by Griff Hosker
"My young warriors still wish to raid, father. Chasing those who come to steal our cattle is not the same."
"I know but we need both drekar if we are to raid successfully. At the moment that would leave our home too exposed to danger. Perhaps next year. I have one more voyage to Italy this year. By then we will have more young men who will be able to become warriors."
"Then when I have been to Dyfed I will sail to Italy instead of you. You are not yet fully healed."
"I am fine. You have been wounded before, Wolf Killer. Your body becomes stronger after a wound, you know that."
"Even so I have not done enough in the last few years. That is my fault I know and I would make up for that. Let me do this for you to make up for my foolish behaviour and my stiff neck."
I saw Kara and Elfrida smiling and wondered just how much they had had to do with this. I knew from Erika that when a woman put her mind to something it was like a stone rolling down a mountain; there was no way to stop it.
After he had gone I decided to take a tour of my land. Surprisingly enough Kara did not object. Sigtrygg, Snorri and Bjorn came with me. Aiden was busy trying to work out a way to quarry stones so that they could be used in building. So far we were wasting more than we were using. Before I left my smith came to see me. "I have repaired your mail, Jarl and I have added some thin metal plates." He showed me my new mail. It now had eight thin plates, four on each shoulder. They were attached by wire and would give protection from a downward blow whilst also protecting my shoulders. I had seen similar idea in Miklagård. I had once had a suit made of such metal but we had found that it suffered damage more easily than mail. This seemed a happy compromise.
"And what of the weight?"
"It does not add much for it is thin metal. On its own the thin metal would do nothing to stop a sword or axe blow; it will bend when struck but it will protect the mail." He shook his head. "It upset me to think that one of my mail rings could have killed you."
"But it did not and I now know that this was wyrd. Thank you for the mail."
He shook his head, "Thank you for the gold and the trade. I could drink from golden horns these days!"
I laughed, "And yet, like me, you do not."
"No Jarl for I remember Mann when we had naught. I am content for we have peace and we prosper."
The four of us took horses. They were more comfortable to ride than ponies. I gritted my teeth through the jarring of my shoulder. Although it was healing well the jarring sent short spasms of pain through it. A horse jarred less my body than a nimble pony. We had not seen Sven White Hair for some time. Thorkell's Stad was somewhat isolated and they rarely had to send messages to us. We viewed no news as good news. We noticed more farms had sprung up especially in the Rye Dale and the Grassy Mere. This was fertile land and protected all around by high ground. It was where most of our cereals came from. It was not just rye we grew but barley and oats too.
Haaken waved a hand as we passed another new arrival. "This is well protected from raids, Jarl. The people who farm here are lucky. Perhaps they should pay more to live here."
"Perhaps there may come a time when we need to but the trades and the raids are bringing in more coin and treasure than we can spend. I would not overburden these farmers. If their crops fail then they will starve."
Snorri laughed, "I think a man who starved here would deserve to die. The Waters and Meres teem with fish and there is more game than a hundred hunters could kill."
The land north of the col was also filled with new arrivals although not as many. The land here was hillier and there were more rocks. I saw that there were many sheep and small cattle here dotted on the fell sides. I was not a king nor a Duke yet I had a land and a people who were the equal of anything I had seen in Frankia or Italy.
I was looking forward to visiting with Sven White Hair and Einar. The last few times I had come north was to help fight Hibernians or raiders from the north. This was just a visit to catch up with old friends and tell them news of the south. Of all of us he had done the least to his hall. It still looked the same, a ditch, wooden rampart, a watch tower and a warrior hall. Huts were dotted untidily around the outside of the fort. But he and his men were happy. As we approached I noticed that there were fewer people visible. Perhaps they were hunting. I hoped they had not had trouble.
We had been seen from afar and Sven and Einar met us at the gate. Both looked old. They had been Ulfheonar in Mann and again on Ynys Mon and Wyddfa. They had followed Thorkell the Tall until he had fallen. I dismounted and winced as my foot touched the ground. My shoulder was letting me know it still needed healing.
"It is good to see you Jarl and you too, old comrade. It is good to see some of the old Ulfheonar still walk." He nodded towards Snorri. "I have breeks older than this one!"
Einar sniffed, "Aye and they could do with a wash!"
Old friends could do that and Snorri was not offended. He had been ship's boy when Sven and Einar had fought for me. He was honoured just to be in their company.
We went into the warrior hall and he summoned a slave, "Fetch ale, a new barrel!"
We sat down and I noticed the lack of warriors. "Where are your warriors? Hunting? Raiding?"
"The young ones, including my son and Einar's have left. They thought our life too boring. They asked to take the Threttanessa."
Einar nodded, "They said they wanted to be like you, Jarl Dragon Heart. My son, Ulf, told us that you had become Jarl when you were younger than he was. They wanted adventures."
"They went A-Viking?"
Sven shrugged, "They sailed west two years ago. They said they wanted to go where no man had been before. The promised they would return with great treasures and stories of great deeds."
"They have not returned?"
"They have not. We fear they have sailed over the edge of the world."
"Who defends this land?"
"The fathers of those who left. I fear that if we are attacked it will be the end of us all."
I downed my ale. I was not happy but I knew myself how difficult children could be. "You should have told me. I left to go on a voyage and assumed that all was well here."
They both looked embarrassed. "You are right, Jarl. Einar, Ragnar and I have debated about the wisdom of telling you but we did not want to be thrown out of our home and replaced by a young jarl."
Haaken banged his horn down so hard that some ale spilled. "Then you do not know the Jarl! By the Allfather I do not know you two! We fought alongside each other and yet you misjudge him."
"Peace, Haaken." I turned to Sven, "This is your home for as long as you want it. I will send more younger warriors here but they will be to defend you and not replace you. If you do not wish to lead but live here then I will give you a new jarl. Haaken is right in one respect, you have forgotten that I learned how to lead from Prince Butar and Ragnar. I thought I had learned well."
"You have! Forgive us, Jarl. We just feel we have let you down."
"We will stay here this night. I will leave Snorri and Sigtrygg here to organise your farmers." They both nodded their agreement. "I will find young warriors who are willing to make this their home." I sighed. "This might be a good time to organise the homes a little better. If you were attacked then you would lose your homes. Dig a ditch around them and put a bridge over it. When your new young men come they can erect a palisade. If the wolves came again…"
The next day Haaken and I rode east towards Ketil. Haaken was still angry. "I used to look up to Sven White Hair and admire him. Look at him now!"
"When your son and all friends leave you because life is dull then judge him. He no longer feels he has a purpose in life. Ragnar was a little like that when he lived alone on the mountain. It was only when he had to teach me how to become a Viking that he found life again. Perhaps Sven will find it too."
Ketil was in direct contrast to Old Sven. I could see huge changes in the fort. The low parts of the wall had been raised with logs. It did not look
pretty but it would stop an enemy clambering over them. The ditches had been cleaned out and he had a warrior hall in the process of being built. The biggest change, however, was in the number of warriors. He had had a handful when he had arrived. Now there were thirty. He beamed when he saw me, spreading his arm he said, proudly, "It is better is it not, Jarl?"
"It is indeed Ketil. You have transformed it. And all these warriors too. You have done well."
"When the young men from my home found I had become jarl they all flocked here. I sent some back for they were too young." He frowned, "Did I do right?"
"I think so. Better let young men grow and become warriors first. Have you enough arms and armour? We have supplies at Cyninges-tūn."
"We found plenty from the dead Danes. When we cleared the ditch we found serviceable spear and arrow heads. Four of us have mail and if the Danes are foolish enough to come here then we will all be well equipped."
He was in such high spirits that I did not like to bring him down to earth but I owed it to him. I led him away from his men. "Sven White Hair at Thorkell Stad has no young warriors. They headed west to find adventure. Until I can find more men there may be danger there too. You need to watch the wall as well as the West Moors."
"Thank you for honouring me with that confidence. I will do so."
He insisted we stay. I did not like to say that sleeping on the cold ground would do my healing shoulder no good but I did not want to hurt his feelings.
Haaken was in a better humour when we headed for Wolf Killer's hall. "You chose well, Jarl, and I was wrong. I thought him too young."
"As older warriors did when you and I were advanced. It was ever thus."
We pushed hard as we rode south the next day. Ulla's Water was prospering too and we stopped, briefly, to talk with Sven Ullasson. It was only right that he knew of the changes north and east of him. "I have young warriors who are eager to leave this valley, Jarl. Will they be welcome in Thorkell Stad?"
"They will indeed. It is fine country there." I waved a hand at the narrow valley. "The sea is close and the land is flat." I pointed to the mountain. "The wolves have further to travel."
He nodded, "I like it here but I will speak to my young and restless warriors."
The delay meant we did not reach my son's home until dusk. My wound was troubling me but I remained silent. Sympathy did not alleviate pain and I did not need anyone to feel sorry for me. I was a warrior. I was a jarl.
Wolf Killer was as concerned as Haaken had been. He shook his head. "Have we not offered opportunities for warriors to serve on our drekar? I have sent riders asking for those who would serve on 'Josephus'. None came forth.
"It could be my son that they wish to emulate you or even me and achieve glory for themselves. We all know that warriors wish to have a name and to be remembered."
"You do right to chide me, however subtly."
I hid my smile. My son was changing. His wife was having an effect.
"Should I forego my trading voyage?"
"No, Sven has warriors and I am sure there are some of mine who will wish to have the chance to serve. I am anxious to make our new alliance stronger. The more we can trade with Vasconia and Amalfi the better. Dyfed is a good ally and is a barrier to Mercia but we gain more from our distant allies. Aiden has learned much and his knowledge makes us stronger here. We need brains as well as muscle."
When I returned to my home I was surprised that none of my warriors wished to journey north. I took it as a slight until Haaken came to me when I was in my sweat hut. "I have served with you longer than any other warrior, Jarl Dragon Heart and yet, sometimes, you surprise even me."
"What do you mean?"
"Those men at Thorkell Stad who left would not have left if they had been here. You give the young men a chance of glory. You show them an adventure and you give them someone they all want to be, Dragon Heart. Even Magnus the Foresworn is a testament to you. He was foresworn because he wanted the short way to become a hero. Our young warriors will flock to sail with us until we both die. Of course my tales and my songs help."
I smiled, Haaken could make fun of himself. He posed a great deal and he was full of his own importance but beneath it all the truest warrior a jarl could wish for.
I went to the new hall Aiden was building. He had managed to find a way of wasting slightly less blocks but I could see he was annoyed with himself. "I should have studied more when we went to Miklagård."
"Perhaps when we visit Italy you could travel to Rome. They have books there."
He nodded, "That may be but the barbarians damaged much."
I smiled, "Some, perhaps all, would call us barbarians."
"Then we will have to change that view eh Jarl Dragon Heart?"
My son left at the height of summer. I did not envy him the Blue Sea at that time of year. He had a full crew and the three knarr were well laden. Siggi would only sail as far as Dyfed. He was confident that he could avoid any dangers from Mann and Ynys Mon. He was taking the weapons to the Welsh and the other two knarr had enough space to bring back all that we needed. This time Wolf Killer had gold with him to buy precious spices, lemons and oil. The iron we took would be traded for wine.
Another sign of the change in Wolf Killer was that he was happy to leave his family with us. It made sense for every warrior that he possessed was on the 'Josephus'. Windar would have to watch the south and the east.
Ragnar had been taught words since he had last stayed with us. He could also walk quite well and so I began to teach him to become a warrior. It was enjoyable and it gave me the chance to spend time with someone who would carry my blood into the future.
Snorri and Sigtrygg returned after a week or so. They seemed satisfied with the new men who had gone there. "Sven has learned his lesson. I spent some time with him. He will make Thorkell Stad the fortress it once was. I think the departure of his son tore the heart from him; he had hoped he would be jarl when he died."
"We all hope for things Sigtrygg. It is what makes us men. But we do not always get that for which we aspire."
When I was not playing with my grandson I spent time with Bjorn in his workshop. I had a new Ulfheonar and Asbjorn needed his golden wolf. When I went to collect it I noticed him finishing off the copper pot for Kara. I knew he had spent some time perfecting his technique. There were women in the village using those that he deemed not good enough for Kara. He beamed when I went in. "There, Jarl, finished!"
He handed it to me. It was lighter than the clay pots the women used and I saw that he had fitted a handle too. When I looked inside I saw that he had etched a wolf into the bottom. "A wolf, Bjorn?"
He smiled, "I should have asked your permission, Jarl, but the wolf is our symbol. I use it on all that I make for us. Swords, helmets, seaxes, spear heads, everything. It makes me feel one of the warriors who fight for you."
"You fight for me every bit as much as they do, Bjorn. Without your weapons then we would not be as successful."
He nodded and pointed to all the forges where his smiths hammered away. "We now make many for others Jarl and that worries me. I would hate the day to come when our own weapons would be used against us."
"I too have thought of that, Bjorn. It is why we now trade with but three places: Dyfed, Vasconia and Italy. All are far enough from us to eliminate them as a threat. Our enemies are all within spitting distance."
"Yet Magnus the Foresworn managed to find those who would fight you."
"He did not expect to find us there. I think I have his measure now. He will only return here when he has his own warriors and has made a name for himself."
"What if he goes to Mann or Dyflin? There are many there who harbour grudges against you. Sihtric Silkbeard may be dead but he has sons. Magnus Bare Legs still squats to the south of us."
He was right. I had few friends amongst warriors such as us. True, none had dared to raid us for some time but, as I had seen with my own young men, it only took one and the whole barrel of appl
es could be spoiled. One of my faults is that I am guilty of overconfidence. I believed our enemies were close at hand. The Gods were about to show me that I might be mistaken in that belief. Or perhaps it was the Norns who had decided that I had had enough peace and wished to cause mischief.
Chapter 6
Wolf Killer, Erik, Siggi and Coen Ap Pasgen arrived one late afternoon. That in itself gave me cause for concern. They all looked unhappy and the sweat on their ponies told me that they had come from Úlfarrston with great speed. Something on the voyage had gone wrong. As we had seen them from some distance away we had ale ready for them and I greeted them in my hall along with Kara, Haaken and Aiden. The measure of the problem could be seen by the fact that Wolf Killer just gave the briefest of greetings to his wife and son. It was me he addressed.
"Trygg and his crew have been captured." I nodded. I would comment when I had heard the whole story. "We had traded successfully with the Duke and the voyage had been remarkably easy. We left and headed south. It was when we came to the disputed lands north of Al-Andalus, the Asturias and Galicia, that our problems began. Many small boats came out in the night and were upon us before we knew. They had come from a hill fort. It was dark and I ordered us to head out to sea for the boats were numerous but small. We could not stay together. When dawn broke we found that they had taken Trygg. I took my drekar closer in and saw his knarr in the port. There was little chance of a rescue for it was heavily defended. We returned here."
Aiden was next to me and he had his charts out. "Where on this chart is the port?"
He looked at the drawing and pointed his finger at a red dot. "There I think."
Aiden pointed to two other dots: one further north and one further south. "Could it have been either of these?"
He shook his head, "No, it had a Peninsula."