by Griff Hosker
“Still, some of the ideas my son has are good ones. Perhaps I should talk to others.”
We had just crossed the drawbridge. I still enjoyed the reassuring sound as it clanked shut. The lights from the torches showed me Myrddyn’s face. He was smiling too. “King Urien was not averse to alliances. Remember the last one in the last golden age. We nearly defeated them then.”
The picture of the treacherous Morcant Bulc came to my mind and spoiled my mood. “Aye and little good it did us then.”
“It did not fail because of you, Warlord. You warned the king of Morcant Bulc. The idea was a good one but the king’s judgement was not.” He saw my face and held up his hand. “King Urien was a good king; he was not perfect. You are a good leader but neither are you perfect.”
“Hubris?”
“Hubris. I think that you should make an alliance.”
“But who with?” Elmet had gone. My brother Raibeart was married to the daughter of its last king. Bernicia and Deira were now Northumbria. “You are not suggesting the Irish? I would as soon get into bed with a bagful of snakes.”
“No Warlord, but what of Alt Cult. When Mungo came south it was because the Saxons had conquered his land but they had conquered Rheged too and yet here we are.”
That night as I lay, unable to sleep, I pondered my wizard’s words. I knew that Riderch Hael had died. I knew that his sons had died but could there be another ruler to the north of us? If I could secure an alliance there then it meant we could focus all our efforts on the east. I would return to my wife one day and when I did then we could join with Cadfan and make inroads to the east there too. The lands to the south of the land of the lakes were fertile but hard to defend. We needed strong armies to the north and the south and then that devastated part of Rheged could be reclaimed. I found that I slept once I had made up my mind.
The next day I organised the ones I would take. I chose Aedh and his scouts as my escort. Tuanthal was disappointed. “My lord, no disrespect to Aedh and his scouts but you will be travelling in a land which might be hostile. You need my warriors.”
“I agree father. It is dangerous.” Hogan Lann had become very protective since I had been wounded.
“It will be more dangerous if I take away the fine warriors who can warn you of a Saxon attack. I am taking Aedh because he can warn us of danger and we will be a small enough party to hide. There will be Lann Aelle and Myrddyn with me and that is all.”
Then it was the turn of Gawan and Cadwallon to complain. “We should come with you. We need to learn too.”
I nodded sagely, “True and I think the learning should be with Einar. I will not be away long and when I return you will both be better swordsmen.”
We left both well armed and with spare horses. I knew that the old stronghold had been the fortress of Alt Cult. Sitting on a high plug of rock it was said to be impregnable. It lay four days or so to the north of us. I had no idea what lay between but, as it was summer, I made the assumption that the people who lived in the land would be too busy gathering in the fruits of their labour to be suspicious of strangers. We rode the Roman Road. It was straight and it was fast. We made sure that we paid for everything we consumed. We were lucky in that Aedh was the most affable of men who had a smile which allayed any fears. He and his men wore no armour and, as they preceded us, we had little difficulty in traversing the country. When we stopped Myrddyn and I would ask about Saxons and about the king. They all remembered and revered Riderch Hael and many of the older ones had heard of the Warlord of Rheged. A few old soldiers asked to see the sword which had held such sway in times past. It was reassuring that there was no Saxon presence.
From this we gathered that there was a king. His kingdom was called Alt Cult and based upon the fortress to which we were heading. It seems he was the result of a union between a Pictish king and one of Riderch Hael’s daughters. His people seemed happy with him although his borders to the north caused him some problems.
As we approached the river which marked the end of our journey Myrddyn speculated about the king we would soon meet. “King Necthan Nepos Uerb sounds like an opportunist. The Picts were always a little belligerent and unpredictable. If he has managed to unite those two kingdoms then he has done well.”
“It seems the Saxons were only here briefly.”
“Yes Warlord, but they did as they did in Rheged; they stripped what they needed and then left. When we were in Constantinopolis I read of an insect they have in Asia and Africa. It is called the locust and when it comes to a land it completely strips all that can be eaten and then leaves. That is the Saxon way.”
“So long as this king is on our side then I am happy.”
We saw the castle long before we saw the river. It stood on a high craggy rock. I have seen some impressive sights for castles but the only one which came close to this one was Din Guardi and even that was dwarfed by Alt Cut. If Riderch Hael had been content to sit within his walls he might not have been killed in battle by the Saxons. I smiled as I remembered that larger than life king. There was no way he would have sat and waited while an enemy devastated his land. The river was too wide to ford and there was no bridge. Our problem was solved when a raft pushed off from the opposite shore. It came to a stop some fifty paces from the shore. There was an old man on the oar and a younger man at the prow.
“What is your business, sirs? I see that you are armed.”
“I am Lord Lann, Warlord of Rheged and I am here to speak with your king. We come in peace.”
The older man came forward. “I remember you. I fought alongside you against the Saxons.” He looked at the young man. “He is not a threat, Guipo. He fought alongside Riderch Hael.”
The journey across the river was not comfortable. Mona was calm enough but some of the scouts needed all their skills to calm their mounts. We had no opportunity to talk with the boatmen. The people we had spoken to hitherto had only heard of this king. I was anxious to get a picture of him before I met him.
As we stepped ashore the old man tugged at my arm and said, quietly, “This new king is a good man but he is no Riderch Hael.”
“Thank you for that information.”
“You saved us more than once my lord. I often heard the old king speak highly of you.” He chuckled, “We heard the old wizard Myrddyn had entranced you and imprisoned you beneath a mountain in Cymri.”
I laughed, “Do not speak too loudly, for that is Myrddyn ahead.”
His face went white. “Please Warlord do not tell him of what I said. I would not like to be turned into a stone.”
“Your words are safe with me.” I caught up with the others. The legends about the wizard just grew and grew. I had no doubt that, long after I had died, men would still speak of Myrddyn the wizard.
We led our horses up the steep road to the castle. I was aware of being watched. I wondered if there was another entrance to the castle for this one was too steep for an invading army to use. There was a welcoming party at the gate and I was glad that I had led the horses. It would convince the king of our peaceful intentions.
“I am Menteith, the steward to the king. What is your business?” He studied me as he spoke and, before I could answer he smiled, “You are the Warlord of Rheged. I thought I recognised the cloak and banner.” He frowned. “What brings you here?”
“I would speak with the king. We have returned to Rheged.”
His face beamed, “Then that is cause enough to celebrate.”
He led me through the gatehouse which bristled with guards. “Your men will find stables and the warrior hall yonder. If you and your adviser will come with me, I will take you to the king.”
I hid a smile as Myrddyn glowered at the steward’s back. We were led through many smaller buildings to a large hall. We stood outside its doors while the Steward said, “I will go and announce you.”
“Adviser indeed!”
“I thought that had annoyed you. Take it as a compliment that you are able to hide in plain sight. Wo
uld you have everyone recognise you?”
He stood back and looked at me. “You are becoming far too clever Warlord. I doubt that you need me at all.”
“And that is not true. I would have you watch the others when I speak with the king. I need to know how his closest advisers stand.”
The door opened and we were led into a dimly lit hall with a fire roaring, despite the warm day, at the end of the room. Necthan was dressed quite plainly and seated on a raised chair. He stood and extended his hand to me. “I have long wished to meet with the famous Warlord of Rheged.”
He had a firm hand and his eyes looked into mine. I liked a man who could face you without flinching. “And I am pleased that a king sits once more on Riderch Hael’s throne.”
He nodded and then looked at Myrddyn. The question was in his eyes. “This is my nephew, Lann Aelle, and this is Myrddyn the wizard. You may have heard of him.”
There was an audible gasp from the others in the room and Menteith paled. The king smiled. “You are as famous but I am a little disappointed that you did not fly in through one of the towers.”
Myrddyn laughed graciously. “Some of the stories of my exploits are a little exaggerated.”
I saw then that the king was wise, “And yet they must have some basis in truth. The story of King Morcant Bulc’s death can only be explained away by magic. But we can talk of such things as we eat. Would you like to wash before we eat?”
“That would be most welcome.”
“And please, bring your famous sword to the meal. I have some questions to ask you about that blade.”
I had brought clothes other than those needed for war and, when we entered the hall for food I was pleased. They had all made an effort to impress us and there were many rich coloured garments adorning the men. There were no women present. I had heard that this was the practice. It would not have sat well with Myfanwy but different cultures had different ideas.
I was seated to the king’s right hand, the place of honour. I deposited Saxon Slayer on the table and I watched as every man’s eyes were drawn to its jewelled pommel and inscribed blade. Before the food was served the king stood and raised his chalice. “A toast to our allies, Rheged, and the famous Warlord, Lord Lann.”
My work had already been done for me. I had come for an alliance and it was offered to me without condition. I drank the heady wine and then resolved to drink more slowly for the rest of the night. It would not do to get falling down drunk.
“May I hold the sword?”
“Of course, your majesty.”
He was a warrior; that much was clear when he balanced the sword in his hand. I could see the envy in his eyes.
“It is everything I have heard and more. You are a lucky man. May my warriors hold it? I know they have dreamed of this.”
“Of course.” I hesitated, “Just so long as it returns here.”
They all laughed. As the food was served the king began to speak. “I said allies, for once we were. Does Rheged wish that alliance to continue?”
“We do, most heartily. We have driven the Saxons from Rheged and, before we can think of attacking their lands to the east, I needed to be sure that my northern borders were safe.” He gave me a quizzical look. ”A few years ago Mungo and some of your lords took refuge with my people. We thought, until I arrived here, that the Saxons still ruled.”
He seemed satisfied. “No Warlord, they stole many slaves and they killed many men but they did not settle, I promise you that your northern borders will be safe and my men will do all that they can to help drive the Saxons from our land.”
“Then I am relieved.”
“There is something you could do for me in return.”
I had wondered what he wanted to cement the alliance. Perhaps every man wanted something for himself.
“You know that Riderch Hael had a sword call Dyrrnwyn?”
“Yes. I saw it when he used it on the battlefield. It was supposed to flame although I never saw that.”
“You are right. That sword disappeared after the battle in which the king died. It just vanished from the face of the earth.”
“Most likely one of the victors took it.”
“I agree that is more than likely but as they were Saxons it is hard to know for certain. The new owner may not know of its power and its name.”
“How would I know it? It is many years since I saw it although I remember a green jewel in the pommel.”
“Yes and the blade is inscribed, ‘Flame of the dragon’ in our language. If a Saxon took it he would not know what the words meant.”
“I have not come across the blade yet but we will now seek it out. When I find it I will return it to you.”
“You seem confident that you will be able to do this. What gives you this confidence?”
“The warrior who took this blade must be a good warrior to have beaten your king. He was old but he was a fierce fighter. I intend to defeat the Saxons. I will come across this warrior sometime and I will defeat him.”
“Again you are confident; why?”
“Myrddyn has not dreamed my death.”
The king looked at Myrddyn. “You can predict when a man will die?”
“No, but my path and that of the Warlord are intertwined. I will dream when he will die and when I will die. I have already dreamed my own death.”
I had not heard of this. The whole table became silent. The king asked, in a hushed voice, “And what will your death be?”
He finished chewing a piece of meat and said, quite calmly, “I will fall, I will be stabbed and I will drown.”
“Then will you not avoid being in places where you can fall?”
“If it is meant to be it will happen no matter what I do. I have not yet dreamed when I will die, only the manner of my death.”
The king shook his head. “I am mightily glad that you two came to my court. I have learned much and I now have hope for the future.”
Chapter 9
We stayed longer than I had wished for the king was keen to show me his kingdom. Eventually we begged our leave and left. The journey back was much more relaxed. The king sent ten of his men as guards. We had told him that we had been treated well by his people but he was worried about the Irish pirates. It seemed they still bothered him too.
The passage to Carvetiorum was a pleasant one and when we saw the improvements made by Prince Pasgen I was delighted. He too, was pleased to see me. “Tuanthal has seen no Saxons and I have deemed it safe enough for my wife. She is coming with Daffydd.”
I hoped he had judged the time right but I smiled anyway. “Excellent, and we will try to make her both safe and welcome when she is here.”
He was also delighted about the alliance. “My army is building well but we will not be ready for an attack until next year.”
I knew what he meant. There was a balance between an efficient army and a full larder. We would all eat well this winter and it was up to my men to keep the food and the people well protected. Of course the presence of Prince Pasgen’s family brought even more problems. He would always have one eye on them. Hogan Lann would have much more responsibility upon his shoulders. Perhaps this was wyrd; perhaps this was a good thing which would make him a better leader.
Although we had been away less than a month autumn was already on the horizon. We could see the summer crops being harvested. I was pleased that the rains had held off as well as the Saxons. I was pleased I was not a farmer. It was bad enough fighting Saxons without fighting nature too. The two towers at the fort of Penrhyd were finished. We had stayed overnight at Prince Pasgen’s and so we arrived just after noon. The fort seemed almost deserted. There were just six of the levy there and Daffydd busily training archers. Lann Aelle and Aedh took the horses and I went to speak with my captain of archers.
“Any problems?”
“Not with the Saxons but Einar has had his hands full with the two boys. It seems they were desperate to go hunting rather than working and he finally rel
ented. They will be happier when they return this evening.” I laughed at the image of Einar being pestered by the two youths. “The training of the archers is going better. Some of the young boys, especially the ones who live in the hills, have a real eye for archery. We will have half a dozen that will be able to give the Saxons something to think about.”
I was pleased. Our archers were a major advantage we held over the Saxons. The more we had the more secure we became.
When Einar returned from his hunting trip he brought disturbing news. “My lord I found the tracks of men. Saxons. Their footprints were in the woods and on the muddy paths.”
That was potentially worrying. The last thing we needed was a band of Saxons who had survived the battle raiding my land. “Where were they?”
He pointed to the west. “They were in the woods some five miles away. Where the small stream comes from the hills.”
I knew the spot. I now became even more worried. The Saxons who had fled Prince Pasgen had gone north and I knew that King Edwin had gone east. Who were these Saxons?
“Thank you Einar. Aedh, mount your men. We go hunting Saxons.” Although the days were getting shorter the place we would search was close.
Aedh was a good tracker and he found Einar and the boys’ tracks easily. He too found the Saxon tracks. “They came from the south, Warlord.” I could hear the concern in his voice. He pointed to the east. “They headed east.”
We followed the tracks until it became dark. “We will return here in the morning and follow them to their destination. I do not like unknown warriors wandering freely in Rheged.”
We discussed it as we ate our evening meal. “I can see why they were heading east; they would be trying to join up with the others but where did they come from?”
Hogan Lann was right. The land to the south had no Saxons. We had travelled through that land. We kept no watch on the trails and roads which traversed that part of Rheged for it was the safest part of the kingdom.
“Tomorrow take some of the squires and travel as far as the sea. Look for sign along the way. We will see where they have come from. ”