by Griff Hosker
The old servant smiled, "It seems you have done this for me but he is right Jarl. He has been diligent and not slacked off once."
Brigid sniffed, "And he is outgrowing his clothes! The boy has the appetite of a wild boar! He takes more feeding now than he used to."
"Good. I am pleased, my son. You are on the road to becoming a warrior." It was the best thing I could have said and he visibly grew before my eyes.
Kara's touch was what Beorn needed and within three days of his return he was walking once more. It was slow and it was measured but Snorri, especially, was delighted that he could actually walk. I waited until he had managed five steps and then I left with Gryffydd, Leif, Rolf and Rollo for Elfridaby. We took the chest with us. For my son this was a treat. He rarely travelled east and the last time he had done so we had met the Danes. I reflected as I rode south and east. The land had been tamed since first we came here. We had put down roots. Our roads, while not the equal of the Romans, left a mark on the land.
I know not why but I headed up past Satter's farm. I had a mind to speak to the spirits of the old man and woman. As we neared it I heard noises and laughter. We reined in when we reached the farm. There were people living there. It was a community. I saw three families. Some had converted Satter's old farm while the other two were newly built. They gathered around us.
An older man approached me, "Welcome Jarl Dragonheart. We are honoured that you have come to Satter's Waite. I am Ragnar Gunnstein. Satter was my uncle."
"I am just pleased that the farm continues. I thought his sons died."
"They did and when we heard that he had died we decided to come here. Our father always said that our uncle had a fine eye for the land." He looked suddenly worried, "We have not done wrong have we? Did you have it in mind for another?"
I shook my head, "Take it Ragnar. I am more than pleased. I had thought it would be an empty shell. This is wyrd. Take it with my blessing, Be my hersir here. When I need men I will send to you."
"And we will serve, gladly."
I clasped his arm as warriors do and mounted. Gryffydd asked, as we entered the forest again, "What is a hersir, father?"
"It is a headman. Most times they are appointed by those who live close by. It is a title only but it means they are not bondi."
"Bondi?"
"Free farmers. They are the backbone of my land. Each bondi has to provide himself with arms and protect their land from enemies."
He nodded as he took that in. Rolf said, "You should demand that each has a shield and a helmet Jarl. It is in their own interests to do so."
Leif laughed, "Have you not noticed, Horse Killer, that the Jarl has the helmets collected from the dead enemies we slay and they are given out to those without helmets? He does the same with the shields."
"I am sorry Jarl. I had not noticed but now I can see that you have always done so."
"And I would do more. It is a shame that we could not bring back more of the weapons and armour from Fulford."
"Perhaps we were not meant to. The gods work in strange ways. Those at Satter's Waite will be the first to be given the weapons we next take."
By the time we had emerged from the forest and taken the road to Elfridaby Gryffydd had taken all of our words in. He had learned to listen more than he used to. "Are you finished fighting for the year then, father?"
"I do not know. That is not in my hands but those of our enemies." I pointed to the leaves on the trees. "See how they are turning brown. Soon they will fall and it will be winter. Most of our enemies do not like to fight in winter. It is unlikely that they will do so but we have fought in the snow before now. Let us say that we are always prepared should an enemy come.."
Leif leaned over, "And after Yule those who wish to become Ulfheonar will hunt the wolf."
He was right. Beorn's wound and Snorri's lucky escape had shown me that I could not afford to lose more Ulfheonar until more were trained. What had been a small group of elite warriors in the beginning had now grown to be vital to the security of Cyninges-tūn.
Wolf Killer and his men had not been idle. The stronghold which nestled in the bend of the river had walls as high as those at Ulf's Stad. They were only made of wood but an enemy would bleed to death upon them. Ragnar and his father rode to meet us. It was a month since I had seen my grandson but I could see that he had grown.
When they reined in next to us he said to Gryffydd, "Race you back to the hall!"
Even though he only had a small pony my son was up for the challenge and they hurtled off at full pelt for Wolf Killer's stronghold.
Wolf Killer was smiling as he shook his head, "If they fall and break anything then Elfrida will make the blood eagle of me!"
"They are young enough to shrug off such injuries. It is we who should fear falling."
"Did you defeat the Danes?"
"Aye we did." I told him all. Even after we had dismounted and entered his hall I was still telling him what had happened on that long and fateful voyage. By the time I was finished we were all seated around his long table. Elfrida had poured us ale and they all looked expectantly at the chest.
Elfrida had been quiet when we had told our tale and now we looked at her expectantly. She looked up at me, "Before I open the chest I know what will be within." Rollo and Rolf clasped their golden wolves. They thought she had become a witch. I knew better. Elfrida was a bright and clever young woman. She had worked it out when I had said whence the chest came.
"You know this Maud and Ethelfrith?"
She nodded, "They were at court and the Lady Maud did not like me. She comes from an ancient line. Her ancestors ruled the land around the old fort they called Maiden Hill. King Egbert and she were often close. Now that her husband is dead I think that she will occupy the King's bed more openly than she did. It was an open secret and her husband benefitted from lands and titles. She seeks power. You have inadvertently done exactly what she would have wished. The King will give her the lands of her husband." She put her hands on the chest. "Within here is the crown of the Queen of Wessex and, I daresay, those of Kent and Essex too."
Wolf Killer frowned, "Why would he not keep them close by him?"
I answered for his wife, "He is often away on campaign. Whom best to guard them than his mistress and most powerful of thegns. This makes sense now."
Elfrida opened the chest and identified each crown as she laid them on the table. "This red jewel came from a sword which was taken from a Mercian King a long time ago. This, as you know, is the crown of Wessex and these two of Kent and Essex. The seals are those of the large estates which lie close to the King. The other jewels I do not recognise but this is a mighty hoard, Jarl. I fear that King Egbert will not rest until he has them again."
I finished my ale as I reflected on this. Ragnar and Gryffydd seemed fascinated by the crowns. To me they were unnecessary. My sword was worth more for the gods had touched it. My helmet was more valuable because it protected me and the dragon I wore about my neck... well that had a power I had only just begun to harness. The richly decorated crowns were just that, adornments for women who had not fought for them. However Elfrida was quite correct. King Egbert would not rest knowing that I had taken them. I had seen steel in the eyes of Lady Maud. She would want them back and, if she was Egbert's mistress, then she had power over him.
"What of these mounted hearthweru? We have not seen them before."
Elfrida had been staring at the crown which she had once worn and now she dragged her eyes away. "In the west of the land there were horsemen. It is said that they were from the old people. They fought on horses."
Wolf Killer said, "Did we not meet such warriors on Ynys Môn? They wore mail."
I nodded, "But the ones we saw were not like that. They all had leather mail with metal plates sewn on. They looked like fish scales and their helmets had a guard protecting the back of their necks."
"We have seen those before, father, they are like the ones worn by the Romans."
Leif looked up from the jewels, "And Jarl, remember what Aiden said. The dragon banner we found was from the time of the Romans. They must be connected."
It was then that I realised that Aiden had not seen the horsemen and he had been too preoccupied with Beorn to take much notice. I needed to speak with him. "When I return home then I will speak with Aiden. Thank you Elfrida, you have told us that which we needed. Had I not discovered the true worth of these crowns I might have just sold them."
"And now?"
"And now we hang on to them because King Egbert will want them back. Kara and Aiden will need to dream."
Chapter 14
We stayed for two days. It was mainly so that I could see my grandchildren and to allow Ragnar and Gryffydd to play together. The more they played then the closer would be the bond when they grew older. There would come a time when the two of them would stand shoulder to shoulder and fight for my land. Once we set off home I hurried and headed for the southern end of the Water. We summoned a boat so that Gryffydd and I could get home quicker than by horse. My men would ride our horses to Cyninges-tūn.
When Aiden saw me he knew that there was something on my mind. "You have troubled thoughts, Jarl Dragonheart."
"I have." I told him what I had discovered from Elfrida and we went into his hall to speak with Kara. They both listened.
Kara said, "We do not need to dream. There is a woman involved. They have always been our most dangerous enemy. Remember Angharad? I have no reason to doubt Elfrida and her recollection of this woman. If she was able to have a husband and to service the King then she is a formidable foe. She will make sure that King Egbert punishes you."
"I can see that. Perhaps I should have left the chest there."
Kara laughed, "And do you think the Weird Sisters would have approved of the spoiling of their web? No, father, you could no more leave them there than you could stop the sun rising each morning. It was meant to be."
"Then we need to work out what Egbert will do."
Aiden had been quiet. "King Egbert has a problem. There are many leagues between Wessex and Cyninges-tūn. How does he get here?" He went to the chest and took out one of his maps. He laid it out. Gryffydd climbed on to a chair so that he could see. I doubted that he would understand the squiggles and lines but it was good that he was interested. Aiden pointed to the land of the Cymri. "He cannot come this way for we both know that the land is hard enough to cross in peace time but with an army is impossible. He could come by sea but we have destroyed three of his ships and it would be a perilous voyage. The Saxons are no sailors. That leaves him with one route; he will come through the land of his vassal King, the East Angles. Northumbria is a spent force and he can pick up more men at Jorvik."
I shook my head, "I would hope he would try that for it would mean he could not come before next spring. You cannot cross the high passes in winter."
Suddenly Gryffydd leaned over and drew a line from Wessex to Cyninges-tūn with his finger. "I would come that way! It is the straight road!"
I ruffled my son's head, "And that way is barred, my son for he and the Mercians are implacable enemies."
Aiden slapped his head, "I am a fool and your son is right, Jarl." He opened the chest and took out the red stone. "This is what will join the two Saxon kings together. He will offer him this stone back. King Egbert now controls Corn Walum. Coenwulf is old. He will not relish another war with Egbert. If he could reclaim the stone without losing warriors and face then he will do so." He banged his hand on the map. "This way King Egbert takes all the risks and King Coenwulf reaps the reward. He will come through Mercia."
I smiled at Gryffydd, "Well done, my son. You have seen what these old eyes and mind could not."
Kara kissed her half brother on the head, "You know what they say father that the eyes of the innocent see things clearer than others. We make things too complicated."
"And now you need to tell me when they will come."
Aiden swept his hand at the land of Mercia. "The borders to the north of Mercia are not hard like those of Northumbria. They are soft. There is a flat plain north of Wrecsam. Once past the Maeresea the land is gentle until it reaches the land of Sigtrygg. The men of Northumbria will not stop the passage of a Saxon army come to punish Norsemen. I believe that King Egbert will be raising an army now. You need to warn Sigtrygg for his stad lies directly in the path of our enemies."
"Then we prepare for war. And this time we will be fighting an enemy who knows how to win. These will not be Northumbrians whom we have trounced each time we meet them nor will they be faithless Danes. The army of Egbert knows how to fight. We shall need your magic, Aiden."
As we walked back to my hall Gryffydd asked, "Will I be fighting, father?"
"Answer that yourself, my son. Which of my warriors shall I take from the shield wall to make sure that you are protected?"
He nodded. We climbed the steps to my hall and he looked at the walls which ran around the stad. "And if you lose the battle?"
I smiled, children were ever honest. "Then you will get to fight for you will stand on the walls with your bow and loose arrows until you are struck down and then you will fight with your sword, Dragon's Tongue, until you, too, are slain and then I will see you in Valhalla."
He smiled, "Then I am satisfied and I will practise until these Saxons come."
Brigid had heard the last part and her face showed her fear, "The Saxons come?"
"Probably. You will have to help Scanlan organise the people. We need food laying in and all will have to defend the stad for I will take all the men except for Karl One Leg."
"And me!"
"And you, Gryffydd the Fearless!"
I summoned my Ulfheonar and my Jarls. The exception was Sigtrygg. I sent a message to him warning him that there may be Saxon attacks from the south. It took two days for them all to reach me. We sat in the hall. I had already spoken with the Ulfheonar and Asbjorn. They did not attend the counsel of war. They had warriors to train and to arm. Bjorn was busy making more weapons while my Ulfheonar brought out the helmets, shields and spears which we had captured and were deemed to be of inferior quality. Every man who went to war needed arming.
"You need to leave men to guard your stad but I want the best of your men ready to march as soon as I summon them."
Ulf looked troubled. "It is a day's march to here Jarl Dragonheart and then another to Sigtrygg's stad."
"So long as you reach us that will be sufficient."
Wolf Killer added, "For us it is but half a day, if we march hard." He looked at me. "Will you wait for the summons from Sigtrygg, father?"
"No, I intend to march in the next three days."
"But Aiden may be wrong."
I smiled and spread my hands, "And when has he been wrong before? If he is wrong then my men will have a long march and some hunting in Sigtrygg's land and Aiden will have to suffer the sharp edge of my Ulfheonar's tongues. I will take Aiden with me for we may need his Dragon Fire."
None of the three jarls who sat around my table had seen Dragon Fire used. Ketil said, "Did it work?"
"The Saxon ships burned and the fire continued to burn even when it was laying on the sea. It is truly a terrible weapon. I know not how the sorcery works but I am grateful that we have the wizard with us."
"But in the end it will come down to sword against sword."
"It will, Wolf Killer, but we also have another weapon the Saxons do not have. Our archers. I intend to use Snorri to command the archers. We will not need him to scout. Our enemy will come to us. I think that there will be such numbers that they not try to hide."
Ketil nodded, "I can see the way Aiden's mind works. King Egbert regains his jewels and vengeance for the loss of Elfrida while King Coenwulf gets back his jewel but his ally conquers the land which Northumbria and we stole from him. Until we spoke I was not certain that Aiden was right but I now believe it in my heart."
"It matters not if we are wrong. I will still take my warband south
. The rest will wait until I send a rider and then you will move instantly. Use horses and ponies. I will only have half of our forces. You three will have the rest and we will need all of our men to defeat Mercia and Wessex."
Aiden had not attended the meeting as he was busy making maps for the three of them. It was important that we all met at the right place. He came in towards the end of the counsel and handed the maps out. Ketil said, "I believe your predictions, galdramenn."
Aiden looked puzzled, "And why should you not?"
Wolf Killer laughed, "Because we live in the real world and you live in the spirit world. But I, too, believe you are right." He tapped his head. "Since I have been here I feel my mother's spirit and she tells me it is so." He turned to me. "I will send my wife and family here and march directly to Sigtrygg, father. We will only have to await Ketil and Ulf. Our banners will stand together!"
Elfrida and her children arrived the day we left. Wolf Killer had sent an escort of his oathsworn. They would accompany us south. Gryffydd was disappointed that Ragnar was not there. "It is not fair, father! Ragnar goes to war and I do not! And I am his uncle!"
There was much laughter at that. Elfrida ruffled his hair, "Your time will come soon enough, Gryffydd, besides we need you to protect your baby sister and the women."
"Remember Beorn is not coming with us and his is as disappointed as you. I leave the three of your to guard my stad."
He was still not happy but he nodded, "And I will fight in the next war!"
We used all the horses and ponies that we had. Many men still had to march but we had mobility and we could take more arms. Aiden had two pack horses with his Dragon Fire. He had refined it since the fight off the isle of the Wights and was more confident about its use. I left Olaf to lead the warband and rode ahead with Haaken and Leif to speak with Sigtrygg. His stad was on a war footing. I saw many animals gathered in pens and the pens had high walls with wooden towers.