by Griff Hosker
We pushed off and the wind took us. The snekke had had enough of the beach and the land. She was a creature of the sea.
Chapter 16
We were away for twenty days. It was almost Ýlir when we returned.
While Ade and Padraig, aided by Edmund, emptied the snekke I went to the hall. I could tell that most of the clan had all worried about us. Their faces were all etched with concern. Gytha was the exception. She smiled beatifically as she greeted me, “I knew you would return safely. The spirits spoke to me.” My parents, Snorri and my brother, along with Siggi were there. “Føroyar is close enough for the drekar to make the journey in fourteen nights. It could be faster if we did not rest at night. The islands are without trees. We could not repair our ship there and we would need to take kindling but there are many seals and sea birds there.”
“Could we live there?”
I looked my father. He did not wish to lose this home but if he did then he wanted a choice of a new one. I nodded, “Aye but we would have no meat nor would we be able to use wood. If I am honest it would be a place to stop. The ground was covered in heathers. I am unsure what we could grow there.”
Arne said, “The same could be true of the land of ice and fire.”
I drank from my horn, “I do not wish to leave this land. None of us do but if we are forced to move then where do we go?”
Gytha was nursing Anya, her youngest. “There may be other lands to the west. We do not know. Until this Naddod found the land of ice and fire we did not know that there was any land to the west. We have a navigator. He has sailed further from land than any of us, you included, Lars Ragnarsson. The Norns have spun. I agree with Erik, I do not wish to leave here but none of us wish to be ruled by a Norwegian king!”
She had spoken and there was no argument. We would continue to live in this beautifully green land and we would prosper. If the Allfather wished us to move then he would send a sign. On the way back Aed and Padraig had been persuaded by me to ask for the hands of Helga and Maren sooner rather than later. Neither father would be happy about the two newest members of the clan sneaking around behind their backs. Surprisingly both fathers agreed to the marriages. The two Irishmen had shown themselves to be hard working and willing to fight for the clan. That was enough. They were married at the winter solstice. Both Finn and Snorri had insisted that we follow the old ways. We had no priest in any case. Gytha joined them as husband and wife.
As we broached a fresh barrel of ale Arne and Siggi teased me for I was still without a wife. I laughed it off. “I am married to the sea!”
Arne had nudged me in the ribs, “Brother the sea is cold and unforgiving. Freja is warm and comfortable. These long nights are bearable with a woman in your arms. Your duck down is warm and that is all, now a woman…”
I did not mind the teasing. When I found a woman with whom I wished to spend the rest of my life then I would take her. For the moment I needed nothing save my ships.
As we had sailed back, I had thought of ways of helping our ships sail together for long periods and at night. I had Sven, Stig and Eidel make clay pots. Instead of a hole in the top I had them make a hole in the side. They also had two small holes in the side so that they could be suspended from the stern post. They were there to be a light for another ship to follow. If we hung them astern using broken pieces of mail then there would be little or no risk of fire.
When both Gefn and Helga were with child at the start of Þorri then the teasing became worse. I took to riding one of the horses we had taken from the Saxons. It helped me to enjoy this land. I had a feeling that we would be sailing soon. I wanted to enjoy trees and green fields. We had little or no snow in this land we had found. When snow did fall it melted within a short time. I rode south and west first and found another river and a place which would make an even better place to moor ships. We had not seen it before as we normally headed due west to take advantage of the winds. I stored the information and when I returned to the hall, I marked it on my map. When I headed east, I found that the land rose and, in the distance, I saw the high divide. To the east of it lay the land of the Danes. I saw few farms between our stad and the high ground. Finally, I headed south and east. I had intended going north the next day, towards the Land of the Wolf, but the Norns had been spinning. I crossed the Loyne and headed for a rocky knoll which would give me a view of the land to the south of me. The Allfather sent me a fine day. The horse whom we had named Thor in honour of the god had enjoyed being part of the clan. He responded well to my commands and he climbed the animal path to the top of the rock easily. I dismounted and gave him some water from my water skin. I poured it into my helmet. I gave him a handful of oats and then let him graze the scrubby grass. The rock rose above me and, hanging my sword from the saddle, I climbed.
As I stood, I felt the wind pushing against me. I looked back, towards Larswick. The smoke told me where it was. I could not see the drekar for the mast was stepped but I saw the palisade. I turned and saw the new river I had found and then I looked south. The Allfather sent a shaft of sunlight. It glinted off something metal. I shaded my eyes. The flash came again. As I stared, I realised what I could see. More than ten miles away was an army and it was heading north. I almost panicked and went to my horse. Then I realised it would take hours for them to come close to our river. Once I had identified it as an army, I tried to identify it. When I saw that the shields were smaller than those used by the Danes, I knew that they were Saxons. King Ceolwulf had had enough of our raids and had sent men to punish us.
I went to my horse and rode hard back to Larswick. We had an enemy and we would have to fight. I rode quickly for if the Saxons were coming north then it was for us. I passed men who were already preparing fields for the animals to be born in the spring. Hurdles were made from the willows which grew by the river. I shouted, as I passed, “The Saxons are coming. Get to the stronghold!”
As I neared the river, I saw the drekar and the snekke. If the Saxons burned them, we would be stuck. We would have no means of escape. I galloped through the gates and hurled myself to the ground. My galloping hooves brought my father and the other warriors from their halls. Arne said, “What is it, brother?”
I said the bare minimum, “The Saxons are coming. They have an army! I estimate them to be three hours away.”
My father nodded, “Then we had best send for those with farms beyond the walls.”
“I have told those to the east.”
“Good. Arne warn the others. Erik, the drekar…”
I nodded. “I will moor them in the river. Padraig, Aed!” The two now had wives and their own huts. They appeared from within. “Get your weapons. War has come!” They just nodded. They kissed their wives and, grabbing their swords and bows followed me. “Sven, fetch the ship’s boys!”
Already the stronghold was a hive of activity. There was no panic. Men donned mail, helmets and fetched weapons. Those women who fought also took weapons. The ones such as Gytha and my mother began to shepherd the younger children into our hall. The boys took their slings and stone pouches and ran to the fighting platform. Since the Danes had attacked, we had built a fighting platform and there were ladders for men to use to ascend. We had yet to build a tower. That would come.
We hurried down the path to the boats. “Sven Fámrsson, tie the snekke and the two knarr to the stern of the drekar. Eidel Eidelsson and Rek Rethersson, you guard the snekke. Stig help your cousin. Halsten and Dreng, you two watch the knarr. Stay aboard until I tell you otherwise. The eight of you will defend the boats.”
“You will not be with us?”
I shook my head, “I was not at my father’s side the last time we fought and he almost died. You eight will be sufficient to keep the drekar and snekke safe.”
None of the vessels had their masts in place. They rested on the mast fish. My plan was to let the tide take them to the mouth of the estuary. There the water would be too deep for the Saxons to ford. I stripped off my clothes and, after p
utting them on the ground, I boarded the drekar. The ship’s boys had tied the snekke to the stern. I shouted, “Cast off and board.” As soon as the last rope was loosened the drekar began to drift towards the mouth of the river. We now had a metal anchor. We had used old swords and made our own crude anchor. This would be the first time we had used it. “Padraig and Aed go to the anchor. When I give the command then let it fly. Stig and Eidel, have the drogue anchors ready too.” We were moving very quickly now. I had to judge this right. When I saw the water change colour I shouted, “Now!” As the anchors were thrown out, I shouted, “Sven, lower the drogue anchors on the snekke and knarr.” The four ships almost jerked to a halt. I looked over the steering board. “Sven, climb aboard the drekar.” He clambered hand over hand to the ship. I pointed to the shore. “You will all see the battle from here. I hope that we win but, if we do not and there are no survivors, then I leave the four ships to you.”
Stig said, “But you must survive!”
“And I hope I do but there are no certainties in war. May the Allfather be with you.” I stood on the stern rail and dived into the water. The current was strong but I was stronger. Eventually I reached the quay and clambered up. I dried myself with my kyrtle and then ran up the path. The gates were already closed. Arne had them opened and I ran to the hall to prepare for war. I dressed in my leather jerkin. It was now studded with a great deal of metal. It would take a lucky blow to find somewhere unprotected by iron. I donned my good boots, head protector and then my helmet, I strapped on my sword, picked up my bow, shield and spear and headed for the walls.
Arne shouted, “You take the river wall! That way you can keep an eye on your precious ships!”
I laughed, “Those ships will be our only way out if our defences fail!”
“Then we are safe for I helped to build them! The Saxons will blunt their blades on our walls.”
When I reached the wall, I saw that Leif and Olaf were amongst the warriors there. Siggi would fight alongside Arne. They always did. With the enemy coming from the south and east then those were the two walls we would defend. The women and wounded warriors would watch the north wall. The west wall backed to the sea. I laid down my shield and spear on the fighting platform and strung my bow. It was hard to do and that boded well for it meant it was still powerful. Faramir and Farman were on my wall as were Sigismund and Gandálfr. I had fought with all of them.
Olaf asked, “How many were there?”
“They were too far away to count. I saw they had the priests carrying their cross and men carrying banners.” I sensed nervousness. I tried to calm their fears, “Our walls are strong and they have marched. If they camp then we can raid them this night. The day will be short and they will have a cold night. We have fire and hot food. All of our animals are within the walls. I have never attacked a stronghold and I would not like to.”
Gandálfr said, “This was to be expected. We have raided them three times already. When we defeat them then they will let us be.”
I hoped that he was right. Someone on the gate wall had good eyes for a shout went up, “They come!”
I leaned over the side and saw their banners as they crested the bluff. They had men banging drums and I could hear chanting. That would be their priests. They were not using the path which was close to the river. They must have known that the ground was quite marshy there. Instead they were spreading out in a long line. I found it hard to see.
It soon became apparent that they were not doing what we expected. Arne shouted, “Erik, they are spreading to attack the north wall too. Leave three men there and take the others to join the women and boys.”
“Aye, brother!”
“Olaf, Leif, Faramir, Sigismund, Farman and Gandálfr come with me. You three stay here!” We descended the ladder and ran across the interior of the stronghold. Whoever led them knew how few we were. They were going to attack us at many points.
I saw that my cousin, Helga, was there. She wore a helmet and carried a sword and shield. She grinned at me, “If the Saxons come here, they are in for a shock. They have never seen women fight!”
I now saw what Arne meant. There looked to be two hundred warriors. They had with them fifty or so men of the fyrd. We would be outnumbered in warriors by five to one. The women and boys we had would decrease those odds. Had I not put eight on the fleet then we would have more men to fight. Had I made a mistake? The priests turned their back on us and began to chant. I took an arrow and nocked it. The Saxons were less than a hundred and twenty paces from us. Standing on the fighting platform increased my range. I pulled back and released. The priest had no mail or leather to protect him. The arrow struck him in the back and knocked him to his knees. As the women and men on my wall cheered Olaf and Leif sent two more arrows into another two of the priests.
It unleashed the Mercian beast. Without waiting for orders the warriors and the fyrd ran at us. We began nocking and releasing arrows as fast as we could. The slingers sent a veritable stone storm at them. Men fell for, in their anger, they had forgotten to hoist their shields. I only saw those charging our wall but fifteen men fell including three warriors wearing either leather or mail. They were nearing the wall now and I urged those alongside me, “Keep it up! We must stop them reaching the walls!”
There was a shout from my side. The Saxons also had archers. Sigismund had been hit in the cheek. He was lucky that it was a hunting arrow and not a war arrow. He snapped it off and threw it back over the wall. I saw an archer pull back on his bow. My arrow was nocked and I released it. It smacked into his chest. I nocked another arrow. I had but two war arrows left. I saw a thegn urging his men on. He was thirty paces from me. As he turned, I released and my arrow hit him just below his nose. He fell backwards. We had not seeded the ditch with traps but it was slippery. I sent my last arrow into the shoulder of a warrior and then picked up a throwing spear. It was one I had used on the seal hunt. The Saxons ran to the shelter of the wall where the stones could do little damage. More than half of the men who had started the attack now lay either dead or wounded. We were still outnumbered. I pulled back my arm as the first Saxons tried to make a human ladder. A warrior stood with his back to the wall. I hurled my spear and it went through his shoulder.
Helga shouted, “They have made the gate!”
Our weak point was the gate and they had men with axes. I saw that Arne and Siggi had organised men to brace the gate.
“Then we beat these and go to help Arne.”
I picked another throwing spear and threw it into the arm of a Saxon who had placed his foot in the hands of a comrade. Sigismund picked up a rock. He dropped it on to the helmet of the warrior who braced his back against the palisade. He wore a helmet but the rock was a big one. The helmet and skull were crushed. The attack was broken. The survivors ran the gauntlet of slingers as they raced back across the ditch.
“Helga and the women watch here. Warriors with me! My brother needs us.”
I picked up the Saxon thrusting spear and my shield. I ran down the ladder just as the gate burst open. I saw my father and Snorri lead the men from the wall to go to the aid of Arne and Siggi. The two stood together with four warriors who had wounds. I screamed, “Clan of the Fox!” My legs moved quicker than I had ever known and as Arne and Siggi used their shields to block the swords of the first Saxons I rammed my spear into the side of the warrior on the far left of the line. I pulled it out and thrust at the arm of the next Mercian. Then a spear came at me. I instinctively flicked up my shield and blocked the blow. I swung the spear around and it clattered into the warrior’s helmet. As he reeled, I pulled my arm back and skewered his left leg. He shouted and arched his back. I lifted my shield and brought it down across his throat. He died!
The gate was open and the Saxons rushed in. It became a confused battle for more of our men ran from the walls to join in. I heard the clank of stones as they hit Saxon helmets and mail. The boys on the walls were still fighting for the clan. I heard a scream as Helga led
the six women with weapons. I lunged at a Saxon who was trying to stab my father with his sword. My spear stuck in his right side. He hacked down with his sword and the spear was cut in two. My father was safe for the moment but I was not. Even as I tried to draw my sword he swung at my head. I barely managed to block the blow with my shield. He was wounded but sought to finish me first. He punched with his shield and I tried to dance out of his way. I bumped into someone behind me. I dared not turn to see if it was friend or foe. His shield caught my shoulder. My sword freed, I went on the attack although I expected a blade in the back at any time. The Saxon pulled back his arm for another strike. I did the unexpected, I lunged at his thigh and my blade ripped through his breeks and into his leg. I twisted the blade. It fought against muscle and sinew. When I pulled it out blood spurted. I punched him in the face with my shield and he fell writhing to the ground. His hands went to his leg but it was a mortal wound. I had no time to celebrate for the gateway was a maelstrom of swords, bodies and shields.
