Free Saxon Fall by Griff Hosker Page A

defended themselves.  The battle was won in that instant. I sent my arrow high into the air then I dropped my bow, unsheathed my sword and hefted my shield. A second flight had left the bows of my men as we tumbled down the slope to attack the shocked Northumbrians.
    I led the equites towards those with the byrnies.  My squires and archers could dispose of the rest. Two of the oathsworn were down but the rest locked their shields. Luck was with me that day.  I ran down the slope and managed to avoid all the hazards which might have tripped me. As Kay had to move to his left so I adjusted my feet and I leapt on to a large rock. I sprang in the air from the rock and almost flew at the Saxons.  Falling I swung my sword. My feet crashed on to one warrior cracking his skull like an egg whilst my sword sliced down, through the mail and into the shoulder of a second. As I tumbled to the ground Kay slashed his sword at the Saxon who tried to stab me in the side.  As I stood I saw Lann Aelle slicing upward to kill the leader of the warband.  And then it was over. The speed and ferocity of our attack allied to the skill of our archers had won the day for us. We had had the element of surprise and used it well.  The wounded were sent to the Otherworld.
    Daffydd and his men joined me, “Well done my captain of archers.  Did any escape?”
    He shook his head, “They all fell.”
    “Take their armour, helmets and weapons.  Throw the bodies into the valley.”
    It had all gone far better than I might have dreamed. We returned to the village.  The armour came in handy for the squires who had none yet.  The helmets, shields and swords went to the villagers. The spare horse joined our string of remounts.
    Myrddyn, who had stayed in the village, came over to me.  “You have a decision to make.”
    “I know and I have made it.” The men in the village were gathered around me and then the two prisoners brought out. “Tomorrow my men and I will leave this village and head away from here. We will return at some point in the future.  You will hold this village for Rheged.  You will all share in the bounty of this valley and you will all fight the Northumbrians.” I glared at them all.  “How do you say?” They all nodded. I pointed to Myrddyn, “And remember, I have a wizard.  You all know of Myrddyn’s power.” I smiled, “Even those who are now Christians.”
    I took out my sword and I saw the two prisoners brace themselves. “I am Warlord, and I answer to no man! I have the lives of these two in my hands.” They both closed their eyes and awaited the slice of my sword. “It is not, however, me whom they have betrayed, it is you.  I give their lives to you.  Do they live or do they die?  The decision is yours.” Out of the corner of my eye I saw a smug smile on Myrddyn’s face.  I had done what he had hoped.
    They looked at each other and then back at me as though this was some sort of trick. I stood patiently waiting.  This decision had to be theirs.  When they made it I would know that I could trust them.  It was Scanlan who spoke. “I say they should live.  Even though my children have both been taken from me Aedh, too, has also lost his only child.  I say they live.” He paused. “So long as they live with us and not over us.” He turned to the former headman.
    “I will.  I have learned my lesson and my wife…” he put his arm around his wife who still looked as though she was in shock following the death of her only son.
    The other men then nodded, in turn. I sheathed my sword.  “Good.  Then this afternoon we deepen your ditch and raise your walls.  The next time the Saxons come you will show them that the men of Rheged still have fight in them. If you submit then you will be slaves once more.  Fight and you will earn your freedom.”
    We left the village early the next morning and headed along the Roman Road.  Already the bodies of the dead Saxons had been ravaged by the beasts and