by Griff Hosker
Uhtric came in and said, “Shall I bar the door, jarl?”
I was about to say no and then realised that security started with me. “Aye Uhtric, we cannot be too careful.”
I placed some furs before the fire. I would sleep in my hall rather than my chamber. I knew that Úlfarr would try to follow me and I did not wish to risk a row with my wife. The furs were soft and comfortable. I covered myself with a cloak and Úlfarr crawled to cover my legs.
I smiled as I curled up to sleep. The wolf had been sent for a purpose. I knew that now.
I had a troubled sleep. Danes appeared. The Skull Taker and others drifted in and out of my past. I saw Klakke Blue Cheek. There were so many. Most, if not all, were dead and perhaps it was their spirits which haunted my dreams as a punishment for their deaths. Or was it a premonition of danger to come?
I awoke early as the slaves came to make up the fire. I made water and then ate the bread and cheese they brought for me. I gave Úlfarr the remains of the food which Brigid had not eaten the night before and, after dressing in clean clothes I left. I had much to do. I found Karl One Leg. He was by the main gate speaking with Erik One Toe.
“Karl.”
“Jarl, it is good to have you back. Leif told me that you had been walking the walls last night. Is there aught amiss?”
“You heard that we defeated the men of Wessex?” He nodded. “I have learned that this new king, Aethelwulf, has little honour. He sends killers in the night to do his work. He uses Danes.”
“Aah, that makes sense then fear not. We will keep the gates barred at night.”
“There may be more men who cannot farm and cannot go to war again.”
Karl nodded, “I have spoken with some of them. I gave them advice on what to do when they could no longer raid. I know as well as any what the problems will be.”
I had thought before I had slept of solutions to our problem. “Karl, you and your men keep my land safe while I am away. We have much profit. I would pay you and the watch. More than that I would increase it.”
“You need not give us coin, jarl. We are of the clan and we are happy to watch over our shield brothers.”
“I know but you should not do so in poverty. I will pay you ten silver coins and your men one silver coin for each moon that you serve me. If there are others who would serve the watch then that is good. If we have forty men watching our walls then that is silver which is well spent.”
He laughed, “Jarl, we do not have forty men who cannot take an oar!”
“Then we will take whatever we can. There will be a chest coming with weapons and helmets. I know that your watch have their own but some of the swords are good swords. Take whatever you and your watch need. You are the defence against a knife in the night.”
“Aye jarl.”
With Úlfarr following I went to the hall of Kara and Aiden. They, along with Ylva, were seated around their table. Despite the fact that they had slept they looked drawn. I knew that when they entered the spirit world it could be more exhausting than fighting a battle.
They smiled when I entered and Ylva held out a piece of meat for Úlfarr. The wolf raced to her side. Kara pushed the silver knife over to me. “You are right. This is not meant for Gruffyd.”
“Ragnar?”
She shook her head, “Sámr.”
“Sámr?” That surprised me.
Ylva was stroking Úlfarr, “You did not tell us that you had dreamed. You were the wolf. You were Úlfarr.”
“How did you know?”
Kara shook her head, “All these years and you have to ask? The spirits told us. There is danger from without. We know what is in your head. Last night as you slept your mind was troubled. We felt the worry. You are right to worry about the Danes.”
“Then you saw the danger?”
“We saw the danger to Sámr. Your mother came to us. You were meant to find the silver blade in the Temese. You know that there is a creature which is half man and half wolf.”
I laughed, “Aye folk call us Ulfheonar.”
Aiden said, quietly, “No, jarl, these are creatures from the Otherworld. They come back to kill and they can only be hurt by a silver blade. They are not human. They are half spirits and half animals. Now you see why the blade is important.”
“Are there such creatures?”
“Who knows? I have never seen one but I believe they could exist. Your mother wishes the blade to go to Sámr and she has never led us astray before.”
“Then I will travel back down the road to see my grandson. Before I do I will send riders to warn my jarls of the danger and ask Ketil to get word to Carr and Ase.” Ase’s sister, Agnete, ran an inn in Jorvik, ‘The Saddle’ . She was our main source of information in that Danish wasp’s nest.
I sought out the young men whom I used to ride and deliver messages. I gave each one a message to take to one of my jarls. Bjorn, who would ride to Ketil was the only one with a different message. Having sent them on their way I sought out Bagsecg, my blacksmith. I showed him the silver knife.
“A pretty enough object if a little fancy for my taste.”
“Could you give it an edge and a point?”
“I could, jarl, but silver is not hard like steel. It does not keep an edge. If it was used once it would become dull and blunt.”
“It matters not, Bagsecg. It may be that it is only needed once.”
“Aye jarl. I can see there is much here which is unsaid. I will have my son’s wife make a sheath. It will help keep the edge until it is needed.”
“And when the scabbard is made have her give it to Kara. I would have a spell cast upon the sheath.”
Then I rode around my Water. If death did await me then I wanted to enjoy my land as much as I could. Úlfarr and I were away all day and when were returned, we were both weary but, for myself, I felt content. This was my land and if an enemy wished to enter it then I would fight him, to the death!
Chapter 16
Brigid was waiting for me when I returned. “Where have you been, husband? You did not share my bed last night and I have not seen you all day.”
“Sit and I will explain.” I told her what I had learned. While we were talking Atticus came in and seeing that we were in deep conversation began to groom Úlfarr who lay by the fire. The wolf’s fur had picked up burrs and grasses from our run. He was also spattered with mud. The wolf had allowed Uhtric to groom him and I wondered what had made Atticus try to emulate him. The wolf did not seem upset.
When I had finished Brigid said, “It never ends, does it? When shall we have peace?”
“We are the Clan of the Wolf. I do not think the gods intend us to have peace. But we will be safe here. I do not think that the danger is imminent for Jorvik is many days travel from Lundenburh. I have put plans in place. There will be more guards here.”
“But what of Ragnar and Gruffyd? They are in danger too.”
“I have sent a rider with a message and we will travel there in a day or two. I am awaiting news from the east.”
She nodded and, after kissing me on the cheek went to speak with Myfanwy. Brigid was worried about my daughter’s safety. She would give a lecture on staying close to the hall. I looked at Atticus. “This is brave of you!”
“Uhtric told me that the Lady Brigid did not like the wolf to bring in dirt. I thought to lessen her ire and I would rather Úlfarr was my friend. If Danes come then they will have to come through him!”
I liked his pragmatism.
Aðils arrived the next morning. He had spoken to his bride. “I would marry, jarl and then, perhaps have a farm in the hills. Lang’s Dale is wild and empty. I would like to live there.”
“And your bride?”
“She is happy enough.”
“Who is she?”
“Bagsecg’s daughter, Baugeiðr.”
“She is young.”
“She has seen sixteen summers. She was betrothed to Lars Leifsson but he was killed when we raided Om Walum. Her father is happ
y and so is she.”
“And you?”
“Aye jarl, I am happy.”
I told him of the threat from the Danes. “I will watch the trails. Should I delay my wedding, jarl? Lang’s Dale is not the valley they would use if they came to do us harm.”
“No, Aðils, I think that you are meant to be married. I have sent to Agnete for news. It takes time to send a message north and then recruit the killers. Although it is clement weather it is still many days to cross the high ridge and remain unseen. I have alerted Ketil and Asbjorn.”
Now there was just Olaf Leather Neck who remained unmarried. It was good. My warriors would father new warriors. Their offspring might not be Ulfheonar but they would be the best warriors. My men knew war. And I took comfort from the fact that Olaf Leather Neck lived in Cyninges-tūn. He had a hall which was the third largest inside our walls. He had servants and horses. His coin did not go on rings and arm bracelets but on his comfort.
It took five days for the news to reach me. Ketil himself brought the news and that, in itself, told me how serious it was. Ketil had sons he was training to be warriors. When we had raided last he had confided in me that he would take them as ships’ boys in the next voyage and he wished to prepare them as well as he could.
Atticus and Aiden were present as well as Olaf and Aðils when Ketil gave us his news. Atticus had showed me that he was a good listener. He could recall every detail of conversations. It had kept him alive when serving Aethelbald.
“Agnete confirmed that a Saxon lord rode into Jorvik,” he looked into space as he calculated when the rider had arrived, “ten days since. He began to spread money about looking for a warband to raid the Land of the Wolf.” He smiled, “None took him up on that offer. After a few days of fruitless recruiting he changed his method and frequented the rougher parts of the city. Agnete said that she heard from other ale wives that he had been seeking killers to travel to the Land of the Wolf. She did not know if he succeeded. She promised that she would send news to Ase if she heard.”
I nodded, “This lord would have more money to pay a few men. There will be those desperate enough to risk our land in the hope of gold.”
Atticus coughed.
“Speak, Atticus, if there is something on your mind.”
“Aethelwulf and Aethelbald were careful with their money, jarl. They paid a sum to hire the killers and, when proof of death was delivered, then the rest would be forthcoming.”
“Thank you. Then we know that this lord will be in Jorvik awaiting news when his men had done the deed.”
Olaf Leather Neck grinned. It was not a pleasant grin, “Then we know where we can find him.”
Aðils said, “We know where he will be, jarl. Let Beorn and me travel to Jorvik. Let us end this Saxon’s life.”
“Why not me, Shape Shifter?” Olaf Leather Neck looked put out.
Aðils laughed, “Because my friend you stand out. As soon as they heard you were coming this Saxon lord would flee. This needs cunning and it needs someone who can hide. Beorn and I have those skills. Who knows, we may be able to prevent an attack. He might not have recruited any killers.”
Aiden shook his head, “We know that there are always men who are desperate enough to risk all for gold. From what Atticus has told us this Saxon king throws his coins at killers. I have seen the chest of Sigeberht’s treasure and he was well paid. They will be coming and they will be coming soon.”
“Then Aðils, if you are willing to take the risk then I thank you and whatever gold you find is for you and Beorn. Call it a dowry.”
Olaf said, “You too are to be wed?” Aðils nodded. Olaf shook his head, “I am the last of the warriors then!”
Aðils wasted no time. He rode to fetch Beorn. “Olaf Leather Neck I would have you stay here. Karl One Leg is a good warrior but he and his men are all old or lamed. I would have you here to watch for them.”
“And you, jarl? I can watch your people but who will watch out for you?”
“If I am not here then there will be less risk to my people. Ragnar and Gruffyd are also targets. I will go to be with them. Aiden, I would have you stay here with my daughter. Your magic can help Olaf.”
He closed his eyes. He was listening to the voices in his head, “You are right but I will send Ylva with you. She has a special relationship to both Astrid and Gruffyd. She would go with you. You have the wolf, why not the she-wolf too?”
I went to Bagsecg and collected the knife and sheath. “Leave it in the sheath, jarl. It is lined with oiled sheep’s wool. It will keep the edge a little longer.”
“Thank you for this.” I examined the scabbard. It was decorated with a wolf. The wolf had red eyes. “This is beautiful work.”
“My son’s wife is skilled.”
“And are you happy that Aðils Shape Shifter is to marry Baugeiðr?”
“He is a good man and she is fey and frightened. When her first love was slain she wasted away and did not eat. When Aðils heard he hunted and brought delicacies for her to eat and he spoke gently to her. He has a way with animals and it seemed to work with my daughter. She began to eat, although this last trip, when you were away so long she began to show signs of wasting away again. I spoke with Aðils when he returned. He said he wished to marry her. It is not sympathy, jarl, he cares for her and Lang’s Dale is a good place. It is quiet and, since the wolves left, it is safer than most places. It will suit them both. They are similar. Both are quiet and thoughtful. We can visit.” He looked wistfully south, “My eldest lives oceans away with Hrolf the Horseman. I shall never see him nor his grandchildren again. Lang’s Dale is good. If they have children then I will get to see them.”
I hoped that I had not sent my scout to his death.
Brigid was more than happy to be going to see her grandchild and son. I rode Ubba for my horse and Úlfarr understood each other. My wolf made the other horses skittish and so we rode ahead down the Water towards my grandson’s home. As we rode I spoke with the wolf. “I will be leaving you with Ragnar when this danger is passed. You are to guard Sámr and Ulla War Cry but I believe that you were sent to me to protect Sámr. I know not why.” I felt a gust of wind from the Water and I seemed to hear the voice of my dead wife, Erika. The words were indistinct but I took it as a sign that what I did was right. “I will visit and we will hunt but I do not need your protection. The young do.”
Suddenly Úlfarr raised his head and he begin to howl! The other horses began to rear and whinny but Ubba kept on plodding. Ylva forced her pony next to mine. She put her hand on mine. “It is good, grandfather. Your wolf accepts his task. I hear his thoughts and those of my grandmother.” She smiled, “I am Ylva and I am part wolf. This is wyrd .”
She was right and I had two wolves to watch over my great grandson.
Ragnar and Gruffyd had received my message and I was pleased to see warriors in the woods. They were hunting. They sought the trails of any killers who might be lurking. The walls around the halls were manned. It was as though we were at war. I was reassured but Brigid took it as threatening. “It is wise to take precautions, wife. This is good. We need to stop these killers before they get close. If they breach the halls then we will have failed.”
Ragnar and Gruffyd met me at the gate. “Ylva, Atticus, take Úlfarr and find Sámr. You know what you must do.”
“Aye grandfather, come Úlfarr, let us find your new master.”
Ragnar looked at me, “New master?”
I explained what I intended. As we walked to the hall I gave them Agnete’s news and Aðils and Beorn’s mission. “But why would they come here and why is Sámr in danger?”
“Because Aiden and Kara dreamed it and Atticus has told me more of this King Aethelwulf. The banner the Saxons saw was Ragnar’s. I think that you are safe, Gruffyd, but Aethelwulf will want back his treasure. Sending Danes to retrieve and to kill Ragnar may not be the best way to achieve it but Atticus has led me to believe that Aethelwulf is a vengeful man. You have sent out men to wa
tch and it may be that we have thwarted our foe. Úlfarr is meant to be Sámr’s guardian. The spirits have told us that. The wolf has told Ylva that too. Ylva will also watch over your sons Ragnar. When the threat has gone Ylva and I will return north but Úlfarr will remain here. He has been sent by the spirits. He has powerful magic within him.” I looked my grandson in the eye, “Is that good?”
He nodded, “It is good and I believe you. I have never had the power to speak with the spirits but I understand it.”
I took out the silver knife in the sheath, “And I have this for Sámr too. He was meant to have it. I thought it was Gruffyd’s but I see now that it is not. It was sent from the past and I was meant to find it.”
Ragnar and I went to see Sámr. He was playing happily with the wolf and Ylva played with Ulla War Cry.
“Is it true Jarl Dragonheart? The wolf is mine?”
“The wolf is your oathsworn. He is here to protect you and your little brother from all enemies. Ylva and I have spoken with him. It is good.”
“You speak with him?”
“As do you.”
“I thought that he did what he did because I gave him treats.”
“He may do but I believe he understands your words too.” I took out the knife from my belt. “And I have this for you.” I handed him the knife.
He looked disappointed, “It is little.”
Ragnar said, “As are you!”
He was going to draw the blade and I put my hand on his. “It is sharp and it has magical powers too. It is a little like Ragnar’s Spirit and Wolf’s Blood. You do not draw it unless you intend to use it, for it is sharp. Do you understand? If it is drawn then it must taste blood. Make that blood an enemy’s and not yours.”
The gravity of my words must have had an effect because he nodded and held the sheath gently.
I walked the walls with my son and grandson. “We have extra guards and we have two men watching our wives and our children at all times. They sleep in their chambers at night too. These killers will not gain entry.”