by Griff Hosker
I handed the box to Aiden. “Then guard this well.” I began to strip. “And I shall bathe and then put on some cool cloth. I have had enough of sweating like a pig!”
I walked, naked, into the sea and enjoyed the refreshing salty water. As I swam around the ship I saw my men removing the deck planks to put the chests and the amphorae in the hull. Anything which might rot we kept on deck. I swam around the ship to inspect any damage from the fight. Ragnar Bollison had built well. There were a few grazes on the prow but naught else. Her hull was sound. Just to make sure I dived beneath her. The water was so clear that I was able to examine her completely. She was undamaged.
After I had dressed in the borrowed robes I felt much better. The material Josephus had called silk was both soft and cool. It felt like the touch of Erika’s fingers on my body. “If I were you I would find garments such as this. I do not think it will get any cooler.”
Some of my warriors ran back to the town to find other items of clothing. They had not seen them as treasure now they knew better. Josephus advised the cooks on the use of some of the herbs and the air was soon filled with the most aromatic smells. Cnut and Haaken sat counting out the coins we had collected.
“You were right, Jarl Dragon Heart, there was more treasure than we first thought. There were many of those we slew who had coins about them. Not many but when you add them and the ones which they had hidden in their home we collected together then it became a sizeable sum. We are all rich men now!”
When we had eaten I wandered with Haaken to look at this small settlement. The fishing boats were very small and looked like miniature versions of the pirates we had fought. We stood on the beach at the eastern end of the huts and looked towards the setting sun.
“These people have much in common with us Dragon Heart. They have not much in the way of land to grow things and they raid the ships which pass by.”
“If this were my home I would have defended it far better. Those mud walls were not even as strong as our wooden walls.”
We strolled back to our camp. “It is a strange land. I could not live here. It is too hot.”
I lifted my arms to show the garment I was wearing. “I am cool!”
“Then I shall have to wear the same.”
We had noticed that there were no tides here in the Middle Sea. Perhaps Ran did not rule the blue waters. Josephus told us that there was a Roman god called Neptune. It might have meant that he was more powerful here. The gods were complicated.
We left at dawn. We had stripped the dead animals clean and their bones were now bleaching on the deck. They would provide materials for the ship and for carving once they had dried out.
Josephus thought that we had passed Melita and we could head north east towards the jumble of Greek islands. Josephus was confident that, with our shallow draught, we could avoid large Imperial ships. Once we reached Miklagård then we could explain ourselves but any warships we met would assume we were a threat and deal with us accordingly. Thanks to the water and the food we did not need to stop again and we pushed on for as long as there was daylight. It took us a whole day and a night to reach the islands.
Once we reached them then we were totally in Josephus’ hands. He knew the coastline well and he took us through channels which I did not think could accommodate us. He assured me that we would save time. Aiden was busy adding all this information to the maps he had drawn. I had promised Josephus his freedom and I would not be forsworn but we would miss his skills. The maps were our only chance of reaching home safely. He and Aiden now spoke only in Greek. Aiden told me that it was the best way to learn and improve his Greek. I had picked up some words as had Arturus. We could speak with any Byzantine we met but it would be a basic conversation. It would be down to Aiden to make the trades and conclude any deals.
Once we reached the islands we moved very cautiously; this was partly to avoid detection and to ensure we did not rip the hull out of our ship. It allowed us to marvel at the clarity of the water. We could see the fish swimming round the ship.
“This is not like the waters of home, Jarl Dragon Heart. They are dark and hidden waters. The blue waters here invite you in.” Aiden and Arturus were quite taken with the seas.
“Well, Josephus, you will soon be home.”
He looked sadly at me, “I never thought, when I was placed on the auction block, that my life would move in this direction. I anticipated a cold end to my life herding pigs and stealing their food. Even if my family have all gone to the Otherworld I would not change my last voyage. I have sailed a wondrous ship and seen warriors who change their world. Thank you.”
“No, thank you, captain. We would never have reached these seas were it not for you. It has been a good arrangement. We have both benefitted.” I stood back at him. “And now you do not look like a bag of bones held together by dirty rags!” He laughed with us. He laughed more these days.
Once we had cleared the islands Josephus set a northerly course. We were heading for the Sea of Marmara and Miklagård. We were within touching distance of our destination.
The last day of sailing saw us in congested waters. We could not avoid it for we had to pass through the Sea of Marmara as did every other ship sailing to the centre of the world. We were far longer and sleeker than any that we saw. We could see them all steering well clear of us but, miraculously, we did not see any Byzantine warships and we woke one morning to see the skyline of Miklagård in the distance. It seemed to glow and rise from the blue sea like a white and golden crown. We had finally reached the most powerful city in the world and the one in which we hoped we would make our fortune.
Chapter 22
Josephus was nervous as we rowed in towards the city which towered above walls so high I could not imagine how men had built them. They dwarfed every Roman fort we had seen. They were the height of at least six men and more. As we slowly approached I could see no end to the walls.
“We will head to the Langa Harbour. We will not be seen as much of a threat there.” He looked at me with a pleading look on his face. “Do not expect to be made welcome.”
I laughed, “A Viking is never welcome anywhere. We learn to grow a thick skin.”
Josephus shouted the commands to the crew. It was as it should be. He knew the harbour and he knew the rituals. “Slow, Cnut. Barely keep her way. Magnus and Ketil, be ready to leap ashore and tie us up.”
The harbour wall was fortified and I saw that there were weapons and soldiers guarding it. It had a narrow entrance and I saw war machines and warriors guarding it. We had got in but we would never leave without permission.
He was a fine seaman and he knew my ship now as well, if not better, than me. He shouted, “Oars in!” We gently spun with the slight breeze and nudged the stone harbour. Magnus and Ketil had us tied up faster than I had ever seen.
Six spearmen with mail shirts and conical helmets raced down the steps and spread out in a half circle. On the walls, some thirty paces from the harbour I saw bows aimed at us.
“Keep your hands from your weapons. This is an occasion for words and not action. Aiden and Josephus will speak for us. Magnus run out the gangplank.”
I saw more armed men approach and behind them came, what I assumed was an official. He was dressed in white and had a wax tablet clutched in his hand.
“This is where you and Josephus speak, Aiden. I will be with you.”
Of the three of us I was the only one armed and that was with a sword. I was wearing one of the garments we had found in the village and, on Josephus’ advice I had tidied and washed my hair as well as trimming my unruly beard. I walked behind the other two and I saw the spears of all thirty soldiers remained pointed at us. The weapons on the wall would have slaughtered us all had they been released.
Josephus bowed and began to speak. I caught one word in three. The official spoke and Josephus spoke again and then pointed to Aiden who spoke. After he had finished there was a pause and then the official spoke to the soldiers who lowered their
spears. They still stood before us but I took it to be a good sign. The official spoke one last time and then Josephus and Aiden turned to me. “We are to return on board while the clerk seeks advice. We are ordered not to move or we will be destroyed.” I saw some powerful weapons on the walls and I believed him.
It was something of an anti climax. My men had expected either a battle or a welcome. They did not like what we had received. I shook my head as they complained, “Are you women? This is an adventure. You cannot predict how it will turn out. Haaken you will have tales to tell that people will pay a fortune to hear and if we are successful then none of us will ever need to raid again. Have a little patience and remember that the witch Eawynn prophesied that we would come here and, against the odds, we have made it!”
No-one came near us for a whole day. The guards changed; boats bobbed around our stern and bow looking at us but no one approached us. We were lucky to be still well provisioned with food and water but I knew that my men were restless.
Finally, at noon on the second day in port the official we had seen arrived with another two important looking men. Behind them was a slave. I thought, for a moment, that it was Olaf the Toothless for he looked to be his double. He looked to be just as old as Olaf had been. One of the richly dressed men was a warrior. He had a mail shirt which was topped with lamellar armour. On his head he wore a fine golden helmet and he had a sword hanging from his baldric. His face showed the scars of combat. The other man was more effete and seemed so slight I worried that he would blow away in the slight breeze from the Sea of Marmara.
They stood and waited at the gangplank. The armed guards had levelled weapons. Josephus led the three of us down once more. Our Greek began to speak. The effete man said something to him and he bowed and stepped back. The slave stepped forward.
He spoke our language although I did not understand some of the words he used. “This is the Hetaereiarch, Strategos John Cantacuzenus. He apologises to your translator but he wishes to be certain that his words are translated as he would wish.”
I stepped forward. “I understand and what is your name?”
He seemed nonplussed that he had been noticed, “Er I am a slave of the household; Tostig Olafson. I was chosen because I am Norse.” He looked at me with sadness in his old eyes. “I was a Viking.”
The warrior said something and the old man replied. “The Hetaereiarch asks why a barbarian, I am sorry, it is his word not mine, dares to come to Constantinopolis? He wants to know if you wish to die.”
I laughed, “Tell him that I have sailed from one end of the world to the other and I fear no man nor do I fear death.”
He translated although he had a worried look on his face. Before the general could reply I continued, “I came here to trade because I have things of value aboard my ship and I had heard that Miklagård welcomed traders. Was I wrong? If so I can go further east and trade with the Muslims.”
When he translated I saw the ghost of a smile play upon the lips of the warrior while the two officials looked shocked at my lack of respect. I was playing a game with them. I gambled that the warrior would want me to act as a warrior.
Tostig licked his lips nervously, “The Hetaereiarch asks what you can possibly have to trade that the Emperor might desire?”
I allowed silence to descend. I smiled and said, “A Roman Legionary eagle and the bones of St.Peter.”
Had I slapped the three of them in the face I could not have had a better reaction. The warrior became serious and spoke with Tostig. “The Hetaereiarch asks if this is true or are you boasting to impress him.”
I carefully drew Ragnar’s Spirit. I saw arrows being notched behind them. I held it by the blade like a cross of the White Christ. “I will say this only once. When I say something it is the truth. I am never foresworn. I swear by the sword touched by the gods that I speak the truth but if the Hetaereiarch disputes it then he and I will cross swords here and blood will be spilled.” A look of horror spread across the slave’s face. “Translate it Tostig. Word for word! Josephus tell me if he does not and he shall die too.”
I watched the three of them as he did so. The two courtiers stepped back while the eyes of the Hetaereiarch narrowed briefly before he began to laugh. Tostig seemed relieved when the Hetaereiarch spoke. “He says he believes you. He will go and speak with the Emperor and asks if there is anything you need.”
“Food, and if you have it some beer.”
The Hetaereiarch laughed again and Tostig smiled as he said. “He will send some.” They all left leaving the archers on the walls and the twenty spearmen to watch us. Josephus said, as he shook his head, “You speak of poking the wolf, you have poked a pack of lions. I will grant you this, Jarl Dragon Heart, you have no fear.“
When Aiden told the rest of the crew of my words they were all on my side.
“Jarl Dragon Heart, if they do not wish to trade then let us fight our way out. ‘The Heart of the Dragon’ is a nimble vessel and we can row as fast as any!”
“Thank you for your confidence Haaken One Eye but we will see if I have read this Byzantine aright. I believe he will return and with better news.”
Within a short space of time food and drink was sent to the dock although the slaves who brought them looked fearfully at us. I suppose we were terrifying. As my crew brought the much needed supplies on board I noticed how wild they looked. None had groomed themselves since we had left Cyninges-tūn. Had I not trimmed by beard and hair then I would have looked as wild.
“Aiden, I will wash myself when I return try to make my beard and hair less wild.”
I walked to the side of the ship away from the harbour and took off my clothes. I jumped into the water. It was not as clean as the sea close to the African village but it felt good. I heard a shout from Magnus and saw four of the spearmen standing at the dockside and waving their spears at me. They were shouting something.
Aiden said, “They are ordering you out of the water, Jarl Dragon Heart.”
“Tell them I will return to the ship when I am clean.”
Aiden spoke and I continued to scull around the stern. Their spears were lowered but I saw puzzled looks upon their faces. When I was happy I shouted, “Throw me a rope!”
I climbed up the side feeling much fresher and cleaner. After drying and dressing I sat while Aiden ran a horn comb through my beard and my hair. He hacked some of the wilder parts of both. “I am sorry, Jarl, that is the best that I can do.”
He held up Ragnar’s Spirit so that I could see myself in the polished blade. It looked a little neater. It would have to do. I had just strapped my sword on when Arturus said, “They have returned, father.”
I went to the side and saw different warriors with the Hetaereiarch. These looked to be better armed and armoured warriors. Their armour gleamed. They had no spears but their swords were long ones like mine. The three of us descended to the dock.
Tostig spoke again, “You three are to come with us. The Emperor would like to see the treasure and then he will decide your fate.”
I nodded and then pointed to Josephus. “This man is one of your people. He was a slave and we have returned him to his home. I would like him to be able to find his family.”
Tostig frowned and then translated. Josephus looked at me with a grateful smile. The Hetaereiarch spoke to Josephus who answered. They had a long conversation during which the Hetaereiarch kept glancing at me. Finally he nodded and Tostig said, “The captain may go. You will come and bring the treasure.”
I turned, “Arturus fetch the bones and the eagle.”
“Yes father.” Tostig turned and said something to the Hetaereiarch.
As Arturus went to retrieve the boxes I took a small purse I had with me. It contained some of the coins we had found in the African village. I gave it to Josephus. “I hope you find your family. Here is money for you. I know not what will happen to us but if you need more or you wish to return then, the Allfather willing, we will be here.”
He to
ok the bag. “I do not deserve this but I will take it for I know not what the Gods have waiting for me. Take care, Viking, and remember this is Byzantium. Beware the daggers in men’s smiles.”
“I will and I hope you find your family.”
He turned. The Hetaereiarch said something and the guards parted allowing him to ascend towards the gate. Arturus ran up. He handed the two boxes to Aiden. The Hetaereiarch spoke and Tostig said, “The Hetaereiarch says just your son should accompany you.” My eyes narrowed as I stared at Tostig. He had heard my son call me father. He quailed before my gaze. “I am sorry Jarl. Had I not told him and he had discovered my deception I would have paid the price.”
I knew he could do nothing else. I had been a slave once. I nodded. “Aiden, tell Haaken he is in command but do not let him do anything foolish! Even if they hold us for some time then he should do nothing. If we die then he can make the decisions but keep a good watch.”
“I will Jarl Dragon Heart.” He lowered his voice. “I heard the Hetaereiarch speak. He wants your son as a hostage and a surety for your good behaviour.”
I laughed, “You learn well my gladramenn! I will return. Come Arturus, we are the first to see this wondrous city! Tell the Hetaereiarch to lead on, Tostig Olafson.”
He spoke quickly and the Hetaereiarch snapped an order. The guards formed two lines on either side of us. As we set off towards the gate in the wall my whole crew began to howl and then they began banging their swords on their shields and chanted, “Ulfheonar! Ulfheonar! Ulfheonar!”
Our guards stopped and levelled their weapons at me. I said, quietly to Tostig, “They are just saying farewell.”
Tostig translated and we continued on our way. I saw the warrior shake his head and smile. The chanting continued until we passed through the gate. My senses were assaulted as I passed into the ancient city. Every building was stone and there were paved roads beneath my feet. The smells were ones I had never experienced before. There were sweet smells of food as well as the pungent smell of urine. I saw two men relieving themselves in a trough outside a house and that explained the smell. There were colours all around us from the clothes of the people to the walls of the houses and the statues that we saw.