twoRhodri pointed his wooden sword at the bleached skull still fixed on its stake on the ramparts. “I hope it will be a Viking chieftain, such as you slew, Alun ap Drystan!”
“Who knows when we’ll get a chance to slay the Norsemen?” Cadfael treated the prince to an admiring smile. “What I’d give to fight alongside you against them, Lord Rhodri.”
“And I, you, Cadfael ap Iorwerth!”
Thus, began another firm, lifelong friendship.
They could not know that circumstances in Dumnonia would lead to their wish being granted, but against King Merfyn’s wishes. Events unfolded this way: the Danish crews of thirty-five longships united with the warriors of Cornwall and met with West Saxons under King Ecgberht. A terrible battle occurred at Carhampton, where the Danes held the battlefield, and a dread
