by Griff Hosker
We made our way down to the sea. Already the Danish drekar there were burning. There were dead and dying Danes showing that they had tried to defend their ships. Our two drekar came around the headland slowly for they were only crewed by a handful of warriors. I turned and looked at the Danish stronghold. It was burning. I had no doubt that there were survivors who would come and put out the fires but the damage had been done. As a fort it was now redundant and Guthrum would have to rebuild. He had two reasons to hate me now: I had killed his son and destroyed his stronghold and drekar. I saw that our warriors had stripped the bodies of those they had killed and were carrying weapons and treasure. That had not been our aim but it was welcome reward for our brave men.
We boarded at dawn. No one tried to stop us. The few survivors had fled the fort and were hiding. Our sudden attack had had the desired effect. The winds were from the north and whilst not strong they meant that we did not need to row. We would save that for the river. We stripped ourselves of our armour and drank from the small barrel of beer we had bought from the ale wife. Men slept where they could, even Aiden. As we headed south I had Snorri bring the prisoner we had captured. There were just five of us to question this prisoner. The rest lay beneath their cloaks.
He was not a young warrior. I saw the lump forming on his head from the blow Bjorn the Scout had given him. "What is your name?" he remained silent. "I am Jarl Dragon Heart. You have heard of me?"
His widening eyes told me he had. "I have heard of you. That is the magic sword." He nodded, "Now I know how you captured our fort. It was witchcraft. You have a powerful witch who protects your home and you have a Galdramenn."
I smiled, my Galdramenn was asleep less than six paces from him. "Then it will do no harm to tell me your name."
"I am Siggi Ulffarson. Now kill me, Jarl Dragon Heart."
"Who says I am going to kill you? You have no sword in your hand. If you know my reputation then you know that I am a fair man."
"Then what do you wish of me?"
"Two things: I wish information and then I wish you to take a message for me."
"Why should I do either?"
"If you do then it will save your life. You will live."
I saw him weighing up the alternatives. "Ask your question and I will then decide if I should answer."
"Is your leader, Jarl Guthrum?"
He frowned as he tried to see the trick in my words. Of course there was none. He nodded. I smiled, "And why was he not at your stad? Or did we kill him?"
"Guthrum is a mighty warrior. You would have lost many warriors had you tried to kill him. You were lucky that he and most of the band were to the south west."
Already he had told me more than he intended for the land of the Middle Saxons was close to the land of Wessex. Their leader was on the borders of Wessex. Coenwulf was using him to threaten Wessex while he supported the men of Corn Walum. He was a wily king. I smiled, "Then you have answered my questions. Now I need you to take a message for me."
"Where? And why should I?"
I shrugged. "It is a message for this Guthrum. You cannot object to returning to your jarl can you?" Again he was looking for the trick and, of course, there was none.
"Very well but what is the message?"
"Tell him that Lundenwic is under my protection now and if he tries to attack it or the lands of my friend, King Egbert, then he will answer to Jarl Dragon Heart and his sword, Ragnar's Spirit."
The man's mouth opened in amazement. I was challenging this leader of the Danes. He obviously had more men that I did for we had had to fight many men in the fort and more were with this Jarl Guthrum. He nodded, "I will do as you ask. You are a strange man. I do not understand you."
"Good then that is how I like it. Erik, stand in to the shore. We will drop off our passenger." We dropped him in the shallows and watched while he waded ashore. I waited until he had disappeared into the swampy area behind the beach. I waved Snorri and Bjorn the Scout forward. "Follow our friend there and find out where this Guthrum hides. Stay hidden and do not take risks."
Bjorn the Scout cocked his head to one side. "Jarl Dragon Heart, no one takes more risks than you. We will stay hidden."
They slipped silently into the water and trotted after the Dane. They would not be seen unless they chose to be and his trail was easy to see. "Now we head back to the hall. It has been a good night."
The men had to row up the river and they did so without a chant. They were weary and this was a job which needed doing. Each warrior was thinking of his fight and how he could have fought better. That was the Ulfheonar way. They also thought of the warriors we had left behind. There were just two Ulfheonar who had died and they were two of the newer warriors. It was always the way. We had high standards; once we met them then we had more chance of survival. We had their bodies with us and we would bury them with honour at our new hall. Their spirits would watch over it for us.
Erik watched the mast head and touched the steering board a little to correct our course. "Why did you tell him what you did, Jarl? You told him where we would be. He will come for us."
"He will and he will tell the tale of how Jarl Dragon Heart and his Ulfheonar raided his fort and fled to Lundenwic. Wiglaf and the other seekers of the sword will come to Lundenwic."
"That will put the town in danger."
"It would if we were not there but that fort was built by the Romans. We can help King Egbert to defend it. Who would you back to win: the Danes or the Ulfheonar?"
He laughed, "That is an easy one. The Ulfheonar. Your mind is becoming sharper, Jarl."
"Thank your old mentor, Josephus. He introduced us to the ways of the Greeks and I am a quick learner. We do what we do for our people. The fact that I am helping the King of Wessex is incidental. So long as we draw danger here and away from Cyninges-tūn, then I am happy."
We finally tied up to our crude jetty in the early afternoon. Although exhausted I knew that I needed to speak with Edward. Aiden came with me. I think he was curious about the events of the day and he had noticed the absence of Snorri and Bjorn the Scout. He nodded his approval when I told him what I had done while he had slept. "The maps came in useful then?"
"When I saw the area of swamp marked then I knew that Bjorn the Scout and Snorri would be able to follow him easier than through a forest."
The sentries now granted us admission as soon as we reached the gate. I was delighted to see that the counsellors were not present. I never minded generals, eorls or leaders but counsellors were like politicians. They were always self serving. Edward poured me a beaker of ale and leaned forward eagerly. "Well?"
"We destroyed some of the Danes' ships and we made their fort indefensible but Guthrum was not there."
He looked disappointed, "Oh."
"And there is worse. We believe he is coming here or at least he is coming to this area with his warband."
"I will send a messenger to my father."
"He is in Corn Walum?"
"Aye."
"Then unless your messenger sprouts wings then this will be over before he can get here. I have my men seeking Guthrum. We will have a better idea of our position when they return."
"I will still send a messenger."
"Of course."
He left us alone and I poured some more ale. I was hungry enough to eat raw horsemeat but I knew I had to wait until we had confirmed a strategy to deal with the unknown number of Danes who would be coming.
He returned with Leofric, the leader of his oathsworn. "What would you suggest we do, Jarl Dragon Heart? I know my father values your opinion on matters of war."
"If you have kept the ditch clear of rubbish and if is laid with traps then Guthrum will find it hard to assault the walls. The bushes should be cut back as far as the tree line. Lay in food, water and arrows." I finished off the ale. "The last time we came those who lived in Lundenwic were kept from the fort. It was a mistake. They should be invited in and protected. It will give you additional warrio
rs."
Leofric snorted, "Tanners and merchants, warriors?"
"If they stand on the wall and hold a weapon then Guthrum will think they are warriors and they can still wield a spear and kill an enemy. At least in the fort they have a chance of survival. The Danes are not like the Mercians. They will show no mercy. The men will be slain, the women raped and then they and the children will be enslaved."
"How do you know this?"
I shrugged. "It is what I would do. It is the way Danes fight. He wants to strike fear in the hearts of your people so that they will side with the Mercians. It is the Danes they will fear."
Edward nodded, "He is right Leofric. And you, Jarl Dragon Heart, will you and your men fight?"
"We have never run away from a fight yet. We will stay." I saw the relief on both of their faces. "We will wait until my men return before making any decisions about how we fight."
"How you fight?"
"Half of my men are Ulfheonar. The Danes fear us for we are shape shifters and they believe we can turn into wolves."
Leofric laughed, "What nonsense. Men cannot become wolves."
"Ah there you are wrong. We can act and move as wolves do. We can hide in the night and strike when least expected. I did not say we physically turn into wolves but our enemies believe we do and that is all that counts."
I saw Leofric gripping his cross and knew that he was a follower of the White Christ.
"Anything else?"
"Your traitorous counsellors what will you do with them?"
Edward looked a little shamefaced, "They and their families fled last night."
"If you wanted evidence of their perfidy then you have it now. Well it is too late to do anything about them. I hope that no mischief comes of this." I yawned. "I need my rest. I will return when I have news. If you hear of anything then you know where we will be."
When we reached the hall there was a pot of food on the fire. My stomach was aching with the appetising smell. I washed the blood from me and changed into a clean kyrtle. I had an idea that I would be in armour for the foreseeable future.
After we had eaten I sent Aiden to buy another barrel of ale. The men had deserved it. While they feasted I sat with Arturus, Aiden, Cnut and Haaken and I told them of our plans.
"I do not mind fighting, Jarl Dragon Heart, you know that, but why are we fighting for Saxons?"
"A good question and I will try to answer it. Firstly it draws our enemies here and makes our home safer. Secondly, treasure."
"Treasure?"
"The Danes we slew had much gold and silver about them. Were they the best warriors the Danes have?"
"No, they were piss poor. Only a couple had mail."
"So when Guthrum comes he will be bringing his best warriors and imagine what treasure he and his warriors will have." I held up the golden torc with the blue jewels. "I hope it will be more of this. Coenwulf is paying Guthrum and his Danes. They are rich. But we are better and we will reap the rewards of our efforts."
Cnut smacked Haaken on the back of the head, "Why you question the Jarl I do not know. Everything that Dragon Heart does is planned and well thought out!"
I noticed Arturus, who had said nothing, taking it all in. He was learning how to be leader. It was why I made sure he attended all of my councils of war. I sent Arturus and a dozen of his warriors north the next morning. I wanted to be sure that Guthrum was not close by. His warrior had not said when he had left his fort for his raid. I took my men and we went to inspect the fort. As I had suggested the killing ground had been extended and the nearest cover was beyond bow range. Edward joined us outside. "We have cleared the ditches and buried stakes at the bottom."
I nodded my approval, "How far can your archers send an arrow?"
He had a blank look on his face. "Sigtrygg take your bow and go to the walls. Loose an arrow and ask any of the archers of Wessex on the walls to do the same."
"Do you wish to show that your archers are better than ours?"
"No, but it is important that we know the range. If not then we waste arrows and we do not have endless supply of those."
We waited and watched as Sigtrygg climbed to the walls. They were not especially high but they would give our archers an advantage over any archers that the Danes might bring with them. Standing below him we were able to watch the arrow's flight. It plunged into the trees and we did not see it land. The Saxon's arrow landed twenty paces from the eaves of the woods. Three of four others tried it and they had the same effect. "Aiden go and mark the spot with some stones."
Edward asked, "How does that help us?"
"My men can release as soon as they come out of the woods and yours when they reach the line of stones."
Edward nodded, "That way we strike more quickly than they do."
"I do not think that they will do much damage until they are much closer. We can thin their numbers before they even reach the walls. Have your men pour as much river water into the ditch as they can."
"We cannot fill it. We have tried."
"I do not want you to fill it; I want it so muddy and slippery that they fall and the ladders they bring will sink."
Aiden returned. "I have seen the forest; we could lay trips and traps there too."
"Good. Haaken, take the rest of my warriors and make the forest hazardous for them."
I led Edward back inside. "You have done this before, Jarl Dragon Heart."
"We have. Both in attack and in defence. Have you pig fat and seal oil?"
"I think so, why?"
"Build a fire in the yard and have a pot of pig fat ready to heat. Once we know they are coming we can heat the fat. It kills quickly and penetrates even the best armour. You pour it from the walls and when it cools it makes the ground and anything it touches slippery."
He clapped me on the back. "You are teaching me much."
"I hope so for you are paying us well."
He went inside and I carried on with my inspection of the walls. The King had improved the ditches but the walls had not been looked after. The mortar was crumbling. If Guthrum brought a ram he could break the walls. I had to hope that he would be overconfident. I returned to my hall. It was time to prepare for war.
Chapter 6
It was dark when both Arturus and my two scouts returned. I had been more worried by Arturus' absence. I had expected my scouts to take some time to find our enemy.
"Where have you been, Arturus?"
"We found some Danish scouts. There were eight of them. We followed them back to their camp and we met Bjorn the Scout and Snorri. We came back with them."
I was relieved. He had done the right thing. Of course I still worried about him. I was his father but everything he did was correct. My people would have a good leader when I went to the Other World.
"Snorri, how far away are they and how big is their camp?"
"They are fifteen miles away; that is a rough guess for they are not using the Roman Road with the stone markers. They are camped in the forests and using trails. There are almost two hundred of them. We counted at least forty who wear mail and have the double Danish war axe. They have archers and even some slingers and the majority of the men have a helmet, shield and some have two weapons. They look to be battle hardened."
He was telling me that these warriors might well be the equal of us and they would certainly be superior to the warriors Eorl Edward had in the fort. "You have all done well. They could be here before morning. Eat and I will speak with Eorl Edward. Haaken, choose six men for each boat and have them taken over to Suthriganaworc. I would that they were safe." He left. "Tostig Wolf Hand, go and tell our neighbours that there may be trouble tomorrow. They can either cross the river on our ships or go into the fort. It is their choice."
The gates were closed but soon opened when I was recognised. "The Danes, Eorl Edward, are fifteen miles away. I think they will be here before morning. I have told those from Lundenwic to either come into the fort or cross the river. When my men have eate
n we shall come into your fort."
"How many do we face?"
"Two hundred and they are well prepared warriors." I looked at Leofric. "How many warriors can you muster?"
"Forty."
"I have fifty. I think that we might need those tanners and merchants, Leofric. What do you think?"
He had the grace to bow as he said, "I think that I have much to learn and I am just glad that we do not have to face your men too."
The gates were opened but guarded as the people of Lundenwic came within the protection of the Roman walls. Annoyingly no one had made any arrangements for them to have a place to sleep. Aiden discovered that the old stables had a good roof and I took the decision to house them there. There were just a couple of horses within. If anyone argued they would have to do so with me.
Cwoenthryth, the ale wife, had Tostig Wolf Hand in tow and he carried a barrel of beer. She kissed me on the cheek as she entered. "Thank you Jarl, you have a kind heart even though it breathes fire. This is for your men. I know it is you who has thought of us. We will remember."
The Eorl had his armour on and he carried his helmet. The mail links did not look as well made as Bjorn's. Bjorn hand riveted every link so that it could withstand much damage. "All is prepared then."
"Not quite, you need to light the fire beneath the pig fat and have some containers ready to hurl upon the attackers."
"Just when I think I have everything in hand you find my shortcomings."
"You will become better."
I sat on the ramparts and closed my eyes. My helmet and my shield were next to me. I would rest. I would not sleep, at least not soundly but I would be ready if they came. If they did not come this night then Guthrum had another target in mind. As I rested my head on the old stone walls, once protected by Roman legionaries, I knew that he would come. I had destroyed his ships, I had slain his son and I had thrown down a challenge. He had to come else his men would begin to doubt him and one might challenge him for the warband. I knew that I was lucky to have around me men such as mine. They were loyal.
We had spread my men and those of Arturus out amongst the Saxons. I knew the worth of my warriors. The men of Wessex were an unknown quantity. I had the impression that for many of them this would be their first real fight.