Saxon Dawn (Wolf Brethren) by Griff Hosker Read Free Book Online Page A

doubtfully at his brother and me.  “Three swords against the Angles? Have you taken leave of your senses Lann?”
    “Yesterday we bested twenty warriors with a sling and two bows.” I cocked my head to one side. “What do you think?”
    He suddenly grinned and punched Aelle playfully on the arm.  “Yes we will become warriors; and the Angles will come to fear us!”
    We saw the village nestled close to a river. I picked out four of the better sheep and said to Aelle, “You and Wolf guard these and our belongings.  Raibeart, take off your mail and shield.  Give them to your brother. We will return soon.” I pointed to a small wood.  “Take the sheep there and wait for us.”
    He looked seriously at me, “I shall brother and I will not let anything happen to our flock!” He might not have been o f our blood but he was as close to the two of us as if we had shared the same womb.
    Aelfere was a prosperous place and there were many Angles there but they appeared not to be warriors but traders and farmers. On the outskirts, about half a mile from the village was a farm with a wall and fences. The farm dog yapped a warning to us and we halted as the farmer approached. He looked admiringly at the sheep.  They were a healthy flock for we had tended to them well and looked after them. He assumed we were Angles for he spoke to us in their language.  Thanks to Aelle and Monca I could speak the cursed words.
    “A fine flock.   Where are you taking them?”
    “To Aelfere to trade.”
    A cunning look appeared in his eye and he sh ook his head. “There are many thieves in the town you would not get a good price.”
    I knew his game and I played along with it. Whatever we could get for the sheep would be better than abandoning them to the wolves. “Would you have something to trade for them?”
    “I might.  Bring them into my enclosure and we will talk.” He opened the gate and Raibeart drove the sheep in. “What do you wish to trade them for?”
    I looked around the farm which looked prosperous and was made of stone.  From the looks of the stonework the farm had been built from old Roman stones stolen from one of their forts. I heard a neigh and knew he had horses. “You have horses?”
    “I have horses. Come and see.”
    There was a fenced area and six horses of various sizes pranced around.  They were not in good shape and some of them were little more than hill ponies. I suspected they were bound for the pot. “They are of poor quality but I will take four of them in exchange for the flock.”
    He snorted in derision. “I will trade you two and those of my choice.”
    “Four or nothing.”
    “I tell you what I will do I will give you three.”
    “Of my choice?”
    “Of your choice and that sword.”
    Raibeart burst out, “No, not the sword.”
    I held up my hand.  I had a much better sword and others of better quality hidden by the river. “And the tackle to ride them?”
    “I have reins but not the saddles.  I had a saddle but it is broken.”
    I held out my hand, and offered the sword with the other, “Then I will take three, the reins and the broken saddle.”
    He clasped my arm but asked, “We have a deal but why the broken saddle?”
    “So that we can make more of the same design.” He nodded, it now made sense to him and I saw him regretting not getting abetter price.  “Come brother, let us go and make our selection while our friend here brings the reins.”The farmer strode off to bring the reins and the girths.
    “Lann, why did you let him have your sword? It was a fine weapon.”
    “Because, little brother, I know where to get more.” I tapped the side of my nose and said, “Ssh!”
    There was one horse which looked tall enough for me but the other taller horses were old and thin.  I chose to accompany my horse the two smaller ponies who looked sturdier than the nags who would probably die within a day.  I knew I had made a good choice when I saw the sour look on the