by Griff Hosker
I saw the warrior on the right throw his head back and scream as my sword ripped up between his legs and into his stomach. I twisted by blade as I withdrew it and punched with my shield at the same time. The pressure of the men behind meant that the front row of the enemy could not use their spears. Our own spears darted forward and found flesh for the Scots wore open helmets. The other two mailed warriors fell dead. They were replaced but I saw that these warriors had no mail and, like the others, their spears were not held high enough. They slid up off my metal rimmed shield. My own sword sprang in and out as quickly as I could move it. Every blow drew blood and warriors fell; some clutched wounds others went to their god.
I saw a two handed axe come towards my head. The warrior who wielded it was in the second rank. I brought up my shield as I stabbed the man who protected the axe man. The edge of the axe bit deeply into my shield. There were many nails and it was covered in leather. I saw him tugging to free it and the action was moving my shield. I stepped forward on to my right leg as he gave a tug and he overbalanced. I leapt from the line and skewered him to the ground. I was suddenly assailed on all sides and I took many blows but I stepped back into the protection of my men. My mail had protected me but I had no doubt that it would need repair and that links had been damaged.
Gunnar asked, “Are you hurt, Jarl?”
To be truthful I had no idea but I felt no blood and nothing felt broken. “Aye, I live still. Are you all with me yet?”
The chorus of “Aye Jarl!” filled me with pride.
The storm about us raged until the pile of bodies before us was a barrier to the Scots. They were losing too many men in trying to climb over their own dead. They withdrew.
“Gunnar, Thorir, take the mail from the dead Scots and give it to those without armour. The rest of you find any more spears and weapons. Make another barrier beyond the dead Scots.”
I took off my helmet and as I did so one of the warriors said, “Jarl, your head is bleeding.”
I put my hand to the side and it came away bloody. “Thank you I will get it healed after we have sent these savages north.”
This time I climbed the eastern bank. I could see that Wolf Killer and my men had driven off the Northumbrians but I also saw that they had taken casualties. Unlike those with me they had not had the protection of the ditch. My son wandered over to me and when he reached me took off his helmet. “I am sorry, Jarl we could not do what you have done.”
“I had a better defensive position but we are all in danger.” I pointed towards Arne’s stronghold. “I intend, as soon as it is dark to slip back to the junction of the two rivers. There we can use the two river banks to defend our flanks and we can use Arne’s men from his stronghold to aid us with their bows.”
“How will we slip away?”
“My Ulfheonar will use our skills to make them think that we attack them. You will lead the rest of the army back. Have any wounded taken over the river and then destroy the bridges.”
“But we will be trapped.”
“Ketil is coming but we need to buy his reinforcements time. If they cross the bridges then they will spread through our land bringing death and destruction. They have horsemen!”
“Even so…”
“We can use Arne’s fishing boats to build an improvised bridge. Trust me, my son.”
“I do and I fear that when you are no longer with us then I will not be half the leader you are.”
“You will learn. Now make sure we make a show of strength. I leave it to you to tell the others of my plan.”
“Aye Jarl.”
As I descended I shouted, “Snorri!” He appeared almost instantly, “When it becomes dark I want the Ulfheonar to come with me and slit a few throats. It will buy us time to withdraw to a better position. Tell the Ulfheonar.”
“Aye Jarl! The wolves will feast this night.”
Rather than being daunted by the prospect I knew that my Ulfheonar would relish it.
When I reached the gap I saw more warriors wearing mail. It would give them confidence if nothing else and the sight of so many mailed warriors might make the enemy think we had been reinforced. Glancing at the sky I saw that it would be dark within the hour. Would they risk another attack?
I had a sudden idea. I began banging my shield and chanted, “Ulfheonar!”
The men with me took up the chant and it began to spread to the east and west. My Ulfheonar led the chant and it grew in volume. I felt reckless and I began to walk towards the waiting Scots. I continued chanting and the warriors behind me followed. The warriors who had been facing the Northumbrians also followed us and we began to spread out across the dead Scots who littered the ground. I stopped and the line spread to the left and right of me. When we were one line of just fifty warriors I stopped chanting and held up Ragnar’s Spirit. Everyone stopped. We were silent and then I heard the flap of my standard as Leif waved it over my head.
I shouted, “This is Ragnar’s Spirit and it is the sword touched by the gods. Today it will lead us to victory.” I changed to Saxon. “Is there one amongst my enemies who will face me in single combat?” There was silence. “Is there none who will face me? Are you afraid of one man with grey in his beard?” I saw men looking at one another but the legend of my name and my reputation daunted them. I laughed, “You are women!” I changed to Norse, “Let us eat, I am hungry!”
My men all laughed and they followed me as we turned our backs on our enemies. It was a gamble but we had humiliated them. I could not see them charging us. I glanced to the west and saw the sun dipping. Soon it would be dark and they would retire to their camp and lick their wounds. They would plan a gory and grisly end for me. I had no doubt that they thought they would win. They outnumbered us and we had barely held them. As we entered the gap and my men cheered me I said, “Light fires! Ulfheonar prepare for war. Wolf Killer you know what to do.”
Beorn Beornson rode in on a pony which was almost on its last legs. “Jarl Dragonheart , Jarl Ketil and his men will be here by noon tomorrow!”
“You have done well! Now rest. I want you to return to him in the morning with a message.”
By the time the fires were lit it was dark. Wolf Killer took the bulk of the army with him. One or two moved around the fires as did my Ulfheonar. We had ten men who would stand watch to give the illusion that the whole army was still there and to feed the fires. We used the kindling we had prepared for our signal fires. The fires burned brightly and gave the illusion of a huge camp. I sat with my warriors and we sharpened our swords.
“This is my plan. We let the enemy talk about the day and plan their attack tomorrow. When it is dark of night we will kill their sentries and bring terror to their camp. Beorn and Snorri, you will cut loose their horses and drive them through the gap. Take as many as you can to Wolf Killer. We can use them on the morrow.”
“Aye Jarl.”
Haaken looked around at the small number of warriors. “Think you this will enough?”
“It will. We have done this before but this time we stay close together. When we hear the horses galloping then we give the wolf howl and escape. They will be confused and think they are under attack from a larger force. The Scots have yet to experience a night attack by the Ulfheonar.”
“Then this will be enough.”
We rested although all of us had nerves stretched to breaking point. Even though we had done this before each time we did it there was a risk. All it took was one missed footing and a warrior could slip and be captured or killed. They just needed to be lucky; we had to be perfect.
Some of those we left as sentries had placed food on the fires to cook and the smell of cooking meat drifted over to the north. The Scots would think we were feasting. I doubted that they would be eating as well. Those who had fled to the fort had brought their animals with them. We slipped out of camp, invisible in our black cloaks. Because we were close together, thirty paces separated us, our task was made much easier. Erik and Vermund killed the first tw
o sentries and we headed towards the horse lines. Their other sentries were spread further apart than we. The horses were to the north and west of the camp. The Scots did not want to be upwind of the horses. There were three guards there and they died silently. We left Beorn and Snorri to untie the beasts and we entered the camp. We were coming from what they thought was their safe side.
We moved like wraiths. They had no tents but slept on the ground. A party of six warriors all had their throats slit at the same time. They died without a murmur. We could hear the noises of men sleeping, snoring and farting. We heard those who talked in their sleep and we heard the men who told such talkers to shut up. Those who slept alone died instantly. We passed others lying close together. We took no chances. I wanted to be in the heart of the camp when we gave the call of the wolf.
We divided into two when we came further into the camp. I had my seax and I went with Haaken, Asbjorn and Eystein to the six men who slept in a circle with their feet to the fire. I drew my seax across the throat of a snoring warrior. The air from his throat seemed to sigh. The man next to him opened his eyes as he heard the sigh. I rammed my seax through his open mouth and pinned his head to the ground.
We were in the centre of the camp and I saw a huddle of warriors sitting around an open fire and talking. They looked to be leaders. I sheathed my seax and drew my sword. It was at that moment that we heard the howl of Snorri. We all lifted our heads and howled. Then, howling, we ran towards the leaders. There was pandemonium. They did not see us. We were coming from the wrong direction and we were dressed in black. I swung my sword two handed at the warrior who turned as he heard me run towards him. My sword bit deeply into his middle. The other leaders took shelter from what they thought were ghosts or wolves. I took out my seax as headed south. And then we were in the dark heading for our lines. Men’s white faces appeared before us as they woke and panicked at the strange and eerie sounds. We slashed left and right as we ghosted through the camp. We were unseen and they died without knowing who had slain them. When there were no more warriors before us I stopped and turned, sword and seax in hand.
One by one my men joined me. I could heard the cries and shouts in the Scots’ camp as they searched for us. I saw Eystein limping, “Are you hurt?”
“A lucky blow with a sword. I will live.”
We hurried back to our camp. The men we had left as sentries looked up as we entered. “It is time to leave.” The ten men picked up their pieces of cooking meat and began to lope off west. Snorri and Beorn reined in. They each had five horses. Snorri pointed west, “Ten horses rode that way. We will pick them up on the way.”
We mounted the horses and headed for our camp. If nothing else we had denied them sleep, killed a couple of leaders and terrified them. The most important achievement had been that we had extricated our men from a difficult position and we would live to fight another day.
Wolf Killer and Sigtrygg stood with swords drawn as we galloped up. Sheathing his weapon my son said, “We heard the howls and the battle. We were worried.”
Sigtrygg shook his head, “I was not worried. I have been a wolf in the night and know that the advantage always lies with the Ulfheonar.”
As my son led us into the lines of sleeping warriors he said, “How you survive when all around you are enemies I shall never know. I was Ulfheonar but I would fear to do what you do.”
“It is because we are so few that we succeed. In our cloaks and black armour we are hard to see. We look like shadows and when you awake from a sleep you see what you expect to see. You hear howls and wake to see black shadows. You think it is wolves and the wolf still terrifies men. And now, my son, my men and I need to sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day. I want the men with mail in the front two ranks. Sow the ground before us with any horse breakers we still have and then use old spears driven into the ground. We need to break down their attack.”
“What if they choose not to attack but head down the valley to the farms?”
“Then they will meet Ketil and we will fall upon their flanks. The god Icaunis will help us now. With a river on two flanks the two kings fight Vikings and has to defeat Icaunis. We are in the strongest place which I could devise.”
Nodding, Wolf Killer said, “Arne has gone to his citadel to ready fishing boats and to bring archers. He says he will use the fishing boats to fetch the archers. All will be ready by dawn.”
We sat around the fire and my warriors looked downhearted. We had fallen back. I was so tired that I could have slept standing up. I nodded to Haaken. We had known each other so long that I did not need words. He stood and began to chant his new saga. I had not heard it all but I had heard fragments. It was the tale of the death of Magnus the Foresworn.
The Saxon King had a mighty home
Protected by rock, sea and foam
Safe he thought from all his foes
But the Dragonheart would bring new woes
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
The snake had fled and was hiding there
Safe he thought in the Saxon lair
With heart of dragon and veins of ice
Dragonheart knew nine would suffice
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
Below the sand they sought the cave
The rumour from the wizard brave
Beneath the sea without a light
The nine all waited through the night
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
When night fell they climbed the stair
Invisible to the Saxons there
In the tower the traitors lurked
Dragonheart had a plan which worked
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
With Odin’s blade the legend fought
Magnus’ tricks they came to nought
With sword held high and a mighty thrust
Dragonheart sent Magnus to an end that was just
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
Ulfheonar never forget
Ulfheonar never forgive
Ulfheonar fight to the death
When he finished my men cheered and banged their shields. They asked for a second rendition. Haaken looked at me and I nodded. The song was like food for their hearts. When he finished a second time I nodded my thanks and rolled into my cloak. I was so tired that I did not dream at all. I fell into a black hole and it was only when Leif shook my shoulder to wake me that I crawled from the darkness into which I had crept. “It is almost morning, Jarl Dragonheart, and the enemy approaches. They know now that we have moved.”
“Thank you Leif and thank you for carrying my standard. You put yourself into danger.”
“I was following you, Jarl and I was honoured to carry the standard.” He grinned, “They call me Leif the Standard now. It is a noble name.”
“And you have earned it.” I noticed that he was wearing one of the Scots’ mail byrnies. I was glad. Carrying the standard meant he could not wield a sword. He needed all the protection he could manage. He handed me a horn of ale and I drank greedily for my mouth was dry. It was only when I handed it back that I remembered we had few supplies. “That was the last eh Leif.”
He nodded, “Sorry Jarl, but there is water aplenty.”
“True and by this evening we all either lie dead or drink Arne’s stad dry.”
“Then I hope he has ale in abundance.”
I was stiff as I rose. I had taken many blows the previous day. They would soon ease but I walked like an old man as I sought my leaders. Sigtrygg, Wolf Killer and Arne were with Haaken close to the front of our lines. I could see that they had managed to find some broken spears and stake
s to make a crude barrier. I was just pleased that these were Saxons and Scots we fought. They had few bows. We had a tight defensive position but nowhere to hide if they decided to shower us with arrows.
“So we have until noon to hold out.” I sounded more confident than I was. We had fought hard the previous day and unlike the enemy had no fresh warriors.
“If Ketil does as he promised.”
“I know you do not know him Wolf Killer but he is reliable. He may be young but he has held off three seasons of attacks and, with our help, he has beaten them all back. He will come.” My son nodded. “How many do we estimate?”
“There are more Saxons than Scots but we think there are over two hundred and fifty of them. We all need to kill at least two men each.”
“Horse?”
“There are thirty Saxon horsemen. They are to the south of their lines watching the road.”
“Then they expect us to be reinforced. That is not good.”
Snorri ran up. He had been beyond our lines and he made his way back through the traps and stakes, “Jarl Dragonheart, their leaders come. They wish to talk.”
Wolf Killer said, “It may be a trap.”
“It may be but anything which delays the start of this battle aids us. We need Ketil. Snorri you and Beorn cover us with you bows. I will go just beyond the stakes. That is well within your range if there is to be treachery. Come son, and you Sigtrygg, let us see what they wish.” I turned, Leif bring my standard!” We took off our helmets to show that we meant peace. The red cochineal had run giving my face a ruddy complexion. I wondered what they would make of that.
As we made our way towards the four men who approached us with palms outward I saw that my men had done a good job. I knew that there were horse breakers and I was looking for them. I could barely spot them. An enemy who did so and tried to run would find it much harder.