The Angry Mermaid 68 or Y Morforwyn Dicllon 68

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Drustina finally defeats a determined Viking invasion force and returns to Hoek to find more problems have beset Queen Dalcimon.

Her solution in saving Queen Dalcimon inadvertently provides Drustina with a nucleus of men who are dependent upon Drustina for their salvation.

The Angry Mermaid 68

Or

Y Morforwyn Dicllon 68.

Mabina.... The youngest daughter and Twin to
Drustan.... Her twin brother.
Grandpa Erin.... the twin’s grandfather.
Giana.... The twin’s grandmother
Caderyn.... The twin’s father.
Herenoie.... The twin’s wise and beautiful mother.
Morgaran.... The Twins oldest brother.
Aiofe.... The twin’s oldest sister. Famous for her beauty.
Tara.... The twin’s second oldest sister. Famous for her grace.
Feidlim.... Twins aunt (Caderyns’ beautiful sister.)
Mogantu.... Twins uncle (Married to Feidlim.) Chief of the Gangani tribe.
Brun.... Twins 2nd cousin and the Acaman clans’ blacksmith.
Feorin.... Twins second brother. Also training to be a blacksmith.
Rhun.... Feidlims’ son and Feorins’ favourite 1st Cousin. (Both red-heads.)
Arina.... Child of a Demetae fisherman, (rescued by Aiofe, Drustan and Mabina.)
Penderol.... Dumnonii Minor chief.
Udris.... Young Dumnonii warrior.
Dryslwyn.... High chief of the whole Celtic nation. Dwells in Brithony.
Bronlwyn.... Dryslwyn’s wife (and queen.)
Magab.... The moor who taught numbers.
Eric.... Saxon galley slave rescued from Corsair pirates.
Carl.... Another Saxon galley slave rescued by Drustan.
Torvel.... Celtic galley slave rescued from the same captured corsair ship
Arton.... Turdetani Chieftain Holder of Gibral Rock.
Carinia.... Arton’s wife.
Isobel.... Arton’s adopted daughter.
Appotel.... King of the Turdetani Tribe. (Southern Iberia.)
Bramana.... Queen. (Wife of Appotel)
Pilus.... King of the Capetani.
Shaleen.... Pilus’s queen and sister to Bramana.
Pedoro.... Lord Marshal of the Southern border region.
Lady Shulaar.... Lord Pedoro’s wife.
Taan.... The scullery maid.
Isaar.... Pedoro’s oldest son.
Ferdie.... Pedoro’s 2nd son
Sular.... Pedoro’s 3rd son
Gontala.... Pedoro’s youngest son.
Shenoa.... Pedoro’s only daughter.
Portega.... Tyrant King to the west.
Portua.... Portega’s grandson.
Jubail.... Old Fisherman.
Mutas.... Magab’s younger brother and usurper.
Walezia.... King of Malta.
Alviar.... Megalomaniacal bishop of Carthage. (Hates Drustina.)
Ethelia.... Female healer who treats Drustina during her pregnancy.
Seripatese.... Drustina’s faithful horse.
Astos & Amitor.... Minor royalty who govern Alexandria. King and Twin Queen.
Meronee.... Nubian Queen of Nobatia The northern Kingdom of the Nubians.
Horam.... The Egyptian master Boat builder.
Muraa.... King Astos’s male partner.
Tuk.... Makurian general.
Fantu.... Makurian Captain.
Irene.... Emperor Leon’s only child.
Leon.... Byzantine Emperor.
Zano.... Byzantine general who defeats the Bulgars with Drustina’s help.
Urthos.... The Gaul elected captain of the 4th ship. Ex Barbary galley slave.
Horus.... Horam the boat-builder’s son.
Sister Catherine.... Leader of the pirate nuns.
Guthrun.... Jarl of Bornholm.
Etheline.... Guthruns’ wife the countess of Bornholm.
Seripatese.... Drustinas’ mare
Capenda.... Taras’ mare.
Athun.... Gay king of Dark Age Denmark.
Queen Elthorn.... King Athuns’ Consort.
Iselda.... Athun and Brendigan, younger (middle) sister.
Heingist.... Drustina’s loyal Danish navigator and pilot.
Brendigan.... Athun’s older sister and consort queen of Svenland.
Bjorn.... The captain of the Palace Guard. King Athun’s partner.
Morgan and Amethyst.... Drustina’s twin children.
Dalcimon .... Queen of West Friesia.
Andrar .... Prince of West Friesia (Dalcimon’s son.)

Chapter 68.

As dawn broke the north-west wind sent a chill through Drustina’s bones. She shivered as she watched Carl’s ship approaching. Immediately he was in earshot he hailed her.

“Nothing to report Dru’ anything your end?”

“No. We might as well just set a roster of picket ships. I’d like to get back to Hoek and learn how our battle was won. I suppose the others will be still recovering from their celebrations. There’ll be plenty of tall tales being told.”

Carl grinned as he added; “and bullshit!” He’d celebrated enough times to know what Drustina meant. They called the lieutenants together and drew lots to determine the rota. Once she’d ensured her instructions were understood and her warnings clearly heard by all, Drustina left two ships as picket ships then invited Carl and the others to join her towards the estuary and Hoek. The north wind drove them upstream quickly and they arrived to find the little harbour full of Eric and Urthos’s ships.

“Dammit! We’ll have to anchor in the river.” She cursed.

Carl drew alongside and added his own epletives.

“They’re selfish buggers. Couldn’t wait to get ashore and go bragging to all and sundry. Dalcimon the queen is going to have to build a bigger bloody dock.”

“Not my problem Carl. As soon as all is sorted here, I’m for Lleyn and home.”

“It’s getting late in the year Drew. You yourself said the winter storm waves of the great sea are unbelievably wild and huge. Will you be safe?”

“I can always put into the Dumnonii harbour or even the Demetae haven; provided they haven’t been recaptured by the blasted Vikings. Come on, let’s go ashore."

They were quietly relieved to see a small boat depart from the last couple of feet of quayage; at least they wouldn’t have to wade through the sticky black mud. As the ferry man met them at the rail he sensed Drustina’s ire.

“I’m sorry there was no space for you in Dock my lady. They just wouldn’t listen yesterday when we tried to reserve your berth. Short of raising my sword there was no way of damping their jubilant mood. I was one, they were many.”

Drustina pursed her lips irritably.

“Don’t worry, ferry man, Carl and I will make our feelings well known. Who were the main culprits?”

The ferryman hesitated before conceding.

“The Saxons and the Gauls ma-am, but it was mainly the mood of euphoria. Everybody wanted to get ashore quickly, to celebrate.”

“Aye, well I’ll give them celebrate. We’ve been freezing our butts off for another night and that north wind is bloody cruel! Get some of our men to sort the bloody ships out. None of us are in any mood for hanging around at anchor.”

“How shall I decide the priority?”

Drustina gave a long impatient sigh.

“I don’t bloody know. Use your own initiative. Is there a harbour master anywhere?”

“No. None has been chosen.”

“Right then, I’m appointing you. If anybody complains, they can answer to my bloody sword. Sort it!”

The ferry-man visibly puffed with pride as he found himself promoted and by no less authority than the supreme one. He cast about to note Carl and Drustina’s battle weary companions nod approval. Thus fortified he had the authority to enforce much needed order. As Carl and Drustina stepped ashore at the only available ferry steps they smiled as they heard the ferry-man begin to roust about the hanger’s-on who were loafing on the quay.

“You heard her majesty. These ships have got to be tidied up. We’ll probably get them all in if we just arrange them tighter and neater.”

Drustina and Carl were already out of earshot by the time the new harbourmaster had kicked enough butts to get action started. They found Eric and Urthos comfortably ensconced in a newly erected hut that served as the only inn in Hoek. Carl scolded them good humouredly as Drustina simply wagged her head in mock despair.

“Trust you cunning buggers to grab the best billets. I suppose Andrar’s sleeping with his mum over there.”

Carl nodded towards another hastily erected building that looked big enough to serve as a town meeting place and/or royal residence. Eric enlightened them.

“No. They’re both sleeping in the watch tower it’s the only stone structure with any defensive accommodation as yet and they’re still concentrating on the defences.”

“Huh. They’ve got some sense then. I expected to find all of you snoring off your hangovers.”

Eric and Urthos exchanged sheepish glances then Eric confessed.

“Well, we did tie one on last night — everybody did — except the lad, Prince Andrar and the Frankish reinforcements. But we felt safe; you and Carl were out there — on patrol.”

Drustina nodded sagely.

“Yeah, at least the lad’s got sense. He’ll go far that one. I’d better pay her majesty a visit ... give her a sensible account of the situation. Don’t suppose you clots did — too busy bullshitting and carousing I suppose.”

Urthos grinned a little guiltily.

“We were waiting for you to tell her. If you hadn’t turned up today we would have told her. I suppose her son’s told her anyway.”
Carl got impatient.

“He’s a fifteen-year-old boy Urthos. D’you think he would be able to make a balanced, mature assessment of the situation?”

“Well no, but — well; it doesn’t matter now, you’re here.”

Carl wagged his head even as Drustina snorted derisively and turned to make for the watch tower. He joined her as she stalked impatiently along the street and they fell to chatting.

“They’re good warriors Dru’ but they’ll never make chiefs.”

“I dunno’ Carl, I think Eric’s got his eye on Dalcimon.”

Carl stopped, shocked by Drustina’s revelation.

“You’re not serious!”

“I am. Womanly intuition Carl, we notice these things.”

“Well the crafty bugger!”

“It’s no matter. Andrar is the rightful successor and everybody knows it. Dalcimon’s a frightened, lonely woman and she wants a companion, she was only fourteen when she was married and she’s still quite a young woman.”

“Yeah, and an attractive one!”

“Yes, well that’s no matter. If she and Eric hit it off, good luck to them I say.”

Carl frowned.

“D’you think Eric’s got ambitions; you know, becoming king or something?”

“He’d have to kill Andrar and I can’t see the Gauls, Franks and Friesians standing for that. It would upset the stability of their alliance. Everybody sees Andrar as the symbol of stability and legality, he’s the legitimate successor."

Carl nodded and sighed.

“So it looks like only you and I are going to Britannica; me to find my brother and sisters, you to get your homelands back.”

“What about Urthos?” Drustina ventured.

“He wants to go home to Gaul; he’s had enough of soldiering and adventuring.”

“Haven’t we all Carl, and that’s the truth.”

Carl gave a weary yes as they met the guards at the watch tower who stopped them at the door.

“We want to see Dalcimon.” Drustina explained.

“You must surrender your swords before you can meet with her majesty.”

Carl bristled with anger.

“Who made that rule and do you know who we are?”

“Those are my orders, from the queen herself.”

Carl was about to erupt into fury but fortunately, Drustina’s long association with him alerted her to his impending rage. She gently placed her hand on his wrist as he reached for his sword.

“Not now Carl. So guardsman, I take it you don’t know who we are, you must be the Frankish reinforcements who arrived while we were fighting the Vikings. Just tell her majesty that the Lioness of Carthage has returned.”

The guardsman frowned and despatched his companion to speak with Dalcimon. He returned with the unexpected reply.

“Her Majesty Queen Dalcimon can’t see you now. She’s indisposed.”

Drustina stiffened momentarily even as she sensed Carl go tense. Something was not right.

Drustina tried again.

“Tell Her Majesty Queen Dalcimon that the Lioness of Carthage is at her door with vital information.”

The guard turned to his messenger who disappeared inside again only to reappear with a third guard who asked what the information was then added that he would relay the message.

“I don’t pass secret and vital information via strangers. I will speak with the queen immediately, so step aside or I’ll make you!”

“You and who’s army?” Asked the third Frankish guard, who felt emboldened that he and his two cronies outnumbered the single Saxon and this garrulous, uppity woman.

For a moment Drustina was speechless with disbelief while Carl discreetly shifted his position so as to protect his erstwhile companion from attack on her left. His movement alerted Drustina that Carl was prepared to respond instantly. Drustina’s silence emboldened the third guard who presumed, stupidly, that he had faced the cheeky bitch down. He shifted his stance to a posture that he thought demonstrated complete contempt for the interfering pair and this was his mistake. Drustina and Carl had fought a dozen battles side by side and there response was second nature. The time for talking was over. Drustina reached up seemingly to push a stray hair behind her ear; it was their long established signal and Carl’s sword whipped out with lightening speed. The messenger was run through before anybody else had moved.

Simultaneously, Drustina unsheathed her sword and stepped forward thus forcing the first guard to step back to unsheathe his sword. It was a forlorn effort as he realised Drustina was already too close for him to swing his sword and he was forced to draw his arm back in order to effectively stab the woman. Even as his elbow went up and back to unsheathe his sword, Drustina’s unsheathed blade cut into his throat. He died with a soft gargle as the blood bubbled out through the hole in his trachea.

The third guard was too stunned to react but he managed to leap back and bare his blade as he yelled to others in the watchtower. It was his last act as two blades sliced with fatal precision into his throat and chest. Drustina and Carl knew from long experience that they had to keep up their momentum and they exploded into the central keep of the watchtower just as the Franks were gathering their wits.

The sudden plunge from daylight into candle-lit gloom did not catch the pair unawares for they had invaded many a fortress. Carl reached out for Drustina’s hand and held it as they simply beat off every other sword whilst knowing that their companion was beside them and safe from mistaking each other. Within seconds, seven Franks and an officer lay dead or dying as peace returned to the keep. After silence settled, Drustina called out.

“Dalcimon! Andrar. Are you there?”

The silence was deafening as it presaged the pair’s foreboding. Drustina voiced both their thoughts

“Damn! Where can they be?”

“The only place is up above. I noticed the watch tower is a little higher than when we left. They’ve been busy.”

“Yeah; and we thought they were concentrating on defences. I’m thinking this is nothing more than a prison! “

“And — we — are - inside — it!” Carl replied thoughtfully.

Drustina cursed.

“Shit! The door! Quick!”

Too late, the door closed with a dull ‘clunk’ then they both heard a lock bar being slid home.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Carl cursed as he heaved with his considerable strength. “What now?”

“Well we look around the place first; see what’s about.”

The pair immediately clambered up the wooden ladder to the first level then up a second ladder before they stepped out onto the castellated top of the watch-tower. A small stone cupboard immediately caught their eyes and they stepped towards it. It was locked but Carl drew his broad-sword and quickly chiselled a stone loose from the freshly mortared walls. Drustina watched with evident satisfaction as he set about smashing the lock. It sprang quickly and he wrenched the door open to find Dalcimon and Andrar gagged and trussed like chickens. Both warriors cursed and set to freeing the captives.

Carl stood grinning as Drustina used her sharper Toledo blade to deftly slice away the bindings.

“So what’s going on?” Drustina demanded as soon as Dalcimon’s gag was off.

“I think it’s a coup.”

“What! By the Franks?”

“I’m not sure. They didn’t sound like my people but they speak Frankish.”

By now Drustina had freed Andrar who was furious with embarrassment and anger.

“They were Belgiie!” Their country is under the Frankish king and they’re trying to break free.”

“So why attack you?” Drustina pursued the question already half knowing the answer.

Dalcimon stared at her.

“I’m his niece. I’m thinking they were hoping to use me as some sort of bargaining chip.”

“Yeah. That would follow,” growled Carl as he lifted Andrar to his feet and checked him over while Drustina checked out Dalcimon.

“I’m okay!” Andrar protested, “It’s my pride they took.”

“And your sword,” Carl finished then continued. “We’ve got to find a way out of here.”

“The door is too strong.” Dalcimon declared.

“I know, I tried it. We’ll have to find a way of getting over the wall.”

Andrar looked over and frowned.

“It must be all of fifty or sixty feet.”

The four of them peered doubtfully over the castellations and fell silent. Then Carl had a thought.

“How long is your hair Dru?”

She stared at him in disbelief.

“It’s long Carl, you know that; but it’s not that bloody long!”

“No I was thinking of making ties.

“To tie what?”

Even as she asked, Dru realised what Carl was thinking.

“Ahh! The ladders.”

Andrar and Dalcimon still hadn’t caught on but already Carl was climbing down to the first level. He called Andrar down to help him and soon Drustina could hear them grunting and heaving. When the top of the ladder appeared through the roof, she and Dalcimon grabbed it and added extra strength. Within minutes, both ladders lay at their feet and Drustina was already sawing at her hair. She glared at Carl then grinned.

“This is going to cost you big time. I’m ruining my hair cutting it this way!”

“Better your hair than your head girl.”

As the first tress came off, Carl immediately set to lashing the ladders end to end. By the time the second tress was off Carl was manhandling the ladders towards the wall and Drustina was fashioning a large loop to cast around the Castellation. The hair wasn’t long enough and Carl looked pointedly at Dalcimon. Drustina grinned.

“Thought you were going to get away with it didn’t you?”

Dalcimon grinned sheepishly then loosened her hair and it tumbled spectacularly down to her curvy bottom.

“More than enough!” Drustina cried triumphantly as she sliced easily through the queen’s beautiful tresses.”

“Such a pity,” Carl sighed as he finally fashioned the loop and slid the combined ladders over the wall.

They studied their handiwork with evident satisfaction and grinned as Carl suggested.

“You first Dru, you’re the lightest I think and you can protect the bottom of the ladder while I guard the top in case they come.”

“Seems like a plan,” Drustina grinned as she slipped nimbly over the wall and scampered quickly down the ladder.

The ladder invention did not quite reach the ground but Drustina easily dropped the remaining ten feet onto the soft mud that formed the bank of the creek. She looked up to see Dalcimon picking her way down the ladder so she stood by the bottom and as Dalcimon lowered herself from the bottom rung, Drustina stretched up just enough for Dalcimon to place her feet in Drustina’s up-stretched hands. Dalcimon descended easily and with some royal dignity as they smiled with satisfaction.

Immediately Andrar followed, keen to amend his shame at being caught then finally Carl descended very carefully as the ladder assembly creaked and swayed precariously. Dropping the last ten feet, he landed with a heavy ‘gloop’ and sank past his knees.

“Well that was easier than I thought it would be,” Carl gasped as he extricated himself from the soft mud.

“We’d best get away from here ASAP.” Drustina urged. They’ll be back with reinforcements any moment.

“I think I can hear them now,” Andrar cautioned as he helped Carl wipe the smelly ooze from his thighs and knees.

The four needed no further urging and Drustina nodded towards some deeper water further along the bank.

“Quickly, we can step into the water without leaving any signs then we can swim across. They may find out how we escaped but they’ll have no idea where we went.”

The others quickly grasped her point and the four slipped hastily to the deeper pool where the steep bank enabled them to step down into the water without leaving footprints in the mud. Within moments, the four were swimming across the creek and quickly hid themselves amongst some reeds and weeping willow on the opposite bank. From between the reed stalks they watched the action around the tower.

“We only just made it,” Drustina whispered.

“We’re not out of the woods yet. “ Carl replied. “There are five hundred of those Belgiie reinforcements garrisoned in the town and our guys aren’t even aware they’re also our enemies.

“Four hundred and ninety,” Andrar corrected him. “We’ve killed ten of them already!”

Carl and Drustina exchanged smiles as Dalcimon scolded her son for his precocity. Carl remarked.

“I love an optimist, don’t you Dru?”

“Yes, well he can precocity his way to the ships and warn the crews.” She turned to Andrar. “Go on lad. Swim over to the ships at anchor and be quick about it. Tie this to your belt. It will confirm your sincerity.”

She handed him one of her earrings and he tucked it away as he scuttled along the bank of the creek to where it entered the main river. There was a slight ‘plop’ as he slid into the water then the remaining three saw him making for the ships. All three silently urged him to success and a veritable sigh of relief escaped silently as they saw him climb onto The Mermaid and start talking to Hengis while pointing to the tower.

The action was immediate and within minutes, Hengis had assembled a useful couple of hundred men from all the ships to send a raiding party ashore. The gap between ships and shore was less than a bowshot and soon the small boats were ferrying men quickly until Heingist’s band had landed at the mouth of the creek on both sides. Andrar immediately returned to Drustina, Carl and Dalcimon.
Drustina noted the tactic approvingly. Heingist already had command of the creek plus Drustina’s bank and the stone quay that bordered the dock. They could step ashore quickly and they did so, immediately invading the town searching out their own comrades.
Drustina, Carl and Dalcimon remained amongst the bushes as the hue and cry rose higher until the clash of sword blades told them that battle had commenced.

“Should we join them?” Andrar asked. “Hengis knows where we are.”

“When our men appear at the base of the watch-tower then it will be safe to cross back.” Drustina cautioned him.

Even as she spoke, a splinter from the spreading battle appeared on the opposite bank as Drustina recognised Urthos roaring like his namesake — a bear. A running battle was in full flow and it was obvious now that Drustina’s forces were fully alerted. She nodded to Carl.

“Now, I think. We’ll pincer them between us, the tower and Urthos’s band.”

Without hesitation Carl plunged back into the creek as Drustina and the young prince followed. Dalcimon naturally held back for she had neither sword nor martial skills.

The Belgiie group were too pre-occupied fighting Urthos’s band to notice the trio swimming across the creek behind them. The trio emerged un-noticed and immediately attacked the Belgiie group from behind. Three were dead before the usurpers realised they were under attack from behind and the ensuing shock totally demoralised them. They surrendered immediately and Andrar was surprised to see Drustina accept their surrender.

As the group were being secured he asked Drustina.

“You gave the Vikings no quarter before; why are you accepting terms for these traitors?”

Carl answered for Drustina as she went to speak to Urthos.

“Intelligence lad, we need information, who, where, what, when, why and how. Your mother definitely needs to know her enemies.”

“Ah. I see.” Andrar grinned, he was learning with every battle.

As the Belgiie were finally secured, Carl greeted Urthos.

“Where’s Eric?”

“Gone to the town-hall, we think the women ran there for refuge when the fighting started. We thought Dalcimon was there.”

“Didn’t Hengis tell you she was with us?” Carl wondered.

“It was pandemonium at first before we gathered our wits. Hengis didn’t have time to tell anybody anything. He just raised the alarm and carried on fighting furiously to give us time to get organised.”

“Is he okay?”

“He was the last time I saw him, then we got separated as he and Eric fought their way into town. Hengis did well. I’m hoping he’s reached the town-hall.”

Carl nodded then looked at Urthos’s arm.

“You’d better get that wound seen to and look after Queen Dalcimon. That’s her just coming out of the creek. Dru and I will head for the town hall. We’ll see if her sister Tara and the twins are okay.”
Urthos nodded as Andrar piped up.

“Can I come with you? I can lend an extra sword.”

Carl glanced questioningly to Drustina who shrugged and nodded. It seemed the battle was still going on near the town-hall. They gathered the majority of Urthos’s men and set off towards the clamour of the battle.

Once again they chose a circular route and sneaked up behind the main body of Belgiie; and again, their sudden appearance un-nerved the Belgiie and they sued for quarter. Drustina gave it then dashed into the main hall to check on the women. She was relieved and pleased to find them unharmed and she emerged in a forgiving mood for the Belgiie had proved to be honourable men; they had not harmed any women or children.

Queen Dalcimon was all for executing the leaders out of hand but Drustina had learned a thing or two since her later battles in Polaski, Dane-mark and Svenland. When calls were made for a gallows to be erected, Drustina enforced her will. At first, even her loyal commanders were bemused but she drew them aside from the clamour for blood and explained.

“Listen Carl, Urthos, Eric, I have no gripe with the Belgiie, nor have the Saxons, nor the Gauls. These are dead men walking if Dalcimon has her way but I can use them. The Belgiie are under vassalage to the Frankish king and I have learned, as you have during the negotiations of the Anti-Viking pact that the Frankish king is not a very nice fellow. He more-or-less imposed his niece Dalcimon onto the Friesian chief just to try and gain suzerainty over this tiny kingdom. If he gets word of this rebellion he will probably punish the whole tribe of the Belgiie for kidnapping his niece and I won’t let that happen. I’m sick of seeing women butchered cos’ that’s what it usually boils down to.”

“So?” Asked Eric. “Dalcimon’s got just cause to call for their executions.”

Drustina frowned.

“You all know what it’s like to be enslaved. The Belgiie are in vassalage to the Franks. Everybody wants freedom.”

“So what are you getting at?” Urthos wondered.

“I need warriors if I’m to get back my homeland of Lleyn. These guys face either execution if they’re officers or enslavement if they’re just common soldiers. I’m prepared to offer these guys manumission or pardon if they are prepared to follow me.”

“How can you be sure they won’t betray you or murder you the moment your back is turned?” Carl demanded.

“Just let Dalcimon execute a few officers first, that’ll concentrate their minds first. Then I’ll step in with my offer. I have no fight with the Belgiie and they know they’ll never be able to return to their tribal lands again. Dalcimon’s uncle will hunt them down like deer.”

Eric nodded thoughtfully.

“It makes some sense Dru, but Carl’s worries are justified.”

“But I need an army Eric. Just look how my companions are drifting away. Why even you yourself have designs on Dalcimon. Urthos wants to return to Gaul, most of the Saxons are angling to get home except Carl and a few score who are like him, looking for their families in Britannia after the famine in Saxony. Nearly all of the ex nuns have got Saxon husbands, so they’ll be looking to settle with them in Saxony. There’s nearly three hundred Belgiie still alive, they’d make a useful force provided I can win their loyalty and their respect.”

Carl smiled and nodded.

“Well you’re good at that Dru. By the Gods, if there’s one thing you can do, it’s win men’s loyalty and affections.”

Drustina smiled gratefully but she was still worried by his earlier statement; ‘What if the Belgiie did prove disloyal?’ She took Carl to one side and had a quiet chat.

“Listen Carl, I’ve got a plan. I know this makes me look like a cruel uncaring bitch but hear me out. When Dalcimon starts her executions it might behove us to let the officers be executed. I will not be there initially, let’s say I’ve got some business on the ships. You can also make yourself scarce but just keep an eye out to see how the executions are going. The last thing I want is Belgiie officers questioning my wisdom at some later date.

If you secrete yourself so that you cannot be seen but you can see the executions then you can make some mild protest and pretend to run off to find me to put a stop to the executions. That way, I will appear as some sort of saint to them for after all, we were fighting in the streets not an hour ago.”

“D’you think they’ll fall for it?”

“I’ll admit it’s just a bit of theatre but action speaks louder than words. If they actually see me remonstrating with Dalcimon and then stopping the executions, I’m pretty sure they’ll see me as some sort of saviour. I think most of them will fall for it.”
Carl smiled and wagged his head in mild amusement.

“By the gods Dru, you’re one cunning bitch! I’m beginning to think you used some sort of subterfuge to free us from the moors.”

“Hey! I rescued you didn’t I!? And I’ve seen you right every time we’ve gone into battle. I’m not some sort of con-artist. I’ll be offering these bloody Belgiie a genuine salvation and return to freedom. It’ll be death, enslavement and/or banishment from their homelands if I don’t.”

“Well, I’ll not argue with that. Come on let’s do it. You’d best pretend your checking out Tara and the twins then I’ll come looking for you.”

Drustina’s plan worked reasonably well.

Dalcimon and her son Andrar did not even bother with the fiction of some sort of trial. Within the hour, a chopping block had been placed under the tree that served as an open-air meeting space and the first leaders of the coup were brought forward. A rope was hung from the lowest suitable branch and a large sword was placed across the chopping block. As each officer was brought forward he was asked if he preferred hanging or beheading.

Playing exactly to script, Carl watched the first beheading then he approached Dalcimon respectfully and voiced his supposed concerns.

“Your majesty, would it not be a good idea to give these rogues a chance to explain their reasons for attacking Hoek?”

“I don’t think so. They attacked me and my son without warning and they locked me up in the Watch-tower with obvious intentions to murder us.”

“But up until that point they had attacked nobody. All they did was gag you, bind you and hide you away.”

“With obvious intentions to murder us!” Andrar added, supporting his mother.

“You were alive when Queen Drustina found you and you are alive now. I think these men should be given a fair hearing.”

“They didn’t give me a fair hearing; they just snared me, tied me up and locked me away.”

“They didn’t kill you Your Majesty. The battle afterwards was simply that, a battle, a war. Some of these men may not have had a choice.”

Dalcimon then let slip a tiny light onto her true nature. Having been born a royal princess and niece to the Frankish king she had a very high opinion of her status and worth. Carl frowned as she adopted a further high-handed attitude.

“It’s not your concern soldier. They kidnapped a queen, they die; all of them!”

Carl frowned and muttered but secretly he was pleased. Things were going to plan. He enacted the next step.

“This isn’t right. I’m going to get Drustina.”

Dalcimon smirked haughtily.

“She is a queen. She will agree with me.”

“Then please Your Majesty, hold these executions in abeyance until she learns of them. Perhaps she might feel differently. She is attending to our womenfolk in the great hall. It will be but a moment to fetch her here.”

Dalcimon snorted impatiently but it was Andrar who persuaded his mother to wait. He had fought alongside Drustina three times now and he had learned much from her of other matters besides just fighting.

“Perhaps Carl is right mummy. Drustina is a very wise woman. I would like to hear what she might feel about this.”
Dalcimon pursed her lips and signalled to the executioners.

“Very well. Stop what you’re doing men and fetch The Lioness!”

Carl and the chief executioner trotted to the great hall to find Drustina playing with the children in a scene of idyllic bliss. She looked up with seeming surprise and asked.

“Hello Carl, what brings you to the women’s hall?”

“We have a problem Dru. Queen Dalcimon is executing the Belgiie without hearings or a trial.”

“Really?” Drustina turned to the chief executioner. “Is this true?”

He nodded his head and exposed his bloodied hands where the sword had already beheaded the chief commanders. Drustina pretended shock and revulsion. Carl struggled to suppress his smile as he beheld Drustina’s acting skills.

“We’d best return to the executions Dru. Even Andrar seems somewhat perturbed by events.”

Drustina gave an angry sigh, put down the toy she had been entertaining her twins with, and belted on her sword. She complained for all to hear but mainly for the executioner’s ears.

“Is there no peace? Can I not even play with the children for a moment?”

The executioner shrugged apologetically and the three stepped out. Carl was want to trot but Drustina restrained him.
“Let’s just walk Carl; it might give her time to calm down. I can understand her anger.”

The executioner added.

“She seemed more impatient than angry Your Majesty. If we’re delayed she might resume the killing.”

“Oh very well. You run on ahead and tell her I’m coming.”

The executioner seemed keen to report to his queen and quickly trotted ahead. It gave Drustina the chance to prepare the next little cameo.

“I will pretend shock and despair then you can suggest that we offer the men salvation. I will agree with you and ask Dalcimon to spare the men. I suspect the senior officers, the ring-leaders, are already executed anyway. The ordinary troops will probably jump at the chance. We’ll try playing it this way first.”

Carl nodded and they speeded their stride to enter the meeting place where the beheaded officer’s bodies still lay where they fell. Drustina feigned repugnance.

“Get those bodies covered. Show them some respect!”

At this remark, Dalcimon’s confident haughtiness desisted. She looked questioningly at her son Andrar who nodded imperceptibly towards Drustina and wagged his head. He was telling his mother that Drustina was not entirely happy with the scene of carnage. Drustina reinforced this image by bending over the bodies and wagging her head in seeming disapproval. Dalcimon questioned her.

“Do you disapprove?”

“Not of the executions but my commander Carl tells me there was no inquisition, no trial as such.”

“They were obviously guilty. I was the prime witness!”

“Perhaps these dead officers, these leaders were guilty, yes; maybe. But many of these others are just foot-soldiers, doing as they are told, going where they were led.”

“They were all volunteers. They volunteered to come here from Belgia.”

“My commander Carl tells me that some of them only volunteered to fight the Vikings, possibly as a way of persuading the Frankish king — your uncle, to slacken his stranglehold on their tribal land. I don’t think their guilt is as clear cut as you say.”
“How am I to determine the difference, the innocents and the guilty?”

Drustina took a deep patient breath as she pointed out the obvious.

“By speaking to them Dalcimon, by asking them; so far you have found out nothing of their motivations, their aspirations. “

“I want no part of them or their treachery. They must all die!”

“Will you let me question them first?”

“That will take weeks. There are still three hundred of them to be executed. Who is to feed and detain them while you indulge your whim?”

“It’s not a whim Dalcimon. It is a duty. I do not want my reputation besmirched by unnecessary blood and butchery. I want no part of your vengeance.”

“It’s not vengeance, it’s justice.”

“Not without ascertaining the truth and all the facts. You will gather to yourself a reputation for cruelty and injustice. People and nations will shun you, the very future of your new-found city of Hoek will fail without trade; friendly, humanitarian, open and honest trade. If you gain a reputation for butchery, traders will avoid this place despite its exquisitely perfect location.”

“But I cannot keep them here, under guard. There is not food enough in the town. The garrison and the wars have bled my few granaries dry!” Even as we speak, my Chamberlin is writing letters to encourage trade enough to feed my people through the winter.”
Drustina saw her opening.

“Then let me be responsible for feeding them. Let me take them henceforth on my own search, to Britannia, to Wessex, Dumnoniia, Cambria and finally Lleyn. I have ships enough to carry them, my own mermaid ships, Sister Catherine’s pair of trading ships and the two extra Viking ships we have just captured. You can keep the ones your men captured. That’s fair exchange.”
At these words Andrar piped up eagerly.

“That’s a good deal mum, that means we get to keep four of the other captured Viking ships plus the stranded ship that I captured.”

Dalcimon ignored Andrar’s words as she continued interrogating Drustina.

“How will you feed them? Where will you hold them whilst you question them?”

“I have stores enough for five weeks. I can take these men away with me and remove the threat to your throne and possibly your life.”

“It’s not as easy as it seems Lioness.” Dalcimon frowned. “My uncle will not take kindly to my releasing these traitors. Their plan was to ransom me for their independence.”

Drustina sucked her tongue thoughtfully.

“You’re missing the bigger picture here Dalcimon. The main threat is still the Viking raiders. The Belgiie lands lie to the north of the Frankish realm so that makes Belgia and Frankia therefore vulnerable to further Viking raids even if it’s next year. If I take these three hundred men and mould them into a decent naval force, they will become a major deterrent to the Vikings all around the Northern seas and the Celtic waters.”

Dalcimon hesitated.

“But how will you convince my uncle that you can deter the Vikings? You never know where the Vikings will pop up?”

Drustina smiled patronisingly.

“The Vikings are everywhere, they are like a plague. Everybody fears them, Saxons, Fresians, Danes, Mercians, Engles, Belgiie, Franks, Celts, Picts, Scots, Britons; -any tribe that has a coastline. Nobody is safe from them. If we are at sea more than a fortnight, especially around the coasts of Britannia and Frankia then we will be bound to meet up with a Viking ship or ships. The objective is to attack them where we find them and, with our faster ships, overwhelm them. After a year of never knowing where we are, they will be just as nervous of piracy as all other sailors are afraid of them . My plan is to sail around Southern Britannia and if we see a Viking ship or ships, we attack them and destroy them.”

“What happens if you come upon a raiding fleet?”

“If it’s too powerful we run away, if we think we can defeat it, we will.”

“But once you leave here there’s no knowing where you’ll go. It’s here in Northern Europa that the Vikings seem to be raiding this year.”

“The raiding season is virtually over. They’ll be returning home these days. I have this winter to train up a useful force of Seamen. Three hundred Belgiie will be a damned handy addition to my forces, I can’t be here for you after this winter, I want to go home to Lleyn and these are just about the only force that I can find who will be motivated enough to stay with me. They’re currently under a death sentence so they’ll be keen to escape that. Dalcimon, believe me I want those men, I need those men and if I have to, I’ll take them from you.”

Dalcimon turned white with anger.

“How dare you threaten me in my own kingdom!”

Drustina sighed patiently.

“I did not threaten you, I simply said I will take these men. They are no use to you either dead or alive because they are a threat to you. They are of some use to me alive and I think I can mould them into something resembling a fighting force. When I leave this place for my homeland, over two thirds of my original men will be staying behind. Lots have offered to stay here in Hoek because it has prospects now that some sort of peace is enduring. You would do well to consider the bargain. You have nearly two hundred proven warriors here. Many of them have good, educated wives who will give you the proven kernel of a fine city though some will want to return to Saxony. They are Saxons and they have always intended to return to their homes when or more correctly, if I delivered them safely.

They are safe now and our contract is over. The only Saxon men who will follow me to the Western ends of this world are those,
like me, who have no known family, or like me, believe they may be alive in Britannia. The Belgiie men I wish to take from you and come with me are criminals as far as you are concerned, but I see them simply as men; men who only want what I want, a homeland where they can rule themselves and be free from the yoke of some tyrant king. I think trading two hundred good, happy Saxon men with good wives and who are brothers to the Fresians and the Engles are a good swap for three hundred frightened, disgruntled Belgiie who are under threat of execution.

You get a ready-made population for your town, I get trouble; three hundred men who are homeless and wifeless . That’s the deal I am offering you; I recommend you take it.”

Dalcimon hesitated, she had not considered the positives because her anger had been all consuming. She had also been slightly fearful of the uncle the Frankish king for Drustina had told the truth and hit a nerve, ‘her uncle was a brute and cruel with it.’ He had forced her father , his younger brother to virtually barter his daughters for political ends and alliances.
‘Had she not been virtually a child bride when she had been forcibly married her previous husband? There was little love there and secretly, Dalcimon had been relieved when he was killed by the raiding Vikings. The only pleasure she had got from her first marriage was her son Andrar. Even as these thoughts tormented her that very son spoke from behind her shoulder.

“Take the deal mum, it’s good one and it demonstrates to our uncle that you are now a ruler in your own right. He dare not attack you, we have a proven core of experienced warriors, and your new boyfriend is an experienced leader and general. By accepting Drustina’s offer, we get rid of two threats; namely disaffected Belgiie who live just across the river and a bullying Frankish Uncle. Besides the anti Viking alliance is strong for the Saxons and the Fresians are keen to make it stick.”
Drustina smiled at Andrar and nodded as Eric also nodded as he added his thoughts.

“The boy’s right Dalcimon my dear. It’s a good deal. Drustina’s deals usually are.”
His reassuring words finally swayed it for Dalcimon and she sagged thankfully as the last doubts were removed from her mind. She nodded consent.

“Very well Drustina, you can have the prisoners. When will you be leaving?”

“As soon as everything is settled here, as soon as your city is defendable, probably the onset of next spring. That will give you time to prepare for any further Viking raids. When the sailing season returns next year, I will set forth for Lleyn. I don’t expect it to be an easy journey for there are many issues to be resolved not least the issue of my last remaining commander Carl. He desperately needs to find his siblings and the last report was of them having fled the famine for Britannia. I’ve no doubt many of my other Saxon followers have similar concerns.”

“And what of these Belgiie scum. Will they remain peaceful while you remain here, can you trust them. I can’t.”

Drustina shrugged.

“Frankly, I don’t know. I need to find out what ties they have left with their motherland. I’m sure some of them will have families, wives even; but until I interrogate each one I cannot give you a firm answer to anything.”

“Huh! Three hundred criminals to interrogate and all the while to be fed and housed.”

Drustina became impatient.

“You only see problems Dalcimon, you never look for solutions. Even your own son shows a more positive view than you. I am sure the men will accept being disarmed and put to paid work, building more defences and improving the town. Building a stone town hall would be a start, something weatherproof and permanent. Somewhere that can double as accommodation as well as a meeting place and storage granary. Somewhere for you to live, no less. But mostly there needs to be improvements to the defences, the dock and the streets. All this will need labour and here are three hundred men who have various skills.”

“Who will pay for all this work.”

“It’s about time you learned your monarchical duties. You will have to raise funds, raise taxes either in coin or kind.”

“There is little money in the town.”

Even as Dalcimon said this, there was a small commotion in the street that led to the dock. A Danish merchant ship had arrived from Yorvik in Dane-law, Britannia, laden with assorted goods. Drustina motioned her head towards the newly built dock and replied.

“Look! There is your money. Trade and shipping. Within a month I will wager that you will have had over a dozen ships coming here and all keen to trade. Once the traders know it is a safe, fair and honest port they will flock to your docks and wharves. My promise is this. Until the spring of next year, I will remain with these ‘Scum’ as you call them and provide you with labour enough to build a secure town in exchange for winter accommodation for my men and my ships. Is that a deal?”
Dalcimon finally agreed and they made their way to the newly docked ship to see what goods were available.

~~ooo000ooo~~

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Drustina knows how to turn

most any bad situation to the betterment of all. Now, things look to be even better for Hoek, and she has a new possible army/navy to train up as they help to build up Hoek.

    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine

“You only see problems Dalcimon, you never look for solutions.

Drustina has built a life around finding solutions.

“Just let Dalcimon execute a few officers first, that’ll concentrate their minds first. Then I’ll step in with my offer...

She has a way with timing and offers they can't refuse.