by Griff Hosker
Sámr was sad that Asbjorn had died. He had sailed with him. A warrior’s death was expected but not a worm eating him from within. It made all of us view our mortality and our end.
Sámr’s hall and tower were finished and Ragnar had sent word that he and his mother would be visiting soon. This was an attempt to build a bridge. Aethelflaed and Nanna, despite the fact that they were both heavy with child, threw themselves into the business of making their new home something which would impress Astrid and Elfrida.
I visited with Kara. She and Ylva had been to the cave of Myrddyn and they had spent the night there to dream. It had been after Asbjorn had died. We all knew that it was significant. The dream confirmed it. As the three of us sat before a fire, watching the flames, dance, they told me of the dream. “The Danes will be here sooner rather than later Jarl. In the dream we saw Aethelflaed and Nanna. They had their bairns but they were new born.”
“Then before the new grass?”
“Perhaps. And they will come from two or three directions.” Ylva shrugged, “Dreams are not precise. Some came over Úlfarrberg while others crossed the Hawk’s Head.”
“I will send word to Ketil, Eystein and Gruffyd. This helps us.”
“There is more. We saw Ubba Ragnarsson. He had with him a witch. They know of our power and they seek to neutralise it with their own witch.”
“One witch?”
“One witch was all that the spirits allowed us to see. There may be more. As I said, grandfather, dreams are imprecise and the Norns sometimes tell us truths which are half-truths. They are there to catch the unwary who do not use their minds. You have a plan and that will cover any threat the Danes make.”
Kara patted my hand, “Do not fear, my father. We have other volvas. The women of the clan will not sit idly by while the men of the clan fight. We will fight too but we will use the spirit world.”
Haaken had left me and my other two Ulfheonar had returned to their families. For a brief time, I had my hall to myself. I played chess with Atticus and I watched Erik grow from within and without.
When my grandson arrived, he brought news of Mordaf. My grandson had, apparently, married. When they had moved to their new home there had been some families who had been there when Sigtrygg had ruled. From what Ragnar told me Oda was a good choice for Mordaf. She and her family had learned to fight when they were left alone and attacked by Danish, Saxon and Hibernian bandits. My grandson appeared to have chosen well.
As Ragnar had arrived after dark, they stayed that first night with me. Atticus excelled himself and produced the best food we had eaten in some time. He used some of the spices from Tui. Germund and Erik helped to serve the food. My servants and slaves meant well but I was used to them and they could be clumsy. Kara and Ylva joined us. Astrid had seen little of my daughter and granddaughter. Elfrida was more comfortable with them. On the outside Aiden’s death did not appear to have affected my daughter much but I saw Astrid and Ragnar exchange meaningful looks and gentle touches of the hands as they passed their food, and I saw sadness in Kara’s eyes. Her dead husband might talk to her from the spirit world but that did not make up for the loss of his physical presence. It was as we ate that I began to see the change in the relationship between Kara and Ylva. Kara allowed Ylva to lead the conversation more. As I sat back and enjoyed the company of my family, I realised that the change had been coming since Aiden’s death. It struck me then that Kara was preparing to join him. It had been brought home by Asbjorn’s decision to save his family suffering. Ylva was now the more powerful volva and when Kara went to the Otherworld then she would gain power. I was sad but I could do nothing about it. The Norns had spun.
We did not take a boat across the water. The day was grey and filled with sleet flecked rain. It was a warning of a winter which would be hard. Instead we rode around escorted by my new ten warriors as well as Aðalsteinn and Dagfinnr. They rode ahead and behind. We had seen no Danish scouts but such a prized party might tempt scouts who would be able to return to Sven the Boneless with Dragonheart trophies.
Aethelflaed and Nanna were both heavy with child. Ylva, who visited them once or twice a week, told me that their babies would be born at the end of Mörsugur. They both glowed. I had remembered when both of my wives had been with child. They had had the same glow. It was Sámr who showed the greatest change. I saw it in his father and brother’s eyes. It was not a physical change. It was something from within. Perhaps it was fatherhood, I know not but he appeared like a leader. I had met Kings and Emperors. I had spoken with great Counts and Dukes. Sámr had that bearing.
After he had greeted his parents and grandmother, he took them on a tour of the hall. Ragnar remembered it as did Elfrida but the others had only seen the ruin I had left. When they returned Sámr had his servants bring ale which was warmed with a poker and infused with honey, butter and cinnamon. We had brought enough spice back from our raid on Portus Cale to indulge ourselves. While Astrid fussed over Sámr and Aethelflaed I sat with Ragnar and Ulla War Cry.
Ragnar said, “How have you wrought such a change in my son, grandfather?” He shook his head. “It is not just his size, it is his bearing. I feel as though he is the father and I am the child.”
“Sámr has been chosen to lead the clan. Perhaps it is the spirit of my dead wife, Erika, now working with Aiden, or it may be that Odin has taken an interest. I have done little except to put around him those whom I trust and to offer encouragement when he needs it. He will lead the clan when I am gone.”
Ragnar gave me a sharp look. “You are not leaving us! This is not the worm again is it?”
I laughed, “I have no reason to leave the Land of the Wolf. I have an unborn child of my blood and I wish to see him. As far as I am aware, I will be the only one with a great, great grandchild. I will be honoured by that title.”
Ulla War Cry shook his head, “You have far greater titles!”
“No, Ulla, as I near the latter end of my life I see the world differently. The Land of the Wolf and the Clan are important but my blood, coursing through my family is more important. When I was in the cave by Wyddfa I saw the threads of time. I have blood in me that was here when the Romans built their wall. The sword that now lies with Aiden was wielded against the enemies of this land. Long after we are gone there will be someone with our blood and they will be fighting for the clan. I am a guardian of the clan and Sámr will be the next. Who knows, his unborn child may be the one after.”
The visit, which lasted until the first baby was born, was a joyful time. Ragnar was healthy and my grandson looked pleased that his son had named his firstborn after him. Nanna had not yet given birth but Ragnar thought to stay just a short time and then go home to Whale Island. The extended visit was caused by the change in the weather. Ýlir brought winter. It was as though Odin himself had commanded ice. We had a three-day rain storm and then woke to clear skies. That would have been the time for Ragnar and his family to leave but who could leave the Water when there were clear blue skies and Old Olaf looked as sharp as ever? The cold air felt invigorating after the rain and they did not leave.
The ice came in the night. My servants kept the fires banked up all night but, even so the cold was so severe that we could see our breath before us while we were within our sleeping chambers. We woke to the Water beginning to freeze at the edges and the clear blue skies were replaced by white ones which were laden with snow. They came from the north and were harbingers of a harsh winter. Even as Ragnar prepared to leave a blizzard descended which stopped anyone from moving out of their homes. I only discovered this later on for I was in my hall with my people. The snow fell relentlessly for four days. I had not experienced such weather for many years. Atticus had never seen weather like it. The snow stopped at dusk. The skies cleared and the land froze. When we woke it was to a frozen Water. I waited two days to see if a thaw would come. Often, we had a freeze early in the winter and it thawed quickly. After two days it had hardened. It was getting colder.
“Erik, let us venture out. I would see how my people fare.”
“Aye, Jarl.”
“Atticus, I fear we will not have the opportunity to find fresh food. Are we prepared?”
“We are, lord. It was in anticipation of an attack by the Danes but it will help us with an attack by Nature.”
“No, Atticus, nature does not attack us. She tests us.”
We went, first, to my warrior hall. They were well but I ordered them to clear the snow in the settlement so that people could move around. I went to the older ones for I knew they would be in the greatest danger. We had prepared for hard times and all were healthy. Finally, I went to Kara and Ylva. Their faces warned me of trouble.
“What is it?”
“This will be a wolf winter.”
“You are sure?” I spoke to Ylva for Kara looked deep in thought.
“We are. We dreamed but even without a dream this freeze so early means that the wolves will descend from their high passes. The she wolves are heavy with young and the males will need to provide for them.”
“Then we will have to hunt them.” I did not relish a long march to the Dale of Lang or Úlfarrberg which was where they proliferated.
Ylva read my thoughts. “You will not need to go far. I am not named Ylva for nothing. I dreamed that they come. Sámr has a child and will be jarl of the Clan. His great grandfather was Wolf Killer. They will come… it is not just the Danes who will test Sámr. It is the wolves too.”
By the time I returned to my hall it was dark. The days in Mörsugur were so short that if you blinked you missed them. It was the time when wolves could hunt under cover of darkness. I had Germund prepare spears so that we could hunt. “Erik, you have never hunted. If you wish to stay in my hall with Atticus there is no shame.”
Atticus shook his fussy head, “Dragonheart, there will be no wolves! This freeze will keep every animal inside.”
Just at that moment, from the Hawk’s Head came the first howl. There were wolves and they were not far away. The freeze must have struck the high ground earlier. “What say you now Atticus? That is a scout. He has come down and found food. The food will be our animals and, if we try to stop them, then us. On the morrow we will visit with Sámr. He needs to know of the danger.” I looked at Erik, “Well?”
“I will come. I have grown and I am your shield bearer. I will watch your back for you.”
Atticus shook his head and mumbled. “A man who is nearly seventy hunting wolves! Has the world gone mad?”
The Water looked to be frozen enough to walk upon but I did not risk it. Before dawn I rose and summoned my twelve men. I had Germund prepare horses and the fifteen of us rode around the Water to Hawk’s Roost. The journey which was just a few miles, took until what passed for noon. The snow had drifted and the gate was barred. I had my men clear the snow while we shouted for it to be opened from within.
When it creaked and groaned open, I was greeted by Sámr, Ulla and Ragnar. Sámr said, simply, “The wolves?”
“It will be a wolf winter. I came to warn you. That wolf we heard last night was a scout.”
Sámr nodded, “Aye, it caused Nanna to give birth. Baldr has a son, Úlfarr.”
As we walked towards the hall, I clutched my amulet. Wyrd. That had been the name of the wolf which had saved my family. “Mother and child are well?”
“He has a good set of lungs on him. They are well. When do we hunt the wolves?”
“You do not. The clan will need a leader and you need to protect your mother, father and grandmother. None will venture forth for some time. The wolf was by the Hawk’s Head and Grize’s Dale. They have never been there before. When next we hear them howling, I will take my new warriors and we will hunt.” He began to speak. “I am still the jarl. I will hunt.”
He nodded, “As you wish. Who will you take?”
“The men I brought with me today. The wolves are not here yet. It was a lone wolf we heard. We have time.”
I smiled at Elfrida and Astrid, “I think you will be stuck here for some time.”
Elfrida laughed, “Stuck is the wrong word, Dragonheart. It is a joy to be around the babies. The men may be unhappy but we are content are we not, Astrid?”
“That we are.” She looked as happy as I could remember.
We did not stay long. We needed to be back before dark and we had preparations to make. It was dark when we returned home. Our beards were rimed with frost. Our very breath froze before us. As my men took away the horses I said, “We will hunt without horses. If you have them then wear seal skin boots and if not then line your leather ones with the fur of animals or down. We may have to sleep in the open. Take cloaks and furs. Germund will arrange the spears. As soon as we hear the wolves howl close by then we leave. I care not if it is in dark of night.”
“Aye jarl.”
The wolves came in the middle of the night two days later. The cold had been unrelenting. No more snow had fallen but that mattered not for it had been so deep already that it was as solid as rocks. That made the insides of our homes a little warmer. Germund came to wake me but I was already awake.
“Go fetch the others. And Erik?”
“He is risen. Atticus makes porridge and he is preparing food for us to take.”
I shook my head, “We take no food with us. That will alert the wolves.”
I dressed and went outside. I listened. There was silence. Then I heard the wolves. They were across the Water close to Grize’s Dale. There were a few families there. More worryingly the next home to the north of them would be Hawk’s Roost. We had to stop them before they reached Sámr’s hall. Erik and my men were already tucking into the honeyed porridge when I entered.
Atticus gave me a bowl, “I would say this is foolish but you would ignore me. Be careful, Jarl. You are no longer a young man nor even a man in middle age. You are old and your reactions will be slower.”
I shook my head, “I am Dragonheart. You are a Greek and know not what my body can do. I take with me good warriors. All will be well.” As we prepared to leave, I strapped on Ragnar’s Spirit and Wolf’s Blood.
When we stepped outside the cold hit us. It was so cold it hurt my mouth. Atticus had given me a woollen scarf and I wrapped it around my mouth. The wolf’s head kept my head warm. I looked across the ice-covered Water. I heard, in my head, Aiden’s voice. He told me to trust my Water.
I turned, “We cross the ice. I will go first. We walk in single file. I want five paces between each man. Walk in my footsteps. Erik you will be last.”
Germund said, “Let me go first, Jarl.”
“This is my Water and my land. We will be safe. Trust me.”
I stepped onto the ice. It felt solid but that could be an illusion. I took six steps. There was a slight creak as Germund stepped behind me on to the ice. He was a bigger man than me. I had to trust my dead galdramenn. Once I began to walk, I found it became easier. Unlike the land this was flat. There was no danger of slipping. I fixed a point in my mind and headed east. I settled into a rhythm. Germund had a leg which was lame. He was not slow but there was little point in rushing across the ice. When the wolves howled again, I changed direction slightly. They were moving north towards the Hawk’s Head. I saw, to the south of me, the sparks from the fire at Sámr’s Hall. We had to get between the wolves and my family.
Getting off the ice was harder than getting on. I had to grab hold of a straggly snow-covered branch and pull myself up. I turned to help Germund once I had secured a foothold. We made our way through the undergrowth to find where the trail had been. It was invisible. Only the lack of branches and bushes close by identified its course. It was covered in frozen snow. I did not intend to use the trail for long but it would be the quickest way to get to the wolves. As we listened for the wolves, I tried to remember who lived on the slopes above us. My heart sank when I realised that the next home was that of Sámr.
I had to make a decision and I headed up through the woods. There was a trail there.
The last direction from which I had heard the wolves was to the east and north. As we moved along the trail, my spear held before me, I realised that the snow had been flattened and not by animals. Men had walked along it. It was not Sámr and his men. They had not been out of the hall and palisade since before the snow. That could only mean one thing: Danes. I turned and made the sign for danger. It was passed down the line. Dagfinnr was behind Erik. It was right that my shield bearer came to hunt the wolves but not that he should be in danger. He was too young to die on his first hunt. It had almost happened to Wolf Killer.
As we moved along the trail I began sniffing for wolves and also for Danes. As an Ulfheonar I knew that my sense of smell might be the difference between life and death. I could see why no one had colonised this part of the forest. There was rarely anywhere which was flat for more than four paces and the trail twisted and turned as it climbed up the gentle slope. It was as the foot prints left the trail to head south that my nose picked up the pungent smell of wolf. I waved us into a long line and gestured for Erik and Dagfinnr to join Germund behind me. There was a clear sky but no moon. The snow and ice reflected light and made the path slightly easier to see but the undergrowth ahead, laden as it was with frozen snow, made visibility difficult. Then I heard the sound of animals gnawing and growling as they ate. It was wolves. I raised my spear and the others did the same.
I moved even more slowly. The men who had made this new path had made it easier for us. There was no frozen snow to crunch. As we moved ahead, I saw first, movement, and second, an open space. It was a camp. I waved my spear left and right for those on my flanks to move around. There were just four of us approaching what was obviously a man-made encampment.
