Viking Legend (14 page)

Each of us had our shields across our backs so that we could use both hands.  I drew my seax.  When we were less than twenty paces from the drekar we stopped. I spied a warrior at the prow and one at the stern.  The two appeared to be the only guards. Snorri was the silent killer. I pointed to the guard at the prow and Snorri nodded.  He slithered along the path which was next to the drekar.  I knew where he had gone and even I could not see him.  I waved Vermund and Erik Ulfsson.  I pointed to the stern watch.  I gestured for the others to follow me and we took up a position half way between the drekar and the camp which, from the noise, was just two hundred paces to the north of us in the woods.

If any relief came then we would have to eliminate them. We stared up the slope and then Erik tapped me on the shoulder.  They had succeeded. We slipped down the slope and boarded the drekar. The two sentries had been silently slain. I went to the steering board while Haaken and Ulf cut the ropes which tied us to the shore. It was not a strong current but it still took us slowly into the middle of the narrow river.  Snorri stood at the prow. He signalled when it was time to turn. We took the drekar through three loops.  Snorri miscalculated or perhaps I was not as good as I thought I was for the drekar grounded.  It was on the north bank. I took off the steering board and handed it to Haaken, “Hide this where we can find it later.” The drekar was disabled and was going nowhere. We made our way back to wait for dawn and our men.  We had Magnus now.

It took some time to make our way upstream for I had wanted the drekar well out of sight.  I knew that the drekar would be missed.  There would be a change of guards at some point. I needed to be as close to the camp then as I could. When we were a little way to the east of the camp I sent Snorri and Vermund to wait for Beorn and my warriors on the western side.  I needed to cover both up and down stream.

They scurried along the river bank while we climbed through the trees to get a better view. Magnus had no guards out.  He was confident.  The camp was largely asleep but I saw small huddles of warriors sitting around fires and talking. I briefly contemplated taking my handful of men to slit a few throats but the risk of awakening the camp was too great.  Haaken suddenly pointed and I saw that three warriors who had been talking stood and, gathering their goods, headed surreptitiously through the silent camp to the horse lines.  They untied three horses and led them away to the north.  They were deserting. Within moments they were gone from sight. There was disunity in the camp.  When I looked I saw that the other two who had been talking saw the three leave.  After a moment or two they too rose and followed them.  They chose two good horses and they left. Magnus was losing his men and his horses. It suddenly occurred to me that this might work to our advantage.  He might see the loss of his drekar as the work of deserters rather than us.

The rest of the camp remained asleep. We waited in the cold dark forest.  We were well hidden and remained unseen.  Warriors rose to make water and returned to lie by their fires. The first hint of dawn had appeared in the east when I saw Magnus rise.  He had the place closest to the dying embers of the fire. It had died down to a faint glow.  He stood and stretched.  He walked over to one of his men and kicked him.  He spoke to him but the words were indistinct. The warrior walked down towards the river.  I knew then that there would soon be a commotion.  I did not need to wake the Ulfheonar.  They were alert.

Magnus woke his other men and the camp came to life.  A number of things happened at once.  One of his men went to the horse lines and saw that there were gaps and the warrior who had gone to the river came back shouting, “The drekar has gone!”

The warrior shouted from the horse lines.  “Harold and his men are not here.  There are horses missing!”

Magnus gave an animal like roar “I will give him the blood eagle when I catch up with him.  To arms! We go to find this traitor and my ship.”

Men raced around gathering arms and helmet. I kept my eye on Magnus.  I had to trust to Beorn and my younger warriors.  I had said to be there when dawn broke and, as I watched the warband prepare to move, I felt its warmth on growing. I said, quietly, “Ready?”

“Aye Jarl.” I only had six men with me but the seven of us were a force to be reckoned with.  When we stood every eye would be upon us and it would allow the rest of my men to fall upon them.

I stood and shouted, “Magnus the Foresworn. Now is your day of reckoning.  Prepare to die!”

Seven Ulfheonar standing up less than thirty paces from where you have slept must have terrified some of the warriors with Magnus.  Our sudden appearance in their midst would have appeared as almost magical. Their hands went to their amulets for protection. Before anyone spoke Haaken gave a wolf howl and the others took it up. It would tell Beorn that we attacked.

Magnus laughed, “We are not children to be frightened by such a noise.  There are only seven of you! Kill them!”

They hesitated and that gave me heart. I stepped forward and my men came with me.  The warriors with Magnus took a step back.  Were we wraiths?  Were we sent from Hel to punish them? “Are you afraid? Shall we come to you?”

That appeared to enrage Magnus’ oathsworn.  There were ten of them all dressed in mail.  They looked to be young warriors.  Few had warrior bands.  They had the mail but would they have the skill? They ran at us.  As usual they came directly for me. They wanted the honour of killing the Jarl with the magical sword. I did not mind for it allowed my warriors to attack freely.  As one swung an axe at my head a second stabbed at me with his sword.  I stepped forward and deflected the axe with my shield while fending off the sword.  I pulled my head back and head butted the axe man who fell at my feet. I brought the edge of my shield around to strike the man with the sword in the neck as he stumbled. I stabbed him in his middle and then hacked down across the neck of the axe man. My blow was so powerful that I severed his head and his helmet fell away.

I reached down and, picking it up by the hair, threw the head towards Magnus.  The men around him recoiled as it bounced towards him. “One of your oathsworn has gone before you Magnus! You will be next!”

Then I heard a roar as Snorri, Beorn and Vermund charged the rear of the enemy lines with my young warriors. There was a collective wail from Magnus’ men. They were surrounded. I felt a blow coming towards me and I instinctively brought around Ragnar’s Spirit.  It blocked the blow from the side.  I saw the young Viking’s sword bend a little. “Spend gold on a better sword before you buy cheap mail!”

I punched at him with my shield.  He was not expecting the blow and I winded him.  He tried to swing his sword across my face but it was unbalanced. I dodged my head out of the way and then ran him through with my sword.

Magnus stared around him in horror at the change in his fortunes. He had been facing seven and now there was a warband. He was slippery and he was a coward.  He and the last of his oathsworn abandoned his men and ran towards the last of the horses. The ones who attacked us died to a man but they bought enough time for my prey to evade me. I watched as he galloped from my sight and I was helpless to do anything about it. The men we fought saw their leader flee.  Many of them fled after him and others threw down their weapons. Some were slow to do so and were slain.

Haaken shook his head in disgust.  “These are not Vikings! A Viking would fight until he died.”

“They were badly led. They leave us with a problem.”

“There is no problem.  They deserve but one punishment; they die!”

“Perhaps not. I am inclined to show mercy.”

The six Ulfheonar who stood around me could not believe my words. “Mercy!”

I took off my helmet to allow the cool morning air to clear my head, “We could kill them but if we disarm them, take their weapons and their treasure then what will they do?”

My men looked confused. “There is nothing for them to do.  A man without a weapon will soon die.”

“These men are warriors.  They surrendered because they have been defeated by us twice.  Some may even wish to join us.”

“I would sooner fight alongside a snake!”

“I did not say I would take them on, Olaf.  These men will survive and to do so they will have to take.  When we go home King Eanred will reap his poor choice of leader for he will have outlaws and bandits here in the heart of his kingdom.  His land will be cut in two and he will have to send his Eorls to rid his land of them.  And others will hear of my mercy and may surrender rather than fight.” In explaining what I would do I had convinced myself.  “It is my decision but I also hope that by showing them mercy I can discover where Magnus the Foresworn will go. They may even wish to hunt their faithless leader.”

Snorri, Beorn and Vermund joined me. “Take some of the men downstream and secure the drekar. We will sail her home.”

“It is too small to accommodate all of our men and horses.”

“I intend to ride home.  It will be quicker.  The voyage around the north of the island will take some time.  Riding we can be home in three days.”

“Who will captain her?”

I pointed to Snorri, “Snorri was a ship’s boy for many years and Cnut Cnutson has some skill.  They can take the drekar and the Ulfheonar will travel west.”

Everyone nodded and, when my men had gone to collect the drekar, Haaken took me to one side.  “There is more to this than avoiding an arduous sea voyage. Tell me what is in your mind.”

I pointed west.  “I have been drawn eastwards by Magnus and the Norns have allowed him to escape again.  There must be a reason for that.  Why have they brought me back to the land from whence I was taken? I know that this is the land where the Queen, whose torc we have, lived. Aiden told me that she had a castle not far from here.  We must have passed it when we came east.  I would go back and see her home.”

Haaken nodded his approval, “It is
wyrd
.”

“But before we leave I will speak with the prisoners.” 

There were twenty two of them.  Some had wounds and most were young. There were two older warriors.  One had a grey beard.  “I am Jarl Dragonheart.  Your fate lies in my hands. I could have you all executed where you stand.”

I saw a resigned look from the young warriors but the older ones began to show signs of interest.  “However I may be disposed to mercy if you answer my questions and swear never to raid my lands again.”

This time even the young warriors looked interested. “Firstly I want to know where Magnus the Foresworn will go.”

One of the young warriors shouted, “How can we know that, Jarl?”

The greybeard spat, “We know! And I will not die to protect him.  We swore to fight for him and he abandoned us. An oath works two ways.” His eyes stared into mine, You swear we can have our lives?”

“You can have your lives. I so swear. I am Jarl Dragonheart and I am never foresworn.”

“Then he will have ridden to Din Guardi, the King’s home in the far north.”

“Will he not risk punishment for losing so many warriors?”

“He and Eorl Aethelfrith argued about the attack on the hill.  Magnus is rightly named Foresworn.  He will blame the Eorl and the dead Count of Miklagård. The King likes Magnus; I know not why. He will believe his silken words.”

I nodded and held my sword by the blade.  “This is the sword which was touched by the gods, Ragnar’s Spirit.  Swear now that you will never attack my lands again and you can go free.”

The greybeard  said, “I would follow you Jarl Dragonheart.  You are a real Viking.”

I shook my head, “My men would not fight alongside you. Find a better life for yourselves.  Do you now swear?”

They nodded and placed their hands on their seaxes and swore.

“Then leave this place and next time choose a better leader.”

One or two of the younger warriors tried to retrieve their shields but my men stood firm.  They followed the greybeard. Within the time it takes to sheathe a sword they had disappeared into the trees.  I never saw them again. The land was empty and there were many places to hide.

The drekar, ‘
Red Snake’
, was not in the best condition but Snorri was happy that it was seaworthy. He refitted the steering board while the young men and warriors boarded.  It accommodated my men but only just. It did meant that they would be safe from attack for they were well crewed and there were two men on each oar. We watched them row down the twisting river. Snorri would be a cautious sailor but the voyage would bond the men.  Next time they fought they would have more in common than just a leader. They would have faced the sea together.

We headed west. “We will cross the river downstream from the Roman Bridge. I would remain hidden from the Eorls who live hereabouts.  By now the King will know that we are abroad and when Magnus arrives at his castle I have no doubt that he will direct the King’s attention to us.”

Haaken smiled, “It is why you wanted just the Ulfheonar.”

I nodded, “We can hide if we have to.  My young warriors did well. I would not have their lives thrown away because of me.”

“Where is this place of the Queen?”

“It was called Stanwyck but Aiden seemed to think it was close to the Saxon village of Aldeborough. The fort is supposed to be within a short journey from the Roman Bridge and the river.”

“Then we can be there by dark.”

“I hope so.”

I was silent as we rode east. There were just a handful of us but I trusted these warriors like no other men.  They were like brothers to me. We were comfortable in our silence. I was thinking of the spirits and the way they worked.  Since the day I had been born they had gradually pulled the curtain back on my ancestors. I had learned more and more.  I had travelled back in time.  Yet I was now certain that it was the Norns who were making me what I was, a legend. My ancestor had been a warlord and his name still resonated. The more I discovered the more I wanted to know.  In discovery lay adventure. I would now be trying to find someone who had lived before the Romans had first stepped on to this island.  That was so long ago it made my head spin.

We used the trail which ran along the river.  I scanned the water, as did Beorn, for the place where we could cross.  The sun was dipping towards the west and Beorn raised his arm. “There Jarl; it looks shallow.”

I nodded and he nudged his horse into the water.  It came up to its withers but no higher and we all followed.  Towards the middle of the river the current tugged a little but I dug my heels in and my horse surged up the other side and shook himself when we reached dry land. The bank looked flat and there were trees. I thought that we would be hidden from sight. “We will camp here and search for the fort tomorrow.”

We risked a fire for the cold river had chilled us. If there was to be a pursuit of us it would take some time to organise.  We might be in danger during the coming days but this first night we would be safe.

Olaf Leather Neck sighed, “I could do with some beer.”

Vermund snorted, “There you go. Always wanting something we don’t have.  Why not wish for a comfortable bed and two wenches to share it?”

Olaf sat up, “You have them?”

Vermund picked up a handful of grass and threw it at his friend, “Fool!”

The banter was a good sign.  They were not worried about the dangers of roaming deep in the heart of enemy land.  We had never yet met a Northumbrian we could not best.

Haaken lay down and stared up at the stars, “Like you, Jarl, I am intrigued but I know not what we seek or why.”

“You accept that it will be better and quicker for us to ride home rather than sailing home.”

“Aye.”

“And the route we have chosen is the shortest.”

“It seems that way.”

“Then as there are few enemies between us and home I believe the Norns wish us to travel this way and who am I to go against their will. As for what we seek; that is a different question. I do not know but there will be something.  When I was trapped deep in the Welsh hillside I could not have imagined that I would discover a sword.  When we found the cave I could not have expected it to be a tomb. There will be something at this fort.”

“You are right.  And besides this is another great opportunity for a song from me. I have nearly finished the one about you with an arrow sticking from your throat.”

“But that is not how it was!”

“I am the song teller.  I write what I know will make people listen.”

“But you write the stuff of legends and not what really happened.”

“I was there, Jarl. I know what happened and you were saved by the gods!”

There was no arguing with him. I did not sleep well for my mind was beset by Magnus.  He seemed destined to ever escape me. Perhaps I could let him go.  He would die from someone else’s hand, I knew that but at the back of my mind was the fear that he could hurt my family.  I could not risk that.

We headed west until we came to the Roman Road.  From Aiden’s description I knew that the fort lay somewhere alongside the road. I wondered how I would  know it.  I almost laughed, when an hour later I saw its ramparts rising like rolls of earth before me. I could not have mistaken it for anything other than what it was; an ancient monument to the ones who ruled this land before the Romans.

We reined in and Haaken shook his head, “Did men truly build this?  It must have taken them lifetimes!”

There were concentric lines of ditches and mounds.  A stream meandered along the lowest one. As we let our horses drink in the stream I saw that it had been cunningly made so that there was no one way in. Beorn pointed, “There is a gap, Jarl. I think there must have been a gate to enter at one time.  I can see the holes in the ground where the posts stood.”

Dismounting we led our horses through the gateway and along the ditch.  The entrance to the next ring was further along. We kept climbing as we entered this cleverly designed fort. We found two other gates before we reached the top level. There we saw the deserted and ruined huts.  People had lived here. There was a palisade which ran around the top.  It looked as though it needed repair and the gates at either end had been thrown down. I saw a number of mounds. We went over to them.

“Think you one of these is the grave of the Queen?”

“I know not, Haaken.  I doubt it they  are too small and mean.  But I am not about to despoil the grave of a Queen.” I turned, “Beorn, you and Erik hunt.  We will explore this today and stay here.”

As they went off Haaken said, “There is nothing here, Jarl.”

I swept my arm around the huge interior. “You call this nothing? Have you seen anything as impressive in this land? Even the castle on the cliffs in On Walum was a hut compared with this. I would sleep within the rings and dream.”

I knew I had not convinced him but I was Jarl and my heart told me to stay. In my heart I agreed with Haaken.  There would be nothing here for me to find. It was not until dusk came and the sun set that I finally finished my exploration.  As dark storm clouds had been gathering during the day my men had repaired two of the huts by putting branches over the half wrecked roofs.  We ate well for Beorn and Erik had managed to hunt some game.  Olaf still complained about the lack of beer but it was a fine meal, nonetheless. We had barely finished when the rain began.  It didn’t just fall, it cascaded like a waterfall. The temporary repairs did not hold it back and rivers ran along the floors of the huts but at least we were saved from the worst.

When the thunder began and the horses became frightened Beorn and Erik went to calm them. The storm increased in intensity and the lightning lit up the skies outside as though it was daylight. The thunder crashed so much that even Haaken became worried, “Jarl, we have offended Odin by coming here.”

A bolt of lightning illuminated the interior of the hut and I smiled, “I have stood closer to the god’s anger before now, Haaken.  Should I draw my sword for Odin to strike it again?”

That made my entire oathsworn drop to their knees, “We beg you not, Jarl! We are not you! We would be burned to a cinder.”

“Then fear not. We will not be hurt.”

I was proved right but I knew not how. The storm abated but not for a long time and the rain eventually stopped. We managed to find dry patches inside the hut and we lay down.  I slept well but I was not certain that my men did.

I dreamed.

I was an eagle flying high above the land and there were Roman horsemen below me.  They were advancing to fight a mighty horde of wild half naked warriors.  They were outnumbered yet they advanced bravely.  I saw that they had the standard of a dragon and it wailed as it moved.  Their red horsehair plumes and cloaks over their metal byrnies made them look like a long snake. The sun reflected from their armour and their swords. When they struck the line of the barbarians it was like an axe striking a tree.  They broke the line asunder. I saw a Roman chief fighting a barbarian.  They fought long and hard.  The barbarian fell dead but the Roman had been mortally wounded.  When he handed his sword to another red cloaked horseman I knew that he was dead. I watched as the Roman’s oathsworn carried his body.  They went to a secret entrance to a long barrow and removed stones.  I saw them enter with his body and then emerge without it.  They replaced the stones and covered them with soil.  It was only then I saw that there were two women standing weeping with the warriors. The sky became black and I lost sight of them.  I flew higher hoping to get above the darkness but it became blacker and blacker and then I felt a pain in my chest and when I looked I was no longer an eagle and I was falling.  I was hurtling back to earth.

I opened my eyes and saw light coming through the holes in the roof.  I was awake and it was daylight.

When I stepped from the hut I was struck by the devastation.  The only two huts which remained upright were the two we had repaired.  There were blackened marks on broken parts of the palisade showing where it had been struck by bolts from the gods. I stood at the broken gateway and saw that we were now in the middle of what looked like a collection of tarns or rivers. Had we slept where we had the previous night then we would have drowned.
Wyrd
!

My men joined me as they woke and they too were stuck by the devastation. Vermund shook his head, “It is dangerous to be with you, Jarl.  The gods toy with you.  We are mere mortals and we have no magic sword to protect us.”

Haaken shook his head, “That is where you are wrong, Vermund.  Last night I too was afeard and I should not have been Cnut was with Dragonheart when the sword was struck and he survived. When the Jarl fought to rescue Aiden it was his enemies who were struck by the anger of the gods.  Aiden and the Jarl were unharmed. So long as we are true to our jarl then we will be safe.”

I laughed, “Haaken, do not make this into a saga I beg of you!”

He spread his arms, “I merely record what it is that happens to you, Jarl.  I do not command their appearance.”

We spent the morning packing and waiting for the waters to abate somewhat. It was noon when we attempted to leave.  Our horses had to swim the stream we had walked across. The land was like our home.  It was covered in tarns, meres and waters. Were it not for Beorn’s skill we would have become lost but he led us unerringly out of the confusing muddle of puddles, water and mud.  I was silent and distracted and I did not pay much attention to our surroundings.  I trusted in Beorn’s skill. My horse suddenly whinnied and it arrested my attention.  I looked up and I recognised the land from my dream.  “Hold!”

My men stopped and their hands went to their weapons. I pulled my horse’s head around and rode up the slope to the jumble of rocks I saw on the skyline.

“Jarl! Where do you go?  That is not the way home.”

Haaken’s voice sounded excited, “Peace, Beorn, do you not see.  It is the work of the Norns!”

I knew where we were.  We had found the place where the warrior had been buried.  I recognised the entrance for the rain had washed away the covering of soil. Two huge stones stood like sentries guarding the entrance. The barrow had been like an upturned boat with rocks forming the side.  I dismounted and dropped the reins of my horse.  I took off my helmet out of respect as I walked into the tomb of the dead.  I had not despoiled this tomb; that had been the work of the gods.  I was intended to walk amongst them.

I recognised the bones of the warrior.  They were close to the door.  His armour had long rusted but I knew what it was. The horsehair had long disappeared as had his cloak but his skull looked to his left and there I saw the bones of someone smaller. Around the head was a small circle of gold studded with blue stones.  I picked it from the skull and felt power race through me.  A voice in my head told me what I already knew, this was the Queen I had sought.  This was a Queen who lay with a dead Roman warrior.

I know not how long I stood there.  I heard Haaken’s voice, as though from a long distance, “Jarl, is this the Queen you sought?” I nodded dumbly. “How did you know it would be here?”

I turned and saw my awestruck oathsworn. “I dreamed it last night. This warrior led warriors and defeated a mighty host.  He died and was laid here next to the Queen.” I pointed to the jumble of bones which lay deeper in the barrow.  “This is an ancient tomb.  See there are many ancient dead. Take what you will for the gods have given this to us.  Odin himself stripped back the top. We were meant to find it.” They hesitated.  “You know I am not foresworn and I tell you that we were meant to come here. I will take this circle of gold to Kara for it belongs with the torc.”