by Griff Hosker
There was a new danger once we left the forest; people. The Roman Road lay ahead and we saw the smoke from the houses of those who farmed the land. There were also small settlements; many of them. Snorri and Beorn took to ranging far ahead and then returning to keep us hidden. In that way we avoided any contact. We made a serpentine journey through the land. Sometimes we had to hide when parties of merchants and their guards headed north or travelled south. We could easily have taken them but our purpose was to be invisible, to remain hidden. We had to reach our destination unseen.
“Jarl there is a large settlement ahead and it has a palisade. It rises above the river in this valley.”
Aiden looked at his map and pointed to a river. “The river was known to the Romans but not the fort.”
“Is there a way around it?”
Snorri pointed to the north. “There is a wooded hill above it. We would need to cross it at night to avoid observation.”
Vermund said, “That all adds time, Jarl.”
“But it keeps us hidden.”
Haaken snorted, “Have you a woman waiting for you back in Cyninges-tūn that you wish to hurry home?”
The others laughed, “Snorri, find us somewhere safe to lie up until dark.”
“There is somewhere just this side of the town. It will mean we cannot have a fire and we will have to be silent but it will shorten our journey this night.”
The first mile was fraught with danger as we skirted the road and twisted and turned to avoid farms. When we saw the trees we knew that we would be safer. Once again there was no trail and we disappeared into the wood which lined the lower slopes of this rocky outcrop. We climbed until we came to a bare area. We could not be seen from below for we were hidden by the trees and it was unlikely we would be discovered. Even so we set sentries.
I sat with Aiden as he used charcoal and a piece of sheepskin. “What is it that you do?”
“The charts I have at home are largely of the sea. We need to know what the land is like too. I have marked the castle and the forest through which we travelled. When I return I will make a new chart with the places we have passed. When you and I are long dust then Ragnar’s and Gryffydd’s children will rule the land and they will use these charts to keep the land safe from our enemies. It is my legacy to them.”
As I lay down to rest I reflected on his words. He was speaking of our mortality. I did not want to leave this world just yet. I wanted to see both my new son and grandson grow. I wanted to avoid the mistakes I had made with Wolf Killer so that Gryffydd would be an even greater leader than his brother. I wondered about my decision to make this quest. Perhaps everyone had been right and it was a mistake. I fell asleep dreaming of my son and grandson grown. I woke feeling troubled for when my new son and grandson were grown I did not see myself. I just saw Wolf Killer and Brigid. Where was I?
I had no time to ponder my dream for we had to leave and travel through the night. The journey in the dark was on foot and we led our mounts. The bare hillside was covered with treacherously placed stones which could have skittered down the hillside to alert the farmers and we could have fallen to a rocky death. It was safer to walk than to ride. It was a slow journey but it was safe for we remained hidden.
When dawn came I saw that we had descended closer to the coast. The early morning light showed a brief flash in the distance. It was the sea. We were closing with our quarry. We mounted and our scouts left us. When they rode back in it was with more bad news, “There is an even larger town and fort. It nestles in the loop of a river. We will have to turn north to avoid it. Luckily there is another wood and we can hide within it.”
Aiden said, “This river has a name, the Aln. We are not far from the sea and our destination. King Eanred must have built these forts and castles recently for they are not on the ancient maps.”
It was as we moved through the trees that I realised we would not have enough supplies to get home. The delays had meant we had taken a day longer to reach Din Guardi than I had planned. That would mean we would have to spend an extra day scouting out the castle and finding the secret entrance. We would run out of food within a day of killing Magnus. I would have to deal with that in due course. I had learned that you dealt with one problem at a time. First we had to get to the castle. Then find the entrance. And all of that was before we could even think about killing Magnus.
It was dark by the time we were close enough to the coast to smell the sea. We halted while Snorri and Beorn rode to find this citadel. Now that we were close we looked to our weapons and armour. We would not be fighting yet but we needed to be ready to do so instantly. We had not used our swords and they were sharp but we slid them in and out of scabbards and tightened the straps on our shields. It was pitch black when the two scouts rode in.
“It is four miles or so away. It is a formidable stronghold, Jarl. I have seen nothing like it save Alt Clut.”
“Is there somewhere closer to camp?”
Beorn nodded, “There are two possible hiding places. One is a small rise about five hundred paces from the castle and the other is by the sea. It is two hundred paces from the castle.”
Haaken asked, “Is that not too close?”
“It is in a wood and it is bordered on one side by dunes and by a track way on the other. The track way does not go through the woods which look to be thick.”
They all looked at me. It was my decision. I wanted to be as close to the castle as we could be. “We use the wood.”
We led our horses the last mile or so. They were well trained and silent animals. The most dangerous part was crossing the track way although it was unlikely we would be seen for it was dark. As we crossed the road I saw the castle looming up to the left of us. It was inspiringly high. Snorri and Beorn scouted the woods while we selected somewhere to camp. There was no water but our skins were full. We would have to husband our supplies. We took off our shields and used them to make a small barrier down the side facing the sea. It stopped sand being blown into our camp and protected us from the wind. Asbjorn, Eystein and Olaf Leather Neck went to the road side of the woods to make traps and trips. We would be warned of any intruder. Snorri and Beorn returned. “There is no one close by. The beach is on the other side of the woods less than fifty paces from us.”
“How long until dawn?”
“We have two hours, no more, Jarl.”
“Vermund and Erik, finish the camp while we inspect the castle.”
Aiden had told us that he believed there had been an entrance from the beach which had allowed the wizard to enter. That had been almost two hundred years earlier. Was it still there? There was just one way to find out. We headed along the beach. To my dismay I saw that the tide was only just on its way out. Would the base of the castle be under water? I had not taken the tide into my plans. The Norns had!
There was no moon and we waded through the surf to the rocks at the base of the castle walls. Snorri and Beorn had strung bows in case a sentry saw us. If they did then all would be lost. We had to remain hidden. Thankfully the noise of the surf on the rocks hid any noise we might have made. I could not see anything which looked like an entrance. The castle walls rose high and smooth before us. Weed clung to parts and I could see no entrance. Aiden climbed to the castle walls and began to move rocks from the top of what looked like a slide of stones. I thought that it was a forlorn hope but we all went to help him. We made a human chain and moved them down to the lower rocks. I saw patches of sand appear. The sea was receding. Asbjorn and Eystein placed them randomly at the bottom of the stones closer to the sea. It would not do to have an eagle eyed sentry see order amidst nature’s confusion. Suddenly Aiden stopped and lay down. A rogue wave broke upon our backs and soaked us but Aiden kept his position even though he was inundated. As the wave receded he kept staring and reaching down.
He rose and waved us down. He said nothing as he led us back to the camp. I was desperate to find out what he had learned but I knew him well enough to wait. I saw that h
is decision was a wise one as the first light of dawn appeared over the sea. We reached the camp and stood around our galdramenn. All of us were chilled and wet from our soaking but each of us was desperate to know his news.
“Well?”
“I think I have found a cave of some description. The water which surged over me went down and did not return. I think I have found the cave. We will need to continue our work tomorrow and, possibly the day after.”
“But the tide.”
“It will be later tomorrow. We will have most of the night to complete our task. We just have to be prepared to get wet.”
I nodded. “We will pair up to watch. Aiden and I will take the first watch for I would speak more with him.”
When we were the only ones awake I asked him more of what he had read. “I think there is a cave beneath the castle, a tunnel and a door at the far end. The fact that the stones have covered it makes me think it might still be a secret from those within the walls.”
“And if not?”
“Then you and your warriors will have to fight your way in.”
“And Magnus may well escape. He has done so before.” I thought about this. “I will have to have three of my men watching the front gate. Snorri, Beorn and Erik are the best horsemen. If he tries to flee then they will need to follow him.”
I saw a curiously self satisfied expression on Aiden’s face. “What do you know?”
“Know? Nothing? Believe, ah that is a different question. It is good that you make a plan in case things go awry but I believe that we will gain access to the castle. I am not certain if we will manage to kill Magnus. After all King Eanred will have his oathsworn in the castle. If the gods wish us to find Magnus and punish him then the King and his guards will not be a problem.”
“And where will the King be? Where will Magnus be?”
“Tomorrow I will put on plain clothes and be an Irish healer looking for work in the village by the castle. It will give me the opportunity to wander the huts and speak to the people. I can also inspect the castle without attracting attention. I am certain that there will be no work for me and I will head south once more. They will think nothing of it.”
“It seems a huge risk. Is it warranted?”
“I do not think it is a risk. I am too slight for a warrior.” He smiled, “And too pretty! Unlike you warriors I have neither beard nor scars. No one would take me for a Viking. I can play the part of an Irishman for I am one. I speak Saxon with an Irish lilt. This is a remote part of the land and I doubt that they have many healers hereabouts. Those they do have will serve the King.”
What he said made sense, “Take no risks. You are precious to all of our family.”
“As you are to me. I would give my life for any one of you. I am honoured to be part of your family.” The way he said the words suggested a deeper meaning. I thought nothing of it at the time for I was preoccupied. My mind went back to Din Guardi. The castle was far bigger than I could have expected. How many were in the garrison? Was I about to sacrifice my men for nothing? Aiden’s peaceful face, which studied me still, made me relax. If he was not worried then I was not.
We woke our reliefs and snuggled down to sleep. I was awakened at noon. “Aiden left a while ago. He said you knew where he was going.”
Haaken’s statement sounded remarkably like a question to me. “He knows what he is about. Trust the galdramenn. He has never let us down yet. Have we seen any danger?”
“No. The track way is heavily used but the ones who are heading north seem keen to get into the castle while those going south move swiftly too. They pass by this wood without a glance.” I nodded, I was satisfied. “ It is a formidable castle. I have never seen one with so much stone; at least not since Miklagård.”
“It is impressive and explains why Eanred hides away here. Even King Egbert would struggle to winkle him out of this hole.”
“Have you thought beyond breaking into this castle then?”
“We find Magnus and kill him and then we leave.”
Haaken laughed and then shook his head. “And that sounds so simple. Where will he be? How many guards will Eanred have? How many men remain with Magnus?”
I gave him the knowing smile Aiden gave me, “Have a little faith, Haaken. The spirits and the gods are on our side. Do you think they wish Magnus to live?”
“I know not but they keep allowing him to escape us.”
“And each time he does we find something of greater import. The torc we received from Thorfinn. The treasure for the tomb. Are you not curious what we may find here if he escapes us again? We are being set puzzles and riddles. The Norns are testing us. We could refuse the tests and then we would spend the rest of our lives wondering, what if. We are meant to be on this journey. Do you wish a dull life?”
He shook his head and laughed, “That is unlikely so long as I follow you.”
I had set my oldest friend a riddle and he spent the rest of the afternoon pondering my words. I became restless as the sun dipped in the west. I went to the woods which fringed the track way. The last people from the road south were hurrying to reach the safety of the town walls before dark. Where was Aiden? I had almost given up when I heard his distinctive whistle as he strolled down the road. There was something wrong I could tell from his gait.
I hissed, “Snorri, Beorn.” They appeared at my side as though by magic. Aiden approaches and I fear trouble. Have your blades ready.”
I knew not what danger came our way but we would be ready. Aiden had warned us by whistling. If there was no danger he would have approached silently and entered the woods already. Aiden passed me and dropped to one knee as though he had something wrong with his boot. “Three men follow me.”
He stood, almost without a pause. I turned to my two scouts; held up three fingers and then drew my hand across my throat. The sun dipped behind the hills opposite and the track way became much darker. I saw, however, the three men who followed Aiden. None were warriors and they looked like cutthroats. As they passed us I waved my arm for my two men to follow. I glanced to my right along the track way and was relieved that I could not see the castle. I moved silently behind them. I needed them to be killed without a sound. I spoke to them, quietly, in Saxon. “Friend, did you drop this?”
I held out my right hand as though something was in it. My seax was behind my back. The proffered right hand would allay their fears. They all turned and their hands went to their own weapons. Behind them I saw Aiden slip into the woods.
I shook my head and stepped back as though I was affronted, “If it is not your coin then I will keep it but there is no need for knives.”
“Where did you come from?” The leader spoke suspiciously. In the dark my black cloak and armour disguised what I was.
I used my right hand to point to the castle but looked at them all the time. “From the town.”
They moved purposefully towards me. “You lie for we did not see you.”
“You watch everyone in the town?”
They were now close enough to see my mail. The leader said, “You are a warrior, where is your weapon?”
I saw, out of the corner of my eye Beorn and Snorri move like cats and I jabbed forward with my seax and ripped it across his throat. “Here!”Before the other two could do anything Beorn and Snorri had slain them. I grabbed the body of the man I had killed and dragged him into the woods. We pulled them as close to the camp as we could. “Snorri, clear away any traces.”
Haaken and the rest of my men appeared as did Aiden. He shook his head, “I am sorry, Jarl Dragonheart. It seems I am too good a healer, or an actor. I was paid in silver for my work and these three, who had been watching me all day, followed me. When they said nothing to the sentries at the gate then I knew they were robbers. They would have taken my silver.”
“They are dead now.”
Snorri reappeared, “I have cleared all sign that there was a struggle. The blood must have gone on their clothes for I saw no sign on the track.”
“Come and tell us all.”
He sat down and took from his bag a cheese and some smoked fish. “I thought this would improve your mood!”
Olaf said, “Some ale would make me wish to marry you.”
“You are too ugly and, besides, I could not carry any.” He handed around his purchases. “There is a garrison of twenty men. Magnus has but five warriors with him. I know not what happened to the rest. It seems he is not popular in the town either. They all know of him. He rarely leaves the castle but when he does he has his oathsworn with him. They strut around the town as though they own it. The King has a hall on the first floor of the castle. Below that is his guard room and the kitchens are next to them. There is a cellar but they rarely use it because they have had much damage from the sea. I could not discover where Magnus stays but I would guess the north tower.”
Haaken shook his head. I could see he thought this had been too easy. “How did you discover all this? Did you not make them suspicious?”
“I was healing and I never asked a question, at least not directly. When I said it was a magnificent castle they could not wait to tell me about it. They volunteered all of the information. I confirmed some by saying things like, ‘I expect the King has many fine visitors’. That was when they told me about Magnus. They could not wait to give me the details of his behaviour. They were disappointed when I said I could not stay the night. I said that I had to replenish my stocks of medicines and that was best done under moonlight. They believed me. They expect me to return in the morning.”
