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

was not as confident as I had sounded. 
    “We will see.  Now what is this plan you have concocted.  I am intrigued.”
    “It is obvious that they will outnumber us.” I turned to Raibeart. “How many Saxon strongholds are there?”
    “We found six although none are as stout as Wachanglen.” Raibeart had deduced which way this was going and he pre-empted my next question.  “I would think the six hamlets could field eighty men each, at least.”
    “If we add them to the force at Wachanglen then we can see that the enemy will be twice our strength.”
    “Not if we use our own people when we have sown our crops.”
    I shook my head.  “I would rather fight now for we will weaken them. Did you see many workers toiling in their fields and meadows brother?”
    “No.  They were on the watch for us and, had they had horses, they would have chased us.”
    “You see, King Gwalliog, our very presence weakens them. Your people are preparing for the summer and autumn and you will have a good harvest.  They will not and, in the long run, that will be how we defeat them. We will use nature and the earth to be our allies.  Famine and hunger are fierce enemies.”
    King Gwalliog looked disappointed. “That does not seem glorious.”
    “It isn’t but, when this is over, you will have more people than they do.  We will strike at their smaller settlements using archers and horsemen.  We are mobile.  All of Raibeart’s archers can ride and we can weaken them by constant attacks.  We will make them watch for us, not knowing when or where we will strike. Eventually Wach will tire of this and he will come here to attack you. We will lay a trap for him. Our horsemen can watch for them and warn us of their arrival. Then they can stay without the walls while they hurl themselves at your defences.  The archers will thin them out and they will not expect us to attack them.  When they are weakened enough then the horse and the foot will attack at the same time.”
    Raibeart nodded. “They will have seen our dead warriors and as the only forces they see will be a few horsemen and archers they will assume that they have seen off the threat of our men.”
    I could see that King Gwalliog was not convinced.  “Once they have been drawn here and weakened then you can call up all of your forces and drive them from your land. You can lead your mighty host.” The beaming smile told me that I had used the right argument.  He saw himself as another King Urien leading a mighty army and showing his people that it was he who had destroyed the Saxons.  That was the difference between the two kings; one saw the end result while the other wanted their name enshrined in men’s memory. I was pleased that I had chosen to follow the former. “While we harry them you can improve the defences of this stronghold to make them bleed upon its walls.”
    I defied the King and the priests by walking the following day.  I knew that I would not be able to stand in a shield wall but I also knew that we had no intention of fighting the Saxon way.  We would fight my way. The people of Elmet reared horses and we were able to procure thirty extra horses for our archers.  They would not be fighting on horseback but we needed speed to achieve our ends. We would dismount them when the archers fought and then use them to evade any pursuit. Raibeart tried to dissuade me from participating in the raids. “Raibeart, I allow that you are the finest archer in Rheged but we both know that I am a close second.  In addition I want my Wolf banner and my helmet to draw Wach to attack us.  We need him to know who we are.”
    “Garth could carry the banner and wear your helmet.”
    I glared at him.  “Do you know so little of me that you think I would let someone else risk his life for me. I command this force and I make those decisions.”
    He looked at me with fear on his face.  “I only mean to protect you, Lann.”
    I relented, “I know and I am sorry