by Griff Hosker
The two men looked at each other and my son asked, "And if you do not return?"
"We will and this time I will have your sister with us. Keep your archers ready should we have to leave in a hurry."
They waved and I saw Elfrida comforting her husband.
"Make sail, Erik, and take us to the mouth of the river. Ulfheonar, prepare for battle. The spirit of Cnut will be watching over us. Let us do him honour this night!" We all donned our armour and checked our weapons.
There were just eighteen of us and Aiden to do the impossible. The deaths, injuries, wounds and losses had pared our numbers down considerably. I saw, as we approached the shore, that there were many rocks and small islands. One of the islands looked to have a hermit's cell upon it. However what we did not see were any watch towers. From the charts and what we had learned the palace was almost half a mile inland and on a small piece of high ground. We deduced it could not be that high as we would not see any buildings from the sea. The cliffs were obviously higher.
We used Harald Long Legs to test the depth as we bobbed up and down on the swells of the sea. When the water came up to his neck we knew that we could risk edging a little closer. Harald kept walking. Occasionally a wave which was larger than normal would cascade over his head but he kept going and gradually more of him remained out of the sea. When it came just below his chest Erik had the rowers back water and my men began to disembark.
"I will wait, yonder, by the island with the hermit's cell." Erik clasped my arm, "May the Allfather be with you Jarl. I know that you will find Kara and bring her home."
"I hope so."
Even as I descended into the chilly, salt water I wondered at his words. From what Elfrida had said Kara was now a willing ally of this witch and her cult. Even as the thought flitted through my mind my hand went to my pommel and my wife's voice came into my head. One word echoed around, 'No!' In her heart she was my daughter. She had the blood of her mother and my mother in her veins. There was loyalty there. We just had to overcome the witchcraft and the drugs. It would not be easy but what, in life that was worthwhile was ever easy?
The sands, to the south, seemed to stretch for miles and I saw the river ahead of us. I wondered how on earth we would get a drekar down it. We waded across and it was waist deep. We did it swiftly for we were heading for the safety of the sand dunes on the other side. Aiden must have been reading my thoughts. "This is low tide, Jarl." He pointed to the wet sand beneath our feet. "When it returns it must cover here and the river is already up to our waist. If Karl is careful he can show his dragon to the men of Aberffaw. That is all he needs to do. We need their attention on the sea and not the land."
He was right of course. Cnut's death and my son's failure had made me doubt myself and my plan. We scurried into the sand dunes like gulls seeking food. Once we were all hidden from sight I sent Snorri and Bjorn the Scout off to scout the palace. We had eaten on board the drekar but we had none of us enjoyed a full night's rest. We headed for the other side of the dunes following the fresh tracks left by Bjorn the Scout and Snorri. I took us steadily. Once more we would make a nocturnal attack. At least that was my plan but we were now in the hands of the tides. It was not just the Norns who were working us. Karl and the 'Josephus' could only show themselves at high tide. Erik thought that would be after dark. However Karl had been told to sail as soon as it was safe. He would come when he would come. We were now tied to a course of action which would be followed to its conclusion. The difference was that I now just had my Ulfheonar. I relied on no one else and my oathsworn would not let me down. They were the best that there were.
We had seen neither the palace nor the town from the mouth of the estuary but we had seen the river bend away. The tracks we followed also bent and followed the line of the river. We slumped down in the dunes after we had walked half a mile. We did not want to alert any watchers and sentries on the high ground by showing ourselves. We would wait for our scouts. I saw the Ulfheonar lying in the sand. All look relaxed and yet I knew that they were ready for action the moment I gave the word. Many had their eyes closed but they were not sleeping. They would jump up at the slightest sound.
It was warm in the dunes and our clothes began to dry. I lay back and closed my eyes. It was the trick taught to me by Kara and Aiden. I heard Haaken questioning Aiden. "What do we do if Kara does not wish to return? What if she fights us? Elfrida said she was not herself and we know not the effect of these potions."
Before Aiden could speak and without opening my eyes I said, "We bind her and gag her. Ulf Bjornson can carry her and Aiden can use his magic and his powers of healing to undo that which the priestess has done."
"I may not have that skill, Jarl."
"We will raid ever monastery and church to gather every book we can until you do. I will not rest until my daughter is returned to us in mind and spirit as well as body. If we do not then this witch has won."
The two of them were silent. I was enjoying the blackness of my mind. It helped to focus my thoughts. Aiden suddenly said, "I have been thinking about the change in Kara after that visit by Angharad. "
"Aye."
"When she lost her powers. We all assumed that the priestess was right and it was because Kara was changing. That was a lie."
I sat up and opened my eyes, "How do you know?"
"It was the potion, the medicine which Angharad gave to Kara which deprived her of her powers. Kara became a woman years ago. Your wife knew that when she died. Kara may not have seen many woman's summers but the spirits changed her years ago. Kara was drugged. She is drugged still, with a different drug and potion. I could spend years trying to find an antidote but I hope that nature will rid her body of the effects of the magic."
I saw hope in Aiden's eyes and, for the first time in a long time, I felt it surge in my breast. I saw a movement ahead, from the east. It was Snorri and Bjorn the Scout. They dropped down close to me.
"The palace is on the other side of the river. They have a wooden bridge but we saw cattle in the water; it is not deep."
"Did you see Kara?"
Snorri shook his head, "No but we did see that priestess, Demelza. She was at the river with a bucket."
"Then they are within. How many guards and warriors are there?"
"It was hard to say. The palace has four gates. It looks a little like a Roman fort save that it is built on a slope. And there is no ditch."
I was beginning to see how the rock of this island which gave it such good materials for buildings also stopped them making defensive ditches.
Bjorn the Scout pointed to the east. "We can head that way and remain unobserved. There is a small ridge which creates an area of dead ground on the far side of the palace. If we approach from that direction then we will be on the opposite side from the 'Josephus' when it comes."
"Good. Then let us go."
Aiden said, "I have an idea, Jarl. I spy a way we can sow confusion amongst our enemies. When we waited for you the prisoner said that this Hywel ap Rhodri fights against his brother, the King. If I were to teach your men the Welsh for, 'The King comes! Death to the rebels!' they might take us as mercenaries who are part of a larger army fighting for his brother."
Haaken laughed, "I think it would work and it would make a saga to keep us amused all winter."
I too thought the ruse worthwhile and we spent a short time learning the phrase. It did not need to be perfect we would be seen as Vikings anyway but if it caused hesitation amongst our enemies then it was worth a try.
Before we left I pointed to the new Ulfheonar. You three are to guard Aiden and Ulf when they take my daughter. We will deal with the warriors who try to stop us but you must get my daughter back to the drekar." I pointed to the high ground. We will not be able to use the river. We run towards the cliffs and find a way down." None questioned my orders but I truly did not know if there would be a safe way down to the sea. We had no time to scout out the land. Perhaps it was as the place at Ynys Cybi. It, too might
be covered in gorse. We would soon find out.
Snorri and Bjorn the Scout loped off and we followed in single file. Sigtrygg had now adopted the position at the rear. Aiden ran between Haaken and myself. This was like the original Ulfheonar. When Cnut and Haaken had first fought alongside me we had had only a dozen or so warriors. We had only a few more than that now but each one was closer to me now. Our losses had created an unbreakable bond between us.
Once we emerged from the dunes we had to move carefully. As we crossed the river Bjorn the Scout remarked, "It is deeper now, Jarl. The tide turns." It was just above our waists as we waded across. Soon the drekar could approach the palace without risk of grounding.
There was a steep bank leading to the west and the north. That would be where the palace would be. As we slowly and carefully made our way up the bank I wondered what they meant by palace. Even Lundenwic had not had a palace. The only palace I had seen before was the one in Miklagård. I could not see one on this remote island being as grand as that one. We waited in a drainage ditch which had wild gorse growing from it. It made an effective screen and we were able to watch the comings and the goings from the main gate. We watched for a time and I saw sentries on the walls but the gate remained open. A glow at each of the towers showed that there were other guards within them.
There was a sudden shout and an alarm bell began to toll. I saw the guards at the gate slam them shut. We saw nothing then save sentries moving from the towers at the corner of the wooden and stone walls. Their faces flickered in the glow from the torches. Then, after a short while, the gate opened and two horsemen with the dragon standard of Gwynedd emerged and led a column of fifty men out. They turned towards the estuary once they had left the gate and they rode between the high ground and the river. Although I could not see it I knew that it was a drekar which had been spotted. I hoped that, this time, my son would obey his orders and not risk his drekar. He would not be able to turn in the narrow river until the tide was at its height. Elfrida was with him and that would ensure he obeyed my orders. It had been his concern for his wife which had caused him to disobey me the first time.
Snorri risked peering from the side of the ditch and he waved when the column of warriors was far enough from the gate to allow us to enter. We rose as one and raced towards the gate which was still open. There were two guards there but they were speaking with each other. Their attention was not on the road before them and they fell to the blades of Snorri and Bjorn the Scout before they even realised that they were under attack.
When we entered I could see that this was a grander place than the hill fort had been. The halls and buildings all had stone foundations and slate roofs. There were men on the walls but I ignored them. It was obvious which building was the palace. It had two sentries outside. This time they did see us and raise the alarm. My men began shouting 'The King comes! Death to the rebels!'
The sentries on the walls looked to the south and the east seeking the rest of our army. It allowed us to enter the hall. The two guards who had sounded the alarm lay in widening pools of blood.
"Spread out and find them!"
There were servants as well as soldiers inside the palace. We could not afford to discriminate and any who crossed our path fell to our swords. The women generally ran and when we saw that they were not the three we sought we allowed them to go. They had left guards for the priestesses for a column of men ran from a guard room and hurled themselves at us. I shouted to Aiden, "Keep looking! We will hold these!"
There were ten of them and we outnumbered them but they came at us in a column and Harold Olafsson died as he found himself attacked by two of them. I slew one of his killers as Haaken despatched the second but it allowed the others to rain blows upon us. They were using spears and had the advantage of length. I felt a spear slide across my mail. My armour had been made by Bjorn and it turned it. The Weird Sisters were at work for the head of the spear slid into the side of Rolf Rolfson. I barely had time to raise my shield and deflect the spear which jabbed at my neck. I heard a roar as Sigtrygg threw himself bodily at the attackers. He had scant regard for his own safety and his blade carved a gap between them. Haaken and I plunged into them and we two laid about us with our swords. I punched with my shield and, when I saw a Welsh face with an open helmet before me I head butted him and he fell to the floor. I swung Ragnar's Spirit across his throat and then I realised that our attackers were gone. They had all died to the fury of our attack. It had cost us. As well as Rolf and Harold, Arne and Siggi had both been wounded. I heard a shout and we ran towards the sound. I heard the clash of arms and metal on metal. There was a scream and we flung open the doors at the end of the passage.
I saw Aiden and the other four engaged in a furious fight with eight guards. Haaken was before me and he rushed to their aid. Suddenly a knife appeared, wielded by a woman's hand. She had been hiding behind the door. It tore through the cloak, the mail and the leather byrnie into Haaken's back. I swung my sword and it ripped across Demelza's middle, cutting through to her spine. Her mouth hurled a dying curse at me as she fell.
Angharad screamed and ran at me with a scythe held in her hand. She shouted at me as she came. I guessed she was cursing me. I held my shield before me and, as she swung the blade in my direction I blocked it and stabbed up through her body. The end of my sword came out of her neck and she was frozen in death. There was hate in her eyes until the end. I was disappointed that her end had been swift. I had wanted to make her pay for her deeds and for the losses we had suffered.
I heard another scream. I turned at the cry and saw Kara throw herself at me. She had a knife in her hand. Suddenly a fist came from nowhere and struck her on the side of the head. She fell as though hit by a poleaxe. I saw Ulf looking in horror at his hand.
"I am sorry, Jarl. But she would have slain you."
"You did right, Ulf. Aiden, bind her and gag her." I saw Haaken writhing on the floor. "Magnus Redbeard, help Haaken. Go out of the seaward gate and get the two of them to the drekar we will cover your backs."
I looked around to see who was left. Sigtrygg, Snorri, Bjorn the Scout and Karl Knutson were all that remained. Nor could we do anything for the passage into the other world of our dead for the guards who had been on the walls now raced towards us.
I hesitated and Sigtrygg said, "The gate is the best place to hold them!"
I nodded and we ran. There were just five of us against the rest of the garrison. Those were not good odds. The hall was a maze of passages and doors. A pair of warriors burst from one to our right. Sigtrygg slew one and Bjorn the Scout the other but not before Knut had taken a spear thrust to the leg. Then, mercifully, we were outside. I saw the open gates ahead and the three dead guards. My new Ulfheonar had acquitted themselves well. We turned at the gate and Sigtrygg and I grabbed a discarded spear each. I jammed my sword into the hard packed earth. The sentries ran at us. They too had spears. I parried one spear and then jabbed quickly mine into the man's chest. My spear was hacked by another guard and I picked my sword from the ground and slashed across his face. I heard a grunt next to me. Knut had a spear sticking from his belly. He grabbed his killer's head and pulled him on to his sword. As he slid to the floor he said, "Ulfheonar!" and then he died.
I was tiring now but we had to buy more time for Aiden and the others to reach the cliffs. I blocked another spear and, dropping to my knee jabbed my sword into the groin of the spearman. I swung my sword to the side to free it from the body and it fell across our front. There was now a barrier of the enemy dead. Then I heard a trumpet sound and saw that the men of Gwynedd had heard the commotion and returned to their walls. We now had the whole of Hywel ap Rhodri's warband hunting us. This time we would be defeated if they caught us. I had counted them and there were fifty of them.
"We run!"
We turned and ran for the distant sea. I could not see anyone ahead of us but I only had a rough idea of the distance we might have to travel. The heather and the gorse meant that we had to fo
llow the paths which twisted and turned. The men who followed us had an advantage for they would know the paths better than we. There was little point in bemoaning our predicament. It was wyrd. I hoped that we had achieved what we had set out to do and rescued Kara but, already the cost was high. Eight more of my Ulfheonar would not return to Cyninges-tūn.
I risked a glance over my shoulder and saw that the men of Gwynedd were barely a hundred paces from us. When I felt spray on my face I felt hope. The sea was not far away. My legs felt like jelly and my chest burned but still we ran. My armour felt like I had a mountain on my shoulders but still we hurried on. We almost ran over the cliff but Snorri who had reached it first had seen the edge and he yelled at us, "Stop!"
Bjorn the Scout pointed, "Look there is a path, of sorts."
I looked where he had pointed and saw that the others were almost at the rocks. There was however, no beach. 'The Heart of the Dragon' was edging dangerously close to the savage rocks and she was crewed by a handful of men from my son's warriors. This would be a stern test of Erik's skill and that of his ships' boys.
"Get down. I will follow." They hesitated, "I command you!" They began to clamber down the narrow track. I turned and faced the two horsemen who galloped towards me. I yelled, in Saxon, "If you follow us then I swear to come back and wreak revenge on you all. Turn back now and I will never return."
In answer one of the horsemen galloped towards me with a long spear in his hand. I stood my ground. At the last moment I moved to my right and took the spear on my shield. I swung Ragnar's Spirit and it hacked into the rump of the small horse. I felt it grate on bone and then the rider and the horse disappeared, screaming, over the cliff as the horse reared away from the pain. The other veered to one side and I swung backhanded at him. The tip caught his leg. The men on foot were hurrying after the rider. I punched my shield at the horse and the rider. He wheeled away and rode towards his men.
