That night Murdoc dreamt he was an eagle fledgling ready to take his first flight from a lofty eerie. He sprang from the pinnacle and stretched his wings, only to discover that he was a flightless and foolish man, plummeting through the air. He awoke with a start and sat upright, feeling for the rough but reassuring platform. Everyone else seemed to be sleeping—Ceola tethered to a branch as an extra precaution. He lay flat again and returned to his dreams.
The next morning, Dominic and Murdoc awoke early and climbed down the tree, leaving Tomas and Ceola sleeping soundly.
Dominic looked anxious as he peered into the distance. ‘I’d feel better if I knew their whereabouts. Every blind turn makes my heart race.’
Murdoc nodded his agreement. ‘Then we need to find their trail. I’ll come with you if you want, providing the young ones are safe here.’
‘If they don’t stray they couldn’t be safer,’ said Dominic, ‘I’ve spent many a day and night here and know it to be safe. Besides, I could do with your spear alongside my bow should things go wrong.’
Later that morning, they explained their plan to Tomas and Ceola. Dominic provided them with enough food and water to last a couple of days, and gave strict instructions not to stray from the tree. He also gave Tomas a spare bow and a quiver of arrows—a bow he had hidden months earlier in a hollow under the tree.
When midday came, Murdoc picked up Ceola and hugged her. He turned to Tomas. ‘Look after her, Tom, and remember what we told you: do not stray from the tree.’
‘Don’t worry, we’re going nowhere,’ said Tomas, ‘and we’ll be up the tree like two squirrels if we hear any noise.’
As they strode away, Murdoc was flooded with anxiety. He knew they could not chance dragging the children with them; that would be too dangerous. But what if the raiders found them alone and unprotected. As he looked back and saw them holding hands beside the huge beech—one, a ragged, adolescent boy, the other a blonde-haired, bare-foot child—he could not help but think how small and helpless they seemed in the vastness of the forest.
CHAPTER EIGHT
As Dominic had predicted, the raiders found the Roman marching track. Simon and Martha, who had their hands bound, then found the going easier as they stumbled along tethered by their necks. Although some shrubs dotted the track, much of the passageway was clear of larger growth, and Simon guessed that browsers such as deer had kept the track cropped and passable.
He looked back at Martha, hoping the trauma of the past nights had not broken her spirit. On both occasions a hard-looking man—tall and grim with an air of authority—had stopped the brutal leader of the barbarians (the man named Egbert) from defiling Martha. Simon felt they had a slim chance of survival foras long as the man was around. He had already saved their lives, though Simon was perplexed why this should be. One thing he did know—they would be fully exposed to Egbert’s cruelty should the tall man leave the group.
As dusk neared, they grew weary, having had few rest stops that day, and even during these brief pauses they had been called upon to prepare food for the men. Fortunately for Simon, the fare had been to Egbert’s liking.
Egbert had ridden at the front, his continuous barrage of orders often filling the forest air with its grating persistence. He did not speak to Martha or Simon at all that day, but when evening came he rode back down the line towards them.
He looked down at Martha; his shaggy beard splitting to reveal a rotten-toothed leer. ‘You look tired, wife. Journey’s been too much for you, has it?’
Grateful she could not understand Egbert’s guttural tone, Martha looked away, refusing to meet his gaze.
Reaching down, he grabbed a handful of her hair, forcing her to turn towards him. His voice was a menacing growl. ‘Don’t ever turn you head from me, you British whore. When I speak, you will listen, so listen to me now. Sleep well tonight because tomorrow when we’re both rested from this long day, I intend to mount you before the men.’
He cackled, placing his hand on his genitalia to emphasise his intent, then with a tug that left some of Martha’s hair in his hands, he released her. Suddenly, with a fleshy swipe of his hand, he knocked her to the ground.
He looked at Simon, who seethed as he helped Martha to her feet. ‘As for you, corpse, you’ll prepare food as soon as we strike camp. Maybe I’ll allow you a little longer tethered to her … who knows, maybe your food will be tasty enough to stop me from killing you.’
Martha wept as she rubbed the sting from her jaw. Simon took her bound hands in his as Egbert made his way back to the front of the group. He attempted to comfort her. ‘I don’t know much of what he just said, but he was probably making excuses for being prevented from lying with you. Tomorrow may be an easier day; don’t give up Martha, you’re better than that.’
But that night, regardless of Simon’s encouragement, Martha’s sleep was feverish and broken as she lay in apprehension of Egbert’s attention. Yet the night passed without event, and next morning, far from implementing his promise of the day before, Egbert seemed edgy and eager to be on his way.
He walked to Martha and kicked her softly in the back. ‘Up! Up! You and the old one prepare to refresh the men and ready the mounts.’ He pointed towards the ponies in emphasis.
It was mid-morning when they came upon Dominic’s permanent camp. Simon appraised the area. The site’s spruce nature and compacted earthen floor, hinted at its recent use. Two huge empty frames, used to hang dry, salted meat, were propped against the south facing outcrop of rock. The charred rib cage of a boar, left near a ring of cooking stones in the centre of the clearing, evidenced that whoever had occupied the place indeed ate well. A low-lying, stone hut had been recently repaired, and a wooden lean-to erected to its side.
Three men approached the hut’s rough, wooden door. As one of them kicked it fully open, the others entered, war axes raised and ready. A short time later, one of the men—a Gedriht named Wlensling—emerged from the building.
He gave Egbert his assessment. ‘It’s clear. Whoever skulked here must have fled when they heard our approach. There’s a lot of stuff stored in the cellar below the room. It looks like we’ve found a store for Osric’s weapons cache.’
Egbert strode into the hut. He pulled a fur cover back from the rough bed that dominated the space. ‘The bastard likes to be comfortable,’ he said. ‘That’s better than anything I’ve slept in for months.’ He paused, his hand cupping his chin, as he studied the room. After a moment, he turned to the men crowding the doorway. ‘Looks like we’ve found the den of the wildman who killed Cerdic and our other brothers. Keep your eyes peeled and have your weapons ready just in case.’
Withred pushed through the men and into the hut. ‘Yes, fat belly; keep them on their toes like a good captain.’ He sat on the soft bed and winked at Egbert. ‘Meanwhile I’ll bow to your recommendation and test the bed myself tonight.’ Amused when noticing Egbert’s dismay, he continued. ‘What? You mean you wanted it for yourself. Ha ... ha, ha ... that’s not happening man; your weight would have it collapse.’ Now reclining, he laced his fingers behind his head as he smiled up happily at Egbert.
Egbert attempted to hide his annoyance, the minute twitching at the corner of his mouth barely perceptible.
Aware the men were in earshot, he attempted a retort. ‘Phaa!’ Have the bed if you must, the bracken’s a perfect nest for a lanky shit like you. Maybe you could lay us some eggs for breakfast.’
Withred laughed. ‘What? … A fat, lumbering walrus on a diet of eggs, whatever’s the world coming to?’
Egbert cut short the ripple of laughter as he turned towards the men in the doorway. White-faced, he pushed three of them to the edge of the clearing. ‘Let’s see how a night on watch duty suits you, you laughing bastards.’ He grabbed Simon, shoved him into the hut, then pointed to the cellar entrance. ‘Find us food, corpse. If it’s not the best feast I’ve ever eaten, I’ll burn you alive and use your fat as candle wax!’
CHAPTER NINE
&
nbsp; Dominic and Murdoc had watched when the war party entered the camp.
Concealed behind a moss-covered boulder, well away from the edge of the clearing, they were now ready to fade deeper into the forest if the sentries got too close.
‘I know that man,’ whispered Murdoc. ‘The fat one who gives the orders.’
Dominic looked at the man, then at Murdoc. He was concerned at the change that had come over him. Intense and bristling, Murdoc now clutched his spear tight, causing his knuckles to protrude from his stretched skin like ivory balls.
Dominic placed a restraining hand on his arm. ‘Hold your rage, Mur; now’s not the right time to act on it. What chance will the children have if we die here?’
Dominic’s words seemed to drift past Murdoc. He continued to glower at Egbert. Moments passed before he responded. ‘I saw that man butcher my wife and take much pleasure in it. The others, too, I recognise. The tall one stood guard over the few things of value in the village whilst the others amused themselves on violating the women … young and old. But the fat one, sweet Jesus, he delights in it.’
‘There’ll be time enough to kill him later,’ said Dominic, ‘and don’t forget we now have advantage over them—we know where they are. We need to stay here until we know where they’re heading. Then we can move further on this.’
Martha walked into the clearing. ‘See!’ Murdoc pointed to her. ‘That must be the woman Tomas spoke of. She’s still alive, then’—he hitched his breath as Simon appeared—‘and look … they’ve took an old man as well. Another Briton by the look of things.’
Dominic glanced up at the darkening sky. ‘Then we need to get them both out, but not today, we’re running out of light. Tonight we rest and wait.’
At first light next day, they watched the camp. Most of the men had slept around the fire, which still released a hint of curling, grey smoke. Three sentries sat around the perimeter of the clearing, spears between their knees. Occasionally their heads would nod to their chests, then up again, as they fought the urge to sleep.
Dominic and Murdoc observed Egbert struggle to his feet from a position next to the fire. A smaller form lay unmoving and huddled close by. Squinting against the brightness of day, Egbert scratched his crotch and yawned. He walked to another who slept some distance away. He kicked the figure into wakefulness.
Simon struggled to his feet and looked disdainfully at Egbert in the insipid morning light. Egbert knocked him back down to the floor with a heavy back handed slap, then dragged him roughly back up to his feet.
He pointed at a frame of dry meat the men had brought up from the cellar the previous evening. ‘Less of your insolence,’ he rumbled. ‘Get water, now.’ He pointed at the stream and pushed Simon towards it, then turned to his sleeping men and started to rouse them with shouts and kicks.
Simon’s jaw still stung from Egbert’s slap as he began to prepare breakfast for the men. Martha, whose clothes were torn, got to her feet. Simon could see her dirt-smeared skin through the tattered splits in her dress as she stumbled towards him. Having no idea what to say to her, he looked down as she joined him.
Her whole face looked as if it would fall apart such was her despair. She glanced at Egbert as he continued to chivvy the men. She spoke. ‘I’ll not spend another night with that animal. Last night, his strength returned when the other left to sleep in the hut.’ A shudder wracked her. ‘I’d rather burn in hell than endure that again. Today will be my last.’
Simon was at a loss to console her. His words would still not come as he fell to his wretched chores.
After everyone had eaten, Egbert strode to the centre of the clearing. He clapped his hands to attract the attention of the men and began his address to them. ‘I’ve been thinking about it and decided that Woden knew what he was doing when he led us here. We’re back this way next year, so now we’ll stock the cellar with the stuff we need. It’s what Osric wanted us to do, so we split now into two groups. Twenty-eight men led by me will continue along this track, deep into the forest. The remaining eight, under the leadership of Withred, will wait here until we get back. Withred’s rabble will develop the camp and hunt the woods hereabouts. The hunters will prepare a large quantity of dried and salted meat for our raiders next year. That’ll supply us with food as well as spare weapons when we come back.’
A general murmuring ensued as the men absorbed the news. They quietened as Withred spoke. ‘Your plan seems sound enough but I think you’d benefit from my experience, even my companionship along the way.’ He nodded towards Martha, ‘And maybe you’d travel quicker without her.’
Egbert could only laugh. ‘You’re talking shit again, Heron shanks. What? … exchange my nightly comfort for Osric’s spy, I think not. Now no more of this nonsense, the woman comes with me.’ Dismissively, he turned his back on Withred, grabbed Martha by the wrist, then beckoned a subordinate to fetch his pony.
‘Have it your way, Egbert,’ said Withred, ‘but I can’t help feeling you’ll be more interested in the woman than the job at hand, so if she goes then I go.’
Egbert stopped in his tracks and turned his scornful attention upon Withred. ‘More interested in the woman than the job at hand,’ he mimicked. ‘Never question my priorities, you shit; they’re as Osric would have it, and the woman I consider my nightly reward.’
‘Yet I will accompany you if you insist on taking her,’ said Withred evenly. ‘We need this thing done quickly to give Osric plenty of time to prepare. It doesn’t bode well for an early end to your little journey if you spend hours rutting with the woman.’
Egbert looked firstly at Martha and then at Withred. A dawning smile, suggestive of an emerging great truth, came to his shaggy face. ‘Oh, now I see it, heron,’ he said, jabbing his finger at Withred, ‘you want me to leave the woman here. You want her. Now I see what you’re trying to do.’
Withred looked pityingly at Egbert. ‘Do not ever judge me by your standards, you toad. I’ll not argue the matter further; I prepare to leave with you now.’
Emphasising his intent, he strode purposefully to his mount. He was aware Egbert had violated the woman during the night and would continue to do so until she was worn haggard, at which point he would slay her. He had done his best to protect her from Egbert but last night’s weariness, coupled with the comfort of the bed, had caused him to sleep deeply. Egbert had taken advantage of his absence and raped the woman.
Increasingly sickened by the wanton savagery he was witnessing, Withred had decided to protect the woman and the old man as best he could. To this end, he was prepared to kill Egbert, even though such an act would mean his own expulsion from Osric’s group and a hefty payment of wergild to Egbert’s family.
Egbert knew this, so was eager to leave him behind. Now he became exasperated as Withred made to mount his pony. He shouted at him. ‘No—no—keep your long legs on the ground! I’ll leave the woman for now!’ He threw Martha to the floor, then fixed Withred with a sneer. ‘Weeks looking at your ugly face would soften my dick anyway. I’ll take the old one, though. At least then we’ll get some decent food at the end of the day.’
Sighing his impatience, Withred gave an incredulous shake of his head. ‘Your boar’s brain must have hit the ale house floor once too often. Listen to me … we need the old man to see to the game we’ll collect while you’re gone. I’ve spoken to him and he tells me he knows how to preserve foodstuff. If there’s only eight to remain here, we’ll need to hunt every day. We can’t spare a hunter to smoke and salt the produce … every man must be used to hunt.’
Egbert exploded with rage. ‘So you keep the whore, you keep the cook, and I ride off into the unknown without any comforts!’ Blustering now, he pointed at Withred. ‘I’ll—I’ll pick the best men, though; I can assure you of that!’
Withred smiled inwardly, knowing he had won the day. He allowed Egbert a last face-saving concession. ‘As you wish. Pick them then, and get on your way before the morning’s wasted.’
Murdoc and
Dominic watched as Egbert and his men loaded the ponies with provisions before leaving the camp.
‘This complicates matters,’ said Dominic. ‘I thought they all might have left the outpost. Now we must camp away from here.’
Murdoc shrugged. ‘Then why not stay at the tree house until the others follow them?’
Dominic mulled it over. ‘We’ve no option for now, but we need to act before the main party gets back. When they do, we need to be ready for them. We have to stop them going back to Camulodunum.’
Murdoc’s tone was matter of fact. ‘In that case there’s no point just sitting and waiting. We may as well start with the business of slaying the others.’
Dominic sat on his haunches and continued to watch the camp. ‘Yes, but we must do it my way. I’ve hunted the woods for ten years now, though never for men; but stealth and caution’s kept me fed, so it should be enough to finish these.’
Murdoc glanced into the forest behind him. ‘First we must make sure the children are safe. The longer we’re away, the more chance something could happen. Time to go back and check, I think.’
After leaving their surveillance position, they ran at a crouch until a good distance from the camp. Then Dominic led the way, running light footed towards tree house.
CHAPTER TEN
The bear had lost its cub to a wolf pack and now wondered the forest alone. Ravenous, it picked up the deer scent and followed it to a sunlight bower. Such was the strength of musk in the clearing that the bear stood high, snuffling loudly, as its twitching snout judged the location of the doe.
Aware that any movement would alert the bear to the fawn that lay curled against its stomach, the deer was stock still as it watched the bear. Mother and fawn blended perfectly into the mottled light of the hollow; the doe hardly daring to blink its black, shiny eyes lest it catch the bear’s attention.
Wolfbane (Historical Fiction Action Adventure Book, set in Dark Age post Roman Britain) Page 7
