by Griff Hosker
Pasgen came from his town with his farmers and fishermen around him. They were armed with the weapons we had given them but they did not look confident. “I am sorry we could not get word to you nor help you.”
I shook my head, “We had word and this was not your fight.”
“When I saw the numbers I wondered how you could defeat them but you made it look so easy.”
I waved Ragnar’s Spirit at the dead warriors who littered the ground. “It was not easy but the ones we fought were overconfident. They believed that numbers alone win battles. It is not so. It is heart and skill. My men have both in abundance. However we will build a signal tower here so that we can be warned of danger. This was a lesson which we will heed and learn from. Were any of your people hurt?”
He shook his head, “I think he wanted us as slaves. We were threatened and warned that if we aided you we would all die. He seemed to regard us as his property.”
Haaken said, “The sooner you can learn to fight the better.”
“You are right but we are herders and fishermen. We are not warriors.”
“Then learn to fight with slings and arrows. Those skills will help you to hunt game. You will never be swordsmen but you could be bow men.”
Pasgen smiled, “Thank you Haaken. We can do that.” He and his people helped us to clear the bank of the dead. We did not want foxes, rats and wolves to be attracted to the village by the smell of flesh.
After we had stripped the enemy dead we burned their bodies and headed back up the trails to our homes with the dead we had suffered. We had not lost as many as Skull Splitter but any loss was one too many. As we trudged through the slushy mass of half melted snow and mud I wondered if we would ever have a time of peace. I had thought to make enemies fear us and leave us alone. It seems that they just craved what we had. We had not spilled blood to gain this piece of land we now ruled and we had taken nothing from anyone. I would not allow enemies such as Skull Splitter to walk in and take what we had earned through hard work and planning.
By the time we reached Cyninges-tūn I was tired but I was also resolved to discover a solution to our problem.
Chapter 21
The snow which had fallen so quickly during the fight disappeared and by mid morning there was not a trace of it. Instead, the ground was sodden and slippery. We had to begin to build paths to help us to walk around the settlement. Aiden had the idea of using some of the smaller pieces of roof rock to give us firmer footing. The snow storm had been brief but had been a warning of the winter to come. My plans for the resolution of our problem had to wait until we had adequately prepared for winter. I did not expect another enemy soon. Thorfinn Skull Splitter’s treatment would send out a warning to the other Norse.
Over the next ten days we gathered wood and stone to give us fuel and paths for the winter. Hunters were sent out to gather as much meat as they could. Our salt gatherers had returned from the sea and we had enough salt to preserve all of the meat they had hunted. I remembered that there had been a good source of salt not far from Caerlleon. How we could have used it as we prepared for winter.
The weather suddenly turned icy overnight. It was another warning of winter as had been the early snowstorm. While the weather still held I sent the Ulfheonar down to Úlfarrston to build a tower where the rivers met and another at the end of The Water. When the winter was over we would have two signal towers to warn us of an enemy.
I left with Aiden and Arturus to visit with Rolf and Windar. Thorfinn’s attack had made me all too aware of the threat to Windar’s Mere. Had Thorfinn just marched up the river he might have been able to surprise Rolf and his people. There were forests all along the side of the Mere which could easily hide an advancing enemy.
They had worked hard to build their two villages and the hall into which Rolf took us was warm and comfortable. “How are those wounded from the battle?”
“They are healing. It is the dead who are more of a problem. We lost some good warriors.”
“You have young men?”
“Aye but they are untried.”
I laughed, “As we once were. Make them warriors, Rolf.” He nodded. “After we returned from the Dunum I worried about an attack from the Saxons in revenge.”
“But they did not come.”
“No, and I do not think that they will come in the winter but I do not know for certain. Lang tells me that there is no way in or out of this land in winter. I do not think that is true for the sea in the south is close enough for us to reach in half a day, even in snow.” I pointed to the line of hills to the east. “The mere we passed on our way east looks to have potential for farming and fishing. See if there are any of the warriors who wish to set up their own village.”
I knew that there were warriors such as Windar who were loyal but still wished for the freedom of their own people. Warriors such as Haaken and Cnut, the Ulfheonar were rare. Perhaps there might be another Windar.
“I will ask my people. The fort at the head of the valley, close to the Rye Dale, is finished. Perhaps I will have a tower built on the ridge close to the eastern halls.”
“Aye that is a good idea for I cannot believe that the Saxons will allow us to get away with our raid. This Eanred will have to do something about us. We are like the flea which keeps biting him; eventually he will scratch.”
All the way back to Cyninges-tūn I chewed the problem over. I found that riding in this beautiful land actually helped my thoughts. I needed to know what was going on in the rest of the world. I left the next day with just Aiden to meet with Alf at Úlfarrston. “I want you to take ‘Serpent’ and ‘Butar’. Trade some of the surplus we have with the Saxons in Mercia and Wessex. I need as much information as you can gather about what the other Norse, the Danes and the Saxons are up to. Take your time and have your men keep their ears open.”
“What do you want us to trade for?”
“Whatever you can get but the most valuable thing you can bring back is knowledge. Call in at Man too and gauge the mood there.”
He gave me a shrewd look. “You fear another Skull Splitter?”
“I think, Alf, that we are friendless. The days of our brothers helping us are long gone. Everyone wishes to be a king. Everyone wants their own kingdom. We are too tempting a prize for our enemies to ignore.”
“It will take us a couple of days to be ready.”
“Good. Then I will have the trade goods brought down.”
Riding back Aiden said, “Copper is our surplus. I believe the roof rock is as valuable but I think that others will not feel that way but our metals, they are worth much.”
“Have we much to send?”
“There is a good supply at the bottom of the Old Man. We have enough already to fill two ships and we can collect more easily.”
Aiden was a bright young man. He and Scanlan were the two minds which made the task of ruling Cyninges-tūn and Windar’s Mere an easy one.
As our first Yule in Cyninges-tūn approached the weather deteriorated rapidly. A last bright day was followed by an icy frost which froze the shallower parts of The Water. The next day began grey and drifted to black as snow clouds piled up on the mountains which surrounded us. Soon Old Olaf had white hair and a beard. We could not see the western village for the thick snow which blanketed Cyninges-tūn Water. The children’s pleasure at the flakes of white was soon replaced by the red and blue of icy fingers and feet. They appreciated the warm halls. It snowed for five days.
When it finally abated, albeit briefly, I went with some of my warriors to see how far we could get. The pass to Windar’s Mere was higher than a pony and would have taken much work to cut a path through to it. We managed to force our way to the western portion of our people on the other side of Cyninges-tūn Water but that was as far as we could get. Two hardy fishermen ventured down the Water while we waited with Finni, the headman of this village. The days were growing shorter as Yule approached and it was almost dark when they returned. They were blue with cold
.
“We are trapped in this valley Jarl Dragon Heart. The stream at the end of the Water is frozen over.” He pointed to the water level. “Soon the waters will rise as the melt water fills the Water.”
I nodded. “You had better prepare to lose some of the huts which are close to the Water.”
Some of the villagers, especially the fishermen had built their huts on the flat land close to the water side. If the water rose it would not take much to flood them. The fishermen nodded glumly. “We will have to try to build a hall yonder.” They pointed to the small knoll where Finni’s hall stood. There was room for another hall but it would be hard to build in the snow.
“Would you like me to send some men over in the morning to help?”
Finni shook his head and glared at the fishermen, “It is our problem jarl. If some of our people had given more thought to where they built their homes we would not have this problem.” He was a hard and uncompromising man. The other settlers had chosen him because he was a leader. I would not have led the way he did but all of us had our own ways.
It was an icy, frozen night as we tramped back to our warm hall. The soft snow we had walked through now became sharp icy shards. Aiden pointed to the clear skies. “They will find it impossible to dig the ground. They will have to lay logs on the ground and make something temporary.”
“When you were up Old Olaf did you see any caves?”
“There are caves but until the snow goes it would be too difficult to reach them.”
I nodded, “I fear that you and Lang are both correct. We are trapped here until spring.”
Aiden smiled, his face lit up by the moon, “Look on the bright side, Jarl Dragon Heart, at least no one can reach us to do harm.”
I laughed at his words and clapped his back. Perhaps the Weird Sisters heard me and decided to punish me for he was wrong and soon we would be in the direst of dangers.
The next day, although it began brightly, soon degenerated into another blizzard and the snow fell on hard unyielding ground. During the brighter parts we saw the men of Finni’s hall struggling to build a shelter. They had managed to make four walls the height of a man before the snow obliterated our view of them. We were safe from the rising waters. It was just Bjorn’s smithy which might become inundated with water. As he said, “It will not harm the forge. The thralls can clean it when the waters recede.” He was still working for the snow and the cold did not stop his endeavours. He was busily making more weapons in this quiet time. We had plenty of metal captured from Thorfinn and his men. The inferior metal was melted down to make arrow heads and hedgehogs. The better weapons were repaired and improved.
Mails shirts damaged in the fighting needed the most work. Bjorn had some older girls with nimble fingers who were able to help Bjorn’s young apprentice smiths and they repaired what they could and used the ones too badly damaged to create new ones. The smithy was the only place with any activity. All of the rest of my people were in the halls.
My warriors created new songs and stories about their exploits and retold the ones from the past. Men worked on their equipment making scabbards and sheaths or fletching arrows. The women worked at weaving and making items from bone and wood. We made those things which took time but added beauty to our appearance. It was why the gods sent the snow; it made us reflect. None were idle as we hunkered down in this first bleak winter.
The storm continued for two days and we had no sight of Finni’s Hall. As dark descended and we sat around our fires we heard the sound which sent a chill though us despite the crackling logs; wolves. They howled in the hills and the high places. The storm had brought them from their forests and dens. Game was scarce and that would force them to risk hunting the most dangerous game of all, man.
Erika and Kara cuddled closer and Arturus drew closer to the fire. “Will they attack us?”
I saw the fear in Kara’s eyes and the unspoken question on Erika’s lips. “I think that our wall will keep them at bay but I fear for Finni and his people. They have no wall.”
The silence was only disturbed by the crackling and spitting of the logs in the fire. Arturus looked up at me and his voice was quiet. “Will you hunt them?”
I could read my son like the priests of the White Christ could read books. He wanted to know could he hunt a wolf and gain his own wolf skin. I did not need the flash in Erika’s eyes to warn me of my answer.
“I might go hunting a wolf with some of those who would be Ulfheonar but not you.”
The disappointment on his face was matched by the relief on Erika’s. “But father you were much my age when you killed your first wolf!”
“Aye but I was not hunting a wolf. I was protecting an old man and the beast nearly did for both of us.” I pointed outside where the howling continued still. “And this is not one wolf; this is a pack. I will take warriors hunting but they will be the ones who wish to be Ulfheonar and not those who think it might be exciting.”
As we lay down in bed the blizzard abated as did the howling. I thought that the wolves had moved on. I was wrong. I was awoken before dawn by the sounds of screams from across Cyninges-tūn Water. Sound carried on still nights. Erika and I were awake instantly. I leapt from the bed and began to dress. “I will take some warriors.”
“Be careful!”
“I will.”
I dressed not for battle but for warmth and for hunting. I strapped on Ragnar’s Spirit but it was not the weapon I would use. I took my bow and quiver as well as a spear. I wrapped my wolf cloak about me and left my hall. Ten Ulfheonar had emerged from the warrior hall. I was pleased to see Snorri and Beorn. “I will take Snorri and Beorn. The rest stay here and watch over our people.”
Thorkell looked disappointed, “Have we offended you Jarl Dragon Heart?”
“No Thorkell but you wear the wolf cloak. What of those who wish to join us? Is this not their opportunity?”
He nodded, “You are wise Jarl Dragon Heart. I will wake those who wish to join you.”
There were six such warriors. Erik Dog Bite was one of them. They began to gather and I gave Thorkell his orders. “Tell them to follow our trail to Finni’s Hall.”
The gate was blocked with snow and we had to climb the wall and drop down into the drift on the other side. After we had fought our way free we set off down the hill. The snow was deep. No-one had stepped out for many days. The going became a little easier the closer we came to the northern shore of Cyninges-tūn Water. I knew that my two younger warriors were not going as fast as they might have done. They were waiting for me. I was not old but I was getting older. I could not run with the puppies any longer.
It took longer to reach Finni’s Hall than normal. When we did reach it we saw a sorry sight. There were blood trails everywhere. Finni and his men were tending to those who had been injured in the attack by the wolves. I had had no doubt that it been animals and not man who had caused the screams. Deep down I had known that some of my people would have died but I had hoped that they would not.
Finni greeted me. He was one of my bravest warriors and had been with us since the early days at Hrams-a but he looked sad and old as he gave me the grave news. “They attacked those in the half built hall. There are three missing. They are all girls.” He pointed to a body. Siggi died defending his daughter but it was in vain. He wounded one of them.”
“My hunters are coming and we will follow the wolves.” I stared hard at Finni. “And when I return I will bring my men and will finish this hall so that more people do not die uselessly!”
“I am sorry Dragon Heart. I meant for the best.”
I softened my voice a little, “You are headman now Finni and that is harder than standing by my side fighting enemies. You have to use your mind and know your people. I hope the loss of three girls has resulted in some good.”
Snorri and Beorn had been scouting the blood trails and they returned. “They headed north; towards Lang’s Dale.”
I hoped that Lang and his family had not suf
fered. They were even more isolated than we were. The six young warriors, led by Erik, arrived. I pointed north and Snorri and Beorn trotted off. We followed. The blood trail was clear at first. When it became spots of blood I knew that we were following the wounded wolf. The wolves would have selected the victims they could kill quickly and then carry off. That was why they had chosen the girls. Soon they would stop to tear the bodies apart and share their bounty. That was my hope that we could find them sooner rather than later.
Snow began to fall. It would not affect our ability to follow yet but if it continued then it would. It would hide the prints of the wolves. I hoped to be able to follow them to their lair and destroy this danger to our people.
The pack had flattened the snow a little and our going was made easier. The ground was rising towards the pass leading to Lang’s Dale. The blood trail was still strong. One of the wolves had to be weakening. Suddenly Snorri held up his hand and he and Beorn strung their bows. We joined them. There crouching with its back to a tree was the wounded wolf. Of the others there was no sign. This would be a dangerous creature. A wounded animal is a terrifying opponent. I looked at the young warriors behind me. Erik Dog Bite said, “Jarl Dragon Heart, let it be me.”
I nodded and handed him my spear. I owed Erik that. He had fought by my side and faced the Saxon Wolfhounds. “Be careful. He will be dangerous.”
He sprang forward towards the wolf. The wolf’s eyes seemed to burn as they watched the approaching warrior. I could see what Erik was doing, he was using his speed as a weapon. He hoped that the wounded wolf would be slower than he was. It was a risky strategy. If he missed with his spear then he would die. I readied my bow. I saw the wolf crouching as it prepared to pounce. Erik ran fast and used a sword fighting technique. He feinted with his spear and leaned to the right. The wolf leapt, its reddened, snarling teeth dripping with the blood of the warrior it had already killed. Erik’s move had put him to the left of the wolf and he stabbed forward with both hands. The head ripped into the wolf’s throat. Even as it was dying it tried to turn to attack this young warrior. It landed on Erik, its life blood pumping out on to the white snow.
