Hrolf the Viking (Norman Genesis Book 1)

by Griff Hosker

  We began to head down stream and I saw the sun begin to rise in the east. "Siggi, what did the Jarl mean about lessons?"

  He and Arne shook their heads, "Some of the new warriors forgot orders and they did not secure the abbey. They saw the chance to slaughter and to raid the huts. You and the Eriksson brothers were left isolated. You obeyed orders and it almost cost you your life."

  Arne Four Toes added, "At least you have a good byrnie from it."

  I shook my head, "That is yours Arne Four Toes. I would be dead had you not slain him. The mail is yours."

  "But it is good mail!"

  "I know and there will be others. Besides I have a mind to have mail made for me!"

  They both laughed. "You have ambition, Hrolf the Horseman. Most warriors your age would be grateful for whatever they could get."

  "I am patient, Siggi. I can wait."

  We reached the sea without incident but the Jarl was keen to get back to our island. Each moment spent on the river meant danger for us. I dozed. When I awoke the sun was setting and the crew were moving. "We are home. Come, Arne, let us rid ourselves of this warrior who has snored all the way from Neustria!"

  "I can walk!" I tried to stand and I fell.

  Sven shouted, "You burst those stitches and it is the brand for you!"

  Siggi shook his head, "You have the head of a pig! Do as you are told!"

  They lifted me to the side where they lowered me to Knut and Ketil who stood in the shallows. They grinned at me. As they carried me ashore Ketil said, "You bring us good fortune, Hrolf. We both won mail shirts from the dead we slew. They are not as good as the warrior you felled but they are better than what we wear! That was a good raid!"

  I glanced over and saw the bodies being carried up the path to the graveyard. They would not think so. The two brothers made a chair from their arms and managed to get me to the hall without falling.

  "We will bring your chest and your shield. You will be hall bound for a while.

  Chapter 8

  I hated the inactivity which ensued. Rurik One Ear had only been wounded in the arm and could move around. He could even help the rest of the crew as the bounty from the raid was brought to the hall. I was not allowed to see Dream Strider. I had to lie in the hall and watch the activity around me. Erik One Hand found it quite amusing, "Now you see my frustration! I have to watch while others do what I would. At least your leg will heal and you will walk again. I can never grow another hand!"

  I was duly and rightly chastised. He was right. I had much to be grateful for. That evening after we had eaten I had to endure the aftermath of the raid. The Jarl and Siggi singled out many of the newer members of the crew. Thanks to their reckless action we now had but seven of the original crew of the 'Raven's Wing' left alive and I was injured. The ones who had disobeyed orders squirmed and their fellows, like Rurik, who had done his duty gave them glowering looks. When the bounty was shared that was reflected in the distribution. After the Jarl's share those who had obeyed orders like myself and the Eriksson brothers received far more than the others. To be fair to them they did not complain.

  It took a week to prepare for the voyage to Dyflin. The Jarl and the more senior members of the crew had decided to make the shortest possible journey. Rurik and myself would stay with Erik One Hand. Neither of us were happy. The opportunity to go to a busy market like Dyflin with gold to spend was tempting but we both knew that we would be of no use during the voyage and we accepted our fate.

  By the time they came to leave I was using a crutch but, thanks to Dream Strider, I was able to ride around the island. I rode down to the beach to see them off. It was only as she set off and I saw her in the distance that I realised what a small drekar she was. 'Heart of the Dragon' dwarfed her. I waited until she was a dot on the horizon before I rode back to the hall. It was getting on and off Dream Strider which was hard and so I stayed on his back. I spent that first day exploring, fully, the island. It was not a large island but it had variety. The northern shore had mainly cliffs and just the one bay where the fishermen who had lived here had kept their boats. I shunned the house for I was sure the spirits of the dead Franks haunted it. Even though I had had nothing to do with their deaths I was a Viking and I rode quickly when I neared the house. The south of the island had many shingle beaches and bays. We had, luckily, chosen the best one but there were now more places where we could gather shellfish.

  It was strange to be with so few people. This was the first time in my life that I had not been in the middle of a crowd. Both Rurik and Erik were quiet men. As they were both one handed; at least for the time being, I had to do some things for them. When Erik began to practise with a sword left handed I joined him.

  "Are you able to use it one handed?"

  "A little. I practise when there is no one on the island. You have found me out."

  "I think it is good. Have you thought of using a shield on the stump of your right arm?"

  He nodded, "It was too heavy."

  I had a sudden thought, "Rurik, the bounty we brought from Portucale; where is it?"

  "On the top floor of the store."

  "See if you can find one of those small shields we captured from the Moors."

  Happy to have something to do he wandered off.

  "But I can barely use a sword; what use will a shield be?"

  "At first it will keep you alive and later you will learn to use a sword left handed." Rurik brought one back. "Here I will fasten it to your arm." It had two leather rings through which we put his stump. He seemed a little self conscious at first. "It will not stay on if you lower your arm but that is a good thing. Keep it up."

  Rurik suddenly laughed. I gave him an angry look for he was mocking Erik. He realised what I thought and shook his head, "I was just thinking that if Erik ever gets to fight an enemy he will confuse him. He will have to strike sword to sword." He patted Erik's left arm. "Strike quickly and you will confuse your enemy."

  Now that we had something to do I was able to sit on a log and practise with Erik. I was happy for it gave me something to do and Erik soon became more confident. Rurik could not wait for his own arm to heal so that he could help too. We developed a routine in those first few days. We tended the animals first. I rode a circuit of the island while the two one armed men made the dough for the bread and lit the ovens. Then we would all go down to the sea. Beorn had said that seawater would heal the healing process. While Erik watched us Rurik and I would strip off and bathe. I soon found that Dream Strider liked the sea and it made it easier for me to get into the water. While I found it hard to walk it was easy to swim and each day my leg became stronger. In the afternoon we would empty the fish traps and ascend to the hall where we would bake the bread and prepare the fish for our meal. Then we would practise with the swords.

  On the third day I decided that, as I couldn't walk, I would practise combat skills on horseback. While Rurik and Erik sparred, both left handed, I took a few javelins and, setting up a piece of hewn wood as a target, rode Dream Strider and threw the javelins into it. My fist attempt almost unhorsed me and I learned to keep my weight forward and to use less force. I managed to hit the wood five times out of eight which pleased me.

  Rurik and Erik watched me for a while as they rested between bouts. Rurik wandered over when I stopped. "Have you not thought of using stiraps? They would keep you on the back of the horse."

  "Stirap?"

  "Aye you must have seen them in Neustria. The nobles there use them. They are a metal ring into which you put your feet. They are attached to the horse so that you do not fall off." He suddenly grinned. "We can make some tomorrow. The sword play has made me think that my arm is healing and I have been keen to try my hand at iron work!"

  We were all keen and excited for it was something we had never done before. I was happy to sit and pump the forge so that it became incredibly hot. As Rurik worked the metal Erik and I shouted out suggestions. Rurik was happy to comply for it was all new to him. We sugge
sted he make the bottom flat so that my boot would fit better. Because he was making it for me we used my boot as a template. By the end of the day we had two stiraps and we spent the time after our meal working out how to attach them. This was where my expertise came in. I had seen saddles in Neustria and they all involved wood which was covered in leather. The wood helped keep the rider on the animal's back.

  It took me two days but I eventually made a saddle which fitted Dream Strider perfectly. I was not certain if he had worn one before but, at the end of our first seven days alone on the island, we were ready to try the saddle and the stirap on Dream Strider. My leg had improved so that I no longer needed the crutch. We used a piece of blanket cut from an old one and then I laid the saddle on his back. At first he was skittish and I sang to him. I had learned he liked soothing singing. He let me tighten the strap under his middle. As an added precaution we had fitted a second belt which went around his chest. Then we were ready. As Rurik held his head I wondered how he would react. I used a rock to climb upon his back. The saddle meant I could not vault on as I usually did.

  The moment I sat on his back he took off; he managed to tear the reins out of Rurik's hands and gallop off. I barely had time to grab mane. There was no way I could put my feet in the stirap and I just clung on with my knees. The pain from my wounded leg was intense. Had I relaxed my grip I might well have fallen from his back and that might have undone all the good work Sven had done on my injured leg. I sang and spoke to Dream Strider as quietly and calmly as I could. At first I thought it was not working but he gradually slowed down. Eventually I was able to lean forward and grab the reins. Once I had his reins in my hand I could turn his head. We were approaching the cliffs to the south and I did not relish the thought of plunging off the island to the rocks below. When I turned him I pulled back until he slowed down. He was lathered. It was a sure sign he was upset. I stroked his head and then risked slipping my feet into the stiraps. Surprisingly it did not seem to bother him. It was the saddle on his back he did not like. I rode back to the others. It was a small victory. He gradually became used to the saddle.

  Over the next few days I learned that throwing the javelins with my feet secured gave me more accuracy. Then we tried a charge with the spear. Rurik and Erik stood bravely and trustingly as I charged at them. I was not thrown from the saddle. Over the coming months I would learn how to perfect this technique as well as how to vary the length of the stirap. The days passed pleasantly enough. The three of us enjoyed each other's company and we were all learning new skills. Once Rurik's arm healed he was able to spar more aggressively with Erik who had gained confidence. My leg improved each day. The sea water and, surprisingly, the stirap helped.

  We attempted to brew some beer. We were not ale wives but we had all seen it made. Our first attempt had been little better than slurried water. By the third it was drinkable. We would have ale for the crew when they landed. We had no doubt that they would have bought ale in Dyflin but they would all appreciate the gesture.

  We expected the drekar back within twenty days. After seventeen days we spent more time fishing and hunting. The iron working was forgotten. I still rode and I still swam but the priority was having food ready for the winter and for the returning crew. We also wandered the island looking for and collecting berries, nuts and wild fruits. Nothing was wasted. It was when I was close to the old deserted farm that our idyll ended. As I rested and allowed Dream Strider to drink from the old rain filled trough by the haunted building I spied a boat. It was heading from the east. It looked to be a large fishing boat. I did not think it boded well. I did not remount immediately for I would have time aplenty to warn the others. I stared out to sea. I saw that there were six men aboard and, although they were rowing I saw helmets and weapons. They were Franks or Bretons and this was not a peaceful visit.

  I led Dream Strider away from the skyline and mounted him. I galloped back to the other two. They were also on their way back. "Franks or Bretons! Six of them!"

  Rurik nodded, "They may be friends of those that Hermund the Bent slew. They will find us here and blame us."

  The frightened slave within Erik One Hand emerged. He said, "We could take our own fishing boat and head out to sea?"

  I shook my head, "And where would we go? Sail to the land of the Angles? No, Erik, we were charged with defending our home and we will do so. There are but three of us and yet I would stop them."

  Rurik nodded, "I agree, but how?"

  I pointed to the food store. "We use that. We can take up the ladder. You two can stay at the top and use bows and javelins against them."

  "And you?"

  I patted my horse, "I have Dream Strider. I have javelins, a spear and my sword. I can move faster than they can and while they may expect Vikings they will not expect a Viking who is mounted. I can lead them a chase around the island and tire them out. If I can hurt a couple then the odds will be evened out."

  Erik held up his stump, "Even with a one armed man?"

  I laughed, "Aye Erik, a one armed man, a man with one ear and a rider who cannot stand on his right leg! We are Viking! We are Raven Wing Clan!"

  "It is worth taking the chance." He reached up and clasped my arm, "In case things do not work out well I will see you in Valhalla. It has been a privilege to serve with you."

  "And you too, Rurik One Ear! But do not consign us to our graves too soon. So long as we live then there is hope."

  I rode to the hall and picked up my shield, helmet, javelins and spear. I had a great deal to carry. I put my shield around my back and held my two javelins and my spear in my right hand. I waved to my comrades and galloped back to the wood which lay between the hall and the home of the dead fishermen.

  My time with Ulf Big Nose had been well spent. I had learned to hide in plain sight. I found a place where I was hidden by a large oak. A long branch came from the oak and stuck over the trail. So long as I remained still then they would not see me. I was ten paces from the trail. I had practised with the javelins and knew that I could throw accurately twice as far as this.

  I heard them long before they reached me. From their words I knew that they sought our hall but they did not expect to find any of us. "I do not think that Vikings will leave treasure buried in the ground! They wear it upon them!"

  "Fool! The Leudes said that he knew they had left the island and they would not take their gold on a dragon ship. It will be buried beneath the floor of their hall. We will dig it up and be rich men."

  "What of the Leudes' share?"

  "We will give him enough to satisfy him. These Vikings are rich! The Leudes said that their leader wore mail!"

  The sound of their voices gave me an approximation of their position. I knew exactly when they would appear before me. I waited until two men had stepped into view and then I hurled first one and then a second javelin. My first hit one in the neck and he fell spurting dark blood. The second struck the man in the calf but it came through the other side. Before they could react I galloped at them. They had no idea I was alone. Their shields were on their backs and, as they struggled to pull them around, I galloped, brazenly through the middle of them. I was on a horse and I had a half face helmet. I frightened them. As they cowered I jabbed my spear at them and was reward with flesh. One of them fell screaming from a wound in his leg. I galloped to the south.

  Although only one man was dead two were hurt. I doubted that they were fatal wounds but they were injuries, nonetheless. I did not ride hard; I wanted them to follow. I saw that one remained with the two injured men and the other two followed me. They could now see that I was alone. I glanced over my shoulder. I knew the island well and I guessed that they did not. They ran and began to close with me. I allowed them to get within thirty paces and then I wheeled to the right and led them west. The ground sloped down to our bay and they were encouraged by the fact that the slope was in their favour. As Dream Strider increased speed so they lengthened their stride to try to catch me. It was a mistake. One of
them tumbled over and was unable to stop himself. He fell awkwardly.

  I wheeled Dream Strider around and holding my spear before me galloped towards the last warrior standing. He tried to stop himself but the slope prevented him. I thrust my spear at him as he cowered beneath his shield. Had he worn mail I would not have been able to hurt him but as it was I stabbed down and my spear pierced his right shoulder. As I turned to finish him off I heard a shout and saw the other three coming towards me. The wounds I had inflicted were not enough to incapacitate them. I turned Dream Strider and headed back to the hall. A plan was forming in my mind.

  I rode directly there. I knew that they would be able to follow my tracks but that did not matter. I would still reach there first. As I galloped towards the hall Rurik appeared from the door of the store. I reined in beneath him. "There are six of them. One is dead and four are wounded but they still come. I am leading them here. I will draw their attention to me. Use your bow when their backs are turned. If you can slay one then we may have a chance."

  "Be careful Hrolf! This is too good a tale to end with your death!"

  "I have no intention of dying for men who just come to steal our treasure. Hide yourselves. They will not be far behind me."

  I rode to the hall and waited. I stroked Dream Strider's mane. I would give him some of the winter fruits as a treat after his exertions this day. They came. Three walked ahead while two limped behind. The one who was unwounded led with the man I had speared next to him. The one who had fallen was the third and his head bled yet. When they saw I was alone and not moving they gathered into a line of five. They would have to have their backs to the store house if they were to face me. I could still escape left or right. They spread into a half circle and advanced. They thought to trap me in a net.

  Rurik's first arrow was accurate and it struck the man with the head wound in the back. He pitched forward. They looked at each other in surprise. Before they could react a second arrow hit the man whom I had speared. He too fell. They gathered together and made a wall with their shields. They looked at the two men. They were obviously dead. They looked from me to Rurik. Now that there were just three of them they did not fancy the odds. They turned and ran.