by Griff Hosker
The further east we went the more we stayed close to the river. Here there were no roads. There were tracks and greenways used by the people who lived here. That made tracking easier. Beorn could tell that we were following Magnus from the tracks and droppings which we saw. He laughed at one point. “I could follow these by smell alone.” He pointed to a tree. “One of them made water here and in yonder bush one of them had the shits. I can smell them.”
That boded well for once Beorn had the scent in his nostrils he would not lose them. We slowed down for night was falling. And now we had another problem for there were many settlements dotted around this river. We managed to avoid most of them for we could smell their wood smoke but we needed to find somewhere to hide for the night while Beorn and Snorri found them.
There were a series of large loops in the river. There were many houses close to the water and I knew that they would use the loops to net fish. Snorri led us away from the river to a wooded area. A stream ran through it and, in the middle, there was a small clearing. We camped there but I kept a good watch while Snorri and Beorn headed back to the river and our quarry.
Now that we were closing in my men prepared themselves for war. Whetstones were used to sharpen swords, seaxes and spears. I sat with Cnut Cnutson and Haaken. Haaken was helping our youngest warrior. “Spit on the blade before you sharpen it. You get a better edge.”
I picked up Cnut’s shield. It had been an old one of his father’s. His best shield lay buried with him and his sword. Cnut had been a rich warrior. Cnut Cnutson had a good shield and a good sword. “When we get back home have the smiths put a strip of metal around the edge of this shield. This can be a weapon too.”
He nodded, “I saw some of those warriors from the east who fought at Ketil’s Stad. Some of them had small shields with a spike in the middle.”
Haaken shook his head, “They look good but they are not for us. You need a shield which covers most of your body and the spike can hurt your own warriors just as much as an enemy. It is a shield for a horseman and we fight with the good earth beneath our boots!”
I saw Cnut taking in Haaken’s words. He was learning.
We were lying down to prepare for sleep when the scouts came back. “They are not far away. There is a cliff above the river. The river is just wide enough for a drekar to turn around and they have theirs moored beneath their camp.”
“How many men do they have?”
“There are twenty oars on each side but I do not think they have enough crew to double oar them. We counted no more than fifty men and some of those look to have been wounded.”
I asked the most important question, “Did you see Magnus?”
Snorri nodded, “Aye and he was storming around the camp like a bear woken from winter too early. We heard some of the words but not all. It seems he has lost the trust of the King. The Eorl who split from him refused to pay him. The men with Magnus are not happy either.”
Haaken said, “That is the trouble with being a mercenary. Without the pay you expect what is there to fight for? We fight for Jarl Dragonheart. That is reward enough.”
“Can we get there by morning?”
“We could but the men have travelled a long way in a short time, Jarl.”
“Without a paymaster there is no reason for him to stay. He may leave.” I was desperate not to lose him again but my scouts knew the problems I was creating.
“He will not leave until daylight for the river is very narrow and it twists.”
“All the more reason to get to his drekar, at least, before dawn. If we can disable his ship then we have him.” I stood and walked around the edge of the camp. It gave me time to think and to evaluate what they had said. I realised I was acting too hastily. The hot blood was racing around my head. I came to a decision. Snorri was right, the men were tired and they were not Ulfheonar. I would give them the night. “The Ulfheonar will go tonight and make sure the drekar cannot leave in the morning. Beorn, you bring the rest of the warriors. Be there when dawn breaks. We will wait on the eastern side.”
Beorn nodded, “Aye Jarl.”
There were just nine of us who loped off along the trail towards the camp of Magnus the Foresworn. If we could damage his drekar then it might dishearten his already demoralised men. I saw what my scouts had meant when we reached the river once more. The earth cliffs rose as high as eight men above a narrow and twisting river. A drekar could sail along it but not unless it was daylight. Snorri led us down to the river where there was a narrow trail. It looked to be a trail used by those fishing and hunting along the river. The brambles and other thorny bushes plucked at out cloaks and our mail. Although annoying it meant that our enemies would not be looking for us this way.
Snorri held up his hand and I went forward. He pointed to the stern of Magnus’ drekar, ‘Red Snake’ ,which was moored to a tree some hundred or so paces from us. We moved slowly from then on. We moved aside the twisting and clinging bushes. We watched where we placed our feet. And all the time we kept an eye on the deck of the drekar. Unless Magnus was a complete fool there would be a deck watch. We had to kill them silently. With mail on our backs we could not risk an attack from the river. We would need to slip over the side close to the tree to which it was moored.
Each of us had our shields across our backs so that we could use both hands. I drew my seax. When we were less than twenty paces from the drekar we stopped. I spied a warrior at the prow and one at the stern. The two appeared to be the only guards. Snorri was the silent killer. I pointed to the guard at the prow and Snorri nodded. He slithered along the path which was next to the drekar. I knew where he had gone and even I could not see him. I waved Vermund and Erik Ulfsson. I pointed to the stern watch. I gestured for the others to follow me and we took up a position half way between the drekar and the camp which, from the noise, was just two hundred paces to the north of us in the woods.
If any relief came then we would have to eliminate them. We stared up the slope and then Erik tapped me on the shoulder. They had succeeded. We slipped down the slope and boarded the drekar. The two sentries had been silently slain. I went to the steering board while Haaken and Ulf cut the ropes which tied us to the shore. It was not a strong current but it still took us slowly into the middle of the narrow river. Snorri stood at the prow. He signalled when it was time to turn. We took the drekar through three loops. Snorri miscalculated or perhaps I was not as good as I thought I was for the drekar grounded. It was on the north bank. I took off the steering board and handed it to Haaken, “Hide this where we can find it later.” The drekar was disabled and was going nowhere. We made our way back to wait for dawn and our men. We had Magnus now.
It took some time to make our way upstream for I had wanted the drekar well out of sight. I knew that the drekar would be missed. There would be a change of guards at some point. I needed to be as close to the camp then as I could. When we were a little way to the east of the camp I sent Snorri and Vermund to wait for Beorn and my warriors on the western side. I needed to cover both up and down stream.
They scurried along the river bank while we climbed through the trees to get a better view. Magnus had no guards out. He was confident. The camp was largely asleep but I saw small huddles of warriors sitting around fires and talking. I briefly contemplated taking my handful of men to slit a few throats but the risk of awakening the camp was too great. Haaken suddenly pointed and I saw that three warriors who had been talking stood and, gathering their goods, headed surreptitiously through the silent camp to the horse lines. They untied three horses and led them away to the north. They were deserting. Within moments they were gone from sight. There was disunity in the camp. When I looked I saw that the other two who had been talking saw the three leave. After a moment or two they too rose and followed them. They chose two good horses and they left. Magnus was losing his men and his horses. It suddenly occurred to me that this might work to our advantage. He might see the loss of his drekar as the work of deserters rather than us.
The rest of the camp remained asleep. We waited in the cold dark forest. We were well hidden and remained unseen. Warriors rose to make water and returned to lie by their fires. The first hint of dawn had appeared in the east when I saw Magnus rise. He had the place closest to the dying embers of the fire. It had died down to a faint glow. He stood and stretched. He walked over to one of his men and kicked him. He spoke to him but the words were indistinct. The warrior walked down towards the river. I knew then that there would soon be a commotion. I did not need to wake the Ulfheonar. They were alert.
Magnus woke his other men and the camp came to life. A number of things happened at once. One of his men went to the horse lines and saw that there were gaps and the warrior who had gone to the river came back shouting, “The drekar has gone!”
The warrior shouted from the horse lines. “Harold and his men are not here. There are horses missing!”
Magnus gave an animal like roar “I will give him the blood eagle when I catch up with him. To arms! We go to find this traitor and my ship.”
Men raced around gathering arms and helmet. I kept my eye on Magnus. I had to trust to Beorn and my younger warriors. I had said to be there when dawn broke and, as I watched the warband prepare to move, I felt its warmth on growing. I said, quietly, “Ready?”
“Aye Jarl.” I only had six men with me but the seven of us were a force to be reckoned with. When we stood every eye would be upon us and it would allow the rest of my men to fall upon them.
I stood and shouted, “Magnus the Foresworn. Now is your day of reckoning. Prepare to die!”
Seven Ulfheonar standing up less than thirty paces from where you have slept must have terrified some of the warriors with Magnus. Our sudden appearance in their midst would have appeared as almost magical. Their hands went to their amulets for protection. Before anyone spoke Haaken gave a wolf howl and the others took it up. It would tell Beorn that we attacked.
Magnus laughed, “We are not children to be frightened by such a noise. There are only seven of you! Kill them!”
They hesitated and that gave me heart. I stepped forward and my men came with me. The warriors with Magnus took a step back. Were we wraiths? Were we sent from Hel to punish them? “Are you afraid? Shall we come to you?”
That appeared to enrage Magnus’ oathsworn. There were ten of them all dressed in mail. They looked to be young warriors. Few had warrior bands. They had the mail but would they have the skill? They ran at us. As usual they came directly for me. They wanted the honour of killing the Jarl with the magical sword. I did not mind for it allowed my warriors to attack freely. As one swung an axe at my head a second stabbed at me with his sword. I stepped forward and deflected the axe with my shield while fending off the sword. I pulled my head back and head butted the axe man who fell at my feet. I brought the edge of my shield around to strike the man with the sword in the neck as he stumbled. I stabbed him in his middle and then hacked down across the neck of the axe man. My blow was so powerful that I severed his head and his helmet fell away.
I reached down and, picking it up by the hair, threw the head towards Magnus. The men around him recoiled as it bounced towards him. “One of your oathsworn has gone before you Magnus! You will be next!”
Then I heard a roar as Snorri, Beorn and Vermund charged the rear of the enemy lines with my young warriors. There was a collective wail from Magnus’ men. They were surrounded. I felt a blow coming towards me and I instinctively brought around Ragnar’s Spirit. It blocked the blow from the side. I saw the young Viking’s sword bend a little. “Spend gold on a better sword before you buy cheap mail!”
I punched at him with my shield. He was not expecting the blow and I winded him. He tried to swing his sword across my face but it was unbalanced. I dodged my head out of the way and then ran him through with my sword.
Magnus stared around him in horror at the change in his fortunes. He had been facing seven and now there was a warband. He was slippery and he was a coward. He and the last of his oathsworn abandoned his men and ran towards the last of the horses. The ones who attacked us died to a man but they bought enough time for my prey to evade me. I watched as he galloped from my sight and I was helpless to do anything about it. The men we fought saw their leader flee. Many of them fled after him and others threw down their weapons. Some were slow to do so and were slain.
Haaken shook his head in disgust. “These are not Vikings! A Viking would fight until he died.”
“They were badly led. They leave us with a problem.”
“There is no problem. They deserve but one punishment; they die!”
“Perhaps not. I am inclined to show mercy.”
The six Ulfheonar who stood around me could not believe my words. “Mercy!”
I took off my helmet to allow the cool morning air to clear my head, “We could kill them but if we disarm them, take their weapons and their treasure then what will they do?”
My men looked confused. “There is nothing for them to do. A man without a weapon will soon die.”
“These men are warriors. They surrendered because they have been defeated by us twice. Some may even wish to join us.”
“I would sooner fight alongside a snake!”
“I did not say I would take them on, Olaf. These men will survive and to do so they will have to take. When we go home King Eanred will reap his poor choice of leader for he will have outlaws and bandits here in the heart of his kingdom. His land will be cut in two and he will have to send his Eorls to rid his land of them. And others will hear of my mercy and may surrender rather than fight.” In explaining what I would do I had convinced myself. “It is my decision but I also hope that by showing them mercy I can discover where Magnus the Foresworn will go. They may even wish to hunt their faithless leader.”
Snorri, Beorn and Vermund joined me. “Take some of the men downstream and secure the drekar. We will sail her home.”
“It is too small to accommodate all of our men and horses.”
“I intend to ride home. It will be quicker. The voyage around the north of the island will take some time. Riding we can be home in three days.”
“Who will captain her?”
I pointed to Snorri, “Snorri was a ship’s boy for many years and Cnut Cnutson has some skill. They can take the drekar and the Ulfheonar will travel west.”
Everyone nodded and, when my men had gone to collect the drekar, Haaken took me to one side. “There is more to this than avoiding an arduous sea voyage. Tell me what is in your mind.”
I pointed west. “I have been drawn eastwards by Magnus and the Norns have allowed him to escape again. There must be a reason for that. Why have they brought me back to the land from whence I was taken? I know that this is the land where the Queen, whose torc we have, lived. Aiden told me that she had a castle not far from here. We must have passed it when we came east. I would go back and see her home.”
Haaken nodded his approval, “It is wyrd.”
“But before we leave I will speak with the prisoners.”
There were twenty two of them. Some had wounds and most were young. There were two older warriors. One had a grey beard. “I am Jarl Dragonheart. Your fate lies in my hands. I could have you all executed where you stand.”
I saw a resigned look from the young warriors but the older ones began to show signs of interest. “However I may be disposed to mercy if you answer my questions and swear never to raid my lands again.”
This time even the young warriors looked interested. “Firstly I want to know where Magnus the Foresworn will go.”
One of the young warriors shouted, “How can we know that, Jarl?”
The greybeard spat, “We know! And I will not die to protect him. We swore to fight for him and he abandoned us. An oath works two ways.” His eyes stared into mine, You swear we can have our lives?”
“You can have your lives. I so swear. I am Jarl Dragonheart and I am never foresworn.”
“Then he will have rid
den to Din Guardi, the King’s home in the far north.”
“Will he not risk punishment for losing so many warriors?”
“He and Eorl Aethelfrith argued about the attack on the hill. Magnus is rightly named Foresworn. He will blame the Eorl and the dead Count of Miklagård. The King likes Magnus; I know not why. He will believe his silken words.”
I nodded and held my sword by the blade. “This is the sword which was touched by the gods, Ragnar’s Spirit. Swear now that you will never attack my lands again and you can go free.”
The greybeard said, “I would follow you Jarl Dragonheart. You are a real Viking.”
I shook my head, “My men would not fight alongside you. Find a better life for yourselves. Do you now swear?”
They nodded and placed their hands on their seaxes and swore.
“Then leave this place and next time choose a better leader.”
One or two of the younger warriors tried to retrieve their shields but my men stood firm. They followed the greybeard. Within the time it takes to sheathe a sword they had disappeared into the trees. I never saw them again. The land was empty and there were many places to hide.
Chapter 9
The drekar, ‘Red Snake’, was not in the best condition but Snorri was happy that it was seaworthy. He refitted the steering board while the young men and warriors boarded. It accommodated my men but only just. It did meant that they would be safe from attack for they were well crewed and there were two men on each oar. We watched them row down the twisting river. Snorri would be a cautious sailor but the voyage would bond the men. Next time they fought they would have more in common than just a leader. They would have faced the sea together.
