by Griff Hosker
I opened my eyes and shivered. It was cold and the fire had gone out. Yet I could still see Snorri and Ragnar. Snorri pointed and I could see a tiny amount of light coming from the rock filled entrance. “We were waiting until you woke.” Snorri looked concerned. “You were thrashing about Jarl and I was worried.”
I nodded, “It is better to let the spirits decide when you wake up.”
Just then Gruffyd rose with eyes wide. He screamed, “No Ylva!”
I picked him up and held him tightly, “It was a dream. Do not worry about what you saw. Aiden and Kara will explain all.”
He shook his head, “But they were dead! And Ylva killed them. I saw her. She came for me.”
“Did she change into a dragon?”
He looked amazed, “Aye father, how did you know?”
“Because she came to me in my dream but that was not Ylva. I am no galdramenn but I know that what we see in our dream is often a version of the truth. It is the dragon which is the danger.”
“The dragon?”
“The dragon is that which we fear and cannot easily be defeated. We will not talk of that now. We need Kara and Aiden for that. Come; we will see how to extricate ourselves from this cave. Daylight will make the world seem better.”
We made our way to the entrance. I saw that there were gaps through which light shone. It was daylight. Snorri climbed up to examine the gaps. “This will be hard, Jarl. If we take them from the bottom, then we risk the whole falling upon us.”
“Then you and I will enlarge the hole.” I turned to Ragnar and Gruffyd, “You two go and see to the horses. Give them the last of the water and see if there is any food left.”
With those two safely out of the way Snorri and I began to take out the smaller pieces of stone. We laid them carefully at the bottom. It was time consuming but safer. When we had made a hole as big as our heads we felt the icy air rushing in. It brought with it hope. Perhaps we rushed a little too much for when we moved a rock the size of a piglet there was a rush of stones. I thought we had trapped ourselves but the stones tumbled outside rather than in. The hole was big enough to climb out.
“We must work down now, Snorri, so that we can enlarge it for the ponies. Ragnar, Gruffyd, come and begin to clear a path at the bottom wide enough for the animals. Do it slowly and carefully.”
We finished when the sun was high overhead. We led the ponies from the tomb and found ourselves in deep snow. The sky was clear and the storm had passed. The storm had left behind a deep bed of snow whose crust would freeze as ice when the sun dipped. Mounting our horses, we hurried on to Audun Thin Hair’s farm and hall. No one spoke as we rode. Each of us had a mind filled with our own thoughts and fears.
Audun’s wife insisted that we stay the night. The sun was dipping behind the rigg which had tried to kill us. We would have frozen to death had we stayed out. It was a wise decision to stay. Her mutton stew was the finest food I could remember tasting. That might have been because we had gone so long on cold rations. With honeyed ale inside us we huddled together in Audun’s home amongst his family.
As we wrapped ourselves in our furs Gruffyd said, quietly, “What if we dream again? I would not embarrass myself in front of these people.” It was hard to live with the fact that while asleep our bodies did not obey us.
“You will not but do not worry, these are our people. They are of our clan.” Audun and his family were good folk. They would keep watch over us.
And we did sleep well. I think it was exhaustion. We did not dream. When we left the next day, we saw that we had chosen the wisest course. The ground was treacherous. Had we tried to negotiate it at night then we might have tumbled to our deaths before we could freeze.
It was as we approached Cyninges-tūn that we began to talk of what we had dreamed. “Say nothing to any until we are alone with Kara and Aiden. I would not have rumour cause upset amongst my people. Aiden and my daughter will interpret these dreams.” My daughter and her husband could unravel the threads which made up our dreams. I knew that there were links and there were ties but I was too close to pull them together. That would be the task of my volva and my galdramenn.
Ominously Aiden, Kara and Ylva were waiting for us at the gates to my stronghold. They had dreamed too and their faces showed that they too had been terrified.
Chapter 2
Neither Ragnar nor Gruffyd would go near Ylva. Despite my words that the dream did not mean that Ylva was the danger they did not believe me. I dismounted and took her in my arms. She was crying. I had never seen Ylva cry. Even as a small child she had remained impassive. I looked at Kara who nodded, “She dreamed too.”
Turning to Snorri I said, “Thank you, Snorri. You had best get back to your wife. We will go to my daughter’s hall.”
“Aye Jarl Dragonheart. Suddenly my home is the only place I wish to be. I shall hold my wife and drive the demons from my head.”
I knew that he would not be able to do so. The terror of the cave would remain with him. I had fallen into a cave in the land of the Cymri. That fear had never left me. Coming on top of the killing of the witch, Snorri would need his wife’s care for some time.
Macha and Deidra, the two former nuns and servants of the White Christ, were waiting within with hot food and hot ale. Their furrowed brows told me that they, too, knew of the dreams.
Kara began, “Gruffyd, I wish you to tell me your dream. Tell me all and leave nothing out.” She pointed to Ylva, “You will not upset Ylva with your words. Every detail that you can remember may help us to unravel this web.”
When he had finished then Ragnar and I did the same. Kara’s face showed that some of it was news to her but that she had expected most of what we had said. Ylva wept in her father’s arms as she heard us tell of the terror of the cave.
“We too dreamed. Ylva was taken from us and carrion tore out our entrails as we watched. She became a dragon and she devoured the Land of the Wolf.”
There was silence. To me it seemed like our world had just ended. I could fight any number of warriors as could my Ulfheonar but this was different. How could we fight the spirit world? Perhaps Snorri’s killing of the witch had set all of this in motion. This, conceivably, could be the end of the Land of the Wolf. “Then what does it mean? We all saw Danes in our dreams. Are we about to be attacked? What is this dragon which comes in the form of my granddaughter?”
“We are too close to this, father. We have no answers yet. We must seek help elsewhere.”
I had a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. “Syllingar?”
Aiden nodded, “We must seek the witch’s wisdom and her advice.”
Shaking my head, I said, “This is not the time of year for such a voyage.”
“I know and we must take Ylva. She cannot use her powers until she is a woman. We have to wait until the Mother deems it is time.”
I drank the horn of ale which Deidra had poured for me and stared into the flames of the fire. It was all very well relying on the spirit world to advise but sometimes their warnings were too vague. The warriors wore skulls. There was a witch with a skull. We had killed Eggle Skulltaker. Were the spirits of the dead coming for us?
“I did not mention it to Snorri but I wondered if the witch I saw could have been the one he slew.”
“Perhaps. The form of Ylva might have been chosen to warn us that there is a woman involved.”
“If it is a woman then does that mean she leads warriors? I have never heard of Danes following a woman.”
“Nor have I. I am sorry, Jarl Dragonheart, you have come to us for answers and you are getting none. Tomorrow we will make a steam hut by the water and the three of us will dream.”
“And then you will interpret what you dream.” I shook my head. “I am sorry but that is not good enough.” I stood. “Tomorrow I will see Haaken and plan a visit to the land of the Danes. Prince Athelstan is a friend. I will go to him and see if he can arrange for me to visit his town of Eoforwic. There are Danes there who m
ight have information about the Skulltaker clan. I had thought we had ended the threat of them but perhaps the dreams tell us otherwise.”
” I would come, grandfather!”
“And me!”
My grandson and son were eager for another adventure. The terror of the cave had not dampened their enthusiasm. This was different. We would be going amongst our enemies. There would be no certainty that we would survive. “No! If there is war coming, then I need you two to be ready to be warriors and defend this land.” I flashed an irritated look at Aiden. “It seems this will come down to muscles and metal rather than magic.”
“That is not fair, Jarl Dragonheart!”
“It may not be but it is the truth. For all the powers in this house I cannot see what protection it affords. You cannot tell me whence the danger comes nor what the exact danger will be. I know little more now than when I woke up from my dream. I did not fear Ylva and that is the only news you have brought save that you wish to dream some more. While you dream, I will act!”
I was angry and I was about to say that which I might regret. I had made that mistake with Wolf Killer and I would not do it with Kara. Surprisingly enough she was smiling. I had hurt Aiden’s feelings but Kara rose and kissed me on the cheek, “You never change father and that is why we love you. You are the rock. People say it is Olaf the Old Man but I know that it is you. The clan is all to you. You truly are the beating heart of our people. And, it seems, the mind. We will do our best; that I promise.”
Her words made me feel guilty. I headed for my hall with Ragnar and Gruffyd following. As we crossed the snow covered ground I said, “I did not mean to be harsh but I am aware that we have not replaced the men who died in the last battle. It will be down to the likes of you two and other young men to defend our home.”
Ragnar nodded, as we approached my door, “Much as you and Haaken did in Norway. We will try to be as strong as you were, grandfather.”
Brigid had been told of the dream by Kara and I saw the concern on her face. “You were away longer than I expected. What happened?”
I shrugged, “A storm came and we sheltered in a cave. Then we stayed with Audun Thin Hair.”
She smiled, “After Kara’s dream I feared the worst. I am glad you were in no danger.”
Elfrida gave me a curious look. “Come Ragnar, you are not too old to give your mother a hug.”
Brigid laughed, “Gruffyd is younger but he does not like to say he is pleased to see his mother.”
Gruffyd surprised her by throwing his arms around her. It was a clear sign that the events of the last few days had had an effect on him. As she passed me Elfrida said quietly, “You do not wish your wife to know of the avalanche?” She had taken me by surprise. She smiled, “I too have the second sight. It will soon become common knowledge. I would tell her.”
“Tonight, when we are alone. Your son dreamed. It disturbed him.”
“He is his father’s son.”
Later, as we lay in bed, I told Brigid what had happened. Brigid did not know how to react to my news. Her religion taught her that acts of her God were to be taken stoically but the dreams and the visions were evidence of a pagan world in which she did not believe.
After tears she cuddled in to me, “But why must you go to Eoforwic. You are no longer the young warrior you were. Why anyone needs to go I know not. Our land is strong and we have warriors who can defend it. There are others who could go.”
“There are and sometime in the future I can allow Ragnar or Gruffyd to take on the responsibility but for now it is my appointed task.”
But why them? There are others!”
“I lead the clan. One day one or both of them will lead it too. Now silence. Let me enjoy both the warmth and you. I will be away for some time and it is time I proved to you that I am no old man, yet!”
I went about the settlement the next day seeking out those I wished to take. I would not ask for volunteers; all would wish to come. I sent for Haaken. He lived beyond our walls. The others I chose were Beorn the Scout, Rollo Thin Skin and Rolf Horse Killer. I told them what I planned and they left to gather their belongings. It did not take long for a deputation of Ulfheonar to arrive at my hall. Snorri and Olaf Leather Neck led them.
“Have I offended you Jarl? Do you not need a scout?”
“I do, Snorri, and your wife needs her husband. You need your unborn child to be healthy. It is winter. Stay with her. You have put yourself in enough jeopardy already. Now is the time of the long nights. Now is the time to prepare to be a father. You know what is coming. Enjoy your time now.”
“And what of me, Jarl? I have no family to tie me to the land. Why not take me. The ones you have chosen are boys! You will need a man!”
I was glad that neither Rolf nor Rollo were there to hear Olaf Leather Neck’s words. I smiled, “And I need you here to prepare warriors to meet this unknown threat. You must train more boys to become men and more men to become Ulfheonar. I will not be here to lead the wolf hunt, Olaf Leather Neck. That is now your appointed task.” I saw him nod. He was mollified. “Besides this should not be dangerous. I go to meet first with the Prince of the Saxons. He is our ally and he can smooth our way. It will be more of an embassy than a dangerous mission.”
I turned as Haaken galloped through my gate. He threw himself from his pony. It was when I saw him that I knew my age. Haaken had hair streaked with grey. His good eye still sparkled but the slight grimace as he dismounted showed me that he suffered the same aches and pains as I did. Unlike those around me he did not know what had happened under the Lough Rigg. I saw a slight frown replace his smile as he saw the expressions on the faces of Olaf and Snorri.
“What is amiss? Has…”
Before he could speak more I shook my head and putting my arm around his shoulders led him indoors, “Come and I will tell you all.”
It took three horns of ale to give him all of my news.
“I see why you sent for me.” He grinned and he was the young boy who had followed me all those years ago, “And you have made a wise choice bringing me! Although it will be a hard journey at this time of year.
“Then stay here.”
He laughed, “Do not be so prickly Dragonheart! I merely meant to question that we are prepared. You have horses and not ponies? Spare mounts? Supplies and furs?”
It was my turn to smile, “Do I look as though I need my grandmother to teach me how to suck eggs? Of course, it is all planned. That is why there will be but five of us. This will need intelligence. We will have to delve beneath the onion’s layers to discover the truth. It will be hints and rumours which tell us that which we wish to know.”
“Good. Then when do we leave?”
“In the morning. We will travel first to Windar’s Mere and then Ketil’s stad.”
“I shall return and tell my wife and girls the news. They will be pleased to see the back of me.” He saw my raised eyebrows. “I have been like a bear woken from his sleep. I can stand the house filled with women for so long and then…” He shrugged, “It has been more than two moons. I am ready. I will bring my own horses and saddles. They are more comfortable!”
I knew what he meant. The days when I could ride all day without discomfort were in the past.
A sudden and welcome thaw meant a wet but slightly easier journey to the north and east. I told Asbjorn, at Windar’s Mere what had happened. It was as well for him to be forewarned. “I will make sure that we are prepared. Our defences are better but there is always room for improvement.”
Unlike Asbjorn, Ketil had stone walls for he had adapted a Roman fort. He was a rock for me. He knew the lands close to his home and protected us from both the men of Strathclyde and any Saxons who chose to disobey their Prince.
“I believe that Prince Athelstan is at Caer Ufra. It is an old royal palace on the southern headland of the Tinea.”
“He is not at Din Guardi?”
He smiled, “The prince is young and the king is old. He can indu
lge himself away from his father’s prying eyes and besides the climate is more clement there. If you wish to see him then you will find it an easier journey.”
“Good. I did not relish a journey through the high lands. We have been lucky, hitherto, but I see clouds are gathering.”
“Aye. I will have my men guide you over the pass of Alston. The Roman Road is still a good guide but it is hard to find beneath the snow and ice.”
“Good. You will need to be on the watch for enemies. Aiden cannot, as yet, fully divine my dream but even I know that it involves a witch and Danes. Be wary of all such strangers. I would even suspect Norse you do not know.”
He nodded, “We will keep a good watch. We are vigilant. Since the peace we have become closer to the Saxons. Many of my men have taken Saxon women.” He chuckled, “Your warriors slew their husbands and fathers. If they want a man they choose a warrior who can defend them.”
We left the next morning with Arne Sharp Eyes and Erik Long Walking, Ketil’s two scouts, who took us as far as the pass of the standing rocks. We reached the col on a clear, cold day. We could see the land of the Saxons stretching away to the east. Our two guides left us and we headed north east once more. Had this been the summer I would have worried more but the cold and the snow would keep most people indoors. Our wisdom in taking horses had been vindicated as we approached the col for the drifts of snow reached our feet. On the eastern side, however, it was colder but the snow had not yet drifted as deeply.
We kept together as we rode. We were armed and we had our mail on our spare horses. We were wrapped in furs and our wolf cloaks. It was defence against the biting cold that we needed and not the barbs of weapons.
Our route had taken us slightly further south than I might have liked and we headed north for a while. As the sun began to dip over the mountains we looked for somewhere to spend the night. We spied smoke from a remote farm. It was in a dell surrounded by trees. We wound our way down towards it. There was a greenway but it looked to be little used. As we approached I saw that it was made of turf. Was it Norse?