“Then we go after that monster.”
“No, then you take the boy back to his parents. I go after Ieuan alone.” Godwin protested but I would have none of it. “You wouldn’t be able to get anywhere near him. He would fill your mind with confusion before you were within half a mile. The images themselves – just the images – may kill you. Leave it to me.”
We mounted up and picked our way forward, going carefully across the narrow ground. Sooner than expected we came across a little boy, tearful, frightened, scratched and picking his way through the bushes and over the rocks. I dismounted and walked slowly towards him. The boy looked up and gave a cry of fear. He wanted to turn and run but his eyes had met mine and he stayed where he was, although everything inside him told him to run from this man, who was dressed like the other and had the same head. I held up my hand and spoke.
“Elfric?” the boy nodded, uncertainly. “We’ve come to take you home. These men will take you back to your mother. She’s worried about you and she wants to see you. Would you like to see her?” the boy nodded again. “These men will take you to her. They are friends. They’re the King’s soldiers, and they have come here especially to help you. Would you like a ride on their horses?” The boy nodded enthusiastically and made no resistance when I swept him up in my arms. There was no smell and no sleepiness this time, and he relaxed. I passed him up to Godwin and then went and mounted my own horse. I got into the saddle in time to see Godwin passing the child to Ethelred.
“Take him back to the village.” Ethelred turned off to do as ordered. I sighed.
“Godwin, go back. This is a battle between me and the Druid. I know what I’m doing and you will only get in the way.”
“It seems I’ve heard those words before, but it was my voice then. It was shortly before you saved my life. I haven’t repaid the favour yet. I’m coming with you.”
“Please Godwin, you have no idea what is involved. You know now that I was a fighting man. I know you’ve never been a Druid and have no Gift as I and Ieuan have. Please leave it to me.” Godwin urged his horse closer.
“There’s no point in trying to dissuade me, Magister. I have orders to escort you to the frontier, and to apprehend any wrongdoers I may come across. This man has done great wrong and I am going to help you to apprehend him. Now stop arguing and let’s get on with it.” I hesitated then breathed out, long and slow. I could stay here arguing with Godwin all day and I still wouldn’t get rid of him.
“Very well,” I said finally. “Ethelred, take Elfric back to the village and then wait for Godwin there. Thanks for your help, and God speed.” The English warrior settled the boy on the saddle in front of him and then set off at a trot, back they way they’d come. “Godwin, you can accompany me part of the way, you stubborn great bear. But let me tell you this: the first time you come across something that really frightens you, you are to return to the village and then go on to Bamburgh. If I have you to distract me, I will be handicapped. So the very first time, agreed?” The old veteran, who feared nothing other than his King’s disfavour, agreed confidently. He was certain he would be in at the death.
“Now, I have something to tell you. I made a deal with the Druid to give him two hours start.” Godwin bristled but I continued before he could interrupt. “Either that or risk the boy’s life. Don’t worry, we’ll catch him. Probably before sunset. So let’s sit down and have an early lunch. We have an hour and a half to kill.”
We dismounted and I lit a candle, which I placed in the lee of a tree for shelter. When it burned down, we would move. Meantime we ate, drank, and talked of inconsequential matters such as marriage, children, battles and travels. As we spoke and joked I could feel Godwin’s estimation of me rise a few notches, and my affection for the Englishman deepened, in its turn. He was a brave and knowledgeable man. When the candle burned out we were as close as we would ever be. We mounted up and set off north, through clearer but still dull weather, in renewed pursuit of the Druid.
After three hours I held up my hand and we stopped. The watery light was fading.
“What is it?” Godwin asked, but got no answer.
There was the one I sought, moving much slower than expected. Not far away at all. There was animal pain. All the power in the world would not make it able to bear a man’s weight.
“His horse is lame. He’s not far ahead, about a mile or so, off to the left. Let’s get down and leave the horses here. You never know what’ll happen.” We dismounted and, as we did so, I caught a sound of running water nearby. I handed my reins to Godwin and walked off to the right. In a few minutes I came across a pool in the river, shallow at the edge but ice cold with the water from the hills. The rags and totems about told me this was a sacred place, even had I not felt the peace that lifted my spirits. I was refreshed and strengthened by my visit and I filed the pool’s location in my mind for future reference. Perhaps when this was over I would return and give thanks.
“We’ll go on foot now,” We walked off towards Ieuan’s last hiding place. Godwin drew his sword, at which I raised an eyebrow but offered no comment.
31
The Last Battle
A few moments further on I felt a whooshing roar and I was tied into a tangled thicket of thorns. The plants were alive and wrapped themselves about me, tugging and tearing at my clothes and scratching my legs, my arms and my face as they grew and writhed all around. I breathed slowly and closed my eyes and I was in the clear again.
Godwin was writhing and striking out with his sword in all directions, hacking this way and that, shielding his eyes from an unseen attack. He roared and cursed in his distress.
“Godwin!” I called. No response. “Godwin! Godwin! Stand still! It is Anselm! Magister Anselm! I will come to you! Be calm and I will rescue you! Stop waving your sword about or I can’t get near you!” I got through to him and he stopped, reluctantly, and stood shaking like a frightened colt. His face showed clearly that he was revolted and terrified by the attack. I took a couple of steps across to him, took his sword hand and looked into his eyes.
“It’s gone. There is nothing there. There never was anything there except the trees and the track.” Godwin shook his head and looked around him. The trembling reduced but was still obvious and the face that turned to me was still frightened.
“What...? How...?” he asked.
“An illusion. Nothing but an illusion. He sent a mind spell but it’s gone now.” The great bear sat down heavily on a nearby rock, his sword leaning loosely against his knee while he rubbed his good hand through his thick blonde hair.