Viking Treasure (3 page)

"What do you deduce from all this, daughter?  Am I to die?"

For the first time in many years she looked uncertain. "I know not if you will die but it is possible. I do know that the danger to your home will not be until the winter has passed.  The warriors who spilled out of the gate passed the yellow flowers of Eostre.  You have until then."

I was relieved. "And has Aiden told you of my plans?"

"He has. They are good.  I did not dream this but I believe it is
wyrd
. The way of the sword is not always the best."

I rose and kissed my daughter on her forehead.  "Thank you my daughter.  I know how much this has taken from you. Ask your husband to meet me at Ketil's stad. I will not be there before tomorrow evening."

She nodded, "Be patient with my brother, father.  He is not as you and I.  There is anger inside him and that is my fault.  Each morning I curse the day that Angharad came here."

"We cannot change the past."

"I know but it is just as sure that it changes our future.  The ripples from that stone have not yet reached the shore. Who knows what dangers they will bring."

Despite Brigid's objections I took Gruffyd with me. I had promised him that the next time I rode beneath my banner he could accompany me. Kara had not dreamed danger to us and I felt it was safe.  In fact the dream seemed all good. The flying raven meant Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson prospered and Erika counting out treasure was also good.  It meant we prospered. My wife wept as we left but, when I returned, she would be calm. We rode down the eastern shore of the Water with the noon sun lighting Old Olaf.  My men nodded when they saw him smile.  It was a good omen. Leif the Banner rode next to my son.  He would be his bodyguard.  I rode with Haaken.  We had much to say.  He was my oldest and closest friend.  As you grew older such friends became even more important.

"It is Wolf Killer who worries you, Jarl, and not this Ragnar Ruriksson is it not?"

"You know me well.  Enemies I can deal with.  With warriors like these and those we left at home I can face any foe but family?  It is always difficult.  They are of your blood but you cannot change their nature.  Wolf Killer has ever been thus.  He is headstrong and wishes things his own way."

"Perhaps he got that from Erika.  You have always been one to compromise and see another's viewpoint." He laughed, "Save in battle where I would not be your foe."

"Perhaps the ride home and Elfrida's counsel will calm him.  She is gentler than Brigid."

"I would not let your wife hear that lord! Her Welsh blood will rise to the fore!"

We headed up over the ridge towards the valley of Windar's Mere.  I noticed that more land had been cleared and there were more farms.  We were slowly taming the land. My people were prospering. Perhaps that was why Old Olaf was smiling.

Haaken asked, "What if our passage north is barred? Will we fight?"

"I would travel in peace but I asked for us all to bring two horses and our weapons and arms in case someone objects to our presence. I think Eanred's thegns will have trouble enough in the south of his land.  He has all but lost Eoforwic."

"True, it is now normally called its Danish name, Jorvik."

"Aye the Danes have insinuated themselves into that land.  Within a few years I can see it being a Danish kingdom and then Wolf Killer will really need to watch out." I looked towards the north.  We had reached the high point on the ridge and I could see the Wolf Mountain to the north. "We will take the quiet road through the forests of the north.  They will be fly filled at this time of year but I would avoid the Saxons until we reach the stronghold."

"Last time we were there we crept like ghosts did we not?"

"We may still not have the luxury of visiting its interior but so long as I speak with Eanred I will be happy. If he refuses my offer then we will know where we stand and we can make our plans."

It took a couple of hours to reach my son's hall.  I saw men toiling in his ditches.  He had heeded my words. I smiled to myself.  I would not mention it.  He might take it as crowing on my part.

Ragnar, my grandson, threw himself on the back of a horses as soon as we were spied and galloped towards us. Haaken laughed, "Just as reckless as his father."

"And he has grown too. Since he carried the banner to fool the Saxons he has grown a hand span."

He reined up next to me.  "Gruffyd shouted to his cousin, "I am going with the Ulfheonar! We ride to Bebbanburgh!"

"Grandfather! Can I come with you? Can I?" I must have looked confused for he pointed at my son and said, "Gruffyd is going with you to meet the King of the Saxons! I am older and I have carried your banner. Can I come too?"

I saw another confrontation with my son and I said nothing. I think Ragnar took my silence as assent for he began chattering like a magpie to Gruffyd. Haaken just said, "It is at times like these I am pleased I have only girls!"

When we passed through the gates I dismounted and turned to Snorri.  "Have the horses fed and watered.  We leave for Ketil when I have spoken with my son."

"Aye lord." He added quietly, "Remember Aiden's words, lord.  Patience."

I nodded and put on a smile to greet my son and his wife.

Elfrida threw her arms around me.  She was the best wife my son could have chosen.  I wondered what his nature would have been had he not met her. "Do you stay overnight?" She asked me.

"No, I ride when I have spoken with Wolf Killer. We travel to the land of Northumbria."

She nodded, "He told me he left angry. He means no disrespect, father.  He is just..." She searched for words that would not hurt either of us.

"Wolf Killer.  I know. But what of the time when he rules this land.  What of his haste then? He cannot storm off when he is lord of the Land of the Wolf."

"He has mellowed, lord." She was clutching at straws for he had become calmer since we had rescued Elfrida from Caer Gybi but not by much.

"You are far too good for him. Let us go and beard the bear in his den then!" She took my arm as we headed indoors.

He sat at his table with a stern expression on his face.  I sighed.  This would not be easy.  I forced the smile and extended my hand, "Son."

Ragnar and Gruffyd were behind me and he was forced to rise and clasp my arm, "Father."

"I called in as I said I would.  I saw your men improving the defences.  That is good."

He nodded, "I have my farmers digging channels and building dams so that we can flood the land around if anyone comes this way."

Haaken said, "With the Danes so close that is a wise move.  The Frisians may or may not come but one day the Danes will decide to take this valley."

When Wolf Killer nodded I thanked the Allfather that I had brought Haaken. He had said what I could not.

"Is this enough men to take with you?"

"I will take Ketil and some of his oathsworn but it should be enough."

"I wish to go with Grandfather, father." Ragnar was not afraid of facing his father.

"But..."

It was Elfrida who came to her son's defence.  "Gruffyd is going. If the Dragonheart thinks it is safe for his son then Ragnar will be safe. He is becoming a man and a warrior, husband.  Soon you will have his byrnie made and he will ride to war.  I lost him long ago.  Your time will come. You will lose him. It happens to all fathers." She held her hand out and grasped mine.  Wolf Killer looked from me to his wife and nodded.  He knew when he was beaten.

Ragnar threw his arms around her and said, "Thank you mother.  I will be safe.  I ride with Dragonheart and the Allfather watches him.  You have often told me that, father."

"Aye.  Well you will need your leather and your helmet.  Get a spare horse."

Elfrida pecked me on the cheek, "I will get him a cloak and blanket. You will watch him will you not?"

"He rides with the Ulfheonar.  If anything happens to him it will be because I and all my oathsworn are dead."

Young Garth came over to me.  "One day, Grandfather, I will ride with you."

"I know and that will be a great day for me with my two grandsons and two sons at my side." I reached under my cloak and took out a small piece of sheepskin.  I unrolled it.  "Here, I promised you a seax and here it is.  Bjorn Bagsecgson made it just as you asked and in the handle is carved a wolf cub.  That is for you."

The joy on his face made me smile long after we had left the hall and headed north. The road we took was much more pleasant than the road through Grize's Dale.  We headed towards the pass of Shap. I hoped we would reach Ketil by dark. This was a desolate place. The valley ran north to south and it could be a cold and cheerless place in winter. The nearest settlement of any size was Penrhudd. Arne Arneson was Hersir there and he had a wall around his hall.  In the past we had been attacked too many times by the men of Northumbria.  This and Ketil's Stad were two barriers on the old Roman Road to the Land of the Wolf.

He rode out to greet us when we approached our westernmost outpost, "Do you visit with me lord?"

"No, Arne, Ketil's Stad.  Tell me have the Saxons been a nuisance of late?"

"No lord.  Not since the last time you trounced them.  The bones of their wounded still mark the road east. The Hibernians and the northern barbarians are more of a problem.  The Jarl rides north every month or so to take a few heads and mark the border afresh. It is only the young hotheads who risk the wrath of the Jarl."

"Good.  Keep a close watch and if you hear or see anything unusual then send a messenger to Cyninges-tūn."

"Aye lord."

"Have you seen my Galdramenn?"

"Aiden?  Not yet, lord."

"He should be passing along the road soon.  Have your men watch for him.  He might be a wizard but he rides alone."

As we approached, at dusk, the lonely old Roman fort which stood astride the road from Northumbria I regretted not warning Ketil.  He was no longer the single young adventurer, keen to escape his father's life of plenty. He had married and had children. I had behaved much as my son might have; recklessly. He was, however, a good host.  His men had seen our approach from his walls and he was ready to greet us.  His wife was Saxon; she had been captured as a slave.  Like many female slaves she became a wife and seemed, as far as I could see, to be happy. 

"Welcome, Jarl Dragonheart.  My wife, Seara, will see to your men.  Come to my hall and we will feast you."

I could hear the unspoken questions in his words but he knew me well enough to wait.

"Thank you and I apologise for the inconvenience."

Seara gave a small bow, "How can we be inconvenienced, lord.  We would have nothing without you."

As we were led away I turned to Ragnar and Gruffyd. "Tonight you keep silent. Listen and watch.  This is training for when we meet King Eanred." They both nodded seriously.

Ketil and I sat before his roaring fire and the two boys squatted out of sight but not hearing. I told Ketil, briefly and succinctly what I intended.

"And how can I help?"

"If you could supply some scouts who know the land then that would help us.  I do not wish to start a war."

"It would be better if I came with some of my warriors."

I nodded, "But I would not wish to take you from your children and your family; not to mention your people."

"I think you are right to bring so few warriors. A show of force would be wrong.  I would bring two scouts and six oathsworn. That would be enough."

I nodded.  "And what think you of the idea? Am I a foolish old man who is becoming a dotard?"

"No lord.  If anything it is the opposite.  I think it is astute. We need not the land to the east of us so why not make an ally of the Saxons?  It would make my land safer.  We could keep more animals on the fells. I am more worried about this Ragnar Ruriksson. Perhaps your son is right.  He may use the southern passes or even the sea."

"That he may and having the Saxons as allies makes our task easier for then our enemy has but two choices."

He laughed and turned to the two boys.  "When you grow if you are half the leader that is Dragonheart then men will follow you to the ends of the earth."

I asked that Seara join us while we ate.  That was unusual.  Normally the men ate separately but I wish to use her knowledge. It had been many years since I had lived amongst Saxons. She had only been married to Ketil for four years.

"Tell me how the Saxons view us."

She looked nervously at her husband.  He smiled, "Speak.  Nothing that you say will cause the Dragonheart offence.  He was born a Saxon."

"Truly?"

I nodded, "I was but six or seven when I was taken as a slave."

"And yet you are now Jarl." She shook her head. "They fear you.  They fear all Vikings for you do not respect the church. But you hold a special terror for them.  Despite White Christ they see you as the one who changes to a wolf and appears out of the dark. Their children are brought up fearing you."

"You follow the White Christ?" Her hand went involuntarily to the cross she bore around her neck. "Fear not my wife is a Christian."

"You kill priests and take the holy books.  They say you burn them."

I laughed, "They are too valuable to burn.  We sell them. And the king, King Eanred; what do they feel about him?"

"Some say he is not strong enough.  There are those who would try to take his crown from him. It is why he stays in Bebbanburgh. He is safe there no matter how many try to take his throne."

"And has he children?"

"Prince Aethelred.  He is a fine young man and very popular.  There are many ladies who would have him as their husband.  He leads the king's army."

Just then a weary Aiden strode into the hall.

Ketil stood, "You had better get food for the Jarl's galdramenn." Seara made the sign of the cross and hurried out. Ketil laughed, "She has many superstitions and rituals of her own but she is afraid of witches and wizards."

Aiden sat.  He looked weary.  "It has been many years since I have ridden so far on the back of a horse!"

"How long will it take us to reach Din Guardi from here, Ketil?"

"If we ride hard then we can do it in one day.  It is a hundred miles and from here is a straight line."