by Griff Hosker
I took off my helmet and, as I did so I noticed the arrow sticking from my chest and yet there was no blood. Haaken joined me and pulled out the arrow. He had to tug hard. The shaft broke from the head. The arrowhead was embedded in the golden wolf I wore around my neck. He twisted the head free and held the arrow up for all to see. He turned and shouted at the departing Welshmen. “You cannot kill Jarl Dragonheart! He is protected by the gods!”
My men all cheered. This was a rare opportunity. They had witnessed a miraculous occurrence and it added to my reputation. I too raised my sword. I had been lucky. Perhaps Haaken was right but, whatever the reason the story spread through the land of Gwynedd and then, when we returned, our homeland. Jarl Dragonheart had been struck in the chest by an arrow and lived. It added to my already outrageous legend.
Chapter 6
The voyage back was both crowded and smelly as my drekar was filled with many animals and people. However it was a swift journey for the same wind which had blown the smoke now blew us home. Nor did we have an angry crowd of captives. They had seen the arrow strike and cowered when I walked by. I had survived certain death and yet I looked as hale and hearty as any man. To them this was dark and arcane magic and I saw them clutching at crosses and making the sign of the cross as I passed.
Haaken loved it. “What a saga this will make! It might even exceed the success of the Sword Saga.”
He spent the whole voyage coming up with the words to do justice to the event. Aiden was also impressed but for a different reason. “You were spared, Jarl, but I think it was Wyddfa’s power which did so. The spirits cannot be happy with two brothers fighting over their land. I spoke with some of the captives and the King’s brother, Cynan, lives still close to the mountain and calls himself king there. I found no more treasures of Myrddyn but perhaps this is the sign I was seeking. His spirit watches over you still.” He looked at the mountain, now on our right. “You know, Jarl, I believe we could conquer the island if we wished. The spirits would protect you.”
“I believe you are right, Aiden, but I do not want it. I know that it was my ancestor who lived there and you would think that would be enough but it is not. I do not want the island. It is where Cnut died. It is where my ancestor was killed. Many men would try to take it from us. It is indefensible and besides the Norns have shown us an older thread. The thread which leads to the Queen and the sword I found. My ancestor ended up here but his journey began to the east of where we now live.”
He nodded, “True. I should have seen that. I am too obsessed with this Myrddyn.”
“And you forget one other thread, Aiden, I was taken from the river which runs close to the land the Queen ruled. It is a circle and I must complete that circle.”
He could see that I was right and, for once, I had the last word. I took the wolf from around my neck and looked at the mark which the arrow had made. It had struck near the wolf’s mouth and it appeared, now, to be laughing. I would not have it repaired. It was a symbol. I was the wolf. This was wyrd.
When we landed I went directly to Asbjorn and Eystein. I had not had time to speak with them before we left. I was anxious to know what had happened to them. “How did the new warriors do?”
“They did well, Jarl Dragonheart. A couple were too keen to impress us. They threw their lives away recklessly but the rest were solid. When they attacked the Welsh line they did not flinch even though they fought men with mail and helmets.”
Eystein laughed, “They showed that they had heeded our words and all now have a helmet and most have a better sword. That is thanks to the dead Welshmen”
Our rapid departure meant that the bodies could not be completely stripped of all treasure as was our practice. “That is good. And the raid on the settlement?”
“It was a poor place but we found animals and grain. It was Olaf Leather Neck who brought back the most grain.”
“Do you think they will want another raid before winter comes?”
They both nodded, “For certain, Jarl. They have had their appetite whetted and they wish to do the same with their blades. They talk of the arrow in your neck and how the gods favour you. They believe we are invincible.”
“Then I will speak with my son. I am sure he will wish to raid too.”
Our quick journey meant there was no welcome party at Úlfarrston and we hurried back to Cyninges-tūn. Our young men were keen to tell their tales and who could blame them. It was dark when we reached the safety of our walls. Those younger warriors, like Rolf, who were keen to boast of their valour had reached the town before we did. They had run all the way. Brigid and Kara waited for us at the gates of my hall. Kara waited for Brigid to kiss me before she hugged me.
“It is good to see you home safe.”
“Did you not know I would? Are your powers waning, daughter?”
She laughed, “No but the power of Wyddfa is such that it clouds my vision.”
We told them all. Brigid tut tutted when she heard of the arrow and the pendant. Kara admonished her. “You should be pleased, sister. It means the spirits protect the Jarl. And I agree with you father, there is something here in the north which ties us to the past.”
“It is late in the year to venture east but when the snow has gone I will see what we can discover.” I downed the last of the wine. “I used some of our treasure to have Coen’s captain buy some more wine. Seguin I Lupo might be the Duke of Vasconia no longer but they will sell. We might have to pay more but it is always worth it.” I smiled, “And if the price goes up then we can take it.”
My daughter frowned, “You are not immortal, father. You survived an arrow to the chest but there are many enemies in this world who would see you dead.”
“I do not court death. I just live my life the way I always have done. But I will not be leading the next raid. Perhaps I will travel to see Wolf Killer in the next few days. Asbjorn would raid again with the young warriors before winter. Perhaps my son would like to join him. If not then I will loan my ship to Sigtrygg. He has commissioned a drekar but it will not be ready this season.”
“Elfrida is with child again, father. He may wish to stay at home.”
For some reason I suddenly felt guilty about leaving Brigid. Erika had never minded my raids but Brigid might be different. I glanced at her and she laughed, “Do not worry about me. I feel safe here and I am certain that I will be looked after by Kara and her women when I birth. I cannot see you being much use. Not unless our son fights!”
The three of them laughed together as though it was a joke. I could not see it myself.
I left for Wolf Killer’s alone. Aiden still needed time to study his parchments and my Ulfheonar were busy with their families. If I was not safe in my own land then it was a poor state of affairs. It would take me almost a day to ride to his stad. I could have ridden faster but there was no rush. I still ached and was bruised from the battle. I rode a horse rather than a pony; the gait was easier on my spine. The leisurely journey gave me the time to speak with some of the farmers I rarely saw. I did not go by Windar’s Mere as I could have done. I went through the part of my land I rarely visited. I was gratified by the reception I received. I might not see them very often but they appreciated what I did for them and seemed remarkably well informed about my activities. Part of that was down to Haaken and his sagas which recounted my life for all to hear.
The land close to Grize’s Dale was a quiet and empty land. Empty that is, save for the insects which feasted upon my flesh and annoyed my horse. Its tale flicked angrily from side to side as it tried to rid its body of them. He tossed his mane too. I wondered if I should have worn mail but then I realised that they would have penetrated even Bjorn’s finest work.
Once, years ago, there had been those who had lived close to this spindly tangle of trees but raids and the insects had driven them hence. It was however, the shortest way between my home and that of my son. A more pleasant route would have taken me along to Windar’s mere and then down the side of the mer
e. That would have taken a whole day. This was better.
I watered my horse at Esthwaite Water. The walls of the farm there had long since fallen into disrepair. The Water had been named by me for the farm had been, at that time, the most easterly of my farms. I could not even remember who had farmed it. The family was long gone. I washed my face too and, for a brief time I felt refreshed. It was when I tightened the saddle that I caught a hint of movement in the trees ahead of me. It was not the movement of an animal. It was that of a man. I forced myself to act as though nothing was wrong. If this had been a friend, one of my people, they would have spoken. Their silence meant danger.
There was no one until the farm of Gray. He lived between here and the southern end of Windar’s Mere. Unless he was hunting he would not be in the forest. I mounted my horse. Badger was a sound horse and not given to panic. His jet black colour had given him his name. I wished that I had worn my black wolf cloak for then I would have been harder to see too. I set off down the trail. Until a short time ago the greatest danger had been the insects. Now it was man, or was it men? It had been a long time since I had travelled alone and used my own senses and not those of Snorri and my scouts. Time was I would have smelled enemies. I was getting old and lazy.
I surreptitiously slid my sword in and out of my scabbard. Ragnar’s Spirit and my seax were both sharp. I had not grown that indolent. Now that I was aware of enemies I began to hear them. It was a ‘them’. There were noises on both sides of the trail. They were slight but my pursuers could not keep totally silent. They brushed the branches of trees and twigs broke underfoot. I wondered why they did not attack. I cursed myself for being a fool. They were afoot and I was mounted. I kicked my heels into Badger’s flank and he began to trot. “Come on Badger, I have had enough of these insects!”
As soon as I began to move quickly I heard louder noises behind me. I turned and saw three men running after me. Each held a spear. They did not look like our people. Their dress was that of Saxons. I kicked harder. If I could make it to the farm of Gary and his wife then the two of us might be able to hold off the three outlaws. The three had to be outlaws. They were too ragged to be warriors. I saw the trees thin and the spiral of smoke which rose from Graythwaite. I felt relief that I had made it. As my horse galloped into the clearing I reined him in. “Gray!”
A man came from the hut with a spear in his hand. It was not Gray. It was another outlaw. I kicked hard and drew my sword. The Saxon stood with his spear in two hands. I turned Badger’s head away from the spear as I slashed with my sword. Although my blade bit into his neck and ended his worthless life my horse could not keep his feet and we slithered to the ground. I rolled as we hit the ground. When I stood I saw the three outlaws running towards me. Badger, too had risen. I saw a red wound on his neck and he ran off, east towards the Mere. He was frightened and I was alone.
I rose and drew my seax. I could see them more clearly now. They were young men and had a spear and a seax each. They ran down the slope towards me, eager to finish me off. I could have run but I had no doubt that they would catch me. If they surrounded me then I was dead. I had two weapons and I knew that I was a better warrior but, without mail, I was vulnerable. As they closed with me I took my chance, slight though it was. I ran at them as fast as I could. They had been running hard following me and were a little out of breath. And my sudden attack was unexpected.
The danger of my attack was that I needed to be quick and I was not certain I was quick any more. As soon as I ran at them they began to separate. I ran for the middle one. He held his spear in his right hand. That was a mistake for I knocked it aside with my seax and brought Ragnar’s Spirit around in a wide sweep to bite into his side. It bit through to his ribs.
I spun around and was barely in time to knock aside the second spear which came at me. As I ripped across his throat with my seax I felt a savage pain in my shoulder as I was speared in the back. I whipped my arm around and felt my sword bite into soft flesh and heard a scream of pain. I looked down and saw that I had sliced through the upper arm of the last outlaw and into his chest. He lay on the ground bleeding to death. He opened his mouth to say something but death took him before he could speak.
Although my left shoulder was hurting I needed to know if there were others in the hut. I approached cautiously. I noticed that the first one I had killed was a much older man, almost my age. He must have been the leader of these outlaws. Were there more within? The wood which blocked the entrance at night had been moved. I saw that there was a fire glowing inside. I heard breathing. The darkness prevented me from discerning who was within. I was aware of blood trickling down my back. The longer I waited the less chance I had of defeating whoever waited for me. I ran in and braced myself for a blow. The blow never came. With my back against the wall I peered into the dark. As my eyes became accustomed to the dark I saw Gray’s wife, Thora, in the corner. Her head was down and she was shaking.
As soon as I had satisfied myself that she was alone I sheathed my weapons and went to her. I held out my hand, “Thora, it is Jarl Dragonheart. You are safe now. I have slain them all.”
She looked up and I saw relief on her face. “Oh, Jarl! Thank the Allfather you have come. These nithings killed my husband and…” She shook her head. I will not speak of it.”
I led her into the light. “Come, we will go to my son’s home.”
She shook her head, “We must bury my husband. They killed him and left his body in the woods. I would not have animals despoil him.”
I needed my wound attending to but she was upset and I followed her. We went just a short way behind the farm and found his hacked and slashed body. They had used their seaxes on him. His body had been abused after death. I could see that the rats, foxes and birds had already made inroads into his flesh.
We dragged him into the open. I stumbled and when Thora put her hand out to help me it came away bloody.” Jarl! You are wounded!”
I nodded, “They are all dead but one speared me in the shoulder.”
She ran back into the hut and returned with a skin of water and some salve. Lifting my kirtle she gasped. “This is a deep wound my lord. It is bleeding heavily.”
I nodded, “Then you must use a brand from the fire and staunch the bleeding.” I smiled at her. She was young, a little younger than Brigid but she and Gray had been strong enough to survive in the wild. She would be able to manage. “Be strong, Thora; you can do this.”
She went back into the hut and returned with a burning brand. She held it in two hands. “You had better kneel, Jarl.” She smiled. “You are bigger than I am.”
I did so and braced myself. “Hold it there for the count of three if you can, and if I can bear it.”
I first felt warmth then heat then an excruciating pain. There was the smell of burning hair and flesh. I fought the darkness which threatened to overwhelm me and then the pain stopped. She began to dab the hot flesh with water. I was not certain that Aiden would have approved but it felt good. “The bleeding has stopped. I will put on this salve and then you must rest.”
As she applied cool salve I shook my head. “No, we must bury your husband and then get to my son’s.”
“You are hurt.”
“And I am a warrior. I have suffered worse. Thank you, Thora.”
It was a crude burial which Gray was given. I laid his seax, which one of the outlaws had taken, across his body and we piled stones upon it. The animals would feast on outlaws flesh and Gray would remain undisturbed. While Thora gathered her few belongings I went to search for Badger. He was just a short way into the forest. The blood had dried on the wound. It was a scratch only but I would put on some of Thora’s salve. Badger would be our only hope until we found another farm.
Thora had few belongings. She had tied them in one of the outlaw’s cloaks. After we had cleaned the wound on Badger and applied the salve I said, “Get on his back.”
She shook her head, “You are wounded and you are Jarl Dragonheart. I w
ill walk.”
“True, I am Jarl and I order you to mount.”
She shook her head and became tearful, “I cannot ride!”
I laughed, “You do not need to ride. Just sit on his back. Come he is a gentle horse.” I cupped my hands and heaved her into the saddle. It was a mistake for the movement sent paroxysms of pain through my shoulder but I gritted my teeth and said nothing. I handed her bundle to her and led Badger towards the mere.
I knew that Finn had a farm at the southern end of the mere and I hoped we would find help there. To take my mind off the pain I asked Thora about the Saxons.
“They came six days since. The first I knew was when they burst into the hut with Gray’s blood still upon them. I could not understand their words but they did not speak over much to me. They,” she hesitated, “they took me and abused me. I hope they suffered when you slew them.”
I nodded. “So you have no idea where they came from?”
She shook her head. “Finn has sons and they hunt the woods to the south. I do not think the four of them would have passed his farm easily.” She shivered as though to exorcise a demon. “They were cruel men. Are all Saxons like that?”
I remained silent. I was half Saxon. Sometimes I could be cruel too. Was that the Saxon side of me emerging?
When they heard my horse approaching Finn and his sons armed themselves and came towards us. When they recognised me they relaxed. “Hail, Jarl, Dragonheart what brings you this way?”
“I was on my way to Wolf Killer’s when I was attacked by four Saxons who have killed Thora’s man.”
Thora blurted out, “He is wounded!”
Finn’s wife rushed over to Thora while Finn and his sons crowded around me. “Is it a bad wound, Jarl?”
I shook my head, “A spear in the shoulder. I will be fine. Could I leave Thora here with you?” I lowered my voice. “She has suffered much. She needs care and the company of a woman.”