by Griff Hosker
“Then he does not know me. Ask him does he want us to deal with his nephew?”
When Baldr translated he was asked a question. “He says, what do you mean, deal with?”
“Tell him that I can take Pedro Theon prisoner and Lord Sunifred can hold him until Count Ordoño returns. I am guessing that not all of the men are loyal to his nephew?”
After an exchange Baldr said, “No. He says there are those who are still loyal to him.”
“Good. Then tell Lord Sunifred that this is what we will do.” I explained my plan. Both father and son nodded for I needed his son to help make the plan succeed. I knew that Sámr would not be happy about it for it was a risky plan. It relied on the men I led being better than the ones we faced in the stronghold. We parted after clasping arms and I headed back to the drekar with Baldr.
“You will only need six men to go with you, Jarl Dragonheart?”
“Let us just say that I would like more than six but the plan will not succeed with any more. We have to be invisible and we have to get into the citadel quickly.” I stopped, “This is risky, Baldr. If you think you cannot do it then I will take Aðalsteinn or Dagfinnr. They have the words.”
“I am happy to be coming.” He laughed, “I do not think that Sámr will be though!”
Chapter 11
Baldr was right, Sámr was not happy. I finally got him to calm down when I pointed out that if anything happened to me it would be up to him to get the rest of the crew home. He accepted it albeit reluctantly. I chose the two Hafþórrsson brothers, Haraldr Leifsson and Ráðgeir Ráðgeirson to come with me. They were all big men and could think on their feet. We just took swords and daggers. Helmets, mail and a coif would be unnecessary. We left once it was dark. We headed up the river and then cut back across country to approach the town from the north side, the side away from the river. A great deal depended upon Sunifred’s son, Guiterre. He was younger than Sámr. He had been a captive for some time. If he failed then we might be captured and that would be a disaster. We went to the north side for there was no gate there. The rocks upon which the wall was built were like a cliff. We would need help to ascend. Guiterre would throw down a rope and we would climb into the citadel.
We reached the far side of the walls. We knew how to scout and we peered into the dark to identify where the sentries watched and patrolled. The sentries on the wall had a brazier at each corner. We waited in the shadows and watched as the solitary guard on our wall patrolled up and down. It soon became quite clear that there was just one. When he reached the tower, he seemed to spend some time at the brazier. There he spoke to the sentry from the east wall. Guiterre would have to wait until the sentry took a rest or relieved himself. We were just fifty paces from the walls and we would have to react quickly. This was why I had only brought six men with me. Even the seven of us might be seen.
We did not see the youth but sharp eyed Baldr spotted the rope as it snaked down the wall. “There!”
We ran. I was the slowest but not by much. Haaken struggled too. Baldr reached it first and he held the rope tight to enable the others, who were much stronger, to ascend first. The four of them did it so quickly that by the time Haaken and I reached the wall two were on the fighting platform and two were almost at the top. I held the rope to allow the other two to climb and when Baldr reached the top I started to climb. Suddenly I found myself rising through the air as the two Hafþórrsson brothers hauled me up.
When I reached the fighting platform Ráðgeir was walking towards us. “I have laid out the guard and tied him up.” He shrugged, “He was an old man.”
“Baldr!”
Baldr spoke urgently to Guiterre and then pointed to the left. We let them lead the way. I did not like it for I was reliant upon someone I did not know but we had no choice. When we reached the bottom of the steps Guiterre held up his hand. He peered around and then gestured for us to follow. The corridors were lit by torches in sconces. It made for areas of shadows between them. Although it was night time, it sounded as though people were still awake. I heard laughter. I doubted that the laughter emanated from Guiterre’s father. I worked out that we were on the floor above the great hall in which we had been received. That meant we were on the floor where people slept. It was an enormous citadel. We passed through two doors. We had not seen any sentries. I suppose that made sense. They had the walls protected. Why should they guard the inside?
I saw Guiterre stop at a door and listen. He frowned and hurried back to Baldr. He whispered in his ear. Baldr came to me and spoke quietly, “He said that Lord Theon is not in his chamber. He thought there was something odd when the guard was not at the door. They must be downstairs in the hall.”
This was a complication. I whispered, “Tell Guiterre to fetch his father and as many men as he can trust to the Great Hall. We shall have to confront them there.”
He nodded and while he told Guiterre what to do I drew my sword and the others copied me. From now on I would lead. Guiterre hurried off back down the corridor. We walked ahead. We opened the door and the noise became much louder. The light was brighter and we could feel the heat from the room. We had no idea how many people were there. It could be four or five. Equally there could be twenty. I had six men with me and one was a youth. This would not be easy. I saw the top of the stairs ahead. They followed the west wall. I gestured for the others to remain where they were and I slipped along the shadows to the head of the stairs. The top corner was also in shadow. If any looked up then they might see me but I had to have an idea of what lay before us. I did not run. I moved along the back wall as slowly as I could. There was a balustrade which overlooked the hall. As I moved, I saw a table through the pillars and there were twelve men seated around it. Two servants stood by the fire but their attention was on the table. I recognised Pedro Theon and Lord Aloitez. The others were unknown. They were drinking and at least half were drunk. I saw two with their faces in their platters. There was no time to delay. As I started to move down the stairs, I waved for the others to follow. Baldr would be the last, Ráðgeir would see to that. He was not experienced enough to be at the fore.
I made it half way down the staircase, which was both long and wide, before I was seen. It was a servant who spied me. I saw his eyes widen and, as his mouth opened, I hurried down the last few steps. He shouted something and pointed. All eyes turned to me. Only Benni and Beorn were with Ráðgeir and in sight. The other three were still at the top of the stairs. With the exception of the servants, the two drunks and Pedro Theon every hand went to a weapon. They rose and lurched towards me. I drew Wolf’s Blood and as the first sword came down towards my head, I blocked it with my sword and used Wolf’s Blood to rip through the tendons of the man’s right hand. The blade fell to the ground and I pushed him from me. The sound of cries, the clash of steel and the shouts of the Lord of Tui would bring others. We had to have him in our hands by the time help arrived.
“Baldr, take the Lord of Tui!”
“Aye, lord.”
Two men came at me. They had seen how I had dealt with the first one and they came at me from two sides. They had had a great deal to drink and they saw my grey hairs. Even with odds of two to one I had an advantage. They would be over confident. As they both lunged, I held out Wolf’s Blood and I slashed with Ragnar’s Spirit. While I did so I stepped forward. I was rewarded by both my blades striking theirs. My step forward allowed me to pass them and spin around and I swung Ragnar’s Spirit at the lord to my right. He was confused by my movement and his sword struck air while mine scored a long line through his upper arm. As the second lord tried to take advantage and slash at me, I blocked the strike with my dagger and, bringing my weapon down point first, stabbed him in the thigh.
Lord Aloitez tried to make use of what he thought was my distraction. I sensed his movement and I whirled to fend off his sword with my own. He saw I had a dagger and he drew his. It looked like good Spanish steel. I did not worry. Mine had been made by the finest blacksmith in the
Land of the Wolf. He tried a sweep at my head while stabbing with his dagger. I parried his sword with my own but I did not try to block his stabbing blow. Instead I turned my body and the blade slid into my tunic merely grazing my side. In my left hand I held Wolf’s Blood. I flicked the razor-sharp blade up and ripped through the muscles of his left hand. The dagger dropped. He was shouting at me. I had no doubt they were curses. All around us the lords were losing to warriors who were fitter, better trained and sober. It was an uneven contest. My fear was that more warriors would be summoned and we would be outnumbered. I did not wish any deaths. Already my plans had gone awry. A death would only complicate matters. I would incapacitate the lord and end the battle.
Lord Aloitez had fear in his eyes. He began to flail rather than strike at me with his sword. If I had been able to speak his language, I would have told him to surrender. I could not and we fought on. I blocked his sword with mine. He made the mistake of trying to turn and force my sword hand down. My left hand, holding Wolf’s Blood, was held out for balance and, as he turned, he stepped into the end of the dagger. His eyes widened when the tip touched his flesh. He compounded his error for he tried to move away and merely succeeded in enlarging the wound as it tore a long line across his belly. He staggered away and sat on a chair at the table. He tried to stem the flow of blood with his right hand. I saw entrails with the blood. I had, accidentally, gutted him. I had not meant to do so. Wyrd.
Six men were down as Lord Sunifred entered. He had with him his son and the other two men who had been rescued by us. Along with them was a bishop and two warriors. He shouted something. As he held up his hands, I saw that Baldr had his sword at the throat of Pedro Theon. The other lords laid down their swords. The bishop raised his crozier and began to speak. He pointed at Pedro Theon who seemed to shrink before the cleric’s gaze. When he had finished speaking Sunifred pointed at Pedro Theon and the two warriors went to him and carted him away. Two priests came in to see to the four wounded lords. Lord Aloitez was beyond salvation. He was dead.
I looked and saw that my men were all intact. We had not suffered wounds. The Bishop and Sunifred spoke and then they waved Baldr over.
Ráðgeir came to me, “That was easier than we might have hoped, Jarl Dragonheart.”
I shook my head, “I am not sure about that. The Norns were spinning, Ráðgeir. I had planned on capturing the Lord of Tui without recourse to killing. I have slain an important man. He may have deserved death but, I fear, it has put us in danger.”
Beorn snorted, “Jarl Dragonheart, a Viking who is not in danger sits in Valhalla, drinking.”
After wiping the blade on my bloody tunic, I sheathed my sword and did the same with my dagger. Erik Shield Bearer would soon have his first lesson in cleaning and sharpening a blade. The others sheathed their weapons. While they waited, they went to the table and began to eat some of the food and drink the wine. They were warriors. Fighting gave them an appetite. I saw the priests look around to watch them. Distaste was written all over their faces.
Haaken came to me. He handed me a goblet of wine, “I watched the man die, Dragonheart. You could have done nothing about it. You did not try to kill him. It was as though some force pushed him onto your dagger.” He sipped the wine and nodded approvingly. “Could it be the spirits? Was it Aiden?”
I shook my head, “I did not sense his presence. The man was foresworn and perhaps it was his panic or, more likely, the Norns. When we rescued the captives, I thought it was good fortune but now I see it was a lure from the Sisters to entrap us. This voyage is not over yet. We have eighteen miles to get to the sea. Until we see its waters I will be armed and ready.”
Baldr came over. He sighed, “Lord Sunifred thanks you. The death of Lord Aloitez has made things more complicated, lord. He asks us to return to our ship, board it and await his men. He will send that which he owes at dawn and then you must leave.”
Beorn had heard the last part, “We run away? Why? I have seen nothing here to make me fearful. We could take this town with the ship’s boys.”
I shook my head, “Peace Beorn. We came here not to raid but to honour an oath we made at Portus Cale.” He nodded and I turned to Baldr, “What was the purpose of the Bishop’s presence?”
“He was an important part of the Lord Aloitez’ plans, lord. He arrived this afternoon and heard what Lord Theon had done. He had been told that Lord Sunifred was dead. It was Lord Theon who told him. He is foresworn. The Count may be angry with us but not Lord Sunifred.” He shook his head, “I think that they will blame us for this. The death of Lord Aloitez will be laid at the door of Vikings. The family of Lord Sunifred and the Bishop will know different but these are dangerous times. If word got out that Lord Theon had conspired with Moors to have Christians kidnapped then it might make the Count’s position untenable. He is planning an invasion of the land to the south. He is away, at the moment, gathering men. They will compromise and Lord Sunifred will regain the power that was lost.”
I nodded. It was wyrd. We had done nothing wrong and yet we would be blamed. Perhaps it was for the best. Beorn was right. We could easily take this town. Perhaps, one day, Sámr could return with ships and take all of the treasure of this town. “Come, let us return to the drekar. This night’s work is done.”
As we left, I saw that my men had taken the larger pieces of meat and a jug of wine. None tried to stop them. My men deserved it. We left the castle and walked through an empty town to the drekar. Lights burned at the quay and I saw guards. Sámr had heeded my words. He must have been watching from the drekar for he joined us. He looked happy to see us.
“I feared the worst. All went well?”
I shrugged, “The Norns were spinning. Baldr will tell you. I need to speak to Erik Short Toe.” Nearing my captain who lay asleep at the steering board, Erik Shield Bearer jumped up. “Find me a clean tunic from my chest. This one is bloody.”
“Aye lord.”
I shook my captain awake. “Aye Dragonheart?”
“We will be leaving this morning. We have outstayed our welcome. We await some chests and then we go.”
“We are ready. I will tell the boys. All went well?”
“It went the way the sisters determined it would.” Erik returned and I took off my sword belt. “Clean the sword and the dagger and then sharpen them.” He nodded. “Be gentle with them. They are older than you are.” I took off my tunic, my boots and my breeks. Naked, I dropped a bucket into the river then sluiced away the blood and sweat of the battle. It was not my steam hut nor was it my water but I needed to be cleansed. Turning the soiled tunic inside out I dried myself and then donned the fresh tunic. By the time I was dressed dawn was breaking. Sámr and the crew were aboard and the ship’s boys were scurrying around.
Haaken came over to me as Arne and Erik Short Toe prepared for sea, “The barrels of water and ale are secured?”
“Aye, Captain.
“We have more cargo to come aboard, remove the decking at the prow. There is space there.” He turned to me. “How many chests will there be Dragonheart?”
“I know not but however many there are that will be enough. It is an unexpected treasure. We should not worry about the quantity.”
The fires ashore had been dampened and I had had my weapons returned when Guiterre and six men carrying three chests made their way through a town which was just waking up. I went to the gangplank with Baldr and Sámr. Guiterre spoke to the men who carried the chests aboard. I noticed that the chests were the same size as the ones we used to row.
He spoke to Baldr. Baldr replied and then spoke to me. “He says that his father is grateful for what you have done but his position now, as Lord of Tui, means that he cannot be associated with the men who attacked the Count’s stronghold.” I nodded. “He sent the chests to make any prying eyes think that these belonged to you. They contain silver and spices. They are not filled with coins.” I smiled. That would have been too much to ask. “Guiterre says that he is sad that we will n
ot meet again for he admires us and you especially. You are older than his grandfather who walks with a stick and cannot see his own feet. You are a great warrior. He hopes to be as great as you are one day. He wishes to drive the Moors from his land.”
I stepped forward and held out my arm, “Farewell, Guiterre and good luck.”
He could not have understood my words, save, perhaps, his name but he smiled and clasped my arm. He said something. Baldr said, “He wished you good luck and God speed.”
I laughed, “Aye, Baldr but whose god?”
He then spoke to Baldr and took out a leather bag. He handed it to Baldr. They clasped hands and he stepped from the drekar.
The six men had returned ashore. Sámr shouted, “Ship’s boys, prepare to cast off!” We had no one on the shore to untie us and so the boys would untie and then leap back aboard. The three of us walked up the gangplank and then Sámr and Baldr pulled it aboard. The four ship’s boys untied the ropes and then leapt to the side. They clambered over the gunwale.
Erik Short Toe shouted. “Out oars!” The steerboard oars pushed us off from the quay and the current took us. Once we were clear of the bank Erik shouted, “Row! Haaken, a steady beat.”
Sámr and Baldr each had an oar. The two new members of the crew also had an oar. This would seal them into the clan better than any initiation ceremony. They shared an oar and were next to Baldr and Sámr. My great grandson had learned the subtleties of command.
I turned to Erik Shield Bearer, “Fetch me a couple of the bows we took from the Moors and a dozen or so of the arrows we bought. Have the ship’s boys keep a good watch to the steerboard side. Until we reach the sea then we are in danger.”