Shieldmaiden (24 page)

I stood there feeling very small and frightened. Inside this malevolent tower were Queen Gunnhild and King Eirik. I must not offend anyone who could threaten the future of my son and they most certainly could. I had made the decision to come here, I couldn't turn away now. I thought of my mother and straightened my shoulders.

Ansgar didn't seem in awe but struck the mighty oak-door with his staff. Two guards in gleaming mail-coats and helmets appeared above the balustrade. They looked down at us. Ansgar addressed them:

‘Tell King Eirik that his niece, Sigrid Kveldulfsdaughter, is here to pay her respects.'

The giant warriors looked at each other then at me. Ansgar repeated his request. I tried to look confident. They withdrew. I heard them talk then they looked down at me again. One of them shrugged his shoulders and left.

We were kept waiting long enough for me to think we would not be admitted and I began to feel quite relieved. Then a broadshouldered figure appeared above the balustrade and a clean-shaven face peered down at us.

‘Who are you? I don't know of any niece to the King.'

‘My name is Sigrid Kveldulfsdaughter, my mother…' That's how far I got before Ansgar interrupted me:

‘Father Wolfstan! Your Grace I should say. Don't you recognise me? Ansgar, clerk at King Aethelstan's court.'

The man peered at Ansgar who removed his hood.

‘Well, I say. Praise be to St Oswald. Dear Ansgar, I had quite given up hope of seeing you again. I beg your indulgence. I'll be with you shortly.' He disappeared and we were left to wait again.

‘This is evidence of the power of prayer, Sigrid. Archbishop Wolfstan is the best person possible for us to meet here. He was…'

Then all at once there was a great banging and clonking as crossbars were withdrawn and the door swung open. Archbishop Wolfstan of Jorvik, dressed in a splendid full-length tunic trimmed with fur and elaborate embroideries looked to me like a prince or chieftain. Only the magnificent bejewelled crucifix on a thick gold chain around his neck revealed him as a man of the church. He waved at us to come in. Ansgar knelt and kissed his hand. I thought it better to do the same. With one hand I made sure my Thor's hammer amulet was hidden under my pinafore with the other I managed to bend my silver cross back into shape. I wished I'd thought of it before and displayed it in a more prominent place among the pendants on my neck-chain.

We were led through the echoing tunnel of the gate-house into a cobbled yard. Here we faced a hall even greater than the one Aethelstan had inhabited when I was his prisoner after the battle of Brunnanburh. But we were not going there. We headed for the entrance to the tower itself. We followed the Archbishop up some steep stone steps to a door half-way up the wall. I didn't like being so far off the ground. Climbing a rock or a tree is one thing, this was quite another and I felt dizzy and clung to the wall.

Archbishop Wolfstan opened and ushered us inside. Then he made his excuses and disappeared down the stairs again. The stone walls loomed over me cold and forbidding. Scant daylight was afforded by a slit in the outer wall. Two warriors stood leaning on their halberds. One of them opened a door and Ansgar gave me an encouraging little push and told me to go through. I blinked to get used to the dim light after the bright sunshine outside. In the middle of the floor a fire sparkled on a small hearth. It was the only familiar object. Everything else made me feel I was in one of the caves of the mountain-king. A voice from out of the smoky gloom:

‘So you say you are Gudrun's daughter.'

A tall figure stood with his back to one of the slits in the wall. He did not sound friendly and I thought again I shouldn't have come. I strained my eyes but he stood in the light and all I could see was his broad frame towering over me. I stepped forward, dropped to my knees and held out my hands to him. He had the courtesy to take them in his and raise me which made me feel a bit better. He pulled me over to the opening in the wall and made me face the light.

‘My sister's face, yes especially around the mouth. But those eyes… Ah, well, not that it matters.'

He let go of me and went to sit down in a high-backed chair by the fire. I remained standing, unsure of what I was expected to do. I could now see my uncle more clearly. I had expected him to look like his brother but even allowing for him being older by many years he carried little resemblance. Brown hair in thin wisps under a fine embroidered cap, a thin, mean mouth and a long nose. He waved at me to come and sit on a stool next to him.

‘So Niece, what is it you want from me?'

He eyed me with a speculative glint and made me remember my manners. I turned to Brother Ansgar who was ready with the gifts I had selected.

‘I have not come with requests but to pay my respects. I am a widow of small means and my gifts are modest,' I handed over a small, embroidered wall-hanging and a yard of ribbon woven in silk. It was all Thora's and Gyda's work, mine not being fit for gifts to anyone. But my uncle wasn't to know that and he received them with a gracious nod and praised the skills I didn't have.

‘But what brings…' He didn't get to finish his question. There was movement outside the door. It opened and a lady stepped in with an impatient swish of her fine velvet gown. It had to be Gunnhild the queen, the witch, the shape-shifter. I made haste to rise and curtsy. She did not return my greeting but came close and, like her husband before her, she pulled me over to the opening in the wall. Her eyes glittered, dark against her milky-white skin.

‘Yes, mmm, yes, I suppose it's possible. Gudrun looked a bit like that when she was young. The same stubborn set of the mouth, yes.'

I tried to control my anger at her arrogance but could feel my cheeks burn. She noticed and laughed. Then she let me go and went to sit by my uncle.

‘Gifts,' he said and pointed to where they lay discarded on a chest.

‘Yes,' Gunnhild didn't look at them. ‘Well, what does she want?'

King Eirik shrugged his shoulders.

‘We haven't quite got to that yet.'

He leant back in his chair, stretched out his legs and it seemed he was handing over to his wife.

‘I have no errand but to pay my respects. I am recently widowed and headed for Norway to look for my mother. I am told she was taken there and I wish to join her.'

‘Alone?'

‘Yes, apart from a small retinue of travelling companions.'

‘Who are these companions?'

‘Neighbours.' I offered no further information. Gunnhild became impatient.

‘But do tell me about these neighbours.'

‘Oh, just a couple of young men looking for adventure.' I felt sweat moisten my brow and my mouth dry up.

‘Adventure? I assume you mean they look to join some chieftain or other. Well, how fortunate. My husband is looking for a crew. They would not get such a good opportunity in Norway, I'm sure.'

‘They are bound by their promise to accompany me to Norway, after that I don't know their plans.'

‘Why risk the journey? You don't even seem sure whether Gudrun is alive. We can offer you the safety of our home. There are plenty of noblemen who would be happy to offer marriage to the niece of the King of Northumbria.'

‘I'm not looking for a husband. I have vowed to find my mother. I…I… had a dream, where she called for me.'

She was making sport with me, like a cat playing with the mouse before closing in for the kill. I tried to control my trembling hands, while cursing my decision to call on these two. Gunnhild leant forward in her chair.

‘So you will have your son with you then. I'm surprised you didn't bring him to receive our blessing.'

‘I have not brought my son. I left him in the care of his grandmother.'

‘Ah, ha, ha. Now would that be the mother of your deceased husband or the mother of the man who sired the child?'

Oh, how she enjoyed letting me know the depth of her knowledge. King Aethelstan had listened well when I told him what had befallen me since my father's death and he had passed it on to this evil woman. I decided there was nothing to be gained by allowing her to continue to mock me and I stood up.

‘I have called on you because, when I heard my uncle and his wife were here, I thought it my duty. I am grateful that you have received my modest gifts. With your permission, I will now return to my camp.'

‘Oh, but I don't think we have had the pleasure of your company for long enough, not nearly long enough, dear Niece.'

She waved a bejewelled hand to one of her maids and ordered wine. As the maid left, I saw Ansgar sidle out in her wake.

‘Eirik, dear Husband, don't you think we should invite these companions of Sigrid's to join us?'

‘Aunt, Uncle, your graciousness is appreciated but a visit here is too exalted for the simple farm-boys I have with me. They are in my service only until I find my mother.' I remained standing.

Gunnhild gave me one of her chilling smiles. She looked at me with the eyes of the falcon she was said to turn herself into at will, small, dark, ruthless eyes. I tried to look away from them but couldn't. They bored into my skull. I felt the tug of her mind as she searched for my secrets. I trembled with the effort of keeping my thoughts hidden. We were locked in silent struggle until my uncle cleared his throat. Gunnhild shrugged, the corners of her mouth twitched.

‘I must insist you stay in the safety of our court. I cannot allow you to go. Your farm-boys shall find adventure with the King's fleet. And, my dear niece, we shall send for your son and let him prosper under our protection.'

Her words made me shiver as if a cold wind had swept through the room. I must get Kveldulf to safety. She knew I had brought him. She would have him to foster. She would poison his mind. I would lose him for ever. I stuttered:

‘Your kindness is overwhelming but as I explained, I must go.' I moved towards the door. I lifted the bar. The door swung open and I stepped outside. Two halberds, wielded by tall warriors, crossed in front of me.

‘Come back inside and close the door. You're letting the heat out. It's a chilly day.'

I went back and faced her. ‘Am I a prisoner?'

‘Ungrateful! Stubborn and ungrateful, just like her mother.' With that the Queen stood, waved at her husband to follow her and left. The door closed with a doom-laden bang, I heard a bolt sliding into place and I was alone.

I tried to look out of the thin slits in the walls. On one side I saw the courtyard, where warriors in armour filed into the giant hall. On the other side I saw the town stretch in front for many furlongs. I began to shiver. I saw no way out. The wind-eye in the thatched roof was too high for me to reach and even if I could get up there, how would I get down from this cloud-scraper? I sat in the low chair Gunnhild had used. I paced back and forth. I thought of Kveldulf. Were they looking for him? Would they find him? What possible use could he be to them? I might be useful as a peace-weaver, a tool to bind a family to them by marriage, but my son, what did they mean to do with him?

I was a long time there in the cave-like little room, working up a furious fear for the future. Then I heard movement outside. Voices, indistinct men's voices. The bolt was drawn back and the door opened. A hooded figure slipped in and closed the door behind him. Brother Ansgar began to untie the rope he used as a belt.

‘We must swap clothing, Sigrid.'

‘We can't do that! What will happen? They might kill you!'

‘No, Wolfstan will look after me. He's the Archbishop. He has power over Eirik. This is the only way. You go. I stay. Hurry! The King and Queen are in a meeting. You must be out of here by the time it's finished. Will you hurry, Sigrid!'

I had never heard Brother Ansgar raise his voice before and the effect was ridiculous. I sniggered but did as he said. Ansgar slipped behind the high back of Eirik's chair to remove his habit and handed it over with a thin, pale arm. I removed my pinafore and my pleated linen dress, picked up the habit and slipped it over my head. The coarse wool scratched my bare skin and I thought Ansgar had the better part of this deal. I pulled the cowl over my head and made to go, but then I hesitated:

‘I can't leave you here, Brother.'

‘You must. Don't worry, I'm Aethelstan's clerk. Wolfstan won't let anything happen to me. Now listen carefully.' He explained how to get back to the camp and admonished me not to remain in Jorvik over night. He made the sign of the cross. I tried the door. It opened and I slipped out.

The guards were leaning against the wall and took no notice of me. As I passed they secured the door again and Ansgar was locked in. I trod carefully down the hated steps and drew a deep breath as I reached the ground. The soldiers opened the gates without looking at me. A monk's habit was an excellent disguise in this town and in the gathering dusk I soon jostled with the crowd leaving the town before the gates closed for the night. I got as far as the bridge over the rive Ouse before I was accosted.

‘Father, please Father.' A ragged man in Saxon clothing threw himself in front of me and grabbed my sleeve. Nobody took much notice but I figured they soon would if the man discovered that this father was a woman. I made a fist as the man fumbled for my hand and began kissing it.

‘Please Father, I have a sick child at home. The brothers at All Saints ask too much money and I am a poor man. The gates of St Mary's are closed for the night. My only son…'

He looked up at me and I withdrew my head inside the hood. I made the sign of the cross over him. If I spoke at all I would have to say prayers and I didn't know any. I put a finger of my free hand in front of my face, hoping the man would understand me to have taken a vow of silence. Then I walked away from him. He got up, grabbed my sleeve and tried to pull me along with him. This got the attention of the guards at the end of the bridge and they started to move towards us. The man, oblivious to their presence, continued to whine and beg. The guards increased their pace. One of them shouted something and the other drew his sword. I could fool the gibbering wretch at my feet but I would not be able to fool the guards. I turned my back to them, nodded at the man and allowed him to lead me away from the bridge towards the town I was escaping from.