Varangian (Aelfraed) (11 page)

We hove to at St. George Island.
  There we were safe and we could see to our wounds and our dead. St. George Island is a bare place but there was enough wood to provide kindling and we made biers from the huge shields which had served their purpose. We laid the warriors together, with their weapons atop a bier and, after we had sent Siggi and the rowers to the next world we said goodbye to our friends.  They had fulfilled their oath and died well. Gunnar told me that Olaf had died protecting my back; an action which cost him his own life. After the flames had consumed them and there was just Gunnar and my men left I asked, “Did the Pig and Olaf have family?”

“I do not think so Aelfraed.
  Why do you ask?”

“I would send their share of the profits to their families.”

Gunnar and my men looked at me as though I had spoken Chinese. “When a man dies it just means more profit for the leader.  You have the profit Aelfraed.”

I shook my head and looked at Eric. “When we reach Miklagård and the accounts are done then share the money due Pig and Olaf between the rest of you. Ridley and I came here not for profit but to fight the Norman.”

Eric looked stunned.  “But your profit my lord, what of that?”

“I told you, I take no profit from this voyage.
  You will all share what was due me.” Ridley nodded and we clasped arms. What did we need with coin we both had enough waiting with the Jews of Miklagård.  These warriors had shown me loyalty which I would reward.

With the mast stepped and the oars shipped we sailed swiftly down the Dnieper towards the Black Sea.
  We saw many Pechengs as we sailed swiftly south but they were always in the distance, watching for us to make a mistake or fall foul of the river but Jarl Gunnersson was too wily a sailor for that. I spent some time with him in the weeks which followed the battle for I was intrigued and I spoke with him often. “You were a warrior Gunnar.”

He nodded, “Aye.” He looked at me shrewdly.
  “I fought alongside my father until the day I was wounded.”  He rolled up his sleeve to show me a savage scar on his right arm.  “I did not sail with him when he went to his last battle.” He paused to gauge my reaction, “At Stamford Bridge.”

“Ah, I see now, the Norns.”

“As you say.  When I first met you I knew that you had fought at my father’s last fight.”

“I do not remember him.”

“I do not think you fought him for I knew that you fought against Hadrada and the survivors of my father’s band told me that they were not near Harold.”

“I am sorry.”

He shrugged, “He was a warrior and he died a warrior’s death but you Aelfraed the Housecarl, you interested me for my father’s men spoke of you and your deeds and I expected a boastful warrior full of fight, or as my father would have said, piss and vinegar and I was ready to despise you but the more I saw of you the more intrigued I became and you have surprised me the whole way south.”

“You did not fight because of your father then?”

“All of my friends died with him.  The warriors, who returned, like Siggi, chose a more peaceful life for the best of the warriors died with Harold that day.   You, my friend, are the exception.  You and Ridley are the last warriors.”

The voyage around the Black Sea seemed like an anti climax after the trials and tribulations of the river.
  Ragnar began to walk aided by a pair of sticks fashioned by Snorri who showed great skills with wood. My talk with the captain had set me thinking. I had had no idea of his feelings and wondered how many other times I had taken things for granted. At night, after we had eaten we sat and spoke of the battles along the river and thought of Pig and Olaf for that is warriors do; they remember their comrades by talking of their deaths knowing that, when they die they too will be remembered in a tale.  Eric composed a song of the two men and he showed a real skill for he put in Pig’s humour and his appetite, which had been as much a part of him as his courage as a warrior.

Sometime Jarl Gunnersson joined us.
  He turned to me one night when the songs had ended and we looked up at the stars. “Would you not consider making this your life?  You are a fine leader of men Aelfraed and I am sure that other ships would join us.  We would have a greater chance of survival with you at our head.”

I could see that my men were keen for me to continue to lead them. I shook my head, “I have enjoyed the journey and enjoyed leading you but my destiny lies in Miklagård.
  Events have happened which lead me here. What of the rest of you?  I know that Ridley here will join me but what of all of you?”

Stig spoke first, “We have spoken and although we hoped you would join us we can see now that the Norns have plotted a different life for you.
  I will go to Fat Folke and offer to lead his warriors, Harald and Hammer will join me for I have learned much from you Thegn and I thank you.”

“And you Snorri, what of you?
  Do you not wish to serve on the river?”

“No my lord, I have had enough; I have lost too many friends.
  I will stay a while in Miklagård.  As you have been kind enough to offer me Ulf’s share of the profits I have no need to return to the river and I can plan my life.”

“Eric, will you and Ragnar return to Hedeby?”

They both shook their heads and Eric said, “No, Thegn, I told you when I volunteered that I had always wished to visit the land of my mother and Ragnar is happy enough to serve me.”

I was pleased that they all had their plans and that our lives were settled and sorted but I would be sad to see them depart for I had grown to like the men with whom I had fought. I wondered if my life would be ever thus; making friends and then leaving them to move on.
  Would the glass always be greener elsewhere?

Constantinople 1073

Constantinople was the modern wonder of the world.
  It was the largest city known to man and, it was said, dwarfed its mother, Rome. We knew where the city was long before we even got close to it for the number of ships and boats we saw increased dramatically. There were even more people travelling along the roads which led to the mighty city and parallel the waterways, the Golden Horn, the Bosporus and the Sea of Marmara and I began to wonder just how big it was. Even though we could see the entrance to the harbour at noon, so many ships were attempting to enter that it took us until almost dark to navigate into the safety of the Golden Horn. It was dark by the time we had tied up. The crew were sent ashore to return the following day and receive their pay.  It was now the turn of Eric to earn his money. Gunnar and I accompanied him to meet with Isaac the Jew Fat Folke’s representative and agent in the city.  I had thought it might be late but the Jarl laughed.  “Where business is concerned it is never too late for the Jew.  He will see us.”

We reached the Jewish quarter which was considerably better apportioned than the one in Jorvik.
  It seemed to me that Jews were held in higher esteem here in the east.  He recognised the Jarl but when I was introduced he bowed. “And I have heard of you Thegn Aelfraed of Topcliffe, protector of Jews.  You are most welcome.”

As we entered the Jarl said quietly to me, “You are a man with many layers.
  I have never heard Isaac speak so highly of another.  When we return to the ship you must tell me the tale.”

My connection with Reuben made the meeting pleasant and speedy. Like Reuben he insisted upon serving us with fine wine and wonderfully tasty eastern delicacies. When we eventually made to leave he said, “I hope that you will use me for your business while you are here Thegn Aelfraed, your promissory note is good in my house.”

“Thank you Isaac, that is kind but, at the moment I need no coin.”

“As you wish, I will bring coin tomorrow when I inspect the cargo.”

As we walked back I told them both of my dealings with Reuben in Jorvik.

“
It is as they said, Aelfraed, there is a thread which connects us all.  If we break the thread then it is our disaster but you bind the threads with more threads.  I am tempted to stay here with you just to see how your life progresses.”

The next day, true to his word and with armed men guarding him, Isaac returned.
  He was a little amused at the arrows in the bales. “I am not certain that Folke would have approved.”

The Jarl shrugged.
  “They saved our lives.”

“They will not affect the value.” He already had Eric’s figures which he checked. He turned to Eric. “Your writing is excellent and I can find no fault with your figures.
  Will you be on the ship in the future?”

“No I intend to make this city my home.”

“Just so? Well I hope that I can be of use to you for it is good to deal with an honest man.”

“Meaning that the others were not honest.”

“Meaning this is the first time that the figures have tallied with the goods.  Many times goods have fallen overboard.”

The Jarl became indignant.
  “Not from my ship!”

“Apologies captain, no slur intended.
  Let us just say that some of the captains of Folke’s ships thought that they were bringing all of the goods sent by the merchant but the guards had changed the figures.  Folke will be pleased.” He counted out the money and put it in a box he had brought. “My men will move the bales to my warehouse and I will send the letter to Folke with you captain apprising him of the value of his trade.”

“I will be here for a week loading my next cargo.”

“Farewell Aelfraed and Ridley.  Please come to see me in my home when we can talk a little easier.”

We went aboard where I gave the Jarl his share for he had to pay his men.
  He was more than pleased as he normally received less.  “I can see the wisdom of hiring honest guards.”

“Then use Stig.
  We both know that he is honest.”

“He has become so but I will do as you suggest for I think he has been changed.”

I summoned the men and divided the money between the six of them.  They tried to give money back to me but both Ridley and I refused.  “No.  We do not need it and we are not greedy men.  You have earned it and, I fear, you will need it.  Take it as payment with my thanks for it has been an honour to serve with you. I now release you from your oath.”

They all looked at me and Stig spoke. “I speak for all of us my lord, including Ragnar who wishes he could speak.
  If you ever need us then we will come.  That is our oath.”

“Thank you that means a great deal and, Stig, I have suggested to Isaac and to the Jarl that he uses you and your men as
guards. If you will take my advice you will choose guards carefully.”

“I will my lord.”

The three of them left for they knew the city well and had a tavern in mind. Snorri, Ragnar and Eric remained.  “What of you?  Where will you go?”

“I also have lived here and I will take these two and find us somewhere to rent.
  It will be cheaper than a tavern and our money will last longer.”

I was pleased that they would be together for all had been damaged or wounded in some way and it seemed fitting that they should be together. “Leave word with Isaac where you are and we will meet with you when the time allows.”

We embraced before parting for we had shared life, death and near death.  I thought that Ragnar would never leave go of me and, as he left, I saw tears not only in his eyes but Eric’s.

Ridley and I made our way through the busy streets carrying our war gear.
  We had emerged from the journey without further wounds and we had learned a great deal about ourselves. Ridley was far more confident and had thrown off the shackles which had weighed him down when he was a lord. He enjoyed the company of soldiers and their banter.  Even though we were alone once more he had calmness about him which I had not seen since the time before Coxold.  For myself I had learned my limits and I had learned to think more. Inside I was smiling as I thought that Aethelward would have approved.  My poor decisions had been due to poor information from others and that was a valuable lesson.  I would take advice from more than one person in the future.

We were not considered outlandish here in the home of the Varangian Guards.
  Many men dressed such as we lived in the metropolis. I wondered how we would join. Ridley left that decision to me; it was his way. “We will head for the gates of the palace.  I am sure the guards there will know where we should go.” I noticed that the road gradually inclined upwards to the huge palace which dominated the skyline.

I had, of course, let my translator, Eric go, but, having mastered the languages along the river so that I could now converse well with the river men I was confident that I would soon master the language of the Byzantine, Greek. The huge gates were guarded by four warriors.
  I slowed up as we approached them for I wished to look at their armour.  They had a helmet such as I wore but without a nasal.  The shield they bore was a rounded version of the kite shield and in their hands they held a spear. It was their armour which intrigued me the most for the mail shirt only came to their knees but their shoulders and upper body were protected by metal plates such as Ridley and I wore.  Like us they had metal greaves on their legs. They were obviously not Varangians but they looked like soldiers who could fight.