Free Hosker, G [Wolf Brethren 02] Saxon Revenge by Griff Hosker Page A

but I never like to overburden it. I could see that work had been done and the wood had been renewed above the gate and I could see fresh mortar. The priest saw my look and shrugged.  “It seemed prudent my lord and we do live in parlous times.  I also took the liberty of having a couple of extra rooms built next to your quarters.” He looked a little embarrassed, “Privacy my lord.”
    Aideen compounded his embarrassment by hugging him.  “You are a mind reader and I know not what I would do without you.”
    “When Garth and I first arrived we slept in a leaky gatehouse with no roof.” I sniffed.
    “Well thank goodness you now have a wife and a man who thinks of things other than fighting.”
    She hurried away with Brother Oswald and Hogan, keen to see the new quarters. “I want a warrior hall building, Garth.  Just like my brother’s.  We have space over there.”
    “That is where we have the stables my lord.”
    I had been planning this all the way home. “We demolish the stables and rebuild in stone with a warrior hall on the top.  The heat from the animals will keep us warm in winter and we can fortify it as a stronghold should the other walls fall.”
    Garth looked impressed. “You have been thinking my lord.”
    “It was at Loidis.  I know that we are stronger anyway but when the ram breached the gate I knew we had nowhere left to run. We were lucky.  There may come a time when we are outnumbered and need to reach a place of safety.”
    “Good.  We can start tomorrow.  It is summer and the horses can graze by the river.”
    “One more thing.  Just use our warriors at first for I want a tunnel from the stables and an escape route for my family in case…”
    Garth looked shocked. It was obvious the thought had never entered his head. “This castle could laugh away any attack the Saxons might make.”
    “True but one day they will learn to make machines of war such as the Romans used and then we would need such an escape. We can use the villagers to build the walls and the hall but the tunnel must be an oathsworn secret.”
    Oswald had done a good job and the rooms were well made.  He was still trying to make the Roman hypocaust and baths to work.  “The Romans were clever men.  I should like to go to Constantinople one day and see their marvels of engineering first hand.  I have read about them but to see them would be wonderful.”
    “If I can help in any way then I will do so but, for the present, thank you for your efforts.  The people are well and prosperous?”
    “Aye.  The war seems a long time ago and they have short memories.  There were many children born in the wake of the fighting and it is good to hear the sound of laughing bairns again.”
    He paused and look hesitantly beyond the walls. “Go on man, out with it.  You should know me well enough to know I will not bite your head off.”
    “I took the liberty of building a small chapel by the river.  The Christians amongst your people asked me to have somewhere close to water to baptise them.”
    “Baptise?”
    “Yes, it is like a rebirth.”
    I enjoyed teasing the White Christ priests.  “That seems a little pagan to me?  Does your Christ approve?”
    I saw him visibly relax at my reaction.  “He was baptised himself.” He hesitated.  “You are not angry?”
    “So long as my warriors fight for me and do not try to turn the other cheek as your White Christ suggests then I do not mind what they follow, so long as they follow me unquestioningly.”
    “They will do that because of who you are my lord.” He became more business like now that the difficult matter had been dealt with. “We now have hives and can produce honey and some of the slaves you sent are busy making cheeses.  I used the sheep we captured to begin a herd and one of the farmers loaned us a ram so we should have lambs soon.”
    I nodded my approval.  “You have been busy.”
    “I was taught by Brother Osric, my lord.  I think you will