by Griff Hosker
I think Coen and Raibeart understood my concerns for they encouraged me to stay. It proved to be fruitful. Raibeart was one of my younger jarls and he entertained Gruffyd and helped him to practise with his sword. 'Weregeld' appeared two days after our arrival. The wind was from the north and we saw Erik Short Toe as he tacked back and forth towards us. It took some time and did nothing to diminish my anxiety. When my family stepped ashore I swept Ylva up into my arms. "Thank the Allfather you have returned safely."
Kara shook her head, "I told you, father, the spirits watched out for us."
Aiden turned, "And we have a mason and his family."
I looked in surprise at the Greek, his wife and three small children as they stepped from the knarr, "How did you manage to persuade him to come here from the warmth of the east."
Kara said, quietly, "He and his family were slaves. We bought them. It was not cheap but my husband felt it was money well spent. We have freed them."
"Wyrd."
"Aye but I fear this cold will take some getting used to." The family huddled together, shivering in the cold air. She held her hand out and spoke very slowly, "Basil, Sophia, this is Jarl Dragonheart. He rules this land."
I saw the three children hide behind their father. They were terrified. I saw fear in the woman's eyes too. It was my appearance and that of Haaken. We were both grizzled warriors and Haaken's one eye did not help. I smiled and said, "Welcome. Tell your children we mean them no harm."
Basil looked puzzled and Kara said, "We have yet to teach them all of our words. It will take some time. They can live with me in my hall until the warmer weather comes."
Aiden said, "I fear we have little gold left for all the work we wished. They were not cheap."
"It matters not. I have heard that Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson found a great treasure in Austrasia. Perhaps we will have as much success in Neustria. Come let us get home. Brigid will worry."
All the way north Ylva chattered like a magpie about all that she had seen. She was full of the wonders, the buildings, the books and the walls. Gruffyd pestered about the warriors and their arms. I smiled when Ylva could not answer his questions. She had not even noticed them. For her it was about the great city. Gruffyd was just concerned with being a warrior.
The land and the weather, like my mood, began to improve with the return of Kara and Aiden. Once the ground became less frozen Basil set to work building his own home, close to Aiden's using stone. We had plenty already quarried and we had the newly acquired slaves who were put to work. He was not a quick worker but he was meticulous and I saw that Aiden had done well. He would build solidly but we would have to be patient. I realised that we had no gold yet and so, perhaps, this was the work of the Weird Sisters. The gold would buy the stone we could neither quarry nor steal. Our knarr would have to sail to distant lands to buy suitable materials.
We were at the shipyard preparing to go to sea when a rider came from Úlfarrston. "Lord Coen says a drekar is approaching."
I had my Ulfheonar with me and we mounted our horses. This was not one of our drekar! When we reached the port the gates were closed and Coen had his walls manned. I did not recognise the drekar but it was small. It was a threttanessa and it was not fully manned. Olaf Leather Neck sounded disappointed as he said, "They come not to fight or else if they do then they have the wish for death in their heads."
The drekar took some time to reach the wooden quay. A younger version of Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson leapt ashore. "I am Gunnstein Thorfinnson!"
I smiled, "Welcome. You are brave to make this journey with such a small crew."
He nodded, "We lost men raiding in Frankia. I come here to see if there are any men of Cyninges-tūn who would wish to sail with me."
"You can ask but most of the men are ready to sail with us."
He looked disappointed but nodded, "I have gold to buy a byrnie from Bjorn Bagsecgson so my time will not be wasted and I bring a gift from my brother." One of his men carried a small chest. "These are parchments we found in Frankia. We were going to burn them but Hrolf the Horseman said that Aiden might be able to use them." He hesitated, "And that there may be a reward for us."
I smiled, "If that is Hrolf son of Gerloc of whom you speak then you are right. Rolf Horse Killer, take Gunnstein and his men to Cyninges-tūn."
After they had left Haaken said, "This is wyrd is it not? We should wait until Aiden has read the parchments. I see the fingers of the sisters in this."
"As do I. Snorri ride to Sigtrygg and then Asbjorn. Tell them I sail on a raid in the next month. Ask if they wish to come."
He leapt on his horse and left. Haaken said, "And your son?"
"His ship is not ready but you ride to him and tell him our news. Ragnar may wish to sail with us. He is old enough now."
Gruffyd said, "Can I go with Haaken?"
"Of course." The fitting out of the drekar was not exciting. A ride with Haaken to his cousin promised more.
The rest of the Ulfheonar stayed with me. Although Bolli had finished the hull and the sails they were busy making it more comfortable for them. Over the years they had stopped bringing aboard a chest and left one which they just used when we were raiding. We had fitted pieces of wood to hold them into place. We could still lift the deck to store booty but it meant we could row in the roughest of weather. We had also saved all the sails which had been damaged over the years. They provided covers for the deck. When we raided then 'Heart of the Dragon' was our home. We liked to be comfortable. Finally we began to store the barrels of dried fish and venison which would keep us fed on our voyage. Beer would be the last thing we would take for it would grow stale. We would take freshly brewed ale..
Aiden returned the day after Gunnstein had left us. He was excited, "Jarl the Gods have sent this! It is better than we could have hoped."
I had rarely seen him as excited. "Why? What can a piece of parchment tell us that will make us rich?"
"It gives us the dates when they will gather their treasure and when they will send it to Paris! A month from now it will be gathered at Rouen." I did not recognise the name. Aiden continued, "It used to be called Rotomagus by the Romans. It is a long way from the sea but Gunnstein told me that they raided as far as Jumièges and the river was navigable and wide. "
Erik Eriksson was close by, "If Jarl Gunnar raided Jumièges will they not be prepared for us?"
"Perhaps but the Jarl will be taking more ships. Jarl Gunnar had but two and one of them was small. We could have five if Sigtrygg and Asbjorn come with us."
"It is worth the risk and besides I wish to punish the men of Neustria. This will hurt them more than anything. We will raid." I looked at Aiden. "Will you come too?"
"Aye, Jarl. I would not miss this opportunity. Besides we may find more parchments and papers."
"Jarl Gunnar did well. We should reward him."
"I have given him a golden wolf to give to his brother and Bjorn is making Gunnstein's armour for nothing. I said that you would pay him."
"If this is the tax for Neustria then it will be a fortune and a suit of mail will be as nothing."
"It is more than that, Jarl. The taxes from Aquitaine are also sent both overland and by sea to Rouen. This will be the greatest Viking treasure ever when we capture it."
I shook my head, "Do not tempt the Weird Sisters, Aiden. You of all people should know the dangers."
For once Aiden looked discomfited. "You are right, Jarl, I shall make a sacrifice. I was carried away. I was thinking of the buildings we could erect with the profits."
"We have no profits until we sail home." He nodded, "Did many men wish to join Gunnstein?"
"There were some warriors who had come from Windar's Mere. The younger ones have joined him. The older ones seek berths with us."
"Good. We shall need them all."
"Cnut Cnutson will be here on the morrow with the men who will sail with us."
The son of the warrior who had been with me when the gods had touched my sword
was now a fine warrior. He had been one I could have made Jarl at Seddes' Burgh but I knew that he would be Ulfheonar. He had already killed his wolf but he wished to become more skilful before he joined our ranks. It was commendable and showed that he knew what it meant to be one of my oathsworn.
A week later and we were ready to sail. Sigtrygg and Asbjorn joined us. Ragnar and some of my son's warriors also asked for a berth. Haaken told me that Wolf Killer had appointed his Jarl. He was happy. Einar Thordson was a serious warrior and Haaken was certain he would make a good jarl. Already more warriors had flocked to join my son. His warband would be soon up to strength. I was relieved my land would be protected by my son and his Wild Boars.
We had said farewell to Gunnstein who sailed to Dyflin to meet up with his brother. Our five ships made a fine sight as we sailed south. 'Red Snake' led the way and 'Crow' brought up the rear. We had heard that there were drekar at Man now. We sailed close together as we passed that island haunt of pirates. We were too big a mouthful for them. We kept the same formation when we sailed through the waters close to Wyddfa. The Mercians held the island but it paid to be careful. Once we were through that narrow passage we allowed a greater gap between ships and settled down to a long voyage through waters filled with enemies.
I stood at the steering board with Erik and Aiden. "Did you find any of Josephus' family?"
"We did. They prosper. I told them I would sail again at the end of the summer and trade with them. I hope I have your approval."
"You do and if this raid is successful then we will have much gold to spend in Miklagård."
"I was given some more of Josephus' charts. His family found them after he had died. They are of the waters north of the Pillars of Hercules. We used them coming home."
"Even after his death he is proving he is loyal."
"I think it is more than that Jarl." I looked at Aiden. "I think this is wyrd. Remember who was Josephus' master. Rurik of Dorestad. His son reappears and these charts are discovered. Christians could not explain it but I believe it is Josephus helping us from the Otherworld."
His words set me to thinking. My reverie lasted a whole day but as we approached Syllingar thoughts of Josephus were driven from my mind. As we sailed close to those mystic islands I found myself clutching my dragon amulet. Each time I descended into the witch's cave I wondered if it would be my last. It was like going down to Hel. When we passed you could feel the relief aboard our drekar.
The men began to row for the winds were from the north and east.
The storm was wild and the gods did roam
The enemy closed on the Prince's home
Two warriors stood on a lonely tower
Watching, waiting for hour on hour.
The storm came hard and Odin spoke
With a lightning bolt the sword he smote
Ragnar's Spirit burned hot that night
It glowed, a beacon shiny and bright
The two they stood against the foe
They were alone, nowhere to go
They fought in blood on a darkened hill
Dragon Heart and Cnut will save us still
Dragon Heart, Cnut and the Ulfheonar
Dragon Heart, Cnut and the Ulfheonar
The storm was wild and the Gods did roam
The enemy closed on the Prince's home
Two warriors stood on a lonely tower
Watching, waiting for hour on hour.
The storm came hard and Odin spoke
With a lightning bolt the sword he smote
Ragnar's Spirit burned hot that night
It glowed, a beacon shiny and bright
The two they stood against the foe
They were alone, nowhere to go
They fought in blood on a darkened hill
Dragon Heart and Cnut will save us still
Dragon Heart, Cnut and the Ulfheonar
Dragon Heart, Cnut and the Ulfheonar
Ragnar and Gruffyd enjoyed the song and no one sang harder than Cnut Cnutson. This was his father's song. We began to overtake 'Odin's Breath'. I was about to tell them to slow down when we saw three Saxon ships suddenly emerge from an estuary. Another mile or two and we would have missed them for we were about to turn and head due south for Frankia. It was the shortest crossing we used. They had seen 'Red Snake'. It must have looked like a tasty morsel for them. They had only seen 'Odin's Breath' as a consort. She was little bigger than 'Red Snake'. Our speed meant we began to overhaul the smaller drekar. The Saxons were so intent upon catching the lithe drekar that they did not see us until we were less than half a mile from them. As they tried to turn away from my huge ship they were taken aback. The wind which had raced them to their prey now betrayed them and they almost stopped in the water as they tried to turn.
As we passed Asbjorn's drekar I shouted, "We will try to take them. Signal Raibeart to turn!"
This was too good an opportunity to miss. The men of Wessex would be taught a lesson and who knew what treasure we might pick up. Erik steered us directly into the wind and we used just the power of our rowers. I wanted to cut the Saxons off from the north west. They would have to sail into the teeth of the wind. They had few rowers. Once we had passed them we would turn and Erik would use the wind. Luck or the incompetence of the captains came to our aid. Two of the Saxon ships rammed each other. Their bows crashed together and their rigging became entangled.
"Hard over, Erik! To arms!" I turned to Ragnar and Gruffyd. "Stay here and use your bows!"
I drew my sword and pulled out my seax. I would not need my shield. Erik brought us skilfully next to the stern of the nearest entangled Saxon. Our ship's boys furled the sail. Olaf Leather Neck hurled a grappling hook which tied us together and then leapt aboard swinging his axe. My men poured over the side. I landed on the deck and parried the spear thrust at me with Ragnar's Spirit. I stabbed the warrior in the stomach with my seax. He fell writhing to the deck. Asbjorn and Raibeart had managed to attack the third Saxon by placing their drekar on either side of it. We raced over the deck of the Saxon ship tethered to our own and followed Olaf Leather Neck and Rolf Horse Killer as they hurtled towards the shield wall of warriors on the last Saxon vessel.
My men had fought on ships before. The Saxons were not so experienced. Whoever had decided to attack a pair of Viking ships must have had brain fever or a death wish. Olaf and Rolf took a wide stance and lowered their knees as they swung. Their axes smashed into shields and knocked already unbalanced Saxons to the deck. Haaken and Cnut Cnutson led the rest of my warriors to smash through the already weakened shield wall. Swords flashed mercilessly. Shields were punched at terrified faces. I ran to the stern where the captain and helmsman were protected by four mailed warriors.
Finni the Dreamer, Rollo Thin Skin and Snorri were behind me and we ran to the men in mail. I think the four of them were confident that their mail would protect them. They were wrong. I blocked the sword strike with my own and then stabbed down with my seax. It had a wicked point and pierced the mail. It grated off the kneecap of the man I fought. As his weakened leg gave way I raised my sword for the kill. The Captain lunged at my side. If it had struck it would have wounded me but two arrows flew before me and struck him in the head. I finished off my wounded warrior and looked to see who had released the arrows. It was my son and grandson. The helmsman did not wait for death but jumped overboard. Those without mail joined him and those with mail threw theirs off before they abandoned their ship. The ships were ours!
Beorn the Scout shouted, "Jarl, this one is holed. It will soon sink!"
"Take what you can aboard our own drekar. Ran can have them as a sacrifice and to give thanks for her bounty!"
I stripped the mail from the warrior I had slain and took his warrior rings. He had a good sword, seax and a pouch with coins. I would give the mail to one of the younger warriors. I did not need it. The sword I would give to Ragnar and the seax to Gruffyd. I had no doubt we would find more bounty in Neustria. By the time we boarded ou
r own drekar the two Saxon ships were low in the water. Our last two drekar had joined Raibeart and Asbjorn. The last Saxon ship was aflame. We did not leave drifting ships of the dead to haunt these waters. We would send them to the bottom.
My son and grandson awaited me, "Thank you for your arrows. Here are gifts for you."
They took them gratefully. I watched as the holed Saxon ship sank beneath the waves. It was still entangled with the other and with a flurry of foaming water it too followed its consort to the bottom of the sea. Perhaps some of the crew would make it to shore and tell the other Saxons of the disaster but more likely it would remain a mystery.
We had taken shelter, when we came south, in small isolated bays. We could not do that this close to the land of Wessex. They would be watching for us. We rowed due south all night. The wind helped us. Instead of having two men to an oar we had just one and the other slept. The crew swapped over half way through the night. We would lay up close by the small islands which the Romans called Caesarea and Sarnia. People lived there but there were so few of them that they presented no threat to us at all. Most importantly they were just a few hours from the Breton and Neustrian coasts. There were over twenty of them but only six had people who lived upon them. I had wondered if these had been the islands which Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson used but his brother had told me that it was a single island and was much further south. Perhaps one day someone would colonise these and make them Norse. They would make raiding the mainland much easier and they would be easy to defend.
I slept and Aiden watched. He would help Erik to navigate. At night time we changed the order so that we led and kept a lantern at the stern to guide the others. I awoke to find us at anchor. We had reached an island. There was just a deck watch. I sent Aiden to bed and roused Haaken and Snorri. They had had a long sleep. We went to the prow. We were facing east.
