by Desconhecido
“Let’s see the gold,” Eirik said evenly to give no hint he knew of their lies. He’d rather get the gold now. That way if it did come to a fight, or they had to make a run for it, they’d already gotten paid.
Two men stepped forward with a small chest. They opened it to reveal gold and silver coin within.
Eirik raised a brow. “Not all in gold coin?”
“It’s of equal value, I assure you.” The spokesman’s voice held a slight tremor.
Eirik waved and four of his men crossed the stream to retrieve it while others moved the merchant and his son across. A tense few heartbeats followed while each side waited to see if the other would attempt to cheat them or attack. Eirik watched closely as the merchants greeted each other. The merchant they’d held seemed very anxious to leave. As they started back toward the dock, Eirik saw them whispering. A sudden backward glance, then they were making true haste across the beach.
Leif hooted derisively. “Think he just told them who you are?”
“Yeah, but why the big hurry?” Eirik wondered. He closed his eyes and called his fire. He couldn’t hear more than the waves on the beach, sounds of the forest and the creak of their ship. He smelled their fear.
“I think we are going to have company soon. I can’t hear them yet but something’s not right,” he said softly.
Cedric stared out to sea. “We might be able to slip out of the cove before they get here.”
“If they catch us in the cove, it’ll be bloody at best,” Arinbjorn offered.
Steinolf’s eyes squinted into the lowering sun. “Better to stick to the plan, make them come to us.”
“And they have to dock and unload on the far side. Puts the fight in our favor, it that’s what they really want,” Cedric added.
Eirik considered as he walked back toward the fire ring. “We wait here. I want our beacon up now and keep it lit. Steinolf, I want the watches manned but no more than necessary. Cedric, we need eyes on those woods and not just for the painted men. If it were me, I’d send men around to come from the woods as well. We could face the enemy on both fronts.” He stopped by the fire ring. “Put the fire out but ready some torches, full battle gear. And I want the Fire ready to sail at a moment’s notice.” Men hurried to carry out his orders.
* * * *
Eireann watched the proceedings, wishing she could have one more go at her former husband and his father. Vermin! The mood on the longship shifted as the merchants left. But not relaxed like she expected.
“What’s wrong?” Leocadia whispered. “They seem even more tense.”
Eireann raised up enough to see the other ship leaving and the activity on the shore. “I told them the merchants might band together and attack after they paid the ransom.”
“You don’t think they'd be stupid enough to attack Northmen?” Leocadia asked incredulously.
“Not stupid, just greedy, and yes, they might.” She settled down with a sigh. “Guess it’ll be trail bread and water tonight.”
Leocadia looked puzzled. “Didn’t you eat with the rest of us?”
“No. You and Chloe get fed first, with the men. The rest of us have to wait to see what’s left over. I’d just set the last batch to cook!” Eireann sighed forlornly.
“We didn’t get any of that good-smelling stuff either!” one of the men guarding the ship groused as he watched the fire being put out.
Just moments later, bowls with fresh baked fish and greens arrived. The fish didn’t even burn! There wasn’t a lot and Eireann had to share with Saibh, but at least she got something.
The crew ate silently for a few moments. “You make this?” one asked. She nodded.
“Damn—too bad you're spoken for!”
She smiled with some pride. Cooking fish came naturally to someone raised on an island, but she had a special touch with outdoor cooking.
“Here—there’s some of that broth left for the mothers.” A man handed the pot over the side. “Eirik says they all stay onboard, all including Fridgeir’s woman.” He looked pointedly at her and she dipped her head in acceptance.
She thought she’d sit up high to watch the shore but the crew made her stay below the sides and out of sight.
* * * *
Men on the beach rested as best they could in ring mail and helms. The crew of the Fire readied her sail by raising the oars for use. They pushed the Dragon’s Fire almost clear of the beach, and mooring ropes and two oars set in the sand held her in place ready for a quick launch. Two men had sustained injuries to their legs in the fight with the forest men. Since they couldn’t move quickly in the sand, Eirik ordered them to stand watch on the Fire. They tied the raiders to oars, three on each side and the last ready on the rope to hoist the sail. They knew if the merchants caught them they’d be put to death, so Eirik figured they’d row hard enough. The young women looked frightened, but those from the forest seemed immune. They’d already seen the worst the world had to offer.
The sun dipped to the horizon—the exact time of day Eirik had attacked the raiders. They waited as the sun sank below the waves. A horn sounded from the south watch. Three blasts—three ships. The company gathered on the beach. Eirik watched as the ships slipped silently into the cove. Three large merchant ships. They would have to dock on the far side, unless they had small boats. Eirik ordered the torches lit, clearly showing the Dragon’s Fire and Northmen, ready for a fight.
Like on the merchant’s ship, the sounds of men scrambling reached them. But to Eirik it sounded more organized, like they prepared to make land. Cedric watched Eirik for a signal. Eirik walked down to the edge of the sea and waited for them to make the first move.
“You, on the shore!” came an arrogant call from the closest ship. A second moved toward the dock and Eirik heard the creak of ropes from the far ship.
Could be lowering small boats. “Speak.” Eirik raised his firm voice to be heard over the waves.
“You’ve stolen from the guild of merchants. We demand you return what you’ve taken, including all the women from the Wild Isles. You can keep what you took from the painted men.” The man’s voice reeked of arrogance.
Eirik gave the sign to Cedric. A hawk’s cry came from the dark. Dimly, shapes moved about by the signal fire. Unseen from the beach, it flashed, first dark then light, out to sea.
Eirik laughed. “You’ll let me keep what I already hold? Seriously? And I’ve taken nothing but what a bunch of beardless sea rats had. The same ones whose rotting corpses you’ll be joining if you think to take it from me.” Eirik's confident voice carried across the waves.
“You are outnumbered, four to one by my estimates. I think you’re the ones who’ll be dying!” the arrogant voice retorted.
Eirik laughed again. “I assume you’ve spoken with that fat hairless sow we just ransomed and you know who you face.” Eirik's voice took on a hard edge. “Best make sure you kill us all and leave no trace. The wrath of the Northlands will fall on you like frozen fire!”
The owner of the arrogant voice laughed maliciously. “Well, that is the plan.”
Eirik nodded
Young Njals raised the war horn and blew a long steady note. A second sounded from just outside the cove. Another just to the north. Fire arrows lit the sky. Fired from both watch points on either side of the cove—and the two drekkar now blocking the entrance.
Eirik heard panicked sounds from the merchants’ ships. He called out, “Now, let’s discuss what it’s going to cost you to leave here alive. Unless you want to try fighting your way out…” He let the threat hang in the dead night air.
Eirik listened carefully to the hasty conference held between the ships.
Sverrir, Eirik’s cousin, called from beyond the merchant ships. “High King, there are already three small boats with soldiers aboard in the water. Want us to sink them?” Like Eirik, he carried the berserker fire. A fire arrow shot over the top of the small boat farthest from its ship.
Eirik called back, “Only if they don’t ge
t back on their ships now!”
* * * *
Eireann leaned up, confused at hearing Eirik speak as if to someone not far away—but she heard only a faint sound from outside the cove. The old dog gave her a knowing grin. “Two ships just outside the cove, sailed by his cousins. They carry the fire too. Damn good hearing and it never fails to unnerve the enemy when they realize it.”
One of the injured men sighed. “Looks like they’re retreating, Damn! No glory to be had!” He sounded disappointed.
A voice called again from beyond the cove. “Looks like they want to deal. Oden’s beard! I’d hoped they be foolish enough to fight! Haven’t wetted my blade yet this summer!”
Eirik choked back a snort and passed on what his cousin had replied. Then turned back to holler at the merchant ships. “So here’s what’s going to happen. One closest goes to the dock. The other two will be boarded. Anyone who offers a fight dies. One call and those archers on the high points will set your ships afire and everyone on them. Understood?”
“And what assurance do we have you won’t just gut us anyway?” a different and far less arrogant voice requested.
“You’ve my word as High King of the Northlands,” Eirik replied as he waited on the shore. “Cedric, with me—we board the ship at the dock.”
* * * *
The ship’s captain and the leading merchant awaited him on the ship just docked. The smell of dead and rotting corpses coming from the raider’s ship permeated the air. It bothered the midlanders far more than the Northmen.
“Weapons on the deck and everyone to the stern, now,” Eirik ordered firmly. “Cedric, search them, one by one. Leif, you seem to like belowdecks. See what’s in the hold.”
Eirik stood watching and listening. Similar scenes occurred on the other ships. The merchant ships came prepared to fight, not trade. There was little coin to be had so the Northmen took pretty much anything of value.
“Your Highness, we holding these worms for more ransom?” Eirik’s cousin, Hjorr called from his ship, the Sea Serpent.
“Not sure I want to hang out that long. Been here nearly a week already. And the Fire’s pretty well laden,” Eirik called back.
Sverrir weighed in from his ship, the Sea Drake. “I think we’ve made our point. And I’ve no desire to hang out here waiting, either.”
Eirik snickered. “Missing someone?” His cousin had married last spring.
Sverrir laughed. “What can I say? I hate an empty blanket. And it’s not like we’ve seen any action out here. Not so many raiders to deal with any more.”
One of the merchants snorted rudely. “We’ve seen to that!”
Eirik guffawed, contempt obvious in his voice. “You and the Witch King? I hear he’s patrolling the shipping routes now.”
The merchant shrugged but stayed quiet.
“The Witch King? He’s got ships out?” Hjorr asked with enthusiasm.
“That’s what we’ve heard. Haven’t seen any yet. I don’t care how many ships he’s got—unless he’s learned how to build a better ship, he still can’t touch us,” Eirik replied. The Northmen’s ships sailed faster and could handle deeper water than the coastal trade ships, even those that sailed to the Wild Isles.
Cedric joined him with a sack filled with whatever the merchants and crew had been carrying. It wasn’t much. Leif returned from below with a barrel of wine and some spare weapons.
Eirik looked over the pile of weapons the ship’s men had dropped. At a nod, his men dug through to see if they wanted anything. Most of it left with the Northmen.
Eirik approached the captain and merchant. “Let this be a lesson. Don’t cross us again. You’re getting off light. I should gut you just for the insult, but you caught me in a good mood. Pass the word. Those who deal with the Witch King are fair game.” He called fire to his eyes for emphasis. The merchant blanched and nodded. The ship’s captain just looked pissed, darting angry glances at the merchant. A smell drifted past Eirik. A woman. He looked closer. A hooded form huddled in a corner behind the ship’s steering board.
“Holding out on me?” Eirik cocked a brow. “Cedric, you missed something. Or I should say, someone.” He pointed. The merchant puffed up.
“Now just a moment. That’s my woman!” he blustered.
Eirik laughed. “Not any more, unless you want to fight me for her? No? Wise.” Cedric brought her forward. A young woman of maybe eighteen years with honey hair and warm brown eyes. Eirik nodded and Hroald tossed the panicked-looking woman over his shoulder.
“I suggest you make haste back to where you came from,” Eirik warned them. “We see you again and it won’t be nearly as pleasant.” He turned his back to them in dismissal—an insult by midland standards.
The merchant ships slunk out of the cove as quickly as they could. Eirik’s cousins rowed in and landed close to the Fire.
“Think we’ll have more trouble tonight?” the youngest cousin, Bergulfr asked eagerly. He’d just turned twenty and didn’t yet have his own ship.
Eirik snickered. “Not likely since we took most of their weapons, but we’ll keep the watches manned. I want to sail with the morning tide. That should give us a few marks to get loads adjusted in the morning. Tonight, why don’t you join us on the beach?” He called out, “Someone get that fire started back up!”
“So, what have you got here?” Hjorr asked with interest as the virgins came by, followed by the four from the woods.
Eirik waved them to sit and gave them a brief rundown on the raiders and merchants over a bag of wine.
* * * *
Eireann found herself serving cold roast meats taken from the merchants to the new men. She’d just offered a bowl to a man when another grabbed her from behind. She fought the urge to bite him. She swore and pulled at his arms. “Let go of me, you overgrown goat herder!”
“Hey, that sounds like my wild woman. Let her go!” Fridgeir called from the far side of the fire. The man sighed forlornly, much to his companions’ amusement, but let go.
She took a shaky breath and headed back toward the fire.
Fridgeir called her over. “Eireann, come join me.” With a grateful sigh she settled next to him.
“Fridgeir! You’ve found yourself a woman? Of the Wild Isles no less!” Sverrir sounded impressed. “She try to slit your throat yet?”
The men laughed.
Giermund piped up, “Not slit but definitely bit!” The men laughed harder. She looked at Sverrir and shrugged. Fridgeir slid his arm around her shoulder.
“Easy, wild one. Not going to hurt you. Just want to make sure they get it.” He leaned close to whisper in her ear. He let his tongue lick the edge of her ear for good measure. She glared at him but stayed still. If it kept these new men off her, she’d deal with it.
Eirik rose and spoke loudly to the group. “Just to be clear. Those three young women—you touch it you own it. There’s a slave with a young baby and one that’s pregnant. Leave them be, they’re nothing but skin and bones as it is. The other two are available along with the women we took off the merchants, unless someone’s made a claim I’m not aware of. This redhead belongs to Fridgeir—he’s already drawn blood over her, so leave her be. And the young redhead is under age and off limits.” He settled back down and reached for the wine. Talk turned to what Eireann had told them about the Witch King.
“Any idea how many ships the Witch King has, slave?” Hjorr asked.
She frowned and shook her head. Then remembered something she’d overheard. “I waited on some of the Witch King’s men at dinner with those limp-poled, goat-sucking merchants. I heard one of his lieutenants bragging about their new ships. Fast enough to take on the Northmen, they bragged.”
“How big, how fast and how many men?” Eirik demanded.
“I, uh…don’t really know. I’d forgotten about hearing it until just now,” Eireann stammered. Saibh sat up and touched her sister’s face. Eireann looked down. “What, little flower? Do you remember something?” The girl nodde
d. She indicated larger than the Fire, maybe more men—but then she pointed to her slave collar and made like rowing.
Eireann nodded. “His rowers are slaves. Not all the men on his ships can fight. But they will likely have bows for shooting fire arrows.” Eireann thought for a moment, then added, “Oh, and rumor has it he’s got something called ‘ballista’ from the inner sea.”
Eirik looked thoughtful. “Yeah, we’ve seen those before. We make a hard-to-hit target if we can come at them straight on. Close in, the ballista’s useless, but the fire arrows could be a problem.” He sat deep in thought for a moment or two. Then he said, “We still need to stop at Dungar. Got slaves to sell and might be a good idea to pick up some supplies.” Eirik looked to his cousins who nodded agreement.
Bergulfr’s face wrinkled with wry humor. “Better get those virgins sold before they lose their value.”
Cedric chuckled. “And get what coin we can for those raiders. Not going to enjoy having them onboard! Smell like a bunch of pigs!”
“We could always throw them overboard and drag them through the water for a while. If they don’t drown they ought to smell better!” Leif suggested with a nasty laugh.
They spent a short while discussing who got what slaves on their ship and working out distribution of the rest of the loot.
Fridgeir and Arinbjorn escorted the sisters to the woods and back. The beach felt incredibly crowded with two more ships’ worth of men. The Drake carried sixty-five men and the slightly smaller Serpent had fifty.
Fridgeir drew Eireann down on his cloak. She motioned Saibh to join them and they curled up. Tonight, Fridgeir rolled his belly up against her. Others slept not far behind him and he felt just a bit possessive.
“Go to sleep, wild one. Too many around for sport tonight,” he whispered in her ear. He didn’t wrap his arms around her but she still felt hemmed in. It took her a long while to relax enough to sleep.
Chapter 14
Day 6, all day
Daylight found the beach stirring like an ant pile. They would distribute everyone’s share when they got back to Dragon’s Head. For now, weight concerned them most. Supplies, coins and other items became static ballast that needed careful balancing. Shields hung outside the top rail of the ship on special mounts. They all took on fresh water. Last, they loaded the slaves. Eireann and Saibh sailed with Fridgeir. Eirik wanted Chloe with the amulet kept close. The three virgins went on the Drake with one of the forest women and one of the merchant’s slave women. The other from the forest and a second woman they’d taken off the merchants joined Leocadia on the Serpent. The raiders had been dunked in the stream and collared. Two went on the Serpent, two on the Drake and three on the Fire.
