by Griff Hosker
I saw that the merchants had taken advantage of my attack to free themselves. They were hurrying south towards Andecavis. I ran back to Dream Strider. I was closer to him than the last two bandits were to me. I slipped my bow over my back as I flung myself in the saddle. I drew my sword and turned. They would not be expecting a horseman and they would not expect me to have stiraps. I rode towards the bandit to my right. He had an axe and I saw him hold it behind him ready to hack into Dream Strider. The path between the trees was narrow and what I planned was risky. When I was four paces from him I jerked my reins to the left and leaned out. The axe scored a line along my right leg but my sword found his neck. The edge the smith had put on was a good one. The sword was torn from my hand.
I looked to the other bandit and saw that he and the wounded one were heading back into the forest. They had had enough. I passed the scene of the ambush. It looked to me like the merchants had had three guards. The bandits had killed them but lost one of their own. I was tempted to stop and pick up a sword, I knew I would need one, but the wound to my leg was more pressing. I soon caught up with the merchants. I saw that it was one merchant and three servants. They turned at my approach and then the merchant smiled, "Thank you for your timely intervention. I am indebted to you. My name is Phillip of Chinon."
"Thank you."
One of the servants said, "Master, he is wounded."
The merchant looked anxiously down the trail. I said, "There are two left and one is wounded. They have fled."
"Then see to him." He smiled up at me, "Those were fine hits with the bow." He then noticed my empty scabbard. "Where is your sword?"
"I lost it when I slew the last bandit."
He undid the baldric from his waist and handed the weapon to me. Take this as recompense and if you escort us to Andecavis then I will reward you with a purse of gold."
"And then I will be indebted to you."
The servant had put a crude bandage around my leg. "That will do until we reach a physician."
As we walked south the merchant explained that he had taken the path because it was reported that Vikings had attacked Andecavis. My ears pricked up at that. I feigned ignorance of the town. "Then why go through the forest?"
"The last time they came here they had more than one ship and they attacked those using the river road. The Count now has a night watch and it was they who spotted the ship. Had they not then heaven knows the outcome. The Count will have to increase his vigilance. I have lost three soldiers to bandits. Perhaps they were part of the same band?"
"Perhaps."
The servant who had tended me said wryly, "But you will not need to pay the dead men, master and you can ask the Count for an escort home."
That seemed to please the merchant. "You are right Abelard. There is always a silver lining behind every cloud and they did not damage our goods."
We chatted amiably for the last three miles. The forest ended and we found ourselves on a cobbled road. Ahead of me I saw the walls of the mighty city. To the right I saw the monastery we had burned the last time we had been here. There was a framework up. They were rebuilding it. There was a heavy presence of mailed men at the gate. Fortunately Phillip of Chinon was recognised. He must have been a man of some importance.
"Good day Master. I see not your usual guards. Who is this vagabond with you?"
"He is no vagabond. If it was not for him then we would lie dead in the forest. He came along and slew ten of them!"
I looked at Abelard who shrugged. We both knew he exaggerated. I daresay the merchant hoped to make capital out of this.
"The Count must do something about the bandits. It is not safe to travel and what with the Vikings too; it is too much"
The sergeant of the guard said, "Do not worry about the Vikings. We captured their ship and most of the men were executed. We have eight slaves left and when they become unfit to work then they will be executed." He pointed to the monastery. "We have them rebuilding that which they destroyed the last time they were here. It seemed right that they repair what they damaged. They have paid the price."
The merchant seemed a little mollified, "Perhaps. Come we have been delayed enough."
We entered the gate and I saw now the plan of the Norns. I would not have been admitted alone. Nor would I have known where the crew were. I could now plan to rescue them. I just hoped that Gunnstein was with them. As we descended to the river the merchant stopped. "Well Bertrand of Bruges, here is the physician." He handed me the small bag of gold. "If you are ever in Chinon then feel free to call and see me. I can always use someone as handy with weapons as you."
He then turned and left me. Abelard said, "Do not think unkindly of him. It is just his way. We thank you too. We know that without your intervention then we would be dead."
And then they were gone. I dismounted and felt the pain course through my body as I stepped to the ground. I knocked on the door and a servant looked at me somewhat disdainfully. "Yes?"
"I need the doctor."
He was about to slam the door in my face when I reached through and grabbed him. "I have money!"
"Master! I am being attacked!" He began screaming and shouting as though I was trying to give him the blood eagle!
"What the...?" A small, neatly dressed man with a totally bald head appeared.
"I am sorry sir but Phillip of Chinon brought me here. I was wounded in the forest rescuing him. I have money..."
The doctor smiled, "Out of the way Richard! You are a spineless excuse for a man! Come in...?"
"Bertrand of Bruges."
"There, do you see? He is not a Viking! You see them everywhere! Now go and bring his horse to the yard. Come sir. I know Phillip of Chinon. He is a good man. You have done this town a great service if you have saved him."
The doctor was a cheerful little man and he prattled on as he first washed and then sewed my leg. When he had finished he nodded. "Unlike Richard you have courage. You did not flinch once. That will be two silver pieces." I looked at him in surprise. It should have been much more. He shrugged, "You are a brave man and you do not have much. I will make it up the next time I have to lance one of Phillip of Chinon's boils!"
I handed over the money. "Thank you sir. I appreciate it."
"What brings you to Andecavis?"
"I am looking for work."
Shaking his head he said, "I fear that the Count is only employing those from within the city. He fears strangers. The Vikings..."
"I was told."
"I know not why they worry. The first raid, some years ago now, that was dangerous. There were many of these barbarians but this last one was almost harmless. They were seen as they rowed up the river and the Count had men waiting for them. They fought bravely enough but they had no chance. As a soldier you may be interested in seeing them. Their heads adorn the western gate as a warning to others."
"Perhaps but I need a bed and a stable for the night."
He led me to the door and pointed down the street. There was a sign with a bunch of rotting grapes hanging from it. "They have rooms and a stable. 'The Grapes'. Tell Geoffrey that Doctor Manet sent you. He will not rob you." He turned and shouted, "Richard! The horse. Fetch it around!"
He was right. The mention of the doctor's name made the scowl become a smile. I found they had a room for me. The stable boy seemed happy to look after Dream Strider. The other animals in the stables were asses and donkeys.
Chapter 4
When I had washed and cleaned myself up I arranged my few belongings neatly for I knew not how quickly I might have to leave. I decided to walk around the streets. I needed a plan. I knew where the survivors of the crew were working but I did not think for one moment that they would allow them to sleep there. I went first to the river. I had taken off my mail shirt and my helmet. The new Frankish sword I had was the only sign that I was a warrior. My poor clothes did not afford me a second glance. I avoided looking into the faces of any I met. I wished to be invisible. I stooped slightly as
I walked and I trudged rather than strode. I would not be remembered. Ulf Big Nose had taught me well.
I heard the hacking and chopping by the river. I headed there. When I saw 'Sea Serpent' I became angry. They were tearing her apart. The fine prow was already being chopped into firewood. A drekar has a spirit. It should die in battle. If it is too old to be sailed then it is used as either a home or as a grave for a great warrior. It is not chopped for kindling. The spirits would not be happy. My hand went to my horse amulet hidden beneath my kyrtle. I had to go to the western gate. I had been told that was where the heads of the crew where. I needed to know who lived. I was not the only one interested in the macabre decoration. There were twenty heads adorning the gate. I dared not go out of the gates to see their faces for that would be seen as suspicious. I recognised Sven Dragon Arm's head. He had had bright red hair in three pigtails. As I looked down I recognised one or two others including the shaved head of Oleg the helmsman. But it was the one over the centre of the gate itself which made my heart sink. It was Gunnstein. His hair was as yellow as corn and he did not wear it tied but flowing over his neck. It did not shine and the bottom was covered in blood but I knew him. The Jarl's brother was dead. I turned and made my way back to the inn.
I was in no mood to eat but I knew I had to. I needed to find out where the captives were being held. To do that I needed to talk with the landlord and the other residents of the inn in which I stayed. I forced a smile as I ordered food and wine. My heart was not in it. As the plate of chicken stew and rough red wine was placed before me I said, "This looks good! I have a fine appetite for I saw the heads of the Vikings over the gate. That is the right end for such barbarians."
The landlord nodded and wiped his hands on his already greasy apron, "You are right Master Bertrand and if you are here at the end of the month you will see another eight heads; fresh ones! They are working on the monastery to pay for their sins. They will be executed when they cannot work."
I laughed. They would not know it was a false and hollow laugh. "Perhaps I will go and see where they are held. I have never seen a live Viking!"
"I am afraid that the only place you will see them is at the monastery where they are working. At night they are thrown into the Count's dungeon. They are fed the swill we normally give to pigs. Even that is too good for them."
I could not do as I had hoped and rescue them here in the town. It would have to be at the monastery. After I had eaten I went to the river and stared at the skeleton of the drekar. It took time but by watching the water and letting my mind empty, thoughts and ideas crept in like a fox into a coop filled with hens. Suddenly I saw the answer and I returned to my lodgings. I would need to spend the next day formulating my plans and making sure I could do it and the next day put it into action. It would mean a fast departure else I would miss 'Raven's Wing' but it would be worth it if I could save those eight men.
I said to the landlord, as I ate the bread and cheese they had provided for their guests, "I will stay one more night. I will see if I can gain employment."
He pointed downstream. "I would try Nantes. The Count of Vannes is threatening that city again. They need fine swords and the men to wield them."
"Thank you."
I first went down the river and I sought what I needed on the stalls at the market. The plan was coming together, albeit slowly. Then I left by the north gate. The sergeant at arms recognised me, "Have you sold your horse?"
"No, I am just going to look at the Vikings. I have never seen one close up before. The landlord at the grapes said that they have tattoos and they file their teeth."
The sergeant nodded, "It is true and I have also heard that they drink the blood of babies and virgins."
I feigned fear, "Really?"
"Do not fear, Robert is the Captain of the Guard and he has them tethered, They will not be able to harm you. Besides they get weaker each day." He laughed, "The lime they crush to make the mortar is killing them!"
I left them and made my way up the track which wound around the hillside to the site where they were rebuilding the burned abbey. The problem would come if one of the 'Serpents' crew recognised me.
As I approached I saw that there were six guards including the captain. Four of them had crossbows. I had heard of them but never seen them. What I did know was that they were accurate and anyone could use them but they were very slow to reload. An archer could release five arrows in the time it took to send one bolt on its way. The captain of the guard was armed with a fine looking sword and the sixth had a whip. His sword and shield lay by the logs the guards used to sit on. There were other slaves apart from the 'Serpents' but the ones doing the backbreaking work, mixing the concrete under the supervision of an overseer, were my countrymen. I had brought a jug of wine with me from 'The Grapes'. I shouted as I approached, "Captain Robert I am Bertrand of Bruges and I would like to see what these frightening barbarians look like. Do you mind if I approach?" He looked at me suspiciously. I held the jug before me, "I have brought wine to refresh us."
His face broke into a smile, "In that case come ahead. They are not dangerous. Raymond here has whipped all the spirit from them." He took the jug from me and picked up two beakers. He had huge hands. He poured some in the two and offered me one. He walked towards the men mixing the concrete.
Erik Long hair recognised me and his eyes flashed. I gave a shake of my head and said, "Pathetic really! And to think I was afraid of them!"
He nodded and went back to his work. "That one is lame. I have a bet with Raymond that he will be the first to die. They do not look so fierce now do they?"
"No. I would have thought that hauling the timbers and the stones would be harder work than mixing the concrete."
He shook his head. "The lime will kill them. They might last a month hauling timbers but it is ten days when working with lime. That is why they are fed so little. We give them just enough to keep them alive."
I nodded and finished my wine. "It will be a fine church when it is finished."
"It was a fine church before the barbarians destroyed it." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "This is good wine. If you want to see the heads of the others they are on the western gate. They are well worth the visit."
I handed him my beaker. "Thank you! I will. I shall go now." I pointed down the path to the river. "Is that the fastest way down?"
"It is. I apologise for the smell of these barbarians but they will not harm you!"
I laughed, "Now that I have seen them close up I know not what the fuss is all about. They look like ordinary men and nothing to fear!"
He nodded, "Do not be fooled. With a sword in their hand they can be dangerous."
I waved goodbye and headed past them. Raymond was at one end and his whip flicked out to slash across Erik Long Hair's back. He cried out and I forced a laugh. As I threw my head forward I hissed, in Norse. "Be ready tomorrow. This time!"
Olaf the Bear gave the slightest of nods. I now had a plan. I just needed to make some purchases. I took the opportunity of going through the western gate. My eye was drawn to the grotesque skulls. The birds had already pecked out Gunnstein's eyes but I recognised him. It confirmed that he was dead.
The sergeant at arms said, "Where have you come from?"
"I was talking to Captain Robert. He said I would enjoy the sight of these barbarians. He was right."
The guard nodded and waved me through. The first place I went to was the river. I needed a boat. It had to be large enough for the eight men who were left from Gunnstein's crew. Most were too small. I found three that looked to be the right size. I saw their owners. The three of them were sharing a jug of wine by the river. Fishermen went out early.
"Gentlemen, are any of your boats for sale? I was a warrior but there appears to be little opportunity here. I though, perhaps I would fish."
They laughed. "It takes more than a boat and good intentions."
"I have skill. I was brought up by the water."
One of them said, "My brother and I are happy enough with our boats but Theobald here is getting a little fed up with the work."
The man they pointed to was the oldest of the three and the least well dressed. "Would you consider it?"
"Perhaps, if the price is right."
"And which is your boat?" He pointed to the most dilapidated of the three. The other two laughed. I nodded, "I can see she floats but does she sail?"
"Good enough for me."
"And that is why you are willing to sell for she needs work and you wish to buy wine and not fish."
One of the others laughed and said, "He is here but a short time, Theobald, and already he knows you."
Theobald waved an irritated hand at them, "Twenty silver pieces and she is yours."
I laughed and stood, "Thank you gentleman but I think I will go back to soldiery and find another town."
Theobald stood and put his hand on my chest, "Stay. What would you say is a fair price?"
"I will give you two silver pieces and tomorrow I will try her out. If she does not sink then I will give you another ten. What say you?"
"And if you do not like her what of the two silver pennies?"
"You may keep them."
He held his hand out. "Then we can do business."
I shook his hand and handed him the two silver pennies. I kept hold of his hand. "First we sail the fishing boat down to the wall by the gate. I want to make sure she floats."
I saw him torn. He wanted to spend the coins but he also needed to make the sale. "Very well."
We clambered aboard. As my feet splashed in the water in the bottom I gave him a sharp look. He shook his head, "That is rain, sir, just rain."
"Is there a sail?"
"Aye, sir." He hoisted the sail. It had a couple of holes in it but it began to fill with the breeze. I cast off and we moved with the current. The steering board appeared to work.
"You can lower the sail." I took an oar and sculled us close to the stone quay which was very close to the town wall. There was a metal ring and I said, "We will tie up there."
