by Griff Hosker
If Rolf was surprised at the presence of the three girls and the chests then he said nothing. We left two chests in my hall. One would be for me, one for my men but the other two I would take to Cyninges-tūn. We left eight of the ponies there too and then headed down to the other side of the Water. Our village had burgeoned beyond the original walls following the earlier move. My people shouted their greetings as we rode through their homes. The gates of the stad were open and we rode in. We dismounted, pleased to be off the backs of our mounts. Scanlan greeted me first.
"It is good to see you, Jarl. Your son took his men down to Úlfarrston this morning. He will be back tonight."
"Trouble?"
He laughed, "No, Jarl Dragon Heart but he takes his responsibilities seriously. He rode to Windar's Mere the day before yesterday."
"And my daughter?"
"Still in her hall."
I frowned, that was not like Kara. "There is a chest of gold there, Scanlan. See that all share in its bounty. I have another for my son and Kara."
I turned to the girls. "Come with me, Snorri, fetch the chest. The rest of you can return to the hall if you wish. I shall stay here a while." I smiled at them, "You have done well and I was honoured to lead you."
They unsheathed their swords, raised them and shouted, "Ulfheonar!"
The noise brought Kara and Elfrida from Kara's hall. She gave me a wan smile. She noted the girls but said nothing. She embraced me, "It is good to see you and, at least part of my dream is explained, come within and tell me all." She smiled at the girls, "Elfrida, take these girls into the hall. They must be tired, hungry and thirsty. I will see them when I have spoken with my father."
Eanfrith took my hand and kissed it, "Thank you Jarl Dragon Heart. The words they speak of you are not lies. You are a noble man. We thank you for saving our lives."
As we went inside I told her of our journey. Snorri deposited the chest and then left for he knew we needed to speak. We sat at her table and her slaves brought us beer, freshly made cheese and warm bread. I finished my tale and then began to wolf down the food.
"You did right to bring the girls here. You are a kind man."
Kara allowed me to eat. She topped up my horn whenever I drank. When I had finished I saw, for the first time, the dark shadows beneath her eyes.
"The spirits?"
She nodded and drank some beer herself. "I had a troubled night. The spirits came and told me of danger. I saw you fleeing and I saw the girls. Then you disappeared and I saw Aiden. He was drowning. Then he was being taken to the heavens and he was strapped to a cross like the White Christ. He disappeared and you and the Ulfheonar rose like wraiths from the ground. All the time our mother's voice kept speaking of danger." Her voice caught. She paused, "And I saw the sword covered in blood and fire. You were lit by fire too! And I saw our grandmother burning in our old home." She buried her face in her hands and began to sob. This was not like Kara. Then I remembered that she had been so small and had not seen my mother's death. None of us had. The stad at Hrams-a had been raided, my mother and the old blacksmith, Bjorn the Scout's father had been killed in the attack. How had she seen that?
"I am safe but I take it that Aiden is not?"
"He is not back yet. When I spoke with Arturus this morning he said that he would go to Úlfarrston and prepare the 'Josephus' for sea."
"The ocean is a large place to search for one Galdramenn."
She smiled for the first time that morning, "He wanted to do something. He hated not being able to help. You, Aiden and the Ulfheonar were far from home in danger and he felt guilty."
"Perhaps Aiden is safe, although like you I do not understand it and the picture of my mother burning disturbs me. Has Mann and her warriors returned to haunt us again?"
"It may have." She banged the table, "We can do nothing yet so let us deal with matters we can affect. What would you have me do with the girls?"
"Heal them. They have been cruelly treated by the Norns and the world. They are alone. I could not leave them there. I could not imagine what their lives would have been like. They are good girls and they have spirit."
She smiled and put her hands on mine. "Even if you were not my father I would still say that you are a good man. I will care for them. And the chest?"
"That is for you and Arturus. I gave one to Scanlan for the people. I have one and my warriors have one. Use your share how you will."
"We have little need for gold but I am sure that we could use it." She stood. "I feel better for our talk. We will find out soon what has happened to Aiden. Of that I am certain. I have just realised that I did not see your ship or Haaken and the others in trouble and we know that your men would watch out for Aiden. Perhaps this is a dream of what is to come."
"Perhaps. I will speak with Bjorn and then return to my hall. I feel the need for the sweat hut."
The smiths were hard at work when I arrived. The huge smith came from his forge and, after dousing his head in the waters of the Water he clasped my arm. "I am pleased that you are returned safely. I did not like to think of you in danger wearing only this Danish mail!"
"We were lucky and did not need mail but you are right. This is heavy and uncomfortable." I led him towards the Water. "My daughter dreamed of Hrams-a and the raid. She saw my mother burning."
His face showed his pain at the memory. "I was the only one who witnessed that. She was not there."
"I know."
"That was the worst day of my life."
"And mine. Listen Bjorn, we need to prepare in case this is a premonition of worse to come. Have spear heads and arrows prepared." He nodded, "And, when you have a quiet time I would have six more wolves casting in gold. We took coin from the Danes and I would reward my men."
"I know about the coin. Scanlan came and gave me my share but it seems over much to me."
"Without you Bjorn we would have perished long ago. It is your weapons which help to make my warriors as strong and feared as they are."
My warriors and I basked in the heat of the sweat hut all afternoon. It cleared not only our bodies but also our minds. We spoke quietly of what had happened in Jorvik and the journey. We discussed how we might have done things differently. We spoke of the deprivations of other men. Despite what the world thought of warriors such as we my men had a code which they lived by. It made us different; it made us unique.
That evening we ate well in the warrior hall for Rolf and his men had been hunting and joined us for a feast. I even enjoyed more ale than was good for me. We sang songs of the old days and the old battles. Rolf regaled the young warriors with tales of being a hired sword in Frankia before I had made him my oathsworn. He told them of the deaths of his warrior brothers and how he had become crippled. I saw them as they looked from Rolf to me and began to understand this complicated world in which we lived.
We were about to retire when Haaken and Arturus burst in. "Jarl Dragon Heart, it is Aiden. He has been taken!"
I closed my eyes. The Norns were weaving once more.
Wyrd!
Chapter 16
I could see that they were both distraught and that would not help me to find out the facts. "Sit down and drink some ale."
"But did you not hear father? Aiden is taken!"
"And I want to find out how. That will not be helped if you two are not calm. Can we do anything about it tonight?" They looked at each other and shook their heads. "Then sit and drink." They sat and Snorri poured them some beer. "Haaken, I assume that you told Arturus what happened." He nodded, "Then you tell me for we need to know exactly what happened."
Arturus glanced up at me. He understood the implied criticism. It was the truth. Arturus' version would have been second hand. I needed to know what had occurred from the one who had witnessed it.
Haaken spoke calmly and quietly. "We had a good voyage and the winds helped us to fly across the sea. We made Miklagård in fourteen days." He smiled, "We sailed out of sight of land and passed through the Pillars of He
rcules without spying a single vessel. Aiden spent three days in the libraries and we traded well. The voyage back was going well but near the witch's cave a storm blew up and sent us out to sea towards the edge of the world. Even Erik Short Toe thought we were doomed. Aiden was the only one who said we would survive. When it abated we headed for the Sabrina and put in at Casnewydd. Other ships were there. That was when we saw the drekar."
I held my hand up. "Did you know the drekar?"
"No. The only reason it seemed unsual, to Aiden at least, was the fact that it was undamaged."
"And had you seen any other ships on your voyage; any other danger?"
He shook his head, "No, we saw but four other ships all the way back from Miklagård. It was a pleasant voyage."
I nodded and a thought came to me. "What about the voyage out?"
"We saw the usual drekar between Angle Sey and Mann but when they saw 'The Heart' they did not close with is. They were all Threttanessa. We were much bigger than they were."
"When Aiden saw the drekar what did he do?"
"He took Ulf and Einar with him and went to see the king's man in the fort."
"Why?"
Haaken looked puzzled as though that was the first time he had thought of the question. "I know not. He just said that he wanted to ask the king's man some questions. Erik had us buy the wood and rope to repair the three ships and Erik went into the town and we never saw him more."
Arturus interrupted, "Tell him about the bodies!"
"Patience Arturus, I am beginning to get the picture already. Carry on, Haaken."
"Aiden and the others had not returned when we had finished our work and so we went into the town to find them. We thought they might have gone to buy ale or to trade."
I knew that Aiden would never have done that. Had I been there… I wasn't and there was little point in worrying about what might have been. I had to deal with the reality. "And you found their bodies."
"Aye, how did you know?"
"And you found much blood close by showing that they had fought off their attackers." I smiled at their amazement. "You said Aiden was taken. I could not see Ulf and Einar standing idly by while he was taken."
"You are right. We went up to see the king's man but he had not see Aiden or our warriors."
"And when you returned to the ship the drekar had gone. In fact it had sailed while you were repairing the ship."
"You did not need my words, jarl, you knew what happened. I would gamble that you even know where he is now."
"Do you father?"
I nodded. "I do not have the second sight but your sister dreamed last night. I know where they have taken Aiden. It is Mann. The drekar you saw, think back, was it one which you saw close to Angel Sey."
Haaken frowned and then shook his head sadly, "It was and Aiden must have recognised it. Why did he not say something?"
"Because he wanted to make sure that the drekar was there legitimately. He could not have expected to be attacked in the town. They must have been waiting there knowing that the men of Cymru are our allies. There is little else for a drekar to do in winter. We will sail for Mann tomorrow."
I walked back to my hall. Arturus rode back to Cyninges-tūn. Haaken shouted, "I will follow." He stopped me. "I have failed you Jarl Dragon Heart. I am sorry. This was the first voyage where Cnut and I commanded and we let you down. Aiden has paid the price."
"He is alive."
"How do you know?"
"Why else risk taking him aboard their drekar? If they wanted him dead then he would be. They want him alive and that I cannot work out just yet. And you did not let me down. If I had not gone after Wiglaf then I would have been on the ship and it would have been my fault."
"No, Dragon Heart for you, like Aiden would have been suspicious. We were not. We are warriors and not thinkers."
"And I am glad for that. We will need those skills when we rescue Aiden."
I went to bed that night and slept but a little. Aiden was as dear to me as Kara or Arturus. If he had been taken then that was down to me. He had been taken because he served me. All on Mann knew that my Galdramenn was as useful to me as my sword. This was aimed at my heart and it had broken flesh.
The next morning I summoned Rolf. "I will have to leave you again and this time I fear danger from both the east, Klak, and the south, Mann. If you hear of danger bring in those from the farm or go to Cyninges-tūn. Wolf's Lair is not worth dying for."
"Do not worry about Aiden, Jarl. He is tougher than most warriors, we both know that."
"I know Rolf but I blame myself."
"You cannot do that. This is just wyrd."
My men and I took all of our weapons: bows, spears, swords, daggers. We were going to war. We halted at Cyninges-tūn so that I could speak with Kara. She buried her head in my shoulder. "I should have seen this. I believe you are right, father he is on Mann."
"And we both know where too."
"Hrams-a."
"Aye. This is the work of the Norns. Watch over my people for I fear Klak may visit his vengeance upon us some time. It will not take long for him to work out who took his gold. I just hope it is after the winter."
She looked at me and said quietly, "Arturus?"
I shook my head, "I leave him here. For what we do I need one boat crew. I shall take some of his warriors with me."
"He will not be happy."
"He will obey. I will not lose two of my family."
"Aiden is not lost."
"Not yet."
I did not tell Arturus as he and his warriors rode with us to Úlfarrston. I would tell him when we reached the port.
Erik Short Toe had spent the previous afternoon and the morning finishing off the repairs to his ship. The 'Josephus' was also ready for sea. The two knarr also bobbed up and down in the estuary. What concerned me however was the reception awaiting me. Not only were my captains there but Pasgen too and some of the fishermen from Úlfarrston. Pasgen approached me.
"Jarl Dragon Heart, one of my fishing boats was stopped in the early hours of the morning and it went to the fishing grounds. It was a drekar from Mann."
I knew what was coming but I had to ask the question. "Is this the fisherman?" The man and Pasgen nodded, "What did the Viking say?"
"He told me to tell you that he will trade your Galdramenn for the sword which was touched by the gods. He said to come to Duboglassio. You have two days to comply." The man looked fearful as though he thought I might take my anger out on him. "I am sorry, jarl."
I smiled and gave him a silver coin from my purse, "It is not your fault. Take this coin for your lost catch. Tell me did he give a name?"
"I heard one of his men call him Jarl Erik Redbeard."
I frowned, "Have any of you heard of him?"
Most shook their heads and then Siggi said, "There was an Erik Redbeard lived in Orkneyjar on one of the far islands."
Trygg said, "I think it is where the oathsworn of Sven Knife Tongue fled after they left Hrossy."
It all became clear, "Then this is a blood feud. They mean to kill me. Thank you." I turned to Arturus, "I will take your best warriors and we will double crew 'The Heart of the Dragon'."
"No, I must come with you!"
"Erik prepare the ship for sea, Arturus come with me." I led my reluctant son out of earshot. "You have to stay here. This may be a trick to lure me away from my land."
"Then do not go. Aiden will not want you to exchange your sword for him."
"I know and I have no intention of giving into their demands. Remember Hibernia?"
He nodded. "Then you go, knowing that you will die?"
"No I go to rescue Aiden as I would rescue you." I paused, "As I did rescue you. But I will not fall into their trap."
"But Duboglassio has a good fort with clear views of the approaches and they will expect you to come at night."
"They think that I will have to travel from Cyninges-tūn. We have gained half a day because Haaken brought us the message. An
d I will not be going to Duboglassio. I will go to Hrams-a."
He looked confused, "Why there?"
"Because the spirits told your sister that is where they would be holding Aiden. He will be in the watch tower on the hill and there will be a cross already there."
"A cross? Why?"
"For they mean to crucify him. At least that is what the spirits told Kara."
"And if you are wrong and they lie?"
"Then Aiden will die and I will have lost someone as dear to me as you are. But I think this is the work of the Norns. The sword was forged in that tower and we return to its place of birth. It is wyrd." He nodded. "Now pick your best warriors and watch over our people while I am away."
Once the crews were aboard I went to Siggi and Trygg. "I want the two of you to sail one of your knarr with your best warriors and follow us. When we go ashore I want your men to guard the drekar. If there is trouble then take her away from the shore."
"You fear a trap?"
"Oh there will be a trap which is why I am not going to Duboglassio. We are going to sail to the northern shore and land out of sight of those who live there. There is nowhere to moor my ship. Tomorrow morning, take the two vessels to Hrams-a. I will be there."
They rushed to sort out their ship. I boarded mine. The drekar was fully laden and every oar had twice the number of rowers as they normally had. Every warrior had mail of some description. We would likely be outnumbered on Mann but I knew the island and I had the best warriors with me.
"Erik, cast off and set sail for Mann."
We headed due west, towards Hibernia. Erik knew the island as well as I did and he brought us towards it from the north west. It was the only course which we could take and remain unseen by the two settlements. I knew that there might be isolated waites and other farms but they would just take us for another sailing to the west of Mann. It was a popular route. Even if they carried a message to Erik Redbeard we would be ashore and at Hrams-a by the time they could reach us. I was aware that, this time, I was gambling with someone else's life and not just my own.
