Saxon Dawn (Wolf Brethren) (23 page)

He smiled that gracious smile we all loved.  “No Lann, you did exactly as I would have done and tomorrow when we can we will return home and give these women and children our protection until we have decided what to do with them and I can get the taste of death and King Morcant Bulc out of my nostrils.

When dawn had finally arrived King Morcant began to clear the debris left from the previous day’s battle. We had persuaded him that he should fortify it himself and garrison it; if only to stop the Saxons reinvesting it
and making us take it once more.  It had cost too many men’s lives to take and it would be foolish to throw away the hard won gain. King Morcant was stiff and formal when taking leave of his brother kings.  It still rankled that King Urien had overridden his edict.  I think too, he had been unhappy about the fact that the victory had so obviously been won by the men of Rheged. While they said their goodbyes I sought out Riderch.  He had a fine angry looking scar which now ran from his eye to his chin. “At least I shall frighten my enemies now Lann.”

“You did well yesterday in your first battle.”

He shook his head.  “We were an ill disciplined mob.  You and your warriors showed us how it should be done.  The king has told me I can train our men in your style of fighting.”

“Good.” I took him out of earshot of his fellows. “And I would train archers.  There must be, among your people
, those who use slingshots and bows for hunting.  Use them as the basis for a supporting band.  You saw how effective our men were.”

“Aye and I will do so and Lann
,“ he came really close to me, “beware for you have made enemies.  Two of the king’s bodyguard disappeared the other night and I fear they may be hunting you.”

I was intrigued although I was not afraid for those men were now dead, “
How do you know?”

“I heard the king talking to them and he pointed you out.  The look they had on their faces was not one of friendship.”

“Thank you for the warning and I will heed it.”

Ywain’s voice drifted over, “The causeway is open.”

I clasped his arm in a soldier’s farewell. “Goodbye and may
Belatu-Cadros
be with you.”

“And may the White Christ watch over you.”

Keeping the captives securely within a ring of my best warriors we headed west, first to the mainland and thence home.  It would be a long journey, burdened as we were by women and children but at least we knew that there were no Saxons to hinder our passage. We had said farewell to King Rhydderch the Generous soon after leaving Dun Guardi.  He still grieved over the loss of so many warriors but he was happy that we had succeeded.
“If you ever need my help Urien then just ask but I will not be coming again to help that ungrateful whelp.” He was a generous man as his name said but he did not suffer fools gladly.  This was the only time his men left their home for he died a few years later when the Irish raided his lands.  I was sad for I liked him.  He was honest and he was brave; what better epitaph for a warrior.

I rode next to the king and Ywain as we headed for the high passes. I gestured back to the captives.  “What would you do with the prisoners your majesty?”

“I have given that much thought since we left Din Guardi. It goes against my nature to make slaves of women and children. I would have done it with any of the warriors who survived but…”

Ywain nodded, “I agree
, father, and having saved their lives I feel obligated to protect them.”

We were crossing yet another Roman road and another deserted shell
of an outpost.  The Romans had spent many years in this land and their buildings and roads were like a skeleton they had left and yet they had left something else behind, their blood.  My father’s grandfather had been a Roman, or at least a British Roman.  They remained within all of us who were not Saxon. “We could do as the Saxons do.” Both King and Prince knew me well enough to listen to my words, no matter how ridiculous they sounded at first. “Well what I mean is how the Saxons take over a place.  Aelle has a British mother and a Saxon father.  The women and their children will become the people of Rheged if we allow them to.”

I could see King Urien considering the idea. “That is worth thinking about
, Lann.  They have skills and they are fertile. Our people are dwindling and this may be a way to ensure the survival of the people of Rheged and Britannia.  I will think about it as we ride homeward.”

I turned and rode to the rear where my brothers and Wolf led our men.  My warband had gained much fame and honour with their brave deeds and actions.  Over fifty had paid with their lives but we were now all richer having looted the stronghold and the bodies of the dead.  Many of my men
had more treasure now than many lords. I would have enough to build my own home in stone if I chose. As I rode up they all gave a cheer.  Raibeart and Aelle smiled.  They never begrudged me my fame and honour although they knew that they too were highly regarded, not only by their peers but the officers and leaders of Rheged’s army.

Aelle, thoughtful as ever
, asked, “What will happen to the prisoners and captives.” For Aelle, the son of a captive, this was the most pressing issue.

“I think they will not be made slaves if that is what is worrying you.”

He blushed and Raibeart laughed, “I think brother that he has an eye for one of them; that first one who spoke with you.  He has the puppy eyes when he sees her.”

Aelle punched his brother in the arm. “You are soft in the head.”

Raibeart looked at me and said seriously, “He has ridden next to the woman you rescued, Freja, many times and she has smiled at him brother.”

“I think it is a good thing Aelle.  We should all think of taking a wife for our father sired me when he was younger than you Raibeart.
“I waved at the men who followed us. “Think how many good men died without issue.  We carry on as our father would have, even though he is gone.  That is how we will live forever through our children and I know that father would be proud of us and our deeds.”

I saw them both smile at the thought.  It had not occurred to them but, as the eldest, I was acutely aware of my responsibilities and I felt closer to my father now that he was dead than ever I did when he was alive.  I found myself dreaming of him and in
my dreams I spoke with him.  I regretted, more than anything, that I had not spoken with him more; just talked of his life and his plans for us.  The Angles had robbed me of that opportunity but I would talk with my brothers every chance I had.

Civitas Carvetiorum looked
even more welcoming than it normally did as we entered our fortress. It seemed as though we had been away for a year and yet it was less than two months. The threat to our neighbour had gone and that meant that the threat to our southern and eastern borders had also evaporated but the Saxons were still out there, close to our lands and they would return.  We had not scotched the snake; we had just driven it to a deep hole. I resolved to make the men I commanded even better over the next few months.  We would not campaign again until either the Saxons returned, or the spring and that gave my brothers and I the time to forge a weapon which would halt and then destroy our enemies.

Brother Osric greeted us when we arrived and cast his birdlike eyes on the captives.  He looked at the captives with a strange look on his face. “Are these to be sold your majesty?”

King Urien returned the priest’s stare.  “No Brother Osric,  house them, for the moment in the spare barracks.”

I had begun to recognise the different expressions on the
priest’s face and I knew that he was pleased that they were not slaves. “From the wagons and carts I assume you have profited from your labours and I have ordered replacement ash, feathers and yew.  I hope that you have provided the iron?”

I grinned, for I knew the question was directed at me. 
“Of course.  How could you doubt it?”

He walked off mumbling, “Yes but you also brought more mouths to feed.”

The king turned to face the army.  “You have all performed as I knew you would, honourably, bravely and in the spirit of Rheged. You are all granted the time to visit with your families and return after the harvest when you will all be paid your reward for the campaign and we will begin to train again for next year’s travails.”

Every warrior cheered. Life did not get any better than this.  They would all have three months to bask in the glory of the defeat of the Saxons.  The crops and animals would be harvested and when they returned, with their wives pregnant they would be ready to prepare for war again.  The king was kind but astute.  By dangling their pay when they returned he ensured that his army would be as large next year as it w
as this and he would not have to pay for his men’s food for three months. I was learning how to be a leader each day I spent in the king’s company.

The barracks was emptied by dusk.  The bodyguard of the king remained as did the single men who had neither wives nor lovers but we three enjoyed the solitude of each other’s company. We used the spare bunks to lay out our gear and all went to the bath house to cleanse ourselves of the smell of blood, death and sweat.  Aelle’s wound had healed well but, as we lay, naked in the baths
, I brought up an idea I had had when we campaigned.

”Leather armour would suit the slingers and the archers. It is lighter, it would have stopped the knife slicing your arm brother and it would stop a spear penetrating too far.”

Raibeart nodded his approval.  “And it would make movement easier. Mail and armour are fine when you standing in a shield wall but we are just extra bodies, used to stop you warriors from being outflanked.”

“
But helmets, even leather ones, would help.”

“You are right Aelle.  We have plenty of time to get the leather and the dee
r hide and prepare the armour.”

“Do you three brothers never talk of anything but war?”
Ywain, Gildas and the two prince standard bearers had entered.

“We are warriors.  We are not princes who fight for the fun of it.  For us it is our
livelihood.”

Gildas nudged Ywain, “I think Aelle thinks of things other than war. A little bird told me that his loins are stirring and he has his eyes on a mate.”

Aelle reddened and left. “You should not tease him Gildas. I, for one, am pleased that he is thinking of a wife. I said to Raibeart that we all should.”

“And that is where you a
re lucky Lann.  You can choose a woman because she makes your dick bigger.  Even Gildas has that choice but I must have a wife who will be a future queen.  My wife may be a fat and ugly milk cow but as long as I can provide my father with an alliance then that it is whom I shall marry!”

I could not believe that King Urien would do that. “You do not believe that Ywain.  You know your father would consult you
, besides can you think of a kingdom other than Rheged which is so powerful right now?  Elmet, even Bryneicia has not the army that your father has.  Every king who has a presentable daughter will try to marry her to you.”

Ywain had been drinking. “And damned lucky to get me she would be!”

We all fell about laughing and then Rhun said, ”My father, the king, asked if you would join us tonight for food.” He waved his hand at Raibeart and Aelle, “All of you.”

“I would have thought that two months away from the queen would have made him desire a qui
eter evening.”

Ywain shook his head.  “You do not know my father.  He is single minded about being king.  He sees himself as the servant of the people.”

“As opposed to Morcant Bulc who does not give a shit about his people.”

“Raibeart!”

“Sorry Lann.  I forgot myself.  Forgive me Prince Ywain.”

“No you are right.  I was most disappointed in King Morcant Bulc.  I had thought, from his reputation that he was a noble king and he isn’t. I think my father was disappointed too. Well we had better get dressed. Father is quite casual about these things but not so my mother.”

We left quickly. Queen Niamh who had been a Welsh princess, the daughter of one of the Welsh kings was known to be a stickler for protocol.  It would not do to upset her.

It was quite a cosy affair. The
royal couple along with their four sons were there as well as Brother Osric and my three brothers. We were all on our best behaviour for it was the first time we had all dined privately with the royal family. Queen Niamh however went out of her way to be pleasant. “I am grateful to you three warriors  From what I have heard you have helped my husband and my son to achieve a greater success than if the king had not happened upon your settlement. “She crossed herself, which I had learned was a White Christ action.  “Praise be to God.”

Ywain gave an apologetic shrug but I did not mind. I never objected to anyone’s religious beliefs so long as they did not try to convert me.  My mother had strong views about her religion too.  “We are glad that the king rescued us.  We believe that we were meant to serve Rheged and find the Saxons.”

The king stood and held his goblet out.”A toast to chance, and the fates which brought us all together.” His wife threw him a black look but smiled and raised her goblet too. 

The meal had been planned and devised by Brother Osric and was magnificent. He had acquired, no one knew how, spices from the east and the food tasted exquisite. None of us could quite explain the range of tastes which exploded in our mouths but we all knew that it was a unique experience.  After the delicate sweets we had at the end of the meal
Queen Niamh stood. “Once again I thank you three for your support for my family I am deeply indebted to you.” She held out her hand for us all to kiss. When we had all done so she said, “And when you are all converted to Christ then I will be even happier.”