Arthur, King - William Speir

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hillfort on Dinas Emrys. “We need to fall back to Dinas Emrys. There’s nothing around that hill, so we’ll see the enemy coming for miles. It has its own water supply, and it’s well-stocked with provisions. We can hold out there for months until help comes. Send messengers to my army to head for Dinas Emrys immediately!”

      “Yes, my King!”

      After the captain had left, Rowenna stood. “Do I have to go with you to Dinas Emrys, my King? I’d rather stay here.”

      Vortigern laughed. “Are you insane? The only person that Ambrosius and his allies want dead as much as me is you. If I leave you here, they’ll burn this place to the ground with you in it. No, I’m sending you to Dinas Emrys today. I’ll wait for my army and join you in a day or two.”

      “Yes, my King,” Rowenna said.

      Rowenna left the great hall. Vortigern picked up the goblet that he had dropped and stared at the map.

      Where are you, Ambrosius? Where are your southern armies?

      “Why haven’t Vortigern’s soldiers challenged us yet?” Uther asked as the four armies rode deeper into Gwynedd.

      “Good question,” Nudd-Lludd replied. “He surely knows we’re here by now.”

      “And he should know that the rest of Ambrosius’ forces have crossed the southern border,” Galerius added.

      “So if you’re Vortigern, what do you do?” Nudd-Lludd asked. “Do you stay at Carn Fadrun and wait for us?”

      “That would be fortunate for us if he does,” Galerius replied. “That fortress could never withstand an attack by this many soldiers.”

      “And Vortigern knows that,” Uther stated. “So if you were Vortigern, where would you go?”

      “I’d look for open ground where I have room to fight, but close enough to one of my hillforts where I can retreat and hold out if I’m besieged,” Nudd-Lludd replied.

      “Where’s the nearest place like that?” Uther asked.

      “Dinas Emrys,” Galerius said. “It’s one of his largest hillforts, and the plains around it can’t be crossed unseen. It’s perfect for him.”

      “Will Ambrosius’ southern forces pass near it?” Arthwys asked.

      Galerius nodded. “They’ll pass close enough to see it.”

      “Then that’s where we need to drive Vortigern, if he’s not heading there already,” Uther said.

      “When will we reach Carn Fadrun?” Nudd-Lludd asked.

      “Tomorrow morning,” Galerius replied.

      Uther smiled. “That’s when the fun begins.”

      Chapter 6

      Uther awoke to a hand shaking his shoulder. “Lord Uther? Galerius has requested that you, Nudd-Lludd, and Arthwys join him immediately.”

      Uther opened his eyes and recognized Merlin’s oldest son in the low light. “Now?” he muttered groggily.

      “Yes, my Lord.”

      Uther nodded and sat up. Waving Merlin’s son off, he said, “Tell him I’m coming.”

      “Yes, my Lord.”

      Uther looked around his tent and saw a tankard of water near the foot of his bedroll. He grabbed it and splashed water in his face before standing. He put on his jerkin, knotted his sword belt, and grabbed his helmet.

      The air was filled with the smell of burning wood. Galerius and Arthwys waited by the campfire near the tents of the leaders of the four armies. Uther saw movement all around. The armies were awake and preparing for battle. Messengers came and went at a furious pace. Uther felt a sense of anticipation all around.

      Uther greeted Galerius and Arthwys when he reached the campfire. Nudd-Lludd arrived a moment later, looking disheveled.

      “Rough night, Nudd-Lludd?” Uther asked.

      “Have I told you how much I hate sleeping on the ground?” Nudd-Lludd replied grumpily.

      Galerius interrupted them. “My Lords, my men have been scouting around Carn Fadrun all night. Most of the garrison has been evacuated. Vortigern is heading to Dinas Emrys, as we thought. If we move quickly, we may catch him before he reaches the hillfort. Ambrosius and the southern armies will arrive by mid-morning. If we can keep Vortigern occupied until them, he’ll be trapped between our two armies.”

      “Are we going to bypass Carn Fadrun altogether?” asked Arthwys.

      Galerius shook his head. “King Ceretic and his army will reach the fortress in a few hours, my Lord. They will occupy it until the campaign is concluded.”

      Uther was happy to hear that Ceretic had kept his word.

      “When do we leave, General?” Nudd-Lludd asked.

      “As soon as the men break camp,” Galerius replied.

      Uther looked around the campfire. “Let’s get to it, then.”

      Vortigern left Carn Fadrun with the last of his soldiers shortly before sunrise. The road south to Dinas Emrys was a good one; it had been well-maintained since the Roman occupation. Dinas Emrys had been key to the Roman defensive strategy for the west coast of Britain, and Vortigern used essentially the same strategy to protect Gwynedd from Irish invaders.

      Vortigern looked back at his fortress. I don’t like abandoning my home, but I have no choice. It can’t withstand Ambrosius’ armies. When I’m able to return, I’m going to strengthen its defenses. No one will ever chase me from my home again.

      Vortigern looked around at the men marching south around him. My brave soldiers. I wonder how many of you will return here after this business with Ambrosius is finished.

      Less than an hour after the northern armies broke camp, a messenger approached Galerius as the leaders of the four armies rode west.

      “General, my Lords, Vortigern just left Carn Fadrun! He’s taking the Roman road south to Dinas Emrys with the last of his soldiers. Most of his men are several hours ahead of him.”

      Galerius looked at the leaders of the northern armies. “If we hurry, we can catch him away from the hillfort and cut him off from the rest of his soldiers.”

      Uther and the others nodded in agreement.

      Galerius turned to his cavalry commander. “Ride southwest and take a position between Dinas Emrys and Vortigern. There’s a road ahead that goes in that direction. We’ll follow you and be there as soon as we can.”

      “Yes, General!”

      Turning to the leaders of the northern armies, Galerius said, “My Lords, let’s go hunting.”

      Two hours after sunrise, a messenger rode up to Vortigern.

      “My King, there are riders waiting for us up ahead.”

      “Whose riders?” Vortigern demanded.

      “I couldn’t get close enough to see without being spotted, but it looked like they wore Ambrosius’ badge.”

      “How many?”

      “Three… maybe four hundred, my King.”

      “And how far ahead are they?”

      “Less than an hour’s march.”

      Ambrosius’ northern armies are behind me, so I can’t go back to Carn Fadrun. Now part of his cavalry is blocking my way to Dinas Emrys. I’ll have to fight my way to the hillfort.

      “Ride to the Dinas Emrys, avoiding Ambrosius’ cavalry as best as you can. Inform the garrison to march out and

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