by Griff Hosker
"And what would you have of me?"
"I would have you swear on your Holy Book that you will neither raid nor attack my lands and you will not aid my enemies." As he considered it I said, "And as a token of my esteem I give you this gift. Haaken, give it to Prince Aethelred."
Haaken unrolled the sheepskin and handed the gleaming sword to the prince. A shaft of sunlight sparkled off it. The oathsworn were impressed as was Prince Aethelred. Once more King Eanred consulted with his priests. It seemed to me that they had more power than the King. Haaken must have thought the same. He said, out of the corner of his mouth, "Do you think he asks them when he should make water too?"
Eventually one of the priests hurried back into the castle and the King stepped forward. "I agree, Jarl Dragonheart, but I have to tell you that I am still suspicious of you. A wolf does not become a sheep overnight."
I nodded and said, "And yet we have sheepdogs at home which are descended from wolves and now protect their sheep. Does not your God tell you that men are not always what they appear on the surface? I have heard that your God's lieutenant turned against him and became the one you call the devil."
I almost undid the good work I had done for the priests recoiled when I named the Devil. We waited in silence for the Holy Book. When it arrived the King said to me, "Swear."
I took out my sword and held it in my hands. "I swear by Ragnar's Spirit that we will no longer make war on the men of Northumbria. From this day forth they are as our friends and allies."
I think the Saxons were stunned. My word was legendary and I had sworn.
The King gave his oath on the bible and the priests poured some water on his hands. I walked over and clasped his arm. I saw his priests grin. They had poured what they termed Holy Water on the King's hands and they expected it to affect me. How little they knew. I think they expected me to shrivel before their eyes. They could not keep the disappointment from them.
I stepped back, not knowing what to do. Prince Aethelred said, "We will now seal this with a feast. We have a great bounty from the sea. Let your men come forward and eat with us."
Slaves brought out tables and benches. One was laid for the King and one for me and my men. "Haaken fetch the men."
I suspect that Prince Aethelred had been responsible for the food for it was excellent and there was plenty of it. Having had dried rations for the previous day my men appreciated it. The Prince came and sat opposite me. Ragnar and Gruffyd were on either side of me and he nodded to them. "Are these your sons, Jarl?"
"This is my son and this is my grandson."
He smiled at them, "And will you two be warriors like the Dragonheart?"
Ragnar said, "We already are. We fought King Egbert! I am not afraid to fight!"
The Prince nodded, "I see even young Vikings have spirit."
"I am sorry to say, Prince Aethelred, that your White Christ stops you and your men becoming great warriors. Warriors do not forgive and forget."
"I see now; that is why you came here to kill the renegade." He leaned forward. "The killing of Coenred of Hagustaldes ham was a clever move, Jarl. He had threatened to take my father's throne."
"I told you Prince. I tried to avoid killing him. I did not kill him to ingratiate myself to your father."
He frowned. "But you had to kill him. He was like a mad dog."
I smiled, "Ah, you mean it was meant to happen?" He nodded. "It was wyrd!"
"You are interesting Viking. A man who can quote the Bible and argue like a Greek. You are not what I expected."
"And that is the difference between us for I never expect anything. I use my eyes and ears to judge. All men are equal in my eyes. A man only betrays me once. Magnus the Foresworn thought he had found somewhere to hide in the most heavily defended castle in the land. He was wrong. I hope your father keeps his word. I shall but if he does not then the wrath of God will seem as nothing compared with a Viking's wrath."
I kept my voice calm but I saw him recoil in fear. "And I believe you."
We left at noon when my men were full and the skies were clear. The Prince and his men escorted us as far as the Aln. He pointed to the loop in the river. "I will build a burgh here."
"A good choice. You need but a ditch across the front and it will be almost as strong as Bebbanburgh."
"Could you take Bebbanburgh, Jarl?"
"A man can take any castle. He would lose many men but it could be done. A leader has to weigh those questions up. Is it worth the effort? Besides while men are in their castle their land can be ravaged."
"Is that why you do not build burghs?"
"We have no need. We follow the old ways and the land protects us. We live in harmony with the earth and the spirits." I smiled, "Your people did once."
"Would I be welcome if I came to visit you at Cyninges-tūn?"
"Your father would approve?"
"I am my own man and I make my own decisions."
"Then you may visit and welcome."
We bade him farewell and we headed west into the afternoon sun.
Chapter 4
"Jarl, it is Raibeart ap Pasgen. He has returned from Frisia." The message from the guard on the tower by our gate was a relief.
We had been back for half a month and the preparations were going well for whatever attack Ragnar Ruriksson had in mind. Bjorn Bagsecgson and his sons had produced arrow heads, spear heads and swords. The ditches had been deepened and the land around the walls cleared back even further than the fifty paces we already had cleared.
Those of my Ulfheonar who lived nearby made their way to my hall as did Aiden and Kara. This was of vital importance to us all. Gruffyd also sat in with me. He had been both quiet and reflective since we had returned from Bebbanburgh. He had been close enough to hear all of our discussions. His Saxon was the equal of any. Perhaps he had his skill in languages from me; I know not. He watched me more. I had also noticed him emulating my walk and my stance. It was like having a half sized shadow following me around.
Brigid had Uhtric bring in ale, bread and some fresh and very runny goats' cheese. The fact that she stayed showed her concern too.
Raibeart looked grubby and weary as he entered my hall. "I came as fast as I could, Jarl Dragonheart."
Brigid said, "Have some ale and sit. A few more moments will not hurt your news." She glared at me and I gave her an innocent look. I had not pestered him.
He began after downing a whole horn of ale. "It is good to drink decent beer once more. It is true, Jarl. Neustria has made both funds and ships available to Ragnar son of Rurik. He is gathering men up and down the coast. He was not in Dorestad when we were there; he had travelled to Neustria."
Haaken interjected, "Franks too? They have horses."
Raibeart nodded. "I stayed to find as much information as I could." He grinned. "We brought back much profit. We can sell as many sealskin boots as the women can produce."
I shook my head irritably, "You are a spy and not a merchant, Raibeart."
"Sorry Jarl. The good news is that he will not be ready to sail until after Samhain. The men were still gathering at Boulogne. They have a count there now and he is also aiding the Frisian leader. When we passed the port there were just three ships there. From the numbers of men we heard of they will need four times that number. Their ships are smaller than ours."
"Then we have time to prepare."
Aiden nodded, "And one route is now eliminated. He will not risk the wild seas of the west after Samhain. Frisian ships are not dragon ships. He will come across the Saxon Sea. I would bet he would come through Eoforwic. There he could pick up more men and Danes with local knowledge."
I agreed. "You have done well Raibeart."
"Thank you Jarl. And we met Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson. He was seeking crew in Dorestad. He had to flee when they tried to take extra taxes from him."
"He went back to Ljoðhús?"
"No Jarl. He and his men have captured an island off the coast of the Bretons. He has a stronghold o
f his own now. He does not have as far to sail to raid."
Aiden nodded, "That was Hrolf's dream."
Raibeart said, "Aye, he was with him. Einar sold him some boots. He has grown and is a handy warrior by all accounts. His crew think highly of him."
Aiden looked at me and smiled, "Wyrd."
Wyrd indeed. The Weird Sisters still entangled our threads. As much as I had liked the young slave as soon as the witch had given her prediction I knew that he was meant for other things. I had no doubt that our threads were still bound together but he would never be one of my people.
"It is good that Jarl Gunnar has his own land and if it can be defended then so much the better."
Olaf Leather Neck brought us back to the moment, "I am pleased for the Jarl too but what do we do about this Frisian? Are we to sit on our arses and wait for him to come or should we seek him out and kill him ourselves?"
The question was asked of me but most eyes were on Aiden. "Aiden has told us that he is guessing that he will come from Eoforwic. That means he has to come in that short time between Samhain and Yule or wait until the winter snows have gone. The high passes are too difficult in winter."
Karl One Leg was more thoughtful since he had been forced to stay in Cyninges-tūn where his injured leg would not impede him. He could think things through and see what other warriors could not. "A hired warband is hard to keep together, Jarl. They want food and women. A leader has many different clans to control. This Ragnar must be young and inexperienced. Even if they have a Frankish Count with him he will have to attack sooner rather than later. I do not like to argue with a galdramenn but I think they will be here by Samhain."
Karl's words brought silence. It meant that the ships could be on their way and might be able to take the longer sea passage. His words had been an unpleasant truth. We had to plan for two possible avenues of attack.
This time all eyes were on me. I was Jarl and I made the decisions. "Snorri, ride to Sigtrygg. Tell him I need him to watch the waters off the Lune and to be ready to come to our aid. You know him well and you can tell him all. Hide nothing. Speak of our visit with the Saxons."
"Aye Jarl."
"Haaken we will need Asbjorn and his men. They are the closest to Úlfarrston. I want them ready to go to Coen's aid. Raibeart you need to warn your brother. I fear that you and your people may have to bear the brunt of a seaborne attack if Karl is correct." Karl shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"I shall take 'Red Snake' to sea. If I sail to Man and then Dyflin I can spot such a large number of sails."
Although Raibeart was not Norse borne he had the heart of a Viking and a mind as sharp as any. "That is good. Before you leave I would have words with you for I will send a message to Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer."
I drank some more ale and silence filled the room until Haaken said, "And Wolf Killer? What of him Jarl?"
"I will visit with him but I will travel to Windar's Mere first. That is the richest of our stad. They have had an easy time of late. Ketil watches their northern borders. They will have to provide men to go to Wolf Killer's aid. I will visit with Wolf Killer myself. Beorn and Haaken I would have you come with me. As for the rest; let us prepare for war. This Ragnar Ruriksson will find out the true meaning of Samhain. He and his men will soon join the army of the dead!"
After they had gone I was left with Aiden and Raibeart. "Perhaps Karl is right and I am wrong, Jarl. My sight seems to focus too much on Cyninges-tūn. I find it harder, these days, to see beyond the borders."
"That is the effect of your daughter, Ylva. I was the same when Wolf Killer was first born. She will be a powerful witch when she grows. She draws much power from you and from Kara."
Aiden smiled, "You are becoming the wizard now, Jarl."
I turned to Raibeart, "When you are in Dyflin I would have you buy two Saami bows for my son and grandson. I fear they will be with the clan when we go to war. A bow might keep them out of danger. I would have them learn to fight before they die." Raibeart nodded, "And ask Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer to keep watch for our foes. I cannot think that they would be foolish enough to even think about seeking his help but the young are sometimes foolish."
Raibeart shook his head, "Do not underestimate this warrior. He is of an age with Wolf Killer and men say he has been a warlord. He is both cruel and cunning. He is being backed by Neustria because they see someone who can take the Land of the Wolf from you. I believe both Karl and Aiden are correct. It will be hard to keep a hired warband together but this Ragnar seems the man who could do that. They talk of him being greater than his father. He has men who follow him like your Ulfheonar. They are intensely loyal to him. That tells you something."
"And we both know how dangerous Rurik was, Jarl Dragonheart."
"Then it is a test for me." I looked at Aiden. He knew my thoughts, "Can I hold on to this land and pass it down to my blood or will this be the end of Cyninges-tūn and our way of life?"
"I have not dreamed the end, Jarl. To answer honestly, I do not know."
When they had left me Gruffyd crawled out from under the table. I had forgotten that he had not left. "So the little mouse was listening."
"You sounded as though our world was coming to an end father. Is it?"
"All things end, my son. We pass through this land and we make a mark but in time the marks disappear and it was as though we never existed."
"That is sad."
"No, my son, you, Wolf Killer and Ragnar will carry on and, perhaps, your threads will take you to somewhere different. Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson now has a home many leagues to the south where they know not snow. My thread began not far from Bebbanburgh. We do not know where the journey will take us. Life is an adventure. Take it as such." I ruffled his hair and looked into his eyes. "Now do not tell your mother my words. Women worry."
His back stiffened. "I will be as your oathsworn, lord."
Ketil was Jarl of Windar's Mere. He had taken over from his father but he knew that his duty lay to protect the north. I had liked his father but Windar had been no warrior. His son was. His second son, Harland, was more like his father. He stayed in the stad by the mere and ran it for his brother who lived on the border. In that he did a fair job. It was prosperous. That prosperity came from my protection and, as I headed there with Beorn and Haaken, I intended to collect payment for that prosperity.
At the bridge of Skelwith I said to Beorn. "Ride to Ketil and tell him what we intend. If we light the beacons then he should bring all the men he can muster."
Haaken said, "You are testing this new treaty then Jarl?"
"The best time to test it is when we are on a war footing. Besides I believe that Prince Aethelred is on our side."
Beorn rode off and the two of us rode down to the fine halls that made up this rich little stad. We passed the old Roman fort. Its stone walls had been repaired but none stood guard. That would have to change. My visits were rare enough for me to cause a stir as we rode through the streets. Here they made no swords but their craftsmen made delicate bone combs and needles. They spun wool and made fine clothes. Stone was so plentiful, as it was in Cyninges-tūn, that they had masons who turned the stone into building materials. It was a stad where men did not carry swords for they had no need to. The exception was Arne Thorirson. Harland Windarsson might organise the stad but it was Arne, one of Ketil's most trusted men, who defended it.
It was he who strode towards me. "Jarl, this is an honour."
I had fought with Arne. His arms had not only battle rings but the scars of a warrior. "I come with dire tidings. We have had word that a war band of Frisians, Franks and Danes may be heading to lay waste to our land and to slay me."
Harland arrived as I finished the sentence and he looked alarmed, "Kill you Jarl? Who would be so foolish?"
If Arne looked a warrior then Harland looked like a priest of the White Christ but Ketil trusted him. I would not like to stand in a shield wall with him but he made sure there was enough food for th
e people of Windar's Mere.
"There are many. Now your people will be safe here, for a time at least but Wolf Killer may well need help. We know not if they come by sea or land. If they come by land then Wolf Killer will have to endure their attack." I pointed to the beacon. "The beacon is unmanned. From now on someone is there each moment of the day and night." Arne flashed an angry look at Harland who looked abashed. "Arne I want your men ready to ride at a moment's notice. You have horses and ponies aplenty. Use them. Harland, you will mount a permanent guard on the fort. That is your refuge when Arne takes the bondi to help Wolf Killer."
It was only then that the seriousness of the threat sank in. "But what if they came here?"
"Then those who remain would have to defend the walls of the fort. You have been spared the privations of raids and wars. Be thankful. Arne here knows the dangers of enemies."
Harland was silent. Arne held his arm out for me to grasp. "I will make sure that Wolf Killer is not left alone and I promise you that we will keep watch on the beacons."
I nodded as I mounted Storm Rider, "And I will speak with the others who have beacons close by. We have grown lax and lazy. The Norns do not like complacency. Be vigilant and, Harland, if you do not wish to lose this fine life then strap on a sword and don a helmet. There will be no spectators if Ragnar Ruriksson descends upon you."
The beacons followed the track from the mere to Elfridaby. They were maintained by the farmers who lived close by them. It took some time for us to speak with them all but once we had done so then they understood the importance of their role. It was dusk when we rode through the gates of Elfridaby. I was pleased with the improvements my son had made. I was weary and Elfrida saw that.
"Let your father sit and take refreshment before you badger him with questions. He will tell you his news soon enough." She pointed to Ragnar. "Our son put your mind at rest when he returned from Bebbanburgh."
Elfrida was like a mouse but when she roared she was like a she wolf. Wolf Killer looked abashed.