Housecarl by Griff Hosker Page A

than Ulf and Ridley camped beyond
the town in the woods.
    By the time other drinkers had
entered the woman, Morag, was talking with us as though we were old
friends and we were accepted as such by the locals who enjoyed the
chance to talk with strangers from beyond their borders. Aethelward
was correct and my tale of Brother Aidan and his blessing added
truth to the story for he was well known by all. It was Morag who
inadvertently gave us our first intelligence. “If you are heading
back to the land of the Angles then do not go south for there are
many warriors there and I think you will find neither rooms nor
food.”
    “Oh many warriors eh? Thank you.
It is kind of you to warn us.”
    “Well we have had them
travelling through here for the past month.” She leaned over to
speak confidentially to Aethelward, “They do not like to pay
either.  I was glad to see the back of them.  At least
when the new king came through here he paid.”
    “He was not with his army
then?”
    “He travelled with his guards a
week before them.”
    “Then it was a mighty host?”
    “He must have emptied the lands
of Gwynedd.”
    “Mighty indeed and timely
advice.  You are a gracious hostess and I will tell other
travellers of your hospitality.”
    She reached over to pat the back
of his hand with a lascivious look in her eye and I suspected that
had I not been there then Aethelward would have had the company of
the widow’s bed that night.
    When we met Ulf and Ridley I
wondered if we would be heading to Earl Harold but my uncle showed
that he knew me better than I knew myself and he explained why we
would not be following that particular course of action.
    “There is little point in
returning to our lord with such scant information. What kind of
troops does he have? Who are their leaders?  What is their
state?”
    “But uncle how do we find that
out?”
    “Simple.  We visit their
camp and see them.”
    I could not think of an answer
but it seemed most hazardous to me that we would risk all by
visiting the camp of our enemy. I did not see the wry smile Ulf
gave my uncle for, once again, my uncle was several moves ahead of
me on this particular chess board.
    We eventually found the Welsh
army just across the Severn from Hereford. It was a mighty host
although I had not seen more than fifty men together before then
and perhaps my judgement was coloured. The army filled a number of
fields and seemed to be mainly archers but the warriors who were
armed with spear and shield looked formidable enough.  My
uncle led the two of us into the heart of the camp. I was
terrified.  I expected to be slaughtered at every juncture
although no-one showed us the slightest interest.  We were
just two would be warriors riding through the camp. 
Aethelward had donned his mail armour and carried his shield at his
side.  He told me to hang my axe from my pommel, wear my
helmet and sport my shield across my back. I suppose it all added
to the illusion that we were volunteers although I knew the moment
I opened my mouth they would know that I was English. What
terrified me the most was that he headed directly for the tent
which sported the flag of the Welsh dragon; he was taking us to
their king Gruffyd Ap Llewellyn.  I wondered if he had become
mad during our journey through Wales.
    When we reached the tent we were
confronted by two axe men.  Both wore shining armour and had
high helmets topped with white feathers.  The swords and axes
at their side left me in no doubt that these were two of the King’s
bodyguard. Aethelward nodded for me to dismount which I did with
some difficulty for my knees were shaking uncontrollably. My uncle
seemed totally at ease and said to the guard, “Tell the king that
Aethelward the Saxon is here.”
    This was it, I thought.  I
would end my life killed in the camp of the Welsh army. I had
killed a bandit but that would be the extent of my feats for these
two guards before us could destroy me in an instant.