by Griff Hosker
“I cannot remember a raid which was so successful, Jarl Dragonheart.”
“Nor can I and Ragnar did well as did my son, Gruffyd. Perhaps I can allow them to lead the clan. How does the clan feel about that?”
“Some are happy for they wish you to have a long life and all like Ragnar and Gruffyd but you have brought such glory to the Clan of the Wolf that they do not wish it to end. You are the Clan of the Wolf. It is hard to see it without you.”
“Before me it was Prince Buthar’s clan. Ragnar will take over and I will be forgotten.”
Erik laughed so loudly that the rowers looked up in surprise, “I think not, Jarl. The warrior who has the sword touched by the gods? I think you do not know who you are.”
The men were exhausted by the time we reached Dorestad. We used the system of one man rowing instead of two and then swapping over. It meant we could row for longer. We travelled more slowly but made up for the winds which blew in the wrong direction. We had rowed beyond that which could be expected of normal men. I was proud of them. They were the Clan of the Wolf and they were my men. I would be sorry to see them led by another, even though he was my grandson and yet I knew that it was right. We arrived in the late morning and tied up. None wanted to go ashore straightaway. They wished to sleep.
I felt guilty for I had not rowed. I kept watch instead. It allowed me to see the other ships in the harbour. I noticed that there were three Danish drekar in port. They were large. They would have big crews. I looked for the ships of the Raven Wing Clan but I saw them not. The other ships were Franks and Frisians. My captains all kept a guard at the gangplank. This was the Empire no longer. The days when Charlemagne had kept a tight grip on this land were long gone. His son, Louis the Pious kept a tenuous hold on the land his father had bequeathed. Even King Louis’ sons were causing him trouble.
I spent the hours, while my men slept, visiting the rest of my ships to see what we had to sell. It was mainly slaves. We had brought some of the jewels to sell as well as some of the sheep skins for we had many. We also brought the religious items we had taken from the church. They meant nothing to us but Frisia was Christian. I had sent back to my home the pots and the dishes we had ransacked from the homes of the richer Saxons. Brigid would be happy. Slaves were easy to sell. The priests would fetch a high price. They always did. We would sell them first and that would drive up the price of the artefacts we would later release for sale. Over the years, we had worked out the best way to fleece the followers of the White Christ.
It was dusk when my men began to stir. I had taken off my mail. There had been a time when I would have needed it but Dorestad now knew the value of Vikings. We were now treated better for my name and reputation were well known. I left the ship, now that there were others to watch and went to the place where the merchants drank. Dorestad had grown discrete areas where men from different backgrounds would gather. The Frisians used one area, the merchants a second and the Vikings and pirates, such as us, a third. Normally a Viking would not be welcomed into a merchant inn but I hoped that my reputation would afford me entry.
I stepped through the door into the dimly lit interior. I recognised Baldwin son of Thierry. I had dealt with him before. He smiled when he saw me, “Jarl Dragonheart! We saw your ships had tied up. I was telling Raymond here that would mean good business for us. Come and join us that we might enjoy some beer together.”
“Thank you. I was not certain I would be welcomed here.”
He poured me a horn of ale, “Of course you are. You and your men are known to be more civilized than other Vikings.”
The merchant called Raymond nodded, “Aye there is one in port now, a Dane. He is called Klakke Blue Cheek. He and his men have been striding around here for days as though they own Dorestad. They are not like your Clan of the Wolf. They have the look of butchers about them.”
Another merchant said, “To be fair. They pay well. They are buying mail and swords. I turn away no man if there is profit to be had.”
Nodding agreement, Baldwin asked, “And what brings you here, Jarl Dragonheart?”
“We have raided and we have slaves, sheepskins and jewels.”
Their eyes lit. Already each merchant was working out the best price they would offer. “And do you need aught yourselves?”
“My men have coins to spend and I would have pots.” I shrugged at their surprised expressions, “A Viking who fails to take something useful home for his wife will never hear the end of it.”
Baldwin and the others laughed. “It is ever thus.”
I stood. “I will have the slaves and goods on the quay in the morning if you wish to inspect and make an offer.”
Raymond said, “They are not Hibernian slaves, are they? They tend to run!”
“No, they are Saxons and those who live in Om Walum.”
That seemed to satisfy them, “They are easier to train and to sell. Until the morrow then.”
I strode back to the drekar. I was greeted by my jarls and captains. Thorghest approached me, “The men would enjoy some time ashore, Jarl Dragonheart.”
“Draw lots, half can go ashore tonight and the other half tomorrow.”
Ragnar, Asbjorn, Raibeart and Erik Ironshirt stayed with me. The lure of beer and whores was not as attractive as it once had been. The three of us walked along the quay. It was always useful speaking with other seafarers. You discovered news as well as vital knowledge about the seas in which we sailed.
Gedda was the captain of one of the Danish drekar. He was cooking food on the stone quay. Erik had spoken to him earlier in the day. He was a squat and powerfully built warrior. I saw that he had battle rings on his arms. He would be a good man in a shield wall. He would be hard to knock over. He rose as we approached, “Jarl Dragonheart, your fame precedes you. Our jarl, Klakke Blue Cheek is keen to meet with you. He will be sorry to have missed you. He went to celebrate with our men.”
“Celebrate?”
“Aye we raided Kent and found great riches in the churches there. We sold them today and have now bought mail and weapons. He has plans to make bigger raids.”
“He has three ships?”
“We have three here but there are another three in our home.”
“And where in Kent did you raid?”
“The coast around Rye. They have many ships there and their defences are not as strong as in Wessex.”
I nodded to Ragnar, “We might consider raiding there. Unless, of course, Klakke Blue Cheek has emptied them of treasure.”
Gedda shook his head, “Dover, Sandwic, Hæstingaceaster, there are many places yet to loot.”
“And Klakke Blue Cheek wishes to clear them all?”
“Perhaps, although I think our jarl has eyes on a kingdom for himself.” He looked at me with a curious expression, “Why have you not become a king, Jarl Dragonheart? You have the magical sword and you are undefeated. Harald the Great fell to your sword as did Guthrum the Skull and Eggle Skulltaker.”
I remained silent and Ragnar answered for me, “My grandfather does not desire the title. He is happy to be jarl of the Land of the Wolf.”
“And we have heard that it is a magical land but there are no towns there like Jorvik and Lundenwic. Why, even Dorestad is bigger. I like a lively place where a man can buy whatever he desires if he has gold. Farms, fields and Waters do not appeal.”
“And that suits us, Gedda. We need no streets filled with middens nor places where our women are not safe. There we live in harmony with the land and the Water. It is wyrd .”
“And that is where you differ from Klakke. He yearns for walls and buildings.”
We shared some food with him and then wandered back to the drekar. “That was useful jarl. We have not raided much around Kent.”
“True, Erik, but I fear that they will improve the defences if Danes like Klakke Blue Cheek are raiding.”
We could hear the cacophony of noise from the town. Raibeart laughed, “It sounds like the men are having a good time.”
“You could join them, Raibeart. We have more than enough men here to watch the ships.”
He laughed, “Ragnar and I are two old married men now, Jarl Dragonheart. Did you not notice that it was all the young unmarried men who chose to go into Dorestad? The only married man was Thorghest.”
“Aye well he can keep an eye on my son. Normally that would be Ragnar’s task.”
“He will be fine, grandfather. He has grown of late.”
I could almost hear the Weird Sisters spinning. I felt an icy tingle down my spine. Haaken looked at me and gave me a wry smile, “I recognise that look. The Dragonheart is worried about something. It will not be himself but others. Whom do you worry about, Jarl Dragonheart?”
I did not get to answer for one of Thorghest’s men ran up, “Jarl, come quickly. Your son has killed a man. He is being held!”
“Raibeart and Asbjorn, take charge here. Erik and Ragnar come with me.” I had no mail on but I did have my sword and Wolf’s Blood, my dagger.
Haaken said, “Do you need us?”
“I hope not but be ready to come if I send for you.”
We said nothing as we ran. I was working out what might have happened to make my son kill a man. Men died when in drink. Often it was a challenge given when ale ruled and not the mind. Such things were forgivable. If it was not a challenge then it could be serious. If it was a Frisian he had slain then he could lose his life. If it was a Viking then we might be able to pay weregeld.
We followed Thorghest’s man. There was a crowd outside one of the inns in the main square. I saw a bloodied corpse covered by a cloak. Two Danes held my son. There was an air of tension between the Danes and my men. I was just glad that their hands were not on their swords. I did not speak to Gruffyd. That would come later. A huge Dane, a head taller than I was, stepped forward. I noticed he had a dark blue birthmark on one cheek.
“I am Jarl Dragonheart. That is my son.”
He nodded, “I guessed. I am Klakke Blue Cheek and that is my oathsworn slain by your son.”
I nodded. “And was it a challenge? Was it a fair fight?”
I looked from Klakke to my son. Gruffyd dropped his head and that told me all that I needed to know. Klakke said, “It was a fight over a whore. They both wanted her.”
“Then it is unfortunate but such things happen.” I lifted the cloak. The man had had his throat cut. He was an older warrior and he had warrior rings on his arm.
“He was my oathsworn and he was killed. Had your son been killed then you would have wanted retribution.”
He was right, of course. “And what do you wish?” I knew that he had the right to demand the death of my son. I would not let that happen. If that was his price then we would fight now and there would be a blood feud between us and the Danes.
“I wish to have weregeld.”
My eyes narrowed. Was this a coincidence? I had just told the merchants that we had had a successful raid. Klakke Blue Cheek needed money. I was suspicious.
The Dane came closer to me. “Come Jarl Dragonheart. Let us speak privately where men do not listen to our words. There is anger here already. I see your face riven with questions.”
I nodded, “Ragnar, watch out for Gruffyd.”
He nodded.
We moved away from the corpse. The Dane waved his hand and his men, of which there were more than sixty, cleared a space so that none were near us. “I do not want the life of your son. He seems a good boy and Ulf the Slighter was always ready for a fight.” He shrugged, “He was my sister’s son.”
“So, he is family to you?”
He nodded, “Nor do I wish your gold. I know that you have had a successful raid. Instead I would have your sword and your ships.”
I laughed, “That is a high price for a warrior you did not like. You know I will refuse that!”
“I wish your sword and ships for one raid. I want Jarl Dragonheart and his men to sail with me and raid King Egbert’s palace at Carhampton.”
I knew the place. We had seen it being built. We had raided close their once ourselves. There were rumours that, when completed, it would rival that of Charlemagne in Paris. “When?”
“I have ships being repaired and readied. We will need many more ships than the four of yours and six of mine. If you are with me then I will find more men who will follow my banner. It may be next season or even the season after. I am patient. If we take his palace and defeat King Egbert then, who knows, the whole of Wessex may be there for the taking.”
It was tempting. Egbert was my most implacable enemy yet I baulked at sailing behind a Dane. This would also mean that I could not hand over to Ragnar for I would be expected to lead my men.
“And if I agree then the weregeld is paid?”
He grinned and it seemed to make his birthmark bigger. “I will announce to all that it is so.”
“You realise that if you announce to others that we intend to raid King Egbert’s palace then he will hear of it too? That will take away any surprise.”
“I am counting on the fact that he will know we are coming. Your name will make him more fearful. All know of your feud and know that you have bested him each time you have met. I wish to fight him. Surely you cannot tell me that you do not relish fighting your old enemy? The surprise will be when we do attack. That he cannot know. All I need from you is your word that your four ships, you and your sword will follow me for one raid and one battle with King Egbert.”
I had little choice and he knew it. I held out my arm and he clasped it.
“You are known to be a man of your word. This is all that I need.”
I turned and walked back. “Release my son!”
The two Danes looked at Klakke. He nodded, “Jarl Dragonheart has paid weregeld to me. Honour is satisfied and there will be no blood feud.”
This was not greeted with any kind of joy by either group of warriors. They would all have been happy for there to be a bloodbath. I did not enjoy it either. The only one I thought was satisfied was Klakke himself and I could not rid myself of the thought that he had, in some way, engineered the events. How, I knew not.
“Come, warriors we go back to our drekar.”
Erik Ironshirt and Ragnar flanked my son. I made sure that I was the last to leave. Having been humbled I did not want the peace to be broken. Gruffyd tried to turn and speak to me but Ragnar snapped, “Now is not the place. Wait!” My grandson was the leader.
The quay was filled with the crews of all four ships. They were curious. Olaf Leather Neck roared, “Back to your ships! Let Jarl Dragonheart through!” None would risk his wrath and the quay emptied.
I waved my jarls aboard the ‘Heart of the Dragon’ . They needed to know what payment we had made. I said nothing to Gruffyd. My censure would come privately. Privacy was always hard to find on a drekar. The Ulfheonar and my jarls stood patiently waiting for my words.
“The weregeld we have to pay is that we follow Klakke Blue Cheek when he attacks Egbert of Wessex. I have promised four ships.”
None said anything at first and then Thorghest, who was the newest warrior to serve me asked, “Did you promise our swords too, Jarl Dragonheart?”
“No. I promised him the four drekar and the swords that crewed them.” There was something in the way he said it that made me detect an undercurrent I did not like. “Why do you ask Thorghest? Are you saying that you do not wish to sail with me?”
Every eye was on the husband of my daughter. His answer made me admire him for he knew that in saying what he did he would be shunned by the others. “When we return to your home I will use the gold we have made on this voyage and ask Bolli to build me my own ship. I will not fight for a Dane.”
Gruffyd could not contain himself, “But you are married to my sister! Why will you not fight for our father?”
“I do not answer to a whelp who cannot hold his ale. If it were not for you we would not be in this position.”
I said, “Careful, Thorghest, he is my son and I am
the one who will speak with him. I do not ask any man to fight my battles.” I looked at each of my jarls in turn. “Do you wish to fight for me against Egbert.” Without exception, each of them said firmly, “Aye!” The looks on their faces told Thorghest that he was in the minority.
He nodded, “I see which way the wind blows. I will return to my men. I am sorry it has ended like this.”
“It is not ended. You are married to my daughter. We are still friends.”
“Friends?”
“Gruffyd be silent!” He bowed his head. “I can understand a warrior not wishing to fight for a Dane. It does not sit well with me either. He was in the right. We had weregeld to pay and the price was not as high as it might have been. I am not unhappy about fighting Egbert again but I would rather it was my decision.”
Thorghest nodded, “It is good that we are still friends, Jarl Dragonheart, for I would not like bad blood between us. We will live at Whale Island until I have decided where we shall go. The world is wide and I would have my own land. Farewell.”
There was silence as he left my drekar. I saw that my jarls and the Ulfheonar were angry. Their anger would do no good. “Tomorrow we sell our goods, the merchants will be here at first light, and then we sail home. It seems that we do not need to sail close to Syllingar to invoke the anger of the Norns.”
My jarls left and there was just the Ulfheonar, Ragnar and Gruffyd remaining. “Well Gruffyd, my jarls have gone and there are just family left. What happened?” I kept all anger from my voice. There was little point.
“I had been drinking but I was not drunk!” He glared at Ragnar who rolled his eyes. “The Dane was making disparaging remarks about Einar Fair Face. He asked if he preferred the company of men to women. I moved us away for I could see there would be trouble.” He shook his head, “If I had left then it would all have been well. I kept drinking. Einar saw two whores and we went to ask them how much they charged. He was trying to prove the Dane wrong. The Dane came over as we did so and began to pick a fight with Einar. He is young and I saw the battle rings on the Dane. I hit him, thinking that would end it. It did not. He pulled his seax and I pulled mine. I was more skilled and I slashed his throat.”