by Griff Hosker
There was a roar and feral screams as the rowers were released. They were like an unstoppable tidal wave. Haldi and his men had found a way to get to the rowers’ deck. The flood of slaves suddenly erupted behind the men we were fighting. With arrows still striking those at the stern the Arabs lost their commander. Many of those half-naked men chose the sea rather than the wrath of slaves and blood thirsty Vikings. Those who remained were butchered where they stood.
I saw emaciated slaves hack and chop at bodies long dead. The overseer from the slave deck was literally torn limb from limb by sobbing slaves who had suffered at his hands for so long.
I saw that Olaf Leather Neck had been wounded. That was not a surprise. He had almost gone berserk. He was lucky to be alive at all. “Send for Aiden and David ben Samuel.”
I turned, “Ráðgeir Ráðgeirson, take four men and see what we can take from this ship in the way of treasure. Do not take the food or the water. These slaves will need that.”
“Aye jarl.”
Haaken shook his head, “And we do not?”
“We are not far from Italy and besides,” I pointed to the black clouds which were gathering above us, “I think that the Allfather is about to send us a reward in the form of rain.”
Haldi Haldisson came towards me. He was blood spattered. He had with him four emaciated men. “Jarl, we have four Norse here. They would come with us.”
Just then Aiden and David ben Samuel arrived, “David ben Samuel, speak with the slaves. Tell them that this ship is theirs. Aiden, see to the wounded.” They both nodded and I turned to Haldi, “They are more than welcome. The Norns have sent them to us. This is wyrd. Get them aboard the ‘Heart’.”
I realised that David be Samuel could speak more languages than I had thought. He gave the same message in three different languages. Then he had a long conversation with a slave with skin the same colour as he. Our passenger nodded and they approached me. David said, “This is Yusef. He is of my people. He wishes to thank you for saving him and the others. He told me that eight slaves perished in their chase of us. I have told him your name and he has said that he will spread the word that the Viking with the white hair and beard is a friend.”
“Tell him thank you.” He did so. “What will they do?”
After a brief conversation he said, “There are pirates who are not Moors. They will join with them. Their homes have all been destroyed and their families taken as slaves. They will now prey upon the Arabs.”
“And they will die.”
David ben Samuel looked at me sadly, “Aye. And I think they know that but at least they will die free men and they will have vengeance on those who mistreated them.”
As we went back to our ship I saw the sharks feasting. They had a harvest of corpses. We separated and disentangled our ships. As soon as we did our sail took us north. When it did so the rain began and Erik had the ship’s boys grab every container that they could. We had given the sharks their reward and the gods gave us ours.
I saw that the four former slaves had been put under David ben Samuel’s awning. Haldi and Leif were giving them food and water. Aiden was mixing a potion. “Is that for me?”
“No, Jarl, yours is already done. This is for these men. They have been mistreated. It will take a moon to make them whole again. This potion will heal the hurts which are within. I have told them that they should not eat too much. It will take time for their stomachs to recover.”
I waited until they had drunk the potion given to them by Aiden before I spoke. The rain pattered on the awning. We would be able to collect that precious water too. “What are your stories?”
The eldest of them spoke, “I am Snorri Gunnarson. These are Ulf Galmrson, Sweyn Olafsson and Harald Jorgenson. We are the last of a crew from a knarr. We were trading in Olissipo. We went there in peace. Our ship was taken and we were enslaved.”
“When was this?”
He looked up as though trying to remember. “What month is this now, Jarl Dragonheart?”
“It is close to the end of Harpa.”
“Then it was half a year ago.” He shook his head in disbelief. “It seems longer. We had left the way of the warrior to make a peaceful living. The rest of my crew died and we would avenge them. We would join you, Jarl and become warriors again.” He looked at his emaciated body. “If that day ever comes.”
“We have a good galdramenn and he will heal you.”
The rain, which began as a slight shower, became a veritable deluge. It was as though the Allfather was trying to wash all traces of the Moors away. We managed to fill up the water barrels with the rainwater and every pail we could. We had not taken food from the galley but we had plenty thanks to our one stop in Córdoba. We soaked the Bulgur wheat in water and that made it easier for the former slaves to eat. Their gums had suffered. Aiden said they would heal. The oranges and lemons we had taken would help to cure their hurts but until then they would have to have a diet which was like baby food.
We had taken some of the robes from the Arab ship. The men would not have to be exposed to the sun. With David and Aiden caring for them they improved day by day. Our passenger had proved more than useful. I began to feel guilty about the price his uncle had paid for his passage.
As the last light of the setting sun lit up the western sky I stood with David ben Samuel at the opposite side of the ship to the steering board. Sven Stormbringer was speaking with Arne Eriksson about our course. Sven was healing rapidly and would soon be able to take an oar but there was more to him than a simple oarsman. He was a good navigator.
David’s knowledge came to our aid once more. “I think it would be best to head up the coast to Chatacium. It will add a day to our journey but it is a bigger port and we have enough food and water to reach it. More importantly there is a wall around the city. The Moors are aggressive. They have attacked and conquered part of Sicily. I fear that Italy will be next.”
I decided to broach something which had been on my mind for some time, “David ben Samuel, you seem to know a great deal about the Empire.”
His face was impassive. “I have one of my homes in Constantinopolis. I keep myself apprised of all that goes on.”
“You know far more than a mere merchant would know.”
He smiled but it was not with his eyes. He was hiding something, “Let us say I am a very successful merchant because I keep myself well informed.” Before I could ask him more he said, “Your generosity with the galley crew belies your reputation Jarl Dragonheart.”
“My own reputation or that of Vikings in general?”
“Vikings.”
“It may be because I have no Norse blood in me. I am the result of the union of a Saxon and one who lived in Britannia since before the time of the Romans.”
“Yet you lead Vikings.”
“This is not like the Empire where it is your father who determines if you lead. I was chosen to be the leader. It is an honour but it is also a burden. Everything I do I do for the clan. Even if I wished to do other then I would not be able to do so.”
“And these new men will become part of your clan?”
“If they choose. The new men have not yet sworn an oath. When we reach Chatacium they may choose, as Pridbjørn Ellesefsson, to stay there. That would not be a problem.”
“And this Pridbjørn Ellesefsson, why does he leave? He seems a good fighter. I watched him when you attacked the galley. He fought as well as any.”
“He swore an oath to kill someone. I understand that. To a Viking an oath and giving your word are inviolable. A man should never be foresworn. I have taken that oath myself.”
“And each time the man died?”
“I am still here and I seek them no longer.”
He nodded. “I think that you do not completely trust me, Jarl Dragonheart. I swear on all that is holy to me that I mean you no harm and I will do all in my power to help you and your crew. I will not be, what is your word? Foresworn.”
“That is our word and
I believe you.” I smiled, “Had not your uncle been so generous with the payment for your passage I might have been less suspicious.”
“I am Uncle Isaac’s last relative. If I die without children then our line ends. When I return to my home I will be married. He would have given you all the gold he possessed to ensure that I reached home safely.”
“Yet I will leave you at Miklagård.”
“Do not worry about me. Once we reach there then I am as good as home already.” He nodded towards the prow, “I will go to see how the sick men fare.”
As he headed through the sleeping and dozing men I wondered at his story. I believed that he meant us no harm but that did not mean that I totally believed what he had told me. It was not the whole truth; it was just an acceptable version of the truth. There was more to him than met the eye. He handled a sword better than any merchant I had seen. In all three attacks he had been both calm and fearless.
The rain brought a fresher feel to both the wind and the weather. We moved along at a healthy pace without the need for oars. We saw our first land when we sailed south of Sicily. It was just a grey smudge on the northern horizon but it was land and it meant we would soon have our first glimpse of the Empire. To our south we saw the island of Melita. It had been part of the Empire but now belonged to the Abbasid Caliphate. The southern part of Italy was still under the control of the Regent, Theodora. As we sailed north east along the coast we saw many small settlements but nothing that could be called a port.
The four former slaves wished to help. They were grateful to have been rescued. I allowed them to prepare food and take water to the crew. It was almost pitiful to see their gratitude. We had spare swords and scabbards. Each one had been given one. That made a huge difference. To a Viking a sword made him a warrior. The four of them wished to be warriors. We would have to buy clothes for them when we reached Chatacium. We had taken coins from the Moors as well as some of the bangles and necklaces they wore. The Captain and his senior officers had been richly adorned. We had split the treasure with the slaves. The crew were all in a much happier frame of mind as we sailed towards Chatacium. The exception was Pridbjørn Ellesefsson. If anything, he became more withdrawn and I could not work out the reason. He would be leaving us soon. I had thought he would have spent more time talking to his shipmates for in Chatacium he would be alone. Sven Stormbringer felt guilty about his man departing us. He spoke at length with Pridbjørn. He could get nothing from him save that he had an oath to fulfil and he had coin. We could do no more and so we left him to stew by himself. Any who sat with him for any length of time became infected by his sadness.
Chapter 7
The port of Chatacium was impressive. There were many houses rising up the hill and a good harbour. They had a good wall around it. There was a harbour wall and a safe anchorage. Reassuringly there were two Imperial galleys at anchor in the middle of the harbour. There were many ships at the quay. The efficacy of the security measures was shown when we were hailed as we passed between the two galleys. There was no other way of entering the harbour. David ben Samuel proved invaluable. He understood the questions of the officer. I did not understand David’s reply but I did recognise the authoritative tone he took. Whatever he said and however he said it worked for we were waved through. I suppose we were the first drekar they had seen. Soon they would see many more.
As at Bruggas we had little choice over our berth. There was only one place on the quay large enough to accommodate us. We edged in. David said, “I will go and speak with the port official. We need to pay port dues first and then we can seek supplies.”
I handed a leather purse to Aiden, “Go with him and pay. I will work out which crew go ashore first.”
They left us and I saw that Sven Stormbringer and his Bears were waiting by the gangplank. Pridbjørn Ellesefsson was leaving us. I saw that he had his war gear in a bag. I guessed he must have acquired it in one of the villages or from the galley. He was wearing the robes we had taken from one of the Arabs. It covered his head. I saw that he would blend in easier than if he had worn his helmet and carried his shield. They would have marked him as a Viking.
He clasped Sven’s arm. “Thank you, Sven Stormbringer. I am sorry that your brother died. He was a good man and I would happily have followed him. I will not need my shield. Give it to one of Snorri’s men. I have my sword and I have coin. May the Allfather be with you.”
He turned to me. There was neither a smile on his face nor in his eyes. He always had cold and unfriendly eyes but he had shown that he was a good warrior. “Farewell Jarl Dragonheart. It was wyrd that we met. I had heard of you and wished to meet you. I can now say that I have met a legend. I never held it but I saw the sword that was touched by the gods. I go now to fulfil my oath.”
I nodded and then waved an arm at this exotic place, “Here?”
“Every journey begins somewhere. Mine begins here.” With that he picked up his bag, climbed down the gangplank and disappeared.
Olaf sniffed, “Well good riddance. He did not fit in.”
Sven nodded, “I know but I cannot help think that I have let him down.”
I dismissed him from my mind. The crew all wanted to go ashore. This was an opportunity to spend their coin and it was a new and exotic port. I divided the crew into three watches and used the three watchkeepers, Olaf, Haaken and myself. Two of us would remain on board until we were relieved. They insisted that Sven and I go ashore first. I did not mind and I took Sámr with me. The Bears had taken the slaves under their wing. They were a crew within a crew. They had both lost all. They came with us. David ben Samuel and Aiden were still with the port official. I wondered if there was trouble.
When we reached them Aiden read my mind, or perhaps my face, “There is no problem, Jarl Dragonheart. We are just purchasing some charts for the waters through which we will be travelling!”
I decided that we ought to stay together. We had the task of buying the clothes and, if possible, arms, which the new men would need. They were still using the Arab robes and it did not sit well with them. It was a reminder of their six months of pain and degradation. Erik and Olaf would buy the supplies we needed. Haaken and Arne would find the ale, water and wine. They were not hopeful about ale. Thanks to David and Aiden we all had a few words we could speak in Greek. It was mainly numbers and phrases like ‘I would like that’ accompanied by a gesture. It was basic but I hoped it would suffice.
The port not only looked different, it smelled different. We had arrived at noon when the sun was high and many people were sleeping. I found out why because the heat was oppressive. The heat seemed to reflect from the white houses and buildings. The four ex-slaves were barefoot and the roadways were so hot that they burned. The air was filled with a smell which as mixture of lemons, oranges and spices mixed with human waste. It was not a pleasant smell. We found a boot maker. His prices were exorbitant and so we bought the four of them sandals. They were cheap and useful. It would stop their feet from burning and when we reached Miklagård we could take some of the seal skin from our hold, give it to them and they could make their own boots. We found a stall selling the local version of a kyrtle and we bought those for the four of them and the Bears. The coin I was spending we had taken. It was booty. We would not have taken it without their help. Sven and his men needed to buy other items as did Sámr. I was still close to death. What did I need to buy? You could not buy life.
We found an inn and ate there. The food was strange and not all of it to our taste but the wine was good and induced a more mellow feeling. Snorri Gunnarson raised his goblet, “Jarl Dragonheart, we would like to thank you again. You have not asked us yet but if you would have us then we would swear an oath to follow you.”
“You do not wish to go back to sailing a knarr? That is a more peaceful life.”
Ulf said, “That was what we thought until we were taken. We will sail with you. Your men are good warriors. We will strive to be as good.”
“Ulf is right.
We have spoken with the Clan of the Wolf and they have told us of your land.” Snorri waved an arm. “It sounds cooler and more pleasant than here. Wine is all well and good but only when you cannot get ale or beer!”
Ulf nodded, “And, no offence, jarl, but the sooner I get out of these robes the better. It reminds me too much of our time at the oars. I think of those oar brothers who died at the hands of the Moors.”
Sven Stormbringer said, “Do not tarry for us. We would get back too. What say we do some cooking? Could we buy some food, jarl? We would like to thank the Clan of the Wolf. I know this is not the end of our journey but it is the end of part of it.”
“That is a good idea.”
We had had enough fish. We found the meat market and we found some calf meat. The owner assured us, I think, that it had hung but it mattered little. It was a meat we rarely ate. I suspect we paid too much for it but we were in a celebratory mood.
With our purchases we made our away back to the ship. Arne and Haaken were standing watching as we approached, “You could have spent longer ashore if you had wished, jarl.”
I shook my head, “Our new oar brothers wished to cook!”
We lit a fire on the quay. Other ships had set the precedent. I could not see anyone arguing with a crew of Vikings! Aiden and David ben Samuel were also in the town. The sun was slowly descending. We had spent half of the afternoon making our purchases and the other half drinking. At least the men who came with me would not have to have the night watch. That would be the duty of Olaf and Erik’s men. Aiden had left me my potion. I would take it when the food was cooked. I had learned that it had a greater effect if I had eaten something first. I did not know why. I left the empty ship and joined Sámr and the others at the quay. Sámr had becoming something of a mascot to the men, especially the news ones. He was young but his prowess with the Saami bow had earned him their respect. They had an amphora of wine which they were passing around. I did not say anything but I saw that Sámr took just a sip. He would not embarrass himself by becoming drunk.