Saxon Dawn by Griff Hosker

Author:Griff Hosker [Hosker, Griff]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Griff Hosker
Published: 2013-03-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

The stronghold was a hive of activity over the next couple of weeks. Replacement warriors were sought. Although the numbers were short of what we needed we had volunteers at least, and new weapons were made. Our archers did not practise but made arrows and bows instead. Poor Aed was almost worked to death. Aelle took to making the shot for the slings himself. He used the forge and melted the metal while Aed grabbed some sleep. He had his boys make the moulds and they produced high quality slingshot in short order. They seemed quite happy smoothing them off to make them polished. Aelle was a quiet, yet clever man. He deduced that the sand on the seashore and rivers was produced by rocks crashing onto rocks and he made a series of boxes which he filled with stones and his uneven shot. The boys shook the boxes and, after a few hours there were smooth stone, shot and fine sand.

King Rhydderch and his army arrived just when the snowdrops were dying. Green was sprouting everywhere and we were as ready as we could be. His army was not impressive. There were five hundred warriors and they all looked like his bodyguards, if a little smaller in stature. They favoured two handed weapons such as axes and war hammers. Most of them did not bother with shields and few had armour. They seemed to regard the use of a helmet as almost dishonourable and cowardly! They were however brave and keen. The king assured us that they would never retreat. Part of me wondered about that; sometimes a retreat might be the right strategy. But I kept my own counsel.

Ywain came to see me the night before we left. “Bladud has been very quiet of late. I would watch your back.”

I laughed, “I have watched my back ever since I met him. He just does not like me does he?”

“I confess that I was always a little afraid of him. I feared he was such a powerful warrior that he would take the throne from my father.”

“But your father is a great warrior. I have seen him on the battlefield and his bodyguards are devoted to him.”

“Father’s trouble is that he is too honourable. He believes the best in all men and he remembers how Baldud saved his life. He trusts him implicitly.”

“Then we shall all have to watch Bladud closely.”

“There is another thing.” He hesitated as though unsure how to continue. “My father would like Raibeart alone to lead the archers. He wishes you to command the swordsmen while Gildas has the spears.”

“But I am a good archer!”

Ywain shook his head ruefully. “You are the best but you are the most skilful warrior with a sword we have. However, more than that, the men see you as something of a symbol, the Wolf Warrior, the Saxon Slayer, the Mystical Sword. These are all names by which you are known.”

“And what of you Prince Ywain?”

He looked embarrassed and looked at the ground.

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