by Hosker,Griff
The tide was against us as we rowed up the Hamble. It delayed our arrival until the dark of night. Had I commanded I would have laid up to the west of the island and avoided detection and tiredness. We had rowed for hours before we landed. We were tough warriors but I feared it would come back to haunt us. We poured ashore from our drekar. We were the second to land and Jarl Gunnstein had already organized his men ready to attack. "Jarl Siggi, have your men form the second rank."
"Aye."
I took my place to his left while Ulf went to his right. I held my spear. When attacking a wall that was often the best weapon to use, especially when men were standing above you. I stood behind Thorgeir Sigurdsson. He was the leader of the jarl's hearth-weru and a mighty warrior. Over his shoulder I saw the defences. They had a ditch and wooden walls with a tower at each corner. Jarl Gunnstein had some archers and I hoped that they were good. If they were then we stood a chance of reaching the walls with few losses.
I did not know the warriors who stood behind us. Most came from the north. There Thorfinn Blue Scar had been the most powerful Jarl. Now he and all of his sons were dead. The ones who were with us were seeking treasure. I had no doubt that although they fought together with us and Jarl Gunnstein, they would turn on each other quickly once they returned home. I noticed that fewer than one in five had mail. They were poor warriors and would seek to enrich themselves at the Saxon's expense. A Saxon sword was a prized weapon. I needed none for mine had been made by the father of Bagsecg in Cyninges-tūn. There was no finer weapon which could be made for he had created the sword which was then touched by the gods!
Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer turned and said to Jarl Harald Fine Hair from Orkneyjar. "Hold your men here as a reserve. This does not seem to be as well defended as I expected."
"We will be ready but we shall still share in the treasure?"
"Of course!" He held up his sword and shouted, "Today we avenge those who were slain by these Saxons." He pointed at the remains of the ten heads which adorned the wooden wall. "They will rue the day that they risked our wrath!"
We began to bang our shields rhythmically. It was intended to intimidate. It sounded terrifying especially to those within the walls who sheltered and listened. The ones on the wall knew what was coming. That is always easier.
"Forward!"
I would have scouted the ditch which surrounded the burgh but Jarl Gunnstein was eager to close with the Saxons. His archers were behind the rear rank and the thirty arrows fell along the wall. Most were stopped by shields but so long as it kept them occupied then we were happy.
"Shields!" As we neared the ditch we raised our shields. I put mine over the head of Thorgeir Sigurdsson. I put my spear over his right shoulder. The dark night became darker as a warrior from the northern isles covered me with his shield. I felt his spear rest on my shoulder.
"Stop!" We were blind now and dependent on those at the front who could look down below our shields. "Ditch!"
The men of Dyflin descended and we followed carefully. The better warriors were in the centre and we negotiated the slope down well but we heard cries from the far left and right of our line as others slipped and, in slipping, allowed the Saxons to hurl spears at them. I looked in the bottom of the ditch.
"Halt!"
There appeared to be no traps and it was not muddy. The harder part was to get out of the ditch for the bank was steep. I heard the crack of stones on our shields as the defenders hurled them down from the ramparts. They were annoying more than anything. The angle of our shields deflected them as they threw them on us. Ironically the stones aided us. Thorgeir Sigurdsson shouted, "Pull the stones down. They will make steps!"
It was little enough but when the stones were pulled from the bank where they had fallen they made steps. Men were still being struck on the flanks but in the centre, close to the gate we were unharmed... at the moment.
Thorgeir said, "Hrolf, push with your shield as I rise and then follow!"
"Aye!"
I had to move my shield from over his head to do so. It was a risk and as a lead ball clanged off his helmet I wondered at its wisdom. Thorgeir Sigurdsson stepped on to the stones and, using his spear as an aid stepped up as I pushed. He rose to the top of the bank and immediately put his shield over his head. Keeping my shield up I stepped forward and held my spear up. As the mighty Thorgeir pulled I sprang up to join him on the bank below the wall. Others had emulated us. I turned and was pulling up a warrior from the north when a spear was hurled down and it hit him in the shoulder. He landed heavily but another held his spear up and I pulled.
We now had a toehold on the bank. The Saxons above us were using their spears in an attempt to shift us from our precarious perch. I saw Jarl Gunnstein and his hearth-weru as they began to hack at the door. Thorgeir Sigurdsson turned his back to the wooden wall and made a cup for my foot with his hands. "You are lighter than me. Up and clear the ramparts! We will follow!"
"Aye!" I slipped my shield around to my back and stepped onto the hands. Even as I was boosted up I saw the Saxon with his spear pull his arm back to end my life when I reached the top. As I was lifted I hurled the spear before he could stab at me. It hit him in the middle and he plummeted from the fighting platform. I landed heavily and a second warrior stabbed at me with his spear. I knocked the head to the side with the back of my left hand and then punched him on the side of the head as hard as I could with my fist. He fell screaming to the floor four paces below us. I felt something strike my back but my shield took the blow.
In one motion I drew my sword and swung it around in a wide arc. The man whose axe was embedded in my shield had no weapon and my sword bit into his unprotected neck. Blood spurted. I backhanded my sword again and it found the flesh of an arm. I had cleared a space. There was no one within three paces of me. I hefted my shield around and shouted. "Come! I have space to kill! Who will join me?"
Thorgeir leapt up whirling his sword as he did so. He stood with his back to me and said, over his shoulder. "We will clear a space for those coming up! On!" I stepped forward. I knew I had the easier task for my shield was on my left and that was the opposite side to the wall. A Saxon screamed at me and ran towards me with a whirling axe. He brought it around in a wide arc to smash against my shield. I had taken the advice of Dragonheart and used hammered nails to outline my horse's head. The axe struck the boss and then was stopped by the metal heads of my nails. However it was a mighty blow and I had to step to the right. The wooden wall behind me stopped me from falling. I brought Heart of Ice over my shoulder. The Saxon blocked it with his shield. He, however, had no wall to stop himself and as he began to overbalance I pushed harder against the shield. He too fell to the ground.
I felt a shield against my back and I heard Rurik One Ear say, "I have your back. Let Raven Wing Clan clear this wall!"
Reassured by my clan brother I roared a challenge and ran towards the three Saxons who stood before me. I was wearing mail. I had on my head my helmet with mask. Even though there were three of them they hesitated. That is always a mistake. With my shield before my face I hurtled into them. If you cannot find flesh with your weapon you are in trouble. As I rammed into them one tumbled from the fighting platform while my own sword swept before the heads of the other two. One turned and fled. Rurik's spear jabbed over my shoulder and into the face of the third. It was as simple as that. There was one left before us.
Below I heard the axes as Jarl Gunnstein's men hacked at the gate. I saw Saxons piling wood against it. "Raven Wing Clan!" I jumped from the wall landing on one of the bodies of the men I had slain. It broke my fall and I sprang to my feet. Rurik and Arne Four Toes joined me and with those on either side of me we marched towards the gate. We were outnumbered but we were outnumbered by men with inferior arms and armour. I suspected the better warriors were with King Egbert.
Some of those piling the wood against the gate turned to give us battle. We turned our shields as one and our sword poked over the top. Wearing mail a
nd being large warriors gave us an advantage over these men who faced us. When they ran at us their spears found wood and metal. Their open helmets found our swords. They did not move the three of us.
I shouted, "Now!" We all stepped forward as one. We did not even need to think about it. I thrust my sword hard at the helmet of the warrior before me. He flinched and was rewarded by the boss of my shield catching him on the jaw. As he tumbled backwards Arne's sword pierced his thigh. Rurik brought his sword over his head. The warrior he struck was stabbing his spear at me. As I turned my head slightly his helmet and skull were split asunder.
There was now a gap for three were down and I punched again with my shield to clear some space. I had quick hands and my sword darted out to find the unprotected middle of a greybeard. I tore my sword sideways. He fell writhing at my feet trying to hold in the red and black snakes which erupted from his flesh. There were two men with their backs to us and they were piling timbers behind the gate. They did not see me and my sword ended their lives quickly.
Thorgeir Sigurdsson, his cheek bleeding, joined me with three of his warriors. "You have done well. Sigtrygg, open the gate and we will finish these."
The six of us fell upon the remnants of the Saxons at the gate. They did not last long. I turned to Thorgeir, "None of these had mail. There must be better warriors somewhere else."
Thorgeir pointed. Dawn was breaking in the east and its first light showed a stone tower. There were men at its top. "They are there. The Jarl will burn them alive!"
With the gate open the men waiting outside flooded in. Jarl Gunnstein snarled, "Where are these Saxon dogs?"
Thorgeir pointed, "They have withdrawn to the tower."
Arne Four Toes said, "And they have put barricades between the houses, Jarl."
"That will not help them. Come let us end this." He turned to Siggi, "Jarl, take your clan around to the north gate in case these rats try to flee."
Ketil Eriksson said, "But what of the treasure?"
Siggi snapped, "Obey orders or find another clan." He turned back to the Jarl, "We will do as you ask."
We trudged out of the gate. I sensed that some of the men were unhappy that we would not be there when the tower fell and we found the treasure. I knew that we had gained entry and showed our courage. The other clans had yet to have the chance. I did not mind.
As we marched around the perimeter Ulf Big Nose said, "These walls smell strange. I think they have treated them with seal oil."
Karl Green Eye said, "I have heard of such things before. I believe it preserves the wood but I would not like the smell."
Sometimes a thought nags at you but no matter how much you pick at it you cannot bring it to mind. So it was with me. Something did not sit right. We had met the weakest of opposition. The last time we had raided it had been much sterner. What was different?
As we neared the northern gate we heard the sound of animals and people. With the light now flooding from the east it became obvious. They were evacuating the burgh.
"Stop them!"
There were only thirty of us but we were well armed and we were warriors. We ran to the men and those with arms. Falling upon them we showed no mercy. The only treasure would be their weapons and their women. We would take them. The gate was still open and suddenly riders burst forth. These were mailed. These were the elite warriors. I saw a priest with them too. They rode through their own people. I ran to get at them. I managed, by pushing aside some women, to reach the last three. I blindly swung my sword and felt it bite into the leg of the penultimate rider. It sliced through to the side of the horse which reared and threw him from it. He fell writhing to the ground but the rest escaped.
"Hold the prisoners. Let us make sure no one else leaves."
Even as Arne and Rurik led our men to obey their orders there was a whoosh of flame from the gate. Suddenly the flames began to race around the wooden walls. Even as I realised the significance of the seal oil the last four riders burst from the gate. Arne and Rurik slew one but the other three rode down our men. Ulf swung his sword, not at the rider but the pony. He hacked through it and the dead horse tumbled over, killing the rider as it fell. A second rider had a lance and he lunged at me. I did not flinch but grabbed the haft and pulled. He was not using stiraps and he fell from its back. He lay stunned on the floor and I put my sword to his throat. I said, in Saxon, "Move and you die!" Then I turned, "Sigurd."
"Yes lord?"
"Put your spear to his throat and if he moves end his life."
"Aye lord."
I ran to Siggi, "It is a trap! They were not barricades but bonfires. They are trying to kill the men inside."
"Pull down the gate and the walls next to it! Fetch water from the river!"
Ulf Big Nose pointed to Ketil and Knut Eriksson, "And you two make sure none of these slaves move."
"Jarl Siggi, I have a prisoner."
"Hold him until we have halted the fire."
Just then Thorgeir, Jarl Gunnstein and twenty of his men rushed through the burning gate. Some of them had their clothes on fire.
"Use your cloaks to put out the flames!"
We were lucky, only one of the warriors was badly burned. Arne and Rurik managed to pull down the gate and one side of the wall. More warriors came out coughing and spluttering. By the time the sun was getting high in the sky, the fire had died and Hamwic was a smouldering ruin. Warriors who had survived the inferno made their way out of the death trap to join us. They were led by Jarl Harald Fine Hair. His clan, like ours, was largely untouched.
Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer's armour was covered in soot. His face was blackened too but his eyes burned with anger. "Jarl Harald, are any left alive inside?"
The Jarl from Orkneyjar shook his head. "I have brought with me the only survivors."
Jarl Gunnstein took out his sword. He said to me, "Is this the only warrior who survived?"
"Aye Jarl. A couple escaped us on their horses but we slew the rest. The warriors who fled rode up the road. They will have gone to Wintan-Ceastre."
"And that is where we will go when I have spoken to this nithing!" He turned to Jarl Siggi. "You speak Saxon do you not, Jarl?"
"I speak enough to question him."
"I want to know who ruled here and who devised the plan."
We went to Sigurd. I nodded and he removed his sword. Siggi hauled the man to his feet. He was dressed in mail and looked to be a housecarl. They were tough men and I doubted that he would reveal much. I understood enough of Saxon to make out most of what he said.
"Who commanded here?"
The man remained silent.
"Who started the fire?"
He continued to stare at Siggi.
I noticed that although he had a cross around his neck he still wore warrior bands and there was another token hanging next to the cross.
Siggi turned to Jarl Gunnstein, "He refuses to speak, Jarl. Shall I hurt him? Perhaps the threat of the blood eagle might loosen his tongue."
The Jarl from Dyflin shook his head, "Look, he wears warrior bands. This man is hearth-weru. He will die before he tells us anything."
"Let me try." I walked over to him and put my hand towards his face. He did not flinch. I reached under his mail and pulled out the cross and the crudely made symbol of the wild boar. This man purported to be a Christian but he was a pagan. I had the measure of him and I said, "You are oathsworn and your master lives." His mouth said nothing but his eyes flickered and answered me. He had done his duty and was willing to die for the man who had abandoned him.
I tore the two tokens from his neck. Holding then apart I said, "Which one would upset you to lose I wonder?" I took the silver cross and threw it to Sigurd who gratefully caught it. The Saxon said nothing. I put the wild boar token on the ground, spat on it and ground my heel upon it. The Saxon lurched towards me. I had been expecting it and I punched him hard on the nose before he could get close to me. His face erupted in blood and cartilage Arne and Rurik ran to hold his
arms.
I nodded, "So you still believe in the old ways. Your master did not. He followed Egbert and he converted. Your master is not worthy of your death. He fled and left you. Our leaders do not leave their clan to die. Your Eorl is a coward."
I saw him strain against my two friends. Jarl Gunnstein asked, "What did you say to him, Hrolf the Horseman?"
"I called his leader a coward. This man plays at being a follower of the White Christ. He follows the old ways. He believes in dying with a sword in his hand." I turned back to him and said, in Saxon, "Tell me the name of your Eorledman and we will put a sword in your hand and send you to the Otherworld as a warrior."
He said nothing at first but I saw the debate he was having with himself.
"I will give you a warrior's death."
His eyes brightened, "You swear?"
I heard a murmur from behind as he spoke.
"I swear."
"I will only tell you his name."
"And that is all I want." I saw him wrestling with the decision. He would still have kept his word if he just told us the name of his leader. What could be gained?
"What does he say?"
"I offered him a warrior's death if he told me the name of his master."
"Good." I heard a sword being drawn.
The Saxon said, "Eorledman Ecgfrith of Hamwic. He is my master."
I picked up his sword and, gesturing to Arne and Rurik to release him I handed it to him. If he chose he could have used it on me but I watched him nod his thanks and hold it in two hands as Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer's sword took his head.
"Eorledman Ecgfrith of Hamwic."
"Thank you Hrolf the Horseman. Once again I am in your debt. Thorgeir Sigurdsson, have the slaves and the mail taken to the ships. Divide it evenly and have those who have suffered wounds and burns guard them. We eat and then march on Wintan-Ceastre. We will teach this Eorledman Ecgfrith of Hamwic the price of angering Vikings."
Chapter 6
Jarl Siggi smiled, "And you did not think you were ready to be jarl." He shook his head. "You are still too reckless!" he turned, "Find food and see if there is any ale." Although we were outside the walls there were many huts which lined the river.
