by Griff Hosker
I looked around, “And Sámr?”
“We knew that one of the family had to be with you and Sámr would not be dissuaded. After the last voyage to Lundenwic we knew that it was wyrd. He is on the drekar with the others.”
Aiden said, “We need to go or we shall miss the tide and we do not have days to waste in tears which are not needed for the Dragonheart will return!” He hurried me from the hall to the quay. I think he did this to make the parting less tearful.
The crew waited patiently. I recognised all of them. They smiled. The oars were only single manned. I wondered at that. My chest had been brought aboard already. I climbed aboard and wrapped my wolf cloak tightly about me. Once we left the coast then the cold winds of Einmánuður would strike us. My eyes did not leave my family as we headed up the channel which would take us the sea. The crew had to row for the first half mile until we could turn and use the sail. The steering board was turned and Erik shouted, “Oars in!” I heard them sliding through the holes and then the covers were placed over them. There was the sound of rattling as the oars were placed on the mast fish. When the last face disappeared from view I turned.
Sámr was walking down the centre board with his own wolf cloak wrapped around him and Haaken One Eye rose to greet me. “Well old friend, another adventure. You did not think to leave me behind did you? Who else would tell the tale?”
I laughed, “And the tale, I have no doubt, will tell of the great deeds of Haaken One Eye.”
“The world needs such tales.”
I saw then that Olaf Leather Neck was there too. I had two of my Ulfheonar with me. That was good. I spied others who had been on the recent raid: Ráðgeir Ráðgeirson, Lars Long Nose, Siggi Eainarson, Siggi Long Face and Galmr Hrolfsson. I was touched. We had all bonded when our drekar had sunk and we had had to fight our way home. It was a good sign.
I saw them watching me. The sun was setting in the west and I said, “Friends, if this is to be the last time that I see the Land of the Wolf I would take it in alone so that I can recall the view in the Otherworld.” They nodded and moved away. I stood next to Erik and looked at Old Olaf. I could still see his rocky outline to the north. I swear that I could see Úlfarrberg in the distance. I had so many memories. Would I recall them in the Otherworld? That would be a new adventure too. The only sounds I could hear were the sea birds and the slap of canvas and rigging as my drekar slipped south. I stood there until the sky was black and I could see nothing else. When I turned I saw that Sámr, Haaken and Aiden were watching me.
Haaken said, “Now tell me, Dragonheart, that you will not be so maudlin and melancholy all the way to Miklagård and back!”
“You are convinced that we will get back?”
“I know so, for Aiden has told me and he is galdramenn, that you will be healed. As for the rest? What cannot the last of the Ulfheonar do?” He put his arm around Sámr. “And here we have the embodiment of Dragonheart and Wolf Killer! I look forward to watching this young cub make his name. Sámr is too short a name! We need something more and this voyage will bring it!”
There was something infectious about Haaken One Eye’s confidence. It seemed reflected in the drekar which flew across the ocean as though she was a bird.
I sat on my chest and took the ale skin Sámr proffered. “You organized this quickly, galdramenn.”
He sat on his own chest which was next to mine. The rest of the men’s chests would be used as seats when they rowed. “Kara and I have been needing a ship to go to Miklagård for some time. There are ingredients we can only buy there. It is too dangerous a journey for a knarr and your drekar have been used for war and raids. We have seal skins and seal oil to trade as well as many animal skins and tanned hides. Our miners had a surplus of iron and we have that and some copper. Whatever the ingredients and your healing cost we should have enough.”
“I have gold with me.”
“Then that can be for emergencies. On a two month voyage I think there may be expenses we have not foreseen. It is a long voyage and fraught with problems we cannot see.” He tapped his chest. “I am glad that I have the maps and charts old Josephus left for me and the ones which Aiden has made. They are more valuable than gold!”
Erik Short Toe said, “Aye. I can guarantee that. It is sixteen years since Raven Wing Island was lost as a safe haven for us. I am not certain where Hrolf the Horseman set up his new home. Had we known we could have used that as one overnight stop. As it is we will have to risk bare beaches and inlets. We will need to hope we can find water nearby.”
Olaf Leather Neck snorted, “Or we could be Vikings and take it from ships we find.”
I smiled, “Aye we could.”
Aiden rubbed his grey flecked beard, “I think I heard that Hrolf the Horseman has a stronghold at somewhere called the Haugr. His ships traded in Dyflin.”
Erik shook his head, “If we are to take the Dragonheart to Miklagård as soon as possible then we cannot afford to waste time seeking a harbour which may or may not be there.”
Haaken rubbed his hand, “Excellent. Then we are alone!”
I asked, “Why are the oars only singly manned?”
Haaken nodded, “That was what I said! Ask Aiden. He is the one who gave the orders.” There was a hint of resentment in Haaken One Eye’s words.
“We go not to fight. We go to trade and to get you healed. With fewer men and fewer chests we will be lighter and faster.” I was not convinced but I nodded. We needed unity on the voyage. “And besides Erika came to Kara in a dream and told us to single crew the oars.” That satisfied me. Erika was in the spirit world and she knew what we needed.
We made good time and sailed through the Angle Sea by Ynys Môn. We sped by the island with the small monastery and the puffins. The Allfather had sent a good wind to begin our journey and we would not need to stop until Erik Short Toe tired. Even then any one of us could have steered. We took advantage of the wind.
Aiden reminded me to take my potion. For the rest, especially Sámr, this was a reminder of the real purpose of our voyage. They were trying to save the life of the Dragonheart. As I drank it there was a hushed silence. Kara had told me that they had put in a sleeping draught too. It seemed to help the potion work. I was happy to take it for it took away most of the pain. I am a warrior. I can endure the pain of battle but a nagging pain deep in my gut was something else. It was as though there was a worm inside eating me from within. Erik’s ship’s boys: Lars and Petr Svensson had rigged apiece of old sail at the stern. It afforded shelter from spray and from rain. I wrapped myself in my cloak and was soon asleep. The motion of the ship and the potion helped. It was a dreamless sleep and for that I was grateful. Since the strange dream I had dreamed of the dead. Every friend and member of my family who had died seemed to visit me. They appeared as though alive and I found it disconcerting. The night without a dream was more than welcome.
When I woke it was daylight. I had been sailing long enough to know which way the wind blew. It had veered since I had slept. I rose and went to the leeward side to make water. Sometimes there was blood in my water. This time there was not and I intoned my thanks to the Allfather. I turned and saw that Olaf Leather Neck was steering. He pointed ahead, “Om Walum. Erik Short Toe has been asleep for a while. He wishes me to wake him when we near the coast called An Lysardh for then we will have to turn and the men will need to row.” He nodded to the rocky coast to the east of us. “If memory serves we are almost there. That is where we fought with Egbert.”
I remembered. We had won but the Danes who had been with us had not taken advantage of our success. They had pushed on towards Wessex and been destroyed by King Egbert and his army.
“The men all slept?”
“Aye jarl. They can row when we need them.” He looked up at the sky. “And we still have half a day of daylight. Better that we row when we can see Syllingar and then risk Wessex!”
He was right. The witch who lived on Syllingar had almost taken Sámr and his brother.
They had no love for me and I would not risk their wrath by sailing at night. I did not wake Sámr or the others. Although Sámr was not yet a warrior and therefore would not row yet there were no idle hands on this drekar. He would be serving as a ship’s boy. He needed his sleep. Soon he would be racing up the rigging and either furling or unfurling the sail. I saw that Aiden was not asleep. He was mixing something in a clay pot. I took a piece of stale bread and some cheese and wandered over to him.
“What are you making?”
“Why your potion, of course. You do not think it makes itself, do you? We have to make a fresh potion every three days or it loses its efficacy.” I watched him finish and carefully pour the liquid into an amphora. He placed a cork in the end. “And you, Dragonheart, does the potion help? Has there been blood?”
“A little but it is the lack of aching, nagging pain which is most beneficial.”
He nodded. “Kara and I thought about a giving you a diet which might help you but sailing for two months on a drekar would make that impossible. The potion will be less effective as time goes on. I just hope that we can make Miklagård before then.”
Olaf said, quietly, An Lysardh is coming up.”
Erik’s eyes were shut but I heard him say, “I am awake. I will rouse the crew.”
He woke his ship’s boys and they went around the oarsmen, gently shaking them. When they were all awake the boys, Sámr included, went to fetch the ale and the food. They would be rowing for most of the afternoon. They would eat well. They would need sustenance. When Sámr returned to us and the men were eating he asked, “Will they be rowing until dark?”
“They will but it will not be continuous. There will be rests for no man can row for that length of time. This is a skilled crew. We will not run an oar out at every bench. There will be two men at an oar. Once we are travelling at a speed which our captain likes then one man on each oar will stop rowing. They will turn and turn about. That is why they are called oar brothers. You row with a man you trust and you know.” The men took their oars and went to their benches. “Olaf will start them with a chant but they will only sing that to get us up to speed.”
“Who is Olaf’s Oar brother?”
“Haaken One Eye. They work well together. When I rowed I was Haaken’s oar brother. I miss those days.”
Erik shouted, “Sámr stop chattering and get on the forestay. We are about to raise the sail and make a turn. Now is when you earn your passage.” I saw that my great grandson was embarrassed for the rest of the crew were in position. He ran and scrambled up to the yard on which the sail hung. “Oars out. Prepare to come about!” The oars were held out, parallel with the sea. “Raise the sail!” The ship’s boys hauled for all that they were worth and the sail was lowered as Erik turned us so that we were almost in the wind. He could have still used the wind but it would have taxed the boys and there was no need.
Olaf shouted, “Out oars!” The oars all slid further out and then dipped into the water.
Haaken began the chant. He had composed most of them. I knew which one it would be before he began. It was our saga.
From mountain high in the land of snow
Garth the slave began to grow
He changed with Ragnar when they lived alone
Warrior skills did Ragnar hone
The Dragonheart was born of cold
Fighting wolves, a warrior bold
The Dragonheart and Haaken Brave
A Viking warrior and a Saxon slave
When Vikings came he held the wall
He feared no foe however tall
Back to back both so brave
A Viking warrior and a Saxon slave
When the battle was done
They stood alone
With their vanquished foes
Lying at their toes
The Dragonheart and Haaken Brave
A Viking warrior and a Saxon slave
The Dragonheart and Haaken Brave
A Viking warrior and a Saxon slave
They soon had their speed up and Olaf shouted, “One man, rest!” Haaken let go of the oar. I knew that Olaf would keep rowing longer than any other. He was incredibly strong and took it as a sign of his strength that he would row longer than Haaken.
I stood with Erik watching the south. Erik was taking us as close to the coast of Om Walum as he could. We would be passing within sight of Karrek Loos yn Koos. That was preferable to risking the rocks of Syllingar and the witch who waited there. When we had passed the monastery at Karrek Loos yn Koos we knew we were safe; from the witches at least. The sun began to set and Erik shouted, “Lars, what can you see?”
“There is a bay coming up. I see no smoke.”
No smoke meant that it was unoccupied. We wanted an empty and deserted beach. It had been a hard row during the afternoon. The ship’s boys were also tired. I think, because I had had the most sleep, that I was the one who was the least tired. Aiden had not rowed but he had watched me. Olaf had told me that. They were all worried about me. I wished that they weren’t.
The bay was deserted. Lars swam ashore and Sámr went with him holding the rope. Having been to the bottom of the sea and back the sea held no fears for Sámr. They put a couple of turns around a large rock and then, using the mast as a pulley, we hauled the drekar into shallower water. With the dragon prow facing the sea we could leave quickly if we had to. The boys went to collect shellfish while Aiden lit a fire and we put on water to heat. With some dried meat, seaweed and shellfish, we would have a stew. Hot food was always welcome. We did not know when we would have some again.
The men who would keep watch later that night went for an hour or so of sleep while we cooked the food. We would wake them when it was ready. I sat on the beach with Erik and Aiden. We had the fire for light and we were looking at the map to plan our journey. “There are pirates in Brittany. The Bretons have ships which they fill with warriors. They have enough of them to be able to surround and take us. We need to be wary of them. I would stand out to sea if we could. Besides there are many dangerous rocks around the coast. Vasconia is safer.” Erik knew the waters well.
I was aware that we did not have a large crew. If we were too far from the coast and a storm came up we might not be able to resume our course easily. “Yet we need to stay close to the coast. Could we risk the Breton coast at night?” Their faces told me that they doubted it.” Perhaps we could sail to the Land of the Horse. Hrolf the Horseman would make us welcome.”
Aiden was dubious, “We know not how he fares. It has been some time since we had a message. I am inclined to think we lose time and sail east to Dorestad and the coast of Frisia. There are many inlets and islands; there are places we could anchor and it would be safer than risking the angry waters south of here. If we were to find the wrong wind then we would end up at Syllingar.”
None of us wanted that. “Then it looks like we head for Frisia. Perhaps we are meant to go there for the wind is from the north and west at the moment.”
Erik rubbed his salt rimmed beard, “Frisia? But there are pirates there.”
I laughed and shook my head. “There will be danger whatever we do. You cannot see the future, Erik Short Toe, not without dreaming first. You can predict and you can guess but that is all it is, guesswork. The Norns have spun their webs. If pirates do attack us or Bretons then I may get my wish; a glorious death, less painful than the one I envisage.”
The two of them looked at each other. Aiden said, “Do not talk that way, Dragonheart.”
“Then let us stop worrying about what might happen. We will anchor off Dorestad. That way we can put well out to see and avoid the Bretons. Now let us eat. I am ravenous. Kara’s medicine is working.” I was not hungry but I wished them to think I was. They were all worrying too much about me. A man with worries made mistakes. I wanted them to be the crew I had led for so many years. They had not worried then and we had been successful. The food was tasty. I did not eat as much as the oarsmen. I had done little. I was acutely aw
are that they were all surreptitiously watching me. I hoped this would not last all two months of the voyage.
When we had eaten, the majority of the crew returned to the drekar and slept. I sat with the two sentries and Aiden. We talked for a while and then Aiden yawned, “Come jarl, it is time we slept.”
I shook my head. “I will need to make water again. It is easier to do so on a beach than on a drekar. When I have done then I will come to the ship.”
He left us. Ráðulfr Magnusson was one of the sentries. He was young. The raid on Lundenwic had been only his second raid. He and Arne Petrsson had sharpened their swords and then looked at each other. Arne nodded. Ráðulfr spoke. “Jarl, forgive my impertinence but I thought that the sword which was touched by the gods meant you could never be killed.”
“That is a rumour. It is part of the legend. It may be true but the sword cannot save me from what is eating me from within.”
“If you die then what will happen to the sword?” He realised what he had said. “I am sorry, jarl, that did not come out right! I meant nothing by it.”
“I am old, Ráðulfr, my death is close even without this sickness. It is a fair question and I have not thought about it. I suppose Ragnar or Gruffyd would have it.”
I took it out and held it. In many ways I was pleased that Ráðulfr had asked the question. Many great swords were killed when their owner died. I could not do that to such a weapon. Both Ragnar and Gruffyd would wish the sword and I would not want the clan destroyed by jealousy and fighting over the weapon.
Still with the sword in my hand, I stood. I would go to make water. Before I could sheathe it, I saw a movement. I did not know what it was but my instincts took over, “There is danger; stand to!”
Ráðulfr and Arne stood and drew their swords. Ráðulfr pointed. We saw figures racing over the sand. He shouted, “To arms!”
“You two flank me and put the fire between us and them.”
I saw as we moved closer to the sea that these were the men of Om Walum. I recognised their dress and their weapons. I had fought them. Ebrel and Bronnen came from this land. The men of Om Walum rarely wore mail and only a few had helmets but the three of us had neither mail nor helmets ourselves. There were more than fifty of them. Suddenly a handful of arrows flew over our heads and two men fell with the missiles in their bodies. Their leader had both a helmet and a shield. I heard him shout something but I did not understand the words. Behind me I could hear my men jumping into the sea and coming to our aid. The men of Om Walum were closer. We would have to stem the tide and buy the others time.