by Unknown
“Aye lord.”
“Arne, have every warrior with mail ready to make a shield wall. I want the rest on the walls with bows. I need every boy who can sling a ball ready to help us.”
“Aye, jarl.”
Gilles and Bertrand appeared with the warriors they had chosen. They each held a spear and two throwing spears, lighter javelins. “What would you have the captain do, lord?”
“Stop their horsemen from interfering. If you have to run, then do so.”
“We will not let you down.”
The spears were stacked next to the gate and I took one. “Lower the bridge and open the gate.” I turned to the men I would lead. It was not the largest wedge but every warrior had mail and I had fought beside almost all of them. “Clan of the horse let us show these Franks that we know how to fight! Gunnar Stone Face, you are the rock of the right. Olaf Head Breaker you are the rock of the left.” Those two would anchor the two extremes of the wedge. They might have to fend off attacks of their horsemen.
“Aye jarl!”
As I stepped out of the gate the Franks all roared. They began banging their shields. I placed myself ten paces from our ditch. We were well within the protective range of our stones and arrows. More importantly we could not be easily flanked. Gunnar and Olaf would make sure that the two ends were level with the ditch. My warriors began joining me. My most experienced warriors stood to the side of me. I had Rurik on one side and Arne Four Toes on the other. We formed a line forty men long. Behind us another twenty men gave us depth in the middle. Their spears rested on our shoulders and their shields lay in our backs. Knut the Quiet, Gudrun Witch Killer and Folki were arrayed with their oathsworn. We were fighting for family, friends and brothers in arms. What we lacked in numbers we made up for in heart.
“Close the gate! Raise the bridge!”
I heard Bagsecg shout, “Aye jarl!” His mighty arms would pull the chain and trap us outside. There would be no retreat. We would win and live or lose and die. There was no other outcome.
The ram rumbled slowly towards us. The wheels were just crudely hacked logs and it was hard to move it in a straight line. Erik Red Hair might not be able to hold a shield but he could command. Without being asked, he took charge of the slingers and archers. He bellowed, “Kill the men on the ram!”
The ram was two hundred paces from the ditch and beyond the range of our slings but our archers could hit the men pulling it. Despite the protection of the men with the shields the ram did not cooperate and each time it twisted another Frank died or was wounded. The ram was moving towards us but they were paying for each pace with a dead body.
I heard a horn and I saw that the two sets of horseman were advancing. The one to the left would face my horsemen but the one to the right would be able to charge us. Our only defence on that side were my archers. The Leudes was dividing our arrows and stones. We could do little about it save endure their attack and hope that my men were made of the right kind of metal. I saw my thin line of horsemen charge. I knew that it was not reckless. Alain of Auxerre would not throw away my men. The ram was still a hundred and fifty paces from us. I saw that Alain and my men suddenly turned to ride across the front of the Franks. They threw their javelins. They did not throw them at the men; that would have been waste. Instead they targeted the horses. A horse has no shield nor does it have armour. Ten horses were hit and their riders pitched to the ground as the horses either fell or reared in pain. Alain carried on his turn and rode a second time at the Franks who were now trying to avoid the bodies of men and horses lying before them. Their second javelins caused almost as many injuries to the horses but even more confusion. When they galloped around a third time and raised their spears the Franks tried to form a mounted shield wall. Instead of throwing their spears they punched at the Franks as they charged obliquely at them. It stopped the enemy in their tracks.
Alain wheeled our men away and rode north. They had done all that they could. One wing of horse had been stopped. I did not have the luxury of seeing how the other fared for the ram was less than fifty paces from us. On one side of the ram Hugo of Ċiriċeburh led his men while Charles Filjean led on the other. They were not the levy. The warriors of the levy were to the flanks and made up the second and third ranks. The rear rank were the Leudes’ best warriors. I could see that they wore mail. He would sacrifice the others to weaken us and then destroy me and my best warriors when we were tired.
As we braced for the attack on us I heard Erik Red Hair shout, “Slingers, let us see how many horsemen you can unseat.” There was a loud cheer from the boys and then the rattle of stones on metal. Horses whinnied and reared as they were struck. My slingers could not throw for long but while they did the horsemen had to endure a hailstorm of lead.
The ram was thirty paces from me. I saw the men preparing to rush it at us.
I shouted, “Wedge! Take the ram!” The two flanks remained stationary and I moved forward. Rurik and Arne stepped behind me and we had the beginnings of a wedge. More men joined as we stepped forward. The men at the front of the ram had their shields held high to protect them from the arrows. The first Frank knew nothing of my presence until my spear rammed into his eye and he fell to the ground. Arne stabbed the man pushing the ram and Rurik’s spear took the next. The ram slewed around. It was no longer aimed at our bridge. More importantly the three of us had forced a hole in the ram’s defences.
The three of us were able to jab and stab at men whose shields were held up to protect from arrows. My spear broke on the third man I killed. I drew my sword and hacked at the legs of the man at the rear. The rest of my wedge had now surrounded the ram and those who were pushing and protecting were dead. The threat of the ram had gone but we were now in danger of being surrounded by the Franks.
Sometimes doing something quite ridiculous and unexpected works. I remembered that the second two ranks were the levy and not mailed warriors. They had a spear and a shield. Most had a helmet but they were not hardened warriors.
“Reform the edge! Clan of the horse, we attack!”
My men all cheered. I heard Arne Four Toes shout, “This is a good day to die! Let us make this a glorious day for we fight with Hrolf the Horseman!”
I began a chant as I stepped forward.
With mighty axe, Black Teeth stood
Angry and filled with hot blood
Hrolf the Horseman with gleaming blade
Hrolf the Horseman all enemies slayed
Ice cold Hrolf with Heart of Ice
Swung his arm and made it slice
Hrolf the Horseman with gleaming blade
Hrolf the Horseman all enemies slayed
In two strokes the Jarl was felled
Hrolf's sword nobly held
Hrolf the Horseman with gleaming blade
Hrolf the Horseman all enemies slayed
Hrolf the Horseman with gleaming blade
Hrolf the Horseman all enemies slayed
It was my song and I knew that my warriors enjoyed singing it. It made us feel invincible for when we had fought Black Teeth it had been against impossible odds and we had won. The rhythm helped us to march and swing our swords at the same time. The line ‘Hrolf the Horseman’ was roared at the Franks. I lunged with my sword as I parried the spear. The Frank was disembowelled in an instant. I slashed sideways as Rurik brought his sword over to smash at another Frank who had neither mail nor helmet. We were in the second rank of the enemy lines and the three Franks who faced us looked terrified. We could not afford to show mercy. Expecting a lunge the man held his shield low. My swinging blade bit into his neck showering those around him with blood. My blood was now up. We were all in the same rhythm. We parried and we swung. We seemed impervious to the enemy blows. I felt a spear head hit my mail but the links held and did not break. The covering of seal oil helped.
As I slew the last unarmoured Frank I saw that we had reached the better warriors. I readied myself for a stiffer challenge when a horn sounded three times. The Fr
anks before us looked at each other in disbelief and then began to step backwards. Philippe of Rouen had ordered them to fall back. I think the warriors we faced might have disobeyed had not the levy heard the call and they ran backwards. They poured through the warriors on the flanks.
Twelve of the mailed warriors stood firm. One, wearing an open helmet with a blue plume spat out, “We are not peasants. We are the warriors of Rouen. The rest might flee but we will take your heads; barbarians!”
I did not waste breath. I punched the boss of my shield at the hand which held the long Frankish sword. It smashed into the pommel and he reeled. I pulled back and punched again; this time at his chest. He was forced to take a step back. Arne brought his sword overhand at the warrior next to him. The Frank’s shield came up but the blow split it. The Frank was left with a boss attached to a single plank. As the Frank with the plume tried to regain his balance I lunged forward. I aimed at his thigh. My sword slid through his breeks and into flesh before grating along bone. The warrior’s face contorted in pain and I punched again with my shield. This time it was into his face. Already overbalancing he fell. I pressed my left foot against his shoulder as I rammed my sword into his throat.
“Heart of Ice!” I raised my sword into the sky and shouted the name of my sword over and over. The other Franks were slain, one by one.
I glanced up and saw that the Leudes was using his horsemen, the ones who remained, as a shield to stop Alain and my men from charging the levy. They were covering his retreat.
I was tired but I was filled with joy for we had driven the Franks from the field. Then I realised that I had to end it. I turned to my men. I saw that not all had survived but there were more than I might have hoped.
“This is not over yet! We must get our horses and pursue these Franks!”
Arne Four Toes had a bloodied face and he had lost teeth. He grinned and it looked comical, “Aye, jarl! I do not want this day to end. We marched to what I thought was my death and we have won! What cannot we do now?”
I turned to Gudrun Witch Killer, “You and Folki keep your men here and make sure that the field is cleared of foes. Then guard the Haugr until we return. The rest of you be ready to ride when our horses arrive.”
“What do you intend jarl?”
“To keep our swords in their backs and to slay any Frank that we find. They will rue the day they tried to rid this land of us.”
As we trudged back to the Haugr my horsemen rode in. “Captain, have horses fetched. We follow them.”
He grinned. I saw that he too had been cut but he looked triumphant, “Aye lord! That was a battle to remember.”
Walking through my double gates we were cheered by all. The men and the boys on the walls banged their feet and weapons on the fighting platform and women and children lined the path up the hill to my hall. Mary was waiting with Matildhe in her arms and a wide eyed Ragnvald next to her. “Well done, my husband. I did not watch but Erik One Arm and Bagsecg Bagsecgson told me all.”
“It is not finished yet but when I have scoured my land of them it will be.” I turned to my son. “Come, you can help me saddle Dream Strider.”
He took my hand and gripped it tightly. “One day, father, I will go to war with you.”
As we passed the forge I saw Bagsecg. I handed him my sword, “This will need an edge. The blade still has much work to do.”
“Aye jarl and it will be ready when you are saddled.”
“Dream Strider is the oldest of your horses is he not father?” Ragnvald held my bridle as I put on the saddle.
“He is but all of my horses are relatively young.”
“Then why choose him? Night Star and Odin’s Gift are bigger.”
“I have fine horses. Any one of the four is the superior of any other but Dream Strider was my first and we understand each other. It is as though we were as one. We know what the other is thinking and we might have far to travel today. Even when he is tired Dream Strider responds to every move. One day you will have your own horse. Always choose your horse. Do not let another give you one. You must look into a horse’s eyes and know that he is the one for you. Speak to Gilles. He can speak with horses. He will tell you.”
I handed my cloak to my son as I put my shield over my back. I knelt. “Fasten my cloak around my neck.”
He did so very carefully. He made sure that the horse brooch securely held the cloak and that the chain was firmly held. I smiled, “When you are old enough you shall wear the sign of the horse. You will ride to war with the clan.”
When I reached Bagsecg I saw that he held a spear. “I meant to give you this before, jarl. I found a longer piece of ash and I made a smaller, narrower head. The edge is a good one and it means that you have a longer reach than your foes.”
I nodded, “Thank you Bagsecg but today we pursue. Keep it for me until I return.”
Rurik, Arne and Einar took three of the recently captured horses as did Erik Long Hair and Sven Siggison. They followed me to the outer gate where the rest of my men waited patiently. Each had his saddle, reins and bridle ready. I saw Gudrun and Folki, along with their men, wandering the field and despatching the wounded. They were also stripping the bodies of their treasure. Without being told they would burn the bodies. It did not do to have carrion so close to our walls.
“Einar, ride to Sven and ask him to sail the knarr down the coast. Tell him we pursue the Franks and he can keep pace with us.”
“Aye jarl.”
We heard the drumming of hooves and my men and horses arrived from the north. “Erik One Arm, have the boys and any of the older warriors go to Bárekr’s farm and bring the animals. They can graze here until their masters collect them.”
The horses were soon saddled. I faced them as they awaited my orders. “The Franks are fleeing south. The Leudes hopes that, by saving so many of his men he can build another army and return here. He thinks we are barbarians who will drink ourselves stupid and celebrate our victory!”
Sigtrygg Rolfsson shouted, “And that is not a bad idea jarl!”
“There will be time for such celebration when we return. We will not let them rest. Save your horses. We know that most of their men are on foot. Thanks to the captain and our archers he has fewer horses anyway. Each warrior we kill means that they are less likely to return. Are you ready?”
“Aye jarl!”
“Then let us ride.”
Chapter 20
We passed through their deserted camp. They had left tents and supplies behind. We would have another rich harvest there. I did not think the Leudes would head to Valauna but I did see the tracks of a large body of men heading through the woods in that direction. “We will deal with Charles Filjean when we have finished with the Leudes.”
Gilles pointed to the ground. “The main army came this way, lord.”
“You are learning Gilles.”
We passed the bodies of men who had marched south with wounds and then succumbed to their injuries. Already our enemy was paying a price. As the afternoon wore on I wondered if they would stop and camp. I knew there were no settlements large enough for them to defend. The nearest place was Fótr’s old stronghold. That was a long way ahead.
Had this been the Raven Wing clan then Ulf Big Nose and I would have been scouting ahead. I had too few men to risk losing a scout. This was the reason that we almost stumbled upon their rear-guard. The greenway passed through a wood and as it twisted down I saw their horses. They were just three hundred paces ahead. When they spied us, they urged their horses on.
I drew my sword and shouted, “After them!” Speed and surprise were as valuable a pair of weapons as a sword and a shield. There were only eleven of us who were confident when fighting on a horse. The Franks did not know that. I dug my heels into Dream Strider’s flanks and he responded well. I had not ridden him to war for some time and he began to outdistance the horses of the others. As soon as the riders at the rear heard our hooves approaching, they turned and I saw panic. As the rear-gu
ard their job was to protect the end of the column. They saw Vikings on horses and they fled. Or they tried at least. The greenway was choked with the levy. We were fifteen miles from the battle and they were weary. They had had little sleep and fought a battle. Some of the horsemen left the greenway and galloped across fields. Others ploughed through the levy.
I galloped up behind a Frank who was trying to force his horse though the mass of men. He turned and drew his sword as he heard the thunder of my horse’s hooves. I brought my sword down hard and the Frank’s sword shattered under the impact. Perhaps it had weakened during the battle or perhaps it was badly made. The result was that my sword sliced across his chest and he fell from the horse. I backhanded my sword to the right and laid open the skull of a Frank who was on foot and wore no helmet. I pulled back Dream Strider’s reins and he brought his hooves up to smash into two Frankish foot soldiers. As the rest of my men joined me so the slaughter became greater. We might have ended the pursuit there and then save that we could not get by the men who blocked our path. The only way through was to slay them.
When the last of the forty men lay dead or dying the greenway ahead was clear. The rest had fled. Borki Silvisson had suffered a wound to the hand. “Borki, collect the horses which remain and then the weapons. Gilles ride to the shore.” The sea was less than half a mile away. “Signal Sven to close with you and have him and his boys collect the weapons and treasure from the dead. Then he can continue to sail down the coast and keep in touch with us.”
“Aye lord.”
“The rest of you be ready to ride.”
“If it is all as easy as this then we will all be the richest Vikings ever!”
“Asbjorn Sorenson, do not count your treasure until you are safe in your hall! The Norns are listening!”