The Cross and the Curse (Bernicia Chronicles Book 2) by Matthew Harffy Page A

was yet to take that would affect all of their lives.
    The warriors jumbled on the slope of the hill, shuffling to get a glimpse of the king. They could all see the cross. It dominated the horizon.
    Oswald raised his hands as Beobrand had seen him do before in the great hall at Bebbanburg. A hush fell on the men gathered there.
    "My friends. Bernicians. Angelfolc, Hibernian and Pict. I am Oswald, son of Æthelfrith, known by the Hibernians as Lamnguin, Whiteblade. By right of blood, I am king of Bernicia. You all know what we have come to do." Oswald raised his voice in order for it to reach all those who listened on that damp afternoon. Beobrand realised it was the first time he had heard Oswald speak in anything but a quiet tone.
    "We have come to rid this land of the scourge of Cadwallon and his accursed pack of Waelisc defilers. Perhaps some of you have heard already of the size of the host we are to face. It is true that they are greater in number." This was news to none of the listeners. Word had spread around the camp quickly after Attor and the other scouts returned.
    "But it is also true that we have the power of the Almighty Christ on our side. You have all seen the sign of his power in the sky. The rainbow is his promise to his followers.
    "Last night I had a dream. I had been wondering about the battle to come. Like all men, I know doubt and I was questioning. How could we defeat Cadwallon and his host?" Oswald paused. Letting it sink in that he too was vulnerable. Beobrand wondered at the wisdom of it. Surely the men would prefer to believe that their king was infallible, god-like in his abilities. He looked around him and was surprised to see many men nodding. Solemn understanding on their faces. It seemed Oswald understood his audience better than Beobrand.
    The king continued: "In my dream, the holiest of men, Colm Cille himself, founder and abbot of the island of Hii came to me. He was bathed in light and he spoke to me.
    "He told me to construct a rood; a tree like that on which the Christ sacrificed himself for all men, so that we might live forever. He said that all who followed me into battle should bow before the rood and be blessed. 'The power of the blood of Christ will be upon them all', he said.
    " 'Be strong and act manfully. Behold, I will be with you. This coming night go out from your camp into battle, for the Lord has granted me that at this time your foes shall be put to flight and Cadwallon your enemy shall be delivered into your hands and you shall return victorious after battle and reign happily.'
    "And so it will be as he foretold. You will all be blessed in the shadow of the rood, and then, in the darkest, deepest tract of the night, we will go forth. We will march with stealth and we will smite Cadwallon at his camp. We will destroy him there and peace will be ours thereafter."
    There was a murmur of dissent amongst the warriors. They were strong, doughty in battle and brave in the face of spear and shield. But the night held fear of a different nature. At night shadow creatures crept and slithered. Elves and goblins lurked ready to pounce on the unsuspecting traveller. Fires could keep those things at bay, but stealth would not be possible if they carried brands. They would need to walk in the raven-wing blackness of the night. Towards armed foes and surrounded by unseen enemies from the otherworld.
    Some of the men spat. Others touched amulets or the iron of their weapons. Those who already followed the Christ God, made the sign of the rood over their chests.
    The light in the sky was dwindling to a dim afterglow behind Oswald. He raised his hands again. The host quietened.
    "Be not afraid of the things that haunt the night. Darkness and death are no match for Christ. He was hanged upon a rood such as this and then, on the third day, He rose from the dead. Never to allow death to defeat man again. After you are blessed here this day, you will not die. Everlasting life in the halls of God