by Griff Hosker
“We will go now.”
“Snorri, ride to Sigtrygg. I need warriors from him. I would not have him leave his land undefended but there is danger from the north. Beorn go to my son and tell him the same.”
“Aye Jarl.”
I waved over Erik, “Ride to Windar and say that I ask him to send as many of his warriors as he can spare to his son. Ketil will have need of them.”
That done I walked over to Karl who was waiting patiently on the steps to the warrior hall.
“How is the arm?”
“Sometimes I can still feel the hand. I think I can wiggle my fingers but there is nothing there. And it itches.”
I nodded, “Haaken was the same when he lost his eye. For months afterwards he swore that he could feel it. It will pass. But you now feel lost too do you not? You feel as though you have lost your purpose. There seems little point in life.”
He clutched his wolf pendant and stared at me, “Jarl Dragonheart, have you the second sight that you can read my mind?”
“Let us say I know my warriors and I remember old Ragnar and his withered arm. Your dark thoughts are not a surprise.”
“I know I can never fight in a shield wall again. Even if I had a shield strapped to my arm I would not have the strength. I can still use my sword. I practise every day but what good am I now? I am a one armed swordsman.”
“You need not feel sorry for yourself. You are alive! Here is what you do. Firstly, take a wife and sire children. I would have warriors like you to follow my sons and grandson.” He nodded, “And then I would like you to command my town.”
He looked puzzled, “I do not understand, Jarl Dragonheart. Scanlan does that does he not?”
“Scanlan is not a warrior. He makes sure that the ditches are kept clean and that we have food. He manages the animals and he listens to the people. He is a clerk. He does a good job but I need a defender for Cyninges-tūn. I need a leader who can command my walls and fight danger. I need someone who can make sure that old men watch the gate and do not play dice all day.”
He nodded, “And I am the man for that? Even with one hand?”
“I will be gone again soon. That is my destiny. I will ever travel. When I leave I want my home and my family protecting. I have a son, a wife and a sister. They need a warrior’s eye and hand. Rolf did that but he is gone. He was not Ulfheonar but he was a good warrior. You are Ulfheonar you can do it even better. I want you to train every man in the village to become a warrior. I want you to train every boy from the moment he can hold a piece of wood. We need every boy and man to be able to defend the walls when I am gone. I would have you look at the defences of our town and make them stronger.” I saw him nodding and smiling. “And you will be paid.”
He stood proudly, “I need no gold to serve you.”
“No, but you need coin to feed yourself and your wife and the many Karls whom you will sire. You will take the coin or you will not be the defender of Cyninges-tūn.”
“You drive a hard bargain, Jarl Dragonheart. When do I begin?”
“Now. Come with me and we will visit with Bjorn.”
My smith was hard at work, “I know not what you did at Din Guardi but I have never seen mail so damaged!”
“It was worth it. Magnus is dead.”
“Aye, wyrd.”
“Karl One Hand is to command the town when I am absent. He will train and organise every man and boy. We will need weapons. I will send Scanlan over later with coin to pay for them.”
“It will be done.”
By noon I was more than happy and I sought Aiden. He looked different somehow. I think that he had gained power from somewhere. Perhaps the dark cave beneath the sea had affected him. “Did you and Kara dream?”
“We did Jarl. The potion and the sweat hut worked. We saw a sea of Scots and they flooded from the north. There were also men of Northumbria with them.”
“Then the news we had was right. But you know not when?”
“No but Kara and I felt that it would be soon. They would not come in winter. We have had a bountiful summer. That is because of you, Jarl. The spirits and the gods favour us because of you. Others have not fared as well. They will want what we have. We have full granaries and many new animals. The ale this harvest is the finest the ale wives have ever brewed.”
I heard cheering outside and when I went from my hall I saw Asbjorn and Eystein leading the men north. As I emerged they all cheered and banged their shields shouting, “Dragonheart! Dragonheart!”
I raised my hand, “You go to protect our land and I will follow soon.”
The town cheered the forty young men who now looked a little more like warriors than they had a year ago. The married Ulfheonar rode up to me as the column disappeared. They all had their own stad to the south of the town on the slopes of the Old Man.
“Where do they go, Jarl?” Haaken always wanted to know everything.
“To reinforce Arne. We leave tomorrow. Kara and Aiden have dreamed danger. I have sent for men from Sigtrygg and Wolf Killer. I would have you find as many men who can fight and have arms. If they have neither helmet nor spear then they stay here with Karl One Hand. He will command the defence of our home. We leave as soon as we are mustered.”
“You will take all of our men? What if there is an attack from the south, from Mercia?”
“I will send a message to Coen Ap Pasgen for his men to trade with Mercia. They are the best spies we have. I will also send Siggi to ask Thorfinn Blue Scar what he knows.”
Haaken said, “Then I had best begin to collect the men.” He paused, “Karl One Hand is happy to be here and not fight with our warriors?”
“He knows he cannot fight in the shield wall and this way his skills are not wasted. We have needed someone to train our young men since Rolf was killed.”
“Aye Rolf. It is strange how we forget those who were so much part of our lives.”
I shook my head, “I never forget. When I sleep at night I think of those who died so that we might be where we are. So long as I remember then they are not forgotten.”
“You are right and I am ashamed.”
“No Haaken, do not feel shame. You remember them in your sagas and your songs. Perhaps you can put more of our warriors in them eh?”
By the time I had done all that I had set myself it was dusk and I was exhausted yet I had done nothing but speak with people and send messages. Brigid smiled as I trudged into my hall. “I have watched you all day, Jarl. You have worked tirelessly. I am proud of you.”
I kissed her, “And I am proud of you. You never complain. But I will take you to task for one thing.”
“What is that?”
“I like not the words you call me; Jarl. It sounds as though you are a thrall still.”
“But you are Jarl Dragonheart.”
“And I am your husband. Call me husband or my birth name.”
She frowned, “Birth name?”
“My mother called me Garth. The boys I grew up with and my father called me Crow but I like not that name. Call me husband or Garth.”
“Then I am your wife?”
“I think the birth of our son confirms that.”
She took my hand in hers. “My religion has a ceremony. If you truly wish me to be your wife then we should have a ceremony. If not I do not mind but you wish me to be your wife….”
“Do you not need a priest for that? Should I capture one?”
She shook her head, “No, I am sure that Deidre and Macha will know the words.”
“Then find them and we will do it this night for I must be gone hence in a few days.” It was rare for me to be able to surprise Brigid but I did so that evening. It had been when speaking to Karl that the thought had come into my head. I thought of her as my wife and yet she was not. She was my woman and she deserved more than that.
With Aiden, Haaken and Kara as witnesses we were married. Deidre and Macha had that self satisfied smug look which hinted that they had converted me. They ha
d not. It was a witnessing of a marriage. We did much the same but without the interminable ceremony. We just took each other in front of witnesses and said we were wed. It was that simple. I had not understood any of the words they had said anyway save for Amen which I was relieved to hear for it meant it was over. But I was pleased I had done it for Brigid. She had given up much and this was little enough to return to her.
Chapter 13
We left my home three days later. Wolf Killer and Sigtrygg came with their men and they each brought twenty. Wolf Killer brought Elfrida and his family to stay with Kara. That made us all happier. Karl One Arm would make sure that they would be safe or he and his new warriors would die trying. Haaken managed to muster forty warriors. It meant we had over a hundred warriors from Cyninges-tūn in addition to Arne’s men, those brought by Sigtrygg and my son not to mention those who were now with Ketil. I left Aiden with my wife for I did not want to risk him. His magic would not be needed and I was acutely aware of how weak my defences were. Aiden and Kara would protect my people. I knew that the two of them were now even more powerful than they had been. I knew not if it was the chest or something else but the bond between them had grown.
We picked up another ten warriors as we headed through the Rye Dale, the Grassy Mere and Threlkeld. All had a helmet and a shield and were strong young men. I was happy to take such warriors. Haaken had also had a supply of the twisted nails made. He had liked the way we had used them. They were now known as horse breakers to my men. Each one carried a leather pouch with them. The Ulfheonar led horses with mail and weapons. We would not ride to war for it was not seemly when our men marched. Snorri had ten boys who rode fast little ponies. They had all seen ten summers and within another two would be ready to train as warriors. They could use a bow and a slingshot. More importantly they were keen to fight for Jarl Dragonheart. They would act as scouts. Not as skilled as real scouts, their numbers meant we could spread them out over a large area and have advance warning of an enemy.
When we reached Arne’s land I saw that Asbjorn had erected shelters for his men and they were working on more for us. It made sense for we could not all fit in the walls of Arne’s stronghold. However it meant we could be seen easily. If the Scots used the river then we would give away our small numbers. There was little I could do about that. I left my Ulfheonar to organise the warriors and I went to speak with Arne.
“Thank you for coming, Jarl Dragonheart. The rumours have been growing. There are some of our folk who live in the northlands. They have been flooding south for many days. They speak of columns of wild, half naked barbarians who are making their way south.”
“Have you seen any?”
He shook his head. “I have had my men preparing defences. I did not wish to risk losing them in the lands of the enemy. I hope I do not disappoint you?”
“No Arne. You did right. It is sad that you people have lost lands and animals but they are alive and your defences mean that they can withstand an assault from without. This is a good stronghold.”
We are protected here by the two rivers. However if they come further east there is nothing between here and Ketil to stop them. They could flood down the valley towards Mungo’s Dale and your lands would be threatened.”
I nodded, “It is why the Romans built their wall. I have sent men to reinforce Ketil and his castle is well protected. They have to come past us to reach Ketil. It is the gap between you that they will exploit.” I glanced around at the men he had within his walls. “How many warriors can you spare?”
He rubbed his chin, “These walls can be held my farmers and fishermen.”
“ I will need warriors to stand and break the backs and the will of this enemy. How many warriors can you supply? I want no farmers. They would be slaughtered. I need those you would stand alongside in a shield wall.”
“Twenty.”
“That includes you?”
“It does.”
“It is not enough but it will have to do. Have your men ready to move at a moment’s notice. I want to stop this King Alpín mac Echdach before he has travelled too far. If he gets into the hills we will not be able to control his movements. It is here in the river valleys where we stand our best chance.”
By the time I reached our camp it was chaos but of the organised variety. My jarls and Ulfheonar organised the many different warriors. I waved Snorri over. “The Scots must be close. Refugees have been coming here for some days. I want you and Beorn to take the scouts and patrol between here and Brougham. This is where he will strike.”
“Jarl, it is not for me to question you but why not move the army further east if we are to try to stop him?”
“Because he could then land here. If his aim is to take what we have then it is not this fort he wants but the farms, their crops and their animals. It is the families who will be enslaved. We have to be ready to move quickly.”
“Why not use the wall then?”
I felt as though someone had slapped me on my face. “Of course. The Romans used the wall and we can move along it quickly! Thank you Snorri.” I turned and shouted, “Ulfheonar!”
They all came running. The urgency of my voice drew them. Wolf Killer and Sigtrygg needed no invitation; they had both been Ulfheonar. Standing expectantly around me they waited for my words.
I took out my sword and marked a cross in the soil. “Here we are.” I put another cross south and east of us. “Here, twenty miles away, is Ketil. We are here to stop the Scots from rampaging through our land but Snorri has pointed out that we can stop them further north. We can use the Roman Wall. They have to cross it to get to our lands. I have seen their ships and they will not use them. They will use the gaps in the wall. It is a line ten miles long which we would need to watch.” I put another line from my first cross east. “Before dawn we march the army to the wall. Snorri and his scouts will ride north to find the Scots. Each one of you will have twenty warriors with you. You will have half a mile of the wall to watch. The Romans used small turrets every quarter of a mile. You can use them for archers and as markers for our lines. We will be spread thin but I want each of you have your men build a fire. You light it when you see the enemy and then we all congregate at the point of the fire.”
“We will be exposed to their whole army. That will mean twenty or perhaps forty facing an army that could be in the hundreds.”
“Aye Wolf Killer but we will be on top of a wall. You all have bows and javelins. You hold them off. This is not like standing in a shield wall where weight of numbers can force you back. The Romans put ditches before their walls. They will head for the gaps and will not have brought ladders. Help will be no more than half a mile away. If the fire is lit when they are sighted then warriors can be at you side before they arrive. Anyone who is attacked will have sixty warriors within a short time. Once we see him and know whence they come I intend to send to Ketil to bring his men north. With the extra men from Windar’s Mere and Ulf’s Water we might have enough to throw him back across the river.”
“And how many men does he have?”
“I know not Sigtrygg. Snorri and Beorn will have to discover that.”
They nodded. None was afraid despite the daunting prospect of having to hold off a whole army with just twenty men. “Make sure you have enough food and water for at least three days. I will see Arne. He can hold the wall nearest to his town.”
By the time I had sent messages to Ketil and visited with Arne it was dark. I headed for my camp. Haaken awaited me with a bowl of stew and a horn of ale. “Come Jarl Dragonheart, you need to eat. The plan is a good one and you have done all that you can.”
“Is it? I did not get the impression that everyone was happy.”
“It is time that we all learned to stand on our own feet. They have a responsibility and they will have to lead. They are all Ulfheonar. They can lead. Just because you do not stand by their side with your wolf banner does not mean that they cannot fight.” I nodded and began to eat. “We have divided th
e men. You have the warriors who we picked up on the way. There are ten of them.”
“And which section did you think I should guard?”
“None. Wolf Killer thought that you should be mounted and wait in reserve. That way you could be the first at any breach.”
I smiled. It made sense and my son has showed that he had a keen strategic mind. I put down my empty bowl and drank the beer. “Perhaps this unwanted attack might prove to be the iron which makes us stronger. If we survive this then we will have leaders who have survived fire, steel and blood. That will make them stronger.”
“We will be stronger, Jarl. It is our enemies who underestimate us. They see weaknesses which do not exist.”
I was woken by the noise of men moving out in the dark. Audun Thin Hair’s son, Leif, handed me a horn of beer and some bread and cheese. He was one of the men we had picked up while heading north and would serve with me. “There is no hurry, Jarl Dragonheart. The men are with the horses and we have time aplenty.” He spread his arm around. We are the only ones left in the camp.”
“Thank you, Leif Audunson.”
“We are all honoured that you chose us to fight alongside you. I have grown up listening to my father tell me tales of your deeds. To be this close to a legend is beyond my wildest dreams. I hope that we do not let you down.”
“If you do as I command, stand firm and survive then you will not be letting me down! I want no reckless acts of bravery trying to impress me! Is this your first battle?”
He looked a little sheepish. “It is Jarl.”
”Then here is some advice from someone who fought in his first battle when he was little older than the pony riders. If you strike with your weapon do not hold back. The man you fight will be trying to kill you. Use anything at your disposal to kill him: your shield, your sword, your dagger, your helmet, even your teeth. And if you are hurt then keep on fighting and try to kill him. You fight for those around you too. We are one band this day!”
He nodded and I saw fire in his eyes. I hoped that his helmet, shield and sword would be good enough. He was a farmer and they did not value weapons as much as warriors did.