by Griff Hosker
"Did you tell him?"
"Aye Kara and he seemed happy." I looked at her. "You knew?"
"The spirits said nothing about Wiglaf or your quest but the dreams you had were sent by them. They sent them to me." She put her hand on Aiden's. "I think that this should be like the home you shared with Ragnar when you were a boy."
"But there were just two of us!"
"And you were happy." She pointed through the open door to the west. "That is Cyninges-tūn. This is the Wolf's Lair. It should be you, Aiden and the single Ulfheonar who live here. Rolf can guard it when you are gone. This is your home; it is not ours."
"You would go too?"
"You are away for long periods and do not see my people struggling with the goods they make. It is steep and the road in winter is impassable. There is more than enough room on the western side for all and Arturus and Elfrida can rule there. He needs responsibility."
My shoulders slumped, "Then I am no longer needed."
She laughed and it was as though Erika was in the room with us. "We need you more than ever but when you and your Ulfheonar go this winter then it is hard to protect both Cyninges-tūn and this place." She looked into my eyes and said, "It is right that we move and now is the time to build so that the halls are built before the winter comes."
There was something in her words, "It will be a bad winter?"
"It will be another Wolf Winter."
That decided me. We had lost too many of our people in the last wolf winter. "Then it is good. I will tell my Ulfheonar!"
I think I was disappointed with the enthusiasm with which the news was received. Even Cnut and Haaken seemed happy to move. Haaken confided in me, "It is our wives. They wish to be closer to other families." He shrugged, "Thanks to our raids we are rich warriors and they wish to show off our wealth to other families."
I finally understood. I was no longer a married man with a family and I liked the remote world of my Wolf Lair. I remembered how Ragnar and I had enjoyed visiting the village at the floor of the mountains but we had preferred the isolation, especially in the winter, of our mountain hut. I think that was why I had chosen this site for my home when we had first arrived.
Arturus took the news well. I think he liked the idea of being the new Jarl of Cyninges-tūn. Elfrida was delighted to be able to have a new hall built. She hugged me. "Thank you, Jarl Dragon Heart! You have made all of my dreams come true." She was a lovely girl and I knew that she and Arturus would be happy but I felt an ache inside of me knowing that I would not speak with them every day. When they visited they would be coming to a home which was no longer theirs. I would be losing the rest of my family. I had lost Erika and now I would lose Kara, Arturus and Elfrida. Wyrd.
Over the next few days people left. The men went first to build the new homes. The forests were filled with the sound of axes and falling trees. Each day Wolf's Lair became a little emptier. Bjorn and his smiths ferried their anvils across the Water and left the empty wooden shells where they had worked. Soon the wind and the weather would eradicate all traces of them. When the married Ulfheonar left I just had eight single warriors remaining. The last to leave were Kara and her women. It felt like inhabiting a ghost town.
It took almost a month to build the hall for the women for Kara supervised it with a tongue as sharp as ice. She wanted her brewery and her place to make cheese to be better placed than they had been on the hill. Her hall was taken down for many of the parts, such as the roof beams could be reused. My men learned not to upset the formidable Kara.
There were new tenants, however. With the warriors of Arturus gone to the new hall Rolf had a small hall he could have for his own. There were old warriors without families and old men who lived alone. They came from Cyninges-tūn where they had lived alone in empty huts. They would be Rolf's guards for Wolf's Lair. All of them liked the name and felt they had a new purpose in life. The priests of the White Christ have places they call monasteries where men work, pray and study in isolation. We did not pray but it was a similar existence. They even took to brewing their own ale. As the summer drew towards the falling of the leaves my world had changed beyond all recognition. And still Kara had not dreamed.
The sword had been forged in a storm when we had been on Mann. Cnut and I had been in the tower when the lightning had struck. The leaves had yet to fall but a storm had been brewing all day. I wondered if it would be a repeat of the one on Mann. The heat became unbearable and the air felt so heavy that people's shoulders sagged as they dripped with sweat. Night fell early for the clouds were so black it felt like night. I sat by the Water with Aiden to get some relief from the tiniest of breezes across the water.
Suddenly, in the distance, I heard the rumble of thunder and felt the first spots of rain. I stood for they were not small spots. Aiden and I turned to run for the shelter and protection of the hall for the heavens opened and a deluge dropped from the skies. We had a stone roof on my hall and I was grateful for it that night as the rain pounded so hard that, had it been turf, then we would have been soaked. Just when I thought it could not get any worse I heard more rumbles of thunder. Aiden and I went to the door to watch. I saw lightning in the distance grow closer to us. The rain continued to fall unabated and the crack of thunder and the lightning grew closer together. I saw a huge lightning bolt and it seemed to strike Old Olaf's head. I recoiled with the force for it lit up the whole valley. Were the gods punishing us? I turned to speak with Aiden but he had gone and I was alone. The storm seemed to have some mesmeric attraction for me.
Osbert, one of my slaves, hurried over to me. There was terror in his eyes, "Jarl is this the end of the world?"
"I think not, Osbert, but the gods are unhappy with something." I smiled at him. "Get to bed. I will watch and if the world is about to end then I will wake you."
He managed a smile back, "If the world is about to end then bed will be the best place for me. Goodnight, master."
I watched the storm ebb and flow across the valley. The rain and the thunder abated and then rushed back again. The wind howled and rain swirled horizontally with its force. When it did abate I heard the torrent of water that was the beck thundering down from the hillsides. I looked anxiously at Cyninges-tūn. I hoped that it would not be flooded. If it were then that would be a sign that the move had been a bad one. And then just as quickly as it had started it stopped and, as the clouds scudded away I saw that it was a new day. The storm had raged all night. I saw the timbers from one of the boats we used on the Water floating by. I could still hear the raging torrent of Bjorn's Gill behind me. I stepped out of the hall and my feet sank to my ankles in mud which had been washed down from the hills. I climbed the stairs to the gate tower and, looking outside, saw that the ditches had been filled with water. They had saved us from worse damage and I hoped that the ones at Cyninges-tūn had done the same.
I woke Osbert. "Is it the end of the world, master?"
"No the storm has passed and it is a new day. Saddle my horse for me."
Rolf was up too. "That was a storm and no mistake."
"Aye and I fear for Cyninges-tūn. Check for damage while I cross the valley."
"Where is Aiden?"
"He sleeps. Let him rest. He can do naught."
I mounted my horse and headed down the trail. It was covered in the branches and leaves smashed from the trees by wind. The gods had sent us a message. I hoped that one of my dreamers knew the answer. When I reached the northern end of the Water I saw that the deluge had flooded the trail. The water came up to my horse's haunches. Had I been riding a pony I would have struggled. In all the years we had lived here I had never experienced such a storm. Was this the beginning of a bad winter? Would we have another Wolf Winter?
There were farms and houses outside of Cyninges-tūn. Two had been destroyed by the storm. I could find no trace of the people and I hoped that they had taken shelter in my daughter's hall. One family whose home had survived were already clearing up. I saw that they had a stone r
oof and their stone home was built into the hillside.
"Are your family safe, Sven?"
"Aye Jarl Dragon Heart but it was only the stones from Old Olaf that kept us safe." He patted the grey stone walls."
"If you need any help then send to Cyninges-tūn."
He nodded, "How did they fare?"
"I will soon discover."
There had been damage. As I rode to the wooden walls I saw that the jetty had been torn apart and there were no ships to be seen. Bolli would have much work to make good the damage. I wondered how our drekar had suffered in the estuary. That would have to wait. The gates of Cyninges-tūn had been torn asunder by the force of the storm and I feared the worst. Surprisingly all of the new buildings, Kara's hall, Arturus' new home, all still stood. Scanlan was already organising the clear up of the fallen trees. The ditches looked to have stopped most of the flooding but there were still parts which were under water.
I tied my horse to a post and headed for Kara's hall. She was not within but her women sent me to Arturus' hall. "The Lady Elfrida had a bad night, Jarl Dragon Heart."
It must have been terrible for her. She was in a strange place and the storm would have frightened strong warriors. It was the gods unleashing their power. When I entered Elfrida was crying and she was being comforted by both Arturus and Kara.
Kara rose to greet me. "She dreamed and it frightened her."
I saw that Kara too was hollow eyed, "And you dreamed too."
She nodded, "I will speak with you later. Elfrida's dream was more urgent." She lifted her chin, "Elfrida you must recount your dream again for the jarl. It is important."
She shook her head, "If I tell you then it will come true and he will come to get me."
Arturus kissed the top of her head, "Fear not Elfrida. Jarl Dragon Heart is here and he will protect us all. He has the sword touched by the gods."
She looked up at me and nodded, "I dreamed that I was on the top of Old Olaf. The storm came and I sheltered in a cave. I was not alone. I thought it was a wolf but it was not it was a bear and it came to get me. I ran but I could not escape. It grabbed me and I saw its teeth were stained with blood. I closed my eyes and prepared to die. When I opened them the bear had changed into Egbert. I thought I was going to die and then a wolf leapt from the dark and I remember no more." She grabbed my hand, "Jarl, father, do not let the bear get me! Do not let Egbert take me back. I would rather die than submit to him!"
"Fear not, Elfrida, for I am the wolf of your dream and we will stop Egbert. You are safe here. Arturus and his men are a wall around you while you are here and he is going nowhere." Elfrida smiled and buried herself in Arturus' arms. He looked at me quizzically. "We will talk later Arturus."Come daughter let us leave them."
Once outside she asked, "Did you not dream last night? The gods were as close as they will ever be and the night was filled with the spirits."
"I watched the storm all night. I could not sleep."
She nodded, "But you know what Elfrida's dream means."
"Aye, Egbert is coming for her. I had thought we were too far from his grasp."
"He may not come himself but he can hire warriors. You did not think that you would escape punishment from him did you? He will send men and we need to be watchful."
"And what of Wiglaf?"
She gave a sad smile, "Last night I wrestled with many dreams. I too saw the bear but it was not Egbert, it was a Viking and it made no sense until I heard Elfrida's dream. As for Wiglaf, you cannot take Arturus away from Elfrida. My brother will need to watch her." She sighed, "I think that this will be a task for a small number and not an army."
"Then I will be crossing the land in winter."
She stared into my eyes, "Aye and remember this will be a wolf winter." She paused, "Perhaps you will be the wolf. You have much to think on, father and I wish that I could be of more help. It seems our world rests upon your back. It is not fair."
I laughed, "Do you think the Norns like a fair world? It is the world into which we are born and we have to do the best that we can. I am happy. I will be able to enter Valhalla and face Butar, Ragnar and the others with my head held high. I will look my grandsire, the Warlord, in the eye and know that I did my duty."
Unusually for Kara, she looked tearful and she threw her arms around me. "He will be proud of you as we are all proud and honoured that you are our jarl."
"I must go to Úlfarrston and see how my ships have fared."
She nodded, "What did Aiden dream?"
"I know not."
"Then see him before you travel to Úlfarrston. There may be dangers."
I had learned to heed my daughter's words. I only had my sword with me. I mounted my horse and rode back as swiftly as I could. By the time I reached Wolf's Lair my Ulfheonar were all helping Rolf to put it in some sort of order.
Aiden looked happy to see me. "We must talk Jarl." I went into my hall with him. "There is danger coming. I saw Danes climbing Úlfarrberg. It is Egbert's work."
"I know, Elfrida had the same dream. I go now to Úlfarrston. We must see how the ships have fared."
"There is more. Josephus came to me."
"And?"
"And I must travel to Miklagård. I know not why but it is important." He paused, "It concerns the sword. I saw it burning again and it was covered in blood."
"Was I holding it?"
He shook his head, "No, Jarl, and that is what worries me."
"Then this was meant to be. You shall travel by sea whilst I go to Jorvik by land. The Norns have decided this."
He nodded, "It is wyrd."
Chapter 13
I took some of the Ulfheonar with me when I went to the drekar. They insisted. Sigtrygg, Snorri, Bjorn the Scout and Erik Dog Bite were more than enough to protect me from any danger. Aiden came too. Instead of the longer journey around the Water we headed south along the trail which followed the ridge. We used this eastern route for it was less prone to flooding. By noon we had reached the river. Bolli was already hard at work. The 'Josephus' had been damaged. An uprooted tree had driven into her hull. He and Erik Short Toe were hauling her on to the bank to drain her. 'The Heart' had suffered less but she looked the worse for wear. Erik shook his head. "The gods were angry last night jarl but do not fear. We will be ready to sail in a week or so."
I nodded. "The next voyage you take will be to Miklagård with Aiden. I shall be sending the knarr there too. You need not rush the job. You have half a month to prepare."
"You will not be coming?"
"No, Erik, I have other work to do." Bolli was shaking his head at the damage. "You will have much work to do on the Water, Bolli, not a ship remains afloat."
"I should be happy for that means more gold but I hate to see any boat destroyed."
"Do your best and if you need gold before you begin then just ask."
"I know I will be paid, jarl."
"What of the knarr?"
They both shook their heads. "We know not."
I dreaded riding into the estuary and discovering that they had been destroyed too. That would be too much to bear. I was relieved to see them both bobbing up and down on the tide. Siggi and Trygg left their boats to greet me.
"I am pleased that you were spared."
"We arrived this morning and missed the worst of the storm."
"It was not out at sea then?"
"No Jarl. If it had been then we would not have survived. We hove to and watched the gods hurling their lightning at the mountains."
Something in the tone of Siggi's voice made me ask. "Where did you sail from?"
"Lundenwic."
My warriors and Aiden gathered closer in. "You were not harmed?"
"King Egbert was not there. When we were in Cymru we heard that he had taken an army into Mercia to punish King Coenwulf. We risked it."
"Were you welcomed?"
Trygg nodded, "The people of Lundenwic speak of you and our men fondly. We did good business. It is why we hove to. W
e did not want to risk the gold and cargo we carried."
"Eorl Edward came to see us and he gave you a message."
I already knew what it was. "He warned you that King Egbert has hired mercenaries to take back Elfrida!"
All of them clutched their hammers or their wolves. Siggi asked, "Are you fey now as well as your daughter?"
"No Elfrida and Aiden dreamed the danger. Did he say when?"
"They left Lundenwic fourteen nights since."
"Then they will be close. We will need to prepare."
"There is more Jarl. The Eorl said they needed little inducement for the warriors wanted the sword too. They are led by a Dane called Bothvar Bjarki. He came from Jorvik. He wears a wolf skin. He is Ulfheonar."
"Wyrd. And his men are they Ulfheonar too?"
"No, but Eorl Edward said that this Bjarki is a berserker. He has killed many men. He knows of your reputation and he told King Egbert that the world only had room for one wolf and it was him. He swore to slay you himself and bring back Elfrida." He paused, "The king wants her back or her body and that of Arturus. Your son is in danger too."
I knew that. The storm made sense now. "You have done well. Prepare your ships for I wish you to go to Miklagård with Aiden. 'The Heart' will guard you."
Siggi and Trygg nodded. Siggi said, "These Danes are all killers. You must be careful, Jarl. There were fifty of them left Lundenwic."
"We will deal with them when they come." I clasped their arms, "You have done well but I must return to my home. Warn Pasgen of the danger."
We rode hard to reach home. I first told Arturus, privately of the dangers. It would not do to alarm Elfrida. "What will you do?" He had become far calmer since his marriage and I could see a change in my son.
"I will send word to Windar. If they left Lundenwic then they will, more than likely come through the valley of Windar. He should be warned. I will send some of my men to occupy your old fort. If they do not come past Windar's Mere then they come up along past Hawk's Stad."