Viking Raid (6 page)

Suddenly Snorri and Bjorn ran as fast as they could towards the sea. I followed, a little slower; my ankle was still weak. I saw why. Two men were running towards one of the fishing boats. Even though they were wearing mail Snorri and Bjorn were as fast as lightning. The two fishermen panicked as they heard their footsteps on the shingle and they fumbled with the ropes.  They were easily caught.  They put up a struggle until they were subdued by a punch to the chin. I saw that there were six boats.  One looked as though it had a mast and four oars. Had we time and crew enough it would have been worthwhile to capture.  That night we had other priorities. By the time Snorri and Bjorn returned with their prisoners the village was secure.

"Sigtrygg use the other warriors and take all these villagers back to the ships."

"The women and children too?"

"We do not want them running for help and it will keep them all calmer if they are together."

He led them off.  "The rest of you we want ropes, canvas, pine tar and animals."

We were good scavengers and we found all that we needed.  Ulf Rolfson found the pine tar.  It was not a huge quantity but it was enough.  There were two pigs and four sheep.  We began to drive them back to our beach.  We had not found much rope and the canvas was only good enough for patching. I made the mistake of not stripping the fishing boats.  We paid for that mistake.

I saw Aiden tending to someone at the beach as we drove the animals towards the sand. I frowned. The slaves had not been struck hard enough to require Aiden's skills.  An angry Sigtrygg confronted me. "Your kindness has cost Siggi a sailor, Jarl.  The four prisoners overpowered their two guards.  They gutted one and Aiden is working hard to save the other."

I chose to ignore Sigtrygg's tone.  It was understandable and he was right. "Where did they go?"

"Erik said they ran inland but we did not pass them."

"Nor did we. Perhaps the Saxons will catch them."

"And perhaps they will tell them of our presence here.  We need to work quickly, Jarl. Those four have no honour; they are treacherous."

"We do. Erik, we have pine tar but we must move quickly now."

He nodded, "Karl put the tar on the fire to heat. I will slaughter a sheep."

"Siggi, Trygg, Coen, we have rope should you need it and pine tar."

While the Ulfheonar guarded the slaves the rest of the men set to caulking and repairing the ships. Our boats were so well made that they were easy to mend.  There was little weed on the hull and soon the pine tar was hot enough to be used.  The sheepskin would have been better cured but it would have to do. Erik used it to help the pine tar to stick to the planks.  The sheep was butchered and cooked. Nothing would go to waste. As the sun rose and dawn broke we were nearing the end of our work.  The three knarr had been floated.

"Get the animals and the men aboard the knarr.  Leave two sheep and the female pig. Haaken tell the women and the children to take their animals and go home."

My men had to use force for the families did not want to be split. I was being kind for most Vikings would have enslaved them all. They would be able to eke out a living and I knew there were many landless men who would take the women and the children for their own.

"Siggi, take the knarr and stand off the shore."

The wailing children and women began to move inland once they saw the knarr move away.  We then had to haul on the ropes again so that Erik and his boys could remove the stones which held the drekar in place. The Gods had favoured us for the tide began to rise.  Even so we had to wade in the water and haul the drekar off the sand to float her again. As we clambered aboard I clutched my blue stone. We had been lucky.  Had the men of Wessex found us then I would be leaving some warriors here, far from home. We rowed out to the knarr. Trygg shouted, "We have seen those four who killed our men." He pointed to the east. "We spied them rowing a boat from the village you attacked."

I nodded.  There was little we could do about that and, in many ways; I admired them for having the courage to do what they had done.  I little realised that this would come back to haunt me.

We headed for Dyfed but most of the Ulfheonar were thinking of the witch as we passed the isles of Syllingar. We all breathed a sigh of relief when we navigated them without incident. Erik was also concerned about his repair.  It was always nerve wracking to sail a ship you knew had a weakness.  I suspected that the three captains of the knarr would be equally nervous. No ships surged from On Corn Walum as we headed for the Sabrina. Each stage was greeted with relief. When we saw the port ahead I almost felt like cheering.  We would trade with our Welsh ally and take home the riches and rewards of our successful voyage; successful but not incident free.

Dyfed had been a small place but they had conquered the lands around them and Gwent now formed their eastern border.  It was a prosperous country. We spent two nights in the port for the port was more primitive than either Amalfi or Bourde and it took longer to unload our precious cargo. We were paid in gold. There had a been a time we had traded for Welsh iron but now that we had our own we had no need.  We still had goods in our holds but they were for our people. The oils, lemons and oranges from Italy would be welcome in our homeland.  The wine would be kept to drink and to trade with our northern neighbours. We sailed triumphantly into Úlfarrston.  The knarr preceded us so that by the time we entered all the ship yard workers had joined Pasgen's people to cheer us in.

I let the others land so that I could speak with Erik and Haaken. "You both did well.  Erik, have the drekar taken out of the water.  We will not raid again this year."

"Those were my thoughts too, Jarl."

"I will pay for the repairs and send you your share of the profits." As Jarl I had the lion's share of the profits and it would not hurt to be generous. "Haaken I want you and Sigtrygg to decide which of the new warriors we wish to sail with us again."

"I think the voyage decided that, Jarl.  The four weak ones were weeded out already."

"Nonetheless I wish to take more men next time we voyage.  I would take the best."

I stepped ashore last and every sailor and warrior banged their shields and stamped their feet as my name was chanted.  These were my people and I would serve them until my dying day.

As we made our way north along the Water I had one thing on my mind.  How would I tell the mothers of the four warriors that they had been outlawed?  They would never see their sons again.  I would not be able to rest in my hall knowing that they might hear the story from someone else. I was Jarl Dragon Heart and it was my responsibility. People came to greet us as we marched into the walls of Cyninges-tūn.  We had shared the spoils in Úlfarrston and the young warriors who had left with us were now richer than they had ever been. Bjorn Bagsecgson would soon have many orders for swords, helmets and armour. The voyage had shown the younger warriors of the benefits of armour.

Kara came to the door of her hall.  "Aiden, speak with Kara.  I have mothers to see."

The four mothers and their families stood as a group, looking for their sons. They had come to us together and they lived as one family in the same large hut. Their faces were stoic for I think they thought their sons had met a warrior's death. There was no easy way to say what I had to say.

Hlif, the mother of Magnus Slender Legs nodded, "I know, Jarl Dragon Heart, our sons have perished."

I shook my head, "I know not if my words will be welcomed or not. Your sons were all foresworn and had been declared outlaw.  We were bringing them back to say goodbye to you and they killed a man and wounded another.  They are murderers who fled our justice."

Stoicism was replaced by shock and disbelief.  Haaken and Sigtrygg knew what I was about and had joined me.

"This cannot be true, Jarl.  Magnus was a brave warrior!"

"No one is questioning his bravery but they disobeyed commands and men died as a result."

I could see their faces searching mine for the lie. Sigtrygg spoke.  "It is true. The Jarl was more than kind.  Many of us would have put them to death but the Jarl argued leniency.  He wanted you to see them before they were banished.  It cost a man his life."

They now understood.  Hlif said, "Do we have to pay were geld to the family of the man who was killed?"

I shook my head. "I have recompensed them for the loss of their son." I saw them looking fearfully at each other.  "Know you that you are more than welcome to stay here.  Your sons committed the crime and not you."

Hlif kissed my hand, "Thank you, Jarl Dragon Heart!"

I turned to speak with Kara who had come, along with Aiden.  "Aiden has told me.  I will try to help the families. This is not their fault."

"I know.  There comes a point at which children make their own decisions."

She hugged me, "And the voyage went well.  Aiden told me."

"Aye, we can do this twice a year from now on.  The voyage did not take as long as I had thought and we now have allies and trading partners in Vasconia and Amalfi."

"Do not forget Jarl, that Gaeta is also willing to trade with us." Aiden had spoken at length with Prefect Maurus and discovered that we had even more opportunities to trade.

I nodded, "Truly things are going well for us." I felt a sudden shiver down my spine. "Have you dreamed daughter?"

"No father but I have had restless nights.  I feel stronger since I returned from Ynys Mon but I cannot control my powers as I once did. Now that Aiden is here we can speak with the Spirits and find out what is troubling them."

It was good to be back in my own hall again and sleeping in my own bed. I enjoyed these voyages but there was a comfort to my own home. A week after my return my happiness was made complete when my son, his wife and my grandson came to visit with me. This was the first unprompted visit I had had and I was happy beyond words.  I knew it was Elfrida's doing.  I could not have chosen a better wife for my son.

"You will stay?"

"Of course.  It is time Ragnar got to know his grandfather."

I looked from Elfrida to Wolf Killer. He smiled, "And I would hear of your voyage."

I clapped my hands and my slave, Uhtric, appeared, "Fetch me a jug of the wine I brought back."  I waved them to a chair as I picked up Ragnar. I bounced him on my knee and he giggled.  I had seen fathers and grandfathers doing this.  Mine had only used his hands to beat me. When I saw the pleasure on Ragnar's face I wondered why my father had ill treated me so.

When Uhtric returned with the wine Elfrida said, "I will pour." She poured one for me and one for my son. 

"Try a little Elfrida. You will be pleasantly surprised.  The ladies of Vasconia drink this."

I was delighted by the expressions on their faces as they drank the rich red wine. My son beamed.  "This is a fine drink. Can we get more?"

I almost choked when he said 'we', "Of course.  They are keen for our iron and copper." Something in his tone made me ask, "Are you thinking of sailing 'Josephus'?"

He nodded, "Like you I have young men who are keen to go A-Viking.  If I do not take them to sea they may choose another Jarl. The problem is we would be sailing during the winter."

"If you sail to Italy you will find their winters are like our summers. My ship needs repairs but if you wish to go…"

He said nothing and Elfrida shook her head, "Husband! You know it is one of the reasons you have come to see your father!"

Wolf Killer briefly glared at his wife and then nodded, "She speaks the truth, father. I covet you your riches.  We grow crops and we raise animals but my land does not have the iron or the copper.  We have fewer slaves.  My warriors look with envy at the riches your warriors have.  Only two of my men have mail byrnies."

I noticed Ragnar yawning and I handed him back to his mother, "If you need gold." I stood and went to a chest by the fire. I took out a bag. "Here is gold and more.  Take it."

He shook his head, "I am a man and I will provide for my own people."

"That is admirable but the offer is always there."

Aiden chose that moment to enter.  He and my son were as close as brothers. "And I would like Aiden here to be my guide."

Aiden cocked his head to one side in question.  "My son wishes to go to Bourde and Amalfi to trade.  Will you show him the way?"

"Of course! When would you leave?"

"As soon as I can gather enough trade goods and make arrangements for Elfrida and Ragnar."

Elfrida shook her head, "Do not use me as an excuse.  I am sure that your father will let us stay here."

"Of course! In fact I insist!" I was pleased beyond words at the way events were turning out.

"Then it is settled.  I will leave tomorrow to speak with my men."

Aiden stood, "And I will see those who have goods to trade.  I am not certain that Coen Ap Pasgen will sail for they do not need any more trades this year but Siggi or Trygg might." My son had his own knarr but it was still laid up in Bolli's yard.  He would need a captain for it.

There was much running around for a few days but I cared not.  My son was warming to me and I had months with Elfrida and Ragnar.  The Gods were smiling on me once more.