by Griff Hosker
After the saga we sat around the fire eating the slaughtered animals and enjoying some of the wine we had taken. While most of my men wrestled and diced away some of their treasure I sat and talked with Haaken, Asbjorn and Eystein.
Haaken raised his horn, "Hail Jarl Dragonheart! Now you are a galdramenn as well as the mightiest warrior."
"I am no galdramenn."
"Then your plans succeeded mightily. What do we do next?"
"Tomorrow we send bands out to raid the farms hereabouts and then we sail, the following day, to take this Frankish stronghold."
"What if the King of the Franks brings his army here?"
"Then, Eystein, we fight them but I do not think they will come. The Empire is large and it would take time to gather such an army."
"You are not worried?"
I laughed, "Why should I worry? I have seen nothing here which makes me think we might lose."
Despite the heavy night of drinking my men were up early. I divided my men into four bands of fifteen and sent them out to the north of the river to raid and to plunder. The rest I retained with the Ulfheonar. We sharpened swords and we prepared for war. The tides meant that we would leave our stronghold mid morning the following day and sail towards the Frankish castle. We would surround it and then plan our attack. It would be a night time attack. Our presence during the day and our martial and fierce appearance would put fear into the hearts of the defenders. We had discovered that our arms and armour could win a battle for us before we had even started.
The bands came back driving animals and carts. The captives were tied behind them. I saw that some of the Franks had defended themselves for some of my men bore wounds but none had died.
I was up well before dawn to prepare for the day. I ate well from the cold cooked carcass of the slaughtered cow. I drank well and then I prepared my war face. My Ulfheonar joined me and not long after dawn we were ready. We would just use the two larger drekar. My warriors were all prepared to embark on the ships when suddenly one of the sentries shouted, "Jarl Dragonheart! There is a Frankish army! They are heading this way."
Had Eystein predicted this? It made no matter. We would meet them and defeat them. Luckily we were all close to our camp preparing to depart. "Form three battle lines!"
I led my men back to the fort and then to the land before it. We arrayed ourselves in three long ranks. They outnumbered us but we had reserves on our ships. I saw that there were twenty nobles on horses and the rest were a mixture of spearmen and farmers. It was not the army of the King. However they did outnumber us.
The enemy arrayed themselves before us. If they thought to daunt us with their numbers then they failed. My men began banging their shields and chanting my name. Some of the younger ones left the line to bare their rear at the Franks. "Do they come to fight, Jarl?"
"I think, Haaken, that they came to make us flee. They must have had spies watching us to gauge numbers and they brought enough to outnumber us."
I watched as four of the mailed horsemen gathered to speak. I did not recognised the banners but I suspected that they belonged to the ruler of this land. The four of them eventually detached themselves from the others. One of them rode to fetch a slave who was being held by mailed men. They approached to just beyond their own bow range. Snorri and Beorn could easily hit them. They took off their helmets, a sure sign that they wished to speak.
"Asbjorn take charge. Haaken, come with me and let us see what these Franks wish."
I took off my helmet and we walked towards them. I saw that the slave was an old Viking. I recognised the tattoos he had upon his face. He came from the land of the Norse, the land of snow and ice.
The older of the mounted men, the one with the greybeard spoke. The Viking nodded, "This is Grimoald son of Pepin the Great, Mayor of Neustria."
I nodded, "Mayor?"
"Like a Jarl or a prince."
"Tell him that I am Jarl Dragonheart of Cyninges-tūn. Ask him does he come to fight or to talk. We are happy to do either."
I saw the ghost of a smile on his face as he translated. I could see that this Grimoald did not like my answer. His voice was angry when he spoke. The Norseman's voice was calm in contrast. "He says you are a brigand and a bandit and he wishes you to leave this land." He glanced around and then added, "You slew his son yesterday. He is not happy."
"Tell him that when we have taken enough of the riches from this land we shall leave for we have slaves to sell. Priests fetch a high price.
When that was translated I saw that it had struck a nerve. He spoke again and the slave said, "My master says he must speak apart."
"Tell him he has until the sun is at its height and then we let our blades do the talking."
After the words had been spoken I received a black look for my pains. Haaken asked, "What goes on here?"
"I suspect we have a high ranking priest amongst our captives. We may become rich men here without fighting."
"That does not make for a good saga, Jarl."
"No but it makes for rich men and allows to us to raid again this year."
They were away for some time and the discussion was heated. Eventually they returned and it was a red faced and angry Grimoald who spat out his words. The slave was smiling when he spoke them. "The Mayor wishes you gone and his people returned. What will it cost for you to leave and for the captives, all of them, to be returned?"
I tried to work out what we could sell the captives for. He had not mentioned the Holy Books and we would slaughter the animals before we left. "Five thousand Imperial gold coins."
It was an outrageous amount. I expected them to say no but when the offer was made the younger noble next to Grimoald nodded and spoke to the Mayor. He appeared to have more power than the older man. The slave turned with the message. "They agree."
"And we want you as well."
His face showed that he had hoped for that. "But they may say no."
"Then we will fight. You are Norse and we will not leave you here with these Franks."
He nodded and translated. Again there was a discussion and then the younger man took out his sword and slashed the slave down his cheek, taking out his eye in the process. Haaken's hand went to his sword and I said, "Bide your time, Haaken."
The slave put his hand to his face to stop the bleeding. He glared hatred from his one eye at the noble and said, "He agrees but he has marked me so that all the world will know that I was the slave of a Frank."
"Tell him to have the gold here by noon the morrow. If not I will hang his monks one by one." I stared at the younger noble as I did so.
In answer they nodded and rode away. I took out a cloth and held it to the slave's face. "Come we will get you healed. What is your name?"
"Hermund the Unlucky."
"How long have you lived with them?"
"Ten summers."
"Now you are free. We will take you back with us." I turned to Haaken, "Have the men begin to load the Frankish ships with the Holy Books, the wine and the other treasures. They shall have their captives and nothing else."
"Aye Jarl."
I led Hermund to the pen where the priests waited. I noticed that the eldest of them, a priest with a white beard was seated on a log. The rest squatted on the floor. He was the important one. I said to Hermund, "Tell them that I command that they heal you and then tell them what I told the Mayor."
He did so and my suspicions were confirmed when the white bearded priest gave orders. I now knew who the important priest was. I made sure they did a good job on Hermund's eye. I knew how they should heal for Aiden was a great healer. They did a good job. He stood. "What is his name?" I pointed at the bearded priest.
"He is Bishop Thuderic of Julpille."
I nodded. "Come let us get you some better clothes and food." I saw Rollo Thin Skin and Hrolf as I entered our camp. "Hrolf. Here is another countryman. Get him food and clothes. He is one of us now. He is Hermund One Eye."
He looked at me, "One Eye?"
The afternoon was filled with the sound of animals being prepared for the voyage; some would be eaten and the smaller ones taken with us. Some carcasses were salted but we soon ran out of salt. We would eat well on the voyage home. The next day the captives were closely guarded. I had Hermund bring a burning torch and I spoke quietly to Haaken and gave him instructions. I sought out Hrolf. "Come with us. I have a task for you."
We waited before the walls and watched the sun climb into the sky. I had Bishop Thuderic tethered to Hrolf and on his knees. My sword was out. "Hermund, tell him that if they are late he dies."
When the words were translated the Bishop looked up at me with pure hatred in his eyes. I smiled. The followers of the White Christ feared their priests but not I. Just before noon I saw the Franks. Four men carried the chest. They laid it before them. I waved four of my men forward. They were led by Snorri. He reached them and opened the lid. He waved and nodded. I shouted, "Count it!"
The Franks did not understand my words but when he began to take each piece out they began shouting. I said to Hermund, "Go and tell them that when we have counted half of the money then the women and children will be released and when it is all there then he can have the priests. Return here when you have delivered my message."
He did so and I heard the raised voices. He came back and he was grinning. It was his first smile since he had been scarred and lost his eye. "They are not happy Jarl Dragonheart."
"Good I am not here to make Franks happy." When Snorri raised his hand I said, "Release the women and children. Hermund, tell them to go."
They ran as though they feared I would change my mind. The younger noble rode over along with a second. They had the same design on their shield; silver stars on a purple background. Hermund rejoined me and he scowled his hatred at the noble. The Frank appeared oblivious to the hate. He spoke to Hermund, "He says he will remember you, Jarl Dragonheart."
I nodded. "Tell him I will remember his face too."
"He said he is Lord Charles of Rheims and he is close to the King."
I laughed, "Tell him I have pissed on kings before now and I have yet to see one I respected!"
I knew I had angered him.
Snorri raised his hand and began to come back. I said to Hrolf, "Translate this word for word as I say it."
"Aye Jarl Dragonheart." I nodded to Haaken who took the burning brand from Hrolf.
"I believe, in your Holy Book of the White Christ it is written 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth'?" He nodded. "Then know this, Frank, a Viking never forgets and a Viking's vengeance is terrible to behold. If I see you again you will die. Haaken!" Haaken plunged the burning brand into the right eye of Bishop Thuderic. The bishop screamed and there was a hiss and the smell of burning flesh. "An eye for an eye! I never said you would have them unharmed did I?"
Charles of Rheims drew his sword and I drew mine. I said, "We can fight here, now, Charles of Rheims but if we do then every one of these priests dies. Speak! Give me an answer. Do we fight? " My men had their seaxes at the throats of the priests in an instant. This was one of those moments upon which lives were changed.
Hrolf gabbled his translation as Snorri and the gold was taken to safety.
Charles of Rheims sheathed his sword and said something before turning and galloping off.
Hermund said, "He swore that he would have revenge for this act. From this day forth all Vikings will be burned alive. This is war."
The priests took the Bishop and headed for the safety of the Frankish lines.
Haaken laughed, "Then life becomes interesting once more! We have another enemy who seeks our lives!"
We had the time to load the ships secure and to ensure that we could tow the smaller boats too. We used them for the goods we had captured. I prayed that we would have safe winds to take us home. It would make a perfect end to an almost perfect raid.
Chapter 4
It was a veritable fleet of ships which sailed into the river at Úlfarrston. We had had more room on board but we had been forced to travel at the pace of the slow Frankish ships. The men who captained them for me were not impressed by their handling. We would use them for spares and for firewood when we were done. By the time we reached our friends Hermund's wound was less angry. Aiden and Kara would be able to do something for him, of that I had no doubt. He and Hrolf had become popular with all of the men on my drekar. Hrolf, in particular, was seen as a future warrior. He constantly harangued Haaken and the others for stories of my life and my adventures.
We had never returned with as much treasure or as few losses as that one voyage. We had been away for some time but there were men who would now be able to afford a full mail byrnie, a new sword and a helmet as good as mine. Others would buy animals and begin their own farms while there were some who would use this as the opportunity to marry. My only worry was those who had stayed at home would be a little jealous. Wolf Killer would not be among them. He would have a third of my treasure and Kara and Aiden another third. I had enough for my needs. I shared with my family.
Coen ap Pasgen, the headman of Úlfarrston, could not believe the treasure as it was brought ashore. We did not have enough carts to carry it all. I pointed to the captured vessels. "When the Frankish ships have been emptied and Bolli the shipwright has taken all that he needs then use the wood to make carts."
"But they are seaworthy ships, Jarl Dragonheart."
Erik Short Toe, who had stepped ashore with us spat into the water. "I would not sail on the Water with those let alone the sea. I feared they would capsize each league we took closer to home. Make them carts, headman, that is all they are fit for."
Coen shook his head still. "We have merchants now who sail with knarr which are full of weed. And worm. They would pay for such ships."
I smiled, "If they wish to buy them then you have permission to sell them. We will share the profits."
My Ulfheonar organised and guarded the treasure. I rode ahead to my home with just Haaken for company. It was one of the rare privileges I enjoyed. Others served me. My land looked welcoming as we emerged from the forest and looked on the Water with Old Olaf smiling down. It had been a good raid and we had not been away too long but it was good to be home. That side of being a Viking always felt alien to me. Perhaps that was the old people, my mother's folk. This had been their land and it was part of me.
Grim the fisherman, Olaf's father, saw us as we emerged from the forest and he sailed north to tell the people that we were home. Although it would take many hours for my warriors to reach Cyninges-tūn, wives and mothers would begin to prepare food for their Vikings.
"Are you worried about this Frank, Lord Charles of Rheims, Jarl?"
I shook my head, "He lives an ocean away and we have seen their ships. If he sailed here he would need to be a braver man than I take him for. But if he chose to come and seek vengeance then we would defeat him. They have no heart for fighting; we saw that. If they had then they would have attacked us the moment that they saw us outside their settlement. They outnumbered us but they were afraid to take us on. As soon as they waited to speak, then I knew."
"Perhaps they feared for their families."
"And that is what I mean. If my family was threatened it would not stop me fighting but if anything happened to them then my revenge would be terrible. It would be the same for you. The vengeance of a Viking is a terrible thing to behold.
"Aye but I am not jarl. I follow you and I serve you. I would not have that decision to make. You do."
We rode the last few miles in silence. He was right; he was always right. He knew me better than any man alive and we had stood side by side since we were little more than children. I knew not what I would do without him. His words made me think and reflect.
Those who lived along the edge of the Water and the feet of the Old Man came to greet us as we passed. Many had s
ons and husbands who fought alongside us. They did not ask after their warriors, they showed their respect by honouring me.
"The Allfather watches over you, Jarl."
"You have had a great victory, Jarl Dragonheart?"
"The wolf returns; we will all prosper."
My people believed that their well being and that of the land depended upon me. Only good could result from my return. They believed that the crops would be greater, the animals more fertile and the Water be filled with fish. They also knew that we rarely came back from a raid empty handed and that meant they too would benefit from our success.
Haaken left me a mile or two from my hall. He had his own hall up in the woods on the foothills of the Old Man. There his family awaited him. His wife Unn would be happy to see her hero return. I had a mile to travel lone and I saw Cyninges-tūn growing larger as I drew close to its wooden walls. It gave me comfort to see the solid walls and ditches. They made us safe from attack. We had not suffered one since the wolf winter many years ago but we were vigilant.
Brigid and Gruffyd waited at the gates for me. Of Aiden and Kara there was no sign. I was worried, briefly, and then I realised that if anything bad had happened then the people we had passed would have told us. It was more likely that Kara wanted Brigid to enjoy the welcome without the distraction of my two spirit guides. I smiled as I approached my family. Gruffyd was standing, albeit unsteadily. He was growing. A Viking warrior saw his children growing by stages. He would be away and when he returned it would be as though his child was a different being.
I dismounted. The pony wandered to the Water to drink. He would not stray far. Gruffyd held out his hand and I swept him up. His little arms wrapped around my head. He smelled clean and I felt dirty. "You have grown my little warrior and yet it has been less than a moon since I last saw you."
I put my left arm around Brigid who hugged me, "He began to walk four days since. He was determined that he would not be carried."
"Quite right too." I wandered down to the Water and placed him on the back of the pony. "Hold on to the mane." I put his hands into the pony's mane and led him by the reins back to Brigid.