by Griff Hosker
It was good to be back in my own hall again and sleeping in my own bed. I enjoyed these voyages but there was a comfort to my own home. A week after my return my happiness was made complete when my son, his wife and my grandson came to visit with me. This was the first unprompted visit I had had and I was happy beyond words. I knew it was Elfrida's doing. I could not have chosen a better wife for my son.
"You will stay?"
"Of course. It is time Ragnar got to know his grandfather."
I looked from Elfrida to Wolf Killer. He smiled, "And I would hear of your voyage."
I clapped my hands and my slave, Uhtric, appeared, "Fetch me a jug of the wine I brought back." I waved them to a chair as I picked up Ragnar. I bounced him on my knee and he giggled. I had seen fathers and grandfathers doing this. Mine had only used his hands to beat me. When I saw the pleasure on Ragnar's face I wondered why my father had ill treated me so.
When Uhtric returned with the wine Elfrida said, "I will pour." She poured one for me and one for my son.
"Try a little Elfrida. You will be pleasantly surprised. The ladies of Vasconia drink this."
I was delighted by the expressions on their faces as they drank the rich red wine. My son beamed. "This is a fine drink. Can we get more?"
I almost choked when he said 'we', "Of course. They are keen for our iron and copper." Something in his tone made me ask, "Are you thinking of sailing 'Josephus'?"
He nodded, "Like you I have young men who are keen to go A-Viking. If I do not take them to sea they may choose another Jarl. The problem is we would be sailing during the winter."
"If you sail to Italy you will find their winters are like our summers. My ship needs repairs but if you wish to go…"
He said nothing and Elfrida shook her head, "Husband! You know it is one of the reasons you have come to see your father!"
Wolf Killer briefly glared at his wife and then nodded, "She speaks the truth, father. I covet you your riches. We grow crops and we raise animals but my land does not have the iron or the copper. We have fewer slaves. My warriors look with envy at the riches your warriors have. Only two of my men have mail byrnies."
I noticed Ragnar yawning and I handed him back to his mother, "If you need gold." I stood and went to a chest by the fire. I took out a bag. "Here is gold and more. Take it."
He shook his head, "I am a man and I will provide for my own people."
"That is admirable but the offer is always there."
Aiden chose that moment to enter. He and my son were as close as brothers. "And I would like Aiden here to be my guide."
Aiden cocked his head to one side in question. "My son wishes to go to Bourde and Amalfi to trade. Will you show him the way?"
"Of course! When would you leave?"
"As soon as I can gather enough trade goods and make arrangements for Elfrida and Ragnar."
Elfrida shook her head, "Do not use me as an excuse. I am sure that your father will let us stay here."
"Of course! In fact I insist!" I was pleased beyond words at the way events were turning out.
"Then it is settled. I will leave tomorrow to speak with my men."
Aiden stood, "And I will see those who have goods to trade. I am not certain that Coen Ap Pasgen will sail for they do not need any more trades this year but Siggi or Trygg might." My son had his own knarr but it was still laid up in Bolli's yard. He would need a captain for it.
There was much running around for a few days but I cared not. My son was warming to me and I had months with Elfrida and Ragnar. The Gods were smiling on me once more.
Chapter 4
When my children had been young I had been too busy on Mann to be able to play with them and enjoy their growing up. Erika had seen to that. With Elfrida and Ragnar in my home I had all the time in the world to play with my grandson and watch him change, almost daily it seemed. Kara, too, spent many hours with the three of us. She would never have children of her own. Hitherto she had been denied the company of her nephew and she too made up for lost time. My grandson would grow into a fine young man. His aunt and his mother would ensure that he understood the gentler side of the world while his father would make him the warrior he was destined to be.
When I did drag myself away from my family I made a point of visiting, each week, every family in Cyninges-tūn. The mistakes we had made with Magnus the Foresworn would not be repeated. I also wanted to show the families of the banished that they were welcome. I wanted to get to know all those who might, one day, sail with me. You could learn much about men by the way they played as children.
It was Snorri who reminded me of my promise to Seguin I Lupo. "It is the time for the wolf hunt, Jarl. There are two warriors who wish to take the test. Would you hunt for the cloak for the Duke of Vasconia or shall we do that for you?"
It was as close to a criticism as Snorri would ever come. I smiled to show I was not offended, "No, Snorri. I made the promise and I will not be foresworn. Let me know when you hunt."
He grinned, "On the morrow, Jarl. We leave before the sun rises for we go to Úlfarrberg."
"Then I had best prepare!"
Úlfarrberg lay between the Grassy Mere and Ulla's Water. We had driven most of the wolves from Lang's Dale but the high mountain was not used by those travelling between valleys and the wolves prospered on the high wild mountain. There had been attacks and sheep had been taken from both adjacent valleys. Now the people of the Grassy Mere, Ulla's Water and the Rye Dale feared that a harsh winter would bring them to take their children. We would hunt them.
I did not take my bow. Instead I took my boar spear. Ragnar's Spirit and my seax were strapped to my waist and I wore my wolf cloak above my leather byrnie. Snorri and Bjorn the Scout led Asbjorn the Strong and Eystein Finnison north. We rode on ponies for part of the way. Even though it was dark we travelled a familiar trail and we made good time. As the sun broke we reached the farm of Audun Thin Hair at the col close to the Rye Dale. He gave us a horn of ale and promised to watch our beasts for us. We would do the hard part on foot.
We climbed the Scar which led to the series of small peaks. There were three small rises before the mountain. We would not need to climb to the top of the Úlfarrberg for the wolves would be lower down in the rocks close to the tarns. However the proximity of the peaks would mean we would be unlikely to be ambushed by wolves. We would see them. They preferred the rocky gullies and outcrops where they could hide and wait for us. We had hunted them before and knew how cunning they could be. Once we reached the first pike we found the snow. The valleys were free from it although the threatening skies promised more before the day was out. Perhaps we would return to a valley shrouded in snow. As it was the snow was not deep but our trail would be clear to see.
I noticed that my four warriors were leaving me behind. I was no longer the young warrior who could sprint up such peaks. I forced myself to march faster and, as I did so, I felt the sweat begin. That was good. Snorri stopped and knelt. There was no snow on the loose rocks which were along the trail. Ahead I could see the trees which ringed the lower slope of the mountain. Beyond them were the tarn and the tumble of rocks which would be a likely den for our quarry. Snorri held something between his fingers. "Wolf shit! It is fresh. They were hunting this night. He looked around and found their tracks. "They headed down the slope. We had best prepare. They are not far ahead."
Bjorn shaded his eyes and looked at the sky. "And unless we wish to hunt them in the dark we had better get a move on."
The four of them were using bows and they strung them. Each warrior chose his best three arrows. One was carried with the bow while the other two were held in their teeth. We had learned that it is hard to speak with arrows in your mouth. An inadvertent call could ruin a hunt.
The wind was coming into our faces and even my nose picked up the scent of the wolves. Snorri had a nose like a hound and he had been sniffing the air confidently for some time. Our two erstwhile Ulfheonar had bows at the ready and their swords
. It was considered better if a warrior despatched a wolf with his sword. However it took an incredibly brave man to try to kill a wolf with a sword unless he had injured it first in some way. I noticed that Eystein seemed a little on edge. It was good to be a little nervy but too much anticipation was a bad thing. Asbjorn looked confident.
We followed the tracks through the snow. In places the wind had blown it away but there was still enough visible for us to follow the paw prints. Snorri and Bjorn led. When we closed with the beasts they would stand to the side to allow Asbjorn and Eystein to make their kills. The wind was blowing fiercely on this side of the slope and snow was being whipped, from the ground, into our faces. Dark storm clouds gathered to the north over Úlfarrberg. It was just a few miles away and I hoped we would find our prey soon.
Snorri dropped to one knee and knocked an arrow. I brought my spear before me. I half crouched and made certain that I had firm footing. Snorri turned and made the sign for a wolf. He went to the left, up the slope and Bjorn went to the right and down the slope. Our two candidates moved forward slowly. I walked just three paces behind them. I had the luxury of the track, such as it was. Asbjorn was on the snow to the left of the path while Eystein had to negotiate the stones and scree to the right. My two Ulfheonar would have the honour of the first strike. I would take advantage of whatever they left. My wolf was as a gift but, for my two warriors, this would help them join the Ulfheonar.
The smell of wolf was overpowering although we could see nothing. Although the cold affects a wolf's sense of smell I suspect that the five of us had given off a human aroma for we were close to the den. A jumble of rocks and bushes showed where it was likely to be. Wolves do not make a sound before they attack. They just launch themselves and they are prodigious leapers. Two of them must have scented us and they jumped. Asbjorn was the closest and I watched him carefully aim and then release. Eystein panicked a little and released too early. His arrow hit his wolf in the right shoulder. It did not stop it. His hand went to his sword and the blade stuck. I took three paces forward and I rammed my spear at the gaping jaws of the wolf. The wolf struck Eystein with full force and from a height. As my spear rammed through its jaws and into its skull Eystein was knocked to the ground. He lay unconscious. I took in that Asbjorn had slain his wolf with his sword and I drew Ragnar's Spirit. I would not need it, the wolf was dead. My spear had found his heart.
We all forgot the dead wolves as we hauled the carcass from Eystein. Bjorn took off his helmet and put his ear to his chest. "He lives."
Snorri looked at the dead wolf. It was enormous. "You have the gift for the Duke then, Jarl."
Asbjorn looked at his unconscious friend. "Is it not Eystein's wolf? He hit it with an arrow."
Snorri shook his head, "Had the Jarl not been here then Eystein would be dead. He can try again but he is not ready yet. He panicked and that shows fear. Even had he killed the wolf then Bjorn and I would have recommended that he try again. It is better this way."
Bjorn handed his seax to Asbjorn, "Take its heart and eat it. You will gain strength from the wolf." I had not done that when I had killed my first wolf but I knew that those who had swore it made them better warriors. We would see.
After he had eaten the heart we took out the guts and left them on the trail. I did the same for the wolf I had killed. Bjorn cut a branch from a stunted hawthorn tree and he rammed it through the mouth of the wolf to come out near its tail. We had an easier job doing the same with my spear.
"What do we do with Eystein?"
I shook my head, "We cannot leave him and we cannot carry him and the wolves. We will have to wait until he awakes."
Asbjorn shook his head, "Jarl, you and Snorri take your wolf back. It is not right that you two should pay for Eystein's mistake. Bjorn and I will wait here until he awakes."
"He is right Jarl."
The two of us hefted the spear on to our shoulders. Such was the weight of the wolf that the haft bent beneath it. As we went Snorri said, "I fear this is the shape of things to come, Jarl. We now have thirteen Ulfheonar. It is not many. Apart from Eystein I can think of only one other candidate and that is Oleg Gunnstein and he will not be ready until next winter."
"Then perhaps we are meant to go to war with warriors who do not wear the wolf cloak and do not own mail."
"Perhaps but we saw with Magnus and the others that can lead to disaster."
Snorri was a thoughtful warrior and I could understand his fears. There had been a time when we would have brought five or six candidates for the Ulfheonar on a wolf hunt. Now we had but two and one had failed. It demonstrated the skill of the Ulfheonar.
We were nearing the Grassy Mere when our three companions caught up with us. Eystein was helping Asbjorn to carry the wolf. As they came abreast of us Eystein said, "I owe you my life, Jarl. I will succeed in the test next year."
"You are a good warrior but you were a little over excited," I patted the spear. "I prefer a spear to an arrow. I had seen too many wolves that have lived with arrows in them."
By the time we crossed the col at the Rye Dale, it was already dark. We picked up our ponies from Audun and rode the last miles to our home. I reflected that if I had kept my home on the eastern shore of the Water then I would have been in the warm that little bit sooner.
Elfrida was relieved to see me; she had been worried but my daughter had known I would return. She was a volva. Before I could sit down and enjoy the meal they had prepared I had to skin my wolf. Already the flesh was hardening. My slaves could butcher the meat but I had to take the skin and stretch it before it began to dry. When I had finished and cleaned up I felt much better. I celebrated with the rest of the amphora of wine. I slept well that night.
My son returned sooner than I had. He had, of course, only one ship to escort and they had had better winds and less trouble. I saw a change in him the moment he stepped into my hall. After he had greeted his wife and son he hugged me and smiled at Kara. It was little enough but I saw that she understood its significance.
"We made some excellent trades, father. The men of Amalfi and the Vasconians were both pleased and surprised that we had returned so quickly. The weapons Bjorn made are much sought after. We can ask higher prices."
"Good. Then I shall take the Duke's cloak and trade again in two months time. The new miners have made a difference and we have much copper and iron. Bjorn has more smiths working now than he used to. He is becoming a rich man."
Aiden also looked pleased. "The sand time keeper we found works well, Jarl. I think if we use the moon and the sun we might be able to estimate our speed and, perhaps, our course."
"How?"
"I am not certain yet but there are books I can use to discover this skill."
"And the pirates?"
"We saw none but the Duke was surprised we arrived when we did. Most ships avoid this time of year. Perhaps that was why we gained a higher price for our goods."
Wolf Killer was playing with his son and Aiden said, quietly, "Wolf Killer has made a great deal of gold as has his men. I think they are keen to voyage again."
"Did his men not wish to raid?"
"I think the success of the trades took it from their minds but they are young, Jarl. He has not Ulfheonar to form the core of his band."
I nodded. Perhaps Snorri was right about the value of my wolf warriors.
When Elfrida and Ragnar left my hall seemed empty. It felt colder. There was no warmth within my walls. Aiden tried his best to cheer me up but it was hard. Until Ragnar and Elfrida had arrived I thought I had the perfect life. Now I was not so sure. My only comfort was in the blue stones in my sword and my seax. When I looked at them, in the light of my fire I seemed to see warriors fighting dragons and monsters. Each time I turned it another facet would gleam. The flames would pick out another feature and I was transported back to another time. They were almost magical for they were never the same two nights running.
I caught Aiden watching me. He smiled, "The stones are
ancient, Jarl, and carry memories of battles fought long ago."
I held up my sword, "I saw dragons!"
He nodded, "Remember the painting in the cave? There was a dragon standard there. Your ancestor was a wolf warrior who fought beneath a dragon. You are a wolf warrior with the heart of a dragon who fights aboard a dragon ship. It is wyrd."
As the days lengthened and the ground warmed my warriors all began to prepare for voyages, raids and war. The voyage to Amalfi and the raid on Wight had whetted their appetite. Eystein was keen to make amends for what he saw as his failure and my young men were keen to show me that Magnus the Foresworn was not typical of my warriors.
The fact that we were all keen must have annoyed the Norns. Perhaps the Gods felt they had given enough to us and wished to take something away. It was the middle of Gói. We had a message from Windar. There were slavers in the valleys to the east. Danes had come to steal from our rich land.
I sent a messenger to Wolf Killer. I did not offer instructions or advice but information. He could choose to do what he would. He was in a vulnerable position. If he left his home then they might suffer a raid too. For my part I would just take my Ulfheonar and the best of the rest. Eystein, Ulf and five others took our numbers to twenty, twenty one including me.
We had built up our herd of animals and we rode ponies and horses so that we reached Windar's Mere by the evening. "Where are they?"
Aiden had drawn a map for each of my jarls. Windar pointed a pudgy finger at the map. "They have raided the West Moor Lands. Some young boys escaped and brought us word."
"When did they come?"
"Two days since."
I rubbed my beard, "There are no large settlements there are there?"
"No, Jarl. There is just the Barley Town at the head of Ulla's Water and they have been warned. The West Moor Land is filled with many small hill farms. Apart from the old Roman fort there is nothing large over there. Settlers have spread there since the Northumbrians were sent packing. It has been peaceful; until now."
