Hosker, G [Wolf Brethren 02] Saxon Revenge Read Online Free Page A

sliced down the back of my calf and the blood flowed freely.  The priest bound it to allow us to journey home where it could be dealt with more effectively.  As we trotted, in my case, painfully home I discussed with the King and Raibeart what had occurred.
    “I think brother that we were spotted the other day when we scouted.  I wondered why there were sheep in that open pasture but no shepherds.  That also explains why we saw no one outside the settlement this morning.”
    I had to ask the painful question; made even more painful by the waves of pulsing agony with each footfall of my mount.  “What is the butcher’s bill?”
    I saw the look exchanged between the king and his son in law. The king sighed, “The men of Elmet and your archers lost few men but fifty of your warriors perished and ten of your horsemen.”
    It was a heavy loss for those warriors could not be easily replaced. “And ten of the boys, my brother.” That cut me to the quick for the boys, my young slingers, had died before their time. Their reckless bravery had cost them and Rheged dear for they would have been the future warriors. “But we killed many more of their warriors.  We might have yielded the field but we left it sown with over a hundred and fifty dead Saxons. There were many others who were wounded.  Their walls are wrecked.  We have won my brother and they will not forget this day.”
    We rode in silence. I suspect the others thought it was my wound which silenced me but it was not.  I had been bested and I did not like it. Despite my brother’s words, to me it felt like a loss as we had left the field with neither victory nor booty. The next time we fought them I would make sure that we were not surprised and we would hurt them. Raibeart made my remaining horsemen take me to hurry me back swiftly to Loidis for my whitening face worried him. In the event it was a good thing he did so for my wound was bleeding more than we had thought and I fainted as we entered the Elmet stronghold.  When I came to the first sight I had was of Raibeart’s concerned face looming over me.
    “You had me worried there; we thought we had lost you.  The holy men have stitched it up but you will not be moving for a few days.”
    I struggled to raise myself but felt drained of all energy. “I will…”
    King Gwalliog’s voice boomed out.  “You will be staying in that bed Lord Lann until I am satisfied that you are healed.  The Saxons have been given a bloody nose and they will be on the alert for a while wondering if we will return.”
    Raibeart nodded. “We captured a couple of prisoners and they were terrified that the Wolf Warrior was coming to get them.” My face must have displayed my thoughts for Raibeart smiled, “Aye brother.  Saxon mothers frighten their naughty children warning them that the Wolf Warrior will come in the night and take them if they are naughty. That is why they fought so hard to get at you and also why the warriors inside fell back when your wedge broke through.  Wach has sworn to have your head on his walls.”
    I slumped back on to the bed.  All I wanted was to sleep but I still had my duty to perform.  “Raibeart we need to find where their other settlements are. Have our scouts find them. We will keep them guessing where we will attack next.”
    “It is already planned.  Garth and I will be leading the patrols on the morrow. Now rest and then you can tell us of the plan which is hatching in your fertile mind.” My brother knew me well.  I had already begun to devise a strategy which would defeat these men from the sea.
    I drifted in and out of consciousness for the next two days.  I suspected the priests had put some drug in my water but after three days I felt better and I was allowed to sit up.  King Gwalliog and my brother joined me when they had returned from their patrols.
    “You have a better colour Lord Lann. The priests tell me that you can walk soon.”
    “I will walk tomorrow.” I