Hosker, G [Wolf Brethren 02] Saxon Revenge (30 page)

The king looked at Aelle for confirmation.  “It is true your majesty and the people prosper.  Many new families have come and there are many settlements north of us for my brother’s castle and mine give them the confidence that they will be protected.”

King Urien smiled and the years fell away.  “It is good to talk with you.  When the others arrive we will continue this.  I too am tired of bleeding my poor land for others.”

The midsummer celebrations seemed better than the Yule ones.  As Brother Osric said to me at the feast, “Perhaps our allies changed the atmosphere a little eh Wolf Warrior?” I gave him a nod of agreement but my mouth was filled with some roast fish Prince Pasgen had brought. The priest nodded towards an animated Myrddyn who was having an animated conversation with Aelle and Raibeart. “The healer worked out well I hear?”

“Do not be coy Brother Osric.  I know not how but you know every single event which happens within and without Rheged. As you well know he is more than just a healer.  I just thank the gods that he was sent to me.”

“You mean thank God and Jesus don’t you?”

I saw the twinkle in his slightly inebriated eyes and I wagged an admonishing finger. “You know perfectly well that it was the spirit of my mother who appeared to him.”

“A Christian might say the Virgin Mary.”

“Then they would be wrong but there is something about him which is special.  It is not just his skills at healing but he has the power to hide himself as he did when he spied for us and he knows what men are thinking.  Well. What I think at any rate.”

“There are scientific explanations for all of that but I think I agree with you; there is something about the young man and that heartens me as I fear we have dark days coming.”

“The Saxons you mean?”

He waggled his head from side to side which made me smile. “Could be the Saxons but it could be our allies too.  You never did find out who your spy was did you?”

“No but many of the suspects are dead and I could not fathom out what they were doing anyway.”

“I have given the matter some thought.  I think he or they were watching you and what you did.  Perhaps they were trying to kill you. It would have been a mortal blow to the alliance had they succeeded.”

“I think you exaggerate my importance.”

“And I think that you underestimate yours.”

“Besides I was rarely alone.  I always had my men with me.”

“Is the spy still there then?”

I stared at Brother Osric; he was becoming as intuitive about me as Myrddyn. “I believe that the spy has gone.  Do not ask me why; although we found no further traces once spring came.”

“I know not if it is a good thing or a bad thing but you need to keep your wits about you as we all do.” He downed another of the goblets of rich red wine he adored and poured himself another. “I hear Morcant Bulc is telling the tale that it was he and his men who defeated Aella.”

I laughed aloud and others turned to look at me.  I held up my hand in apology. “There are enough men present at the battle who know the truth and every warrior knows how careful he is on a battlefield to be as far away from danger as possible.”

“I have heard that he has monks on Metcauld who are writing a history for him of his success.  In fifty years time that may be the only version people know.”

“In fifty years I shall be dead and I will not care.”

“But your son will not and could he bear the thought of his father’s name being demeaned by such as Bulc?”

His words set me thinking and I wondered again about the intentions of the King of Bernicia. Perhaps I would get Brother Oswald to write a truthful version; I was not worried for myself but I could not bear to think of my son feeling shame on my account.  I wanted him as proud of me as I was of his namesake, my father.

Raibeart sought me out later in the evening.  We were two of the ones who had consumed less drink than the others.  I found it amusing to watch those who had consumed huge quantities as they became more and more ridiculous in their movements and their words. Prince Ywain appeared to have one foot nailed to the floor as he staggered around on his other and Pasgen affected a high pitched giggling laugh.  It seemed I was the only one to notice but it taught me to control my drink when in company. I could see that Raibeart was troubled by something.  “Come brother, tell me what ails you?”

“It is King Gwalliog.  I fear for his kingdom.”

“It is in a better position now than before we helped him.”

“But he is surrounded.  There are many Angles in the south east of his land and I fear he will not withstand them.”

“What would you do?”

He paused and I could almost hear Maiwen begging him to help her father. “I would.” He hesitated and then looked at the floor in embarrassment. “I would go and serve him.”

I knew what this was costing him; he would be breaking his oath to King Urien.  I looked over at the king and remembered our conversation.  I knew that he would not hold my brother to his oath but I did not want Raibeart to be in Elmet. I was the one who looked after him; he was my responsibility. “You will have to ask the king.”

“I know.” His eyes pleaded with me. “Would you ask him for me?”

“I would rather you were closer to Aelle and myself.  You are right, Elmet is in danger but I know that if the Saxons came then King Urien would give King Gwalliog sanctuary.”

He had a rueful smile on his face. “And you would seek sanctuary with another king if Rheged was overrun.”

“Brother, that is exactly what we did when our family was killed.” I could see that he was becoming agitated. “But I will do as you ask.  Promise me one thing; if things go badly you will return here with your wife and her father.  You will always have a home in Rheged.”

The king was up early, as I was, the next day and he stood, as was his practice on the eastern wall peering towards the Saxons, many miles hence.  I had done so at my castle. It was as though you expected them to suddenly lumber towards you in a gigantic shield wall. He turned as I approached, the two sentries nodding and moving to give us some privacy.

“Ah Lord Lann. It is a fine morning is it not?”

“It is your majesty.  The winters are so long that it seems a shame not to make the most of each morning filled with sun as it is this day.”

He had a contemplative expression on his face. “Aye, I am aware that my days are coming to an end and I would watch every sunrise and sunset.”

I was taken aback.  Was the king ill and had kept it hidden from us.  “No, your majesty; you have many years to rule yet.”

Shaking his head he said quietly, “My injuries have made me think of my mortality and the death of my sons… a man should not bury his children.” He peered into my eyes.  “Promise me that, when I am gone, you will do all you can for Ywain.  He has changed but, somehow, when you are in his company he is the old Ywain. He must hold the kingdom together and he cannot do that without you.” He paused and led me to the small tower at the end of the ramparts. “I would ask you to be warlord of Rheged.”

This was a major decision.  A warlord led a kingdom’s armies.  In Rheged it had always been the king. “Are you sure, your majesty?  Prince Ywain is a fine leader.”

“True but you are a great leader and men will follow you. Will you refuse me, Lord Lann?”

“No, your majesty, I swore an oath to you and I will never break that oath but will Prince Ywain be happy with the decision?”

He smiled, “It was his idea.”

“Then I accept and now, your majesty I have a boon to ask of you.”

“Whatever it is I will grant it for we owe you a great debt already.”

I took a deep breath.  “I will ask first your majesty and then you can reconsider your generosity. My brother Raibeart would leave your service and take his family to Elmet to aid King Gwalliog.”

“So Osric was right.”

“Brother Osric, your majesty?”

“Yes the priest said that he thought that Lord Raibeart would make the request. I am just disappointed that he did not approach me himself.”

“Raibeart is shy your majesty and he has always looked to me.  He meant no disrespect by it.”

He put his hand on my arm.  “I know and I am not offended. Brother Osric and I think it is a good idea.  It will stiffen Gwalliog at the expense of one warrior.  But we will need to put a stout man at his castle. Perhaps Lord Gildas; he looked after Rheged well while we fought Aella.” Although my wish had been granted I felt as though Raibeart was being sacrificed.  I knew that it was his idea but it still seemed as though he was just part of a grander plan. “We will make the announcements this morning.  I believe it will let the king know of our intentions.”

I managed to speak with Raibeart before the announcements and he had the grateful look of a child whose wishes have come true.  Everyone seemed pleased with my appointment, everyone that is, except for Aideen who looked as though she had sucked on one of Brother Osric’s precious lemons.  I would have bridges to build when we returned home.

Raibeart and Maiwen left that morning, both eager to travel to Elmet whilst the weather was so clement. It was a sad parting for Aelle, Raibeart and myself.  We were to be separated and who knew when we would meet again.

“If you need any help in Elmet, Raibeart, then you must promise to let me know.”

Raibeart looked both sad and proud at the same time. “You are now warlord, brother, and your first duty will be to Rheged but do not fear I am taking twenty men with  and we will soon train Elmet archers who are as good as Rheged’s.”

We took our farewells and I felt tears in my eyes; I had not felt such sadness since the Saxons took my parents.  It felt like the end of all things. In many ways it was for, after that glorious summer nothing else was ever the same.

Chapter 16

As we rode home two days later I had much to think on.  Aideen had understood that I could not refuse the king’s offer but she felt that it put me in more danger.  I had argued that it did not as I would be the one making the decisions about the battles and the wars and would not actually be fighting.  She seemed mollified by that but I could see that it still rankled that I would not be at peace.  I had also met with Prince Ywain.  It was largely to clear the air between us for, although I believed the king I had to be sure that I not only had his support but also his heart.  I was confident that he would be a good king. I made sure that I spoke with Aelle.  With Raibeart gone and the threat to our borders coming from the south and east we needed to establish good communications. We revived the despatch riders which had largely fallen into abeyance since the spring war.  We both believed that when the riders matured they became better warriors and we decided on seven each.  That meant they could ride just once a week between our forts.  Out of all the decisions I made I felt that this was the one in which I had the most confidence.

Finally I met with Brother Osric and Myrddyn. I could tell that the priest had also had a hand in the decision to make me warlord; he always appeared to be looking after my interests despite our religious differences. The two thinkers agreed on most things and they came up with a plan to improve the defences of both castles as well as finding the arms and weapons that we would need. Their differences of opinion were in what Osric called supernatural nonsense and Myrddyn called magic. I cared not.  So long as Myrddyn’s magic worked for me I would use it.  The magic of Myrddyn proved to be the saviour of me and my family; I often wondered if Brother Osric regretted his scepticism, although knowing the old man as I did I doubted it.

I knew that, with midsummer over the days would soon shorten and we could not waste the precious time we had been given.  All of us, Myrddyn, Oswald and Garth, threw ourselves into recruiting and training despatch riders, archers and warriors.  In those days we were still rich with the bounty of the war and we used it wisely.  Aideen was with child again and that always had a soothing and calming effect on her.  She seemed happiest when she had a child within her.  Myrddyn said one day, after he had caught the sharp end of Aideen’s tongue that perhaps I should keep her perpetually pregnant!

Miach and Tuanthal proved themselves to be invaluable as they trained the archers and the horsemen leaving Garth and me to work with the warriors.  The two had seen how men could die from poor training on the battlefield and both were determined that they would not fight with half trained men.  All of my captains were happy now that I was warlord as it meant others would not make the rash decisions which they thought had cost men their lives.

By the time autumn had come we had thirty horsemen, fifty warriors and twenty archers.  It was too large a force to be supported by such a small burgh but Osric provided extra money, armour and weapons. Myrddyn told me that he saw me as the gate to Rheged and he would make it as strong as possible. My wounds, from the previous year, and Garth’s from the recent one had healed up completely but we both had the look of battle scarred veterans.  The men found it reassuring that warriors could suffer such horrendous wounds and not only survive but become better warriors.

One autumn evening, when we had lit our first fire of the year in the solar, I sat with Oswald, Garth and Myrddyn.  We enjoyed this pleasure two or three times a week.  Sometimes we talked of important things but at others we just told stories and remembered the dead, as warriors do. Brother Oswald had just told a ribald story about one of the village girls and an old me and we sat in companionable silence. There had been an itch I wanted to scratch but I had been unable to. “Garth, who do you think our spy was?”

He shrugged.  “I have thought of that many times my lord but I cannot honestly say that I have any idea.  I still cannot believe that one of the men who fought so hard beneath our banner could be an enemy and certainly not a Saxon lover.”

“That is my opinion too.”

Brother Oswald drank a little of the mead he had made with his precious honey.  “I think, my lord, that some men are more devious than others and can hide their feelings and their intentions well.”