The Dragon and the Raven; Or, The Days of King Alfred

by G. A. Henty

  CHAPTER IX: A PRISONER

  When Edmund recovered his senses he found that he was being carriedalong on a rough litter through the forest. It was some little timebefore he realized his position and recalled the circumstances of theattack. After the Dragon had moved safely out into the fiord, itsassailants had returned to the spot where they had attacked the threeSaxons who had landed. Two of them were without life, but they foundthat the third, who, from his habiliments was evidently of higher rank,and whom they judged, although still but a youth, to be the commanderof the Saxon party, had only been stunned by the blow of the club whichhad felled him.

  It was at once resolved to carry him to the jarl of the district, whowould assuredly wish to learn from him the meaning of the coming of thestrange ship. That the Dragon was a Saxon vessel the Northmen weresure. Many of them had been on expeditions across the seas, and knewthe Saxons both from their dress and manner of wearing their hair, butthe ship was unlike anything they had seen before, and it seemed aboveall things strange that when, as they understood, England had beencompletely conquered, Saxon warships should be entering a northernfiord.

  For many hours Edmund was carried through the forest. He wondered tohimself whether he would be slain on his arrival or kept as a slave,for the Norse and Saxon tongues were so similar that he was perfectlyable to understand the language of his captors. A party of twelve menaccompanied him, four of whom bore the litter, and were relieved atintervals by the others. After some hours the feeling of giddiness andweakness passed off, and on the men stopping to change bearers heexpressed his readiness to walk.

  Hitherto he had lain with his eyes closed, as he thought it better toremain as he was until he felt perfectly able to keep up with hiscaptors in a journey which might, for aught he knew, be a long one. TheNorthmen expressed their satisfaction at finding that their burden needno longer be carried, and throwing aside the boughs which had formedthe litter, proceeded with him on their way. They asked him manyquestions concerning the Dragon. Most of these he answered readilyenough, but he evaded those as to the place where she had been built,or the port from which she had sailed. It was not until late in theafternoon that they arrived at the abode of the Jarl Bijorn.

  It was a rough abode constructed of timber, thatched with rushes, foras yet the Northmen were scarcely a settled people, the tribes for themost part wandering in the forests hunting when not engaged in thosewarlike expeditions which they loved above all other things. Only theleaders dwelt in anything like permanent abodes, the rest raising hutsof boughs at such places as they might make any stay at.

  One of Edmund's conductors had gone on ahead, and as the partyapproached the building Bijorn came out from his house to meet them. Hewas, like almost all Northmen, a man of great stature and immensestrength. Some fifty years had passed over his head, but he was stillin the prime of his life; for the Northmen, owing to their life ofconstant activity, the development of their muscles from childhood, andtheir existence passed in the open air, retained their strength andvigour to a great age.

  So assiduous was their training, and so rapidly did their figuresdevelop in consequence, that at the age of fifteen a young Northmanreceived arms and was regarded as a man, although he did not marryuntil many years afterwards, early wedlock being strongly discouragedamong them. By Bijorn's side stood his son, who, though but twenty-twoyears old, rivalled him in stature and in muscular development,although lacking the great width of shoulder of the jarl.

  As Edmund approached, a war-horse of the jarl fastened up to a postclose to the entrance of the house neighed loudly. Bijorn lookedsurprised. The neighing of a horse among the Northmen was regarded asthe happiest of auguries, and in their sacred groves horses were tiedup, as the neighing of these animals was considered an infallible proofthat a propitious answer would be given by the gods to the prayer ofany petitioner who sought their aid.

  "By Thor!" Bijorn exclaimed, "my good war-horse welcomes the stranger.As I said to you anon, Sweyn, I had intended to offer him as asacrifice to Odin; but as the gods have thus declared him welcome hereI must needs change my intentions. Who are you, young Saxon?" he askedas Edmund was brought before him, "and whence do you come? And how isit that a war-ship of your people is found upon our coasts?"

  "I am Edmund," the young man said steadily, "an ealdorman of KingAlfred of the West Saxons. The ship which was seen on your coast ismine; I built it to attack the Northmen who harry our coasts. I am herebecause, when in chase of four of your ships, a storm arose and blew ushither."

  "You speak boldly," the jarl said, "for one in the hands of his foes.How old are you?"

  "I am twenty-two," Edmund replied.

  "The same age as you, Sweyn. Stand side by side and let me compare you.Ay," he went on, "he lacks nigh three inches of your height, but he ismore than that bigger across the shoulders--a stalwart young champion,indeed, and does brave credit to his rearing. These West Saxons haveshown themselves worthy foemen, and handled us roughly last year, asthis will testify," and he pointed to the scar of a sword-cut acrosshis face. "Doubtless this is the son of that Saxon earl who more thanonce last summer inflicted heavy losses upon us. Is that so, youngSaxon?"

  "I am the Ealdorman Edmund himself," the young man replied quietly. "Mysuccesses were won not by my own strength or courage, but by the valourof those under me, who, fighting in a novel manner, gained advantageover your Northmen."

  "By Thor!" Bijorn exclaimed, "and this is the youth who attacked us atnight and drove off the cattle we had taken and slew many of ourfollowers, Sweyn! Truly he would be a rare sacrifice to offer to Odin;but the god has himself welcomed him here."

  "It may be that he welcomed him as a sacrifice, father," Sweynsuggested.

  "Ah! that may be so," the jarl replied. "We must consult the omens tofind out the true meaning of my charger's neighing. Nevertheless ineither case I shall be content, for if he be not welcomed as asacrifice he is welcome as bringing good fortune; and in truth he willmake a noble cup-bearer to me. It is not every jarl who is waited uponby a Saxon ealdorman. But till the omens have spoken let him be setaside and carefully watched. In a day or two we will journey to Odin'stemple and there consult the auguries."

  Three days passed, during which Edmund was well fed and treated. At theend of that time he was ordered to accompany the jarl on a journey. Twodays' travelling brought them to a temple of Odin. It was a roughstructure of unhewn stones situated in a wood. Bijorn and his sonentered, while Edmund remained without under a guard. Presently thejarl and his son came out with a priest. The latter carried a white bagin his hand with twelve small pieces of wood. On half of these foursmall nicks were cut, on the others five nicks. All were placed in thebag, which was then shaken.

  "Now," the priest said, "you will see the will of Odin; the first threesticks drawn out will declare it. If two of the three bear an evennumber of nicks, the neigh of your horse signifies that Odin acceptedthe sacrifice; if two of them bear unequal numbers, then it meant thathis coming was propitious to you."

  The bag was again shaken. Edmund looked on calmly, for Saxons andNorthmen alike disdained to show the slightest fear of death; even thecolour did not fade from his cheek as he watched the trial upon whichhis life depended.

  The first stick drawn out bore five marks; the priest showed it to thejarl, and without a word dropped it in the bag again. This was againshaken and another stick drawn out; this bore but four notches; thechances were even. The silence was unbroken until the third twig wasdrawn.

  "Odin has spoken," the priest said. "The neigh of the horse indicatedthat the coming of this Saxon was propitious to your house."

  The jarl gave an exclamation of satisfaction, while Sweyn's browdarkened. Bijorn had indeed set his heart upon retaining this famousyoung Saxon leader as his slave and cup-bearer, and it was probablethat in his interview with the priest before the drawing hisinclinations had been clearly shown, for a slight difference betweenthe thickness of the sticks might well have existed and served as anindex to
the priest in drawing them.

  Bijorn, in his gratification at the answer of the god, bestowed ahandsome present upon the priest, and then rode back to his abode wellcontent with his journey. Edmund was at once installed in his newduties. Hitherto he had not entered the house nor seen the females ofthe family. Ulfra, the jarl's wife, was a woman of commanding statureand appearance. Like most of the northern women she had accompanied herhusband in his many wanderings, and shared his dangers and privations.The wives of the Norsemen occupied a far more exalted position in thehouseholds of their lords than did those of the people of southernEurope; they were not only mistresses of the house, but were treatedwith respect as well as with affection; they were not, as in the south,regarded as puppets for the amusements of an idle hour, but were thecompanions and advisers of their husbands, occupying a position atleast as free and respected as at the present day.

  There were two daughters, who both bade fair to resemble their motherin stature and dignity of demeanour, for both were models of femalestrength and activity. Edmund's duties were light. In the morning hegathered firewood for the household; at the meals he handed the dishes,and taking his station behind the jarl's chair, refilled his gobletwith mead as often as it was empty. Usually a large party sat down tosupper, for an expedition to France was talked of in the spring, andthe jarls and warriors often met to discuss the place of starting, thearrangements for the voyage, and the numbers which each leader wouldplace in the field. The feasts were kept up to a late hour, and, as wasthe invariable custom of the Northmen, the arrangements decided uponovernight were rediscussed at a morning meeting; for they held thatwhile over the wine-cup each man would speak the truth frankly andhonestly, the colder counsels and greater prudence which the morningbrought were needed before any matter could be finally settled.

  A month thus passed, and Bijorn, his family and followers then movedsouth, as there was to be a great conference near the southern point ofthe country, at which a large number of the chiefs from Denmark were tobe present.

  Edmund observed that for some reason Sweyn was looking forwardanxiously to this meeting, and his sisters more than once joked himabout his anxiety.

  "Pooh! pooh!" the jarl said one day in answer to such an observation."Sweyn is but a lad yet. I know what you are driving at, and that Sweynis smitten with the charms of my old companion's daughter, the prettyFreda; I noted it when we were in camp together; but it will be fullyanother ten years yet before Sweyn can think of marrying. He has got towin for himself the name of a great warrior before a jarl's daughter ofproper spirit would so much as think of him. When he has the spoils ofFrance to lay at her feet it will be time enough."

  Sweyn made no reply, but Edmund saw that he was far from pleased at hisfather's words, and a look of surly determination on his face showedthe young Saxon that he would go his own way in the matter if it lay inhis power.

  After ten days' travelling the party arrived at the rendezvous. Heredrawn up on the shore were a vast number of galleys of all sizes, forthe greater part of those who had assembled had journeyed by sea. Greatnumbers of huts of boughs and many tents constructed of sails had beenerected. Edmund and the other slaves, these being either Saxon orFranks captured in war, soon erected bowers for the jarl and his family.

  Edmund had been looking forward to the meeting with much anxiety, forhe had judged that some mode of escape might there open to him. Amongthe Saxon slaves were several young men of strength and vigour, andEdmund had confided to them his project of stealing a boat and sailingaway in it, and they, knowing that he had experience in navigation, hadreadily consented to join him in making an effort for freedom.

  The jarl and his family were warmly welcomed by many of theircompanions in arms, and the day after their arrival Bijorn told Edmundto accompany him to a banquet at which he and his family were to bepresent. At four in the afternoon they set out and presently arrived ata large tent. Edmund waited without until the attendants carried in thedishes, when he entered with them and prepared to take his place behindhis master's seat. From a few words which had passed between Sweyn andhis sisters Edmund doubted not that the companion with whom Bijorn wasgoing to dine was the father of the maiden about whom they had jokedhim. He was not surprised when on entering he saw Sweyn talkingearnestly with a damsel somewhat apart from the rest.

  The entrance of the viands was the signal for all to take their placesat the table. There were in all sixteen in number, and as nearly halfwere women the meeting was evidently of a family character, as uponoccasions of importance or when serious discussions were to take placemen alone sat down. As Edmund advanced to take his place, his eye fellupon the jarl who seated himself at the head of the table, and as hedid so he gave a slight start of surprise, for he at once recognized inhim the Northman Siegbert, whose ship he had stopped at the mouth ofthe Humber. From him his eye glanced at the girl by whose side Sweynwas on the point of seating himself, and recognized in her the maidenwho had besought her father's life. The dinner commenced and proceededfor some little time, when Edmund saw the girl looking fixedly at him.

  "Who is that who is standing behind your father's chair?" she askedSweyn.

  "A Saxon slave," he answered. "His vessel was well-nigh wrecked on ourcoast. Our people captured him and slew some of his followers, and theship speedily took to flight."

  "Father," the girl said in a clear voice, which at once attracted theattention of all, "unless my eyes deceive me the young Saxon standingbehind Jarl Bijorn is he whose ship captured us as we left England, andwho suffered no harm to be done to us."

  The Northman turned in his chair.

  "It is he, Freda, surely enough, though how he comes to be a slave hereto my comrade Bijorn I know not. Bijorn, my friend, I owe this youth adeep debt of gratitude; he had my life and the life and honour of Fredain his hands, and he spared both, and, slave though he may be of yoursat present, yet I hail him as my friend. Tell me how came he in yourhands? He is Edmund, the valiant young Saxon who smote us more thanonce so heavily down in Wessex."

  "I know it," Bijorn replied, "and will tell you how he came into myhands, and in truth he was captured by accident and not by any valourof my arm." The jarl then related the circumstances under which Edmundhad been captured, and the narrow escape he had had of being offered asa sacrifice to Odin. And Siegbert then told his guests at length theincidents of his capture by the Dragon.

  "He let me go free and without a ransom," he concluded, "and that partof my obligation I should be glad to repay, though for his gentlenessto Freda I must still remain his debtor. What say you, Bijorn, will yousell him to me? Name your price in horses, arms, and armour, andwhatever it be I will pay it to you."

  "In truth, Siegbert," Bijorn said, "I like not to part with the lad;but since you are so urgent, and seeing that you cannot otherwisedischarge the obligation under which, as you say, he has laid you, Icannot refuse your prayer. As to the price, we will arrange that anon."

  "Then it is settled," Siegbert said. "You are a free man, EaldormanEdmund," and he held out his hand to the youth. "Now seat yourself atthe table with my guests; there are none here but may feel honoured atdining with one of King Alfred's bravest thanes."

  The transformation in Edmund's position was sudden indeed; a momentsince he was a slave, and although he had determined upon making aneffort for freedom, he had known that the chances of escape were small,as swift galleys would have been sent off in pursuit, and it wasprobable that he would have been speedily overtaken and brought back.Now he was free, and would doubtless be allowed to return home with thefirst party who sailed thither.

  Siegbert at once tried to make Edmund feel at home, addressing much ofhis conversation to him. Bijorn, too, spoke in a friendly manner withhim, but Sweyn was silent and sullen; he was clearly ill-pleased atthis change of fortune which had turned his father's slave into afellow-guest and equal. His annoyance was greatly heightened by thefact that it was Freda who had recognized the young Saxon, and thepleasure which her face evinced when her
father proposed to purchasehim from Bijorn angered him still more. In his heart he cursed thehorse whose welcoming neigh had in the first instance saved Edmund'slife, and the trial by augury which had confirmed the first omen. Afterthe banquet was over Siegbert requested Edmund to relate his variousadventures.

  The telling of tales of daring was one of the favourite amusements ofthe Danes; Siegbert and his friends quaffed great bumpers of mead; andthe ladies sat apart listening while Edmund told his story.

  "You have a brave record, indeed," Siegbert said when he had finished,"for one so young; and fond as are our youths of adventure there is notone of them of your age who has accomplished a tithe of what you havedone. Why, Freda, if this youth were but one of us he would have thehearts of all the Norse maidens at his feet. In the eyes of a Danishgirl, as of a Dane, valour is the highest of recommendations."

  "I don't know, father," Freda said, colouring at being thus addressed,"that we should be as bold as that, although assuredly it is but rightthat a maiden should esteem valour highly. It is to her husband she hasto look for protection, and she shares in the honour and spoil which hegains by his valiant deeds, so you have always taught me."

  "And rightly too, girl. Next to being a great hero, the greatest honouris to be the wife of one. I pledge you, Ealdorman Edmund, and should beright proud were you a son of mine. You have told your story modestly,for many of the battles and adventures of which you have spoken areknown to me by report, and fame has given you a larger share in thesuccesses than you claim for yourself. 'Tis a pity you were not born aNorthman, for there is little for you to do in Saxon England now."

  "I do not despair yet," Edmund replied. "Things have gone badly withus, but the last blow is not struck yet. You will hear of King Alfredin the spring, unless I am mistaken."

  "But they say your King Alfred is half a monk, and that he lovesreading books more than handling the sword, though, to do him justice,he has shown himself a brave warrior, and has given us far more troublethan all the other Saxon kings together."

  "King Alfred fights bravely," Edmund said, "because he is fighting forhis country and people; but it is true that he loves not war norstrife. He reads much and thinks more, and should he ever come to hiskingdom again he will assuredly be one of the wisest and best monarchswho has ever sat on a throne. He has talked to me much of the thingswhich he has at heart, and I know he intends to draw up wise laws forthe ruling of his people."

  "We love not greatly being ruled, we Northmen," Bijorn said, "but foreach to go his own way as he wills, provided only he inflicts no illupon his neighbour. We come and we go each as it pleases him. Ourfleets traverse the sea and bring home plunder and booty. What need weof laws?"

  "At present you have no great need of laws," Edmund replied, "seeingthat you lead a wandering life; but when the time shall come--and itmust come to you as it has come to other nations--when you will settledown as a rich and peaceful community, then laws will become necessary."

  "Well," Bijorn said, "right glad am I that I live before such timeshave come. So far as I can see the settling down you speak of, and theabandonment of the ancient gods has done no great good either to youSaxons or to the Franks. Both of you were in the old time valiantpeople, while now you are unable to withstand our arms. You gathergoods, and we carry them off; you build cities, and we destroy them;you cultivate the land, and we sweep off the crops. It seems to me thatwe have the best of it."

  "It seems so at present," Edmund said, "but it will not last. Alreadyin Northumbria and in East Anglia the Danes, seeing that there is nomore plunder to be had, are settling down and adopting the customs ofthe Saxons, and so will it be in Mercia and Wessex if you keep yourhold of them, and so will it be in other places. The change is butbeginning, but it seems to me certain to come; so I have heard KingAlfred say."

  "And does he think," Sweyn said scoffingly, speaking almost for thefirst time, "that we shall abandon the worship of our gods and take tothat of your Christ?"

  "He thinks so and hopes so," Edmund replied quietly. "So long as men'slives are spent wholly in war they may worship gods like yours, butwhen once settled in peaceful pursuits they will assuredly recognizethe beauty and holiness of the life of Christ. Pardon me," he said,turning to Siegbert, "if it seems to you that I, being still young,speak with over-boldness, but I am telling you what King Alfred says,and all men recognize his wisdom and goodness."

  "I know not of your religion myself," Siegbert replied, "but I will ownwillingly that though its teachings may be peaceful, it makes notcowards of those who believe in it. I have seen over and over again oldmen and young men die on the altars of their churches as fearlessly andcalmly as a Viking should do when his time comes. No Northman fearsdeath, for he knows that a joyous time awaits him; but I am bound tosay that your Christians meet death to the full as calmly. Well, eachhis own way, I say, and for aught I know there may be a Christianheaven as well as the Halls of Odin, and all may be rewarded in theirown way for their deeds."

  Bijorn and his party now rose to take leave. "I will come across toyour tent in the morning," Siegbert said, "and we can then discuss whatpayment I shall make you for this young Saxon. I fear not that you willprove over hard to your old comrade."

  After Bijorn had departed Siegbert assigned to Edmund a place in histent as an honoured guest. Slaves brought in bundles of rushes for thebeds. Freda retired to a small tent which had been erected for heradjoining the larger one, and the jarl and Edmund lay down on theirpiles of rushes at the upper end of the tent. Siegbert's companions andfollowers stretched themselves along the sides, the slaves lay downwithout, and in a few minutes silence reigned in the tent.