by Griff Hosker
"Ulfheonar!" I led my oathsworn as we hurled ourselves into the side of the horsemen who had seized the opportunity to fall upon the lighter armed men of Cyninges-tūn.
I swung my sword at the leg of one warrior. It severed it. Bright blood spurted out as he fell from his horse. We hacked and stabbed in the midst of them. I do not think that, as horsemen, they had ever been attacked so ferociously by men on foot before. We did not fear their horses and we did not fear their long spears. The Franks were used to fighting men who would give up when their lives were threatened. We were their worst nightmare. If you threatened any who were our kin then you risked the wrath of a Viking. When six horses had been slain and four riders lay dead they pulled back to reform.
"Cnut, get your men aboard and the ones who are wounded." My men formed a line behind me as I shouted, "If you come near then you will all die! We are from the land of the Wolf! Fear us!"
They would not understand my words but they would understand my defiance.
Haaken said, "Jarl, It is best we get aboard. I have spied a large warband coming up along the river."
"Aye, we have gambled enough! Fall back!"
The wounded and some of the dead had been carried aboard the drekar. As we crossed the barge and climbed aboard 'Heart of the Dragon' Aiden pointed downstream. "Jarl, they have dragged a chain across the river and they have landed warriors on the southern bank. The chain goes around a tree and is secured to the northern bank. We are trapped!"
"Not yet we are not. Tie the barge to our stern. Warriors to your oars!"
As I ran down the length of the drekar I saw that the chests of treasure and the wounded littered the decks. That was no good. We had to row. I reached Erik. He looked worried, "Jarl, we cannot turn around and they are bringing more warriors. If they use flames we shall burn!" It was every warrior's worst nightmare. A wooden ship could burn in a heartbeat.
"We are not dead yet. Lead the ships upstream and turn around the island. We will tie up between the island and the southern bank. We need to store the treasure and clear the decks. I want the masts raising."
He knew me well enough not to question my orders. He shouted to Guthrum to tie the barge to the stern rail.
I turned to the warriors. "Row like you have never rowed before." Putting my shield by my feet I took a chest next to Erik Siggison, a young warrior from Cyninges-tūn. "Let us see if an old man keep up with you, eh Erik?"
Haaken began the chant.
'Ulfheonar, warriors strong
Ulfheonar, warriors brave
Ulfheonar, fierce as the wolf
Ulfheonar, hides in plain sight
Ulfheonar, Dragon Heart's wolves
Ulfheonar, serving the sword
Ulfheonar, Dragon Heart's wolves
Ulfheonar, serving the sword'
It was some years since I had had to row but you never forgot how. I leaned into each stroke. You had to clear your mind of everything save the pull on the oar and the rhythm of the river. At first it was as though we were hardly moving for we towed a heavy barge. I should have had someone steering it. I had forgotten. Then we started to move a little faster and the air which washed over my face cooled me. I sang as lustily as any and I could hear the pride in Erik's voice as he shared an oar with the Jarl Dragonheart. I felt us slowly turning. Once we faced downstream then it became much easier. We had barely covered a ship's length when Erik shouted, "In oars! Rest!"
As soon as the oars were laid inboard the crew began banging on the deck and chanting my name. I shouted, "We cheer when we are home! Raise the mast and store the treasure. Put the wounded at the stern. Aiden come with me!"
The ships' boys had moored us to the shore and we leapt on to the island. I ran towards the other drekar shouting, "Counsel of war!"
The four leaders joined me. I saw that, although bloodied, none were badly wounded. "They have used a chain to stop us leaving and they have reinforced the southern bank. I have no doubt that other warriors will be coming. Have your masts fitted. We will sail down the river. I want six men from each crew, including yours Raibeart. They should be the best that you have." I smiled, "Not you, of course. I need you to command your ships. We will board the barge and sail her down to the chain. I intend to cut the chain and defeat the warriors. We will sail through on the barge after you have safely passed."
Sigtrygg said, "Jarl, you take too many risks. Let one of us do this."
"I have never asked another to fight my battles for me. I got us into this and I will get us out. Obey me!"
They nodded. I turned to Aiden, "I want a fire readying on the barge. They have other ships attached to the quay. I want the barge burning and sinking in the middle of the river to stop pursuit."
"Aye, it is a good plan." As we went back to my drekar he said, "Some of the taxes were in goods. The coin was all in the first barge. It is aboard our drekar."
I nodded. I saw that the mast was almost up. The sail would take longer. When we were next to the drekar I said, "Ulfheonar, leave that to the others. We are going to sail the barge. Cnut Cnutson, take charge of the drekar until I return."
His face came over the side, "I would rather fight with you, Jarl."
"I know but you know this drekar and you can command. You will have few enough crew as it is."
I led the Ulfheonar to the barge. "We sail this?"
"Aye, Finni the Dreamer but we do not have to row. We sail down to the chain. They have tethered it to a tree. We cut down the tree."
"And the Franks who guard it?"
"Those we kill, Leif!"
The twenty four men from the other drekar joined us. I knew that Raibeart would be even more shorthanded but he was a good captain and he had the smallest drekar. The river would have to do most of the work until his men could rejoin him. Aiden and Haaken led the men on board and started to lower the sail. I shouted up to Erik. "Cast off the barge, Erik. As soon as you see the chain is destroyed lead the ships through. You can pick us up on the other side. Do not lower the sail until we have cleared the danger. Have the boys and archers use their arrows." Ragnar and Gruffyd's faces appeared over the side as they heard my voice, "You two can make a difference today! Make your fathers proud!"
They both raised their bows in salute.
The barge was already moving. "Olaf Leather Neck and Rolf Horse Killer, find any who have axes. They can help you chop down the tree."
"Aye Jarl."
"Aiden, you steer!"
As Aiden allowed the current to take us the three quarters of a mile or so to the chain and the ever increasing warriors I turned to my men. "There will be less than thirty of us. We have to give Olaf and his axe men the time to cut down the tree and removed the chain. We fight in a shield wall three men deep. The Ulfheonar will be at the front. When the tree is down and the chain removed we get back on the barge. I want no heroes!"
"Aye Jarl!"
All of them showed the pride they had in being selected to stand alongside Jarl Dragonheart. If any fell then they would be welcomed in Valhalla. There was no greater honour. Each man had volunteered to come in search of riches and honour. Even if they fell their families would be rich and their memory honoured in song.
Aiden shouted, "Not long Jarl."
I turned to Erik Eriksson. He had been wounded in the battle with the Frisians. He could fight but he was not as mobile as others. Erik, guard Aiden! We cannot afford to lose our galdramenn. Not to mention our helmsman!"
"Aye Jarl."
I went to the side. Haaken, Finni, Leif and the rest of my Ulfheonar waited. The small boats were still ferrying men across the river. They had, however, no horses. These would be Franks fighting on foot and we already knew that they were not as confident on two legs. There were just forty of them but their numbers were growing. An idea formed in my mind. This was not a time to be defensive. I needed to be bold.
Turning to Haaken I said, "We drive them into the river. Let us show them that we are men to be feared!"
H
e grinned, "Aye Jarl. You have no shield, remember."
I took out my seax. "I need no shield!"
As the barge bumped next to the bank we leapt out. We were held there by the bank. Aiden had the steering board hard over so that the bow was caught in the undergrowth of the overgrown bank. I had no idea how he would get us off but I did not doubt that he would know a way.
I moved quickly towards the Franks. I needed all of my men ashore before we attacked. The Franks had some men in half mail and some without. All had a helmet and most had a spear and a shield. They were standing, not in a line but a loose sprawl. They knew the danger and were guarding the end of the chain. They were waiting for more numbers to arrive. I glanced beyond them. Each boat seemed to be bringing ten men. Even as I watched another twenty were landed. As they were below the chain they had a hundred paces to run. We had time.
I raised my sword, "Charge!"
The Ulfheonar were next to me and we were not restricted by houses and buildings this time. We naturally formed an arrow with me at the fore. Apart from me every warrior had a shield and they held them before them. The Frankish shields were half the size. I picked out a leader. He had mail to his knees and a helmet with a nasal and a plume. He had in his hand a long Frankish sword. It was the sort their horsemen used.
I heard him shout something to his men and he made the mistake of looking down his line. I did not need to. I knew that my men were keeping pace with me. He swung his sword at me as I ran the last four paces. I was so quick that I was able to ram my seax against his hand so that he could not complete his swing. Instead of swinging my sword I punched the pommel at his eye. I only had a small hand guard but it mattered not. It still squelched against his eye. I pulled my hand across his face and the eye came with my sword. It also knocked his helmet from his head. He had forgotten to tie his thongs. I pulled back my seax and rammed it into his other eye. He would not be left blinded for the blade entered his skull and he fell at my feet, dead.
I did not pause but swung my sword at the spear man who stabbed at me. I deflected the spear and it ground against my mail. My sword caught the edge of his shield and drove across his arm. It tore into the muscle and the tendons. He dropped the shield. I slashed my seax down his face and he fell to the ground. We had cleared the tree. So ferocious was our attack that fifteen men lay dead and another four were badly wounded. We rolled on towards the ones who had just landed. They had not formed a line. We tore into them. They made the mistake of standing and they tried to stop us. We were big men. We wore mail and we had done this since we were children. It was as though we were fighting priests. They waited for our strikes. A Viking can fight with his sword, shield, head and knees all at the same time. I slashed my sword across the neck of one warrior as I plunged my seax into the gut of a second.
I heard the sound of axes behind me. Olaf and his axe men were at work. We were no longer a solid mass of warriors. Some of the other crews had paused to slay wounded men or to finish off men who still stood. It was just the Ulfheonar warband which attacked the twenty men who had just stepped ashore. I had slain so many men that the edge had gone from Ragnar's Spirit. I was now using it as an iron bar. As such it was still very effective. It could still break arms and render men unconscious. As we hurried to attack these fresher warriors I sheathed my seax and drew my dagger. It was razor sharp and had a vicious point.
A wild warrior swung a long pole with an axe head on the top. He flailed it at me in an attempt to keep me at bay. I ducked beneath it and lunged upwards. My dagger tore him open from his groin to his gut. I sprang to my right as two Franks with swords and small shields tried to take advantage of my position. Franks do not know how to use a shield as a weapon and I blocked both swords with my dagger and Ragnar's Spirit. Stepping forward on my left leg I smashed the heel of my right boot into the extended knee of one warrior. He screamed as it shattered and his leg bent back. As his companion stared in horror I swung my sword around. It broke the skin but, more importantly, his neck too.
As I finished off the Frank with the shattered kneecap with my dagger I heard a crash as the tree fell and then Aiden as he shouted, "Jarl, back to the barge!"
The Ulfheonar were covered in blood and spattered with gore. Yet we were unbowed. The Franks who remained had retreated to the water's edge fearful of another attack. Behind me the rest of my warriors were advancing. We had taken enough chances, "Back to the barge! That is an order!"
Before they obeyed every Ulfheonar began to howl. The others banged their shields. If anything it made the Franks recoil even more. As we made our way back to the barge I saw 'Heart of the Dragon' as she sailed down the river. Those on board also banged the shields in time to the ones on the shore. It was an impressive display. I was the last one to board the barge. The huge chestnut tree which had been felled was another reminder of the power of my warriors. Stepping on to the barge I raised my sword, "Ragnar's Spirit!"
Chapter 10
The Frankish ships kept their distance but warriors watched us from the northern bank. Those on the south cowered as we passed. The five drekar had all managed to pull in to the bank and our men scrambled aboard. After we had lowered the sail I waited with Aiden as he turned the barge so that it pointed north to south. He turned to me, flint in hand, "Jarl, climb the rope to the drekar. You have armour. If this goes awry I can swim."
I shook my head and shouted, "Throw down two ropes and be ready to haul!" I turned to Aiden. "We will go together."
He nodded and lit the pile of seal oil and kindling. The barge was bone dry and I did not doubt it would soon catch hold. Aiden shouted, "Run!"
We ran to the stern and grabbed a rope each. With the strongest warriors pulling we were lifted to safety. Erik shouted, "Let go the sail!"
The other four drekar were heading down stream. We had no need to row for we had the current and with a wind from the south east we would have little need to tack too often. I watched with Aiden, Ragnar and Gruffyd as the flames ran up the mast and ignited the sail. It was afire from bow to stern and began to settle in the water. They would find it hard to follow us!
I sat down on my chest. Gruffyd looked afraid, "Are you hurt, father? You are covered in blood!"
"And none of it mine. No, my son, I am just tired. I am no longer a young man who can fight all day and all night. I will just rest here awhile."
Erik did not look down but he asked, "Have you orders, Jarl?"
"Can we keep going until we reach the coast?"
He nodded, "If Aiden helps and does watch and watch about then aye. You are probably right. If we stop then we risk danger."
"Wake me if we find trouble."
"Aye Jarl."
Ragnar said, "And we will watch over you, grandfather."
I took off my sword, seax and dagger and handed them to Ragnar. I took off my helmet and gave it to Gruffyd. Then I took off my wolf cloak and placed it on the deck. I would use it as a bed. Finally I held my dragon amulet, "Thank you Allfather and the spirits of my ancestors. You have watched over me this day."
Then I lay down and was soon asleep helped by the gentle motion of the drekar which ghosted down the river. I dreamed.
I was walking through a forest with a bow and arrow in my hand. I looked down and saw that I was not wearing mail. I was hunting. Ahead I saw a clearing and a huge stag appeared. I began to move to get closer. At first I moved silently. I was the wolf and I was hunting. Even as I prepared an arrow I felt my feet sinking into a muddy morass. I could not move. The deer turned and its face changed to that of King Egbert. He laughed and I saw behind him was Ragnar Ruriksson. The Frisian pulled back on his bow and the arrow sped towards me. I could not move. When I went to raise my bow it had disappeared and I had paws and fur; I was the wolf. I braced myself for the arrow but it did not strike me. Instead I heard a shout from behind me. When I turned I was no longer in the forest but upon the top of Úlfarrberg. As I looked out I saw hordes of Danes and they were heading for me. Racing to reach my
home I fell. I lost my balance and tumbled over and over. I sailed into the air. It was impossible. I was flying. I tried to reach the earth but I could not. I was heading for the moon. It grew larger and larger. Suddenly it changed from a bight golden orb to a black hole and I fell deep within it. I went down and down.
"Jarl!"
I looked up into Aiden's face. I could see that he had dreamed too, "The dream. What does it mean?"
He shook his head. "I saw only glimpses. Egbert and Ragnar the Frisian were there." He shook his head, "You were the wolf. I saw that but as for the rest... I know not. I am sorry."
I took his arm and raised myself up. "These dreams are sent to warn us of the future. We must become careful, Aiden. Mention none of this to anyone until we have worked out what it means."
"Aye Jarl."
The drekar still slipped along the silent river. I was awake now and I feared going back to sleep. I saw my son and grandson curled up close by. I went to the stern and made water. I turned to speak with Erik. A ship's boy, Siggi, ran up to me with a jug of wine. We had finished our beer and the wine had been in the barge already. I suspect it had been the guard's supply. I drank. It was rough and it was a little sour. As I handed it back I said, "Add a little water to it." It would not do to give my men unwatered wine.
"Aye Jarl."
Aiden stretched, "I will walk to the prow. Perhaps I can see through the darkness of night." Turning to Erik he said, "I will relieve you when I return." Erik nodded.
Speaking quietly I said, "How goes it Erik?"
"We have not seen any other ships or boats but I think that they have been warned about us. I have seen fires by the side of the river and heard cries of alarm as we ghosted by."
I nodded, "A rider could have sent a message downstream. I just hope that we do not meet another chain."
He laughed, "I am not sure your son and grandson could cope with you charging wildly at enemies armed with just a seax and a sword."