Bevan crawled to the top of the hill overlooking the fortress of the Saxons and the areas surrounding it. He was alone. He hadn't thought to enlist the help of the Irish Celts. Instead, he had one thought on his mind: protect... Lestra?
He frowned even as he surveyed the scene below. Why was his first thought of Lestra? Nyla of the fire red hair was the prettiest one, the one with the liveliest behaviour and brightest smile. Yet... There was something about Lestra. Oh, Nyla could distract him from time to time; but his mind inevitably returned to Lestra. This never happened before with any girl he'd known.
A noise suddenly disturbed him...
It was only the passage of a squirrel through the leaves littering the ground that had fallen from the trees growing on and near the hill. For the first time he noticed a small lizard that walked on a leaf an arm's length away. He noticed it only now because its color matched the color of the fallen leaf, a light green. It was not until the lizard walked that he saw it.
The creature continued to walk from leaf to leaf until unexpectedly it halted in the center of a leaf that was gold in color. Slowly the creature's skin color changed to match the leaf, until the lizard's skin was as gold as the leaf on which it rested. The lizard slowly moved its head so that one eye on the side of its head could watch for any danger coming from Bevan's direction. It was as if the eye of the lizard inspired a new thought in Bevan's mind... An idea... A way to gain Lestra (and Nyla too) their freedom.
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Bold as you please, Bevan guided his horse straight for the structure where he was told Ysbrand, Klax, Hengist and Horsa could be found. He stepped down from his horse and walked into the thatched roof building to find three of the four men engrossed in conversation, and Klax sitting sullenly and silent in a chair.
Ysbrand looked up as Bevan entered. "Arrest him, he's a traitor!" he bellowed so loudly Hengist and Horsa nearly jumped out of their furred Saxon boots in surprise. Bevan elevated both hands over his head to show he did not have any weapons. "Wait, Ysbrand. I have important news for you," Bevan protested as loudly as Ysbrand had bellowed when calling for his arrest.
Ysbrand eyed the purported Celt skeptically. "What news is it you have, Celt?"
"The ladies Lestra and Nyla, and myself too, uncovered a plot among the Irish Celts to ally themselves with the Brits and sack your fortress."
Ysbrand waved his hand at Bevan in dismissal of his news. "We defeated the Brits. There is no alliance and certainly no Brits coming here to lay siege."
"So sure are you, Ysbrand? Even now there is a stronger force of Brits on its way here; and the Irish Celts aren't too far away as well. The girls were on their way to Kent to tell Hengist when you intercepted them."
"Balderdash, Bevan! The girl's were attempting to free their father! I caught them before they could make the attempt."
"Treated them well, did you, Ysbrand? Did you bind them and order them about, the girls and their father?" Ysbrand's expression changed from protest to a wave of guilt. Bevan continued, knowing he had made his point by making a calculated guess. "Why should they confide information in you when you treat them like enemies or criminals. These are your allies, Ysbrand. Just like me..."
Ysbrand again tried to protest, but a different voice spoke out. "Enough!" thundered Hengist. "Bevan, is it true the Brits are planning another attack?"
"Yes, M'lord," said Bevan. He hoped the future would prove him right or his gamble would be lost. "Not immediately, but soon... weeks, I would say. They gather their strength even now. The Irish Celts are debating on whether to join or not. The Southern Celts are yet to be heard. The Scots and Picts are too weakened to take any further risks or battle casualties."
"How do you know these things, Bevan?"
"I have been among the Irish Celts, M'lord. They think me a friend. The lady Lestra and Nyla as well. I saw to their introduction as enemies of you Saxons. But when they heard of their father's plight, they left so suddenly not even I was aware of their departure. I had much to explain to the Irish Celts."
"But you fled with the women earlier?"
"M'Lord, I had to make it appear to Celtic spies and Saxons too, that I was fleeing with the women so as to give them credibility in the Celtic lands. Forgive me for the subterfuge."
"I think there is more subterfuge at work here in this room, King Hengist," commented Ysbrand. "Quiet, Ysbrand," countered the King. "His word's have the ring of truth, though of iron or tin I don't know yet." Hengist returned his attention to Bevan. "What do you propose any of us do next, Bevan."
"I suggest, M'Lord, you return Klax to leadership of his people, and let Lestra and Nyla return with me to the Irish Celts. When we learn more about the timing of the attack, we will find a way to warn you. Oh... One thing more... Klax." The Angles Chieftan looked at Bevan. "Chieftan Klax, you must publicly disavow your daughters. It is the only way to maintain the ruse. They will understand; and I will see to their safety." Klax looked at Bevan and then at Ysbrand and the two Saxon brothers. He nodded his head and looked down at the ground near his feet.
"Be on your way, Bevan, with Klax's daughters. Fare well... but do not fail. Is it understood?" Hengist added extra emphasis on his warning against failure.
"Yes, M'Lord." Bevan bowed and with a passing glance at a scowling Ysbrand, the young man grasped Klax by the arm to bring him along outside. Klax looked at Hengist for approval which the Saxon gave in passing, returning to his conversation with his brother.
Outside, Klax found his daughters waiting, they having seen Bevan ride up and enter the building. "Forgive me for what I must do and say, daughters. Leave now, with Bevan. He will look after you."
"I give my word on that, Chieftan Klax," said Bevan. The Chieftan noticed that Bevan spent the majority of the time looking at Lestra when he said those words. If Nyla noticed, she didn't let on. So much the better, Klax thought.
Bevan and the daughters of Klax rode towards the west once more. This time it was without haste or pursuit.