by Griff Hosker
"You may be right. That will be safer than facing bloodthirsty Norsemen."
We had reached the village and people seemed to know the couple. The fact that we were with them gained us acceptance. No one said anything to us. We had arrived on market day. We walked towards the market place. There were other stalls. It was not a large market but there were a dozen people there already. The man lifted the hessian sack from the cart. Inside were more sacks of what looked like beans.
"Good luck. Go with God."
"And with you."
We kept going through the village although we both glanced to the river where we saw the five small boats. They looked to be fishing boats or perhaps traders. If they went downstream then they might spot the drekar. When we were far enough out of the village to speak Ulf asked me what I had learned. He nodded, "You have done well. I think we had discovered enough. If it is thirty miles to Angers we cannot reach there."
I said, "We cannot go back through the village. The man will be suspicious."
"Then we will cross the river and go back along the southern bank."
"How?"
"We find a boat or a log. We saw nothing near to the village so we will walk on a little way further."
Fortune smiled on us. Half a mile along the bank we spied a small punt. It was the type used by those who fished in the reeds. There was a large patch of reeds bordering the river. We jumped in and began poling down the river. We had spied another island and we let the current take us to it. Soon we were hidden from the north bank by the island. We had seen one more island after we had left the village of Ancenis. The problem would come when we passed the village. We might be seen. The current was strong and we did not need to pole. Ulf used the pole as a steering board. As we neared the island close to the village he said, "Lie down and I will put my cloak over my head. They might not notice us."
It was nerve wracking but I lay in the bottom and stared up at the sky. After what seemed an age Ulf said. "We have passed it. You can rise" He grinned, "This is easier than walking. You did well today, Hrolf the Horseman. You did not panic and although I did not understand your words they sounded confident. We might make a scout of you yet."
The news we brought disturbed the Jarl. He sought conference with his brother and Siggi. When they had finished he said, "Break camp. Put your belongings back on the drekar. We need to move silently and not disturb those on the village. I think we will just sail to the monastery. We can then turn and attack Angers. We sail as far down the river tonight as we can. We have to leave the Liger to attack Angers. I believe that if we can pass this village unseen then we can strike in the heartland of this rich place."
I could see that he was trying to appear more confident than he was. I was noticing many differences between Jarl Gunnar and Jarl Dragonheart. The Dragonheart was more likely to speak from the heart. I would be that kind of leader. If a man had doubts he should express them.
Ulf and I grabbed some food and ale before we found a corner for another hour or so of sleep. That was something we had all learned to do. When you had the chance then you slept.
Rurik woke me, "Come Hrolf, we are leaving." I saw that dusk was almost over and the sky was darkening.
We could not use a chant to keep the rhythm of the beat and so the Jarl used his arm. I hoped that his brother was equally skilled. I could not help glancing to the right and village of Ancenis. Although shrouded in darkness the smells of the people and fires drifted over. Occasional voices seemed inordinately loud. It seemed impossible that they would neither see nor hear us but who had ever heard of Vikings this far up the river? When we were had passed rowing seemed easier. We had many hours of steady rowing ahead of us. This was what made us different from other warriors. We had trained to do this.
It was not just the physical strain we had to prepare for it was the strain of the mind. If you did not let your mind wander then the rowing became harder. I had learned to dream of a future not in a drekar but on the back of a horse. I pictured my own clan and my own oathsworn. We would not turn our backs on the sea but we would turn our face to the land and we would range far afield. Working with Ulf Big Nose had shown me that we could use mounted scouts to find our foes and then bring the weight of our band to bear. We would be the first Vikings to fight on horseback. I knew that would surprise our enemies. Most importantly though we would build a hall and walls of stone. The raid by the bandits had set me to thinking. When Rurik and Erik had been in the store they had been protected by height but a fire could have destroyed them. We would build a wall of stone surrounded by a ditch and we would build high walls. I had seen such walls at the Roman Wall. If the ancients could build them then so could we. We would put our roots into the earth and be stronger because of that.
Time passed quickly when I dreamed, even with my eyes wide open, and it seemed no time until we halted by one of the many deserted islands on the river to rest. The ship's boys brought ale and dried fish. Siggi stretched. When he spoke I knew that there were no Franks close by. "You and Ulf will be scouting again tomorrow. Do not use all of your strength in rowing."
"I am fine. I enjoy scouting. It is a challenge to the mind."
He nodded, "Ulf told me of your quick thinking. Just be careful. Watch men's eyes. They tell you their thoughts if you know how to read them." Enigmatically he finished. For the last few hours of rowing I gave thought to them.
When we reached the island where we would rest during the day we were exhausted. It had been a journey fraught with dangers; all of them natural. The river twisted and turned, narrowed and broadened. We grounded once and we broke an oar on a submerged rock. Luckily the river seemed devoid of large settlements and towns. We had passed but one large group of houses with a church and that had been on the south bank. I saw the Jarl take interest in it. As I lay down to sleep I thought that if we had a small boat we could row it would be useful! When dawn arrived I would be getting wet again.
My head barely touched the ground before Siggi White Hair woke me. I took off my boots but Siggi shook his head. "When you came back the last time the Jarl decided to keep the punt. We have been towing it. You get to land with dry feet."
Such small things bring joy.
Rather than using the pole, for the river was too deep where we had tied up, we paddled using the broken oar. Landing on the north bank we hid the punt under an overhanging bush. We had no idea how far it was to either Tours or the abbey. We did know that the abbey was a mile or so north of the town and we knew that the town had a wall. It was a cold morning and the sun had yet to warm the air. Later it would be hot. It always was in this part of the world. There was no riverside trail and we had to use Ulf's famous nose. The ground rose to the north and he led us thence. As we did I saw that another river joined the Liger from the south. It explained why it was so deep so close to the island. We were rewarded by a road just half a mile from the river. We hid close by to watch for travellers. I saw that it was cobbled which made it Roman.
We were about to begin to walk when I heard a whinny. Ulf looked at me and nodded. He pointed to our left. We crossed the empty road, for it was early, and headed over the scrubby land. After a steep climb I saw a fenced field and there were six horses within it. Beyond the field there was a hall and it was surrounded by a wall. This was a risk but the benefits outweighed the dangers. While Ulf watched I crept into the field. I picked up some tufts of long grass and dandelions from a patch close to the fence and ditch. When the horses were between me and the wall I walked towards them. I clicked my tongue and spoke softly as I did so. I kept my gait measured and my head down. Two of them obligingly wandered over to us. I held out my two handfuls of grass and dandelions. They ate them for they were fresh, lush and green. The field in which they grazed had been eaten to the ground. I slipped a halter around the head of one as he nuzzled me and then the second. So far it had been easy but we had to get out of the field.
I led them back to Ulf. He pointed to the east. There was a gate. We
kept the horses between us and the hall as we headed towards it. I was surprised that they did not have a guard upon the field although it was early yet. The six horses were valuable. When the Norns gave you a gift it was always as well to be wary. We opened the gate and led the horses to the lane which abutted the field. As we mounted I heard a shout. Looking to my left I saw two men gallop from the hall towards us. Ulf led us down the steep and narrow lane. I guessed that it would emerge at the road and I was right.
Instead of continuing to ride Ulf turned his horse and drew his sword. "Get on the other side. We take them when they come through!"
I drew my sword. I was acutely aware that we had no saddles and the two men who were approaching did. This would be harder for us. We heard their hooves as they clattered down the stone lined lane. As the horse came out I swung at head height. Although the man leaned back to get out of the way of my sword it struck his chest and then hacked into his neck. His body rolled off the back. Ulf was having trouble controlling his horse and he missed with his strike. The man was a good horseman and he raised his sword to strike Ulf's bare head. I kicked my horse in the ribs. He leapt forward and I stabbed forward with my sword. My blade struck the man in his lower back. The sharpened steel scraped along his spine as he tumbled from his horse.
I grabbed the reins of his horse. "Here Ulf, ride this. It will be easier." I handed him the reins and then rode down the road to where the other horse grazed at the verges. I mounted that one. It was easier riding a saddled horse. The two spare horses followed us. While Ulf hid the bodies in the ditch I slapped the rumps of the two horses and sent them back up the lane. Hopefully they would think the two horses had just got out by themselves. What they would make of the two missing men I did not know.
As we rode down the road I realised that although more visible now we would attract less attention. We rode side by side and we rode saddled horses. Viking raiders would never do what we were doing. . It was easier that way and if we encountered anyone then I could speak. I was keen to ride quickly away from the house where we had stolen the horses but Ulf said, "No, keep this gait for galloping horsemen would be remembered. Two who are riding at leisurely pace are not."
I noticed that there were many roads joining us from the north. The travellers were all heading towards Tours. While each traveller was wary of others the fact that we all travelled the same road made us seem closer and less threatening. Ulf was right, we did not stand out. Glancing down I saw that Ulf did not have his feet in the stiraps. I said quietly, "Put your feet in the metal hoops. It is how they ride here."
Ulf nodded. I could see that he was uncomfortable like that. It had taken me some time to get used to it.
We saw Tours in the distance; that is to say we saw a wall in the distance. It was on the south bank and there was a bridge. The drekar could not pass this place. We looked north and saw, on a hill, a monastery. Ulf shaded his eyes against the sun which had come out from behind the clouds some time during the morning. He turned and said quietly, "If we ride quickly we can scout out the monastery and get back to the drekar before dark."
I pointed to the river. "That looks shallow but there is a beach here. We could land."
"Aye but how would we turn around? The river has narrowed. This may be a church too far."
The bridge was a mile or so up the river and the sunlight glinted off the helmets of the guards on the bridge. There was a narrow road which climbed up the side of the slope to the monastery. I kicked my horse in the side and urged him up. Ulf tried to copy me but his horse was not responsive. I said, quietly, "Kick him in the ribs and slap his rump!"
As soon as he did that the horse followed mine up the gentle slope to the bank which lined the river. Now that it was moving we had to keep him going. We cantered along the tree lined lane. The road was parallel to the river which we could see below us. More importantly we could see the walls of Tours. There were guards there. I reined in when I saw the monastery before us. It was huge. The Jarl was right this was a plum worth picking. We approached no closer to the buildings as the road we were on went nowhere else. We did not want the monks suspicious. Ulf's sharp eyes took in everything. We turned and rode back to the main road. It was not long after noon and the traffic on the road had become a trickle. Those who were going there had reached it and the ones leaving were still enjoying the town. We trotted down the road. I was eager to be back on the drekar.
We saw no one for a couple of hours. We were approaching the fork in the river where the smaller one joined it when disaster struck. There were four armed and mailed men waiting on the road. We were trapped!
Chapter 12
They were a hundred paces from us. Ulf was the master of decisive action. "Ride towards them and smile. Speak with them. You have a silver tongue and your face looks innocent. When you think it right gallop through them. Use your sword to take one out if you can. I will follow. The first chance we get we go into the river!"
The prospect of jumping into a river with boots and sword on me did not appeal but he was the master. I nodded and urged my mount on. I smiled and turned to talk with Ulf. "They may recognise the horses, Ulf, but if we laugh as though something amuses us it may confuse them."
In answer Ulf roared with laughter. It was such a loud laugh that our horses were a little startled. We drew nearer to the four and I saw that their hands were on their reins and not on their weapons. They had puzzled rather than angry looks on their faces.
Ulf shook his head as though he was still enjoying the joke and he said quietly, "That worked!"
It was my turn to laugh by which time we were almost upon them. I gambled and stopped my horse. A frown creased Ulf's face. One of the men said, "Where did you get the horses from?"
"Tours! The Constable there found two bandits riding them. Before they were taken off they said that they had taken them from down the river. The Constable asked us to return them. Are they yours?"
I kept my face and my voice as innocent as I could. The leader of the four was not certain whether to believe me or not. "Aye they are."
"Then we return them."
"Where are you bound?"
"The Constable gave us a silver piece to return them. If your master gives us another then we will both be rewarded. We will find somewhere to stay. We are soldiers of fortune."
He turned to one of the men, "Gilles, tell our lord we have the horses. We shall bring them to him with the riders."
Gilles rode off and the man said, "Something about this does not smell right. Your story sounds reasonable but we are short of two men."
"Perhaps it was they who took the horses to Tours."
"No, I think not. Ride. The hall is not far away and if our lord believes you then he will feed you and you can be on your way."
I could tell from his voice and demeanour that he did not believe me but I smiled and turning to Ulf said, "We are to be fed! Perhaps some wine too eh, Captain?" I smiled so that Ulf would not be worried. He would have no idea what I said.
"Perhaps!"
Every step we took downstream took us closer to our drekar. We knew that the lane from the hall led to the river and our punt was nearby. We just had three men to deal with. All were warriors but I hoped that our behaviour had fooled them. One rode next to Ulf and the other behind. I rode next to the leader. The odds were still in their favour but only just.
The leader turned when we were, by my reckoning, half a mile from the punt. "You are a strange pair. You are a happy and cheerful youth and yet your friend there is taciturn not to say unpleasant. Does he not speak?"
"He is Saxon. We hire our swords out." I turned to Ulf and said, in Saxon, "I said you are Saxon."
He nodded and said, "Aye I am Saxon."
I doubted that they would understand but the interplay seemed to work for we were now less than four hundred paces from the punt and the lane. Ulf said, in Saxon, "Be ready. You take the leader and I will deal with the other two."
He was taking a chance but as
they had not reacted to his earlier words it was unlikely that they knew Saxon.
"What did he say?"
"He wonders if we might have a bed for the night too." My hand crossed to my sword although it rested on the reins.
The leader laughed, "You have cheek, I will say that."
I turned to Ulf who nodded. I drew my sword and swung it at the leader. He was taken by surprise but his hand came up to fend off the blow. It was a mistake. His leather gauntlets just took the edge of the strike. The blade bit into his palm but, more importantly he fell from the horse. I slapped his horse on the rump. It galloped off. I turned to see that Ulf had been more accurate. His sword had sliced into the guard's neck and the last one had taken off to race towards the lane.
"Quickly Hrolf, get to the punt before they are on to us. I want to disappear!"
I galloped the last few paces to the hidden punt. I dismounted and tying the rains to the saddle smacked the horse's rump. It galloped off. I tore the bushes from the punt as Ulf did the same to his horse. We pushed the boat into the river and jumped aboard. The current took us where we did not want to go, downstream. If we went below the island we would struggle to get back. We both paddled as though our lives depended upon it and began to cross the river. The island had a narrow channel on the southern side and we aimed for that. The fact that we could not see the drekar was good. It meant it was hidden from our enemies. We heard a shout behind but we did not turn. The boat was low and with luck they would not see us. It was getting on to dusk. Night was our friend.
As soon as we entered the channel I breathed a sigh of relief. I saw the familiar shape of the Raven at the prow of our drekar. We had succeeded. Ulf steered us to the bank where we were hauled ashore. We could hear the cries from the northern bank. The Jarl looked quizzically at us.
"We had a little trouble, Jarl, but Hrolf was quick thinking enough to get us out of it. We have news! First though, food and ale. We have both deserved it."