Viking Weregeld

by Griff Hosker

  “He is happy with the tin you sent. I do not think he will ask for payment. We have the iron and he has the smiths. He is content.”

  Satisfied that my land was in good hands we headed south to Whale Island. We called it Whale Island but they did not live on that spit of sand. The island protected the shipyard and the halls from attackers. Our halls were on the firmer land south of the island but the two channels were like a protective river. Enemies would not find it as easy to take as Úlfarrston. We would stay with Ragnar and Astrid. Elfrida was there to see her new grandson, Sámr. That would help Brigid for the two of them got on well with each other. I had seen little of Myfanwy. She was a bright little thing and chattered all the way south. It was in marked contrast to the stony silence I endured from her mother. Myfanwy’s questions and chatter made the journey pass quickly for me. The journey to Úlfarrston had been shorter but Whale Island was much safer and Raibeart and Ragnar had improved its defences. Brigid had rarely visited and she was impressed with the improvements they had made.

  She sniffed, “Perhaps I might be comfortable in their hall. I was not certain that I might not be sleeping under a piece of canvas!”

  “As if Ragnar would do that to us!”

  Astrid was a natural homemaker. She had come to us having saved orphans and she had continued to attract the damaged and discarded. As soon as I entered the hall I could see that she and Astrid were close. They laughed like sisters. Before I could go and see my great grandson Ragnar took me to one side. “We need to speak. I have news.” He led me to the fighting platform over the gate. He waved away his sentries. “Siggi arrived two days since.” Siggi was the captain of our knarr. “He said that Klakke Blue Cheek now had ten more drekar and crew willing to serve under him. He is using your name and the sword to attract them.”

  “We knew he would and so long as we can defeat Egbert then it is good.”

  “Siggi also heard that Klakke is trying to make an alliance with Jorvik.”

  That did worry me. “And you fear that rather than just taking Wessex he might decide to take my land too?”

  “Klakke talks of Jarl Dragonheart and the sword that was touched by the gods leading our men into battle. He would have you at the fore.”

  “And more likely to fall. He is a clever man. Forewarned is forearmed.”

  “You will still support him?” He seemed surprised.

  “I gave my word.”

  “But he planned all of this.”

  “Then the gods will punish him or perhaps the Norns will trick him. I cannot change my nature. I suspect this Klakke cannot either.”

  Ragnar shook his head, “You say I am ready to lead… I can battle but I cannot think and plan as you do.”

  “When I was your age nor could I. It will come.” He nodded. “What of Thorghest?”

  “He is badgering Bolli every moment of every day. He has his crew work alongside Bolli’s men. He listened to what Siggi said and I think it gave him ideas. I thought I liked Erika’s husband. Now I am not too sure.”

  “Nor am I. Now take me to my grandson. It has been some weeks since I saw Sámr. I want to see how much he has grown!”

  Astrid welcomed us as though we were her mother and father. The hall was filled with warmth. I realised how lucky Ragnar had been. They invited Raibeart and Yngvild to feast with us. The only absence was Gruffyd. For Myfanwy, this was perfection. She had a baby to coo over and yet she was no longer the youngest. Sámr made both Brigid and Myfanwy content beyond words. It allowed me the opportunity to ride, the next day, to the hall of the Angry Cubs. I heard them as I approached. They were practising with their weapons. Erik had built a simple stockade around his hall. It was not there to stop an assault but to keep out wild animals and the wind which often whistled in from the west. There was no guard on the gate. For an enemy to reach Erik they would have to destroy the defences at Whale Island.

  I dismounted and held my horse’s reins as I watched the warriors sparring. I saw that Einar Fair Face had also joined the Angry Cubs. He and my son were fighting with two other warriors. The Angry Cubs had grown since they had first joined me. Erik Ironshirt chose only those warriors he felt would fit in with his hardened veterans. I suspect that he had made an exception with Einar unless he saw something deep within the young warrior. Certainly, he was getting the worst of the blows from the wooden sword of his opponent. He was reeling backwards. I heard Erik roar, “Stop going back, Einar! Face and fight!”

  In contrast Gruffyd looked to be in easy control of his bout. That was no surprise. He had been trained, as Ragnar had, by an Ulfheonar, Karl One Leg. Haaken, Rollo and other skilled swordsmen had honed his skill. I watched and admired the way he moved. He almost danced in front of the warrior he fought. In contrast the warrior appeared to be a lumbering ox rather than a man. I smiled as Gruffyd used one of my moves. He feinted one way and then spun around to bring his sword into the back of his opponent. I heard the crack as it hit. Had he not been wearing a padded tunic under the mail he might have had a rib broken. As it was the warrior nodded in acknowledgement that he had been defeated.

  Erik saw me, “Hold, Jarl Dragonheart visits.”

  Everyone stopped and began to gather around Erik. I smiled, “I was visiting my great grandson. I have had enough milk puked down my mail and I thought I would see how you fare.”

  They smiled at my words and Erik said, “As you can see jarl we are keeping up our skills. What we need is to use them on an enemy.”

  Gunnar Longsword said, “And we could do with some women, jarl!” He unconsciously glanced at Gruffyd. “Women are handy to have a round!”

  The others laughed at his words. I nodded, “‘Crow’ is ready for sea. Go and raid. Practise against men with blades!”

  Erik turned to his men, “What say you, cubs? Are we ready?”

  They began banging their wooden swords against their shields. “I will tell Bolli to have the ship readied and ask Erik for a captain.”

  “Thank you, jarl. Now back to work, Jarl Dragonheart wishes words with his son.”

  I nodded my thanks and handed my reins to Einar Fair Face, “Give him some water Einar Fair Face.”

  “Aye jarl.” He took my horse to the trough.

  “So, my son, how is life with the Angry Cubs?”

  “It is good father. They are stout warriors. I have not seen such skill since I served with the Ulfheonar. Erik Ironshirt is a good jarl. He knows how to lead men. He is the equal of Ragnar, Ketil and Raibeart.”

  There was something in his voice which told me he had other things to say. I had learned how to read such words and what to do about them. If I ignored them they would fester within my son and that was never good. It was like a boil, better to have it burst and then it could heal. “You do not mention Thorghest.”

  He flashed me a guilty look as though I had seen into his mind, “He is not a good leader. He will not be a good husband for Erika.”

  “You cannot know what goes on between a husband and wife nor what draws one to the other. Only Erika knows if he is right for her but why do you say he is not a good leader?”

  “Where is his loyalty father? Why did he not support the idea of a raid to King Egbert’s palace? He owes all to you. Had you not taken him in he would be a wanderer yet and a not very successful one. I spoke with those who followed him before… well before Dorestad. They said that they eked out a living. Serving under you he and his men had made enough coin to buy a drekar. It may only be a threttanessa but that he owes to you.”

  “So, you are speaking of his lack of gratitude? That is for me to criticize. I began life as a slave, Gruffyd. I was taken in by others and had to prove myself. I do not mind giving others a chance. I do not mind affording them the means of becoming successful. We benefitted from the presence of Thorghest and his men. We would not have defeated Harald the Great without them.” He was silent. “You brood because you feel that you have let me down.” The look he gave me told me that I had spoken aright. “D
o not. You were looking out for Einar Fair Face. He is your shield brother. You could not help what happened and I think that it was wyrd . I am not unhappy about the raid, just wary of serving this Dane.”

  “We still join the raid then?”

  “I gave my word. Now come, show me this hall. I would like to be able to report to your mother that you do not lie with the pigs! You know she will question me when I return. And if you could come to the halls of Ragnar and Raibeart to visit her it will save me having my ears burned.”

  He laughed, “Aye father.”

  The awkwardness of Dorestad was gone. The air was clear between us. No more would be said. My son would prove himself to himself and then, when he was ready, he would rejoin me.

  When I headed back to halls of Ragnar and Raibeart I went directly to the shipyard before I rejoined my family. I watched Bolli and his men as they laboured on the drekar. The keelson had been finished and they were hammering the strakes. Another month and it would be ready to be put into the water. After that it would just need its mast and figurehead. I saw Thorghest and his men, stripped to the waist, labouring with Bolli’s men. They were not afraid of hard work.

  I went to the hall of Erik Short Toe and his family. He and his sons were enjoying ale and they poured me a horn. “The drekar is coming along well is it not, Jarl Dragonheart?”

  “It is. What will he call her?”

  “‘Wolf’s Teeth’ .” Erik shrugged, “Most of us think it is the wrong name for he refused to sail with the rest of the Clan of the Wolf.”

  “It is his drekar but I think I agree. For one thing, it will make others think he serves me and he does not appear to want that.” I shook my head, “Erik Ironshirt wishes to raid, “Have ‘Crow’ made ready and a captain to steer.”

  He nodded, “My son Knut knows her the best. Where do they raid?”

  “I know not but they seek women. It will be good for them to sail alone. The Angry Cubs have new men and they will need to get to know one another in battle.”

  “And Klakke’s raid?”

  “He has secured many ships already. I would think that by Harpa he will be ready. That gives me the chance to find men to crew the four ships.”

  I left Erik to return to my grandson’s hall. Thorghest had seen me. I spied Erika. She had brought food for her husband. I saw that she was with child. They both walked towards me and I halted. It would be rude to shun them and Erika and I had been close. When she could not talk with her mother she had always confided in me. I missed that.

  She threw her arms around me and hugged me, “Father, I have missed you.”

  I hugged her back and said, “I have not been anywhere. You know where your mother and I live.”

  She pulled away, “I am sorry that things turned out the way that they did.” I looked pointedly at Thorghest. “My husband did what he did for good reasons. It was not to spite either you or Gruffyd. He could not countenance serving a Dane.”

  I said, quietly, “He would have been serving me.” I waved a hand, “That is in the past. Your mother is at Ragnar’s. She would see you.” My defiant daughter’s face hardened. “Erika, you owe her that. Do not sever all links with your family. You came here because you were friends with Astrid. Ragnar has told me that you keep apart from her. When you leave here as your husband says he will, then you may never see either of them again.” I looked at Thorghest, “That is true is it not?”

  He nodded, “It is, my love. If I can get enough ships then I will have my own land and my own hall. It will not be in the Land of the Wolf.”

  Her shoulders sagged with resignation, “But how will I face them?”

  I laughed, “You are your father’s daughter. You have steel within you. If I could descend into the cave of the Norn then you can speak with the woman who gave you life, eh?”

  She smiled, “Aye, father. I am your daughter.”

  “Come and we will see your mother together.” Leaving Thorghest to continue building his drekar I took my daughter to be reconciled with Brigid. It went better than I had expected. There were tears on both sides as Erika explained that she would follow her husband to wherever he went.

  Chapter 4

  I was optimistic after Erika and Brigid had met. The rifts in my family appeared to be healing. I felt as though a burden had been lifted from my shoulders. When Gruffyd arrived at Ragnar’s he was not alone. He came with the Angry Cubs for Erik Ironshirt was keen to raid. Erik took his men to the drekar. It needed to be prepared for sea by the men who would be rowing. As soon as Gruffyd mentioned the raid Brigid’s face darkened.

  She rounded on me, “You will let him go with strangers? You will let my child’s life be risked?”

  I sighed. Brigid was not Viking. Erika was happy to follow her husband. She understood war and the way of the warrior. My wife had been brought up a Christian and did not. “Erik Ironshirt is no stranger. He is an oathsworn warrior and I trust my son in his care.”

  “Well I do not! Go with them and watch over our son!”

  I laughed, “Am I a wet nurse now?”

  Gruffyd too became angry, “I am not a child. I have seen eighteen summers. I have killed men!”

  Brigid hissed, “Aye we know and that is why your father must fight for a Dane!”

  The angry words hung in the air. Gruffyd turned on his heel and left. I shook my head, “Was that well done?”

  “It is true!”

  “But he is a man and you must let him go.”

  “I do not want to lose him. Elfrida lost her son and she grieves for him still. I beg you watch over him. You are a great warrior. When he is with you I do not worry as much.”

  I shook my head. “The raid is Erik’s. I cannot interfere.”

  In the end, it was Erik Ironshirt himself who provided the answer. That evening he came to the hall to speak with me. “Gruffyd told me what his mother said. My crew do not mind if you come with us, Jarl Dragonheart save…”

  “Save that you are the leader?”

  He smiled, “Aye jarl. It is a mix of old and new crew. We need this to get used to fighting together. You understand?”

  “Of course, and under those limitations then I will come. Where do we raid?”

  “After we spoke to you we thought that we might try Strathclyde. The women are hardy and the warriors there do not wear mail. Gruffyd said that it might make them less likely to raid Ulf Olafsson if they were attacked.”

  I nodded, “Aye they might think that you are from Orkneyjar. I will be ready to sail when you do.” I smiled, “I hope that you not expect me to take an oar. Those days are long gone.”

  “No, Jarl Dragonheart. You can enjoy the sea air!” he laughed. No Viking ever did that.

  Brigid was happier when I told her of my involvement. I could not win. Had I suggested the raid she would have told me off. As I recalled the reason we had raided Om Walum was so that I could hand over leadership and not have to raid. Wyrd !

  ‘Crow’ was smaller than my drekar but she was a neat craft and would be well suited to a raid. I saw that Gruffyd shared an oar with Einar. They were as Haaken and I had been in our youth. They were both oar and shield brothers. We left the island on the morning tide. The wind was from the south west. We had to row until we neared the channel between Hibernia and my land. As Erik said that was the gods helping us for the rhythm of the oars brought his small band of thirty warriors together.

  As I expected they sang their song.

  When Harald the Black came to make a war

  He tore the heart from Dyflin’s Jarl

  Slaughtered and killed by Vikings black

  The town was lost to a sneak attack

  The Ulfheonar came when all seemed lost

  Gunnstein’s folk paid a fearful cost

  The ones who lived swore to fight

  They would join the wolves of the night

  Angry cubs and the warrior wolves

  Angry cubs and the warrior wolves

  Dragonheart’s clan is t
heir new band

  Reborn they fight for the wolf’s land

  Erik Ironshirt led his men

  And brought them to Dyflin again

  With Knut, the brave, and ten men true

  They sailed the drekar over oceans blue

  With hearts which burned with hatred black

  They sent their ship to a deadly attack

  Fearing nought they swam away

  Their fire ship turned night into day

  Angry cubs and the warrior wolves

  Angry cubs and the warrior wolves

  Dragonheart’s clan is their new band

  Reborn they fight for the wolf’s land

  When Saxons came with Harald the Great

  The Clan of the Wolf did not wait

  Sailing south they fought the foe

  Thorghest and Ironshirt brought them woe

  Although struck down they maimed and killed

  Warriors great and Vikings skilled

  Angry cubs and the warrior wolves

  Angry cubs and the warrior wolves

  Dragonheart’s clan is their new band

  Reborn they fight for the wolf’s land

  Angry cubs and the warrior wolves

  Angry cubs and the warrior wolves

  It did not take the new men long to get to know the words and to hear them. They told of the first great deeds of the Angry Cubs. It inspired the new to emulate the old. I did not think that they would have an opportunity to do so against the men of Strathclyde but one never knew. Some men fought harder to save their families than a great warrior might.

  We sailed north along the coast of my land. Once we passed the estuary which led to the Eden men prepared their war faces. With the wind from our larboard quarter we fairly flew along. I was pleased to see that Gruffyd offered advice to his shield brother. My son had been doing this for more than half his life. Even when he had been too young to fight he had carried my standard or held my horse. There was a ritual to war and my son understood that.

  Erik Ironshirt joined me and Knut at the steerboard, “I thought to raid the land to the south of the Clut.”

  “I would avoid Alt Clut. That is where their king lives and the walls are high. You would lose many men.”