Viking Blood

by Griff Hosker

  Siggi shook his head, “Perhaps I have had long enough at sea, Jarl Dragonheart. I may have grandsons now. When my wife died and my sons left home the sea was my consort. Perhaps I will grow old by the Water and tell tales to my grandchildren.”

  “You have earned the right, Siggi. But I will miss your knarr’s voyages. You were always the luckiest knarr.”

  “My first mate, Baldi Halfisson, is a good sailor. He has yearned for his own knarr.” He gestured with his thumb at a broad sailor who led one of the carts. “I will give him mine in return for a tenth of the profits.”

  “And what of you, Olaf?”

  “I, too, have a good captain to take over from me. I would rather serve with your family, Jarl Dragonheart. I owe you much.”

  “Then it is settled. When Ragnar is wed then you can take his men and begin to train them to sail the drekar. You will be a good combination.”

  My son and grandson were so keen to join their captain that it was all that I could do to restrain them from making him turn around and head back south. “What of your marriage, Ragnar? I thought Samhain would be the most propitious time?”

  “You came back early. It is a sign that you are supposed to attend. Can I not wed sooner, Jarl? It is our decision is it not?”

  “Samhain is a special day.”

  “Brigid says that it is the day of the dead. I would wed now if you will allow it.”

  I shrugged, “It is up to you. Speak with your aunt. She will be marrying you.” Even as I said it I knew that there would be no bar from Kara.

  I left them to make the arrangements. It allowed Olaf more time in the settlement. His mother and father still lived here and it was good that they had time together. I went with Aiden for a walk along the Water. I needed his advice. I told him what had happened and the news from the land of Gwynedd. He gave his approval, “ You have made a wise decision, Jarl Dragonheart. Guaranteed grain is better than the uncertainty of a raid.”

  “And what of Harald? Do you think he will make a revenge raid?”

  “We have not dreamed. I will speak with Ylva and Kara but I feel that he will want to build up his forces. The decision to base Erik and his men at Úlfarrston is a good one and Ragnar has made a decision which will also give another band of warriors should he attack. If we still plan to attack him in Mörsugur, however, know that he will expect this. There are only two places left untouched and he will defend them both.”

  We sat on a rock in the shade of a tree whose branches overhung the Water. “I have thought on that. When Prince Buthar was killed we went from Hrams-a over Snaefell. The greenway forks on the eastern side. He would not know if we were going east or south until we attacked if we used that approach. He will expect a seaborne attack. This way we could destroy one of his stad and then the other later on.”

  “That depends upon how many of his men he leaves in Dyflin.”

  “Aye, you are right. Dyflin; that is an unknown element. My jarls know to return with their men at Yule. We know not what the weather will be like and we must be ready to sail when the days begin to lengthen.”

  Knowing I would be away again, and soon, I spent more time with my wife and daughters. Myfanwy was young but at thirteen summers Erika was almost a woman. She was, of course, excited about the wedding. That meant that she and my wife argued less. I was grateful for that. I was always the one in the middle. The night before the wedding she and Myfanwy left Brigid and I to help Kara and Elfrida prepare Astrid.

  Brigid sat upon my knee and draped an arm behind my head. She played with my hair. “What is it, wife? What do you wish of me?”

  “Why should I want anything? Cannot a wife cuddle her husband who is away more than he is here?”

  “Of course but you and I know that you wish to say something and entwining my hair in your fingers usually works.”

  “You are far too clever for your own good! It is Erika.”

  “What of her? Is she ill?”

  “No but she will become a woman soon. She, like Astrid, will want to be married.”

  “It was Ragnar who made that choice.”

  She laughed, “All men believe so but Astrid made that decision and then allowed Ragnar to think that he had made it. What she needs to know is will she have a free choice? Or will you choose?”

  “Why should I choose?”

  “You are Jarl Dragonheart. You are the richest and most powerful warrior. Whoever marries your daughter will expect both riches and power.”

  I had not thought of that. “I would have Erika choose someone who makes her happy as Ragnar has done. As I did.”

  “That is the answer I wished but her choice may not be the same as yours.”

  I sighed, “And I will have this problem again with Myfanwy.”

  “You will. Gruffyd will be like Ragnar. What I call fate and you call the Weird Sisters will throw someone in his way. We can do nothing about that.”

  I laughed, “That does not sound very Christian.”

  “There are some things about my old world I do not like. Elfrida was betrothed to Egbert for power. I would have been given to someone to aid my family and make an alliance. If we lived in my old home then Erika would be married off to a neighbouring king or lord who wished more power.” She kissed me. “I am glad you took me from that world. You may be pagans but you have hearts which beat.”

  The wedding went well. Brigid, Elfrida and Kara had ensured that the beer flowed and there was plenty of food. There were the inevitable fights. They were with fists rather than weapons and were because the young men drank too much. We now had many new warriors. Erika was the cause for a few of the fights as drunken young warriors tried to show off in front of her. She was dressed to impress and looked as beautiful as the bride. I think Brigid had made her look attractive deliberately. I was called upon to calm things down.

  Gruffyd went, the next day, with most of the men and Olaf Grimsson, to the drekar. Ragnar would stay an extra day and night with his new bride. Even though it was not quite the time of the wolf hunt the wolves were howling early this year and we sent the young men who wished to prove themselves on a wolf hunt. None wish to be Ulfheonar and I was happy about that. It meant they would be more likely to settle down and produce more Vikings. They would ensure our future. The wolf hunt would be a good way to keep down the predators and give them the skills they would need when we went to war.

  It was four days later, as they brought back their kills, that Ragnar sent a rider to my hall. He threw himself from the saddle, “Jarl Dragonheart. Jarl Raibeart has sent me. King Fedelmid mac Cremathanin, the King of Munster, has arrived in port and wishes to speak with you.” He paused, “He comes in peace.”

  “I will come.” I sought out Aiden and we hurriedly rode south. I had not met this king before and I wondered what his visit meant. When Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer had ruled then he would have spoken with the kings and princes. He would have known what they were like.

  “Do you know anything of this king, Aiden?”

  “I know little of Munster. I came from the north and Munster is to the south but it is a powerful kingdom. All I know of their kings is that they have more loyalty from their lords and jarls than those further north. It is the largest of the Irish kingdoms.”

  “Then why does he wish to speak with me? If he was a king in the north I could understand it but the south?”

  “You can take heart that he does not appear to be here for war.”

  “Perhaps.” I was not certain. The older I became the more suspicious I was of seemingly peaceful actions. “I will need you for I can only speak a little of their language and I am guessing he will speak little Norse.”

  “Their language is different to that which I speak. We have some words in common but it is like you and the Danes.”

  We rode hard for the nights were drawing in. We would have to spend the night in Raibeart’s hall. I was glad that we had two bands close by. If this was not a peaceful mission then we would be able to def
end ourselves. The king had come in two ships. It meant he had brought warriors too. I had to trust in Raibeart’s judgement. If he said he had come in peace then it must be so. I would keep my sword and dagger close to hand.

  One of Raibeart’s warriors met us inside the gate. “Jarl Dragonheart, Jarl Raibeart has been entertaining the king. He has thirty warriors with him.”

  “They come in peace?”

  He nodded towards the north, “Erik Ironshirt and your men are close by. If we sound a horn they will come running.”

  The King of Munster was not as old as I was but he looked well fed and was portlier. I went to war too much to have any fat on me. His fingers were adorned with rings and he had gold and silver amulets around his neck. He wore no mail and his arms were bare. It was the tradition amongst Irish warriors and kings. About his head he wore a golden crown. He looked totally different from the Welsh prince I had met.

  He stood to greet me and spoke Norse, haltingly, “Jarl Dragonheart, it is an honour to meet you.”

  I nodded, “And you. Aiden tell the king I am happy for you to converse with him in his own tongue.”

  Aiden spoke and the king sat. He then began to speak to Aiden who listened. I took the opportunity to sit too. Raibeart’s servants brought us beer. The conversation between the two of them seemed to go on for a long time. Then Aiden turned. I knew he would translate truly for we knew not if he had men with him who could speak our language. It was not unheard of.

  When Aiden smiled I knew that it was a peaceful meeting. “The king asked us if we were friends with the Vikings who have taken over Dyflin. I told him that we were not. It seems the men of Munster used to trade with Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer. The new leader there has begun to tax them for their trade. When he sent a delegation to complain Harald the Great had the emissaries executed and he sent back their heads.”

  I said, “But why?”

  Aiden shrugged, “I know not. It strikes me that this Harald makes many mistakes in his search for power. The king intends to make war on them but knowing your reputation he did not wish to attack if it made an enemy of you. He would like to be your ally.” He gave a subtle smile.

  I nodded, “Then tell the King of Munster that I am happy to be his ally. His enemy is mine and I do not mind if he drives the Vikings from Dyflin.”

  Before he could translate Raibeart blurted out, “But what of our trade?”

  I shook my head and, with my eyes, I willed Raibeart to be silent. “It is well. I am happy!”

  Aiden translated and the King of Munster beamed. He stood and held his arms out. I embraced him. He smelled of sweat and stale meat. When we separated I said, “Jarl Raibeart, a feast to celebrate.”

  “Of course Jarl Dragonheart.”

  Events were moving so swiftly that it was like riding an untrained horse. I could not speak with the king and so I asked Aiden to entertain him. I was anxious to know when he would attack. My own plans were flexible but if I attacked when Dyflin was being assaulted then we both stood more chance of success. While Aiden plied the king with the heavy red wine from Lusitania I spoke with Raibeart.

  “I did not mean to speak harshly to you but you should listen more and speak less. If Harald’s men are driven from Dyflin and the men of Munster take it then it is no loss. We cannot trade with Harald. We will trade with the Munster men. It is obvious he fears us and that is why he has made this embassy. We win whatever the outcome. If he fails to dislodge the Vikings then when we attack them in Dyflin it will be easier. I see the Allfather’s hand in this. We now have two allies. The southern seas are safe. If we can take the men of Man then we just have the men of Wessex and Strathclyde to worry about.”

  He nodded and drank some of the heady sweetened wine. “And the Danes?”

  I drank, “There you have hit the mark. We have quietened them but I believe they will prove a more dangerous enemy than even Wessex but for now they are not. We defeat one enemy at a time.”

  The king drank so much that his bodyguards had to carry him to bed. Aiden, Raibeart and I had been sparing our drink. “Well, Aiden, what did we learn?”

  Aiden waved an arm in the air, “It is as though the spirits have ordained this. He intends to attack after Yule.”

  “The same time as we do.”

  “So it would seem.”

  Raibeart asked, “Would it not be better to wait until after their attack?”

  I looked at Aiden. Raibeart was a good warrior and a fine leader but he did not see as far ahead as Aiden and I. Aiden explained. He was a better teacher than I was. “If we wait and the king wins then Man will be reinforced by the men who escape Dyflin. The Hibernians do not have great war ships. Warriors will escape. If they go to Man then we have more enemies to fight. If we attack at the same time then Harald has a dilemma. Does he pull his men from Dyflin or send reinforcements from Man?”

  Raibeart lifted his horn to toast us, “I can see that I have much to learn. How did the two of you learn these things?”

  “We have fought many enemies. Every enemy you fight teaches you something. Even a defeat can be turned to your advantage. When Coen died it hurt us. We learned and we will use our enemy’s weaknesses against him.”

  “Weaknesses?”

  “He would be great. He feared his brother and so he sent him to the smallest port with the smallest drekar. He does not totally trust his men. I know not who rules Dyflin for him but it will be someone who is as cruel as Harald but no threat. If he is no threat then he will not be as clever as Harald. The King of Munster will defeat him and Harald the Great will lose those drekar and men who are now in Dyflin.”

  Chapter 11

  Now that we had allies and a picture of the future we were able to plan our war a little better. We enjoyed Yule or as Brigid called it Christmas. Astrid joined Ragnar in his new hall by the shipyard. Gruffyd was also there helping him. My son had changed. The hall was taking shape. Erik Short Toes and Bolli’s family had worked hard . The drekar could be safely moored there. In time, when we had built a quay or a jetty, we could embark from there. It was hard for Brigid to celebrate Christmas without her son but the fact that so many of our people were there made up for that. It was both a merry and a joyful occasion. On midwinter’s day there were many marriages. Some of the captives whom we had brought back had found new husbands. We had more weddings than I could ever remember. Kara was happy for she saw the Allfather’s influence in this. As she said, “Wyrd .”

  My jarls also joined us for Yule. Ulf, Ketil and Asbjorn brought their men and enjoyed our hospitality. I told them of our new alliances and our victories. “We sail with four drekar then?”

  “Aye we do, Ketil. We will land at Hrams-a. They may have repaired their other port. In fact, I know that they will have for that is the port which is closest to Dyflin. With the danger from the men of Munster they will have to abandon one stad. We land at Hrams-a. When we near Duboglassio we decide which of their stad we attack. If he combines all of his men, including those in Dyflin then we will be outnumbered. Even without the men of Dyflin he will still have more spears with which to face us but, unless he is very clever, then we will face them one at a time and we will gain superior numbers.”

  We marched six days after Yule. The first snows had come but they had yet to drift and the snow was our ally. It protected our western passes. Our enemies could not attack us. The high ground to the east was also frozen. The Danes could not cause mischief. It took a whole day to march south. Raibeart and Erik Ironshirt had built a pair of halls for us. It would take time to prepare the drekar for sea. While the men prepared the ships I gathered the jarls, captains and Ragnar and Gruffyd in Raibeart’s hall.

  Aiden sat silently by me. He and I had talked through our strategy and we were both happy with it. We had to meld this motley band of warriors into a single fighting machine which could march across an island, unseen, and defeat two Viking armies. We both knew that this would not be easy.

  “We have four drekar and
each will be crewed by men from one band. But when we land we will all become the clan of the wolf. The Ulfheonar will wear the wolf cloaks but each warrior will have the heart of a wolf. We will move silently. When we attack we will not shout or cheer. Silence will unsettle our enemies. The jarls I see before me will have to fight with their band without orders save these that I give now. Each of you had archers and slingers. These will be better than anything the enemy has. Use them wisely.” I pointed to Ragnar and Gruffyd, “You two have the least experience and the warriors who have not fought as often as the others. You do not have archers and you have no slingers. To you I give the responsibility of the reserve. Your men have spears and most have helmets and either mail or armour. You have two small bands. Those bands may decide the battle. When we fight I shall be at the front. I will not be able to see where the enemy threatens to overwhelm us. That will be your task. You will have no one to guide you. Aiden will be close by but he is a galdramenn. You two would be jarl. You would be warriors. This is your test.”

  They both nodded and I saw the resolution etched on their young faces.

  “Erik Ironshirt, Ketil Windarsson, Ulf Olafsson, Asbjorn the Strong and Raibeart ap Pasgen. The enemy will come for me. Harald the Great knows that he must kill me if he is to win. Therein lies his weakness. Erik, you and the Angry Cubs will be behind my Ulfheonar to give them the strength of their shields. Ketil and Ulf you will attack the right flank. You two have great experience and many men. Asbjorn and Raibeart will assault the enemy left. No matter what happens to us in the centre you will drive into their flanks. I have Erik Ironshirt, Ragnar and Gruffyd to protect me. I am not afraid.”