The autumn rains had come in earnest and we looked like ragged refugees rather than successful warriors. Gawan was pleased to be back in the bosom of his family and I left him with his equites. Daffydd and his archers also remained there for the fortress had more room for them. I headed home with Lann Aelle and Pol. We had three days to discuss the catastrophic events which had destroyed my plans, “I did not think that the Hibernians would capture Manau but I did not think they would suffer such losses.” “We do not know, Warlord, how many warriors they lost.” “We know that they came back in one ship. That suggests great losses; besides the greater loss is Fiachnae mac Báetáin. He had forced Edwin to protect the northern boundaries with many men. They are now free to come south and make war upon us. We will need to rethink our strategy.” Pol, who was always positive, said brightly, “We have proved that the long spear and the lance are more than effective.
