by Griff Hosker
Each step next to the wall increased my admiration for these ancient soldiers. At one point they appeared to have tried to make the wall climb a cliff! It twisted up a cliff that I though a goat would have struggled to climb. They must have been a tenacious people. Once at the top we could see the land stretching away to the north. There it looked less hospitable and appeared to be covered with gorse and bracken. Harold had to walk with us for there was a sheer drop to the left and he could no longer watch our flank. As the sun dropped lower in the sky we saw the remains of a huge fort. It was enormous and seemed to grow out of the wall and tumble down the hillside. The gods had been cruel on the journey across but now they answered our prayers by giving us shelter and security for the night.
I sent some of the men to fetch water from the lake which ran next to the cliff while others went hunting. It was not a great catch but they managed a couple of squirrels, a hare and a couple of game birds. Had we had a pot they would have made a good stew but we had to roast them and they were a little tough. It was however, a change from bread and cheese and therefore even more welcome. We now had enough food for an extra day.
As we watched the stars high above us Rolf stated what was in all our minds. “We have seen no ponies yet.”
“I know. If we have no ponies then we will have to think of something else.” I was much calmer and philosophical about this dilemma than my men were. I could sense the agitation and worry in Rolf and Cnut when they spoke. I was certain that the land would help us. We were doing something for the ancient people of this land and I knew that they would not let us down.
“I am thinking that this would be the best place to have men waiting for us. By my reckoning we have about twenty miles or so to go. There may be another of these on the way but we cannot count on it.”
Haaken nodded, “It would be a good place and the cliff path will also hold up anyone who pursues us. Now you have to decide who will stay and who will go.”
I smiled and lay back to sleep. I had already decided who I would take, Scanlan and Aiden of course, Haaken, Cnut, Egill, Olaf, Harold, Sweyn, Lars, Oleg and Gudrun. They were Ulfheonar and had been with me the longest. Rolf would resent being left behind but he had already shown me that he was a leader of men. I would have a safe place to return to.
The next day there was marked contrast n the faces of the men. The ones I had chosen walked tall while the rest had a hangdog look on their faces. Poor Snorri was the one who looked the most hurt. Aiden was not even a warrior and he was going with me. He did not know that the plans I had made needed both Aiden and Scanlan.
The land began to descend to the west and, alarmingly, we saw more farms. There were now just a handful of us which made hiding easier. A whistle from Egill warned us of any danger. When we heard it we hid. For the second time that day we heard his whistle. There was an old Roman tower crumbling and half destroyed by time close by but it would hide us. We scurried into its walls and hid. I did not worry about Egill he would be able to hide. I heard the Saxon voices as they tramped along the side of the wall.
I caught snatches of their conversation which told me that King Eardwulf was beginning to move west. There were just four warriors and we could have killed them easily but I did not want our presence known. These four were exploring the wall for defensive structures. If they reached Rolf they would have a shock! After they had passed we emerged from our hiding place and continued, very cautiously towards the east. The wall seemed to plummet down to the river and we found another fort which spanned the river. This would have been an even better place to secrete Rolf and his men but it was handy to know where it was. From what I had heard from the Saxons this was largely unexplored country for them. We would be on an equal footing.
After we had crossed the river and begun to climb east I was aware that we were getting close to Hexham and we needed directions. Eagle eyed Egill spotted the farm and the horses as we walked along the side of the wall. We halted and hid in some woods.
“Scanlan, now is the time.” I handed him a purse with coins. They were Saxon coins taken from the monasteries and would not arouse suspicion. I pointed towards the farm. “Take Aiden and go to the farm. Tell them you are a horse trader and wish to buy horses. Haggle but you will have to pay them. Find out where Hexham is. Tell them that you are going to try to get horses from there.”
The two of them left us. This was the part I hated. I preferred to be the one taking the chances. I didn’t like the idea of either of them coming to harm. In addition the acquisition of horses was vital to our plans.
“What will you do when you have these crowns?”
“I do not know. At the moment I am just protecting them from the Saxons. I owe it to my ancestors.” Haaken’s question was a good one but I had no good answer to it.
It seemed an age but eventually I heard the sound of horses. We waited until Scanlan and Aiden appeared next to us leading the four horses. Scanlan shook his head, “From the price we paid these must be horses which can fly!” he shook his head in disbelief. He had been a poor farmer before he had been a slave and the thought of paying large amounts of coins for animals was beyond him.
“And Hexham?”
“We are almost there.” He pointed to the south east. “It is south of the old road but the farmer says there are few horses there, just monks and warriors.”
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck tingling. Warriors meant that there was something worth protecting. “Did he say how many warriors?”
“No.”
“Well, we can now leave this wall and head towards our destination.” I looked at the sky. “We still have plenty of time before sunset. Let us eat and then move on.” We wolfed down our cheese and bread. We had eaten the last of our supplies. Putting Aiden on the back of one of the horses we led them along the trail which led to Hexham. We had not gone far when one of the horses neighed. I knew nothing about the beasts but Scanlan did.
“There are other horses around.”
I helped Aiden dismount. “Egill, go and find the horses.” I turned to Scanlan. “Do you still have coins?”
“Aye and this time I will haggle better.”
“Spend what you have to.” I smiled, “In any case we will be passing this way on our way back. If we have time we could get a fairer price from our greedy farmer friends on our return journey. Swords can be very persuasive.”
Egill was back almost instantly, “In that field on the other side of the hedgerow are three horses. They are smaller than these. There is a farm at the top of the hill.”
“Go Scanlan, we still have time enough.”
While we waited I examined the horses. They had no saddles but each had a rope halter. It would not be comfortable riding them but we would be able to outdistance any pursuit.
Cnut broached the question which had been lurking at the back of my mind. “Suppose these warriors outnumber us?”
“They may well do. I think tonight the Ulfheonar use stealth. We become true wolves. We get rid of the guards, even if it takes us a long time but we must do so silently. We do not know how many others live close by this place do we?” I could see the doubt on his face. “I chose this war party because I trust all of you. You will all know what to do when we have to.”
Cnut shook his head, “You make it sound so easy and yet I know, as we all do, that this is an almost impossible task.”
Haaken chuckled, “And they make the best sagas don’t they? Throw in a dragon or two and we can all die happily.”
“For the sake of my wife and family can we save immortality for another night?” The horses neighed again and then Scanlan and Aiden reappeared.
Scanlan was smiling, “That was a better trade. I think the other farmer robbed us.”
“It doesn’t matter. We have acquired seven horses now. If some ride double we have enough for us all.”
We knew that we were close to our destination which made the next couple of miles even tenser. The ground began to drop away and w
e found ourselves coming to the edge of a large forest. Egill raced back holding up his hands to halt us. “I can see the town. It is a mile away, no more.”
“Scanlan and Aiden, tether the horses here. Find some water, they will need it and then guard them. The rest of you, come with me.” Once we reached the edge of the forest I could see, in the fading light of this summer evening, the land stretching out before us. It was flat farmland and I could see why they had eschewed the hills. Why farm where life was harsh when you had a verdant valley like this one so close to hand? I could also see why they had built the monastery where they had. It dominated the landscape. That also explained the warriors. Some Saxon lord claimed ownership of this land and the soldiers would impose his will. The monks had merely taken advantage of the arrangement.
The tolling bell identified both the time and the site of the monastery. It was just north of the town. As with the others it was protected by a palisade. The lowing of cattle and bleating of sheep told us that they had animals within. That might even help us.
We watched the gates as the last of the priests entered. This time there were warriors. Two guards stood at the northern gate and we assumed there would be the same number at the south. These were warriors and not just armed villagers. They had axes and shields as well as helmets. I even saw the glint of warrior bands on the hilts. The lack of mail did not mean they were inferior to us just that their role did not necessitate mail. We saw two men patrolling the ramparts. The church was easily identified by the small bell tower and the cross. There looked to be more buildings here than at the other two. Would this one prove to be luckier?
With just ten of us I did not want us separated. We kept together. Our shields were over our backs and we held our swords before us. The slope which led down to the walls of the monastery was dotted with bushes and we made our way down through them using each one for cover. The gates were slammed shut and we waited in the bushes to see where the guards were. The two we had seen on the ramparts were augmented by another two. With four walls to guard them meant one to a wall. This created problems as there would always be one sentry watching out when we approached. I intended to strike as early as possible. The bells meant that the priests would be at their prayers and then they would have their food. This was the time when they would be occupied and, hopefully, at their least vigilant.
We waited until the sentry had left the middle of the wall and then ran the last fifty paces to shelter beneath the wooden timbers. The walls were as tall as me and then half as tall again. Olaf and Oleg held the shield at knee height and Lars crouched upon it. He had a wickedly sharp dagger in his hand and he was an accomplished warrior with a blade. He waited until the sentry was level with him and then he tapped Oleg on the helmet lightly. The two men stood and raised the shield above their heads. Lars lightly sprang over the wooden walls and within a heartbeat had his arm fastened around the mouth of the sentry while his dagger slashed his throat. He hurled the body over the palisade and continued the march the sentry had been making. In the dark we hoped they would not look too closely at their fellows.
We moved around to the next wall. Lars would keep away from the other two sentries while we disposed of the third. This time it was Gudrun who stood on the shield. Although not as skilled with a knife as Lars he was one of the strongest Ulfheonar. His grip was such that the sentry had no chance of moving. I think he pulled so hard that he broke the man’s neck but it mattered not for his throat was cut too.
He reached down and hauled Cnut up and then Haaken. We went around to the gate. This part was the most dangerous moment. Lars and Gudrun would have to deal with the other two sentries with Haaken and Cnut poised to help them. The rest of us waited helplessly by the gate. We could see nothing. If we heard anything then it would all be up with us for we would be discovered. It seemed an age but then waiting always does. I knew that Scanlan and Aiden would already think that we had been away for hours. We heard not a sound from within.
When the gate finally opened I saw all four of my men. Their smiles told me that the blood they bore was the Saxons and not their own. We moved swiftly through the gate and barred it again. We had to find the remaining warriors and kill them silently. If anyone came out we wanted them to see the gates closed, as they would have expected. The town was just a little too close for comfort.
I did not think that we would find them in the church. We searched elsewhere. There appeared to be a long building which looked like a warrior hall. I led the men there. Sweyn watched our backs with an arrow notched in his bow. We waited outside and heard the laughter of men. We had no idea how many there were within. We stood with drawn swords and I counted down with my fingers.
We burst through the door. It was a Saxon warrior hall. There was a fire in the middle and the men were seated at a table drinking. There were ten of them. Surprise was all and I leapt towards the one nearest man who was reaching for his sword. He was fast and he managed to smack my sword away as it plunged towards his middle. He had no armour and I did. I also had a mailed glove. I punched him on the side of the head, stunning him. It gave me the chance to prepare my sword to swing down. He was groggy when I struck his sword; it shattered in two and the blade continued down to sever his throat. I spun round as I felt a movement behind me. The warrior who had launched himself at me with the spear had almost stuck me. I chopped down on the haft and the head fell to the floor. He was a huge man and he leapt at my neck with two hands that looked as big as a shield. I fell over with him on top of me. I could not move Ragnar’s Spirit which was trapped beneath us and I felt myself slowly blacking out. “Filthy Viking! Die!”
He would have been better to shout a warning to the priests but he was too intent on my death. I slipped my hand down to my leggings and grabbed my seax. I was losing consciousness as I ripped it up and into his heart. I lay there for a moment or two letting the blood enter my own head as his life blood left him and oozed all over me. When I stood they were all dead as was Lars who lay there with an axe embedded in his back. We would take him home with us but first we had to find the treasure.
As we left the warrior hall I sent Gudrun to one gate and Harold to the other. I whispered, “No-one escapes!”
The rest of us headed for the church. We could hear those within intoning chants and responses. I did not think that anyone would leave early which gave us the chance to see if there were any other exits. “Olaf, go around the building. See if there are any other ways in or out.” After he had gone I said to the others, “These are priests and they will not fight. Keep your weapons ready but do not kill. We need for them to cooperate. Perhaps they will value their lives rather than some pagan treasure.” In truth I did not want to kill them. I had not enjoyed ending the lives of the priests we had killed before. Ironically the ones who we had taken now seemed happier. Even the old priest from the monastery of St. Cuthbert appeared to be a happy prisoner although in his case it was because he thought that he could convert us all.
Olaf returned. “This is the only door.” He grinned and he looked even scarier than he normally did. “Lambs to the slaughter.”
“Do not kill unless you have to.” He looked disappointed. “Let us go!”
I stepped into the candlelit church. There were no more than fifteen priests there but there were two warriors. I could see their mail. They were all chanting and had not heard or felt us enter. I waved my men down the sides of the kneeling congregation. I moved swiftly towards the warriors. I was aware that Haaken and Cnut had followed me. I held Ragnar’s Spirit above my shoulder in both hands and I focussed on the nearest warrior who was kneeling at the front on the left. The other was on the right.
There was a shout from a priest as I passed him. He threw an arm out to stop me and Cnut’s sword slipped into his throat. The warrior at the front heard the noise and, with amazing dexterity, whipped out his sword to face me. Had I not had my sword ready then it might have gone ill. As it was I brought it down savagely and his head rolled to the
floor. I heard a scream behind me and, as I turned I saw Haaken withdrawing his sword from the second warrior’s chest. I stepped to the front table which had a cross on it and some of the lace my wife so admired. I turned and roared, “Silence! I am Dragon Heart and I give you my word that if you do as I say you will neither be harmed nor taken as slaves.” I spoke in Saxon and it seemed to take them by surprise. I waited until they were all quiet. “All of the warriors are dead and your lives are in my hands. If you die it will be because you have willed it and I believe your White Christ frowns on taking your own life.”
I saw some of the priests looking at each other when I said that. They assumed that all Vikings were ignorant of their religion. I was not ignorant I just did not agree with it. I saw a young priest who looked as though he had just wet himself from the puddle between his legs. I walked over to him and pressed the tip of the sword to the end of his nose. He was not to know that it was almost impossible to kill a man quickly with the sword there but it had the effect of focussing his attention on the shiny and sharp blade. I spoke to the priests as a whole but my question was aimed at the terrified young man before me. ”I come here for one thing; the jewels and crowns of Rheged. They do not belong to you. They are pagan and I want them.”
I could see the older ones exchange looks and the wet priest flicked his eyes to look at the priest behind me who still knelt.
“I can see you know of what I speak. Tell me or this young priest dies.” I allowed a heartbeat for them to react and then I added, gently, “This is not one of your relics, it is a pagan relic. Is it worth the death of one of you? It will not make them a saint and it will not make them a martyr. It will make them dead and foolish.”
Despite wetting himself the boy whose nose touched my sword was brave and he closed his eyes and began to mouth a prayer. His fingers caressed the cross at his neck. I would not like to kill the boy but I would.
The priest behind me said, “Leave Brother Michael alone. We have what you seek. Take it and go.” He stood and took a chest from under the table which bore the cross. I nodded to Cnut who opened it. He took out a crown held up four fingers and then nodded.
