by Griff Hosker
"Have you no good news, Jarl Dragon Heart?"
"Your people did well even those that Leofric thought would not. Use those too." I smiled. "You might think of buying better weapons too."
"Where is the best place to buy them?"
I gave him an innocent look, "Cyninges-tūn."
It took him a moment to take in what I had said and then he laughed, "You make weapons?"
I nodded, "This armour, this sword and those of my men are all made by the Water. If you have the coin then we will sell them to you."
"I will ask my father when he arrives. It seems that hanging on to this town will be expensive one way or another."
We spent a quiet couple of days. My men made arrows and repaired armour. There was little to spend their newly acquired treasure upon and they were in danger of becoming bored. To alleviate that I sent ten out each day, in pairs to watch for the return of the Danes or the Mercians. While we were waiting Siggi and Trygg arrived with two of Pasgen's ships to trade. Although there was little which my warriors wanted the pots which were available were greatly sought after at home. The seal oil and the iron ploughs were highly sought after and I knew that our people would make a good trade. The seal oil, in particular, could now be used as a weapon.
"How are things at home?" I was worried for I was not certain if the ploy was working.
"It is peaceful. We have more settlers and the land to the west of Windar's Mere is filling up. He has reoccupied the fort of Arturus to guard from incursions. We had many lambs and calves this year. Next time we come we will have fine animals to trade."
"Good, then tell Bjorn that Wessex needs to buy armour and weapons. It will please him."
Einar Badger Hair, one of my men, had been badly wounded by a Danish axe. Aiden could not help him further but he felt that Kara could. We sent him back with the knarr. The four ships all rode much higher in the water than when they had arrived. Bjorn's iron and the seal oil were much heavier than the pots with which they returned.
One effect of the visit of the knarr was the sudden upsurge in trade. We saw merchants travelling from every direction to buy the fine ploughs and the ever useful seal oil. Not all were what they seemed. Aiden had finished his medical ministrations and he took to watching the arrivals. Some came by ship but others by road and we were well placed to see those who came from the north west and the west along Waeclinga Straet and the Roman Road to the heart of Wessex.
He saw a couple of merchants who looked less like merchants and more like warriors disguised as merchants. He sought me out immediately. "I think they are Mercian spies, Jarl. They came down Waeclinga Straet and they both have long swords. I think they are warriors."
Arturus was nearby and overheard. "Let us follow them. We may discover news."
I was about to say no and then I realised that this would be like a slap in the face for my son if I allowed Aiden to do this mission and not him. I nodded and unstrapped Ragnar's Spirit. The scabbard was unmistakeable and whilst I might be anonymous without my armour my sword would tell the world who I was. I handed my sword to Cnut. He would guard it with his life. I picked up a Danish blade we had captured the other day. We followed them. I kept back from Aiden and spoke in Saxon to Arturus. His Saxon was good but I had been brought up speaking it. We allowed them to head for the trading hall before we closed with them.
Their identity was confirmed when they only gave a cursory glance at the goods on offer. We saw them head to the sign of the barley. They tied up their horses and pack horse outside. We could not enter for Cwoenthryth would recognise us. Aiden said, "I will risk it. Cwoenthryth is a clever woman. I will speak with her quietly and try to overhear their conversation."
Rather than looking obvious we left Aiden to his own devices and we returned to the trading hall. We were able to see how much the traders were charging for the ploughs and the oil. We would be able to tell Siggi and Trygg when we returned. It was better for us to make the profit rather than the merchants of Lundenwic. They were popular items and the ploughs would not last the rest of the day. As we left I said to Arturus. "We can make even more profit next time."
We did not have long to wait. The two spies left and headed towards Lundenburgh. They did not take their horses. We followed them so that Aiden would appear less obvious. They walked very slowly towards the gates. They looked more like two old men out for a stroll rather than merchants. When they neared the gate they turned right and headed towards the river.
"Arturus go inside and find the Eorl. Tell him of our suspicions and then go around the far side of the fort. You can cut off their exit." He nodded and hurried ahead.
Aiden caught me up. He spoke to me in Norse so that the Mercian spies would not overhear. "They asked about the battle the other day. They seemed very interested in us. They asked Cwoenthryth where you were. I caught her eye and she feigned ignorance. I will speak with her later. She did well. They then asked which the drekar were." I was glad now that I had put the mast on the mast fish. They would have to go down to the river to see them.
We had enough information now and I decided to catch them up. "Have your seax ready. They may run. I hope that Arturus and Eorl Edward are in place."
The two men had reached the river now and they looked upstream. I knew that they would see the two drekar. They did and they turned. When they saw us they drew their swords and then ran east along the river bank. We did not hurry. I hoped that there would be some warriors waiting for them. If they saw them then they would risk the two of us.
I heard a loud shout from the river gate and the two Mercians looked up. Suddenly Eorl Edward, Arturus and four of Edward's oathsworn appeared. The spies did what I expected them to. They ran at us. I only had a borrowed Danish sword and Aiden had a seax. We would be lucky to escape unscathed.
I heard the shout from the gate again, "Stop or we release our arrows!"
The two men hesitated then ran on. The six arrows plunged into the ground at their feet and, effectively, stopped them. Arturus and the oathsworn reached them and then disarmed them. As we approached I heard their complaints. "Why do you detain us? We have done no wrong. We are law abiding merchants."
I smiled, "I heard that you were looking for me and I wanted to save you a wasted journey around the fort. I am Jarl Dragon Heart."
They paled. One reached into his kyrtle and pulled out a seax. I stabbed upwards, instinctively, with the borrowed blade and transfixed his hand. He gripped it with his other hand but the blood still flowed freely between his fingers. He gave me a look of pure hatred."Now we know you for who you are." Aiden picked up the seax while Arturus searched the other and pulled out his hidden seax. "So, you may now speak the truth. Why are you here?"
"My friend told you before you stabbed him. We are merchants. Men must defend themselves from Vikings."
I smiled, "And you would swear to that?" He nodded eagerly, "You would testify?" The thought of losing his manhood made him shake his head rapidly. "I thought not." I jabbed my Danish sword in the ground. "Now I will ask you two questions more. Why are you here? I know I asked that already but I was not certain if you understood it. You do understand the question do you not?" He nodded. "Then I would answer before your friend here bleeds to death. Now the second question may be easier to answer. Have you heard of the blood eagle?"
This time he dropped to his knees and began sobbing. He had heard of it. "I pray you, jarl, not the blood eagle. Give me my sword and end my life."
I turned to Edward. "This Mercian is no Christian." I shook my head at the man. Answer the first question and I may give you the warrior's death."
The wounded man shouted, "Do not tell him, Aelfraed!"
I picked the sword out of the river mud and rammed it into the wounded man's chest. He fell backwards writhing. I left the sword where it was. "If you do not answer my question then like your friend there you will not go to the Other World but you will see Hel without your lungs and in great pain." I stepped close to him. "Answer me."
His head dropped. "King Coenwulf sent us. He wanted to know how many men were here and if you were still here."
"Because?"
"I answered your question! Give me the warrior's death."
"And now I ask you another. You know that you cannot trust a Viking; especially not one who can change into a wolf. What does the king plan?"
"He is coming with an army to join Jarl Guthrum."
I smiled. "There, wasn't that easy? Give him a sword, Arturus."
Aiden handed him a sword. I saw the hate on the man's face as he contemplated using it on me. I took out my seax and held it at his throat. You would be dead before the hand had moved an uncia!"
"I will wait for you in the Other World."
I nodded to Arturus as I said, "There will be many others ahead of you." His dead body joined his fellow. When we had searched the bodies we threw them into the river. They bobbed downstream to the sea.
"What do we do now, Jarl Dragon Heart?"
"Nothing has changed. We knew that Guthrum was returning. Now we know that he has Coenwulf too. The two men came on horses which means that the army is not within walking distance. We know where Guthrum is. They will need to join up and then attack us. Coenwulf and Guthrum will not risk losing because they rush here. He must know that your father is still in Corn Walum."
"You give me confidence Jarl. I will have my men repair the traps in the ditches and try to get more of the fyrd."
As I returned to my hall with Arturus and Aiden my son asked me, "Are you confident, father?"
"No. We are in a dangerous position for I believe that we have our enemies within a day's march of us. We have delayed them by killing their spies. I think I have gained us a day but that is all. It is fortunate that we have two ships. So long as we hold the river gate we can evacuate most of the people across the river."
"But you sounded so calm."
"There is little point in making a nervous warrior more nervous. This way his people will think that he has control and they will not panic. We need to step our masts and prepare for war. I think that the Weird Sisters are spinning once more."
There was urgency about our warriors as we prepared for an imminent attack. The two hundred Danes had been a serious enough threat. Now it seemed we would have many more enemies. It was difficult to ascertain numbers for we had no idea where Coenwulf was. I had fought him before. The last time his army had numbered five hundred. We would be outnumbered when they came.
I had my scouts out all the next day but they returned without having sighted anyone. Eorl Edward had managed to bring in another twenty of the fyrd. They each had a spear but little else. We had the Danish swords which we would have to let them use. The shields we gave them, for what they were worth. I took all of my men inside Lundenburgh and had our two drekar tie up at the river gate. Half of the men were on watch while the other half were resting. Every weapon had been sharpened and every piece of mail cleaned and repaired. We rubbed seal oil in the mail and cleaned our wolf cloaks as much as possible. We would look like warriors when the end came.
When the message came from Erik Sort Toe I felt my spirits sink. It was Karl the bright ship's boy. "Jarl Dragon Heart, the captain says that there are men crossing the river upstream. He cannot make out numbers but from the sound of metal he thinks they are warriors."
"You have done well Karl. Tell him to prepare to push off for the south bank when I give him the word."
Eorl Edward was eating when Arturus, Aiden and I found him. "We have been duped. Warriors are crossing the river upstream. You have best get your people inside quickly, if you can. I will have my men man the walls. My drekar are standing by in case you need to have any sent south, to safety."
He nodded, shocked. "Perhaps we can make a stand that men will speak of."
"Perhaps."
We heard the cacophony of noise as Edward urged his people into the walls of Lundenburgh. All the euphoria of our victory had evaporated. The Eorl and his men had a panicked look about them. It could not be helped and they could be deceived no longer. I breathed a sigh of relief as the west gate was slammed shut.
Eorl Edward was, however, learning. He had the pig fat heated as soon as he returned. He and his oathsworn were dressed and ready for war. Even a limping Leofric climbed to the ramparts. When Eorl Edward tried to send him back down he said, "If I am to die it will be with a sword in my hand defending my lord and not laying in a bed like an old man!"
Suddenly an urgent voice from the west gate shouted, "My lord! I hear warriors approaching. There seems to be a mighty host."
"Prepare arrows. We will show these Mercians that the men of Wessex can wield a bow."
Then we heard a voice boom out. "Why are the gates of my own burgh barred to me? Open up I am Egbert the King of Wessex and I am both tired and hungry!"
The Norns had played another trick upon us. I think we had all aged five years at least but now we had hope. The king was with us. I hoped he had brought enough warriors.
King Egbert burst out laughing when he saw our preparations for war but when Edward took him to one side and told him the reason his face became dark. He came over to me. "Thank you Jarl Dragon Heart. My men will take over the watch. Your men can rest. We have been marching for days but this is Wessex now and we will defend it."
I nodded. He was right. "Eorl Edward, we will return to our hall. We do not wish to overcrowd you."
Our marching west was a sign for the people of Lundenwic that there would be no attack that night. Many returned to their homes too. The King had returned. We spent a restful night; my men drank and I studied Aiden's maps. When we rose there was a sense of an anti-climax. We had expected to fight and to die. Now the threat had gone. As we ate our stale bread and drank our small beer I made a decision. "Now that the King is here we are no longer needed. We will leave this morning and head north."
"We will raid the north of the Dunum?"
"No Arturus. We will sail up the Ouse and we will raid the lands of Wiglaf." That surprised everyone, including Aiden. I smiled. It was rare that I could astound him. "I have studied the maps and we can sail close to the city. We could sail to the very walls of the fort if we chose. We will sail along the river towards Jorvik and then raid as we head south east again. We will have the river with us and we can outrun any of their ship. It will send a message to Wiglaf and yield us a healthy profit too."
They all smiled, except Aiden. He looked troubled. While my warriors all spoke excitedly my Galdramenn looked askance. "I am not certain that our work here is done, Jarl Dragon Heart."
"The spirits?"
"Aye Jarl. We have thrown a stone into this Mercian pond and the ripples have yet to reach the shore."
"Nevertheless as the king is here we will sail and we will raid. I have no desire to squat on this river waiting for something to happen. We leave." I stood; happy now that the decision was made and we made preparations to leave.
We were like ants as we toiled to provision our ship. The tradesmen of Lundenwic did well out of us and were sad to see us leave. It took most of the morning to prepare but eventually we were ready. I was just saying farewell to Cwoenthryth when King Egbert arrived.
Wyrd!
Chapter 8
He was followed by Edward and his oathsworn. I recognised many of them. "Jarl Dragon Heart! You are leaving?"
"I stayed for Lundenburgh and Lundenwic needed my protection. Now they have King Egbert and they are safe. I have overstayed my welcome and we needs must sail."
He put his arm around my shoulder and led me down towards the river. "My son has told me all that you have done. I owe you much. Wessex owes you much. This is not finished. Coenwulf and Guthrum come."
"And you have enough men and warriors to defend your town and defeat them."
He spoke quietly, "I did not bring all of my army. I brought my oathsworn and those who could keep up with us. I have just over two score of warriors. They are the best but… The rest are on the roa
d and will not be here these seven nights." I hesitated and I think he sensed that I was wavering. "I will pay you and your warriors to fight for me. At least until my army gets here although I believe that our enemies approach even as we speak."
I looked over his shoulder and saw that his men were shepherding the villagers towards the fort. "Until my men arrive." He waved a hand and two of his warriors walked towards us with two small chests. He opened one. It was filled with coins all bearing his face. "Take this my friend as a reward for what you have done and what you will do."
There was more treasure in the two boxes than we could possibly hope to take from the lands along the Ouse. I nodded and clasped his arm. "I will get my men into the fort."
He smiled and spoke conspiratorially. "I have a better solution." He explained his plan to me.
I watched the king and his entourage hurry towards the fort. I waved Arturus and Aiden over. Pointing to the chests I said, "We fight for King Egbert. Here is our pay put it on our ships. We will divide it up when this is over."
As we headed to our drekar Arturus asked, "Should we get the men into the fort? It seems the king thinks that a battle is imminent."
"Not yet. I have to explain King Egbert's plan to our men."
Had King Coenwulf been a little cleverer he might have wondered why my men and I all wore our armour as we drank horns of ale on the river bank. His scouts must have reported back to him. Snorri and Bjorn the Scout had watched them as they spied upon us and then hurried back towards the north and west. What they had not seen was the ship's boys and their captains aboard the ships already and waiting to cast off. They did not count our men and see that at least twenty were not carousing on the river bank. They also appeared to have failed to see the shields arrayed along the sides of the drekar. Whatever the reason when King Coenwulf and his horsemen burst from the woods to the north he must have thought that he had the vaunted Jarl Dragon Heart. He had not!
Snorri had spied them and warned us. As soon as they emerged, less than a hundred paces from us we ran to the drekar and were aboard before the horsemen were halfway towards us. As we clambered aboard our captains lowered the sails and the twenty archers who had been hidden on the drekar sent flights of arrows towards the horsemen. It was too late for them to halt and they had to suffer sixty arrows before they could retire out of range. There were dead horses and warriors littering the river bank. As we headed downstream, towards the sea, we watched the rest of the army appear and, from the woods to the north of Lundenburgh, the Danish army of Guthrum. He had thought to trap us. He had failed. He would think that we were deserting the Saxons.