by Hosker,Griff
Chapter 7
We barely made it home afloat. Someone had to be watching over us for the water was almost lapping over the sheerstrake. We made for my bay. The jetty there would ensure that we lost no slaves when they were landed. They were taken off first and Ulf Big Nose, with six warriors, escorted them home. I was given two small girls. Their mother had fallen between our drekar and the Dyflin drekar when we were loading in the river by Hamwic. She never surfaced. The rest of the crew thought that the two girls were bad luck. After the death of the Saxon boy I felt that the Norns had given them to me to make a better life. I landed my chest with my share of the treasure. Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer had kept his word and given me a large part of his treasure too.
Sigurd went to fetch Gilles and I took the horses from the ship. The stallion, jet black with a white blaze on his forehead, seemed reluctant to leave the ship. I was forced to sing to persuade him to leave. Gilles was waiting by the time he was landed and he held him for me. The two mares were easier to manage and the three of us led the two girls, horses, treasure and mail, up the slope to my home. I turned as the drekar backed out of the bay. I saw the relief on Sven's face for she rode higher in the water. Our life on the island would go on. Sigurd chatted to Gilles as we walked up the hill. The two slaves held hands and followed.
Mary came down to meet us, "Who are these?"
"They are slaves. Their mother died and the clan did not want them. I said we would give them a home. You could do with help around the hall could you not?"
She flashed a look of disbelief at me. "How callous! They have lost their mother and you think of them as goods to be used!"
I shook my head, "Did your father not have slaves too?"
"That is not the point! What are their names?"
I shrugged, "I know not. Ask them!"
"Men!" She put her arms around them and took them inside the hall.
I looked at Sigurd, "Is your wife like this?"
He grinned, "All women are like this lord! I have had days of peace and now I will return to all the problems which happened while I was away. I will be blamed because the wind blew or did not blow. I will be blamed when the children misbehave. Such is life!" he held up his sword, "Thank you for the sword, helmet and coins, lord. My brother will be keen to join you next time! Enjoy the mail Gilles. It served me well."
After he had gone Gilles said, "There is mail?"
"Aye. It may be too big but you will grow into it. One day you will go to war with me and you will need to be dressed properly!"
The new stallion began to become agitated. I looked at Gilles. "I think that, for tonight we will hobble him and put him in the enclosure. I do not think that he and Dream Strider will get on. Tomorrow we build him a separate stable."
Gilles nodded, "The mares should be fine with him. Have you named them yet, lord?"
"Not yet. I think we will let Mary name the mares. It may make her less angry. Would you like to name the stallion?"
He nodded, eagerly, "I knew his name as soon as I saw him. He is Night Star. See how he is as black as night and yet he has a star on his head."
The stallion seemed to nod in agreement, "It is wyrd. Come let us feed and water them. The voyage was a hard one. Perhaps a night on the island may make him calmer."
It took some time to see to them and then I went in to speak with Dream Strider, "You are still my horse. Do not be jealous of Night Star. We need his blood to make your offspring stronger. Tomorrow I will ride you and Gilles will ride Night Star. Then you will see he is no threat to you."
By the time I entered my hall, having washed, it was dark. The two captives were sitting in the corner, by the fire, eating. We only had three chairs. Gilles and Mary were waiting for me at the table. Mary said, coldly, "You and Gilles will need to make two more chairs tomorrow. They cannot squat like animals."
"They seem happy enough and when Gilles and I were slaves we had to make do with the floor." I began to ladle food into my pot bowl. I was hungry. There had been so many people on the drekar that I had not eaten. I did not say that to Mary she would think I was ingratiating myself with her. "This is good."
She nodded, "I discovered their names." I looked up. "The younger is Eda and the elder Cwen."
I smiled, "Why do you smile? They are pretty names."
"They are but I think their mother named them in hope of a better future for she was a poor woman. Their clothes are ragged. They are thin and have not eaten well."
She looked at me quizzically, "What do you mean?"
"Their names; Eda means wealthy and Cwen means queen."
"I suppose the mother thought a fine name would make up for their poor background."
"I still think that they are fine names and they will have better clothes and more food here!"
I poured myself some ale, "They are slaves!"
"And just because they are slaves does not mean that they cannot be cared for. You care for your horses. Would you not lavish the same attention on human property too?"
She had a point and I nodded, "They may be trained to use the needle perhaps?"
"Perhaps but I will need to speak their language better."
"No, teach them ours that will be easier. We have few enough Saxons here. Better they forget their past and become Norse. They are both young and will soon pick it up."
Mary was showing just how maternal she could be. I left her and Gilles to see to the slaves and went out to walk around my hall. I did not think there was danger but it was a good habit to get into. I stroked my new horses and stood with them for a while. I wanted them to get used to me. Nipper sniffed them suspiciously but he did not bark. I decided not to give Mary the golden cross yet. She would think I was trying to bribe her. I would keep it for a more appropriate time.
When I entered the hall it was in darkness. I made my way to my bed and Mary waited there for me. I could hear the heavy breathing from the other three which showed they were asleep. Mary kissed me and hugged me, "What was that for? I thought I was an evil man."
"Gilles told me that Sigurd said no one else wanted the girls. They were unlucky. The others wanted them to be thrown overboard."
"They would not have done that."
"And yet Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer slit a young boy's throat. Vikings are cruel."
"Am I cruel?"
She nestled closer to me, "No you are not but then you are not a true Viking. You wear the mail and wield the sword but I know your heart and it is not a Viking. You are different. I am glad that I married you."
"Good for there was no one else likely to marry me."
We made up for the time spent apart.
The next day I was up early. "Come Gilles we will ride the two stallions to the clan. There are still goods for us to bring back. Jarl Siggi was going to share out the rest this morning." We had taken a great deal from Hamwic. Those who had fled had known that the burgh was to be burned. They carried their goods with them. The rich had fled earlier but we still did well out it.
It was when we mounted the horses that we could see the real difference. Dream Strider was a good three hands taller than Night Star. They appeared to behave themselves as we set off but I knew that would change when the mares came into season. We would have to be careful when that happened. Nipper raced ahead of us and I enjoyed being back in the saddle. We would have to add stiraps to the saddles we had brought back, but that was not a major task.
When we reached the settlement we arrived at the perfect moment. Jarl Siggi had begun to share out the goods we had brought. Only warriors who had been on the raid would benefit. There was a share for Sigurd which we would take back. Rurik came over to me as I dismounted, "Siggi did not share weapons with you, Hrolf. He said you had enough."
I nodded, "I do."
"He gave you more of the pots instead."
"And that will please Mary."
Rurik looked uncomfortable, "He was going to give you more slaves but the Eriksson brothers said you had two already. Everyone
pointed out that no one wanted those two. But they were noisy about it."
I shrugged, "I care not. The two will be fine but I fear the two brothers are getting a little above themselves."
"That is what Ulf said. He hit Ketil and then left with his share."
I laughed, "Ulf is his own man. The brothers must be glad he refused to be Jarl. If he had done so then I think they would have been outlawed. He does not suffer fools gladly." I noticed that Rurik had a smile on his face. "You look happy. Did you get that which you wished for?"
He nodded and pointed to his hut. He had left the warrior hall the previous winter. I saw a young female slave there. She was seated in the door. "Jarl Siggi gave me first choice of the females as I have no woman. I picked her. She has good hips and will bear me many children."
I laughed, "I am pleased. I did not like you being alone!"
The division was complete. Jarl Siggi came to me. "There is your share and Sigurd's. I am sorry there is not more. You deserved it."
"I have more than enough. Jarl Gunnstein gave me some of his share and besides I have the three horses and the mail."
Rurik said, "Ketil Eriksson complained about that too."
Siggi shook his head, "I told the young cockerel that they were given by Jarl Gunnstein and it was his raid."
"They are both good warriors. They are reckless but they are no cowards. I only have to see them on these visits. I will lose no sleep if they do not like me."
"Good. I plan to raid again in Skerpla. The new men who said they wished to join us might be here and the Franks will have gathered in their early harvest."
"Which Franks?"
"I thought to sail to the land south of the Issicauna. We have not raided there before. It is on the border which may mean they have good defences but there are many small villages. We could raid a number of smaller places. Our lack of warriors would not hurt us there."
"Good, for we would not need to be away for longer than seven nights and we would be close enough to our island. I like it. That gives me time to work on my land. We have new quarters to build for slaves and horses. We are growing."
He nodded, "And there is another family who wish to farm the north side of the island. They would live close to Hrolf the Horseman."
"Who is it?"
"Erik Green Eye. His wife is with child." Siggi looked troubled. I do not think it was just the Eriksson brothers. There was something else but I could not tell what it was.
Rurik said, "The Eriksson boys have caused trouble again. Knut One Eye's wife does not like Erik Green Eye's wife, Acca. Erik would have fought with Knut but he always has his brother to back him up. He thought this for the best."
"I am happy. I like Erik and he is a doughty warrior. It is wyrd."
I stayed just long enough to speak with Erik One Hand and Brigid and collect my goods. As I was leaving Erik Green Eye came over to me. "Jarl Siggi says you are happy for me to farm by you?"
"I do not farm and the Einarsson brothers both fish. I have no farmers close to me. It will be good. I hope your wife does not mind horses. I now have a herd."
"No, she is happy. And your wife, Mary, she will be happy?"
"She will be happy. I will have my men help you build your hall when you come."
He looked almost embarrassed, "We would come on the morrow unless you think that is too soon."
"No, I will send Gilles with my two mares and they can pull the carts with your goods."
He looked relieved, "Thank you for this, hersir."
"We are all one clan! It is a pity that not everyone realises that."
When we arrived back Mary was delighted with the pots. They would mean we had spares. When I told her the news of Erik and his wife she was remarkably happy about it. "I liked Acca. It will be good to have a baby around here. Where will they build their hall?"
I swept my hand around. "They can have anywhere. If more come there may be a problem but we need someone to grow crops. This is wyrd."
She shook her head, "Just when I think I understand you then you come out with the word! Superstition!"
I smiled, "Like your White Christ who died and then walked again amongst men!"
Shaking her head she went off to organise her new goods. I laughed, "Come Gilles. We have work to do."
We had the timber already and the new stable would be adjacent to Dream Strider's. By putting the mares between the two stallions we hoped that it would make for a calmer stable. By the end of the day we had almost finished it, including the turf walls. All that we were left was the task of adding a roof. We left that for the next day. Of course I received scowls from Mary as I had not made the chairs for the slaves.
I had to work alone the next morning as Gilles went to bring Erik and his wife. By the time they had arrived I had finished the roof and one of the chairs. I just used a round from a large tree and four legs. There was no back but it would enable one of them to sit at the table. The second would not take long. Mary made a fuss of Acca as Gilles and I walked with Erik to choose the site for his new home. He chose the place I would have chosen. It was in a dell with high ground to the east and west but to the north he had the sea. Gilles and I had already cleared most of the trees and the ones which remained would be used to build his home. We began immediately. By dark we had eight timbers buried in the ground and two crosspieces over the ends.
We would have even more company that night as Acca and Erik shared our hall. Fortunately I had managed to make the second chair in the afternoon while Gilles and Erik were hewing logs. The two slaves had to sit on the floor again but I was, mercifully, not in trouble. After three days the house was finished. The turf walls were sturdy as was the turf roof. They had the goods they had brought from their home in the stad. Their new hall was bigger than the hut they had had. I saw Acca looking enviously at Mary's cooking pots, dishes, knives, and spoons.
The month passed quickly. This was always a busy time of year for us. There were many tasks which claimed our attention but it was healthy to be so busy. We were building a village. Erik seemed to complete us. We now had seven men to defend the bay as well as the four young boys. I had the animals to provide milk while the Einarsson brothers provided the fish. Until his first crops were harvested Erik hunted. Those were the good times. And then we readied ourselves for war. Skerpla was upon us.
By the time I left the two slaves could speak our language and they had begun to speak with me. They had seemed happy enough to chatter like magpies with Gilles but had always been wary of me. Mary was happier too. When I said that Skutal and Gilles would be coming to war there were no tears. I think the fact that there were others around her helped. She had changed from the frightened young hind who had fled to the cave.
The four of us walked to the ship. I used Rowan and Hazel to carry our gear. It had been Mary who had named my two mares after her favourite trees. Everyone who was Christian had a little of the pagan in them. Mary showed it by her love of nature and trees. I was happy for the names suited my two placid mares. Smaller than Gerðr and Freya they were sturdy animals and would serve my herd well.
When we reached the ship I saw that there were more warriors. A knarr had come from Dyflin with ten warriors who wished to join our clan. Four had families with them while the other six had slaves with them. They had all been on the Hamwic raid. They had told Jarl Siggi that there seemed more opportunity to live a better life close to the land of the Franks and to Wessex. The Hibernians were fierce fighters and had little in the way of treasure. I could see why they came. It meant we had three men on some of the oars. Skutal and Gilles, as new rowers, joined the new men at the bow. Siggi would move rowers around while we were at sea. As we stepped aboard I saw the pained look on his face. Something troubled him.
We set off just after noon. We did not have far to go. We would sail west around the headland and pass the two islands which lay off the finger of land the Franks called Cotelin. When we had sailed to the Issicauna we had seen that there were
many villages along the coast and, more importantly, churches. As we had not raided there before Siggi hoped for complete surprise.
We had to row, as we headed north along the western coast of Cotelin. Siggi used a chant to help the new rowers and to make them part of our clan.
Raven Wing Clan goes to war,
A song of death to all its foes
Through the waves the oathsworn come
Riding through white tipped foam
Feared by all, the raven's wing
Like a lark it does sing
A song of death to all its foes
The power of the raven grows and grows.
Through the waves the oathsworn come
Riding through white tipped foam
Feared by all, the raven's wing
Like a lark it does sing
A song of death to all its foes
The power of the raven grows and grows
The power of the raven grows and grows
The power of the raven grows and grows
We had yet to honour Jarl Gunnar but when winter came and men sat around fires repairing mail and thinking of past battles then a song would be composed and when we raided again we would sing it and honour him and his hearth-weru. Until then we sang the old songs. When we turned to the steerboard, to head east along its northern coast, we were able to stop rowing and prepare for war. The wind came from the north west and sped us along our way.
As we prepared some of the new men asked why we did not raid the places we had passed. There were many to be seen and they looked to have small palisades. Siggi was patient with them for they were new. "We may raid them on the way back if we find nothing where we are going but we listen for the bells which tell us of places of the White Christ. They bring riches. Where there are churches there are richer men. If there is no church then oft times they have nothing worth taking. We have slaves. What else do the poor have to offer warriors of the Raven Wing Clan?"
I did not know if we would be scouting and so I delayed putting on my armour. As this was Gilles' first raid he was a little nervous. I saw that his hands were red raw from the oars and I smeared some of Aiden Galdramenn's salve upon them.
