Hosker, G [Wolf Brethren 06] Saxon Slaughter

by Griff Hosker

  Prince Pasgen was also concerned about Aethelfrith and his attack. “What can we do to stop that happening again, Warlord?”

  We were in his great hall and Prince Cadwallon and Lann Aelle were both there. This would be a lesson for both of them. I watched Prince Pasgen carefully as I explained my ideas. He had, in the past, shown a reluctance to delegate but his face appeared at ease with my suggestion. “This way, my prince, you can worry about the whole kingdom but you will have warriors who will watch the smaller parts.”

  “And have you any leaders in mind?

  “Kay is an obvious one. He already controls the vital artery to the south.”

  The prince frowned slightly. He had wanted him punished for desertion not so long ago. How would he take this promotion? I would not allow him to dissuade me from my decision but I needed him to approve it. The frown changed to a smile and he looked at Prince Cadwallon, “The Warlord is right and it is good to know that some bad decisions can be changed. I think that Lord Kay will be the perfect choice. And the others?”

  “I have a couple of warriors in mind but I would prefer to speak with them first. The responsibility is a great one.”

  “It is.” He hesitated and chewed his lip. This was always a sure sign that he was worried about something. “Will you be wintering here?”

  “No, I will depart when the leaves begin to fall. I will wait until then in case Edwin tries something.”

  “And you will return home?”

  “No, Prince Pasgen. We need to make sure Rheged is secure. I will take a small army south to build forts and reclaim that part of Rheged. I hope that, by spring, your land will reach the Dee.”

  He looked surprised. “That would be a larger Rheged than my father ruled.”

  “True. Are you up to the challenge?”

  He seemed to sit taller, “I am, Warlord.”

  We dined together that night. I was not certain when I would be able to visit with him again and I needed him to be confident to act without me looking over his shoulder.

  “I will leave my son at Penrhyd for a while. The return of the sword to Necthan should ensure a secure northern border. What are your plans?”

  “I think I will advance along the wall and establish a fort there. We have the advantage that many of the Roman forts still stand. With Penrhyd in the south and one at the wall it would enable me to control the two major routes into our land.”

  I liked that plan. The roads south of the wall were in good condition and the Saxons appeared to have left that part of the land untouched. It was however, sparsely populated. He would have few men to defend the fort.

  “When will you begin?”

  “When your son returns would be a good time. We will still have time before winter to make a start.”

  “My son should be back within a few days. I will return to Penrhyd for him and Myrddyn. I will join you and begin my journey south from there.”

  As I headed back to Penrhyd with Lann Aelle and Prince Cadwallon I began to rehearse the words in my mind. I needed to ask Lann Aelle to leave all that he loved and be a warrior lord controlling a new land. In the end he made it easy for me by bringing it up.

  “Warlord, who do you have in mind for these new commanders? Will you promote warriors such as Kay?”

  “As I said before, I need to speak with them first but you were one such.”

  He seemed genuinely surprised. “Me?”

  “When we travel south I was going to make you commander of the land between the lakes and the Dee. It would be Lann’s land. How would you feel about that?” He hesitated. “You can refuse. I know that you wished to rule at Wide Water. I can understand that. I would ask no man to do this if he was unhappy about it.”

  “No, Warlord. I am honoured that you should entrust this to me. I can see that the land south of Wide Water will need someone who is a strong leader. I am honoured that you think of me.” He paused. “What about your son?”

  “Hogan Lann will be needed to replace me. I am getting old.”

  They both laughed. “No Warlord, I have seen no sign of that and I have fought beside you for many years.”

  The truth was that I was feeling the recent combats more than I had. I could not have fought much longer when I had defeated Aethelfrith. Had Daffydd been late then I would have weakened and might have lost. My days of fighting were ending and I would be a strategos. My son had seen that and perhaps that was a good thing. That was a sign. “Well I notice my weaknesses. But back to your new role. Does it not daunt you?”

  “When you first mentioned it then yes but I remembered that you had done something similar at Castle Perilous.” I smiled at the memory of those early days with a handful of men. “I would just ask that I could have some of my comrades to aid me.”

  “Of course. You will need captains. You will need to ask for volunteers; equites and archers as well as warriors.”

  “You have given me much to think on.”

  Prince Cadwallon had listened with keen interest. “How have you made such warriors who are loyal and whom you can give such power to? I know that Lann Aelle and Prince Pasgen will never betray you. How did you know this?”

  “Your father, when he was ejected by your grandfather, took Dai with him. That was his start. All the other warriors were chosen to lead his men because they fought alongside your father and Dai. When you begin to fight then you will do the same. You see a man’s heart when you stand beside him and protect him as he protects you.”

  The prince was learning and I was doing what I had promised his father. I was making him into a king.

  Gawan was much improved and pleased that we would me moving on. I spoke with the commander of the fort, Ralph. “I will be appointing a commander for these West Moors. You will know him but I leave you in charge until he arrives. You will have much to do when he begins his role. You will have all the land to the high peaks to control. Train your men well.”

  Just as we were about to leave I saw two friars trudging along the road from Alavna. They had two ponies laden with goods. We halted at the gate.

  “I am Brother Gryffydd.”

  “And I am Brother Stephen. We have been sent by Bishop Daffydd as your new scribes. We have just come from Alavna.”

  “This is a most beautiful land.”

  They both had the same thin face of Brother Oswald and the same beatific smile.

  “We also have a letter from your wife, Lord Lann.” He handed over the seal parchment. Was there just a hint of criticism in his tone? Myfanwy would have spoken to him when she gave him the letter. I expected the letter to be critical and I tucked it away to read later. I would delay reading it; if at all.

  “You have both come at a most propitious time for we are heading for Civitas Carvetiorum.”

  They positively bobbed with pleasure. “We have been told so much by Brother Oswald about it that we cannot wait to see our new home.”

  I rode next to them. They were a connection with my home and I asked them about the state of affairs there. It all seemed to be peaceful. King Cadfan kept encroaching on the Mercians and increasing his land and Bors had had to repel one or two minor assaults. It seemed I was not needed there.

  “You know, I take it, from Brother Oswald, that we want none of our warriors converting to this White Christ. I cannot have warriors turning the other cheek and worrying about killing.”

  Brother Stephen grinned broadly. “We held a conclave at the monastery and Brother Oswald attended. He explained your position and we discussed it at length. When we read the Holy Scriptures we could find no reason why warriors should not kill other warriors. There were many occasions when this occurred in the past. The consensus was that Christians could kill other warriors but should abstain from killing those who were not warriors.”

  “Does that satisfy the Warlord?”

  “It interests me Brother Gryffydd but I will discuss it with Myrddyn before I allow it.”

  Their faces darkened. “We have heard tha
t he is a wizard and communicates with dead spirits.”

  “He is a wizard and I too have spoken with the dead.” I smiled as they both clasped the crosses they wore about their necks as though the devil himself was present. “You know your duties?”

  “We are to help Prince Pasgen and Lord Hogan Lann to administer this land and ensure it has a solid foundation.”

  “Good. That means organising what they trade and keep track of it.”

  “Brother Oswald also asked us to keep his maps up to date.”

  “Yes you will be using the same cell as Brother Osric who began the maps long before I was born.”

  Brother Stephen’s voice showed his awe. “We have heard of this man. Some say he should be as St.Asaph and be canonised.” I gave him a puzzled look. “Made a saint.”

  I laughed, “I do not think that Brother Osric would have worried about that.”

  “You knew him, Warlord?”

  “Aye, it was he who taught me to read and sharpened my mind for me. You have a large pair of sandals to fill.” I was not sure that they understood my image. “You realise that you will be here for the rest of your lives?”

  “Yes and we are honoured to serve. We will be the only outpost of Christianity north of the Dee.”

  “Not true. I believe that there are monks at King Nechthan’s court but that is many leagues from here. You are surrounded by a sea of pagans.”

  Strangely that seemed to please them. They were a peculiar pair but I liked them and my experience of such men was a good one.

  “There is your new home.” I pointed to the towers of Carvetiorum.

  “It is even bigger than Deva.”

  “It is a fine palace but it will need work. The heating system needs repairs. I hope that Brother Oswald told you how it works.”

  They both looked doubtful. “He told us but we thought it would be working and we would have time to discover its workings.”

  “I am afraid that here you are on the edge of the world and time is a luxury.”

  As we entered the gate I pointed to the left. “That will be your office. If you take your ponies over there with your equipment I will get someone to show you around.”

  I had not spoken with Myrddyn and the others on the way across. The four of them were busy behind me discussing how the Land of the West Moors would be run and speculating who would be given charge of it. Myrddyn, of course, knew but the mental exercise was good for the three young men.

  I made sure that Mona was looked after and then went for the monks. They were delighted to have their own space and I had to tell them to follow me else they would have happily stayed there all afternoon. Hogan Lann and Pol were with Prince Pasgen. Here they had no table which allowed you all to see the other’s faces but they had a long oblong one which would do. I bade them all sit. The two monks were a little uncertain at first. Hogan Lann laughed, “You will have to get used to this, brothers. Here you will need to work with Prince Pasgen on a daily basis. You will be as close to him as his family.”

  Brother Stephen stood excitedly, “That reminds me. Prince Pasgen, your family will be coming before Yule. They had decided they miss you too much.”

  We all laughed and the monk sat, blushing. “Well Prince Pasgen, it is even more important that we make your land secure.” I stood and nodded to Myrddyn who unrolled a map. The two monks almost drooled when they saw the detail. “As you know I have decided, with Prince Pasgen’s permission to create lords who will control the lands around this fortress. Each lord will answer only to the Prince and to me.” I smiled, “If you remember, King Urien had such a system. If you are going to steal an idea make sure it is from the best.” Prince Pasgen nodded his thanks.

  “Lord Kay will command the land of the lakes to the coast. Lord Lann Aelle will command the land we have not conquered yet; the land between the land of the lakes and the Dee. I call it Lann’s Land.” They all smiled at my self-indulgence. Hogan Lann patted his cousin on the back. It was well done. “The land around Penrhyd I give to Pol as lord of the West Moors Land.”

  Pol looked surprised. I had wanted to speak with him first but time was of the essence. He looked at Hogan Lann who nodded and then rose. “Warlord, I am honoured. Do you think I can do what you ask?”

  “If I thought otherwise I would not have asked you.” I looked him in the eyes. “Do you accept?”

  “Aye my lord.”

  I was aware that they were looking at Tuanthal, Daffydd ap Miach and Hogan Lann who appeared to have been overlooked. Hogan Lann will remain here until the borders are secure and then he will return to our home in the south. Captain Tuanthal will be with me and Lann Aelle. I have great need of both my archers and my horsemen.”

  They all began talking at once. Myrddyn coughed and tapped the map. “You will see that we have marked in red the key forts. Here in the northern half they are already built and just require maintaining. When Prince Pasgen has rebuilt one on the wall then we will be secure. Lann Aelle will have to build them in the south.”

  “Prince Pasgen and Hogan Lann; Pol and Lann Aelle will be asking for volunteers from your equites to serve with them. Daffydd you will need to leave ten archers to allow them to build up their strength. The squires will have to be used to replace the equites. We need an elite force of horsemen and archers for every time you fight the Saxon you will be outnumbered. It is in our strength of arms that our power lies and not our numbers.

  Chapter 12

  Pol, his five equites and five archers returned south to Penrhyd. It was a sad parting. Pol had fought at either my side or my son’s since he was a boy. He had travelled to the Emperor’s court with my son and now he would be alone; he would have to make the decisions now. I had confidence in him but I knew how hard it would be. He would have Kay and Pasgen as near neighbours but he would be the front line in the war against the Saxons.

  Prince Pasgen had taken fifteen of the squires who remained and given them the task of defending the new fort. It left Pasgen and Hogan Lann with just twenty five squires. They would all become equites sooner than they had expected. Aedh and his scouts found the fort we were seeking. The Romans had called it Cauldron Pool or Chesters and it was exposed. It was the furthest east of any of our forts. It lay just on the other side of the great divide but it was a well placed fort. A river surrounded it and high ground lay behind it. Any enemy would have to spend time destroying it before advancing west.

  As we rode east Myrddyn pointed to the turrets on the wall the Romans called Hadrian’s. “Do you see how they all have a clear line of sight to each other? If you get the local people to watch them we could send a signal from our new fort to Civitas in less than an hour. You would have to impress upon them the need to keep dry wood to hand.”

  I was aware how parlous the position of this small garrison would be. There were ten volunteers from Tuanthal’s men. These were warriors who had lived close to the wall before and wished to begin families. For the rest of the garrison, the commander, Bedwyr, would have to find men willing to serve for whatever booty he could loot from the Saxons. It would not be an easy task.

  “Warlord, we have found the fort and it is unoccupied.”

  We set up camp around the crumbling ruins of this once great fort. We had fought close to here when I was younger and I remembered that this was where Lann Aelle’s father, my brother Aelle, had lost his arm. I had slain King Aella just on the other side of the bridge. The bridge still stood but it was weak. While the camp was being built we descended to the bridge to inspect it.

  Bedwyr nodded as he saw how poorly maintained it was. “We would have to rebuild this.”

  “Why?” The rest looked at Myrddyn but I continued to peer east. He would have a good reason for his question and he would explain it. I was trying to decide what to do next.

  “We need the bridge to cross the river.”

  In answer Myrddyn said, “Gawan, ride your horse to the other side and then come back.”

  The wooden structur
e shook but showed no signs of breaking. “You and your men cross as Gawan did one at a time. What do you think would happen if a large number tried to cross at once?”

  “It would collapse.”

  “And therein lies your best defence against the Saxons. If they try to cross it will collapse and many will fall into the river and die. They could repair the bridge but by then Prince Pasgen could be here. Leave the bridge as it is. Come we will look at the rest of this building and I will advise you.”

  They all left with Myrddyn, save Hogan Lann who came next to me. “What is on your mind, father?”

  “I am remembering crossing this country to kill Morcant Bulc. It is no further to the sea than crossing Mona. If we can hold this place then we could drive a wedge into the Saxon defences and hold the land from coast to coast as we once did.” I smiled at my son, “This will be in your lifetime and not mine. My last task will be to join Rheged to the Dee.”

  He laughed but I could see the worry in his eyes, “You are not old and you will outlive us all.”

  “Of the warriors I grew up with how many are left?”

  “Prince Pasgen.”

  “He was Gawan’s age when I held Castle Perilous. There are just your uncles and they were both younger than me. I have already outlived them all as well as all of my friends and foes. Edwin was not even dreamed of when I killed Aella here.”

  I watched as my son took it all in. I was not being morbid. I hoped I would fight for many more years. Myrddyn had not dreamed my death and he would give me ample warning but I was not immortal and I wanted my son to make plans for life without me. He looked at me with new eyes. I was still the same father I had always been but I had grown wiser. The young Wolf Warrior who thought he could save Rheged alone had now grown into the pragmatic Warlord who knew that change which came slowly brought lasting change.