsemen had been trained by the best in Rheged and we were like the old Roman army; those skills were passed on. Instead he had made an army of spear men and archers. He was content to hold the Mercians at bay. When he heard of internal strife inside Mercia then he took a little more of their territory and his forts, modelled on mine, withstood the attacks of the Saxons.
I needed no escort, as I rode up the Clwyd Valley. My forts guarded both ends and we had watch towers along the Dee. Once I was in Gwynedd then my name alone was protection enough. King Cadfan’s people had grown safe and prospered under my protection. I rode Silver Spirit that day. In my mind I had decided to take Mona with me on the arduous journey north. Until then she could rest.
It was pleasant riding with Aedh. He had served me first as a slinger before progressing to captain of scouts. He chattered away as he always did. “When I look at this land Warlord, it seems like home and yet we were born many leagues hence. Will we even remember Rheged when we return?”
“You never forget your home Aedh.” I patted Silver Spirit. “It is the same as it is with horses. I have not ridden Spirit here for many months but with a few steps we are at one again. It will be the same with Rheged.” I examined his face keenly. “You are worried that, as a scout you might let me down.”
His jaw dropped. “Warlord, are you becoming a wizard? How did you know the thoughts that were in my head?”
“I listened to the words you did not say and I know you well Aedh. Fear not. You will not let me down and you will soon remember the land you last saw as a child.”
Wrecsam’s defences had been improved since Iago’s time and double ditches and watch towers had been added all around it. King Cadfan had also taken a leaf out of my book and cleared the land to effective bow range. We were seen from a long distance away. My horse and my wolf banner were well known and King Cadfan’s personal bodyguards rode out to meet us. He had ten bodyguards who rode as well as he did. Dai, his chief captain, was well known to me and it was he who rode at the head of the column and greeted us with a smile.
“What brings the Warlord to visit with us this day? “Hunting perhaps?”
“I would like nothing better than to go hunting with you Dai but I come to speak with your king.”
“He is in the fort practising swordsmanship with Cadwallon.”
Cadwallon was his son and was of an age with Gawan. “He is ready to train to be a warrior then?”
“He is, but I think that the king would keep him by him for a little longer. They are very close.”
The guards at the gate saluted us and Dai ordered his men to care for our horses. “Come, I will lead you to the king.” There was less mail and armour amongst Cadfan’s men but they were doughty warriors and were well capable of holding their own against the Saxons. The king and Dai had moulded them into an effective army.
“How are the Mercians these days?”
“They occasionally flex their muscles and bring a warband to our forts but they have bled enough on our walls to know that they cannot remove us from our land.”
“Good. That eases my mind.”
Dai was a bright young man. I had fought alongside him and knew that he was not only brave but quick thinking too. “You are planning something then?”
I gave him what I hoped was an enigmatic smile. “If you are with us when I speak with the king then you will find out.”
We went to the courtyard first where Cadfan and Cadwallon had wooden swords and were sparring. As soon as Cadwallon saw me he turned and ran to me, squealing his joy, “Warlord! Are you here to play?”
Aedh and Dai laughed at that. I normally came with Gawan and the two boys and I would play and rough house. “No, not today my little man. Are you ready to stand in my shield wall yet?”
His face became serious. “My father says that when I can beat him with a wooden sword then he will give me a real one and then Warlord, I will fight for you.” I thought that if this were Gawan then I would have given him a real sword already. I was becoming a hypocrite. Gawan was the same age and I had yet to give him a real sword. We also only used wooden ones. I resolved to give him a real sword when we returned home.
Cadfan strode up to grasp my hand, “Good to see you Warlord. Dai, take him to his mother and then meet us in my hall.”
Looking disappointed Cadwallon followed Dai and walked off shouting, “I will see you later Warlord and show you how good a warrior I am.”
“He is growing fast my friend.”
“He is and his one wish is to fight alongside you.”
“He had better hurry and grow up then for I fear my fighting days are coming to a close.”
He stopped and stared at me. “You are yet a young man, Warlord.”
“These grey hairs belie your words but I thank you.”
Once in his hall, wine and meat were provided and we awaited the return of Dai. I nodded to the door. “If the door could be closed, what I have to say is for your ears only.”
Dai shut the door and Cadfan said, “You have me intrigued, Warlord.”
“Before I tell you of my plans what can you tell me of the Saxons? I have heard little of Aethelfrith.”
“That is because he is no longer king. The new king is Edwin and he has taken over the land of Bernicia and Deira. It is a new kingdom called Northumbria.” That explained why things had been so quiet of late. “He was supported by King Ceorl of Mercia.” This also told me why King Cadfan had managed to gain so much territory at the expense of the Mercians. “I see from your face that you like the news so, pray, tell me what you are up to.”
“I intend to wrest Rheged back from the Saxons. What you have just told me gives me hope that I can succeed. I came here because I would hope that you would protect the eastern borders of my lands.”
“Of course. Are you taking all your men?”
“No just my horsemen and archers.”
“That would be an interesting army; mounted knights against the lumbering Saxon. But you would, of course, be outnumbered.”
I laughed, “And when did that ever stop me.”
He looked at me seriously, “You must take care, Warlord, you are our shield.” He looked earnestly at me, “I have heard that the Saxons have taken Manau.”
“Aye, I heard that. It was inevitable given that they tried to capture Mona so many times. It is a minor problem and I will deal with that once I have freed Rheged.” I was not being totally truthful. I was not sure how to transport all the horses to the island. When I did attack the Saxons who were there it would need all of Myrddyn’s guile.
Cadfan nodded and continued. “I am preparing my men for a winter of warfare. It seems this Edwin has the support of Raedwald, the King of the East Angles and he has married the daughter of King Ceorl. Take care. This is an ambitious man who has alre
ady forced Aethelfrith and his sons into exile.”
I was beginning to see that. “I am pleased that I spoke with you, King Cadfan. You have shown me the dangers that I face. Perhaps this Edwin will try to complete his control over the whole country.”
“It is rumoured that he sees himself as King of the whole of Britannia.”
I snorted in derision. “The nearest we had to that title was King Urien and he was just King of Rheged.”
“I know but it shows his dreams and you always taught me that men’s dreams show their true intent. Take care Warlord.”
“Farewell, King Cadfan.”
Once I was back amongst my busy captains I spoke with Hogan and Myrddyn about this new set of events. It would not stop me going; in fact it made it even more urgent.
“I was going to avoid Deva or Caestre as the Saxons now call it and cross the Maeresea and Dee further east but if Edwin has just gained the land his eye may not be on this small fort. I think we should take it.”
Hogan’s face showed his disapproval. “We would lose valuable men taking it, Warlord. And it would let the Saxons know of our intent.”
Before I could answer Myrddyn shook his head. “I think it will work, for the very reasons you gave yourself, Hogan Lann. If we take Deva then we can fortify it and protect our northern borders as well as giving us an escape route back from Rheged should we need it. Edwin would not know of it for, with all the horsemen we are going to take none should escape. We can surround the Saxons. It will establish doubt in the king’s mind. When he hears naught from them he will assume they are either disloyal or Aethelfrith is there. Either way his eye will not be on the north and Rheged but the west and the Dee.”
Myrddyn had a clever mind. I was already thinking along those lines but he got there quicker.
“What about the men we will lose taking it?”
“Firstly are you so lacking faith in our men that you think they will not be able to overcome the fort? Secondly I do not intend to use horsemen to capture it. I will use the men we are leaving as garrisons. We have many more men now. The untried ones can be based here at this fort and the seasoned ones can go to the borders. The experienced warriors will form the garrison of the vital crossing of the Dee.”
Hogan still looked doubtful. I shook my head and laughed, “Trust me son. I hope not to lose any men in this attack. I hope to use subterfuge and deception.”
“Magic you mean?”
“As Myrddyn will tell you that covers a multitude of sins.”
After Hogan had gone, a little more optimistically than he had been earlier, I turned to Myrddyn. “So what is your plan to get inside Deva?”
He burst out laughing and that, in itself, was a rare thing, he rarely found himself surprised. “I thought you told Hogan that you would use deception.”
“And I have begun already; I deceived him did I not? Come, old friend, let us put our minds together.”
“Humph! When you call me ‘old friend’ then I know that you are trying to flatter me.”
“All we need to do is get inside an old fortress. It is Roman. We have been in there ourselves and we know the layout. These are Saxons who have not been troubled since they captured it. They will be complacent and unsuspecting.”
His eyes lit up and he nodded. “It is fortunate for you that I am so clever. I have the plan and you shall have your fortress.”
After he left to create his plan I remembered what I had thought at Wrecsam and I sent for Gawan. Perhaps it was my imagination but he seemed older somehow. I had always seen him as a child but now I saw that he was almost the same age that Raibeart had been when we first fought the Saxons. He approached me nervously as though he had done something wrong. I suspected, from his look, that he probably had but this was not a time to tease him.
“How would you like to train as a warrior?”
The light in his face was as bright as the evening sun in the west. “I have dreamed to such a time. Am I ready?”
“To begin training? Aye. Let us go to the armoury.”
We had our own smith; Hywel and he kept many weapons in his smithy. When we arrived he gave a slight bow. He saw Gawan and he grinned. “I am guessing Warlord, that it is time for a sword for this young man.”
“It is Hywel. Have you one that would do?”
He went to the wall where various blades were hung. He looked down them and then chose a seax; the short sword favoured by the Saxons. “This one will do for now but I will make him one fit for the son of a Warlord!” He handed the seax to Gawan. My son weighed it in his hand then took a couple of exploratory swings with it. Hywel said, “Now the first lesson you will need is how to sharpen it. A dull sword is no use to a warrior.” He took him to the wheel which was in the corner. He gestured to his assistant who began to turn the wheel. Hywel stood behind Gawan and showed him the precise angle he needed to achieve a sharp edge. “Now you sharpen your sword when it has seen action but not when you just practise with it.”
“Thank you Hywel.”
“You are welcome and when you get your knew sword keep this one as a spare eh?”
I took Gawan to old Artur who had once been a warrior in my shield wall. He now looked after the young men who needed sword skills. “Artur, while I am away I would like you to teach my son how to use a sword he would become a warrior.”
Artur seemed genuinely pleased to have been given the task. “I will my lord and when you return you will have another warrior for your shield wall.”
Gawan seemed quite touched by the gesture and he hugged me; it was something he had not done for years. I felt guilty for I knew I had neglected him. Even though I had been at home I had not given him as much attention as I had given to Hogan Lann. I would make up for my mistake when I returned from Rheged. I would be a better father than I had been.
It was a mighty host which left my fort at Rhuddlan. Hogan and Pol had fifty warriors armed as Cataphractoi; Prince Pasgen had fifty Equites in armour. Lann Aelle commanded the one hundred squires, each with a spare horse, which carried the armour of the equites. Tuanthal led the one hundred horsemen. Daffydd had his fifty archers and Aedh led but twenty scouts. It was not a huge army but it was mighty and it was powerful.
In addition Bors, Mungo’s son, led the fifty warriors who would help us to take Deva and then garrison it. We had said our goodbyes to our families at the Narrows and warriors never say farewell to each other. It is bad luck. If we die then we will greet each other in the Otherworld when we talk for eternity of the old battles. None of us countenanced neither defeat nor death. Hogan led the bulk of our force and ten of Aedh’s scouts to cross the Dee further upstream. Myrddyn, Aedh and I marched with Bors.
Bors was just like his father, a giant of a man. Yet he was the most gentle and funny warrior I had ever met. He could have me rolling on the floor laughing with his stories and his impressions of other warriors. Yet when he donned his leather armour and picked up his war hammer he was the most ferocious foe you could ever wish to meet. When we captured the fortress he would hold Deva, of that I was certain.
The fort had been fought over, taken and retaken more times than I cared to think about. King Iago had held it for years until Aethelfrith wrested it from him. The important fact was that neither Iago nor the Saxons had repaired much and they had never improved its defences. That was how we would take it. We knew, from our scouts, that the ditch had been used as a rubbish dump and contained no traps. They had not replaced the wrecked doors; they had repaired them, badly. It was a shadow of the fort built almost six hundred years earlier. We, however, would not risk either the ditch or the door to gain entry. Myrddyn and I had worked out a more subtle way.
We halted across the river. It was mid afternoon and the day would be a long one. These were the summer days when the sun barely set. It suited us for it gave us light with which to work and yet our enemies would be tired. I expected that Hogan had encircled the fortress already with his ring of steel. No one would escape.
/> I took off my helmet and wolf cloak. We were going to pretend to be Saxons. Aedh could also speak Saxon and he came with us. Hogan had tried to dissuade me from accompanying the other two as he felt it was too risky, someone might recognise me. The men in the fortress might have fought me but they had never seen my face. I gave Saxon Slayer to Captain Bors for safekeeping as that would be recognised. I took an old Saxon sword we had captured.
We waited until an hour or so before sunset. Fifteen of Bors men had used the setting sun to cross the river and hide in the drainage ditch which was adjacent to the fort and the river. The three of us entered the water and floated across on a log. We had gained entry in a similar way once before but the last time we had tried it with a column of men. This time we were just playing three men. Another five of Bors’ men accompanied us.
“Now remember you run back to the river once you are spotted. I want none of you hurt or killed in this madcap venture.”
They grinned; Bors had chosen his men well. “No Warlord!”
Myrddyn looked at me, “Well Warlord, are you ready?”
“As ready as I shall ever be.”
We stood and ran towards the eastern gate some two hundred paces away. We began yelling, “Open the gates! We are being pursued.”
Bors had chosen men who could use bows and the five of them halted and loosed arrows at us. They came perilously close, as we had intended. They followed us, as we ran, and loosed more, my shield was behind my back and I felt one arrow thud into it. I was glad that it was stoutly made and that I was wearing my leather armour. Bors’ men were playing their part well. I hoped it would convince the defenders that we were Saxon.
The last flurry of arrows must have done the trick for the gates suddenly opened. A dozen men charged out towards Bors’ men. I hoped that they had their wits about them. We just kept on running until we were inside but I was happy when I heard the splashes of the men hurling themselves into the Dee.
As soon as we were inside we all affected a look of relief and joy. “Thank you brothers, the rest of our warband were slaughtered in the ambush.” Myrddyn could be very convincing.