by Griff Hosker
We were at our oars before dark. The Jarl wanted us to strike just after the citadel was locked and barred for the night. He was a clever man; he reminded me of Dragonheart. He thought things through. If we always attacked just before dawn then our enemies would prepare for that. His variety of targets and times kept them guessing.
We rowed south east. We had three islands to pass before we reached the mouth of the river. Two of the islands were uninhabited and so they were useful as markers for our course. It was another reason the Jarl had chosen the target. His brother would lead the raid and the three islands would help him to find it easily. The weather and the sea were both kind to us and we flew down the coast. The beach we would use was a large one but it was some way from the houses. The port was around the headland in the mouth of the river. We knew from previous raids along the river that the port had a town watch. We would walk.
The moon had yet to rise when we reached the beach and it was dark. The smell of the houses and their fires were inland of us. We gathered on the beach. Despite the fact that Gunnstein and his men would lead the raid Jarl Gunnar was no fool. Ulf Big Nose was designated as scout. I felt a little put out that I was not with him. I had thought I had shown some skills in that area. I obeyed orders. Ulf and Gunnstein's scouts loped off followed by the crew of 'Sea Serpent'. I swung my shield around as we followed. We had left four men to guard the ships. The Eriksson brothers had been given that task and neither had been happy about it. I ran alongside Siggi and Arne. It had been some time since I had had the chance to do so.
On the boat Siggi had told me that there was a church in the village which had the bones of some saint. It was called St. Nazarius. For some reasons the followers of the White Christ valued such relics. If we had the chance we would take them. They would fetch gold in Dyflin. We knew they would fetch even more in the land of the Lombards but we would not risk the Middle Sea just yet.
Gunnstein was young and he was reckless. He and his men just charged into the village rather than sneaking in. We heard the commotion and Siggi snorted, "Young fool! Surprise is gone!" There were two ways of raiding; one involved stealth and the other terror. Gunnstein was going for terror.
"Raven Wing! Run!" The Jarl's voice set us off running. I drew my sword and followed Siggi and Arne. They ran up the hill. The citadel was there but so was the church. Siggi was going for treasure. Gunnstein would find few pickings lower down the hill. The clamour had aroused the inhabitants and five men rushed from the hall which was next to the church. They had had time to grab helmets, shields and weapons. Siggi did not hesitate but threw himself amongst them. I saw a warrior begin to swing his axe at Siggi's unprotected right. I brought my sword over and knocked the axe head down. My sharp sword took a chip from it. The man turned to face me.
I had not fought many axe men before. I knew that a blow from an axe could be deadlier than a sword but I also knew that he would have to swing. He could not thrust. I could do both. When he did swing at me I was surprised at the speed. I held up my shield and angled it. The blade caught on one of the studs. I heard the clang and saw the spark. More importantly I felt the blow which shivered my arm. My sword darted forward. He was expecting a swing and the thrust took him by surprise. I got through his guard and my sword scored a deep wound along his cheek. Emboldened and before he could swing again I punched with my shield. It was not my strongest blow for my arm was still numb but it made him step back. I then feinted to stab at his face again and he flicked his shield up. I changed the angle of my strike and stabbed him in the knee. I twisted as I withdrew the blade and he shouted in pain. I had quick hands and, bringing my arm back, I swung at his neck. My sword bit deeply and he fell.
Before I could even think of moving on a sword smashed across my chest. I looked up in horror at the man who had appeared from nowhere. The pain in my chest had taken my breath away but I managed to swing my sword across his face and make him retreat a step. I turned to face him and pulled my shield up. Siggi had told me never to drop my guard and my success with the axe man had blinded me and made me forget my training. If I was to survive this encounter I would need to think.
I saw that this was a young warrior; older than me he was quick and alert. I saw it in his eyes. I had that advantage. He could not see my eyes. They were hidden behind my mask. My other advantage was that I was slightly taller. I had no doubt that he had seen my feint before I had slain the axe man. I would need to be cleverer. I held my sword up above me with the tip pointing down. If he gave me the chance I would stab above his shield. When I saw him pull his sword back I knew that he intended a sweep. As he swung I stepped into the blow with my left leg and my shoulder behind my shield. I stabbed forward as I did so. Our swords struck at the same time. His made my already painful arm numb once more. It also increased the damage to my mail vest. A tear had appeared. My sword, however, had found flesh. I had pierced his shoulder. I brought my sword back and stabbed upwards. His shield hid the blow from him and I came up under his shield. I felt the tip strike and I pushed hard. It tore through a gap in his leather armour and entered his stomach. I saw the pain in his face and I pushed harder. Suddenly my sword tore through his body and emerged at his right shoulder. Life left his eyes. I pushed his body from my sword.
Siggi and Arne had raced on. Rurik was behind me. He nodded to my mail as he passed, "Your vest!"
I looked down and saw that it was split down the middle. It would offer no protection to my front. I ran with him up towards the church. Siggi kicked in the door to the church. By the time Rurik and I joined him a priest lay in an untidy heap and Arne was already gathering candlesticks and candles. Siggi shouted, "Rurik! Get the plate. Hrolf come, we will find the relic! Look for a box!"
I remembered that Aiden had told me how the priests liked to keep their precious relics close to their altar. Arne had taken everything from the top of the wooden altar and I kicked it over. There was a stone beneath it with a clear line around it. "Siggi! I have found it."
"Good lad! Take out your seax. You lift that side while I lift this."
The fact that the large stone came up easily showed that this was regularly lifted. We dumped it on the floor rather too heavily and it cracked. There were two boxes within. One was small, about the length of a man's arm, while the other looked like a treasure chest. I picked up the small box and Siggi the other. I saw the look of disappointment on his face. "No coins in this one. Come we will take them back to the drekar." He handed me the large box. "This is not heavy. Take them both. "Rurik, it is time to go! Watch our backs!"
As we made our way back to the drekar we could hear that the raid was over. There were moans from the wounded but little sound of combat. The dead we passed were our foes. When we reached the axe man and the others we stopped. Siggi said, "I will get your rewards for you." He took the sword and axe from the men I had slain and he cut their purses. He placed their valuables on top of the two chests I carried and said, "You go back to the drekar. I will bring your weapons and search these others. Rurik, go with him!"
By the time we reached the drekar others were there already. Sven had put a gangplank so that we could walk aboard. We had more animals. I laughed as I saw Beorn and Harald Fast Sailing trying to get a sow and her young aboard the drekar. Beorn said, "Put those treasures down. This is work for the animal master!"
I handed the boxes to Rurik, "Take care with these. They may be worth more than gold!" I put the purses in my tunic and went over to the pigs. The two men were trying to manhandle the sow. I shook my head. "Leave the sow. Get the young on board. She will go herself if we do so." I picked up a squealing pig and walked up the gangplank and dropped it in the bottom. It continued to squeal for its mother. Beorn and Harald did the same. When I picked up a fourth the sow gave a snort and clambered after me. I dropped the piglet and then got out of the way of the sow's snout. The young huddled around her.
"Stay away from her and the young. "
Beorn and Harald brought the last two, "Y
ou truly are the animal master."
"It is just common sense Harald Fast Sailing. You know drekar but not animals. I could not sail this ship. Each to his own."
"Aye but this skill of yours, it is truly wyrd."
It took until dawn to load the two drekar. The Jarl shook his head as he boarded, "My foolish little brother. He is brave but he is reckless. He has lost four of his crew. He will be shorthanded."
Siggi nodded as we settled on to our chests, "Aye, Jarl, but he has learned a valuable lesson. His oathsworn have bought him experience."
The Jarl said, "Aye, with their lives."
Chapter 10
I felt honoured that the Jarl asked me to be there when the two chests were opened. Gunnstein, Siggi and Sven were there also. The smaller one contained some bones. Siggi nodded, approvingly, "Gold! As valuable as gold!"
The Jarl smiled, "And the other chest is larger and just as light. It may contain even more." The air of anticipation was almost palpable as he carefully opened it. To our great disappointment it contained nothing save some parchments with the indecipherable writings of the Franks and the Romans.
Siggi snorted his disgust and pointed to the fire. "What a waste! We might as well use it for the fire!"
The Jarl shook his head, "I do not think so. What say you Hrolf?"
"My time with the Dragonheart and Aiden told me that while this may not have a value in gold it may have secrets in the scribbles."
"But how do we read them?"
I shook my head, "We do not. We send them to the Dragonheart. If there is value in them then he will share with us."
"Aye you are right. Dragonheart has honour."
Gunnstein was keen to make amends for the rash actions of his men. "Let me take them brother! We have gold we took from the village and I know there are more who would go a-Viking with us from Cyninges-tūn. Besides Bjorn Bagsecgson has armour and I would buy a byrnie. His son is still busy with the swords."
"It is good and we will take these relics to Dyflin and then find more slaves. The ones from Corn Walum have settled in well."
"Bagsecg asked if we could get some boys who could work at the forge. The ones from Corn Walum were too small."
Siggi White Hair spat into the fire, "One thing Hibernians have is muscle! The west coast is the place to raid."
Gunnstein said, "I have heard of men sailing west beyond Hibernia. They say there are lands to the west."
Sven said, "I would not risk that. The west coast of Hibernia is enough for me. I would not risk sailing off the edge of the world."
I could see Gunnstein mulling over the idea. He was young and he was curious. He was the kind of captain who might risk his ship and his men on such a venture.
There was little to be gained in waiting and we set sail just three days after our raid. The spring storms were still a threat but we were able to take larger crews. If we had to row then we could battle the seas and the wind. Knut and Ketil had taken two of the slaves as their wives and others had expressed an interest in the women. The result was that there was a greater demand for female slaves.
We sailed together. Two dragon ships kept any other predators at bay. We were too big a mouthful for any but the largest of drekar. The Saxon ships, even if they hunted in numbers were no match for our ships. We were sleek and we were fast. We remained within a length of each other until we reached the Angle Sea and the holy island of the Welsh. Gunnstein would sail to Úlfarrston while we put in at Dyflin.
Gunnstein Berserk Killer had sailed with our Jarl and the two were good friends. I knew from my time in Cyninges-tūn that the Jarl who had ruled Dyflin before had been a treacherous man. Jarl Dragonheart had defeated him and installed his friend as ruler. Although Gunnstein Berserk Killer had scoured his halls of the confederates of Hakon the Bald we were all wary as we entered his hall. Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer had grown a little portly since the last time I had seen him. He did not raid; he had no need to for Dyflin was the crossroads of the Viking world. We could all trade there. He grew rich just by sitting there and collecting taxes. He also took tribute from the Hibernian kings and princes. Few wished to risk the wrath of the Vikings. It was worth it to pay him and avoid a raid by his mailed warriors.
As we had walked from the quay to his hall I had been impressed with the bustling nature of the town. Every race was represented. I saw Saxons and Danes, Celts and Franks. It was the only place save Miklagård where such a variety of people could exist without confrontation and violence. Dorestad had had almost as many but that was a dangerous place. Dyflin was just lively! That was the result of Gunnstein Berserk Killer's hand. His word was law. I was glad that we were his friends and allies.
"Welcome my friends! What tales from the west? We are starved of news here."
The two jarls sat together in the middle of the long table. Siggi and Arne sat close to Jarl Gunnar. I was some way away. "We have brought some relics to sell. They are the relics of a saint called Nazarius."
Gunnstein Berserk Killer nodded, "I have heard of him. A Breton prince tried to steal them away once. The Franks will not be happy." He nodded. "We cannot give you their true worth, we will have to sell them on."
"That is understood." Jarl Gunnar waved his hand towards our clan, "These warriors have coin which is burning to be spent."
"Then you have come to the right place." He laughed deeply, "Taking money from traders is easier than fighting but not as rewarding. I miss those days. Are you not ready to settle down? I have six sons now!"
"We have some women but not enough."
"Ah yes, I have heard that you have made your island a stronghold."
I pricked up my ears. Siggi White Hair asked, "Where did you hear that, my lord?"
"We had some travellers call in not long after your last visit. They said that you had an island close to the land of the Bretons and you had built a hall."
"Were they our people?"
"Aye. They came in a leaky drekar. It took my shipwrights four days to seal the leaks. They were heading for Mann."
"Who led them?"
"Hermund the Bent was the name of the leader."
Siggi's voice became cold, "Hermund the Bent!"
I saw no deception in the eyes of Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer as he said, "I know him not but one of your countrymen was with him; Harald Black Teeth. He has been here before with your father. He has men following him now. I did not care for either man. We were glad to see the back of them for they spent little and caused trouble."
That almost settled it but I remembered the fight where I had saved Hermund the Bent's life. "Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer did this Hermund have a fresh scar running down his cheek?"
"It is Hrolf, is it not? Good to see you again. You have grown. Aye he did."
I said, "Then it was Hermund the Bent."
"And who is Hermund the Bent?"
Siggi said, "A murderer and a foresworn villain." The word 'murderer' was enough to silence the table. "He slew one of our clan and a family of fisher folk. He spread a rumour that Hrolf here had done it and that he had slain Hrolf. He is outlaw."
Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer stood, "Then I am sorry we gave him aid. Let it be known now that this Hermund the Bent and those who sail with him are outlawed from Dyflin." Everyone banged the table giving their approval. He sat down and shook his head, "And he has fled to Mann. Each time we scour that island the rats return."
"Just so long as we know where he is we will give thought to his demise."
Gunnstein Berserk Killer nodded, "Wyrd. Where is your brother?"
"Gone to Cyninges-tūn for more warriors. We will meet with him here."
"You stay? If so you are more than welcome."
"No, Jarl, we come to ask permission to raid the lands to the west."
"And you have it. They do not pay me tribute but the land is poor. They have little to take."
"Little save slaves."
"Then it is rich in those. We have slaves in our pens you could
buy."
The Jarl laughed, "I think it will be cheaper if we just take them. You say they are poor but they have churches and those always have treasures worth taking."
Our departure was delayed for many of the crew enjoyed the pleasures of Dyflin so much that they were in no condition to row. Olvir the Child Sparer had got into a fight with a Frank and now boasted a badly cut arm. He would be of no use on the raid. He received no sympathy from Arne and Siggi. "If you cannot best a Frank then stay aboard next time. Had he been one of Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer's men I would have understood but a Frank!"
"It was the ale. It was stronger than I am used to."
"Then that is even worse! Your punishment will be that you do not share in the raid. The drink has cost you much."
Poor Olvir was the subject to much mocking. He had to endure it too. He knew that he had made a mistake. It matter not that he had broken the Frank's jaw and his arm he had let down the clan.
I had never been to the west coast of Hibernia. Haaken One Eye had told how the Dragonheart had raided the churches and monasteries there and reaped great rewards. We were after easier prey than he. What I had learned was that the coast was made of many fjords and narrow rivers. The people there fished for the land was poor for farming. Those with good land kept cattle and had walls around their homes but there were few of those in the part we would raid. As we did not know the land we would have to raid in daylight. As a result we left Dyflin at night and sailed around the coast in darkness. On the morning of the second day we found ourselves in the seas to the west of Hibernia. To the west lay vast seas without any land. As we rowed up the coast it was a worrying thought. What if a storm came up and swept us over the edge of the world? I saw Siggi and Arne clutch their Thor's hammers. I had no such protection. I determined to have one made as soon as I could. I made do with the hilt of my sword and relied on the spells of Kara and Aiden. We passed cliffs, rocks and inaccessible beaches. Perhaps we were not meant to raid this area. I could not see anywhere we could land.