Saxon Bane by Griff Hosker Read Free Book Online Page A

Aethelfrith’s sons.”
    “Aye I discovered they are across on the other side of their sea, the one they call Loch nEachach. I think that Oswald has bought Calum.”
    “Not the king?”
    “No.  The king is most displeased with this challenge and he fears you will die.” He chuckled.  “We have made an impression on the young king and he does not wish to lose the chance to go into battle alongside such a noted warrior. The spirits were right to direct us here.”
    “We will need to watch out for Oswald and Oswiu then.”
    “It is Oswald who we should fear.  Oswiu is just a pup.  He barks and he growls but his teeth do not bite.  Oswald is his father’s son.  I have heard that he has even considered converting to Christianity in order to win Irish friends.”
    “Even his father would not have stooped so low.”
    “Things are changing in the world, Lord Lann. Sons of kings will do anything to become kings themselves. This giant is overconfident.  He thinks to defeat you in one or two blows.  His sword looks powerful but is a weak piece of metal. You should have little difficulty in defeating him.”
    I settled down to sleep. Although my mind was racing with plots and treachery I soon went to sleep as I went through the moves, in my head that would help me to defeat Calum.
    I rose later than the others and they all stared at me as I rose.  Myrddyn, of course, was still asleep.  I shook his shoulder and he awoke.  He laughed when he saw them staring.
    “Have some faith in two old men will you?  Tuanthal get one of your men to fetch us some food.  Morcar begin to dress the Warlord. When you have done so put an edge on Saxon Slayer.”
    I smiled as Myrddyn dressed, “And what of you wizard?  Is there a potion for me to take to ensure I defeat him?”
    “You and I know that there is no need for a potion just so long as you are careful. As for me I shall eat well and prepare to watch you whittle this half naked giant down to size.”
    Morcar dressed me in my armour as carefully as any squire I had ever had. He made sure that the leather armour I wore beneath the mail was securely in position and that all of the links in the mail itself were smoothed flat. A mail link out of place could be a potential weakness. He fixed the neck armour into place. Finally he put my helmet on.  The helmet marked me as different.  It had been sent to me by the Emperor of the Eastern Empire and was the single best piece of armour I possessed. The padded leather skull cap I wore beneath it prevented chafing and it fastened securely beneath my chin. The last two items were Saxon Slayer, now sharpened and my oval shield.  This was the first time I had used one of the new shields and it felt much lighter than my old one.  I just hoped it had the same protection.
    We stepped out of the hut and the Hibernians were waiting there. The king stepped forward.  “We allow no blood to be spilled within these walls.” He grinned, “Unless, of course, it is the blood of an enemy. We will go outside to the killing ground.” The name sounded ominous.
    The king walked with me.  “This is the first chance I have had to observe such armour and sword.  My men prefer to fight unencumbered. Do you not find the armour slows you down?”
    “I have used such armour for thirty years.  I am used to it.”
    He leaned closer to me and said quietly, “You need not go through with this you know.  You could nominate one of your men to fight for you.  That is acceptable.”
    “But not to me.”
    “I cannot intervene for it is the way of our people. Calum is a vicious fighter.  He will try to hurt you.”
    “I would expect nothing less.” As we walked towards the ring of warriors I remembered the first time I had had to fight a champion.  He had been one of Riderch Hael’s men and I had blinded him in one eye.  He still became a firm friend.  Somehow I did not think that Calum and I would share the same bond when he lay humiliated at my