by Griff Hosker
“You have no need husband! This is foolish!”
“No, it is not. I hunted with Wolf Killer. The boys are right. Wolf Killer would have taken Ragnar on a wolf hunt. When his father died, I said I would be as a father to him. It will be good to test ourselves.” I looked at Kara, “Is there danger?”
She kept her face impassive, “There is always danger but if you ask me have I dreamed a death then I will answer no.”
Ylva stood with her hands on her hips and said, defiantly, “Why can they do what they want and I cannot?”
“Your father has told you. When you are ready then we will know and we will tell you.” My daughter had the power to bend others to her will. She stared at Ylva with eyes which pierced into my granddaughter’s heart.
Ylva fought it briefly and then shook her head, “Soon I will have the more power than you, mother, and you will not be able to do that.”
Kara nodded, “And then you will be ready to go to Syllingar.” She smiled, “Do you see? When it is right then we will know.” She turned to Ragnar and Gruffyd, “And if you two insist upon this venture Aiden and I will make you a charm. I have lost one brother. I would not lose another.”
Later that night as I lay in bed with Brigid I asked, “Am I old; do you think I am?”
She cuddled closer to me. “Our son should learn to think before he speaks. No one believes you are old but it is true that you look older. When last you came back from war we feared for you. Haaken told us of the dangers you faced and how close to death you came.” She sighed, “It is no secret that I wish you would not go to war as often as you do but I also know that sometimes you have to. You do not have to go on a wolf hunt.”
“I know. I do not think we will find a wolf. More times than enough we do not. It is the wrong time. In fourteen nights or so it will be right to hunt and Snorri will take those who would be Ulfheonar. I need to help them to become men who will lead this clan after I am gone. I will go with them. This will be an opportunity for me to talk with my son and grandson. I also need to speak with Snorri. He has kept to himself since we returned. It is not good. The hunt is a good place to share thoughts.”
“Aye, his wife is concerned too. Perhaps this is a good thing.”
I smiled in the dark, “You mean it is wyrd? Beware, my wife, you are becoming pagan!”
The conversation was ended by the playful slap she gave me.
Snorri was happy to take us hunting. “In truth, jarl, I need to stir myself. My wife is worried that the dead witch has taken my spirit.”
“That is not true; Kara told us that.”
“I know, jarl, but I have not been myself. I think back to that cave and the Norn… I wake up shivering and shaking. That is not the way an Ulfheonar behaves.”
“Then my son’s request to go hunting may be the work of the spirits. It will be good for us. Where do we hunt?”
“Lang’s Dale is still the best place to find them.”
“It is a long way. We will need horses.”
“If we take the high pass we can save time.”
“Is it open?”
“At the moment it is but if the snows come we can return by the Rye Dale. The valley of the Lang Dale leads past the Lough Rigg.”
The pass of which he spoke was rarely used. That was partly because of the spirits who dwelt there. They were not happy spirits. They were the spirits of Lang and his family. The wolves had taken them not long after we had first arrived. The pass was narrow and had little sun. If the weather closed in, then it could become impassable. Normally this suited us for it meant that we were safe from attack from that direction. Snorri was right; however, it was the quickest way. I began to look forward to this hunt. It would be a challenge for all of us. It did not matter if we found no wolves. Snorri could teach the boys how to look for sign. There would be the anticipation of a kill. Sometimes that was almost as good as one which resulted in a death.
We left while it was still dark. Ominously a wind was blowing from the north and east. They were always the coldest and brought heavy snow. It chilled us to the bone. We all wore a wolf cloak and rode a sturdy hill pony. Gruffyd had the task of holding the tether for the spare pony and bringing up the rear. However, the comments at the celebration kept him subdued. He took his present task as a punishment. We took bows and spears as well as spare food. Only Brigid and Elfrida saw us off. Brigid would fret but Elfrida seemed remarkably calm. She had the ability to speak to the spirits too. I took it as a good sign.
It was hard going up the Cyninges-tūn fell. The wind had sleet mixed in with it. Once we dropped down to the Greens Beck we had a little shelter but it was still hard going. We halted at the tarn to take on food and allow Snorri and his nose to sniff out the wolves. The wind aided us for it kept our smell from any prey and would warn us of their presence. He could not detect them.
As we watered our ponies I noticed that Gruffyd’s hands were blue with the cold. I shook my head, “A warrior must look after himself. If we found a wolf now you could not hold a weapon and you would die.”
“But I have to lead the pack pony and I only have two hands!”
“Hold the halter and your reins in one hand and put your other hand under your arm. When the other hand gets cold swap them over.” I took the reins and halter from him. “Put your two hands under your arms now and let them get warm. I will hold these.”
He did so and looked over at Ragnar, “Did you know this?”
Ragnar nodded, “I did cuz. I thought everyone did. I would have told you otherwise. I thought you were trying to prove something to your father.”
I smiled. My son was learning that not everything we learned was about fighting. Much was just how to survive. Snorri returned from the head of the water. He held, in his hand, some fur. “I found this on the gorse bush. There are wolves hereabouts. We had better be alert.” He looked pointedly at the two youngsters.
The sleet was now coming down harder. The black sky ahead did not bode well but it also meant we might have more chance of discovering wolves. The track twisted amongst the rocks. We saw pikes and peaks all around us. This was perfect wolf country. There was cover and there was shelter. More importantly there was game. Although most of the sheep had been brought down from the fells there were always some who evaded capture. They did not know we penned them for their own survival.
As the sky grew darker the weather worsened. The wind lessened but the rain and sleet became even more relentless. Then we heard the ominous rumble of thunder in the distance. We had just dropped down to Elter’s Water. The old abandoned farm was just four ridges of rotted wood nestling beneath wild grass and reeds. Snorri turned, “Jarl, we cannot find wolves in this. Thor himself is busy. Let us find shelter.”
There were no farms close by. The nearest was at the Rye Dale or the Grassy Mere. “Then let us head for Audun Thin Hair at the Rye Dale.” I turned to Gruffyd, “We will need our wits about us. Give me the pony and you ride behind Ragnar.”
“I can do this.”
“And I am Jarl and say obey me!”
It was now a race to get to shelter before the storm hit us. I could see the flashes showing Thor was busy working in his forge. In the distance, we heard the booming, rolling, thunder. It was getting closer. The day became night. The black clouds seemed to surround us. I could barely make out the Lough Rigg. Snorri turned, “We will not make the Rye Dale, Jarl. We must head for the cave.” His voice betrayed the fear of entering the cave of Myrddyn.
I nodded. This was a place which brought fear to my heart. The spirits of the ancient peoples lived here. Aiden called this Myrddyn’s cave. Had Aiden been with us then I would not have felt as fearful but we had no wizard. The two boys were oblivious to any danger. They heard the word cave and thought of a sanctuary. We heard the thunder and saw the lightning as we climbed the path to the cave. Its gaping maw did not look welcoming to me but I knew that we needed to be somewhere that Thor’s bolts could not strike us. The mountain would protect
us.
I was thankful that Snorri entered first. His nose would warn us of animals or humans. Ragnar and Gruffyd almost threw themselves into the shelter of the huge cave. I dismounted and led the two ponies within. Even as we stepped inside the interior was illuminated by a huge flash as a lightning bolt seemed to strike above us. A few heartbeats later we heard the crack of thunder. I gripped the pommel of my sword. The sword touched by the gods did not fear the lightning. It gave me courage.
“Get the saddles from the ponies and hobble them.”
“Aye grandfather.”
“Snorri…”
“I know Jarl, fire. If you can find some firewood.”
I knew there would be some. We had been here before and Aiden had left some. I went to the middle of the cave. Its blackness was complete. Had another of Thor’s bolts not flashed then I would not have spied the faggots which lay strewn about the floor. An animal had been in and disturbed the neat pile left by Aiden. That made me shiver too. Was that animal a wolf? I hurried to the wood I had seen and grabbed it. I saw the flash of flint as Snorri used the kindling he had brought. I moved swiftly to his side. The sooner we had light the better. As I dropped the pile next to him a sudden flurry of air made the flames begin to rise. Snorri took twigs from the faggots and began to build a fire. He was a master at this.
As the flames took hold the size of the cave became apparent. Ragnar and Gruffyd stared above them at the vaulted roof. “Was this made by the gods?”
“Aye.” I needed them distracted so that they would not be over awed by the place. “Get the food from the pony.”
“Yes father.”
“Shall I get some water from the pool!”
“No!” The pool was enchanted. If Aiden had been here I might have risked it but he was not. “We will use our water skins.”
Ragnar frowned at my words. What was wrong with the water? I did not enlighten him. I did not want him fearful. The less he knew about the dangers of the cave the better.
As the fire grew the full extent of the cave was revealed. I decided we would only stay here until the storm had passed. Audun Thin Hair’s home was but a few miles away. It was a forlorn hope. I should have known that the Weird Sisters were spinning. Even as the warmth from the fire began to seep into our skin there was an enormous crack which seemed to be almost within the cave and then I heard a rumble. This time it was not thunder it was the Rigg itself. It seemed as though the earth itself was shaken. I felt the earth rumbled and tremble beneath my feet. The mountain was falling. The ponies whinnied in fear. There was an avalanche. The sound filled the cave. The crash, dust and debris from the entrance told me that rocks from the mountain were blocking us in. I knew that we were trapped even before Snorri confirmed it.
Snorri ran quickly to the entrance but he came back coughing and spluttering. “Jarl, we are trapped. We cannot get out that way.”
I saw the fear of on the faces of Ragnar and Gruffyd. Snorri had also sounded fearful. It would not do to inflame their fear. I spoke calmly. “This changes little. We eat, we rest and, when daylight comes we see if we can be as miners and dig our way out. If the stones fell, then they can be moved. It is not as though the gods have made a door which only they can open. They have had an argument and tossed some rocks down the mountain side. We are warriors and we will deal with the problem. Ragnar, break out the food. Gruffyd lay the furs close to the fire so that they can dry. We will be cosy this night and dry.”
“Are you not afraid Grandfather?”
“Even if I was would my fear get us out of this predicament any quicker? We have been set a challenge, that is all. Let us meet that challenge as men eh? The spirits of the past are in this cave. Myrddyn the Great lived here, it is said, and he is a link to my past. I do not fear my ancestors. Come, we eat.”
As the boys set about their tasks Snorri said, “I fear I have brought this upon you, jarl. I slew the witch.”
“No Snorri. This is the Weird Sisters and it is not a punishment. They wish us to sleep here.”
“But why?”
“They wish us to dream. Or me at least.”
I saw fear in the eyes of my fearless scout. He could face any number of enemies but this was a realm into which he did not wish to venture. He clutched the golden wolf which had been given a spell of protection by Kara. It seemed to comfort him a little.
As we ate I said, “This is where your father slew his first wolf, Ragnar.” I pointed beyond the blocked entrance. “It was just outside there. Wolves lived in here then.”
Gruffyd looked around as though a wolf might leap upon him.
Snorri smiled, “They are all long dead.” Then looking at me he said, “We are ever drawn here. Perhaps we should have taken a different route.”
“It would not have mattered. We were meant to come here. No matter which route we took the Norns would have made us come here. It is wyrd. Tonight, we watch in pairs. I will watch with Gruffyd. You two will sleep first. We must keep the fire fed. Husband the wood and make it last until dawn.”
Ragnar and Snorri rolled into their furs. Outside the storm continued but the avalanche made it seemed distant, remote and it gradually faded. I kept Gruffyd busy putting wood on the fire branch by branch. It kept his mind occupied and eked out our firewood.
“Snorri is wrong, father. This is the fault of Ragnar and me. If we had not asked to hunt we would be safe at home.”
“Were you not listening, my son? The Norns spin. We know not what their plans are. We are little pieces in their grand game. A man must deal with whatever they throw his way. That is what makes him a man.” I turned him so that he faced me. “Tonight you may dream. Do not fear for the dreams cannot hurt you but remember every detail. When we return home, we must tell Kara and Aiden all and they will tell us what our dreams mean. Sometimes our dreams only give us a version of the truth. Kara and Aiden will divine their true meaning.”
He pointed to the entrance, “But how will we get out? We are trapped.”
I shrugged and pulled my cloak a little tighter around my shoulders as though the dead wolf might offer me protection as well as my sword. “I know not. Let us dream first and then see what daylight brings.”
I measured time by the wood I used. I also judged it by my grandson. He began to thrash around and to mumble in his sleep; he was dreaming. Gruffyd went to restrain him. “No, my son. The spirits are making him dream. Soon he will wake and then it will be our turn.”
“Snorri does not dream.”
“No, for these are not his ancestors and he is not a dreamer. The blood of your grandmother courses through your veins. My mother came from the ancient people. This was her land and Myrddyn was her wizard. Snorri is lucky. He sleeps a dreamless sleep. Our family have to endure the tortures of the night.”
Ragnar woke suddenly, screaming. He sat upright and his cries awoke Snorri. His terrified eyes stared at me. “I saw Danes! They came for me! I saw the skull! It was bloody and it was fierce! The skull came for me! I could not run away.”
I put my hand on his mouth, “Tell Snorri your dream. It cannot hurt you now. Speaking of it will help you to make sense of it. My son and I will sleep. You are safe now.”
“But we are trapped beneath a mountain!”
“Trust me, Ragnar. I do not think that the Norns wish us to end our days here, buried beneath rocks. If we are still here a week from now, then I will worry.” I tried to make my voice as calm as I could but there was a little fear in me too. Perhaps the Weird Sisters had tired of me. Perhaps this was to be my doom.
I stayed awake while Ragnar and Snorri searched the cave for the last of the wood. Gruffyd had already fallen asleep by the time I rolled into my fur.
It was so black I thought that I was dead. There was no sound and nothing could be seen before me. Then I heard a steady pulsating beat. It sounded like a drum. It was in my ears and filled my head. It was my heart. I was aware of air rushing before my face. I was flying. Then I spied a light. It was a pinprick
at first but I found myself dropping down towards it and it became brighter and larger.
Then all went black and when I opened my eyes I saw a fog which hung on the water like a dead man’s shroud. I was in the water and I swam. I could smell smoke and I swam towards the smoke. I seemed to swim for a lifetime and then I felt sand and shingle beneath my toes. I saw nothing for there was fog before my face. Then I stood and the mist vanished. I was on Syllingar. I recognised the spiral of smoke rising from the cave and I saw the grey seas surging around the island. I heard a voice and I recognised it. It was Ylva’s. I headed for the cave and descended. The glow in the distance was familiar and when I turned I saw not the ancient witch but Ylva. She was older but she recognised me and she smiled. I headed towards her and her outstretched hand. She smiled and my heart soared. Her hand touched mine and suddenly it changed. It was not Ylva’s soft and gentle hand it was a claw! I looked up into her eyes and saw her transform into a dragon; she had become a wyrme. I could not escape and her huge mouth opened to swallow me.
I felt no pain. I felt nothing save the cold. Was this death? Had I been shown my end? Then I heard the steady beat of a drum once more and knew that I lived still. I saw a light and headed towards it. Perhaps this was the dragon’s fire and I could warm myself for I was as cold as death itself. As I moved through the dark towards it I saw that it was daylight and it was the mouth of the cave. As I stepped out the light was so bright that it blinded me. I shaded my eyes and closed them. When I opened them I saw that I was surrounded by Danes. They held axes and, from their hair, hung animal skulls. Behind them I saw a monstrous mountain of a woman with a white painted face and, atop her head, she wore a human skull like a helmet. Her eyes were red and her claw like hands bloody. She strode towards me with a seax in her hand. I tried to run but I was pinioned and without a weapon. She put her face close to mine and, as all went black, I heard her say, “Now I will have vengeance. Now will I tear out the dragon’s heart!”