Viking Warband

by Griff Hosker

  It was his turn to look bemused. He turned to the two men, “Fetch the chests and I will help my lady organize them.”

  The two men looked at Ketil who nodded. When they had gone he smiled, “He is a strange one.”

  “And yet the Norns sent him to us for a purpose. His skills enabled us to take the crown of Wessex from the Queen’s head.”

  “Then let us go and drink. I can see this is a good tale.”

  It was the edge of our world up here, close to the high divide. Ketil had come as a young warrior from Windar’s Mere and he had tamed it and made it his own. He had been an ally of the young Northumbrian prince who had tried to take on the Danes. After he had lost not only the battle but his life Northumbria had become our enemy. Hitherto Ketil had kept the raiders at bay but an army was a different matter.

  When I had finished speaking with him he nodded. “When I sent the message about this Rædwulf I wondered if the threat might grow. It has. Carr travels far to the east and he has seen them fortifying their burghs. Dunelm has become a mighty fortress. Æthelred has most of his forces by Eoforwic and south of the Dunum. If he thought his northern borders were guarded then he was wrong. His raiding parties have probed further and further south.”

  “If he comes, can you hold him?”

  “Until you get here?” I nodded, “Possibly. How long would it take you?”

  I realised that the best of our forces and the bulk of our warriors were now closer to Whale Island than Windar’s Mere. Windar’s Mere was a day away. “If you let Asbjorn and Ulf know then men could be with you in one day. I would be a day later.”

  Atticus had joined us, having organized the pots and charmed his way into Seara’s affections. He was laying out his maps and his styli when Ketil had asked me the question. “You could be quicker, lord.”

  “Quicker? How?”

  “As we were travelling north I noticed that you keep herds of horses.”

  “They are ponies, mainly.”

  “Even so they could still bring you here faster than on foot and fresher too. If you had horses waiting at, say, Windar’s Mere, then you could change them there and be here even quicker. And, if I might suggest, Lord Ketil, if you have horses waiting for your riders then, when you send the message south, you could reach Jarl Dragonheart at the speed of the fastest of horses. Half a day would be possible.”

  Ketil grinned, “You have brought a magician with you! He puts a smile into that most difficult of places, my wife’s mouth, and now he provides the solution to our problem.”

  “Atticus does have his moments but you would also need to keep scouts out north of you to give you warning of their advance.”

  “They are in place now.”

  Seara had the food ready and she served it on the new platters I had brought. She looked so pleased that I wondered why I had not done this earlier. As we ate we finalised the details of our plan and then I asked Ketil about Rædwulf. I discovered that he was a Saxon thegn. He was distantly related to the King. Many Northumbrians felt bitter about their defeat and subjugation by both the Danes and Egbert. They sought a stronger leader. From what Ketil said, this was just such a leader. As the ale flowed so we became less worried. We talked ourselves into a scene which would see Rædwulf heading due south from Dunelm and taking Eoforwic and the kingdom.

  Atticus and I left the next day for the wall. We rode due north. I had seen it many times. I had fought upon it, beyond it and behind it. It had always been friend for we knew how to use it. Atticus, too was impressed. He got down on his hands and knees. “In Syracuse I saw things as old as this but here in the far north of what was the Roman Empire.” He shook his head in disbelief. “To build a wall from sea to sea…. And now that I see it with my own eyes I realise just how substantial it is.”

  “And yet they were driven away from here.”

  As we mounted our horses he said, “Yes lord but it was not the men on the wall who lost it. It was those who sought power. It was those who tried to gain crowns. I admire you lord, for you could be king and yet you choose not to be. Those in Rome who came before Caesar would have applauded you.”

  The Stad on the Eden was just a half day ride from the Roman fort we had viewed. The jarl was now Jarl Ráðulfr Ulfsson. He was young but he was dynamic. He had improved the already impressive defences and he was active in taking his men and his drekar to raid those who lived north and west of him.

  He was pleased to see me. I was almost tiring of repeating the stories. However, when I told him about the Saxons of Northumbria he nodded, “I was going to send you a message, Jarl Dragonheart but I felt foolish. We had heard of Saxons raiding villages north of the Eden. They took slaves. I thought nothing of it but, from what you have told me, that is part of a greater plan.”

  “How so?”

  “The settlements they raided lie on the valleys and roads which lead to the gates in the walls. I could not work out the plan. It seemed unlike the Saxons. Now it seems clear. What would you have me do?”

  “The same as Ketil. Keep scouts north of here and be ready to send riders on the fastest horses to tell me of the danger. You hold. You stay behind your walls and let them bleed upon them. I will bring a Viking warband and we will defeat them by forcing them against your walls.”

  He pointed south, “We have had heavy rains. The waters are receding. It is but fourteen nights since the road to the south was barred by water. The ground there is treacherous. If you have to come to our aid then use the higher ground to the east.”

  We left before dawn the next day for I was anxious to send word to Ragnar and Gruffyd. They needed to be alert and ready to move. Atticus came up with another of his ideas. “Lord it strikes me that your long ships could make the journey from Whale Island to the Stad on the Eden faster than men on either horses or foot. They would be fresher too. You and the men from Cyninges-tūn could reach both settlements in less than half a day.”

  We rode hard to reach my home before dark set in. I had much to put into place. My son and grandson planned to go raiding. That might have to wait. I would need their warriors and their drekar.

  Chapter 5

  Atticus and Aiden worked well together. They got on with the plans to have horses gathered to use for our men. My daughter and her husband had concurred with our plans. Ylva was not in their hall. She had gone to Whale Island for Bronnen was with child and experiencing difficulties. Although not a mother, Ylva had great skills and had helped many other young mothers. I sent word to my warriors that we might be needed in the next few weeks. I might not be able to call on as many as I might have liked. Some would be busy with their farms. I would be able to count on my Ulfheonar and warriors like Beorn the Scout and Aðils Shape Shifter would be available to fight. Cnut Cnutson would also be ready to carry my standard for we would be riding to war.

  That night, as I sat in my hall, I wondered if this would be the last battle of the old Ulfheonar. We had lasted longer than most warbands. More were dead than now lived. Aðils was the youngest and he was now twice a father and content to live in his remote dale. As I drank my ale I heard Atticus singing away at the table. I looked over. He was poring over a map and making marks on a wax tablet.

  “What makes you so happy, Greek? I did not think you were warlike.”

  “Nor am I, lord. I am a man of peace but I like the precision of the planning. If Aiden and I calculate aright then we will save the lives of your clan. That is a good thing.” He looked worried, “Promise me, lord, that I will never have to wield a sword. I do not think I could hurt anyone.”

  “Never fear Atticus. You will not be called on to do so. We value your other talents far more.”

  I rode with him, the next day to speak with my son and grandson. Raibeart ap Pasgen was also needed. I asked him to keep his ship ready to sail if danger came. We needed our men to reach the Eden within a day of any attack. Einar Fair Face would not be joining my son. His wife needed him. That was not his decision but Ylva’s. My granddaughte
r could be quite forceful. We managed the journey, there and back, in one day. I was sore and I was tired at the end of it. This was the Allfather’s way of telling me to let someone else make those journeys.

  Haraldr came to speak with me a day later. He had been to see Bagsecg to have a helmet made. It would not be ready for the raid but when we went to Bruggas again it would. “Are the Saxons of Northumbria rich, jarl?”

  “As rich as the men of Wessex? No. But some wear mail. Is that what you are thinking? You need coin for your byrnie?”

  “Aðils Shape Shifter told me how we use the shield wall. If I am to be of any use then I need to take blows. Mail will help me.”

  I shook my head, “Take the blows on your shield and be patient. Often a battle will be won by those who have the most strength. Have you horses in the Dale?”

  He nodded, “Aðils has a small herd. He likes horses.”

  I pointed to the beacon which stood on the rocky crag. “When the enemy come we will light that. If you and your people see it then do not come here. Ride for the Stad on the Eden. It will save time. I would not ask you to go alone but Aðils knows his business. You will be in good hands.”

  “I know. He is like the father I never knew.”

  When he left I felt a chill from the Water. Leif’s spirit was there. I now knew that he had sent Aðils to Lang’s Dale. Wyrd .

  The rider arrived at my hall just before noon, two days after I had spoken with Haraldr. He threw himself from his lathered pony. “Jarl, Jarl Ráðulfr Ulfsson sent me. Saxons have been heading south and west. They were thirty miles from the Eden when he sent me.”

  “Karl One Leg, light the beacon. Erik, sound the horn. Folkmar, take a horse and ride to Whale Island. Tell them to sail with all haste.” None wasted time with words. They just acted. “You have done well. Rest.”

  The young warrior shook his head. “If you have a horse I will ride back. The Eden Valley is my home.”

  With warriors like that how could we lose? When I reached my hall Uhtric and Atticus had my mail and padded kyrtle ready. Atticus fussed like an old woman. “You will be careful, lord. I would hate to have to train a new lord. I find this life comfortable.”

  Uhtric grunted, “Fear not. He will return. He is the Dragonheart and has the sword which was touched by the gods. These are merely Saxons!”

  I clutched the wolf around my neck. It did not do to make such statements. The Norns were spinning. I put those thoughts from me as I hung my helmet from my saddle. With my shield on my back I was ready to ride north. Even as I waited for my warriors to reach me I wondered about Ketil. If they took the Stad on the Eden then Ketil would be cut off. The alternative was that he was under attack too. I almost cursed myself. “Atticus, find a spare horse and send a rider to Windar’s Mere. I want Asbjorn to ride to the aid of Ketil.”

  Karl One Leg heard me, “Jarl Dragonheart, I will go.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Your home is well guarded and it is time this old warrior did something more useful than merely walk your walls.”

  I nodded and looked around. I had twenty men with me. “Tell the rest to follow! We head north by Elter’s Water and the Grassy Mere.” Haaken One Eye and the men who lived south of my home would take longer to reach me. I had four Ulfheonar with me. We would pick up other warriors as we headed north. The beacon would alert all my warriors that their jarl needed them and my messages would have told them where to find me. I dug my heels in. Ubba responded and we headed north. We would take the most direct route. We would ride close by Elter’s Water and the Grassy Mere. We would pass Úlfarr’s grave and ride along the Dale of Mungo. It was forty miles and that was a long way. There would be spare horses waiting for us at Threlkeld. Atticus had shown great skill in managing to gather so many horses in such a short space of time. There would not be enough for all of my men. I could not ensure that all of my warriors would arrive at once. The first there would have the hardest fight and that would be me, my Ulfheonar and the men of Cyninges-tūn. It would have to be enough.

  As we neared Elter’s Water I saw Aðils, Beorn the Scout and Haraldr waiting for us. Olaf burst out laughing. Olaf was a big man and, when on the back of a horse, his feet almost touched the ground. We had both wondered how Haraldr would manage. He had a horse which was at least a head taller than any other horse I had ever seen. “By the Allfather is there something about Lang’s Dale that they breed giants?”

  We did not slow, they joined with us. “It is good to see you Aðils Shape Shifter. Olaf wonders at the horse which Haraldr rides.”

  “When I first went to live in the Dale I explored it. There are many hidden dells and sheltered areas. I found a mare and a foal. The mare was bigger than most of the horses I had seen but this is the foal. He is full grown. It took me some time to make him take a saddle. I was going to ride him but Haraldr suits him. When we return I will find a big mare. I think that we could use such large horses to pull a plough.”

  Rolf Horse Killer said, “Or carry giants.”

  An idea began to form in my head. “Aðils, could you and Beorn ride ahead and scout out the stad. You take first choice of horses at the Dale of Mungo. You have more speed and fresher horses.”

  “Aye jarl.”

  Haraldr said, “Could I go with them, jarl? We live in the same dale and…” His voice tailed off as he realised that he had no argument.

  Aðils answered for me. “We could do with someone to guard our horses and Jötnar is a strong horse. He will be able to carry Haraldr.”

  “Then ride.”

  Olaf Leather Neck shook his head, “Aðils is a deep one. He finds a wonderous horse and calls it giant!”

  We looked behind as we heard the sound of hooves on the turf. It was Haaken One Eye and the warriors who lived at the southern end of the Water. I hoped they had not pushed their horses too much. There were eighteen of them and they were spread out in a long line. We slowed slightly so that they could join us. I had also spied riders joining us from Skelwith. That would be Ulf Thirlsson and his sons.

  Haaken seemed happy. “I had been so bored that we waited each day for your signal, Jarl Dragonheart. Our beasts are well fed. It bodes well for this battle!”

  “We have less than forty men, here, Haaken One Eye. If the Saxon, Rædwulf, comes to make war he will bring an army and we have a warband.”

  “A Viking warband!”

  My men all laughed and cheered. I did not like this over confidence. I blamed myself. We had yet to taste defeat. Every Saxon army we had met we had beaten. In my heart I knew that, one day, we would be defeated. The dream of my daughter had shown me that the Saxons were capable of defeating us. Would this be that day?

  The path we took rose and fell. It twisted and turned as we snaked our way north. The Saddleback to the east told me that we were close to the horses waiting for us. We were more than half way there. I was saddle sore and my back ached but it was an hour or so past the sun’s zenith and most of the men I had led were still with me. One or two had lamed horses and walked. They would catch us but not for some time.

  Lars Lame Foot had fought with me when he was a young man. The tendons of his right ankle were severed when we had fought Guthrum the Skull and his Danes, he had married and he mined close by Tarn Crag. His injury did not stop him mining and, along with the food he grew, he and his four sons made a good living. When Atticus had sought horses, I had sent word to Lars for he and his sons bred ponies. They used them to haul ore to the Stad on the Eden and down to Bagsecg. It was as though the Norns had caused the wound so that he could be of service to the clan. They were hardy and sturdy. Wyrd .

  Three of his sons would come with us and, as we approached I saw that his wife had food prepared, I could see the smoke from their fire, and the ponies awaited us. I turned in the saddle. “We do not tarry. Change saddles and eat while you ride!”

  Olaf snorted, “And make water, Jarl Dragonheart!”

  I dismounted and Lars Larsson ran to c
hange my saddle over to the largest of the ponies. Lars Lame Leg limped over. He pointed north. “Aðils and the others left some time ago. There were four men from Calth’s Waite who rode in while they were here. There are seven of them now.”

  I nodded and took the oat bread from his young daughter. I clambered back into the saddle. “We will return your ponies and, I hope, your sons.”

  He nodded, “They are good lads, jarl. They have swords and shields. Mayhap they will return with Saxon helmets and treasure.”

  I dragged myself, wearily into the saddle. I did not know how Hrolf the Horseman could enjoy riding so much. To me it was something to endure for as short a time as possible. Twelve of the men we had brought would have to walk. There were not enough ponies. I did not have enough men to fight a Saxon army. I had a small warband. Until the rest of my men arrived from Whale Island it would have to do. Ragnar, Raibeart and Gruffyd would be bringing three drekar crews. They would have to sail up the coast of the Land of the Wolf. They would be dependent on the winds. When they reached us there would be more than one hundred and fifty to join our band. Beorn met us just five miles from the Stad on the Eden. He had grown bulkier in the last three years. I saw that his cheeks were red and he was out of breath. Now I knew why he had declined to raid Wessex with the rest of the Ulfheonar.

  “Jarl, the Saxons are attacking the walls. There are more than two hundred of them.”

  I nodded, “Aðils and Haraldr?”

  “They rode to the west. Aðils said that with the wind from the south he might be able to meet the drekar and guide them in. The Eden can be treacherous at this time of year. The land to the south and west is flooded. There have been heavy rains. The Saxons have to move slowly. They have brought timber to make bridges. All that they have done thus far is to surround the walls. Jarl Ráðulfr Ulfsson’s archers are making them wary.”