Meneva, A.D. 930
King Hywel blessed the inspiration that had persuaded him to bring a score of his finest warriors as bodyguards as he eyed the five-yard gap—the uncompleted stretch of wall. He cursed their bad luck because Master Tegyn was well ahead of the schedule Hywel had imposed; indeed, the mason had promised to finish the work within a fortnight. Why could not the Norsemen have held off their raid for another two weeks?
Hywel assembled all the monks and asked three questions in Welsh: “Who among you knows how to ride a horse at a gallop?” Then, “Who among you has ever fought in a battle?” And finally, “Who knows the villagers well enough to command them?”
Several brothers came forward. He dispatched the first to the stable to choose a horse and to ride with a message for Owain,
