Enna
Ard Mhacha, Ireland
August, 1081
Enna Ui Mordha knelt in the darkness. All around him were the men of his host, each man keeping absolutely silent and staring toward the enemy encampment before them. Enna saw movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Trian approaching him, his features barely discernible in the moonlight. Trian was a Taoiseach* from the northern part of Enna's domain and was highly respected among the Manx. In recognition of that respect, Enna had named him as leader of the war council immediately upon his brother's call for a hosting.
Trian went to a knee beside him and said in a whisper, "I have scouted the enemy camp. Most seem to have bedded down for the night and there are only a few sentries posted. If we remove them silently, we should be able to assault the camp before the enemy can react."
Enna nodded slowly and looked over to where a few of his best bowmen were waiting. This attack would depend on precision and even one nervous mistake could well undo them all. He was heartened to see no signs of fear or nervousness on their faces, only the hardened resolve of men who had seen their fair share of fighting in the past. He began to raise a hand to signal the attack, but Trian grabbed his arm and said, "I feel that it is my duty to once again remind you that this attack goes against our orders."
He was referring to the orders that they had received from Donnchad upon their arrival in Dublin two weeks past. His nephew's plan was to take the main force into Mide while Enna led his own force north to harass the enemy force in Ulaid. The intention was to prevent the two enemy hosts from joining together so that they could be defeated separately. Enna had been strictly ordered not to engage in any full-scale battles. That all sounded well and good, but Enna had deduced the true purpose behind his nephew's war plan. Donnchad obviously just wanted him out of the way while he grabbed all the glory and honors for himself. Enna had no intention of letting that happen. If he could infiltrate the enemy camp and kill or capture Ulaid's Ri Tuath, Dun Sleibe Ua Flaithri, he could place himself on the throne of Ulaid and substantially increase his power base. It would admittedly be difficult as the enemy outnumbered his own force three-to-one, but Enna was confident that surprise as well as the darkness would bring success.
He jerked his arm free from Trian's grasp and leaned in close to whisper fiercely, "My brother's whelp isn't here and I am in command. You will obey my orders."
Trian gave a tight nod in response, his face giving away nothing of what he might be thinking. Enna signaled for the attack to commence, hearing no further objections as he did so, and he and his men began creeping toward the enemy.
As they reached the immediate outskirts of the camp, the silhouettes of three sentries could be seen. Enna's bowmen took careful aim and loosed arrows at them. All three fell without a sound and the advance continued. Enna silently trotted past both tents and men sleeping out in the open. Some of his men broke off and began slitting the throats of the sleeping men. It was done quickly and quietly with the sounds of any struggle kept carefully muffled.
Enna fixed his eyes on the large tent that contained his prey now only several dozen yards distant. He was weaving his way toward it when a man suddenly emerged from a tent a few feet in front of him. The two locked eyes and Enna said as quietly as he could, "Be silent or it's your life."
The man took a deep breath and Enna lunged toward him, his sword up and ready. Before he could reach him the man shouted, "To arms! To arms!" Enna drove his sword through the man's chest, but the damage had already been done. Cries of alarm were going up all over the camp and Enna began to run forward. He knew that he would not have much time now.
The camp was a riot of confusion. Sounds of battle were coming from all sides as Enna pressed on. A man thrust at him with a spear. He sidestepped the attack and his men cut the spear carrier down. Another warrior confronted him with sword and shield raised. Enna dropped down and cut the man's leg off at the knee. The stricken man howled in pain and fell. Enna stabbed him in the heart and his cries of pain ceased.
Looking forward, Enna could see a line being hastily formed in front of Dun Sleibe's tent with what could only be the man himself standing just behind it. Enna and his men rushed forward and the two groups crashed together. The battle became a brutal mess as men hacked at shields and stabbed at any exposed flesh that presented itself. Enna was in the middle of the chaos stepping over the bodies of the fallen as he cut his way toward the enemy Ri Tuath. After what seemed like ages, the enemy line began falling back. Dun Sleibe had by that time formed another, stronger line and Enna roared in frustration as he cut down some of the enemy who had not fled quickly enough.
He looked around to gauge his the ability of his men to continue the attack and for the first time noticed that heavy fighting was going on to either side of him. Trian ran to him and shouted, "We must retreat!"
Enna shook his head. He pointed forward and said, "The enemy King is there before us. We have only to press a little further."
Trian made a negative gesture and replied, "The enemy are pressing against our flanks. If we don't go now our retreat will soon be cut off." Enna did not respond immediately and Trian pressed, "What good will killing him do if you fall right after?"
With every ounce of his being Enna wanted to press the attack, but he recognized the wisdom of Trian's words. He nodded his head in acquiescence. Trian gestured to some nearby soldiers who immediately surrounded Enna. He said, "These men will get you to safety. The rest of the men and myself will follow as best we can."
Enna nodded again and let himself be shepherded away. As he left the sound of battle behind him, his mind was already on the future. He had made a bid for power and glory and had failed miserably. He would have to prepare himself for the consequences of this night and do what he could to minimize the damage.
*Chieftain
