By the sixth day the last of the scouts rode in.
Maccus’ fears had been proved correct. The Highland Laird of the Pannones had made a treaty with Shard of the Vars, and the two men were leading their armies towards the Rigante borders.
It was midnight and Conn once more sat with his captains, joined now by Ruathain. The Big Man did not say much at the meeting, but sat silently listening to the battle plans. Conn had scouted the area north of Old Oaks, and had decided to meet the enemy on a range of hills some six miles from the settlement. ‘The ground narrows between two hills, and if we fight there it will lessen the advantage they have in numbers,’ Conn told them. The scouts had reported the combined enemy force at just under eighteen thousand – almost double the current
Rigante force. Conn turned to Maccus. ‘How long before they get here?’
‘Tomorrow – if they push on through the night. Dawn the day after if they don’t.’
‘How many warriors do we have, as of now?’
‘Just under nine thousand – but more are coming in all the time. By tomorrow we should be close to ten, maybe eleven thousand.’
‘Why can’t we fight from here?’ asked Braefar. ‘Isn’t that why the Long Laird built this fortress?’ He seemed nervous and ill at ease.
It was Ruathain who answered him. ‘Aye, we could fight from here, but the Vars would surround the place and then send raiding parties throughout the area. Smaller communities would be wiped out. But worse than that, the warriors who have joined us have left their wives and families at home. They would not want to be cooped up in here while their loved ones were being hunted and slain. Conn is right. The enemy must be met, and the issue decided in one great battle.’
‘Aye, a great battle,’ snapped Braefar. ‘A battle in which we will be outnumbered by perhaps two to one.’
‘We can do nothing about the numbers,’ said Conn. ‘Our men will be fighting to protect the land they love. It will give them an advantage. Added to this we have the Iron Wolves. They will give us an edge.’
‘How will you deploy us?’ asked Fiallach.
‘We will need to hold the hills on either side, forcing the enemy to funnel into the gap between. In that gap I will stand. The Highland Laird will see me there. His hatred is so strong that I think he will direct his main force towards me. You, Fiallach, will hold your men on the eastern hill until you see my signal. Then you will attack the enemy’s right flank. Do not get drawn into the mass. Hit the flank, pull away, and hit them again and again. Maccus will circle the enemy with his Horse Archers and attack the rear. When the time is right, and the enemy is in disarray, I will lead a charge to kill the Laird and Shard.’
‘Assuming everything goes the way you plan it,’ said Braefar.
‘Yes, assuming that,’ said Conn, softly. ‘We move out tomorrow. You will stay here, Wing. There will be many latecomers. Gather them into a second force and march to our aid as soon as you can.’
The meeting ended and, with the others departed, Ruathain sat for a while talking to Conn. The younger man could sense there was something on Ruathain’s mind, but he would not be drawn on it. Instead he changed the subject. ‘You think it is wise to leave Wing with the rearguard?’
‘He would not be of much use on the battlefield, Big Man. You saw him tonight. You could almost taste his fear.’
‘Aye, I saw it. But that rearguard could mean the difference between victory and defeat, Conn.’
‘Yes, it is a risk. But I cannot afford to leave Govannan. I need him with me.’
‘I could stay.’
‘You, Big Man? And miss the battle?’
‘I think it would be wiser.’
‘I’ll think on it. Are you well, Father? You seem preoccupied.’
‘Och, I’m as strong as an ox, boy. Have no fears on that. But I am weary, so I think I’ll head for my bed. Meria is probably waiting up and will want a full report.’