by Griff Hosker
"I will come with you."
"No, I will be safe. With my men hunting wolves the wolves will not be hunting men. This break in the weather is sign that I should stir myself and see old friends. If I am in danger then you and Kara will dream it."
I headed north with my wolf cloak tightly wrapped around me. I wore my mail and carried both shield and spear. I was not foolish enough to venture abroad unarmed. I intended to take the day to reach Thorkell's Stad. I stopped at each farm I passed to speak with those who lived there. It let them know I was still their Jarl. It also enabled me to find out more of their lives for in the summer the men were always busy working. The winter kept them in their huts and farms. I saw many fine young men and women. We were growing. The young men all cast envious glances at my sword and I knew that, despite Haaken's fears, we had more young men who would fight in our ranks.
The consequence of my dalliance was that I reached Thorkell's Stad after dark. I had to bang upon the gate for admittance. I was greeted by Arne Leifson who had been one of the young warriors who had joined Sven. "Where is Sven White Hair?"
"He has been at his farm for the last week." He paused. "His wife died. He went there with Einar and Ragnar. We stayed here. There are just eight of us and our families here now."
"And life is quiet?"
As he led me into the settlement he nodded, "Too quiet. I miss the raids and Haaken's stories."
I laughed, "Then tonight I will join you for food and I will try to be Haaken and tell you some tales. Tomorrow I will go to Sven. He has had a hard time with his son going and now his wife dying."
"I think his wife gave up life when her son did not return."
That evening I told Arne and the others of our raids and our voyages to Galicia. I did not dress it up with flowery words as Haaken would have done. I told them all.
Arne shook his head, ruefully, when I had finished, "I can see why Sven's son and the others left. Life is dull here."
"You would all rather be warriors than farmers?"
"I would not be parted from my family for a long time but when you tell of travelling to such places and fighting new foes then I feel my blood stirring."
"Then you shall come with me next time I go raiding the Mercians."
"And our families?"
"There are other farmers here who do not wish to fight and to travel. I will persuade them and there are others who would wish to settle here. You came because I asked you. I would not take away a man's hopes and dreams."
They seemed satisfied. I spent a restless night for I did not know how to achieve what I had promised. Part of me wondered if I should abandon this part of our land. It was remote. I could visit all my other stad in less than half a day but this took me a whole day to reach. I rose early and I was not refreshed. Sven lived by the Water known as Derwent. Pasgen had told me it meant water by the oak trees. It was a pretty Water dotted with tiny islands. It made a better choice for a settlement as the islands would provide a refuge in times of danger. It was still remote but I would not need to worry about it as much. It was half way between the Rye Dale and Thorkell's stad. Perhaps we should make this our northern border. It took me most of the morning to reach it. The ground was hard for it was cold but there was little snow and that which there was a hard layer.
I saw the smoke coming from the hall as I descended the slopes of the high dale. I saw a patch of bright green close by the house. It was the grave of his wife. I walked my horse for the last part. I wore no mail, I had left it in the stad, but he had worked hard in the last two days. They spied me as I walked along the edge of the Water.
"Jarl Dragon Heart, what brings you here?"
"I am come, Sven, to say I am sorry for your loss. I have lost my wife and know what it is like."
Einar nodded, "We are all alone now."
I took off my saddle and laid it down. My horse drank deeply from the Water.
"Come, Jarl, I am not being hospitable. We have some beer left."
From the smell which drifted from the hall and the men's clothes they had been drowning their sorrows since his wife's death. Inside the hall were dirty and discarded pots and the remnants of food. I shook my head, "This is no place to entertain a guest, Sven White Hair." I took off my cloak and placed it outside. "I will sit and eat with you when it looks a fitting place for four warriors. Now it is a place for pigs!"
They seemed to see the hall for the first time. I did not wait for them I filled a cooking pot with the discarded food and when it was full took it outside. I found the pigs and emptied the left over scraps for them. The three had set to with a will and soon the hall looked clean. It would take some time for the smell to go but at least it did not offend the eye. Einar rinsed the drinking horns in the Water and we emptied the last of the barrel of beer.
"What would the three of you do now?"
"Jarl?"
"Do you wish to end your days here drinking yourselves into oblivion?"
"No, we were …"
"I know what you were doing but where are your thralls? Who cares for your animals?"
"They ran."
"You were all drunk and had not secured them."
They nodded, "The pigs would not go."
I sighed. This was my fault. They were Ulfheonar and I should have visited more often. I could have arrested this slide and now I wondered if it was too late. "I ask again, what would you do?"
"We are no farmers. We are warriors."
I went to the weapons which had been discarded in the corner. I took out a sword and ran my thumb along it. "Would a warrior have an edge so dull? You were warriors and now you are three drunks who feel sorry for themselves. If you are no farmers then give the pigs to someone who is a real farmer and come with me. If you cannot watch Thorkell's Stad then you can train my young warriors. You three were amongst the finest warriors who stood in a shield wall with me."
For the first time I saw a spark of life in their eyes. "You would give us that chance?"
"I would."
"And what of Thorkell's Stad?"
"Perhaps we abandon it. Arne could do worse than to settle here." I knew, in my heart that if my warriors left Thorkell's Stad they would return with me to my home. Thorkell had been happy to rule his own land. These three were followers and not leaders.
"Then we will train your warriors!"
There were few items from the hall that Sven wished to keep. He had buried all the precious things with his wife. We took the pigs to his neighbour who was delighted with the gift. All that they took were the weapons of war which they would need. It took until nightfall to finish. There was nothing left to drink and perilously little left to eat. I shook my head , "You are poor hosts! I hope I am able to offer better provisions at Cyninges-tūn."
"We will go there directly?"
"No, first we must return to Thorkell's Stad. We must speak with Arne."
As we headed north the next day I felt a freshening breeze from the north. That usually brought snow. I did not want to be stuck here if the weather changed. We could not go too fast for the horses of my old Ulfheonar were laden with their weapons. They had, at least, sharpened the swords and seaxes. I could tell that their professional pride had been hurt by my harsh but necessary words.
By the time Thorkell's Stad came into view the snow storm had begun. We rode, blinded by the whirling white pieces of ice. All of us were too old for this and were grateful to be in a warm hall with, most importantly, hot food and plenty of beer!
After we had eaten I gathered the men around me. "My three Ulfheonar return with me to Cyninges-tūn." Arne nodded. "Arne, you have a choice. You can stay here as Jarl or you are free to settle elsewhere or even return to Cyninges-tūn with me. Whichever you choose; it is your decision."
"I am honoured by your confidence but I think we need to talk about this with each other. It is not something to be done lightly."
"Very well." I had hoped to leave the next day before the pass south became impassable. Th
at would not happen now. I resigned myself to spending a few more days up here. I owed it to my warriors, and I was not going to be missed in Cyninges-tūn.
The storm raged all night. Next day we awoke to a blanket of white. Arne was concerned and I saw him putting on his cloak early the next morning. "Is there a problem, Arne?"
"Aye, Magnar Forkbeard and his son, Thorir Magnarsson, are overdue. They went fishing yesterday morning and I expected them back before dark last night. Your arrival drove it from my mind."
"I will come with you."
I did not think we could do much for if they were lost at sea then we would not know but it spoke well of Arne that he would venture out on such a poor day. We took just our swords, our cloaks and a length of rope. Others offered to come but there was little point in more of us being uncomfortable. The river close to the stad was too narrow for them to land. We marched along the river westward looking for signs of wreckage or bodies. When we saw neither we took a little hope. The turf part of the Roman Wall still stood and we were able to walk along its top. As the river widened we saw white caps on the waves. It was a strong wind from the north west. That wind was always the harbinger of snow and foul weather.
Suddenly Arne's sharp eyes picked out something. "Look, there! Is that an upturned boat?"
I shielded my eyes against the snow. He was right. We raced to the shore. We could now see the boat and two figures were clinging to it. The wind was blowing it towards us but the tide and the river were taking it out to sea. I spied a lone tree. "Quick; I will tie the rope to the tree and then I will wade in the water. It will give them a chance."
He shook his head. "You can hold the rope steady in the shallows I will swim out. I am younger."
I was not insulted. He was right. He took off his cloak and his sword while I tied the rope around the tree. I took my cloak off too and felt the vicious wind biting. I now regretted not bringing more people. Arne was shivering already and he was not yet in the water. I tied the rope around his waist and he headed into the water. I pointed to the west. "The river will drift the boat westwards. Walk north west, into the wind."
He began to walk into the river. The waves were not high but the flurries of snow combined with the wind on the water made them like needles in the flesh. I stepped into the river. I would have to be his anchor and help him to pull. The shock of the cold made me start. As it crept up my body to my waist I felt myself going numb. Arne was strong and soon he was just thirty paces from the boat. He began to shout. If they were not alive then was there any point in risking Arne? I saw both heads rising. They were alive. He pushed on.
It would be a race to see if he could reach the half wrecked boat before it was swept beyond his reach and out to sea. He was going to be a little short of the fishing boat and I walked west too to give him more rope. He was swimming now for the river had deepened. One of the figures slid down the boat and he held tightly on to it with one hand. He reached out with the other for Arne. It was hard to see what was happening because of the snow but I saw the two figures flailing to make contact. One figure, it looked to be the son, was reaching out for Arne while clinging on to the upturned boat. I almost cheered when I saw them clasp wrists. There was no time to waste. I began to haul on the rope. I was so cold that it was hard to make my arms move. I had lost all feeling in my legs. The current was too strong. I could not pull. I had no strength in my arms. The boat was a dead weight. Had I been closer I would have shouted to them to abandon the boat but I was too far away.
I ducked under the rope so that it was behind my back. I received a soaking for my trouble. Then I took a step back. And then another. The rope wrapped around me helped. Miraculously I found that I was walking backwards and pulling the boat albeit slowly. I took another few steps and found that the river was now just up to my knees. We were winning but would they still be alive when I landed my catch? When I stepped on to dry land the wind whipped around my already freezing legs. I gritted my teeth and walked backwards. When I reached the tree I began to walk around it, wrapping the rope as I did so. If the rope wrapped around me had helped then a tree would be even better. It meant I could take a little breather every now and then as the tree stopped tightened rope slipping.
Arne was now able to stand. I could see that the one holding his hand was the son, Thorir; he had no beard. When he stood I was able to pull faster. We were almost done. Arne grabbed the arm of Magnar and he and Thorir pulled and dragged the body out of the river and on to the land. I let go of the rope and ran towards them. I threw Arne's cloak at him and put mine on Thorir. There was little point in warming a corpse. Thorir threw it off and put it on his father. "He lives!"
"We must get back to the fort or we shall all die out here."
Thorir pointed west, "There is a drekar in the estuary and it is heading east. It is ready for war. It is a Viking raider!"
The Norns were spinning once more.
Chapter 10
Between us we carried the unconscious form of Magnar. It was hard to move quickly for we were so cold. I do not think I had ever been as cold in my life. Neither the wind nor the snow had abated but, luckily, it was now blowing us towards the fort and warmth. Sven and the others had taken my criticism to heart and they stood sentry themselves. When they saw us coming they opened the huge gates and helped us to carry the two fishermen into the fort.
As we headed for the hall and the roaring fire within I shouted, "Sound the horn! There may be danger. Sven, get those from without the fort inside."
Sven knew me well enough not to question me. I helped Arne put the two men as close to the fire as we could get. My legs actually hurt as the fire warmed me but I would have no time for such luxuries. Einar and Ragnar awaited my instructions. "The two fishermen said that they saw a dragon ship. It was heading this way and it was ready for war. It may not be coming here or it might actually come in peace but let us assume the worst. I need every man and boy arming. We need water preparing in case they have fire and, as we do not know how long they will take to come, I want hot food preparing." They stood waiting for more. "That is all for now! Go." As they opened the door to go out I heard the sound of the horn summoning all who were within earshot.
I knelt next to Magnar and put my ear to his mouth. He was breathing but only just. I took my wolf skin from Magnar. "This is wet. Find dry blankets." I saw that Thorir, too was blue. "Get your wet things off and your father too. Arne, cover them both with blankets and then change your clothes. I will begin to organise the defence until you are ready. Make sure that everyone on the walls has warm clothes. The cold, the snow and the ice will be as much an enemy as any Viking raider."
I took off my clothes in the corner of the hall they had given me. This was no time for modesty. I put on my leather byrnie and my mail. Neither was warm but they were better than the sodden clothes which seemed to suck the heat from my body. I began to warm up a little when I was dressed for war.
Sven arrived back. I pointed north. "There is a drekar out there. It might have peace on its mind but I fear it is war." The storm and the delay in my leaving make me think I was supposed to be here. This felt like the work of the Weird Sisters. Suppose I had returned to my home, what might have resulted? "How many men have we?"
"Eleven warriors, twelve with you."
I shook my head, "Men! How many men?"
"Twelve warriors and eight other men but some are old."
"I care not. Ragnar fought when he was the oldest man in the whole village. An old man can cause a wound. I want them all armed and on the walls. How many boys?"
"Seven."
"Then they will go on the wall. If they can use a hunting bow then give them one; if not then a slingshot."
He paused at the door, "I am pleased that my last fight will be by your side Jarl Dragon Heart."
I would not give up but I knew that he was probably right. A drekar would have a crew of at least forty and we had but twelve warriors. We were going to die. And it would be a fight that
no one would remember. Some warrior might wield the sword which was touched by the Gods but he would not say how we died. He would just boast of the magical weapon which was a legend among Vikings. That last stand would be forgotten; along with us. Despite those thoughts I was determined that we would die hard and die well.
Armed and ready I donned my sodden cloak. It was heavy but I had fought in it for so many years it felt like a weapon. Besides it had stopped blows before and perhaps it would do so again. I carried my helmet and my shield. As I stepped out of the door, the wind whipped into my face. I suddenly realised the snow had stopped. I did not know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. I passed terrified looking women. I smiled and spoke to each one. "Fear not. Keep hot food ready for the men. We will prevail." The words did not matter. It was my smile and my tone of voice. It made them think that I was confident. It seemed to work for they began to smile themselves. Inside I felt the lie.
My three Ulfheonar were at the gate house already. They were armed and wearing their wolf cloaks around the shoulders. I wondered how many years it had been since they had worn them. Each fingered their wolf amulet. It was a habit all of my Ulfheonar had. "Can you see anything?"
Einar said, "One of the warriors thought he saw a dragon ship on the river." He shrugged, "He has young eyes, I saw nothing."
"Thorir saw it. It is out there. We can only hope that it suffers the same fate as the fishing boat. It is a stormy night. Perhaps it will sink. If it does I doubt that the crew will be in the best of condition. Perhaps when they see four Ulfheonar they may think better of it." I was giving them hope when I felt none.
Gradually the walls filled with warriors, farmers, blacksmiths, fishermen, shepherds and boys. It was hardly the army I would have chosen but it was the one the Norns had given me. I walked around the narrow rampart to speak with each of them in turn. Some of them asked to touch Ragnar's Spirit. It strengthened those whose resolve was weakening. For the older ones it was a sign that they thought that this would be their last fight. The boys stood shaking in the cold, holding their bows or their slings. I said the same to each of them, "Do not waste an arrow or a stone. A wounded warrior is almost as good as a dead warrior. You will be the one who stops them coming close. You can save your family."