Viking Raid (20 page)

I looked up as Arne began to shout out his orders. I saw slingers and archers throwing and releasing as fast as they could.  I heard cries coming from the other side of the wall as their stones and arrows found flesh. And then we heard the first blows of axe on wood. This was not a hastily repaired gate such as the one at Caestir; Arne and his men had done a good job of making a sturdy gate. However every entrance has a weakness.  If it is to open and close easily then there has to be a gap, no matter how small, between the two gates.  The axe found it. Wood began to splinter from the bar keeping the gates closed.  It was a matter of time now. I brought my spear down and locked shields with Einar.  I took the place of honour on the right.  I was Jarl. No one guarded my right.

When the bar broke we knew before the raiders did and it meant we were ready.  As soon as the gate sprang open we leapt forward at the wedge. I held my spear at waist height and I punched it upwards into the belly of a surprised warrior. Their leader had allowed others to break through and the four of us all scored hits on men without mail. We knocked them back to the bridge and stones and arrows began to rain upon the attackers.

I took a blow from a spear on my shield and, lifting my spear above my head jabbed down. The warrior was not fast enough to block my blow and the spear found his neck. As he fell his body dragged the spear from my hands and I drew my sword.  I raised it above my head and yelled, "Ragnar's Spirit!" The men before us recoiled at the ferocity of our attack and at the quality of our weapons and armour. We stepped on to the bridge. Perhaps the Norns mocked me for at that moment an axe was thrown.  I saw it coming but only at the last moment.  It struck my helmet with such force that I fell to the ground, stunned. I kept hold both of my shield and my sword. As I lay there a warrior leapt forward and raised his spear to impale me. I swung wildly with Ragnar's Spirit and my blade went through his leg.  He toppled into the ditch.

Then I heard Sven roar, "Ulfheonar!" and the three of them charged the raiders.  Such was their fury that they drove back the wedge.

I struggled to my feet, "Arne, bring the warriors here, to me!"

Before I could race to the aid of my oathsworn two men ran at me.  It was a mistake for I had a cold anger within me. I fended off one spear and struck down with my sword.  The second warrior's spear slid along my mail before catching a ring on the side.  As he tried to free it my blade sliced into the side of his head. His corpse slumped at my feet and I punched the second warrior from the bridge and into the ditch.  He screamed as he was impaled on a stake hidden by the snow.

I watched as Sven White Hair hurled himself at the Viking leader.  He punched so hard with his spear that the head sheared into the warrior's side, tearing through the mail. A sword hacked into the top of Sven's arm as he reached for his sword but he just roared with rage and head butted the man to the ground before taking out his sword and despatching him. The Viking chief stabbed Sven in the stomach.  Sven was still not finished for he had the warrior's rage upon him and he smashed his shield into the face of the chief. His heroics ended when an axe, from the side, took his head.  Einar and Ragnar had not been idle and they both hacked and chopped with their swords.  They were killing machines.  They were doing what they had been trained to do since youth.  They did not have to think about it.  Their muscles knew what to do. They too had the rage upon them and were impervious and oblivious to wounds and blows. They carved a path deep into the enemy line.

I ran towards the warriors who now completely surrounded them. I brought my sword down to hack into the neck of a warrior while punching another out of the way.  Arne and the others could finish those I did not.  I had to get to my two Ulfheonar. Even as I ran my sword through a warrior I saw Einar's body pierced by a spear.  He swung his sword horizontally and took two heads with his last mighty blow.  An axe took off his arm and still he roared his defiance. Ragnar, bleeding from every part of his body ran to his friend's aid. He slew his killer with one blow and was then felled by the Viking chief whose sword slit his throat.

My three Ulfheonar lay dead and I pounced upon the Viking chief. I swung my sword so hard that it split his shield asunder and he reeled backwards.  He stabbed upwards at me but his sword slid along the mail links of my byrnie. I brought my shield around to catch his jaw in an uppercut. He fell backwards and, before he could recover, I took his head in one blow. Swinging my shield around to my back I picked up the skull by its hair and held it aloft. "This is the result of raiding the land of Jarl Dragon Heart!"

Behind me my handful of warriors roared a challenge and ran at the survivors. They fled. I hurled the head after them.

I pointed to the men and boys from the stad, "You finish off the wounded here.  Arne, bring your warriors and we will end this!"

Arne and four warriors followed me.  The trail was easy to see in the lightening dawn. We soon despatched two wounded men and found another one who had died of his wounds.  Ahead we could see them running.  There was a trail of red blood in the white snow.  My three Ulfheonar had died well. I saw that they would reach their ship before we would catch them but we did not stop. I wanted them humiliating.  I wanted them to see that just five warriors chased them, unafraid.

We arrived at the bank as the drekar drifted out in to the middle of the river. Barely six oars moved. They would return from whence they came and tell a tale of horror. At the stern the steersman stared incredulously at us.

I sank to my knees in the snow. I had lost three warriors but they had found themselves. They would be in Valhalla now with Butar, Olaf and the others who had gone before them. Arne put his hand on my shoulder, "Jarl, look!" I raised my head and saw there, on the bank the half wrecked fishing boat of Magnar. It would never sail again; the mast was gone and it was holed. "That would make a fine grave for Sven and his warriors."

"You are right!"

The five of us carried it back to the battlefield. It was dawn when we arrived. The three bodies had been laid out and the raiders stripped and searched. We took off our helmets and I took off my armour.  We dug a hole in the snow and the earth until it was deep enough for the boat. When we had placed the boat in the hole I said,  "Arne, take the armour from my Ulfheonar.  They will not need it where they are going and they would have liked you and your men to have it." I pointed to the dead Viking.  "Have his armour too."

They nodded.  We laid the three of them together, with the hands together holding their swords.  I placed their wolf cloaks over their bodies and, finally, the golden wolf amulet across the cloak. They had no family to leave it to.  They would take their treasure with them. The men of the village brought stones and we laid them over their bodies and then piled the soil back on top.

Arne nodded, "When it is lambing time we will lay turf and flowers here.  We will remember them."

I took out Ragnar's Spirit and pointed it to the skies. "Allfather these three heroes come to join you at your table.  They died with honour and their tales will fill you with pride. They died oathsworn and they are Ulfheonar!"

The enemy bodies were piled on brushwood and burned.  They would join the earth and crops would grow. Our own dead, five of them, were buried with honour too, not far from the boat grave. We said words over them too.  That was Arne's duty for he knew them.  We turned and headed back to the stad. The women had prepared food and we ate, in silence, in the hall.  Sven had redeemed himself and his life had had purpose at the end. He and his comrades had not drunk themselves into a forgettable death. I was pleased that I had come.  If I had not come north then Thorkell's Stad would have been destroyed and my Ulfheonar would still lie drunk in Sven's hall by the oaks.

When we had finished eating I knew that I would not be able to sleep despite the fact that I had been awake for a whole day.  Arne and I sat by the fire and drank beer.

"Jarl Dragon Heart, you asked me before this happened what I would do."

"And you have decided?"

He nodded, "Before the attack I would have returned to Cyninges-tūn.  I would have gone to sea and raided with you." He pointed to the north and the graves. "The Ulfheonar have shown me that I can find honour and I can find glory here. They died for the people who dwell here. Raiders will come again and you will not be here all the time.  I will take on that responsibility.  I have seen boys become men and stand a watch on the walls.  They will grow and become warriors. Others will come and they will become my warriors.  We now have mail and we have an example. The memory of Sven, Einar and Ragnar will inspire us."

"I am pleased that you are my Jarl of the North."

He smiled, "I would do it even without a title.  Thank you for the honour you bestow upon me, Jarl Dragon Heart."

I was about to leave, two days later, when a party of riders struggled up from the south.  They were covered in snow.  It was Snorri, Bjorn, Eystein and Asbjorn. Once inside the gate they shook the snow from them.

"Kara and Aiden were worried.  They had a dream three nights ago that you were in danger. The pass was closed and it took us until today to get here."

I nodded, "It is good to know that they dream still.  We were in danger.  Sven White Hair, Ragnar Siggison and Einar Svensson died when Vikings attacked." I pointed beyond the gate.  "They are buried yonder but they died well."

"Where did the Vikings come from? Dyflin?"

I shook my head, "There was no treachery.  From the treasures and the runes on their weapons I would say they were Norse. They may even have been neighbours of Harald One Eye. We killed their chief and they fled. Arne is Jarl here now."

They all knew Arne.  He had grown up with them and they were pleased for him. They patted him black and blue.

"Is the pass open now?"

"Barely." Bjorn pointed to the north east.  "More storm clouds are gathering.  Unless we are to spend the winter here I would suggest that we leave immediately."

"Saddle my horse." I clasped Arne's arm.  "We have fought side by side and we share the bond that all such warriors have.  If you have need of me then send for me. Use your boys to keep me advised of any happenings here. Even the smallest information might prove valuable."

"I will.  I have learned much."

"And when Magnar and his son are well," I handed him a small pouch of coins, "here is recompense for their boat.  Had they not warned us…"

"
Wyrd
."

We headed south with the wind and the impending snow threatening our backs.  We rode hard. When we reached the pass it was still open, but only just.  As we dropped down to the valley of the Grassy Mere beneath Úlfarrberg a blizzard blew.  The snow rolled from the north and cascaded down the slopes of Úlfarrberg.  I heard the wolves howling and it was only then I noticed that Eystein was wearing a wolf cloak.  He was a modest man and had not boasted of the kill.  He would be a good Ulfheonar.

I just said, "Welcome to my oathsworn Eystein. Was it worth the wait?"

He glanced up at Úlfarrberg and nodded, "Aye Jarl.  Now I can look Asbjorn in the eye. I know what it is to look at a wolf's gaping jaws, feel his hot breath and kill him. I now understand why the Ulfheonar are feared as they are. I was right to wait until I had killed my wolf."

"Aye you were."

Two other warriors had tried to kill a wolf but both had failed. One had a long scar, the marks of a claw, running down his face.  He was proud of his new name, Erik Wolf Claw. Poor Audun had no visible wound to see.  He had been knocked down the mountain by a large leaping male and only Eystein's bow had saved his life. Both took heart from Eystein the Rock's success.  It had taken him a year but he was now totally accepted.

I too had changed.  My visit with Sven and the others had shown me that I was in danger of becoming like they were and living in the past. I was not old.  Prince Butar had remarried my mother when he was older than I was. He had fathered a child too.  I wondered where my sister was now. She had married a warrior and left us. Perhaps she wanted to forget our mother's death. I too had left the land of Mann but I could still visit my mother's grave. I knew not where she lived or even if she lived.

I would find a woman.  I was not meant to live alone.  Aiden and Kara were company but even with them I felt that I was alone. It is easy to be by yourself; to sit with your own thoughts.  You are always right for there is no one to gainsay you. You choose what to do or not to do and that is not always the right thing. Sometimes someone needed to tell you that you were wrong.  Erika had never been afraid of that. And, perhaps, I would become a father again. May be the next time I would get it right. I could not undo the mistakes I had made with Wolf Killer.

The snows did not last long. It was just nature reminding us that she ruled and we only survived if she chose. I visited with Erik and Siggi.  I knew that it would have been hard for them all in the small community which lived by the river. They had lost men.  We warriors were used to that but for them it was a rare occurrence. In addition I wished to speak with Erik about those Ulfheonar who had died.  He had served with them and he deserved to know of their death.

The first thing I noticed was how much Karl had grown over the winter. He had been a youth and now he was a man with the beginnings of a man's beard. Perhaps the responsibility of captaining a knarr had helped him to grow. I also noticed that Siggi had gone grey.  He looked almost like Sven White Hair. That may have been his cousin's death. Trygg's wife broke down and cried when I entered their hall. I walked up to her and put my arms around her.

She sobbed and through the sobs said, "I know you did all that a man can do Jarl Dragon Heart and I am grateful but I miss my husband and my sons."

"I know and if I could bring them back from wherever they are I would do so." I held her at arm's length and thought about my own talk with myself. "You are still a young woman.  There are warriors out there who would make a fine husband."

She shook her head, "It is too soon, Jarl."

"It is not." I told them how Sven White Hair's son had left and how Sven's wife had died.  "It is a lesson.  We need to live.  The Gods expect it. When there is death we carry on.  That is what makes our people strong and helps us to survive. Think on it."

As I enjoyed some ale with my captains I asked, "Have you heard aught of Sigtrygg?  How did he fare in the winter?"

"He has sent messages. They survive and they did not suffer as much as we did."

I was relieved. "I intend to take ships to Italy later this year." I looked at Siggi.  "If any do not wish to come then I will understand."

Siggi's jaw tightened, "I will come but my crew will be armed as warriors.  These sharks will find us an unpleasant morsel to swallow."

We all laughed, "King
Arthfael Hen ap Rhys
wishes us to fight alongside him this year. I know not when."

Siggi asked, "Do we delay our voyage until we know?"

"No.  We will call in at the Sabrina on our way south. I will tell him of our voyage and that we will fight when time allows. We sail soon in any case.  The drekar which attacked Thorkell's Stad showed that the seas are navigable, even in winter.  Prepare your ships."

When I returned to Cyninges-tūn I summoned my Ulfheonar. "This year when we raid I am going to offer an oar to any who follow our jarls."

Haaken frowned, "They may not be the best warriors.  We are Ulfheonar and we sail with the best."

"Not any longer, Haaken. The young men from Thorkell's Stad left because they wanted adventure. That led, ultimately, to the deaths of Sven, Einar and Ragnar. I would have young men have the chance to sail and to raid with us.  It might get it out of their blood but, if not then they become better warriors who will sail with us again."

Snorri nodded, "That makes sense.  We only take one drekar and it will not be a large number of warriors we take."

Haaken shrugged, "I hope you are right."

I smiled, "If you wish to stay in Cyninges-tūn and make your wife pregnant again we will understand won't we?"

Everyone laughed and Haaken shook his head from side to side.  "I did not say I did not want to go! I am coming! Never doubt that!"

"Good then you can ride to Wolf Killer's and ask if any of his men wish to sail with us.  Snorri go to Thorkell's Stad. Bjorn, go to Ketil at Brougham and then swing down and speak with Ulf and Windar. Asbjorn and Eystein, ride to Sigtrygg.  I doubt that he will wish to spare men but I would not offend him. Any who wish to raid should return with you.  We make up numbers from Cyninges-tūn."

While they were away I spent time with Aiden and Scanlan deciding what we had to trade and how we could make the most profit. "Do I come with you this time, Jarl?"

"Aye, Aiden.  Your languages will be needed in Italy. And this time we need more potions, bandages, and needles.  We cannot afford to lose any men to wounds."

By the time my Ulfheonar returned we had the goods already in Úlfarrston ready to be loaded. We had lost a whole cargo when Trygg's ship had been captured. This time we would spread the goods around in our three ships.  Coen Ap Pasgen would carry his own cargo. We invested in seaxes for the crews of the three ships.  Mail would be redundant but they were all given a leather byrnie. Most important of all was the store of arrows and bows we would take aboard each knarr. They had proved the best way of keeping an enemy at a distance.

Karl's new ship, the smallest of the three, was also the one which looked different from the others.  It was Galician and the sail made it look odd.  It only needed a crew of three but we persuaded Karl that he needed four. There were many young men in both Cyninges-tūn and Úlfarrston who were willing to sail for adventure and profit. He would need all the help he could get on this first voyage alone.

We had fewer warriors from our jarls than Haaken had expected. Sigtrygg sent none.  There were four from Wolf Killer and but one from each of the others. The majority came from Cyninges-tūn.  As we headed down to our ships Haaken asked me about the paucity of numbers.

"Arne and Ketil are both new to the task.  Any of Windar's or Ulf's men would go to Ketil for he is their kinsman and both Wolf Killer and Sigtrygg know that we have poked the bear that is Coenwulf.  If he wakes then they will be the ones to feel his claws." I smiled, "Is this not the result that you wanted?  Men from Cyninges-tūn?"

He frowned and Aiden laughed, "The Norns do not do things the easy way. Their webs are complex. It is not for mortals to try to outwit them.  That is why the Jarl is so successful. He does not fight that which is beyond his control."

As soon as we arrived Aiden and Siggi set to the loading of the cargo. Coen Ap Pasgen approached me as I watched. "Jarl Dragon Heart I have to tell you that my father is unwell. The winter fever has not left him yet."

"Shall I send Aiden or Kara to minister to him?"

He shook his head, "He will recover but I shall only come as far as Dyfed. We have supplies enough of wine and I fear to be away from home for too long."

"But you said your father will recover."

He nodded, "He is getting better but… my mother died after she began to recover from the winter fever too."

"Then stay here and send another captain."

"No, I will come for this will be my last voyage." He pointed to the young man who was helping to load his knarr. "My cousin Gwynfor Ap Gwynfor has said he wishes to learn to be a captain.  He will take over."

I nodded, "But you must arm your men.  Dyflin is no longer a threat but I have heard that Mann attracts traitors like Magnus the Foresworn.  You will have no drekar for protection."

"We have arms.  We will not suffer the same fate as Trygg."

Our route south was a little longer but safer and much easier.  The passage between Hibernia and Mann was free from danger both human and natural for we could now sail close to the coast of our new trading partners. The extra crew on the knarr also mean that we could sail at night. We had a lantern at the stern of our drekar and the knarr followed like ducklings behind a mother. It made the passage easier.

When we reached the Sabrina and the stronghold of King
Arthfael Hen ap Rhys
it was a hive of activity. The King's cousin, Llewellyn came to speak with me. "The King is visiting his brother kings further north to form an alliance against Coenwulf.  I know that he was grateful for your efforts at the harvest time.  Our spies told us that King Coenwulf sent many men to Caestir to reinforce it. We had no raids this winter and we are now stronger."

"Good." I waved my arm towards my ships. "We have brought the weapons and helmets your king asked for."

"And your warriors?"

"When will your king need us?"

"There is still snow on the mountains and the seed is not yet in the ground. I would think closer to midsummer."

"Then your king thinks to attack?"

He came closer to me, "He trusts you Viking and so do I. We need breathing space.  There is no point waiting for the Mercians to raid and to attack.  We need Saxon land. If we fight on Saxon land then our people do not suffer. The Sabrina is the border but it can be crossed.  The King would have them bleed before they cross it."

It made sense. "Then we will return before midsummer. We sail south to trade first."

Llewellyn frowned, "I think he wished you to wait for him."

"I will fight for gold as your cousin asked but I will not stop either trading or raiding. We are our own men."

"I will tell him."

We bade farewell to Coen Ap Pasgen who returned north and we headed south to skirt Corn Am Walum and sailed for Frankia. We had sailed this route a few times before and were now confident enough to sail south west. The hours of darkness were a problem but Aiden had devised a way of minimising the risk.  All of our ships had a burning torch at the bow and the stern. Aiden would ensure that all of them were in a straight line. So long as all followed the light ahead then we, generally, sailed in a straight line. The dangers were in fire and in the torches being doused. This voyage the Gods were kind and the weather was clement. We saw the coast of Frankia and knew that we had survived the empty seas.

The Duke of Vasconia had spent the winter making his defences stronger but his face showed the pressure of enemies to the north, south and east. As he entertained us he confided in me, "I will be honest Jarl, I could do with men like yours to fight for me. The Emperor has many warriors and he wishes to reclaim my Dukedom. The Arabs are also keen to raid." He waved his arm around his hall.   "This is the only secure castle in my land. "

"I am sorry Duke, this is too far from my lands but if I hear of any Vikings who wish to fight for you then I will bring them on my next voyage."

"You sail east?"

"Italy.  Our voyage last year was curtailed and I am anxious to maintain our links. I like my new allies!"

"And we like you. Pray call in on your return.  We are bereft of news now.  I would know how the rest of the world fares."

With cargo exchanged we headed south.  As we sailed along the coast of Galicia and the land of the Arab every ship was in a state of high tension. Trygg and his dead crew were a stark reminder of our fate if we were caught. Here we had more enemies than friends. We managed to have an uneventful voyage through the Blue Sea.  Between them Aiden and Erik brought us safely to the Amalfi coast. It was busy and we struggled to find berths. Aiden and I were looking forward to our trading.  Amalfi used more gold than mere barter and we had both goods and gold.  It promised to be a successful time.

This time no Prefect Maurus came to greet us; in fact we were left alone. It felt as though we were a plague ship.  There were no warriors to threaten us but neither was there a friendly smile.  Had we been too long away?  We had said we would visit a year past but the Galician adventure had stopped us.

"Erik and Haaken, take command of the vessels.  Aiden and I will go and discover why no one has come to greet us."

As we walked towards the white stone buildings which housed merchants and officials of the port Aiden said, "The last time we were here they were talking of breaking ties with the Empire and becoming part of the Papal confederation of republics."

"And?"

"And they may worry that we might go to Miklagård.  You made no secret of our journeys there. They may worry that we are Byzantine spies."

"But we are not."

"Remember that Arab trader, Ibrahim Al-Salad?"