Saxon Fall by Griff Hosker Page B

“There were many of them.”
    When Aed returned he led us to the Nidd.  It was a three hour ride but we could defend the narrow gorge if attacked. We had visited there once with my father and Myrddyn.  We had found a cave with a Roman sword and witches made of stone. It was a good place to hide as the Saxons shunned it, fearing the dead and the spirits. We would use it to help recover the horses and to plan our strategy.  It was now long past midsummer and soon it would be harvest time. This would be the opportunity to hurt the Northumbrians.
    “Kay and Daffydd, I want sentries a mile out from the camp.  Use pairs of men; one sleeps while one watches.”
    “Aye, Warlord.”
    Myrddyn pointed to the cave, “Gawan that is a cave of the dead.  I will sleep there.  The spirits may talk to us.”
    “And I will join you.”
    Pol, Lann Aelle and I watched as the two men walked happily into the cave of death. It frightened me but not my young brother.  It was just the way we were. Pelas took Star off to feed and water him. Both had served me well.
    Although I was tired I needed to talk.  I went with Pol and Lann Aelle to the river.  The soothing sound of the water rushing over the stones was reassuring.  It reminded me that Icaunus was close by. He had oft times protected us.  We had yet to lose a warrior during a river crossing.
    “Lann Aelle, where do you think that we should raid?”
    “I think south and east will be too dangerous at the moment.  We know where Edwin and his men are. They will be searching for us. Oswald and Oswiu will have discovered that we have killed their men and he will be scouting the east.”
    “You are saying that we should work north and west?”
    “We know the land and we have a shorter journey to our cache of weapons should we need it.”
    “You counsel well.”
    Pol threw a stone into the bubbling waters. “What do you make of the brothers, Warlord? It seems they are not part of Edwin’s army.”
    “I think they are allies but it may well be that they have ambition.  Perhaps we could ferment discord.”
    “How?”
    “I am not sure.  When my brother and the wizard have dreamed, they may have thoughts on it.” I stretched as I yawned.  “We will leave tomorrow afternoon.  We can strike at Stanwyck. It is not far from here and we can rest there once we have captured it.”
    “You are sure that you can capture it?”
    “It is the one place I am certain of.  Our fathers were born there, Lann Aelle.  It was from thence that the Saxons first drove our people west. We will capture it and this time we destroy its defences.  They will not use it again.”
    I thought I would sleep well but it came in fits and starts punctuated by pictures in my minds.  They made no sense.  I saw Irishmen fighting Irishmen.  I saw Caer Gybi burning. I saw dragons fleeing west. When I woke I did not feel rested. It was late afternoon and my warriors were all asleep save for the sentries. I wandered to see Star.  Pelas was sound asleep and close by. I stroked Star and examined him for injuries.  I knew that Pelas would have done so already but he was my horse still and I knew him better than any. He appeared unharmed although I noticed he looked a little gaunter than usual. I spied a wild apple tree by the river.  I wandered over and picked three of the riper fruits.  I took a bite and they seemed a little sour to me but they were Star’s favourite treat and I took them back to him.  He savoured each one as he ate it.  The sour taste did not seem to bother him. After letting him drink from the river I tethered him again.
    I strapped on my sword.  I needed no mail yet.  I walked the camp until I came to the first of the sentries.  I spoke quietly for one was sleeping.  “Have you seen aught?”
    “No Warlord.” The squire looked up at the cliff and the cave.  “This place frightens me. I was told that there is a cave yonder and within it lays a stone witch.” I nodded.  “And