by Griff Hosker
"You do not want to sit behind your walls and sit out a siege?"
"No, my son. I intend to meet this Bothvar Bjarki in the open."
"He is a berserker."
"And that is why I will meet him in the open for my men have discipline and it sounds as though he has none. I do not want to risk any of my people. Berserkers and their followers never know when to stop. Do you think my warriors would slaughter women and children?"
"Of course not."
"A berserker would. They would not know how to stop themselves. We need to find these enemies and put them down as one would a mad dog."
Even Kara was taken aback when I told her the news. "The spirits did not know the severity of the threat father. I am sorry."
"Do not worry. I will deal with our enemies. I am just happy that we knew it was coming."
My Ulfheonar were summoned back to Wolf's Lair. They could return to their families when the Danes were dealt with. They all understood and came forth willingly. It was Rolf and his old men who concerned me. If I guessed wrongly then they would be slaughtered. They could not stand up to a berserker warband. It made me more determined than ever to find and stop this wild Dane.
Rolf and his men were not worried about this mad Dane. If anything they looked forward to defending their home against such a monster. Our decision to move the majority of my people to Cyninges-tūn had been a good one.
"Rolf let us prepare the ditches for defence. I know they are full of water but we need to embed stakes."
He grinned, "A little water never hurt. We will not let you down, Jarl."
"I know but I hope to stop them before they actually get here. You are my last line of defence."
He rubbed his hands. "I had thought that I had fought my last fight! I hope I am wrong!"
This was an anxious time for we had not yet fully recovered from the raids by the men of Strathclyde. I sent Sigtrygg and six Ulfheonar to Arturus' old fort to watch for danger from the south and west. I went with Aiden to tell Windar of the danger. I wore my armour all the time now and rode my horse. Until we found the would be abductors we were in a state of war.
It was late when we reached Windar's Mere. Most of the people lived beyond the walls of the old Roman fort for this was a peaceful place. Inside the halls had but six warriors, including Karl. "There is danger, Windar."
"Not the men of Strathclyde again?"
"No, old friend, your son and I disposed of them. Danes have been sent by King Egbert to take back Arturus' bride."
"Do you think they will come here?"
"They could and remember they are killers. Have you a signal to bring your people within these walls?"
"Aye but if they come from the south and they are killers they may overrun those who would warn us."
Karl nodded, "I will take some men on ponies and watch the road from the south."
"I have men at the Hawk's Stad. It may be that they head in that direction."
"Aye well I will light the beacons if they come this way."
I clasped his arm. "Do not be reckless. These are Vikings and not the men of Strathclyde. These are fierce warriors."
"I believe you Jarl but we will not let them come unannounced. You will have warning. Do you need warriors to aid you?"
"I would say yes but it is coming to harvest time and I know that every farmer will have work to do. I will rely on the Ulfheonar and Arturus' men."
We stayed the night and enjoyed the hospitality of Windar. I now knew why he was so large. There was enough food to feed a warband! We would have to name him Windar the Fat. He had a good heart but he was no warrior.
Aiden and I left early and we headed down to Hawk's Stad. Sometimes we do things and know not why. Our actions are directed by powers we do not understand. We were riding through the Dale of Grize where the biting insects swarmed like clouds of evil. When our horses neighed we knew it was something more than midges that they had sensed. We stopped and dismounted. We tied our horses to a tree and moved down towards the road. I heard voices and we stopped and watched. A file of warriors was moving through the woods towards Cyninges-tūn Water. I knew before I saw their arms that it was the Danish war band. We froze as we watched the column pass. There was little point in moving for we might alert them.
When they had passed I turned to Aiden. "Ride first to Karl and tell him where the Danes are. Then ride to Wolf's Lair. I want the Ulfheonar and Arturus' men ready to march towards Nibth's Waite."
"And what will you do, Jarl?"
I pointed to the ridge. "I will ride over the ridge and get to Sigtrygg and my men. We will fall back towards Nibth's Waite."
He nodded. I knew that I could rely on him. We mounted. He went north and I went west. It meant I had to traverse the forest which was infested with biting insects but it meant that I could avoid the Danes. They would follow the old road and that had fewer midges. It was strange that a biting insect could have such power. I rode my horse hard. I had to reach the fort. I did not want some act of reckless bravery from any of my men.
I had just crested the rise when a movement to my left caught my eye. I halted my horse and peered down the slope. There were two Danish scouts there. They both wore wolf cloaks but I could not see armour beneath. I drew my sword and galloped down the slope. They heard me but the annoying insects and the trees hid me from them until I was almost upon them. I veered my horse towards the nearer of them and swung my sword as he tried to stab me with his spear. He jabbed it at my leg, which had a metal greave. Sliding harmlessly off I was able to hack into his neck. I blocked the axe from the second scout as he tried to decapitate my horse and I yanked the reins around so that I was able to slice across his unprotected neck. His helmet had no aventail and he died swiftly. I kicked on; they were close to the fort. Scouts were normally sent half a mile in front of a war band. I had a short time only to reach the fort and extricate my men.
I was relieved to see the fort and that there were no Danes nearby. I kicked my horse's flanks as I descended the trail. The gate of the small fort was open. I did not dismount. "Quickly! The Danes are coming. Fire the fort!"
I did not want the Danes to have a place to which they could retreat. We could always rebuild if we had to. The last thing I needed was a warband of fifty warriors in my land and occupying a fort. My men threw the seal oil all over the walls and hall. Using flint and kindling they soon had a fire going and we spread burning brands around. It would attract the Danes but, by then, we would be gone.
"Quickly leave now. They will see the smoke and they will come."
My men had brought ponies and they quickly mounted and trotted towards the Water. Behind me I heard a roar as the Danes appeared along the road and spied the burning fort. I was able to trot and still keep up with the galloping ponies. I frequently glanced over my shoulder to make sure I was still safe but we were outdistancing them. We now knew where they were and I just hoped that Aiden had reach Cyninges-tūn and brought Arturus' men. My Ulfheonar alone would struggle to defeat these warriors.
We waited by Nibth's farm at the southern tip of the water. He and his family came out when they heard our mounts. "Take your family and get to Cyninges-tūn. Enemies are coming."
He picked up his sword, "I can fight!"
"I know my friend but I need you to take your family to safety. Arturus' men are coming and rest of my Ulfheonar." He nodded. They gathered their belongings. "Take our ponies for we shall not need them and they will speed your journey." They took them and hurried north. Had the storm not destroyed it they could have used their small boat but I saw its wrecked remains lying forlornly on the sand.
There were just seven of us and it was not enough to hold back the Danes who were coming. I thought that my Ulfheonar might reach us soon but Arturus had further to come. The storm had hurt us badly. If it had not been for the storm then Arturus and his men could have sailed down the Water and be with us even now.
"Why here, Jarl?"
I pointed to the flat
ground. "Here we can form a shield wall. It is the only way to break the attack of a berserker. The ground is still swampy from the rains and there are many places where an unwary warrior can sink into a muddy hole. We will wait here and, when they come we will feign flight and flee to the higher ground close to the trail to Cyninges-tūn. We know to pick our way west but they will not. When they see our few numbers they will be eager to finish us off."
Snorri nodded. "Then Bjorn the Scout and I will find the best trail to the higher ground."
"Find three. If they follow us I do not want them to see us in single file. They will know the path that way."
The two scouts were still to the west when Haaken and Cnut appeared and Ulfheonar reached us. They had their bows with them. I explained my plan. "Aiden will have sent Arturus by now. We will see him before too long."
We all peered towards the north, vainly seeking the sight of Arturus and his mailed warriors. Snorri and Bjorn the Scout reappeared. "We have found the trails. You are right Jarl. The ground sucks at your feet if you step from the path. If they come at us recklessly then they will suffer."
"Then we will make them reckless. When we run follow either Snorri or Bjorn the Scout. We form up on the road. They will have to climb that steep slope. If they drive us from the road then we fall back into the trees and work our way to Old Olaf."
Just then Erik Dog Bite shouted, "The Danes! I see them."
"Form up in two lines and string your bows." I was the only one without a bow and so I drew Ragnar's Spirit. As I had guessed they must have spent some time approaching the burning fort cautiously expecting an ambush. It would have come as a surprise to see so few of us standing before them.
Snorri pointed north. "I see Arturus. He is more than a mile up the Water."
I could not worry about that. We had to delay the Danes and then irritate them into a premature attack. Their leader formed them into a boar's snout. With two points of attack it was intended to outflank us. I took the opportunity to annoy Bothvar Bjarki.
"Bothvar Bjarki, go home! The King's wife chose to leave him. You are working for a faithless man."
I saw the huge man clad in an enormous wolf skin which covered his head. He appeared to have no armour but he carried a long sword and a large shield. He laughed, "He pays well and besides I would have done this for nothing. You and your little boys are not true Ulfheonar. We are real wolf warriors and when I have torn your heart from your body I will take your sword and then destroy your people. Who knows I may even take the pretty young queen for myself!"
"Leave now, Bothvar Bjarki, or be prepared for you and your wild men to leave your bones in my land."
His answer was instantaneous. "Charge!" They came at us at a fast walk for he was trying to keep them together.
"Release!"
In the time it took for them to cover a hundred paces and come to within fifty paces of us my men had released three flights of arrows. As far as I could see only two of the enemy had fallen but I knew we had had many hits. These were tough men. Unlike us some of them fought without armour.
"Run!"
To the Danes it must have seemed as though they had terrified us with their charge. We each followed either Snorri or Bjorn the Scout. We could see the pattern for we were amongst it but the Danes just saw the twenty warriors running away from them. I turned my head to watch as often as I could. They were trying to keep their formation but already it was breaking up as eager warriors tried to close with us. The beck which led from the Water was wide, but, at this time of year was shallow. The flood waters from the storm had made both sides the muddy quagmire. Snorri and Bjorn the Scout led us across the stones hidden beneath the waters of the beck. I paused in the middle and saw that we had increased our lead. The road was now less than five hundred paces away.
Once we crossed the river we had to negotiate the worst part of the crossing. Had it not been for Snorri and Bjorn the Scout we would never have made it. As the land began to rise it became firmer but the climb became harder. I felt the weight of my armour and the exertions of the run as I began to pant. I smiled to myself. I was truly becoming a wolf!
I was the last to reach the road and my men had formed in one long line with a space for me in the middle. Bothvar Bjarki and his Danes were now spread out. I saw that at least eight were either stuck in the mud or struggling to cross the beck. Even as we watched I saw a heavily mailed warrior pitch forward in the mud as his foot caught on something. Bothvar Bjarki was berating his men for being women. It was not the way to lead.
As soon as they were in range my men released carefully aimed arrows. They sought bare flesh and warriors whose eyes were on the treacherous ground and not on the line of warriors two hundred paces from them. Our arrows found flesh and warriors clutched at arms pierced by arrows or tore them from their legs. Two could not tear anything for they had been killed by the arrows.
When they reached the bottom of the slope Bothvar Bjarki and half of his men did something which surprised us. They halted and, while their fellows protected them they began to bite the edges of their shields. "They are preparing to go berserk. Half of you have your shields and swords ready. The rest target the berserkers."
I had seen this once before but then it had been one warrior. They were working themselves up so that they could go on a killing frenzy. Aiden had told me that he thought they had some potion smeared on the edge of their shields to make them immune to pain.
Tostig's voice came from the left of our line. "Arturus is less than four hundred paces from us."
We had hope. Suddenly the Danish line erupted as they hurled themselves at us. They might have had the desire to reach us quickly but the steep slope meant that they struggled to stay upright. Four of the berserkers were struck by arrows before they were halfway up the slope. Still they climbed to get at us their bodies oozing blood. One of the younger ones, fitter than the rest, made straight for me and, even though his arms had arrows in them he swung his war axe one handed at me. He was below me and I jumped over the axe head as he swung it. He took another step forward and I swung Ragnar's Spirit. The sharp blade, which had yet to taste blood that day, took his head off in one blow. Even a berserker cannot fight without a head. His falling body took the legs from a second berserker who tumbled down the slope.
It was too close for arrows now but my men had the advantage that the Danes were below us. I could hear them struggling for breath as they tried to clamber the last few steps to the road. I punched one warrior back down the slope with my shield as another swung his sword at my legs. If I not been wearing the metal greaves I had been given in Miklagård then I would have lost my legs. As it was I was able to swing my sword and cleave his head in two. The pressure was mounting, however, as the Danes forced us back. And then the berserkers launched themselves at us.
The mad warriors had no regard for their own lives and I saw that one was fighting naked! We fell back in the face of the onslaught. A wound did not slow them. A lost limb did not impair them. You killed them or they would keep on fighting even though they were dying. Few warriors could stand against them. You could deal with a single berserker but here there were eight or ten of them. Most men would have fled before them but my Ulfheonar would prove who was the stronger.
I saw Einar the Swift fall to the ground as a berserker plunged his sword into his leg. Sigtrygg swung his sword and took the warrior in the neck. Even with his life blood spraying around him he tried to finish off Einar. Then I had to give all of my attention to Bothvar Bjarki for the mighty warrior barged Tostig aside with a contemptuous blow from his war axe. Tostig tumbled down the bank.
The Dane's axe came at head height for we had fallen back from the steep edge and Bothvar Bjarki was a big man. I ducked and jabbed forward with my sword. It gouged into the knee of the berserker but he did not seem to feel it. Aiden must have been right; they must have taken a potion. Perhaps the potion gave power to their arms for Bothvar Bjarki did not pause in his swing and he brought it
against my shield. The force of the axe and the berserker's height meant that I was forced back. As I stumbled backwards I saw arrows beginning to rain upon the Danes. Arturus had reached us. I had not time to look for him. Bothvar Bjarki brought his axe over his head to swing it down on me. A warrior wielding a Danish war axe usually tired after a few blows but Bothvar Bjarki was getting stronger. I took the blow on my shield which gave an ominous creak. It was well made but these blows would have felled a tree and I felt my arm begin to numb.
I stabbed upwards as I reeled back and the tip of my blade caught his arm. I do not know what I managed to cut but his swing became less powerful. When he hit my shield a third time it hurt my arm but the shield remained whole. I took heart and instead of recoiling I pushed forward with my shield so that he could not swing. I wanted to get in close to him. Our faces were close together and I saw that he had filed his teeth. He roared at me. "You are the trickster they say you are! You are the spawn of Loki!"
I did not answer but pushed my sword forward. We were too close for me to be able to stab him but the edge of Ragnar's Spirit tore down his side. I felt it grate on his ribs. He roared in anger and then head butted me. I fell backwards and I was slightly stunned. As I lay prostrate on the ground I saw him raise his axe in a triumphant swing and bring it down towards me. Had he connected then I would have been gutted like a fish. I had no choice. I threw my sword like a huge dagger at him. It hit him in the chest and, as I rolled to one side, he fell to the ground. His own weight drove the sword into his chest and his heart. I jumped to my feet, took his axe and decapitated him. I threw the helmet away and held the skull by his long lank hair.
"Behold! Bothvar Bjarki the berserker is no more! Ulfheonar!"
It gave heart to my men who began to howl. I saw Arturus leading his men in a wedge to fall upon the demoralised Danes. Haaken and Cnut urged on the Ulfheonar who survived and they began to hack their way through the oathsworn Danes who all died with their chief. I rolled the body over and retrieved my sword. I was about to rejoin the fray when I saw that they were all dead. King Egbert's hunters were gone. Elfrida was safe.