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It took us two weeks to reach Wessex discreetly, we mostly sailed at night, and if we had to sail during the day, we did it away from the shore. I wasn't sure if King Ecbert had already set off to attack with London or if he was yet to leave ... I don't even know if Ealdorman Eadric returned to Winchester, but judging from how he walked, I doubt it... for now, the most important thing is information.
We sat hidden in a forest about five kilometers from the capital of Wessex.
- Don't get noticed. If you want to catch someone, make sure they are alone. (Ulf)
I sent a few scouts around, their task was to observe the city, and if it was possible to bring me a prisoner, peasant or trader, it did not matter. I was only interested in the latest rumors... If Ecbert has already left the city, I have to work out when and how far his troops might be ... ideally they would get closer to London, but I can't count on such luck.
(King Ecbert / Ealdorman Eadric POV)
- You want justice? You should be glad you're still alive. Many worse things could have happened to you at the hands of these pagans. (King Ecbert)
- Lord, they humiliated me, they tortured me ... (Ealdorman Eadric)
- I know, but whose fault is it? You thought the advantage was on your side, but King Ulf brought you down to earth. You didn't even think what he could do to you if he didn't care about his son. (King Ecbert)
- Lord, it's a matter of honor. I have to get my revenge... so help me God and all the saints. (Ealdorman Eadric)
- I understand, and I'm not saying no ... but only after King Ulf and his army are no longer useful. Then you can have your justice ... but remember one thing, I don't need fools in my court. (King Ecbert)
- Thank you, Lord, and sorry for my stupid behavior. Please forgive me. (Ealdorman Eadric)
- Now the more important thing is the attack on London and whether King Ulf will attack the Kingdom of Mercia. Besides what happened to you in Jorvik, have you noticed anything unusual there? (King Ecbert)
- Before King Ulf arrived, I spent a few days there. They have an army larger than ours, but they also lack discipline, and their supplies are also numerous. However, they are more like wild animals than humans, dangerous but also stupid .... (Ealdorman Eadric)
- Are you talking by reason or by hate? King Ulf doesn't seem to be a fool and these animals, as you call them, have conquered the Kingdom of Nortumbria. Overestimating an enemy is stupid, but underestimating the enemy is dangerous... and I think you felt it on your back and not only on them. (King Ecbert)
- Lord, when are you going to attack London? (Ealdorman Eadric)
- I am not going to attack London and I never was going to. London is not strategically important. After you left, I changed my orders. Most of our army is waiting in Wantage and from there we will go to the Kingdom of Mercia. (King Ecbert)
- Why didn't I know anything about this?! If I had known, maybe I would have been more useful for you my Lord. (Ealdorman Eadric)
- Because you had to convince King Ulf, and to do that, you had to believe it yourself. Even if they tortured you, it wouldn't do them any good ... well you were tortured, but for different reasons. There are currently only 1,000 troops in Winchester, and we're heading north in a few days. (King Ecbert)
- Lord, what if these pagans don't attack Tamworth? (Ealdorman Eadric)
- It does not matter. If they attack Tamworth, they will fight Mercia's entire army. If they do not attack the kingdom's capital, they will likely divide their army into smaller groups and attack elsewhere. (King Ecbert)
- I don't understand, Lord. (Ealdorman Eadric)
- If the pagans split their army and attack other settlements, it is likely King Offa would do likewise to defend his lands and Tamworth would be defenseless. (King Ecbert)
(End POV)
We waited in hiding for several days, but to no great effect, my men managed to capture a few prisoners, but all I learned was that Ealdorman Eadric had returned to the city and that a large number of troops had moved north. I didn't know what to make of it, if Ecbert wanted to attack London, the army would move east ... why north?
Another three days passed ... my scouts reported to me of a commotion in the city, apparently a large army is about to leave the city and go north. I went to see what they were talking about.
My scouts were right, a lot of carts with supplies were leaving the city, and judging by their quantity, the supplies could be enough for 1,500 soldiers. A few hours later I saw an army leaving the city, headed by King Ecbert, and not far behind him on a horse was "my son".
I understood less and less of it. A large army had gone north some time ago, now another army led by Ecbert was doing the same ... I was sure he didn't want to attack London, but I didn't know what his goal was ... the only thing that made sense was my son's presence. If I have a precious hostage, I want it with me... But no matter what, I chose not to change my plans, when the wessex army was away, I would attack Winchester ... I assumed that Prince Aethelwulf and his future wife, Princess Judith, stayed in the city because I did not see them with the King... these two are going to be a great pair of hostages.