by Griff Hosker
His face fell, “No, Warlord. Forgive my questions. It is just that my men itch for battle.”
Myrddyn shook his head. “That is what makes us different from animals. They have to scratch an itch. Man can control his feelings.”
Pasgen nodded and then brightened, “Trade has already started Warlord. Some traders came from the islands to the north and we acquired some seal oil.”
“Excellent, that is a start. Begin by sending some to each of your forts. It makes excellent oil for lights.”
That pleased me more than anything. Trade would be the making of Rheged. It would give it security in addition to its walls and men.
I made sure that Lann Aelle and Einar were happy about the training regime and then Myrddyn and I headed for Carvetiorum. We took an escort of squires. All of my captains were now worried about my mortality and insisted that I be well protected. The Prince looked concerned when we arrived. He hurried Myrddyn and me into a small room away from his men. I was worried and my first thought was that he had suffered some sort of defeat.
“Warlord, I have had an emissary.”
“Who from?”
“King Edwin. A messenger arrived in midwinter.”
“He travelled across country in winter?”
“No, he came by ship.” That was a worrying thought. The Saxons could defeat my strategy if they arrived by boat. “He said the king wanted an alliance.”
“As I recall the same thing happened with your brother and Aethelfrith.”
“That is what is worrying me.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him that I needed no alliance with Saxons.”
I was relieved but Myrddyn said, “Perhaps you should not have been so hasty.”
I was shocked, “You would condone an alliance with the Saxons?”
“Of course not, Warlord. Remember the Emperor? He would play one enemy against another.”
“As I recall that involved lying.”
“Not necessarily. If the prince had said he would think about it then it would have delayed an attack. This way King Edwin knows that we are belligerent.”
“You are right Myrddyn. We use any means possible. If they try it again then tell them you are thinking about it. You need time to build up your armies. How is the training of your levies coming along?”
“They are better than they were.”
“Daffydd will provide archers for you.” I then explained my ideas for patrolling the main routes. “I would also suggest you use your equites to lead the men of your villages. They are all good leaders.”
“I will. Thank you for bringing my furniture with you.”
“My wife is worried about the lack of ladies at your court. Perhaps you need to think about how you would make your wife feel comfortable here.”
“I will.” He hesitated, “I do appreciate all that you have done for my family Warlord, past and present. I do not know what we would have done if you had not been here.”
“I gave my word but you realise that eventually I will have to split my time between Rheged and Mona.”
“I know. I hope that the Saxons give us time to build up our strength.” That was my fervent wish too. I did not think that they would oblige. As Myrddyn and I rode south I wondered how long King Edwin would give us.
He did not give us long. We had been back for a mere month when Aedh’s scouts reported a warband heading west from Dunelm. He estimated it to be three hundred strong with many mailed warriors. He had chosen his moment well. Many of Pasgen’s farmers would be busy with their fields and their animals. We would have barely enough men to man the forts and there would be no levy to give us numbers on the field of battle. We would have to lure him into a trap.
I had given Einar an old mail shirt. He had not wanted one but, as I told him, “You are the bodyguard of a prince. I need you to protect the two squires.”
Gawan and Cadwallon were adamant that they did not need protection but I brushed aside their objections. “So long as the two of you are my squires you will do as I say or I will put you both on a ship back to Mona.”
We gathered our mounted army and headed east to meet them. Aedh kept us aware of the position of this King Edwin. I was surprised at his numbers until Aedh reported that there were Mercian banners amongst the force. It explained why this was such a powerfully armed war band. He had not brought any lightly armed men; all of them would be a seasoned warrior.
I halted the army at Castle Perilous. We had a fort at the ford of Penrhyd. That would be where we would hold him but I needed him to be drawn on to the teeth of our defence. Prince Pasgen, the squires and Hogan Lann’s equites were sent to the north. All that I wanted King Edwin to see was my eighty horseman and my archers. Hogan Lann tried to dissuade me from being present.
“Let Tuanthal lead the men. Why does it need to be you?”
“Because he will want to fight the Warlord and I can make him reckless.”
“You do not know the man. He may not rise to anger quickly.”
“I will have Myrddyn the wizard with me. I am sure that he will come up with something.” I smiled to soften the harshness of my words. “Your heavy horses are powerful but we have to protect them. Tuanthal and Daffydd can flee quickly away from King Edwin and I can still ride a horse as well as any.”
We camped among the ruins of my old home and Myrddyn entertained the boys and Einar with the stories of our times there. I was pleased that Gawan took such an interest in Myrddyn. He could learn much from the wise man. Hogan had always liked to have a weapon in his hand. Myrddyn would teach Gawan that a mind was a powerful weapon too.
The two of them armed for war before dawn the next day. Both had short mail shirts which were more than suitable for wearing on a horse. They each had a small shield and carried a spear as well as a sword. Lann Aelle taught them how to use the spear well and Einar was a superb swordsman. I just hoped that they would not need to test those skills in this encounter. Einar was not happy about fighting on the back of a horse.
“Einar, I do not want you fighting. You and Lann Aelle are here to make sure my son and Prince Cadwallon escape the battle alive. Hopefully, we will not have any fighting today.”
I had Lann Aelle carrying my Wolf Banner. He always enjoyed that honour. Myrddyn rode on my right while Einar and the boys waited behind. We sat before my horsemen and archers at the bridge over the river. Aedh was still shadowing the Saxons and it was his scouts who would ensure that we knew what the enemy was up to. One of his riders rode in. “My lord. They are five miles down the road.”
“Good, then we can dismount and save our poor horses’ backs.”
The two boys’ faces showed their disappointment. Lann Aelle wagged a finger at them. “Your horses need all their energy to take us to and from battle. They do not need to stand there bearing your weight when you have two good legs.”
“Sorry, Lann Aelle.”
Einar hid a smile. Lann Aelle had learned his trade from Pol and Hogan Lann. They too had been strict teachers. “Will he fight Myrddyn?”
“He may not, Warlord. If he fights then he must win. He will know that Aethelfrith found you a tough nut to crack. He might try deception or negotiation. If he sent word to Prince Pasgen then that may be his way. Do not forget his marriage was an alliance to Mercia. He sought refuge with the East Angles. I am guessing that King Edwin is a cleverer man than Aethelfrith. He finds other ways to get what he wants; he does not have to rely on bloodletting.”
“And he was clever enough for me.” I turned to the boys. “Listen to this wise man. Sometimes you tip toe to war and do not rush in.”
It was Aedh who brought us the news. “I have left two men watching them but they are a mile away. They are marching in a column ten men wide.”
He left to take his place at the side of us. As we mounted Prince Cadwallon said. “What does it mean a column ten men wide?”
“It means that he can form a wedge, a boar’s snout or a line easily. H
e has not yet decided what to do.”
We saw the warband in the distance. There were five riders at the front and I assumed that they would be King Edwin and his leaders. I was ready to give the order to release arrows but I would wait to see what he did. I took off my helmet. I wanted him to see my face.
They halted half a mile away. It was brave of the king for my archers could, from the hill behind me, cause casualties amongst them. Perhaps he had never met my famed archers but I was sure that there would be Saxons amongst his men who had fought me. They spread out a little but still had a front sixty men wide. It was a defensive formation. Even horsemen would struggle to break a line eight men deep. The front rank had locked shields and it bristled with spears.
A rider detached himself and rode towards us. He had his right hand held up in the sign for truce. They wanted to talk.
The white bearded warrior reined up in front of me. I could see that he did not sit comfortably in the saddle. The axe which hung from his pommel told me that he would be happier in a shield wall. Horses and axes did not mix. It was too easy to take off your own horse’s head.
“I am Aella of Dunelm. King Edwin, king of this land would speak with you.”
He sounded scornful and I decided to show him we did not fear him. “This land? This is Rheged and we have never had a Saxon upstart as king; even if he is married to the Mercian Royal family.”
The warrior was not put out by my words. “You would stop us with this handful of warriors? I could take you all with just my oathsworn.”
“Then you must wish to see the Otherworld desperately to risk fighting the Wolf Warrior.” I touched the hilt of my sword, “This is Saxon Slayer and he has taken the lives of more cockerels than I can remember.” I smiled as I did so.
I had irritated him. I could see it in his face. He had no reply to that. “Will you talk or will you fight?”
“I never mind fighting Saxons but we will talk. Come to the middle of the bridge.” As he rode away I said to Einar. “Watch the boys.”
“Can’t we come?”
Lann Aelle snapped, “You will be cleaning the armour of your brother’s equites if you do not obey orders instantly.”
We rode down the hill towards the old Roman Bridge. It was just wide enough for four men and so our three horses would effectively block it. I did not yet know this king. I would not trust him until I knew his ways.
He was young; not much older than Hogan Lann. He did not have the physique of a warrior and, as we approached I began to deduce that he was less of a fighter and more of a player. He would try to trick me with words. I did not think that he would stand in a shield wall. His sword, when I had a closer look at it, had the warrior bands around it but there were not as many as had been on Aethelfrith’s. I knew that he would be appraising me too.
He rode with his other four riders. It was a breach of the truce agreement. You normally brought the same number of men to the meeting. I had three and he had five. I was not worried. Lann Aelle and Myrddyn were more than capable of watching my back if I should need it. In addition I had the insurance of Daffydd and his best bowman who already had the bridge in their sights.
I did not speak but I smiled. The scars on my face made my smile somehow threatening. At least that was what others had told me. He did not seem intimidated and he smiled back. “So you are the Warlord. You are the man who raided my lands and stole from my people.”
I nodded, “I am the Warlord but you were wrong when you say that I stole your animals. Those animals had been taken from Rheged. I was merely returning them to their rightful owners.”
“Many of my people suffered because of your actions.”
“Many of my people died because of Saxon aggression.” I leaned forward, “I was showing kindness when I did not slaughter your people. Aethelfrith would have done so.”
“I am not Aethelfrith.”
“That remains to be seen but you are a Saxon and therefore I distrust you.”
Aella’s hand went to his sword. “Touch that sword Aella of Dunelm and Saxon Slayer will claim another foolish Saxon leader.” I stared at him so that he knew I was speaking the truth.
King Edwin held up his hands. “Keep your hands in plain sight old friend. We are talking. I need to persuade my people that you are no threat. Will you swear not to raid my lands again?”
Aella gave him a look of disgust which told me what he thought of the proposal. “When I became Warlord I swore an oath to protect Rheged. The land of Rheged reaches beyond the divide. I cannot swear an oath that I had no intention of keeping.” I shrugged, “As far as I am concerned I will not rest until every Saxon is back across the waters. This is Rheged.”
His warriors were becoming angry but the king was calm. “You know that I have the might of Mercia and East Anglia behind me. You and this handful of warriors would be destroyed if I brought the full force of my army to deal with you.”
“And yet you have just brought three hundred warriors. Why is that? Do the rest fear us so much? But no matter how many warriors you bring we will fight you. You may be an honest Saxon, if so you will be the first, but you are still a Saxon and my sword is Saxon Slayer.”
The silence was eloquent. I knew that the warriors with Edwin were itching to draw their weapons and to fight but this young king kept both himself and his men in check.
“Very well. No one can say I did not give you a chance.” He looked at me trying to read my thoughts. My face was as a stone. I kept it impassive and I had spoken the truth.
Aella gave me a venomous look as he turned his horse and rode back over the bridge. I knew that he would happily have fought me on the bridge if his king had supported him. They rode back across the bridge and I waited until they were back with their army before I led Myrddyn and Lann Aelle back to our lines.
I spoke to all of our men when I said, “Ready yourselves. They will attack.”
Chapter 7
I looked at Daffydd. “I want their horses dead. Let us put this Saxon king on his backside.”
He grinned. Horses were much bigger targets and we could hit them from further away. Normally we liked to protect horses and use them ourselves but it would give us an advantage to have the Saxon king and his chiefs walking rather than riding.
The king allowed his shield wall to precede him while he watched from the rear. I noticed that Aella had joined the shield wall and was leading it. Daffydd did not need my voice to tell him what to do. He and his men waited until the Saxons had crossed the bridge and were adjusting their lines to make the shields overlap once more. As they became disorganised my archers chose their targets well. A dozen men fell to the ground and I knew we had had hits on others. They kept loosing until the Saxons were all across the narrow bridge and had a solid shield wall once more. When the king and his horsemen came across the bridge a shower of arrows rained upon them. One of the chiefs saved King Edwin’s life at the cost of his own as he held his shield over his leader’s head; his own neck was pierced by a plunging arrow. The horses were all struck. Two of them threw their riders and galloped east. The others fell dead.
I heard Aella order the charge. Daffydd and his men continued to harass the Saxons as they lumbered up the slope. When they were just a hundred paces from us I ordered the retreat. The Saxons whooped their delight as the Warlord of Rheged fled before them.
“Warlord, why do we not charge them?”
“Because, Prince Cadwallon, we would lose men and we do not need to. They will follow us and we will keep stopping and whittling them down. By the time they reach the ford they will be angry and they will be tired. They will wish to end the battle quickly and they will do something reckless.”
The Saxons seemed in no hurry to close with us as we headed west towards Hogan Lann and Pasgen with their equites. There were twenty or so bodies lying around the bridge and the crows were already feasting on the flesh of the horses. We retreated in good order. Aedh and his scouts kept between us and them.
“Aedh, send a rider to Hogan Lann and tell him where we are.” Our plan was a simple one. We would make the Saxons think that we were fleeing into the safety of the new fort at Penrhyd and when they broke formation then the one hundred equites and squires would fall upon their flanks. The weight of horse and man would wash away the sea of Saxons. Perhaps we could end it all here on this one day.
When we were just a mile from the fort I halted the men and formed them into two lines. It was a flat piece of ground and the Saxons would be up hill from us. Once again I was tempting them. If they advanced downhill there would be a tendency to run and they would be likely to break formation.
“Captain Tuanthal, draw javelins!” I wanted the Saxons to think that we would be charging.
They quickly formed their shield wall and advanced towards us.
“Charge!” The eighty riders rode towards the Saxons who prepared to receive the suicidal charge. At thirty paces the whole line wheeled to the left and each man threw his javelin and then retired. As I had expected we only caused a few casualties but the sight of the retreating horsemen made them increase their pace. Daffydd and his archers sat patiently on their horses. They would not be as accurate as if they were on foot but it would have to do.
The horsemen galloped beyond us to form a line a hundred paces further west and the archers loosed three flights before they too turned and ran. More warriors lay dead and wounded on the slope and the road. Still they pursued us. As we headed west I saw the wooden walls rising above the ford. The trap was almost complete. The Saxon warband was angry and keen for revenge. Hogan Lann and Prince Pasgen would have an easy time when they attacked.
I could not see the equites but I knew where they were. They waited on the hillside above the small wood. Inside the fort were the forty local men who would defend its walls. Aedh and his men were already heading towards the wood to aid the equites as the archers trotted towards the gate. Aella and his men came purposefully on. The slope down to the ford helped them and they began to gain ground on us. They would be thinking that they could catch us before we reached the safety of the wooden walls of Penrhyd.