Saxon Bane (17 page)

“Aye Warlord, Hogan Lann thought that we would be able to retreat north if we had to.”

He was right.  We could use the horses to swim an army across and there were many trees to make a raft and ferry them. “Good. “ I summoned Ard.

“Choose twenty warriors and guard this crossing.”

The warrior was disappointed but all of my warriors knew better than to argue.  I did not want to head south and find the bridge held against us. He looked at the small Roman fort which guarded it. “We will set about improving the fort. We may have need of it.”

As I headed south east I reflected that my men were so confident that they were already planning on a future here in the east. I hoped that they were not being premature. We needed to defeat Edwin first.

Hogan Lann had set up camp on the bluffs which were some four hundred paces from the small river.  It gave a good view towards the south east. It was noon when we trudged in.  While the weary warriors rested I rode with Myrddyn and Hogan Lann to see the Northumbrians for myself. We took fifty of Hogan Lann’s equites with us. As we rode he told me more of the enemy’s dispositions.

“There look to be almost two thousand warriors. Many have mail. As soon as they saw Gawan and his warriors they halted.  They keep attempting to send forward warriors to shift us but we just move out of their way and then return when they try to move the rest.  They are moving in short but slow bursts.  The horsemen make them stop but, with the hills at their backs and the spears to their front we can do little to hurt them. They have managed just thirty miles in the last couple of days.” He smiled, “Little brother has done well.”

“I am proud of you both. I approve of where you have the camp but I wish to move it.” He nodded and waited. I peered into the distance and saw the hills rising in the distance. “He is keeping close to the moors.”

“He is.  How did you know?”

“It stops us from outflanking him. He will only head west, towards the bridge when he reaches the river.  He can use the river to protect one flank and there is a great deal of swampy ground to the south of the river.  I do not want him to reach the river. If we have to then we will try to force him across the plain towards the west. There we can use your horse to our advantage. If he has any sense he will avoid that but you never know. He might make mistakes.”

“You seem to know the area well.”

“I should, we campaigned here when I was young and this is where we rescued Prince Ywain and Myrddyn tended to the Saxon wounded. And I was born less than thirty miles to the west. When we reach Gawan I will decide where we are to camp.  I have a surprise for King Edwin. Tell me, has he scouts out?”

“Not that we have seen but he will know the land.”

“That does not worry me.  We know the land too.” I pointed to the west.  “I hunted close to here as well as searching for lost sheep. This is my land now!”

The flat plain before us allowed us to see the Saxons long before we were close to them.  They were a dark stain against the green hillside. The Roman Road up which they travelled would have allowed them to make good speed had they not had Gawan’s horsemen threatening them. By the time we reached Gawan it was mid afternoon.

“Welcome father.” He grinned.  “We have found Edwin for you.”

“You have done well.” He did not look tired.  It was good to be young. “I want you to stop them going north for a couple of hours. Use Hogan Lann’s horsemen to help you.” He nodded.  “We are going to set up a camp there,” I pointed north, where the hills begin to edge east. I will send a rider to you when you are to withdraw.” I reached out and touched his arm.  “Do not take risks.  We cannot afford to lose a single warrior and I would like both my sons in camp tonight. All we are doing is allowing me and the rest of the army to frighten him.”

He laughed, “They are too slow to do us any damage.” He was a typical horseman with a low opinion of foot soldiers.

We rode back at a full gallop and I explained to Hogan Lann and Myrddyn what my plan was. “The Hibernians and the Mercians will be tired.  They will not appreciate another forced march.”

“They chose to be my allies and they will obey my orders. Besides they can rest tonight.”

Surprisingly they did not complain overmuch and we moved to our new camp site remarkably quickly.  Although it was only eight miles away it still took us until close to dark before we reached my chosen site. The men began to slump to the ground. I had the buccina sounded and they all stopped to watch me.

“I want every single warrior to collect enough wood to make two fires.  I want two thousand fires burning by the time the moon is up.” If they were surprised they did not show it. There were plenty of scrubby hedges and trees around and soon the evening was filled with the sound of axes and blades.

“Hogan Lann, send for Gawan.”

By the time Gawan arrived all of the fires were blazing and the men were taking advantage of the fires to cook themselves some hot food. I gathered my leaders about me. “I want all of the fires kept burning all night.”

King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
asked me, “Why?”

“When King Edwin’s scouts follow Gawan they will report our camp. They will see two thousand fires and assume that our army may be four or five times bigger than it is.  I want the Saxons to fear our numbers so that when we attack they will be waiting for us to send in reinforcements who do not exist.  He will keep a reserve. He out numbers us by two to one; we have to outwit him.”

Morgause and Morcar busied themselves preparing food for Myrddyn and me. We had our own fires.  I was not exempt from my orders.  As usual the mushrooms they had gathered smelled delicious but I was fated not to enjoy a hot meal that night. They had just been served up when Aedh found me.

“Warlord, you need to come.  We have found a prisoner, a Northumbrian scout.”

I looked ruefully at the steaming mushrooms. “You can have my share, Myrddyn.”

“I will keep you some, Warlord.” Our cook added as I went towards my horse.

“Thank you Morgause but I do not know how long I will be. Morcar I will not need you.  Make sure you eat too.” I quickly followed Aedh. He led me to a huddle of warriors about half a mile from where our camp fire was.  Penda and Gawan were there along with Hogan Lann. Two Mercians held a Northumbrian by his arms.  The knee of one of the Mercians was in the middle of the prisoner’s back so that he could not move while the other held his hair so that his head was pulled back. His arms showed the pressure of the strain they were under.

I wondered why he was still alive. Penda glanced at me and then put his dagger under the warrior’s tunic.  He lifted out an amulet. Hogan Lann said, “We would have despatched him immediately had not one of Penda’s men seen this.”

“And what is it?”

“It marks the warrior as one of the oathsworn of Aethelfrith.  He is one of Oswald’s warriors.”

I nodded my understanding.  I went close to the warrior so that I could see his eyes when he answered my questions. “Why would an oathsworn of the brothers serve their enemy, King Edwin?”

“You are my enemy!” He tried to spit but the knee behind his back and the hand on his hair meant that he just dribbled down his beard.

I laughed, “You are as helpless as a baby and we have all night to discover the truth.” A sudden thought struck me.  “Where did you find him?”

“He and three others were leading six horses around the camp. “ Penda shrugged, “My men had to kill the others for they fought well.  This one fell from his horse and banged his head.  He is no horseman.”

Gawan frowned.  “Why would they bring two spare horses and why were they trying to get around our camp?”

The answer came to me suddenly. I remembered the other spy we had captured.  He had spoken of spies.  There was a spy in my camp. We had searched after Carac but not discovered any. With over a thousand men it would be easy to hide one especially as we had Mercians and Hibernians with us. I nodded to Aedh who pulled out a very thin blade. He placed the blade in the fire.

“Where were you to meet the spy?”

His eyes flashed the answer before he could control himself. “What spy?”

I shook my head.  “You will tell us.  You will suffer pain first but you will tell us.”

“I do not care if you torture me.  I swore an oath to King Aethelfrith and I will do all to protect his sons.” He tried to raise his head but he was held so tightly he could not. He grimaced, “You will die, Warlord.  Even if you kill me, then you will die.”

Hogan Lann and Gawan exchanged a worried glance. “They were trying to get to you.”

“Then they failed for I am safe here and unless this man has more skill than Myrddyn then he can do me no harm.”

“Myrddyn may be in danger!” The apprentice wizard, Gawan, ran towards my camp fire some half a mile or so away.

I nodded to Aedh who took the blade from the fire. “If aught happens to my friend then you will go to the Otherworld piece by piece and over many days.”

“Do your worst.  I will not talk.”

There was a hiss and a scream as Aedh applied the blade to his right eye.  The smell of burning flesh filled the air.

“I will not speak,” croaked the Northumbrian.

“Let me have him.” There was a menace in Penda’s voice I had not heard before.

Suddenly one of Gawan’s men raced up to us.  “Myrddyn is dying and your nephew has been wounded!”

I set my face to a mask of stone. “Find the names of these spies!”

Gawan was tending to Myrddyn while two of his warriors bound Morcar’s head. “How is he?”

“I am stunned.  That is all.”

I looked around, “Where is Morgause?”

Morcar became anxious, “She is gone!”

“Find her. Have the camp put on alert, Lann Aelle.” My nephew had just arrived and he would seal off the camp and prevent the escape of this killer.

Hogan Lann and I knelt by the wizard.  His life was now in Gawan’s hands. “Can you save him?”

“I know not.  I think he has been poisoned.” He pointed to the fallen dish of mushrooms.

“Morgause!”

Morcar shook his head, “It was not her.  It could not have been.  There must be some mistake. I ate the mushrooms and I am not ill. Gawan you are wrong.  Perhaps his heart gave out, he is old.”

I whipped around to face my nephew. “I am older and he had dreamed his death.  This was not it.  And do not lie to me nephew.  I can see that only one person has eaten the mushrooms- Myrddyn.  Do not try to protect the witch or we may think you had something to do with it.”

“How can you say that?  I loved the old man!”

I was angry and I turned from him, “Gawan, save him.”

“Brother, find his leather satchel. There are potions inside which will help us.” Hogan Lann raced off. “Father, find me a dish and some water.”

It gave me something to do.  By now Tuanthal and the Irish king had joined us as well as Bors and Kay. I grabbed a dish and poured some water into it.

“Bors and Kay, Morgause is somewhere in the camp.  She is one of the spies of Oswald.  Find her and bring her here.  I want her alive so that she may tell us what she used to poison him.”

“I tell you she is innocent!”

We all ignored his ranting. Hogan Lann handed the satchel to Gawan who took out three small earthenware jars. He opened one and sniffed it. Seemingly satisfied he poured the contents into the bowl and mixed the black powder with the water to make thin grey slurry.

“Hold him and keep his mouth open.” Hogan Lann and I held his head and I used my other hand to open his mouth.  His breathing was laboured and light.  He was dying. Gawan poured the disgusting looking liquid down his throat. “Keep him upright and close his mouth.” My son pinched his nose.

I watched the throat of the wizard as his body forced the liquid down. There was a moment or two when nothing happened and then his body began to convulse. Gawan took his finger and thumb from the wizard’s nose. “You can release his mouth now.”

Suddenly, like a dam when the earth is moved, he vomited the grey slurry and everything else which had been in his stomach. He retched for some time until half eaten mushrooms appeared.  He continued to retch until just a thin white liquid came out. I looked at Gawan.  “Is that it?  Is he safe now?”

“No, we must now give him plenty of water and then milk.”

Milk! Where would we get milk from? King
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
nodded, “Leave that to me.  I saw some cows as we headed here.  I’ll get you the milk if I have to carry the beast here on my back.”

Gawan forced some water down the wizard’s throat.  This stayed down longer but eventually the white liquid returned.  It took three draughts of water before the wizard stopped retching. “We have a chance now.” He suddenly turned to Morcar. “You were closest to her.  Did you see what she put in the mushrooms?”

“I tell you she is innocent she could have done nothing like this.”

I grabbed Morcar with two hands and shook him. “Tell me what she put in the food!”

His eyes were wide with terror.  “I just saw her putting in the usual herbs and spices.”

I believed him.  “Where is her leather satchel?”

Even though we looked it was gone.  I had had no doubts before but now it was confirmed.  She was a spy and she had fled.  Saxons would not have stopped to take her satchel.

Gawan sniffed the mushrooms which had fallen to the floor. He then looked at the vomit.  “I am guessing but I think it is a poison called arsenicum. It is a deadly poison. He looked at me.  It is the same smell as we had when Lupus was poisoned.”

“What is the antidote?”

“There is none!” It was like a death knell sounding.  “But there is hope.  Myrddyn took a small quantity of arsenicum each day.  He made it himself from various plants. He even used the pips of apples.” Suddenly I remembered how he had always been hoarding apples.  I had thought it was to ferment them to make drink but he obviously had another purpose.

Fiachnae mac Báetáin
returned with a jug of milk.

“I am indebted to you, my friend.”

He nodded, “If I can help to save the great wizard Myrddyn then my name will be remembered.  It is enough.”

Gawan poured it, drop by drop down the throat of the wizard.  I think we all held our breath for, as the empty jug was placed on the ground, we all breathed a sigh of relief.

We all turned as a handful of warriors ran up.  It was a bloody Penda and his men. “That Northumbrian spy was a brave man.”

“Did he speak?”

“Aye before the end he just wanted to die and he told us all. The four of them were to hide to the west of the camp and await a girl and a man who would join them.” I turned and glared at Morcar.  Morgause was the only woman in the camp; this was the final nail in her coffin. “They were expecting the sword, Saxon Slayer, too.  You were the target as well as the wizard.”

I shook my head.  This was
wyrd
.  Had we not captured him and killed his companions then I would also lie stricken with the poison for I would have eaten them.  The difference was that I had not taken the precaution of consuming this poison before. I was no wizard. I would be dead. Suddenly all fear left me.  The spirits would make my death when they chose; it was completely out of my hands. The dream I had had and Myrddyn had dreamt would happen and I could nothing about it. I now had to make sure that Myrddyn lived.

Gawan said, “I will sit with my old master.  He will not die on my watch.  Get some sleep, father for tomorrow we will have to fight.”

“You still intend to bring them to battle?”

“Aye Penda.  And I need no sleep.  I have slept my last sleep.” Hogan Lann gave me a worried look. “Tell me Penda did he say anything about Oswald and Oswiu?”

“Only that they were close by.”

Lann Aelle, who had just returned whipped his head around as though he might see them.

“They will not be that close, Lann Aelle, but Morgause will be heading to reach them.  Tomorrow morning, Aedh, put your best tracker on her tail.”

“I will Warlord, Osgar ap Gruffydd is the best we have. He can find tracks on stones.”

“Good. I will sit with Gawan and Myrddyn.  The rest of you get some sleep.  Tomorrow we fight.” Morcar nervously awaited close by.  “That means you too, Morcar.”

“I still cannot believe that she did this but you must believe I knew nothing about it.”

“Then your heart blinded your eyes and your mind.  We will talk in the morning. Prepare my sword and armour before you go to bed.”

“Yes Uncle.  Sorry.”

When he had gone Hogan Lann asked, “Do you believe him?”

“It doesn’t matter. Tomorrow will be the most important day in my life.  The dream I had in the cave will come to fruition in the morning.”

“Then get some sleep.”

I smiled.  “I promise you that I will sleep as soon as the battle is over and King Edwin is defeated. I will not sleep until I have spoken with Myrddyn.” I did not want Hogan Lann questioning me any closer.  He was too clever and might deduce what I wanted to remain hidden. “You know the plan for the morning?”

“Aye.  And I am glad that you will sit on the knoll and watch. I will assign some warriors to watch over you.”

“That is not necessary and you will need every warrior you can get. Do not worry I will have Morcar and Gawan and Myrddyn will be close by. And remember Hogan Lann, tomorrow, when King Edwin is defeated then you will be Warlord.  Know that I love you and trust you as I do your brother Gawan here.  Along with Myrddyn you are the closest men to my heart.”

Hogan became agitated, “Father, this is not like you. What is wrong?”

I smiled, “Nothing is wrong.  I have just cheated death and I realised that I do not tell those that I love how I feel often enough.  It is a failing in me.”

Seemingly reassured he said, “Then I will go to my bed.”

I sat with my hand on Gawan’s shoulder.  We watched as Myrddyn’s chest rose and fell. “Thank you son, for saving Myrddyn’s life.”

“It is too early to say.”

“He will not die.  He has told me of the death he dreamed for him and this was not it.”

“I do not know how I would be able to handle a dream of my own death. At least you will have warning when he dreams of your death.” There must have been something in my face which gave me away or perhaps it was the fact that Gawan was fey too. His eyes widened. “He has dreamed of your death.”

I could not in all conscience lie to Gawan.  He too had dreamed in the cave and the spirits spoke to him.  Perhaps I would speak to him when I was in the Otherworld. I nodded.

“But you need to tell us who and how so that we can stop it.”

“If I had told you then you and Hogan Lann might have made me stay close to the fire and be guarded by warriors.  If you had then I would have eaten the mushrooms and you would be mourning me. If it is meant to be it will happen no matter what you do.  We cannot change what is ordained.” I took off my baldric with the ornate scabbard and handed it to Gawan. “Keep this until I am dead.  There is a chamber at Civitas Carvetiorum.  I want you to place it there.  Myrddyn will show you where.”

He began to rise.  “This has gone far enough.  I will fetch Hogan Lann.”

I shook my head.  “You cannot, for the spirits speak with you.  If you break this confidence then they will no longer communicate with you.”

“But why?” He held the scabbard up.

“Because the sons of Aethelfrith want the sword.  I cannot deny them that but without the scabbard then perhaps it will not be as powerful.  Now hide it.  Dawn is coming quickly. Remember you cannot speak of this.”

I did not ask him where he secreted it.  I did not need that information. I looked down at Myrddyn. “Well old man, I had hoped to speak with you before I went to the Otherworld but unless you wake soon it will be my spirit to whom you speak. I know not if you can hear me but you have been the greatest friend a man could have. With you at my side I feared nothing.  I do not fear this death which approaches like a galloping horse.  I would change the manner and the hand if I could but that is beyond my control. Watch over my family when I am gone.  I know that you will but I ask you as a friend  and not as Warlord. I will die easier knowing that my sons, daughter and my wife will have the protection of the great wizard.”

Gawan appeared and stared around, “I heard voices. Who were you talking with?”

I waved my hand around.  “My home, my land, my Rheged and my friend, Myrddyn.” He smiled and sat next to Myrddyn stroking his forehead.

Poor Gawan was so tired that he eventually fell asleep. I moved him away from Myrddyn and covered him with a cloak.  I had been lucky in my sons and was confident that they would not follow the route of Prince Ywain and change when I died.  Myrddyn would see to that.

The buccina to rouse the camp sounded even though it was still dark.  We were preparing early for battle.  Morcar joined me with my armour and sword. He looked as though he had not slept. He suddenly peered at me through reddened eyes; he had been crying too, “Where is your scabbard?”

“I will not need it today. You will have my banner and I will hold my sword aloft. I want the enemy to see me and know I live yet.” I used Saxon Slayer to point at the hillside in the distance where the Northumbrians were already gathering. “That is where the enemy will see me and they will come for me.”

As he began to dress me he said, “You will be the bait.”

“We will be the bait. That is why there will be no warriors near us. I want the Northumbrians hatred of me to make them become careless.”

I was almost ready.  Morcar slapped his head. “I have forgotten the armour for the throat.”

“It matters not.  I will not have to fight today.  This day I just have to look like a Warlord.”

Gawan heard the noises and awoke. “You let me sleep.”

“You needed it and look, the wizard lives still.”

The sun had risen above the eastern hills when my captains rode up to me. “We are ready.”

“I know, Hogan Lann.”

“Are you sure you want no guards?”

“Remember, I am the bait. They must think I am vulnerable and come for me. You must strike hard and go for King Edwin. Take the head of the snake and the beast will die.”

I walked up to Pol and clasped him by the hand.  “Today, my old squire you will achieve true glory.  You need to take your equites now if you are to be in position before the Northumbrians move.”

He knelt,  “It is an honour to serve you.” He sprang lightly onto the back of his steed and led his hundred warriors away to the west.