Saxon Dawn (Wolf Brethren) by Griff Hosker Page A

own shields slung across our backs. The archers marched proudly behind Raibeart and me and I knew that they were envious of the wolf skins which marked us not only as warriors but hunters too. Aelle had quickly cowed the slingers with his skill and they were desperate to impress this warrior who was the only slinger they knew to have killed someone in battle. He had not had time to cast more of the round metal stones he had used against the Angles but it was one of the tasks he had set himself when we returned to the fort.
    The first part of the journey was familiar to us as we had come along it but a few days’ earlier.  To the others, however, it was virgin territory and more than a little intimidating to them. “It is a pity the king’s allies did not join him.”
    I too wondered at that.  Ywain had told us that Morcant Bulc’s kingdom lay to the east of us.  Admittedly it was further north but we wondered, at the time, why he had not come to aid us earlier. “Perhaps he could not gather his forces in time.”
    The king had scouts out and the dragon standard was furled.  When the horsemen charged only then it would flutter above them, making its frightening, ghostly sound. The column was halted and the officers were summoned. The three of us stayed with our men but Ywain said, “No, we are all officers.  You included. If the king gives instructions then we must all know what to do.”
    In truth I wanted to avoid the baleful looks of Bladud but I would have to put up with it. “The scouts tell me that the Saxons are two miles up the road.” He pointed behind him. “The fort we use is on that hillside.  I will goad and provoke the Saxons into charging us.  I want the archers and the rest of the army to form a battle line with your backs to the fort. We will bring them to you.”
    Gildas asked the question which was in all our minds.  “Do we know how many yet?”
    The king said simply.  “They outnumber us.” He rode off with the dragon standard unfurled and the eerie wail echoing down the road the ancient Romans had called the Stanegate.
    We wasted no time but ran to the fort.  Once again I was familiar with it but the others were not. “Aelle, take your slingers to the left of the line so that you will be closer to the enemy.  When they close with us they are agile enough to climb into the fort and carry on using their weapons from there.” I know we both commanded ten but Aelle was used to following my orders.  I do not know what would have happened had it been another officer. As the spear and swords men prepared I addressed our archers. “You loose on one command, mine, and you keep loosing until we are out of arrows. When that happens then those without another weapon join the slingers behind the walls, the rest will join my brother and me and we will fight alongside the others. “
    I looked at Raibeart who nodded and said, “Put five arrows in the ground at your feet.  It makes for faster and more effective use of our arrows.”
    I sensed the nervousness of the men around us and I understood how they felt.  What was worse was that I did not know, or could not remember a single name. We had barely met them and the previous afternoon and evening had been spent answering questions about archery.  I made myself a promise that, if we survived this first battle I would find out more about the warriors I was leading. The king had a good eye for a battle and there was a ditch before us as well as a slope up which they would have to run.  Our archers could see over the heads of those with spears and swords awaiting the attack.  The only problem that I could see was running out of arrows.  While Raibeart and I were well stocked , few of the men we commanded had more than fifteen and they would soon disappear in the heat of battle.
    Ywain turned and gave me a nervous smile. “When will you send your first arrows?”
    I wished that he had not asked me the question. If I answered truthfully it