I shouted, “See to Leif!” Then I spoke in Hibernian. Kaðlín had seemed to understand it. “Do not run and you will live. Stand close together.” Perhaps it was my words or my height but either way they obeyed. The man I had knocked out stood, groggily. Bergil took his weapon. An older woman took a brand from the open fire and plunged it into the arm of the warrior I had wounded. It hissed and the smell of burning flesh filled the air. She had saved his life, if not his arm. The drizzle continued to fall.
“Bergil, search the huts. Arne, start them back to the camp. Keep your swords in their backs but do not harm them. They are valuable to us.”
We found little in the huts. The weapons were poor and the few coins would not buy a horn of ale in Dorestad. We took the two warriors back with us. I did not want them to run and bring allies. We had raided the furthest village. We would be able to leave, the next day and be home in five more. It had been a good raid.
We were just two miles from our camp when we saw a warrior running west. He was a Cornovi. He was too far away for us to catch and I knew that we would regret the escape. He would bring more men. Our fight was not quite over.
The drizzle showed no sign of abating. We were the last to reach the camp and I saw Sven Blue Arm berating Sámr. Sámr stood and took it. Sven saw me and pointed at me, “Göngu-Hrólfr may be the youngest but he has managed to bring back the men he did not kill. You let one escape and now we will have to prepare to do battle!”
Sámr nodded, “I am not fit to lead, war chief!”
The apology accepted Sven nodded, “Put the young women in the hut with the others. Göngu-Hrólfr and Bergil, Arne can help you watch them again this night. Just try to avoid talking eh?”
Olaf and the other men who had been guarding the camp had slaughtered four sheep and made the women cook them. We had hot food.
It was still raining and so the three of us ate inside the hut. Most of the girls pressed themselves against the far wall. The exception was Kaðlín. She did not move and ate her food while studying me. I looked at her and saw that she was dressed differently to the others. Her clothes were better. Her hair was combed and I saw, in the firelight, that it burned as red as fire.
She saw me looking and spoke to me. Arne and Bergil did not understand her words, “Do you like what you see, Viking?”
I blushed and turned back to my friends. As we ate Arne pointed at my leather vest. “How did that stop a spear? I thought you would have been wounded at the very least.”
“It hit metal and it was only fire hardened. A fire hardened spear is only good for flesh or killing a fish. They would have been better to use flint.”
Bergil nodded. “There were just two swords in that village and six knives. None were worth bringing back. The sword which struck your shield was bent.”
“I am surprised that these are not raided more often.”
When we had finished I said, “They will need to make water. I will speak with them. Arne go to the right of the hut and Bergil the left. I will let them stand on the ramparts. Do not watch them as they make water.”
“What if they run?”
I laughed, “Arne, do you think they can outrun us? Where would they go? Yonder is the sea. If they were going to try to harm themselves they would have done so already. They might try to escape but I will speak with them. Now go.”
After they had gone I said to the young women, “You can go outside and make water or whatever you need to do. Then you will have to stay in the hut.” I looked at Kaðlín. “None will leave the hut tonight. My men will be there. They will not watch but if you run then we will catch you.” I paused, “And you will be punished.”
I saw a few of them looking confused. Kaðlín said, “They did not understand all of your words. My people have more to do with those from across the sea to the west.” She spoke rapidly and the girls nodded. There would be no trouble.
“Thank you.”
As she passed me she deliberately pressed close to me and I had the whiff of thyme once more. I felt myself becoming aroused again. They obeyed me and trooped back inside once they had finished.
Night did not fall; darkness crept up under the cloud of drizzle. We were all soaked. I took off my mail. I took the decision to sleep inside the hut. The warrior on watch would have to endure the rain but we would be dry inside the hut. I chose the hard watch. I chose the one in the middle of the night. My two companions would lose sleep but it would not be broken.
Bergil woke me, “It has stopped raining. The night is surprisingly mild.”
I took my cloak and stepped out into the night. He was right. The rain had stopped but the clouds kept the air warmer than might be expected. I did a circuit of the hut. I saw nothing and I returned to stand guard. I saw Sámr feeding the fire. That had been his punishment. The rest of our men were inside the huts. The jarl, his brother and Sven had taken the chief’s hut. We were at the very edge of the settlement. Beyond us were the ramparts and then the sea.
I began to think of my home. Perhaps I was distracted but I was suddenly aware of a movement. Before I could react, a hand slipped around my waist and fondled me. I turned and stared into the eyes of Kaðlín. She put her fingers to her lips and then reached around my neck and pulled herself up to kiss me. I had never kissed a girl’s lips. I had never kissed any woman on the lips and I found myself growing. She pulled away and, taking my hand, led me to the ramparts. To my shame, I let her. I had been given a duty and I was not doing it.
Once we were at the ramparts she lowered herself to the ground and, still holding my hand pulled me on top of her. She fumbled at my breeks as she kissed me. I was aware that her dress had opened and, with her other hand, she took mine and placed it on her breast. She leaned up, nibbled my ear and whispered, “Viking, I want this.” I succumbed to my body and I took her.
When we had finished we lay there for some time. I was trying to work out which was the greater crime. Neglecting my duty or damaging the value of a princess. I rose from her and took her hand. I led her back to the hut. She reached up and kissed me again. Her eyes were wet and I knew not why.
I felt confused. However, that moment changed me. I had no idea why she had chosen me to make her a woman. I am guessing that my appearance and size had something to do with it. When we took the slaves back to our home I would ask the jarl for Kaðlín. I liked her and it seemed she liked me. I might even make her my wife. I spent the rest of my watch going over every moment of the encounter. I found myself smiling. When I saw the first grey of dawn I realised that I should have woken Arne. I woke him and rolled in my fur. I thought I would not sleep but I did and I enjoyed the most delightful of dreams.
When Arne woke Bergil and I Bergil said, “Are all the girls here?”
I nodded, “Of course, why?”
“I was certain that one of them passed me in the night.” He shrugged, “Perhaps it was a dream.”
I glanced over and saw Kaðlín peering with bright eyes and smile from behind her fur.
Sven Blue Cheek came through the village like a winter storm, “Everyone! We need to begin loading the drekar! The cereal and the slaughtered and salted animals first. Leave the slaves until last. The young girls will be aboard ‘Fáfnir’ .”
I could not help smiling. I would have Kaðlín all the way home. I would be able to see her. We left Arne to watch them along with Olaf Two Teeth. The slaves were more agitated than we had seen. Sven had to post six warriors to watch them. That meant it took us longer to load. It was after noon before we were able to replace the decks and to consider loading the slaves and the animals. We would be leaving the tiny bay after dark.
We were on our way back when Sámr ran to fetch us, “Come quickly and bring your weapons, there is a warband approaching!”
Sámr did not look happy. His lack of vigilance would cost us warriors. We would have to fight our way out. Sven Blue Cheek was not one to dwell on mistakes. Even as we raced up the turf to the ramparts he was organizing a shield wall.
No matter how many barbarians came at us we would be able to repel them for we stood on their own ramparts. We might lose warriors but I did not think for one moment that we would lose the battle.
Sven saw me, “Göngu-Hrólfr. Your band anchors the right side of the line. That way you will have room to swing that mighty weapon of yours!”
“Yes Sven.”
By the time we had donned our helmets and held our shields the warband was closer. I stood on the far right, as ordered. Behind me Olaf and Arne still guarded the girls. Sven had the men begin banging their weapons against our shields. We did not have a chant but the effect was intimidating. The warband stopped. I was able to count them. There were just a hundred warriors. They barely outnumbered us. Few had helmets although more had shields than the ones we had fought and killed. I saw two banners. That meant two leaders.
I watched as two men took off their helmets and left their weapons on the ground. They walked towards the ramparts with open palms. Jarl Rognvald Eysteinsson and Sven took off their helmets and, leaving their weapons on the ground walked to meet them. They were too far away for me to hear their words and it rapidly became apparent that they did not share a language.
Jarl Rognvald Eysteinsson shouted, “Göngu-Hrólfr, leave your weapons; we need you.”
I took off my helmet and left my shield and sword. “Bergil, watch them.”
I towered over Sven but he was taller than the two men we faced. I saw them looking up at me. One of them spoke, “I am Áed mac Cináeda. I am King of the Caereni. This is my ally from Hibernia, Beollán mac Ciarmaic.”
The Irishman said, “You speak our language?”
“I can speak your language but not as well as I should.”
It was a polite answer and they nodded. The king said, “You have my daughter?”
“Kaðlín? Yes.”
“Is she harmed?”
I was glad he phrased the question that way. I did not need to lie. “She is unharmed and she is not distressed.”
He looked relieved. They both looked relieved. “Ask your leader how much he wants as ransom for her.”
“You do not come here to fight?”
The king shook his head. “My daughter came here to see if she might be happy wed to the prince of the Cornovi. They are a poor people, as you discovered. My new ally would like her as a bride. I care not what happens to these people. We could fight you but we would lose warriors and you have armour. There would be little honour. If you will not sell her back to us then we will fight!”
My heart sank. For a brief few hours I had been happy with the thought that I might marry Kaðlín. I turned to the jarl. “They do not wish to fight. They wish to buy back the princess.”
Sven looked at me and smiled, “Your conversation has helped us then.”
The jarl said, “How much are they willing to pay?”
Sven said, “They look poor and whatever they offer we will take.” He looked at me. “They just want the one girl?”
“Just Kaðlín.”
The jarl said, “Then say we agree.” He lowered his voice, “Pretend to negotiate but take whatever you can get. This is an unexpected profit.”
I did not negotiate hard and they paid us, thinking they had a bargain. When Kaðlín was brought and it became obvious that she was leaving there was a wail from the other women. They had thought that they were to be delivered. The chest with the coins was brought and the princess delivered.
When her father took her hand she turned and said, “Thank you for your kindness Rollo also called Göngu-Hrólfr. I will always remember you.” There was a mischievous glint in her green eyes. I felt a pain deep within me that took some time to disappear.
The king said, “And I thank you too. When I saw a giant before me I feared the worst but I can see that you are a man of honour. May God watch over you.”
We watched them leave and then Sven clapped me on the back. “The bounty of your arrival never stops!”
Chapter 13
On the voyage home, I was lauded by all for my skills both in languages and in battle. The crew were in ebullient mood. We had slaves and we had coin that was not expected. I found myself questioned at length. All thoughts of Kaðlín were driven from my head. When I slept however, she haunted me. I knew that she had been sent by the Norns but I could not perceive the purpose. Perhaps they were punishing me. They had offered something sweet and delicious and they had torn if from my grasp. The accolades of the crew felt empty.
When we returned home I was offered my choice of the slaves. I was not the one given the first choice. That honour went to the jarl. He declined. His brother, however chose the youngest. She had the look of a wild vixen. Sven Blue Arm chose one who looked homelier. I was given the next choice. It was like being offered a kyrtle having lost a mail byrnie. When I deferred to the others it was taken as yet another quality in me. It was not. I had tasted something fine. I would not make do with oat bread. That evening, after we had eaten, Bergil took me to one side. “Göngu-Hrólfr, you did not choose a woman. You are not one of these men who prefer other men are you?”
I blushed and shook my head, “Of course not! I will take a woman but I do not want one of those women as the mother of my children.”
He looked relieved, “Good, then I can tell the others. They were worried!”
Two eventful occurrences happened after we reached home. We had not known it but Gertha, Bjorn Eysteinsson’s wife, had developed the coughing sickness. It had crept up on her slowly and our short absence had made it obvious to all. The volvas had tried all that they could but the illness worsened. She was dying; little by little from within. It coincided with Bjorn Eysteinsson sharing his hall with his captives. He said it was to nurse his sick wife but the one he took, Ailsa, was the prettiest of the captives. The one Sven had taken would have made a better nurse for she was older. Ailsa was younger than me. It soon became apparent that she was his concubine. He began to change that day. It was subtle but, looking back, I can see that was the moment when he ceased to be one of my supporters.
We spent some months at home. Many of the slaves became the women of the warriors while others were put to work. I lay with a couple of the women if only to silence those who questioned me as a man. I could have used my strength to quieten them but that was not my way. It was a pleasurable experience to lie with them and they seemed pleased with me but it was not the same as with Kaðlín. I still dreamt of her at night.
One of the jarl’s cousins paid us a visit. He brought news from Jarl Hálfdanar Svarti. We were told that when we visited for the next annual meeting we were to bring all of our men. We were going to war. The jarl was going to subdue some of his neighbours. The Vikings of Sogn were going to have anew overlord. The tribe was expanding. It did not please me for that took me further away from my goal of going home.
The jarl also brought news of the land of Northumbria. There had been a great battle between the Danes and the two kings of Northumbria, Ælla and Osberht had fallen in battle. In addition, most of their men had been killed. The Danes now ruled Jorvik. South of the Tyne was Danelaw. North was ruled by King Ecgberht. He ruled only with the permission of the Danes. He was a figurehead.
I was present when Jarl Rognvald received the news. Sven was there too. Jarl Halfgrimr leaned forward, “This means that the whole of Northumbria is ripe for the plucking. Ragnar Lodbrok’s sons lead the army and they have left Jorvik to take the rest of the Saxon lands which lie to the west of the Danelaw.”
Sven had had asked the question which was in my mind, “Why do you and the other jarls not raid Northumbria?”
“It is not that we are afraid, Sven Blue Arm, and I am a little offended at the question. If I did not know how high a regard my cousin has for you I might draw my sword.”
Jarl Rognvald pleaded, “Peace, cousin, Sven means nothing do you?”
“No jarl, it is just that this seems a golden opportunity. I cannot understand why more of our family are not taking advanta
ge. I am sorry if you took my words the wrong way. I am a bluff warrior and used to speaking plainly. I cannot help my tone.”
Mollified the jarl said, “I accept your apology. It is simple; next year we take the lands which lie far from the sea. They have few warriors but Haraldr Hálfdanarson believes that if we subdue them and take their best men as warriors then we can take our men to sea when we take Sogn.”
Sven nodded, “That makes sense.”
Jarl Rognvald said, “Thank you cousin, and I will make our drekar available to you and my uncle when the family raids.”
He stood, “Good and make sure you bring your son with you. We have heard tales of his prowess. I am looking forward to seeing him in action. For one so young he has done much!”
After he had gone Jarl Rognvald chastised his war chief. “Sometimes, Sven, you forget yourself.”
Sven did not back down, “I do not believe that they are going to spend summer fighting farmers! There must be another reason they do not raid Northumbria.”
Brothers in Blood (Norman Genesis Book 7) Page 20