Viking Warband

by Griff Hosker

  I saw Astrid and Ragnar, along with Ulla War Cry, waiting for us to dock. Astrid would not understand that Sámr would not be the first from the ship. He would be the last. He was not finished until the warriors had left and then the crew would put the drekar in some sort of order. The sail would be removed and the mast placed on the mast fish. Canvas would be rigged across the hull and all lines tightened. Only then would Erik Short Toe pay them off.

  I turned to Haaken, “See to the treasure. I will go and speak with Astrid and Ragnar.”

  “Aye Jarl Dragonheart.”

  To my shock and embarrassment, the young warriors, who had been in the process of taking their shields from the side, began banging them with the hilts of their daggers and they chanted, “Dragonheart, Dragonheart, Dragonheart!”

  I turned on the gangplank, drew my sword and roared back, “Clan of the Wolf!”

  Those on the quay began to cheer. I sheathed my sword and strode down to meet my family. Ulla War Cry raced to me, “Next time I shall come with you!”

  I hugged him. I was aware that I smelled of stale ale, salt spray and sweat. I needed to bathe. “Go aboard the drekar and fetch my shield.” Delighted to be given such a responsibility he raced off. I smiled at Astrid, “Your son did well and came to no harm.”

  Astrid was one of the kindest people I had ever known. She was worried about her son as any mother would but she put her arms around me and hugged me. “He was with you; how could he be anything other? And you are unhurt?”

  I realised that I had not even come close to a wound. “Aye. I am. Thank you.” Clasping Ragnar’s arm I said, “The raid went well and our young warriors acquitted themselves well. We almost captured Queen Osburga herself! We had to make do with her crown. We have much coin. There is wheat in our hold. We will take half back to Cyninges-tūn and leave the rest here.” There were questions in his eyes. I smiled, “We will talk later. First I will bathe I must stink like a Saxon cesspit in high summer!”

  When we ate I spoke at length to Ragnar and Gruffyd. I told them of Hvitserk Ragnarsson and his plans. Neither Ragnar nor Gruffyd trusted the Danes and they seemed relieved when I told them that I did not either. They were interested in the Jewish merchant. Such men were invaluable to pirates such as us. The treasures which we brought from the drekar made my son and grandson wish to raid. They decided they would make a joint raid on the Welsh and the Saxons who lived close to Wyddfa. They produced more grain on the tiny island than the rest of the land of the ones called the Welsh. Sámr, Ulla War Cry and Mordaf Gruffydson would sail with their fathers. Their mothers would worry but raiding the Welsh was usually less dangerous than raiding our other enemies. I left the next morning with those warriors who would be travelling to Cyninges-tūn and the places further north.

  Haaken left us just north of the forest as did Rollo and Rolf. I rode with Olaf, Haraldr and Siggi. The two young warriors could not stop talking about the raid. For them it could not have gone better. “I have bought some fine cloth for my mother and some pots for cooking. We have little in Lang’s Dale.”

  “Your mother will be worried.”

  “I know jarl. When Aðils told me of my father I knew that it both pleased and pained her. It pleased her for she knew that my father had not left her with child deliberately and sad because she knew I would leave too.”

  “You have just over four moons to be with her and then we sail again. Unless, of course, you do not wish to raid. That would be your choice. There are warriors who raid once and decide that they would rather be farmers.”

  Olaf Leather Neck snorted, “Haraldr Leifsson is a natural warrior Jarl Dragonheart. You and I know that. When he becomes a farmer, it will be because someone has taken his arm or leg in battle!”

  I could not help smiling. Olaf tended to speak plainly. It was always the truth but it could sound a little brutal.

  Siggi Einarsson said, “Well I shall raid but first I will find a maid to wed and bed. My father made me when he was younger. I have a duty to the clan to give as many warriors as we can. Baldr, Jakaupr and Farbauti are in Valhalla now. They did not survive their first raid but they left behind no sons. Haraldr, we are shield brothers now. We should make a pact to father as many sons as we can.”

  “Aye you are right. Life tastes sweeter for we are alive.”

  That was the way with young warriors. Their first test was always the hardest. We had lost more warriors on this last raid than we normally did. That was due to the lack of armour and the surprise of finding mailed bodyguards. The Norns had been spinning but I had been careless. Perhaps I was getting too old. I was making mistakes I did not used to.

  As we neared the palisade around my home I felt sad. This was the first time I had returned from a raid in many years to an empty hall. My wife was dead and my children had left the nest. Mt son and grandson now lived at Whale Island. Atticus and Uhtric would be make me welcome but I would sleep and eat alone. I had outlived my son and two wives. I had buried four dogs. I had lost more warriors than I could count and the thought of entering my empty hall sucked all the joy of the raid from me. Death in battle seemed attractive. There was a breeze from the Water and I looked over to the flower covered mound that was the grave of Erika. I seemed to hear her voice or perhaps it was the wind through the trees but I remembered that I had young warriors I wished to see grow into men. Sámr, Ulla War Cry and Mordaf Gruffydson needed the Dragonheart.

  Atticus and Uhtric were waiting for me. My hall was apart from the others with a small palisade and gate. They stood by the gate. Uhtric was old and I was happy that he had the younger Atticus to help him. They were as different as one could imagine. Uhtric had been a slave we had captured when he was young. He had known no other life save serving me and my family. We had freed him many years ago but he had chosen to stay and serve. He was rough, unused to the world beyond our valley and hardworking. Atticus, in contrast, was genteel, well-educated but, he too, was hard working. They worked well together. I had bought items for both of them. For Atticus it was wax tablets, styli and some spices. For Uhtric it was what the Romans called a mortarium. His teeth had long become rotten and he would be able to use it to mash up his own food. Atticus would also be able to use it to grind up his spices.

  As Uhtric took my horse Atticus said, “A good raid, lord?”

  “We almost captured Queen Osburga. She left so quickly that she left her crown.”

  Atticus clapped his hands. It was almost a female action. He had been ill treated by the Saxons and hated them. “Good news indeed, lord. And now you stay at home for a while?” He cocked his head to one side and reminded me of a blackbird looking for food.

  “For five moons and then we go to be paid for Queen Osburga’s crown.” That seemed to satisfy the Greek. “Have Uhtric light the fire in the steam hut. I feel I need it. Sleeping on the deck of a drekar is hard on these old bones.”

  When I had bathed and been groomed by Atticus I contemplated visiting with my daughter and her family. When I had headed north the hall seemed to be somewhere which would be empty and cold. My two servants had made it warm and welcoming. Uhtric had cooked my favourite foods. Atticus had made sure there was wine and the fire burning in the centre of the hall made me decide not to visit with Kara, Aiden and Ylva until the next day. The food was good and the wine was heavy. I awoke in my bed not knowing how I had arrived there. The wine had driven dreams from my head but I guessed that the spirit of Erika had filled my thoughts for I woke calm and hopeful.

  After breaking my fast I headed amongst my clan. Kara’s home was on the other side and I passed the huts and halls of my men. Karl One Leg, whose men guarded my walls stopped me to ask about Olaf and the Ulfheonar. He had been one once. Bagsecg my blacksmith, now took life easier and, while his sons and grandsons laboured he enjoyed the pleasure of just being alive. He asked me of the raid and my great grandson. Others asked me about the voyage. I spent a little time speaking with the parents of Jakaupr who lived in Cyninges-tūn. He had be
en one of the warriors we had lost. It took almost half a day to reach my daughter’s hall. Ylva, grinning, greeted me. She hugged me, “Grandfather, you are like an old gossip, talking to everyone in the stad!” Kissing me and taking my arm, she led me into the hall, “We have missed you.”

  “And have you dreamed?”

  She laughed, “You are becoming galdramenn. We have. Mother will speak with you.”

  My daughter was growing old now. She had seen more than forty-five summers. She had flecks of grey in her hair but she did not look old. Those with malignant minds said it was because she was a witch and used spells. She did not. She was just content. She and Aiden were well matched and their daughter, Ylva, only added to that peace. As we walked towards the hall I said, “Do you know of the raid?”

  She shook her head. “The spirits only said that our family was well. That is enough. Warriors worry about treasure. We do not.”

  I laughed, “And yet without the treasures then your hall would not have such fine pots, linens and furnishings.”

  She had the good grace to nod, “You are right grandfather. I fear that sometimes I can be a little self-satisfied and arrogant.”

  “Do not disparage yourself, Ylva. You are the embodiment of your grandmother. She would have loved to see you growing into such a powerful volva.”

  Kara’s hug was long and hearty. She whispered, “I have missed you father. I fear that you are too much alone. You should spend more time with us.”

  Shaking my head, I said, “Brigid was used to my ways. I am too old now to change the way that I act. I am content.” We sat at her table. Aiden waited expectantly. Their servants came in with cheese, fresh bread and the dark ale they brewed. It was a favourite of mine.

  “We know from the spirits that the raid went well. What did you get?”

  I told them all. Unlike the warriors I led and my son and grandson, I told them all, including my innermost thoughts and fears. While I spoke, Aiden scribbled on a wax tablet. Kara nodded as I sat back. “You are right to worry. We dreamed of a sea filled with dragon ships. The Temese seemed to be made of wood and canvas. We saw the city burning. There was a great victory.”

  I sensed something more, “But.”

  She nodded, “But we also saw the same ships burning. We saw Viking heads on spears and we heard the bells of the churches of the White Christ ringing in celebration. It was clear to all of us.”

  I ate some bread and cheese and drank some of the beer while I thought. “But you did not dream my death.”

  Ylva put her hand on mine and said, quietly, “After the ships burned we saw you and a giant sailing on ‘Heart of the Dragon’ .”

  I smiled, “That would be Leif’s son, Haraldr. He is huge and a good warrior.”

  “Was the drekar fully crewed?”

  They looked at each other and Kara said, “No, father. It was not.”

  “The Norns wish me to sail on this raid.”

  “So it would seem.”

  “Yet many of those I lead will not return.”

  “That would be my conclusion.” Aiden was no warrior but he had a sharp mind.

  “I have five moons to make my decision.” I laughed, “For an old man like me that means I can change my mind twenty times twixt then and now.” I finished the ale and held out the horn for another. The dark beer was the best. “And what other news?”

  “Æthelred is now King of Northumbria. There is still peace there and he keeps the Danes from Eoforwic. He has taken up residence there. We had news from Agnete that most of the Danes have headed south for there appear to be better pickings in the land of the East Angles. Even the Mercians are becoming bolder now that Egbert is dead.”

  “I hear a but in your words or caution, at the very least.”

  Kara laughed, “That white hair is deceptive. You are as sharp as ever. They also told us of a young Saxon called Rædwulf. I say young for he has yet to see thirty summers and yet he has attracted a following amongst the Northumbrians. He lives in the land north of the wall. He has taken Din Guardi, that which they now call Bebbanburgh as his home.”

  I looked up from the bread and cheese, “That is a stronghold indeed. Does the King not fear him?”

  “He should for Carr has told Ketil that Rædwulf has ambitions to be king. He has entered into an alliance with the tribes of the Pictii. The story he tells is that it is to secure his northern border and to protect his churches from the heathens from the north.”

  I laughed, “There is nothing left in their churches. We have stolen it all.” I smeared the bread with butter, “Then we have nothing to fear for this Rædwulf is a threat to the Northumbrians and not to us.”

  They looked at each other. “Rædwulf needs to make a name for himself. We have not dreamed it but when we heard the news and we spoke the three of us came to the conclusion that the easiest way for him to make himself both a hero to the Saxons and a true rival to the King was to defeat Vikings in battle.”

  I put the bread and cheese down uneaten. I had been complacent. The death of my wife and the need for revenge against Æthelwulf had meant I had not looked north. Now I saw that had been a mistake. “Then I must journey to visit Ketil.”

  “Grandfather, you have just returned.”

  “It is not a long journey and I have not seen my old friend since before the great raid.”

  “Do not go alone.”

  “Daughter the day that I cannot travel the Land of the Wolf alone is the day I hand over power to another. Have you dreamed my death?”

  They shook their heads.

  “Then I will travel to see Ketil. I will leave in four days. I have others I must see first.”

  Atticus was pleased that we would be going on a journey. He was keen to cross the high divide. He wished to see the Roman wall. What concerned him was the wildness of the land. “What about wolves, lord?”

  “There are few of them left these days and they are only a danger in winter when there is little food. They take the odd lamb but you and I are too scrawny to make a meal for them. We will leave Uhtric here.”

  “That is wise lord. He is not a well man. The other servants can tend to him. He deserves it.”

  Leaving Atticus to attend to my domestic arrangements I visited Bagsecg. “It is good to see you, jarl. The whole of the clan talks about your great raid.”

  “And I have a boon to beg. Haraldr Leifsson gave great service. He will be coming to you for mail and a helmet. He only has coin from one raid. Whatever he offers take it and I will make up the shortfall.”

  “I will not rob him.”

  “I know but he is a giant and he is proud.”

  “Of course. Why do you do this?”

  “I too grew up without a father. Haraldr lives high in Lang’s dale with a grandfather. His story is too similar to mine for it to be an accident. His father was one of the most loyal men who ever served me. The Norns have woven our webs together. I would have him safe and besides,” I shrugged, “I like the lad!”

  “And that is good enough reason. When he comes I will make it myself. I make few byrnies these days. It will do me good to enter the workshop once more.”

  I visited Olaf, Rolf and Rollo and told them what I had learned. I contemplated visiting Aðils Shape Shifter but Rollo told me that Aðils had become a father again. He would be busy with his children. I needed not him. We took a pack horse with gifts for Ketil’s wife. Brigid had had some fine pots. I would no longer need them and they were too good to gather dust. It would be a long day’s ride. Atticus took a wax tablet and stylus with him as well as the maps Aiden had made. He intended to improve the accuracy of them. We called in at Windar’s Mere first. I told Asbjorn the news of the raid and the possible threat from the east. It did no harm to be vigilant.

  Then, instead of riding up the western side of Ulla’s Water, I took Atticus up the high Roman road we called High Street. It afforded a fine view on both sides and, although exposed, was a pleasure when the sun shone. Atticus was used
to Roman roads. He was a Greek but even he could not get over the fact that they had made such a road in what was such an exposed place.

  “You know, lord, we know less now than in the time of the Caesars. Even in the east they have lost some of the skills the Romans had. Will we get to see their wall? I should like to.”

  “It is another twenty miles but I suppose we could. We can visit the Stad on the Eden. It will mean a longer journey south but I have not visited my men here for some time. It is good.”

  Over the years Ketil had moved his home further west towards the higher ground. There had been an old settlement there. Pasgen ap Pasgen had known it. The place was call Pennryhd. The people there had long gone; wiped out in raids by either the Picts or the Saxons. They had left their earthworks. When Ketil’s clan had outgrown the Roman fort, he had moved there. People still lived in the fort and, if trouble came, it was close enough for the clan to shelter behind the stone walls. His new home was bigger and better laid out. It was a direct copy of Stad on the Eden. We rode beneath the gate and fighting platform. Sven Thorirson waved to us as we passed under. We would have been spotted miles before we arrived for that was another reason Ketil had moved. He had a better view of the land around and could watch out for foes approaching.

  Seara was with her husband. “Jarl Dragonheart you have kept away too long. Does my cooking frighten you?”

  I smiled, “Seara, your food would please the Allfather himself. This is Atticus of Syracuse. We have brought gifts for you.”

  Atticus waved over two of Ketil’s bemused warriors and had them lift the chests from the horse. When Atticus opened it Seara squealed. “These are finer than anything I have!” She threw her arms around Atticus and kissed him.