Pagan Warrior by M J Porter

Author:M J Porter [Porter, M J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-05-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24 AD632 Summer

Cadwallon of Gwynedd

I sit upon my official chair before the fire that spits and coughs in the breeze through the open doorway. My mind has been preoccupied of late but right now, it seems empty of all thoughts, and I’m enjoying the silence. No doubt at any moment some new calamity will befall me, but until then, I might just close my eyes, dream of nothing and wake feeling refreshed.

Slowly and unbidden stray words of conversation percolate through my thoughts, drifting through the open doorway and I wonder who speaks of weapons and war, treachery and murder. I stay still, as still as it’s possible to be when a man is pretending at sleep and suddenly he develops an itchy nose, trying to catch every word.

I don’t know who speaks. I don’t recognize the voice. I wonder if it’s one of my servants who’s been turned to the side of Edwin, or any other of my enemies.

I hear every other word. “The, Humber, Edwin, Osfrith, Osric and Eowa,” and I’m almost frantic with curiosity. Who the hell is outside?

The doorway darkens imperceptibly, and a man strides through the door. I squint at his outline and then relax. It’s only Penda. I’ve been expecting him. I rise in greeting and then slow my actions. Was it Penda outside speaking to someone about the battle? Surely of all my allies Penda is the one I trust the most. I fervently hope that he’s not betraying me.

He grins on seeing me, not seeming to notice when my smile falters a little. He walks up to me, and grabs my arm, pulling me tight to his mouth.

“Have you heard that little prick out there? He thinks he knows things he shouldn’t. Edwin will have heard the same story from so many of his supposed informants by now that he’ll be certain it’s what we actually plan.”

My good cheer in the day returns then and I nod at Penda.

“I did hear his words yes,” I say. I really need to know whom he was talking about but I can’t now because I’ve acted as though I know whom it is. I’ll have to try and extract the information from Penda later.

“Edwin has sent one of his son’s to treat with me,” he says without any preamble. My good cheer disappears again. “I thought I should let you know before someone else does.”

“Which one?” I ask with annoyance. Bloody Edwin. Why can’t he accept that he’s going to lose this without trying to steal my most loyal follower?

“Osfrith,” he says with a gleam in his eye.

“Ah,” is all I can manage. I need to let Penda speak when he wants. I beckon for mead and food and whilst Penda avails himself of my food and drink, I watch him. Since I’ve known him he’s grown in stature. He was always a mighty man, with huge bulging muscles and a menacing posture but now he’s more. If it’s possible, he appears even more powerful and his eyes have lost their acquisitive glare.

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