The Way of Wyrd by Brian Bates Read Free Book Online Page B

and warmed his hands by the flames.
    ‘You must be important,’ he said airily. ‘I was engaged to guide you by a messenger of the King. Are you royal-born?’
    My mind was racing, for I had never before encountered a stranger in such alien surroundings. This question puzzled me, for I had already told him that I was a freeman and not royal. I decided to admit as little as possible; it might suit my purpose to disguise the true nature of my mission.
    ‘What did they tell you?’ I asked guardedly.
    Wulf tipped his hat to the back of his head and leaned forward towards the hissing fire.
    ‘They told me that you are to be guided to our gods,’ he replied, maintaining his pleasant manner. ‘Why does the King wish you to know the powers of the Mighty Ones?’
    ‘Your King would like knowledge of your gods spread to other kingdoms; I am to take back the teachings of your priests to my homeland.’
    The lie was cast before I knew what I was saying, but it sounded convincing and I was pleased with it. Wulf turned his head slowly and looked me full in the face, his eyes cold and shiny as hoarfrost.
    ‘You serve the priests of the new god,’ he said softly. ‘Tell me how you come to prowl in our forests, carrying your god like a concealed dagger?’
    I was stunned by his sudden change in mood and his knowledge of my mission. Nervously I eyed the heavy knife strapped to his belt-sheath. He looked strong and experienced and I knew I would stand no chance in a fight. I started talking feverishly, anxious to placate him.
    ‘The Mercian King is powerful, so powerful that all the rulers of southern kingdoms pay him homage. In the first warm days of spring he commanded Aethelwealh, ruler of your kingdom, to attend the Mercian royal court. There Aethelwealh was ordered to take as his Queen the Christian princess Eabe of the Hwicce people. And on the wedding day Aethelwealh and his court were baptized into the faith of the Lord.’
    I paused, avoiding Wulfs probing stare and running an agitated hand over my close-cropped head.
    ‘Aethelwealh submitted to such a humiliation?’ he said, sounding more curious than shocked.
    ‘Aethelwealh dared not refuse the arrangement,’ I replied. Wulf raised his eyebrows in surprise and I did not mention that the Mercian King had sweetened the pagan ruler by granting him additional lands on the South coast. ‘When your King prepared to return to these lands, the Mercian monarch commanded that he bring with him a small party of monks to attend to the spiritual needs of Queen Eabe. But he also ordered that your King should co-operate with the monks in creating a Mission for Our Lord the Saviour among your people. I am a scribe and serve Brother Eappa, leader of the Mission.’
    Wulf pursed his lips and whistled softly, apparently impressed. Relating the powerful royal authority for my presence seemed to have won respect from my guide and my embarrassment in being caught in a lie melted in a sudden flush of confidence. I allowed myself a smug smile.
    Wulf tugged at his beard thoughtfully. ‘What do you wish to know of our gods?’ he asked, sounding as friendly as when I had encountered him on the hilltop.
    ‘Everything,’ I asserted boldly. ‘The very nature of your beliefs; the names of the gods, the dates and purposes of your festivals and the powers of your priests.’
    I had been instructed to take particular interest in the priests of paganism, for it was these people whom the Mission would seek to replace with servants of the Lord.
    Wulf covered his mouth with his hand. For an instant I thought that he was hiding a sly smile, but when he dropped his hand his expression was serious.
    ‘We are simple people, with simple beliefs. We worship the sun, the moon and the stars on account of their shining brightness. We believe in fire because of its sudden heat; also water and the earth because they nourish all things.’ He shrugged his shoulders dismissively. ‘That is the extent of it.