by Griff Hosker
The wind had come around to blow from a more southerly direction. With sails billowing we would be able to sail home without rowing. Harold Strong Arm captained ‘Wave Skimmer’. We had lost warriors in the battle of Nantes and it meant we had fewer crew on each drekar but as we would not need to row it did not matter. I told Harold and Gandálfr that we would be sailing as close to the coast as we dared. We had had our vengeance and now we needed to scout out our enemy. We would be returning when the new grass came and we would bring a veritable fleet to punish the Bretons. Most of the men rested as we headed down the river. There were wounds to heal and stories to be told. Our people did not write things down. We told them. The voyage home would be the time to speak of the valour of warriors and their deaths. Men would begin to refine their stories into sagas and songs. I stood at the prow listening to the songs and stories while watching the coast slip by.
We had charts and maps which identified the ports and settlements but I needed to find places which were close by where we could land and then attack them. Vannes would be too strongly defended. I saw that as we passed the narrow bay. It was ten miles wide by eight miles deep but the entrance was a bare eight hundred paces across. Once inside the tower guarded entrance any attacking drekar would have to negotiate a myriad of islands and rocks. By the time a fleet arrived then the walls would be manned and chains pulled across to trap drekar within.
There were inlets close to Vannes but I dismissed them for we needed to be deep inland with a land we could ravage. That would be the only way we could draw out King Alan. We passed the entrance to the River Blavet. I knew that upstream was a town which also served as a port. The port was some seven miles upstream. We could attack there and do so knowing that we could escape. I stored that information.
As we turned west to sail around Finisterre I saw that the land there was not suitable for an attack. Rocks like savage teeth guarded it. We spied fishing boats fleeing upstream at the westernmost part of the Breton land. There had to be a port there and that, too, could be raided. Finally, as we turned north to sail towards the Seine I saw the familiar coastline between Saint-Brieg and Mont St. Michel. When the sun began to dip in the west I knew that I had seen enough. I headed back to the steering board. My men were, largely, asleep.
Egil and Godwin were by the mast fish speaking. They looked up guiltily as I passed. Egil said, a little too eagerly, “Have you decided, Lord Göngu-Hrólfr? Do you know where we will attack?”
“I think so. I need to look again at the parchments we found in the Breton camp. The River Blavet looks a good place to land and we can entice King Alan away from his fortress walls. I shall speak with Padraig.” They exchanged a guilty look, “Come, Egil, I will have no secrets from you. You did take an oath. Godwin has yet to do so. Speak!”
I must have spoken loudly for a couple of men sleeping nearby shifted.
“Come to the prow and I will know that which is in your hearts.”
At the prow Godwin looked at Egil who nodded. “Lord, you have been good to me. I came to hurt you and you saved my life and Padraig saved my eyes. I owe you but I have a secret in my heart which I am fearful to mention. I would incur neither your wrath nor your displeasure.”
I spoke quietly, “A warrior who speaks the truth, from his heart, has nothing to fear. If I do not like the words you speak that will have nothing to do with you, if you speak the truth.”
He nodded, “It is the truth, lord, that I swear. I wish it were not but it is. Now that Godfrid is gone and the crew I sailed with are dead then I am your man and I would swear an oath but I cannot swear an oath while I have kept a secret from you.”
I smiled. He had an honesty about him which was refreshing. “Speak Godwin. Nothing you can say will make me think worse of you.”
He took a deep breath. “When I was recovering and could not see I stayed in your hall at Brother Padraig’s cell. He is a good man and ministered to me well but he had other calls upon his time. Often, I was left alone. I did not sleep at normal times. Sometimes the potion he gave me to sleep would wear off and I woke. When I began to be able to make out shapes I decided to avoid waking him. I discovered where I could make water or find a jug of ale.” He smiled. “It helped me to recover for I was not helpless. I did not tell Padraig. I saw things for people assumed I was still blind. I saw Popæg when she went to William. He had woken crying and she sang him to sleep. I saw the guards who did not walk the walls and sometimes slept in the corner of the tower.”
“If that is the news you have to tell me then I already know those who do such things. Although I confess I did not know of Popæg’s care for my son.”
Egil nodded, “She cares for him more than Sprota lord. Sprota has a young merchant from the town who pays her much attention.”
I was learning about my own home. Perhaps it took a half blind man to see that which I could not. “Godwin, do not dance around your news. Tell me!”
He seemed to hold his breath and then he burst out, “I saw Æðelwald of Remisgat enter your wife’s chamber and they embraced.” He paused. “I saw him come from her chamber in the morning.” I was stunned. “It was when you were raiding, lord.” I saw his red, scarred and now scared eyes staring at me. There was no lie there but he was terrified that the truth might result in his death.
“Perhaps your eyes deceived you.”
“This was when my eyes were almost healed and I know what the priest looks like.” He shook his head. “After the first time I watched and each night he went and each morning he left. I would have told Padraig but he is a priest and I thought that they might be friends.”
I knew that what he spoke was true. He was not lying. It was not in his eyes and many events now took on a new meaning. No wonder I had been shunned from her bed. She had stopped worrying about William. Sprota had allowed another to care for my son. Then a thought struck me like a fist in the stomach. Was the child my wife was carrying mine? If it was born in Ýlir then there was a chance that it could have been mine but Gormánuður meant that it was the priest’s. I turned to Godwin, “I believe you. The two of you must keep this news to yourselves. Godwin, you can swear an oath to me and I would have you do so now on Long Sword. If you are oathsworn then you cannot tell another.” I took out the sword and held it by the blade.
He grasped the hilt, “I swear to Lord Göngu-Hrólfr Rognvaldson that I will be your man. I will give my life for you.”
I nodded. “Now rest, I have much to think on.”
Chapter 12
The night helped my black mood. I now wondered if Poppa had ever truly cared for me. Had I been a way for her to be lady until something else came along? Æðelwald of Remisgat had made it quite clear that he wished my land to be Christian. Poppa also wished the same. That I understood but to couple! In my hall! I realised that I was losing my temper and so I walked the deck. I had the power of life and death over both of them. King Charles the Fat might object but I now had evidence that he was conspiring against me too. I owed him nothing. The problem was William. How would he view my actions? I did not sleep but walked my deck until dawn came. I saw the estuary in the distance. I needed proof. I believed Godwin but there were Christians in my land who might disapprove of any action I took without proof. It took until we reached the estuary at noon for me to formulate my plan. I knew that we would have to row up the river. It was ever thus. There were too many loops for us to carry the wind.
I spoke with Erik. “I would have us reach Rouen at midnight.”
He frowned. “The men are rowing well and we can make it sooner.”
“The men have rowed hard enough. But I wish you to land me and some men at Bardouville. I will ride home and warn the families of our late arrival.” I knew there was a hersir at Bardouville. He would have horses and the journey over land would take an hour or so at the most. I would be there long before the arrival of my drekar.
He shrugged, “It does not bother me and it is good that you think of your men.”
&
nbsp; I hated being so deceitful but until I had proof I had no choice. I sought out Æbbi Bonecrusher. “I intend to leave the ship at Bardouville. Choose two of my hearth weru and yourself. We will ride with Egil and Godwin.”
He frowned. “Is anything amiss, lord?”
“Perhaps but I will say nothing until we reach Rouen. I need good men who can be relied upon.”
“Then that is any of your hearth weru!”
“You choose.”
I went to the prow and stared east. Was this the curse which Æðelwald of Remisgat had brought upon my family? My grandfather and I had thought that a spell would end it. Now I saw that it needed blood and blood it would have.
Heading up the Seine could be tortuous. We had the sail rigged but the ship’s boys were up and down so frequently that they risked rope burns. The men had to row. It was not hard rowing but there were fewer in each ship now. I took a turn at the oar. It helped me to expunge some of my anger. When I reached my hall then I needed to be cold. What I intended was not to be undertaken lightly.
We reached Bardouville two hours after dark. The oarsmen were happy to stop. “Take all the rest you need. I will tell your families that you will be home soon.”
My men cheered and I felt guilty for the deception. There was a wharf at the settlement and although it was dark Audun Fair Hair, the hersir, came to see me.
“Audun I need eight horses.”
“Of course, lord.”
“I will return them soon.”
“Do not worry, lord. Keep them as long as you like. We have plenty.”
The road to Rouen ran along the river and we rode hard. The horse was a normal sized one and my feet almost touched the ground but I cared not. If Godwin was wrong then my wife would still be pregnant and Æðelwald of Remisgat would be in his own cell and far from my wife. I did not believe that for one moment but the thought made my anger less hot. I hoped for an explanation which would allow me to continue to be the husband of Poppa. We rode hard. The roads were dark and they were empty. We reached the west gate of my stronghold.
“Who goes there!”
Æbbi Bonecrusher had been silent all the way from Bardouville. His voice was well known, “It is the lord of Rouen! Open the gate.”
While we waited for the gate to open he turned to me, “Lord I am hearth weru and I follow you anywhere but I know not what is happening.”
“Æbbi Bonecrusher, you have to trust me. We are going to my chamber for I fear treachery. I cannot fill your head with my thoughts. You have to witness with your own eyes that which I hope is not true. The Norns have been spinning and there is malice in their webs.”
He clutched his horse amulet and nodded. “I will be there, lord, to watch you and protect you; even against Skuld!”
We hurried to my hall. When we reached it, I sent for the captain of the guard, Bjorn. “Three drekar will be arriving soon. Watch for them and admit them. None else either leaves or enters Rouen.”
“Aye lord. There is news lord. Great news!”
“And I will hear it later.” I turned to Æbbi. “I need just you, Egil and Godwin. Have the others wait in the Great Hall until we send for them.”
He nodded and spoke to the others. They would stable the horses before they went to the hall. We had ridden without mail and I had left Long Sword on my drekar. For what I needed then Hrolf’s Vengeance would have to do. It seemed appropriate as the priest had also betrayed my father and grandfather.
I led my men to Padraig’s cell. The priest was not yet asleep. He was reading. He looked up in surprise. “Lord, are you prescient? Have you heard the news?”
My heart sank. It felt like the last nail in Poppa’s coffin. “No, I have not.” My voice was flat and I saw the surprise on the priest’s face.
“Your wife has given birth to a healthy daughter, Gerloc. God is to be praised.”
I nodded for I felt numb. “Where is Æðelwald of Remisgat?”
I could see that my words had surprised him, “I am guessing that he will be in his cell, lord.”
“And that is close by?”
“Next door. It is silent. He must be asleep.”
“Then let us go wake him.” I left Padraig’s cell and went to the next one. I opened it. We held a burning candle and we saw that the bed had not been slept in. “Let us seek him, eh Padraig? Let us find this priest from Rome!” I nodded to Æbbi who made sure he was behind Padraig. Until I had proof then I could trust no one. As we passed a sconce I said, “Egil, fetch a torch!”
He grabbed one and we ascended to my chamber. As we neared it Padraig murmured, “Lord, is this well done?”
“We shall see, priest. It is good that you healed Godwin and his eyes for he saw that which was under your nose! Do not run or Æbbi will end your life!”
Padraig stood erect, “Whatever you think I have done I had ever been true to you.”
“We shall see.”
We reached my chamber and I hesitated. Only Godwin and Egil knew what I intended. I turned the handle of the door as though I was raiding a church and wished to enter silently. The room was in darkness but as soon as Egil, with the burning brand, entered it was bathed in light. My daughter was in a crib but in the bed and naked lay Æðelwald of Remisgat and Lady Poppa. They were in each other’s arms and they were naked. There was a moment when they slept. Padraig, Godwin and Æbbi Bonecrusher entered and saw them. Padraig made the sign of the cross and Æbbi Bonecrusher’s hand went to his sword. I put my hand on his and restrained him. The light woke them and when their eyes opened and they saw us I saw terror in them.
“My lord I was comforting your wife!”
Even now when all was clear he was still dissembling. “Æbbi Bonecrusher, take him hence. Do not allow him to dress. Godwin and Egil go with him. Hold him in the Great Hall. Have one of the hearth weru guard this door.”
“Aye, my lord!”
Æbbi Bonecrusher picked up the priest and threw him from the bed. Gerloc woke and cried. The priest stood and came towards me. I backhanded him so hard that he flew across the chamber and his head smacked on the door. Godwin and Egil grabbed him. My wife was weeping. “See to the child. See to the child of a faithless priest!”
I watched Padraig reel as my wife held Gerloc to her breast. He looked at me. I nodded, “You understand numbers. Where was I nine moons since?”
I saw realisation dawn and he made the sign of the cross. “I did not know, lord.”
I nodded. “I can see that now but Godwin, the half blind Saxon, could see and he has opened my eyes to this deception.”
My wife gave me that imperious look she had when first we met. “You are a barbarian! I thought I could change you and bring you to God’s grace but I can see that was impossible. King Charles the Fat has promised that Æðelwald and I can have sanctuary with him in Paris.”
I smiled, “And that will not happen. This is what will happen. Tomorrow my men will escort you and Sprota to the house of nuns by the river. It is right that you go there for you had me build it. As for Æðelwald of Remisgat, he will not live. He will die. He will die if for no other reason that he broke his vows as a priest. I do not believe in the White Christ but I believe in vows!”
She paled, “But my child!”
My voice hardened, “The child is not mine but she will be brought up as though she is. I will find her a wet nurse and she will never know of her mother’s sin. The world will never know unless you choose to tell it.”
“But Æðelwald?”
“Will be executed by the Lord of Rouen for being a spy and conspiring against me! Or would you have me make your infidelity public knowledge?”
She shook her head and I knew that I had won. She would not wish her infidelity to be common knowledge. I had wanted to kill her but that punishment was not enough. She would suffer as she saw her daughter brought up as a lady. As for Æðelwald of Remisgat, he would suffer and he would tell me all about the conspiracy before I ended his pain. “Say your farewells to your
daughter. Padraig find Popæg. She will know of a wet nurse and, priest, I have not yet done with you. I will have the truth and all of the truth. I hope you are ready for that inquisition.”
Padraig nodded, “My heart is true but I am sorry, lord, I should have seen this. That Godwin, a half blind man, could see what was before my very eyes saddens me and I am disappointed in myself!”
When Popæg came for the child her eyes told me that she had suspected something. Unlike Padraig, Popæg was a woman, a woman of the world, and would have sensed that all was not well. She gently picked up Gerloc. Poppa put her hand out to stop her but Popæg said, gently, “I swear my lady that she will be cared for. She will come to no harm and she will be loved.” My wife’s face was riven with tears as she nodded. Popæg looked at me, “Lord, your son is also with me. He is asleep.”
“Thank you. Say nothing and I will speak with him when he wakes.”
“Aye, lord.” She left.
Sprota appeared and looked from me to Poppa. “Is this true, my lady, does he know?”
“He knows, Sprota. We are being sent to the House of St. Hilda.”
Sprota shook her head, “No, my lady! I have a man! I would be wed!”
My harsh voice made Sprota start. “Then you should have thought of that when you covered up my wife’s infidelity. You think that I would have you living in my town after what has happened? You will be confined here until I have made arrangements.”
I left and closed the door. “Petr, no one enters or leaves.”
“Aye lord.” His face showed that he knew what had gone on. He was hearth weru and he would remain silent.