by Griff Hosker
We were silent until we heard my uncle shout, “Forward!”
As we walked we began to chant, “Harold! Harold!” whilst beating our shields. To me in its midst it seemed a terrifying sound and I wondered what it would do to our enemies. We knew that we would have to run the gauntlet of missiles but that did not worry us. The command came, “Run!” and we picked up the pace. Gone was the fear of tripping on a spear butt and I gripped Dragon Tamer, ready to thrust and end the life of an unknown Welsh warrior.
Aethelward could see beyond the line and when he shouted, “Shields!” we all raised them ready for the arrows which rained upon us. I was glad that Sweyn had insisted on so many nails and pieces of metal on my shield for only two arrows penetrated it, the rest bounced off. I knew that at least one of the enemy arrows had struck home when I hurdled the body of Thorin who had been two rows ahead of me.
I could now see the sea of shields waiting for us and the prickly points of their spears. I had no time to worry for Sweyn roared, “Charge!” and our front rank hit them. It must have been like being trampled by a bull for those men in the front rank and we moved swiftly. They must have halted Sweyn for the men before me stopped. We knew then that it was our turn. While Osgar and Ridley fended off and despatched those warriors at our side the rest of us pushed hard with our shields on the men before us. I felt the pressure from the shields behind and suddenly we were moving forwards. I saw a terrified face beneath my feet and I stabbed down on his throat. There were more men fighting at our side now and I wondered if I should turn and fight them. Luckily I remembered the admonition of my uncle and restrained myself. Just then I heard his voice shout, “Shield Wall!”
Our training took over and we all moved slightly to our right to enable the warriors at the front to join our line. Now I was in the front line and knew that soon it would be axe work. The Welsh saw Sweyn and the others fall back and thought they had won. As they rushed forward we readied our spears and thrust them into the faces of the Welsh elite. Dragon Tamer went straight through the open mouth of a surprised warrior and continued up through his skull. As I felt the haft loosen in my hand I let go, swinging my shield to my back and I took my axe in both hands. This was the first time I had faced an enemy with no shield but I trusted my training and began to swing my axe. I felt, rather than saw the axes of those alongside me also swinging and we were soon in a rhythm. The first man I killed had thought he could dip below the whirling blade but he was wrong; even his helmet did not afford him any protection and it was cracked, along with his skull like an egg. Their archers were busily showering us with arrows and I watched as one hit my gauntlet only to flick off a rivet. I was glad that I had bought the best gauntlets I could.
Our line had now advanced beyond the others and I could see, clearly the face of Gruffyd. He recognised me and smiled and then said something to the men with him. Suddenly the line in front of us vanished like fog on a summer’s morning and a wedge of Welsh Housecarls hurtled towards us and the point was aiming for me! The warrior at the front was well armed and his spear was aimed at me. I felt time slow down and saw that his shield was that of a Welsh dragon; he was of the royal bodyguard and would be a fearsome opponent. Luck was with me as my axe struck his shield and bounced up to hit the head of his spear; the sharp edge sliced through the wood leaving him with a staff. Wolf’s axe struck his arm and the man looked down in horror at the stump which remained. I wasted no time in lifting my axe to split his skull and helmet in two. Next to me Ridley had smashed the shield of his opponent and Osgar had finished him. We were now lapping around the left side of their wedge which was their stronger side while Sweyn on their weaker side had also made inroads so that our line had surrounded their wedge. They stood no chance against over fifty well trained warriors and soon they were fighting back to back. There were two axes to every warrior and no warrior could fight two foes. Soon there was a bloody mass of bodies before us and I looked up to see Gruffyd and his horsemen flee. Even though I knew that it meant we had won, I felt disappointed, for I had hoped that he would have fought for his honour and his crown.
With the king fled, the army before us disintegrated and the fyrd and the spearmen cheerfully chased after them along with the archers and the horsemen. We were spent. Once we had ascertained that the field was ours we wandered the body strewn hillside despatching the wounded and retrieving weapons. I felt better when I found that Dragon Tamer was unharmed. I looked for my Uncle and the Earl but they had mounted and followed Gruffyd. I realised that the Earl had more noble and kinglike qualities than the Welsh king who had shown himself to be a craven coward by his actions on the battle field. His men had died for him and he had deserted them. This was my first battle but I could see that the Welsh could have fought longer for, as we toured the battlefield, we could see that more men had fled than died.
As we drank from the water skins brought by the boys Sweyn sought me out. “You did well Northumbrian. It must have been wyrd that made them attack you. You have killed a famous warrior, he was Gryffydd of Rhuddlan and was a Welsh champion.” He picked up my axe. “I name this blade Death Bringer.”
All around me my comrades roared. It was a special moment when a blade was named and to have it named by the worthiest warrior in our army made me proud. I could not wait to tell my uncle when he returned.
Chapter 6
When they returned Aethelward told us that Gruffyd had been warned of our approach and had a ship waiting at the coast and he had fled. I felt disappointment for the snake or was it dragon still had a head. We made ourselves comfortable in the fort although the court of King Gruffyd Ap Llewellyn was not a gloriously apportioned palace. Still we revelled in the glory and in the booty. To the victors went the spoils and, as with we, Gruffyd’s Housecarls had carried their treasure with them on their person. Gryffydd of Rhuddlan had been a rich man and I took a healthily heavy purse as well as his arms and armour. His helmet, although finer than mine was too badly damaged to be of use and I sold it to the blacksmith for a small purse of coins. His mail coat was fine and needed little repair. I decided to keep it as a spare. His shield was not as good as mine and I gave it to Osgar whose own had been shattered during the fight. His gauntlets I gave to Ridley whose own lacked rivets. I thought back to the arrow which could have disabled me and gladly gave them to my friend. The other men I killed I let Wolf and Osgar share the bounty for they had helped me to kill my enemies. The booty was welcome but more welcome was the attention of my peers who all came to look at Death Bringer. It had been admired when I had first used it but now it was a weapon of legend having killed a Welsh hero. I felt slightly guilty about their praise for I had done little enough and luck had been on my side.
When I confided this to Osgar he had laughed, “A warrior who does not have luck is a dead warrior. I take all the luck I can get for without it no amount of skill with a blade will keep you alive.”
It was towards evening when the monks arrived. Brother Aidan led them across the fields towards us. Despite the fact that they were holy men we kept our wits and our weapons at the ready for monks had been known to fight. This time, however, they came in peace to bury the dead Welsh. The Brother did not seem surprised to see me and approached me. “Well Aelfraed of Medelai I can see now that you are a warrior and have turned Saint Asaph’s ash into a weapon of war.”
I looked at the spear in my hand. “Do you disapprove?”
He shook his head. “No, for you are a warrior. I knew that when I spoke with you. I hoped that you would fight for our king for I saw in you nobility which belied your years.” He shrugged. “It was not to be but you did make an impression on our king.”
As he left with the monks and the bodies I was astounded. I had not known any of that. Perhaps that was the reason he had unleashed his warriors at me for he feared me. I did not know why he would do that for I was just a Housecarl.
The next day we all awoke with thick heads for the one thing the fort possessed was ale and we consumed v
ast quantities of it. Uncle Aethelward shook his head in disapproval as he awoke me, Ridley, Wolf and Osgar. As we trudged behind him to the Earl’s quarters I wondered why we had been summoned. The arrogant, prideful side of me thought it might be to praise me for my actions but the presence of the others militated against that. The alcohol had certainly fogged my brain. Ulf and Sweyn were with him; the two older warriors had a wry smile on their faces which showed less disapproval than uncle.
“You all fought well yesterday. Sweyn here tells me that it was the turning point of the battle. Well done but that is not the reason I have summoned you. I need to visit with my brother in Jorvik. I need to travel swiftly and yet have protection. Lord Aethelward has enough horses for all of you and with five others we will travel this morning. Sweyn will watch your gear for I want us to be swift. Prepare yourselves.”
It had all happened in a blur. Ridley and I led our friends to our horses. The spare would carry our mail. We each gathered their belongings; Wolf found a chest which he emptied and we placed in it our spare arms and armour. By the time we had completed that task Earl Harold and Uncle were waiting impatiently for us. Slinging our shields upon our backs and tying our spears to the pommels we mounted. Our comrades engaged in good humoured banter as we left.
“Kill one warrior and they become knights!”
“Too good for us now!”
“I’ll bet they are off to a whore house.”
Thankfully Sweyn silenced them with a roar, “Right ladies let’s make this castle inhabitable.”
The journey North was totally different from the one when the four of us had travelled south. For one thing we were not hiding and secondly we rode quickly and hard. I was desperate to find the reason for the urgency but the Earl and Aethelward rode at the fore with Ulf between us and them. We could neither speak with them nor hear a word. At night when we camped it did not seem appropriate to bring it up and I hoped that they would reveal their plans in conversation, but they did not. They did speak of the battle and, like me, were surprised at Gruffyd’s apparent cowardice. My uncle, of course, had an explanation. “I am not sure he can count on his allies. He has upset too many people.” He pointed at me, “When Aelfraed spied on his court he saw much dissension and discord. I think he fears for his position and now that Aedgar is dead he has no major ally. I do not think that he will invade England. That is certain.”
“Still I would like to be rid of this particular thorn. Perhaps after we talk with my brother…”
Enigmatically that was all that was said and the four of us were left to discuss and deduce what would occur. I say four of us but in reality it was three for Osgar saw no point in speculation. “We will find out what we need when the Earl tells us. You are like the village gossips making sagas out of accidents.”
When we rode into Jorvik I was excited. I had only visited the place on a few occasions for my brothers and father preferred to leave me at home with Nanna but I knew that it was one of the most important cities in the land and I was eager to show it off to my friends. Ridley too was excited but that was because the Earl had promised us that we could visit Medelai once we had met his brother. I wondered at that for I had assumed that we had been the escort of the Earl on the road for his safety and that, once in Jorvik, then he would have been safe with his brother. I did not speculate with the others for I had had enough of Osgar’s scorn but it did make me keep my eyes and ears open when I did view the meeting.
The people in Jorvik did not look as prosperous as the inhabitants of Winchester. They all had the lean and hungry look of an oppressed people and yet we Northumbrians had freed them from the tyranny of the Danes; it seemed strange to me. In contrast the Earl’s quarters were magnificently furnished with fine tapestries and well made furniture. His guards and Thegns all looked to be well fed and prosperous. I kept looking for my brothers but I could not see them. Part of me was glad for I knew they would mock me in some way but in another I was disappointed for I wished them to see the warrior I had become.
Earl Tostig still looked sly except now he was a more corpulent figure. I was relieved that he was pleased to see his brother and they embraced. He gave a curt nod to Aethelward and Ulf and I gathered that there was little love lost between them. He glanced at us. “Is this all the guard you brought? I would have expected your retinue.”
“Why brother do I need the protection of my retinue in your court?”
Earl Tostig rapidly shook his head, always the mark of a liar. “No brother it is just that the road twixt here and Winchester is fraught with danger.”
“I came not from Winchester but Wales and I needed no more than these for these are the warriors who helped me to defeat Gruffyd of Wales.”
Tostig’s eyes filled with greed and excitement. “You have defeated him. He is captured? Dead perhaps?” It is said of Earl Tostig that the main difference between him and his half brother was their attitude towards gold, for Tostig loved it; for my part I disagree. There was naught that was similar in the two half brothers.
“No for he escaped but we have his court and we have his crown. He left rather rapidly.”
Tostig nodded and greedily licked his lips as though his half brother had actually given him the crown. He gestured to us. “Come warriors drink with me and I will celebrate your success.” He poured us goblets of wine and I noticed that the goblets were made of fine metal. He looked at me with a curious look. “Don’t I know you?”
Aethelward spoke for the first time. “It is Aelfraed, the son of Aethelgifu, my nephew.”
I caught the sharp look he threw at Harold and wondered why he never said the son of Edwin of Medelai, for he never did. “Ah I remember. Your brothers are my warriors now. They will be returning soon from a campaign against the Scots.”
“Malcolm Canmore still being ungrateful brother?”
“He is. Since the proposed marriage to Margaret broke down he has forgotten the refuge he had with King Edward and last year raided Lindisfarne. My warriors have been ejecting him from the north. Now you will need quarters.”
“Four of my warriors wish to visit Medelai, we will only require rooms for three of us and then we can discuss my plans.”
“Ah! Ever the thinker eh Harold and will it be profitable?”
Harold wrinkled his nose as though the thought was distasteful but, as the largest landowner in England, he could hardly be surprised. “I think you may well profit from it.”
I felt relieved to be heading north with my three friends. Aethelward had pulled me to one side. “Be careful what you say and do when you are at Medelai.”
“Why uncle what could I say that would cause a problem?”
“Aelfraed have you not yet learned to listen more than you speak. You have a tongue which runs away with itself and you are privy to more knowledge than others, just think on that.”
As I had left him I knew that he was angry but I could not, at the time work out why. It was pleasant, however, to be riding through the Vale of Jorvik on that fine autumn day. We had left the spare horse in the stables and carried only our swords and shields. The last thing we wished was for people to think we were raiders. The farm looked small as we trotted into the courtyard. Ridley’s father, as Steward came to greet us. I think he was genuinely touched by the change in his son for he began to weep as he hugged him. He bowed slightly to me, “Welcome Master Aelfraed.”
Uncle Aethelward was always annoyed at the lack of respect shown to me by the Steward but, as I had told him, he got that from the way I was treated by my father and brothers. Now however I was no longer a boy, I was a man grown and a warrior. “Thank you Oswin. We are staying in Jorvik for a while with Earl Tostig but Earl Harold has given us four days off to visit here.” I scrutinised his face. “That will not be a problem will it?”
“Oh no, “he quickly answered, your brothers are serving the earl and your father is… well he is away on business.”
I had learned since I had been away to recognise deception an
d obfuscation and I heard both in Oswin’s words but I decided to ignore it for the while.
“Where is mother?”
Oswin’s voice darkened at his son’s words. “She died last winter of a fever.”
Ridley looked as though someone had struck him with an axe haft. He almost fell and Osgar put what Oswin should have done, a paternal arm around his shoulder. “Why did you not tell your son?”
“He was not here to tell.” Oswin almost spat the words out and I could feel the source of his annoyance. I had taken his son away and not left him to carry on his father’s work. The fact that Ridley had been ignored as a child and was a born warrior appeared irrelevant.
“You could have written.”
“He does not read.”
“No but I do. “ I went closer to Oswin and lowered my voice. “This was badly done Steward. Where is she buried?”
He looked shaken for I had deliberately towered over him and he was afraid. “In the churchyard. “
“We will visit the grave. When we return, I will expect food and for our quarters to be made ready. See to the horses.”
“Yes my lord.”
I turned and dismissed him with my back. Wolf looked at me as though anew. “I did not know you were a lord, Aelfraed.”
“I am not a lord, Wolf. I am a Housecarl. I am one of you.”
After we had visited the grave Ridley felt better and actually smiled. “Well master, I do not know about you but I have now finished with Medelai. There is nothing more for me here.”
The others were surprised for it was the longest statement they had heard him make. It was one of those moments in life where you feel as close to someone as it is possible for I felt the same. I had not known that Ridley had suffered as I had because we did not conform to the expectations placed upon us. His mother had been like my grandmother, my Nanna and she had been his only connection to our home. I suddenly realised that I had no connection with it either. Once we left this time we would never return. When we entered the hall Oswin had ensured that we could not find fault with anything. I think he resented having to defer to his son but I was in no mood for any signs of irritation. We ate and drank well.