by Griff Hosker
"And walk back?"
"I wish to familiarize myself with the boat. You have your coins and I will return the boat tomorrow with the other ten if it sails."
He nodded and climbed out to tie up the boat. After he had gone I made sure that there were no holes in the hull. It looked just to be old and leaky. I would need to buy a rope which was twenty paces long. I headed back into the town. There were merchants at their stalls. Some were packing up but one had the rope I needed. I slung it over my shoulder. I saw that he had a pair of leather saddlebags and I haggled and as he was ready to go home I bought it at a bargain price. I found another stall where I bought a short sword and a seax. They were cheap because they were not well made. They would have to do. I hoped to get some of the guard's weapons the next day but I needed to have some extra ones with me. Finally I bought a small axe. It was the kind the Franks liked to throw. That done the only thing I had to do was to buy some bread and some cheese. I told my landlord I would be leaving the next day, early, and I paid him. I think I had been a better customer than most of the ones he had and he was genuinely disappointed to be losing me. What he would do when he found out that he had been harbouring a Viking I did not know.
Before I retired I went to the stables. All depended upon Dream Strider. He appeared to be in good condition. The stable boy looked up as I went in. "He is a fine horse master. I groomed him."
"I can see. His mane shines. Here."I gave him four copper pennies and his eyes lit up.
"Thank you master. Will you be staying here longer?" I saw the anticipation of more coins fill his eyes with expectation.
"No. I shall leave tomorrow for Swabia. I hear there is a war there which needs warriors."
I went directly to my bed for I would be up early. We were close enough to the north gate for me to hear the watch as they did their rounds. I woke an hour before dawn. I slipped out of the house and went to the stables. The stable boy was asleep and I did not wake him. I had packed the saddlebags with the seax and axe. The sword I hung, along with my bow, from the saddle. I took the rope and food and returned to the streets which were just coming alive as the poorer people prepared to work. I spied the two fishermen. They and their crews were already preparing to set sail.
"Where is your crew?"
"I want to sail it first before I commit."
"We were teasing yesterday you know. Theobald is a fair man. His boat is sound but, like him, she is old."
"Then he will get his payment and we shall all be happy."
"Good."
I wandered down to the boat and tied the new rope to the bow. I put the food in the bottom and covered it with my cloak. I let the rope out to its full extent and then tied the end to the mooring ring. The current took it down so that it protruded beyond the wall. It was as close as I could get it to somewhere beyond the wall. That done I returned to my lodgings as dawn broke. I had my last meal there and then I went to saddle Dream Strider. I strung my bow and slung it over my shoulder. I put the short sword in my belt but I left the helmet and shield hanging from the saddle. By the time I reached the north gate it had just been opened. I did not recognise the sergeant at arms who was on duty but one of the sentries remembered me.
"Are you leaving us?"
"I shall head for Swabia. There is little work here or, at least, little work which pays well enough." I turned east and headed along the river road. As soon as I was out of sight of the towers I turned north and headed into the forest. I gradually worked my way back to the road I had first used to enter the city. I crossed over and sought the vantage point above the monastery. I had spied it when drinking with Captain Robert. I counted on the fact that they would do the same things the same way each day. Garrison soldiers are creatures of habit. When I reached the place I had identified I dismounted and led Dream Strider. I stopped just ten paces from the edge of the trees. Below me, forty paces away I saw the slaves and captives as they were led, hobbled at the ankles by the guards. I donned my helmet. Soon I would be going to war.
I saw them have their hobbles removed as the four crossbowmen sat on their log. Raymond seemed to do all the work. I wondered if he was paid more. I took out four arrows and jammed them in the ground and then with a fifth arrow ready I waited. I wanted the Captain and Raymond close together. They were the leaders. It took some time for them to oblige but after Raymond had applied the lash a few times the two of them closed with each other. I loosed one arrow and even while it was in the air a second. As they fell the four men with crossbows turned. At the same time Erik Long Hair and the others grabbed the weapons from the two dead men.
The crossbowmen were on the horns of a dilemma. One turned to shout and sealed his own fate. My arrow struck him at a range of thirty paces. Only the goose feathers could be seen as it tore into him. Then the other three seemed to realise they had a weapon and they sought this archer. I loosed my next arrow as the three bolts hit the tree behind which I sheltered. That was my signal. It would take time to reload. Erik led the others to charge the three men with crossbows as I mounted Dream Strider and charged the crossbowmen. They were so busy with me that they failed to notice the eight vengeful Vikings running towards them. They butchered them. The overseer turned to shout. I sent an arrow towards him. It struck him in his arm and then the other slaves fell upon him.
"Grab the weapons and follow me down to the river!" I opened the saddlebag and gave the axe and seax to Erik. The sword I gave to Olaf. Then I headed down the path. At the bottom I slowed up. The sentries on the western gate were too far away from the construction site to have heard anything and I rode casually. The problem would come when they saw the eight men with me. I turned to them. We could not be seen from the gatehouse. As they halted, chests heaving with the exertion, I said "There is a boat tied just beyond the wall. One of you must swim to it and cut the rope. Sail down the river. The Jarl will be at the wooded island close to Nantes in two or three day's time."
"And what of you?"
"I will slow down the pursuit and lead them through the forests. I will catch up with you at the island."
They nodded, Erik Long Hair said, "We are in your debt."
"Wait until we are back in Raven Bay before you say that. The Weird Sisters are listening. Now walk until the alarm is given. I will put the horse between you and the gate." I held the bow and an arrow in my right hand as we walked out of the forest and across the road. I could see, thirty paces away the prow of the boat. Olaf the Bear nodded. He had seen it. There were four sentries lounging in the gateway. They had swords and shields. I stopped as though I had a problem with my reins. Then a sentry in the tower shouted.
As I lifted my bow I shouted, "Run!" I calmly sent one arrow at the leader of the sentries. He wore mail but I was so close that it hit him in the middle. My second arrow missed for the three dived for cover. I heard a splash and knew that Olaf the Bear had gone for the boat. Then there was a cry as Sigtrygg Red Hair was hit by a crossbow. I sent an arrow towards the second crossbowman who took evasive action and ducked beneath the battlements. I could hear the noise of the alarm being sounded. Ironically they closed the gate which helped us. They thought they were being attacked. The danger to us lay in the men on the gate tower and my bow had made them keep their heads down. It was a situation which would not last.
I heard Erik shout, "Ride Hrolf! We have the boat!"
I needed no urging and I kicked Dream Strider hard as a flurry of crossbow bolts splashed around the stern of the fishing boat. They were raising the sail even as they were moving west. I knew that they would send horsemen after me. The boat might be safe for they could not reach them once they reached the wider Liger but I was not. I would ride for as long as I could before I took to the woods. The road ran parallel to the river for a mile or so and I kept up with the rapidly moving boat. I felt guilty about robbing old Theobald but the clan came first. When the boat struck the Liger it began to move quickly and our courses diverged. I waved farewell and then kicked hard. Leaning forward I said, "Now
we just worry about each other my friend. What a tale you will have to tell when you are back in my stables."
I knew my horse and what he was capable of. He liked a steady pace and I gave him that. When the road allowed I turned and looked behind for pursuit. I had seen the stables. They were close to the north gate. They would either have to ride up to the half built monastery or negotiate the streets. Either way I would have a lead. The question was when would they reach me? As I rode I slung my bow. I needed both hands to control Dream Strider. If I saw anyone coming the other way I would need to jerk his head around quickly. I used the remaining milestones to estimate my progress. I knew there was a town coming up in a few miles but I was loath to leave the road. As I began to turn a bend I saw a flash of colour ahead and I pulled Dream Strider to the north. There was no path but I plunged into the forest. I now had to use the skills, taught to me by Ulf Big Nose to outwit the Franks of Andecavis.
Chapter 5
Instead of riding parallel to the road I rode north and west to go deeper into the forest. I was looking for one of the many small streams which flowed into the Liger. The forest was silent and I walked Dream Strider to allow him to pick his way through the trees. I saw a lighter patch which indicated a clearing or water and turned his head. We found the stream and I head up it. Although it took me deeper into the forest I would be leaving no trail. I counted Dream Strider's steps and when I reached ten hundreds I let him clamber out of the water. I had given my name suggesting I came from the land of Bruges and Flanders. I wanted them to be confused. I allowed him to drink while I listened. There was nothing. I heard no sound of pursuit. I turned due west and rode in a line which would mirror the river. Ulf had told me that when you were being pursued often it was in your interests to let them get ahead of you. That was what I had done. I had no doubt that they might send men into the trees to seek me out but it was a large place and they would have little chance of finding me now that I had covered my trail. They were more likely to race ahead and set up ambushes along the road. If Ulf Big Nose had taught me well I would avoid them.
I walked Dream Strider until darkness began to fall. Night came much earlier in this tree filled world. I stopped by another of the streams which cut my path. The one I chose was in a larger clearing than I had seen before. I took off Dream Strider's saddle and used my helmet to pour water on him and clean the sweat which had accumulated. It would make him more comfortable and he was the only way I would escape this forest. I would not risk a fire and, as he drank, I prepared my bed. I cut some of the pine branches to lay on the ground. I put Dream Strider's blanket upon them and laid out my food. I filled my helmet with grain and allowed my horse to eat. There was little grass but he would graze while I ate. I tied a halter to his neck and to the branch of a tree and then I devoured the bread and cheese I had bought in Andecavis. I was ravenous. I washed it down with the last of the wine and then filled the wineskin with water from the stream.
With my weapons at my side I lay down in the inky black forest to sleep. I had done all that I could for Gunnstein's crew. They could all sail and, with luck, they would be lying up on one of the many islands along the Liger. When you sailed the Liger you saw them every few hundred paces. They were uninhabited for there were no bridges. If they landed then they would be safe. I had seen no boats which could have followed them and they would not be keen to be recaptured. They would hide. I had to put them from my mind and concentrate on evading the hunters who would be waiting for me. I had done what I had promised the Jarl.
I woke in darkness but something had disturbed me. I looked up and saw that Dream Strider had licked me and was now nodding his head above mine. My horse had sensed something. I quickly saddled him and as I gathered my weapons I listened. In the distance, to the east I could hear movement in the forest. It did not sound natural. However I did not hear dogs. I slipped on to Dream Strider's back and headed down the stream. After a count of a hundred I turned west. The stream's flow gave me the rough direction of the Liger. The slightly sloping land told me that the Liger was to my left. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that the sky was becoming lighter. Dawn was not too far away. Its first rays brought me bad news. The forest was ending. The tree began to thin. Through gaps ahead I saw terraces of vines and open fields. I had seen this part as I had travelled east. I knew exactly where I was. I was less than thirty miles from Nantes but there was little cover for me from now on. If men were waiting ahead then I would have nowhere to hide.
As I headed down through the trees I saw that they were thinner and more open here. There were terraces of grapes above the road. I could be spotted. Riding east I had been able to ride openly now I would have to fight. I rode Dream Strider with my knees as I strung my bow. I had but ten arrows left. After that I would be reliant upon my sword. The men who would be hunting me were experts at fighting from the back of a horse. I was not; not yet anyway.
I smelled smoke. There was a house nearby. I slowed. The edge of the trees was just thirty paces from me and I could see the river. It looked to be half a mile or so away from me. The land hid the road. They had terraced the fields to give maximum sun to the precious grapes. I dismounted and took off my helmet. The grapevines would not hide me but if I rode then I would be clearly seen. I dismounted and led Dream Strider through the fruit laden vines. I took a bunch as I passed. They would be sour but my store of food was lessening. I kept my head down. If anyone was watching they might just see a horse wandering through the trees; it would be interesting but not a cause for concern. I wanted no shouts until I was close to the river. I had a plan.
Each step down the terraces afforded me a better view of the road ahead. I could not make much out but the occasional glint of sunlight on metal told me that there were warriors waiting ahead. I had expected that but it still had an effect on me. The chances of my escape had now diminished. The noises I had heard in the forest were the Count's men driving me west into their trap. The route I took was my only possibility of escape and that was a slim one.
I spied the farm house to my left. I was hidden from it by Dream Strider's mane. I was now within sight of the road. I saw no one upon it. I listened. I could hear no one. I walked to the edge of the field. There was no fence. They needed none but there was a drainage ditch ahead. I put on my helmet and slipped on to Dream Strider's back. I lay along his neck to keep a lower profile and then I kicked him in the flanks. He easily jumped the ditch but his hooves clattered on the road. It was like the sounding of an alarm bell. As I headed towards the river which lay ahead beyond some bushes and willows I heard a shout from my right. Hidden there had been sentries. There were four of them and they had horses. I unslung my bow and, pulling an arrow loosed it at the four surprised sentries. They had no mail and were so close that even loosed from the back of a horse my arrow hit one in the chest. A hurriedly released second hit one in the thigh while a fourth struck a third man in the shoulder. I slung my bow from my saddle horn and raced at the fourth man. I drew my sword as I did so. The horses, frightened by my charge bolted, and the last warrior stood almost frozen to the spot. He belatedly tried to draw his sword. I leaned forward and hacked at his right arm. My new blade bit through to the bone and he screamed in pain.
I whirled Dream Strider around and headed back for the river. The four sentries could do nothing to stop my escape but their cries and the bolting horses would alert the larger number of men I had seen further down the road. I had no intention of pushing my luck any further. I would not be risking the road. As I reached the river I kicked Dream Strider and he jumped into the fast flowing river. It was wide and I could see no islands. I had done this before and I lay along Dream Strider's back and tried to steer him to the south bank. I kept hold of my precious bow. I was not safe yet and the Saami weapon might save my life yet. The flow inevitably took us diagonally. I kept kicking. It was little enough but it helped Dream Strider's powerful legs. The water stopped me hearing anything and I did not want to turn around. I focussed on th
e opposite bank. It seemed to take an age to reach it. When we were across Dream Strider struggled to clamber up the slippery bank but eventually his hooves found purchase. I kept hold of the reins and the bow and rolled on to the bank. Dream Strider managed to clamber out. He shook himself. He had tired himself out in the swim.
I allowed him to catch his breath as I turned and looked at the opposite shore. There were ten horsemen there and they were pointing at me. I could not risk riding Dream Strider yet. The swim had taken much out of him. His eyes were wide and frightened. I took my bow and restrung it with my spare bow string. I had seven arrows left. I took out three and watched. I could see a debate on the opposite bank. They had seen a Viking cross the river. The Franks of Andecavis were renowned horsemen and were discussing if they could do it. Of course if they had never done so then it might be a daunting prospect. The fact that I had not moved spurred them on. Four of them headed into the water. I stood and watched. One tried to stay on his horse's back. As its head was pulled downstream the horseman lost his seat and fell into the water. The horse turned around and went back to the shore while I saw the man's hand flailing for a while in the river before it disappeared. He had never tried this before.
My bow was accurate up to a couple of hundred paces but I had too few arrows to waste. When they were a hundred paces from me I aimed at the leading rider. He was lying flat along his horse's back. My arrow score a line along the horse's neck and then smacked into his shoulder. I took my second arrow and aimed at the next man. He had seen his companion's fate. He put his head and body below the water. I sent my arrow into his horse's neck. The dying horse with the man clutching to the saddle were swept downstream. The last man had little choice. He could either risk my arrow or the river. Knowing I had only one enemy left in the river I waited. I kept my arrow aimed at him. He had little choice over where he landed. His horse determined that decision. I saw resignation on his face as he came closer to me. His horse managed to struggle up the bank and then stood, shaking close by Dream Strider. I gestured with my bow for the warrior to climb on to the bank.