by Griff Hosker
"You are certain?"
"Aye, Jarl."
And so he fought alongside my Ulfheonar but he would not name himself as such. My men respected him even more and he was able to fight alongside his best friend Asbjorn. They fought well together.
The Sabrina was a sign that we were almost home. We tied up close to the town. My distinctive sail ensured that we were not mistaken for raiders. We had barely tied up when their king, Arthfael Hen ap Rhys, came with his nobles to greet me. I had just met him once but the swords and weapons we had sent must have pleased him for he greeted me like a long lost brother.
"Jarl Dragon Heart! It is good to see such a staunch ally."
"And I am pleased to speak with you. Were the weapons you bought satisfactory?"
He nodded enthusiastically and then put his arm around my shoulder. "Come I would speak with you."
"Wolf Killer, help Siggi with the trades. What do you require? More weapons?"
When we were out of earshot he said, "It is warriors to wield them."
"You wish to hire my men?"
"King Coenwulf of Mercia presses us harder and harder. My men are brave but I do not have enough of the quality of your men."
"We are not averse to killing Saxons but we are coming up to the winter. Campaigning will be over."
"I know." There was a large rock by the side of the river and he sat. "It would be next year that we would need you to fight for us but…"
"King Arthfael Hen ap Rhys, your warriors who fought with me know that I speak plainly. Just tell me what it is you wish. I can give two answers; I can say yes or no. Either way you will know my mind."
"That is what they said you would say. Then I ask you plainly, would you raid the Saxons of Mercia? It will make them look to the lands which border yours and lessen the threat to my lands."
"Aye, we could do that."
"And we could pay you in iron."
I shook my head. "We have good iron and copper ourselves but gold is always welcome or, if not then silver."
"We could manage that but will your men do as you ask?"
"They are my oathsworn and they will do as I ask."
He clasped my arm, "Then you raid Mercia for us and next spring you fight alongside us?"
"We will raid and, come the spring I will decide."
I could see that he was disappointed but I would not commit to a course of action which might not suit us. We had allies now to the east. Italy was a place I wished to get to know a little better. I saw that Amalfi and Gaeta would be powerful cities soon. Our trade with them would make us prosper too.
"That is all that I can ask. We will also require more of your weapons and mail."
"Mail is expensive."
He smiled, "Not if it saves warriors' lives and helps us to win battles."
"Then we will send more down when it is made."
We left the next morning on the early tide. We still had some barrels of salted fish and wine left and I decided to try and trade in Dyflin. We would also trade the women and children we had captured. We had had no trouble since Sihtric Silkbeard had died and it seemed, to me, that this was a good opportunity to open trading links again. It would make our voyages south easier for we would be able to hug the coast of Hibernia and avoid both Mann and Ynys Mon. Wolf Killer had not been happy about my decision. I had made it just as we were boarding and we had not had any time to discuss it.
"Then you sail back to our home. I can guard two knarr."
"No, I will come with you. I am not afraid but I think it is dangerous."
"It is a risk I grant you but if we go in peacefully then the risk is lessened."
And so we approached the stronghold of the Norse in Hibernia. They had not, as I had done, conquered a whole land. They occupied four or five ports from which they extracted tribute from the Hibernians. Like us they raided but they raided the men of Wales, On Corn Walum, and even their brothers in Orkneyjar. I did not know who ruled there now but it was worth the detour to discover his identity.
I went in first. We had no shields along the side and I was bare headed. We were letting them know that we came in peace. There were just three drekar in port and none of them looked as big as ours. There was plenty of room to tie up. After Karl and Cnut had secured us to the land I stepped ashore with Aiden. "Haaken, you command this drekar until I return." Aiden had a small amphora of wine with him.
I strode towards the warrior hall I could see by the river bank. None of the warriors we saw were dressed in mail which was reassuring. The group at the door parted when I approached and a huge bald warrior with an enormous moustache came out. He smiled, which I also took to be a good sign.
"I am Hakon the Bald of Dyflin and this is my land. From your sail and you wolf cloak you must be the infamous Jarl Dragon Heart of Cyninges-tūn."
"Aye I am." I waited to see if he would say anything else. So far his words had not been threatening but I saw some of his jarls were fingering their weapons. I was aware that Hakon was appraising me. "I thought to visit here to see if we were welcome. Are we?"
Hakon smiled, "You come in peace and we are at peace. What went on with Sihtric was in the past." He pointed to the knarr. "Your knarr are both laden; would you trade?"
I turned to Aiden, "We have a sample of the wine here if you would like to taste." I waved a hand at the women and children who were being herded ashore. "And we have slaves."
He put a huge fist around my shoulders. "Come let us go into my hall."
Once inside the hall he waved to a slave. He brought over two horns. Obviously Hakon the Bald did not share. He downed it in one and his eyes lit up. "How much of this do you have and can you get more?"
I nodded. There were four barrels on board our ships. "I can let you have two and more in the spring."
"And what would you have in return? Slaves? Animals?"
I smiled, "Gold."
He laughed, "I had heard you were a good trader." He held out his hand. "Put your hand there, Jarl. I like you." He waved his steward over. "Go with the Jarl's man and buy the two barrels of wine for us. Make a price for the slaves too." Aiden and the steward left. He rubbed his hands. "Let us see if the second horn is as good as the first."
I would let him finish the last of the amphora. I knew its strength and he did not. He became a little drunker. He still had his wits about him but his tongue was loosened. He waved a hand around. I took the gesture to mean he was talking about the whole island. "This is a poor land. It is filled with the followers of the White Christ. If the people were not so easily cowed and enslaved and the climate not so pleasant I might think about coming over the sea to your land."
It was half a joke. "I would not do that, Jarl. Others have tried and lost men, ships and their lives."
He laughed, "I heard of the fate of Magnus Klak and Rorik. I knew them both from when I was younger." He shook his head, "I am not so drunk that I would threaten you; not the man who wields the sword touched by the Gods. No I am not going to try to take your land. Good luck to you, you got there first. Still there are others who do not like you."
"You cannot please everyone. So long as my people like me then I am content."
"Ah, mine fear me! That is the difference."
"And what do you hear of Mann?"
"A nest of vipers. Thank the Allfather you killed Kolbjorn the Slighter. He and his men had been using Mann to raid my lands. He always retreated back to his island and his fort. It would have cost me too many men to take it."
"Who rules there now?"
"I know not. I heard rumours that there were many men vying for the right to rule the island although I cannot see why. You lived there, did you not?"
"We took it from the Saxons when Prince Butar was alive. My wife's brother ruled it for a while."
"It is a poorer prospect than here. At least they have so many children that there is a constant supply of slaves. Mann has none."
Aiden and the steward returned. Hakon poured the last of the
wine into his horn and quaffed it. I stood. "I am pleased that we are friends now and trade. If you wish to trade with me then you needs must come to Úlfarrston but I counsel you to come in peace for the ruler there, Pasgen, has suffered raids from here before."
"Thank you for the warning."
As we walked back to my drekar I asked, "You only have two ships in harbour?"
"Aye the rest are raiding." He held up a hand, "Do not fear it is not your land. They have gone to Strathclyde. The pickings are poor but the warriors there are even worse than those who live on this island. We take their slaves and animals. Their weapons are not worth melting down." He smiled, "Now the weapons of Cyninges-tūn are said to be the finest outside Frankia."
I laughed, "And the price of a single weapon would buy a whole barrel of this wine."
He clasped my arm. He had sobered up. He spoke quietly, "This is for my men. They will know we are friends. That makes you safe to travel my waters but, more importantly, it means I am your friend and I am safe too. They would not wish to make an enemy of you."
As we sailed east and home my thoughts were not on the Jarl of Dyflin but on Magnus the Foresworn. If Kolbjorn the Slighter came from Mann then his crew, and presumably Magnus, would have returned there. He was now close to my home and who knew what murderous intent was in his head. I had much to think on. I would speak with Kara and see if she had sensed any danger.
We unloaded the ships; all of us were pleased to be home. At this time of year my land always looked at its best. While we landed the treasure and cargo from the ships I told Pasgen and his son what had happened. Both were sad for Trygg was even more part of their world than mine. I did not envy Siggi telling Trygg's wife the news. As we prepared to head back to our home I had a few last words for Erik. "We will be raiding again. Probably in a month's time; the Saxons this time. Will we be ready?"
"Aye Jarl." He nodded towards Karl and Cnut. Those two are interested in Haaken Siggison's new ship. I think Karl, especially, is ambitious. He wonders who will captain the ship we captured."
"That is you decision Erik. He is your ship's boy. He wishes to be a captain but only you know if he is good enough."
"Oh he is good enough but…" he laughed, "I am truly becoming older, Jarl. He sailed it well enough on the way back here and I now have Cnut. I see now how hard it must have been for those who trained me to let me go."
"Do not worry Erik, there will be many volunteers to be ship's boys. Cnut Cnutson is good and you can find someone equally good. Of course when we raid the knarr will stay here. Karl could come with us. He might like the profits he would make. Have you explained to him the cost a captain incurs?"
"Not yet. He may choose to remain as my assistant."
I followed the carts as they carried our treasure, gold and wine back to our home. The winter would be a good one. The harvest of oats, rye and barley looked good. The sheep and the cattle had fared well. If the Gods were kind and we had a clement winter we might even increase our numbers.
Aiden rode ahead on a pony. Kara liked a warning that we were returning. It was mainly so that she could prepare food. I walked with Haaken and Sigtrygg. "We raid again in a month. Does that sit well with you?"
"We have had much idle time Jarl. For my own part I am ready. Where do we raid?"
I looked at Sigtrygg Thrandson. "I thought to raid the Ribble and the Lune. They are close and you know them well."
Sigtrygg nodded. His family had lived there until the Northumbrians attacked them. It had only been my intervention which had saved them. The fact that it was now part or Mercia would not worry Sigtrygg; they were Saxons. "I like the notion. We can be there in a few hours. We could even do it without drekar."
I smiled, "Perhaps you are becoming a Galdramenn for that was in my mind. I would take half of the Ulfheonar and crew my ship with men from Cyninges-tūn. You would take the other half of the Ulfheonar and other warriors."
Haaken nodded, "Clever. We approach from the sea and they see us fleeing inland where Sigtrygg is ready to sweep them up."
"You are both reading my mind already. Aye I have a mind to make it a long raid. We would stay there until we had rid the land of Mercians and Northumbrians. Northumbria will do nothing. It is finished but Coenwulf will send warriors north and they will not have enough warriors be able to attack the men of Dyfed at the same time. When they come north we will already have headed back to our home for the winter."
Haaken smiled, "The Welsh are paying us?" I nodded. "And we get to capture slaves, treasure and animals?"
"We do!"
"Then by this time next year I shall have golden mail."
Haaken did not shut up all the way home. Sigtrygg was more thoughtful. He was thinking of his father, Thrand, whose body lay in the land we would be raiding. For Sigtrygg this would be personal and I would not like to be the Saxons who stood up to him.
The whole of Cyninges-tūn turned out to greet us. That was partly in honour of our success but also to mark the passing of the dead. Trygg had been part of Cyninges-tūn. His voyages had kept them supplied. They would remember him and their cheers were as much for the dead as they were for us.
Chapter 8
We left once we had our harvest in. Wolf Killer wanted to be with his family and he did not accompany us. I understood that and there were more volunteers to fight than we had space for. The men who had been to Galicia had come back as rich men. All now had a fine helmet and sword. Some even had a short byrnie. Success breeds success and we were also raiding the Saxons. They were our natural enemy. I think another lure was the fact that we would only be away for weeks and not months. The Ribble and the Lune were just a good days' march from Úlfarrston.
My shoulder had healed completely. I told Bjorn of the success of his metal shoulder plates. "When this raid is over I have an idea for plates for your knees and legs. You are not getting any younger, Jarl, and if your knees and joints are anything like mine you need all the protection you can get."
He was right. I was now the same age as Prince Butar had been when we had left for Mann. I did not feel old but Prince Butar had appeared old to me. Perhaps I appeared old to those around me. When I saw my reflection in the clear waters in the early morning I caught sight of the flecks of grey which appeared in my beard.
Kara's dreams as well as Aiden's had been trouble free and both deemed that the omens for a successful raid were good. Sigtrygg and his men marched south the day before we left on the drekar. He took Bjorn the Scout and I retained Snorri. Our plan was simple. We would sail to the Ribble and begin our drive north. Sigtrygg and his men would wait, like a line of beaters south of the Lune. Once we had achieved our first objective then Sigtrygg would head north and wait north of the Lune. He and his men had the harder task for they had to move invisibly through the land. If the game was alerted then they would flee south and our plans would have failed. We were trying to draw King Coenwulf's attention to the north of his land and away from Dyfed and Gwent.
We sailed south but kept well away from the coast. The drekar had every oar manned by two warriors. We did not need to use the oars but it was good to know that we could move quickly if we had to. Erik had two new ships' boys. Leif had replaced Karl and I noticed a more confident Cnut Cnutson showing the newcomer how to scurry up the mast quickly.
Erik used his innate sense of the sea to decide when we would make the turn towards the coast. We lowered the sail and manned the oars so that we would be hidden. Cnut was at the masthead and he whistled to alert us to the coast. He waved his arm south. Erik corrected his course slightly. As we approached I recognised the familiar shore. We would wait by the beach until dark. There were dunes and pine forests south of the river and few people lived there. It was in the fertile land to the north that people prospered. We would then head north after dark and enter the river. There was a small fishing village at the end of the estuary, Lytham, and we would land there first. There was no fort but the handful of boats could warn those who live
d in Prestune, just a few miles upstream, of our arrival.
As the afternoon turned to dusk we headed north. I watched the sky darkening to the east. Cnut, this time, was at the prow. Leif was half way down the drekar to repeat signals. When he waved his arm to the right then I knew we had reached the river. The motion of the drekar changed as the waters became choppier. The river and sea fought with each other for mastery of the estuary. I went to the prow to see for myself what lay ahead. Across the water came the faint smell of wood smoke. I caught the hint of a glow from a hut. As my eyes adjusted to the land I saw the fishing boats drawn up on the beach. I donned my helmet. Erik took us in gently. While Cnut prepared to leap ashore I watched for any sign that we had been seen. The land appeared silent. It was low tide and Erik ran the bow of the drekar on to the sand. Either by good luck or perhaps his skill it did not strike any of the fishing boats and we barely made a sound as we slid slowly across the sand. I followed Cnut ashore. He ran with a rope and tied it to the mooring post the fishermen used for their fishing boats.
I made my way up the slope to the village. I drew my sword as I went. My men began to follow. The Ulfheonar were directly behind me. There were just a handful; the rest were with Sigtrygg. Behind them came my warriors. We were more than enough for this small village. I waved my sword to the left and the right. The line of men spread out. Up ahead a dog barked and was silenced by a shout from inside a hut. It was too late to worry now. The warriors who came with us had no mail and they quickly surrounded the village. I saw that there were just eight huts. That matched the number of fishing boats we had seen. There were eight families.
I was about to signal for the men to enter the huts when a man emerged from one of them. He spied Siggi the Silent. Before Siggi could react he had shouted the alarm. Siggi ran him through but the damage was done. Men ran from the huts and were either slain or overcome. The fact that they saw the wolf skins helped us to subdue them. The women and the children were terrified by these red eyed monsters that pounced upon them. Within a few strikes of our swords it was over.