Saxon Bane Read Online Free PDF Page B

come then you can but you will have to watch silently.”
    He nodded happily, “I can do that Lord Lann.”
    I did not expect Daffydd for a few days and I was able to prepare.  I would not need my wolf cloak.  Sadly, it was showing its age more than me.  I liked to wear it to war for it inspired my men but I would leave it at home. I would take my armour, helmet and banner for they marked me out as the Warlord of Rheged and I had to make an impression on this young Hibernian. Over the past couple of years, influenced by Hogan Lann, we had changed our shields from the round ones we had used to an oval one which was more similar to the old Roman scutum.  It was a better shield to use on horseback for it protected the legs better but I missed my old shield. I did like the wolf design which was sharper on the leather covered oval shield.
    I visited with my smiths.  I had given them precise instructions.  The torc had two wolves cast into it.  It was a mixture of gold and copper.  The copper highlighted the wolves and the goldsmith had inlaid red stones to form the eyes. It was a beautiful piece of work. Now that I knew my time was growing short I did not worry so much about cost. If the torc bought an alliance then it would save the lives of my warriors and that would be worth it.
    I regretted being unable to speak with Hogan Lann and Gawan before I left.  Hogan Lann was my heir and he would be the one who led the people of Rheged once I passed on. I would have to spend some time speaking with both of my sons when I returned.  I was aware that I needed the alliance before summer ended. An autumn campaign would catch the Saxons unawares and we could winter on their land.
    When Daffydd returned it was with good news.  Fiachnae mac Báetáin would meet with me. They had one port, of sorts, on their northern coast and that was where we would travel. Tuanthal was worried about Irish pirates but Daffydd laughed it off. “We have the fastest ship in these seas.  Even if they try they will not catch us.  Besides they would not wish to incur the wrath of our host.  I discovered that he is a powerful king and feared by his peers.” He looked at me as though it was I who was the wizard.  “This is a good alliance.”
    We left three days later. Tuanthal’s men came aboard.  They normally rode without armour but, as we had no horses it was decided to impress our would-be allies.  They were all issued with the armour used by Hogan Lann and his equites.  We had ten spare sets of armour. Poor Morcar was definitely disappointed that he did not get to don one.
    “You get to carry the wolf standard.”
    He did not take that with the grace that I had hoped. I began to realise that he had much to learn yet.  His education was only just begun.
    I had raided the central part of Hibernia before now but I had never seen the northern part.  We sailed past Manau or Mann as some of the sailors called it. Some of our people scratched out a living there but there were few natural resources save water.  It made it less attractive for raiders and so far the Saxons had shown no interest in it.  I did not know how we would defend against someone who wished to take it.
    As we sailed along the coast I saw how close Rheged was to the island.  Some of our people lived there still but it was a parlous existence.  They were hardy.  I felt guilty about leaving them to their own devices.  Perhaps the spirits had told me of my death to make me do something.  Certainly it had made me make this visit and the result might be freedom for many of my people. When we rounded the coast of Hibernia Daffydd pointed to the huge stones made by giants.  I found myself in awe of the race that had done that.  I wondered where the giants had gone.
    To call the tiny place we docked in a harbour was a little like calling a fishing boat a warship. A few stones had been forced into the sea and some trees dropped next to them to stop ships damaging