by Griff Hosker
The Danish wedge had now lost all cohesion and they were fighting to stay alive. I saw a gap appear for the three of us had killed or wounded all before us. I saw their chief and roared, "Dane! Come and fight a real warrior or are you afraid?"
The challenge issued the Dane had no alternative. He turned and shouted, "I am Olaf the Witch Breaker and I am not afraid of a warrior who only strikes in the night and then runs away. I will kill you and then find out what the heart of dragon tastes of!"
He had an open helmet but it was adorned at the side with wings. They looked fine but they were a weakness. They could catch a blade. He had a well made mail shirt and he bore a two handed axe. He had his shield over one shoulder. I saw that blood and gore dripped from his axe. One of my men had gone to Valhalla. The Dane launched himself at me. At the same time his men ran at my Ulfheonar. The Dane's axe swept down. It was a mighty blow and I barely blocked it with my shield. It sent sparks as it struck the metal and the wood of my shield creaked and cracked. My arm felt as though a tree had fallen on it.
He had no shield and I swung my sword at his unprotected side. His mail was, indeed, well made but my blow was so hard that I must have cracked a rib or two. I saw him wince and then he swung the axe behind his head for another blow. My sword was easier to use and I swung it at knee height. It caught on the hem of his byrnie and then ground into his knee. This time it did hurt him and when the blow came from the axe it was not as powerful as the first strike. He stepped back on his good leg. That was a mistake. I stepped on to my left leg and then kicked hard with my right boot at his weakened knee. It gave way and he dropped to the ground. I punched him hard in the face with my shield and he rolled onto his back. He swung his axe one handed at my leg. I jumped in the air and, as I fell, I put my sword out to balance myself, and landed with my sword in his throat. Olaf would break no more witches!
The remnants of Eystein's band ran to help us finish off the demoralised Danes. With their leader gone they fought to the death but we had superior numbers now. I saw that three of my warriors had perished and the other four, Eystein included, were all wounded. They had fought well.
As the last Dane was despatched I clasped Eystein's unwounded arm. "You have fought well. You and the others can have your choice of mail first! You deserve it."
He nodded. He was still numbed from the ordeal. "I did not know what to do and so we retreated. I did it for the best."
"And it was the right thing to do." I pointed to Olaf the Witch Breaker. "Take his mail but I would get rid of the wings on the helmet. They are a liability."
My Ulfheonar had all survived but I saw wounds on all but Haaken and Sigtrygg. Even Snorri had a wicked scar along his cheek and Siggi the Silent limped. They searched the bodies for amulets, gold and treasure. They had earned the right to do so for they had slain these Danes. They did not need the mail. I would reward them all further when we returned to our home. I sheathed my sword and made my way towards Ketil and his men. They had killed most of the Danes guarding the captives although I saw three survivors fleeing east, in the distance. They could return to their homeland. They would tell the tale in Jorvik of the dangers of raiding the lands of Jarl Dragon Heart.
Ketil and his warriors had not escaped unscathed and I saw four of his warriors lying slain. I pointed to the mailed Danes we had killed, "Take whatever mail is left there. Your men have earned it."
The captives all looked relieved to have been rescued. I pointed to the south and the Roman fort. "This may happen again. I know the land is bountiful but you will suffer unless you protect yourselves. Repair the fort and then keep watch to the east. Windar and Wolf Killer guard the south and the west while Sven White Hair guards the north. I will find a Jarl to rule you or you can fend for yourselves."
An older man looked at the others and then stepped forward. "I am Arne, son of Grimbald and I speak for our people. We would like a Jarl. It would be worth it to be safe. My years as a warrior are so long ago that I have forgotten what it is to fight. Watching you today, Jarl Dragon Heart, I know that none of us could ever reach that level of skill. A jarl with warriors would be the answer but, until you have appointed one, then we will do as you suggest and fortify the fort."
Chapter 4
We buried our men with swords laid across their chests. We made one long barrow at the place where Eystein had made his stand. We took the heads of the Danes and placed them on broken spears along the road. They would rot as a reminder to all such raiders of the price of failure. Their bodies we burned. It was after noon when we were ready to return. The casualties meant we all had horses to ride for the Danes had had three horses with them.
I rode with Haaken and Sigtrygg. "Do either of you wish to be Jarl at Brougham?"
They both laughed and Haaken said, "I do not know about Sigtrygg but I will follow you a while yet for the stories are better!"
Sigtrygg nodded, "I agree and the adventures we have had in the east make me curious about other parts of the world I have not seen. What lies to the north? Is there a land beyond the western sea?"
"How about the men?"
"There are two I can suggest, Jarl. Eystein showed today that he can lead. Perhaps he might like the task and if not then Ketil would be a good choice. He is more adventurous than his father and he looked to have fought well."
"I will speak with Eystein first. He deserves it for his courage today. You two lead the column and I will speak with him." I slowed down my horse until Eystein was next to me. I dismounted, "Eystein, I need to have words." He nodded and dismounted. The rest passed us. When they had gone by we walked, leading our mounts and I asked him, "Would you be Jarl for me at Brougham?"
He smiled, "That is an honour, Jarl, but I seek a greater honour. Today did not take my appetite away. I wish to be Ulfheonar more than ever. I will have to refuse your offer." He suddenly looked worried, "Have I offended you?"
"No, my friend, I am honoured. I wished to offer it to you for your service and because I think you are a leader of men."
"And next year I promise that I will slay my wolf!"
"Good." We remounted and soon caught up with the others. When we reached Ketil I waved Eystein on. I saw that Windar's son had chosen a good mail byrnie from the dead Danes and he had a fine helmet with a half mask. "You have made a good choice."
"My father thinks that mail is a waste of coin."
I laughed, "But he happily buys the wine I brought from Bourde!"
"You know him as well as I. He is a merchant and a headman. My dream is to be a warrior."
"And you fight well." I looked at the warriors who rode alongside him. "And do you have warriors who would follow you?"
I said it loud enough for them to hear and they all chorused, "Aye!"
"Then would you and your warriors guard Brougham for me. Would you be my eastern Jarl?"
"Truly? You would offer me that honour?"
"You and your men have shown you can fight. However I need to speak with your father first. I cannot take his best warriors without talking to him."
"I understand but I am not worried. My father has other sons who will follow him. I am the one who walks out of step."
"But that may be why he wishes to have you close to hand. You are a warrior. Your brothers are not."
He said nothing but the smile told me all.
He was right, Windar was more than happy, proud even, that his son was also a jarl. We stayed the night and celebrated. For the first time in a long time I did not rise with the dawn. Perhaps I was getting old.
As soon as I reached my home I told Kara and Aiden of my dream. Surprisingly they did not seem overly worried. When I asked them why not Kara answered me. "Mother did not appear nor did you dream of the stone. This was a dream sent by the spirits but not the spirit of mother or even your mother. There is some memory there but it is ancient. Perhaps someone in your past walked that land."
Aiden said, "Perhaps it was sent to wake you. From what you have told us you were awa
ke and ready when the messenger came. Had you not been then you might have lost more warriors."
That did make sense. I felt relieved. No matter how much I pressed them they would tell me no more about the blue stones and the wizard, Myrddyn. I asked them again and both remained silent.
The day after I returned I was in my steam hut. I found it helped my muscles. Aiden joined me. As I felt the heat enter my body I began to relax. When Aiden spoke I felt as calm as I ever had done. I think that was why Aiden chose that moment.
"Jarl, you ask about our dream and the stones. Suppose I told you that the dream foretold when you would die. Would you wish to know?"
I was shocked. Each time I went into battle I knew I might die, someone could kill me, but I never expected to die. "When will this happen?"
He laughed, "And you have answered me. You would know. That is the problem. You fight with no thought of losing. Dreams are not precise. They give us a vision of the future but the future is a long time. It could be tomorrow and it could be in fifty years time. Did Ragnar know that he would die defending his home?"
"No. We were surprised."
"And he fought hard. Did Haaken know he was going to lose his eye?"
"He could not have known."
"But suppose he did. Would he have tried to avoid being blinded?"
"Of course."
"And that might have resulted in his death. The curse that Kara and I are under is that someday we will dream our own deaths. When we do I wonder if I will try to avoid it."
I saw it clearly then and I said, sadly and slowly, "You cannot for the Norns have spun their webs and cast their spells and they know when you and I will die. We can do nothing about it. If I expect my death then I might die. If I do not then I will fight on even when all hope is gone. Thank you for explaining it to me Aiden. Now I understand."
Back in my hall I saw Kara giving me a curious look and knew that she had put Aiden up to it. "Thank you daughter. I will ask no more and I am sorry for the burden of your gift."
"It saved my life when mother saw her own death. It is a double edged sword and we have not dreamed our death yet."
Wolf Killer arrived four days later. "We did not join you father for we surprised a small band of Danes who came to steal our animals."
"And?"
"They are all dead."
"Good for I would go east to trade once more and I would not leave if there was danger. I have appointed Ketil as Jarl of Brougham and so we are better defended. I will go trading and visit with Seguin. I am keen to make this alliance stronger."
"You will sail to Italy too?"
"No, we have no need as yet. Seguin's people make fine pots and cooking vessels. The clay here is too poor and the women have told Kara that they need pots. Our new miners mean we produce more iron and Seguin cannot get enough of it. I should only be away for weeks rather than months."
"And I will watch the borders." He suddenly smiled, "I have stolen one of your smiths from you!"
I acted surprised but I was not for Bjorn had already told me. "Really?"
"Finni, Bjorn's son has said he will smith for me. We can make our own weapons now." He frowned, "You are not angry?"
"No for Bjorn had told me that he has too many smiths. It is good that the skills are spreading."
After he had gone I opened another of the amphora of wine. This was a cause for celebration. The ice was melting and the presence of Bjorn's son in Wolf Killer's home could only make us closer. I could not wait to tell my Ulfheonar that we would be sailing once more. I sent Aiden to warn Erik and my captains of knarr while I sought out the Ulfheonar.
"We go A-Viking!"
They were all equally pleased for they were now rich men. Those who like gold and jewels, such as Harald Long legs adorned their arms and necks with finely made jewellery. Those who liked good mail and weapons, such as Sigtrygg had paid Bjorn to make them the best.
"We need a crew to sail with us. I would take those who were with us at Brougham but I fear that their wounds may cause a problem."
Sigtrygg shook his head. "I would take them. They will feel slighted if we leave them behind and they have deserved the honour Jarl. For seven of them to have faced a warband takes courage. The four who survived that battle should be with us."
There was a chorus of, "Aye!"
"Then they come but we need another ten." I smiled, "Haaken, I leave you in charge of choosing them."
He shook his head, "After my last choices I think that may be a mistake."
"We give you another chance, old friend. Cast your eye over them."
He laughed, "Which one? My good one or the one I lost?"
Everyone laughed which showed that we were in good spirits.
This time I asked Kara what else the women would need apart from the pots she had requested. She nodded, "Any herbs which we do not grow would be welcome. And a copper dish."
"A copper dish? Cannot Bjorn make one? We have the copper."
"But he has never seen one. He needs one and then he can make more. Remember when you used to buy sword blanks from Frankia? Then Bjorn's father learned how to make them. It is the same."
"Very well."
"And, father?"
"Aye, Kara?"
"Be careful. You have a grandson now and much to live for."
"And as you and Aiden know the moment I begin thinking of being careful will be when I am struck from behind. I will be Jarl Dragon Heart. You of all people should know that we cannot change our destinies."
"You are right but…" She hugged me.
As I left the next day I knew that I should have invited warriors who served my other jarls. Perhaps, in the future, I would but this was a new alliance I was forming and I wanted those around me whom I trusted the most. I was leaving my home in safe hands. Kara would care for the people and Scanlan, who was now headman of Cyninges-tūn, would supervise the slaves in the mines and the quarries. It was an ordered world I left.
Coen Ap Pasgen was keen to sail with me as was Siggi but Trygg had problems with his knarr and Bolli was working on it. Erik and Bolli had spent the last few months working as hard as any to repair the damage my drekar had suffered and to make her even stronger. The dead ship's boys had been replaced. It was Cnut Cnutson's second voyage and he now looked a more confident boy than the one who had tentatively climbed to the mast head. Now he raced Karl.
We left for the south in our usual formation with my wolf sail telling all who and what we were. We now knew the route and knew where we would stay. We still worried when we neared the witch's haunt but we were undisturbed. Wight was passed without incident and, when we arrived at Bourde we were almost disappointed for it had been an incident free voyage. The Vasconians were warned of our arrival and the Duke greeted us at the wharf. I carried the wolf cloak in my arms. It had nearly cost Eystein his life and I saw his eyes as they stared at the cloak which could have been his had he aimed his arrow better.
"Duke Seguin, here is the gift I promised you."
The Vasconians are a very emotional race and his eyes filled up. "I am touched that you remembered. You must thank the man who killed the beast."
I nodded, "That was I. You cannot make a gift of an animal killed by someone else. There is part of me in the skin. I cleaned it and trimmed it. When you wear it then think of me."
He put a huge arm around my shoulders. "I swear we are brothers beneath the skin. Come! Tonight we feast and tomorrow we trade!"
And feast we did. I managed to show some restraint but my men did not. Aiden and I were the first ones to rise and we went to the ships which had been manned by the ships' boys. We made sure that nothing had happened to them and then we explored the city. The first thing we both noticed was how many buildings were built of stone. At home we used wood but here, because of the Romans there was much stone.
"We should try this at home, Jarl. Olaf's mountain has much stone and unlike those who live in poorer lands we do not need to move our farms every few years.
"
"Perhaps. We should try just one at first. The women's house eh?"
We both gained many ideas as we walked around the Duke's town. We had, I knew, been fortunate to put in here and find such a kindred spirit. Perhaps this would bring us both great fortune.
We spent another three days trading. It took that time to gather as many pots as we required. The herbs took time but the copper cooking pot took the longest. The Duke had a couple but he needed them. We had to send inland to buy one and it did not come cheap. When I did see one, however, I could see that Bjorn would be able to make them and that they would be more than useful.
Aiden used the time in port wisely. This was a Christian Dukedom and he sought out the priests and their books. At first they were wary for we were the men from the Norse who took. When Aiden spoke gently to them and asked them pertinent questions they saw that he was not their traditional Viking. He discovered useful information he had not had before. He found the Roman recipe for cement. He did not think we could make it exactly as they could for one ingredient came from Italy. However he was confident that he could conjure a form of it. It also gave him a reason to go to Amalfi again. He found charts from the Romans times which added to his knowledge.
I spent time with the Duke. We hunted one day. He used hawks to do so and I found it exciting. I would get some when we returned home. There was a pattern to life here which was different to our own. It seemed somehow slower. They appeared to get as much done as we did but they did not have to work as hard. Of course the land was gentler land. There were no mountains, there were no crags it was a flat and fertile plain. The huge river was also used as a Roman Road. Each morning, well before dawn, ships would travel down the river to fish at the mouth so that the markets were full of fresh fish as the people woke. It was a different life.