Ghost King (25 page)

Horsa leapt to meet him and their swords clashed. All around them the battle continued, until at last only Horsa and Uther still fought. The Saxon army had been destroyed utterly. Several Romans moved in, ready to kill the giant war-leader, but Uther waved them back.

Horsa grinned again as he saw the massed Roman ranks about him. His banner-bearer was dead, but in death he had plunged the banner staff into the ground and the Black Raven still fluttered above him.

He stepped back, lowering his sword for a moment.

'By the Gods,' he said to Uther, 'you are an enemy worth having.'

'I make a better friend,' responded Uther.

'You are offering me life?'

'Yes.'

'I cannot accept. My friends are waiting for me in Valhalla.' Horsa lifted his sword in salute. 'Come,' he said, 'join me on the Swan's Path to glory. We will walk together into Odin's hall of heroes.' He leapt forward, his sword flashing in the dying light, but Uther blocked the blow, sending a reverse cut that half severed the giant's neck. Horsa fell, losing his grip on his sword. His hand scrabbled for it, his eyes desperate. Uther knew that many Saxons believed they could not enter Valhalla if they died without a sword in their hands. He dropped to his knees, pressing his own sword into the dying man's hand as Horsa's eyes closed for the last time.

The prince rose, retrieving the Sword of Cunobelin, and ordered Horsa's body to be draped in the Raven banner.

Lucius Aquila stepped forward, bowing low.

'Who are you, sir?' he asked.

The prince removed his helm. 'I am Uther Pendragon, High King of Britain.'

EPILOGUE

Uther returned in triumph to Camulodunum where he was crowned High King. The following spring he led the Ninth Legion into the Lands of the Wall, smashing the Brigante army in two battles at Vindolanda and Trimontium.

Eldared was captured and put to death, while Gael escaped by ship with two hundred retainers, sailing south to link with Hengist. Following news of the death of his son, Hengist had the Brigantes blood-eagled on the trees of Anderida, their ribs ripped open for the crows to devour.

Moret offered allegiance to Uther, who left him as the Brigante overlord.

Prasamaccus returned to the ruins of Calcaria and there found Helga, living once more with the servants of Victorinus. Their reunion was joyous. With the ten pounds of gold Uther had given him, Prasamaccus bought a large measure of land and set to breeding horses for the king's new cohors equitana.

Uther himself promoted Victorinus to head the Legions, barring the Ninth which the king kept for his own.

During the four bloody years which followed Uther harried the Saxons, Jutes and newly arrived Danes, building a reputation as a warrior king who would never know defeat. Laitha remained a proud yet dutiful wife, and rarely spoke of her days with Culain lach Feragh.

All that changed one summer's morning five years after the battle of Eboracum . . .

A lone rider came to the castle at Camulodu-num. He was tall and dark-haired, with eyes the colour of storm-clouds. In his hands he carried a silver lance. He strode through the long hall, halting before the doors of oak and bronze.

A Thracian servant approached him. 'What is your business here?'

'I have come to see the king.'

'He is with his counsellors.'

'Go to him and tell him the Lance Lord is here. He will see me.'

Culain waited as the man timidly opened the door and slipped inside.

Uther and Laitha were sitting at an oval table around which also sat Victorinus, Gwalchmai, Severinus, Prasamaccus and Maedhlyn, the Lord Enchanter.

The servant bowed low. 'There is a man who wishes to see you, sire. He says his name is Lancelot.'

LAST SWORD OF POWER

LAST SWORD OF POWER

32

37