by M J Porter
He pulled her to him, crushing her against him, feeling her breasts brush against his chest, and he sharply inhaled as she moaned a little in pleasure.
Their kiss deepened, as his need for her rose, and suddenly, she was lying on top of him, her slight body pressing him into the damp ground, and he was aware of her against him. Her breasts, her hips, her long legs. His arms snaked around her back, pulling her closer, needing her more.
One hand he allowed to fall, and he used it to run his hand up and down the side of her body, feeling the parts of her breasts and legs that weren’t pressed tightly against him, and still they never stopped kissing.
Her hands explored his body with tantalising patches of warmth, and then she was under his tunic and running her hand up and down his flat stomach. The pleasure shot through him like a bolt of lightening and he swallowed a little nervously. She giggled into their kiss at his shock and laughed again as she slid herself sideways a little so that she could pull more of his tunic up and feel his mounting excitement.
He wanted to stop, knew in his mind that this step was irreversible, but his need was too great. He’d have given anything for a soft bed and a little privacy, but all they had was a grassy bank and the sun on their backs and faces.
Rolling her over completely, still with their lip locked together, he worked his hand under her rucked up dress and finally found her skin on her lower thigh. He groaned again knowing that he’d be unable to stop this from happening, and she stopped for a moment, pulling free from his lips, to hold his head up before her and look into his eyes.
“I love you Northman,” she whispered, and he couldn’t stop himself from returning the words.
“I love you too Mildryth.” As he spoke, she pulled the brooches loose on her dress and wriggled a little to free herself from its confines until she lay before him, naked and pliant and welcoming.
He covered her nakedness with his body as he caressed and explored its wonders and then, a little impatiently, she tugged at his trousers, and he was as naked as she was, and what was about to happen between them would change their relationship forever.
A sharp cry of pain from Mildryth and Northman pulled back a little, but she beckoned him on with gentle moans of pleasure, and he immersed himself fully in the joys of first love, any thoughts of his father’s wrath, or Eadric’s happiness firmly in the back of his mind. An early summer’s day, the perfect time for newfound love and pleasure.
Chapter 33
Early Summer AD1012 – Northman
The following months passed in a riot of secrecy and pleasure, as Northman and Mildryth sought each other out whenever and wherever they could. He loved her more and more each time they met and knew that somehow, he’d need to gain his father’s permission to marry her and take her away from here.
The realisation that when Eadric returned they’d not have time together again, made their actions a little fervent and their desire intense. And for the first time since he’d been fostered to Eadric he paid no attention to visitors or to any news that filtered through from the court. Not until, returning from another secret tryst, Northman encountered a messenger at the door, his horse foaming at the mouth from his fast ride.
“Northman,” the messenger called, as Northman watched Mildryth slink her way back inside the hall.
“Yes,” he replied, still replaying his time with Mildryth in his mind, almost able to feel her whole under his hands.
“This is for you,” the messenger said, thrusting a parchment into his hand and then turning abruptly.
“Do you not need food or drink?” Northman queried, not remotely interested in the message he’d been given.
“No, I've to get a similar message to the archbishop.”
Worry creased Northman’s face then as he realised that this was a letter from his father, not Eadric after all.
“A fresh horse?” he asked, but the rider had gone in a hastily thrown up cloud of mud and water from the rain the night before.
Feeling unsteady, Northman looked at the parchment in his hand, his heart sinking and his stomach almost turning to water. The message must contain news of the direst nature.
He slit the seal and staggered as the words leapt from the page.
“Northman,” his father wrote, “Eadric is now the king’s leading ealdorman. He does everything he commands. The geld of £48000 has been paid to the Raiders, and they are in the process of dispersing from London and returning home. Sadly, during a night of celebration and when they still had the archbishop as a hostage, they murdered him in a drunken rage, and instead of punishing them further, the king has made an accord with Thorkell. His ships will remain within English waters, and the king will clothe and feed his shipmen.”
Dismay swept through Northman. How had so much happened without him even being aware? And then he read the last part of the letter.
“The king has announced that Eadric can further redeem himself by marching into the lands of the king of Dyfed and seeing off the Viking Raiders who’ve settled there. He is coming home first to collect you, and the remainder of his household troops. Go with the blessing of your mother and myself.”
Northman felt too weak to stand as he read and re-read the letter.
The geld had been paid to the Raiders, only for at least five hundred of them to remain in England and at the king’s expense!
Eadric was fully restored as Ealdorman and acting in his king’s name!
Eadric was to attack Dyfed and stir up trouble with the Borderlands, even though they’d been quiet for many years!
But worse, far worse, was the news that he was coming home. He’d discover what had happened between him and Mildryth. Northman felt his world fade away to a pinprick of consciousness as he staggered inside the hall. Mildryth glanced at his drunken demeanour in shock, and he handed the letter to her, which she quickly took to Edith to read.
Northman watched as all colour drained from Edith’s face and Mildryth glanced to him in panic as she too heard the words.
Eadric was coming home, to take him away to war, and his woman, the girl to whom he was to all intents and purposes married to, carried the first swell of her pregnancy beneath her skirts. There was no possibility of their union going unnoticed, and Eadric would crow with delight that his plan to undermine everything that Leofwine had ever worked for had been undone by Northman’s desire for a woman.
Chapter 34
Northman – The Borderlands
Eadric had arrived home in a flurry of demands and great cheer, not letting anything disturb his pleasure. Nothing at all.
Somehow, in the short space of time he’d spent in his hall, he’d managed a heated argument with his father, a desultory kiss for his wife and sons, but he’d not noticed anything unusual between Northman and Mildryth.
Northman had ridden away heavy-hearted. He’d not wanted to leave her when he might never return, but she’d assured him she’d be well. Ideally, he’d wanted her to leave and seek shelter with his family, but she refused. When Northman returned, they’d make plans for their future. In the end, he’d entrusted Edith with a message to be conveyed to his father in the event of his death. She’d smiled at his concern for Mildryth and promised to do all she could to keep her safe. And she’d thanked him too, for restoring her faith in men. Her eyes were sad, but they’d glowed a little with delight at the happiness she saw before her.
Eadric was leading his men and some of the king’s household troops that had previously looked to Athelstan as their Lord. Athelstan had not so much been removed from his position within Mercia, as been sent home, with his forces dispersed after he’d left. The men were angry and unhappy at the king’s treatment of his oldest son, and Northman was aghast as well. He knew many of these men. They’d been encamped outside Oxford together, and he also knew that Athelstan had been much loved in the Mercian lands, forging links with the local nobility in the old heartlands of Mercia. He’d become particularly close to two of the local thegns, Morcar and
Sigeforth and Northman had even heard rumours that he planned to marry one of their sisters. Once again, the king and Eadric were storing up trouble for themselves.
To travel to the lands around St David’s, Eadric announced they’d go to Gloucester, and then take a ship from there. He wanted to avoid any further confrontation with the men who inhabited the border, a move that Northman approved of. He also had a sneaking feeling that Eadric planned on pretending to be Raiders themselves when they attacked the Vikings in Dyfed. He smirked at the idea and wondered if it would work.
Northman wondered too if he’d be given the opportunity to meet with his family, but Eadric cruelly baited him for much of the journey, and then purposefully pulled away from Deerhurst. Northman held his anger in check. Just. After all, he had some secrets of his own now and wasn’t sure if he was ready to face his inquisitive mother. He felt sure that she’d work out what had happened before he’d even stepped through the door.
At Gloucester, Eadric’s plan finalised when they were met by Thorkell and by twenty of his ships as well. Northman looked at the man carefully, and all the other faces but he didn’t see Cnut with him. Then he remembered that Cnut had been summoned home, and doubtless, had not been allowed to return to the lands of the English.
Hastily, the force was loaded onto the Raiders ships, and Northman watched the smooth way the highly trained men guided the small fleet down the river and into the sea. They travelled within sight of the land, and only for a full day before they came ashore again.
Eadric and Thorkell were close. Their heads often bowed together and they could be heard laughing and joking as they plotted how they would join battle with the enemy. Northman wondered if Thorkell was aware that Eadric had not yet faced any enemy in battle. He doubted it but stilled his tongue. Eadric was already angry with him for something, and Northman feared that Æthelric had managed to share his secret with his son, although in their brief meeting they’d done nothing but argue and row.
Northman watched the coastline with interest, noting the steep cliffs and sandy beaches. The lands of the ancient British appeared as varied as the Mercian lands and enjoyed the advantages, or disadvantages, of a varied and beautiful coastline.
“Northman,” Eadric called to him when they were making their camp above a sandy cove, “You’ll lead a small reconnaissance team tomorrow. I need to know exactly where the men are hiding.”
At his side, Thorkell stiffened at the command that had apparently not been discussed with him,
“And some of my men will come with you,” he said, looking at Eadric as if daring him to argue.
“Of course Thorkell, I’m sure they’ll have more experience of hunting for Raiders than young Northman here. But then, he's expendable and the rest of my men are not.”
“Expendable, why do you say so?”
“The king is most displeased with his father, and if his son should die, I think the king will not care either way.”
“But his father is Leofwine?” Thorkell queried, his face furrowed in confusion. “He's a great warrior and now an ally of Swein of Denmark, as I once was. Surely your king wouldn’t want to force a rift with such a talented man?”
Eadric hid his annoyance poorly, as Northman listened impassively to his commands.
“I have seen this boy before, at Oxford. He is loyal and a friend of the king’s sons. I wouldn’t treat him so lightly.”
“No but then you’ve not had the disappointment of being his foster-father.”
“Disappointment!” Thorkell exclaimed, completely unaware that he was making things worse for Northman. “Why I hear he fought against us at Ringmere and proved himself well in battle. Cnut marked him as we fought and said he fought with genuine battle rage. That can be a rare thing.”
Northman couldn’t keep the shock from his face at the unlooked-for praise, and the knowledge that it came from Cnut doubly surprised him.
“And, he looks to me as though he’s grown even stronger and more confident since then. And enjoyed his first woman.”
Thorkell laughed at his words and walked away, oblivious to the rage burning on Eadric’s face.
“Enjoyed your first woman have you boy,” Eadric spat, “if I find it was my niece you’ll marry her before I can make any more difficulties for your father, and then you’ll have your snake living within your household.”
Eadric bristled with anger and walked away without issuing any further commands.
Northman stood for a few moments longer, and then recalled himself to his task. It would not do to dwell on the future now. If, or when he returned to Shropshire he’d deal with the almighty mess he’d made for himself.
In all, ten of them set off to track down the Viking Raiders campsite. It didn’t take them long either, as they tripped carefully along the jagged cliff tops, being careful not to fall into the crashing waves below.
Men he knew accompanied Northman, but still, he missed Olaf’s good cheer now that he was away from Mildryth. Thorkell’s men were a sullen bunch, evidently unhappy at their allying with the English. They spoke amongst themselves but made no effort to talk to Northman and his comrades. Northman listened to their desultory comments about the English but didn’t show that he understood nearly all they said. One thing was sure though. Thorkell might well have defected to the English king, but his men were unhappy with that decision.
The smell of burning and the raucous noise of laughter directed them to the Raiders encamped close to a river but far enough inland that they’d not be caught out by sudden high tides. In the flickering flames and the dull moonlight, Northman peered at the encampment before them. Whatever he’d been expecting, this wasn’t it.
The Raiders had evidently been encamped for a long time, making Northman wonder what the urgency had been. They’d built houses out of wood and had constructed defences around them. It didn’t look at all like it would be an easy battle to drive the men out. They were sheltered on a small raised platform that looked out to the river and the distant sea.
Confused Northman looked at his fellow warriors with concern.
“I thought it was a temporary camp we were attacking?” he whispered. The other English men nodded to show they’d thought as much as well, and then, finally, one of Thorkell’s men spoke to them.
“No, they’ve overwintered here. Thorkell knew of them and told the king of them. Eadric pounced on the opportunity to attack them. He wants a victory against my people so that he can count himself as proficient in battle as Uhtred and Ulfcytel and your father. He’s an idiot. Attacking my people isn't easy.”
Northman held the man’s gaze for a moment longer and thought himself an idiot to be duped by Eadric again. No doubt he’d brought him out here so that he could lose his life in some half-hearted attack against a far superior force. Not for the first time, he wished he’d had the courage to go home, with Mildryth and his, as yet, unborn child.
‘The king wants the Raiders moving on as well. They’ve been attacking shipping in and out of Bristol and the traders are becoming concerned.”
Northman sighed audibly, this time, his thoughts angry. To die in battle was one thing, but to die because the king was worried about his tax was quite enough.
On the return walk to where they’d left the ships, he consoled himself with the knowledge that he was a mean warrior. He’d live through this, and he’d go home to Mildryth, his mother and his father.
Chapter 35
AD1012 – Northman – Near St David’s
Deciding that it was imperative to attack as quickly as possible, Eadric and Thorkell decided that they’d confront the Raiders immediately. Uncaring of the few who’d been up all night looking for the enemy campsite, they were all ordered back to the ships, fully armoured, and told that they’d be attacking without delay.
Thorkell laughed at the challenge, enjoying the thrill of the battle to come. Eadric looked a little less happy, and Northman felt his anger flare at him. In a small party such as this, he had no c
hoice but to be involved. Untested as he was in battle, he clearly intended to lead them, or at least direct their every move. Northman fancied it would be a disaster and resolved to listen to Thorkell’s commands over Eadric’s. That man knew how to fight and more importantly, how to win.
In the end, it was no great battle at all. They directed their ships up the river and beached them on the shore before the small settlement. All was quiet there, and Northman had an inkling that they’d witnessed a feast last night and that all slept, safe in the knowledge that no one was going to come and rouse them from their beds and force them to fight.
Thorkell chuckled at the lack of defence, and indicated that only half of the ships should disembark, the others could stay where they were. For all that there were a number of wooden houses, the force looked to be slight, and it was the frightened face of a sleepy faced youth who became the first victim, cut down where he stood, by Thorkell.
They moved quietly through the still streets, and at Thorkell’s command, as Eadric somehow appeared to have stayed on board one of the ships, simultaneously entered both the front and the back door on the main wooden hall.
A fire smouldered in the grate, and a shrill scream from a woman met their appearance, but before any of the men could rouse themselves, a warrior was at their throats and slashed them where they lay. A pool of blood formed under Northman’s hand and he felt sickened by the carnage. There was no honour in this killing. None at all.
The woman’s cry brought no one rushing to her aid, not even other women. Instead, Thorkell and his men moved stealthily through the settlement of twenty houses, murdering every man they found, but keeping the few woman. A permanent camp it may well have been, but not yet secure enough for the Raiders to have collected their families and settled them there as well.
