trench of death. Some of the men charging from the rear were wily enough to avoid the fate of the front ranks, however, and they turned their steeds sharply to run around the pit and attack Alwin and his men. Alwin and his men stood firm as the remaining Normans circled around them. Alwin counted just six riders and their horses as they attacked them. The remaining horsemen were no match for the shield wall. The long sharp spears of the wall found the flesh of the horses and it was only when the last man fell from his wounded mount that the shield wall broke and Alwin and his men put the Normans to the sword. As Alwin and his men finished off the last Norman, they failed to see the man climbing out of the pit. Knowing that he was doomed, the Norman raised his sword and charged at the first Saxon he saw, Thomas. Thomas knew that he was surely going to die this time, but the Norman's sword found the flesh of the man who pushed Thomas aside so that he could take the fatal blow.
"No!" screamed Thomas as Kauko fell in front of him.
He grabbed the sword that had fallen from Kauko's hand and plunged it deep into the Norman's chest. He stared at the dying man as he dropped to the floor, his strength driven by anger and grief. The others rushed to aid the stricken Saxon and his young charge, but Thomas was already cradling his dying friend in his arms.
"Why? Why did you do that?" he shouted angrily at Kauko.
Kauko just smiled as he breathed unsteadily.
"It is what I am meant to do," said Kauko.
"You knew this would happen," said Thomas.
"It was a high probability," smiled Kauko.
Kauko gasped for air and turned towards Alwin, beckoning him towards him with a finger.
"Have you suffered any casualties?" he asked.
"Not one," said Alwin. "Although our shirts and trousers have seen better days."
"You and your men must return Thomas to his home. My time is done here, so I trust you to complete the task," said Kauko.
"It will be done. Do not worry," said Alwin.
Kauko breathed deeply and turned his head back towards Thomas.
"Are you actually a Viking?" asked Thomas.
"No," said Kauko.
"Then where are you from. I know you are not from this land," said Thomas.
"My name means far away. Does that answer your question?" asked Kauko.
"But what land?" asked Thomas.
"Somewhere you have never heard of. Somewhere you would not believe," said Kauko. "Now listen to me. When William becomes King, all men will have two names. Your first name, then a second name to distinguish you better from others. What will your name be, Thomas?"
Thomas wiped away the tears streaming down his cheeks and thought hard to think of a name, but none came to mind.
"Thomas?" asked Kauko.
Thomas held his friend close and then it came to him.
"Deorwine," said Thomas. "It means dear friend. It will always remind me of you."
Kauko smiled and lifted his arm slowly to place a hand on Thomas's shoulder.
"It is as I was told. Over seven centuries from now, a descendant of yours shall be born. He will shine a light on the origin of man. Man is not governed by gods or mapped by fate, he is free. Millions of different choices to determine the future. A future not shackled in chains," said Kauko. "Deorwine. I like it. You have made a good choice. Of course, names will change over time and Deorwine will become Darwin. Now go home and marry your sweetheart, because the line of Deorwine must continue."
"What? How do you know all of this?" asked Thomas.
"Perhaps, I can explain in another time," said Kauko. "After all, we shall meet again in all probability."
"What do you mean? Kauko? Kauko?" asked Thomas.
He shook his friend, but it made no difference. Kauko's lifeless eyes stared up at the stars. Thomas shook with grief and sobbed uncontrollably as he held his friend. Alwin knelt by the side of Thomas and held his arm lightly.
"Let him go, Thomas," said Alwin. "Let him go."
They buried Kauko in a single grave, well away from the pit of death, amongst a marvellous cascade of flowers. Some of the men said a prayer for Kauko, but Thomas did not object, realising that all men sought solace in the face of mortality. As the men paid their respects, Thomas saw that Alwin had moved away from the rest of the group and was staring at the night sky. Thomas walked slowly over to Alwin and stood by his side. Alwin spoke as Thomas stood next to him, but did not turn his gaze from the sky.
"He came to us on the night that the star appeared," said Alwin.
"The shooting star?" asked Thomas.
Alwin nodded his head.
"It shone so brightly in the sky and when it passed, there he was stood right in front of us, as if from nowhere," said Alwin. "He said he had a task for us. He said he needed to steer a ship."
"He meant me," whispered Thomas.
"I think so," said Alwin.
As they spoke, a flash of light ripped across the sky, illuminating the night.
"It's the star. It has returned," said Thomas, pointing up at the sky.
"No it's not the same," said Alwin. "It burns brighter and it travels the opposite way to the last one."
"We should give it a name as well," said Thomas.
"I think it already has a name," said Alwin, smiling.
"What name?" asked Thomas.
"Kauko," said Alwin, as they both marvelled at the star.
###
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to leave me a review at your favourite retailer.
Thanks,
L J Hick
About the author:
L J Hick is the author of The Last Days of Planet Earth series and lives in Warwickshire, England.
Discover other titles by L J Hick
Gods and Monsters: The Last Days of Planet Earth Vol I
Tribes: The Last Days of Planet Earth Vol II
The Children of Raphael: The Last Days of Planet Earth Vol III
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