by Griff Hosker
I nodded. Atticus held out his hand. Sámr put something in it and then folded over the Greek’s fingers. “Úlfarr, this is a friend.” The wolf flicked his eyes towards Atticus and I saw his upper lip curl. “Hold out your hand and let him take the treat.” This was a different great grandson I was seeing. Atticus obeyed but I could see the terror in his eyes. The wolf opened his mouth and Atticus shut his eyes. Úlfarr gently took the piece of boar meat on his tongue and then licked Atticus’ palm.
The Greek opened his eyes. He shook his head, “I can see that I have come to a land of magic. Thank you, master. I shall retire now, jarl, for I have much to occupy my mind.”
“Who is that?”
“He is a Greek and he will be your teacher.”
“Teacher?” Suspicion oozed from the one word.
“You need to know how to write. He can teach many languages. A warrior just needs to fight but you will be a jarl, a leader, and you need more skills.” I saw the disappointment, “Do not fear, we will still have time enough to play.”
They were content and I gave them a sanitized version of the battles we had fought. Eventually Brigid came over, “You two should have been abed long ago. I might have known that you and the beast would be to blame.”
Úlfarr cocked an ear and opened an eye but he realised who it was and went back to sleep.
“Do we have to? The Dragonheart is telling us stories.”
She grabbed their arms, “Then I am definitely taking you to bed. He will have you as bad as he is!”
I smiled, “And I am pleased to see you too, my love.”
Realising that she had sounded a little harsh she gave me a half smile and planted a genteel kiss on my cheek. “I am pleased to see you alive and that you have shaved recently!”
Uhtric brought me a horn of ale after she had gone, “She has watched for you each day, lord.”
“I know. We will be heading home as soon as I can arrange it. I have missed my hall.”
He nodded towards Úlfarr, “The young warriors will find it hard to be without him. They have been inseparable since you have been away.”
I stroked the wolf. I had missed them all but, perhaps, the wolf most of all. I was still uncertain as to the reason I had been sent for him but he had made himself indispensable in that time. When all the children had been carted off to bed and the women were preparing the food for us Ragnar and Gruffyd came over to me. They brought their own seats and horns of ale. We drank. I stroked the wolf and they stared into the fire. After a short time they both looked at me. I saw the unspoken question in their eyes. They were seeking approbation and approval.
“Aye, you both did well. If you are asking do I need to come again and watch over you then the answer is no. I may come with you again but it will be for the adventure and to see what the Weird Sisters have planned for me to enliven my old age. It will not be for a while but then again I am not sure that you will need to raid for a long time.”
“You are right, grandfather. We spoke with the other jarls. They are all content. Some like Blue Scar and Tryggvasson may sail when the new grass comes but that will be for glory.”
“And you have the task of dividing up the treasure and grain. That is as hard as fighting in a battle, often harder!”
Our men had all brought back their own treasures. The bodies of the enemy dead had been plundered. They had swords, seaxes and daggers. They had mail and helmets. Some would be sold or traded. Many would be itching to visit a market like Jorvik or Dyflin to trade for jewellery or superior weapons. Others would commission my smiths to make weapons, mail and helmets. My gold would stay in a chest in my hall. It was there for my son, daughters, grandsons and great grandchildren. When I died they would, hopefully, remember me kindly.
The feast was a fine one. The jarls and my Ulfheonar joined my family. We toasted and we ate. We sang songs and we remembered the dead. I could see that Gruffyd still brooded about Bili Leifsson. No matter what Ragnar and I said he would still feel guilty. These days I said little at these feasts. I drank as much as I always had but it appeared to have less effect than it used to. I enjoyed watching the young jarls make fools of themselves. Young Myfanwy was coming into womanhood and the young jarls tried to impress her. We had had the same problem with Erika. Myfanwy had seen it all before and she handled herself well. When it came time for her to marry, like Kara her half-sister, she would make the decision. She would choose wisely.
That night as I lay beneath the furs with Brigid she nuzzled close into me. “I did miss you, you know! It is just that in all the time we have been married you have never become the husband I thought you would become.”
“What do you mean?”
“You are exactly the same warrior you were back then. I thought you would have had some of the rough edges removed and become more, well more like the ruler of a great land. That is what you are. You could be prince or king.”
“A man who changes because of success is not a real man. He is playing a part. You are true to yourself. I am still the same man who was taken as a boy from the river in Northumbria. My heart is still the same.”
She sighed, “I know, the Dragonheart. I suppose I should be grateful. Other women marry men and when they change they become monsters. You are as gentle now as you were then and your great grandsons adore you!”
I was content.
The next day Ragnar distributed the grain and the treasure. The grain was equally divided between all of the settlements. That seemed the fairest way. Then Ragnar took his share of the gold, silver and other treasure. After that each jarl was given an equal share. The jarl would divide that up between his crew and his warriors. The exception were the sons of Erik Short Toe. They were offered a chest of gold. Instead they surprised us all by asking for the two Saxon ships. Although the ships were worth more than the treasure they were offered, no one had wanted the ships and so it was agreed. Everyone was happy; especially Erik Short Toe. His sons would follow him to the sea.
The lesser items, bolts of cloth, pots and the like were also shared equally but it was the women who would appreciate those. The jarls and the warriors did not understand the need for them! By the time it had all been divided and the jarls had left it was too late for Brigid and I to journey north. We stayed one more night. With Gruffyd back in his own hall Ragnar’s hall seemed somewhat empty. It was like being at a feast and the last ones to leave.
“You travel home on the morrow?”
I nodded, “I have matters to discuss with Aiden and we have his share of the treasure.” Ragnar had decided that Aiden ought to have the crowns and jewels of Essex. They could not be divided and Aiden would use them wisely. We were all aware of the contribution our wizard and volva made to our lives.
“Sámr and Ulla will miss you.” Astrid put her hand on mine. “And that wolf. I confess that I shall miss him. For a wild beast, he is remarkably gentle. When strangers come close to Kara the Golden he stands by protectively. I was afraid when first he sniffed her, I thought he was going to eat her but it was just to get her scent. He is a good guard.”
Brigid sniffed, “Get a dog and train it! That will be safer!” My wife could not understand our laughter.
We left and headed north to my home. Úlfarr seemed to revel in the fact that he could range far ahead. He returned to us regularly and then would race off again. Atticus was just bemused by what he saw. He was on a pony and seemed ill at ease. However, after he had fallen off three times he seemed to grasp the concept and stayed in the saddle. We had told him, on the drekar, of Old Olaf and my Water. I do not think he quite understood until we emerged from the forest and he saw the shining Water with the outline of the mountain reflected in the early summer sun. He said nothing for a while. It did not concern me. I always enjoyed the sight of my valley.
When he did speak he said, “It is a most remarkable valley, jarl. I can see why you do not wish to live elsewhere. After the heat of the Blue Sea it is temperate and pleasant. I look forward to my t
ime here.”
“You think you might stay?”
“I was a teacher. I can see that I have much to learn about this land and that will make me a better teacher. As masters go you are not the worst that I have had.”
“I told you, you are a free man.”
He laughed, “This land is ruled by you. I can see that. Your grandson led the raid but it is you that all defer to. You have no title and that shows your power; you need no title. I will stay. When I am bored then I shall leave.”
With the time spent with the babies and the raid it had been some time since I had been home. Farmers and fishermen greeted us on the road. Úlfarr was no longer the novelty he had been. They were used to him. Atticus, on the other hand, was a novelty and they stared at him. Their questions and their requests meant it took longer to reach the walls of my home than I might have liked.
Kara, Aiden and Ylva greeted me. Brigid said, “I am weary. I will be in the hall! If you want food tonight, husband then get Uhtric to arrange it! I am taking to my bed! I am getting too old for that journey.”
Myfanwy rolled her eyes and said, “Fear not father, I can take care of you.” She followed her mother and took Uhtric and the servants with her.
Kara said, “You have a new addition, father?”
“This is Atticus. He is a Greek and he is a teacher. He helped us in Lundewic and I have granted him his freedom. He still wishes to serve me.”
Atticus took the chest from the horse, “Here are maps and parchments. The jarl said they were for you. I have added details from the jarl’s words.”
“That is treasure indeed!” He turned to his daughter, “Ylva, take Atticus into my hall and help him to take out the parchments.”
I dismounted. “Egbert is dead.”
They both nodded, “We dreamed that it was so. It has been a long time. My brother is avenged now.”
“Aethelwulf is a different matter. He does not appear to be a warrior and yet he is both cunning and devious.”
“If you know that then you are prepared.”
I took the chest with the crown jewels. “Ragnar sent this. They are the crown and the jewels of Essex. We could not break it up and my grandson wished you to have it.”
Kara put her hands on the chest and closed her eyes. “There is ancient magic contained in here. The kings of Essex were not always Christian. This is another fine gift. We are indebted to Ragnar.”
We were alone, save for Úlfarr who lay at my feet. “There is this.” The wolf pricked up his ears. I took out the fruit knife. “This came into my possession.”
Aiden read the inscription and then looked at me, “Wyrd !”
I nodded, “I was going to give it to Gruffyd but…” I told them of the bandits. “I cannot give it to him now. Or can I?”
Kara took it from me and closed her eyes. “There is magic here too. We should dream, the three of us. There is much going on here. I think you were right not to give it to Gruffyd. I know not why but the spirits are talking in my head even as I speak with you. Leave this with us and we will dream.” She smiled, “The Greek seems interesting.”
“He is. He banters with Olaf and the Ulfheonar and yet he plays chess better than any man I have met. He is an enigma wrapped up in a riddle. I just wonder why he was sent to us.”
“I think that we need to dream. The Norns have been weaving that much is obvious but how these objects link to one another I do not know. We need to use the power of the Water and the spirits.” My daughter came close to me and said quietly, “And it is time that you did less and enjoyed the valley. Bagsecg and the others have missed you. Speak with them. Walk among your people. You are not only the heart of the dragon you are the heart of the Clan of the Wolf. Ragnar has shown that he can be the war leader. Step back, father.”
There was something beneath her words, “What is it? Have you dreamed my death?”
They looked at each other, “No, father, but we are concerned.” She held my hand which still had the angry scar from the spear. “You have been wounded. The last two raids have resulted in two wounds. You are no longer a young man.”
Atticus came out with Ylva. They were laughing about something. “Come Atticus I will show you your new home.”
As we walked to my hall, Úlfarr following us, he said, “I think I am going to like this valley. I met the nuns who live with your daughter. You have Christians living here and yet you are a pagan! There is more to you than appears. When I heard your story I thought you were a warrior, a champion, a fierce fighter whom men fear and now I see that is but one face that you show. I have much to learn about you, Jarl Dragonheart. And you are far more interesting than Eorledman Aethelbald!”
I laughed, “That is not much of a compliment, Atticus! My horse’s arse is more interesting than Aethelbald!”
“That is true. Now King Aethelwulf is a different matter.”
We had reached my hall. Slaves were banking up the fire and I heard Uhtric and the women as they prepared food. I took off my cloak and gestured for Atticus to sit by the fire with me. “You met him?”
He smiled, “I was a slave. Princes and kings do not meet slaves but they used my services. Aethelbald could not read very well and any marks he made on parchment were like the meanderings of a three-legged spider. And I was a slave and, of course, slaves have no ears. I was there when they spoke of their plots and plans. Aethelbald just went along with whatever Prince Aethelwulf said. He is king now but Aethelbald helped him to get where he wished to be.”
“How?” Uhtric brought me a horn of ale. He tossed some scraps for Úlfarr. I smiled. Had Brigid been there she would have berated him. She was in her chamber preparing for sleep.
As Úlfarr devoured the pieces of bone with meat attached Atticus continued, “Sigeberht was a killer. When he fought bouts, he did so under the gaze of men. Even then he knew how to weight the odds in his favour. He smeared wolf’s bane upon his blade. Even a nick was enough for him to win. He would prolong a bout until the poison took effect and he would be acclaimed the victor. When he killed at night it was as Aethelwulf’s murderer. He even killed women and children. He used poison then. You were lucky, lord, that when he fought you he did not have time to prepare his blade.”
He was right. The Saxon’s blade had made me bleed. The gods were watching over me. A warrior, however, did not murder women and children. “Women and children?”
“King Beorhtric was king of Wessex before Egbert. His wife Queen Eardburh fled to Frankia. It was said that she had a child. That child might have had a claim to the throne. Sigeberht went to Frankia and slew them in the night. He slew every servant too. He was well paid for that.”
“But that was some years ago.”
“I heard the story one night when the two of them were drinking and speaking of how Prince Aethelwulf would give them land when he became king and why.”
“There were others whom Sigeberht killed?”
“It was not just Sigeberht who killed for Aethelwulf. He had spies and traitors in the courts of Mercia, Om Walum and Northumbria. They told him of any threat to his father and he dealt with it. He knows Danes in Jorvik.” He looked at me, apprehensively. “It is said he uses those against Vikings.”
I nodded, “You need not be delicate. I had thought it was Egbert who ordered killers to my land. I see now that it was his son. I will not underestimate him.”
Atticus rose, “You would do well to keep a watch for his killers. King Aethelwulf will not forget what you have done. If you were to ask my opinion, he would already be plotting a way to wreak vengeance on you.” Yawning he gave a half bow and went to find Uhtric.
I studied the fire and stroked Úlfarr as the wolf groomed himself after his scraps. It would not just be me who was in danger. Ragnar had led. His standard had flown over the army when we had fought outside Lundenburh. I had thought my work was done but I would need to have a good watch kept on the borders of my lands. I did not think that any Dane would risk bringing an army to figh
t us. The Land of the Wolf was not a place to bring an army. The Danes knew that we were hard to beat in our own land and, having been victorious fighting the Saxons we would be even harder to defeat. It would be killers in the night.
Uhtric brought in food and more ale. I ate and I drank. It was dark outside and I said, “Uhtric I will take a turn around the walls.”
“Aye lord. I will wait for your return.”
Úlfarr followed me as I left my hall. We had a night watch. Karl One Leg had ten warriors to watch my walls. All had been hurt or wounded in one or other of our battles. None were farmers and so they watched my walls. I kept them in food, ale and clothes. They were content. Most had wives and they were contented. There would be three of them watching my walls. I spied two of them. They were at the north gate. That was close to my hall. I saw that the gate was closed. I walked close to them.
“How goes the night Sven?”
“Quiet jarl. It is good to have you back!” He pointed, “And your wolf!”
“And it is good to be close to Old Olaf and my Water.”
I decided I would speak with Karl One Leg and express my concerns but that would have to wait until the daylight. When I reached the main gate, the one leading to the south and the Water, I saw that it was open. Leif One Hand was there, “Why is the gate not barred? You know we keep it so when it is dark.”
“Aye jarl but your daughter, Ylva and the galdramenn have gone to the steam hut. I left it open for their return.”
I closed the gate. “They can knock and you can let them in. However, I do not think that they will return before dawn.” We barred the gate and I returned to my hall.
We were too comfortable. There had been no danger for many years. I would need to speak with Aiden and then travel to my grandson and speak with him. I was weary. Threats and dangers seemed to follow me wherever I went. I sat in my chair and Úlfarr rested his huge front paws on my legs and offered his head for me to fuss. He seemed to understand my concerns. I stroked his head and he licked my chin. I scratched him behind his ears. His teeth seemed to grin. Animals are not supposed to smile nor do they grin but I swear Úlfarr did. He laid his head on me and allowed me to scratch him under his neck. It soothed me as well as him.