by Griff Hosker
We left the next morning. It would take all day to reach the coast of Wessex. There were dangerous shores we had to navigate. Sometimes Erik was able to take advantage of the winds and sometimes the men rowed. The rowing was not too arduous and helped to keep the young warriors’ minds from wandering. When we turned east, the rowing became necessary as the wind was not in our favour. Coen’s captain had told Erik how to find the river but I knew that Erik was worried for he kept looking to the sun lowering in the sky. He would not want to approach the river in darkness. He knew it not. He was trusting another captain. When we spied the coast he had the sail lowered and he trusted to Arne three Fingers sitting high on the cross tree. He pointed a few points off the steerboard bow and Erik corrected our course. Erik’s smile showed me his relief.
According to our information the island was just five miles upstream. The island itself was almost within sight of Brycgstow. We would row to the island and then put on our war faces. We passed huts and a few fishing boats at the mouth of the river. Those we saw wisely took to their heels. We knew from others that they would be grateful that the dragon ship had passed them by. I began to prepare for war. I was not rowing. I put on the red cochineal around my eyes and the back of my hands. Guthrum, the ship’s boy helped me to don my byrnie. I took out Ragnar’s Spirit and kissed the hilt. I sheathed it. I would pick up my shield along with the others when we left the drekar.
I turned to look at the sun setting in the west. The low cloud seemed to frame it against the horizon. We turned a bend in the river and lost sight of it. The evening began to darken as we headed into the blackness of the east. After hanging a light from our stern Guthrum joined the other ship’s boys at the prow watching for rocks and directing Erik. I walked along the rowers holding my helmet in my hand. Gruffyd grinned at me as I passed. He had yet to learn to control his excitement. Ragnar, in contrast, was calmness personified. Part of it was an act. He was older than my son. When I reached the prow I joined the crew watching for the tell-tale white which would mark rocks or weirs. The knarr’s captain had not reported any but we all knew that rivers could change within a season.
Arne spotted the island. We would see water on two sides and a black lump squatting like a toad in the middle of the river. He ran back to Erik. There was a hiss as the word was passed to slow the oars. Knut and Guthrum leapt into the shallows, each with a rope. The water came up to their chests and they struggled against the current. They had done this before and the two boys made a race of it. I knew there would be a wager on which one reached the shore first. As soon as they did they each chose a tree and passed their rope around it. With the oars pushing the drekar east and the two boys keeping tension on their ropes we drew inexorably closer. Once the prow touched I said, quietly, “In oars!”
The two boys tied us off. A few moments later ‘Odin’s Breath’ nudged alongside us and our ship’s boys helped theirs to secure our second drekar. I jumped ashore and ran to the eastern end of the island. The warriors on the two drekar would be preparing for war. I reached the end of the island and saw, just five hundred paces or so from me, on the north bank of the river, the unmistakeable light of a fire. I smelled the wood smoke. I could not make out buildings; there were trees but the light was visible between them. I hurried back to our men.
I spoke first to Erik. “I can see the village. We will row up the southern arm of the river. Kolbjorn can take the northern.”
“Aye Jarl. To your oars.”
I told Kolbjorn what we intended. “There is a stand of trees close by the village. Tie up there.”
“Aye Jarl. To your oars.”
With the oars holding us we untied and then began to edge around the island. Soon I saw the fire again and Erik took us in. Kolbjorn would tie up first at the trees. We would head further east. I saw our other drekar ghosting towards the shore. When I saw the oars rise I knew that they were close. Ketil and Ulf were good leaders. I could leave the landing in their hands. Knowing that our consort had landed made our men row harder. Erik took us to a more open piece of ground with a single willow hanging over the river. It made life much easier for the ship’s boys. I had my helmet on and my shield on my arm as they secured us to the shore and I leapt to the soft earth.
To my left I could hear the cries of alarm as my men from the other drekar attacked the Saxons. I ran down the riverside greenway. I knew my men would follow me. They were oathsworn and they would not allow their jarl to risk his life alone. The first refugees whom I met were three women and six children. They saw the huge warrior loom up out of the dark and they turned and fled whence they came. Haaken and Ragnar appeared alongside me. Haaken was slightly out of breath. I saw the first of the huts ahead and heard the clash of metal on metal. Someone was fighting.
By the time we had reached the houses it was over. The eight men who had chosen to fight my warriors lay dead. It had been an uneven contest. None had either mail or shield.
I turned, “Einar Siggison, choose ten men from our ship. Secure the village and guard the drekar. Choose the slaves we wish to take back and bind the rest. Slaughter any old animals and cook them. Search for treasure.” I pointed to the church. “There should be some there. If danger threatens then take the drekar into the river and await us. We will be back before dusk.”
He was disappointed not to be going on to raid the larger town but he obeyed me. He chose his men. “You four search the church. You six gather the prisoners.”
I turned, “Let us follow the greenway. We have twelve miles to cover before dawn!”
Chapter 2
As we ran, Gruffyd, who had spirited himself next to me, asked, “Why did you choose men from our drekar, father?”
Without turning I said, “While we raid I am not your father. Address me as jarl.”
“Sorry, Jarl Dragonheart.”
“We have the larger crew. With sixty men we can afford to leave eleven. Ketil and Ulf lead just forty eight warriors. We have to have the drekar secured.”
“I can see that now… Jarl Dragonheart.”
I waved Aðils Shape Shifter and Beorn the Scout forward, “Range ahead and find danger and the town.”
They said nothing but disappeared like early morning mist. As we moved swiftly along the greenway I knew that there would be a road and it would be quicker but this way we would be invisible. None would use the greenway at night. Few would use the road but there was a danger that we might be spied by thegns or gesith. They would not be able to stop us but they would be able to raise the alarm and that was what we did not need.
It was not long before Gruffyd began to fall back. He was not yet full grown and the mail, helmet and shield were an unaccustomed weight. Without turning I said, “Ragnar, stay with my son. We will not wait for him. Catch us when you can.”
“Aye jarl.”
Ragnar knew better than any what is was to be the smallest of the pack. Gruffyd’s situation had been his not that long ago. We kept the same relentless pace. The silence of the night was disturbed only by the pad of feet on packed earth. Occasionally a fish rose in the river or water gurgled over rocks. A hunting owl screeched and foxes hurried to earth before us. Other than that we were a steel snake which slithered along the greenway. I took heart from the fact that neither of my scouts returned. There was no danger ahead. I knew, from the position of the moon, the direction in which we ran. When we turned south I knew that we would be closing with the town soon and I slowed to a walk. It was not a rest but it allowed lungs to recover. I began to smell the smoke from human habitation. It did not necessarily mean the town. There would be charcoal burners and farms close to the river but it meant we were close.
We had walked, perhaps a mile when Beorn rose like a wraith from the ground. I held up my hand and my men stopped. He pointed, “A thousand paces to the east is the wall of the town. They have a wooden palisade around it.”
“A watch?”
“Four men at the gate. Aðils has his bow ready.”
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�Then let us go. Have your bow ready too.”
As we ran I slid my sword in and out of its scabbard a couple of times. It did not do to run with a bladed weapon but I wanted it ready to use. Beorn waved his arm and we slowed. We were nearing the open ground before the gate. Aiden had told us that this had been a fine city when Rome had ruled and that there had been many stone buildings. From what he had read, however, there had been no fort and many of the stone buildings had been robbed of stone to make new buildings. That meant there would be some sort of order to the buildings for the Romans liked order but it would have the disorder of the Saxons overlaid.
I waved for my other archers to come forward. I pointed to Beorn and the six of them nodded and crept from the cover of the trees. They joined Aðils Shape Shifter. I had not seen him until he rose. The walls were a hundred paces from us. My archers could have used their bows from that range but we had to be certain that all four men died silently and then we could be upon them before they knew. We hunted as wolves. We needed silence before we unleashed our terror.
The Ulfheonar joined me. We were now few in numbers but the others in the warband all recognised our skills. Ketil and Ulf would lead the rest once we had secured entry. I saw my archers rise and release their arrows. Even as they were in the air we ran towards the gate. One of the guards pitched into the ditch and two others fell silently. The last died with a cry. It was not much of a cry but that, allied to the thump of the body landing in the ditch would awaken someone. Aðils Shape Shifter and Beorn the Scout were already on their feet and racing to the bridge over the ditch. Beorn threw his back against the gate and Aðils leapt into his cupped hands and hurled himself to the top of the palisade. He gripped on and Beorn put up his hands to aid him. We reached the gate. There was no need for any to help my silent killer.
Inside I heard the noise of people awakening. Time was of the essence… We had to move quickly before they knew what hit them. Ulf and Ketil led my men; they would be hard on our heels. I heard a shout from inside, “We are under attack! Call out the watch! Send for the thegn!”
Even as a clamour erupted from within I heard the bar being moved and then the gates opened. Aðils Shape Shifter was as quick as he was silent. I drew my sword. “Aðils Shape Shifter and Beorn, take some men and secure the eastern gate!”
They disappeared and I waved my sword to lead my men at the burghers and warriors who had grabbed weapons to face this unseen foe. Dawn would not be far away. I saw the first hint of light in the eastern sky. The slight lightening allowed the Saxons to see who we were and I saw a warrior raise his sword and shout, “It is the Northmen! The barbarians are here!”
We ran at them. The one who had shouted and stood his ground was a brave warrior for he had no mail but he was ready with his spear, helmet and shield and he tried to form a shield wall with the half dozen men who had joined him. I brushed aside his spear as it was thrust at me. It slid up my shield and scored a line on my helmet. I stabbed at the gap between the shield and the spear. It gutted the warrior. I twisted and, turning Ragnar’s Spirit, withdrew it. Even dying the warrior was defiant and he spat a bloody gob of phlegm at me. I pushed his body away with my shield and stabbed into the side of the warrior who was about to have his head split by Olaf Leather Neck.
The rest of my warriors poured through the streets. The Romans had built wide streets and we took advantage of them. We drove the burghers of Aquae Sulis towards the hall in the centre. As we ran I saw Ragnar and Gruffyd enter the gates and join the throng of warriors who raced through the ever lighter streets.
I saw bodies littering the old Roman, cobbled streets. They were Saxon. Had they not resisted they would be alive. By the time we reached the hall the Saxons had built in the centre of what had been the Roman Forum, my men had surrounded it.
I saw that the thegn who ruled this burgh for Egbert had managed to don mail. He and his housecarls formed the centre of a line of sixty or so men who had shields. Not all wore mail and not all had helmets. They stood defiantly before the hall which, I had no doubt, was filled with their families. We were here for profit and not glory. If we could hurt King Egbert then so much the better. I stepped forward and spoke.
“Surrender now and you will all live. Fight us and most of you will die.” I spoke in Saxon so that they would understand.
The thegn shouted back, “You are the Northmen. You are liars and murderers. We would rather die than surrender to you. King Egbert and God Almighty will punish you all!”
Many of my men understood Saxon but not all. I raised my sword, “Kill the warriors!”
We stepped forward in a solid line. We outnumbered them. Even if we had not outnumbered them we were better than they were We had warriors who knew how to fight and how to kill. Many of these we fought had rarely lifted a sword and shield. I headed for the thegn. If I could slay him quickly then the others might surrender. He had a spear and a large round shield. His open helmet was old fashioned. He had no nasal. His mail was the kind which used overlapping pieces of metal. I took all of this in as I stepped forward.
I could see that he was angry. That was never a good frame of mind in which to fight. He would have greater force with his blows but he would be blinded by hate. I was cool and I was calm. As he thrust forward with his spear I flicked up my shield. His spear struck the rim of my shield and I rammed my sword forward. In his eagerness to hurt me he had not kept his shield close enough to his hand. My sword scored a red, bloody line across the back of his hand before sliding between two of the metal plates and into his side. He felt the pain and tried to head butt me. It was doubly a mistake. He had an open helmet and my shield was close. I lifted the shield and his nose smashed into the metal edge of my shield. Blood spurted.
“Surrender now! You will die!”
“And I will die serving my king!”
“Then die!”
I pulled back my right arm and sank Ragnar’s Spirit into the hole I had made in his mail. This time I angled my blade and turned it. I found something vital for I saw the life go from his eyes. He slid to the ground. Olaf Leather Neck and Rolf Horse Killer were using axes and their mighty weapons smote the two housecarls who were next to the thegn. Their helmets were split as were their skulls and suddenly their line was breached.
I pushed the thegn’s body from me and swept my sword sideways at the two Saxons who stood petrified before me. I caught one in the neck with my sword and the other dropped to his knees yelling, “I yield! I yield!”
It spread along the line. Burghers, who had eagerly joined the fight, found the fight emptied from them with the death of their leader. When the last housecarl was slain by Haaken One Eye then the rest surrendered.
“Lay down your weapons!”
Those that had not already done so did.
“Disarm them and bind their arms behind them. Fetch the families from the hall. Ketil, Ulf have your men begin to search the houses for treasure. Haaken take charge here. Cnut Cnutson, take Karl and find horses. Ragnar and Gruffyd come with me!”
We raced through the town towards the east gate. The sun had risen; a red orb which promised clear skies and warm weather. Not the ideal conditions in which to travel back with treasure. As I neared the east gate I saw that it was open but Aðils and Beorn stood there. Four bodies lay before them.
“I am sorry lord. Three riders left before we could reach them.”
“No matter. Bar the gate. Take food and drink. I want you to scout our escape to the drekar. We return the same way we came.”
“Aye jarl.”
When we had barred the two mighty gates they raced off. I sheathed my sword. As I did I saw that both my son and grandson had blood upon their swords. Gruffyd was shaking. I guessed it was with excitement as well as the effort of wearing mail for so long.
“You fought with mail eh, son?”
“Aye father. It is heavier than I thought.”
Ragnar said, “You will get used to it. Eventually we will be like Olaf Leather Neck
and be able to wear it all day and every day without noticing it.”
We began walking back. As we did so I spied a sign above an open door. Outside the door was a stall. This was a shop of some kind. The wares would be displayed outside during the day.
“Come we will see what this has to offer.”
“What is it, Jarl Dragonheart?”
“It is a silversmith. See the sign above the door. As it is open then the smith may well have fled and taken his treasure with him but we shall see.”
I saw all the signs of a hasty departure. They had grabbed what they could when the word had been given that Vikings were abroad. However, the smith and his apprentices had not had time to take everything. When we went into the back room we saw some ingots of raw silver ore. The Saxons had taken the lighter, finished products and left heavier lumps of rock. “Put these in a sack. This is a fine haul.”
When we had loaded two sacks we realized why the Saxons had left it. It was heavy. My son and grandson carried them. When we reached the square I saw that my men had horses and there were chests. They would be too awkward for the horses.
“Ketil choose eight of the biggest Saxons. They can carry the chests. Put the sacks of grain on the horses.”
“Aye jarl. A rich haul!”
“We are not home yet. Do not tempt the Weird Sisters. Ulf you and your men will be the rearguard. Haaken lead the way.”
“What about slaves? Do we take any?”
I shook my head, “They will slow us down. The Saxons sent for help. There will be warriors after us soon. We have what we came for. We can get more slaves from the Welsh and from Gleawecastre.”
Leif the Banner and Einar Strong Arm came towards me. They were leading a young woman and five children. I shook my head. “We do not need slaves, Leif. They will slow us down.”
“We need these six lord. They are Vikings. The Saxons took them as slaves.”
I saw then they had the look of the Norse. “Then it is wyrd that we have come.” I turned to Ragnar and Gruffyd. “You two take the sacks and the six captives to the drekar. If danger comes then save the children and the girl they are more important than the silver.”