by Griff Hosker
“So Warlord you risked death to bring me news which I might like. I am intrigued.” He turned to Aelfraed, “See to the Warlord’s men. Make sure they are fed. They will be staying the night.” I was not sure whether we were guests or prisoners. The distinction might prove crucial in the morning. He waved a hand at me so that I might continue.
“I have met with King Cadwallon. We intend to invade Northumbria in the spring.”
“And what has this to do with me.” I waited. “Go ahead; I bear Edwin no love.”
I nodded, “It is partly a courtesy, as we intend to move east and then north. We did not wish you to think that we were breaking the peace and threatening you.”
The king smiled and nudged the newly returned Aelfraed in the leg. “You see these Welshmen and the men of Rheged have manners after all. And what else, Warlord?”
“We would like assurances that the peace would not be broken in our absence.”
Aelfraed snarled, “You insult my king!”
“No I do not. I trust your king which is why we are here. I like to look a man in the eye when I ask him a question whether he be my friend or foe. I know King Cearl to be a man of his word. I just want to hear it from his lips as he heard the question from mine.”
King Cearl smiled, “It is a reasonable question, Warlord.” He shook his head, “I think that Aelfraed spends too much time with that hothead of a brother of yours, Penda.” He looked at me and stood. He held out his hand. “You have my word, Warlord that I will not attack King Cadwallon’s lands while he is away.” I clasped it. “I will go further. While you are away I will ensure that his borders are safe. I like this peace of ours for our people prosper. Mayhap this will make it stronger.”
“And that is my deepest wish too.”
“While you are in such a generous mood cousin could I crave a boon?”
The king’s face smiled but not his eyes. “Ask away, cousin, I can only say no.”
“I would like to accompany the Warlord with my oathsworn when he ventures against Edwin and Northumbria. I would learn from him and I have a score to settle with the Northumbrians.”
The king nodded, “That you do. I cannot see a problem although I never thought that I would live to see the day when a Saxon fought alongside the Warlord and Saxon Slayer.”
Everyone looked at me. “Perhaps, King Cearl, the world is changing.”
Despite out misgivings the evening went well. I hoped that Lann Aelle was watching Morcar. He was a headstrong youth and I did not want him to say anything which might jeopardise our plan; so far it was working.
I sensed, with King Cearl, that he felt a certain frustration that he had made Mercia so powerful and yet he had no heir. When he died it would pass to someone else. I had no throne to leave but I knew that Hogan Lann would not only be warlord when I died but a better one that I was. He had the experience of travelling the world. When I was his age I had only seen Rheged. I would be leaving Rheged in safe hands. I knew that Myrddyn would watch over him.
As I watched Myrddyn, telling King Cearl how he had walked amongst the enemy unseen, I could not see him ever dying. He looked as young now as he had thirty years ago. The rest of us aged but not Myrddyn. His mind was sharper than ever. I felt happy that he would be there for my sons. They would not be alone.
Penda sidled over to me. “I will just bring my oathsworn with me, Warlord.”
“I saw them fight today. They will be more than enough. Bring them to Wrecsam a month after Yule. We will not leave until spring but it is as well to be prepared. Besides it will help to train with our warriors.”
I found it easy to talk to Penda. I think he felt isolated from the other Saxons and we found that our differences were not as great as we had once thought. I discovered that he was driven by a hatred of Oswiu, Oswald and Edwin. It even surpassed his hatred of us. I found myself wondering about this, seemingly unnatural hatred of all things Saxon. It had been the Angles and Saxons, who had come to Northumbria and destroyed Rheged, whom I hated. I had no idea what lay in Mercia before the Saxons came but I knew that Rheged was still Roman and I wanted that to be returned.
King Cearl gave us an escort back to the border. He did not want the peace to be jeopardised by an attack on our small column. Sadly it was not Cearl who escorted us but Aelfraed. He was an unpleasant man who hated us unremittingly. He said nothing at all until we reached the scene of the ambush. The blinded warrior lay where he had fallen but birds, insects and animals had used his burned out eyes as a way into his body and his was the most ravaged corpse that we saw. Penda’s men had told everyone else about Myrddyn’s magic and even Aelfraed looked at my wizard with fear written all over his face.
When he left us at the border he rode his horse close to mine, “As far as I am concerned, Welshman, this is merely a truce. When Eowa is king we will fall upon your lands and tear you apart. This I swear.”
“Then be ready for a world of pain Aelfraed for I have never lost to a Saxon and that includes every king, prince and champion I have fought. Think on that!”
Chapter 10
We did not spend long with King Cadwallon; just long enough to assure him that his borders would be safe. “However, I would make sure that you keep more men at home than we take with us.“
I knew that we would visit with them in the depths of winter. Myfanwy always liked to see her children and grandchildren at Yule. The days of all of the family gathering with us were long gone.
We were about to leave when I suddenly remembered Afon. “Your guide, Afon, did he return?”
Dai, who was standing close by the king frowned and said, “No, when you told us what happened we assumed he was killed in the ambush.”
Myrddyn shook his head, “We believe that Afon was part of the ambush. We were attacked close to the place he had said we would camp.”
That made Dai frown even more. “With horses you could have made the journey in a day.”
I nodded, “I know. In fact we did so. I would not like to judge him but all the evidence points to him being a traitor. He is your man Dai and I dare say you will deal with him.”
“If he turns up we will question him closely. You may be assured of that.”
“The one survivor told us that Oswald and Oswiu have spies in all of our camps. They used the treasury of Northumbria to pay for them. We will be examining all of our men when we return.”
“Thank you for that information. I will look for warriors who have suddenly acquired better weapons and armour.”
As we headed back along the Clwyd Valley I realised that this next Yule, if I lived that long, might be my last. I would not complain about the journey in the cold and the wet. I found myself smiling.
Lann Aelle, who was next to me asked, “What is so funny uncle?”
“Oh nothing. I was just reflecting that we have a good life nephew. Despite the problems of Edwin and Aethelfrith’s sons we are lucky.”
He nodded, “My father has told me what it was like growing up in Rheged and you must be right. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to survive with so many enemies around you. He still talks of how you came back for him and Uncle Raibeart. He cannot believe that you risked all to rescue them. I am certainly grateful.”
I shrugged. “It is family, Lann Aelle. We do all for our family. Rheged is just the larger family. That is where many kings go wrong. They are so worried that their family will stab them in the back that they lose sight of their real quest; to protect their family and their land.” Morcar was at the back with Myrddyn who was explaining how he used his special powders and spells. “Speaking of family, how is Morcar these days?”
“He is a strange one. I had expected him either to be angrier or happier about his abduction but he will not talk about it. I know it is on his mind for he is more withdrawn and speaks less.”
“Do not let him hide within himself. Take him under your wing. You can teach him how to fight whilst carrying my standard. I noticed he did not know how to do s
o when we fought the men sent by Oswald.”
“I will do so.” He laughed, “My body was black and blue when Pol taught me.”
When we reached St.Asaph we collected my wife and headed back to The Narrows. I hoped to see Hogan Lann there. I was keen to get his opinion of Fiachnae mac Báetáin. My eldest son was a good judge of character. Gawan accompanied us. I had seen little of him of late and I think he wished to talk. He and I rode at the head of our snaking column while Myfanwy had the comfort of the wagon.
“You should not risk yourself so much, father.”
“You sound like your mother.”
“Perhaps she is right. You have done more than any other man, and that includes King Urien and King Coel.”
I snorted, “And how do you know that? You never even met King Urien.”
“I know for Brother Oswald has written it all down and I have read the writings of Brother Osric. You have earned the right to take it easier now that you grow older. Hogan Lann and I can shoulder more of the burden.”
“It is no burden. Besides I do not feel old.”
“You always told us to be honest with you. I have seen you wincing when the wounded leg aches. I have seen you struggle to mount a horse. You should be honest with your sons. Unless you do not trust us.”
He was right of course. I did suffer pain from the wound. I suddenly felt guilty. “Of course I trust you but getting old means that I have to make sure that my work is complete before I go to the Otherworld.”
He snapped his head around to stare at me. “You are not ill are you? Has Myrddyn seen your death?”
I cursed my own tongue and covered my indiscretion with a loud laugh. “Don’t you think I would have told you? No you are right, I am getting old and that is why I am preparing for the end of my life. Hopefully I will have many more years ahead of me and I will be able to teach your sons how to wield a sword as I taught you and Hogan Lann.”
His eyes searched my face for a lie but I had learned, over the years, how to mask what was in my heart. The only one who could penetrate my armour was Myrddyn. I did worry that Gawan, who was more like Myrddyn than anyone, might soon be able to see behind my mask.
“Even so, we would wish that you take it easy. When Hogan Lann returns from Hibernia let us plan the attack on Edwin. The winter always causes your leg pain; we can take on the task of speaking with Brother Oswald and King Cadwallon.”
“Very well but the two of you will need to sit down and speak with Myrddyn and me first. This is not a simple attack and a raid. This is the beginning of the end of Northumbria. Any mistake on our part could cost us the whole of Rheged.”
“You can trust us, father, we are family and we will never let you down.” That reassured me. My family was not treacherous. I had seen how ambition could tear a family apart.
Hogan Lann was waiting for us when we reached home. Lann Aelle and Morcar had travelled over to Mona to visit with their families. When Yule was over both would be busy beyond words. Even though Hogan Lann was not Myfanwy’s child she greeted him with as much affection as if he was and she fussed over him. She told him he needed to eat more. His wife always ensured that he did so but he promised that he would just to please his step-mother.
The four of us sat in my solar. I found myself being scrutinised by my sons. It was disconcerting but I chose to ignore it. “What did you make of Fiachnae mac Báetáin?”
“Not what I expected. His men were as I thought they would be; brave, wild and uncontrolled. Their king, however, seems more like, well, one of us.”
“That was how I saw him. Was he worried when you said we would be having our major attack from the east?”
“No, you seem to have made quite an impression on him, the two of you.”
“I am not quite ready to be put out to pasture then?”
Gawan spoke, “We just want the best for you father. You and Myrddyn are both getting older and we should do our share.”
“And just because you have learned one or two spells and a little healing young Gawan does not mean that you are ready to take over from me yet!”
Gawan laughed, “I will never be able to take over from you Myrddyn but you do need to take things easier.”
“Why? Because we have lived longer than you? That is a good thing. We have more experience. When we think you have learned all that there is to know then the two of you can take over.”
His voice sounded harsh but his eyes twinkled. Hogan Lann and Gawan were as near to sons as he would ever have.
I told them of our alliance and then the disturbing news about spies. “We have none amongst our men. I can swear to that.”
“Can you, Hogan Lann? I am sure that Dai and King Cadwallon would have said the same thing but we nearly lost our lives because of a traitor. Until we can be certain then only tell your warriors what they need to know.”
“I do not like that idea. We have always been honest with our men.”
“I did not say lie. I only said to tell them what they needed to know. The plan to dupe them by feigning an attack up the east goes no further than this room.”
“But Lann Aelle, Morcar, Pol, what of them?”
“They need not know. They just need to concentrate on preparing our men for a campaign which will rid the land of Northumbria. All else is irrelevant.”
I could see that we had upset the two of them. I was keeping a secret from them and I knew how hard it was. If they had known of the prophecy then they would understand. They would, however, worry so much about me that they would not be able to perform as they should.
“Kay will need a visit too.”
Gawan spoke quickly, I think, before his brother did. “Then I will make that visit.”
I smiled as did Hogan. “Of course. You will need to assess their ability to provide warriors.”
Hogan Lann shook his head, “When I visited there last year they were still recovering from the plague. They had barely twenty equites left. It is all they can do to defend their forts from the Saxons. Their biggest concern is keeping their sheep and cattle safe from Saxons and Hibernians.”
“And the men from Strathclyde.”
Hogan Lann looked at me, “Strathclyde? I thought that they were friends.”
“They were but that was in the past. The new kings of Dál Riata are pushing out from the coast and devouring all before them. The Roman Wall may still be needed to slow them down.”
Myrddyn had appeared to be asleep for his eyes were closed but he showed that he had been paying attention when he said, “If we block up the gates then there will be no thefts.”
Gawan laughed, “Not a bad idea.”
Hogan Lann took it more seriously. “When you visit with Kay, take enough men to block up the gates on the eastern side of the country. We do not need to use the gates as the Romans did to collect taxes. It will give us one secure flank at least.”
“I will do that.”
I was pleased. My sons were working together. Their minds were as one. I saw Myrddyn’s eyes open. He winked at me. The old wizard could read my mind.
“When we do attack, will we advance up the Dunum Valley?”
“No. We strike at the heart of Northumbria. We go to Din Guardi. It will be a much shorter journey. Our horsemen could reach it in two or three days and our foot could make it in four if we pushed. The key is our deception. I want Edwin’s eyes to the south and not the west. I want the attack in the last weeks of winter. He will not expect that.”
“But you have told our allies that it is to be spring.”
I smiled at Hogan, “And I am telling the only four men whom I trust that it will be earlier. We will tell King Fiachnae mac Báetáin a week before we need him and we will tell King Cadwallon when the attack begins.”
“You do not trust Cadwallon?”
“Of course but I still worry about Mercia and the spies in Cadwallon’s court. Penda will be here a month after Yule. I need him here early in case he has any treacherous tendencies. We can co
ntrol this fortress. This way we leave Gwynedd with as much protection as possible and continue the illusion that we advance up the east coast. Even if there are no spies in Cadwallon’s court there will be spies in Lindsey and the borders of Gwynedd. By keeping the men there until the last possible moment we give us the best chance.”
“But that means attacking with just our men and King Fiachnae mac Báetáin’s.”
“Yes. We use speed and the fact that we have the finest army on this island. You said yourself Hogan Lann, the Hibernians are brave and wild. They also move with the speed of the wind over the land. We will fall upon them before they know we are over the mountains.”
Myrddyn stood and stretched. “I need to research some of the maps.” He looked pointedly at Gawan.
Gawan had a mind as sharp as any, “I will come then wizard so that you may impart some more of your arcane knowledge.”
“And hopefully you will have improved since our last lesson.”
Myrddyn had been subtle. He had left so that Hogan Lann and I could speak. “This will be my last campaign as Warlord.” As soon as the words were out I regretted the way I had delivered them. His face showed both shock and concern in equal measure.
“You are not unwell are you? Lann Aelle had said you were behaving strangely.”
I smiled to show that all was well. “No, of course not but in Hibernia and Mercia I found my leg caused me pain and restricted my movements. When I fought Calum he was alone and had a weak weapon. When I fought Oswald’s men they were poorly armed and ill prepared. What happens in Northumbria when I come up against some of Edwin’s oathsworn?”
“You can stay towards the rear. We will fight at the fore.”
“That is what I mean; if I am there then I will have to lead. The Warlord must be the one who faces the enemy. If I am Warlord then I must put myself in danger.”
“Then do not be Warlord. I will take over now.”
There was decision in his voice and in his eyes. I shook my head. “No, for this is my alliance. It is the last alliance I shall make as Warlord but I must lead. King Fiachnae mac Báetáin will expect it as will Penda and Cadwallon. I am the one they spoke with and it was my word and hand that they took. You can see it can you not?”
