by Griff Hosker
He seemed to accept that, “Piss poor place these days. Very little chance of work. We heard that this might be profitable.”
His companion shook his head, “I don’t like this waiting for your money until after the battle.”
“Well they are just giving us incentive, aren’t they? Don’t worry, we’ll be alright. We are on horses. It is the lads on foot who will have to face the barbarians.”
I nodded as though I was interested in their words. “I have never fought them. What are they like?”
“Tough as steel. You have to take their heads to make sure they are dead. Their horsemen are piss poor except for the one they said rides the white horse. The word is that he has a magic sword. Let the high and mighty fight him. We will have a go at the others. These Vikings carry their gold with them! They all have an amulet around their neck and most of them are gold or silver.”
I stood, “Who did you see when you were taken on as warriors?”
“Don’t bother with that Robert of Ouistreham. He is tight. See William the Saxon. He works for Jean of Caen and he seems to know what he is about. He only arrived this afternoon. He still has money for warriors.”
“A Saxon?”
“He is no horseman but he is a fierce looking warrior. He has one of those long axes, a skeggox. He is all right though. You will find him by the north gate.”
“Thanks for your information. I suppose we have some time to find out who pays the most.”
“No, my friend. Ten days is all we have. Then we march. They reckon that they won’t be using the levy. The last time they were about as much use as a priest’s dick. They are going to catch these Vikings while they are raiding.”
“Then we had better get to see this Saxon. Thanks again.”
We headed for the hay loft. After checking that no one had followed us I said, “We will leave first thing in the morning. I think the gate will be closed until daylight. You can tell me what you learned on the way home.”
I rolled up in my cloak with my saddle as a pillow. I had my sword before me and my leather case with the bow behind my back. I fell asleep quickly. Another trick Ulf Big Nose had taught me. I was disturbed when I heard Gurth wake. He clambered down the ladder. Dream of Freya whinnied. I was about to go back to sleep when he returned and his hand shook my arm, “Jarl, those two men, they remembered where they saw you. They said you were a Viking. They were speaking with the owner. He told them to fetch the watch.”
The Norns!
“We leave.”
“But the gate is guarded.”
“There are two men there. Soon this will be filled with soldiers from the hall. I would rather fight two than the garrison. We leave.”
We saddled our horses quickly. It was second nature. I mounted and drew my sword. The town was still busy but, as we edged into the alley, I saw that it was empty. We walked our horses down the alley. Behind me I heard the owner shout something. Luckily the sound was lost amongst the noises of the night.
When we reached the gate the two sentries stood, “Bit late for a ride. The gate is closed until the morning.”
I adopted a sad expression, “Just had news about the boy’s father. He won’t last until morning.”
“Sorry, young man, but it can’t be helped.”
I could hear a louder noise in the distance. The two sentries had not heard it yet. Picking up my helmet I beckoned them closer. They obligingly put their heads together. I smashed one in the face with the helmet. His companion looked at him as he slid to the floor. I then did the same to him. They were town watch and not trained warriors such as I used.
“Gurth, get the gate open.” I donned my helmet and took out my Saami bow. I readied an arrow.
Above me a head appeared, “What’s going on?”
The arrow I sent in his direction took him in the throat. He crashed to the ground and lay on top of the two unconscious men. I had a second arrow ready and I stared down towards the centre of the town. A mob of men hurried towards us. They were forty paces away. I sent three arrows in rapid succession. It takes a brave man to run into an arrow and with two men lying on the ground and another clutching his arm the rest took cover.
“It’s open!”
“Ride! Back the way we came!”
I heard his horse’s hooves as Gurth clattered over the bridge. I sent a last arrow towards the Franks and then turned and galloped away. They would follow us. More than that they would know whence we came. They would send men up the road to Valognes. I was just glad that we had rested our horses. This would be a test of horseflesh as much as anything. I soon caught up with Gurth. My horse was one of the most powerful in my herd.
“We ride and we ride hard. Short of killing the horses I want them pushed. Now you see why we wear no mail!”
When the moon came out I knew that the Allfather watched over us. Although we would be seen easier it made travelling through the woods far safer. We kept a steady pace. We ate up the miles. We had seen few people on the way south and now we saw even less. Our galloping horses made farmers stay behind closed doors. I reined in at a crossroads. The greenway crossed a Roman Road. Behind me, in the forest, I heard horses. They were some way behind us. I was not worried about those. It was the ones who were heading towards Valognes along the road that posed the greatest threat. We gave our horses water. They needed it more than we did. Then we galloped on. It was a long ride. We rode the greenway and the soft ground helped us for it dampened sound and was easier on our horses than a road would be.
The last three miles were across open country. We knew this part better than most for we had fought here. It was open. It was where they had kept their horse herd. The road from Carentan was to our right and, as we saw the walls of Valognes ahead I saw a line of riders galloping towards us. The moon which had helped us now shone on to us. They could not miss us.
“Gurth draw your sword. If they come close, then go for the horses.”
“Aye jarl.”
Gurth was a horseman. He would not enjoy hurting a horse. I leaned forward and stroked Dream of Freya’s head, “Come, show these Franks what you can do.”
He began to open his legs. The Franks were on a converging course with us. They tried to keep up with us but the majority of their horses were not as good as ours. We would meet just four hundred paces from the walls of Valognes. I saw that three riders were leaving the others. They would be the ones we would have to fight. I was aware that I was leaving Gurth behind but it could not be helped. My horse was better and it was his speed which was making the enemy spread out.
I could now make them out. They were Franks. None wore mail and all had a helmet. They bore shields. I saw that they had stars upon them. It was too dark to see the colour. They had spears as well as swords. I shouted, “Gurth, keep heading for the town. Do not follow me!”
I pulled Dream of Freya’s head to the right. I rode directly for the third man in the leading group. As I expected they began to turn. They thought I had made a mistake. I had not. I kept my sword by Dream of Freya’s hindquarters. In the dark I hoped they would not see it. They all held the shields tightly clasped to their bodies. Again, that was just what I wanted. As it became obvious that I intended to fight them they had a dilemma. Did they turn to face me or try to cut me off before I could reach the walls? I was now behind them and drawing closer to the rearmost of the three. The ones behind would never reach me before the walls.
I dug my heels in to Dream of Freya’s ribs and he leapt forward. As soon as he did so I stood in the stiraps and swung my sword at the nearest Frank’s back. He could not possibly swing his shield around in time and my blade bit into his spine. His back arced and he tumbled from the horse. The other two glanced behind them. Seeing what I had done they both turned their horses. Gurth would now be safe. They rode at me. What they had failed to realise was that my horse was going much faster than theirs. They were turning and trying to urge their horses on. The one on my left was struggling to bring his spear down
and I ignored him. The other was a better rider and he lunged at me. A spear thrust one handed has little control. I had longer reins and I punched my hand up as the spear head came at my chest. I knocked the wooden haft away. My sword was held horizontally and the Frank rode into it. It tore across his middle. I barely held on to my sword. He tumbled backwards. I galloped after Gurth. The Frank whose spine I had chopped had a good horse and he galloped alongside me.
Someone on the walls had seen our flight and the gates opened. I saw mailed men with shields rush out to form a shield wall. I slowed my horse down. We were safe now.
Chapter 18
Alain of Auxerre was annoyed. I am not sure if it was with me or himself. “I should have been waiting close by Carentan, Jarl Hrolf. I could have protected you.”
“We survived and we even gained a fine horse. Be content, Alain. Besides we found valuable information. They will be attacking in ten days. I am not sure where but if we know when then we have a chance.”
“I know, lord.”
I looked at Gurth. “You overheard something?”
“There were four Bretons. They were boasting of how they were going to be given extra rewards. They knew the land and they were going to lead the army up the west coast towards Ċiriċeburh. Word must have reached the enemy, lord, that there were many unprotected farms there. They also think we are raiding as we did this time last year.”
“Then we will use that to our advantage. Well done Gurth. We now have a chance. Rurik, I want you to muster your men. In eight days’ time gather them at my son’s hall. Leave enough men on your walls to defend it. Alain I want you and your men to shadow them as they come north. Keep me informed. I will be at my son’s hall. Once they realise we are on to their plan they may change their direction. You will be the one who will let me know. If they stick to their plan we shall use the sea and my son’s hall to defeat them.”
“Aye lord.”
“Gurth, I must use you again. Take a fresh horse and ride to my son. Tell him what we have learned. He has seven days to make his hall a fortress.”
“I will and thank you lord, there are not many lords who would sacrifice themselves for a lowly horseman.”
“In my clan, there is no such thing. Every warrior is as a lord to me.”
I was loath to leave Dream of Freya in Valognes and so I did not leave until the afternoon. I rested but did not sleep. My horse was well fed, watered and groomed before I left and I did not ride him hard. I went first to Gilles and told him my plan. He would organize his horsemen. Then I went to my two jarls. They were overjoyed at the prospect of war and even more delighted with my plan. Sigtrygg growled, “I would like to see the faces of the Franks when you play this trick upon them!”
Thorbolt laughed, “You will, Sigtrygg, you will!”
It was late when I reached my home but I summoned Folki, Arne and Erik. As I ate I told them my plan. It met with their approval too. Finally, I was alone with my wife.
“You gamble all on this one throw of the dice? You put all of your men by our son’s hall.” I nodded. “It is a risk.”
“Life is a risk but this is not the risk you imagine. The men who come north will be a rabble. The horsemen from Rouen and Caen are the only real opposition. He is not using the levy and he is relying on a mainly mounted force. He plans on outflanking us with his horsemen. He cannot see how I would counter that. He forgets that we are sailors. His men think they can defeat my shield wall. We have never been broken. I know others who have been defeated when their shield walls were less than solid. This is my clan.”
“But you will be outnumbered.”
“Possibly. What is true is that he will have twice the horsemen that I have.” I waved a hand around my hall. “Father Michael has built a fine hall. Even if you just have women to defend the walls they can hold out. Rurik will not be bringing all of his men. His levy will still work their fields. Our slaves and servants will still sow our crops. This battle will be fought on the Spring solstice. That is the time of the pagan. We will triumph.”
“And you risk our son again.”
“This time his father fights alongside him.” She was not happy but she knew when she was defeated. She would go to the church and pray. My son and I were pagans but my wife believed that her god would save us. I knew that what would save us would be our mail, our horses and our swords.
I left Arne and Folki to organize the warriors who would march west. I rode to Bertrand. The last time we had fought Bertrand had been wounded. He was now fully healed. More than that he had trained more men. His port was easier to defend and further from our enemies. He brought forth more men and we headed down to my son’s hall.
I knew that Flambard would wonder at the sudden arrival of so many armed men. He would be suspicious. I owed it to him to explain what we were about. I rode with Ragnvald when I went to speak with him. I saw that his hall and those of his sons were much improved. He saw my look and nodded towards Ragnvald, “Your son is responsible for this. He and his men helped us to improve our homes. I am grateful that he came here.” He smiled, “My sons and, especially my daughter, Mathilde, are also grateful for his presence.”
“Then you may be disappointed when I tell you that war is coming. Henry of Carentan has hired mercenaries and they come to ravage this land. I will fight them here. I offer you and your family the chance to take refuge behind Ċiriċeburh walls. You will be safe there.”
I saw the hint of a smile cross the old man’s face. “That is a kind offer. We will take our women and children there but my sons and I will stay and we will fight. This is our land and Henry of Carentan is not to be trusted.”
“I have warriors to fight in my shield wall and to ride on horses. You need not do this.”
“I know, Jarl Hrolf, but I will. A man must defend his home. I was willing to face you. There is no chance that I will waste the opportunity to strike a blow at Henry of Carentan. Besides we know the land hereabouts. We might not be able to fight in a shield wall but we use the woods and hidden places well.”
There was a large wood to the south of my son’s hall. If the enemy came north, they would either ride to the east or the west of it. I placed Einar Bear Killer and his men, along with Flambard’s sons to the west of it, by the coast. I had them dig a ditch from the wood to the beach and build a barricade for the land was only as wide as the road between the sea and the trees. If we blocked their route and made it hard for their horsemen the Franks would head to the east of the woods and Einar could lead the men through the woods to come to our aid. The rest of my men who would fight on foot, with the exception of Sigtrygg and Thorbolt, would be gathered in a line of a hundred and ninety men. There would be three ranks of a shield wall and a fourth of archers and slingers. Anchored against the woods they would hold up the enemy. I would lead my horse warriors. There were more than a hundred of us and a third wore mail. With us we had boys to watch our horses. Rollo and Erik had proved so useful we had another ten. They would watch our spare mounts.
While we waited, we were not idle. My men dug traps and built barricades. It would all be wasted if they did not come where they said they had but I had made a plan and I would stick with it. I was reassured by the fact that Alain of Auxerre had not reached me. If the Franks had deviated from their plan, then he would have ridden to me to let me know. We rested the horses and we ate well. We hunted and each night enjoyed the fruit of our labours. Arne Four Toes, Rurik One Ear and Harold Haroldsson kept everyone entertained with stories of our times raiding with Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson. Not all the stories were of heroic deeds. They told stories of how warriors had had to fight without breeks because they overslept or how drunken warriors, now long dead, had slipped into the sea and had had to be rescued. And, of course, they told and sang the songs of the heroes. They sang of Ulf Big Noses’ death on Raven Wing Island when he sacrificed himself so that the clan could live. They told of Siggi White Hair going berserk and they told of my fight with the Hibernian champion.<
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It was good that they did so for the new warriors had not heard them before. I saw warriors like Einar Bear Killer nodding with approval. He looked at his men and I could almost see him thinking of ways to make them the equal of the warriors in this clan he had found. I sat with my son. He was a man grown and his demeanour and actions had shown that it had been a good decision to give him command. If I fell in battle, then Ragnvald Hrolfsson would be a leader who would ensure that the clan survived. More importantly, he would see to it that we not only clung to the land of the Northmen, he would enlarge it. He spoke to me, each night as we sat and watched the fire died, of the land he had explored. He spoke about the land with a passion I found remarkable. It was as though he was of this land and was not of the Norse. Then I remembered that his mother was a Frank. It was in his blood. It was wyrd .
The Franks did not come on time. It was past the solstice when Alain of Auxerre rode in, “They come, jarl. They have taken the coast road.” He laughed. “I had forgotten how long it takes Franks to move. They crawl along the road like a snail. Each night they stop well before dark and pitch their tents. The fields in which they camp will yield a fine crop for they have many horses with them.”
“How many men do they bring?”
“I counted the banners of forty lords, at least. There are another sixty or seventy who look to be the retinue of the lords and then there are well over a hundred and fifty hired swords. They are harder to estimate for they range in an untidy mob. Henry of Carentan does not seem bothered by their ill-discipline. Of foot, they have but fifty. They are not the levy. I have left Michael of Liger to watch them.”
“Good, you have done well. Have your men join Ragnvald and my horsemen on the left of our line. When do you expect that they will be here?”
“Their scouts do not range as far as we do. We slew four of them. They ride so that they are in sight of the main column. We should see them tomorrow.”
I sent one of Bertrand’s men to ride to Sigtrygg and Thorbolt and to set them off. Their part in this battle was vital. They had been waiting in Ċiriċeburh for the rider. Their two drekar would be in position by dawn.