by Griff Hosker
There was no wall facing us. It was just a steep, rock strewn slope which ended at the fort. It looked to be an almost vertical cliff at the end. The closer I looked the more I saw that it could be climbed. I shaded my eyes against the setting sun. It would have set in an hour. Dare I take a chance? If we descended in the dusk we would have a better idea of the problems which might face us on the climb down.
“Beorn, you have good eyes; can you see any guards facing this way?”
He bellied up the ridge and scanned the buildings below us. They were a good eight hundred paces away but Beorn was a hunter and had excellent eyesight. Slithering down he shook his head. “No, my lord. There are no guards facing this way.”
I turned to the others. “Then let us make our way to the rock wall and we will use the scrubby trees for cover. Move slowly.” I realised as I added the last comment that it was unnecessary. They knew what to do.
We half ran and half crouched our way to the trees. We moved from side to side and I hoped that we would appear as shadows. We took our time and reached the wall above the fort before the sun had set. We all kept as still as possible and each of us peered down the rocky wall to see the best way down.
I would consult with the others but, to me, it did not look as hard as I had expected. It was not as vertical as I had thought. The angle had deceived me. Small trees and bushes had sprouted and would give hand holds. The rocks themselves would also enable us to go down the slope steadily. Once I had seen that I could get down I began to scan the walls to see the defences.
There were two gates: one at the east and one at the west. Beyond that there were ditches; three of them. I began counting guards. I suspected there would be fewer once night fell but we would err on the side of caution. I counted eight men on each gate but only three on each wall. As far as I could see none watched the sea and, as we had deduced, none watched the mountain. These were sloppy Saxons They looked to the old Roman Road which passed through the monastery and the fort.
I slid down the slope away from view. My men joined me. “I think we can get down. I think that we could take one gate easily.”
Ulf said, “I saw a warrior hall. It looks large enough to accommodate a large number of men.”
I nodded, “I would expect no less. I have in mind to go down sooner rather than later. We can kill the guards on one gate and replace them. If we eliminate the patrolling guards then we can replace them too. That will just leave one gate and it may prove possible to get rid of those too.”
Haaken looked dubious. “The guards we see outnumber us already. We would have to kill them and then guard all night. I do not know about you but I need some sleep.”
“And we will sleep. We will pair up. One man sleeps for an hour and then wakes the other.” I paused, “We are Ulfheonar.”
Haaken gave a cynical laugh, “And we always do the impossible. Let’s get on with it then!” He looked at Cnut and then me. “Have you the beetle juice?”
I nodded and handed over the small jar. They all smeared it on their eyes and I saw, for the first time, the effect. It was terrifying.
When they had finished Haaken said, “Now we are ready!”
We returned to the crest and then each made our own way down. There was little point in giving orders we all had to concentrate on the task in hand. We clambered down in the half light of dusk. The rays from the setting sun gave us enough light to see where we were going and we just had to get down slowly.
I was a little slower than some and when I reached the crudely made path I found Thorkell and Beorn already there. I took out my seax. This would be knife work. My shield still lay across my back. When all of my men made it safely down, I led the way and headed towards the eastern gate. It was where I had told Rolf that we would be. We moved silently. Our armour and our leather did not creak to give us away; we had prepared too well for that to happen. I saw that one of the sentries was heading our way. I waved my men down and tapped Beorn on the shoulder. He ghosted along the wall. The sentry was looking to the east. I watched as Beorn’s hand came up around the sentry’s mouth and then the dagger sliced across his throat showering the wall with warm blood. It looked as though someone had thrown a goblet of red wine on the white stone. I joined Beorn and we slipped the body over the wall and it landed with a dull thud in the ditch. Cnut took the place of the sentry and began to walk along the wall towards the next Saxon. We crouched in the dark. Cnut was a master with the seax. As he walked towards the sentry I saw that this was the last one before the gate. Once we reached the gate and eliminated the guards there then we could gather our wits once more.
When the sentry was pitched over the wall I waved the warriors forward. We paused outside the guard tower. There was a light coming from beneath the door. I could hear them speaking within. I listened and held up three fingers. There were three warriors who were talking. I heard them say the name Scanlan and I assumed that was the guard we had just killed from the way they spoke of him. There might be others but not many and we would outnumber them. This would be the most difficult part. We had to eliminate them without them making a sound. I drew my sword. I had an idea. I nodded to Haaken and Cnut who drew their swords.
I took a breath and opening the door stepped inside and said in Saxon, “I am the wolf who devoured Scanlan come to feast on you.” The three of them were seated around a table and I saw the terror in their eyes as they peered up at my wolf helmet and red eyes. I stabbed the one closest to me in the throat. Haaken took the second and Cnut the third. They had been so terrified by my appearance that they had been mesmerised. Haaken waved the others inside the gate house tower. We waited to see if the other guard, on the far side of the gate, had heard anything. When his footsteps approached Beorn stood behind the door.
“Aethelward, what was that noise I heard?”
I suddenly began to laugh as though I had heard the funniest story ever. I pointed to Haaken who also laughed. It must have allayed the last sentry’s fears for he said, “Tell me the…” as he opened the door. He got no further for Beorn grabbed his arm, pulled him in and, slitting his throat, silenced him.
We pitched the bodies over the wall into the ditch and Carl took the sentry’s place. There were no more sentries on our side of the fort and I decided we would not risk taking out the other guards. We had one gate secured. I spoke quietly. “Try to get some sleep. We need to be rested before daw and Rolf come.”
I would not sleep for I could not. I was the jarl and I had much to think on. I sheathed my sword and went down the stairs to the gate. I saw that it was a simple bar. I would not risk moving it too soon in case one of the guards on the other gate noticed it. Once at ground level I could see the warrior hall with the dim light glowing from beneath the door. There were other buildings but none had any light. That meant there were warriors awake in the hall.
I ascended the stairs and peered over the parapet. There were three ditches and it looked as though there was a moveable bridge. The Saxons were lazy or overconfident. They had not raised it. The monastery was on the other side of the fort. Even if they tried to flee we could run them down easily. It now all depended on Rolf. I stared into the dark. I could see nothing. I just hoped that he was sailing towards us. I walked towards Thorkell who was playing the part of one of the sentries. I spoke quietly. If any of the guards on the other side saw us it would appear natural.
“Have you seen anything?”
He shook his head, “One of the sentries on the west wall waved at me and I waved back. There are three sentries on that side.”
I nodded. Thorkell was one of the four archers we used. “When I give the word you and the others must take them out.”
“We are ready, my lord.”
“And the fire arrow?”
“It is prepared. We will use the candle in the guard tower to ignite it.”
I knew that I was talking because I was nervous and apprehensive. I smiled and returned to the guard tower. Four of my warriors were asleep. I s
aid to the other four. “You too can sleep. I will watch.” They looked as though they might object. “I can watch for us all and I will sleep later when we have captured this fort and this monastery.”
They soon fell asleep and I was left to watch the night change to day. As the first slim grey rays appeared I looked towards the sea. Perhaps it was my imagination or wishful thinking but I thought I saw the shapes of my two ships. I stared out towards the sea and saw the shapes move. It was Rolf. I turned and woke my men. Now we had to wait for dawn.
Chapter 5
“Cnut. Go with Haaken down to the gate and prepare to unbar it. If the alarum is sounded then just open it, otherwise wait for my command.”
They disappeared and Thorkell came to me. “Shall I prepare the fire arrow?”
“Aye.” It was then that I realised I could have risked Rolf and his men landing without any signal. I had assumed the Saxons would have a closer watch. Now, when we released it, the fire arrow would alert the other sentries. Wyrd.
“Sweyn, take Ulf and Beorn. When the archers have silenced the walking guards take out the men in the other gatehouse.” Even though we were deviating from our plan he nodded and left.
Thorkell had heard me. “We kill the sentries and then loose the fire arrow?”
“Can you do it?”
He smiled and his teeth glinted in the first sun rays peeping over the mountain. “Aye, we can.”
I saw Sweyn and his companions walking across the courtyard. One of the sentries turned to look at them. Thorkell’s arrow found its mark and he fell with just a dull thud. The other two sentries heard the noise and turned. Even as the arrows were hurtling towards them they gave the alarm. Both fell dead but now we would have the garrison to contend with. Thorkell’s fire arrow soared into the sky as Sweyn and the others ran up the stairs. I heard the clash of arms but my attention was on the warrior hall. I saw the door open. Carl loosed his arrow which missed the warrior at the door but slammed into it. The door was hurriedly closed shut again.
I risked a glance to the sea and I could see that the two boats had beached and Rolf was leading the warriors towards the gate. They had six hundred paces to cover and we had to buy time.
“Ulfheonar, let us go down to the gate.”
Sweyn and the others would have to cope on their own at the western gate. The eastern gate was open and we formed a line across it. The Saxons would have to be good to dislodge us.
The raid was not going the way I had planned it. That was wyrd. When I was younger I might have worried but I had led enough raids to be able to trust my men and think on my feet. This could still work. The commander of this fort did not make the mistake of coming at us piecemeal. He organised his men into a wedge and they marched towards us. That suited me for the more time they took the better. It also meant that Sweyn and his men were ignored. Thorkell and the archers sent their last flights towards the advancing shield wall. They were good bowmen and I saw Saxons falling.
I began to beat my shield with the hilt of my sword. The others took it up and then Haaken began to chant ‘Ulfheonar’. The Saxons would not comprehend its meaning but the sound was hypnotic. I saw some of the Saxons glancing at each other as they advanced. They were wary of us. We were so few that we should be fleeing but we stood and we sang. Then they saw my face and that of my men. The red eyes looked fierce in the early morning light. They approached even more slowly than they had before. I heard the leader exhorting his men. They were less than confident despite our numbers.
I heard Rolf and our men as they raced towards us across the shingle and the wooden bridge. I shouted, “Charge!” My handful of men leapt towards the shield wall. I swung Ragnar’s Spirit overhand and smote the shield of their leader. There was an almighty crack and it fell into two pieces. Before he could react I punched him with the boss of my shield and, as he stumbled backwards, I smashed my sword at his helmet. It was a poorly made piece of protection and it split along with his head. With Sweyn and the others attacking the rear the shield wall disintegrated. Rolf and his warriors fell upon the demoralised Saxons. I had little to do as my men ruthlessly despatched the garrison. We had captured the fort and destroyed the protectors of the monastery.
“To the monastery before they know who we are!”
As we raced towards the western gate I heard the bell in the monastery tolling. They would begin to flee. Rolf’s men were fresher and they reached the gate before we did. They flung it open and I saw the monks as they emerged from their halls and church. They were like ants disturbed and they ran in every direction, many of them clutching their precious books, their treasure. It was a fruitless journey for they had nowhere to run. Rolf and his men ran towards the last gate; the one which protected the monks. It was closed but some monks were attempting to open it. I saw one of Rolf’s men throw a Frankish throwing axe. It thudded into the back of the monk who had reached the bar. He fell to the ground his body contorted with pain. The other monks just froze. Their delay killed them as Rolf’s men cut them down.
I stood and watched. I was tired and I was out of breath. This did not need a jarl. The monks who surrendered were tethered whilst those who fought died. It was all over within a short time. We now had a base and we now had a fort. I had gambled and we had won. The gods did, indeed, favour us.
The prisoners were rounded up and all placed together under the watchful eyes of Rolf and his men. I knew that the Ulfheonar would be as tired as I was but we had to find the riches of the monastery first. I took off my helmet and cloak. The cool morning air was refreshing. I had worn the helmet for a long time. I laid them both upon my shield. Out victory had been so complete that the only mark on my shield was the blood from their dead leader’s nose when I had struck him. As I led my men into the buildings I wondered then about the Welsh. If the Saxons could be this easy to defeat then what threat was there from the people of this land?
We were now quite proficient at searching monasteries. We knew the obvious places to look and the hidden ones the monks liked to use. When I entered the large hall I was intrigued by a map hand drawn and illustrated on a piece of stretched hide. I rolled it up to look at later. The room Haaken and I searched seemed to be the one with the papers from the monastery. I know that other raiders discarded such finds but I lad learned that there was more to be gained by retaining them. Monks and priests were clever people. If they wrote something down which was not do with the White Christ then it was important. Once we had gathered everything and put it into a chest we found we went out to the courtyard.
Rolf’s warriors had finished despatching those who were too wounded to live. They were all Saxons. As they wore the cross of their religion about their necks we did not put a sword in their hand as we did so. We had learned that they did not thank us for it.
I saw Erik Short Toe and Aiden entering the gate and I waved them over. They ran to be at my side. “Go and find the kitchens. See if there is any food prepared. I am starving.”
I approached Rolf. “Did we lose any warriors?”
“Just three, my lord. Two of my men and Arnulf of the Ulfheonar.”
That saddened me. Arnulf was a good warrior. He was quiet but diligent. He was not married but his mother and father had a farm in the hills above Hrams-a. We would see they received his share. “We will bury them here. It is a good place.” I looked at the prisoners. “How many?”
“There are ten warriors and eight monks and priests.” He pointed at one with better garments than the others. “I think he is the chief priest.”
I saw that he had a golden cross still about his neck. He saw me looking at him and he tried to hide it. I reached down and tore it from his neck. He said, in Saxon, “Unholy dog, may you burn in hell.” I smiled. I would not let him know I could speak Saxon yet. I had learned that we could get more information if I withheld that skill.
Cnut and the others came out with many heavy chests. “A fine haul, Dragon Heart. This is a richer monastery than the other one. We will all
be rich men.”
Erik shouted, “We have found the food, my lord.”
Rolf said, “You eat first my lord. We have yet to work up a real appetite.”
I did not argue and we trooped off towards the waiting Erik. He gave a slight bow and waved us through. The table was already laden with food. It was simple fare but there was enough for all of us and we tucked in to it.
“What now?”
I looked at Haaken. “We send the slaves and the treasure back. We will then explore the island. That is my real goal.”
“We could go home. We have already had greater glory and greater rewards than any other raid.”
“True but what would we do? We would sit around and sing our songs. We would eat well and we would drink ourselves into a stupor.”
Haaken nodded, “And there is nothing wrong with that.”
I smiled, “We are at the peak of our powers right now, my friend. When we are like Prince Butar and Olaf the Toothless then we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labour. Arnulf and Erik are both now dead. They would not wish to return home now would they?”
“You are right. It is just that this feels strange. We do not spend time away from home like this.”
“And your wife will appreciate you all the more when you do return!” Cnut always brought it down to a basic level.
After we had eaten we went to wash the beetle juice from our eyes. After a time it began to irritate and it felt good to be clean again. We relieved the others and we watched the prisoners. They were now talking with each other. The one whose cross I had taken was speaking to another of the older priests.