Karl appeared with two priests. They were shaking. I spoke to them. “Save this warrior. If you do then I will allow all of the priests to go free.”
One nodded but the other said, “Viking, his skull is crushed.”
The first priest was already cleaning the wound, “Brother Peter he breathes and the skull is just cracked. If we bind the bone together and stitch the head he might live.” He looked up at me. “You will keep your word, Northman?”
“I am never foresworn.”
He nodded and the two of them bent over Finni.
“Can we trust them, Jarl Ragnvald?”
“I believe so but we have little choice, do we?”
“We could give him a warrior’s death.”
“If they fail then we can do so but let us help him cling to life eh?”
Dawn had broken even as we had fought and the Breton lord had died. One of my men found some fermented apple juice and I used that to quench my thirst.
A warrior from the Clan of the Bears ran towards me, “Jarl Ragnvald, my jarl says he has taken the monastery. When he has taken the treasure to the beach, he will join you.”
I shook my head, “The battle is done. Tell him to guard the treasure on the beach. We will come to you.” At the time it seemed the right thing to do. They say that when you look back you always have perfect vision. When you look forward it is as though through a fog. The Weird Sisters were spinning and threads were being cut.
The priests had finished by the time Sven and Siggi returned. I looked at the priest who had worked on Finni, “Well?”
“It is in God’s hand now. We have put the bones back into place and we have stitched the skin. We washed the wound with vinegar and we have bound it. That is all that we can do.”
“What about moving him?”
“I would say no but I know that you will not leave him here. If he is jolted then he will likely die.”
That made perfect sense to me. “And if we carry him on a litter and put him on a ship what then?”
“He might live.”
“But we need someone to watch over him.”
Brother Peter said, “You promised us our freedom.”
The other priest smiled, “Peace, brother.” He turned to me. “Viking if I come with you do you swear that I will be returned here unharmed?”
“I will so swear.”
He pointed to the horse amulet around my neck. “On that?”
“You are a clever priest. What is your name?”
“Brother Paul.”
I lifted the horse amulet and, after kissing it said, “I swear that Brother Paul will be returned unharmed after we have delivered the jarl home.”
He nodded, satisfied.
“Karl, have your men make a bier. Sven, free the priests. Tell them that they may go.”
“Aye Jarl Ragnvald.”
“Siggi, is there a small boat?”
“There is, jarl.”
Karl had returned, “Then Karl take your jarl back to Benni’s Ville. My men can take the other ships when they are loaded. I want the priest bringing back here. Is that clear?”
“Aye jarl but what if Jarl Finni dies?”
“Then the Allfather wants another warrior at his table. No matter what happens Brother Paul will be returned here. I have given my word.”
“Aye jarl.”
As Brother Paul gathered his things he said, “You are a strange Viking. Are you the one they call the Horseman?”
“No, that is my father.”
He nodded and left with Finni’s oathsworn. It was noon by the time we had loaded the ships and sorted the slaves. With the crews for the ships we had taken we would have less men to row home. That could not be helped. We had had a good raid. The wounded and the dead were taken aboard the ships. They would be home first. I led the men and we trudged back to the beach to meet Einar. Before we left we fired the hall. That proved to be a mistake but then we were looking ahead and not back.
Einar Bear Killer was waiting for us on the beach with his men. They had some priests as captives and a great quantity of treasure. There was a holy book, some metal platters, linens, candles and their candlesticks. They also had sacks of provisions and wine.
Einar Bear Killer looked pleased with himself. He pointed to a chest, “We also found a chest of coins!” He looked around and saw that Finni was missing. “Where is Finni?”
“He was wounded. He had his skull broken. We sent him back to our home by boat.”
“Then let us hurry. This treasure will aid his recovery.”
We could see our ships. They were a mile away along the open and deserted beach. We did not have far to go. Suddenly we saw movement on the ships. Then we heard a horn and saw horsemen heading across the dunes. The fire had been seen from Cancale. Horsemen had come to see what was amiss in Saint Maclou. Our ships’ boys would be slaughtered.
“Folki, guard the treasure. The rest of you, let us run as though the Allfather had given us wings.”
I dropped my shield, helmet and cloak. I could run faster without them. I heard shouts and screams coming down the beach. Leif should have cut their ropes and drifted out to sea. We could have recovered the ships. Our ships’ boys would be slain and our ships destroyed. All the treasure and captives we had would avail us nothing. My main concern was that my son would be safe. I remembered the curse of his birth. I still did not know why I had listened to others and allowed the priest to be there at his birth. The Mother would continue to punish me until the end of time!
The younger warriors were racing ahead of me but I would still be amongst the first to reach the ships. I saw ‘Stallion’s Fire’ . There were a group of ship’s boys fighting at the steering board. They were still alive! I hoped that Ragnvald was one. There were forty horsemen and they saw us. I hoped it would make them flee but they must have seen that we were spread out. Perhaps they did not know that we were horsemen too for they suddenly left the drekar, mounted their horses and galloped towards us. Armed with spears and shields, they would have slaughtered any Viking warband caught in the open; any warband but mine. We fought from the backs of horses and knew the pitfalls. I held my sword in two hands and ran towards the leading warrior.
I saw him pull his arm back and lunge at Benni Siggison. The spear caught Benni in the shoulder and he spun around. The Breton saw me and wheeled his horse towards me. I ran towards his spear side. He must have thought me mad. He pulled his arm back for a killing blow. I spun around to my right and brought my sword around in a sweep. It hacked through the tendons in the back of the horse’s hind leg. The rider was thrown as the horse slewed and fell to the side. Sven took the rider’s head with his axe.
The next rider saw what I had done and he slowed slightly. He was watching for my move. Still holding Sun’s Vengeance in two hands I allowed him to lunge at me. I swept the head away with my sword and, spinning the blade around brought it down across his thigh. His horse veered into me and I was knocked to the ground. The rider fell from his horse and I quickly rose as a third Breton rode at me to try to pin me to the sand. I was on my feet as his spear came down. It hit my sealskin boots and I lunged up with the sword held in two hands. He wore no mail and my sword tore up through his rib cage. My men were now arriving in numbers. Sven, Siggi and Einar had also helped to break the back of their charge. Twelve horsemen lay dead or dying. They had slain five warriors and wounded another four but they had had enough and they turned to flee.
Nagli had his Saami bow. He had quick hands and a horse and rider is a large target. Two riders fell before they had gone more than a hundred paces. He hit two more and two horses before they were beyond his range. I would congratulate him and my other men later. First, I had to find my son. I sheathed my sword and I ran. I saw, as I neared my drekar, that both he and Ragnvald had survived. I clambered up the rope and walked up the hull. I saw that there had been a battle aboard my ship. Leif Left Handed lay dead but five Bretons lay dead around him. Peder, one of the ship’s bo
ys was dead but Guthrum as well as Arne and Ragnvald had survived. I saw that their swords were bloody.
“Are you hurt?”
They were all in a state of shock and they shook their heads. I looked at Leif’s body. He had been cut many times. He had died hard. I was not sad for him. He had died well. To have killed five men with just one hand was worthy of a saga.
I knelt and closed his eyes. “Well done, Leif Left Handed, you have killed five enemies. You have died a hero and we will drink to you in Valhalla!”
Guthrum said, “No, Jarl Ragnvald, Leif slew three. Your son and Arne slew the other two. I just stood and watched.”
I could see that Guthrum, the youngest of the ships’ boys was upset at his lack of action. “Never fear Guthrum your time will come. Go to the other drekar and find out how many of their crews survived the attack.”
Eager for something to do he said, “Aye jarl,” and scurried off.
I could see that both Arne and my son were still in shock. Their hands shook and they still held their weapons. I took the weapons from them and laid them on the bloodied deck, “You both did well. Men will speak of your courage. You have done what Dragonheart and Haaken One Eye did when they defended Old Ragnar. You remember the tale your grandfather told?”
Ragnvald nodded. “I did not know what to do, father. Leif told us to run but we could not leave the ship. When they slew Peder it was as though a dam had burst. I jumped on one and slit his throat. His blood was hot. Why is that?”
“We will talk of this later. Go and fetch pails of sea water. We will swill the deck. I will rid the deck of the Bretons.” I wanted them busy. That would drive what had happened from their minds.
They went to fetch pails. I took the weapons and anything of value from the five men before dumping their bodies over the side. The tide was on the turn and already the first body was drifting out to sea. We had missed the tide. It would be harder to leave but we had so much to do. My plans had been to leave before dark.
Arne and Ragnvald brought the water and began to wash the blood and the entrails from the drekar. It ran from the scuppers. Guthrum came back. “Jarl, we three are the only ones to survive.”
I was angry. I was angry with myself for leaving the ships so far from us and not leaving a guard. I was angry because we had fired the town. Had we not done so then twelve ship’s boys and four warriors might still be alive. I looked at Ragnvald as he and Arne brought bucket after bucket of water. It was as though they were trying to wipe away the memory. When they were home, in the safety of our hall they might enjoy the tale that would be told but at that moment it was too close. My son was closer to becoming a man and I was happy I had not brought Rollo. He might be where Peder was.
Chapter 3
We left in the middle of the night. It took that long for us to load the captives and the treasure we had taken. Had we been able I would have taken the horses, if only to punish the Bretons. We took our dead. They would be buried with honour. I confess that some of the men were harsh with the captives. The other jarls and myself had to exercise control over them. The boys who had died had been popular. It was a hard row back. We had fewer crew and the deaths were still fresh. We had few ships’ boys. We had lost warriors and others would be sailing home. They would be wondering what had happened to us.
With no Leif Left Handed to steer I had that responsibility. It forced me to concentrate and to think about sailing and not dwell on either the curse or the Norns. Karl and the others must have reached home long before dark. There were fires burning on the quay to light us in and a crowd of people awaited us. We were many hours late and we came in silently. There was no song. There was no joy. That would warn them of our mood.
Mathilde stood wrapped against the cold. My daughters were not with her. She stared at the steering board. I pointed to Ragnvald who lithely leapt ashore to tie us up. I saw the relief on her face. Others were looking for husbands, brothers, fathers and sons. Some would be disappointed. I saw Brother Paul. He was standing with my priest, Æðelwald of Remisgat. I had the bodies carried off first. That way the families would know the worst straight away. Then the wounded were taken off. Finally, the captives and the animals left the four drekar. The captives were subdued.
I raised my sword, “I swear that the Clan of the Horse shall have vengeance for our dead shipmates.”
Every warrior took his sword and began banging the deck. The chant rang across the seas. The men of Cancale would learn to fear us. Mathilde wrapped her arm around Ragnvald and hurried off with him. I would explain all later. As I stepped ashore I spoke with the priest. “How is the jarl?”
“He opened his eyes and asked for ale.”
“Good. I fear it is too late to take you home.”
Æðelwald of Remisgat said, “He can stay with me, jarl. I have explained to him that you are not the barbarians most men think you are.”
I laughed, “I think we are quite barbaric but then so are the Bretons. Each tribe does what it must to survive.”
Ragnvald was asleep when I entered my hall. Mathilde said, “He told me he killed a man. He slit his throat. Is this true?”
“If he had not done so he would be dead. Which would you rather, a whole Breton or a dead Ragnvald?”
“He will not go to sea again!”
“We do not sail again this season but he will do what he will. Today he has earned the right to have a voice. I am proud of him.”
She was unhappy. She did what all women do at such times. She refused to speak to me. My father had told me that mother did the same. I would endure the silence and the hateful looks. They would pass. All of the crews and jarls had stayed at my hall. When I rose, we gathered all the treasure to share it out. Three of the swords I had taken from the Bretons I had kept for the ship’s boys. The families of the dead boys would also be paid weregeld for their loss.
When all was given out I stood and said, loudly so that all could hear, “Is this good? Is there one who objects?”
This was the time for anyone who was unhappy to speak. My father had introduced the idea after Raven Wing Island. There had been a dispute with some members of the clan. They were newcomers and did not like the way Siggi White Hair had run it. This prevented any bad feelings festering. I knew I had been fair and no one objected.
Einar Bear Killer stood, “There is one thing we must speak of.”
I knew what it was but Brother Paul had not yet left. I held up my hand. “I know of what you speak. First let us send the priest who saved Finni Bennison back to his home. We are all grateful to him.”
Æðelwald of Remisgat brought the priest and I walked with them to the small ship. Three of Finni’s crew would take him and drop him at the beach where we had battled.
The priest looked at me, “I spoke with Æðelwald of Remisgat last night. I would like to get to know your people a little more. I believe that I could convert you.”
I laughed, “Æðelwald of Remisgat has failed but you are welcome to try. We will never be Christian so long as your God says turn the other cheek. That is not the warrior’s way.”
“Then I will read the scriptures for an answer.”
I watched him sail away. Æðelwald of Remisgat said, “He is a good man and a fine healer. Jarl Finni would be dead but for his ministrations. He was on his way to Lundenwic from Constantinople when you took him.”
When we reached my hall the jarls and all the others were watching me expectantly. “Speak Einar Bear Killer.”
“The men of Cancale killed boys. We want vengeance.”
I said nothing. Others were present but only warriors were allowed to speak. Folki spoke up. “We had just raided their countrymen. I can understand why they fell upon us.”
“Are you saying that we do not take revenge?”
Folki was older than Einar. He had lived in our land longer than almost any. He was slow to anger. Einar had implied that Folki was sympathetic to the Bretons. “No jarl. I think we take revenge but that is just
because they are Bretons and I would like another rich haul such as the one we took today. I am saying that if we take revenge on everyone who fights against us then we have the whole world to fight.”
Harold Strong Arm laughed, “I think, Jarl Folki, that most of the world is already against us.”
Folki said, “I would hear Jarl Ragnvald’s words. He is as wise as his father.”
I shook my head, “I do not think that for an instant but I would like to visit our wrath upon the men of Cancale. What I do not want to do, is to do so yet. Jarl Finni is still wounded. I am certain he would like to come with us. We have men whom we have lost. Would you fight with small crews? My view is that we wait. Perhaps we will raid at Tvímánuður when they have their crops in and we can punish them twice over.” I saw nods for it made sense. “There is something else. I would like to raid from the sea and the land.”
This time I had surprised them. Einar Bear Killer said, “From the land?”
I nodded, “When we left the beach we left twenty horses. The Bretons have good horses. They are the equal of ours. We had to leave them. If we raid from two directions then we have more chance to defeat them and we might be able to capture many horses.”
Einar shook his head, “My men are not horsemen.”
Folki said, “Then you would sail. I think the jarl sees this as a bigger raid than just four ships.”
“You are right. I would visit with my father and see if his horsemen and those of Lord Bertrand and Lords Gilles might join us.”
“Even so you would have more than a hundred miles to travel. There are Franks and Bretons between us. For a drekar that is not a problem but for a horseman?”
“Then let us agree on this. At Tvímánuður we will raid Cancale. If I deem it possible then I will attack from the land with our horses and our ships will attack from the sea.”
Men looked at each other and then began banging their shields. It was approved.
As the drekar and the knarr were loaded. Jarls and chiefs came to me to thank me for the invite to raid. Although I was now head of the clan I was both flattered and touched by their comments. Until now I had been the son of the Horseman. Now I was a leader in my own right. With my two sons I could build for the future.
Brothers in Blood (Norman Genesis Book 7) Page 4