by Griff Hosker
“No Jarl Ragnar Hairy-Breeches, for you will need to watch for the men of Cymru. I will be safe but I thank you for your consideration.”
When we left I had Snorri lag behind while Beorn tracked ahead. When we crossed a stream and halted to drink some water Snorri said, quietly, “We are being followed. There are scouts and, I think, a warband.”
Einar growled, “Let us teach this dog a lesson Jarl.”
“No, Einar, we will let him believe that we trust him. Do you fear the whelps which follow us?”
He laughed, “Do I fear the fleas in Ragnar’s halls? No!”
“Then ignore them. Snorri you and Beorn can find our ships.”
We spotted their masts even as the two scouts returned to say they had discovered them. I felt relieved. I was not worried, Alf was too clever a sailor to be caught but I knew that I had left him shorthanded. Rolf’s guards found us and led us towards the river. One of the more sharp eyed amongst them, Thord the Left-Handed said, “Jarl Dragon Heart, you are being followed.”
“I know. Pretend we are Saxons and cannot see them eh?”
“Yes my lord.”
Arturus ran to meet me with Aiden trying to catch him. He suddenly seemed to remember that he was now part of the crew and not my son. He stopped abruptly. I hid my smile, “How goes it Arturus?”
He was bursting to tell me something. Aiden came next to him and said, “Later, Arturus, when the jarl is aboard the ship.” There was warning in his voice.
Arturus replied, meekly, “Yes, Aiden.”
Alf had not left his ship and he waved cheerfully, “We had exciting times Jarl. I will let your boys tell you about it. They did well.”
I looked at the two of them and they had both adopted innocent looks. “Good. We sail for Audun’ston.”
“We are all ready when you and your warriors are aboard.”
The Ulfheonar were the last to board and as soon as they were at the benches and ready I ordered Magnus and Arturus to cast off. I had to concentrate until we left the estuary. As soon as the sea caught us and the wind filled our sail I was able to relax more.
“Arturus, come and take a turn at the steering board while I take off my mail.”
His face split by a beaming smile he raced to the stern and he moved the steering board until I nodded my satisfaction. Aiden had helped me with my armour, cloak and helmet before now and I was soon feeling lighter as it was carried to the box at the stern.
“So Arturus, can you sail and speak or will Aiden tell me of your adventure?”
Happy that he was steering he said, cheerfully, “Aiden can tell you. He has the words.”
I sat on the chest with my armour. I could listen and watch the masthead to see that Arturus was following ‘Bear’. “Go on then Aiden. I am intrigued.”
“Captain Alf said he was unhappy with where the ships were moored. He decided to move them down stream and across the river where a stand of willows would afford some protection. Once there we waited.” Aiden sighed, “Some of the boys became a little restless.” From his shamefaced look I knew that it was Arturus. “Captain Alf sent Arturus and me to hunt for some small game. Magnus and one of the other boys rowed us in the boat to the shore close to where we found you. We managed to bag a hare and two ducks. On the way back we heard a noise and we hid. It was Ragnar Hairy-Breeches’ men.”
I stiffened, “How did you know?”
“We were hiding underneath some bushes and they stopped above us and spoke. I heard them say his name. They thought that they would be in trouble if they went back without discovering our ships.” Aiden sighed. I knew that he was going to tell me something he did not think I would want to hear. “When they left we followed them. They travelled up stream. We were quite worried when they neared our hiding place but they saw nothing. We hid until they had left. We waited until we were sure that they had gone and then we signalled Captain Alf.”
He hesitated as though he was afraid to say more. Arturus looked at me expectantly. I nodded, “You have done well. I am pleased that I brought two such resourceful boys to be part of my crew. Well done.”
The relief was clear on both their faces. Aiden rushed on. “And when we reported we decided to keep two men on the opposite shore to watch for you and Ragnar’s men in case they returned.”
“Excellent. And now I will have the steering board Arturus. Relieve Magnus at the masthead and he can watch at the prow.”
I had much to think on. Aiden began to move away. “No Aiden, I would speak with you.” He returned and leaned on the stern. “You have been with my son more than most what are his strengths and his weaknesses?”
“Jarl Dragon Heart, I am little more than a thrall I cannot speak.”
“You are no thrall. You are one of my warriors and a free man. You now have a mighty sword. You have an opinion and I value it. You may never stand in a shield wall but you are intelligent, resolute and brave. Use that courage now and speak the truth to your Jarl.” As I spoke I suddenly realised that I sounded like Olaf the Toothless when he would chastise me. I smiled to make it easier.
“He has courage. He was not afraid of the warriors and I saw him with his hand on the hilt of his seax. He is quick thinking. He has skills which could make him an Ulfheonar.”
He was silent. “I need the truth Aiden. What are his weaknesses? How can he be made better than he is?”
Aiden seemed satisfied, “He can be a little reckless at times and he takes chances.”
“That can be useful in a warrior when tempered with a mind. Can he plan? Can he reason? Can he think?”
“Yes,” he said slowly, “but his mind needs training.”
I had finally managed to have Aiden arrive at the place I wanted. “Good. Can you train his mind?” He looked at me. “I know that the sisters of the White Christ taught you to read and to play the game they call chess. That helps the mind does it not?” He nodded. “Then teach him that game. The two of you will be spending much time together guarding the boat. Use the time well. I know he will not enjoy reading but you are a clever youth. You can make games which will improve him.”
“I will do so, Jarl Dragon Heart.”
“Good.”
I could barely keep my eyes open as we headed the forty or so miles up the coast. The estuary was almost in darkness. The thought came to me that I ought to have a tower built where men could keep watch and have a light lit to guide our ships to safety. Even as I thought it I realised that we would have to make the town better defended. If we could take it then so could our enemies.
Chapter 6
We remained at my new settlement for a week. We helped Audun and his men to improve the defences and sent out, each day, patrols to hunt and investigate the land around. We found that the river could be sailed for a few more miles upstream. After that our passage was barred by an old Roman Bridge. We found farms and isolated hamlets but the ones who were Saxons fled when they recognised us. We discovered some of the people who were descended from the people of Rheged. When they spoke their Saxon was accented and a little like the Welsh. Once they found we meant them no harm we were welcomed.
I sent ‘Serpent’ back to Hrams-a with the weapons and treasures we had liberated from the Welsh. When they returned we heard the news that Sihtric was now controlling parts of the Irish coast. He extracted money from the Hibernians in return for letting them live. As soon as I received the news I knew that it would only be a matter of time before he began to cast covetous glances at my island.
We sent Alf to try to get some more Frankish blades. There had been an edict banning their sale to Danes or the Norse. However, Alf was certain he knew places where he could go. “Besides, my lord, we are using an Irish ship. We may get away with it.”
Alf was resourceful and clever. We would not need him now as I did not intend using my ships for transport. We would travel north towards what had been Rheged, on foot. I intended to find what was there before we headed deeper into Northumbria. We had expected mo
re opposition from the Saxons but Eanred seemed to be preoccupied. I would take advantage of that.
Some of the men who had been wounded during the flight from Cymru had not recovered and we left them to guard the boats. Audun had impressed me as a leader and I knew that the two ships would be in safe hands. We still had the tough Welsh horses and we took those with us as we headed north into the land which was still a mystery to us. I had been along the part where the Romans had built their wall but that was many leagues to the north. None of us had any idea what lay between.
We let the boys tend the horses. It gave them something to keep them occupied and safe at the same time. We had just sixty warriors this time. We had lost some and left some with the ships but there were now twelve Ulfheonar. The three who had left us, albeit briefly, had come back stronger. They had tasted defeat and did not like the bitter taste.
Snorri and Beorn had recovered well from their exertions and ranged far ahead of us. It was they who found the monastery and hill fort. We later found out it was called Cherestanc. At the time we just knew that there were Saxons who were still there. There was a hill and behind the hill rose the mountains which marked the middle of the land. The hill fort and the monastery were on a small promontory which stuck out from the hill side. As soon as we knew of its existence I sent Rolf and twenty men to get to the other side. They would wait until we had launched our attack.
“Be patient, Rolf. We know that there is always much treasure at these places where they worship the White Christ. Better to take our time and get it all than rush in and risk losing the best.” He nodded. “Position yourselves so that you can cover an escape to the north and the east. We will find the best way to gain entrance to this treasure trove.”
I glanced at the sun; it had passed its peak and that meant it was early afternoon. It was not yet high summer and so we had plenty of time to spy and even assault this Saxon home.
I left the warriors, horses and boys under the command of Olaf the Witch-Breaker. He had recently joined us from Orkneyjar and had shown himself to be a good warrior when we fought the Welsh. Rolf had praised him and that was enough for me.
I led the Ulfheonar up the slope towards the walls. I could see that the monks had terraced the hill and were tending their fields. They had built dry stone walls to afford protection from the westerly winds. We were able to find a location which gave us an excellent view across their terraces and their gate. By spreading my warriors out we were able to get a better picture of the settlement.
There looked to be about fifteen monks working the fields. They had no armed men with them which showed me that they were not expecting trouble. There were two men with spears lounging at the gate. I wondered what was within.
I gestured for Beorn to join me. “Can you get a closer look at the inside for me?” His answer was to slither away up the slope. He looked like a dark shadow. I had seen him do this before. When someone neared he tucked his legs beneath his wolf cloak and looked, for all the world, like a black sheep asleep on the fells.
Whilst he was away I observed the work of the monks. They tended bees as well as fields with vegetables. As we waited I heard the noise of sheep. We could not see them and I assumed they were higher up. This was a prosperous community. It seemed that they wanted for nothing; it should be well endowed. They had built a path which wound between the dry stone walls up the hill to the gate. It would provide some protection from attackers such as us.
Beorn returned and he led us a little way down the slope so that we could speak. “They have built well. There is a building within which looks like a hall. I saw a mailed warrior and what looked like his family. They had horses and were about to ride somewhere. They had three children with them. There look to be fifteen armed men within. Some were practising with weapons. They have a gate to the east as well as this one to the west. They have a ditch but they have one flaw. There is a rock which is the same height as the walls and is but four paces from it. Archers could send arrows into the fort and not be seen.”
That decided me. I led the men down to the others. “Beorn, you say archers could send arrows into the fort?”
“Easily.”
“Could warriors get into the fort from the rock?”
“Not all warriors. They would have to be skilful climbers.”
“Like Ulfheonar?”
He smiled and looking at Sven White Hair, who was one of the older Ulfheonar, said, “The younger, fitter ones, yes they could.”
Sven cuffed him about the head, “I can still whip a young whelp like you.”
“Then I will give you five archers from the warriors and you take the Ulfheonar who can scale the walls. I will bring the rest of the warriors through the fields. Be ready to climb the walls and have the archers keep the warriors from the gates. We will drive the monks from the fields. If you can prevent them from closing the gates then we might be able to capture this monastery easily.” Beorn nodded. “You can see the fields from the rock?”
“We can see the path which leads up to it and that is enough.”
“Good. Choose your men. I will speak with the others.”
I gathered the warriors around me. “We are going to attack this monastery.” I paused, “We will drive the monks up the hill. They will be sheep and we will be the wolves. We need to make as much noise as we can. The monks are unarmed. They can be easily subdued. You do not need to kill them. There is no honour in that and besides, they are valuable as slaves. There are not many warriors within the walls. I want as much treasure as this place has and as many slaves to sell.” I looked around their faces and saw that they were keen and ready. “Olaf, choose the best six archers and send them to Beorn.”
I noticed Sven and Tostig returning from Beorn. I smiled; both of them would have struggled to make the leap Beorn had described. There would be a time, soon when both would be leaving the Ulfheonar. All of us knew that the demands of the Ulfheonar were high.
“You two are on my shoulder.” I turned to Aiden. “Take charge of the horses and the boys. I saw the disappointment on the face of my son. “Not yet, Arturus. Not yet.”
When we were all ready, with our war faces on, I led them down the slope to the lowest terrace. We kept low beneath the walls. I spread the men out on both sides and I took Sven and Tostig with me to the path which wound between them. I slid Ragnar’s Spirit from my scabbard and yelled, “Attack!”
My warriors took me at my word. As the three of us ran up the path they leapt over the dry stone walls screaming blood curdling shouts. I saw the monks hesitate for a moment and then flee up the slope. They shouted, “Vikings!” in terror. I saw one brave or foolish monk wield his rake at one of my warriors and watched as he was cut down. The others who had contemplated using their tools thought better and joined the flood.
We ran up the path which twisted and turned around the stone walls. At each turn the gate was a little closer. I saw that it was still open but that mattered not. We could easily force it with our axes. I saw the monks who reached there first, milling in the doorway. My warriors had formed up behind me as the fields were cleared and I was almost on the heels of the last monks. One of them fell. I leapt over him and heard a sharp crack as one of my men stunned him with the haft of his spear. The two guards lay dead both pierced by arrows. Once we were inside I saw that it was chaos. Their dead littered the gate and the inside of the fort. Some had been killed by arrows and others by Ulfheonar. I saw Thorkell and Snorri with bloodied blades.
I stopped and yelled, first in Norse and then in Saxon. “Stop!” My men all stopped. The survivors of our attack began to look for an escape.
“I am Jarl Dragon Heart. If you do not resist then you will live. I give my word that you will not be harmed.” There was a pause and then I saw the monks nearest me slump to the ground in resignation. Those with weapons threw them down
“Olaf, secure the gate. Snorri, fetch Rolf and the others. Haaken, Cnut, secure the prisoners. Einar, fetch the horses.”
I waited until all my men were within the walls. It was coming on to evening and I wanted secure walls around us and food. We still had the buildings to search. That would be better on a full stomach.
When Snorri returned with Rolf I could see from Rolf’s face that he was not happy. I waited patiently for him to report. Something had gone awry. That much was obvious.
“The ones on the horses escaped.” I waited. He pointed to a shamefaced warrior. “Thorgill, here, could not wait to take a leak. The horses came and he still had his breeks around his ankles. Jorgen and Carl the Lame were both killed.” Jorgen and Carl were young warriors from Duboglassio. They were not as experienced as Thorgill who was one of my oathsworn.
“You will pay the families, Thorgill.” He nodded. My word was law. He would recompense the mothers of the two boys who had died because of his mistake. The result might have been the same and Thorgill dead too but he lived and he had to live with and pay for his mistake.
“How many were there, Rolf?”
“A mailed warrior with two other warriors, a boy and a woman.” He looked shocked, “The woman rode like a man.”
Beorn joined us having heard the end of the conversation, “They fled when they heard the noise of your attack and the guards were slain. We tried to reach them but the warriors held us up.”