by Griff Hosker
Erik looked at me, “Weregeld?”
“If he takes my family he exchanges them for the two women and he has me fight for him again.”
“Then we must make certain that does not happen! Leif the Lucky, tighten the forestay.”
“No matter what happens today I will have Klakke’s heart!” The promise was for myself.
I saw that the two drekar were going to try to sail around ‘Fortune’ . That way they would have a ship on either side of her. Klakke must have remembered that the ship would have women on board. Perhaps he did not think I would send a drekar with her. ‘Fortune’ was closing with us. Olaf was using the wind to bring his ship as near to us as possible. As we closed I cupped my hands and shouted, “Turn to steerboard and follow us!”
He did not question my ridiculous order. Turning into the wind would, effectively stop them and they would be helpless. I was depending on that. The drekar which was on their larboard beam would race beyond them and have to turn and row against the wind. I was counting on destroying one and then using the wind to get to the other.
We had to time this right. Erik edged the steering board over so that our prow pointed at the drekar to our steerboard side. With the wind behind them they were flying. Their sail obscured us. Our sail was now furled. “In oars! Now Erik!”
As the oars came in we turned to steerboard and our drekar crashed into their oars and their hull. I heard screams and shouts as the oars and shards of wood impaled and stabbed at the crew. I glanced over my shoulder. ‘Fortune’ was dead in the water. She was about two hundred paces from us. The other drekar was trying to turn. The captain was not as good as Olaf and he was struggling. We had time.
“Hard over Erik! To arms! Let us show these Danes that they do not attack the Clan of the Wolf!”
“Aye Jarl!”
I would not need my shield. I donned my helmet as the sail was unfurled and we spun around. The upper strake was alarmingly close to the sea but my ship was a well-made one and she righted herself. Now with the wind behind we were the ones flying.
Guthrum Arneson shouted, “Jarl, the first drekar is taking on water. She has sprung some strakes!”
That left just one. The captain had managed to regain control of his drekar and was looming up on the larboard side of the drekar. My wife and daughters, along with my grandson were at the prow. Olaf and his men were preparing to sell their lives dearly. Our clean hull proved to be our saviour. Even as the Danes began to board our ship Erik laid ours alongside and I jumped aboard, even before the ships had been tied together. With Wolf’s Blood in one hand and Ragnar’s Spirit in the other I began to slash and stab as soon as my feet hit the deck. I had on my mail. The Danes did not. They feared a watery death. Until Aiden dreamed my death then I feared no man!
“I want one prisoner! The rest shall die! No quarter!” I knew my men would not show mercy. It was one thing to attack a drekar but these had tried to hurt women. Behind me Ragnar and Erik led their men. The captain realised his dilemma. He had to fight us before he could take ‘Fortune’ . He ordered back his men who had boarded. Olaf’s ship’s boys used their bows to slay them as they tried to return. Olaf Grimsson had an axe and I saw him hack into the spine of a Dane who hung on the stay.
A Dane swung a boarding pike at me. I blocked it with my sword and, kneeling slashed the back of his right knee with Wolf’s Blood. He dropped his pike and I hit him in the head with the pommel of Ragnar’s Spirit. Another sword hacked into my ribs and I blindly swung around with my sword. It clanked off metal and I turned. It was the captain and he wore a mail corselet. He had a shield. He punched at me with his shield. I blocked it with my sword and I felt a pain shoot up my arm.
He saw me move my hand down and he laughed, “Klakke will reward me for your women. Who knows, I may even be given one for myself.”
Fighting on a pitching ship is never easy. There was no one at the Dane’s helm and my ship was pushing her stern around so that the wind was striking us beam on. The Danish captain did not have a good stance and I saw him flailing his arms as he tried to keep his balance. I lunged forward with Wolf’s Blood and tore into his groin. He fell writhing to the ground with blood pouring from the wound. I put my face close to his. “When you are in the Otherworld remember your words and what was the result!”
He would die but it would not be a quick end. He would bleed to death. My men now began to butcher the Danes. If they had had two ships then they might have stood a chance but the odds were in our favour. They were slaughtered. I pointed to the hamstrung warrior, “Get him aboard our ship. Take what else you want. Then we sink her.”
I heard Erik Short Toe shout, “Jarl the other drekar!”
I looked and saw that they were heading south. They were low in the water. I saw them as some bailed, some rowed while others draped a spare sail around the bow to stop more water pouring in. We could have sailed after them but I did not want to risk my family more. The Danes would make for Man where they would repair her. I marked the ship. If I saw her again she would not be as lucky.
Once our men had taken what they wanted I sheathed my sword and went to the side. I picked up a skeggox. I began to hack into the strakes below the water line. After two blow with the Danish axe water began to seep in. I went further down and did the same again. The water began to pour in. Gruffyd shouted, “Father!”
I laughed as I grabbed a stay and stepped across the narrow gap. “I am not marked for a watery grave this day!”
Once aboard I shouted, “Olaf, can you sail?”
He nodded. I saw that he had his arm in a sling. He had been wounded. “We lost two men but we can sail. Your family is safe.”
“Head for Dyflin and we will sail close to you.”
With the wind behind we had no need to row. My men had the wounded Dane pinioned to the mast fish. He looked defiantly at me. I took out my dagger. “You have two choices, tell me what I wish to know and you shall have a warrior’s death. Refuse and we shall tow you behind us for the sharks to eat.”
“Give me a sword then!”
“There will be no warrior’s death for you unless you tell me Klakke’s plan.”
I saw him debating. A watery death is one thing but to be eaten by sharks and the other fishes was something different entirely. “I do not know much.”
“Then tell me what you do know.
“He sent us north in case you took that route. He sent only two for he did not think you would take it. He and the rest of the fleet are to the west of Man. They wait for you there. That is all I know, I swear!”
“And when he had my ship, what then?”
“He would go to Veisafjǫrðr and recruit more warriors there.”
“Give him a sword.”
Erik Ironshirt gave him a sword. I saw the flash of hatred in his eyes and then he lunged at me. He was quick but I was quicker. Wolf’s Blood was sharp and I severed his hand at the wrist. He screamed in pain. Gruffyd raised his sword. “No! Throw him overboard. He will drown or be eaten. I care not which!”
Six of my men picked him up and hurled him over the side. I saw him bobbing in the water. If there were sharks nearby then they would have him for blood was pouring from his wounds. He would be dead before too long. It was wyrd .
Chapter 14
Thorghest had had to rebuild Dyflin. It had been fought over and destroyed. I had never had any doubt that he would recapture it but I knew he would pay a price. The quays and jetties which had been there in days gone by were gone. Instead we had to tie up at two drekar. Both were old. I recognised one as that of Magnus Axe Head. ‘Eagle’s Claw’ had seen too many storms and endured too many battles to be seaworthy. She made a useful quay. It made sense. Magnus could always have another built and he would not need one while they conquered the warring tribes. Thorghest had had his men build three large halls. My daughter had enjoyed the luxury of her own chamber both in my hall and Ragnar’s. Here she would have to share.
Thorghest the Lucky came o
ver with his hearth-weru. He picked his wife up and hugged her. As a father, I was pleased that he showed her such affection. It was not always the case amongst Vikings. By the time we had tied up and landed, Thorghest had led his wife, Brigid and Myfanwy to the hall. His men carried the goods from ‘Fortune’ .
“Jarl Dragonheart! It is good to see you!”
Magnus Axe Hand and four of his men strode over. They now had mail and helmets. All of them sported battle bracelets. “Magnus Axe Hand, I see you have finished with your drekar!”
He laughed, “We can get another and here we do not need to sail to raid. We have coin to have one built! We have ponies and we ride. I know not why men fight Saxons! These savages are so easy to slay I bet our women could do it. Do you stay long?”
“We have repairs to make on our drekar. We had an encounter with Klakke Blue Cheek’s men.” I told him what had happened.
The Dane frowned, “He makes me ashamed to be Danish. He came here ten days since. He said he was going to Om Walum to fight with the King of Om Walum. The way he spoke it sounded like he would be the next king. He said you would fight alongside him.” He shook his head, “As soon as he said that I knew him for a liar.”
“He has now made this a blood feud between us. No-one threatens my family and lives.”
“Come. We have a good warrior hall here. We captured some cattle the other day. I am sure the jarl will slaughter one. We will eat well tonight.”
Thorghest was a generous host. My crew were feted as heroes. Erika had told her husband of our deeds and there was anger at such treachery. “You say he was going to Veisafjǫrðr?”
“That is what his man said.”
“It just down the coast from here. Seventy miles or so. Siggi Finehair is jarl there.”
“And…?”
“And I do not trust him. He sides with the King of Munster. I know why he does it. He thinks that Munster and we will fight and make it easier for him to conquer us.”
“He does not make war?”
“He has fifteen ships. They are the dregs of every port where Vikings land. I cannot recall him ever fighting the Hibernians in open battle. We have fought and won eight battles. He just squats like some Danish toad. My time with you was well spent. We were outnumbered each time but using archers and a shield wall we have beaten them every time. And the warriors you sent, Magnus Axe Hand and the others, have only made us stronger. We can now muster two hundred and fifty spears.”
“You are a mighty warlord.”
“But I owe it to you. When I came to you I was as Erik Ironshirt and Magnus Axe Hand. I had nothing. You even allowed me the greatest treasure you possessed, your daughter. I know that I disappointed you when I said that I would not fight for Klakke Blue Cheek. Perhaps I have been proved right.”
I shook my head, “Do you not see? I had no choice. It was my son’s life which hung in the balance. When Moon Child is older you will see. Who knows whom you will fight for if your son’s life depends upon it.”
We spoke no more of that. I had set thoughts in his head and he would have to resolve them. Brigid would not allow us to leave quickly. Her face showed that she thought the hall was not fit for pigs, never mind her daughter and grandson. She had all of our men working to improve the hall. In the end, it was a good piece of work for the hall was better able to be defended and was more comfortable for those within. My wife also found time to visit a church. The Hibernians were Christians and Thorghest had, wisely, decided to allow the Hibernians to worship their god. It delayed our departure by another day. It had been some years since Brigid had been inside a church and she made the most of it. She even had the priest baptise my daughter, Myfanwy. Deidra and Macha had done so in my Water which made it more holy, in my view, but Brigid wanted an anointed priest to do it again. She had her way.
Perhaps we were meant to stay there. I had contemplated asking Thorghest for some ships to raid Veisafjǫrðr. I wanted to punish Klakke Blue Cheek. With one drekar I could not do it alone. Something made me hold my tongue and we prepared to depart.
Some of Thorghest’s men lived outside the walls of Dyflin. They had slaves who farmed for them. The night before we left one of them came to visit Thorghest with disturbing news. “Jarl Thorghest some of our slaves ran off. When we went to hunt them down we saw a great host. The men of Leinster have joined with the men of Munster. I think they come here to do battle with you.”
“That is an alliance which I like not and one that seemed unlikely not long ago. I wonder what has made them forget their differences?” He turned and ordered his jarls to summon every warrior. “We must be ready to fight them. Sven’s farm is to the south of us. There is a tribe there. They are allied to no one and will join with whoever pays them well. They are the Fianna. Their town is Bealach Conglais. I think that the Hibernians will use that way to attack us. I had thought to rid myself of that nest of vipers but I had other pressing matters. It is less than thirty-five miles from here.”
I shook my head, “I would not do that if I were you.”
“Jarl, I have fought these people before. In open battle, they can be defeated easily.”
“This town, it is inland?”
“Aye on the other side of the mountains.”
I nodded, “Do you not think it strange that these two enemies should join together now. Remember who thought to send his hostages to the King of Leinster. It was Egbert. And now Klakke has visited Siggi Finehair. Where Klakke is concerned, I am suspicious. If we march south what is to stop ships coming here and burning your longphort? You can still fight them but do it closer to you walls. The river protects your north. You can have your men between the enemy and your longphort. Then if ships come you are in a position to fight both.”
Magnus Axe Head was next to us as was Ragnar and Erik Ironshirt. Magnus said, “Jarl, I will do as you command but Jarl Dragonheart makes sense. I served Klakke Blue Cheek. He is clever. This just devious enough for him. Remember how he got the Dragonheart to fight for him. I would bet he brokered the alliance. He would promise the Hibernians that he would help them to rid this land of you. He would use the Dragonheart as proof of his commitment.”
Thorghest said, “Do you think Klakke will come with them? Twenty drekar as well as those of Finehair are too many for us to fight.”
“He will fight if he thinks he can win. I believe the Jarl Dragonheart is right. They will send ships here and Klakke will be with them. If we defend the walls then he may flee. He wants a kingdom and Om Walum is easier to rule.”
While Thorghest debated, Ragnar said, “I am not disagreeing with you but I thought Klakke Blue Cheek wanted more ships. Why would he risk his ships here?”
“Remember the attack at Carhampton? He let the Dragonheart strike first. He would do the same here. If Jarl Finehair falls then Klakke can take control of his ships. I told you, he is clever.”
“Then I have made up my mind. We fight here before our walls. Let us ready our men.”
I went with Thorghest and Ragnar to look at the battlefield. Erik Ironshirt and Magnus Axe Hand organised the men. There was a slight rise which was a perfect place for a shield wall. On the other side the ground sloped away a little more steeply. It would not slow an enemy up dramatically but it was uneven and meant that an attacker would be more likely to attack piecemeal. As that was the way the Hibernians normally fought then we would use it to our advantage.
I pointed to some boggy ground before us. “That will slow them up. If you have your men dig some pits then that will disrupt them. We can stand on the ridge in three ranks with archers behind.”
“They have horsemen. They ride small ponies.”
“I know. I have fought them before. The pits will catch them too. Put more pits on the flanks than in the middle. Make sure that they are disguised.”
Thorghest nodded, “I will get my men to dig them.”
“And have your own scouts out. You need to be warned when they come.”
Brigid was quite s
toical about the impending attack. “I have my son, the husband of my daughter and Ragnar, son of Wolf Killer. If they and the Dragonheart are not enough to protect me then I despair!”
I knew I would not be fighting with the Ulfheonar nor with my jarls but I had fought alongside both Ragnar and Erik’s men. They were good warriors.
The scouts arrived not long before noon the next day. “They have a mighty host, Jarl Thorghest. There are over six hundred warriors. They have three warbands.”
“When will they be here?”
“They are moving quickly. It will be before dark.”
We marched the men out but left enough men on the ramparts to be able to defend the halls in case our worst fears were realised and ships attacked at the same time. We had time to array ourselves before the gates and the walls. The sea and river protected two sides. For that reason, I stood with Ragnar and Erik on the right side. That was the most vulnerable to attack. Thorghest had some stakes dug in just in front of us. It would break up their attack a little more. We needed their men to hit us one by one rather than altogether. Our shield wall would hold them.
They arrived sooner than we had thought. I said nothing but I took that to be a good sign. They had hurried to reach us. At the same time, I wondered why they had hurried. Had they expected to meet us further south? Could there be spies in the halls of Thorghest the Lucky? There were enough Hibernians left within the walls for that to be so. I held my spear. I would not be fighting under my banner. None of us had brought banners but the wolf on my shield told the world who I was. Gruffyd and Einar Fair Face were behind me. Einar had changed since I had allowed him to carry my standard. His face belied his name. The scars he had won and the beard he had grown, allied to the new muscles meant he was not the diffident youth that Klakke had used to get me to fight for him.
The enemy halted five hundred paces from us. Ragnar had better eyes than I did and he said, “There are three Vikings with them.”