Viking Legend (10 page)

She ran back into the hut and returned with a skin of water and some salve. Lifting my kirtle she gasped.  “This is a deep wound my lord. It is bleeding heavily.”

I nodded, “Then you must use a brand from the fire and staunch the bleeding.” I smiled at her.  She was young, a little younger than Brigid but she and Gray had been strong enough to survive in the wild. She would be able to manage. “Be strong, Thora; you can do this.”

She went back into the hut and returned with a burning brand.  She held it in two hands.  “You had better kneel, Jarl.” She smiled. “You are bigger than I am.”

I did so and braced myself. “Hold it there for the count of three if you can, and if I can bear it.”

I first felt warmth then heat then an excruciating pain. There was the smell of burning hair and flesh. I fought the darkness which threatened to overwhelm me and then the pain stopped.  She began to dab the hot flesh with water.  I was not certain that Aiden would have approved but it felt good.  “The bleeding has stopped.  I will put on this salve and then you must rest.”

As she applied cool salve I shook my head.  “No, we must bury your husband and then get to my son’s.”

“You are hurt.”

“And I am a warrior.  I have suffered worse. Thank you, Thora.”

It was a crude burial which Gray was given.  I laid his seax, which one of the outlaws had taken, across his body and we piled stones upon it. The animals would feast on outlaws flesh and Gray would remain undisturbed. While Thora gathered her few belongings I went to search for Badger.  He was just a short way into the forest.  The blood had dried on the wound. It was a scratch only but I would put on some of Thora’s salve. Badger would be our only hope until we found another farm.

Thora had few belongings.  She had tied them in one of the outlaw’s cloaks.  After we had cleaned the wound on Badger and applied the salve I said, “Get on his back.”

She shook her head, “You are wounded and you are Jarl Dragonheart.  I will walk.”

“True, I am Jarl and I order you to mount.”

She shook her head and became tearful, “I cannot ride!”

I laughed, “You do not need to ride.  Just sit on his back. Come he is a gentle horse.” I cupped my hands and heaved her into the saddle.  It was a mistake for the movement sent paroxysms of pain through my shoulder but I gritted my teeth and said nothing. I handed her bundle to her and led Badger towards the mere.

I knew that Finn had a farm at the southern end of the mere and I hoped we would find help there.  To take my mind off the pain I asked Thora about the Saxons.

“They came six days since. The first I knew was when they burst into the hut with Gray’s blood still upon them. I could not understand their words but they did not speak over much to me.  They,” she hesitated, “they took me and abused me. I hope they suffered when you slew them.”

I nodded. “So you have no idea where they came from?”

She shook her head. “Finn has sons and they hunt the woods to the south.  I do not think the four of them would have passed his farm easily.” She shivered as though to exorcise a demon. “They were cruel men. Are all Saxons like that?”

I remained silent.  I was half Saxon.  Sometimes I could be cruel too.  Was that the Saxon side of me emerging?

When they heard my horse approaching Finn and his sons  armed themselves and came towards us.  When they recognised me they relaxed. “Hail, Jarl, Dragonheart what brings you this way?”

“I was on my way to Wolf Killer’s when I was attacked by four Saxons who have killed Thora’s man.”

Thora blurted out, “He is wounded!”

Finn’s wife rushed over to Thora while Finn and his sons crowded around me. “Is it a bad wound, Jarl?”

I shook my head, “A spear in the shoulder.  I will be fine.  Could I leave Thora here with you?” I lowered my voice.  “She has suffered much.  She needs care and the company of a woman.”

Finn nodded, “We will care for her, Jarl, cannot travel on alone.” He turned to his sons, “Sven, mount your pony and escort the Jarl.”

“There is no need.”

“Jarl, there is.  The ones who attacked and killed Gray were not the only ones.  Four days since we hunted three who had taken one of my sheep.  One spoke before he died.  They are from Mercia. There are many men who have been outlawed and they have moved further and further north. Who knows how many may be twixt here and Wolf Killer. I would sleep easier knowing that you were escorted.  My son can return on the morrow.”

His wife, who had taken Thora indoors, returned with a horn of ale, cheese and some rye bread, “Here Jarl it is little enough but it will keep you going.” She shook her head, “It is good that Thora is young.  She might get over this.  She is hurting.”

“Thank you.  I know that you will care for her.” I ate gratefully.  As I handed the empty horn back to Finn I said.  “I will have my son send warriors to scour the forest and rid us of this infestation and I will send a message to Sigtrygg Thrandson. You should be able to live safely within my lands.”

“And we do.”

I looked over to Thora who was being comforted by Finn’s wife, “Not all live safely.  I have let down my people and I will make amends.”

Sven was pleasant company and it was easier for me riding Badger rather than walking. He told me more of the hunting of the outlaws.  He sounded like a handy warrior.  “Have you no thoughts of a wife and a farm of your own?”

“There are few women hereabouts and it is too far to travel to Windar’s mere or Cyninges-tūn.”

“But there is good land aplenty.”

“Aye.”

I had a sudden thought, “And Thora will need a man.  She would make a good wife. She has iron in her.”

“Thora? She is comely.  Perhaps I will give thought to it.  Gray was our friend and I do not think he would mind.”

I learned much about my people as I rode the last few miles to Wolf Killer’s settlement. Their lives were hard enough without raids and attacks from outlaws. We arrived just before dark. My late arrival and my escort brought Wolf Killer and Elfrida to the gate.  I would have remained silent about my wound but Sven blurted it out. I did not like fuss but I was forced to remove my kyrtle, once we were in the hall, and show Elfrida the injury. She nodded when she saw what Thora had done, “It has been sealed with a flame but you should not have ridden so far.  You are pale, father.  You will stay here until I am happy for you to leave.”

Wolf Killer smiled, his wife was a strong willed woman and a force of nature. Sven joined the men in the warrior hall and I sat with my son, grandson and Elfrida.  I had much to tell them.  After I told Wolf Killer the reason for my visit I added, “But first I think we should scour the land for these Saxons.”

He leaned forward, “I will scour the land and you will rest until my wife says otherwise and when you go to visit with Sigtrygg then I will have my men escort you.  We cannot afford to lose Jarl Dragonheart.”

I spoke before I thought, “There was a time not so long ago when you did not think so.”

He coloured a little and I thought I had upset him but he laughed.  “You are right and I apologise.  Let us say I was not as grown up as I thought and I have learned since then.  My wife is a good teacher. Perhaps I needed to have a son to learn what it is to be a father.”

Ragnar was now old enough to be inquisitive and unafraid of upsetting his elders with his questions.  I was quizzed about my sword, my battles, Brigid, the Scots, my voyages… everything! I was exhausted when he was hurried off to bed. Elfrida made sure I had some warmed honeyed ale to send me to sleep and I was put to bed like my grandson.

My bed was welcome and the ale had made me sleepy. As I lay down to sleep I realised how close I had come to death.  The four men I had fought were not warriors but I had been at my most vulnerable.  I could have died.  I was not afraid of death for myself but I was beginning to understand the effect it would have on my land. I thought back to my grandsire, the Warlord.  When he had fallen his world had ended as though it had never existed. Could I wish that upon my people?  I remembered my mother who had been nobility and then reduced to life as a slave. That would not happen to my family.  I would make sure that when I went to the Otherworld my land was in safe hands.

I woke in the middle of night. The pain in my shoulder was amongst the worst that I had borne.  Once awake I found it hard to sleep. The attack and the wound had been a warning.  I was not immortal.  I had a sword touched by the Gods but I was not touched by the Gods. I lifted my head.  I did not wish to wake the others. I found Thora’s salve and rubbed a little on my shoulder. It seemed to give some relief and I lay back down and stared at the wood above my head. I turned as Elfrida appeared next to me.

“You are in pain?”

“It is to be expected.” I gave a wry, dry chuckle, “I should not be surprised.  I am not Wolf Killer. I fell from my horse and I had a spear in my back.  I should expect discomfort.”

She nodded, “Here drink this draught.” I cocked an eyebrow. “Do not fear, Kara taught me to make it.”

I drank it down and it felt warm as it entered my body, “Thank you.  You are kind and my son is a lucky man.”

“We are all fortunate, Jarl, and that is largely due to you.”

I closed my eyes and she kissed my forehead. The pain was now a dull throb but the potion worked and I slept.  I slept so deeply it felt as though I was dead. The sleep was so deep that I awoke long after the others. I rose and looked around the empty hall.  Ragnar was sitting cross legged by the fire staring at me.  “I thought you were never going to wake grandfather.”

I heard Elfrida’s voice, “Let your grandfather wake before you bother him.” She entered with two thralls who carried food and ale.  “I see that you slept.  How do you feel?”

“Stiff but that will pass.  Kara’s potion worked.”

“It is magical and now that Aiden has the wizard’s parchments we will be able to use many more such potions and elixirs.”

I left to make water.  Looking in the sky I saw that it was almost noon.  I had slept a long time. When I returned the food and the ale were on the table. “You let me sleep o’er long.  Where are the others?”

“Sven led my husband and his men to search for the Saxons. He has sent a messenger back to Cyninges-tūn to tell them you are safe.”

“But they did not know what happened.  They would not have been worried.”

She laughed, “Finni would have sent word, believe me. Your son also sent a messenger to Sigtrygg.”

“Good.” I was relieved.  That would save a journey. I ate and every mouthful was watched by young Ragnar.

When the food was gone he said, “Is it true you were a thrall like Peter.” He pointed to the old man who was sweeping the floor. 

“Aye, I was taken as a thrall and I earned my freedom.”

“How?”

I smiled, “You are named after Ragnar who was my master.  I cared for him in the high mountains. One day a wolf attacked us and I killed the wolf.  I was given my freedom.”

“That is how you became the wolf warrior?” I nodded, “I would like to kill a wolf and be like you and my father.  He is Wolf Killer you know.”

I saw Elfrida smile. “I know. I was there when he killed his wolf but it is a dangerous task to kill a wolf.  They are both cunning and brave. One of the warriors lost two fingers that day and another almost lost a hand.  A wolf is a fierce creature and a clever hunter.”

“Like you and the Ulf.. Ulf…”

“Ulfheonar.”

“Yes them.” We laughed.  I enjoyed the afternoon.  My wound meant I could not practise with him as I normally did and so walked around the river and the old Roman fort.  I noticed that two of my son’s guards kept a wary eye on us.  It would not do to have the father and the son of the Jarl attacked. It was good to talk with a young inquisitive mind.  Soon I would be able to do this with my new son. 

My son and his men did not return until after dark.  I saw the worry on Elfrida’s face. It was a hard job to wait at home. Ragnar ran up to him and greeted him warmly.  “Did you slay the outlaws?”

He nodded. “We found five and they now hang in the forest as a reminder to others who would transgress in our land.”

I nodded.  My son was becoming ruthless.  He would need that when I went to the Otherworld. “And Sven?”

“He is a good warrior. He returned home.”

“I told him to take a wife and a farm.”

“We need warriors like that.”

He sat opposite me at his table and waved a thrall over with ale. “I will take my drekar and voyage with your men but I would not leave my land undefended.  Have you enough men to give me half a crew?”

I nodded, as I swallowed the fine ale, “And more.  I have many young men who wish to go a-Viking.”

He smiled and touched horns with me, “I am happy that things are well between us.”

“For my part, son, you never stopped being part of me. I was just sad that you did not want to be that part.”

He looked over to Ragnar who was practising with his wooden sword against one of Wolf Killer’s oathsworn. “The more he grows the more I shudder at my behaviour. Why did you not lose your temper and strike me?”

“Because that was never my way and never your mother’s. You choose your friends but your children are something different.  You hope they will grow well and you do your best but in the end it is in the hands of the gods and the Norns.  I am just happy that it has turned out well.  Magnus the Foresworn is an example of someone who turned out bad.”