by Griff Hosker
I could see Butar wavering.
I think Olaf wanted me to do it and he argued in my favour. “The Ulfheonar could wait nearby to give him aid in case he needed it. It would answer your questions once and for all. I believe Dragon Heart can do this.”
“If I were not your wife’s son would you sanction this?”
The last argument persuaded him. “If anything happens to you then I will destroy every Saxon who remains on the isle.”
Bjorn too was concerned. “This is brave and it is risky.”
“It is what we do and who we are. Besides if it makes our life on this island safer then so be it.”
Haaken and Cnut were determined not to let me down and they both swore that they would not leave without me. We did not tell my mother or anyone else. It was not only the Ulfheonar who accompanied me. Butar and twenty warriors also came. They would wait a mile away from the settlement while the Ulfheonar would hide within sight of the walls. To make it look realistic, Cnut and Godfrid would loose arrows close to me. I had told them how I would run and, hopefully the Saxons would believe the ruse.
Butar put his hands on my shoulders as he said farewell, “Just find out their numbers and their mood. Escape any way that you can. Egill will be fishing off the harbour. You could swim out to him.”
“I am not a good swimmer. I will come out the way I go in; running!” I hoped that I would be able to escape. As long as they did not bind me then I would be able to make good my escape. My five comrades clasped my arm.
Bjorn nodded. He made sure my thrall collar fitted. Bagsecg had weakened the pin which held it and I would be able to break it if I needed to. He seemed satisfied. “This will make a good tale. Come back to us.” He clasped my forearm as the older warriors did. It gave me the courage I needed. Bjorn thought that I was an equal.
I started to run. I erupted from the trees some four hundred paces from the walls. I did not look back but I jinked from side to side. The arrows flew by perilously close to me and I hoped that the sentries were watching. I began to shout in Saxon, “Help! Help! They are upon me.”
The men on the walls began to loose arrows at my comrades. The first part of the plan had succeeded. When I was fifty paces from the walls one of the sentries pointed to my right, “The gate is on the other side; run around and we will protect you.”
I ran around the edge of the ditch and found myself amongst their houses. A gaggle of people started at me but I kept running until I eventually reached the gate. Two mailed warriors roughly grabbed me and hauled me towards the warrior hall I had seen from the ‘Ran’. I was dragged up the steps and there, sitting on a chair on a raised dais was Aella. The last time I had seen him he had been fighting with Butar. He looked thin and drawn and, as he spoke I saw him wincing. My step father had wounded him badly.
“Who are you and why did those warriors pursue you?”
There was suspicion in his voice and his men’s swords were in their hands. My story would now either save or damn me. “I am Gareth son of Myfanwy and I was taken, just before the midsummer solstice.”
“Where was your village?”
“It is over the water in the land of Northumbria; the village of Loncastre, near to the old Roman fort. It is there no longer for they killed the men and enslaved the rest of us.”
“How did you survive? You look strong enough to be a warrior. They kill such as you.”
“I do not know. I had no time to fight for I was captured early in the raid.”
There was still suspicion in their voices. I just prayed that no one had visited the place I had described. Olaf had given me the name for he had found it while we were hunting. Other raiders had destroyed it sometime in the past.
“And how did you escape? None have made it from their halls yet.”
“I was lucky. They had me collecting wild ponies from the hills and they did not watch me closely enough. I manage to outrun them. I had only been there for a week and I was still strong. Many of the other slaves are weaker.”
It seemed to me that their suspicion lessened a little. “So they are capturing horses now. How many warriors do they have?”
I would not need to lie now. I could tell them the truth. “They have three dragon ships and I counted over a hundred warriors in their two warrior halls.”
One of the bodyguards sheathed his sword. “I told you lord that they were getting more men. We should have attacked them sooner.”
Aella waved the argument away with his hand. “We tried that twice and both times we lost more than they did. Until Osbald and Eardwulf have decided who will be king we will get no more men.”
“By then it will be too late for the food will have all gone.”
Aella shouted angrily, “Silence. I was charged by King Aethelred with holding this island which his forebears captured and I will not relinquish to a handful of pirates. The new king will send us aid once we know who the new king is. Take this man and hold him until I have decided what to do with him.”
“I came here for protection!” I had to play the part but I was afraid that I would not see my friends again.
“You would have been better off staying where you were and, besides Saxon, there is something about you which I do not like.”
I was dragged roughly away and taken to the far end of the warrior hall. They tied a rope through the thrall collar and fixed it to a ring in the wall. “Can I have something to drink then?”
The guard laughed at me. “Until we know what you are we will waste no water or food on you.”
I assumed a hurt look and sullenly sat there watching the hall. It suited me because I could both see and hear all that went on. I pretended to be exhausted from my flight to safety. My appearance prompted a flood of visitors to speak with Aella. They all stared at me as they entered and then they would rush towards Aella. There was a great deal of consternation amongst the inhabitants of this last Saxon refuge. I was able to work out that there were fifty people left who were not warriors. I gathered that many had fled to the mainland on the fishing boats. The civil war had put a halt to that but it explained the small numbers I had seen. It was harder to count the warriors but I did discover that Aella still had twelve oathsworn and all of them had armour of some description. As for the others, I would have to wait until they slept to count them.
I found the most valuable information when they ate. It was a frugal meal by Saxon standards. From the smell it appeared to be a thin soup made from poor quality fish. Many of the warriors looked undernourished and they all complained about the poor rations. They moaned about the lack of beer and water. I knew that the supplies were a problem. I briefly opened my eyes to count the warriors. The hall was not full. There appeared to be less than fifty of them. I knew that there would be a few more on the walls. I closed my eyes and lolled my head forward to rest on the thrall collar. I listened once more. They complained about the houses which had been built next to the walls. They had wanted them pulled down to make their walls safer. They were angry that they had been let down by Aella. The ones furthest from him and closest to me and the door argued that he should have kept his ship and then they could have attacked our settlement. There appeared to be little unity. They were all despondent and appeared to want to either attack us or leave the island. Aella was under siege from without and within.
After they had eaten I was dragged to Aella’s throne for more questioning. “Where are all these warriors you talk of?”
“I saw them at the place they call Hrams-a during the midsummer solstice but the next day many of them left. I believe they have two more settlements but I never saw them.”
I could see nods from the bodyguards. I had merely confirmed what they had thought already. “And why do they not attack?”
That was a trick question. He was trying to catch me out and I chose my words carefully. “I was a slave and I did not speak their language. How would I know what their plans are?”
They seemed satisfied with that as though I had
passed some sort of test. Aella turned to his bodyguards. “Are the pursuers still close by?”
“The sentries report that they think there are men in the woods to the north but they could not discern numbers. When the scouts went to look for them they found nothing. There must be few of them and they are hiding. I do not think that they will be a threat to us.”
“Why would they wait around? Perhaps this slave knows more than he is saying.”
One of the guards shrugged, “Perhaps he does not know what he knows. We should ask different questions.”
Aella winced and clutched his leg as though it pained him. “I am too tired tonight but tomorrow we will find out all that he knows. We will see if hot irons and the loss of an eye changes his story. Make sure he is watched and secured.”
The thought of torture terrified me but it did not change what I needed to do. I had to look for a chance to escape with my new found knowledge. The warriors soon ignored me. One young warrior was left to watch me. He stared at me for a while and then, after checking that I was securely fastened to the wall, he lay on the floor. Soon the hall was filled with the sound of sleeping men. I feigned sleep. I heard footsteps and I opened my eyes to see a warrior leaving the hall to relieve himself. The youth opposite popped his eyes open when the footsteps sounded. After the warrior came back into the hall, the young warrior settled back into his stare. After a few moments his eye lids drooped and he slept. I waited until the rhythm of snores and heavy breathing resumed and I removed the wooden peg from the collar. I lay the collar down and slowly rose to my feet. I did it agonisingly slowly. It was agony for I had been in the same position throughout the meal. I stepped backwards, never taking my eyes from the young warrior. I felt for the door behind me and I slowly opened it. As soon as I felt the chill air I slipped through and closed it again.
I pressed my back into the wall of the hall. I could see the sentries patrolling the ramparts. There looked to be four of them. I tried to remember where the ditch had been. It was only around the landward side. On the town side there was no ditch. I would not risk the gate; instead I would drop from the wall. I had to find out how they patrolled. It looked as though they were mainly on the land side and there was just one guard who occasionally went to the gate. I waited until he had checked the gate and, as he went to join his comrades I ran to the ladder and ascended the gate. I reached it unseen and I crouched down low to the wall. I chanced a view over the side and I saw that the ground was just five paces below me. It would not be far to drop. I had just begun to climb over when my absence was discovered. The youth ran from the hall shouting. As soon as they heard the shouting the guards looked over and saw me on top of the wall. There was little point in being discreet and I dropped to the ground.
I ran as fast as I could. Had they been more alert the guards would have run to that side of the wall and tried to hit me with arrows but they ran to where I had been and that gave me time. I knew that the warriors would soon pursue me and I needed to put as much distance between us as I could. I ran through the houses and suddenly a face appeared from one of the huts. I swung my hand and punched the man. He fell forwards into the track. I saw the land rising ahead and the trees at the top of the slope. If I could reach those trees then I might stand a chance for I could hide.
I heard a noise behind me and, after checking that the ground ahead had no obstacles I risked a look behind. The warriors were some three hundred paces behind me, their faces white against the dark of the walls. I could not estimate the numbers but there were too many for me to fight. I dug in and ran even harder up the slope. I hoped that they had eaten and drunk too much that night. The eaves of the wood were tantalisingly close and I risked a look behind me. My pursuers were a little further behind and were spreading out. That helped. I gritted my teeth and ran through the pain which coursed through my side. The ground flattened out almost the moment I stepped into the woods and I jerked to my left and ran along the edge of the woods; hopefully I would be out of sight.
A day without water and food began to take its toll. I changed direction again and began to run deeper into the woods. They were not thick enough for me to hide within but I could run freely. I risked a glance over my shoulder and disaster struck; I tripped over a tree root and crashed to the ground. I knocked the wind from myself and felt a little dizzy. The noise of my crash had alerted my pursuers to my position and I saw them, less than forty paces away as they raced towards me. There were only ten who were close to me but that would be more than enough to ensure that I was captured. This time they would not be so gentle with me.
I struggled to my feet and lurched off into the woods. I could almost smell their foetid breath and I could hear their grunts as they too struggled to get air into their mouths. I would not risk another look behind me. I would run until I was caught and then I would fight.
Suddenly an arrow appeared to come directly for me. I just moved my head slightly and heard the scream as the pursuing warrior was pierced by the missile. A second one and a third followed and two more Saxons hit the ground. Then I heard Bjorn shout, “Ulfheonar!” It was my brothers. I ran five more steps and stopped. Behind me I could see that the Saxons had also stopped and were looking for this unknown attacker. A wolf clad warrior raced from their left and killed one warrior with his sword. Even as they watched his disappearing back a second figure ran from their right and did the same. Two more arrows found their mark and the remaining four warriors edged back to their comrades who were just arriving in numbers.
Cnut appeared next to me. He was almost invisible with his blackened face, black helmet, black armour and wolf skin. He gave me my helmet and wolf skin and then my sword. While I strapped it on, he smeared mud on my face. He grinned in the dark and I saw his teeth. “Move back into the woods. Haaken is to your left.”
I did not look for them but I stepped slowly backwards. We moved a step at a time. I saw the Saxons gather. The ones who had reinforced their comrades were fully armed. There were now twenty Saxons and just six of us. Those were better odds than I had just faced. I knew from Cnut’s appearance that we would be hard to see and that meant we had an advantage. We knew how many there were of them but they did not know if they faced a few or many. They too advanced cautiously.
I heard Haaken whisper, “Just keep going Dragon Heart and all will be well.”
I knew from our scouting expeditions that this was not a deep wood and soon we would be out of it. When the trees began to thin I knew that we had reached that point. Haaken’s voice came again. “When we are out in the open then turn and run.”
That seemed madness but they had concocted this plan and not me. I would obey, I was Ulfheonar. I heard Bjorn’s voice this time. “Now!”
I turned and ran. The ground fell before us and I had to work to keep myself upright. I took longer strides. The efforts of the night began to take their toll and I found that I was falling behind Cnut. To my right I saw Haaken and Godfrid and I assumed that Sweyn and Bjorn were to my left. There was a roar from behind as the Saxons saw us clearly. This would be a short battle but it would be glorious.
Then Bjorn shouted, “Turn and stand!” I obeyed. With my sword in my hand I faced the Saxon horde. To my astonishment they were being attacked from both sides. It was Butar and his twenty warriors. We were just spectators. The Saxons stood no chance and they were almost all slaughtered for they were concentrating on us. The one or two who returned would have a tale of terror to tell Aella. I struggled to get my breath and Bjorn clapped on the back.
My stepfather came over to embrace me. “That was well done. They fell into our trap nicely! Haaken and Cnut escort him home. We will bring the weapons. I hope you found some useful information my young friend.”
“So do I!”
Chapter 13
As we walked back over the hills they explained to me how they had been aware that they had been spotted. Had I not come out then they would have assaulted the fort the following night. I was pleased that they h
ad not had to resort to that because we would have lost many men. I told them how they were suspicious both of me and their hidden watchers.
“Besides I know how we can capture this town.”
Haaken stopped. “Suddenly you are a leader and you have a plan? How can we do this?”
“I will explain to Butar when I have worked out the right words and the right strategy. I find that I agree with Harald. I think we can rid the island of them before autumn and not wait for them to leave of their own accord.”
“You learned much then?”
“Ragnar taught me to listen well and speak little. Last night I spoke not at all and learned much.”
We reached Hrams-a by mid morning. My mother stood anxiously with Eurwen in her arms watching for me. I was grateful that she had my sister in her arms for her face was a mixture of relief and anger. “I am glad that you are safe, my son, but furious that you put yourself in such danger. I have spoken with Butar about this and he knows my feelings.” I knew she was upset by the fact that she berated me in public and not when we were alone. This must have been boiling inside of her all night.
Now I knew why he had led his warriors to support Bjorn. He wished to be away from my sharp tongued mother. A Saxon shield wall was less frightening. “I am safe mother and I do not think I was ever in danger.”
“Do not lie to me. I know how close you came to death.” My mother’s second sight was terrifying. I could keep nothing from her. She pointed with her free arm towards the warrior hall. “And poor Erica has been beside herself with worry. You are thoughtless. She lost a husband and you just go wandering off without regard for anyone.”
Now I was confused, “I am sorry. What has Erica got to do with this?”
Exasperated she stormed into Butar’s Hall. “Sometimes you are a complete fool. Come in here and I will explain to you!”
I went in and poured a jug of small beer. “I am sorry mother. I have obviously done something wrong but I have no idea what.”