by Griff Hosker
The fisherman wasted no time in hoisting the triangular sail and the boat leapt forwards into the setting sun. Despite the small dimensions of the boat there was enough freeboard for us to feel safe although I would have preferred the security of ‘Wolf’.
“I will drop you at the first empty place on the island that I can.”
“That suits us.”
He gestured at my two companions. “They do not say much do they?”
“They swore an oath that, until they have recaptured the crown they will not speak.”
That seemed to impress him. “Why do you all have the cloak made of the wolf skin?”
“It will help us to hide once we are among the heathens.”
That was almost a mistake for he suddenly asked, “Where is your cross?” He lifted his wooden cross from beneath his tunic.
I shrugged, “We had to leave them behind. We need to pretend to be Norse. If they found a cross on us then they would know we were from Northumbria and King Eardwulf’s men.”
He laughed, “You will never pull that off. You are not big enough. They are all giants I hear.”
“We will see.” The stories told by the Saxons of the Norse have always made me smile. Our ships are always longer and bigger than they were in reality and there were always hundreds of us. This idea that they were all giants was also a myth. The truth was that a hundred raiders was a large number but we were efficient. We left few behind to tell the tale. I suppose the ones who remained had to believe that we were as numerous as the fish in the sea and, somehow, superhuman.
Once we left the shelter of the land the small boat began to rise and fall alarmingly in the crests and troughs of the sea. The waves through which we were passing did not appear to be that big but to the small boat they were. In the middle of the night our fisherman gave us some dried, salted fish. It was chewy but it satisfied the hunger pangs for we had not eaten all day. We had our own water skins and we emptied them. We would be able to refill them on our island.
As dawn broke behind us I saw the dark shape ahead that was Man. The fisherman began to reef the sail and I looked at him curiously. “We don’t want to be seen. This way we are harder to spot.” He pointed ahead, “There is a place at the corner of the island where there are no people. It is a long way from their villages but it is where I will drop you.”
He was not to know that I knew exactly where that was and, short of sailing into Hrams-a, it was perfect. Our island home looked all the more welcoming arriving in such a small boat. It seemed bigger and more substantial. I recognised the hill ahead. The fisherman did not know that, just over the crest, was my fort. Perhaps I would have a tower built to watch over this secret way into my island.
Cnut crouched in the bow as the boat began to slide along the sand. He leapt over the side and stood in the water holding the bow. As Haaken joined him I gave the seax to the fisherman. “Thank you.”
“He stuffed the blade into his belt, “May the Lord protect you and help you do the king’s work.”
“He will.”
As soon as I left the boat it bobbed up; it was lighter than it had been. The three of us pushed it and, as the fisherman hoisted the sail, it soon flew east, back to his home.
Once ashore Haaken slapped me on the back. “How did you get him to bring us so close to home?”
“He chose the place. He said he wanted it to be a lonely and deserted place.”
“And how did you get him to bring us in the first place?”
“I told him we were on a mission from the King of Northumbria to get the crown of Rheged.”
“Once again Dragon Heart has more than his fair share of luck.”
Cnut shook his head, “It is not luck. Have you not noticed my friend that he makes his own luck and does not take what is given to him?” The dawn’s early light picked out his face and I could see it was stern. “And I would like to hear Jarl Harald’s explanation for leaving us on that beach.”
I had liked Jarl Harald at one time and I was unwilling to think badly of him, “There may be a good explanation. We do not know. Come let us get home for I am starving.”
Chapter 13
We headed around the headland towards our home. I was pleased when we were challenged by Ulf. As soon as he recognised us he shouted to wake the village. “Dragon Heart is back!”
Most of my people would already have been waking anyway but they rushed out of their huts as soon as they heard the cry. I wondered what Jarl Harald had said to them. Egill and Olaf were the first to reach us. “We were told you had been captured.”
The three of us exchanged looks, “Who told you that?”
“Why Jarl Harald of course. He said you pursued some priests and he went to pick you up but you were not there.”
Cnut said, quite simply, “Then he lies.”
That was a serious statement to make but we knew the truth. That would have to wait for another day. My family came out of my hall. Maewe held Arturus while Erica waddled over to me. She threw her arms around me, “I knew you were not dead. I could feel it. The baby knew it too; she was peaceful.”
“And we are returned so there is no harm,” I held her at arm’s length, “but that is the last time I serve aboard another ship. From now on I sail with Ulfheonar only; with men that I can trust.” I did not say it quietly and my warriors all cheered. As I went to my hall I could see my men asking Cnut and Haaken what had happened. Neither would lie nor exaggerate and my men would become angry at the casual way we had been abandoned.
Scanlan helped me take my byrnie off. It was the worse for wear. The salt water had spotted it with some rust and it would need cleaning and then firing with the charcoal again. After I had changed and while Maewe and Seara prepared food for me I went with Scanlan and Aiden to see Bjorn. It was like seeing a younger version of his father. He had the same intense eyes and the same knotted arms. He gave a slight bow, “I am pleased that you have returned Dragon Heart. This place we call home would not be the same without you.”
“Thank you Bjorn. My mail needs some work. Will you show Aiden and Scanlan how to clean it and protect it with the heat and the charcoal?”
He nodded, “It is some time since I did this. It will be good to have two assistants.”
I handed him a small dagger I had taken from one of the dead Saxons. He shook his head. “I need no payment from you. I owe all that I have to you.”
“If I do not pay for the work then Thor will be angry and the mail might fail. Besides the Saxon I took this from is dead. I have no use for the blade.” He reluctantly took it.
I wolfed down the food the women had prepared and answered Erica’s questions between mouthfuls. “Prince Butar knew you were not dead too. But why did Jarl Harald leave you there? It makes no sense.”
I had to agree with my wife. It did not seem like the man I knew. I liked the Jarl. I knew Jarl Eric better but I had not seen this treacherous and unreliable side to the jarl. Like Eric he had sought sanctuary with us after fleeing our homeland. He had proved himself by fighting alongside us when we drove the Saxons from the island and he had been to Hibernia to punish our enemies. This seemed like a different person or someone who had been changed. Had he been bewitched? Perhaps some witch in Hibernia had cast a spell on him. I would not leap to conclusions until I had spoken with him.
We are a small island I know but I am always amazed by the speed at which news travels. By noon we had a visit from Prince Butar and the ever present Eurwen.
“I am pleased the news of your death was exaggerated.”
I shrugged, “We were never in danger.” I explained to him about our pursuit of the priests and how we had disposed of them. “We returned to the estuary while it was still daylight and reached the meeting place before the sun had set. I cannot understand why the jarl was not there.”
He looked at me carefully, “Are you not angry?”
“Not until I have spoken with him. He may have a good explanation.”
“And
if not?”
“Then we will have more than words.”
He nodded his understanding. Then he laughed, “And I hear you persuaded a Saxon to bring you here to steal a crown we do not even possess.”
“That is not quite true.” I went to my satchel and took out the crown. Erica had not seen it and I had not examined it properly. My examination had been hurried and in poor light. The light through the door made it sparkle and seemed to light up the blue stone.
“That is true beauty my husband.”
“According to the men we chased it is the crown of the Queen of Rheged.” I saw Prince Butar stiffen and he held his hands out. I gave him the crown. “What is it, father? You look as though someone has walked over your grave.”
He looked at it carefully and then said, “The wolf token, where is it?”
I took it from around my neck and handed it to him. He examined both stones carefully. “This stone came from the same mine. There is more than happenstance at work here.” He handed them both back to me. I gave the crown for Erica to examine while I replaced the wolf around my neck.
“What do you know of your mother’s people?”
“Little enough. Had I known she would be taken from us so untimely then I would have asked questions but I thought to wait until my son could hear his grandmother’s wisdom too.”
“That is true. None of us know how short the Norns will cut their threads. Well your mother and I spoke of many things and this was one of them. Your mother was not a Saxon. She was captured south of the Dee. Nor was she Welsh. Her people were an ancient people from the north of the land.” He pointed out of the open door to the north east. “Less than half a day’s sailing from here. It was the land of Rheged.” He allowed that information to sink in. “Your mother was not of royal blood, she made that quite clear but it appears that the line of the house of Rheged had died out. She came from the family of the lord who led the warriors protecting the people. There were still men who protected the land. They were called knights and were armoured riding powerful horses, not little ponies. They kept their people safe within the land of the Welsh. Your grandfather was a warlord, the last warlord. When your mother was captured the last warriors of Rheged were slaughtered when the Welsh king betrayed them. I think the crown came from that last battle. Your mother said that the crowns of the kings of Rheged were always taken into battle. The blue stone confirms it.” He took a bracelet from his arm. “This was your mother’s and it too has the blue stone.” He paused, “There is another connection too. The warriors fought under the banner of a dragon and they called themselves the Wolf Warriors. You were meant to find that crown. The threads are complex but they lead to you.”
This was almost too much to take in; a dragon banner and wolf warriors. This was beyond me. I muttered. “Then perhaps I should thank the jarl for his desertion.”
Erica snorted her derision, “From what you have told me you had this crown before he deserted you. You won it but Prince Butar is correct, my husband, you were meant to find this precious object.”
I shrugged. “I will speak with him first.” She handed me back the crown. “If they had this one then there may be other pieces. I wonder where those priests were going with it?”
Prince Butar rubbed his chin reflectively. “There are two of the women priests here. Jarl Harald gave them to your wife as your share of the treasure.”
For the first time I became angry. “There was a huge amount of treasure and slaves. Even if he thought the three of us were dead then our families deserved more than two slaves!”
“I dare say when he returns from his raid Jarl Harald will make amends.”
I stared at Prince Butar. “He went away raiding so soon?”
“Almost as soon as he had reported that you were lost. He went to the land of the Welsh.”
“Then he did desert us. He must have sailed away as soon as he loaded his ship.”
Erica stood and stretched her back. “His wife, Hilda, is very ambitious. She wants finer things than Jarl Harald has. Perhaps he has ambitions beyond Man.” She waddled from the room. It would not be too long before we had another baby in the house.
When we were alone Prince Butar said, “Your wife is wise and may be correct. Jarl Harald has built his warriors up so that he now has more than any of us and his ship is the same size as “Ran”.
“I would not want war over this.”
“We may have no choice in the matter. My warriors, as well as Jarl Eric’s, were unhappy about his actions and I know, just from walking through your men just now, that they are ready for a fight.”
I shook my head, “That is what the Hibernians and the Saxons would love. I will think on this. I am intrigued about these crowns of Rheged.”
“What would you want them for?”
I had no real idea but the fact that my mother and my grandfather had protected them made them even more valuable in my eyes. “I would want them because they are a connection to my mother and the family I never knew.”
He nodded, “A good enough reason. Come, I am intrigued too. Let us find these Saxon priests.”
Erica had the two women making butter and cheese. They were jobs which needed someone to do them every day. They were also simple enough jobs once the slaves were shown what to do. Both were younger women and their hair had been cut very short. Apparently that was what they did with younger priests. They both looked unhappy with their new situation.
“Deidra and Macha you can stop work for a while. This is your master and he wishes to speak with you.”
One of them recognised me and spat out, “You were one of the raiders. You killed the abbot!”
I remembered the anger of some of my fellows when I had been captured. I should have punished her for her reaction but I could understand her feelings. I smiled. “I need some questions answering and you two would be the best placed to answer them.” The one who had recognised me was the one called Deidra and I could see from the thin slit of a smile that she would be reluctant to cooperate. Although I could get what I needed from Macha I wanted confirmation from a second source.
I put my face close to that of Deidra and spoke quietly. “You have not been harmed here. You have not been molested. Nor will you be for that is not my way but if you do not give me the answers I wish then I will sell you to the Hibernians and I know that they will enjoy two pretty girls such as you.” Her widening eyes told me that she understood.
“Now three priests left the monastery with a piece of jewellery. Where were they going?” Macha’s face was one of pure terror. The image of lusty Irishmen pleasuring themselves on her young body was just too much.
“They were going to the fort of Prestune. The crown was supposed to go to the monastery of St. Cuthbert.”
The sagging shoulders of Deidra told me that the young girl had spoken the truth. I lifted Deidra’s chin. “And where is this monastery?”
She murmured something so quiet that I could not hear. I shook her and she said, louder. “North of our monastery; the one you destroyed. It is on the coast and close to the place of the lakes. I have never been there so I do not know exactly.”
“And this fort affords protection to both places?” They both nodded. “Good then carry on with your work and I will not sell you. Work hard and I may even find you good husbands.”
Prince Butar and I left the dairy and he said, “I will return home. When Jarl Harald is back on the island I will convene a meeting of the jarls. This grievance should be heard in public and in a calm manner. If Jarl Harald is ambitious then I do not wish him to use this opportunity to start a war.”
“I will do whatever you wish.”
“I know and you have an old wise head on those broad young shoulders.”
I went into the house and played with Arturus for a while. He was still in the habit of taking a nap and when he did I took the opportunity of seeking out Scanlan and Aiden. Amazingly they were still with Bjorn. The armour looked perfect and my sword shone.
The two of them looked as though they had been bathing in charcoal but their white teeth grinned through their blackened lips.
Bjorn nodded, “They are good workers. I have told young Aiden that if he wishes to learn how to smith I will teach him. It is as good a skill as that of warrior.”
“I know.” I looked at Aiden, “Would you like that?”
“Only when I am not serving you my lord.”
“And that is a good answer. Come the three of us will bathe. You need to become clean again and I need the sea to bring me peace.”
The invigorating sea did indeed make me calm and peaceful. It also washed away the last of the blood and the salt from the past few days. As we made our way back to my hall I felt a new man.
Erica greeted me. “The Ulfheonar wish you to eat with them in the warrior hall this night.” She was a wise woman and could see that I was torn. My men would not request this unless it was important and yet it was my first meal with my family. She shook her head, “Go, but just eat. I do not want you falling down drunk.”
I felt indignant. I was always the Ulfheonar who was sober enough to put the others to bed but I knew what she meant. I kissed her. “If our daughter is half as wise as her mother…”
The hall was filled that night, not just with Ulfheonar but every male warrior in the village. Even Bjorn was there. I wondered what was at the back of it. I saw Cnut and Haaken at the head of the table with a space between them. As I walked in the hall erupted into a wall of noise as they banged their hands on the table and chanted my name. It was embarrassing.
When I reached the seat Haaken said, “You may wonder why you have been invited here, Dragon Heart, and there are a number of reasons not least the fact that Egill and Sweyn have both been hunting and actually managed to bag enough for us to feast. I fear it will not happen again in my lifetime so we thought that we ought to celebrate.”