Saxon Fall by Griff Hosker Page A

his mail shirt were severed.  The sword ripped through the leather byrnie and he grunted as the iron propelled him forward.
    He tried to turn quickly but I stabbed down with Saxon Slayer and the tip burned into his knee.  This time he roared in pain but he had the strength and the presence of mind to bring his axe down in a steep swing overhand. I used the shield to angle the axe head down and I stabbed forward with all of my might. Saxon Slayer sliced through the mail and the leather. I saw his eyes widen as it tore through his stomach and when the hilt was stopped by the mail I twisted and pulled it out. Intestines were wound like wriggling worms around the red blade.  The axe fell to the floor and he stood there looking surprised. He used a hand to try to hold the blood and his knees gave way.  He sat on the floor holding himself in the middle.
    “You are the Warlord.”
    “I am.”
    “Then I have been slain by the bane of the Northumbrians, Saxon Slayer. Give me my sword and send me to the Otherworld I beg of you; one warrior to another.”
    The man was not a Christian. I took his sword from his scabbard and he smiled. “First, who are you and whom do you serve?”
    He scowled but knew he could do nothing about it. “I am Aelfraed of Scar and I serve Oswald.”
    I nodded and gave him his sword. “Go to the Otherworld and meet your oathsworn.” I stabbed him cleanly in the throat and he sighed his way to the afterlife.
    I sheathed my sword and walked around the fort to make sure that all were dead. “Pol, collect any armour and weapons which you can find.  Give the armour to the squires. See if there are any horses.”
    “Warlord!”
    I turned to see Osgar. “What is it?”
    “We have found two cattle!”
    “Excellent” Slaughter them.  We will stay here tonight and return to our camp in the morning.”
    The Saxons had done nothing to make the fort more habitable save repairing the gate.  They had used the barracks which had a roof remaining. That would have to be our bed too. After setting sentries we ate in the open courtyard.  We hacked off the cooked meat and left the carcasses of both beasts to cook overnight.  The meat would last three or four days.  This was a gift from the gods.
    Pol and Gawan sat with me. “Was he Edwin’s man?”
    “No, he served our enemy, Oswald.” It had been the two brothers Oswald and Oswiu who had suborned and seduced Morcar and Morgause. I smiled, “That makes me happier.”
    “Why, brother?”
    Pol knew me as well as any man, “Because, Gawan, it means it is more likely that Oswald will come here to give battle and that is what the Warlord wishes.”
    I nodded, “I will sleep easier when those snakes are dead.”
    Gawan looked thoughtful.  “It still makes me wonder where King Edwin is.  We know that he campaigns in the summer and collects both slaves and tribute.”
    “He has the whole of Northumbria to visit, brother. He could be in the south.”
    “I would be happier knowing where he is.”
    Gawan never spoke for the sake of filling a silence. “Speak your thoughts, brother.  You know that Pol is of our mind too.”
    “If he is not in the north then perhaps he is threatening Cadwallon and Deva.”
    Now I understood. He was worried, naturally about his family. “Have you not dreamed, as Myrddyn might have?”
    He shook his head, “I need to be in a holy place for that.” He looked apologetic, “I am sorry brother.  I am not Myrddyn.”
    “Perhaps not yet but you will be one day.” I threw the rib I had been gnawing into the fire where it sizzled. “I had planned on raiding north, along the Dunum to aid King Fiachnae mac Báetáin and perhaps wrest more of the north from King Edwin’s greedy fingers but we can head south towards Loidis and thence to the lands closer to Mercia.”
    There was a look of relief on Gawan’s face. “Thank you, brother.”
    “And we will speak with Myrddyn.  Perhaps he has dreamed.”
    The next morning we rose