Peter Tremayne - Smoke in the Wind

‘There is nothing strange in that. I have not changed my attitude. I still maintain that you have no right to interfere in this matter. You are here only to deal with the mystery of Llanpadern. Nothing has changed. But Elen wished to tell you about Clydog as you seem to have the ear of King Gwlyddien. I do not object to that. As I hope I have made clear, I am willing to listen to Elen’s doubts but my opinion is that Idwal killed Brother Meurig. There is an end to the matter. It is now up to King Gwlyddien to clear the forests of Clydog and his men and resolve this matter of conspiracy which Elen overheard.’

There was a pause before Fidelma sighed as if in realisation that he would tell her no more. ‘We appreciate your help in this, Gwnda. One thing more. What do you make of the meeting to which Elen says she was a witness?’

Gwnda rubbed the bridge of his nose thoughtfully. ‘Clydog is a well-known thief in these parts. He and his outlaw band have held sway in the forests of Ffynnon Druidion for several months now. I cannot conceive of any involvement he might have with a religieux. I have no means of knowing what plan they were talking about.’

‘You have told me that nothing is known about Clydog’s background,’ asked Fidelma. ‘If we knew something of that, we might be able to understand something of this matter. What about his compatriot, Corryn? He seems to share the leadership of these outlaws?’

‘I have never heard any stories of him. Only of Clydog.’

Gwnda rose abruptly, signalling an end to the conversation. He glanced through the window and smiled. ‘A clear sky today. There has been no more rain since last night. You will have a good ride back to the abbey of Dewi Sant.’

Fidelma exchanged a look with Eadulf. ‘What gave you the impression that we were returning to the abbey today?’ she inquired.

Gwnda’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he swung round on her. ‘I told you that you would not be welcome here after last night. There is nothing to keep you here.’

‘On the contrary,’ Fidelma said, also rising to her feet. ‘There is much to keep us here.’

She could see Gwnda attempting to control his temper. Just as he was about to articulate his anger there came a shouting outside the door and a moment later it burst open. A youth with wide frightened eyes came into the room with a rush, saw them and skidded to a hold, gasping for breath.

‘A raid!’ he managed to get out after a moment. ‘A raid! Saxon warships.’

‘What do you say?’ gasped Gwnda, staring at the young man. ‘Saxons raiding? Where?’

Eadulf groaned inwardly as he rose to his feet.

‘Can you be more specific?’ Fidelma demanded sharply of the youth. ‘Where are these Saxon warships?’

The young man was agitated and did not reply until Gwnda took him by the arm.

‘Speak, lad!’ he thundered. ‘Where are the Saxons landing?’

‘My father is the cowherd Taloc, my lord. His cattle graze on the pastures at Carregwasted, a few kilometres to the north. You must know it — the old point, overlooking the bay.’

‘Yes, yes. I know it. How many Saxon ships?’ demanded Gwnda impatiently.

‘We were tending the herd beyond when my young sister came running to tell us that a strange ship had entered the bay-’

‘Are you saying there is only one Saxon warship?’ intervened Fidelma.

‘One’s enough,’ cut in Gwnda quickly. ‘Go on, lad. How many warriors? Where are they now?’

The youth looked from one to another in bewilderment, and decided to continue. ‘We went to look at it. My father said it was a Saxon ship, because of the markings on it. He said there was something strange about it.’

‘Something strange about the markings? What?’ interrupted Eadulf.

‘Forget the markings. What happened then?’ urged Gwnda.

‘Some small boats put out from the Saxon ship and came to the rocky beach below. About a score of Saxon warriors with battleaxes and round shields came ashore at the point. .’

Gwnda groaned loudly. ‘I know the place. There is an easy path up from there. They mean to raid us, and I can only raise half a dozen able-bodied men. We will have to abandon the township; take shelter in the woods.’

Fidelma leant forward towards the youth. ‘Did you see them preparing to come up from the beach?’

The young man shook his head. ‘My father shouted to my sister and mother to take what valuables they could carry and hurry towards the forest shelter where they might hide. He went back to the herd to try to get them to safety while he ordered me to come and warn the township.’

Gwnda stood helplessly. ‘We do not have enough warriors to defend the township,’ he groaned. ‘We must evacuate immediately!’

‘Better that we first attempt to discover their intentions before you send your people into a panicked flight,’ suggested Fidelma.

‘Intentions?’ Gwnda laughed sourly. ‘They are Saxons. What other intentions have they but to rape, pillage and burn. They are barbarians!’

Eadulf flushed. ‘Not all my people are barbarians.’ His voice was tight with anger.

‘I suppose you mean to tell me that your countrymen are here to trade peacefully with us?’ Gwnda sneered.

Eadulf took a threatening step forward. Then he halted, controlling the impulse. ‘We do not know why they are here. Nor will we find out if you run away or attack them.’

‘Have we not learnt from the raid at Llanpadern? Or do you reject the evidence? I suppose you think I should go to the point and politely ask them what they want?’

‘It might be an easier option than what you are suggesting, ’ Eadulf replied without thinking.

‘But not a prudent one,’ Fidelma said, rising and laying a hand on his arm, for she saw that Eadulf’s temper was getting the better of him. She knew that his pent-up anger was caused by the guilt he had been made to feel about his Saxon heritage.

‘If there is no man among the people of Llanwnda to go and meet with these Saxons, then I shall go myself. I shall find out what they want,’ he said.

Gwnda stared at him in surprise for a moment and then he chuckled softly. ‘Of course, you are one of them. You will go to them to save your own neck.’

Fidelma let out an angry hiss and stepped in front of Eadulf, more to protect Gwnda from her companion’s physical rage than to protect Eadulf.

‘That is unworthy of you, Gwnda. Brother Eadulf is a man whom I trust with my life and the lives of everyone in this place.’ She hesitated and turned to Eadulf. ‘It is a good idea that we try to parley with them, whoever they are, or at least get close enough to see what their intentions are.’

Eadulf was still simmering at the insult. ‘I did not make the offer to go from self-interest,’ he growled. ‘But I shall go.’

‘ We shall go,’ corrected Fidelma with a smile.

Eadulf shook his head firmly. ‘I go alone. Gwnda is partially right. They are less likely to harm a fellow Saxon if their intention is warlike.’

‘Perhaps,’ Fidelma admitted reluctantly. She could understand his argument. ‘But I will come as far as I can and-’

‘Time is pressing,’ interrupted Gwnda. ‘I shall give the order for the township to be evacuated into the forests. I cannot wait for you to see what these barbarians are about.’

‘You must do as you think fit, Gwnda.’ Fidelma turned to the youth. ‘Boy, point us in the direction of this landing place.’

The youth pointed northwards. ‘Keep going along the northern track until you come to the sea. It is only a kilometre or two, directly to the north. You cannot miss the bay.’

Fidelma and Eadulf went to the stables and saddled their horses. As they left the township, Gwnda had already begun to sound an alarm bell. The place had become a scene of frenetic activity as people ran here and there collecting their children and belongings. Fidelma called to Eadulf: ‘As soon as we come within sight of them, I’ll hang back and you go on. But, for the sake of all you hold dear, Eadulf, please be careful.’