by Griff Hosker
“You have a well positioned fort.”
“It has been occupied since before the times of the Romans.”
“The Romans never came here?”
He said proudly, “They never even tried to conquer my people.”
“But you were visited were you not?”
He looked genuinely surprised when Myrddyn spoke. “Yes, a Roman came.”
“And he visited St. Brigid and gave her a ring, I believe.”
“You are truly a wizard. How did you know? It was a secret and only the kings knew of it.”
“I know you worship the White Christ now but I still speak with the spirits and they told me.” He pointed to me. “They speak with Lord Lann too.”
There was a subtle change in his attitude from that moment on. He stopped trying to impress us and actually listened to us. “I look forward to hearing how you defeated the Saxons so many times.”
As we wound our way up to his sanctuary I began to reassess this Hibernian. I had thought him to be a savage whom I could bend to my will. I saw now that he was intelligent as well as ambitious. I could see how he had threatened the more powerful families further south. It would not do to underestimate him.
The guards on the gate were dressed as the king’s bodyguards were but they had a shield which was much smaller than the shields our men used. I also saw that their swords were shorter. It seemed the longer blades were reserved for the better warriors. Once inside the walls and ditches I could have been in a Saxon village. There were round huts and a hall which was also round but larger than the rest. The king pointed to a hut by the gate. “This is reserved for your warriors.”
I nodded and turned. The Irish oathsworn behind me parted and I said, “Tuanthal, our men are to be housed in this hut. Watch over Morcar for me, eh.”
“Aye Warlord.”
Morcar did not look happy but he had to learn that we needed to abide by the king’s customs if we were to win him over.
The king took me to his hall. Inside it was dark and was lit by the fire in the centre of the room. The smoke spiralled up to an opening in the middle. There were torches burning around the inside to give light. Unlike our halls this was just one large space and I saw the sleeping areas around the side.
The king saw me looking. “You will sleep here with me and bodyguards. You will be safe.”
I smiled and nodded. Of course I would be safe. Myrddyn had dreamed my death and it was not here. We did not need to tell this king that. At one end of the hut was a large table with chairs around it. The king led us to it and we sat down. He waved his arm and a slave appeared with some beer. It was exactly the same type as we had brewed at Stanwyck. The only difference was a slightly more peaty taste to it. I would ask Myrddyn about that later on.
The king took a large swallow and sat back in his chair which was bigger than ours. “Now then, Lord Lann. Why should I join with you?”
I noticed that only two of his warriors remained. They were the largest of his men and both had long curved swords with wicked looking blades. They flanked their king. He might trust us but they did not. However it meant that we could talk a little more freely.
“Before we begin. Here is a small gift, a token of our friendship.”
Like the magician that he was Myrddyn suddenly flourished the torc from beneath his robes. I knew we had made the right choice when I saw the jaws of his oathsworn drop. The king touched it reverently as though it would break. He ran his fingers over it. “It is gold?”
Myrddyn nodded, “Mainly gold from the Eastern Empire with some copper and precious stones.”
“The wolf, it is your sign?”
“It is. When I was younger I was known as the Wolf Warrior.”
He gave me a shrewd look as he put the torc around his neck. “You still are. It is why I am surprised at your age. From your deeds and the fear you inspire I had thought that you would be a much younger warrior.” There was no answer I could give to that. “And this sword of yours, Saxon Slayer, is it that which you wear?”
“It is.” I slowly drew the blade. I noticed the guards’ eyes narrowed suspiciously. I reversed the blade and handed it, hilt first to the king. They relaxed.
The king held it in his hand. “This is well made and it is ancient.”
“It is. We believe it comes from the Roman times.”
“We have no such blades in this land. I would have swords like this for my men.”
“If you join with us you shall.”
He handed the sword back to me and I sheathed it. I saw the relief on the faces of the guards. “How so?”
“We buy many weapons from the iron makers of Frankia and Byzantium. We could supply your warriors with them once they have helped us to defeat the Saxons.”
“We fight and die before you provide the weapons?”
I shrugged. “The Saxons are rich and we use the treasure we take from them to buy our own weapons. It is how we acquired our own”
“I could just stay here in my own land and become more powerful here.”
Myrddyn spread his arms, “Your island is filled with brave warriors and they can gain much honour through fighting but there is little treasure here.” He pointed to the door of the hut, in the direction of the gate. “The warriors we brought are not the king’s bodyguard and yet each is encased in fine mail.”
The king gave a cunning smile, “Then you should be able to defeat the Saxons easily/”
Myrddyn smiled. “You are right, we could but there are many warriors such as yourselves in the land to the north of the Saxons, in Dál Riata.” He shrugged, “The Warlord and me thought that you might wish to conquer and rule the land between.”
I could see his mind working as he took in this information. It was not new information but he had not associated it with a raid on the Saxons.
“How would we share the spoils of war?”
This was Myrddyn’s world. He spread his arms as though giving something to the king. “If you join us then we will be fighting alongside King Cadwallon of Gwynedd. As kings you two would divide the spoils of war between you.”
He looked surprised for the first time. “And you would take nothing?”
“I am the Warlord of Rheged. When Rheged is free that is the reward for me and my men.”
“You do not have many men in your army do you?”
I shook my head. “No, the men of Rheged are not numerous but we make up for it by being the best warriors.”
One of the guards snorted and the king held up his hand. “Calum, do not show such disrespect.” The guard nodded but continued to glare in my direction. “Calum and my warriors think you are all overdressed men who play at warriors.”
I stared back at Calum. “Then perhaps it is a good thing that we have never chosen to play on this island.”
I knew I had angered the guard and I heard Myrddyn tut. The king laughed. “You are not dull, Warlord. You make for lively conversation. We will continue this on the morrow for I wish to learn more about you and your people. For the present we have a small celebration. It is a fine night and we will eat outside. My cooks have been preparing our food while we spoke. Come.”
Chapter 4
We left the dark, Stygian darkness of the king’s hut and went outside into the fresher, brighter air of the evening. The sun had begun to set in the west but the air felt much cleaner than the smoky hall. There were torches lit flickering around a large table. I could see three chairs at the head of the table and we were led to them. My warriors were summoned and they sat down one side. The same number of the king’s warriors sat opposite. I noticed that Calum sat close to the king. I suspected he was the king’s champion. I watched him carefully as we ate.
“What of these stories, wizard? Did you fly the Warlord into Din Guardi and slay Morcant Bulc?” The king did seem genuinely interested.
Myrddyn was used to fending these questions. He gave his stock answer. “I used, what might call, my magic to affect entry into the fortress
and there the Warlord slew that treacherous king.”
Calum snorted and shook his head. The king flashed him an angry glance. He turned back to Myrddyn and continued his probing. “And another time I hear that you walked amongst the Saxons in their camp and they did not see you?”
“Oh they saw me but they did not see a wizard they saw a Saxon healer. Men see what they expect to see.”
“And raising the Warlord from the dead? That is a mighty trick if you can manage it.”
“I am a healer and I have studied the works of the Romans. I cannot raise the dead.” He smiled. “But I have saved some who are close to death from dying.”
The king laughed and clapped the table. “You are a valuable man to have around. Warlord, how much to buy this wizard from you?”
I smiled, “He stays with me because he wants to. I do not pay him and he is his own man. If you wish him to serve you then ask him.”
That really confused him. “Truly? I can ask him to become my wizard?” I nodded and gestured with my hand for him to ask. “Wizard come and be my healer and I will give you your weight in silver.”
“A generous offer, King Fiachnae mac Báetáin, but my destiny lies with Lord Lann the Warlord of Rheged. I have served him since I was a young boy and the spirits came to me and told me to follow his banner. I have done so since I walked from Mona to Castle Perilous. As you can see it is out of my hands. It is wyrd.”
I saw an evil smile come over Calum’s face. “So if the Warlord was dead you could serve my king?”
In answer Myrddyn said, “Alive or dead I will always serve the Warlord.”
It was Calum’s turn to be confused. “I think then that this warlord has a reputation which is not deserved. He has achieved all he has through your trickery and his treachery.”
I saw my entire band of warriors stop eating and stare at this giant. I waved my hands for them to calm down. I wiped the food from my mouth and measured my words before I spoke. “Be careful Calum of Dál nAraidi for I do not suffer insults lightly. I have killed many warriors, kings and champions and in fair combat. My sword, Saxon Slayer, has never tasted defeat. I would not offend your king by killing his oathsworn.”
Suddenly Calum leapt to his feet. “My lord, I demand the blood rite of combat. I have been insulted!”
The king shook his head. “It is you who insulted our guest first.”
Calum glared at his king, “It matters not I have the right!”
The king nodded sadly. He looked at me, “It is true. I am sorry, Warlord, but tomorrow you must face Calum and this will be decided by first blood. Whoever draws first blood is the winner.”
Myrddyn looked from one to the other, shook his head and said, “I would reconsider, Calum. You are dealing with a warrior who has a sword with magical qualities. Are you willing to take that chance?”
He laughed, “I am fighting an old man who could be my grandfather. He is the one who should be worried.”
I smiled, “Then I have to tell you, I am not.” I turned to the king. “And what of the alliance?”
The king laughed, “You are a confident one; if you can still walk after the combat and are not lying in a pool of your own blood then we will have an alliance and my warriors will fight alongside you against the Saxons.”
I had won! “Excellent! Then this old man will get to bed, the better to prepare for the morrow.” My warriors and Morcar all stood to accompany me. Myrddyn sat at the table still. “I will join your later, Warlord.” There was the most subtle of winks and I left.
Morcar said, “Let me fight him, uncle. I will be your champion I am not afraid of him.”
“No,” said Tuanthal, “I am the leader of the bodyguard, it is my right.”
I stopped and faced all of them. “The challenge was to me and I will face it. Do you think the Wolf Warrior can no longer fight because his hair is going white? I will defeat this giant and then we will have our allies. The gods are with us.”
I saw the disbelief on their faces. Every one of my bodyguards was willing to take my place. I did not need them to do so but I was touched that they offered.
I was still awake when Myrddyn returned to our hut. I know that my bodyguards had arranged for one of them to be awake during the night. I feared no treachery for the treachery had already taken place. I confirmed it with Myrddyn.
“So Calum has been bought.” Myrddyn nodded. “By Aethelfrith’s sons.”
“Aye I discovered they are across on the other side of their sea, the one they call Loch nEachach. I think that Oswald has bought Calum.”
“Not the king?”
“No. The king is most displeased with this challenge and he fears you will die.” He chuckled. “We have made an impression on the young king and he does not wish to lose the chance to go into battle alongside such a noted warrior. The spirits were right to direct us here.”
“We will need to watch out for Oswald and Oswiu then.”
“It is Oswald who we should fear. Oswiu is just a pup. He barks and he growls but his teeth do not bite. Oswald is his father’s son. I have heard that he has even considered converting to Christianity in order to win Irish friends.”
“Even his father would not have stooped so low.”
“Things are changing in the world, Lord Lann. Sons of kings will do anything to become kings themselves. This giant is overconfident. He thinks to defeat you in one or two blows. His sword looks powerful but is a weak piece of metal. You should have little difficulty in defeating him.”
I settled down to sleep. Although my mind was racing with plots and treachery I soon went to sleep as I went through the moves, in my head that would help me to defeat Calum.
I rose later than the others and they all stared at me as I rose. Myrddyn, of course, was still asleep. I shook his shoulder and he awoke. He laughed when he saw them staring.
“Have some faith in two old men will you? Tuanthal get one of your men to fetch us some food. Morcar begin to dress the Warlord. When you have done so put an edge on Saxon Slayer.”
I smiled as Myrddyn dressed, “And what of you wizard? Is there a potion for me to take to ensure I defeat him?”
“You and I know that there is no need for a potion just so long as you are careful. As for me I shall eat well and prepare to watch you whittle this half naked giant down to size.”
Morcar dressed me in my armour as carefully as any squire I had ever had. He made sure that the leather armour I wore beneath the mail was securely in position and that all of the links in the mail itself were smoothed flat. A mail link out of place could be a potential weakness. He fixed the neck armour into place. Finally he put my helmet on. The helmet marked me as different. It had been sent to me by the Emperor of the Eastern Empire and was the single best piece of armour I possessed. The padded leather skull cap I wore beneath it prevented chafing and it fastened securely beneath my chin. The last two items were Saxon Slayer, now sharpened and my oval shield. This was the first time I had used one of the new shields and it felt much lighter than my old one. I just hoped it had the same protection.
We stepped out of the hut and the Hibernians were waiting there. The king stepped forward. “We allow no blood to be spilled within these walls.” He grinned, “Unless, of course, it is the blood of an enemy. We will go outside to the killing ground.” The name sounded ominous.
The king walked with me. “This is the first chance I have had to observe such armour and sword. My men prefer to fight unencumbered. Do you not find the armour slows you down?”
“I have used such armour for thirty years. I am used to it.”
He leaned closer to me and said quietly, “You need not go through with this you know. You could nominate one of your men to fight for you. That is acceptable.”
“But not to me.”
“I cannot intervene for it is the way of our people. Calum is a vicious fighter. He will try to hurt you.”
“I would expect nothing less.” As we walked towards the ring of warrio
rs I remembered the first time I had had to fight a champion. He had been one of Riderch Hael’s men and I had blinded him in one eye. He still became a firm friend. Somehow I did not think that Calum and I would share the same bond when he lay humiliated at my feet.
He was waiting for me. He had deigned armour of any kind. His chest was naked and covered in intricate tattoos. He had his hair spiked high with lime and he held two weapons. One was a long curved sword. It was longer than almost any other sword I had ever seen while in his left hand he held an axe. He meant business.
He pointed his sword at me. “You can dress in as much armour as you wish, you will still bleed.”
“And you can shout as loudly as you like, you will still lose. And when you do lose they will say you were beaten by an old man.”
The barb took the smile from his face.
The circle surrounded us. My men were on one side and the Hibernians were on the other. The king stood between us. “When I say ‘cease’ you stop upon pain of death!” We both nodded. He strode to the side and, clapping his hands, said, “Fight!”
I knew what to expect and what was coming. The giant would hurl himself at me with both weapons scything through the air almost before the words were out. He wanted to catch an old man unawares. He would try to kill me and not just to make me bleed. I could see it in his wild eyes. This would be a stern test of my new shield. I began to yearn for my solid one which was lined with iron and had a heavy quality I liked. I hefted my new one around. It covered half of my leg.
This would be the first combat since my wound. I was not as mobile as I would have liked and I knew he would soon realise that and take advantage of it. In fact if he had spoken to Aethelfrith’s son Oswald he would know already. I had to assume that he knew.
The word ’fight’ had barely left the king’s lips when the Hibernian leapt towards me. His sword came from above his shoulder and he swung his axe low at the same time. I held up my shield as I swung Saxon Slayer at his axe. The long sword struck my curved shield and slid down to the ground. The new design of shield worked. Saxon Slayer had been sharpened well and a chunk of wood came from the handle of the axe. He stepped back, seemingly surprised that I had survived. I saw him looking at my shield for signs of damage but there were none. Cunning took over and he feinted with his sword and spun around at the same time. His axe smashed into my shield and I felt my arm shiver. I brought Saxon Slayer over and it struck the axe where I had weakened it. The axe fell into two pieces.
