by Griff Hosker
“I know how to fight but this is the first time I have ever fought a snake and I am learning.”
Suddenly I lunged at him with my sword. He brought his shield down too slowly and merely succeeded in forcing my sword lower. It slid through the last few links of the weakened lower section of his byrnie and sliced a long cut across his leg. He screamed and the Ulfheonar cheered as they saw the blood.
He tried a different tactic and this time tried to emulate me and hack across at my neck. My shield came up and this time his sword struck the boss. When he stepped back I could see that a piece of metal had been chipped from his sword. I brought my sword over my head and downwards. He put his own blade up and it shivered as Ragnar’s Spirit caught it near the chip. The sword shattered in two. He stepped backwards, panicking and glanced over his shoulder to his men.
“They cannot help you now.”
He took out his second sword. I could see that the wound in his leg was making him limp. I feinted with my sword again and, when he brought the shield down to protect his wound I punched him hard in the face with my shield. The boss caught him squarely in the face. He fell backwards and then leapt to his feet. I could see that I had bent the nasal on his helmet and blood was pouring from his nose.
“I will take you a piece at a time if I have to but you will die.” This was no idle boast or taunt. I was deadly serious and the look on his face showed me that he knew it.
We had moved further away from the warriors and my men now and were much closer to his warband. His next attack showed how much he had tired and it barely registered that he had hit my shield. I dropped my shoulder as I swung and twisted my sword to the side. It penetrated the mail links and cut him along his side. He screamed again and, as he dropped to his knee, turned and yelled, “Tostig!”
Suddenly a war axe flew at my head. I barely had time to bring my shield up. It hit my shield and the force threw me to the ground. As I lay there I saw two of his men rush at me while the others dragged him to his feet and towards the waiting ponies. I was now tired too and I struggled to rise and defend myself against this treacherous attack. I swung my sword more in hope than expectation and felt it slice into the leg of the one who had thrown the axe. He fell screaming as his leg was sliced in two. The second warrior swung his two handed axe and it cracked my shield rendering it useless. Before he could withdraw it I kicked his legs from under him and he fell down next to me. I rolled on top of him and put the whole weight of my body and armour onto the edge of my sword which lay across his neck. His head rolled away.
I could hear the clamour of battle as the Hibernians fell upon the warband. They had dishonoured the combat. They would not be joining the king’s army. As I reached my feet the Ulfheonar had surrounded me. I looked at Haaken, “Erica?”
“The king and the priest are guarding her with his bodyguards.”
As I looked east I saw the Hibernians being slaughtered by the mailed warriors. “Let us end this!”
I had no shield and so I picked up Tadgh’s discarded sword. Tadgh’s warriors were no match for my Ulfheonar who had had to watch in frustration at the treachery of our enemies. We ran at them in a wedge. My two blades came down together and severed the first warrior’s head. On either side of me my companions punched a hole in their line. Without a solid line they were no match for even the poorly armed Hibernians. Some fell while the rest ran, pursued by the angry Irish. I could see that Tadgh and those with horses were too far away for us to catch and we halted.
The Ulfheonar cheered me. I shook my head. “I do not deserve your cheers for I failed; I did not kill him.”
Cnut shook his head, “You defeated him and now every warrior will know that he is a coward. Tadgh’s days as a leader are numbered.”
I was not so sure. I noticed the remnants of his warband still followed him and they were still a potent force. Tadgh had always had a glib tongue. He would turn this defeat to his advantage.
We made our way back to the king. Those warriors who had been wounded were now being despatched by the Irish. They were not doing it mercifully. The Norse warriors screamed as their manhoods were hacked from their bodies before they were finally killed. Erica threw her arms around me. “I told you he was not to be trusted.”
“So you did.”
The king walked over to me with a smile on his face. He put his arms around me and slapped me on my back. Myrddyn translated his words. “The king says that you truly are a man of honour and a great warrior. He would have you and your men fight for him. He will pay you whatever you wish.”
I shook my head, “Tell the king I thank him for his offer but I have a family on Man.” I did not add that I did not trust him either. “You might suggest using the armour and weapons you salvage to arm your warriors better. They are brave but they will die unless they are better protected.”
The priest nodded. “Is there anything we can do for you?”
“Loan us some ponies and a guide to get to the coast. We have a ship waiting.”
The king acceded to our request and we left as soon as we were mounted. I wished to be away from this place as soon as possible. The king sent ten men with us as our guards. I think he wanted to make sure that we actually left his land. The fact that we had destroyed Tadgh’s band and his own army had been outclassed themselves showed him that we were a danger to him
As we rode east I knew that if we wanted to we could easily conquer this land. The warriors were brave but they were not well led.
When we reached the beach it was deserted and it was night time. Our guards and guides looked perplexed. Haaken used the few words he had acquired and told them to go. They looked reluctant to do so but we insisted. When they had gone we lit a bonfire on the beach and prepared for a foodless night.
Erica and I snuggled in each other’s arms and shared our experiences. If anything the nightmare strengthened our love for I saw that I had married a strong woman, I had married a woman who was just like my own mother. Arturus was lucky to have her as his protector.
We had just set the sentries when the ship came. It ghosted from the south. It was a drekar but was it Tadgh and his men? We took no chances; we moved away from the fire and formed a protective circle around Erica. I gave her my seax. There was nowhere we could run to; if this was Tadgh then the best that we could hope for was to kill as many of them before we succumbed.
The dragon’s head loomed up through the surf and a figure in a helmet leapt ashore. It was Eric! “Is that you hiding in the dark Dragon Heart?”
We stepped back into the light. “We thought you must have thought we were dead.”
Eric threw his arms around his sister. “We decided to keep coming back as often as was necessary.” He looked at me, “Tadgh?”
“The slippery eel wriggled away.”
Eric laughed, “It he returns to his ship he will have a shock.”
“And why is that?”
“Jarl Harald destroyed it yesterday along with the other Hibernian ships.”
Chapter 7
The winds were with us and we reached Duboglassio before dawn. The keen eyed sentries recognised my ship when we were some way out to sea and Prince Butar was waiting for us as we landed. He embraced Erica and I saw the relief on his face. He clasped my arm, “It is good that we have the whole family together again. Come let us get you something to eat and drink.”
Erica shook her head, “I must go to Arturus.”
Butar nodded, “He is with Maewe and Seara.”
“Seara?”
“She is the Saxon slave we rescued. It was she who led us to Colm’s home and to our son.”
“Then I have much to thank her for.”
They were all asleep inside the hut. We stood in the doorway with the early light of dawn casting golden shards of light on their faces and Erica began to weep. I put my arm around her and led her from the hut. My stepfather stepped away from us and we walked to his hall. There was nothing I could say to Erica; she needed to get the tear
s out and to release the emotion which she had contained during her captivity. My thoughts were murderous ones; Tadgh had not yet begun to pay for his evil act. It was not our way to rant and rave. We cried a little and kept it all within us.
The slaves brought us food and drink. Erica was silent as she nibbled at the cold meats and biscuits. I told the others who were present, between mouthfuls, of our journey and of the fight.
“This High King then, he is a plotter?” I could see that Prince Butar was interested in the character of this near neighbour.
I nodded vigorously. “He is and it seems to me that his land is ripe for plucking. The warriors are brave but both reckless and poorly armed. They could not stand up to us. Had the seven of us not intervened then I think that Tadgh and his small warband would have prevailed.”
“And you think we should do so?” There was a wry smile on his face.
I shook my head, “No, definitely not. There would be little to be gained. We need to put warriors on the island to control it. We are not numerous enough as yet. Besides, Tadgh is still on the island and, if he were to gather others of a similar mind, they could control the whole land easily. That would bring us into a conflict which would only result in deaths we could ill afford. For me this small island suits.”
“Good for I have no wish to go to war again. Jarl Harald and Jarl Eric may think differently. They both have ambitions for more land and riches.” He nodded towards Erica who had fallen asleep on the table. “Your wife has survived this well my son but she will need love and care.”
“I know.” I looked at him, “Will you stay here or return to Hrams-a?”
“I have come to love this place and, if I am to be honest with you, Hrams-a has too many painful memories. I returned there and found myself crying like a baby. I just see your mother’s burned remains. I shall stay here.” He scrutinised my face. “But not you?”
“No. I wish to return there and make it strong enough to withstand another raid. We were happy there and we will be again. Besides we need it occupying. It gives us warning of any raider from the north.”
“And who do you think will raid from the north?”
“Tadgh came that way and I cannot believe that Harald One Eye will have forgotten us. He has an evil heart.”
“The last news we had from home was that he was raiding the east coast of the land of the Angles.”
“All the more reason for vigilance.”
“Then I will ask you to rule Hrams-a for me. Will your Ulfheonar go with you?”
“They are not mine to command but I will ask them and, hopefully they will. They have fulfilled their oath to return my family to me. Their other oath was the one I also swore and that was to you.”
“Then perhaps we will make you Jarl and you start your own warband.”
I laughed, “Me? I am too young. The men would laugh at me. No, I will just continue to be a warrior and watch over my family. That is enough responsibility for me.”
He looked at me with sad old eyes, “I will do as you wish but know that you are highly respected even amongst the older warriors such as Olaf. They see in you, a leader. Your age does not matter. And remember that one day you will lead all of our people.”
“Hopefully that day will be many years hence.”
I left Erica sleeping and went outside. I was not ready for sleep. My mind was filled with too many thoughts. I watched the sun fully rise from the east. I had a task to do which I was dreading. I would have to tell Aiden that his father was dead. We would have to take him home to his village. I felt sorry for the boy. He had been another of the victims like my family and Scanlan’s. Tadgh had set a series of events in motion and he could not have known the consequences would be so far reaching. It was like throwing a stone into a pond and watching the ripples become progressively smaller but stretching further. There were people who were affected who had no idea what had caused the disaster in their lives. Aiden was the smallest of ripples. Of course Tadgh would not care about that. He only cared for himself. I knew then why I could not sleep; I had unfinished business. Until Tadgh was dead I would have more sleepless nights.
I heard the noise of Arturus from the hut behind me. He could not yet make words but his sounds were purposeful. The one he was making now was the one for food. I smiled. Arturus just needed company and food; anything else was a bonus.
I headed towards the hut. I saw Erica emerge from Prince Butar’s hall and rush towards our hut. She would have heard his noise and panicked. “I think he just needs food.”
As soon as I spoke she understood and nodded. “You let me sleep.”
I shrugged, “I could not sleep and I knew that you needed it.”
She kissed me, gently, “You cannot always be the tough warrior, my husband. You must promise me that you will let others do some of the things you seem to take on yourself.”
I did not answer for I would not lie to her. “I need to give Aiden, the hostage some bad news before I do anything else. I will wait until you have met them first.”
She knew of Aiden’s plight; we had spoken on the journey home. The mother in her felt for the boy, now fatherless and in a strange land.
When we entered, Arturus squealed and threw himself at Erica. She hugged him tightly. Scanlan bowed. “I am pleased to see you safe my lord and thank you for saving my family. I will be forever in your debt.”
In answer I just smiled and said, “We will be leaving for Hrams-a this afternoon. I would build my home again.”
He nodded, “That is good. This is a fine town but it is too crowded for me.”
I saw Aiden clinging to Seara who looked nervously at my wife. I knew how women were about their domains. “Seara, Aiden, this is my wife, the Lady Erica.”
When she saw Aiden her face beamed. She could only speak a little Saxon and poor Aiden could understand nothing. She did the best thing she could. She picked him up and she hugged him. She turned to the former slave and said, “Thank you Seara.”
Seara did not need to know our language to understand the sentiment and she blushed. Erica laid Aiden down who looked bemused by it all.
I reached out for Aiden. “I am ready to eat, Maewe, but first I need to speak with Seara and Aiden.”
We went outside. It would be a glorious day. Aiden skipped happily with Seara but she, I think, knew that bad news was coming and she had a sad expression upon her face. We walked to the beach and felt the morning breeze fly from the mainland and into our faces. How did one tell a child that his father was a traitor and had been executed? I picked up a pebble and threw it to skim across the waves. I counted the bounces. I did it again and then watched as Aiden picked one up and tried to copy me. It flopped into the surf after one desultory bounce. I chose a flat stone and threw it. I managed to achieve seven bounces. When I had been a child seven bounces meant that I would have good luck for the day. Aiden reached down to pick up a stone. It was round and I knew that it would not work. I took it from him and discarded it. I chose a flat one and then placed it so that it rested on his second finger while being held by his thumb and first finger. I then mimed pulling back my arm and spinning the stone. He nodded, seriously, and I stepped away. Concentrating hard he threw it and he managed four bounces. He squealed with delight and then threw his arms around my legs and hugged me.
Seara put her hand on his head and said, “Now would be a good time, my lord. What is this bad news I need to give to him?”
I took a deep breath, “His father died. He was executed as a traitor by the king but he does not need to know that. He just needs to know that his father died and I will take him home.”
She shook her head. “You are wrong, my lord. He does need to know that. Some time, probably soon, someone will tell him the truth and that will hurt far more. Let him have the hurt now whilst he is young and he will be able to live it.”
I could see the sense in what she said, “You are wise Seara. Go ahead.”
She turned him to face her and then she
spoke slowly. He nodded a few times and then she hugged him. He spoke to her and then picked up a stone and threw it into the sea. He didn’t say a word. He merely smiled when he managed to bounce one a few times. I looked at Seara, she explained. “He understands. He says his father never liked him. Murchad thought he was not strong enough to be a warrior.” She smiled, “Apparently they were happy to let him be the hostage.”
I found myself struggling to believe that a family would not miss any of their members. Perhaps I had been lucky. I had been loved and cared for by my mother and Arturus had the same love from two of us.
“Tell him we will take him home to his mother.”
She told him and, for the first time, he became upset. He shook his head and he shouted at Seara who, like me, was taken aback. She spoke to him and he turned away again to throw stones angrily at the sea. I noticed this time that there was more aggression in the throws. I had rid myself of anger in the same way when I had been a child. When Tadgh and the others had bullied me I had set my lip and thrown stones into the Dunum. I had imagined that I was throwing them at my tormentors.
“Well, what did he say?”
“He says he has no home now save this one.” She shook her head, “He says I am a better mother than his own. I do not think he means it. He is just angry for some reason.” She looked at me carefully, “I told him I would ask you.”
I picked up my own stone and threw it. I did not mind having Aiden in my family. He seemed a good boy. Was it the right thing to do? I closed my eyes and listened to the sea. I heard my mother’s voice and, perhaps it was the surf, I don’t know, but it sounded like ‘yes’. Then I thought of Ragnar. I was no kin of his and yet he had been a better father than my own had ever been.
“I will speak with Erica.”
She nodded, “He is happy playing here, my lord.”
When I told Erica she smiled as though I had given her the greatest jewel in the world. “Of course. This is the work of the sisters. You know that don’t you?” I was confused both by her reaction and her answer. “Tadgh stole us from you. You have not only regained us but regained a second son. This cannot be ill my husband. This is the work of higher beings than us.”