by Griff Hosker
Einar and his men had had no trouble. The four guards had been slain and they had secured the five ships. “There are at least three that we could use, Jarl Dragonheart.”
“We will need only one. While we await the drekar empty the goods and tackled from all but the largest. That is the one we will take. We will burn the rest when we leave.”
“Burn them?”
“They may aid our escape.”
Olaf Leather Neck and my Ulfheonar joined me as Einar’s men scurried amongst the boats. “It is good to be hewing Saxons again eh, jarl?”
Haaken nodded, “We showed them that we are not old men but, Jarl Dragonheart, I like not this new habit you have of disappearing on your own. We are oathsworn! For an old man you can move!”
It was my turn to laugh, “If you cannot keep up with me then that is your problem.” I laid my shield down on the deck. I did not think I would need it on an island filled with priests.
Just then I heard a bell tolling on the island. One of Einar’s men stopped his work and looked at me, “Does that mean they know we are coming?”
“No, Lars, it is the bell calling their priests to their first prayers. And besides it matters not if they know we are coming. There are no warriors on the island.”
I looked at Haaken One Eye, “You may be right but they can still hide their treasures. It would be better if our arrival came as a surprise, just as Ragnar planned.”
The drekar appeared at the entrance to the small harbour. ‘Crow’ would be tied to the Saxon ships. “Einar stop what you are doing and get aboard. We have more urgent work!”
Aiden was waiting as we clambered aboard my drekar. “A success then?”
“Mostly.” I saw Aiden watching me. I handed him the chest I had found. “Here wizard, see what is in here!” I went to the steering board and joined Raibeart. The drekar would have to be rowed to the island. It was not far. I saw that the gods had been kind to us. It was high tide and there was no causeway to enable the priests to run.
“Mostly?”
“Ragnar was so concerned with taking Pennsans that he failed to send men to the priory. We both think the priests may have gone for help. Ragnar has tried to make up for his error by leaving two warbands in the burgh.”
“Then it was not a mistake. He has rectified that which went wrong.”
I smiled, “The pot is half full eh, Aiden?”
“Always, jarl! And I will come ashore this time. There will be more riches here and some of them will be hidden.” He placed the small chest on the deck.
The two of us went to the prow. I was keen to see this island refuge. It was a clear night without rain or mist. I saw the wooden buildings rising up the sides of the rock. The church and the sleeping hall were high up on the top of this rock. They had no wall. They thought that the sea was protection enough. There was a jetty. I could see the water lapping around the wooden limb which extended west. They must use Pennsans to keep them supplied when they could not use the causeway. Even as I watched Ragnar’s drekar bumped gently into the wooden jetty and I saw boys swarm ashore to tie her up. By the time we had joined them Ragnar’s warriors were racing down the wooden jetty towards the buildings.
Stepping from the ship I saw the glow from some of their buildings. As I had expected there were priests awake. There was a sudden cry which ended as quickly as it began. Someone had died. Aiden pointed to the sky behind the island. “Dawn is not far off. Ragnar has timed this well. The pot is more than half full!”
I took out my sword, “Raibeart, take your men and search the smaller buildings. Take everything that you find to the drekar.” There were smaller buildings on the lower slopes. The church and the dormitories of the priests were on the top of the rock. There was a path which wound its way to the top.
“Aye jarl.”
I went with Aiden and the Ulfheonar. We followed the sounds of shouting and found Ragnar and his men in the largest building. It was a church. Although made of wood it had been well made and had a high ceiling. We stepped over the bodies of two priests. Ragnar’s men were already stripping the building of all that was of value. I noticed that although the walls of the church were wooden the floor was made of cut stone. It was not a dirt floor.
Aiden said, “Ragnar, have you found their hidden place?”
The priests’ faces did not react to Aiden’s words. They did not speak our language. That was good.
“No, shall I ask them?”
I shook my head, “I have a better plan. Have your men begin to search. Aiden and I will watch the faces of the priests. When your men are close to the place they have hidden their treasure, they will become agitated.”
Ragnar grinned, “I can see that the grey you both wear is a sign of wisdom. Erik, Hrolf, search beneath the cross. Siggi and Eystein, you search in the place they store their clothes.”
When Siggi reached the large chest, I saw one younger priest whisper something into the ear of an older one. The older one shook his head, angrily. Aiden and I strode over. “Siggi, Eystein, move this chest.”
“There is nothing in it, jarl, nothing save clothes.”
“And that is why I wish you to move it. We seek that which is hidden.”
They pushed the huge chest and revealed a wooden door in the floor. There was a ring with which to open it. Siggi said, “How did you know?”
Aiden smiled, “This is not the first church we have raided. Unless I miss my guess, there are steps cut into the stone and they descend to what they call a crypt.” He took a burning brand from one of the metal sconces. I opened the wooden door set in the stone and Aiden fearlessly descended. I saw Siggi and Eystein clutch at Thor’s hammer. To them the priests were like wizards and one did not descend into a wizard’s lair lightly. Of course, Aiden and I had descended into the lair of a Norn. This one held no fear for us.
Aiden’s body hid the crypt from me until he stepped from the crudely carved stones. I saw that it was small. Four men would have filled it. I had to bend my head for the ceiling was low. I smiled as Aiden, without the benefit of a helmet, cracked his head from the rocky roof.
He snapped, somewhat angrily, “I would that they had finished this off properly!”
“Next time wear a helmet!”
There were chests of varying sizes neatly stacked around the sides of the chamber. We began to open them. I chose the larger ones. I saw that the first two contained coins. One held gold and silver while the second, much larger held copper. This was the tribute people paid the priests. “Siggi, Eystein. Come down. There are chests to be taken up.”
The two warriors descended somewhat warily. I pointed at the two chests and then joined Aiden in opening the others. Most contained bones. These were the relics of saints although Aiden was certain that they just used the old bones of dead priests. One, however, contained documents. I saw Aiden’s face light up. “This is treasure!”
We took the chests with us. The relics could be sold in Dorestad and Aiden would read the documents. The two chests of treasure had made the raid worthwhile. I had no doubt that there would be holy books too. When we emerged from the crypt the church had been emptied of priests, candlesticks, holy books, metal candleholders, vestments and anything of value. I knew that Raibeart would have found pots, platters, goblets and the like which would enrich the homes of many of our men. Nothing would be wasted.
Outside the church the sun had risen. Ragnar waited. “A good raid. Did you find anything which Gruffyd might seek?”
“You mean aught to do with Ebrel and her father?” He nodded. “Apart from some documents which may, or may not refer to them, no.”
“Then he will be disappointed. He wanted to raid Om Walum and hurt Egbert.”
Aiden said, mysteriously, “When you begin a journey you, oft times, do not know where it will lead. This is a step for Gruffyd. The fact that we do not appear to have hurt the killer of his wife’s father has naught to do with it.”
We boarded the drekar with our prisoner
s and we headed towards Pennsans. The sun was now well up. I wondered if Ragnar would stay another night and then leave on the following morning’s tide. Aiden turned to me, “All is not well.” He pointed to the burh.
At that moment one of the ships’ boys shouted, “Jarl Dragonheart, the walls are manned!”
The Norns!
Ragnar and his crew were already racing, with their prisoners, inside the burh, when we tied up. “Raibeart keep a good watch on board the drekar. If danger threatens I want them to tow the other two ships and wait in the outer harbour.”
“Why not just leave now?”
I shook my head, “Our men are within the walls. Danger must threaten. We will keep our captives with the walls of Pennsans but I want the drekar safe. My grandson has made a mistake. I want a good man here.”
“I will stay. Between Erik Short Toe and myself we have plenty of experience.”
I followed Aiden and the captives. Sven Long Walking led the way. Erik Ironshirt shouted, from the gatehouse, “Hurry, Jarl Dragonheart. It is King Egbert and his son, Prince Aethelwulf, they are preparing to attack.”
Chapter 3
Olaf Leather Neck stroked the edge of his axe. “You will soon feast on Saxon blood, my beauty!” Olaf had not killed enough men yet. His axe was not even notched.
Grabbing my shield, I hurried, with my Ulfheonar, towards the west wall. I saw that my son and grandson were both there already and that meant the main Saxon attack was from that direction. I turned to Aiden, “I thought that Egbert would have gone back to Wintan-ceastre after he defeated the Danes.”
“Perhaps he meant to. We cannot know how many threads are in this web. We do not know what stopped him nor what made him come here just as we were raiding.”
I wondered at that. We had thought this an easy target. It had been something for Gruffyd to cut his teeth upon. I could have brought another drekar with a crew. We could have double crewed the ones we had brought. Ketil, Ulf and Asbjorn the Strong would have been willing to come. All these were decisions we could have made but Ragnar and I had thought this would be easy. It was not. I wondered why Gruffyd had not ordered the men back to the drekar and the Saxon ship we had taken. I climbed the ladder to the fighting platform. As I reached the top I saw that there were many Eorledmen and that it was indeed King Egbert and his son Aethelwulf. I recognised their banners. They were at the top of the higher ground. They were looking beyond their men. The Saxons were forming a shield wall and preparing to attack.
Ragnar turned. It was obvious he had had words with my son for Gruffyd’s face was red. “The Saxon king was visiting the priory. Gruffyd disturbed them.”
Gruffyd whipped his head around, “We killed some of the King’s oathsworn!”
I held up my hand, “Peace my son. Do not become angry. We talk and we plan. We do not fight with each other. We are now trapped within this Saxon stronghold. Let us deal with this first. When we are safe at home we can wonder what we might have done. Understood?” They both nodded. “Ragnar, you are leader of this raid but you have not fought from behind a town’s walls would you welcome some advice?”
“Aye Jarl Dragonheart.”
“Then have every man with a bow on this wall.” I pointed to Ragnar and Gruffyd’s banners. “That is what the Saxons see. My banner is back in Cyninges-tūn. Let us use that to our advantage.”
“How?”
“They do not know that I am here. King Egbert and I have a blood feud. I will take the Ulfheonar, Sven Long Walking’s men and those of Raibeart’s with mail. While you and my son use your archers to annoy them and make them charge we will take ‘Heart of the Dragon’ and we will sail to the beach where first we landed. I will try to kill Egbert and his son. They think they are safe behind their men. They are not.”
Ragnar did not look happy at my decision. I was not attempting to steal his glory. It was a practical decision. When we burst from their flank they would see the wolf on my shield and the shock might just be enough to win the day. “It should be me who leads the attack.”
“No, Ragnar, for I am expendable and besides, Aiden here has not dreamed my death.”
Aiden said, “Of course if you do something foolish like this then I cannot be held accountable!”
“Help my son and grandson. Come Ulfheonar. Let us go to war.”
As Ragnar shouted for the archers I led the forty men I would be taking with me. It was not a large number but we would all be mailed. Gruffyd had already slain some of Egbert’s oathsworn. I had counted just twenty left with the King and his son. There were others close by but they were not mailed. The main body of mailed Saxons were now in their front rank and preparing to attack Pennsans’ walls.
The men who raced back to ‘Heart of the Dragon’ were not worried about what we were about to do. This would be a chance for glory. If they died then they would go to Valhalla and have a wondrous tale to tell. If they had fallen attacking the burghers of Pennsans it would have been disappointing.
“Raibeart, put your spare crews on ‘Breath’ and ‘Crow’ . We are going to war!”
Neither Erik Short Toe nor Raibeart questioned me. The men took to their oars. We would not use the sail. Time was of the essence and soon we were rowing out of the harbour. Haaken chose the chant. It was the tale of how we had gone to Din Guardi where another Saxon king thought himself safe. It was a good choice. As they sang I found myself clutching the pommel of my sword with one and my amulets with the other. As I intoned the words of the chant I felt the power of the amulets and the sword fill my body. The gods were with us.
The Saxon King had a mighty home
Protected by rock, sea and foam
Safe he thought from all his foes
But the Dragonheart would bring new woes
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
The snake had fled and was hiding there
Safe he thought in the Saxon lair
With heart of dragon and veins of ice
Dragonheart knew nine would suffice
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
Below the sand they sought the cave
The rumour from the wizard brave
Beneath the sea without a light
The nine all waited through the night
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
When night fell they climbed the stair
Invisible to the Saxons there
In the tower the traitors lurked
Dragonheart had a plan which worked
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
With Odin’s blade the legend fought
Magnus’ tricks they came to nought
With sword held high and a mighty thrust
Dragonheart sent Magnus to an end that was just
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
I saw, from the steering board, the arrows as Ragnar’s archers began to rain upon the advancing Saxons. They would do little damage. The men in the fore were armoured and they had shields but I knew that enough would be slain and wounded to disrupt their lines. The arrows would annoy the Saxons and make them reckless. It was important that Ragnar kept the attention of the Saxons on the walls. The men rowed with the prospect of a battle with Saxons. They relished the thought.
Raibeart turned the drekar, shouted, “In oars!” and allowed the drekar to slide up onto the beach. His ships’ boys would have to defend the drekar. I was taking a risk but, sometimes, the gods favoured such acts. Once ashore we formed into a column four men wide. I was at the front. I had chose
n the most experienced men for when we formed a fighting wedge it would be within sight of the enemy.
We were hidden from the Saxons and Raibeart had brought us so that we would be approaching from the rear. King Egbert’s standard was close to the top of the small rise. We would be able to see that before we saw the Saxons. It was a marker which would draw us closer. I drew my sword as we neared the rise. I could hear their horses and knew that we were getting closer. Behind me Olaf Leather Neck and Haaken One Eye locked shields and stepped behind me. Aðils Shape Shifter stood behind them and was flanked by Rollo Thin Skin and Rolf Horse Killer. Beorn the Scout stood behind Aðils and the other warriors would fan out to form the wedge once we crested the rise. We had the point and that was enough to begin with.
As I crested the rise I saw that we were not directly behind the Saxons. We were approaching obliquely but they were less than a hundred and fifty paces from us. The bulk of their men had closed with the walls. I saw them trying to climb the walls. Ragnar and Gruffyd were leading the defence. We did not shout as we approached. Our seal skin boots did not make a sound on the sand blown grass. It was one of the horse holders who sounded the alarm, “Vikings!”
The warriors at the rear turned and there was consternation. I raised my sword and yelled, “Charge!” We moved faster. This was not a run. It was a fast walk. The wedge began to form as we moved. The Saxon bodyguards, Egbert’s hearth weru, started to form a hurried shield wall. They would not do so before we struck them. A younger warrior, I think it was Aethelwulf, shouted for horses. I aimed our wedge for King Egbert. This was my best chance to end his life and the blood feud which went back to my son and Elfrida.
One of the hearth weru threw himself at me in an attempt to slow down the wedge. He raised his sword and ran at me. He mistimed his charge. We were moving fast and so was he. My shield rattled into his face and the pommel of his sword struck my helmet. I swung my own sword sideways and it bit through his mail and into his side. The wedge pushed him backwards and he slipped from my sword. It sawed towards his ribs and he was trampled by, first Olaf then Rollo and finally the rest of my men. His charge had not slowed us down but it had left a gap and I exploited the gap. A horn sounded from behind Aethelwulf. I guessed they were recalling the warriors from their attack.