by Griff Hosker
"How does that help?"
"The Romans used them. It means you can measure, for example, a watch on a ship. I will work out how much it measures." He seemed quite excited by the discovery although I failed to see its value. By the time we reached Vasconia he had calculated that you would turn it twenty four times and a whole day would pass. He examined it closed and found that it dated from the time of the Romans. The Arab had obviously taken it from someone else but its value was in the care he had taken to keep it safe.
I was relieved to see Coen ap Pasgen's knarr at her mooring close to Bourde. She rode higher in the water than she had previously. Her trade had been good. Before I went to see the Duke I went aboard Trygg's knarr. We had had little time to talk since the sea battle. I knew he had lost men for the two knarr had buried men when we had held our own ceremony.
"How many did you lose?"
"I lost three of my crew and Siggi, two."
"Will that leave you shorthanded?" He nodded. "I will let you have some of my men.
Siggi noticed the four warriors who sat alone. "What happened there?" I told him. "Then you cannot give us any of your men. We will try to hire some here. Who knows there may be some adventurous youths who wish to voyage with us."
"Perhaps." I left two Ulfheonar to watch our four prisoners and then we went to see the Duke. He was delighted that we had returned and he threw us a feast to celebrate. I gave him the scimitar I had captured from the dhow's captain and his helmet. The Duke was delighted with the gifts which made our alliance even stronger.
We left Bourde two days later for we needed the two days to repair our ships. The seas through which we would travel would test us. Siggi and Trygg did manage to hire a few seamen. The struggle with the Empire meant that they had less ships trading. Our cargo was now split between three knarr. They rode higher in the water. We had spare space. If I did not have four prisoners then we would have been able to raid. I was acutely aware that we had no slaves yet.
With repaired ships we headed north. Aiden pointed to the knarr. It was as though he had been reading my mind. "We still have spare hold space, Jarl."
I nodded, "And we have four men to guard too."
"They may give their word to behave and allow us to raid."
"I would not trust Magnus the Foresworn. I gave him one chance. He does not get a second."
We headed north west across the dark grey seas which surrounded Britannia. We were able to use more sail as the three knarr rode higher in the water. I had thought to have a swift passage home but a sudden squall sprang up as we neared the island the Romans had called Vectis and the men of Wessex, Wight. The squally sea made our four ships toss and turn as they crested waves and dropped into deep troughs. It ended as suddenly as it had sprung up. Our four ships could all see each other but we were spread over a large area.
Erik left Karl on the steering board and went to inspect the ship. When he returned his face was grim. "What is the damage, Erik?"
"I fear that our collisions have damaged our hull. We are taking on water. We need to beach her so that we can caulk her hull again."
I looked to Aiden who had his charts out. "Could we make the islands of Syllingar?"
Erik shook his head, "It is too far and too risky." He pointed to the sky. The squall was heading to the west.
"Then that means Wessex. Vectis is the nearest place."
"That is risky but it seems we have little choice. Head north and we will signal the other three ships when they draw near."
Our three knarr returned, like lost sheep, to the safety of our stern. They too had damage and, like us, would need to repair. As luck would have it we discovered a small beach which appeared deserted below a high set of cliffs. With no settlements in sight and dusk approaching it seemed a good place to land. We were now two ship's boys short and Snorri and Bjorn the Scout stood at the prow to jump ashore and secure us to the beach. As we neared the shore I saw that there was a sandy beach close to a path which twisted up the cliffs to the plateau above. It looked to be just big enough for our four ships but it would be tight. With our sail furled we went in under oars so that we just nudged the sand.
Snorri and Bjorn raced ashore with the two ropes and tied them to two large rocks. They then scurried up the path. They were scouts and would detect any dangers hidden to us on the beach.
We jumped into the water, all save our four miscreants. Erik too stayed aboard and directed us as we pulled the drekar sideways on. "Karl, Cnut, come and help me to lower the mast. We do not want it damaging." While they took down the mast and laid it on the mast fish I watched the three knarr as they, too, beached themselves. My back was aching with the strain of holding the rope. When the mast was taken down he said, "Everyone off now." He glared at the four sulky youths. "That means you too!"
Once we were all off we began to pull the ship on to its side. Karl, Cnut and Erik ran along the water's edge jamming flat stone beneath the hull so that we could repair it. After what seemed an age Erik shouted, "Let go, gently!"
We lowered the ropes and the drekar stopped moving. Erik came around as we rubbed our arms to get the feeling back into them. "Can we light fires?"
"Wait until Snorri returns."
He nodded, "We can make a temporary repair but I will need a fire to heat some fat."
"Haaken, sent two men to the cliff top to keep watch. Karl and Cnut, collect sea food from the rocks. If we cannot cook then we can eat them raw."
Sigtrygg pointed to the four youths, "And them?"
"Have the two Ulfs watch them."
"It would be simpler to bind them… or kill them."
"I have said I will let them say goodbye to their mothers first."
Snorri and Bjorn returned after dark. "There is a small fishing village along the coast. It is, perhaps, four miles away."
"Could they see our fires from there?"
"I do not think so."
"Erik, light your fires." I turned to the rest of the men. "We have hot food this night." The sea food would be added to a stew using the salted ham and venison we had brought. It would be a hearty feast.
Erik came to see me with a downcast expression. "What ails you Erik?"
"I have failed you, Jarl. We did not pack the pine tar. It is my fault. We left in a hurry but I should have remembered. There is no excuse."
I turned to the three knarr captains. "Did any of you pack the pine tar?" They shook their heads and looked shamefaced. All had made a mistake but there was little to be gained by berating them. "Then how do we seal the planks?"
"We could use pig fat and sheep's wool."
I sighed, "Have we sheep's wool and pig fat?" There was a collective shaking of heads. As I glanced at Magnus the Foresworn I thought I detected a smirk. Perhaps I would let Sigtrygg wipe it from his face.
"They have pigs and sheep in the village we saw, Jarl."
I could always rely on Snorri for answers. "Good. Then we will go there now. Arm yourselves."
Only the Ulfheonar had mail but the effect of mailed men descending into a village at night always ensures victory. When we were ready I turned to my knarr captains and Erik. "Watch our four friends here. We should be back before dawn."
There were more than enough to repair the knarr and watch the four. As we set off up the cliff path I asked Snorri, "How many huts are there? And is there a tower?"
"They have a stone wall around three sides. The fourth is the sea. They have their boats drawn up on the beach."
"Then they may have pine tar too."
"Perhaps. We saw no tower."
"If we can get them I want male slaves. We need miners."
Perhaps this was good fortune to repay us for the attacks in the Blue Sea. I turned to the warriors behind me. "The Ulfheonar will take the village. The rest make sure that none escape to raise the alarm."
We smelled the smoke from the fires of the huts as we approached. The Ulfheonar spread out in a long line with the newer warriors behind us. As we neared
the wall I signalled the inexperienced warriors to wait there. A dog began to bark as we approached the village. It could not be helped but we moved faster anyway. A light appeared from a doorway as a man emerged to silence the dog. He saw us and shouted, "Vikings!"
Snorri raced towards him and struck him on the back of the head with the pommel of his sword. I heard a scream from within. Snorri stuck his head inside and said, "Just women and children." We left them to continue through the village. There were shouts and screams as men were clubbed unconscious or bound. Women and children screamed in fear. Our appearance was terrifying. With our wolf cloaks, full face helmets and black armour we must have looked like the very devil which these Christians feared so much.
Suddenly Snorri and Bjorn ran as fast as they could towards the sea. I followed, a little slower; my ankle was still weak. I saw why. Two men were running towards one of the fishing boats. Even though they were wearing mail Snorri and Bjorn were as fast as lightning. The two fishermen panicked as they heard their footsteps on the shingle and they fumbled with the ropes. They were easily caught. They put up a struggle until they were subdued by a punch to the chin. I saw that there were six boats. One looked as though it had a mast and four oars. Had we time and crew enough it would have been worthwhile to capture. That night we had other priorities. By the time Snorri and Bjorn returned with their prisoners the village was secure.
"Sigtrygg use the other warriors and take all these villagers back to the ships."
"The women and children too?"
"We do not want them running for help and it will keep them all calmer if they are together."
He led them off. "The rest of you we want ropes, canvas, pine tar and animals."
We were good scavengers and we found all that we needed. Ulf Rolfson found the pine tar. It was not a huge quantity but it was enough. There were two pigs and four sheep. We began to drive them back to our beach. We had not found much rope and the canvas was only good enough for patching. I made the mistake of not stripping the fishing boats. We paid for that mistake.
I saw Aiden tending to someone at the beach as we drove the animals towards the sand. I frowned. The slaves had not been struck hard enough to require Aiden's skills. An angry Sigtrygg confronted me. "Your kindness has cost Siggi a sailor, Jarl. The four prisoners overpowered their two guards. They gutted one and Aiden is working hard to save the other."
I chose to ignore Sigtrygg's tone. It was understandable and he was right. "Where did they go?"
"Erik said they ran inland but we did not pass them."
"Nor did we. Perhaps the Saxons will catch them."
"And perhaps they will tell them of our presence here. We need to work quickly, Jarl. Those four have no honour; they are treacherous."
"We do. Erik, we have pine tar but we must move quickly now."
He nodded, "Karl put the tar on the fire to heat. I will slaughter a sheep."
"Siggi, Trygg, Coen, we have rope should you need it and pine tar."
While the Ulfheonar guarded the slaves the rest of the men set to caulking and repairing the ships. Our boats were so well made that they were easy to mend. There was little weed on the hull and soon the pine tar was hot enough to be used. The sheepskin would have been better cured but it would have to do. Erik used it to help the pine tar to stick to the planks. The sheep was butchered and cooked. Nothing would go to waste. As the sun rose and dawn broke we were nearing the end of our work. The three knarr had been floated.
"Get the animals and the men aboard the knarr. Leave two sheep and the female pig. Haaken tell the women and the children to take their animals and go home."
My men had to use force for the families did not want to be split. I was being kind for most Vikings would have enslaved them all. They would be able to eke out a living and I knew there were many landless men who would take the women and the children for their own.
"Siggi, take the knarr and stand off the shore."
The wailing children and women began to move inland once they saw the knarr move away. We then had to haul on the ropes again so that Erik and his boys could remove the stones which held the drekar in place. The Gods had favoured us for the tide began to rise. Even so we had to wade in the water and haul the drekar off the sand to float her again. As we clambered aboard I clutched my blue stone. We had been lucky. Had the men of Wessex found us then I would be leaving some warriors here, far from home. We rowed out to the knarr. Trygg shouted, "We have seen those four who killed our men." He pointed to the east. "We spied them rowing a boat from the village you attacked."
I nodded. There was little we could do about that and, in many ways; I admired them for having the courage to do what they had done. I little realised that this would come back to haunt me.
We headed for Dyfed but most of the Ulfheonar were thinking of the witch as we passed the isles of Syllingar. We all breathed a sigh of relief when we navigated them without incident. Erik was also concerned about his repair. It was always nerve wracking to sail a ship you knew had a weakness. I suspected that the three captains of the knarr would be equally nervous. No ships surged from On Corn Walum as we headed for the Sabrina. Each stage was greeted with relief. When we saw the port ahead I almost felt like cheering. We would trade with our Welsh ally and take home the riches and rewards of our successful voyage; successful but not incident free.
Dyfed had been a small place but they had conquered the lands around them and Gwent now formed their eastern border. It was a prosperous country. We spent two nights in the port for the port was more primitive than either Amalfi or Bourde and it took longer to unload our precious cargo. We were paid in gold. There had a been a time we had traded for Welsh iron but now that we had our own we had no need. We still had goods in our holds but they were for our people. The oils, lemons and oranges from Italy would be welcome in our homeland. The wine would be kept to drink and to trade with our northern neighbours. We sailed triumphantly into Úlfarrston. The knarr preceded us so that by the time we entered all the ship yard workers had joined Pasgen's people to cheer us in.
I let the others land so that I could speak with Erik and Haaken. "You both did well. Erik, have the drekar taken out of the water. We will not raid again this year."
"Those were my thoughts too, Jarl."
"I will pay for the repairs and send you your share of the profits." As Jarl I had the lion's share of the profits and it would not hurt to be generous. "Haaken I want you and Sigtrygg to decide which of the new warriors we wish to sail with us again."
"I think the voyage decided that, Jarl. The four weak ones were weeded out already."
"Nonetheless I wish to take more men next time we voyage. I would take the best."
I stepped ashore last and every sailor and warrior banged their shields and stamped their feet as my name was chanted. These were my people and I would serve them until my dying day.
As we made our way north along the Water I had one thing on my mind. How would I tell the mothers of the four warriors that they had been outlawed? They would never see their sons again. I would not be able to rest in my hall knowing that they might hear the story from someone else. I was Jarl Dragon Heart and it was my responsibility. People came to greet us as we marched into the walls of Cyninges-tūn. We had shared the spoils in Úlfarrston and the young warriors who had left with us were now richer than they had ever been. Bjorn Bagsecgson would soon have many orders for swords, helmets and armour. The voyage had shown the younger warriors of the benefits of armour.
Kara came to the door of her hall. "Aiden, speak with Kara. I have mothers to see."
The four mothers and their families stood as a group, looking for their sons. They had come to us together and they lived as one family in the same large hut. Their faces were stoic for I think they thought their sons had met a warrior's death. There was no easy way to say what I had to say.
Hlif, the mother of Magnus Slender Legs nodded, "I know, Jarl Dragon Heart, our sons have perished."
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p; I shook my head, "I know not if my words will be welcomed or not. Your sons were all foresworn and had been declared outlaw. We were bringing them back to say goodbye to you and they killed a man and wounded another. They are murderers who fled our justice."
Stoicism was replaced by shock and disbelief. Haaken and Sigtrygg knew what I was about and had joined me.
"This cannot be true, Jarl. Magnus was a brave warrior!"
"No one is questioning his bravery but they disobeyed commands and men died as a result."
I could see their faces searching mine for the lie. Sigtrygg spoke. "It is true. The Jarl was more than kind. Many of us would have put them to death but the Jarl argued leniency. He wanted you to see them before they were banished. It cost a man his life."
They now understood. Hlif said, "Do we have to pay were geld to the family of the man who was killed?"
I shook my head. "I have recompensed them for the loss of their son." I saw them looking fearfully at each other. "Know you that you are more than welcome to stay here. Your sons committed the crime and not you."
Hlif kissed my hand, "Thank you, Jarl Dragon Heart!"
I turned to speak with Kara who had come, along with Aiden. "Aiden has told me. I will try to help the families. This is not their fault."
"I know. There comes a point at which children make their own decisions."
She hugged me, "And the voyage went well. Aiden told me."
"Aye, we can do this twice a year from now on. The voyage did not take as long as I had thought and we now have allies and trading partners in Vasconia and Amalfi."
"Do not forget Jarl, that Gaeta is also willing to trade with us." Aiden had spoken at length with Prefect Maurus and discovered that we had even more opportunities to trade.
I nodded, "Truly things are going well for us." I felt a sudden shiver down my spine. "Have you dreamed daughter?"
"No father but I have had restless nights. I feel stronger since I returned from Ynys Mon but I cannot control my powers as I once did. Now that Aiden is here we can speak with the Spirits and find out what is troubling them."