by Griff Hosker
Chapter 7
When we led the horses into the camp there were looks of amazement from the younger warriors. They had not raided with us before. Sámr looked concerned. I shook my head, “Fear not, there were five warriors and they are dead. Their bodies are hidden but we need to raid sooner rather than later.” My more experienced warriors came to stand close to us as we spoke. “There are warehouses on the other side of the river. We would have to use the drekar to raid them. On this side there may be warehouses but we did not see any. We walked five miles before we found the road and saw the outskirts of the settlement on the southern side of the river. We spied two large houses. They are guarded.”
Haaken brought me over a horn of ale. We would soon run out. We were on the last barrel. I drank to give Sámr time to think. He looked up at the sky. The afternoon was wearing on and soon it would be dark. “What is the road like along the river bank?”
“There is no road. In fact, for much of the way there is no path either. We had to wade through the river.”
Lars Long Legs said, “That is better for it means that no one will be there.”
Baldr nodded, “And the gods have sent us four horses. I can ride and I know some others can. You say, Jarl Dragonheart, that there is a road ahead?”
“Aye. It is five miles or so from here.”
“Then we can pick up the road to the east of us. We saw it earlier today. We can ride to meet you and act as mounted scouts.”
Haraldr, still smarting from his earlier mistake, shook his head, “It will alert the Moors to our presence. Better we stay hidden.”
Sámr’s voice was commanding, “We can do both. A horse can travel faster than a man. We leave before dawn and Baldr and his riders an hour or so later. The Moors will not think anything untoward about men riding horses. If you wear cloaks and do not wear helmets then you might fool anyone who gives just a cursory glance.” And in that moment the plan was hatched. I had not had to say anything. Sámr had weighed up opinions and chosen his course. That was the mark of a leader.
Erik Short Toe had set the sentries and the ship’s boys guarded the drekar. We did not risk a fire. That would come when they knew that we were there. Haaken and I had campaigned so often together that we both chose the same place for our beds. We gathered leaves and grass to lay beneath our cloaks. Here, the air was so warm that a Viking needed nothing to cover him. We were just finishing when Haraldr and Siggi came over, “We am sorry we let you down, Jarl Dragonheart! You could have been killed!”
Haaken laughed, “Haraldr the gods have a better end for Dragonheart than to be ridden down by five black savages. Besides, they did not see us.”
“Haaken is right. You are not Ulfheonar. We have spent our whole lives doing this. Cnut, your father and grandfather spent every moment of every day honing skills to be able to hide in plain view. I am just sorry that you had to guard two old men who should be sat watching the sun set over Old Olaf.”
Siggi shook his head, “Jarl, I watched you today. Your movements were faster than mine and had I not known that you fought alongside my grandfather I would have taken you for a young warrior. The gods truly favour you.” They left us having made their apology.
I did not bother Sámr. All would be well. If he made mistakes then he would learn from them. I ate well and Haaken and I had the last two horns of ale from the barrel. They were almost like a stew. I slept a dreamless sleep. I was far from my homeland and far from the spirits who watched over me. This was as much a test for me as it was for Sámr.
I woke early. I needed to make water. Erik Short Toe was up already. “Will you warp the drekar into the middle of the river?”
He shook his head, “If Baldr rides east and you attack west then, as there is a rock between us and our enemies, we should be safe. Besides, putting the ship in the river will attract more attention.” He nodded towards Sámr who lay sleeping between Baldr and Bergil Sharp Blade. “He has done well.”
“He has my blood, Wolf Killer’s and Ragnar’s. If you add Erika to that then it should be no surprise.”
“And yet Mordaf and Ulla War Cry are not the same warriors.”
“Mordaf has none of Erika’s blood. He has Welsh blood in his veins and Ulla? The witch almost did for him. When he was taken at Syllingar it sowed the seed of fear. He will be a warrior but not a leader. The gods, not I, have chosen Sámr.”
I left Erik and went to wake Sámr. He smiled. In those few moments before he rose, he was like the small boy I had shown around the Water. I suspect, in his eyes, I had not changed but he had. I missed that small boy who followed me around and was so eager to emulate me. He was still copying me but in a different way.
“It is time to rise. We need to strike and strike quickly.”
“Aye, great grandfather. I am ready.”
I went aboard the drekar for I would be wearing mail and my helmet. I would carry my shield. Our best defence was to be prepared to face anything. With my helmet, mail and shield I was an Ulfheonar ready to go to war, I would hold Ragnar’s Spirit. Once I was armed, I went ashore and ate. I was not hungry but I knew that I would need something in my belly. I saw Baldr talking to the three young warriors he would take with him. I waved him over.
“Aye Dragonheart?”
“Take no chances today. At best you are a diversion. Sámr will need you when he leads the clan.”
“I know but riding a horse is what I was born for. We will not let Sámr down. I will be cautious but I will be there should the clan need us.”
“Good.”
Haraldr and Siggi led the warriors off. Haaken and I were behind Sámr and the men of Cyninges-tūn. Ráðgeir, Benni and his brothers were with them. Our most experienced warriors were around Sámr. The sun was up when we reached the road. The farms and houses which we had passed could be raided on the way back. The hall which we had seen by the river and the road was a better target. We waited in the woods while Ráðgeir Ráðgeirson and Sámr scouted it out. They returned after a short time.
“There are eight Moors and Arabs with weapons. They have a granary with sacks of grain. There is a fountain!” Sámr pointed out the architectural feature only because it told us that this was a rich home. “Great grandfather, I would have you and the men of Cyninges-tūn head along the river and cut off the escape route to Portus Cale.”
His eyes pleaded with me and I nodded, “Of course. Will you signal when you need us?”
Relieved he said. “Aye!”
I let Ráðgeir lead us off. I had Ragnar’s Spirit in my hand and I had slipped my shield around to my front. We did not use the road. We went along the edge of the river. There was no path and, sometimes, we had to step into the water. Ráðgeir then led us through scrubby growth to the road. We had barely reached the position when we heard the clash of steel on steel. There were shouts and screams. Sámr had launched his attack.
“Ráðgeir, divide the men in two. Half watch Portus Cale, the rest form a shield wall with Haaken and me.”
Haaken and I stood in the centre and men formed along each side of us. There were only ten of us. The bulk of the men were with Sámr. We had barely locked shields when I heard the thunder of horses. Four Arabs, wearing conical spiked helmets and with spears and small shields, appeared ahead of us. They had obviously fled Sámr’s attack and that boded well for it meant we had divided the warriors who would face Sámr and the others. These four were going for help. We must have looked a pathetically thin line. They could not see Ráðgeir and the rest of the warriors for they were twenty paces down the road. The Moors came for us and I watched them pull back their spears. They had not fought Vikings before. They thought we would flee. We would not.
Haaken and I were in the centre and the two spears came for our heads. Considering he had but one eye Haaken had amazing reactions. His shield flicked up almost contemptuously to fend off the shield as he swung his sword at the horse’s head. When the horse was hacked in the neck its body crashed into Haaken, knocking him
to the ground. There was a gap. The spear which came for me was aimed at my eye. I watched it come towards me. I did not flick my shield I punched it at the head. The spear shattered and splintered. The Moor lowered his shield to block the sweep from my sword. I swung it around. My blade followed his horse which headed for the gap between me and the prostrate Haaken. The edge of Ragnar’s Spirit slid over the cantle and then tore through the mail covered tunic of the warrior and into his back. I felt the blade jar on his spine. He threw his arms in the air as his back was broken. Even though he was prostrate Haaken rolled away from the hooves of the riderless horse. Beorn and Benni both swung their axes at the two riders who followed. Even as they were hacked from their horses, the warrior whose horse had knocked over Haaken was being butchered by my warriors. No news would reach Portus Cale.
Leaving Ráðgeir to watch the road I led my men to the hall. By the time we reached it I saw that all of the guards and the lord lay dead. The locals were cowering in fear. As I approached, I heard Sámr say, “Baldr, speak to them. Tell them that if they tell us where their lord keeps the treasure then they will come to no harm.” I smiled to myself. My great grandson would not harm these ordinary folk in any case.
“The rest of you find wagons and begin to load the sacks of food.” He sheathed his sword and I sheathed mine. I took off my helmet and let my coif slip over my shoulders. The day was hot and I was sweating. I saw why the local warriors did not wear mail. “Did Baldr find anything?”
“On the road leading here, he spied a large hall. It was in the hills about a mile from the road. He and the others were not seen for they sheltered in woods. It is much larger than this place.”
“Word will soon spread that there are raiders.”
He nodded, “I thought to head there when we have recovered the booty. We have more horses. Baldr can take men and wait at the road which leads from the hall.”
“The men will be weary.” I was not complaining. I was stating a fact.
“I know but, as you say, if we do not try to take it now then we may not have another opportunity.” He shook his head, “These decisions which you made look easy are hard!”
“Aye, but you are choosing the right paths.”
Baldr came over to join us. “These people have been badly used. They beg us to tie them so that when they are discovered, they will not be punished.”
I nodded, “Make it so. Haraldr fetch Ráðgeir and the rest of the men. We will be moving sooner rather than later!”
It was noon when we reached the drekar. Baldr led seven others to watch the road. One of those who had been with him when he had discovered the hall waited with us. We had sacks of wheat, salted meat, wine and some ale. Baldr had discovered two chests of coins. I had nodded, “That will be tax money. From what I have been told the Caliph demands much gold from his subjects. Perhaps that is why the workers are so ill-treated.”
Sámr said, “You need not come. You have both done more than many others.”
Haaken shook his head, “Do not let the odd strand of white hair on my pate fool you, Sámr Ship Killer. The Dragonheart and I may not be as fast as we once were but we can march all day and fight all night if we have to!”
In truth I was weary and aching. The wound in my leg had healed but I had felt twinges as we had marched. The wine we had drunk and the slices of salted pig meat helped revive me and we set off through the woods. The ship’s boys and Erik Short Toe would load the drekar.
The wood became thinner and more open as we approached the road. We passed an abandoned charcoal burner’s hut. Then we reached the road and Baldr’s guide led us along it, west. I was pleased when Sámr ordered us all off the road and into the scrubland which lay to the south of the road. We could still be seen but our numbers were harder to determine. I still had my helmet hanging from my sword hilt and my coif was around my shoulders. Like the other veterans we carried our shields upon our backs. Some of the younger warriors carried them on their left arms. They would learn.
We did not see Baldr and his men, when we reached the stone track which led up into the hills. He and his young warriors had hidden their horses. They ghosted up to us. Baldr pointed towards Portus Cale, “A carriage and many riders headed that way not long before we spied you. We let them go but I fear that they are heading to Portus Cale. They will pass the house we raided.”
Sámr’s face fell. Haaken said, “It is the Norns, Sámr, that is all.”
I was still hopeful, “Aye Sámr, your plan still works in fact if riders accompanied the carriage then there will be fewer guarding the hall but daylight burns and each moment we dally places us in greater jeopardy.”
“Baldr, have two men stay here with the horses. They can give us warning. The rest of you, spread out and let us approach this hall.”
We let the younger ones spread out before us. This was part of Sámr’s training. I noticed that Ráðgeir and the men of Cyninges-tūn were close behind Sámr. Haaken and I were at the rear. I slid up my coif and donned my helmet. I drew Ragnar’s Spirit.
They had cleared the land on the hillside and terraced it. There were olive trees and some vines. It meant we had no cover for the last five hundred paces and there were men on the low wall. There were not many of them. The afternoon sunlight glinted off their helmets and I counted only three but, as we dodged and ran between the trees and vines, we were seen. There was the sound of a bell and the gates slammed shut. The younger warriors were keen, too keen. Sven Einarsson paid the price for not holding his shield before him and he was struck by an arrow. He was two hundred paces from the walls. These Africans had bows which were as powerful as a Saami bow. I saw that more men now manned the walls. There were at least twelve and they all had bows. The others heeded Sven’s death. Beorn and Benni ran to flank Sámr and they held their shields before them. I heard arrows thud into their shields. The walls would not present a problem. They were barely three paces high. As I stepped over Sven’s body an arrow thudded into my shield.
“Haaken, make for the gate! I do not relish climbing a wall!”
“Aye, Dragonheart. Let these young wolves make the leap! We have leapt enough ere now.”
I saw Sámr organizing the men to climb the walls. We had made a mistake. We had not brought any bows. If we had then we could have kept down the archers. I saw another young warrior, Lars Eriksson, struck by two arrows. He was another who would not return to Cyninges-tūn. There were men on the gate. Siggi and Haraldr were with us and we held our shields above us as stones were dropped from the fighting platform. If the stones could be lifted then they would not damage our shields. Only part of the stone wall would damage them. Einar Long Fingers had an axe and he ran up to the gate. I could hear the sound of battle above us. Einar swung at the tiny gap between the two gates. His blade bit into the bar which held it. He was very accurate and, through the tiny gap I saw four men begin to brace it. Einar’s fourth blow shattered the bar and I shouted, “On three push! One, two, three!” There were five heavy mailed men pushing and just four Moors holding the gate. It was no contest. The gates burst asunder. Two of the Moors kept their feet and they ran at Haraldr and me. The curved sword had a good edge and that worked to my advantage. It bit through the leather covering of my shield and stuck in the wood. I swung my arm left and his half-naked body was exposed as his shield was drawn aside. Ragnar’s Spirit gave him a quick death as I scythed into his side.
I looked up as the others were despatched. They had a tower. The gate was half way up its stone face and the only access was along the fighting platform, “Follow me!”
I led my handful of warriors towards the ladder which led to the fighting platform. There were two archers on the top of the tower. They began loosing at us as we ran along the platform. Arrows smacked into my shield. One clanked off my helmet but we came to no harm. This time there was no gap for Einar to use. He would have to hack at the places where the planks were joined. Haraldr, Haaken and I held our shields above Einar as he methodically began to
hew large slivers of wood from the gate. I looked down into the courtyard. Sámr and the others had cleared the walls and were heading to the hall. That was the right thing to do but there would be Moors and Arabs within the tower. Benni Hafþórrsson and Beorn Hafþórrsson raced up the ladder to join us. Beorn also had an axe. He helped Einar to demolish the door.
The door opened outwards and so it took longer for us to break in. As we did so we were confronted by a Moor who wore armour. He was a big man and he filled the stairway. While Benni Hafþórrsson pushed his shield into the warrior’s face, his brother, Beorn Hafþórrsson swung his axe beneath the Moor’s shield to hack through his legs. The two of them scrambled over the dying man’s body and raced up the stairs.
Had they had more defenders within the tower we might have struggled to take the stronghold but the only other warriors were on the top of the tower loosing arrows at Sámr and the rest of our men in the courtyard. As we burst into the open, then the four of them turned to send their arrows at us. Benni and Beorn held their shields before them and the arrows thudded into the wood. Haaken and I ran towards the nearest archer. He managed to send an arrow in my direction. It struck my shield as Haaken took his head. The defenders now dead, we were able to survey the scene below us. Sámr and his men were in command.
Benni Hafþórrsson’s hand pointed to the west, “Jarl Dragonheart. There are riders approaching from Portus Cale!”
I looked where he pointed. It looked like the ones who had left earlier had discovered our handiwork and were returning to their hall. The battle was not yet over!
Chapter 8
I cupped my hands, “Sámr! Riders are approaching. The fight is not yet done!” I turned to Haraldr, “You and Benni stay here. Use the bows and keep us informed of the movements of the enemy.”