Hrolf the Viking (Norman Genesis Book 1)

by Griff Hosker

  Cnut the ship's boy, had sharp eyes and he spotted the spiral of smoke. It was to the north and east of us. "Sven, find us a bay. Put us ashore and we will head for the smoke. Where there is smoke there are people."

  "Aye Jarl."

  We rounded a headland and Sven spied a patch of yellow sand. The rocks on either side were far enough away to risk a landing. He headed the drekar's prow towards the shore. It was unusual for us to go ashore in daylight. In many ways it was harder than at night for we felt exposed but as we saw no one we hurried across the beach as soon as we landed. "Arne, Hrolf, go with Ulf!"

  "Aye Jarl."

  There was a high ridge to the east and a smaller one to the west. The smoke appeared to be coming from the other side of the narrow pass. We raced up towards it. For once we knew that we would be better armed and protected than any we found here. The Hibernians were wild fighters who often fought naked. If they had a sword then they were lucky. Many used a vicious looking club. Whilst handy against one of their fellows it offered little protection against a Viking with a shield, a helmet and a sword. As we crested the col we saw a small crude settlement. There were no more than a dozen huts and they were little more than turf shelters.

  A wail from ahead told us that we had been spotted. The women and children ran and the handful of men grabbed their weapons and ran towards us. We knew that the rest of our warband was behind us and so we ran directly at the eight men and youths who stood with spears, a crude sword and a wood axe. Holding our shields before us we ran at them. I held my sword to the side. My shield smashed a fire hardened spear and then the face of one man while my sword tore through the middle of another. Two men were knocked over by Arne and Ulf and then we were past. I did not turn around but I heard a roar as the rest of the warband crashed over the col.

  We were now in a foot race with the women and the children. Had the women abandoned the children then they might have escaped for they were fleet of foot but some of the children were young and two of the women carried babes in arms. I saw that we were crossing a strip of land and there was another bay some two hundred paces ahead. I realised that they were heading for the beach and, just off shore, were three fishing boats. Another eight men were aboard the boats. They were heading for the protection of their men.

  As we overtook the women they stopped and gathered their children around them. The last one had no children and she ran into the sea. She intended to swim out to the fishing boats which were sailing back to shore. I ran after her and, using the flat of my sword, smacked her hard on the back of the head. She fell face forward into the water. Sheathing my sword I picked her up and carried her back to the beach.

  The Jarl and the rest of the warband were there and they began to herd the women up the hill. The Jarl said, "Siggi, keep ten men here and discourage the men in the boats from anything heroic."

  "Aye Jarl." As much as the men might want to come to the aid of their women the line of armed warriors would deter them.

  I carried the unconscious young girl over my shoulder and climbed back up the col. Ketil shouted, "I see you have been fishing, horseman! What bait did you use?"

  I laughed and said, "My charm! She only ran because she knew you were coming! You really should bathe!"

  We had more than enough men to shepherd the women and children back to the boat. We had eleven women and eight children. There were also two babies. Unfortunately there were no boys to help Bagsecg but that could not be helped. By the time we had put them on board the drekar, Siggi and the others had returned. Siggi pointed to the high ground. "The fishing boats are coming around the headland."

  "Aye well they will soon give up. I am guessing they will raid the next village along." That was the way. They would take women from the next weakest village and so it would go on. Eventually there would be a handful of men with no village and no women. They would turn to banditry or serving someone who would pay them to fight. It was a cycle of life.

  We began to row as the women wailed and keened. The men in the three fishing boats had to watch, impotently, as we sailed by. They shook their fists and, no doubt, cursed us but they could do nothing. Siggi snorted, "They should be grateful the Jarl allowed them to live."

  I had some sympathy with the men. How could they have known that such wolves as we were sailing their waters. The men they had left would have been enough to fend off an attack by a rival clan of Hibernians but not us, not the Raven Wing clan.

  The women refused all food on the way back to Dyflin but they did drink water. For once I had no words I could use. They cursed us no doubt but once one of them, who had tried to jump over the side, had been slapped by Siggi, it ended all such resistance. They sat and awaited their fate.

  We had to row and Arne said, "We have enough women. We can go back to proper raiding now."

  "We still need slaves for the smith!"

  I turned and smiled, "Then we buy them. They will not cost much and I agree with Arne. This is not the work for a Viking."

  It was evening when we pulled up next to the quay. There was no sign of 'Sea Serpent'. Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer had given us permission to use his slave pens to hold our captives. It was a favour for an old friend and to make amends for helping Hermund the Bent. As we escorted them to the pens the woman I had hit with my sword kept giving me dark looks. Ketil found it amusing. "I see your charms have worn off, Hrolf!"

  "I am not looking for a woman yet, Ketil. You have settled on the first one you saw. I am choosy."

  As the Jarl's brother had not yet returned I took the opportunity of visiting Dyflin's markets with Rurik. Since our time on the island alone we were a little closer. Close by the river there were many kinds of trader. I could have bought mail but it would have been far more expensive than that which Bagsecg was making for me and it might not have been the same quality. Rurik did buy a short byrnie. He seemed satisfied with it but I noticed that the links were not as well made as those I had seen in Bagsecg's workshop. There was a trader from the far north, the land of the Rus. He had some of the Saami bows. These were as expensive as byrnie but they were much more powerful and could send an arrow further. Snorri the Scout had had one and he had sung its praises. A bow chosen by an Ulfheonar was worth consideration. I haggled with the merchant. I paid slightly less than he was asking but I was never very good at bargaining. Rurik thought I could have paid much less. I think I had been a slave for too long.

  I bought a second pair of sealskin boots. My first pair had proved to be a good buy. My second pair were just as well made as those I had bought from Einar but they were more expensive. I was not paying a friend this time. I had thought I had finished and we were about to turn for home when we spied the jeweller. He had a small stall. He sold Thor's Hammers. I knew that Rurik had wanted one for some time. We went and Rurik haggled. It was then that I spied, in the corner, a rearing horse attached to a leather thong. I picked it up and turned it over in my hands. It was not made of metal but some black material. It was hard but it was very smooth. Whoever had made it knew horses. The proportions were right and the mane and tail flowed as they did on a real horse. It was beautiful and, to my eye, looked like Dream Strider.

  When Rurik had paid for his hammer I asked, "Where did you get this? It is unlike anything I have ever seen."

  He nodded, "You have a good eye." I was suspicious for that was a common ploy amongst merchants and traders. He must have seen my look for he smiled, "I will not try to sell you anything but what I say is true. I have been here almost a month now and no one has yet picked this up. To me it is the most beautiful amulet I have."

  "Where is it from?"

  He pointed to my bow, "As far north as that bow has travelled this has travelled further from the east. I picked it up in the land of the Rus from a merchant who had been to Miklagård and come up the river. He had it from a captured eastern warrior. It is said his people live on the backs of horses. They can use a bow while riding and they are fierce warriors. He was captured in the G
hassanid wars. They executed him and the trader picked it there. I found it fascinating."

  "What is it made of?"

  "I thought it was jet but it is not. The merchant I bought it from called it ebony. It is a type of wood."

  "But it is hard."

  "Aye, I know."

  "How much?"

  In answer he reached up and flicked up the forelock of hair which always hung down over my forehead. Before I could knock it away he had seen the mark of the slave. He held his hand up. "I mean no offence, Viking." He lifted his own forelock and there was also the mark of the slave.

  Wyrd.

  "How did you know?"

  He shrugged, "I know not. The thought came to me that we had something in common. I am no warrior... " He looked into my eyes. It was strange but I felt the connection then too. "One silver piece is what I paid for it. You can have it for one silver piece."

  I shook my head and handed him two, "No for you must have a profit. I wish this horse to bring me luck. I will not begin its life in debt."

  He spat on his hand and held it out to me. I did the same. "You look like a boy but in your eyes I see wisdom. What is your name Viking?"

  "Hrolf the Horseman."

  "I can see that you will do great things. I will keep watch for you. I am Sven the Rus. I travel from town to town. I feel sure our paths will cross again. May the Allfather be with you."

  Rurik was fascinated by the whole incident. "That little object has travelled from the far side of the world and you paid him twice what he asked. You are a strange one, Hrolf."

  I put it around my neck and said, "Do you not think I was meant to buy it?"

  "Of course but I would worry for I see the Weird Sisters at work. This is a mighty spell if they can summon an amulet from beyond our world and find another who has escaped slavery. These are threads indeed!"

  Siggi was intrigued by both my bow and my amulet. "The horse I can understand. You are a horseman and it is meant for you but a bow. I have rarely seen you use a bow."

  "Do you remember that Snorri, Jarl Dragonheart's scout, used one of these? He could loose an arrow further than any other. I am not the greatest archer in the world but with this I shall be a better one," I turned to Rurik, "Did you hear what Sven the Rus said about this? That it came from a tribe who lived on the other side of the world and could use one of these on horseback! The two are linked. I am sure of it."

  Even Siggi was impressed, "Truly?"

  Rurik nodded, "That was what he said. I can see how it would be more useful for it is shorter than a war bow. When we return to the island you shall have to try it."

  Siggi nodded, "For me we could go home today! When I was young I liked places like this. Now I like the quiet of the island."

  I found myself agreeing with him. I missed my horse and my dog. I missed the island too.

  Gunnstein Thorfinnson arrived back two days later. He brought with him new warriors; more than he had lost and a gift from Aiden, a reward for the parchments. He sent a golden wolf he had made for the Jarl. "This should be yours, Hrolf. We might have used the parchments to light a fire."

  I shook my head, "No lord I am not of the wolf." I held up my new amulet. "I am Hrolf, of the horse!"

  Chapter 11

  The fact that two of our enemies now lived on Mann made us more than a little wary as we headed across the sea to the Sea of the Welsh. Snaefell's mountain top now seemed a threat. Were we being watched even as we sailed south? There was an even bigger sense of relief as we passed the island of the Angle Sea. The visit to Dyflin and the arrival of many new men made the crew chatter like magpies but I remained silent. I was thinking of the Norn's threads. I had not set out that morning to buy a bow but having bought one how odd that that I should have bought one I could use on horseback. In the same way I had only accompanied Rurik to the amulet maker because he needed one. I had had no desire or need for one. It was as though my feet were being directed.

  Siggi White Hair turned to me, "You are silent. Are you unhappy to be leaving Dyflin?"

  "No I am just deep in thought."

  He nodded, "Aye you are a thinker. That will be your downfall I daresay. While you are thinking take the slaves some water."

  I was happy to do so. I picked up the pail and the wooden scoop. They had been quiet since they had come aboard. A couple of days in the slave pens had shown them that this was their life. It had also meant that they had learned some of our words. As I waited for the scoop to be returned I pointed to the one whom I had struck and then carried back to the drekar.

  "You. Name."

  She looked like she was not going to reply and then the older woman next to her, I later learned it was the girl's mother, spoke to her. The young woman nodded, "Nerys."

  I nodded and, pointing to the side of her head said, "Sorry," and smiled. There was a hesitation and then she nodded and the scowl left her face. It was a start.

  When we passed the land of Wessex we saw Saxon ships patrolling. This was a new development. They did not approach us. We were two of the dreaded dragon ships. Even Saxon warships kept their distance but it became clear that they were making sure that we were kept from their shores. I did not know if that was as a result of our raid or others. It mattered not. The world was wide as was the ocean. We would find another sheep to shear.

  Each time we reached our island and it was still whole we thanked the Allfather. Rurik and I were particularly fervent in our prayers. We knew we had been lucky to survive. The lambs we saw on the hillside as we headed to the hall was a sign that we had been favoured. Our new sheep had given birth. With just slaves and personal treasure to carry back we did not need Dream Strider. Erik led him from the stall for me. Nipper bounded up to me, yapping. He leapt into the air to almost knock me over as he eagerly licked my face.

  Erik One Hand said, "They have both pined for you. It is good that you have returned."

  I took my bow and quiver and handed them to him. "Put these in the hall. I will try them out later. First I ride Dream Strider. He needs the run."

  I did not bother with a saddle. Now that my leg was healed I could mount and ride as easily as before. I set off to the west of the island and Dream Strider raced with a freedom I had not seen before. Nipper bounded along next to him. The dog had filled out. He was spoiled by the children of the slaves who gave him titbits from their table. All three of us needed the ride. We twisted and turned through the woods and then I reined in at the cliffs at the western end of the island. I paused to take in the vista before me. We had a good home. As I turned I spied a cave. I had not seen it before. I would tell the Jarl about it. That might be useful. We could store things there. Then I whipped Dream Strider's head around and galloped along the southern coast. As I passed the two drekar the ship's boys waved as they tied up the ships. We now had more mooring posts and the two vessels would be secure.

  The ground to the east of the island was more undulating and had less trees. We had to be careful to avoid animal holes. That too was an entertaining challenge. I used my knees and Dream Strider used his horse sense. Nipper just used his lightning quick reactions. At the east end I dismounted and stroked Dream Strider's head. I found myself looking out beyond the land ahead. A warrior had worn my amulet. He had died far from home and I carried the last piece of him around my neck. Where was my home? I had been taken as a slave so long ago that I had no real recollection of where my real home lay. Was it Cyninges-tūn? Was it Neustria? Was it this island? The Norns determined my course and I wished I could ask them where my destiny truly lay. The witch had said in the land of the Franks. Was this the land of the Franks?

  As I headed back to the hall my mind was filled with questions. I knew now, with all certainty, that the Norns wished me to be a horseman. How could I do that while sailing on a drekar? I was still young. My beard had only recently started to fill out. I could only estimate my age by counting back winters. I came to the conclusion that I had seen somewhere between fifteen and eighteen wint
ers. The Jarl had seen twice that many and Siggi almost three times. I still had much time to become that which was prophesised. But I was young and I was impatient.

  As I rode through the village Bagsecg waved me over. "I have nearly finished your mail. By next month we can try it. You are still growing and we will need to adjust it."

  "Good."

  "Did you get me a slave or two?"

  "We could not find any in the village we raided." I saw his disappointment. "The Jarl bought two instead."

  "That is good. We will build a bigger smithy." Anya came out and I saw the bump which showed she was with child.

  I smiled. "I see you are like your father. Sire as many sons as you can and then you have a steady supply of workers."

  He laughed but Anya scowled, "It may be a girl. What say you to that husband?"

  "I say it would be a good thing for the Allfather puts women on this earth to keep men like me in our place."

  She shook her head and rolled her eyes, "Hrolf, did any of the slaves catch your eye?"

  "I keep answering that question. When I spy the right one then I will take her."

  She pointed to Ketil and Knut who were heading with their two women to the huts they had constructed. "If those two empty headed lumps can get women then you should too. We need children with brains! Theirs will just have brawn!"

  I laughed and led Dream Strider back to the stall. Anya's words did not worry me. There was still time. I dried, watered and fed Dream Strider before heading to the hall. Nipper followed me to the door and then bounded off. He would go hunting. We all had our own space in the hall. As I had been one of the first I had had first choice and my space was by the eastern corner. In light of my purchase I saw now that was wyrd. Rurik and Erik were close by. Siggi and Arne were towards the middle. They were closer to the fire and the table. That reflected their position in the clan. They were, along with Ulf Big Nose, the senior warriors in the clan. As I passed they were still talking of Dyflin.