Chronicles of the Brittany Kings Chapter 36

 36

 

Hengist adjusted the legging of his. He was irate that he was to wear it during the warm season. He preferred the loose skirt material that will wrap his thighs. He looked at Horsa who was struggling with the same thoughts.

“It will be needed,” Hengist told the other.

“We are to meet them but are we to dress like them, with all the dainty coats,” Horsa cursed at the meeting that he was to attend. “Why can’t we just meet them in battle?”

“Hush, Horsa. This event was planned so that we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed.” Hengist cautioned the other. “I am to release the fox into the chicken shed here.”

“Alas, let me be the wolf to lead the pack to slaughter the chickens and the farmer.” Horsa smiled.

“You should know that if we are to meet the bear, we need to trap it first.” Hengist had then taken the artavum (the short knife of the Anglo-Saxons) in his right hand.

“I recalled this when handed to me by father. He told me that …”: Hengist was cut off by Horsa.

“You use this pig sticker on the arse of your enemy.”

“Do not desecrate the memories of my father, Horsa. He was a great warrior.” Hengist glared at the other. “He gave me the artavum which was his from his father. And from the father of my father.”

“Okay, you have an heirloom of your family while I hold the two balls that spawned more families.”

“Stay your thoughts, Horsa. Remember our planning. It will be ours to win the war.”.

Those thoughts were the same from Rowena to her lover. Vortigern was uneasy that they were to meet when all their previous meetings even when they were allies were always cautious with their guards nearby.

“Are you sure Hengist agreed to the meet without any guards or swords?” Vortigern looked to his lover. 

“Yes, he had told me so. Why would he fear you when we are one in love?” Rowena asked Vortigern.

“Do you fear there will be treachery?” The lady added. “I can be your hostage if you fear Hengist. If there are any foul deeds, remove my life.”

“No, my love. I did not mean that. I always cherish you at my side, regardless of how the others may think of you.” Vortigern cuddled his lover into his arms. “I will go and meet him now. Stay safe here.”

The gathering was at Kaercaradoc (Now named Salisbury) to be attended by four hundred and sixty Lords and leaders on the Briton side. The same numbers were met by the Anglo-Saxons. The place of the gathering was a huge hall inside the monastery. For that gathering, the Anglo-Saxons had arranged a series of long tables, totaling eighty sets set with benches for the gathered, and a feast was set.

“Come forth, my friends of Briton.” Hengist stood in the middle of the hall to greet the guests. “Let no one here be afraid of each other. Let no weapons be present here. I had the meat knives removed in case it was misused tonight.”

That drew laughter from the Anglo-Saxons but the Britons remained silent.

“Please have yourself at the feast here. The meats are from the morning hunt and freshly roasted with an ample sprinkling of herbs and sauces. It may be too rich for some of you so we had the other meats done as if it was from your kitchen.” Hengist gave the toasts then. “Our meads are from the finest in our land. We could not have any of yours, for the hunters refuse our coins for fear we cheated. They took our furs instead.”

“The farmers were more accepting of our coins. Or was it yours we earned before?’ Hengist added. “We asparagus, turnips, peas, garlic, cabbages, celery, onions, leeks, cucumbers, globe artichokes, figs, medlars, sweet chestnuts, cherries, and …. plums. Truly more than a mouthful.”

That drew more laughter which included some of the Lords.

“Not to your liking, I will add.” It was Vortigern who spoke out.

“Nay but we can adapt. I will allay your fear here. We are to be friends. We will feast with you and then we can work out the truce between me and your King.” Hengist smiled. “Let the feast begin.”

The mood was still tense, and it was Horsa who roared the chiefs to begin the feast.

“Lauerd king wachi hei!” The toast was called. It was an adapted toast then and soon all the gathered had joined in. The mood soon changed when the mead drink loosened the tension between those there. The feast went on with the singing and unaware by the Britons, the Anglo-Saxons were mingling onto their benches or being invited to the other side.

“Lauerd king wachi hei!” Vortigern was soon roaring the toast with his host. Then the call came from Hengist.

“Eu nimet saxas" was the pre-arranged call for the Anglo-Saxons to draw their artavum hidden at the heels of their shoes.

“What’s that? Vortigern asked. He was surprised when the Anglo-Saxons pulled the weapon to kill the Britons.

“Hengist! What are they doing?” Vortigern seated there was stunned by the action of his host. He confronted Hengist who had leveled the knife at his chest. There was a fight then, with some resisting their attackers but they were unarmed. Their numbers fell then. Some of the Lords fought hard and found their exit at the doorways. They were pursued by the Anglo-Saxons.

“Flee! I will fight them.” One who fought hard was Lord Eidol, the Earl of Gloucester. The Lord had grabbed the staff that was used to roast the meat over the charcoal fire. He swung it at the attacker to escape. He saw himself cornered but he managed to fight his way out. He was wounded and found a horse to ride on.

Lord Eidol was the only survivor besides Vortigern.

“Now we speak of the truce now.” Vortigern was told by Hengist standing there among the chiefs with their arms bloodied from their killings.

The Anglo-Saxons were to be given many more lands including East Saxum and Middlesex. The victory came with resentment and anger from the Britons.

“Hengist lied to me.” Vortigern confronted his lover after his return to the castle.

“No, he did not. Hengist did what was needed to avenge the betrayal of Vortimer. Your side renegade on the arrangement which caused many of my people to be slaughtered. Now, it's retribution for it.”

Retribution never ends. 

Across the land, Aurelius was told of the massacre. He rushed to see King Aldrian.

“I must go back to my land.”

“You shall. Get your army ready.” Aurelius was told.