by Griff Hosker
I saw Rorik watching us keenly and I gestured for us to move away out of earshot. “I have been told that such books have a specialised market and…”
“And knowing that I wanted the monks you sought me out.” He laughed, “And some of my people call you barbarians. Yes I am interested. My ship is the ‘Sword of Charles Martel’. It is the one in the centre of the port. Bring it this afternoon.” He put his hand on my arm. “Bring two men only.” He shrugged apologetically, “You are Norsemen are you not?”
I smiled, “Yes we are. I will bring just two.”
The ship in question had three masts as well as ports for ten oars on each side. It had a fighting castle at the stern. ‘Heart’ could sail rings around it but it would be a hard ship to capture. Much to Arturus’ annoyance when I went for the meeting I took Haaken and Aiden with me. Aiden carried the precious book wrapped in a sheepskin.
“Cnut, you and Trygg try to buy some seeds and grain. Use the coin we were just paid for the slaves.” I had decided not to use the gold we had found in the Roman fort. That was our reserve and I did not wish to advertise the fact that we had gold. Let them think we only had the money we had received for the slaves.
The Count had many guards aboard his ship. As we approached we were viewed suspiciously. One of them disappeared into the stern castle and the Count emerged. He smiled and waved us on board.
“Come, I have some mulled wine waiting for us. I have been eagerly anticipating the holy book.”
He had a cabin. There was a bed and a table with two chairs. He gestured, “Please sit.”
I nodded to Aiden who placed the wrapped book on the table. The Count poured me a goblet of the warm wine. “Your good health, Jarl.”
The warm and honeyed wine had a sweet and not unpleasant taste. It warmed as it went down. “And yours, Count Pepin.”
He licked his lips. I know not if it was from the wine or the anticipation of the book. “May I?”
“Of course.”
He unwrapped it with the greatest of care and then he wiped his hands on a piece of clean linen which had been placed on the table. The cover of the book was decorated exquisitely and made of the softest calfskin.
“Beautiful. Was it made by those monks you sold me?”
“We took it from their church so I suppose they did.”
“This shows great craftsmanship.” He opened it and actually sighed with delight. He moved his fingers across the painted words. “It is a pity you cannot read, Viking.”
“I can read a little.” I stood behind him and read, “’In principio creavit Deus caelum et terram.’” He nodded, “I think it means ‘In the beginning God created heaven, and earth’.”
“I am impressed, Norseman! Then you know that this book is valuable?”
“I know that the men of the White Christ, you Christians think so. But as it does not tell me where to buy swords or where the edge of the world is to be found it is of little use to me.”
“But it is beautiful.”
“As is a sunset and I can watch one of those any time I like.”
He laughed, “You are unusual. You are a poet!”
“No, my friend Haaken here is a singer of songs and a teller of tales while Aiden is the poet.”
“I like you. Here.”
He handed me a leather purse. I opened it and saw gold pieces within. I looked at him suspiciously. “You do not wish to haggle?”
“That is a fair price. More than fair to be truthful but I hope that you will bring any such books you… er … find, to me.”
“Of course.” I handed the purse to Aiden. “You will free the monks and have them make more such books for you.”
“A mind reader too. Yes, for I love beautiful things.”
“I will bring the holy books to you if you can give me some information.”
“If I can.”
“We need fine weapons and Frankia is closed to us. Where should we go?”
“You are blunt too. You do know that I am related to the Emperor?”
“I guessed as much.”
“Then why should I help you?”
“Because you want more books and I can get them for you.”
He laughed. “Let me see your sword please. I was told that it is special.”
“It is.”
He weighed it and balanced it in his hand. “This is an old sword but it is well made. Do you see this?” He pointed to the shallow groove which ran along both sides. I nodded. “Do you know what this is for?”
I had not given it much thought. “I assume to let the blood run away.”
He laughed, “I am not certain that Norse warriors worry about such things do you? No it is the sign of a good sword maker. It lightens the sword without compromising its strength. You need swords like this one. There are many swords like this in the Empire. I believe that the blank for this one came from Frankia. There are, however, other swords just as good and in some cases better than Imperial swords. The best can be found in Byzantium; the city of Constantinopolis. I believe you call it Miklagård. It produces the best but it is a long journey. South of here, around Toledo, is a place where they make good weapons. The Arabs have conquered much of that land. We have retaken some in the north, the Marcia Hispanica, and there are free peoples in Navarra, on the north east. They have good weapons and they hold off the Arabs.” He sipped his wine and studied me. “I should warn you that it is a wild coast and they are a wild people. We discovered that at Roncesvalles.” He shrugged, “But I have seen your ship and your men. You look as though you can look after yourselves.” He stood, “And now we must take our leave of you.” Leaning in he said, “This place can be a little dangerous at night; especially after a sale. We will sale on the next tide.” He held his hand out. “My people have a custom of touching palms when we say farewell.” I touched his hand and it was softer than Erika’s.
“Farewell.”
We headed back to ‘The Heart of the Dragon’. Aiden weighed the bag in his hand. “The purse feels heavy, lord.”
“It is, Aiden. we have done well. Now if Trygg and Cnut have done as well we can sail away from here. I trust it not.”
Chapter 9
They had indeed been successful. Trygg’s knarr was filled with sacks of grain and seed. They had also bought ducks and chickens too as well as cured hams which we split between the two vessels. Cnut beamed. “Perhaps I should be a trader. I only spent half of the coin you gave me.”
I was suspicious. “That does not sound right. I want Sven White Beard and ten warriors on board the knarr. We sail on the morning tide.”
Haaken asked, “What is amiss?”
“The Count seemed a little eager to leave. He implied that this might be a dangerous place after a sale. Perhaps he too is worried about Rorik and his greedy fingers.”
“But he took a share of the auction costs he should be happy.”
“Aye but he knows how much gold we have and I would have expected him to charge as much as possible. I think he has an eye for our ships. We are the last ships in the port and we can be cut out easily. Have half of the men sleep now and they can guard tonight.”
Haaken nodded, “And then we sail home?”
“No, we will escort Trygg to the coast of Britannia and then we will go to the land of Navarre and see what weapons we can get.”
“But they are a wild people!”
I laughed, “And we are not Haaken?”
Arturus did not like being cooped up on the boat. He wanted to explore the town. “You will learn, my son, that life is not all an adventure. Sometimes we have to let our minds rule our hearts.”
He went to the prow to sulk. Aiden smiled, “He is still young, Jarl Dragon Heart. He has seen but thirteen summers. You are deceived by his size and his prowess as a warrior. His mind has yet to catch up with his body. Do not worry I will speak with him.”
Aiden was more like a big brother to Arturus. Thinking of my duties as a father I wondered how Erika was. She had
promised me a new son by the time I returned. I would now be delayed. I wondered if she had given birth yet. I could not rush back, much as I might wish to. We had secured the food but we still needed weapons and while we had the money to do so then we had to act.
He woke me when all was dark. “Haaken sent me. There are men approaching the ships from the land and the sea.”
I took no satisfaction from being right. “Are the men ready?”
“Aye my lord, the ships boys are ready with bows and they guard the mast.”
My worry was Trygg’s vessel. It was smaller with fewer men. Moored close to the prow I made my way there. Aiden woke Arturus as I donned my helmet, picked up my shield and slid Ragnar’s Spirit from its scabbard. I saw that my men were crouched beneath the gunwale. The wharf rats would get a surprise.
Haaken and Cnut slid next to me. “We have placed men on both sides.”
“Good. I want the two of you to choose eight men and go to the aid of the knarr should they need it.”
I reached the prow and peered over. I could see shadows moving across the bridges from the land and the water, too, was filled with moving patches of dark. They were counting on us being asleep.
When they came they came suddenly and silently. One moment they were shadows and the next their hands were on the gunwale as they pulled themselves up. My men were ready and blades leapt to sever arms and slice into necks. A face appeared before me and I stabbed him in the chest. He screamed back into the water. The sound was like an alarm. Two more came from the river side and I swung Ragnar’s Spirit at their heads. The blade sliced across the nose and cheeks of one and ripped into the neck of his companion. I had cleared the prow. I heard shouts from the knarr. “Haaken! Cnut!”
The ten warriors hacked their way across the gangplank and headed towards the knarr. I could see that my ship was secure. I stood next to the carved dragon and leapt towards the stern of the knarr. I landed on one man and heard something crack beneath my feet. A second warrior was about to stab Trygg’s unguarded back. He screamed in pain and surprise when my blade emerged through his chest.
The sudden reinforcements had worked and the survivors threw themselves into the water to grab a waiting boat and escape. Magnus and the boys loosed arrow after arrow. Rorik had learned a valuable lesson that night. Do not take liberties with the Ulfheonar.
“Take any weapons from the dead and then throw the bodies overboard.”
I heard a groan from close by my feet. The man I had landed upon moaned, “You have broken my back. End it now, I beg of you.”
He was a Dane and his fingers still gripped his sword. “Go to the Allfather.”
I slid the edge across his throat and he sighed as he died.
When the bodies had been removed I ordered the weapons into the hull of the knarr. We had four wounded warriors. I put them on board the knarr with Sven. Taking Sven and Trygg to one side I said, “When we leave I will go with you as far as the coast. You will sail home. Sven knows the route and our people need what you have.”
Sven White Hair had served me long enough not to argue. “And what will I tell your lady, Jarl?”
“Tell her we sail south for weapons.”
As soon as the tide was right we cast off. We saw no-one as we headed south but I knew that eyes were watching us. We might return again but I would not trust those who lived on the island. They might be of Norse descent but they were thieves.
Dawn saw us heading north west. The wind was still from the north but had drifted to a more north easterly direction. I hoped that it would change soon else my men would have a long voyage home as they tacked back and forth. When we saw the dark smudge of the coast we waved our farewells and turned south. The slow moving knarr would take longer to reach home than it would us. We were free from the shackles of sailing with a consort. With the wind behind us we flew. We had sea room and I stood well off the coast. I did not wish to risk either Rorik’s pirates or Charlemagne’s Imperial ships.
We sailed until late afternoon and then I risked closing with the coast. Aiden had his maps out and was trying to guess where we might be. We saw the coast appear to the east as well as ahead of us. “There are many islands around here. We could find one for shelter. And there is a river, the Sequana, which flows from a large place the parchment calls Parisius.”
“Mark them down when we reach the river. We will not use it yet, we have no need of supplies but when we make our way north we may need to.”
Ketil shouted down when he saw the first of the islands. There looked to be a string of them heading along the coast. “Oars out, Magnus, get the sail down.”
I did to want us silhouetted against the setting sun and we would sail slowly until we found an uninhabited island. “Arturus, climb up the mast and find us a deserted island.”
My son was happy for that meant he would not be rowing and he always preferred to do exciting things. I was confident he would know what we needed. It had to be small yet large enough to hide our shape and it should have a beach. We passed two before he whistled and pointed at one which looked like a whale.
Once we moored Snorri and Beorn climbed the small rise to spy out the mainland. They returned with good news. They could not see any settlements on the mainland. It meant we could risk a fire. We ate well and we drank well. I had bought a barrel of wheat beer from Agnetha. It made up for the fact that my men had not enjoyed some time ashore.
Aiden took us through the parchments after we had eaten. It did not mention the people of Navarre but it did mention one or two places where there were old Roman forts. It would be a start.
“Who are these Arabs the Count spoke of?”
I shrugged, “Warriors I suppose.”
Aiden ventured, “I believe they are brown skinned warriors who come from Africa which is as hot as Norway and Denmark are cold. They are fierce.”
Cnut and Haaken exchanged a glance which told me that neither was happy. “You do not approve of our voyage?”
“It seems to me,” said Cnut, “that we are risking much and there is little to be gained.”
“Give me your sword, Cnut.”
He handed it over, puzzled. “Aiden, close your eyes and put out your arms.” He did so. I laid Cnut’s sword across them. “Feel that weight. Can you remember it?”
“Aye my lord.”
I took the sword and handed it back to Cnut. Aiden would not open his eyes until I told him to. I laid Ragnar’s Spirit on them. “Now this weight. Do you have it?”
“Aye my lord.”
I sheathed my sword. “Open your eyes.” He did so. “Now which was heavier the first or the second.”
“That is easy it was the first one.”
I saw Haaken nodding his understanding. When the Count had examined my sword he had not heard the words as I had. “You see Cnut, it is all in the design. We can have lighter, better weapons but we need to get them from somewhere other than Frankia and the Holy Roman Empire. For myself I would travel to Miklagård, but we would be away for too long. Even now I will reach home after my son has been born but we need the weapons.”
Cnut looked at his own blade, “You are right, as ever. We will find out for ourselves if these men of Navarre are as wild as the Count said.”
We left before dawn so that any watchers would not see us. I risked sailing closer to the coast as we journeyed south. I was anxious that Aiden make the map as accurate as possible. I knew that we could use such maps to our advantage. If we knew which places were undefended then we could all become richer.
We passed many fortified towns as we headed south and a river as big as the Rinaz. We also saw undefended monasteries. They were tempting but I knew we would have the journey north to pick up some easy treasure. We also passed manned towers. They were simple structures which were round and rose like a finger. I guessed they were simple watch towers to search for warriors and ships such as us.
We found no island and had to beach the ship just after a small coastal sea. It wa
s almost dark and we would have risked the sea save that we smelled wood smoke. It was inhabited. The beach we found was surrounded on three sides by marshes and our hunters managed to net fifteen good size birds. We ate well.
Aiden had told us that we would see the land of Navarre the next day. For that reason I had fifteen of our men don their armour and weapons. We would need to be able to respond to any threat.
The coast began to turn west and we watched as the cliffs grew. This was more like the land of the Norse! We were far enough out to sea so that we could run if threatened. Ketil spotted the river and a walled fishing port in the early afternoon. We had seen a larger fortified town earlier in the morning. We needed something smaller. The walled fishing port seemed perfect. We saw no tower close by although we were some way out to sea. I risked heading inshore. Landing at a small beach a mile or so to the west of the port we secured the ship. The ’Heart of the Dragon’ was hidden by two small headlands. It was not perfect but we needed to discover if there were fine weapons in this land as we had been told. I was not certain that the fishing port would yield high quality arms but we would try it.
I left ten men on board and the rest of us donned armour and headed up the track which zigzagged up the cliffs. We had been at sea for over a week and it showed. Only Snorri and Arturus were not out of breath when we reached the top. Leaving Thorir as a sentry we set off north east towards the fishing village. We would be approaching from the landward side. The sun was dipping in the west and we would have an hour or so of daylight left. I intended to scout out the area before we attacked the next day.
Suddenly Snorri waved us to the ground. We fell like shadows beneath our wolf cloaks. We heard the sound of hooves in the distance. There were horses galloping nearby and the sound was growing closer. I realised that we had been walking along a trail. If horses were coming they would use it. “Roll to the side.”
My urgent call made everyone roll from the path. I was not certain if we would remain hidden but had we stayed on the path then we would have been seen for sure. I risked a look and I saw ten horsemen in the distance. They had helmets and shields but my eye was drawn to the long spears they held. They would see us easily and the spears could keep us at bay.