Viking Wrath (18 page)

Ulf, just behind me was so excited he yelled, "Ragnar's Spirit! The sword touched by Odin! Now you will die Saxon!"

I ripped sideways with the edge and it sliced through the bare neck of the Saxon. Although there was a human bridge now it was unstable. The bodies began to be crushed beneath the water and the Saxons had to fight to keep their balance. I saw that there were two of the warriors who had been to the monastery close by me. They both had short mail byrnies. "Harold and Sven, to my side now!"

They obeyed me instantly. "What do you wish, Jarl?"

"We are going across the ditch. They have lost good warriors here and the ones behind have no armour. If we drive them hence it may help the others. Are you with me?"

"Aye!"

"Now!"

I stepped on a body of a dead warrior in the ditch. I was expecting it to move and it did. I sprang forward and thrust with my sword as I did so. As I withdrew it I ripped it sideways into the unprotected belly of the next warrior. I swung it to the left and the point sank into another Saxon's side. Suddenly the three of us had a gap and I roared, "Ulfheonar!" It was to give the others heart but they took it to mean that I wished us all to advance. Throwing spears materialized above me and fell amongst the Saxons who were trying to react to our attack. Aiden concentrated the arrows on the men before us too and I could see the burned huts and the destroyed walls beyond. A warrior fights for his lord and those to whom he has sworn an oath. He will keep fighting so long as there is hope. Although many Saxons were across the ditch, more were not and those who were not were now being driven back. Although I was tiring I knew that one more push would break their resolve.

"On!"

I punched a warrior in the face with my shield. He had weakly raised his sword. My shield brought a mushroom of blood and as he stepped back I stabbed him in the chest. A warrior stood with his spear raised and he hesitated. The hesitation cost him his life. Ulf Olafsson threw his last throwing spear and it hit the warrior in the side. He fell to the ground and Ulf took out his seax, leapt on the body and ripped it across his throat. The novices had become warriors and we roared after the Saxons. The ones who were isolated close to our walls turned and fled. Arrows followed them. The Saxons we followed had no armour and they ran, their legs fuelled by fear! They began to out distance us. I did not want them to regroup.

I turned to look at the warriors who followed me. My Ulfheonar were there and another ten of my men, including Ulf, Harold and Sven. "Come, let us end this."

I slowed down to a trot. The Saxons began to extend their lead but I did not want us to reach them exhausted. Every half a mile or so I slowed to a walk and then trotted again. We had found we could cover vast distances like this. I saw the forest ahead. We were almost half way to the sea. Were their ships there or would they head inland? We could not run all the way back to Mercia. Haaken began to chant one of Cnut's rowing cadences. It seemed to work. I found that it was easier to run to the rhythm. We covered the next couple of miles quickly. There was a sudden roar ahead and the sound of battle. Now was not the time to trot.

"Run!"

Inevitably the ones without armour like Rolf Rolfson and the younger ones like Ulf Olafsson reached the battle first. When I reached the skirmish it was confusing. I saw the Saxons battling with my men but there were others who were fighting from the forest sides. It took a few moments to make out who they were. They were Pasgen's men. I did not want them to die on my account and I hurled myself at the four Saxons who were trying to get at the men of Úlfarrston. I punched one in the back with my shield as I brought Ragnar's Spirit down diagonally across the sword arm of a second. The other two turned to face me. The man from Úlfarrston took his chance and plunged his spear into the thigh of the Saxon. I took the second Saxon's sword on my shield and stabbed at his middle. His own shield came around but not quite quickly enough and I scored a red wound on his leg. He reeled and, as he was going backwards swung at me weakly. I hit at his sword with mine and it shattered. As he tried to run Ulf Olafsson appeared from nowhere and rammed his seax into the warrior's groin.

I nodded at the young warrior. "Take his sword and his armour, Ulf, you have earned it!"

I left the forest and ran back to the trail. The forest floor was covered with the dead and the dying. I saw no Ulfheonar nor were there any fighting yet. I ran down the trail towards Úlfarrston. The sounds of battle were receding. Passing,
'The Heart of the Dragon'
I saw, to my dismay, that they had holed her. She was up to her thwarts in the river. She would not sail again this year. I forced myself to run harder. They would pay for their actions.

When I emerged from the forest it was getting on to dusk. We had run almost fifteen miles and my legs knew it. As soon as I saw the estuary I saw that they had only brought or left two ships. A handful of survivors had discarded armour and weapons and were swimming out to the two waiting ships. Had my ship not been damaged I would have crewed her and destroyed the two Saxon vessels. As it was I knew that they would be able to escape. I allowed the warriors who were young and still had some energy to finish off the Saxons. There was neither honour nor glory for me in such killing. I also knew that they would become better warriors because of the experience.

Pasgen, who was bleeding from a wound on his arm, joined me. I patted him on his back, "Thank you for your intervention. I hope you did not suffer too many losses."

"A few, Jarl Dragon Heart, but we also sought them for revenge. They sank two of my knarr and killed their crew. One was my sister son. They had to pay."

I nodded, "And they have. Your men fought well."

"I will make sure that we are prepared next time and we will not wait to be attacked. The next Saxons we see we attack first and then ask their corpses if they come in peace. Have they not enough land in Mercia without coming here?"

"The Saxons are fighting each other and each is trying to get as much power as they can. They all want the throne of Britannia." I shook my head, "I am content just with my own parcel of land."

"Did you suffer many losses?"

"They destroyed my walls and damaged my drekar. They killed some of my warriors but they paid a heftier price."

One by one my Ulfheonar returned. None had died but Olvir and Siggi both had wounds which would need the attention of Aiden. We had, however, lost at least eight of the young warriors including four from Windar's Mere and Thorkell's Stad. They had died during the pursuit in the forest. There the mail of the Saxons and their weapons had proved superior to courage and youth.

"We will leave the bodies in the forest and here for you and your men, Pasgen, it is small enough payment."

He nodded his thanks and we began to make our weary way back the fifteen miles to Cyninges-tūn . As we passed
'The Heart of the Dragon'
Sigtrygg said, "Poor Erik he will be distraught at the damage."

I was intending to continue north when a thought struck me. "He stayed with the ship! Where is he? If those bastards have hurt him…"

We looked around the river bank for sign of him. Ulf, Harald and Sven had no armour upon their backs and they leapt into the river to search the wreck. They dived beneath the surface. When they rose, spluttering, they all shook their heads.

"Search the banks!"

Sharp eyed Snorri found him, "Jarl Dragon Heart. He is here and he is wounded."

When we reached him we saw that he had lost much blood but he breathed still. We tore his clothes from him and saw that a sword had entered his shoulder. He was still bleeding. I ripped the bottom from his kyrtle and rammed it against the wound. "Snorri, run to Pasgen I want horses, now." He ran off. "Ulf Bjornson, pick him up we will carry him as far as we can." As Ulf carried him I pressed the improvised bandage against the wound. I had to staunch the bleeding somehow and we had no time to build a fire and heat up a weapon. I regretted the absence of Aiden.

We had reached the edge of the Water when Snorri returned leading two horses. "Snorri ride to Cyninges-tūn and tell Kara and Aiden that Erik is close to death."

He galloped off. "Haaken, mount the horse. I want you to hold my horse's reins." I climbed the third horse. "Ulf give me Erik." I sat him across the neck of the horse and held him with my right arm. I pressed the cloth into the wound with my left hand. "Ride Haaken!"

It was hard to keep my balance with my mail and Erik in my arm but I could not let him die. He had served me many years; first as a ship's boy and latterly as my captain. He was almost the equal of Old Olaf and Josephus. Given time he would have become better than they had been. He could not die. The horse was not a big one and he was struggling. That was not Pasgen's fault. He did not know why we needed the horses. When I saw the remains of the walls of Cyninges-tūn I almost wept with relief. Haaken must have sensed my anxiety. "He will live Dragon Heart. Olaf smiles on him."

I looked to the right and saw the reflection of the Old Man in the Water and Haaken was correct. The sun's rays made his image look as though he was smiling. I hoped that my oldest friend was correct. I spied Aiden and Kara as my weary mount struggled towards my home. They had a fire burning close to where the gate had been. The two of them lowered his body, which looked to be more dead than alive, to the ground so that they could tend to him. They laid him gently on the ground and Aiden immediately grabbed a red hot iron from the fire and sealed the wound. At the same time Kara cradled his head and poured a liquid down his throat. The three girls we had rescued from Jorvik and Seara waited close by. The four of them picked up his body and carried it towards my hall. He was now in safe hands. I dismounted. I ached all over and I felt as though I had not slept for a week but I had to speak with Aiden about Erik.

"Will he live?"

"The wound is sealed but he looks pale. He had lost much blood."

"Why just the women?"

"Kara gave them all a blue stone and purified them. Kara believes the power of the spirits, your wife and your mother will heal him. I am a man and my influence might have worked against him." He saw my look. "Do not worry, Jarl. She has regained her power and more. Her time with Angharad was not all bad." He looked down the Water at the weary line of warriors who followed us. "Did we win?"

"That is a hard question to answer. Until we had found Erik I would have said we had won but now I am not certain. The Saxons are gone and will not return for some time but my ship is damaged and my captain close to death. You tell me; did we win?"

He smiled and put his arm around my back. He pointed to my hall. "Your hall stands, you lost but a handful of men and our enemies are defeated. We have won. Believe in your daughter and the blue stones and Erik will live. We can rebuild the walls and I watched our young men fight. We have more warriors now. They began as boys and they emerged as men. Do not let despair fill your heart. I know the absence of your son weighs heavily upon you but you are jarl still. Your people live still. We are stronger now."

He was right but it was hard to see it. I had lost Cnut. My son had gone and now Erik's life was in danger. The Weird Sisters had much to answer for.

I was alone in my depression. All else were filled with the euphoria of victory. Only my four oldest Ulfheonar understood my pain. For the rest they were too excited about having defeated the Saxon band. After I had eaten I walked around my people and took their congratulations. They had all seen me fight; that was unusual. They had seen the danger we were in and now understood what we did. Bjorn was delighted with the weapons and armour we had taken. "Some of it is not good but it is easier to make poor armour better than begin to make good armour. The swords are useable. The next time your warriors fight they will have a helmet, shield, sword and, in many cases armour. We should celebrate." He hesitated, "My son is a good warrior?"

I smiled and patted the iron sheet which was his back, "He is Ulfheonar. I cannot praise him more."

He nodded, "I fought alongside him, Jarl, and I was proud. As a father should be." He suddenly realised what he had said and he put his hand to his mouth. "I am sorry, Jarl,… I."

I smiled, "Do not worry old friend. I am still proud of my son but there are problems. It is something we have to go through but I believe it will turn out for the best."

"I hope so. He is a fine boy and I like him."

I laughed, "That boy is now a warrior and a father too."

"You will be the same as I am. To us they are all still boys."

I stood by the Water. The day had been one which had seen us almost lose and then, against the odds, win. What was in store for us? Kara found me and slipped her arm around my waist. "You need sleep father. " I looked down at her and saw, once again, my little girl. "Today you were magnificent. No one else could have led the people as you did. I feel my power returning and that is because you did not give up on me and you persevered. I am in awe of what you do."

"I do nothing. I just try to do the best that I can."

"And that is why we love you so for you do not see how good that is. Fear not for Erik. He is strong and he fights for you. He was close to death but he serves you. He may not be Ulfheonar but he is your man and he will not go quietly to the Otherworld." She began to lead me back to my hall. "Today I watched you do something magical."

I looked at her, "Magical?"

"Yes, father, I saw you turn young boys, shepherds and fishermen into warriors who defeated Saxon warriors. If Haaken does not write a saga in honour of this day then I will."

I shook my head, "I am tired."

"I know."

"And I miss your mother." For some reason I began to weep. I have no idea why.

She pulled me tighter to her and I heard her voice thick with emotion. "I know and she misses you. She gave her life so that I would live and have my power and I would exchange it all for her back here with us."

There were no more words to be said save the unsaid words that we both missed my son. She left me at my room and closed my door. I heard her tell the slave that I was not to be disturbed. That night I dreamed.

I was on my beach but the Water was rising. It grew closer and closer to me. I tried to move but I could not. It was as though I was fastened to the sand and the rocks. Then I realised that the Water was no longer liquid it was the molten metal I had seen in Bjorn's smithy. I could feel the heat as it came closer to me. Suddenly a giant eagle swept down and lifted me in his talons and I found myself climbing high over the Water. I peered down and saw Windar's Mere and, away in the distance, the sea. It was filled with Drekar and they were all heading north. The eagle turned and took me over the land, towards the east. Below me I saw Elfridaby and it was surrounded by baying warriors who banged and hacked at its gates. I saw Elfrida being dragged away and my son transfixed by a spear. I called out and tried to reach for them. I tore myself from the eagle's talons and I fell towards the earth. I tried to stop myself but I could not the ground grew closer and closer…

"Father!"

I opened my eyes and saw Kara. Her soft hand was on my brow and she was stroking my head. "I dreamed."

"I know. I did too as did Aiden."

"I did not see your mother."

"She was with my brother. There is danger there."

"The warriors, they were real?"

"They were real."

"But what of the drekar? They were coming towards Úlfarrston."

She frowned, "I did not see them."

I rose. "Then we have a problem. How can I go to the aid of my son if there may be danger from the south?"

"I know not. But you cannot abandon your son."

I nodded. This was the work of the Norns once more. "And Erik, how is he?"

"He lives and he is awake."

"Then I will speak with him while I make my decision."

Eanfrith was with him. She rose, "I will fetch some milk and mix it with honey."

I looked down at Erik who still appeared to be perilously pale. "I am sorry I could not save the drekar, Jarl."

"You should not have tried. You were alone. We can repair the boat and we can always build a new one but Erik Short Toe is unique."

"But she lies in the river!"

"We will send Bolli and his men. They can haul her from the river and begin the repairs. You need to heal yourself."

He nodded and closed his eyes. He suddenly opened them. "Eanfrith said you were attacked."

"The Mercians came but we drove them hence. They sank our ship so that we could not pursue them. We will do so when the repairs are finished."

Eanfrith returned with the milk and honey. "Your ladies return. You are in their hands now. Obey them."

Once I had eaten and prepared myself I went out to view the damage. Already my people were busy clearing up. I saw a smoking pile by the Water. They were the bodies of the Mercians. Their ashes would be used to feed the fields. Some good would come from their attack. I was greeted by smiles and cheerful calls. They saw hope in the attack for we had all joined together and it was that joint effort which had defeated them.
Wyrd
!

Haaken and Sigtrygg were at Bjorn's smith. I could hear the clang of hammer on metal. When I entered he stopped. "How is Erik?"

"He will live." Haaken nodded. "I dreamed as did Kara and Aiden." The three of them looked at me expectantly. "Wolf Killer is in danger. Danes!"

Haaken knew the accuracy of my dreams. "When will this be?"

"I know not."

Sigtrygg shook his head. "We are in much danger here, Jarl. If another enemy comes how will we protect ourselves?"

"He is my son."

"But the dream may be of an event in the future."

"True but it may also be imminent. I will seek Snorri." I turned to Bjorn. "Those light throwing spears were effective. Thank you."

He shrugged, "They were easy to make." He smiled, "It was good to wield a blade again."

"I was pleased with all of those who fought yesterday. It gave me hope."

I found Snorri and the other Ulfheonar at the warrior hall. It had once been home to forty warriors and now it seemed empty. "Wolf Killer may be in danger. Snorri take three with you and warn him of danger but approach cautiously. If my dream was correct then they may be under attack already. Bjorn the Scout, ride to Pasgen and warn him that there may be danger from Danes in the east. Take three with you and then approach Elfridaby from the south. You can leave Pasgen's ponies with him. Join Snorri."

"This is when we need our horses again, Jarl. That witch's actions continue to haunt us."

"I know. When time allows we need to raid our neighbours for their horses. Take plenty of arrows and your bows." I nodded and smiled at Ulf Bjornson. "And Snorri, take Ulf Long Arrow with you. You may have need of his skill."

He beamed at the new name. Bjorn the Scout clapped him on the back. "Now you are Ulfheonar." He held up his maimed hand. "That is how I became Bjorn the Scout !"

The last visit before I spoke with Aiden was Bolli. The shipwright and his men had helped us to defend our homes. They were, even now, clearing up the damage. I waved him over, "You have heard about the drekar?"

He nodded, "Someone said it was destroyed. That was my father's last ship!"

"It is not destroyed. It lies in the river. It is holed but it is not beneath the water."

He brightened immediately. "We can save her?"

"You and your men can save her. Go now. Leave this work for others." I paused, "Take weapons. There may still be danger."

His face became grim. "From now on we carry weapons at all times and we practise as the Ulfheonar do. No one will take from us the fruits of our hard work. Yesterday showed us that."

As I walked back to my hall with Aiden I reflected that the mood of my people had changed. It was as though, like my sword, they had had to go through fire and blood to make them stronger.

Aiden had the map he had drawn of our lands. Some of the inks were now fading a little for they had been there for some time. The new name, in red, Elfridaby, stood out.

"If the danger comes from the east then there are two approaches to Wolf Killer's home. If they come by the Hjáp it would bring them down Windar's Mere and the other up across the Greta and by Ingleton."

"If they come by Windar's Mere then we will know. We sent a messenger to warn him of the danger to Elfridaby."

Aiden nodded. "That is why I am certain that they will come from the south. If they do come from Jorvik it is the shortest route and the easiest."

"What are you suggesting?"

He looked at me. "I know your mind, Jarl. You worry about your people being left undefended. You are in danger of worrying too much and doing nothing. If you take the Ulfheonar then you can use their skills and bring terror to these Danes."

I stared back at him, "You dreamed this."

He smiled, "I told you, Kara, your father is gaining skills too." He nodded. "It was your wife who said
'make them fear the wolf'
. She meant the Ulfheonar."

"But we are gambling that they will come and that they will come from that direction."

Both of them nodded. Aiden said, "True but Kara's mother has never let us down so we know they are coming and coming soon. As for the direction…" he shrugged and tapped his head, "something in here tells me that will be the direction they will come."

I was satisfied, "And like Erika you, too, have never let us down. I am resolved. But I leave you here. If danger comes then you can use your mind and Bjorn's brawn. The men have been blooded now and they will have iron in their backs."

I summoned the other Ulfheonar. Had the witch not taken every mount we possessed we might have ridden to Elfridaby and reached there much quicker. As it was it would take almost the rest of the day to reach there. Elfridaby was isolated from the rest of our people. It was another reason why I worried so much about him. There were just three left for me to take: Haaken, Sigtrygg and Olvir. I was worried about Olvir for he had been wounded in the battle with the Mercians but he would not stay behind. "I am Ulfheonar, Jarl, and I will do my duty."

It was a noble thought but I knew that it would slow us down. I used one of the fishing boats to take us down to the end of the Water. It was over laden and the thwarts were almost under the surface but Thorir was a good sailor and he balanced us well. It saved us both time and effort. There were no roads from the southern end of the water and we had to use trails. It meant that we left little sign of our passing. With just four of us we were able to move easily through the small trails. Sadly they were also the places where the midges and the biting insects lived and we were all red raw from their bites when we reached the southern end of Windar's Mere. We headed towards the north east and the going became easier. As we moved north the trails became wider and we looked for sign that the Danes had passed this way.

"I see no burning."

"No, that is a good thing but it may be that they come in secret to take Wolf Killer unawares. We should remain cautious."

There was just one more forest to cross before we reached the area my son and his men had cleared. Haaken remembered the trail. "It does not seem long since Wolf Killer took his Wild Boars to make this land our own."

"Aye and most of those young men have gone to the Otherworld but they did well and fought well with my son."

We had just passed a clearing where men were hewing trees to clear more land for their farm which was along the stream. It was a sign that the sacrifice of my son's warriors had been worthwhile. They stopped work when we passed. "Have you seen any Danes?"

The elder of the men shook his head, "No, Jarl. Are there any about?"

I nodded, "They may be heading for Elfridaby and my son."

"He has made a fine hall there, Jarl Dragon Heart."

"He has. And how is your father these days, Karl Crostsson?"

He laughed, "He still gets up before any of us and milks the cow. He thinks we are lazy. But he is hale and hearty. He loves this land. We have had peace for some time here."

"Good and I would have him remain so. If there is trouble then get to Elfridaby and if that is impossible then Windar's Mere. He deserves to see old age."