Warrior King by M J Porter

Author:M J Porter [Porter, M J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-08-12T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Oswiu, King of Bernicia

AD655

My kingdom is in uproar. It seems that not a moment can go by without someone else rushing to Bamburgh to tell me that Penda is once more marching north.

Panic and fear stalks every face that looks to me, and what do I have to offer? Nothing but my faith. Nothing more. My bishop has failed me. He assured me that he’d find allies for me, from the northern lands, from the Church in Ireland, but Finan has lied to me and my relationship with him is strained.

I’ve always held firmly to my faith but in my time of need, it’s failed to provide any comfort. What power does it have against a man with over a thousand warriors who all want my blood?

I erred when I sent my warriors to support Onna, when I let Ceonwahl into my kingdom, when I convinced Sigeberht of the East Saxons to convert to Christianity and in that way become subject to my holy church based on Lindisfarne. I should have kept them here, waited for Penda to die of old age before I took any further action.

I spent much of last winter on my knees praying to my God, having letters written and messengers dispatched to the other kingdoms who might support me, and not one word of support have I received, from any of them.

My nobility are begging me to leave, or surrender, anything to avert the coming attack from Penda, but in my stubbornness I refuse to accede to their demands. Bishop Finan told me that my God would provide me with the way to triumph and I’m still holding out half a hope that he will, but I also need to be practical, and so I’m ordering my warriors to ride out in the morning, and in the meantime my family, and my monks, are to find shelter within Bamburgh and to keep the gates closed no matter who comes calling, until I return myself.

The men think we ride to meet Penda but I’m not that stupid, or that convinced that my God has anything to offer. I’m riding for the northern lands, I’m going to demand allegiance from the kingdom of Dal Riata and from my nephew. I’ve people in place ready to take action to subvert them to my will.

I need allies and if the Church won’t provide them for me, then I’m going to use every other weapon I can to ensure I don’t face Penda’s huge force with my tiny one. I only hope I haven’t left it too late to firm up my resolve. Initially I’d decided to wait for him to come to Bamburgh, to thwart his plans by staying inside the fortress my father built for his first wife, to protect her from the men to the north and the south, but I now realize that Penda won’t let its steep sides and lack of access be any form of impediment. Not like last time.

He hates me and he means to destroy me for making him look like a trusting fool.

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