by Griff Hosker
The snow was not as deep the closer we came to the coast. We spied the fishing ship in the estuary. Coen ap Pasgen's people were braving the elements to gather food while they could. When the winter gales took hold then the small boats would not dare leave the shore. There was a heavy smell of wood smoke in the air. My blue hands spoke to me of the need for a warm fire and a roof. I knew that we would be given a warm welcome. In summer we could reach the port and be back home in one day. In winter we had to spend the night in Úlfarrston. It was not a hardship for they were hospitable and appreciated our protection.
Coen and his men kept a good watch. We were spied when we were half a mile from the gate. Raids and attacks had made sure that the ground was cleared for half a mile around the wooden walled town. The gates were opened and Coen waited to greet us.
"Jarl, you are braving the weather."
"Aye, my friend, I came for news of your brother."
He nodded and waved over two stable boys to take our horses. "I too expected him about now. He said he would return before Yule."
As we walked towards his hall I said, "I am not worried but the news he brings will be important."
"He told me. It seems you rid the world of one enemy only for two more to take their place."
"True. We were lucky, I know that. We should have been destroyed by the three warbands but the Allfather watches over us."
As soon as we stepped into his hall a wall of heat struck us. My fingers began to hurt as blood rushed back into frozen joints. A slave brought over a jug of ale and a second fetched a red hot poker from the fire. The hiss of the metal into the foaming ale meant it would be hot and would be more than welcome. The journey had been hard for my son and soon he was curled up by the side of my chair, asleep. I spoke with Coen. Many ships called in and traded with this most ancient of people. They were given a warm welcome. The river could not accommodate large ships but knarr and other such vessels could easily navigate the estuary. As a result they prospered and gathered a great deal of information.
"King Coenwulf has died."
My first thoughts were that it was not natural and then I remembered him the last time he had spoken with me, at the peace talks, he had looked grey then. "It was his time."
"Aye, it was. His brother, Ceolwulf, rules. It is said he plans to attack the Welsh for his father had already gathered an army for such a venture."
I breathed a sigh of relief. We had made peace with the Mercians but it had been with the king and not his brother. If his brother fought the Welsh then he would not attack us. It was another reason I had advised my captains not to raid them. There were other targets which would yield more and bring us less danger.
"Perhaps your brother will add to that news. And has Man caused any problems?"
The Vikings of Man were pirates and they preyed on the ships which plied the Hibernian sea. They were wise enough to desist from attacking our ships and those of our allies but sometimes a headstrong young captain would risk the wrath of the Dragonheart.
"We have lost no ships although we sail with other ships. My knarr are sailing now with Siggi to the northern isles. Siggi has much experience and can smell trouble."
Food was laid on the table. Coen's wife looked at my son as though to wake him. I shook my head, "He will wake when he is hungry. Let him rest."
Coen was curious about Kara and Aiden. "Your daughter has much courage. My brother said she would sail beyond the Pillars of Hercules into the Middle Sea. How can they do that?"
"She and her husband have powers we do not understand my friend but I do worry about her. The spirits watch over them. At least I hope that they do."
Despite my worries I spent a quiet and leisurely evening with my old friend and I slept well. The next morning we woke to a sky which was blue and clear but the ground was frozen as hard as one of Bjorn's swords. There was a sheen of ice on the river. The fishing boats were already far out to sea taking advantage of the benign waters. They were still and flat. Wrapped against the cold Gruffyd and I watched all morning for the sight of a sail. We saw none. As we headed back to the palisade I said, "We will return home on the morrow. I cannot conjure Raibeart and my knarr. He will come when he will come."
"When the first grass grows will I begin my warrior training in earnest with the other boys?"
"Are you ready?"
"I am. I have practised pulling my new bow each day. Soon I will be able to send an arrow a hundred paces. Already I feel my muscles growing. I am taller, am I not?"
"Aye son, you are but there is more to being a warrior than size and weapons. You use your mind. But we shall address that over the next few months."
I spent a fretful night wondering where my captains was. We had saddled our horses and were preparing to leave when we heard a cry from the watch tower. Three sails from the west! One is a drekar!"
We had all learned to fear such sightings and I drew my sword. Gruffyd drew his seax.
"Warriors to the walls!"
We led our horses back inside the palisades. It was with some relief that we heard the cry, "It is Raibeart ap Pasgen and Siggi! Our ships have returned."
I handed our reins to a stable boy and hurried back outside. At last we would have news! Even though it was cold we watched as the three ships tacked their way inshore. The two knarr landed first and I watched impatiently as Raibeart edged 'Red Snake' close to shore. Coen ap Pasgen joined me; he was wrapped in a thick cloak made of the skins of squirrels. He smiled, "I am as pleased as you are Jarl. He is my little brother still."
Raibeart must have known how eager we were for news. He leapt into the shallows and hurried to us. "By the Allfather it is cold! I hope I can stay inside our halls for the rest of winter. Ran has sowed ice in the sea!"
"Come, we will go in your brother's hall but tell me, are my family safe?"
"Aye Jarl. We had a good voyage to the land of Corn Walum. When last I saw them the knarr was flying. The journey north was less pleasant. King Coenwulf is dead."
"That we know."
"And the Mercians attack Gwynedd."
"That we did not know."
"I heard naught of Ragnar Ruriksson. Jarl Thorfinnson has had some trouble. Harald Black Teeth has stolen a drekar and left the islands with those warriors who disliked the rule of the Jarl. It is said they have joined with the warriors who fled Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson. He now has two drekar. He told us to beware them for they have no honour."
"And that is it? There are no other dangers to our land?"
"Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer has a tight hold on the lands of Hibernia. None will dare raid this land from there. The men of Man fight amongst themselves."
"And King Egbert?"
"King Egbert has designs upon Northumbria and Mercia."
"Has he heard of the treaty I made with Eanred?"
"None of those with whom I spoke knew of that yet. I suspect it will come as a surprise. You have time, lord, to find a jarl for Seddes' Burgh and for us to make our land strong."
"You have done me a great service, Raibeart."
He laughed, "Lord, you let me do that which I most love." He shivered as a cold wind came from the north. "But I hope that I do not need to do so again until the new grass grows."
"I hope so too. And the rest of the world?"
"Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson had been in Dyflin. He had raided in Austrasia. They captured a great deal of treasure there from the monastery at Jumièges. He is doing well. His younger brother sails with him."
"Good. I am happy for him. I wonder how their father fares without them."
"However there is also bad news from Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson. Some of his men murdered one of his crew and slaughtered some fishermen. A price is now upon their heads."
"Who led these outlaws?"
"A man called Hermund the Bent."
"Then we will watch out for him. Thank you once more."
I was quiet as we headed north. I was pleased with Gunnar. I was happy for his success. He was
a good jarl. I had been lucky that he had chosen to serve with me. It was easier said than done to find a good jarl. Leaders like Sigtrygg, Ketil and Ulf were rare. We lived in an unforgiving land. A leader had to fight the elements as well as his enemies. Once again I missed Aiden and his advice. We saw the Water to our right as we emerged from the forest. There was a sheen of ice upon it. It would be a hard winter. The Water had frozen over before now but it was a rare event. We paused to let our horses rest and for them to drink some of the icy water from the stream which bubbled into the Water.
"You are quiet, father. Did Raibeart say something to disturb you?"
I shook my head, "No it is just that I will need a jarl for Seddes' Burgh and it is a hard decision. The men from Cyninges-tūn would not wish to make a new home there. Their roots are here."
He nodded as he pondered my words. Eventually he said, "My brother, Wolf Killer, should make that choice. After all he will be the closest neighbour of this new jarl."
My son was young but his innocent eyes had seen what I could not. My son would make the jarl. It was the sort of decision he would make himself when he ruled in my stead. "Thank you my son. Your young eyes have seen what my old ones could not."
My son and his wife sometimes came over to visit with us at Yule. This year, however, Elfrida was with child and so I took my family across the frozen land. Erika was old enough now to travel. She was a quiet child and she clung to her mother. I thought it would be good for her to visit with her cousins. Garth was her age and a little roughness would not go amiss. Ylva and she were both gentle creatures. The Yule would be a chance for her to harden up. This was not a land for delicate flowers. The wild primroses which grew on the banks by the sea were as hard as Old Olaf's mountain. The girls would need to be as hard.
Elfrida was delighted to be hostess. Wolf Killer's men had laboured to build a dividing wall in his hall so that we had privacy for the four of us. She was also sensitive to Brigid's religion. She had made a small alcove where my wife could pray. Yule was a festival for us all. The main difference would be that my wife and daughter would mumble a prayer and kiss a cross before they ate. We would remain silent while they performed the ritual. I smiled as I saw Garth look puzzled as they did so. He was about to say something and I saw Ragnar lean over and whisper in his ear. The puzzled look was replaced by one of disappointment.
The feast was a fine one. Elfrida had been keen to repay my wife for her hospitality. Brigid had brought gifts for them all. It was something her Christian family had done in Wales. It was a ritual to do with a legend of men bearing gifts to the White Christ on the day of his birth. While they did do I sat with Wolf Killer.
"I think that you should choose the jarl who will rule at Seddes Burgh." He looked surprised. "This eastern part of the land is yours. I give it all to you. When first you came here it was to protect Cyninges-tūn from the east. You have done so. This land is yours. You should choose a jarl to protect the east for you now."
"You give me a great gift on this day of gifts. Thank you. Most fathers send their sons far away to make themselves safer."
He was thinking of Thorfinn Blue Scar. He was right. Many aging jarls had been overthrown by sons who wanted their lands. I suppose my background made me different. "If I cannot trust you, my son, then I might as well go to the cave of Myrddyn, lie down and await death. If you wish to colonise the land east of you then do so. I give you the land east of Grize's Dale."
He nodded, "I have a warrior in mind. He is the younger brother of Erik who died at Seddes' Burgh. He would have been with him but I was loath to lose two of my oathsworn and kept one with me. I see now that was a mistake. Einar Thordson shall be jarl. He has been both angry and sad at the same time since his brother died. This will give him the chance to channel that anger into something positive. The walls and ditches have been repaired. We shall select a garrison soon."
I wondered at the wisdom of placing an angry young man there but I had given the responsibility to my son and I would have to trust his judgement. "Aiden will be fetching a mason from Miklagård. When we have more gold we will begin to build in stone. We start with Cyninges-tūn and Elfridaby."
"Where will you get the gold?"
"If Neustria has so much that it can afford to hire the likes of Ragnar Ruriksson then we shall go there and find it! I intend to take my ships after the feast of Eostre. You are more than welcome to come and enjoy the raid." I smiled, "But you rule your own lands now. You make your own choices."
He laughed, "I am still oathsworn. I was Ulfheonar once. But I will see how my land lies before I desert it once more. Besides the 'Wild Boar' needs work. I will be using what little gold I have to pay Bolli to make her seaworthy again."
I knew my son had neglected his drekar. I had mine cleaned and maintained each winter. Bolli and his shipwrights would, even now, be making her as good as new for the next year's raid. In my view it was coin well spent. We headed home after the days began to grow longer and we knew that the new year was beginning. The weather relented a little and the air was not as cold as we rode back. It had been good for Erika to play roughly with her brother and her cousins. There had been tears and even a bloody nose but that was like life. It did not always run smoothly.
Once back in my home at Cyninges-tūn we awaited the arrival of Kara and Aiden. He had said they would spend Yule in Miklagård. They would be leaving for home sometime soon. I knew that I would not be able to settle until they were heading back up the Water.
Chapter 8
A month after Yule had passed and there was still no sign of my family. I went with Haaken and Gruffyd down to the ship yard on the river to see how Bolli was coming along with my ship. It was an excuse to be close to the sea in case news came. It was foolish but now that I was getting older my family was becoming increasingly important. Gruffyd did not mind my distraction. He pestered me to show him how to become a warrior and I had practised for a month with swords and bows. His strength grew daily and he had leapt up a hand span since Samhain. He had a new, bigger horse and he was keen to ride him. A trip to the south was an adventure! As for Haaken, he had had three months with Anya, his wife and his three girls. That was always too much for my oldest friend. He was desperate for the company of men.
I had told him of my decision regarding Wolf Killer. "I think that is wise. Your son is a good leader. A real Viking would not have done so. He would fear that his son would wish his title and his lands!"
"He can have both! So long as he does the job I do then my son can rule the land of the Wolf."
Gruffyd asked, "And what of me? Could I have it?"
"Ah so you were listening eh? Then if you were listening you would know that I said if he can do the job I do. Could you fight in a shield wall and lead the Ulfheonar?"
"Not yet."
"Then when you can come back to me and ask me the same question."
"But by then you may have given the land to Wolf Killer!"
"True." I turned and looked at him, "Then what would you do?"
"I love this land." He pointed up at Old Olaf. "I love the mountain and the Water."
"Then you would have to stay here and serve your brother." He was silent. Gruffyd was a deep one and often sat pensively.
We entered the forest. In winter it felt like one of the dark churches of the White Christ. In many ways it was our church and I always felt close to the spirits of the land as we passed through it.
Gruffyd broke the silence, "But if he did not want the Land of the Wolf and if I was strong enough to lead the warriors would you let me be Jarl?"
I looked him in the eyes. He was young but growing rapidly. He was not like me. I had had no ambition to be Jarl of the land of the Wolf. It had just happened. I could see now that Gruffyd was ambitious. "If you are ready then I would let you rule this land. But before you begin to think of that you must begin to understand the responsibilities."
"Responsibilities?"
Haaken laughed, "Aye, Gruffyd son o
f the Wolf! I have no desire to be Jarl of the land of the Wolf and to rule. Your father is responsible for all the people in this valley and the valleys beyond. If there is danger it is he who must deal with it. If there is famine he must provide. If the wolves howl and take the young it is he who must solve the problem. I can just hide up in my farm and watch out for my own family. The jarl of this land has to watch out for everyone. Be careful what you wish for; it may come true."
He said no more and he thought on Haaken's words.
Even though it was cold enough to make our words freeze in the air I heard banging from the river. Bolli and his men had my drekar out of the water and were replacing the gunwale on the steering board side of the ship. It was the part of the drekar which suffered the most damage. When my men clambered from the ship they sometimes had to rush and their mail would gouge lines in it. We had to replace it every couple of years.
Despite the cold Bolli was sweating. He stopped working to approach me. "An unexpected visit, Jarl."
"This year we shall have every drekar at sea. I came to make sure that the work was progressing. My son will be asking for much work on his drekar."
"Aye I know. It is not seaworthy at the moment. I would not sail her to Man and back."
I heard the criticism in his voice. I had to defend my son. "He lives far from the sea now, Bolli and he has been beset by enemies."
"I know, Jarl Dragonheart, and I meant not to be critical but you asked if the ships were sea worthy; that one is not."
"When will all of my drekar, my son's excluded, be ready for sea?"
"'Red Snake' has sailed the most and she will not be ready for a month or two. After Eostre then you can have your fleet."
It was later than I would have wished but I could do nothing about that. Bolli was right. I had had Raibeart sailing when his ship should have been in the yard. It was my fault. We spent the rest of the day examining the ship. I did not need to but it gave me an excuse to spend time in Úlfarrston. I could wait a couple of days for Aiden and Kara.