“My Lord,” Colman’s voice was thick with emotion, “I have followed the Rule of St Columba all my Christian life. I look on the styles and teachings of Rome with dismay: they may be the way of the future, disciplined and staffed like a Legion in the old days, but I cannot, I cannot...” He couldn’t continue.
Oswy was known as a ferocious warlord, not above torturing his enemies and opponents and even his own troops, if discipline required it. He was a hard man but his expression, as he looked upon his old teacher and protector, was compassionate. Godwin too seemed sympathetic. Oswy sighed before continuing.
“I will miss you, Colman, I’ll miss your wisdom and your kindness but I can make no exceptions to this judgement, not even you. I’ve said that the Roman practices must be adopted within my kingdom by Midsummer. You have until then to arrange your affairs and leave.”
“There may be others...” Colman managed to say and Oswy nodded.
“I owe you my life,” he said quietly. “This is my dispensation to you. I’ll allow you to take with you from Lindisfarne all your close followers. Those who cannot or will not comply can leave. In fact, they must leave. I want no-one left who will defy this ruling. The Church must be one in this kingdom. They must leave with you, by Midsummer. I will do no more.” Colman nodded, miserably. “And you, Prior Chad? What of you and Abbott Cedd?”
“I will accept the ruling. I can’t leave our people. I think my brother will do the same.” Oswy nodded again.
“Good. I’d like to have someone around who I know I can trust. Now, Magister Anselm - or Father Anselm, after today.” He turned to me. “I would welcome you to my court as a counsellor, you have displayed some remarkable abilities.”
“My Gift disturbs the Romans, my Lord.”
“Yes, I can understand that. You’re a disturbing man Anselm but you need fear no-one while you’re under my protection. Will you stay and enjoy it?” Although Cunnian, my Abbott, was confident in my abilities to deal with kings and court intrigue it was easier to feel confident in isolated Iona than in front of this strong and violent man. I took a breath and before I replied.
“Thank you for the offer, sir, but I have no ties to your kingdom and I would rather continue with the practices I took so long to learn, than to start afresh. And I still have other duties: catching a murderer and delivering messages.” Oswy’s eyes hardened.
“Very well. I promised you safe conduct to and from my Kingdom. I won’t make you stay. Now you may go and, when you get to Dumbarton, tell Owain that I’ve received his message and am thinking about it. He will have my formal reply in due course.” I realised that I would have to tell the King of Strathclyde to prepare for war. “As for your pursuit, Godwin and one other will accompany you to the border if you don’t catch your friend before then.”
“They won’t be of much help, sir. The Druid has powers that will prevent them from getting within arm’s reach of him.”
“But they don’t affect you, then, these powers of his.”
“As I said, I was a Druid before I became a Christian,” Oswy looked at me very keenly indeed. “I am prepared and can deal with him.”
“Well then, monk. If you change your mind about my offer, let me know. But I will have my way in this, even more so: Godwin and one of my soldiers will accompany you to the border, and make sure you leave!” then he smiled, and there was a warmth there that I hadn’t seen before – at least, not directed towards me. “Is Abbot Cedd on the mend?” I nodded.
“He’ll take some time to recover without the help Ieuan could have given, but recover he will.”
“One thing occurs to me. If the Druid is, as we now know, our enemy, an unimaginable monster, why did he come and help?”
“I think it’s a long story, my lord,” I replied. “It goes back nearly forty years, to when we were at school together. But I think that old friendship has been corrupted and taken over by deception. I cannot call him a friend any more; that old tie is dead. I recall just a few words, here and there, which lead me to believe he was trying to pull on those bonds of friendship. I think he was trying to seduce m to join his cause – and possibly this whole kingdom.” Oswy and Godwin looked up, sharply. “He did not succeed.”
“Very well. You may be on your way now. You’ll find three horses saddled and ready to leave - your friend took one of ours, which is an offence and I would like to have it back. You’ll have no complaint with those you have from me, but send yours back as soon as may be.” I bowed and the three of us left, along with Godwin. We left the lion of Northumbria prowling in his den but, as we departed, I caught sight of the youth I’d first encountered a few days earlier. His son.
The black wolf was snapping and snarling, biting at the bars of the cage, eager to be free and looking to sate its dreadful hunger.
I swayed and almost stumbled. Godwin caught me with his good arm.
“Magister?” I replied that I would be all right. The youth walked insolently over to the four of us and looked straight at me.
“I don’t like you,” he said, “you have an air about you, priest. Stop looking at me or it’ll be the worse for you.” Godwin stepped between us.
“This man has the King’s protection.” This was rewarded with a venomous glance from the youth, who nonetheless retreated. You will not stand in my way when I am King, you crippled oaf. The thought was loud, clear and filled with frustrated hate. “Prince Ecgfrid,” Godwin whispered to me as we left. “Thank your God you’ll have two kingdoms between you and him. He’s as wild as a beast, and not one to have as an enemy.”
“A wolf in boy’s clothing,” I agreed, and continued hesitantly, “and if I may return the favour, Godwin, I would suggest that you mind your back if he ever reaches the throne.” The huge man chuckled.
“Aye, he’s taken a dislike to me, I don’t need a Seer to tell me that. He’s never forgiven me for paddling his backside when he was a child!” he grinned.
“Nonetheless, take care. Take care, Godwin,” I replied. “I must get my things and we must be on our way. The Druid has more than two hours’ start on us.”
I made a brief goodbye to Colman, who I expected to see at Iona within the two months allowed. I went with Chad for a final look at Cedd, who was resting and conscious but still weak. I ordered him to refrain from fasting for six months at least and bade him and his brother a fond and final farewell. I ran to the monks’ sleeping quarters and collected my bag and personal belongings then went quickly to the stables, where Godwin and another guard were mounted and ready. A third horse stood alongside, saddled and prepared for me.
The King was ready to go as well. Queen Eanfleda was by her litter but she was weeping. Romanus seemed to be pleading with Oswy, probably on her behalf, and his temper was aroused.
“I’ve had enough of your creeping and wheedling, priest! The Queen returns to Bamburgh with me today!” Romanus started to speak again. Oswy raised his fist and sent him sprawling to the dirt with a backhanded blow. Then he called to Eanfleda, his guards helped her into the litter and they prepared to depart.