by Griff Hosker
There would be just fifteen of our archers but they could release forty five arrows in the blink of an eye. I shouted, "Lock shields!"
Sigtrygg and Haaken locked their shields with me. There appeared to be little reaction to our movement from the walls and I wondered if they even knew we were there. When the first arrows rained upon them then they knew. Five of the defenders pitched into the ditch and another two fell within. Their confusion was obvious. They had no idea where the arrows were coming from. We were invisible and silent killers. The second and third flights despatched another twelve and then the faces from the walls disappeared. I heard a voice shouting in a language I did not understand. The message was repeated. Our silence was deafening. While they were still in the dark, quite literally, I sent Aiden and the pig fat men forward.
"Snorri, keep the gate clear of watchers."
The first man who peered over the ramparts was pierced by three arrows. Aiden and the six warriors ran and jammed the skins of warmed pig fat next to the gate. Aiden then doused both the gate and the skins with seal oil. When they all made it back safely I breathed a sigh of relief. Our attempt to destroy this town would have ended had they had braver guards. Behind us the fire was burning well and clouds of smoke drifted towards the fort. The Gods were on our side.
Aiden said, as he reached me, "The sun will be up within the hour, Jarl."
I nodded. I wanted the assault to begin in the dark so that they would not know our numbers. "Snorri, Bjorn. It is time for your arrows. You other archers kill any who try to douse the flames. Ulfheonar, when the gate breaks we enter. No mercy! No quarter! I want this fort a pile of charred wood by morning!"
They all chanted, "Ulfheonar!" over and over as they banged their shields. I tried to imagine what the defenders thought within the fort. The noise was such that my men sounded many times their number.
Then the first two flame arrows soared. They struck the oil. Nothing happened at first. Two more arrows struck the skins and another two. The fat would now be spilling out. While my archers were launching their fourth arrows first the oil and then the fat caught fire. When the next arrows struck they burned along with the others and the oil and fat became hotter. After a short time a wall of flame leapt upwards. One unfortunate sentry had peered over to see what the noise was. His head erupted in flame and disappeared into the fort. His death was as effective as the burning gate. We needed no more flame arrows for the gate and walls were now well alight. The dry wood burned quickly. The defenders were forced to defend against the flames.
"Forward!" We were able to move to the ditch with impunity. The defenders had quit the walls. They were trying to douse the flames with their meagre supply of water. I looked into the ditch. There were no traps but it had a steep slope. "Over the bridge!"
It was a risky strategy to get close to the walls for the flames were fierce. The dry wood was burning intensely and we sheltered behind our shields. It was Asbjorn the Strong who took matters in his own hands. He took his axe and ran at the burning gate shouting, "Ulfheonar!" He swung and smashed it hard. The bar must have burned first or it was poorly made and the gate sprang open after two strikes.
I turned and drawing my sword yelled, "Ulfheonar, for Trygg and our comrades!" I was the fourth warrior within the walls. There were bodies littering the ground inside the fort. The arrows in them told its own story. Our archers had cleared the walls well. Asbjorn was living up to his name and swinging his axe one handed; a ring of defenders lay at his feet. He would tire soon and Haaken and I joined him. "Get behind us and take a short rest!"
A handful of warriors rushed at us. Their shields were small and they had spears. I blocked one spear and brought my sword down on a head which had no helmet. It disappeared in a flood of blood and bone. I swung my shield to my right and caught a spear which would have hit my side. I stabbed forward with my sword and it went through the throat of the warrior. Sigtrygg and Wolf Killer joined me. I saw the buildings a little clearer now for the sky was lightening. Ahead was a keep made of wood. The defenders were rushing towards it.
"On!"
The four of us ran knowing that the rest would form up behind us. Despite the weight of our armour we were catching the defenders who were racing for the sanctuary that was the keep. What they should have done was to close the gate and keep us out but the press of men was too great. They poured in, desperate to be away from these wild creatures that walked through flames. Haaken and I killed three men each before we reached the keep and we tumbled in through the open door. They would not be able to secure their sanctuary now. A sword came at me and hit my shoulder protectors. As the blade slid harmlessly down my side I punched the man in the face with my shield and when he fell to the floor pinned him there with Ragnar's Spirit. I looked around and saw that the ground floor was filled only with the enemy dead. These had no mail. Our swords had found flesh; their weapons had found mail. It was the reason they had died and we had not. Having attained the keep we formed a shield wall to allow the rest to enter. I spied a ladder which led upwards. Up there they would hold the advantage. If we tried to climb we would be picked off one by one as our heads rose up. I knew that we would have to fight for each floor.
"Gather brushwood and pile it there close to the ladder."
Wolf Killer said, "We will not go up after them?"
I shook my head, "We burn them. I will lose no more men. This Count Silo thinks he will kill us as we ascend. He and his men will die as they try to descend."
As if to confirm the intention of the defenders a spear was hurled through the entrance to the floor above. It struck an already dead body. Asbjorn had gone back to the front gate and he brought half of the burning bar which he had smashed in two. He hurled it towards the ladder where it began to burn. Smoke preceded the flames which soon took the ladder. I heard coughing from above as the thick smoke rose. My other warriors threw chairs, broken spears and even some of the wooden walls so that, soon, there was a fire burning beneath the entrance to the floors above. The flames seemed to be sucked up through the hole leading to the next floor.
"It is time we left!"
When we went out into the fort I saw that it was daylight. We held our shields above our head as spears and stones were hurled at us. The tower looked to have three levels. Smoke poured from the bottom one. Flames began to lick the sides of the wooden building. At the top of the keep panic began amongst some of the defenders as the fire took an even greater hold. One or two tried to climb down the sides of the keep. The walls were hotter than they thought and when the three warriors reached half way they lost their grip and crashed to their deaths. The wood of the tower must have been very dry for, when a gust of wind sprang up from behind us it fanned the flames and the whole tower became a fiery beacon. All that we could hear was the screaming of those within.
Aiden ran back, "Jarl, Eystein and Sven are hard pressed. More warriors are arriving."
"Ulfheonar we go down the hill and end this!"
We trotted through the ruined gate and across the bridge. The fort could be rebuilt but it would be a grisly task to clear the charnel house of the destroyed keep. It would take some time to do repair what we had wrecked. The houses on the slope smouldered still. We could hear the sounds of battle at the neck of land. Eystein and his men had done a good job but paid a heavy price. The narrow col and the burned buildings had meant they could hope back superior numbers. Now, however, they were weakening as spears shattered and men tired. I suspect that if we had not sent reinforcements then things might have gone badly. The enemy they fought were obviously unused to a shield wall. As we hurried towards our friends I saw knots of Galicians running at the shield wall. They were dealt with easily. They had no concept of the wedge or coordinated attacks. We would teach them.
"Ulfheonar wedge!"
We formed up behind Eystein and Sven. When we were ready with shields locked I said, "Eystein, Sven, break!"
Below us there was a mass of warriors, fishermen, sailors and
those who loved in the town. There was no leader. The warriors who were facing us had no idea how to deal with our weapons and our tactics. They watched as a gap appeared and then I shouted, "Now!"
We had a slope with us and were able to move easily once we had crossed the line of bodies which littered the ground. We picked up speed. Had we had spears left we would have been even more intimidating but even with just our swords it would take a brave man to face us. Panic is like a disease. It spreads quickly and takes all with it. As we slew all before us men ran. The last three or four who faced us, realising they were alone, turned and fled. We struck the warriors who led the Galician line. My shield deflected the weak blow from the first man's sword and I rammed Ragnar's Spirit into his guts. I pushed his body to one side and we tore through the line as though it was not there. With Haaken and my Ulfheonar and Wolf Killer and his men we were unstoppable. We were a maelstrom of whirling blades and savage blows. I do not think these warriors had ever encountered such fierce and well armed foes. The ones who were not warriors wanted no more of this and they ran.
Eystein and Sven had added their men to our wedge so that we were now a mighty wedge. To the warriors who remained we must have seemed as though we filled the narrow neck of land. And yet there were little over fifty of us. We hacked, slashed and sliced our way relentlessly through the disorganised mob which faced us. After ten warriors had died in as many blows the rest turned and fled. We kept moving, driving them like sheep. Those who slipped and fell were slain as we ran after them. We were like a cloud of death killing all that we touched.
This was their town and their land. They knew its holes and ways better than we. When we reached the jetty our enemies were all fled and had found somewhere to hide from our wrath. We had won. I stopped and my men began banging their shields. I took off my helmet and lowered my shield to the ground. My shoulder ached. I had not had to take too many blows on my shield but holding it high had taken its toll. While my men celebrated I looked for Aiden. He appeared at my side.
Waving a hand I asked, "Is there anything here worth taking?"
He nodded, "There are barrels of salted fish, lemons, oranges and even spices."
"How many captives do we have?"
"The knarr is filled already. We cannot put any of the barrels there."
I nodded, "Then spread the captives between the two drekar and the knarr." I saw a wooden chest on the jetty and I climbed up, "Warriors! We have done well and the fighting is done but we have work to do! Ulfheonar, search the bodies of the warriors and the dead for treasure. Eystein, I want as many of the barrels of salted fish and fruit taking to our ships. Wolf Killer, search the nearby buildings for anything of value. Before we leave we burn this to the ground." As they all set off I said to Aiden, "Find another vessel which we can use. We will burn the rest of their ships."
He nodded and was about to leave. He turned and said, "Your shoulder troubles you?"
"It does but my fighting here is finished." I climbed down from the chest and sat upon it. "I will rest and watch the rest of you work."
As I gazed around the ruined town of Faro Bregancio I realised the power my men exerted. We had been vastly outnumbered and yet, through surprise, skill and determination we had not only defeated the whole garrison but destroyed it as a town. I did not yet know the butcher's bill. I had seen the bodies of my warriors at the neck but whatever the price it had been less than I had imagined. However, it had been, as I had been warned, in vain. Trygg and the others were dead but we had had our revenge. More importantly I had fulfilled my oath to my men. All knew that Dragon Heart would never knowingly desert any of them. I was a jarl who knew his responsibilities as well as his rights.
Chapter 7
It was late afternoon by the time we had loaded the knarr, the two drekar and the small single sailed ship we had captured. What we could not take we dropped into the sea. The boats we could not use we wrecked by springing their planks and the buildings we burned. As we headed north a pall of black smoke rose high in the air from the burning stronghold, town and warehouses. I had no doubt that King Alfonso had been summoned. I suppose I had made it easier for that king to claim the land for I had killed the men who might oppose him. But when he came he would discover he had a town he had to rebuild from the burning embers we had left. As I stared over the stern I thought about the complicated webs the Norns wove. I thought I was serving me but I was also helping the King of the Asturias; wyrd. Even so I knew that he would dread and fear another Viking raid such as this one.
All told we had lost twelve warriors not counting the dead crew of the knarr. Although a relatively small number it was still too many. I wondered if we would have to curtail our trading trips. Perhaps we might have to take two drekar in future. At the back of my mind was the thought that my son did not possess as many skills as I did. Would Trygg have died if I had led the ships? Maybe I was being unfair. The Gods might just smile on me. I knew not. I had much to think on.
I saw Erik glancing nervously astern. Karl was steering the captured ship. He had some of the men from Cyninges-tūn to help him but it was a great responsibility. With Siggi sailing Trygg's knarr Karl was the only one we felt had the skill to sail the new ship we had taken. I knew what was going through Erik's mind.
I said quietly, "Now you know what it felt like to be Josephus watching you."
He laughed, "I know, Jarl. Karl is a good sailor but this is the first time he has sailed alone and the ship is strange to him."
"That is why we sail slowly and why we will carry lanterns at night. We have much to be grateful for."
He nodded and looked beyond the little ship to the smoke in the distance, "Do you think Trygg and his men suffered?"
"Yes. From what I saw of their heads and faces they had been tortured and we found not their bodies. I do not feel remorse for what we did to these people. They call us barbarians. I think that every man is a barbarian especially when he feels threatened. Trygg and the others should not have died they were threatening no one. They were sailing too close to land. We must learn from this."
Aiden looked ahead to 'Josephus'. "You blame your son."
I shook my head, "I blame myself for this. I should not send others to do what I must do."
When we returned to Bourde we were doubly welcome. The Duke had feared we might end up dead and was relieved that we had survived, nay prospered, even. The slaves and the salted fish were even more welcome. As the Dukedom was hard pressed by Frankia and Asturias they needed supplies such as this. We traded the fish for more barrels of wine. The gold we received for the slaves was even more welcome. Everyone who had voyaged benefitted.
While the others feasted I joined Siggi by the wharf. I had not had the chance to speak with him since the raid. His son Haaken Siggison was with him. I had brought an amphora of wine and three horns. I said nothing but poured them both a generous hornful. I place the half full amphora on the ground and faced them.
"I raise this wine to a fine warrior, a good captain, a fine cousin and to a faithful oathsworn, Trygg."
They both stood and said, "Trygg" before downing the wine. Young Haaken Siggison was unused to such wine and he spluttered a little. His father and I laughed and it lightened the mood a little.
"You will have to learn to take smaller drinks until you become accustomed to this."
"Aye, Jarl."
I turned to look at Trygg's knarr. "What will you do with her?"
"His sons died with him and his wife… well Agnetha does not need it. I will care for her with my wife. Trygg and I shared a hall." I said nothing, Siggi needed to work this out himself. "It is a fine knarr and I am more comfortable when it sails behind me."
I nodded, "Just as I fight better when Haaken One Eye and Sigtrygg are behind me in the wedge. Our lives are always better when we are with those that we trust."
He suddenly got my meaning. He turned to his son who was tentatively trying another taste of the rich red wine. "Could you captain the knarr,
my son?"
"Me? Am I not young yet?"
Shaking my head I said, "Erik was a captain much upon your years and you have your father who can mentor you. You will not sail alone."
Siggi put his hand around his son's shoulder. "Trygg would want this. Had his sons lived, and they are your age, then he would have asked them to sail his beloved knarr. Do this for your cousins."
"I will do it and I will not let either of you down."
His father said, "I know and I will let you helm her home. It is time I took things easier."
I knew, of course, that he would not. He would watch and silently fret over every decision his son made but eventually he would let go. We all did. The young have to make their own mistakes. It is how they learn. We stayed long enough for the wounds we had suffered to heal and for some of my lusty young men to sow some wild oats. There would be some Vasconians in the future who would bear more than a striking resemblance to Vikings.
As we left the river I noticed that the two towers were almost completed. They would deter any raider who rowed up the river in a drekar. We followed the coastline north sailing slowly. Haaken Siggison was on his first voyage steering. I had been tempted to go to London to trade some of the wine we had in our holds but with my son and his drekar alongside us I did not think it wise to risk the wrath of King Egbert. We headed for Dyfed. Perhaps the Welsh might like the wine. On the voyage north I took Eystein to one side. My Ulfheonar respected him. Haaken and Sigtrygg had asked if he could join their ranks without a wolf skin. I took him to the prow.
"My Ulfheonar hold you in high regard, Eystein. They have named you, 'The Rock' for you held the col like a rock and none could shift you. How do you feel about the name?"
"I am honoured Jarl. I like the name. I will wear it."
"Good and they also wish you to join their ranks and become Ulfheonar."
He shook his head, "I will fight in their ranks, Jarl, but I will not be Ulfheonar until I claim my cloak." I opened my mouth to speak. "I am sorry, Jarl. I will not call myself that which I am not. Every Ulfheonar kills his own wolf. He eats the heart. That is what makes him a wolf warrior. I will be as those I intend to join. I only have months to wait until I can hunt."