Hrolf the Viking (Norman Genesis Book 1)

by Griff Hosker

  The evening was tense. We cooked the food for the crew in the large pot but there was none of the usual banter which normally accompanied our meals. There was just silence. Siggi and Arne made sure that they slept to the landward side of me while Erik took the seaward side. I felt foolish. It was as though I could not look after myself. Despite my fears of a knife in the night I managed to sleep. However I had to get up in the night to make water. When I did so I saw that the tide had receded and there were footprints in the wet sand; many of them. They came from the north west side of the beach. I went back and shook Siggi awake.

  "What is it? Hermund?"

  "No but there are foot prints in the wet sand, heading for the drekar."

  "Wake Arne. I will wake the Jarl." As the Jarl and I headed to the wet sand Erik woke up. I put my fingers to my lips and he nodded. The five of us went towards the drekar. We all head weapons drawn. None spoke the words but we all thought that Hermund and his men had gone to the ship. I had no doubt that they would have gone for the treasure. What I did not know was how they had managed to get by us all.

  The compartment by the steering board, where we had stored the chests was open. "The treasure! Hermund has it!"

  The Jarl laughed, "No they have a chest of bronze and five chests of stones. They have the ship's ballast. Come let us find them."

  As we headed back to the beach Arne said, "Where can they go?"

  Siggi said, "My guess is the farm and the fishing boat."

  "Then let us wake the men and hunt them down."

  Siggi shouted, "To arms! To arms!"

  The men were awake in an instant all that is save one. The night guard, Olaf Ill Luck lay with his throat cut.

  "Murder! When I get my hands on Hermund...." Ulf Squint Eye had shared an oar with Olaf and they were close friends.

  "Let us catch them and then we can try them." The Jarl turned to Sven and Erik. You two stay here and guard the treasure with the ship's boys."

  Arne said, "The treasure?"

  Sven said, "Aye we put it in the Jarl's chest. They have one box of bronze and the rest is ballast."

  We followed Ulf Big Nose as he headed across the island. Dawn was breaking in the east and, as we crested the rise and looked north, we saw the small sail of the fishing boat. The murderers had escaped. The Jarl said, "Perhaps now would be a good time to speak with the farmer and tell him we mean them no harm. He will be annoyed to have lost his fishing boat."

  As we approached the farm we saw that we would need no word of explanation. The family had all been slain. The farm had been ransacked and food taken. The joy at having deceived Hermund was now a bitter taste in our mouths for we had lost a shipmate and four innocent people had lost their lives. By the time we had buried them the sun was up and we saw that the family had built a good farm. There were fish drying on rack by the sea and the animal furs showed that there were small animals to be hunted.

  We were a saddened and chastened group who headed back to the beach. We never mentioned the treasure nor the killers. Both were in our minds but we now had a priority; we had to repair the ship and then find these killers. From that moment the farmhouse was feared by us all. The spirits of the dead would haunt it. Hermund the Bent had left us with a curse we could not lift.

  Chapter 4

  Half of the crew went to find the wood to replace the damaged strakes while the rest of us made a frame with the timber which was closest to the beach. We made a crude cradle for the drekar. We used the tide to do most of the work for us. All we had to do was haul at high tide. That would be the only time we would not be able to work on her. It took all of our first day on the island. With Hermund the Bent and his men gone we were even more shorthanded now. Sven took out the tools we would need, adze, side axe, breast augur, hafted wedge and moulding irons. We made a fire to melt down the lead candlesticks we had taken. We would use them to fasten together the strakes along with wooden trenails. On the second day I was sent with Erik to find pine trees. We would need to use the resin from them to help seal the new strakes we would be replacing. We had a small supply of animal hair but we needed more. We would have to cut some of our hair as well. I did not mind but some of the clan liked their hair long.

  In many ways Hermund did us a favour. We were now a tighter clan. We were smaller but we knew that what we had was the core of a crew. It felt like the Ulfheonar. Haaken One Eye and Snorri had told me how they had begun with just eight warriors. Those eight became more but the original Ulfheonar had the closest bond of any warriors I had ever met. We were also a small number but we had heart. It took us ten days but the ship was stronger than ever by the time we were finished. We all worked on it. Part of us was in the hull. It was always nervous when you refloated a damaged drekar but she appeared to be sealed and we had no leaks.

  As we bobbed in the small bay the Jarl said, "We will go to Dorestad to trade. It is far enough from the centre of the Empire for us to be safe and it is also popular with our folk. We need warriors."

  "Aye Jarl but let us choose better than Hermund!"

  "That was my fault, Oleg, and I am sorry that you have lost an oar brother. I promise that we will all choose the new crew."

  As we sailed north Erik One Hand proved that the loss of an arm did not mean he was useless. His left arm was as strong as many men's right and although he could not row he was able to help the ship's boys haul on the sheets and tighten the stays. He confided in me that he wished to stay with the 'Raven's Wing' but he would understand if the Jarl let him go. When I told Jarl Gunnar he seemed pleased. "I like him. I would have him stay with us. The Norns sent him our way for a purpose. Let us see this course to the end."

  Dorestad was no Lundenwic. It was a wild town. Although part of the Empire it was at the far end of that Empire. It was a major port and ships from many distant ports traded there. As a result they charged excessively high harbour fees. The Jarl did not mind. It meant we would be allowed to trade and we had coins aplenty. On our last night on our island, named Olafstad in honour of our dead comrade, we had divided the treasure. Although the Jarl kept half we all had more than enough; I had never seen as many coins. Along with the golden necklace I had taken and the coins I had already saved, I was a rich man. We saw other drekar in the harbour as well as Saxon ships and even a ship which looked as though it had sailed from the Middle Sea. Every ship came from a different part of the world. After we had paid our taxes we were divided into two watches. I went ashore with the Jarl, Siggi and Arne. We were going to find men to serve on our drekar. When we returned then Sven, Harold and the others would go to buy food and supplies needed for the ship.

  "I want you all to keep your ears open when we are in Dorestad. Listen for word of Hermund. We need to know if the Empire is seeking us. Most importantly we need to know if anyone is interested in us."

  "Aye Jarl."

  I took some coins with me. I needed better armour and a shield but I was loath to pay a fortune. I would have preferred to have someone like Bjorn Bagsecgson make me some and until I found a smith I could trust I would just make do. As we were heading for the market I spied a knarr I recognised. It was the knarr from Úlfarrston and her captain was Raibeart ap Pasgen. He also sailed one of Dragonheart's drekar. I wondered what he was doing here.

  I put him from my mind as we entered the bustling market. There was little order to be seen. Merchants set up stalls and piled their goods on them. We had nothing to sell and so we were the subject of every merchant's attention. They shouted and called their offers. The Frisians had learned not to judge a Viking by his clothes. They knew we spent well. We were really looking for men but all of us needed to buy some things. I wanted some sealskin boots. The leather ones I wore had suffered in the sea water. They were fine boots but unsuitable for life on a drekar. I spied a stall selling them. When I reached it I recognised Einar Sorenson. He was one of Raibeart's men. He smiled when he saw me. "Hrolf! Lucky Hrolf! You have grown. What brings you here?"

  "I am with Jar
l Gunnar but what are you doing selling boots? Where is Raibeart ap Pasgen?"

  He tapped his nose, "We are here under Jarl Dragonheart's orders. Best not ask."

  I nodded, "I understand." Raibeart was often used as a spy. I looked at the boots which were laid on the table.

  "You wished to buy boots?"I nodded. "You could have them for nothing but it will look suspicious if you did so. Choose a pair and we will haggle!" He grinned, "You will pay a fair price."

  I picked a pair and tried them on. There were soft and fitted well. I then haggled. The amounts of which we spoke were ridiculous and eventually Einar charged me too high a price. I saw faces sniggering at me. When I handed over my coins he took but one silver one. It was a remarkable sleight of hand. He winked at me and said loudly, "Send more of your friends for I like to make money from young men like you!"

  Arne Four Toes had seen what went on and he came to me, his face angry, "I will teach him a lesson! You are a brother and I will not have you robbed."

  I shook my head and said quietly, "It was a game. I have paid a pittance for them. I will explain later."

  I spied an aventail on an armourer's table. The mail hung from the back of a helmet and afforded protection to the neck. I hoped it would be cheap. "How much?"

  He looked at and weighed me up quickly. He was working out what I could afford. "A gold piece." I dropped the mail and turned away. "Ten silver pieces then. It is a fine piece of mail. The links are riveted."

  "Five!"

  "Seven and I will fit it to your helmet."

  I put my hand out, "Repair the dents too and you have a deal!"

  He laughed, "You are not as gullible as you look. It is a deal. Come back in a couple of hours."

  I pointed to an ale wives' house. "I will go there for a drink. I will be out in an hour."

  He nodded, "Aye."

  I joined the Jarl. He pointed to the ale house, "Let us go and see if there are any Vikings looking for a berth eh?"

  The ale house was dimly lit. It looked to have been a stable originally and had been converted. Half barrels were laid around as either tables or chairs. The large woman who ladled out the beer looked as big as Olaf Leather Neck. I suspected she could handle any awkward customers. She spied the Jarl and recognised his chain. "With you in a moment, my lord."

  "Whenever you are ready!"

  As we waited we took the opportunity to check out those who were packed into the old stables. Suddenly the Jarl started and strode over to a warrior whose back was to us, "Raibeart ap Pasgen!"

  Raibeart turned and looked worried, "Quiet, my lord. I am a Rurik here."

  The Jarl was quick on the uptake and nodded, "Of course, Rurik. I thought I recognised you."

  Raibeart grinned, "What brings you here, Jarl."

  "We need crew mates." The ale wife appeared with a younger version of herself. She had foaming horns of ale for us. She handed them to everyone and then hesitated when she saw me. "He looks to have just finished sucking on his mammy's titty!"

  I blushed and Siggi White Hair laughed as he took the horn for me. "Looks can be deceiving gammer. This boy has killed a dozen men that I know of."

  To my dismay she leaned down and kissed my cheek, "Sorry sweetheart! You must have hidden depths!"

  After she had gone the Jarl explained what had happened to us. He omitted the extent of the treasure but was truthful in all other respects.

  "I will keep an eye out for this Hermund the Bent but I know some men who need a berth. A drekar was impounded for failure to pay the harbour taxes. Jarl Thorgeir the Clumsy objected and struck the Count of this town. His head adorns the gate. Some of the men are good lads. They helped me unload my knarr. Come and I will introduce you." He headed towards a large group of men who appeared to be sipping their ale. That was not the Viking way. They were making it last as long as possible. The warriors needed coin.

  The Jarl turned to us, "Stay here while I go to speak with them. Hrolf, keep your ears open."

  I nodded. We looked around the drinkers. Some were sailors and some were warriors. The merchants were busy in the square but I had no doubt that they would use the ale house when business was concluded. Some of the warriors were Franks. They would not be suitable for our drekar. We needed Norse or Danes. Had there been Rus then they would have done but they preferred the rivers of the east. There were more Danes than Norse in the old stables.

  I heard snatches of conversation but none pertained to anything of interest to us. The Jarl came back. He came alone. Raibeart had gone back to his mission from the Dragonheart. I was intrigued but I had made my choice and left the service of that lord. Wyrd.

  "I have fifteen men who will come to the drekar. Eight are yonder and the rest will follow."

  Siggi White Hair shook his head, "Jarl you need to look into each man's heart before you hire him."

  "I know Siggi and I hear your words. We will choose from the fifteen. The ones I spoke with seem to be the sort of warrior we seek. They are down on their luck. They have had to sell mail and helmets to live. They are desperate but I will only take those who satisfy you, my crew."

  Siggi nodded, "I mean no disrespect, lord. I seek to serve you."

  "I know Siggi. And I know that I am young. I made a mistake with Hermund. I knew him from home as I knew you. You never truly know a warrior until you have been close to disaster or great success. They show a man's worth. It is why I have decided that we keep Erik One Hand with the crew. His heart is Norse. Better a one armed man who fights for you than a giant who turns and runs when your backs are to the wall."

  I went directly to the armourer. He smiled as I approached and took the helmet and aventail. "It is ready. The Gods favour you for it went on easily and seemed made for it. I could put a piece on the front if you wish. It would cost just five silver pieces."

  I saw the Jarl waiting, "I have no time now but I will when we return." I was about to turn away when I spied a shield. "That shield there, how much is that."

  He shrugged, "It has been here some time. Four pieces of silver will buy it."

  I handed over the coins and took the shield.

  When Siggi saw me he said, "I thought you would have repaired your shield."

  I showed him the front. It had a crude picture of a horse's head, "How could I leave it?"

  Siggi grinned, "Wyrd!"

  The other half of the crew went ashore and we awaited the potential crew members. I took my old, broken shield and took the boss from it. The wood would not be wasted. We would find a use for it and the boss was better than the one on my new shield. I spent the time we waited for the new men replacing it. There was satisfaction in the task. The more time I spent on the shield the better it would protect me. I looked at the horse's head when I had finished. It was faded but I would find the time to repaint it. When we had the opportunity I would melt down the spare boss and use it to make studs for the front of the shield. I would incorporate them into the horse design. They would add protection and make the shield look better.

  I was so engrossed in my work that I was startled when the new warriors arrived for inspection. The Jarl, Siggi and Arne, along with Ulf Big Nose went to the harbour road to speak with them. They would make the decision. I took the opportunity to study our new comrades. I saw that all had retained their swords and their shields. Half had had to sell their helmets and none wore mail. Two had leather armour such as I wore while the rest wore just kyrtles and trousers. They were men who had been badly treated by the Norns. I hoped they would not bring their ill luck to us. That made me think of Olaf Ill Luck. Perhaps he had been sacrificed so that these men cold have a second chance of life.

  Only two were not taken. They appeared to be happy about that and the Jarl gave them a coin each. When they had left he brought the new crew aboard. "These are our new shipmates. The two who left decided that they did not want to serve on this drekar." He shrugged. "They said that it did not smell right."

  Arne Four Toes laughed and pointed to Be
orn Beornsson, "I said you should wash your breeks more often!"

  We all laughed, even Beorn.

  The Jarl continued, "I will go with them now to buy them helmets for they cannot go to war with bare heads and we will buy ale. When we return to Olafstad there will be no ale wife! Siggi, you command until I return." Siggi nodded. "When Sven returns we will need to arrange the oars. Think about the best arrangements."

  "Aye Jarl."

  The new crewmen deposited their meagre possessions in the centre of the drekar close to the mast fish and the mast. I felt guilty for I was much younger than most of them and I was much richer. I realised how fortunate I had been to have met the Dragonheart. He had truly changed my life.

  Sven arrived back before the Jarl. The drekar was his world. The land and the town held little lure for him. He came and sat close to Siggi and me. "The Jarl said he wished to reorganise the drekar."

  "Aye we will need to. We have lost too many men."

  Sven nodded, "I would be happier with you and Arne close to the steering board. You are the heart of the ship."

  Siggi nodded, "I share my oar with Hrolf here. The Norns have determined that we face the world together."

  Arne nodded, "And I would be close too. Beorn Beornsson has lost his oar mate as have I. Put us together. We four will be the first oars."

  Sven nodded, "It is good and Beorn has a good voice. This is wyrd."

  Once that was done it did not take long to arrange the others. We knew not the new men but Sven and Siggi spread the old crew so that there was a spine of our original crew in the drekar. The voyage back to Olafstad would help Sven refine the arrangement. We moved our chests to their new position. I was aware that we were sitting where Hermund the Bent and his men had sat. Their chests had been left on the island. They had taken all of value with them but what they had left might come in useful for the new crew members.

  It was dark by the time that the rest of the crew returned. They came back laden. The Jarl had invested some of his money in food as well as ale. Eight firkins of beer were carried aboard as well as twenty loaves, a ham and a round of cheese.