by Griff Hosker
“Aye my lord,” He scurried up the mast like a squirrel.
“Cnut, just give us headway until Ketil can find somewhere safe.”
He had swarmed up the mast and was now clinging precariously to the yard. He shouted down and pointed to the south, “There, Jarl Dragon Heart. It is not far.”
“Magnus, go to the bow with Erik Short Toe and watch for rocks.”
I edged the steer board over to a southerly direction. The oars were barely touching the water. Magnus’ hand came up and I nudged the board a little more to steer board. Aiden shouted, “I can see it; white sand and less than two hundred paces from us.”
I allowed the wind to bring us beam on to the beach and we stopped just short of the sand and shingle. Magnus and Erik leapt ashore with their ropes and tethered us, fore and aft to two large rocks. I took my sword and jumped into the water. It came up to my waist. The ship would not ground.
“Haaken, Aiden and Arturus come with me. Cnut, take charge.”
We wore no armour for I had seen no sign of life but it paid to be cautious. There was a rocky hill rising in the middle of the island and we headed there the better to see the other side. Worryingly there was a well worn path leading from the beach and I saw footprints. People used this island. It was not tiny but I had not thought it to be inhabited. These were strange islands. We had heard tales of women luring ships on to the rocks and then devouring their flesh. I did not believe the stories but there must have been something which happened to cause the stories to be told.
We reached the top and I saw that it was indeed a small island. It was less than a mile long and just over half a mile wide. There were, however trees, and Aiden’s sharp ears picked out the sound of water. We followed the noise and discovered a small spring which spurted from the rocks.
“We can fill our water skins here.”
Suddenly a voice came from beneath our feet. “You would steal my water?”
Our swords were out in an instant. I could see nothing. Haaken grabbed his amulet and kissed it. It had been a female voice. Were we doomed to be eaten by the women who lured sailors to their deaths? The voice began to laugh and it chilled my blood. I could still see no-one. We stood back to back. Aiden’s seax seemed a little inadequate but we would fight to the last to preserve our lives.
The voice came again. “Three Norsemen and a Hibernian and they are afraid of an old woman.” She laughed again and I gripped Ragnar’s Spirit even tighter. She was hidden yet she knew all about us. I closed my eyes. In my head I implored Erika, my mother and Ragnar for help.
Suddenly the laughing stopped and the silence which followed was almost as bad. I was hardly breathing. I saw a glow appear some ten paces from where we stood. A rock seemed to be on fire. The glow grew. None of us could move. It was as though we were frozen to the spot. A shape appeared out of the glow. Something had come from the bowels of the earth. I could face any man and be confident that I would beat him. This was supernatural and even Aiden seemed afraid. The shape grew closer and I debated attacking it before it came too close. How do you kill a spirit?
Then the shape spoke. “Your mother and your wife say you will be safe, Dragon Heart. You can sheath your swords. No harm will come to you here.”
“Do not believe her, jarl. She is bewitching us!”
The cackling laugh came again, “Haaken One Eye, would you kill me and lose the chance of a story to tell?”
She knew too much and the fact that she had spoken of Erika and my mother convinced me. “Sheathe your swords. She is right.”
“Thank you Dragon Heart; your mother is right you are a wise warrior.”
She was the oldest woman I had ever seen. Her wrinkled flesh seemed to hang from her bones like a shift which was too big. Her blue veins seemed like small mountains on her arm. And yet her voice was clear and her eyes were as sharp as Aiden’s.
“I am Eawynn and I am what you call a volva. I am a witch. I see the future and I remember the past. Your mother and your wife have spoken with me. I have been expecting you.”
My mouth must have fallen open for she laughed again. “You who have spoken with the spirits all of your life should not be surprised. Come, it is too cold out here for my old bones.”
We followed her down into her cave. The light we had seen was from lamps burning oil. There was also a fire burning in the sand. There was a cosy feel to it but I was still reeling from the knowledge that we were expected. I had not chosen this island; Ketil had just seen a beach. Then I remembered that the Norns are the weird sisters. They do nothing which is simple. Was this one of the Norns, had we just met a Weird Sister?
She took a ladle and poured a liquid into a beaker. She handed it to me and then repeated it for the others. Haaken looked at it with suspicion while the other two looked at me. The old woman said not a word but I heard, in my head, ‘drink’. I drank. Aiden and Arturus looked at each other and they drank. I laughed as Haaken watched us for a sign that the drink was drugged. He sipped and then drank. It was a pleasant drink.
“Tell me, Eawynn, why did we need to speak with you?”
She inclined her head and said to the ceiling, “You are right about him.” Then she looked at me. “You need to go to Miklagård. Your destiny lies there.”
Haaken snorted, “That is the other side of the world!”
Eawynn ignored him. “You will go to Frisia and you will try to sell the eagle and the torc. Do not. They will try to rob you. If you go to Miklagård then your people will rule your land for generations to come. It is wyrd and you cannot fight it.”
It seemed to me that my whole life had been determined by the sisters. “You can see beyond today, Eawynn. What of my people now while we are far from them? Will they come to harm? My wife and my mother both came to harm when I was not there. Will Kara and my people be safe?”
She seemed happy with my questions. “No harm will come to your people while you are away.” The smile left her face, “That does not mean that you will not face hardship, danger and death. But I will answer your question; your people will be safe. They will see the spring.”
Aiden suddenly said, “And if we are not returned by spring then they will not be safe.”
“And you have the gift. You have powers within you that you are not yet aware of. You too, need to go to Miklagård. There your mind will be opened. You need to train your mind as much as the Dragon Heart trains his body. You, Aiden, are part of this journey.” She waved her arms. “And now you had better go for your men worry!”
We had heard nothing but we stood. As we went towards the door we heard our names being called. Eawynn laughed, “Men! They have so little faith.” Her thin, blue veined hand came out to grab my arm. “Your mother and your wife are there for you always.” She handed me a small jug with a cork stopper. “A few drops of this, mixed with wine or beer will help you to communicate with them but do not waste it. Use it only when necessary.”
“Thank you, Eawynn.”
She shrugged. “I serve the spirits. It is my purpose in life.”
When I stepped outside Cnut, Snorri and the rest of my warriors were standing with drawn blades.
“We thought you had been taken!”
“By whom?”
“We heard strange noises and saw flickering lights. We thought you had been lured to your death.”
“We are quite safe and very hungry. I hope that there is food ready or we shall all be angry.”
Cnut, with a confused look upon his face, led the way. I was lost in my own thoughts. Miklagård! It was wyrd for it had been in my mind to go and I had been seeking an excuse. Perhaps this was all a dream and I would wake up. Arturus voice told me it was not, “Will we go to Miklagård then?”
I smiled and put my arm around his shoulder. “It seems your mother and your grandmother decided that already son; first Frisia and then Miklagård.”
Haaken regaled the men with the story as we ate on the beach. I could see where Eawynn gathered her food for the
waters abounded with shellfish and sea weed. I had seen no boat. I wondered how she moved from the island. Perhaps she did not. Aiden and Arturus sat on either side of me.
“This is powerful magic, father. How did she know of mother?”
“I sometimes know events which have yet to occur but you are right, this is powerful magic. Your mother did not display such powers.”
Aiden said, quietly, “Perhaps not while she was alive but since she has died…” He looked at me nervously. “Perhaps she needed to die to gain her powers.”
“You may be right. My mother’s powers became greater after her death. We will follow this course and see where it leads. I take comfort from the spirits watching over us.”
We headed across the grey autumn waters, east to Frisia. It was a much easier journey than our previous once and it proved to be almost dull. We did not mind for we were still thinking of the seer of Scillonia. When we sailed we stood off from the shore. We were alone and we needed to be wary. We were a powerful ship but we could be outnumbered. Just as a mighty stag can be brought down by a pack of dogs so we could succumb to smaller boats. We saw none and that pleased me.
We avoided the Rinaz. I had no doubt that they would remember us from our last visit. As we sailed through the islands I had my men keep a weapon close to hand. We sailed slowly for I wanted a more central berth this time. We were lucky, or, perhaps it was meant to be for we found one close to the main square. We tied up and I detailed four young strong warriors to guard the gangplank. To his obvious annoyance I left Haaken in charge of the boat while I took Cnut, Arturus and Aiden to meet with Rorik. I would not hide from a confrontation. Although we had neither helmet nor mail we had our leather byrnies beneath our kyrtles. If there was to be bloodshed then I was sure we could handle it.
We received some sour looks as we wandered through the narrow streets. I daresay some of the ones we passed we had fought and there were others we had robbed of family members. That was the price you paid for attacking the Ulfheonar. We headed for Agnetha’s ale shop. It was not busy when we entered. She still had no smile upon her face but she approached us.
“Four wheat beers!” I put the copper coins on the crudely made table.
She whisked them away. “You have nerve returning here. You were roundly cursed after your last visit.”
I shrugged, “If people poke the sleeping wolf then they can expect to be bitten.”
She laughed, “And you showed your teeth right enough, Viking wolf.”
I had no doubt that Rorik would hear of our arrival and he would come. I knew not if he would fight or talk but I was ready for both. As we drank we listened to the conversations around us. We had arrived on the day of a slave auction. We had none to sell but it would be interesting to see what slaves were available and the prices they earned.
Rorik came in flanked by two warriors. I noticed that he had a new scar running from one eye down to his neck. I did not remember him receiving that from us. I watched him as he approached. I had my hand on my dagger in case he tried anything. My long sword would be of little use in such a confined space. A smile appeared on his face. Thanks to his new wound it appeared lopsided and almost comical. He held out his hand in friendship. I slipped my dagger into my left hand as I took it.
“It is good to see you again, Jarl Dragon Heart. Have you more slaves to sell?”
“Not this time. We may be in the market to buy.” I shrugged as though it was of little interest.”
He pulled a chair over and sat down. Agnetha brought him a beer and held her hand out. Once again Rorik appeared irritated that he had to pay. I suspect he was given goods elsewhere.
Arturus was still young and he stared at Rorik’s face. Rorik smiled his lopsided smile again, “I see your son has seen my gift from Charlemagne. The Emperor sent some of his men here to try to tax us. They received none.”
“That is a little risky is it not; taking on such a powerful army?” In my mind I was imagining the wharf rats he had to fight for him.
“We are more powerful than you think. Since you were here many other Norse and Danes have settled. We have a large army if we need it.” Agnetha handed him his beer and gave him a look of disgust as she left. She obviously did not think much of him and his Norsemen. “Why do you not join us? We know that you can fight and your sword would attract many warriors.”
“I thank you for your compliment but we are happy in our homeland.”
“If you change your mind you are always welcome.” He spread his arms, “There is a slave auction this afternoon and we now have halls for merchants to use. If you take your goods to one then trade takes place during the hours of daylight.”
“I understand why. The nights can be very dangerous here, can they not?”
“They are only dangerous for the sheep and you, Jarl Dragon Heart, are no sheep.”
As we walked back to the boat I asked the others for their opinions. “We still need supplies for our voyage but I am not certain we will receive a good price for the eagle and the torc.”
“You are right, Jarl Dragon Heart. They would command a higher price in the land from which they came. Remember Eawynn and her prophesy. She told us to go to Miklagård and to sell them there rather than to the robbers here.”
“You are right Aiden. We will take some of the silver and copper and buy supplies. What else do we need?”
“A map would be useful but I am not certain that we will find one here.”
“You never know. Cnut, you and Arturus stay aboard with Snorri. You saw the men with Rorik. If you see them again you can be on your guard.”
There was a time when Arturus would have objected but each day he was changing and becoming a man. “Aye father.”
I split the money we would take between the three of us. I left much of the gold on board the ship. If we needed it then we would return. The slaves were being brought from the slave pens and so we went to buy produce which we could take on board our ship. There were a vast array of preserved meats and fish. Haaken chose wisely. Despite a search we found no one offering maps for sale. We did buy two good oak barrels for water. On our way to the slave auction we called in at Agnetha’s and bought a barrel of her wheat beer. It would only last ten days or so but it would delay the time we had to begin drinking stale water.
We did not need slaves but I was keen to see the prices. They began with some young Saxon girls. I heard them speak and knew that they came from the southern coast of Britannia. They pleaded for someone to save them before the overseer cracked them about the rump with his whip. I knew why they were so upset. They would be bought by the whorehouses of this place. They were more valuable than gold and it was reflected in their prices.
Next came two tonsured priests. They remained stoic, anticipating, I do not doubt, some benefactor like the Count buying them and freeing them. Sadly for them the Count was not present and they were bought by a Frank who did not look as though generosity of nature was one of his characteristics. They were sold for a gold piece each. We had done far better with the Count. The two priests looked less than happy as they were led away.
I was going to leave when a voice in my head told me to stay. The next ten slaves were a consignment of Saxon boys. They were older than the girls who had been sold. The prettier ones were sold for high prices by the same men who had bought the girls but the other eight were sold for silver coins. Slaves did not have the value they once had.
Finally the older slaves were brought up. The auctioneer tried to make them sound like an attractive purchase but it was obvious he was only going to receive copper for them. He would want them off his hands to save the expense of feeding them.
The first three were older women. He extolled their virtues pointing out that they did not eat much and had many skills such as cooking and cleaning. Two more even older women were brought out and the five were all bought by Agnetha. She had an eye for a bargain. Her ale house was always busy and slaves who could serve would free her to find othe
r ways to make money. She did not need pretty girls. She wanted experienced women.
The last five were men. Three of them were a little older than me but all looked ill used. They were sold as herdsmen. It would be a harsh life for them. They would have to live alone and protect their herds from wolves and raiders. The three of them would not have a long life.
The last two were ancient. One was whole while the other had no left arm below the elbow. The first one, it turned out, could read. The auctioneer did not tell us that, the slave blurted it out before being silenced by the auctioneer. I thought that the auctioneer was being foolish for a bidding war began and the man ended being sold for a silver coin. He had gone for more than the three herdsmen added together. The second was dressed in rags and he was thin and emaciated. He carried himself with a little dignity. I was intrigued at him and his story. Once again my voices told me to stay.
Haaken was keen to leave. “We have seen enough, Dragon Heart. Do we want to see an old cripple humiliated when no-one bids for him? He is a man and deserves some respect.”
“No, we have seen the others, we will wait and see.”
“What am I bid for this old sailor? He only has one good arm but he can mend nets. I know he is from far away but he can speak our language too. Come now. Shall we say, a single silver Imperial?”
There were hoots of laughter and I saw what Haaken meant. The man was old but he deserved more than this. He reminded me of Ragnar even though Ragnar had two arms one was almost useless. My own days as a slave came to mind.
“Ten copper pieces? Five?” There were still howls of derision from the crowd who were enjoying the humiliation both men were enduring. “A copper piece then? Surely he is worth that? Even if you only get seven days work from him you will have your money back.”
“Two silver pieces!”
My voice silenced the crowd who turned to look at this fool who obviously did not know the rites and rules of an auction. Aiden and Haaken kept faces of stone although I do not doubt that they thought I had lost my mind.