Viking Legend (4 page)

The warriors behind us pushed against our backs with their shields.  We, in the front rank, struck with our swords and then punched with the bosses of our shields. The line fell back and, as their feet struggled for purchase, many of them fell into the surf.  They died like stranded fish.  We moved forward. I now understood their difficulty for my legs sank almost to my knees in the soft stony sand. The ebbing sea sucked the dead bodies away from us. I felt my arm and legs ache from the effort.

“Switch!”

This would be a test of my new men.  As my Ulfheonar turned and stepped back, most of my newer warriors took our places at the fore. It was a move we had used before.  It gave fresh arms, legs and eyes to the fight.  I watched with pride as my warriors who wore no mail yet but aspired to be  warriors like us finished off the crew of the Scottish boat which had been closest to us. I was proud for none of the enemy returned to the boat.  Three other Scottish raiders were slipping away west for the fight was over. There were so many bodies in the sea that I felt as though I could have walked across them. It had been a great slaughter.

As my new warriors began to strip the arms and valuables from the dead closest to them I looked to see if any had fallen. Audun Arneson lay dead.  He was a new Ulfheonar but he had died with a sword in his hand. He was so new that he had not yet been given a golden wolf as the rest had.  I would have to make restitution to his family.  When a man fought in my Ulfheonar then I cared for his family too. It was part of the bond. The rest of my men looked to have survived intact.  Two of my newer warriors lay face down in the surf.  This had been their first and their last raid.  It was a chance all men took.

I saw warriors all along the beach finishing off the wounded who lay in the sea.  Dawn’s early light shone off the bloody water and metal helmets.  It was a grim sight. Thorfinn Blue Scar strode down the beach towards me.  I took off my helmet to greet him. The cool morning air felt good.  He held his arm out for me to clasp it. “Thank you, Jarl Dragonheart.  I see that the stories of your sword and your men are not exaggerated. Although few in number they truly have the courage of the wolf.” I nodded. He pointed to my face, “Ah, you now have a scar upon your face.  I have some blue ink if you wish it to look like mine.”

I remembered the spear thrust I had suffered.  I held my hand to my face and it came away bloody. “Thank you but no, I think one Jarl called Blue Scar is enough.  I am happy to be the Dragonheart.”

“And the name is truly earned.  Come, we will eat while my men clear the beach. I am glad that you stayed the night.”

“As am I.” I turned to the Ulfheonar closest to me,  “Snorri, have some men go to Erik and fetch over my drekar.”

His thralls had prepared food and we ate in the hall while we awaited my drekar. Thorfinn Blue Scar insisted upon rewarding us. He brought out a golden torc from a chest he kept in his hall.  It was an ancient piece of gold. I had seen others just like it. They came from the tribes who lived in the north of the land before the Romans had come.

“It is said that this torc was worn by a warrior queen of a tribe called the Brigante.  My men found it in the cave of a witch on the island of Grimsay.  She began to curse them and they killed her. I would not give such a gift away for it was cursed.  But you have a galdramenn.   Perhaps he can divine if it is still cursed.”

I handed it to Aiden.  For my own part I was not afraid for it was not the torc which had been cursed but the warriors who had killed her. Aiden examined it and closed his eyes as he did so. He held it tightly to his chest.  A slight frown crossed his face. “There is no curse in the torc, Jarl.  But the torc has many tales to tell.”

Thorfinn Blue Scar nodded, “That is the advantage of having a wizard, Jarl. I envy you not only your sword but the warriors and men you have around you.”

“We are brothers all.”

“I can see that.” He looked through the door of his hall and said, “I see your drekar approaches.  Farewell.  Consider me an ally and a friend now. We will trade, as I promised, and I will ensure that any news of your traitor reaches you. I will gather the oil and the seal skins for the arrival of your knarr.”

I clasped his arm, “May this be the beginning of a long friendship, Thorfinn Blue Scar.”

As we headed south Aiden was much taken with the torc. “This needs the minds of both Kara and myself.  Perhaps Elfrida too.  This was worn by a woman and her spirit resides within. It is ancient and has stories buried deep within it.”

I left him to it.  Haaken approached me, “We made little from the fight, Jarl.  We might only have lost one Ulfheonar and two warriors but we do not go back rich.” He waved an arm at the new men.  I could see that they were not as happy as they might have been. Those who had never sailed with me before looked especially unhappy.

“Would you have us raid?”

He brightened, “I could do with something stirring for a new saga.  If we spy out something suitable then why not?”

I nodded.  He was right. “Erik, keep us close to the coast and have Karl and Cnut Cnutson keep an eye out for a place to raid.”

Aiden placed the precious torc in his chest and brought his charts over. “I only have a little information about the places here in the islands. There was a monastery here, on the island of
Hí but it was raided by Vikings and the monks fled to Hibernia.” His eye was drawn to a red dot on the chart. “Ah, that is interesting.  Alt Clut.”

“What is that?” Haaken joined me as we looked over Aiden’s shoulders.

“It is a castle which is high on a cliff. I have heard the name before. You remember that wizard we heard of, Myrddyn or Merlin, he was there once.”

I nodded, “He was something to do with the warlord was he not?  The one who was my ancestor?”

“Aye he was. Well I read in some of the writings we found in Ynys Mon that he stayed there and they were attacked by the men of Northumbria.  He used magic to defeat them.  It is said he flew from the tower and their enemies fled in fear.”

“That does not mean there will be treasure there.  That is just a story, Aiden. I cannot believe that a man could fly”

I looked to the south east, “True Haaken but perhaps we were meant to go there.”

“But you go for a legend! A story of magic!”

“You of all people should know the value of such stories. Your sagas will be sung long after we are in Valhalla. Does that mean they are not true? Was not my sword touched by the Gods yet will men believe that in the future? I would see this rock and this castle.  We will be cautious but I believe we were meant to visit.”

Erik said, “What course do I sail?”

Aiden suddenly jumped as though he had been stung. “We are meant to go there, Jarl.” He jabbed the map with his finger.  We have to sail south, then north and then east.  But we have to sail close to
Dyrøy.  It is one of the lairs of Magnus the Foresworn.”

Even Haaken could not argue, “It is
wyrd
!”

We reached the island of
Dyrøy just after noon.  It was as Thorfinn had said, a desolate and bare island.  We saw a settlement and we pulled ashore.  It was deserted. The bones which littered the ruined huts could have been animal or human.  Importantly, there was no sign of a palisade or a ditch. Magnus must have chosen it for its isolation.

I turned to Aiden.  “There is a large rock there fetch it over.” As he did so I said to Haaken, “We will leave a message for Magnus the Foresworn. Mark on the stone that Jarl Dragonheart was here and no place is safe for him.  Tell him we will hunt him down.”

Haaken used his seax to carve out the runes on the flat piece of stone.  He had almost finished when the blade slipped and cut into his palm.  Blood flowed over the message.  Aiden nodded approvingly.  “We could not have left a better message.  It is written in blood.  He will understand the meaning now.”

The whole crew set to rowing with more heart once they heard what had happened.  It was obvious that Haaken had been meant to cut his hand.  It was no accident.  The Norns and the Gods were on our side.  None now feared what we might find. Whatever danger we faced they would deal with it.  The younger warriors were particularly excited. This was the sort of story they had heard when growing up.  They would be in a saga which might become a Viking legend. That guaranteed a warrior’s immortality.  Even if they died their names would live on in the stories which would be told.

We did not reach the mouth of the River Clut until after dark. We only knew it was the river when one of the ship’s boys risked a handful of water. It was not salty. The chart was not clear and we were wary of grounding but Aiden found a channel which ran north.  We were seeking somewhere to hide.  We passed a huddle of huts around a small church just a short way up this wide water. It looked to be silent and no one saw us. We pulled around a bend in the river. Snorri and Beorn the Scout slipped over the side while the rest of us pulled the drekar under the shelter of some large willows which overhung the fresh water.

“Do we camp, Jarl?”

“We will wait, Erik, until our scouts return.”

The two of them were away a short time. “There are eight families who live in the huts. We heard no dogs. They have a church.”

“Then we camp here.  We eat and get some sleep.  When dawn breaks we will take this village and then find out who commands in this Alt Clut.”

As the men headed ashore I looked south.  I was looking beyond the river all the way to Wyddfa.  The threads of my life all headed back to that mountain.  The Norns had spun a strong web.  I could not escape my destiny.  Even when I was not seeking out my past, my past found me.  Magnus the Foresworn would have to wait.

Leaving just my ship’s boys and Erik to guard my ship we slipped down the river using the greenway which ran alongside it.  Snorri and Beorn took four younger warriors to get around the far side of the tiny hamlet. The huts were so near they were almost in the water and I wondered if they suffered flooding. The greenway we used certainly felt soggy. Perhaps the advantages of being close to the river and the fishing outweighed the risks. We moved in a thin line.  Ahead of us were archers with bows strung and arrows knocked.  They would silence any who gave the alarm. The wind must have worked in our favour for none made a sound.  As I passed the church I saw that it was made of stone. That promised riches within.

My men surrounded each hut and waited for my signal.  I lowered my sword and they entered the roundhouses. There was noise then but the appearance of so many fierce warriors soon subdued them.  When they were brought from the huts they stood in terrified family groups.  The men placed themselves before their wives and children as though they might protect them.

I waved Aiden forward.  He spoke their language.  It was the same one he had spoken as a child. “Find the headman and bring him here.”

It did not take long for the headman was not afraid of us.  Hatred burned in his eyes. “Ask him his name.”

The man said something after Aiden had questioned him.  “He says his name is Riderch and he is not afraid of you even though you have the eyes and skin of a wolf.”

“Good.  Tell him I will not harm any here if he answers my questions.”

The man stood dumbly defiant. I sighed, “Ask him who rules at Alt Clut.”

The man looked confused.  I do not know what questions he thought we would ask but that one patently did not seem to conflict with his honour. He spoke.

“Owen the Bald.”

I smiled and that seemed to confuse the man even more.  He jabbered a whole sentence at Aiden.

Aiden could not keep the smile from his face when he told me what he had said, “He says that when Owen the Bald and his men return from Dùn Èideann then he will teach us who rules this land.” He tapped his charts. “It is over fifty miles from here and is on the east coast.”

“Good then tell him that we will be gone by then. They can return to their huts.” I turned to Eystein Finnison.  He had fought with me before and was a sound warrior. “Eystein, I want you and the new warriors to guard these prisoners.  I will take the Ulfheonar and scout this Alt Clut.”

He looked disappointed, “Aye Jarl.”

“Have some of your men search the church.  See what treasures lie within.”

Just then we heard a cry from the woods to the east. A short while later Beorn the Scout appeared. “The priest from the church tried to fetch help. Leif Bjornson ended his life with an arrow.”

I frowned, “It was a priest! He could have been taken.”

“I know Jarl.  I think he became over excited.  Snorri has chastised him.”

“Aiden, stay here until we have found the castle.  I will send Beorn for you when we have seen where it lies.”

We followed Beorn. I trotted off at the head of my warriors.  We found Snorri and the young scouts.  I could tell which one was Leif.  His nose was still bleeding.  I glared at them. “Go back to the village. Eystein commands.” They loped off eager to be away from my baleful stare. “Lead on Snorri.”

It was less than six miles to the castle and I stood in awe as I saw its position.  It rose atop two huge mounds of rock. It seemed to me that the gods themselves had decreed that it should be built there.  The two mounds both had dwellings and buildings on the top and were joined by a wooden bridge. I knew then that it would be able to withstand any assault. You would need to be a mountain goat to scale the sides and that left just the main entrance; a narrow twisting path which passed a wall and palisade.  An attacker would have to endure arrows and stones before he could try the gate. Haaken shook his head, “That will not be an easy place to attack.”

“And we will not attack it.  But we shall gain entry.” I saw that a road twisted its way up the side of the mounds.  However I also saw that they had a wall which ran from the river along the side up to the top. If we could scale that lower wall, at night, then we could find our way in. “There, let us see if they have guards upon the wall.”

We made our way towards the wall.  There was a large patch of undergrowth less than thirty paces from it.  While the base was made of stone the wall above it was wooden. We could climb it.  There was a tower at the lower end and a second one half way up. We were patient and we watched.  There were sentries.  It seemed that they walked the walls.  I did not have Aiden’s hourglass but it felt like an hour between the visits of the sentries.  We could easily slip over during the hours of darkness.

“Beorn fetch Aiden, Eystein the Rock and some food.  We will rest up here and keep watch.”

It was a pleasant place to wait.  We were shaded by the trees and, with our sentries out, we were safe from observation.  By the time Aiden and Beorn  returned we had confirmed the length of time it took for the sentries to move around the walls. I did not doubt that we could have got over during the hours of daylight but it did not seem worth the risk.

Aiden gave me some of the food he had brought from the village.  “I managed to find out more information.  Owen the Bald is returning in four days time. He was attending a wedding.  He is not a king but he is related to those who are. We found some candlesticks in the church, fine linen and a holy book which we should be able to sell.”

“Good.” I ate and I drank.  It gave me the chance to think about the castle above us.  I could see through the trees that the stone parts were old. It looked as though the wooden palisades had been replaced. “Tell me, Aiden, what do you think we might find in this castle?”

“I am not certain. However it looks as old, if not older, than many of the Roman forts we have found and we always found treasure in those.”

“And this wizard; what do we know of him?”

“I have read his name in many places.  It seems he lived for over a hundred years.” I frowned.  Aiden shrugged, “I know that seems unlikely, Jarl Dragonheart, but we both know that magic can be powerful. If he was so powerful then perhaps there is some remnant of it here.”

“You hope to find his writings!”

He smiled, “That I would. I have learned much but neither Kara nor myself have been trained by a wizard or a witch.”

“Do not necessarily wish for that. Remember Angharad!”

“That is precisely why I hoping for some writing.  Angharad came from the same place as the Myrddyn.  It was close to Wyddfa. If we were to find it then we would have more power.”

“But surely this Owen the Bald or whoever ruled here when Myrddyn was alive would have the writing, if it existed.”

“They might have it and not know of its significance. When we found that box with the writing in it last time it was hidden.  The box was cunningly concealed below the ground.”

“You are hoping we have enough time to search.”

“If the Ulfheonar can capture and hold the castle then while you take the treasures I can search for my treasure; the book of magic which I hope lies within this castle.”

We were both silent. I had learned much about my mysterious ancestor but I still had the need for more. I knew he had died protecting the old sword which I had found but I did not know from whence the sword came.  I had found the scabbard for the sword and I had found the tomb of the wizard.  I still needed to discover why they had come to me. I was in no doubt now that the Norns were weaving their webs once more and I was the fly who was stuck in the middle.

As soon as it became dark we headed for the curtain wall. Asbjorn the Strong and Eystein the Rock held the shield and my two scouts leapt lithely, to climb the wooden wall. They disappeared and we waited.  A low whistle told us it was safe and we all ascended.  We had plenty of hands to haul up the last two.  Of Snorri and Beorn there was no sign.  They would have scurried along the wall to intercept and eliminate the sentries.

I led the way up the walkway on the wooden wall.  The palisade sloped and followed the contours of the rock.  Ahead I could see the lights in the hall.  They were not bright but they gave us an idea of the distance we would have to travel. I almost slipped on the pool of blood which marked the place that the first sentry had died. When I reached the door to the castle proper I saw that it was open. With sword drawn I stepped through. A hand came to arrest me.  It was Beorn.  He held a finger to his lips and pointed.  I saw, further along the internal wall, a shadow moving towards a sentry who was staring out to sea.  Even though I was expecting it I was surprised by the speed with which Snorri despatched him.

The castle had a stone and wooden building attached to the wall.  I could see no more sentries.  We descended to the courtyard and ran for the main door.  If it was locked then we were in trouble. It was not.  As we stepped inside we felt the heat from the fires whose smoke we had smelled.  We could also hear the sound of laughter. The garrison was enjoying the absence of Owen the Bald.

I stepped aside to let my scouts in first.  This was where they excelled.  We could all move silently but my two scouts could move like ghosts. I left Ulf Olafson to guard the main door and the rest of us headed towards the source of the noise, the hall. We came to some stairs and I waved my hand for of two my Ulfheonar to ascend. The rest of us went purposefully towards the hall. Although I could not understand the words I understood what was going on.  It was a drinking contest.  We had similar ones at home.  I heard the ascending voices as someone was drinking.  When he had succeeded there was a cheer.

I had heard enough and I waved Snorri and Beorn forward.  Haaken and I followed.  As we stepped into the hall it was like a moment frozen in time. There were a dozen warriors around a table.  Another six lay in heaps on the floor.  They turned as we entered.  We must have terrified them with our wolf cloaks and red eyes, our black mail and our long swords. Snorri and Beorn lunged forward and three warriors fell to their blades in as many strokes. I turned and hacked Ragnar’s Spirit through the middle of a stunned warrior. In less time than it took me to walk across the room they were all dead. They had been either drunk or asleep.  They were paying the price for having poor sentries.

“Snorri, see if there is anyone else in the castle.  Haaken, gather the treasure.  Aiden…” My galdramenn grinned and hurried off.

We moved swiftly and worked together. Time was now of the essence. As I passed Eystein I said, “Go and find the main door which leads to the west.  Have it guarded for us.”

“Aye Jarl.”

There were some treasures to be found in what I assumed was the chamber of Owen the Bald. He had a richly decorated sword as well as a small holy book.   Although the book was small it was richly decorated.  I had an eye for such things and I put it in the leather satchel I found. There were other, smaller items such as two daggers and a small crown.  It looked too small for a man and I wondered if this Owen the Bald had had a wife. He had some well made clothes which looked to have come from the Holy Roman Empire.

There being nothing left of value I returned to the hall.  My men had gathered the treasure from the chamber and my other men had returned with goods taken from the upstairs chambers.  I handed the satchel and the clothes to Asbjorn. “Take these.  Haaken, lead the men back to the village.  I will fetch Ulf and we will find Aiden.”

Haaken nodded, “A good haul, Jarl Dragonheart, but not the fantastic treasure such a castle suggested.”

I nodded, “You are right but we have suffered no losses and we have found Magnus’ lair while travelling here.  It is good.” They left and I shouted, “Aiden!” I received no reply. 

There was no hurry and I returned to the gate we had used to gain entry.  Ulf was hurrying towards me.  His voice was urgent when he spoke. “Jarl.  There are riders approaching. I heard them and I ran to the wall.  It looks like this Owen the Bald has returned early.  The gate to the east is still barred and it should take them some time to climb the walls.”

“We need to find Aiden!”

We both ran inside shouting, “Aiden!” at the top of our voices.  There had been no hurry but now there was.

“Ulf, bar this door.  It will delay pursuit!”

While my Ulfheonar barred the gate and placed a table behind it I ran down the stairs to the lower floors.  It was the only place I had not seen and I assumed that Aiden was there. I stood at the top of the stairs which led to the lower levels and shouted, “Aiden, we must leave! Now!”

He came hurrying up the stairs clutching a small wooden chest.  I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.  It was like the bone we had found in the hidden room in the Roman fort. “I have found it I…”

“Tell me later! The Scots have returned.”

The three of us ran to the main gate which was wide open.  There was little point in shutting it and we ran towards the village as fast as we could. When I was younger I would have found this easy.  Even a year or two earlier and it would not have been a problem. Now I was older and I had suffered many wounds. I was the one who was holding them up.  I knew we had over ten miles to go. I wondered how long it would take our enemies to break in. It would take time to get into the castle and then the main hall was barred.  I thought that we had, at most, half an hour.  Then they would have to get their horses through the castle and find us.  The gaping gate told them our direction.  They would catch us just beyond the village.