by Griff Hosker
"Then Vemund and Rolf would be the best choices. They are dependable."
"Good, tell them. Spread the rest of the Ulfheonar around the walls. I know the warriors we have brought have proven their courage and their skills but that was in my land. Here they are far from home. They may need Ulfheonar to show them how to die!"
I placed myself at the tower over the landward gate. I climbed to the top of the wooden tower as it gave the best view to the south and the east. I wanted to see the Welsh when they arrived. It was just after noon when I saw the column snaking its way through the gorse. Even the men of Cymru could not defeat the bright yellow thorns!
"Stand to! They approach. Wait until I command before you release an arrow. Ulf Long Arrow and Harald Long Legs, join me."
Ulf and Harald scrambled to the top of the tower. "Yes Jarl?"
When the men of Gwynedd approach their leaders will hang back. I will order the rest to release their arrows. You two save your best arrows and aim for their leaders. Even if you do not kill them then I want them afraid of your range."
"Aye Jarl!"
The column continued to snake its way towards us. It was hard to estimate numbers but I saw that their leaders all rode the small hill ponies. Their banners were the dragons of Cymru. It was right for they would face Dragon Heart and I knew who would emerge victorious. They halted half a mile away. They were close to the trail which led to Porthdafarc. We could easily be seen and there was no disguising a Viking. I did not mind the delay. They could take as long as they liked. They would be tired and we had had the whole day to rest. Eventually they reached a decision. The warriors formed a boars' head; a double pointed wedge. I saw the cloud of archers on their flanks and, as I had expected, the ten warriors on ponies followed. I estimated that they had eighty men all told. I did not think it would be enough. Although there was no ditch they had no machines with which to break down the gate. They would have to use axes and my warriors could play havoc with them as they tried to do so.
"Do not release! Wait for my command."
They came closer with a tight shield wall. At a hundred and fifty paces they halted and I saw their archers as they drew their bows.
"Shields!" I would allow them to release a couple of flights of arrows. Each archer would have selected his best arrows and they would be wasted on the shields of my warriors. I lifted my shield and felt the six arrows slam into it. I took that as a compliment. They had aimed at me. They released another two flights. I guessed that they assumed we had no archers for the warriors marched on.
"Release!"
We did not have anywhere near as many archers but we were releasing from a wall and our arrows plunged down with terrifying power. I did not watch where the bulk of the arrows fell. I concentrated on those released by Harald and Ulf. One struck the rider holding the standard in the chest and he and the banner fell from the pony. The second arrow struck the warrior next to him, I took him to be the leader- Hywel ap Rhodri- in the thigh. The others raced to him to protect him with their shields and see to his wound.
"Well done!"
Emboldened by their success my two experts continued to release arrows. Soon two other warriors and two ponies were hit and the leaders withdrew out of range. The shield wall advanced but their archers were being struck by my men's arrows. The Welsh had no protection and suffered. My men had mail and the walls of the fort for protection and we did not. It was an unequal contest. They came ahead resolutely. I expected this. They were fighting for their homeland and we were the intruder. My archers were whittling down the enemy bowmen. I held my throwing spear at the ready. I saw a warrior open his shield to urge the others on; it was a mistake. I hurled my spear and he was thrown backwards. My men gave a huge cheer and the shield wall closed ranks.
They were resolute warriors and they marched on. The lack of a ditch and the crumbling walls meant that there was little to stop them. They were also aided by the fact that the land over which they marched sloped gently towards the fort. Their only obstacles were the huts which were littered haphazardly before us. They also afforded them some cover from our arrows. With the horsemen out of range it meant that Ulf and Harald could switch their targets and their arrows, released from the tower, found more flesh than did those from the walls. The enemy were thinned out but it was still a numerically superior force which attacked the walls.
"Do not let them get a foothold on the walls!"
I heard them hacking at the gate. "Clear the gate. Snorri, take four warriors and hold it." I threw a throwing spear at the huddle of men with axes. It plunged into the shoulder of one warrior who dropped to his knees. He was tough and he broke the spear off and held a shield to protect the others. The men of Gwynedd then used our own tactic against us. They clambered upon shields and were hoisted up the walls. I swung Ragnar's Spirit at the throat of the first warrior. He pulled his shield around to defended himself and overbalancing, fell on to the men below. Throwing spears were hurled into the disordered mass. Wherever my Ulfheonar stood the Welsh were thrown back. Some of my newer warriors, however, showed their inexperience and were slain allowing the enemy to gain a foothold on the walls.
I swung my shield around and ran at the four men who had climbed on to the wall.. I held the sword behind the shield for I would be a human battering ram. There were none of my men between us and I ran as fast as I could. I am not a small man and, in my armour and with my shield I was a considerable weight. I crashed into them. They could not make good swings with their swords and they clattered weakly into my wooden shield as I smacked into them. One fell over the walls to crash on to the men below while two others were knocked into the fort where Snorri and his men despatched them. The last lay below me and I moved my shield and plunged the sword into his heart.
Snorri shouted, "Jarl, the gate!"
I wondered if this was the moment to order a retreat. The thought evaporated. I would lose too many men trying to extricate themselves. We fought and won or we fought and died. There was no third way.
"Ulf Olafsson bring your spears and come with me!"
The young warrior grabbed a couple of spears and hurried down the steps behind me. As I reached the bottom I saw that the gate was almost broken. "Snorri, you and I at the fore. You others stand behind us and use your spears to keep them at bay. We will close this gate with Welsh bodies."
I stood to Snorri's right. I wanted room to swing Ragnar's Spirit. As the axes finally broke through the wooden gate we were aided by the fact that they had only made a narrow break in the gate. An arm came through before the bar was sheared. I slashed down and severed it. The stump was pulled back by a screaming, bleeding warrior and the young men who followed me cheered and took heart. Suddenly an axe blade hacked the bar in two and the gates sprang towards us. Snorri and I stepped forward as one; four spears protected the sides. I stabbed forward as did Snorri. The two men with axes had no shields and our swords found bare flesh. We kept pushing with our shields as we withdrew our swords. The narrowness of the gate meant that those who tried to get around us ran on to the spears of Ulf and the others.
I pushed again and the warrior who was trying to swing his sword lost his footing as he tripped over a body. The Welsh were hampered now for more of their warriors ran to the gate thinking they had won. They became easier targets for my men on the walls. I was beyond the gate and able to swing my sword easily. As it swung it hummed, it was singing a song of death. The two spears to my right were as effective as a shield and the men of Gwynedd could not get close to me. As my sword arced down to end another life I saw terror in the eyes of those who faced me. I was a young warrior's nightmare. I was a red eyed wolf wielding a mighty sword and protected by armour. Each one I slew was dead before I even swung my sword for they believed they could not defeat me.
It was at that moment that I believed I was invincible. My singing sword seemed to take over my hand and commanded me to slay all of those before me. I felt a surge of power through my arm which was no longer ti
red. The warriors before me seemed to shrink and become dwarves. I could defeat them all. I punched with my shield and I swung Ragnar's Spirit. There was no thought to my action. I just moved forward with my tiny wedge into the heart of the men of Gwynedd. The blows they struck I did not feel. The weapons they used did not harm me. I slashed, I stabbed and I punched. I heard voices shouting my name but I did not respond. I would slay the whole of this band of warriors. They would feel the wrath of this Viking jarl! Blood sprayed me and I saw limbs severed as I moved relentlessly forward. The sword took over me. I could feel the power of the blue stone. Aiden and my daughter were right; the blue stone did contain magical powers and I was using them!
And then there was no one before me. I heard a cheer and I looked around. The fort was over a hundred paces behind me. Ulf and Snorri were the only ones who remained of my improvised wedge. I saw Haaken and Sigtrygg. They raised their swords and yelled, "Dragon Heart!" over and over. My warriors on the walls all banged their shields and shouted too. Now that the fight was over I felt drained. I did not think I could even lift my arm to acknowledge them. I turned to look at the Welsh. The riders and the survivors were trudging back to their palace. We had won.
Chapter 18
Haaken and Sigtrygg looked as worried as Snorri when they reached me. "Dragon Heart! You were berserker!"
I shook my head. "I just advanced knowing that none could defeat me!"
Snorri waved his arm behind us. "Do you see how many attacked us? Their bodies lie behind. Count them! You slew most of them!"
I turned and saw the bloodied and hacked bodies which lay in a trail towards the fort. Perhaps they were right. I had seen warriors go berserk before but I thought that they had lost their minds. I had been clear in my mind. I had not been reckless. I had been angry but I had not risked my life and yet, as I looked I saw the bodies of three of the young warriors who had followed me. My wrath had cost them their lives. I saw Ulf Rolfson and he was shaking. "You are truly a warrior Ulf and I am sorry for putting your life in jeopardy."
He shook his head, "Jarl, it was an honour. Men will talk of this for many a year."
Haaken laughed, "He is right, Jarl. Already I am composing the words of my new song in my head."
Sigtrygg was always the practical one. "What now, Jarl?"
"Take what we can from the dead. We will have to burn our own dead. If we bury them then they will despoil their bodies." I pointed to the fort. "The walls are crumbling already have the men dislodge as many of the stones as they can. The ones on the seaward side can be pushed into the harbour then burn the whole place. I want the men of Ynys Cybi to shake with fear when they think of us. Never again will they venture north again."
"And then we go home?"
"No Sigtrygg. There is one more task to complete and then we will go home."
As I wearily walked back to the fort I had to run the gauntlet this time, not of weapons, but my men's hands as they clapped me and their voices as they praised me. They talked of me as a hero. I did not feel like a hero. Now that it was over I felt slightly sick. I passed the last of the bodies of the three young men of Cyninges-tūn. Erik Thorson had a smile on his face but he would never father children and never grow old. It was complicated and I could not understand how I felt. I needed to speak with Kara and Aiden.
I continued through the fort and climbed aboard, 'The Heart of the Dragon'. Erik asked, "We have won?"
I nodded, "We have sent them hence. We will destroy this port and then I want you to sail to Aberffaw."
"Do you want me to hide the drekar again?"
"No this time I want them to know we are coming. We will end this today and then sail home."
"Aye. Karl, fetch a horn of ale for the Jarl and some food."
"The ale only I could not eat."
I took off my helmet and cloak. The cool air helped me. I felt as though I had been burning up. I looked at Ragnar's Spirit. It had been through blood and fire on man and it had changed somehow. It had always felt different. Now it felt alive. It was as though it was controlling me and not the other way around. I put my shield on the deck and sat on the chest at the stern. I was tempted to open it and take out the treasures we had found in the fort but I would save that pleasure for later. There would be time enough for that. First I had to finish what I had started.
"Thank you Karl." The ship's boy looked at my bloodied hands and armour with a fascinated expression. He handed me the horn of ale and as I drank it I thought that nothing had ever tasted as sweet and cool before.
I turned as the first of the stones from the walls splashed into the water. I had been right; the crumbling mortar no long held them and my warriors were able to use spear hafts and broken axes to lever the stones into the water. I saw spirals of smoke as the buildings were set alight. I was satisfied.
My weary crew boarded and Erik set sail. The men were too weary to row and we used Erik's skill as a sailor to sail around the rocky headland and the mountain. The scars of our last visit were still visible in the blackened circles where the huts had stood. We passed the tiny inlet where we had nearly lost our lives and then the two towers which had protected their fort. Once again they were blackened stumps.
Haaken approached me. "We go to Aberffaw?" I nodded. "The men are tired. Do you think they can fight any more this day? We have already lost five warriors."
I stood. "We have almost achieved what I wished when they took my family. Their leaders will already be heading back to their palace. If we can reach there before them then it should be unguarded and it will put a mark on the land. They will know that they cannot stop us from attacking their most precious of places and palaces." I pointed to the beach at Porthdafarc. "It is wyrd; it is high tide. We can sail almost to the palace itself."
"Are you yourself, Jarl Dragon Heart?"
"In truth I do not know. The sword seemed to have a life of its own and I could not stop myself. It is sheathed now but it tells me that our work is not yet done. We do this one thing and we have a peaceful winter. We have sent the Mercians packing. We have slaughtered Danes. The Hibernians are neighbours of the Cymri and they will take heed of this warning. One more effort and we can spend the winter telling tales of Cnut and Rolf; of Butar and Olaf. We can make more warriors."
He nodded. "I will ready the men." He turned and yelled, "Men of Cyninges-tūn our work is not yet done." He pointed beyond the bay of Trearrdur. "The palace of their king awaits. It will be filled with treasure. We will go and fill our drekar with the riches of Cymru and we will destroy the Palace of the King of Gwynedd!"
I know not if it was his words or the thought of the treasure but they all cheered and prepared for battle. I heard swords being sharpened on whetstones and saw red being reapplied to faces.
Ulf Olafsson approached shyly. "Jarl, could I have the honour of sharpening Ragnar's Spirit?"
"Aye for you have earned it."
As we sailed down the river I stood by Erik. "Do not risk the drekar. When we are ashore turn her around and drift out with the tide if you have to."
"We are lightly loaded, Jarl. Once you are ashore it will be easy enough to turn." He studied my face. "Do not have the death wish, Jarl Dragon Heart."
I smiled at Erik who was still Erik Short Toe, the ship's boy I had seen grow into a man. "Do not fear I have not. What made you speak?"
"The men spoke of what you did. To charge a warband almost alone sounds, to me, like someone with a death wish."
"You need not fear for me. Soon we will be home and at peace."
He gave a rueful shake of the head. "For a month or two perhaps."
As soon as I saw the palace, just above us I ordered Erik to stop. We left the two wounded warriors aboard and then slipped over the side into the river. We headed in a loose wedge formation up the hill towards the walls. I saw, on the walls, the sentries. We were not trying to hide. A handful of arrows were sent our way. We took them easily on our shields. I confess I found the steep bank difficult to climb. I
was still weary. The gates were barred but Ulf took an axe and began to hack in the gap between the gates at the bar which held it. The rest of my warriors made a wall of shields to protect us. The arrows which fell upon us were so few that I knew there were not many warriors within the walls. Perhaps this Hywel ap Rhodri had emptied the palace to take us.
It took Ulf just eight mighty blows to shear the bar and we pushed open the gates. We saw, at the far side of the palace the reason why so few men had loosed arrows; there were women being loaded into carts and ten warriors protected them.
"Wedge!"
My men quickly formed up on me. "Harald, take Siggi and get rid of those archers behind us."
The two Ulfheonar detached themselves and ran up the stairs to reach the walls. I led the rest towards the far gate. The two wagons were whipped into life and the guards formed a shield wall to stop us. We ran straight at them. Their spears shattered on our shields. We had broken all of our own spears and so we fought as the Romans had once fought and stabbed between their shields with our swords. Ulf Olafsson had done a good job sharpening by blade and it slid into the mail and then the flesh of the warrior in the middle. They were just one rank deep and, as I burst through I saw the last wagon just forty paces ahead of me. I ran after it. The faces of the women who turned to look at me were filled with horror and they screamed. I saw, on the hillside some mile or so away, the riders whom we had chased from Ynys Cybi. I stopped and raised my sword.
"Hywel ap Rhodri and his family, hear my words! Never dare to take from me what is mine or I will put the torch to your whole land. I will slaughter every man and boy. I will enslave all of your women. Hear my words and heed them!" I knew not if my words would carry to the men on the hill but the women in the carts would certainly hear them. I turned and saw Vemund about to put a sword into the last of the guards. "Hold! Spare that one! Bring him to me."
The man had been wounded in the leg but it was not life threatening. I picked him up and held his face close to mine. He was terrified. "You heard my words?" he nodded. "You understood them? Then take them to your leader Hywel ap Rhodri and your King Cynan. I care not for this little rock which hides under Wyddfa but I will return if I am threatened again. Now go and tell them what I have spoken."