Viking Legend (6 page)

I really wished to travel to my jarls and see how they had fared.  I had not seen my son for some time either but Brigid was still more than nervous and Kara advised me to stay close to home for a while. Aiden and Kara spent many hours poring over the parchments and even Kara was impressed. “The wizard gives advice on cures for ailments and diseases which now result in death.”

The two of them and some of Kara’s women took to travelling the land finding the herbs, leaves, roots and barks they needed to make their medicines.

After a month Brigid said, “Jarl you should go and make the journey.  I am settled now. I was afraid but I have thought about this and I have spoken to Deidra and Macha. They are not afraid and they, too, have told me that Kara has a power which they cannot explain.  It is enough.  I trust you and your daughter.”

I took only Aiden with me as I rode from my home.  I headed first to the south for I wished to speak with Sigtrygg.  He needed to know what had happened.  It had been his land which had been attacked. I would then visit with my son, Windar, Ketil and finally Arne.  I would be away some days but my jarls needed to see me and speak with me.

Sigtrygg had learned from the attack and now had a walled town with a double ditch. He had built towers across his land and he trained all of his farmers.  He had been the finest warrior to have followed my wolf banner and he was a good leader. “When you find this Magnus let me know, Jarl, for I will come with you and end his life.”

“I will. And if your warriors wish to raid with me I will be honoured to take them with me.”

He nodded, “When I have built up my treasure again I will have Bolli make me a drekar.  It will not be as large as yours but we will build one.”

The journey to my son’s home was pleasant for there were now more farmers living between the two strong jarls. My grandson, Ragnar, was growing in leaps and bounds.  He and his mother had brought Wolf Killer and myself closer together.  We had drifted apart and it was still not the same as it had been but it was better.  He, too, was intrigued by the torc and the connection. “I cannot see how these threads join but I agree with you, Jarl Dragonheart, something binds them.” He and Aiden were as close as brothers, “Aiden, are there no writings that you can find?”

He gave me a curious look. “I have heard of a book by a Roman writer called Tacitus.  It concerns the man who conquered Britannia, Agricola. If I could find that book then we would know more.”

“Where would we find one?”

“Miklagård.”

“That is a long way to go for a book.”

“If there is another on this island then it will be where there was a Roman fort.  Lundenwic?”

“Egbert would dearly like to get his hands on me and he knows you too.”

“Then that leaves Caestir and Jorvik.”

“Again I am known in Jorvik and Caestir has been laid waste by us too many times. I fear this is one book that we will never see.”

Our next visit to Windar was sad for he was now a bloated and corpulent old man.  He had never been much of a warrior but he had been a good leader.  Since his son Ketil had taken over the north lands he seemed to have forgotten how to be a leader. I did not tarry long but headed instead for Ketil. He was the most exposed of my jarls.  Unlike Arne he had no river for protection and he was close to the Northumbrians and the Scots yet he was a brave and clever leader. He kept a close watch on his land.

He had inherited a Roman fort which he had made stronger. It afforded him a fine view of the lands to the east.  He proudly showed us around. As it was late we stayed with him and we told him of our finds and our journey.

“I miss the adventure of the sea but I am content with my land and my people.  When my young men are stronger we will raid to the east for the Saxons are becoming weaker.”

I advised caution, “The only treasure they have in Northumbria are the slaves and the holy books of the White Christ.”

“Then I will take what I can.” He was confident.  He quaffed his ale. He looked at the horn and frowned.  “Have you seen my father?” I nodded.  “It is hard for me to see him as he is now.  I always looked up to him.”

“A man cannot change his nature, Ketil.  He is still your father. He is getting old.  Let his last days be happy ones.”

Arne too had made a stronger wall and I was happy that my land was now encircled by strong walls.  We headed south over the col and the Grassy Mere towards the Rye Dale.  “I think Ketil will make a good jarl of Windar’s Mere when his father goes to the Otherworld.”

“He would but does Windar’s Mere need a strong leader?  It is one of the safer parts of our land.  In all the time we have lived here it has suffered but one attack.” Aiden shrugged, “I am no war leader, Jarl.  Perhaps I am wrong.”

I laughed, “No Aiden you are right. I should think of the good of all of the people and not individuals.”

The realisation that I had, however accidentally, strengthened our borders made me feel quite contended as we rode down the fertile Rye Dale.  We paused to speak with Audun Thin Hair at the col. He always had fine beer and he was a good listener. He knew the mood of the farmers in the valley. His son, Leif, had grown considerably and was now a man.  He stood and listened as we spoke.

“The farmers are happy, Jarl.  The crops grow well and we are safe, however…” he hesitated.

“Go on Audun, speak.”

“There are many young men who are restless.  Many of them tried to go with you on your last voyage but you took but one drekar. They do not wish to be farmers; they want to be warriors.  I fear that if they cannot go with you then they will seek others to lead them and leave this land.  We cannot afford to lose such young men. I am sorry, I have spoken out of turn.”

“No Audun, you were right to speak as you did.” I looked at Leif, “You wish to be a warrior too?”

“I wish to know what is within me, Jarl.  I want to stand in a shield wall and hold a sword in my hand. Perhaps I will only be one for a short time but when I return to the farm and have a wife and children then I will know that I can protect them.”

I understood then the need for my young men to have the opportunity of testing their mettle.  This suited me for I had many journeys yet to make.

My feelings of content disappeared when I entered my walls for a large crowd had gathered before my hall.  I saw Kara speaking with them. When they saw me they became silent and parted so that I could approach.  I saw two angry young men facing each other.  They were no more than fifteen summers old.  Both were being restrained by my Ulfheonar. I dismounted and handed the reins of my pony to Aiden. Turning to face the crowd I smiled, “Thank you for this welcome! It was unexpected.”

I saw scowls flash across the faces of the two young men.  I recognised them now as Olaf Grimsson and Rolf Eriksson.  My daughter allowed the briefest of smiles to flicker across her face. “This is not a welcome for you, Jarl Dragonheart, father to our people but it is good that you have returned.  Here we have a dispute.  The two young men both wish to take the daughter of Thord the Shepherd, Hlif.”

“And where is this Hlif?”

“Her father keeps her in his home on the fells.  He says she is too young to marry.” Lowering her voice she added, “She is not yet thirteen summers and she is his only child.  His wife died two winters since.”

I stared at the two young men, “It seems to me there is not a problem here.  Unless, of course, Hlif wishes to disobey her father and marry one of you.  Is that the case?”  I nodded to my men so that they released the youths. I did not think the dispute would continue whilst I was present and I was right. They stood glowering at each other. They remained silent.

Behind me Kara said, loudly enough for all to hear, “Hlif is happy to stay with her father and to obey him.”

“Then there is no problem, is there?”

Rolf pointed an accusing finger at Olaf.  “I am happy to wait for I know that she will choose me when the time is right but Olaf here wishes to fight for the right to her hand.  I was going to oblige him.”

I now had Audun Thin Hair’s words in my head.  This was what he meant.  When young men did not have the chance to vent their anger in battle they turned it amongst themselves.  This was my fault.  I had not led them as I should. “We are one people! We do not fight amongst ourselves. It is not our way and I forbid the two of you to continue this dispute.  If you do so then I will banish you both.” I saw the mothers of the two youths grip the arms of their husbands who stoically stood. “I will speak in my hall with the two youths. This thing is over.” It was not really a thing.  I had not formerly convened one and only I had spoken but I wanted all of them to understand how seriously I took it. “Haaken one Eye would you join me?”

Kara and Brigid had entered my hall and they stood by the table. I took off my sword and laid it, symbolically, along the table and then I sat at the head of the table. Kara and Brigid flanked me. I knew the effect this would have on the boys.  They came in, somewhat fearfully.  It was rare for others to enter my hall. Haaken followed them and I saw him nod when he saw the sword.  It was a symbol of my power.  Kings had crowns and titles.  I had Ragnar’s Spirit and that was all that I needed. He came to sit next to my right hand.

I allowed the silence to grow uncomfortable. When I spoke it was softly. Even so they both started as I did so. “This dispute has upset the harmony of our home.  I am not happy. When I am not happy our land becomes disturbed. Do you wish the crops to fail and the animals to decline?” They shook their heads. “Perhaps I should go away eh? Would that be better than banishing you both? Then the disharmony would pass. Would that solve the problem or would you two still bicker and squabble?  Would your wishes still cause division in my land?” They hung their heads.  I knew that I had won but I did not leave it there. I pushed the sword further down the table.  “You are both young men.  Have you chosen if you wish to follow your fathers yet?” Rolf’s father was a farmer. He raised cows on the lower fells.  Olaf’s father was a fisherman. “Speak.”

Rolf shook his head.  “I am the younger brother. My elder, Erik Eriksson is the farmer.”

“Olaf?”

“I do not like fishing.”

“But you are comfortable on a boat?”

His eyes widened, “I would be a sailor.”

“And Rolf what would you be?”

“I would be a warrior.  I would follow your banner and your sword.”

“Will you hear my judgement then? And will you obey for I cannot have disputes upsetting the land?  I meant what I said, I will banish you if I have to.” They nodded.  “Good. Until such time as Hlif is ready to choose then you both put her from your mind and you will take the hand of friendship now.” They hesitated.  “Do it for I have yet to finish.” They clasped hands but there was still enmity in their eyes. “You Olaf, shall become a sailor.  You will accompany me to my drekar and Erik Short Toe will discover if you can be a member of his crew.” He nodded, eagerly. I saw the disappointment on Rolf’s face. “And you Rolf can begin to train as a warrior.  You will serve in the warrior hall as a servant until my warriors can train you.  Until that time you will learn to sharpen swords and clean armour.” He too nodded, eagerly.  “It is well, now go.  I have done.”

They ran out together,  both keen to tell their friends of my judgement.

Haaken smiled, “You have grown wise.  That was masterful.”

I shook my head and told them all of Audun and his warning. “The peace in this land means we have many such as Olaf and Rolf. Unless we do something this will become commonplace and may result in bloodshed. We are rich.  I would use those riches.  I will go tomorrow to see Bolli.  I will have a new drekar built. We will take the young untried men and we will raid.”

Kara came over and kissed me on the top of my head. “That is why you are Jarl.  You are not only a great warrior you are a great leader.” She nodded, “The spirits approve.  This is
wyrd
.”

I had a drekar and my son, Wolf Killer, had one too.  My son was more occupied with his own land and his family rather than raiding so that his drekar was rarely used. It was not mine to command and so I would have a smaller one built to accompany ‘
The Heart of the Dragon
.’ It would not need to be as big.  My own ship was one of the largest and we had yet to see a bigger one.  Bolli would be able to build one in a relatively short time; if he had the men.  Haaken, Aiden, Kara and I worked out the best way to do that.

I sent word to all those who lived under the shadow of the Old Man of Cyninges-tūn that I was looking for thirty young men to become warriors. While they assembled I rode down to Bolli’s shipyard accompanied by Olaf. When I reached the yard he and Erik were repairing the withy which had caused us problems.

“This is Olaf Grimsson. He would be a sailor.”

Erik frowned, “He is a little old to begin to learn the skills.”

Erik could be blunt. “He has some skills already.  His father is a fisherman and I wish this to be so.” Erik bowed his head in acceptance of my decision. “Have Karl begin to teach him.”

Erik waved over Karl and after a brief conversation took away Olaf. I had no doubt that he would first be given all of the tasks which Karl and Cnut Cnutson did not wish to do. Cnut, too, would be eager to leave the drekar and become a warrior.  He would make sure Olaf could replace him.  Alone with Bolli and Erik I went to the heart of the matter. “I wish a threttanessa to be built and to be built quickly.”

Bolli nodded, “That will take more men than I have.”

“Do not worry.  I will bring thirty willing workers in the next few days. They are to be the crew.”

“Good for if they work in the building of a ship then its heart will be stronger and there will be a bond.”

I turned to Erik, “I will get you some more ship’s boys. Could Karl captain a drekar?”

He looked across to where Karl was beginning to instruct Olaf. “Aye.  He sailed that trader back from Vasconia. He could not operate alone but if I gave him some of my ship’s boys he could.” He seemed pleased that his apprentice was to be thus rewarded.

“And Cnut, he is ready to be a warrior but if he sailed on the new drekar on its first voyage he could help Karl.”

“Aye they work well together.”

“Good then make it so.  I will bring the gold for the drekar when you have decided a price Bolli.” I clasped his arm as a sign that I would pay.  I held it for a little longer than was necessary.  “I want this to be the fastest drekar ever built.”

He grinned, “Aye Jarl!”

We had more than enough young men who were willing to both work on the ship and then serve whoever commanded. We had thirty four of them.  I went down for the first week to watch them working together.  I was relieved to see that Olaf and Rolf were getting along. They were doing different tasks but each one was doing something they wanted to do.  Hlif had just been the collision point for two frustrated young men.

I spent time with my Ulfheonar and Aiden discussing who should command the new drekar.  We had many warriors who had sailed with us and raided but none of us could agree on a suitable captain.  It would be my ship for I would be paying Bolli for it but we needed someone who could be decisive and control a crew of, largely, young men. I noticed Asbjorn and Eystein remained silent during these discussions.

“Asbjorn, have you nothing to say?” There was a slight hesitation which I knew meant he was reluctant to speak his thoughts. “Come I know that you and your friend Eystein are amongst the younger members of the Ulfheonar but your views are welcome nonetheless.”

He shifted uncomfortably.  Karl Word Master smiled, “He is seeking words which he knows might offend.”

His friend, Finni the Dreamer said, more seriously, “Perhaps he has other words in his heart.”

“Come Asbjorn, you have your comrades putting words into your mouth.  Answer the Jarl.” Haaken often acted as the one who spoke for the Ulfheonar.

“I would captain the new drekar.”

He blurted it out and that made Haaken smile.  I was taken aback. I had thought he enjoyed the life of the Ulfheonar.  He lived in the warrior hall and was as stout and doughty a warrior as any.

Eystein the Rock added, “And I would serve with him.  Sorry, Jarl”

I nodded to help me gather my thoughts. Asbjorn, now that he had found his tongue could not stop. “I love being Ulfheonar and wearing the wolf cloak. There is no greater honour than serving in the shield wall with you. But, Jarl Dragonheart, I would be you. I know that would be but a pale shadow but I would hope to lead and inspire warriors as you do.  When I saw the young men working in the forest this week felling trees I wanted to train them as you trained us. Eystein and I would still be Ulfheonar.  We would still protect your back and be your oathsworn.”

“But you would follow in the other drekar.  I understand.” I glanced at Aiden for confirmation of what was in my mind. He nodded.  “It is good.  I was silent, not because I was disappointed but because I wished to weigh up the words you spoke. You shall be the captain of the new ship and Eystein will be your warrior chief. Know that the captain is Karl the Sailor.” They both nodded.  “Then that is settled.”

Haaken asked, gloomily. “And what of the Ulfheonar?  We now have a mere ten to follow you.”

Snorri laughed, “I can remember the time when there were but eight of us and that included the Jarl. There are many warriors who can follow the Ulfheonar. Wearing the skin of the wolf is not for all warriors.  Perhaps this was meant to be. I say that we use those who would go a-Viking and they shall be our crew.”

Surprisingly all agreed and so we took on no more Ulfheonar, at least not for a while. When we invited other warriors to join our crew we had the same problem we had had with the young warriors.  We had too many.  The difference was that we could accommodate the extras on my much larger drekar.  We would have rowers to spare and that was something we had never had before.

Bjorn had repaired my helmet.  The scar which had resulted from the blow was still angry but it would  not be a blue scar! He felt guilty that his well made helmet  had allowed a blow to get through. “It was the gods testing me Bjorn.” He touched his hammer of Thor. “We will be needing more helmets soon enough.”

“We need them now, Jarl.  Those who voyaged with you came back and invested their treasure wisely in good helmets and good swords.” He smiled, “Trade is good.” We walked out of his forge and along the Water. “We have come far since I watched my father at the forge and you followed Prince Butar and went a-Viking.”

“Aye old friend, it has been a long journey.”

He spat into the Water. “You sound like your life is over, Jarl.”

“No but I see all these young warriors and most are far younger than even my son.  I feel like a grandfather.”

“Prince Butar never grew old.  And look at Old Ragnar.  I barely knew him but he lived, half blind and crippled until you came to care for him. Look on each day as a new one.  Each dawn brings a page for you to write upon. The legend of Dragonheart grows.”

“The legend, like the sword, can be a burden sometimes.”

“You were chosen Jarl.  Embrace it.”

I returned, ten days later, to see how the work progressed. The shape of the hull could be clearly seen. The new crew were having to make the strakes and the planks under the close and stern supervision of Bolli and his shipwrights. They were hard taskmasters.  That was good for the young warriors.  It would make them stronger both in body and mind.  They would need all of those skills when they went to sea.

I drew Bolli to one side. “You know your drekar better than any man alive.  Tell me what this one says to you.”

He smiled, “It is just a skeleton, Jarl, but I can tell that she will be light and she will fly.  I am confident that she will be faster, under sail, than
‘Heart’
.”

I nodded.  My ship was incredibly fast. “Will that be a problem for her crew?  Will she be hard to control?”

“She will need a firm hand.  I hope that young Karl has the hand and eye for it.”

“You know as well as I do Bolli that a drekar picks its captain.  If Karl is not up to the task then we will find another.  He knows that better than any.” He nodded.  “Tell me then.  When will she look like a drekar?”

“She will be ready for the water in a month.  After that…”

“That depends upon the crew, I know. And have you begun to carve the prow?”

“I have.” He pointed to a large object which was hidden by a cloth.  No one would be allowed to see it until Bolli fitted it to the drekar.  It was the way of shipwrights. At least I had a time in my head. The time the drekar was ready would determine the place we would raid and blood our young men and our ship.

Aiden and I sat one warm evening watching the thin high clouds above the Old Man. “Where would you suggest we raid, Aiden?  I know that you have thoughts upon this.”

“My heart is ever drawn to Wyddfa. I know the cave of the wizard is lost but there may be clues about his power in the land and the buildings.”

“That would please you but how would it help me and my warriors?”

“Grain. We have rye and barley only. The holy island is like a huge granary and it seems to me that the launching of the ships and the voyage south will coincide with the harvest.  The men will be in the fields and the crops ready for reaping. We know the island and we know the mettle of the warriors. There are no easy battles, I know that, but there are some which are better for untried and untrained warriors to experience.”

I was not totally convinced.  We had been to that particular well many times before. “I am not sure.”

“The alternative would be to attack the Mercians for they too have good grain.” He looked at my face.  “They might be awaiting us.”

“I would have Kara and you speak with the spirits and divine what I should do.”

“I could twist their words to suit my purpose.”

“You could, but you will not.  Remember I have powers from my mother and I know that you are true to me.”

“Aye, since you rescued me from my father I have ever been your man.  I would not be what I am today were it not for you.”

As it happened there was a full moon that week and the two of them took the potion whose ingredients Aiden had discovered in his parchments. They sat by the Water all night. When they returned the next morning I was both excited and intrigued.  I hoped they would have communicated with my wife’s dead spirit but speaking with the dead was not a precise method.  Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t.

They both looked drawn and tired.  Brigid had prepared food and drink for them. They sat at the table in silence and looked at each other.  I could barely contain myself but I knew that I had to wait until they spoke. It was Kara who broke the silence after drinking a horn of beer. “The spirit of the dead Queen came to us.  She was a striking woman.” Aiden nodded.  This was not what I had asked them to discover but I knew better than to interrupt. “She ruled this land for a long time and she was murdered by a witch.  Her spirit is restless. She has left work unfinished.”

Aiden took up the story.  “Your mother’s spirit joined us.  She told us that a voyage to her homeland would bring us great fortune. In her hands she held a blue stone and it sparkled.” He nodded towards my sword.  “It was the same blue, perhaps even the same stone as the one in your sword.”

“And the Queen’s spirit had one too.  It was around her neck. The blue stone has powerful magic, father.  I thought so before and now I know it.”

I smiled for I had my answer, “And did your mother’s spirit come too?”

They both looked at Brigid and Kara said, “The child will be a boy. She is happy for you… both.”

I could not contain myself and I hugged Brigid.  I would have another son and I had not offended my dead wife’s spirit.

Aiden and I threw ourselves into the expedition.  The support of the spirit world would guarantee success.  Added to that was the fact that I now knew that my sword was even more powerful than it had been before. It explained why I could defeat young, stronger warriors.  It was the sword which made me invincible. I was not immortal but it would take a mighty host to fell me.

We went down to the shipyard to see the finished ship. When the drekar was launched we watched as the lithe little drekar slipped swiftly through the water.  It seemed to float higher than any other I had ever seen.  Bolli had outdone himself with the prow.  The dragon had the look of a warrior and Haaken said, “It looks like Odin and he seems to be blowing.”

We all took that to be a good omen and the name came naturally, Karl’s ship was
‘Odin’s Breath’
.  And she was the fastest drekar afloat. Perhaps the gods had faster ones but here on earth, it was
‘Odin’s Breath’
which out flew every other vessel.
Asbjorn, Eystein and Karl spent many days with their crew to make sure that the ship was balanced and that the crew were in the right places.  When they were satisfied they told me they were ready to sail.

Many families came to Úlfarrston to see us off.  There was a happy atmosphere as mothers and wives said goodbye to sons and husbands.  Fathers looked on proudly remembering their glory days. Coen came to me with a small chest.  He looked happy. Opening it he showed me that it was filled with silver.  “This is your share of the money from the Holy Book.  The men who bought it did not ask whence it came but merely asked if we had more.”