by Griff Hosker
Aiden said, “It is fifteen Roman miles or so to the cave. It may take us two days.”
I nodded, “Do not strand yourself on the shore where you may be attacked. If we have not returned by this time tomorrow night then head back to the middle of the river and wait until the night after.”
“Aye Jarl.”
I went ashore with my son, grandson, Aiden and my Ulfheonar. We were mailed and well-armed. Beorn, Aðils and Gruffyd had their Saami bows. Aiden carried the chest. Our galdramenn did not fight while we had the Ulfheonar. Once we had waded through the shallows we then had to negotiate the mud of the banks. It would be better if we made it back when the tide was at its height. My two scouts went first and we heard Beorn’s whistle when he found the trail. This would be a test for the old men. Wyddfa was high and the path twisted and turned. It sapped the energy from young legs what it would do to mine I had no idea. I had found the sword when I had been a young man. Now I was a greybeard. Ragnar and Gruffyd brought up the rear and we ascended in silence. We stopped at regular intervals. It was not just to allow us to rest, it also meant we could listen for danger. I did not expect any for it was night. When daylight came, it would be a different matter.
At our last stop Aiden said, “By my reckoning we are less than half a mile from the cave. If we wait until dawn breaks we will find it easier.”
“I thought it was covered by a rockfall?”
“It was, Ragnar son of Wolf Killer, but there are some distinctive features. Even if the rocks are still there then we can see them but only in daylight. We look for two rocks which resemble wolf’s ears.”
I realised that only Haaken, Aiden and myself had seen them. The rest were all dead. It was a sobering thought. If I had not found the chest when I had then no one would have known of the connection. It made me realise that we were just being used by the spirits, the gods and the Norns in their own game.
As dawn broke we headed up the trail. The cave was some way from the actual summit. To my dismay, I saw that there were still rocks littering the ground and hiding the entrance to the cave carved like a wolf. The fall looked as fresh as the day it had happened all those years ago. A few straggly plants and bushes had begun to colonise the rock but it still stood out like a savage scar.
“I can see nothing, Jarl Dragonheart.”
“Neither can I, Olaf Leather Neck, but we will climb and see if there is an opening.” I pointed, “See, those two rocks look like the ears of a wolf.”
“Aye.”
“Below it were two eyes; they were openings in the rocks which allowed light in and, when there was a fire burning inside, it made the wolf come to life. It kept the Welsh away. It was what Myrddyn intended.” Aiden was in awe of Myrddyn. Every time we found a reference to the great wizard he became animated. “Below them was the mouth and the opening.” He pointed to his feet. “It was thirty paces in that direction.”
“We could never shift that much rock, father. We would need every miner from Cyninges-tūn!”
“Then Gruffyd, let us do what all good warriors do. Let us scout and see the size of the problem before we say it is impossible. Beorn and Aðils, keep watch. The rest of you take off your helmets and lay your weapons down. We will have to search by hand.”
One advantage of searching a rockfall was that there were many small rocks upon which we could stand. However, some of them were unstable as Rollo discovered and he tumbled down to where Beorn watched. It could have been worse. All that was hurt was his pride. Rolf laughed at his friend, “Clumsy!”
It was Gruffyd who caused the next rock fall. He had hurried ahead. He was desperate to prove himself. He was just above where the right ear of the wolf would have been. He put his foot down without checking if it was stable. It was not. He lost his balance and he rolled down. This time he started an avalanche. Luckily for the rest of us we were far enough away so that the tumbling rocks and stones did not strike us but Gruffyd, who tumbled down, was in the path of them. It was Aðils who saved him. My scout grabbed his shield and dived on top of Gruffyd, covering them both with the shield. At least three rocks, big enough to crack a skull, hit the shield.
When the rocks had finished falling we ran to my son. He was unconscious. Aiden knelt next to him. “He breathes.” He ran his hand over his head and it came away bloody. “He needs time to recover. Beorn and Aðils, take him somewhere safe.”
“Aye, Aiden.”
“And thank you, Aðils, I owe you a life.”
He smiled, “I am oathsworn, jarl, you owe me nothing.”
Haaken shouted, “Jarl, look up there! I can see something.”
“This time I will go. The rest of you stay here.” I knew that it was my appointed duty to do this. My son had nearly paid with his life. I was the one who would be safe. I stepped and climbed carefully keeping at least three limbs on the ground at all times. It took time but it meant I would not fall for I was either held by two feet and a hand or two hands and a foot. As I neared the place Haaken had spied I saw that a huge rock had shifted. It had not fallen far but I spied the hole where it had been. I crawled up to it. As I neared it I felt a blast of air. It was the cave. I put my head in but I could see nothing but darkness.
“There is a hole. Aiden bring up the chest. The rest of you stay there I do not wish to risk another rockfall. It might seal it again.”
I saw that the opening was wide enough for the chest. Perhaps Gruffyd could enter it but my Ulfheonar and I were too big. As Aiden ascended I assessed the possibility of enlarging it. I saw, immediately, that it was impossible. There was a large rock above it and it was supported by a number of smaller ones. If any of the smaller ones were moved then the rock would fall and seal the hole. We would just have to lower the chest into the cave. It was not perfect but it was the only thing that we could do.
Aiden reached me and he placed the chest on a rock close by me. “We will have to lower it in.”
Aiden shook his head, “It must be placed close to Myrddyn.”
“The hole is too narrow.”
“If I strip down to my shift then I can make it.”
“How will you see? How will you get back?”
“The spirits will guide me in and I believe I can get back out.”
“Suppose you cannot?”
“Then I will die here and lie with the bones of Myrddyn. If it happens then it is wyrd .”
“I cannot let you.”
“No, jarl. You cannot stop me. I have to do this and you know it.” I nodded. He was right. He always was. He took off his cloak and prepared to climb in. “Hold the chest and pass it to me when I tell you.” He turned his body and lowered his feet in. I knew that they would fit. The problem would be his shoulders and his arms. He would not be able to get through holding the chest. His face contorted as his feet sought purchase inside the cave. He smiled, “There is a ledge!” he moved further in. I wondered if his shoulders and arms would fit. By pulling first one in and then the other he managed it. His head disappeared inside. A moment or two later his head reappeared, “Give me the chest and do not worry how long it takes. If I cannot get back out I will shout to you.”
“Be careful my friend. I would not have my daughter a widow.” I handed him the chest. It just fitted. I saw his hands and his face for a moment and then he disappeared and I waited. I had no idea how long he was down there. It seemed like an age to me. I have never been good at waiting. I shouted, “Are you safe?” My words echoed and there was no reply. I had been wrong to let him leave me. I should have brought a ship’s boy. Leif the Lucky would have been perfect! He would have been able to get inside easily and they were all agile climbers! I could not change what had happened. We had made a decision and we would live with it.
A hand appeared, “A little help, jarl.”
I saw that the hand was cut and bloody. I put my hands in and he grabbed hold of them with his other. Flexing my knees, I stood and he began to emerge.
“Stop pulling. I have to wriggle my way
out.” It took him longer to get out than to get in and I saw that his hands were both torn. His clothes were ripped and his head had a long wound running across his forehead. He grinned, “Myrddyn did not make it easy, jarl, but it is done.’
I helped him down the slope for he was shaky. Gruffyd was awake at the bottom of the rock fall. “I am sorry I rushed.”
Aiden smiled, “It was wyrd . Had you not rushed then the door would not have been opened. All is well. I have a scar to show and a memory to tell Ylva and Kara.”
“What did you see?”
“It was pitch black. There was someone peering in at the opening and shutting off all light!”
That had been me. I had been so keen to see what was going on I had lost my senses. “I am sorry.”
“Do not be. I had to use all of my senses. It was what the old wizard wished. I found his body. I touched his bones. I laid the chest at his feet and I spoke with him.” We all looked at him expectantly. “We did that which was wished and now we must get back to the drekar. There is danger.”
“But you have not eaten and your wounds…”
“Are not serious. It will be easier going down for it is daylight. Come, you must all dress and prepare for battle!”
Ragnar handed me the ale skin. “Drink!” As I did he took some dried venison from his pouch, “And chew on this. You are no spring chicken, grandfather!”
I cuffed him on the back of the head, “I am still fit enough to give you a sound beating!”
He laughed, “Aye, I bet you are!”
With our mail on and our shields on our backs we headed down the mountain. Most had had a rest and they were all fit men. We made good time. Even so the afternoon sped by. The path took a turn and afforded a view across the estuary. I saw that the drekar was there and they had the mast up. I wondered why. It would attract attention to them. Then I saw the reason. There were warriors on the shore. They were at least two hundred paces from the ship but they lay between it and us. They were too far away to make out weapons and armour but there were a sizeable number.
“The ship is under attack.” They had all seen it and were waiting for my orders. “Beorn, Aðils and Gruffyd, you have bows. Guard Aiden and stay behind us. We can use your arrows to thin their ranks. The rest of us will make a shield wall and attack as a wedge. When Erik Ironshirt sees us then he will bring the drekar closer.”
They nodded. My men never feared great odds. With the best mail, helmets, swords and shields we were hard to beat. When you added to that our skills, we were invincible. The day we no longer believed that would be the day that we perished. I did not think it would be this day. The spirits would not have brought us all this way just to abandon us to some wild Welshmen.
We moved down the slope slower. I doubted that they would have men watching the mountain but I did not want sudden movements to draw their attention up the mountain. Ragnar and I now led. We would be the tip of the wedge when we attacked. There would be just eight of us in the wedge but these were Ulfheonar I led. I feared no man.
I stopped us at the edge of the trees. The Welsh were in a mob just shy of the shallows. I knew from our outward journey that the mud beneath the water was thick and cloying. It was why they had not advanced. Now that we were closer I saw that only their leader had a mail shirt and a helmet. The rest had none. Half of them had bows. They were the danger. The other half had spears and a few swords. Their shields were much smaller than ours. There were, however, almost fifty of them. For most Viking warbands these would be insurmountable odds. I felt we could win.
“Fifty of them but their leader is the only one mailed. We go in silently. Beorn, launch the arrows as soon as one turns to spy us. Kill their archers first.”
“Aye Jarl.”
Ragnar and Haaken stood behind me. Olaf Leather Neck, Einar Hammer Arm and Rolf Horse Killer behind them and Cnut Cnutson and Rollo Thin Skin behind them. We marched through the trees. The grass and sand helped us for there was no sound as we approached. The Welsh were too busy raining arrows at the drekar. Erik and his men had shields up and the thick hull could cope with the barbed, hunting arrows. We were just forty paces from the Welsh when one turned. Even as his mouth opened a black fletched arrow plunged into his chest. We made five more paces before the others at the rear turned. Our three bows sent arrow after arrow into the Welsh archers. I had my shield held high and my helmet had a full-face mask. Arrows thudded into my shield. One even pinged off my helmet but we were encased in mail and wood. The Welsh were used to fighting their countrymen or Saxons.
I swung my sword sideways. It caught the arm of one archer and the neck of a second. I punched my shield at another and was rewarded when the shaft of an embedded arrow pierced his eye. I heard the leader exhorting his men to valour and, behind them I saw the prow of my drekar looming. The Welsh were about to get as shock. Thirty Angry Cubs were about to fall amongst them. The joy of battle was upon me. Ragnar and Haaken’s blades swept any who tried to attack my side and my three archers had killed the leader. A spear raced towards my face. I flicked my head to the side and lunged forward. As the spear grated on the mail and brooch holding my wolf cloak, my sword plunged into the chest of the Welsh warrior. I tore it to the side and flung his dead body away from us.
Then there was a roar as Erik Ironshirt led the Angry Cubs to begin to butcher the warriors at the rear. The two steel walls closed like a giant trap and all who stayed within, fell. Fifteen or so ran away. Some dragged wounded men with them. The ones who remained were butchered. We had won and it was over. Erik Ironshirt grinned, “We took bets on how many you would kill before Erik Short Toe could bring the drekar close. I won!” He looked to Aiden, “Did we succeed?”
“We did, now let us get on board. Take the mail from the dead lord and any weapons worth having. Let us get home.”
Erik shook his head, “First, we have to deal with them, Jarl Dragonheart.” He pointed downstream. Five Welsh ships were being rowed towards us from Porth Madog. It was slow going for the Welsh ships but they would block our escape.
I nodded, “Haaken, there must be a saga in this!”
The Welsh were just half a mile away when we were all boarded. My Ulfheonar took to the oars save for my scouts. They went to the prow with their bows. I took my own Saami bow and joined them. Erik’s men rowed. They used their own song as the chant. We had the tide and the current with us. Erik had lowered the sail and we had that extra power too. Our plan was simple, we would use our speed and the strength of our ship to escape.
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 their 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
Warrior
s 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
With the sail billowing it was hard for Erik Short Toe to see ahead and Guthrum Arneson stood at the prow using his arms to direct Erik.
The Welsh saw what we were trying to do and I saw two of them converge to block us. The four of us aimed at the steering board of the nearest ship. The arrows cleared it of the three men who stood there. The dying steersman fell across it and it swung into the stern of the next Welsh ship. They became fouled.
“Larboard, Guthrum!”
The ship’s boy waved left and our lithe drekar swung away from a collision. We were in danger of sheering oars against the Welsh ship and I shouted, “In oars! Now!”
The oars came in as one. I thought we might escape a collision but the bow smacked against the tubby stern of the Welsh ship. It was not well made and our power sprung the strakes. It began to sink by the stern and, entangled as it was, began to drag the other with her. The Welsh gave up and sailed their ships to pick up the survivors. They had learned not to attack a Viking Dragon ship. They had paid with their lives and their vessels.
Chapter 7
The journey back was without incident although both Aiden and Gruffyd were black and blue by the time our land hove into view. I did not think that Brigid would believe that neither incurred their injuries through war! As we docked I saw that Thorghest’s drekar now had a stepped mast but there was still no figurehead. I hoped that Brigid had made the most of her time with Erika. I had an idea where they would live and it would be a sea away. My wife would not be able to ride to visit her daughter.
Astrid waited on the quay to greet us. Sámr was asleep in her arms. He was a good baby. I had not been around any of my children when they had been growing up and I had missed their problems but, from what I could gather, Astrid and Ragnar were lucky with their first born. She handed Sámr to Ragnar. He enjoyed cuddling his son. I knew he would be thinking of his young brother who was slain along with their father. He would ensure that his own son grew up healthy to become a warrior.