Hosker, G [Wolf Brethren 06] Saxon Slaughter

by Griff Hosker

  After the children had retired Myfanwy asked me how I thought Rheged would be ruled. “Prince Pasgen can be the head of the land but he will need help.”

  “You?” I could hear the doubt in her voice.

  “I do not think so. It is no longer my land. I am content to be here. I missed this, you and the children. I am getting too old to sleep in fields.”

  “Nonsense, you love it.”

  I shook my head. I do not mind leading men in battle it is all the other elements I do not like.”

  She took that in and then went on. “And Princess Pasgen, what of her and his daughter, Riemmelth.”

  “I think he will want them with him. You would wish to accompany me too would you not?”

  “I would but I am made of sterner stuff than the Princess Pasgen. “

  “Carvetiorum is a comfortable palace. She will be happy.”

  “In a land of warriors? What will she do without female company? Here she has other women to speak with.”

  I was confused. She had her husband; what more did she require? Pasgen’s warriors will marry eventually.”

  “Pah! Men! I will have to come up with something.”

  I had no doubt that she would come up with something. She was a very resourceful woman.

  Chapter 6

  King Cadfan came with just his family and his bodyguard. I made sure that we gave him the honour guard he merited but Cadfan had served as a squire with many of the men who now bowed a knee to him. His power had not gone to his head. His father had allowed the crown to give him delusions of grandeur. Cadfan was a more thoughtful king. I noticed how much Cadwallon had grown. Gawan was keen to see him and they ran off to rough house in the stables. We retired to my hall where Myrddyn awaited.

  “You have returned early then Warlord?”

  “I was not needed. We bloodied the Saxons and took many sheep and cattle. The land does not suit winter warfare but I will return in the spring time. And you King Cadfan?”

  Myfanwy stood and held out her hand to the Queen. “Come your majesty, let us leave them to talk of war we will go and find the other ladies of the court.”

  I smiled at her as she left. She was already plotting and planning. Cadfan visibly relaxed as they left us alone with Myrddyn. “I am pleased we are alone. I always feel guilty talking of war and plots in front of the ladies.”

  “I know what you mean. Cadwallon is growing up quickly is he not?”

  “Yes Warlord and I would ask a boon of you.”

  “If it is in my power then I will do it.”

  “I would like you to train Cadwallon as you trained me.”

  I was taken aback. I had thought that the king would wish to mould his son himself. Then I saw the hand of wyrd in all of this. My son Gawan was ready to be a warrior too. The two of them could be trained together. I just needed a warrior to help me. “If you are sure then I will accede. How does his mother feel about this?”

  He smiled ruefully, “I think he is a little boisterous for his mother. She hopes that the next child will be a girl.”

  “That is women all over for you but she should be careful what she wishes for. Nanna and Myfanwy butt heads more times than mountain goats.” I looked at the door. “And I pray that you do not tell my wife the inappropriate image I just used.”

  Both Myrddyn and the king laughed, “It is good to see that something scares the Warlord.” The king became more serious. “How did it go in Rheged?” I told him and I saw the relief on his face. “I know that it is selfish but I am pleased. It means King Edwin and his Mercian allies will be looking north and I can encroach a little more into Mercian territory.”

  Myrddyn went to the table in the corner and brought out the map he and Oswald kept updating. It had begun life as Brother Osric’s pet project and it was now a comprehensive picture of the lands around Rheged and Gwynedd. “Can you give me any more details of places further east?”

  The eastern side of the map had more empty spaces than the west and the north. We had a good picture of the land north of the Roman Fort of Eboracum but further south we just had the Roman Road and the main Roman towns. We spent the next hour adding detail. “Thank you King Cadfan. I will have Brother Oswald make you a copy.”

  Myfanwy had arranged a feast. Princess Pasgen as well as my daughter in law and the other captains and their ladies were present. She always handled feasts well and was like Niamh who had been the wife of King Urien. She always ensured that everyone, children included, was catered for. When Gawan and Cadwallon were told that I would be training them they were delighted. They were less happy when I told them that Brother Oswald and Myrddyn would also be part of their education.

  Poor Cadwallon’s face fell. “I thought I would just be learning how to use a sword.”

  “If you were just to be warrior then that would be enough but you will lead your people, both of you and you will need other skills.”

  “But father you have Hogan to lead the armies. Can I not be like Lann Aelle and just be a warrior?”

  “Lann Aelle also learned much from Myrddyn and Brother Oswald.” My son did not yet know of my plans for my nephew. Perhaps when he did he would understand better.

  Myrddyn shook his head and pretended to be offended, “I do not know if I wish to teach such ingrates, Warlord. Perhaps my magic is not for them.”

  Gawan suddenly became interested. “Magic? You would teach us magic?”

  “I might it depends upon the respect that I receive.”

  “Oh I am sorry Myrddyn. I meant nothing by that. Forget my comments. I just thought it would be book learning. Brother Oswald is a kind man but he is dull.”

  Myfanwy was shocked, “Gawan! Do not be rude. Brother Oswald is a good teacher.”

  The two boys realised that they had said too much and they scurried out of the room as quickly as they could. “Their real training for war will have to wait until we have made them stronger and Lann Aelle returns. Tell me, would you wish your son to come with to Rheged.”

  Myfanwy looked appalled, “You cannot take them to war. They are too young.”

  “I had already killed men when I was younger than they are. However if you do not wish them to go then they can stay here.”

  “Oh no, husband for then I would be the wicked one. But you will have to watch out for them.” My wife had a mind like a bear trap and she knew of the problems she would have with Gawan if he had to stay at home. Life with Nanna was hard enough.

  I sighed. “As if I wouldn’t.”

  She was right however, I would have to be more careful when I took the boys north with me in the spring.

  The next few months were busy ones for me. I had another ship to commission and I had to increase the trade with Rheged. The two boys saw more of Brother Oswald and Myrddyn than they did of me. I still had not found someone to train the boys. Perhaps Wyddfa felt my dilemma for a visitor arrived who would change our lives and prove a more valuable warrior than I could have wished for.

  He was Einar the Dane. He had journeyed from Hibernia to serve me. He arrived not long after we returned from Rheged. A small trader brought him to the island and he crossed the island of Mona to serve me. My warriors were a little worried at first for he looked a little like a Saxon but he was much bigger. He was a blond giant. The young warrior told me that he wished to serve me. He had heard the tales of Lord Lann and Myrddyn and he had left his home in Hibernia and sailed to Mona to see if the legends were true. We were always looking for good warriors but we rarely looked beyond our own people. There was something about Einar which made me break my own unwritten rule. He swore on my sword and became my oathsworn.

  My other warriors soon told me how good he was with a sword. He deigned mail, probably because he could not afford any and his sword was not of the highest quality but he bested all of the warriors in my fortress. He was not just a good warrior he was a great warrior. His people liked individual combat and he excelled at that. That was why he would not make a good warrior for
my shield wall. He did not have the discipline to stand with locked shields. That meant he was perfect as a mentor. He would be able to make the two young men stronger. He was a fine teacher and they enjoyed all of their lessons. I think the variety kept them occupied although they found it physically draining even with two young men with energy to spare. I also worked out with Einar. He helped me to recover from my wound. He knew how to build muscle to help protect a warrior’s body. He had proved a godsend and I wondered how he had ended up in my land; it was wyrd.

  The days were getting longer when we journeyed back north. I had decided to take Einar with me. Not only would he be able to keep an eye on the boys, he would be like a bodyguard for me. We took my new ship and two others when we headed north. I had many more weapons for Prince Pasgen. Myfanwy had also mentioned to Princess Pasgen about her eventual home in the north and we carried many items of furniture which my wife had assured me would make life more bearable in the far north.

  As we sailed through the icy grey waters off the coast of Man I noticed Einar looking west. Myrddyn and I joined him. “Do you miss Hibernia?”

  “No Warlord. I went there seeking my fortune but they are just pirates and back stabbers. They have no honour.”

  I was puzzled, “Then why did you come to me? None of my men have fortunes.”

  He looked uncomfortable. “I had heard the stories of how you and the wizard fought against the Saxons and then vanished. I wished that I could have met you. Then one night, when I was in my home, I was visited by a spirit. She came to me through the fog and she told me that I should travel west to the golden island. The men in my village said that at one time that had been the island of Britannia but since the Saxons came it was a dark place and they said the spirit must have meant Hibernia. They were wrong. When I found out how wrong they were I went on a journey and I found steps made by a giant. I travelled along those steps and I saw an island in the east and the sun was coming up behind it. It looked golden. On my way back I found a cave in the hill side and I entered. There was a lake and it was restful to lie there. I fell asleep and the spirit came again to me. This time I saw her as woman and not just a fog with a woman’s voice. She said, “Seek the wolf warrior, seek the Warlord.” When I awoke I went to ask the men in the village of the Wolf Warrior. They told me it was you, Lord Lann. I knew then that I was meant to serve you and so I left Hibernia as soon as I could.”

  Myrddyn and I shared a look. Einar said, “You do not look surprised.”

  “No Einar for that spirit has visited both Myrddyn and me often. It is the spirit of my mother. You were meant to come to my home. There will be a task for you although I cannot see it yet myself.”

  The young warrior appeared genuinely moved. “I have already sworn an oath on your sword, Warlord but now it means even more. I shall serve you faithfully for I believe our destinies are entwined.”

  “He is right Warlord. His coming is part of something we cannot see yet.”

  The two boys adored the Danish giant. He knew ships and he took them around the boat as we headed north. Our journey was less eventful than the one south but the spring seas made it unpleasant and we were glad to see Alavna hove into view.

  The headman had done as I had asked and there were now a few armed men around the village. The increased trade had made all of his people better off and we were greeted as though I was King Urien himself. I never liked that kind of attention and it amused Myrddyn but Einar and the boys were impressed. We had to unload the ponies we had brought to take the new supplies to Wide Water. I had hoped that someone would have sent men to help us but there were none.

  The headman was visibly upset, “You will need men to lead the animals, Warlord.”

  I laughed, “If the five of us cannot lead twenty ponies a few miles then it is time I retired. We will be fine.”

  The boys took the task to heart and each led his five ponies as though they contained all the gold of Byzantium. Myrddyn and I smiled as they peered behind every rock and bush for an ambush. They slid their small swords in and out of their scabbards so often it almost made a tune. It showed me that they were serious about their duties and would perform them well.

  We had left the furniture for Prince Pasgen’s home at Alavna. I did not mind leading ponies but not heavy wagons. The ponies would be there to use for the young despatch riders. We had had many volunteers before I had returned to my home and now they would be able to use the ponies and take messages across Rheged. That would be a load off my mind. Communication was vital. Prince Pasgen would have to learn how to administrate his land and I wondered about asking the monks at St.Asaph for a clerk. The monks of the White Christ were quite useful when they weren’t trying to convert my men.

  “Have you been to this land before Einar?”

  “No, Warlord. I have never seen such high mountains before. Wyddfa is high but here the mountains seem to roll north forever. They must have been fashioned by the gods themselves. My land is flat.”He shifted uncomfortably on his horse, “and I am not used to riding on a horse.”

  I laughed, “You will get used to it. My son, Hogan, he is almost part horse. I ride when I have to.”

  Aedh’s scouts found us close to the cave above the lake. “We wondered when you would return Warlord.”

  “It was very pleasant to be in a castle with fires but I was persuaded.” They laughed. “How goes it?”

  “Quiet, my lord. The snows closed the high passes until recently and we have not seen any Saxons. The roads are open now.”

  Myrddyn nodded, “Then we came at the right time.”

  The stronghold at Wide Water was finished. There were barrack blocks with fires and the double ditches would withstand a Saxon assault. My captains were glad to see me. “Aedh, send a rider to Prince Pasgen and tell him that his wife has sent furnishings for their home. They are at Alavna.”

  “This is Einar; he will help Lann Aelle train Prince Cadwallon and my son to become warriors.” I was pleased with Lann Aelle’s reaction, he seemed genuinely happy.

  Hogan Lann laughed, “Well little brother, you will soon learn what it is like to be a warrior.”

  “Lann Aelle, take the boys and Einar and get them settled in and I will speak with Hogan Lann, Daffydd and Tuanthal.” After they had gone I sat in one of the seats the warriors had made over the winter. “I see you have finished the fort.”

  “Aye, and the one at Penrhyd. There are local men who man it but the weapons you have brought will make me happier.”

  “How goes the training of the archers?”

  “Slowly Warlord but we both know that the best archers have to be trained from a young age. The older ones will be able to loose arrow but they will not have the range we have. I am more hopeful with the younger boys.”

  “And the Saxons?”

  “Dangerously quiet. We have never fought this Edwin. If he was clever enough to outwit Aethelfrith then we should be worried.”

  “I agree.” Aethelfrith had been a clever opponent who was able to come up with many strategies to try to defeat us. He had forged alliances with strange bed fellows and come close on a number of occasions. “Tuanthal, split your men into two groups. Let Pol lead one of them. We will do the same with the squires. With Prince Pasgen’s men that gives us five flying columns who can range far ahead to give us early warning.”

  I saw Myrddyn nodding his approval but Hogan Lann seemed less convinced. “Is our strategy to watch and wait then?”

  “We do not have enough men to attack. I would rather ambush. Let him extend his supply lines.” I pointed east. “We will let the ridge of hills which splits the land in two be our defence. There are few places there where he can build forts. He will have to try to bring us to battle.” I waved my hand at Myrddyn who took out a copy of the map we had used in my fortress. “There are two main routes he can take. Both of them have a Roman Road. In the north, at the Roman Wall, we can keep men and use the Roman defences for shelter. Captain Tuanthal, that will be your
area. Here we will have to operate out of Penrhyd. That will be your role, Hogan Lann. I will keep the squires here with me and I will support you Hogan Lann. Daffydd, I want your archers split between Penrhyd and Carvetiorum. I assume you have two lieutenants you can use.”

  “Aye my lord.”

  “You will build up a force of forty archers. Travel around the settlements and train them there. If we had time I would build bolt throwers but we lack the expertise for the time being. Prince Pasgen will have to improvise.”

  Hogan Lann was still to be convinced about this defensive strategy. “We wait until they come?” I nodded, “And then?”

  “And then we use Aedh and his scouts to bring all of our forces together so that we can ambush them. They will go for one of our forts. There are three of them, which is why I want one of you based at each one. If you are trapped they will, at least, have a leader upon whom I can depend.”

  “My equites are wasted inside a fort.”

  “They are only wasted if we use them needlessly.” I sighed. I had to be patient with my son. He was becoming better but he still only thought about those men he personally commanded and seemed incapable of seeing the whole picture. “Edwin must replace the animals we took. He has to come for them. No matter how many men he brings the sight of a force of horsemen will stop him. Horsemen can evade the slower warriors until help is at hand. When we have all of our men in place then we can use your equites to smash our way into their shield wall. Edwin may have heard of your men but he will have no idea of their power on the battlefield. Our army relies on all three elements; horses, equites and archers. That is why we can defeat their superior numbers.” He smiled showing me that he was in agreement. “We will leave and return home when Pasgen is secure. If you wish to return to your wife for a while I will understand.“