by Griff Hosker
I signalled Padraig and he brought the ship in. We did not hammer in the metal spikes for that noise would carry to the farm. The wind would not take our smoke in that direction as it was coming from the south and west. As people stepped down the gangplank, I commanded them to be quiet and to speak in whispers. I could do nothing about the grateful lows of the cow as it ate grass for the first time since the island so many days and nights ago but I hoped the noise of a cow would not be unusual in Mercia. I stopped the boys from going ashore, “We clean the ship. I want the barrels and chests organising and the deck swilled with seawater. When that is done, we can go ashore but we go in shifts. I want at least three of us aboard all night in case we need to make a sudden departure.”
Once the ship was organised, I headed ashore. I would eat first and return to the ship. Reginleif and Erik had kept a space for me close by Ada. She handed me my bowl of stew and Ada leaned in, “Had you not demanded silence then the whole clan would have cheered you for you have done that which you promised and that is good in a leader.”
I shook my head as I ate the first hot food in a long time, “I am not the leader; I navigate and when we reach the Land of the Wolf then I will become a father and husband once more.”
She nodded and ate her own stew. There were pieces of brined mutton and some shellfish. It made for an interesting taste. “And when you relinquish the life of a leader will you be as Aed and Padraig? Will you become a fisherman?”
I confess that I had not thought that far ahead. My aim had been to reach the east and I had done that. “I do not think I would like to spend a long time away from my family. I believe I would be a farmer.”
She beamed, “And that is what Erik would have done had he found the maiden.”
“He did find the maiden.”
“But he died. You are both alike and yet the two of you have much in common with Arne. He was the eldest and therefore became jarl but the two of you have better qualities.” She shrugged, “I am just a woman. What do I know? Yet the Norns spin and they have saved both you and the clan. Think on that.”
She had given me much to think about, but I still had many days of sailing left ahead of me. Once I had eaten, I returned to the drekar with Leif and I went around checking the ropes, sheets and stays by touch. The other boys returned when they had eaten. The tide was coming back in and so I sent a message to Æimundr Loud Voice to begin loading the drekar. I did not want to be stuck on the beach at low tide and I knew that it would take time to load the drekar. Despite the allure of solid ground and a fire, the clan obeyed so that, as the tide began to go out and the sun rose in the east, we were ready to leave. It proved to be not a moment too soon for Saxon warriors, Mercians by their garb, appeared in the distance. We had not made too much noise, but the smell of our fires must have alerted someone. It was an important lesson. We headed west, along the coast.
We had managed to miss Syllingar and the treacherous line of rocks when we had made landfall, but we would have to negotiate them now. Ebbe and Padraig stood by me with the hourglass, compass, tablet and chart. We sailed as close to the coast of Om Walum as we could as Padraig thought that there was a passage we could use close by the last tip of Mercia and Om Walum. It was a risk, but we had all heard the stories of the witch of Syllingar and none of us wished to risk her wrath. Had Gytha still been alive then it might have been a possibility. We were helped by the fact that we could not travel quickly for the wind was from the south and west; we had to tack. I had made the decision not to make another landfall before the land of the Walhaz! Mercia had too many burghs and they also kept a watch for Vikings. Even though we had no shields along our gunwale they would still view us as a threat. We hove to at night for I saw the maelstrom of wild water which marked the passage. If we were going to risk it then I wanted high tide and daylight. We waited and I slept.
We now had experienced watchkeepers and I slept better than when we had sailed the Great Sea. The next morning, I had every boy watching the water and the warriors manned the oars. The women and children were crowded around the prow and the mainmast. Ebbe stood on the gunwale and clung to the forestay. His left arm would guide me. It would be like when we had hunted the whale. The waters became more turbulent as we neared the rocks and I hoped that Ebbe was confident enough to make the correct call. He had sailed the drekar enough to know its limitations. The sail was half-reefed and if we had to reverse our course, we could do it quite easily, I hoped.
The first signal was to sail to steerboard and the coast, but I trusted Ebbe. Almost immediately he made me straighten up and the drekar lurched alarmingly as a wave which had struck a rock bounced back at us. We were buffeted from both sides by waves. From what Padraig had told me the passage was less than a mile long, but he had never sailed it. His knowledge was based upon what someone had told him. The next signal took me to larboard, and we travelled further before Ebbe corrected the course. This time the buffeting was not quite as bad, and we kept on the same course for at least two hundred paces. Our oarsmen were stroking easily for there was no need for power and then Ebbe signalled a turn to steerboard. When he kept signalling, I needed one-half of the oarsmen to back water and we seemed to head towards a rapidly approaching cliff. This was a true test of the confidence Ebbe and I had in each other. The women began to scream as the cliff approached and then when the cliff was less than one hundred paces from us, he signalled a sharp turn to larboard. This time I anticipated the need to use the oars and ordered the opposite action. And then we were through. The water still bubbled but Ebbe’s hands in the air told me that there was no longer dangerous water ahead.
I grinned and felt like a ship’s boy again as I shouted, “Full sail! In oars!”
Ebbe came back to me and grasped my left arm, “Thank you for trusting me!”
“And thank you for believing I could pull off those manoeuvres.”
Padraig appeared and said, somewhat shamefacedly, “Had I known how hard it was then I would not have suggested that course. That was fine seamanship from the two of you!”
“It was wyrd, Padraig, and you have saved many miles. Now you can steer for a while, I feel the need to sit and recover my strength. My legs and arms feel like those of a freshly foaled colt.”
It was getting on to dark when we saw the coast appear ahead. We were in the estuary of the Sabrina, that mighty river which can crush a drekar as though it is nothing. Once again, we headed for land and this time we landed before dark so that we could see the bay. It was surrounded by high cliffs and reminded me of the place we had used on the island in the west. Men were sent ashore and determined that it was safe. The cow, which had benefitted from one night ashore, was then let off the ship first. Her milk had ceased some days ago and we wanted her grass-fed. With warriors watching the women and children left the drekar with their cauldrons. We had had to use one of the sheep which we had preserved as bait for fishing as it had gone rotten. The result was that we had caught a large shark and we would enjoy a fine feast. I sat on the drekar with Æimundr Loud Voice, Aed, Padraig and Ebbe. I had considered asking Helga to join us for we were now within a few days of the Land of the Wolf. I would wait until I had spoken with the men first.
“The map shows that we have the island they call Ynys Môn and then Man before we reach the Land of the Wolf.”
Aed shook his head, “Avoid them, Fótr, for we were nearly undone when we left Larswick.”
I nodded, “Then we have to sail between Hibernia and Ynys Môn. Can we do that in one day?”
Padraig licked and then lifted his finger, “The wind favours us and ‘Gytha’ seems to be faster than when we left Bear Island.”
I nodded, “Then, Æimundr Loud Voice, we have the men mailed and weapons to hand. We use the barrels and chests to line the sides and afford protection for the women and children. Aed is right and this is the lair of pirates. I would hate to fall so close to the end of our voyage.”
“That is wise, and we will make it a fortress o
nce we have eaten.”
We had seen the last of the big seas and the barrels and chests would be protection for the women and children. When we left, the next day, we had to row for a while as we had a headland to negotiate and then the wind was from our larboard quarter. The warriors were happy to row for the voyage had meant they had not had to use their arms as much and all of the clan knew that if we were not welcomed in the Land of the Wolf then we would have to fight for a home once more.
We did not sail close to the coast as we were heading for the channel between the island of Ynys Môn and Hibernia. I saw a delegation of women approaching. It was Helga, Ada and Gefn who were the three most powerful volvas on the drekar. I had seen them spinning each day since we had sighted land and I had thought nothing of it. Now, as they approached then I knew there had been a purpose to their spells. Ebbe was standing close by and when Helga said, “We would speak with the leader of this clan, Fótr Land Finder.”
It was the second time I had been called that and I wondered if the clan was about to rename me. I nodded and said, “Ebbe, take the steering board. I will watch the sails.” Ebbe was not quite as obsessed with the sails and the ship as I was. I constantly looked and listened for the snap of the sail which told me it needed adjustment. Ebbe would not worry about such a sign. We went to the larboard side of the stern where they gathered close to me so that we could confer without being overheard.
“You have done well, Fótr; better, in fact, than any could have expected but the Norns have spun. We were sent here quickly for we were summoned.” Confusion must have shown on my face for I truly did not understand how we could have been summoned. We had been on the far side of the world. Helga smiled, “My mother was powerful. She may have been one of the three most powerful witches in our world. When she passed over to the spirit world, she could speak with those in our old world. The three of us had flashes of her while we endured the storms and the seas. Since we have neared the land, we heard her voice.” She shook her head, “No, that is not quite true. We thought it her voice, but it was another. It was Ylva the granddaughter of the Dragonheart. That is not surprising for we all know that she was once taken by the witch of Syllingar and imprisoned beneath the seas.”
Now I was really confused, “Ylva? The one we seek?”
Helga nodded, “Aye, but the Land of the Wolf is in turmoil. We know not why but know that the Norns have spun, Fótr, and your work is not finished. It is you who will have to make the correct decisions and make them quickly. Your brother Erik was lucky, he had my mother to help him. You, I am sorry to say, just have us and even together we are not my mother.” She handed me a piece of material. “We have spun. The old spell was used up when you rescued me and my family. This new one will help you and you should know that if there is trouble then the three of us will do all that we can to help you.”
They went back to the mainmast and I was left with a maelstrom of a mind! Ebbe asked, “What was that about?”
“Trouble and I will heed it. Sail a little longer while I don my mail.”
“That kind of trouble. I shall get your brother’s sword when you are ready.”
It did not take long for word to spread. The warriors had worn their mail since we had first sighted Mercia but now the younger men, the ones who were yet to be blooded as warriors, now sought their weapons. Bear Tooth joined me and asked what was amiss. I told him.
“Then I shall prepare my weapons too.” He tapped my mail, “I am not sure I could ever fight in mail like this.”
“You have the hide vest with the metal and that will suffice but if you are to fight in this new land then you will need a helmet.”
He looked fearful, “This metal you have is like magic, Fótr. It is unnatural.”
I nodded, “True, but unlike your people, we change the world in which we live. You will see buildings made of stone for, like the bjorr, we alter our world to make it serve us.” He went to gather his weapons and, as we approached the channel, every man, youth and boy was armed and ready.
It was late afternoon when we spied the trouble. We had passed the island and Man was some way to the northeast of us when we saw a knarr. Petr shouted down from the masthead that the Norse knarr was being attacked by two Hibernian pirate ships. I confess that had Helga and the volvas not spoken to me then I would have avoided them and not risked the women, but I did not hesitate.
“Women and children behind the barrels. Warriors, we go to the aid of the knarr. They are of our people and the pirates are not!” I donned my helmet. The sail needed no adjustment as it was taut and taking us to them quickly. If nothing else the crew of the knarr would spy hope.
Ebbe joined me, “You have a plan?”
“Lay us alongside one of the pirates and kill as many as we can.”
He laughed, “I can see that you are no warrior!”
“No, I am a sailor, but it is all that I can think of.”
Bear Tooth, Aed and Padraig joined me at the steering board while the rest of the men gathered at the prow. The boys and the youths had slings and bows. They would line the larboard side and protect the women. Our approach meant that I was able to ascertain the enemy numbers. The low Hibernian ships were not ocean-going vessels. They were the type which raced out from an estuary to catch an unwary, lumbering merchant ship. The size of the ships had so far saved the knarr which had higher gunwales and the Hibernians had not managed to board her yet. I could see that would soon end as one of the knarr’s crew fell backwards.
The wind had helped us considerably and we were rapidly gaining on the nearest Hibernian. “Reef the sails! Use the oars as fenders!” We could afford broken oars but not sprung strakes!
As we neared the battle, I saw Hibernians turn to look at us. The ship on the far side was in no danger but the captain of the one closest to us saw his dilemma. I heard a shout and the ropes tying the pirate to the knarr were severed but they were facing the wrong way and could not use their sail. Even as we approached the ship, they ran out their oars and attempted to flee. We did not need our own oars to protect us as we struck the oars on the Hibernian pirate. As they shattered and splintered, pirates were speared and spiked by shards of wood.
Æimundr Loud Voice did not hesitate; as the pirate ground against our side, he shouted, “Clan of the Fox!” and he and a dozen of our warriors leapt aboard the pirate. The men who followed him each had a shield and mail. The pirates did not. It was a short and bloody battle but there could be only one result. However, despite the brief nature of the fight, I was almost hit. One Hibernian, realising that I steered the drekar, loosed an arrow at me. It struck me in the chest, but I wore good mail and the hunting arrow merely stuck there. Had I not chosen to wear the mail then I might have been hurt.
I shouted, “Aed, go aboard the pirate! We can use that vessel!”
On the other side of the knarr, the other Hibernian cut his own ropes and they began to row west. The women and children all began to cheer. The last time the clan had fought had been a disaster and many men had died. We had fought our first battle since then and we had routed our enemy and taken a ship. Aed steered the ship so that it came to our steerboard side. It meant we could use the sail and lighten the load on ‘Gytha’.
The knarr nudged closer to us and the captain, bloodied and wounded, raised his arm, “We owe you our lives! Had you not come then we would have perished. I am Snorri of Beinn na bhFadhla.”
“And we are the Clan of the Fox. We have volvas onboard, do your men need healing?”
He shook his head, “Lars is beyond help and we can tend to our own. Where are you headed for? I have not heard of the Clan of the Fox.”
“We have sailed from across the far side of the Great Sea!”
The crew all forgot their hurts and clutched their hammers, “Truly?”
“I speak the truth.”
“Then you did not fall off the edge of the world.” He shook his head in wonder. “I would love to speak with you. Where are you bound, for whe
n I return from Lundenwic I would hear the tale and pay for it with Frankish wine?”
“We are heading for the Land of the Wolf.”
The crew all looked at each other and the Captain said, “Have you not heard?” I did not state the obvious, that we had been on the far side of the world and I merely shook my head. “The King of Norway has taken the land of the Wolf. Sámr Ship Killer and Ylva, great-grandson and granddaughter of Dragonheart have disappeared. The Dragonheart’s son, Gruffyd and grandson, Ragnar were both given the blood eagle and their home, Whale Island, is no longer an open port. Only those who bend the knee to Harald Fairhair are allowed to trade.”
My spirits sank to their lowest point since I had heard that my brothers were dead. Then the thought came to me that the volvas had heard Ylva’s voice. She might be alive. “Where did Ylva live?”
“It is said that she lived in Myrddyn’s cave which lay to the west of the Rye Dale, but none has seen her for this last year. The Land of the Wolf wears the yoke of Norway.” He looked at the sky, “The weather changes and we have tarried long enough. May the Allfather be with you!”
“And with you!”
As they sailed south and east all eyes were on me. Aed brought the pirate around to our steerboard quarter and Æimundr Loud Voice said, “Do we head north, then, to Orkneyjar?”
I saw the three volvas looking at me and my hand went unconsciously to their spell, “No for that is Norwegian too. We came to find Ylva and Sámr. I believe that the witch is alive, and I would seek her.” I turned to Padraig, “Is there not a small beach on the west coast of the land of the Wolf which we could use?”
He grinned, “Aye, Fótr! There is, I believe, an old Roman Road which heads east.”
“Then, while I still lead the clan, we will seek the witch!”
Chapter 7 Fótr
We reached the mountainous west coast of the Land of the Wolf a day later. The Hibernian ship was not as well made as ‘Gytha’ and we made slower progress than I would have liked. After looking at inhospitable rock-lined bays we found a suitable beach and the deserted huts showed us that once there had been fishermen for they had a wooden quay. We tied up and, after Æimundr Loud Voice, Bear Tooth and our men had explored the land around and found it deserted, we landed. I took the momentous decision to unload the drekar. I knew that it was dangerous, but I needed to examine the hull for damage. We had shelter for the women and children and when we discovered no signs of people, I gathered the men around me.