Viking Raid (15 page)

Aiden ran back, "Jarl, Eystein and Sven are hard pressed.  More warriors are arriving."

"Ulfheonar we go down the hill and end this!"

We trotted through the ruined gate and across the bridge.  The fort could be rebuilt but it would be a grisly task to clear the charnel house of the destroyed keep. It would take some time to do repair what we had wrecked. The houses on the slope smouldered still. We could hear the sounds of battle at the neck of land. Eystein and his men had done a good job but paid a heavy price. The narrow col and the burned buildings had meant they could hope back superior numbers.  Now, however, they were weakening as spears shattered and men tired.   I suspect that if we had not sent reinforcements then things might have gone badly.  The enemy they fought were obviously unused to a shield wall. As we hurried towards our friends I saw knots of Galicians running at the shield wall. They were dealt with easily.  They had no concept of the wedge or coordinated attacks.  We would teach them.

"Ulfheonar wedge!"

We formed up behind Eystein and Sven. When we were ready with shields locked I said, "Eystein, Sven, break!"

Below us there was a mass of warriors, fishermen, sailors and those who loved in the town. There was no leader. The warriors who were facing us had no idea how to deal with our weapons and our tactics.  They watched as a gap appeared and then I shouted, "Now!"

We had a slope with us and were able to move easily once we had crossed the line of bodies which littered the ground. We picked up speed.  Had we had spears left we would have been even more intimidating but even with just our swords it would take a brave man to face us. Panic is like a disease.  It spreads quickly and takes all with it. As we slew all before us men ran. The last three or four who faced us, realising they were alone, turned and fled.  We struck the warriors who led the Galician line. My shield deflected the weak blow from the first man's sword and I rammed Ragnar's Spirit into his guts. I pushed his body to one side and we tore through the line as though it was not there. With Haaken and my Ulfheonar and Wolf Killer and his men we were unstoppable.  We were a maelstrom of whirling blades and savage blows.  I do not think these warriors had ever encountered such fierce and well armed foes. The ones who were not warriors wanted no more of this and they ran.

Eystein and Sven had added their men to our wedge so that we were now a mighty wedge. To the warriors who remained we must have seemed as though we filled the narrow neck of land. And yet there were little over fifty of us. We hacked, slashed and sliced our way relentlessly through the disorganised mob which faced us. After ten warriors had died  in as many blows the rest turned and fled. We kept moving, driving them like sheep. Those who slipped and fell were slain as we ran after them.  We were like a cloud of death killing all that we touched.

This was their town and their land.  They knew its holes and ways better than we.  When we reached the jetty our enemies were all fled and had found somewhere to hide from our wrath.  We had won. I stopped and my men began banging their shields.  I took off my helmet and lowered my shield to the ground. My shoulder ached. I had not had to take too many blows on my shield but holding it high had taken its toll. While my men celebrated I looked for Aiden.  He appeared at my side.

Waving a hand I asked, "Is there anything here worth taking?"

He nodded, "There are barrels of salted fish, lemons, oranges and even spices."

"How many captives do we have?"

"The knarr is filled already.  We cannot put any of the barrels there."

I nodded, "Then spread the captives between the two drekar and the knarr." I saw a wooden chest on the jetty and I climbed up, "Warriors! We have done well and the fighting is done but we have work to do! Ulfheonar, search the bodies of the warriors and the dead for treasure. Eystein, I want as many of the barrels of salted fish and fruit taking to our ships. Wolf Killer, search the nearby buildings for anything of value.  Before we leave we burn this to the ground." As they all set off I said to Aiden, "Find another vessel which we can use.  We will burn the rest of their ships."

He nodded and was about to leave. He turned and said, "Your shoulder troubles you?"

"It does but my fighting here is finished." I climbed down from the chest and sat upon it.  "I will rest and watch the rest of you work."

As I gazed around the ruined town of
Faro Bregancio I realised the power my men exerted.  We had been vastly outnumbered and yet, through surprise, skill and determination we had not only defeated the whole garrison but destroyed it as a town.  I did not yet know the butcher's bill. I had seen the bodies of my warriors at the neck but whatever the price it had been less than I had imagined. However, it had been, as I had been warned, in vain.  Trygg and the others were dead but we had had our revenge.  More importantly I had fulfilled my oath to my men.  All knew that Dragon Heart would never knowingly desert any of them. I was a jarl who knew his responsibilities as well as his rights.

It was late afternoon by the time we had loaded the knarr, the two drekar and the small single sailed ship we had captured. What we could not take we dropped into the sea. The boats we could not use we wrecked by springing their planks and the buildings we burned. As we headed north a pall of black smoke rose high in the air from the burning stronghold, town and warehouses.  I had no doubt that King Alfonso had been summoned.  I suppose I had made it easier for that king to claim the land for I had killed the men who might oppose him. But when he came he would discover he had a town he had to rebuild from the burning embers we had left. As I stared over the stern I thought about the complicated webs the Norns wove. I thought I was serving me but I was also helping the King of the Asturias;
wyrd
. Even so I knew that he would dread and fear another Viking raid such as this one.

All told we had lost twelve warriors not counting the dead crew of the knarr.  Although a relatively small number it was still too many. I wondered if we would have to curtail our trading trips.  Perhaps we might have to take two drekar in future. At the back of my mind was the thought that my son did not possess as many skills as I did. Would Trygg have died if I had led the ships? Maybe I was being unfair.  The Gods might just smile on me.  I knew not.  I had much to think on.

I saw Erik glancing nervously astern.  Karl was steering the captured ship. He had some of the men from
Cyninges-tūn to help him but it was a great responsibility. With Siggi sailing Trygg's knarr Karl was the only one we felt had the skill to sail the new ship we had taken. I knew what was going through Erik's mind.

I said quietly, "Now you know what it felt like to be Josephus watching you."

He laughed, "I know, Jarl.  Karl is a good sailor but this is the first time he has sailed alone and the ship is strange to him."

"That is why we sail slowly and why we will carry lanterns at night. We have much to be grateful for."

He nodded and looked beyond the little ship to the smoke in the distance, "Do you think Trygg and his men suffered?"

"Yes. From what I saw of their heads and faces they had been tortured and we found not their bodies. I do not feel remorse for what we did to these people. They call us barbarians. I think that every man is a barbarian especially when he feels threatened.  Trygg and the others should not have died they were threatening no one. They were sailing too close to land. We must learn from this."

Aiden looked ahead to '
Josephus
'.  "You blame your son."

I shook my head, "I blame myself for this. I should not send others to do what I must do."

When we returned to Bourde we were doubly welcome. The Duke had feared we might end up dead and was relieved that we had survived, nay prospered, even.  The slaves and the salted fish were even more welcome.  As the Dukedom was hard pressed by Frankia and Asturias they needed supplies such as this. We traded the fish for more barrels of wine. The gold we received for the slaves was even more welcome.  Everyone who had voyaged benefitted.

While the others feasted I joined Siggi by the wharf.  I had not had the chance to speak with him since the raid. His son Haaken Siggison was with him. I had brought an amphora of wine and three horns.  I said nothing but poured them both a generous hornful. I place the half full amphora on the ground and faced them.

"I raise this wine to a fine warrior, a good captain, a fine cousin and to a faithful oathsworn, Trygg."

They both stood and said, "Trygg" before downing the wine.  Young Haaken Siggison was unused to such wine and he spluttered a little.  His father and I laughed and it lightened the mood a little.

"You will have to learn to take smaller drinks until you become accustomed to this."

"Aye, Jarl."

I turned to look at Trygg's knarr. "What will you do with her?"

"His sons died with him and his wife… well Agnetha does not need it.  I will care for her with my wife.  Trygg and I shared a hall." I said nothing, Siggi needed to work this out himself. "It is a fine knarr and I am more comfortable when it sails behind me."

I nodded, "Just as I fight better when Haaken One Eye and Sigtrygg are behind me in the wedge. Our lives are always better when we are with those that we trust."

He suddenly got my meaning.  He turned to his son who was tentatively trying another taste of the rich red wine. "Could you captain the knarr, my son?"

"Me?  Am I not young yet?"

Shaking my head I said, "Erik was a captain much upon your years and you have your father who can mentor you.  You will not sail alone."

Siggi put his hand around his son's shoulder.  "Trygg would want this.  Had his sons lived, and they are your age, then he would have asked them to sail his beloved knarr.  Do this for your cousins."

"I will do it and I will not let either of you down."

His father said, "I know and I will let you helm her home. It is time I took things easier."

I knew, of course, that he would not.  He would watch and silently fret over every decision his son made but eventually he would let go.  We all did.  The young have to make their own mistakes.  It is how they learn. We stayed long enough for the wounds we had suffered to heal and for some of my lusty young men to sow some wild oats.  There would be some Vasconians in the future who would bear more than a striking resemblance to Vikings.

As we left the river I noticed that the two towers were almost completed. They would deter any raider who rowed up the river in a drekar. We followed the coastline north sailing slowly.  Haaken Siggison was on his first voyage steering. I had been tempted to go to London to trade some of the wine we had in our holds but with my son and his drekar alongside us I did not think it wise to risk the wrath of King Egbert. We headed for Dyfed. Perhaps the Welsh might like the wine. On the voyage north I took Eystein to one side. My Ulfheonar respected him.  Haaken and Sigtrygg had asked if he could join their ranks without a wolf skin. I took him to the prow.

"My Ulfheonar hold you in high regard, Eystein.  They have named you,
'The Rock'
for you held the col like a rock and none could shift you.  How do you feel about the name?"

"I am honoured Jarl.  I like the name. I will wear it."

"Good and they also wish you to join their ranks and become Ulfheonar."

He shook his head, "I will fight in their ranks, Jarl, but I will not be Ulfheonar until I claim my cloak." I opened my mouth to speak.  "I am sorry, Jarl.  I will not call myself that which I am not.  Every Ulfheonar kills his own wolf.  He eats the heart.  That is what makes him a wolf warrior. I will be as those I intend to join. I only have months to wait until I can hunt."

"You are certain?"

"Aye, Jarl."

And so he fought alongside my Ulfheonar but he would not name himself as such. My men respected him even more and he was able to fight alongside his best friend Asbjorn.  They fought well together.

The Sabrina was a sign that we were almost home. We tied up close to the town.  My distinctive sail ensured that we were not mistaken for raiders. We had barely tied up when their king,
Arthfael Hen ap Rhys
, came with his nobles to greet me. I had just met him once but the swords and weapons we had sent must have pleased him for he greeted me like a long lost brother.

"Jarl Dragon Heart! It is good to see such a staunch ally."

"And I am pleased to speak with you.  Were the weapons you bought satisfactory?"

He nodded enthusiastically and then put his arm around my shoulder.  "Come I would speak with you."

"Wolf Killer, help Siggi with the trades. What do you require?  More weapons?"

When we were out of earshot he said, "It is warriors to wield them."

"You wish to hire my men?"

"King Coenwulf of Mercia presses us harder and harder. My men are brave but I do not have enough of the quality of your men."

"We are not averse to killing Saxons but we are coming up to the winter.  Campaigning will be over."

"I know." There was a large rock by the side of the river and he sat. "It would be next year that we would need you to fight for us but…"

"King
Arthfael Hen ap Rhys
, your warriors who fought with me know that I speak plainly.  Just tell me what it is you wish.  I can give two answers; I can say yes or no.  Either way you will know my mind."

"That is what they said you would say. Then I ask you plainly, would you raid the Saxons of Mercia? It will make them look to the lands which border yours and lessen the threat to my lands."

"Aye, we could do that."

"And we could pay you in iron."

I shook my head.  "We have good iron and copper ourselves but gold is always welcome or, if not then silver."

"We could manage that but will your men do as you ask?"

"They are my oathsworn and they will do as I ask."

He clasped my arm, "Then you raid Mercia for us and next spring you fight alongside us?"

"We will raid and, come the spring I will decide."

I could see that he was disappointed but I would not commit to a course of action which might not suit us.  We had allies now to the east.  Italy was a place I wished to get to know a little better. I saw that Amalfi and Gaeta would be powerful cities soon. Our trade with them would make us prosper too.

"That is all that I can ask.  We will also require more of your weapons and mail."

"Mail is expensive."

He smiled, "Not if it saves warriors' lives and helps us to win battles."

"Then we will send more down when it is made."

We left the next morning on the early tide.  We still had some barrels of salted fish and wine left and I decided to try and trade in Dyflin. We would also trade the women and children we had captured. We had had no trouble since Sihtric Silkbeard had died and it seemed, to me, that this was a good opportunity to open trading links again.  It would make our voyages south easier for we would be able to hug the coast of Hibernia and avoid both Mann and Ynys Mon. Wolf Killer had not been happy about my decision. I had made it just as we were boarding and we had not had any time to discuss it.

"Then you sail back to our home.  I can guard two knarr."

"No, I will come with you.  I am not afraid but I think it is dangerous."

"It is a risk I grant you but if we go in peacefully then the risk is lessened."

And so we approached the stronghold of the Norse in Hibernia. They had not, as I had done, conquered a whole land. They occupied four or five ports from which they extracted tribute from the Hibernians.  Like us they raided but they raided the men of Wales, On Corn Walum, and even their brothers in Orkneyjar.  I did not know who ruled there now but it was worth the detour to discover his identity.

I went in first.  We had no shields along the side and I was bare headed. We were letting them know that we came in peace. There were just three drekar in port and none of them looked as big as ours. There was plenty of room to tie up. After Karl and Cnut had secured us to the land I stepped ashore with Aiden. "Haaken, you command this drekar until I return." Aiden had a small amphora of wine with him.

I strode towards the warrior hall I could see by the river bank. None of the warriors we saw were dressed in mail which was reassuring.  The group at the door parted when I approached and a huge bald warrior with an enormous moustache came out. He smiled, which I also took to be a good sign.

"I am Hakon the Bald of Dyflin and this is my land.  From your sail and you wolf cloak you must be the infamous Jarl Dragon Heart of Cyninges-tūn."

"Aye I am." I waited to see if he would say anything else.  So far his words had not been threatening but I saw some of his jarls were fingering their weapons.  I was aware that Hakon was appraising me. "I thought to visit here to see if we were welcome.  Are we?"

Hakon smiled, "You come in peace and we are at peace.  What went on with Sihtric was in the past." He pointed to the knarr.  "Your knarr are both laden; would you trade?"

I turned to Aiden, "We have a sample of the wine here if you would like to taste." I waved a hand at the women and children who were being herded ashore. "And we have slaves."

He put a huge fist around my shoulders.  "Come let us go into my hall."

Once inside the hall he waved to a slave.  He brought over two horns.  Obviously Hakon the Bald did not share. He downed it in one and his eyes lit up.  "How much of this do you have and can you get more?"

I nodded.  There were four barrels on board our ships. "I can let you have two and more in the spring."

"And what would you have in return?  Slaves? Animals?"

I smiled, "Gold."

He laughed, "I had heard you were a good trader." He held out his hand. "Put your hand there, Jarl.  I like you." He waved his steward over. "Go with the Jarl's man and buy the two barrels of wine for us. Make a price for the slaves too." Aiden and the steward left.  He rubbed his hands. "Let us see if the second horn is as good as the first."

I would let him finish the last of the amphora.  I knew its strength and he did not. He became a little drunker.  He still had his wits about him but his tongue was loosened. He waved a hand around.  I took the gesture to mean he was talking about the whole island. "This is a poor land.  It is filled with the followers of the White Christ.  If the people were not so easily cowed and enslaved and the climate not so pleasant I might think about coming over the sea to your land."