Saxon Bane Read online

  He nodded slowly, “That does not mean I have to like it.”

  “Then you must become me.” He cocked his head to one side quizzically. “All I shall do for this winter is play with my grandchildren see more of my wife and plan for the war against Northumbria. Everything else is in your hands. You will forge closer links with the captains and other leaders. You will send Aedh out to scout the terrain. You will be Warlord.”

  “What of the others? How will they take the news?”

  “Why are you afraid of a rival?”

  “No, of course not but…”

  I could see that he did not want to be seen to be usurping me. “Very well; when we have the next meeting of the captains I will tell them of my decision. I will insist that they keep the secret for if it were to get out then it might encourage our enemies to begin to move against us.” I added, “It is right that the men we lead know what we do.”

  He looked happy and gazed out towards the west. Suddenly his head whipped around and I saw his gaze fall upon Saxon Slayer which lay on a stool. “And the sword?”

  “The sword does not belong to me. It belongs to the Warlord. When you become Warlord then you take the sword and I shall learn how to tend a garden and bounce children on my knee.”

  He looked at the sword reverently. “And I will care for it as though it were my child.”

  Of course I told Myfanwy. That was only right. Her reaction was predictable. “And about time too. Why not now? Do you not trust your son?”

  “Don’t be silly woman.” I then gave all the reasons I had given to Hogan Lann.

  She nodded her approval. “It makes sense and you might end up a cripple.”

  “What do you mean? I am not a cripple yet?”

  “No, but I have seen you struggle with your leg in the morning and when it is wet and when it is cold. Your body says it is time to give up the way of the sword. It is just your heart which cannot hear.”

  We held the meeting the week before Yule. They all knew that something was in the air. This was especially true as Myrddyn had disappeared into the mountain with some slaves. This time I had an idea what they were about but the effect was to make the air in the room heady with anticipation. They did not know what the pronouncement would be but they knew it would be important. I thought back to the day when King Urien had announced my appointment as Warlord. I had never thought to hand on the title. I had thought to die defending Rheged.

  The family members of the council, Hogan Lann, Gawan, Lann Aelle and Morcar all sat together. The older captains like Aedh and Tuanthal sat together while the younger ones formed a third group. They were not in factions but they were with those with whom they were most comfortable.

  “Friends and those closest to me, I have brought you here to make an announcement. When we have fought Edwin and conquered Northumbria.” There was a cheer from the younger captains and Morcar. “When they are no longer a threat then I will give Saxon Slayer and the title of Warlord to my son Hogan Lann.”

  Both Hogan and I were gratified by the cheers, the applause and the general good atmosphere of the room. However I had had my eyes watching all of them and there was one who was not happy. There was one whose praise was muted. I had the winter to worry about that reaction and to try to get to the bottom of it.

  Chapter 11

  As this was our last Yule I hoped to make it one to remember. Lann Aelle and Morcar returned to their families but Hogan Lann and Gawan brought theirs to stay. Myfanwy made much of it. She was determined to impress the two women my sons had married. Everything was cleaned and polished. She had ordered, through Carac, new bowls from Frankia. She had spent a small fortune on spices from Constantinopolis. For many days before the festival she had the cooks and the slaves working every hour. Even Brother Oswald and Carac became enlisted.

  Carac proved to be the most useful. It turned out he had skills as a cook and Myfanwy came to depend upon him. Delbchaem, in contrast, proved to be obstinate and refused to help at all. She had been recently given a puppy by Lann Aelle, a descendant of the original Wolf. She had named him Lupus and just wanted to play with him. When she refused to help Myfanwy I was called upon as mediator. This time, however, my efforts proved to be in vain. Delbchaem was sent to her room and forbidden to leave it. I could have told my wife that was no punishment for she was able to play with the puppy. She had won. Sometimes you had to step away from the problem.

  The day of the Yule feast dawned cold and icy. Snow fell on Wyddfa and we did not mind. We had fires roaring and Brother Oswald’s hypocaust kept us all warm. Whilst the women were helping Myfanwy and Carac to finish the preparations for Yule I went to my solar with my sons. This might be the last Yule I would spend on this earth and I wanted them to remember it.

  As we sipped our favourite Lusitanian wine I took out two small boxes. I gave one to each of them.

  “What is this?”

  “Just a little something. I am pleased with the way that you have both grown this year and the duties you have taken on. I am proud of you.” Even as I said the words they sounded stiff and formal to me. I had tried to be casual but failed.

  They opened the boxes. I had had a fine dagger made for them. I had sent to the mines further south for the blue stones we prized so much and had them cut for the hilts. They were fine pieces. In the box, too, were two identical stones.

  “The spare stones are for you to use.” I shrugged, “Perhaps on your swords, or scabbards. I don’t know. It seemed a good idea when I put them in but now I do not know.”

  They both rose and embraced me. Hogan Lann grinned at Gawan. “I will have one put in my sword and work out if I ought to give the other to my wife.”

  Gawan nodded, “I will keep both of mine until I can think of a suitable mount.” He held up the dagger. “This is beautiful work father.”

  “The blades came from Iberia. They have ways there of toughening the metal. I am not sure how good they are at swords but their daggers are excellent.”

  We talked of weapons until a servant came for us. “The domina says the food is getting cold.”

  I knew that it was not. My wife would want us at the table long before the food was served. “We will come.” I shook my head. “Are your wives the same?”

  Hogan Lann nodded, “Identical and we would not have it any other way.”

  When we reached the hall I could see that there had been words. Delbchaem was seated alone, stroking her dog. Myfanwy glared at me. I confess I had had one too many goblets of wine else I would have thought about my words.

  “Your daughter is wilful and disobedient!”

  I noticed that when she was in trouble Delbchaem was always my daughter. I sighed, “What has she done now?”

  “She insists upon having that animal in the hall while we eat!”

  “That animal, as you call him, is my best friend and Lupus cannot be here then I shall leave too.”

  This was my last Yule and I wanted it to be a harmonious one. “No-one is leaving. The dog will behave or I will throw it out myself!” I suddenly realised that I was shouting.

  Hogan Lann put his arm around my shoulder. “I am sure the dog and my little sister will behave.” He gave a wink and Delbchaem smiled. She had a real soft spot for my eldest son.

  Myfanwy snorted and said, “Well let us sit then and we can eat!”

  The meal was not turning out as I had hoped. Hogan Lann and I sat on either side of Delbchaem. That way we could control both her and the dog. Carac led the servants in with the food. Brother Oswald followed and took his place next to Myrddyn and my wife. Carac ladled out the food. It smelled delicious. We were about to tuck in when Brother Oswald said, “I know that this is a pagan home but at this time of year we celebrate the birth of the White Christ. Would it be possible, Warlord, for me to bless this food? It will not offend your gods or Wyddfa I promise you.”

  I caught the sight out of the corner of my eye of Delbchaem slipping a large piece of meat to Lupus. If her mother had
seen it then it would have led to another row. I looked at Myfanwy and she nodded.

  “Very well Brother Oswald but do not expect to convert us!”

  “I gave up on that long ago, Warlord.” He stood and put his hands together. “Oh Lord, bless this food that we eat and make us grateful for food on the table and a fire in the hearth. Amen.”

  He looked at me questioningly. I smiled, “You are right, priest, that would offend no one. Now can we eat?”

  Before we could start Lupus began howling and biting at himself. He threw himself to the ground and began foaming at the mouth and then he was still. Delbchaem screamed. I could see Myfanwy getting angry and I held up my hand. “Myrddyn, come and look at the dog.”

  He shook his head, “I heal humans and not animals!”

  “Myrddyn!”

  Something in my tone must have alerted him and he raced to the dog. He sniffed its mouth. The pool of white foam lay next to it. He went to the fire and took an unburned twig. He dipped it in the foam and sniffed it. “Arsenicum! The dog has been poisoned!”

  Delbchaem began to point at Myfanwy and then Hogan Lann said to her. “You gave the dog some meat did you not?”

  Her expression changed to one of horror as she nodded. I took a dagger and speared a piece of meat. I put it on the bread platter. Myrddyn sniffed the meat. “This has been heavily spiced but I smell something beneath the spice. Let us go to the kitchens.”

  Leaving the women with the children we went to the kitchens where the servants were preparing the next course. Brother Oswald said, “Where is Carac? He prepared the wild boar did he not?”

  One of the cooks said, fearfully, “Aye Brother Oswald. We browned the meat and prepared the vegetables and then he laboured with the spices my lady sent for.”

  I looked around. “Where is he?”

  The cooks and servants looked around. “He was here until just before you arrived.”

  Brother Oswald paled, “There may be a rational explanation.”

  Myrddyn shook his head, “Or, more likely, Carac is another Northumbrian spy sent to kill us all at one fell swoop.”

  I know there was no evidence but it made perfect sense to me. “Find him!” We all left the kitchens. We would give him the opportunity to explain but the evidence was damning already.

  “Close the gates!” At Yule we kept the gates open for any unfortunate who was without food and shelter. The guards looked down at me. “I said close the gates. No one leaves!”

  I moved as quickly as I could to the main gate. “What is wrong, Warlord?”

  “Has anyone left here in the last hour or so, Gruffydd?”

  “No, my lord.”

  “Go around to the other gates and find out if anyone has left.”

  Suddenly I heard a shout, it was Gawan and he was by the stables. By the time I reached him Hogan Lann was there. They both held their new daggers before them. I saw Carac with his back to the wall. In his hands he held a spear. “Come near me and you die!”

  I did not doubt that we could overpower him but I did not want to risk either of my sons being hurt. Brother Oswald huffed and puffed his way in. “Why Carac? Did we mistreat you?”

  “You foolish old man! You were so easy to dupe. Did you really think I had to go the port every single week! The worst part was having to listen to you sing the praises of this family of murderers and killers.”

  Hogan Lann stepped forward. “You cannot escape you know. Every gate is closed and there are five of us here.”

  He nodded. I was warned by his evil little smile that he was about to do something. In a blur he hurled the spear at me. I managed to fall to the side and it flew over my shoulder. As I fell I saw Hogan Lann and Gawan race to him but before they reached him he put something in his mouth and swallowed. His face contorted and he fell to the ground even as my sons reached him. He began to foam at the mouth and then he was still.

  Myrddyn knelt down. “We knew already but this confirms it. He used the poison to kill himself.”

  Brother Oswald dropped to his knees and began to weep, “I am sorry, Warlord. Your family nearly died and it would have been my fault.”

  I shook my head and raised him up, “We were all taken in and had you not said that blessing then we might all be dead. You saved my family, priest and we are grateful.”

  “Aye old man, it was not your fault.” Hogan Lann kicked the dead body. “This murderer was sent by Aethelfrith’s sons. We need to be even more vigilant and watch for the spy in our midst.

  When we returned to the hall I was expecting it to be full of tension. I was more than pleasantly surprised when I saw Myfanwy cuddling my weeping daughter. The death of the dog somehow brought them closer together. Something good came from the death of that innocent creature.

  When we had time to talk we realised that our plan would now be in the hands of the brothers. The question was how would they use it? I decided to attack sooner rather than later and hope to catch them off balance.

  All was well in place for our attack by the time the last of wintery storms had ended. When the snow disappeared from the foothills then we knew that spring was not far off. Brother Oswald had worked tirelessly to acquire all of the weapons we would need. Since Yule he had worked every hour that there was in an attempt to make up for his assistant’s murderous attempt on our lives. We knew that we had to have the best arms and armour for we would be outnumbered. Gawan had prepared Kay and he and his contingent left for Rheged while winter still gripped the land. We had decided to send our armies little by little. There may be other Caracs and this way would lessen suspicion.

  I selected Gawan to be the one to tell Fiachnae mac Báetáin of our new plan. His brother had already met the king and it was important that both of my sons understood our ally. Daffydd took all the ships we could acquire so that he could start to ferry his men across and Gawan could secure the landing site. Gawan had already blocked up, with stones, many of the gates from the north. If Dál Riata tried to take advantage of our attack then they would, at least, be slowed down. Pol visited with King Cadwallon and told him of our changed plans and he returned to our fort at Deva with Penda and his men.

  I was already there with the rest of our army and Penda was intrigued with the changes we had wrought. “I remember when we held this. We had thought it good enough as it was but you have made it impregnable.”

  Hogan Lann, who had done most of the work, nodded modestly. “All we did was clear and deepen the ditches and put a few bolt throwers on the walls.”

  “And I have seen those before now. They care not for the courage of a warrior. I watched one bolt carry four men to the Otherworld.”

  “Aye, Penda, the Romans were a clever people.”

  There were just four of us walking the walls. Myrddyn had joined the three of us. “But tell me, Mercian, how do you see yourself?”

  Penda turned round as though Myrddyn had read his mind. I knew the feeling. “What do you mean, wizard?”

  Myrddyn shrugged as though the comment was not important but I could see from his eyes that it was. “Are you a Saxon, a Briton or a Mercian?”

  He seemed to quail beneath Myrddyn’s searching gaze. “I would have Mercia be the dominant Saxon kingdom.”

  “And what of Gwynedd and Rheged?”

  All three of us stared at Penda now. Although Hogan Lann and I knew how to read a man we both knew that Myrddyn would know if he lied. “Cymru and Rheged are not the kind of land my people seek. We like flat lands and the mountains frighten us. There are spirits within them. Icaunus is our god.”

  When Myrddyn nodded then I knew that he was satisfied. “I think that we can work together when this is finished. I believe we both have a single aim. We both wish to defeat Northumbria.”

  Hogan Lann smiled, “Just for different reasons.” He looked at Penda. Although they were of an age my son towered over the Mercian. “And then we will see what kind of neighbours we are.”

  Penda stared back at Hogan Lann and they
both nodded at each other. That was the moment I realised that Hogan Lann would be a powerful Warlord. I could go to the Otherworld knowing I had left the kingdom in safe hands. The Rheged royal family might be a memory but the Warlord would still protect the people.

  The fort at Deva was big enough to house all of our men but the horses grazed outside on the fertile grass which surrounded it. Although still winter there was enough food to ensure they would make the journey north to Wide Water and not suffer too badly. This had been another reason why I had wanted an earlier start than we had planned; not only would it prevent news of our attack leaking out it would also mean we had recovery time when we reached the wall.

  King Cadwallon came to see us off. It was like watching my son and his equites as he and his bodyguard galloped up. He only had twenty such warriors but they were all dressed the same and all sported the dragon on their shields. They reminded me of Prince Pasgen and his riders of Rheged.

  All of the captains and even Penda bowed to the young king. Whatever we did would be in his name. The Northumbrians had clerics who wrote down what they did, chroniclers, they would not write down that Lord Lann the Warlord led the men of Rheged to make war on Northumbria. They would write that King Cadwallon of Gwynedd led the men of Britain to oust the invader and that suited me. I did this for Rheged and not for me.

  He grasped me to his chest. He was no longer the frail youth I had trained to be a warrior; he was a powerful leader who was as big as Hogan Lann. “Are you sure you wish to take this risk? Already Edwin is moving men towards the old Roman forts which lie south of the Dunum. As soon as I move my army towards his border he will take the bait.”

  “That is why this is not the risk you think it is. His eye will be fixed on the east and the south. It will not be his best warriors whom we face. I will send messengers when you are to leave. Remember to leave enough men to protect your borders. King Cearl might be a man of his word but King Raedwald is a supporter of Edwin.” I lowered my voice so that only he could hear. “I have learned from Penda that they fear our forts. Have your ditches deepened and they will fear you.”