Viking Legend (21 page)

“I am Cnut Thordson.”

“Well Beorn and Cnut today I give you a task.  If you succeed then you will save my men and I will be in your debt.” I saw them sit a little higher.  “Ride to Ketil at Brougham.  It is on the road which goes to the south and east.  Tell him that Jarl Dragonheart has need of as many men as he can spare. Tell him where to come.”

“Aye Jarl!”

“May the Allfather protect you.”

I turned my horse and kicked him in the flanks. Time was something I could not buy.  I had cast the bones and now I would see which way they fell. Olaf turned as we galloped up.  I pointed to the north west.  “There is a column coming from the north.  It is led by the King of the Scots. Take your men to Sigtrygg.  They are heading for the gap in the wall by him.”

“Shall I send a message to Asbjorn the Strong?”

“No for there is another column heading for Eystein.”

He shook his head, “It is never simple is it, Jarl Dragonheart?” Turning to his men he growled, “Follow me and we shall find glory this day.”

I led my men ahead of him to join Sigtrygg.  I could see them preparing to light the fire as I rode up.  “Hold Sigtrygg.  There is no need for fire.  Let us leave that.  We might need a fire to cover a retreat.”

“But see yonder, Jarl.  The banners of the enemy.  They come and they are heading for here.”

“And I have sent for reinforcements.  Olaf, Erik and Arne will be here before the enemy.” I lowered my voice.  “A second column attacks Eystein.”

“I see horsemen here.”

I dismounted and turned to my men.  “Dismount, tie the horses to those trees and stand behind Jarl Sigtrygg Thrandson’s men.” I took out the bag of twisted nails. “Here give these to the rest of the men and have them sow them thirty paces from the wall. They will discourage the horsemen.”

They hurried to the clearing before the gap.  It had been the gate when the wall had been in its glory and the road was a good one.  The enemy would hurry to make the gap and the horse breakers would come as a shock to them. Leif rode in and dismounted. “They are following me, Jarl.”

I looked beyond him and saw Erik’s men running to join us.  “Good.  Take my banner and place it on the wall.   Today you mark my position.”

I took my spear and hefted my shield around to my front. For the first time in a long time I would be fighting with warriors I did not know.  Sigtrygg’s men were good warriors and many had mail but they were his oathsworn and not mine. The gods were testing me again. I looked at the defensive position we held.  The two stone turrets which stood at either side of the gap were vital. Olaf Leather Neck and Erik Ulfsson arrived at the same time.

“Erik put your archers in this tower and any mailed warriors in the gap. The rest can go next to the right hand turret.  Olaf put your archers in the right hand turret, your mailed men in the gap and the rest next to the tower.  Olaf use your horse breakers in front of the ditch.”

I saw the enemy column begin to deploy into line. Our presence must have come as a shock to them. I clambered up the side of the turret to afford a better view. There were two groups of twenty light horsemen on the flanks. I would not worry overmuch about them.  I had fought them and knew their weaknesses. The centre appeared to be a mixture of one or two men with mail and a large number with swords, axes, shields and spears.  I estimated that there were well over a hundred but it was difficult to estimate for they were not in ordered lines.  It was like a herd of animals milling about.

“Sigtrygg, when Arne comes I want his mailed men with me in the gap the rest can support your left flank.”

“You will be in the gap?”

“Aye.  It will be where the fighting is the hottest. We have to stop him at the two gaps.  If we can do that then Ketil’s extra men might just make the difference but we have a whole day, at least, to hold out.” I looked up at the two turrets.  Each held five archers.  “You archers must keep up a rain of arrows. Find flesh!”

“Aye, Jarl Dragonheart!”

I went down the steep bank to the gap.  There were just twelve warriors there. I was gratified that the bank was steep for that would make ascent hard for the Scots. The men stood aside as I descended. “Today you fight alongside the sword which was touched by the gods.  Soon we will have more warriors but for now we must hold this gap.  We do not retreat. If we fall then so be it! They will have to climb our dead bodies to enter our land.”

They all cheered and began banging their shields. I pointed to those who had the best mail and warrior bands. “You seven stand with me and you five have your spears over our shoulders.” I pointed Ragnar’s Spirit at my banner fluttering on the wall.  “They will come for me.  Let us show these barbarians how Vikings fight and die!”

I stood in the centre. “Your name?” I asked the man on my left.

“I am Gunnar Gunnarsson.”

I turned to my right, “And you?”

“Thorir The Slow.”

I laughed, “That is good for the three of us will not move this day.” I had sheathed my sword and taken my up spear.  I tapped my shield with my spear.  “When they see this wolf then they will come for me. That is what I want for I have the best armour.  The two of you should be able to kill many Scots this day.”

Gunnar said, “Today Jarl Dragonheart, we will fight as your oathsworn.  If you fall we fight to the death.”

“Then I will make sure that I do not fall for my people need warriors with courage such as yours.”

I heard Sigtrygg’s voice from above. “Jarl Dragonheart, they come!”

“Ready.” At that moment spears appeared above our shoulders as Arne’s breathless men joined us.  I did not count them but took comfort from the hedgehog of spears which bristled above. It was a wall of metal which would deter all but the bravest of warriors.

I saw that this King Alpín mac Echdach was a cautious man.  The warriors who hurtled across the ground before us were not his mailed warriors.  They were his wild men from the mountains.  Half naked with painted bodies and faces they bore small shields and fire tipped spears. Their intention was to shatter our spears and break our will, allowing the better warriors to march through after we had been weakened.  He was aiming all of his men at the gap.  His horsemen on the flanks would exploit any weaknesses. The Roman ditch before the wall was not as much of an obstacle as it had been but it still provided another obstacle in addition to the turf wall.

The wild warriors were bunched together.  The archers in the turrets managed to bring down many of them but they hurdled the dead bodies and came on.  When they found the horse breakers it was as though they were stopped in their tracks. They were either barefoot or had thin soled leather footwear.  The nails tore into them.  The press of men was so great that many were simply trampled to death by those behind.  The effect was to thin the numbers who reached us.

It was as I had expected, they came for me. They came angry for many of their friends had died in the attempt to reach me. It was not a wedge but three warriors ran at me with others at their sides. They were eager for the glory of killing the Viking leader. I knew that I would be struck and I braced myself.  I lifted my spear above my head for I saw that two of those who faced me had square shields. They hit my shield as I punched forward with my spear. As I stabbed down one of the fire tipped spears shattered against my shield and a second slid along the side of my armour. I withdrew my spear from the body of the first warrior I had killed and punched it upwards into the second man I knew that I had punched too hard when I saw it emerge through his side.  As he fell he broke the spear.  I swung the broken haft sideways at the third man.  I hit him so hard on the side of his head that he staggered and Gunnar ran him through.

I drew Ragnar’s Spirit. I was always happier with my sword in my hand. They came at me still but they came individually. We had broken up their first line with arrows, stones, spears and horse breakers. I knocked aside the first spear and swung overhead to hack through the warrior’s neck.  The archers in the turrets began to release at the press of men before us and as the Scots raised their shields I stabbed and slashed into unprotected middles.

I sensed that the pile of bodies before us was making them waver. “We charge and knock them back! Now!”

It was my command and I led my men by two quick steps.  I felt Gunnar and Thorir hurry after me.  Thorir belied his name. I swung my sword sideways and ripped through the throat of a surprised Scot.  Another tried to ram his fire tipped spear at me.  It shattered on my armour and I turned my head to him.  He must have seen my red eyes for the first time.  I howled and he screamed and tried to run.  I laid open his back to the bone. That was enough and the rabble before us fled.

“Back to the gap!”

Along the two sides of the wall warriors banged their shields and shouted, “Dragonheart!”  Over and over. We had not won but we had made them think.

I turned to the men who had fought alongside me. “You are heroes all.  Wait here while I spy out the field.”

I made my way up the turf wall to stand next to the turret. Sigtrygg took off his helmet and grinned, “It is some time since I saw Dragonheart fight and I had forgotten how ferocious he is.”

“We were lucky he did not send in his best warriors. Next time he will.” I looked to where the Scottish King was speaking to his leaders. “I think he may well try to attack Olaf and his men. Have a small force ready to support him.”

Just then Snorri rode in. “The Northumbrians and Scots have turned our flank, Jarl.  Wolf Killer is retreating here.  They follow still.”

My strategy was in tatters. We were now outflanked. I had begun to believe we might win but the weird sisters had other plans for us. “Has he lost many warriors?”

“No but they came with mailed men and Finni’s warriors had little armour.  They broke through and some ran.”

I detected criticism in his voice. “Do not be too harsh on them.  This is the first real battle for some. Tell the men to fall back and form a line behind Olaf.”

He rode off. 

“Sigtrygg, some of your men will have to form a line at right angles to Olaf and his men.  The Northumbrians come.”

I descended to the gap.  I would have to come up with a better plan now that we were outflanked.

The men made way for me.  They were exultant.  Olaf came to the turret above us.  “Olaf you will be attacked soon and the Northumbrians have flanked us.  Be ready to bend your line. Sigtrygg will send men to help you.”

He waved his sword, “They have not hurt us yet, Jarl! They are wild men with no skill!”

I pointed with my sword where the Scottish were being organised for another attack.  “They will hit us on two sides. Watch them!”

I stepped forward and picked up some of the fire hardened spears the Scottish had used.  As weapons they were useless but as a barrier they might slow the enemy down. I rammed a half dozen so that the haft faced the enemy.  They would not cause a wound but they would slow them down. They would also distract the enemy and that could sometimes be the difference between success and failure; victory and defeat.

The first of Asbjorn’s men appeared to my right.  I heard Olaf and Snorri organising them. “Those with mail in the front rank.  Those without in the second.”

I knew, without looking that there would only be one or two with mail but they would join Olaf’s two mailed warriors. We did not throw away lives needlessly. I saw the Scottish warriors as they lumbered towards us. This was no mad rush.  This was a measured attack. I had no doubt that there had been some conference between the King and the Eorl who led the Northumbrians. They had learned from their first attack against us. The Eorl had used his better warriors and that had caused the breach. This was a coordinated attack and it had almost succeeded.  Had I not put the wall to good use we would have engaged the Scots only to be attacked on our vulnerable right side by the Saxons of Northumbria.

I forced myself to plan as the Scots came slowly on. Once darkness fell then our enemies could slip over the wall at more than a dozen points.  We had to withdraw and fight them on a better ground. The only way to do that was to hurt them and make them withdraw as they had the first time and then quickly fall back. I shook my head ruefully.  I had left Aiden at home.  With his mind and his maps he could have selected a perfect battleground.  I would have to improvise and use all of my experience.

The Scots were a hundred paces from us and my archers, in the turrets, began to release their arrows.  Other archers began to loose too.  We did not have enough nor did we have many boys with slingshots but we were wearing them down. Their shields were not as big as ours and arrows began to strike home.  Men fell and disordered the line.  It took time to reorder their front and in that time more men were hit. Not all died but a wounded man was still an obstacle. Then, suddenly, the two lines of horsemen hurtled towards us.  Would they be foolish enough to try to charge us?

“Ready in case they charge!”

When the lines were almost at the ditch they turned and rode along the length of the advancing warriors.  They hurled their javelins at the men on the wall.  Some were taken by surprise and plunged to the bottom of the ditch. They were the ones who were not warriors.  All those who had fought before had a shield held tightly before them. Some of the ponies stepped on the horse breakers and threw their rider but the real intent of the abortive attack was to stop the relentless arrow storm on the advancing warriors.  The Scottish King had sacrificed some of his horsemen to save those with mail.  He was as ruthless as I was. When the riders disappeared the advancing line was less than thirty paces away and they were ready to fight. To my right I heard a Saxon horn which sounded the charge on our right flank.  We were being squeezed between two rocks.

This time there were mailed warriors who faced us.  Not everyone in their front rank was so armed but one in three was. The ones in mail would struggle to climb the turf wall from the ditch and they would try to sweep us out of the way by sheer weight of numbers. Once they were through the gap those on the wall could be picked off easily. “Second rank push your shields into our backs in case they try to push us from this gap.”

“Aye Jarl.”

I had a limited view of the enemy for my helmet afforded me great protection but I saw the three mailed warriors heading for me. They had to slow down while they cut down the line of spears and my archers hit another five warriors. Although not mortal wounds they slowed them down. There were five less for us to fight. Suddenly the rest ran and I braced myself with my left leg forward and my sword held behind me. I took two spears on my shield and I felt the blows as the warriors crashed into us.  My arm shivered with the shock. The third spear slid upwards and over my shoulder.  The other two spears from behind had helped me. I stabbed up and forwards with my sword.  It had a sharp edge and was longer than any Scottish sword.  They had thought they were safe.

I saw the warrior on the right throw his head back and scream as my sword ripped up between his legs and into his stomach.  I twisted by blade as I withdrew it and punched with my shield at the same time. The pressure of the men behind meant that the front row of the enemy could not use their spears.  Our own spears darted forward and found flesh for the Scots wore open helmets.  The other two mailed warriors fell dead.  They were replaced but I saw that these warriors had no mail and, like the others, their spears were not held high enough.  They slid up off my metal rimmed shield. My own sword sprang in and out as quickly as I could move it.  Every blow drew blood and warriors fell; some clutched wounds others went to their god.

I saw a two handed axe come towards my head.  The warrior who wielded it was in the second rank.  I brought up my shield as I stabbed the man who protected the axe man. The edge of the axe bit deeply into my shield.  There were many nails and it was covered in leather.  I saw him tugging to free it and the action was moving my shield.  I stepped forward on to my right leg as he gave a tug and he overbalanced.  I leapt from the line and skewered him to the ground. I was suddenly assailed on all sides and I took many blows but I stepped back into the protection of my men. My mail had protected me but I had no doubt that it would need repair and that links had been damaged.

Gunnar asked, “Are you hurt, Jarl?”

To be truthful I had no idea but I felt no blood and nothing felt broken.  “Aye, I live still. Are you all with me yet?”

The chorus of “Aye Jarl!” filled me with pride.

The storm about us raged until the pile of bodies before us was a barrier to the Scots.  They were losing too many men in trying to climb over their own dead. They withdrew.

“Gunnar, Thorir, take the mail from the dead Scots and give it to those without armour.  The rest of you find any more spears and weapons.  Make another barrier beyond the dead Scots.”

I took off my helmet and as I did so one of the warriors said, “Jarl, your head is bleeding.”

I put my hand to the side and it came away bloody. “Thank you I will get it healed after we have sent these savages north.”

This time I climbed the eastern bank. I could see that Wolf Killer and my men had driven off the Northumbrians but I also saw that they had taken casualties.  Unlike those with me they had not had the protection of the ditch. My son wandered over to me and when he reached me took off his helmet. “I am sorry, Jarl we could not do what you have done.”

“I had a better defensive position but we are all in danger.” I pointed towards Arne’s stronghold. “I intend, as soon as it is dark to slip back to the junction of the two rivers. There we can use the two river banks to defend our flanks and we can use Arne’s men from his stronghold to aid us with their bows.”

“How will we slip away?”

“My Ulfheonar will use our skills to make them think that we attack them.  You will lead the rest of the army back.  Have any wounded taken over the river and then destroy the bridges.”

“But we will be trapped.”

“Ketil is coming but we need to buy his reinforcements time.  If they cross the bridges then they will spread through our land bringing death and destruction.  They have horsemen!”

“Even so…”

“We can use Arne’s fishing boats to build an improvised bridge. Trust me, my son.”

“I do and I fear that when you are no longer with us then I will not be half the leader you are.”

“You will learn. Now make sure we make a show of strength. I leave it to you to tell the others of my plan.”

“Aye Jarl.”

As I descended I shouted, “Snorri!” He appeared almost instantly, “When it becomes dark I want the Ulfheonar to come with me and slit a few throats. It will buy us time to withdraw to a better position.  Tell the Ulfheonar.”

“Aye Jarl! The wolves will feast this night.”

Rather than being daunted by the prospect I knew that my Ulfheonar would relish it.

When I reached the gap I saw more warriors wearing mail. It would give them confidence if nothing else and the sight of so many mailed warriors might make the enemy think we had been reinforced. Glancing at the sky I saw that it would be dark within the hour.  Would they risk another attack?

I had a sudden idea.  I began banging my shield and chanted, “Ulfheonar!”

The men with me took up the chant and it began to spread to the east and west.  My Ulfheonar led the chant and it grew in volume. I felt reckless and I began to walk towards the waiting Scots. I continued chanting and the warriors behind me followed.  The warriors who had been facing the Northumbrians also followed us and we began to spread out across the dead Scots who littered the ground. I stopped and the line spread to the left and right of me. When we were one line of just fifty warriors I stopped chanting and held up Ragnar’s Spirit. Everyone stopped.  We were silent and then I heard the flap of my standard as Leif waved it over my head.

I shouted, “This is Ragnar’s Spirit and it is the sword touched by the gods. Today it will lead us to victory.” I changed to Saxon. “Is there one amongst my enemies who will face me in single combat?” There was silence. “Is there none who will face me? Are you afraid of one man with grey in his beard?” I saw men looking at one another but the legend of my name and my reputation daunted them. I laughed, “You are women!” I changed to Norse, “Let us eat, I am hungry!”

My men all laughed and they followed me as we turned our backs on our enemies.  It was a gamble but we had humiliated them.  I could not see them charging us.  I glanced to the west and saw the sun dipping. Soon it would be dark and they would retire to their camp and lick their wounds. They would plan a gory and grisly end for me.  I had no doubt that they thought they would win. They outnumbered us and we had barely held them. As we entered the gap and my men cheered me I said, “Light fires! Ulfheonar prepare for war.  Wolf Killer you know what to do.”

Beorn Beornson rode in on a pony which was almost on its last legs.  “Jarl Dragonheart , Jarl Ketil and his men will be here by noon tomorrow!”

“You have done well! Now rest.  I want you to return to him in the morning with a message.”

By the time the fires were lit it was dark.  Wolf Killer took the bulk of the army with him.  One or two moved around the fires as did my Ulfheonar.  We had ten men who would stand watch to give the illusion that the whole army was still there and to feed the fires. We used the kindling we had prepared for our signal fires.  The fires burned brightly and gave the illusion of a huge camp. I sat with my warriors and we sharpened our swords.

“This is my plan. We let the enemy talk about the day and plan their attack tomorrow. When it is dark of night we will kill their sentries and bring terror to their camp.  Beorn and Snorri, you will cut loose their horses and drive them through the gap. Take as many as you can to Wolf Killer.  We can use them on the morrow.”

“Aye Jarl.”

Haaken looked around at the small number of warriors. “Think you this will enough?”

“It will.  We have done this before  but this time we stay close together.  When we hear the horses galloping then we give the wolf howl and escape. They will be confused and think they are under attack from a larger force.  The Scots have yet to experience a night attack by the Ulfheonar.”

“Then this will be enough.”

We rested although all of us had nerves stretched to breaking point.  Even though we had done this before each time we did it there was a risk. All it took was one missed footing and a warrior could slip and be captured or killed. They just needed to be lucky; we had to be perfect.

Some of those we left as sentries had placed food on the fires to cook and the smell of cooking meat drifted over to the north.  The Scots would think we were feasting. I doubted that they would be eating as well.  Those who had fled to the fort had brought their animals with them. We slipped out of camp, invisible in our black cloaks. Because we were close together, thirty paces separated us, our task was made much easier.  Erik and Vermund killed the first two sentries and we headed towards the horse lines. Their other sentries were spread further apart than we. The horses were to the north and west of the camp.  The Scots did not want to be upwind of the horses.  There were three guards there and they died silently.  We left Beorn and Snorri to untie the beasts and we entered the camp.  We were coming from what they thought was their safe side.

We moved like wraiths.  They had no tents but slept on the ground. A party of six warriors all had their throats slit at the same time.  They died without a murmur.  We could hear the noises of men sleeping, snoring and farting.  We heard those who talked in their sleep and we heard the men who told such talkers to shut up. Those who slept alone died instantly. We passed others lying close together.  We took no chances.  I wanted to be in the heart of the camp when we gave the call of the wolf.