by Unknown
“Yet I do not think he will.”
Matildhe had finished feeding and my wife waved over the servant, “Take Matildhe to bed. I will be along later.” She then turned to me, “Why not?”
“It would take too many men from the fields. It would also expose them to fierce Vikings for they fight on foot. He will use just local levies. If he fails, then his farms will not suffer.”
“That sounds a little cynical.”
“His opinion of his two lords is obvious. He has no confidence in them. If he had, then he would have told them to be more aggressive. They are both expendable. He will have others he can appoint. This is not the Viking world where the clan elects the best warrior to be leader. This is a Frankish world where politics and intrigue rule.”
“So, that makes you the best warrior?”
“It makes me the leader they wish to follow. I would never call myself the best of anything.”
She smiled, rose and kissed me, gently on the lips, “But you are. I will let you know when you make mistakes. So far you have not.”
I rode, the next day, to appraise Alain and Rurik of what I had learned. I also took two of the horses. They would enable my old friend and his family to flee faster when the Franks came. “I know it goes against our ways but if any Frank comes here; no matter what the story, then they go no further. Rurik, you and Finni will let them stay with you, and watch them. Tell them nothing. If we find they are spies, then they will die. If they are genuine refugees then, when all of this is over, we may let them join our clan.”
“I believe you are right, jarl. This Leudes is clever. We should not underestimate him. I know how to question men and to get answers.”
“I would not have you hurt any until they are proved to be enemies. That is why they stay here. They cannot hurt us here.” I turned to Rurik and Finni. “And I do not want you two to be heroes. As soon as the enemy comes use the horses I have brought and get your families within my walls.”
“We will.”
Our crops were in but my clan still had much work to do. The summer meant we could begin to harvest the salt from the sea. Women and children went each day to the pools we had created and collected the salt which appeared when the water evaporated in the heat of the summer sun. Sigurd and Skutal and their families took advantage of the longer days to collect as much fish as we could. The process of drying and smoking began. We had not smoked fish on the island but here, with the sea so close, it was easier and safer. The smoke hut lay to the north of the causeway where it could not set fire to houses or ships.
This year our hunts were even more important. We went once every six days to the woods which lay to the south of Rurik and we hunted. With the threat of a Frankish attack we could also look for signs of enemy activity. Along with my two warriors I did not hunt but, when my men did hunt, I joined Alain as a thin screen to the Valauna side of my hunters. It meant we did not kill as many animals but my men were safe and we could look for signs of the enemy.
It was the hunt at the start of Skerpla where we found our first sign of others in the woods. We were well off the trail, walking through the dense undergrowth when I spotted the broken branches. They were too high to have been made by animals. Animals tended to move slowly through the woods and brushed the branches aside. A poor scout would break them. Once I saw the broken branches I began to look for the signs on the ground. Harpa had been a wet month and the ground had been soft. If you had been trained by Ulf Big Nose, then you learned to see that which others could not and I saw the print of a foot.
“What do you see, lord?”
“A print in the ground, Gilles. You and Bertrand take the ground further south and imitate my route. Look for signs on the ground and broken branches.”
When we emerged close by the sea I knew that we had at least one scout or spy in my land. Gilles and Bertrand had seen nothing and I could only find evidence of one man. It was disturbing. I was worried for whoever it was had not arrived in the Haugr. He was still around. We had been especially vigilant since we had read the letter and no one new had arrived. When I rejoined Alain I told him my news.
“I am sorry, lord, we have not been as watchful as we might.”
“Do not be so hard on yourself. It was one man and the forest is large. Had I not been trained by the best of scouts then I would have missed it.” I pointed north. “We three will watch to the north. There are few places where a spy can hide.”
The meat from the hunted animals was invaluable but everything else from the animal could be used. The hides were cured and the leather used for a whole range of things. The usable bones were fashioned into tools, needles and jewellery. The rest were used to make stock and then burned to make a fertiliser for our fields. We lived in harmony with the land.
Despite the threat of an attack we still had those who wished to farm and that meant using the land which was further away from the Haugr. Rurik was still the only one who lived far enough away to make me worried but we had farms in a circle around the Haugr. Each farm reflected the warrior who farmed there. The ones who used the bottom lands and grew crops had smaller farms while those who raised animals on the upland areas had more land and needed to use their families to herd the sheep and cattle.
Beorn Tryggsson was unusual for he farmed close by the sea. Low sand dunes had formed a barrier to the sea and he had salt pools behind them. Winter storms sent waves over the dunes and watered the grass which grew there. He had cattle, pigs and sheep. My wife thought him wise for the salt fed animals made the best of meat. It tasted of the sea. He also grew crops. But he was the only one who farmed so close to the water. He would be in danger of inundation if we had a bad winter storm. Consequently, those warriors who fought with him in the shield wall had dug a deep ditch around his farm. This was not for defence from man but from the sea. It worked and Beorn prospered.
Six days after we had found the tracks of the scout my knarr returned with much needed weapons and supplies. I sent the knarr to patrol down to the deserted stronghold of Fótr and back. As we rested at Beorn Tryggsson’s farm I waved to Sven as the knarr headed south. “Have you seen any evidence of Franks, Beorn?”
“I know not what I have seen, jarl, but one of my slaves said that he saw lights dancing on the water.”
“Have you seen them?”
“Aye. Once. I went when they told me and saw them dancing on the waves.”
He hesitated and I said, “Well, what did you think it was?”
“My slave was afeard for he thought it was spirits. He comes from Hibernia and they believe in all sorts of spirits. For myself? If I was to take a guess I would have said it was a candle floating out to sea. It danced because the sea rises and falls.” He saw Gilles look of incredulity and he shrugged, “It is what I would say.”
I looked at Gilles, “And how would you explain it?”
“I have not seen it so how can I, lord?”
“Then do not dismiss Beorn’s idea. Come Beorn show me where you spied the light.”
He had a horse of his own. It was a small working horse and not a horse for war. He rode with us towards the dunes. His cattle complained as they were moved away from the lush grass. The rains of Harpa had not flooded but fed Beorn’s land and the cattle were fattening nicely. As our horses sank in the sand of the dunes I realised that this would be a perfect place for a spy to hide. The dunes shifted with the wind and the tides. They would hide the tracks of a spy.
He pointed, “Here, jarl. My slave saw the lights on the sea here. He came to check on the cattle and used the top of the dune to make his task easier.”
I looked and saw that the slave had worn a barely visible track to the top of the dune. “Spread out and look for any signs of someone other than a slave.”
If Gilles and Bertrand were confused they said nothing. This was how they would learn. It was me who spotted the evidence. “Beorn!” I dismounted and dropped Copper’s reins. I knelt and examined the ground.
Beorn rode
up and dismounted, “What is it, jarl?”
I pointed to the blackened piece of sand. “Someone has had a fire here. Would you or your slaves have lit a fire?”
“Not here, jarl. There would be no point. But this cannot be the fire which danced on the water.”
“No but this could be the fire that signalled the ship which was the fire on the water.”
“Signal?”
“I am guessing that they have s ship which comes here so that the spy can report. Keep your eyes open during the day. I will come back in a day or two to help you look. I need to see Alain of Auxerre.”
I told Alain what I had discovered. “Then I will cover the land between Beorn’s farm and the Haugr.”
“Is there any sign in the forest?”
“None.”
It was as I was riding to Rurik’s that I saw Finni speaking with a man. It was a Viking, by his dress, and he looked thin. It proved to be the Leudes’ first mistake. Finni smiled as I rode up, “Jarl, this is Thord the Grim. He was taken by the Franks after the battle with Fótr and he has escaped.”
I smiled, “You were lucky. Did the Franks not slay all of Fótr’s men?”
“No jarl. When Folki and Fótr were slain, our jarl led us in an attempt to break out. We failed. We were surrounded and he was killed. I was knocked out and when I awoke I was taken. There were twelve of us who were taken as slaves. Two tried to escape and they were executed. Three more died in the winter for they did not feed us well. When two of my clan fell ill with the coughing sickness I decided to take my chances and I fled.”
“What clan are you?”
“The clan of the otter. We came from Eoforwic to seek our fortune with Fótr. It was not meant to be.”
“Look after him, Finni.”
“Can I not come with you to the Haugr? I would not want the Franks to find me here.”
“Do not worry. Finni and Rurik will watch over you. You will be as safe here as at the Haugr.” I smiled, “Besides Agnathia can fatten you up. She is a fine cook.”
“But, jarl, I came from Caen. The enemy will follow the same route as I did. This place is not safe. We should go to your stronghold.”
“Finni, care for him. I will speak with Rurik.”
Rurik was at the hedge which marked the end of his land. He had trimmed the wild brambles to form a wind brake and a barrier to men. He was using his scythe to prune it. “Finni has found a survivor from the battle.”
“Here? That seems odd.”
“It is more than odd, Rurik. It makes the hairs on the back of my neck prickle and Ulf told me not to ignore such things. Watch him and tell him nothing. I ride to speak with Fótr.”
It was as we headed directly back to the Haugr that we saw the Frank. It was the sudden movement in the distance which alerted me. I realised later on that it was his head I had spied. I kicked Copper in the flanks and waved my hand to the right. Giles and Bertrand knew what I intended. Beorn’s farm was to our right. If this was the Frankish spy, then he would be returning to his lair. He had to follow the shallow beck which ran to the sea. The rest was cleared fields. The only place he could hide would be there and we would find him.
I entered the beck and heard a cry from my right, “Lord, I have him.” Then there was another shout from Bertrand and I saw his horse rear.
I galloped down the beck. I saw that the Frank had unhorsed Bertrand and was standing over him with a raised sword. As much as I wanted to question the Frank I needed my warrior safe. I kicked Copper in the flanks as I took out my seax and hurled it. A seax is a poor throwing weapon but the movement to his right made him turn. Bertrand rolled away from the descending sword. Gilles’ spear struck the Frank in the middle and he fell backwards.
When I reached them, Bertrand had taken the Frank’s sword and was standing over him. “I am sorry lord. I was careless. I took my eyes from him when I shouted.”
“Do not worry. You are safe and we have him.”
Gilles dismounted, “But I have killed him and you cannot question him.”
“He is not dead yet. And look, he is dressed as a Frank but what is around his neck?”
Bertrand reached down. The warrior opened his eyes and tried to grab it. The movement proved too much and he sighed as he died. “It is Thor’s hammer. This man is Viking!”
I rolled up the arm of his tunic, “He is a Dane. Look at the warrior bands.” I recognised the clan markings. “You two take his body and cast it into the sea. The tide will take it out. I will go and find Alain of Auxerre.”
I had planned on riding home but this latest event made me return. I reached Rurik’s stronghold as Alain and his men were dismounting. Even as I approached I saw Alain speaking with Rurik. They both approached me as I dismounted. “We have caught and killed the spy.” I saw relief on both their faces. “He was a Dane.”
Alain shook his head, “I should have realised.” He pointed to the stronghold of Rurik. “I know not how this man slipped past us. Am I slipping?”
“No Alain. Do not concern yourself. This is wyrd. We continue to watch but I think that our actions this day will make Philippe of Rouen act sooner rather than later.”
When Gilles and Bertrand returned, we rode back to my hall. I had intended speaking with Folki but that would have to wait until the morning. I was also accosted by Sven and Harold. They too had concern on their faces. “Jarl we saw a Saxon ship. We are fast but she was faster and she fled before we could approach her.”
“Where was she?”
“She was lying offshore, close to Rurik’s stronghold.”
I was beginning to see the picture now. “Tomorrow prepare the drekar. We will sail her the day after when I have summoned a crew. I can now see through the mist and fog of this Frankish plot.”
“Then I pray you tell me for I am lost.”
“I need to speak with Folki first.”
The next day we rode to find Folki. I took a spare horse with me. “Come with us, Folki. I have need of your mind. Erik will command your men but I do not think any Frank will come this day.”
As we rode I told him of my news. His face darkened, “Jarl, it was the clan of the otter who deserted us before the battle. They were Danes and we thought they had gone to raid on their own. They were not at the battle.”
“I did not think so for they said that you were slain. I think that the Frank has Danes he has hired. One of the spies we killed was also a Dane. I found warrior bands and they, too, were of the sign of the otter. We will question this so-called survivor. Let us see if he changes his story when he sees you.”
When we reached Rurik’s home the survivor was inside. I shouted, “Come forth, Thord the Grim. I have someone you should meet.”
He emerged from the hut and, seeing Folki, tried to flee. It was pointless. Folki galloped after him and kicked him hard in the back. He fell to the ground and lay still. Folki was off his horse in a moment and had rolled the spy over. “Folki, I need what he knows and not his death.”
Just then Theobald the Fair rode in. “Jarl, there are Franks in the woods. They are in numbers.”
“Folki, question him. Rurik get Finni and bring your people behind your walls.”
We followed Theobald. He turned, “There were twelve of them. The captain worried that they might be the advance guard of an attack.”
“No, the attack is some days off. This is to test our defences. I wondered how long it would take the Leudes to realise that I had read his letter.”
I heard the sounds of combat. With just seven men Alain was outnumbered but my men were better armed and mailed that the Franks they would be fighting. As we galloped into the clearing where they fought I saw that I was mistaken. These Franks also had mail. They had learned from their errors. I saw Stephen of Andecavis lying with his back to a tree. He was wounded.
I yelled, “Heart of Ice!” as I drew my sword, I swung around my shield and galloped into the fray. Gilles and Bertrand automatically flanked me and the three of us bundled
into the two Franks who were attacking Günter of Swabia. One fell from his saddle as three horses barged into him. Gilles’ sword sliced across the arm of the other. As Theobald slew a third the rest fled. Alain was going to pursue them but I shouted, “Let them go! There is nothing to be gained. See to Stephen!”
I dismounted and went to the Frank who had been knocked from his horse. He was not moving but he was alive. “I beg you end my life. My back is broken.”
I could see from the angle of his body that this was likely to be true. “First, information. Then I will give you a clean death.”
“I know nothing.”
“Let me be the judge of that. Where is Philippe of Rouen?”
“He is in Caen.”
“What is the purpose of the ship?”
He winced, “What ship?”
“What were your orders?”
“We were to capture one of your men and take him back for questioning.”
“When does the Leudes attack?”
“I know not, I swear.”
His eyes told me the truth of it. I took out my seax and said, “Go to your god,” as I drew it across his throat.
Stephen had a wound to his leg. While Gilles and Bertrand gathered the horses, mail and weapons I said to Alain. “We can now stop the patrols in the woods. Stay close to Rurik’s home. Have one of your men take Stephen back to the Haugr. I leave Gilles and Bertrand with you. They can take the horses and escort Stephen of Andecavis to safety. Our warriors are too valuable to risk. I will speak with this Danish spy.”
When I returned to Rurik’s I saw that my mission was a wasted one. Thord the Grim was dead. His bloody body was testament to Folki’s torture. “I am sorry jarl, I was too heavy handed but I have learned that the clan of the otter have joined Philippe of Rouen. They fight for his pay. It is they who crew the ship which has been sailing along the coast. He and the one you slew were landed from the ship. They passed information back.” He looked at me. “They needed to know where you were.”
I nodded, “Next time do not be so hasty. There might have been more information we could have gathered. “Take the body to the sea and let the tide take it. Then we return to the Haugr. We have a drekar to prepare.” Before we left I spoke with Rurik and Finni and gave them their instructions.