Viking Dragon (17 page)

"There is no need to take risks.  They do not know they are being followed. Let us do this right, Olaf Leather Neck.  Your axe will taste blood.  It can wait."

The road to the Water passed beneath the high crag and then it dropped sharply through a twisting forest trail.  This was slightly better used than the other paths for hunters came here. We reached the road and I saw the sun beginning to slip behind Old Olaf. Snorri led us north.  I heard hooves and we reined in with weapons ready.  There were eight riders behind us.  It was Haaken and Finni.  Harald had used his head and found the nearest Ulfheonar. I saw Gryffydd flanked by two warriors. Haaken was taking no chances.

I quickly told them what we intended.

Olaf said, "Now we have enough Jarl.  Even if they were all wearing mail then we could defeat them."

He was right.  We had sixteen warriors. "We ride until we see Cyninges-tūn and then we walk the horses. Gryffydd and Karl Olafsson will watch the horses and we will approach them on foot.  None must escape."

Haaken asked, "Do we not wish to know what they intend?"

Snorri said, "We heard what their plans are.  If one escapes then they will know we are on to them and be on their guard.  Is that not right, Jarl?"

I nodded, "It will be two months until they are missed. The gods have given us that time.  We will use it wisely."

By the time we saw the glow from the fires of Cyninges-tūn it was dark. We dismounted and prepared for war.  Although we wore neither helmets nor armour we had the night to help us and we knew this part of my land.  My first hall had been less than a thousand paces from where we were and my first wife's grave was almost within sight.

I turned to Gryffydd. "You have done well this day.  I am proud of you.  You and Karl must guard our horses and watch. Keep your blade ready. There is danger all around. Karl will watch over you for me."

Gryffydd had a serious look on his face as he put his hand on Dragon's Tongue. I glanced up at Karl.  He was one of my youngest warriors.  He had only seen thirteen summers.  He nodded. I followed the others.

Snorri led and my men moved in a long line.  We were a net and we would trap the Danes. I was under no illusions these men we hunted would know how to hide and how to use woods.  They were scouts. We moved up the slope.  Snorri was using his nose and his head. He knew where they would choose to watch.  It was above the road and my old hall.  We had cleared the trees from around the old palisade. The witch Angharad had burned my hall to the ground and now it afforded a fine view to my new hall. Our work had made it easier for our foes.

We moved slowly for we wanted no noise. The ground was still a little soft from the recent rains and the cushion of pine was spongy.  The men I had chosen knew their business and they stepped carefully, measuring each step. There were clouds.  The night was black and it was hard to see further than six paces. We were like a huge arrow with Snorri at the point.  With Olaf, Haaken and me behind him the others fanned out on either side. Snorri held up his hand as we reached a high point.  He used his spear to indicate that the Danes were slightly below us. He touched his nose with his finger.  He had smelled them.  I was jarl but we were in Snorri's hands now.  He knew what to do. He pointed to Olaf and waved his hand to the north.  Olaf nodded and, tapping his men as he passed them, set off. He did the same to Haaken and Finni, this time indicating the path we had just taken. That left just our men. He took out his seax and set off.  All of us copied him.  We would need two weapons.

Many warriors fear the night.  It is unknown and there are hidden dangers.  My warriors relished it. We used it as an ally and so it was this night. I smelled their smoke.  The Danes were confident enough to light one. I had no doubt that its flame was hidden from view but the smell of the smoke could not be hidden and it drew us like moths to a candle.

We moved together and when Snorri stopped, we all stopped.  I saw him lay down his spear and move towards something I could not see.  Then I heard the hissing sound of a Dane making water.  Snorri moved so quickly that it was a blur. His left hand went up and he pulled the Dane back as he ripped his seax across his throat. It happened so quickly that the Dane was dead before he had finished making water.

Snorri picked up his spear and we continued down the slope. It was not easy.  You had to pick your way around trees, rocks and loose pine needles. Although they had hidden the glow of the fire from Cyninges-tūn it was not hidden from above and we emerged just thirty paces from the dell in which they sheltered.  Their leader had indeed been here before.  It was the place I would have chosen.  When daylight came they would be able to look down on my walls and my ditches. I did not think we had any weak spots but Gurt the Silent and his Danes would be able to discover those that they saw.

We halted, hidden by both the trees and the darkness.  The fire cooked the Danes' food but it also spoiled their night vision.  I counted the men around the fire.  There were twelve.  We had killed one and that left two sentries. Haaken, Finni and Olaf were there to mop up any sentries on their sides.

I watched as a warrior stood and said, "Olvir is taking his time!"

Another chuckled, "Perhaps he has found a sheep. Olvir has no taste!"

They laughed and the mailed warrior, I took him to be Gurt the Silent snapped, "Silence! Your voices will carry!"

"Not across the Water.  I will go and find him.  He might need help." The warrior came towards us.  There was no way we could stay hidden. We had to time out attack well.  The camp was thirty paces from us.  When the Dane who was seeking Olvir was ten paces from us I waved my men forward. Snorri hurled his spear into the warrior and I ran past him.

Gurt the Silent did not panic. "Shield wall!"

His men had shields and they turned to face our attack.  All that they saw were seven men. There were eleven of them. Even as they hurried to lock shields I threw my spear.  I was but ten paces away from the Danes and I had practised throwing a spear since I was the same age as Karl Olafsson. It struck a Dane in the side and penetrated deeply. He pulled out the spear and I saw blood pouring from the wound. I sheathed my seax and drew Ragnar's Spirit.

The shield wall would not be solid for there were too few of them. My other men appeared and Olaf brought his men from behind the Danes. It was then that the locked shields to their front became a liability. Olaf's axe swung around in a wide arc.  He knocked two men to the ground both had their backs ripped open to their spines. Just at that moment Haaken and Finni approached from the Water. I used my sword to counter the Dane who faced me.  I grabbed the edge of his shield and pulled it towards me and then pushed.  The sudden movement overbalanced him and he toppled backwards. He fell and I put my foot on his shield, pinning him to the ground before plunging Ragnar's Spirit into his chest.

Our sudden attack from three sides had taken them by surprise and they all lay dead.  All that is save Gurt the Silent who faced Olaf leather Neck. None would interfere.  This was warrior combat and interference would risk the wrath of the gods.  I looked to Haaken with a question on my face.  I held up two fingers.  He pulled a finger across his own throat.  The two sentries were dead and we were safe.

Olaf did not have a shield and the Dane did. The Dane wore mail and Olaf did not.  It should have been an unequal contest but when Olaf's mighty blow struck the Dane's shield and cracked it then we all knew it was a case of how long the Dane would survive. For a big man Olaf was remarkably light on his feet and he danced away from the sword thrust of the Danish hersir.  He then spun around and brought the axe in a wide arc.  The Dane knew it was coming.  He braced himself and his shield. This time the blow not only cracked the shield but I think the blow broke the Dane's arm.

The Dane thought he had the advantage as Olaf stood below him.  With no helmet and no shield Olaf looked to be vulnerable.  As the Dane raised his sword for a mortal blow to Olaf's head, my Ulfheonar swung his axe at knee height, below the mail.  The axe sliced through both legs as though they were pine logs. The surprised look on the Dane's face lasted but a moment before he went to Valhalla.  He had been brave but he had faced an Ulfheonar.  There was no contest.

Harald Einarsson had died and two other young warriors had both wounds and scars which would mark them as warriors but we had done better than we might have hoped. By the time we had stripped the bodies and made a pyre on which to burn them it was almost dawn. We headed home and wearily trudged through the gates of Cyninges-tūn.  The fire of the dead would tell the other search parties that the threat was over. Even before I had greeted my wife I had sent a rider to tell Wolf Killer the outcome. When time allowed I would need to visit with him.  He was in danger.

Brigid grabbed Gryffydd and hugged him.  The look she threw at me would have turned a mortal to stone! I smiled.  It was the best defence.  "Our son did well.  He saw the dead and did not shirk.  He will be a warrior!"

Gryffydd's grin was worth the harsh words I would have to suffer later on. "Uhtric, taken him indoors and bathe him.  It is bed for you! Out all day and all night!"

Gryffydd ran to me and reached up for a hug, "Thank you, Jarl Dragonheart. I will work even harder to be a warrior.  I liked Harald."

He had learned a valuable lesson.  Death was indiscriminate.  Gryffydd had liked young Harald Einarsson but he had been taken. Brigid grabbed our son's hand and dragged him indoors. Aiden and Kara had joined me along with my Ulfheonar.

"We have two months before the scouts are missed. We must strike before then or they will be forewarned."

"Raibeart and Siggi are not back yet."

"It matters not if they are back.  We now know the plans of Ragnar Halfdansson.  The gods have given us a gift.  We will not spurn it. We make preparations and we move in the next ten days.  Haaken, send riders to Sigtrygg, Ketil and Ulf.  We hold a council of war here in three days."

"Aye."

"For the rest, you know what to do."

I was left with Scanlan, Kara and Aiden. "You have a plan already, father."

It was not a question.  She had seen my thoughts. "I do.  I cannot do as I had planned.  I was going to take five drekar and attack with all of my warriors.  There is a risk now that Ragnar Halfdansson may attack while we are at sea. I will take
'Heart of the Dragon'
and
'King's Gift'
with me.  I will double crew them. The rest can keep watch on this land. I will take only volunteers." I pointed to the old hall, now visible in the early morning light. "We need settlers yonder. Old Satter and his wife are now dead but they had the only farm we passed.  Any enemy can pass through that land unseen."

"It is poor farmland. There are just trees, Jarl Dragonheart."

"Then let us use that, Scanlan.  Bjorn needs charcoal and there are trees there.  Encourage charcoal burners.  Pay them a good price for their wares. We need their eyes and we need their charcoal.   It is a wise investment. We can always get coin." I pointed to Harald Einarsson's dead body.  "We can always get more gold but brave warriors are harder to find and more valuable than jewels."

When Scanlan had gone Aiden pointed across the Water.  "Even though she is gone your wife watches over us still.  To kill fifteen Danes and lose but one warrior is good."

"Perhaps but Harald showed me that he would have become a warrior for a shield wall.  He would have been as a rock and now he is gone."

Kara shook her head, "He is not.  His spirit is around the Water.  The more that die the stronger the land becomes." She smiled, "My little brother showed his mettle today."

"He did but Brigid is not happy."

"No mother is happy about her son going to war. She will learn to accept it."

All of my jarls came.  Wolf Killer brought Elfrida and his family. The encounter with the Danes had been a warning and it did not do to ignore such an omen. We gathered in my hall.  I allowed young Ragnar and Gryffydd to attend but the women all gathered with the babies in Kara's hall. Kara would deflect my wife's fears.

I told them what we had overheard. "We have bought almost two moons, perhaps a little more. I had intended to journey before Yule but we may have to go just after the harvest is in.  We are in the hands of Siggi and Raibeart now. We will sail as soon as all of our preparations are made and the men are gathered.  We sail even if our knarr have not returned."

Wolf Killer said, "And what of the Danes? From what you have learned they covet our treasure and our land."

"I would not ask you to come Wolf Killer.  You are a target as is Windar's Mere and Cyninges-tūn.  We leave those guarded. I will take but two drekar; mine and Olaf Grimmson's.  I will take Ulfheonar and volunteers. We have done this before and it works." I smiled, "It goes without saying that the jarls who are gathered around me would be a most welcome addition but, Ulf, Sigtrygg and Ketil, I need you to guard my borders with Wolf Killer. It is the land between Windar's Mere and Elfridaby which is the problem. We leave all of our horses and I wish you each to take sufficient so that that part of the land can be watched for signs of the enemy."

"We have many men who will wish to come, Jarl Dragonheart.  Whom do you wish us to select?"

"I leave that to you Ulf Olafsson. I would say that it matters not how they are armed so long as they are handy with a sword and, perhaps a bow. I do not think we will be fighting the way the Danes wish to. There will be allies and confederates who will be eager to slay the Ulfheonar." I nodded to Aiden.  "And we will be taking my galdramenn.  We will need his powers."

Aiden smiled, "And a word of advice from the wizard. Prepare for winter. Lay in supplies."

Sigtrygg knew Aiden well, "You have dreamed of a bad winter?"

"Partly and it is partly the animals and birds. There was much blossom on the autumn berries and the birds have fledged early.  They are signs that this will be a harsh winter. This could be a wolf winter."

Haaken looked at me and shook his head, "And we need warriors who seek to be Ulfheonar.  They will hunt the wolf after Yule.
Wyrd
."

Ketil Windarsson said, "Some of the warriors I will suggest would be Ulfheonar."

"Then this raid will be a good test for them." Ketil had never been Ulfheonar but he knew the skills which were needed.

Aiden had brought a chest with him. "And we have this from the old ones to take with us." He opened the chest and took out the dragon banner.  It had been repaired by Kara and her women. It looked new.  They had sewn the dragon's outline in gold and filled it with red thread.  The eyes were golden.  It looked most lifelike and so much like the dragon around my neck that I knew they had been made by the same person.

Most of them had not seen it before and they did not know how it worked. I smiled, "Aiden."

He had brought a piece of willow in to the hall and he attached two lengths of cord to the end of it.  The dragon drooped as though tired. "Come, let us go outside." Aiden took Gryffydd's hand.  Once outside he handed him the willow branch and said, "Run around as fast you can in a circle and hold this high." He leant down, "Do not be afraid!" 

Gryffydd was just intrigued but he obliged.  The moment the wind entered the hold it began to make the wailing sound we had last heard on the northern wall. Women and children fled at the sound.  Warriors ran for weapons. Far from being afraid Gryffydd was laughing.  Ragnar ran up to him, "Let me try, cousin!" Gryffydd looked to me and I nodded. Ragnar was that bit older and he could run even faster.  The wailing became louder

Aiden shouted, "Behold the dragon roars!"

When the two boys tired of their game we returned inside. "This will be a secret weapon.  We may not need to use it but the first time that we do will cause chaos." Aiden pointed outside. "You saw the effect here.  Imagine this at night if we are attacking. And I will take with us some dragon fire."

Ketil Asked, "Dragon fire?  How will you make that?"

"I have studied the writings of the Romans and I have found writings which give the ingredients to make a fire which burns on water.  I have the materials and I will try it out before we go."

Ketil shook his head in wonder, "I am tempted to go with you just to see these two wonders in action."

"Do not worry Ketil, I intend to use both of them when we return.  I will make people fear this land.  If not because we are wolves then because we are protected by the dragon and by his mighty fire!"

When they had all gone I could see that my son was keen to speak with me.  "Can I not come and carry the dragon?"

"You can." He became excited, "When you are one year older than Ragnar is now." His face fell and I felt remorse for my words. I put my hand on his shoulder.  "You are not skilled yet.  I would need a warrior to watch over you.  This is not a game.  It is war and that is serious. Come with me."

I took him to Uhtric who was sharpening the knives.  "Uhtric when I am away I want you to take my son and have him hew logs and branches for one hour each day.  Use a candle to time him.  Even if his arm aches do not let him stop.  He would be a warrior and he needs strong arms."

"I will do so, lord." His eyes twinkled.  He was fond of Gryffydd.

Then I led him to my walls where Karl One Leg was working with the young boys of the stad.  I waved him over. "This is Karl One Leg.  He commands my garrison."

"You boys keep practising!" He came over to speak with us, "Aye, Jarl?"

"Gryffydd would be a warrior.  Uhtric will have him chopping logs each day.  He has a bow and he knows how to use it.  I would have him get even better.  Train him with the others. Make him into an archer and when I return I will make him into a warrior."

"I will and gladly."

Gryffydd gave him a queer look, "Why do they call you One Leg?  You have two!"

Karl laughed and struck his leg with his sword.  It rang. "You are sharp young Gryffydd.  I have two but if Bjorn Bagsecgson had not put metal rods at each side then I would not be able to walk.  I was one of your father's Ulfheonar but I was wounded.  I can fight now but I do not move well. I will die protecting this stad and I will make you a warrior the equal of your father, the great Dragonheart."

As we went back to the hall he asked, "Are you a great warrior? Everyone says that you are the greatest Viking who has ever lived."

"Men say many things.  You have to judge for yourself as you will with all men. Never take anyone's word for another's skill.  Judge with your own eyes!"

"I will, father, and I will be stronger when you return.  I will heed Karl One Leg's words."

"Remember too that you will be the youngest of those he trains. Do not expect any favours because you are my son. Being the son of Dragonheart is a burden you must bear.  Ask Wolf Killer."

As we entered my hall he said, "Why am I just Gryffydd?  You and my brother have names of honour. Why not me?"

"Because you have to earn it.  Karl earned his by fighting bravely as did Haaken. Their names tell a story of their lives. When I was your age I was Garth. I didn't become Dragonheart until others gave me the name. Wolf Killer was named by my Ulfheonar for his courage when he killed his first wolf.  Be patient.  You have many years yet."

My knarr had still to return when we headed down to Úlfarrston.  We could not wait.  We had our volunteers and more.  We carried fifty warriors on the
'Heart of the Dragon'
Asbjorn and Eystein had thirty on board
'The King's Gift'
. We would be too large a mouthful for our enemies and we had enough men to row most of the way if the winds were against us. It did not take long to load the two drekar and we pushed off without too much fuss. We had said goodbye to our families in Cyninges-tūn.  We were keen to be away.  The autumn was upon us and we could expect storms and wild weather.  Often, at this time of year, sailing a drekar was like trying to ride a wild bull, bare back.

We rode and Aiden led a pony with two chests strapped to it. I looked at the chests curiously. "What have you there?"

"While you have been training your son I was reading.  I think I have discovered Dragon Fire and how it works." He smiled, "That is wrong. I have rediscovered how the Romans made fire for war. I have had to adapt it because I could not use all the things they did but it works; after a fashion.  I have tried it. In these chests are small packages of wax, seal oil and ground up powders.  It took me some time to get the right combination of powders.  I have collected them over many years.  Some Kara and I use for potions but others we collected and had no use for them.  Now we do."

"How does this Dragon Fire work?"

"There is a piece of linen which we light and then we throw it.  The linen lights the seal oil which burns and when the wax cylinder breaks then the burning seal oil ignites the powders and whatever it hits, burns. It even burns on water. It has a strange magic.  It only goes out when the powders and seal oil are gone."

"It sounds like a frightening weapon."

"It is but it has its limitations.  It is too heavy to fit on a war arrow and a javelin becomes unstable. You have to throw it."

I smiled.  Aiden was no warrior and it was many years since he had had to fight. "But we have slings. They can hurl this Dragon Fire further. Every warrior on my drekar used a sling as child.  I think we can overcome your limitations." Once again my galdramenn had given us an advantage over our enemies. I knew now that our first meeting, when he had been a child, had been no accident.  It had been
wyrd
.