by Griff Hosker
The thin sun was climbing, albeit slowly, when Beorn the Scout found us. "We have seen the town. They know not that we are here for the gates are open." He swung his arm around. "I have seen a monastery and a nunnery just a mile or two from the main road."
I halted the column. This was too good an opportunity to miss. "Asbjorn, take your men and find the monastery which lies yonder." I pointed in the direction Beorn had indicated. "Aiden go with them. Gunnar Thorfinnson, take your band to the nunnery. Beorn lead them there, Aiden will show you how to find their secret treasures." I went close to the son of Blue Scar. "Make sure your men do not hurt the women. They are more valuable if they are left untouched. Beorn here has been raiding these many years. Heed his advice."
"Aye, Jarl."
"Take whatever you find back to Hamwic."
My slightly depleted band continued north. I was gambling again. When word got out then every church of the White Christ would hide their treasures. Every man who could bear arms would gather to fight us. They would raise the fyrd. Although not warriors they would be fighting for their land and their families. They would die hard! I wanted to have Wintan-ceastre securely in my hands before that happened. I intended to use it as a base to ravage Egbert's homeland.
It was only after our raid that they began to make Wintan-ceastre into a well defended burgh. Before that morning Egbert and the men of Wessex had thought that their town was safe. My men waited in the woods a mile and a half from the walls and I headed, with Haaken and Wolf Killer to my scout. When we reached Snorri I saw that the Saxons had built a wall running around it and a ditch but they only had towers at the main gates. It showed they were complacent. Speed was of the essence. We would be seen when we were a mile away. Once we reached that point it would be a race to see if we could reach the gates in time.
"What do you suggest Wolf Killer?"
"Most of Gunnstein Berserk-Killer's men have no armour. They should be fast. If we send them to run and reach the gates they might get there before they are closed."
"Good, then you take your men now and go around the walls to the northern gate. Secure them."
"Aye, Jarl."
My son had been an Ulfheonar. He knew how to use cover. In addition he and his men were keen to wreak revenge on the man who had ordered the slaying of their families. Their blood lust had not been slated by the slaughter of the Danes.
"Gunnstein, when we head towards the town I want you and your men to run and try to reach them before they are closed. It will be a hard task. If you do not reach them then have your men with bows clear the gates. It will take them some time to organise a defence."
"Aye Jarl. I am honoured that you give me this chance for glory. I will not let you down."
"You will learn that it is not others that you need worry about. You will do well if you do not let yourself down."
With the men from Dyflin leading we headed up the road. We moved at double speed. It was but a mile and half. The closer we came to the town the more I could see its extent. I saw the high buildings within. I saw that the town itself covered a large area. It was no Lundenwic but it was becoming one. Hope rose when I saw Gunnstein and his men just five hundred paces from the gates. They were still open. Did they have no sentries?
"Hurry! We may catch them with their breeks down!"
Gunnstein was just a hundred paces from the gates when they began to close. I saw a mailed figure with two others run across the ditch. It seemed impossible that they would make the gates but I saw that the gates did not close completely. The men of Dyflin ran to their leader's aid.
"Come, let us show the men from Dyflin that the warriors of Jarl Dragonheart do not let down their comrades!"
We ran and we ran hard. I could see that the gap in the gates was narrow. It looked to be no wider than two warriors. Gunnstein's men were suffering casualties as those on the walls hurled rocks, spears and released arrows at them.
I shouted as I ran, "Archers support those at the gates! Run!" Snorri kicked his horse hard in the flanks and led the archers to the wall. As soon as he reached the ditch my scout leapt from his horse and began to release arrows. He was deadly. He did not miss. The rest arrived piecemeal but gradually they began to wear down those on the walls.
We, too, arrived little by little. Olaf and Finni were the first there and they roughly shouldered aside those without armour. I kept my eye on the gates. They were not closing. Olaf and Finni reached Gunnstein. I saw Olaf's sword as it was raised high and then descended. The gates moved apart a little. Ulf joined the four at the gate and then Haaken and I added our weight to Olaf , Ulf and Finni's backs. It was like a dam bursting. Our added weight broke the backs of the defenders and the gates sprang open. We flooded in. The gates were breached.
Ahead of me I saw a Saxon leader organising a hurried shield wall to face us. I did not give him any time. We leapt towards them roaring our war cry, the howl of the wolf. It was daylight now and our red eyes and blackened armour were terrifying. As we ran towards the waiting warriors I saw fear in their eyes. I headed for the leader. I heard him exhorting his men to great deeds against the pagans. I brought my sword from high above my shoulder and put all of my strength in it. It struck his shield and I heard a crack as his forearm broke. He gritted his teeth and jabbed at me with his sword. I raised my shield to take it and then struck him hard in the face with it. He reeled back. I brought my sword sideways across his head. The blade bit into the helmet and knocked him to the ground. I was about to end his life when the warrior next to him stabbed at me with his spear. It rode over the links of my mail and stuck in the side of my byrnie. I twisted and hit him in the face with the pommel of my sword, he screamed as the crosspiece went into his eye. He made the mistake of lifting both hands to his face and I stabbed him a second time in the middle, ending his life.
With their leader down the Saxons ran. "After them!" Hrolf appeared behind me. He was a game youth and even though he had no armour he was always up with the leaders and those who were in the thickest part of the fray. "Keep your sword at the throat of this one. I think he is an eorl." I lifted up the chain he wore around his neck. It had the symbol of Wessex upon it; a cross with a bird in each corner. "He may be useful."
"Aye Jarl. He will not move save by your command!"
I hefted my shield up and ran after Haaken and the others. The warriors we had fought were running as fast as they could for the northern gate. I saw women and children cowering in huts and buildings. This was not supposed to happen to them. They lived in Wessex, in the most powerful kingdom in the land, they were supposed to be safe. Suddenly the warriors stopped running and turned to face us. I saw why for I could see the northern gates were open and Wolf Killer and his men were charging.
We did not break stride. We ran at the Saxons knowing that our mail and our shields would protect us and we were fighting men who were already defeated. They had run from us once because they were afraid of being killed and now they had no choice. That was the difference between us, my men cared not if they died for if they did then they would go to Valhalla. The heaven of the White Christ must have a less attractive proposition to the Saxons. I swung my sword over my head. The young warrior held up his sword to block it but his sword was short and badly made. Hitting it close to the hilt Ragnar's Spirit shattered the sword in two and continued to bite into his neck. He fell to the ground. Even as I pulled my sword back I saw that they had all been overwhelmed and killed.
All around my warriors banged their shields and chanted my name. I was less excited. These had been poor excuses for warriors. Anyone with any skill would be with Egbert. These were the reluctant heroes. I sheathed my sword, slung my shield around my back and took off my helmet. The air felt cool and refreshing but the air was filled with the smell of blood and death.
I turned to walk back to Hrolf and the Eorl. When I reached them I saw a well dressed woman kneeling and cowering before Hrolf. Her face was marked where she had been struck. Hrolf said, "This woman
tried to assist the warrior. I did not understand her words and so I hit her." He said it without apology. Nor did he need one. He had done exactly as I had asked.
"You have done well. You may sheathe your weapon now I do not think we will be in any more danger, at least not for a while." I turned to the woman. "This is your man?"
"He is my husband, Eorledman Centwine and I am his wife Lady Aethelfled." She pointed an accusing finger at Hrolf, "That boy hit me when I tried to help my husband!"
"That boy is a warrior and was obeying orders. Your husband should be dead by rights. He would be if that warrior had not tried to help him." I pointed to the dead and blinded warrior.
"That was our son Ceanwealh."
"He died well with a sword in his hand."
She seemed to realise that I was speaking to her in Saxon and speaking it well. "Are you a Saxon?"
"I had a Saxon father but I am a Viking."
"A pagan!"
She spoke the words as though she was insulting me. "Of course!"
"What will happen to us?"
"The town is mine and all within it. I will sell you."
Her hand went to her mouth, "You cannot! We are Christians!"
I laughed, "Then worship a god who will protect you next time."
Her husband began to come to. She looked at me and I nodded, "Hrolf, find a water skin."
I wondered what he had thought of our conversation for he spoke no Saxon. "Aye Jarl."
The Eorl opened his eyes and saw me and then his wife. She said, "Ceanwealh is dead, he tried to save you. He did save you."
Her husband looked distraught. "I would he had saved himself for then it would be me who was slain. Is that not right Viking!"
I think he said the words not expecting me to understand them for he looked surprised when I answered him. "I have just told your wife that we will sell you."
That truly shocked him. "Sell us!"
Hrolf returned with a skin and I handed it to the woman,. She poured some into his mouth and then on to the hem of her dress. She began to wipe the blood away from her husband's wound. He shook his head, "I am fine. Do not sell us Viking. I have money. I can pay more than you would get for selling me."
I laughed, "We will take all the money that is here, Eorl, I can sell you and have your money."
He shook his head, "My money is not here it is in my hall and that is not in Wintan-ceastre."
This was a way to make even more money. The Franks had done this. Perhaps it was the religion of the White Christ which allowed them to pay ransom. We would never do such a thing. I turned to Hrolf, "Continue to guard them. I will send some help."
He snorted, "I need no help for one Saxon and his bitch!"
Smiling to myself at his youthful arrogance I sought Wolf Killer and Ketil. I found them as they finished off the last of the warriors. Wolf Killer looked happy. "If they are all as easy as this perhaps we ought to conquer Wessex."
"It would not be as easy for King Egbert would have better warriors. Besides our home is better. Have the captives and the captured goods sent to Hamwic." They nodded. "And then we will send out scouts to find what other treasures we have." I spied Rolf Horsekiller and Thorir the Slow. They had with them a string of horses. "Where do you go with these?"
"They make good eating!"
"They make better mounts. Take them to Hrolf. He is with a pair of captives. Wait with them and keep the horses safe. There is other food for us to eat."
They went off happily and I went in search of Haaken and my Ulfheonar. They had found some ale which they had broached. Having been the ones who faced the greatest danger they would allow the others to do the menial tasks while they enjoyed the rewards. I took the proffered horn and raised it to them. Snorri, I have a task for you, Finni and Ulf." They looked attentively at me. "We have an Eorl who says he will pay us rather than selling him as a slave."
Olaf said, "So we get his money and then sell him anyway?"
"No, Olaf, if I give him my word then I will keep it. We use this as a way of making coin and exploring the land. When you escort him for the money beware of tricks and traps but, more importantly, see where else we might strike."
"We do not go home yet?"
"No, Vermund. We have not yet begun to pay back Egbert. And there is little need. We have seen naught yet which suggests danger. We keep a good watch. There are horses. We can send scouts out to give us early warning of warriors. If Asbjorn and Gunnar Thorfinnson have had as successful a day then we will have much to send back to our home."
I returned to the disconsolate looking pair of Saxons. "These three men will ride with you to fetch the gold for you and your wife's freedom. When you return then we will let you go."
"My wife stays here?"
"Of course she does. We all know how treacherous Saxons are! I would not trust one as far as I could throw one."
I could see that part of his plan had vanished with my words. "And how much do I pay?"
I smiled, "All that you have."
"But that is wrong! I refuse!"
"Then you shall both be sold." His shoulders drooped in resignation, "You should have fought with Egbert rather than offering to stay and defend this town." His darted look of hate showed that I has guessed correctly. He had taken what he believed was the safest course of action. "You are an Eorl. You will take more from those who work your land and you will become rich again. You will have your lives."
"You swear that we will live?"
"I am Jarl Dragonheart and I am never foresworn."
He recoiled, "I did not know that it was you!" He seemed to see our wolf cloaks for the first time.
"Then you can tell King Egbert, when he returns, that this is the price he and his people will pay each time he tries to hurt me or mine. There is nowhere he can hide from my vengeance."
He shook his head ruefully, "We advised him against this course of action. Elfrida means nothing to him. It was his pride which was hurt, that is all."
"And you have paid the price." I waved to Hrolf, "You can let him go." He nodded. "Snorri, take care. This one may be treacherous."
As they rode off I waved Gunnar and my banner over. "Guard this woman with your life."
"Aye Jarl. I am sorry that I could not keep up." He shook his head, "I made the mistake of fighting when I should have followed."
"You are a warrior. My banner entered with my warriors and the Saxons know who I am. That is enough."
Chapter 9
We ate well from the supplies in the town and we slept well in comfortable beds. The Saxons were soft. The warriors who had taken the supplies to Hamwic returned at dusk. The two raids on the monastery and nunnery had yielded huge amounts of slaves, books and gold. It was all going well. I sat reflecting in the warrior hall of the Saxons. Haaken came over to speak with me. "For someone who has just had another great victory you have a face which looks like a man who has lost his favourite sword."
"It is the Norns."
"The Norns?"
"Things have gone too well. The last time they went well, in Frankia, Windar's Mere and Elfridaby were ravaged. This went too well. What have the Weird Sisters planned for us now?"
"Then let us leave. When the ransom is received we head back to Hamwic and sail home."
He made it sound so simple. "But will that be enough for the men we lead?"
"They follow wherever you lead and they are grateful for the treasure they accumulate. They talk of you as lucky."
"And that is a mistake. The Norns do not like such arrogance."
"But it is not your arrogance; there is no one more humble than you." He emptied his horn of ale and pulled a face. The Saxons could not brew beer to save their lives. "What is the worst that could happen?"
"King Egbert catches us."
"And we fight him. When we fought for him at Lundenwic did you see anything to make you afraid?"
I found myself stroking the blue pommel stone. It gave me comfort. It was a connection to the war
lord and my past. "Of course not. If they do come then they will have marched from Corn Walum and that is hundreds of miles but..."
"Do not begin to doubt yourself. This land is rich and if we are to teach King Egbert a lesson then we make him and his people hurt."
He was right. "You have convinced me. See if the men can find any wine. Surely the men of Wessex who have coin cannot suffer this piss!"
Hrolf was hovering nearby and Haaken waved him over. "Young Hrolf, find us some wine and I will put you in a saga."
He grinned, "I would rather have a helmet and sword!"
I laughed, "You have served me well. That is a deal. Find us the wine and I will have Bjorn Bagsecgson make you both."
He disappeared and returned in an amazingly short time. He had an amphora of wine. I recognised the seal, it was Vasconian wine.
Haaken frowned, "You knew where this was before we asked you."
"Of course!"
"Do not be critical of someone with initiative, Haaken. If you had been a slave as I was then you would know that you take the chances which come your way. You have done well Hrolf but do not be so reckless when next we fight. I would not have you lose your life before we make you into a mighty warrior."
We sent scouts out the next morning and they scoured the land close to the town. My men on the walls kept a close watch for Snorri and the Eorl. At noon Aiden, Asbjorn and Gunnar arrived.
"We have filled all the knarr and sent them back to Úlfarrston." Aiden hesitated, "I sent 'Red Snake' with them as an escort. It seemed prudent not to risk her alone."
"You did well, Aiden. It is what I would have ordered."
Gunnar Thorfinnson was almost bursting, "We have riches beyond belief. The slaves alone are worth a fortune!"
Gunnstein Berserk-Killer nodded, "And there is no opposition. I can see why you are so successful, Jarl Dragonheart. It is not just your sword but your mind too."