Viking Legend (5 page)

My armour weighed down heavily upon my shoulders.  My shield seemed like a body on my back.   Even my wolf cloak felt like it was dragging me back.  My legs burned and I found it hard to breathe. I had not practised enough over the winter.  I had enjoyed the company of Brigid too much.  I was paying the price for a comfortable winter.  When I smelled the wood smoke from the village I almost cried out in joy.

Haaken and the others had puzzled expressions on their faces as we ran in.  I said, breathlessly to Aiden, “Tell the villagers they are free and if they wish to live they should run to the castle!”

He opened his mouth as though to question me and then smiled.  He nodded and began shouting to the villagers.  Haaken was equally surprised. “Have you lost your senses, Jarl?”

“We are being pursued.  Our enemies came back early.  Perhaps the villagers knew that he was due back to today.  This way he will have to stop and question the villagers.  It will buy us a little time.”

Riderch shepherded his people along the road.  They had women and children with them and they did not run.  That suited me. We now had all of my boat crew and, if we were caught we stood a chance. We ran but this time we did not run flat out.  We kept a measured pace.  I was still the slowest but this time I found I could breathe. I glanced over to Aiden who ran next to me.  He clutched the wooden chest as though his life depended upon it. I hoped it was worth it.  If we were caught by horsemen before we reached the drekar then we would lose irreplaceable warriors.

I heard the distant sound of hooves pounding along the greenway.  They were coming.  They would catch us.  I could see the ship but it was some distance away.  It was just the mast which I could see and the ship’s boy’s shape on the cross tree.

I stopped, “Turn. We will ambush them.”

My Ulfheonar knew what to do but some of the newer warriors looked confused. Snorri and Haaken quickly pushed them into position along the side of the track. “Aiden, get to the ship!”

He nodded, “I will, Jarl. This is worth it, believe me.”

“I hope so.”

I forced myself to breathe more slowly. I took out my sword and swung my shield around to the front.  I could hear the hooves louder now as they thundered towards us.  I was in the middle of the line.  Asbjorn and Eystein were at the farthest end.  They would attack when the horsemen neared them.  It meant we would all attack together.

The Scots were so intent on catching us that they galloped hard and recklessly down the greenway track. I saw that they did not wear mail but all carried a spear and a shield.  Everyone wore the same style of helmet.  These were the best warriors that Owen the Bald possessed. Was he with them I wondered?

I heard a shout and a scream from my left and a horse whinnied. “Now!” Stepping forward through the bushes I swung my sword at the nearest horseman.  His small round shield did not stop my sword from hacking deep into this leg, to the bone.  He fell screaming and was trampled beneath the next horse. I just managed to turn and take the spear from the next rider on my shield. Ulf Olafson brought his axe down and it bit into the shoulder of the horseman. Some of my men had slain horses and the track was filled with fallen horses and men.  Other riderless horses milled around. 

“Keep at them!” We had the advantage that we had mail and when their spears did strike they did not kill. As a horse reared I lifted my shield and ran beneath his flailing hooves.  I rammed my sword deep within him whilst pushing with my shield.  The beast toppled backwards mortally stricken and the rider fell to his death. I was covered in its blood and intestines. A fallen warrior tried to rise.  I swung Ragnar’s Spirit sideways and my blade bit into his neck.

I heard a trumpet and the horsemen retreated.  I suspected it was to give them time to reform.  “Back to the ship!” We had some way yet to run.  If we had to we could turn again but this time we would not be able to ambush them.

As we ran the trees and the bushes began to thin.  I saw the water close to our left.  Then I heard the horn behind us.  It was a different call from the previous one.  They were coming. We had not made the ship. When I heard the hooves thundering I shouted, “Turn! Shield wall!”

The Ulfheonar gathered and formed a wedge behind me.  The newer warriors waited behind them.  I heard Snorri shout, “Archers, have your bows ready!”

The horsemen would be ready for us this time.  I saw them appear.  They were four abreast and were coming a little slower. They were keeping tight together and they held their lances before them. This would not be easy. The narrow lane meant that we had six of us in the front rank and I felt the reassuring press of the shields of those behind us. I was mindful of the spear which had found a chink in my helmet and I pulled up my shield so that just the top of my helmet and my eyes peered over the top.

I saw the tips of the enemy spears wavering up and down as they came towards us. I realised that they had not fought this way before. “Brace and hold!”

The spears struck but with not as much force as I had expected.  I saw why. The horsemen of the east, the ones who served Miklagård, used stirrups.  These did not and the men were thrown from their saddles.  The horses banged into our shields and we were pushed back a little but then they stopped. I yelled, “Push!” and the sudden weight of heavy mailed men against the small horses made them turn in panic and run towards the other advancing warriors.  As I stepped over a fallen horseman I stabbed down with my sword.  Then we heard the clatter of arrows as they fell into the disorganized horsemen. Shouts and screams told us that they had found their mark.

Suddenly I was aware of a dark shape to my right.  I glanced over and saw that Erik and Aiden had used the wind to bring down my drekar.  Arrows now flew from the decks too. It was too much for the horsemen who fled.

“Check the Scots for weapons and treasure!”

All around me my men, new warriors and Ulfheonar alike, ignored my words and began banging their shields with their swords and chanted, “Dragonheart!” over and over.  We had defeated horsemen and, as I looked around, saw that none of my men had died although some sported wounds.  I raised my sword in acknowledgment and they all roared a cheer. I had no doubt that the departing horsemen rode faster fearful that we would follow and wreak even more revenge upon them.

I did not tarry in my departure.  We quickly loaded the drekar and sailed towards the sea.  We could see, through the trees, the Scots were reforming close to the village we had captured. I had no doubt they would have seen my ship and my name would be known.  The villagers would have told them of the warrior with the wolf upon his shield. Had I wanted anonymity then I would have slain all of the villagers.

As we made our tortuous way out to sea I took off my helmet and cloak.  I saw Aiden peering into his box.  “Look at your treasures later.  Take off my mail.” He was like a child forced to leave a new plaything and he came over to me to help pull the byrnie from me. Normally I would have waited a while but the run down the hill and the fight had exhausted me.  The mail felt like I carried the world about my shoulders. I needed sleep.

When the mail was removed I felt so much cooler and as light as a cloud.  “Thank you Aiden, now you can return to your book of magic. Perhaps you can find a spell to transport us home in an instant.”

He shook his head.  “It is not that kind of magic.  It is the magic of healing and of using my powers better.  The parchments in the box are worth more than all the treasure we have ever found.”

I patted the hilt of my sword, “Worth more than Ragnar’s Spirit?”

He grinned, “Possibly.”

I nodded, “Then you have treasure indeed.”

The inland waters through which we travelled as Erik twisted and turned back to the west were gentle.  I lay on my wolf skin and closed my eyes.  Soon I was asleep. I dreamed.

There was a castle high upon a rock.  It was not Alt Clut for the sea was on the wrong side. I saw many fierce guards on the wall.  I looked to my right and saw Erika and on my left was an old wizened man with bright blue eyes.  We flew high into the air and the sentries saw us not. They flew me through a wall into a large hall and there I spied Magnus the Foresworn.  He was with Saxons whom I knew not and they were feasting.  My escorts disappeared and I began to lay about me with Ragnar’s Spirit. No matter how many Saxons I slew Magnus was still safe beyond my reach laughing. I hacked and cut until my arms would cut no more. As I dropped to my knees Magnus pushed me and I fell into a deep hole in the floor of the hall. There was water there and it consumed me. I fell, down and down, deeper and deeper.

“Jarl! We have reached the sea!” I looked up into the face of Cnut Cnutson. “You were shouting in your sleep, Jarl Dragonheart.  I was afraid.”

“Fear not Cnut.  When I sleep I am safe.  Your father’s spirit and the others who have died already watch over me.” I smiled, “I feel safer asleep than awake!”

He shook his head, “I watched you and the others today.  How could you stand and face such enemies?  I thought they would have ridden over you all.”

“When you become a warrior you will trust in two things; your sword and the men who stand with you in the shield wall. Then nothing can harm you.”

Erik Short Toe chuckled, “You forgot the third thing, Jarl, you trust in a leader with the heart of a dragon and the sword of a god.”

“The sword does help, Erik.  How is the wind?”

“We need not to row for a while for the wind is in our favour but the rocks around here are treacherous.” He pointed to the sun setting in the west and the stormy clouds gathering. “Do you wish me to find shelter for the night or risk running south?”

He looked at the masthead and the dragon’s tail which fluttered from it.  “If we head south and west we will have sea room. Let us risk running.”

He smiled, “Let us hope that we have not used up all of our luck on this voyage.”

I walked to the prow. I saw that most of my men were sleeping. They had earned their rest. My own sleep, while short, had refreshed me and I needed to think of the dream.  I had learned that such dreams were not literal.  I would not fly into a castle but it had given me an insight.  If the spirits spoke true then Magnus was in the west for the sea had been on the other side of the castle.  As I thought about the Saxons it came to me that they might be from Northumbria.  That would make sense. There were hints that Magnus knew of King Eanred. That King of Northumbria was my implacable foe and Magnus would be drawn to him.
‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
’ That was too far a journey by sea. I looked aft and saw Aiden, curled around small chest, asleep. I would need to speak with Kara and Aiden.

“I have my saga now, Jarl.”

I turned and saw Haaken, “Aye it was a good fight and all the better that we lost none.”

Can I confess to you, Jarl, that I thought we would be trampled beneath those horses’ hooves.  It came to me that although I would be dying with a sword in my hand that would not be a glorious death.”

I laughed, “Me too.  Yet now that I think about it horsemen are only dangerous to us when we flee. If we stand then it is only their horses that are a danger.  Those horses were little bigger than ponies. We were level with their muzzles were we not?” He nodded. “If they ever learn to use the stirrups they have in Miklagård then we are in trouble.  Yet we could have held them off had we had our spears.”

“Aye you are right.” He pondered my words for a moment and then said, “Erik told me that you dreamed.”

“Aye.  I will need to speak with Kara and Aiden to divine its meaning.”

“But it involved Magnus the Foresworn.”

I looked at him sharply, “How did you know?”

He shook his head,  “I do not have the second sight, Jarl, but I have stood next to you for over twenty summers and I know how you think.  The Foresworn is an itch that you cannot scratch.  He is the will o’ the wisp who flits out of sight. Until he is dead and his head adorns your spear then you can never be settled.”

“You are right. When we reach Cyninges-tūn we will begin to choose the next Ulfheonar. Even Snorri is becoming older.  I watched these young men.  Some will never be more than a farmer with a sword but others look to have skills we could use. I will have Snorri and Beorn cast their eyes over them. This summer we will test their mettle so that they can hunt their wolves this winter.”

“And Magnus?”

“We will have hunted him and slain him before a wolf dies.”

I stood at the prow long after Haaken had left me for sleep.  I held my hand on the intricately carved dragon head and I stared at the sea. It would ever be my destiny to fight my enemies for they were all around me.  My allies such as Thorfinn Blue Scar were rare and could not aid me.  I would ever be reliant on my own men and my own sword. I was content.  I was beholden to no man.  I had said to Thorfinn that I did not bow my knee to a king.  As I looked to my left I saw the sun slowly peer from the mountains and hills of home I vowed that I never would.  The land of Cyninges-tūn was mine own and it would remain so until I died.

It was mid morning when we pulled next to the jetty at Úlfarrston. Siggi’s knarr was there.  The tower had warned them of our arrival and Coen ap Pasgen and Siggi awaited us. We bumped gently into the wooden jetty and I stepped ashore. I saw the anxious looks as the two men looked to see if we had suffered casualties. I shook my head, “We did not find Magnus the Foresworn.  He has fled. We will seek him another day.”

There was relief from both of them. 

“Siggi, you need to sail to
Ljoðhús.  The jarl there, Thorfinn Blue Scar, is now a friend and wishes to trade with us. They need timber, copper and iron.  He has seal skins and oil awaiting us. Aiden and Erik will give you the instructions.”

He shook his head.  “Remember Jarl that I came from
Orkneyjar.  I know the island if not the Jarl.  But I will ask advice nonetheless.”

I turned to Coen. “We have a Holy Book.  It is worth coin.  I would have your captain sell it the next time he is in Lundenwic. You can have half of the proceeds.”

“You trust me to give you your fair share?”

I stared at him.  “Your father and I trusted in each other his whole life.  If I cannot trust you, his son, a man who has fought alongside me then it is a sad world.”

“I am sorry Jarl.  Forgive me, you are right.”

We packed the goods we had captured on pack ponies we kept at the port.  I spoke with Asbjorn and he went back to the drekar.  He packed one pony himself. As I led my men back to my home I reflected on Coen ap Pasgen’s words. It was sad that there were so many men who did not keep their word.  It made honest men doubt each other.  I had never betrayed any one in my life.  The betrayals I had suffered did not make me doubt my friends but look at strangers with suspicion until I came to know them.

The pack ponies behind us stretched further than I had expected.  The Scots had been poor enemies but Alt Clut had yielded more than we could have hoped. The young men who had been on their first raid would receive more treasure than they could have dreamed.  I would have to see the family of Audun Arneson; they would want for nothing. The thought of treasure brought my mind back to the golden torc. It would be interesting to hear what Kara thought of it. The Norns wove complicated webs.  This one went back to beyond the Romans.  It was hard to picture such a world. Had they lived here in my water filled world? Did their spirits wander the hills?

The fishermen on the Water alerted Kara, Brigid and our families that we were on our way back.  The gates of the settlement were wide open and we were greeted like heroes.  It was ever thus. Wives, parents and children flocked to welcome their heroes home. I saw Audun’s parents. I would save them the anguish of watching everyone trooping in and then discovering that their son was dead.

I walked towards them. Arne held his wife tighter and nodded his head, “Your son is in Valhalla, Arne Liefson. He died with honour and he was buried as a Viking.  We return his sword and armour to you.” Asbjorn walked over with the pony he had packed. “I will bring you his share of the treasure and know this for so long as you live the Ulfheonar will watch over you and you will want for naught.”

Arne’s wife wept but I saw pride in the fisherman’s eyes.  “It was Audun’s proudest moment when he donned the wolf cloak. I know he did not serve long but few men get to live out their dreams.  I am happy.”

I left the grieving couple and wondered how my family would view me when I died.  I was not arrogant enough to believe that I was immortal and one day my sword would not be fast enough or my armour strong enough and on that day I would go to Valhalla. I would see my family and I would see those who had died before but I would not know what others truly thought of me.

For the first time in many years I was welcomed with a kiss.  Brigid ran towards me and, throwing herself into my arms, kissed me hard. I was taken aback. My Ulfheonar cheered and I saw, as she released me, that the whole of Cyninges-tūn was smiling. Kara inclined her head with that look on her face.  It was the look which said, ‘
See, I told you so’
. She knew me well. 

“You are safe!”

“I am.  And you are well?”

She smiled, “I am more than well. I am with child.  You are to be a father.”

“Truly?”

“Of course.  Why did you think there was another?”

“No, but… I am no longer a young man.”

She shook her head, “Men! Of course you are a young man!”

“You did not see me as I tried to run with my warriors.  I am getting older.”

She touched my heart, “Not in here.  You are only as old as you want to be.  When your son is born you will need all the energy you had when Wolf Killer and Kara were children.”

“A boy?”

“I believe so. I know not why.  When Kara and I used your sweat hut after we knew I was with child the picture of a boy came into my head.  It will be a son.”

Wyrd
.

Kara greeted me with a kiss on the cheek.  “I see you have heard the news.”

“Aye.” I hesitated and my eyes were drawn to the other side of the Water where my former home had been and where my wife lay.

Kara saw my look. “Mother knows and she approves.  This is a good happening father. Through your blood courses greatness.  It is in me and it is in Wolf Killer.  It needs to be in others.  I can never see me having children but you can have more.  Brigid is fertile; you will have many more.”

I looked to see if my daughter’s words embarrassed her but she looked pleased. I could never understand the way women’s minds worked.  The two of them hurried into Kara’s hall.  They would divide the fine linens and cloths we had brought back, equitably.

It was good to be back in my home.  Here I was respected by all and I was comfortable with my life. Although our raid had not gone the way I had anticipated I was content. I went to my hall where I could take off my armour. Uhtric, my thrall, took the armour.  He would clean and oil it. The sea was hard on mail.  I had the finest mail for Bjorn Bagsecgson had cunningly mixed charcoal with the iron so that the mail was darker and also stronger.  Even so it needed care after each journey.  I laid my sword to one side.  I would sharpen that myself. Along with my seax they were my two most important weapons. I looked up at the wall where the sword I had found in the cave hung.  Old and a little worse for wear it was my most tangible reminder of my ancestor who had wielded it in battle.

I was about to order Uhtric to light the fire in my sweat hut when Brigid entered. “The sweat hut will be ready by the time we sail across, Jarl.”

I looked at her with my mouth open, “You have second sight too?”

Laughing she said, “No.  I had it lit for Kara and myself.  Your sister deferred to you.  I will join you there.” She cocked her head to one side.  “You do wish to cleanse yourself do you not?”

I nodded, almost dumbly, “Aye the blood and the sweat cling to my body still and I have need to let my mind wander.”

She was intrigued, I could see that but Brigid was unusual in that she could remain silent and not question too much.  Besides she knew I would tell her what was in my mind eventually. There had been a time when I would have sailed across the Water by myself but now I was ferried by Einar Long Thumb. He was the grandson of my blacksmith and worked in the forge.  However one of his tasks was to fetch some of the charcoal which the charcoal burners made close to our former home across the Water. He travelled back and forth when he was not toiling at the bellows.

Brigid and I sat in the middle of the small boat. “We hear you found great treasure in the land of the Scots, Jarl Dragonheart.”

“The Allfather was kind to us.  Who told you?”

“Everyone said there was treasure, a fine golden torc and a book of spells.  Soon Aiden will be the greatest of wizards.”

I smiled, “Aiden is a good enough galdramenn for me and I do not think it was spells that he found.”

“I am sure I heard that he found a spell to help make him fly.”

Both Brigid and I laughed. She was  a Christian and did not believe such things.  She believed that a man could be crucified, killed and then walk from a tomb three days later but a spell to make a man fly was impossible. I had spoken with Aiden and knew that the parchments contained magic but not the type which Einar thought.

He held the boat as we clambered ashore.  Tying it to a tree he said, “I will fetch the charcoal and take it back to grandfather.  I will return here and wait.”

“You need not.  I can signal you.”

He smiled, “It will be easier waiting here than suffering the sharp edge of grandfather’s tongue.  He has high standards!”

He was right.  Although he could afford to let his sons and grandsons work the smith Bjorn was there before the others and left when they had gone.  He was proud of his work and he was the reason our mail and our weapons were respected and feared.  I prayed that  his sons would be as diligent as he.

We stripped off and entered the sweat hut. It was coming up to the right temperature. We sat opposite one another and Brigid waited for me to begin speaking.  She knew that I liked to sit there first with my eyes closed and let the spirit of my wife come to me.  Sometimes Erika did and sometimes not. Nonetheless it was pleasant to sit in the heat and enjoy the sweat cleansing the grime from my body. 

I opened my eyes. “When will the child be born?”

“After the harvest and before midwinter.” She smiled, “Perhaps around Christmas.  That would be good.”

I shook my head, “We do not celebrate Christmas.”

“The nuns, Macha and Deidra do. Kara allows it.”

“We call it Yule and it has nothing to do with the birth of the White Christ.”

“But it is similar. We both welcome the end of the short nights and the beginning of new life.  The difference is we celebrate the birth of the son of God. It would be good for our son to be a celebration of that.”

“Perhaps.”

I had learned not to argue with Brigid about her religion; no one won.

“What other treasures did you bring back? The fine cloths and linen were most welcome.”

“There was a golden torc. You heard Einar mention that. I am hoping that Kara and Aiden can divine whence it came.  The Viking who gave it to me said that it belonged to an ancient queen.”

“Your daughter’s power frightens me a little.”

I smiled, “She knows your thoughts?” She nodded.  You will get used to that.  Aiden can do the same.” She seemed satisfied. “Come let us bathe in the Water.”

We had found that bathing in the water between hot sessions made us feel better and cleaner. By the time we were done our skin would shine. Einar was fishing from the bank.  He waved at us as though there was nothing strange about two naked people bathing.

When we returned to the hut the heat was almost overpowering.  This was when it did the most good.  I could feel my body glowing as it was cleansed. “You have spent some time with my people.  How do you like them?”

“They are good and honest people.  They have been kind to me while I have been learning your language. I know that I am lucky to be here.  Had I remained with my father I would have been little  more than a slave.”

“It is good that you are here and I am happy.” That was about as romantic as I ever got.  I did not have words like Haaken.

That night Kara had prepared food for me in my hall. Aiden joined us and the four of us enjoyed a fine meal.  I still had a little of the wine we had brought from Vasconia. We would now be reliant upon Coen ap Pasgen’s ships bringing such wine. After the meal Aiden brought out the torc. He and Kara both held it and closed their eyes. Brigid looked as though she would speak but I held my finger to my lips. At one point Kara frowned.

They both opened their eyes together. “There is death connected with this torc.  The Queen was murdered.  She died with an unborn child within her.”

We all looked at Brigid.  Her hand went to her crucifix. She mumbled something, I think it was a prayer.

Aiden said, “I saw a sword.” His eyes went to my wall.  “That sword.”

Wyrd
.

Aiden and I finished off the wine and we sat in silence looking at the torc.  It was obvious now that we could not sell it nor melt it down.  It was connected to me and to the sword. I suspected, but I could not work out how, that it was also connected to the parchments which Aiden had brought.

Brigid broke the silence, “Is this not just an accident?”

Kara put her hand on Brigid’s, “No my sister. This is the work of the spirits and the Norns.  Jarl Dragonheart has been chosen.  He is not Norse and yet he is a Viking legend.  He is not of one world but of many.  His threads reach back beyond time itself to the ancient peoples and their beliefs.” She pointed to the torc and then to the sword.  “Those were made before your White Christ walked the earth.  We do not say your beliefs are wrong but ours are older. But you need not fear. You and your baby will be safe.”

“How do you know?”

“The spirits have told me.”

Later that night as we lay together, Brigid hugged me so hard that I thought I would break.  “I am afraid.”

“If Kara says you are safe then you have nothing to fear. I am content. This is just another part of my life… but now it is our life and you are part of it.”