Viking Treasure (11 page)

"Perhaps your brother will add to that news. And has Man caused any problems?"

The Vikings of Man were pirates and they preyed on the ships which plied the Hibernian sea.  They were wise enough to desist from attacking our ships and those of our allies but sometimes a headstrong young captain would risk the wrath of the Dragonheart.

"We have lost no ships although we sail with other ships.  My knarr are sailing now with Siggi to the northern isles. Siggi has much experience and can smell trouble."

Food was laid on the table.  Coen's wife looked at my son as though to wake him.  I shook my head, "He will wake when he is hungry. Let him rest."

Coen was curious about Kara and Aiden. "Your daughter has much courage.  My brother said she would sail beyond the Pillars of Hercules into the Middle Sea. How can they do that?"

"She and her husband have powers we do not understand my friend but I do worry about her. The spirits watch over them.  At least I hope that they do."

Despite my worries I spent a quiet and leisurely evening with my old friend and I slept well. The next morning we woke to a sky which was blue and clear but the ground was frozen as hard as one of Bjorn's swords. There was a sheen of ice on the river. The fishing boats were already far out to sea taking advantage of the benign waters.  They were still and flat. Wrapped against the cold Gruffyd and I watched all morning for the sight of a sail.  We saw none. As we headed back to the palisade I said, "We will return home on the morrow.  I cannot conjure Raibeart and my knarr.  He will come when he will come."

"When the first grass grows will I begin my warrior training in earnest with the other boys?"

"Are you ready?"

"I am.  I have practised pulling my new bow each day.  Soon I will be able to send an arrow a hundred paces. Already I feel my muscles growing.  I am taller, am I not?"

"Aye son, you are but there is more to being a warrior than size and weapons.  You use your mind.  But we shall address that over the next few months."

I spent a fretful night wondering where my captains was. We had saddled our horses and were preparing to leave when we heard a cry from the watch tower.  Three sails from the west! One is a drekar!"

We had all learned to fear such sightings and I drew my sword.  Gruffyd drew his seax.

"Warriors to the walls!"

We led our horses back inside the palisades.  It was with some relief that we heard the cry, "It is Raibeart ap Pasgen and Siggi! Our ships have returned."

I handed our reins to a stable boy and hurried back outside.  At last we would have news! Even though it was cold we watched as the three ships tacked their way inshore.  The two knarr landed first and I watched impatiently as Raibeart edged
'Red Snake'
close to shore. Coen ap Pasgen joined me; he was wrapped in a thick cloak made of the skins of squirrels. He smiled, "I am as pleased as you are Jarl.  He is my little brother still."

Raibeart must have known how eager we were for news.  He leapt into the shallows and hurried to us. "By the Allfather it is cold! I hope I can stay inside our halls for the rest of winter.  Ran has sowed ice in the sea!"

"Come, we will go in your brother's hall but tell me, are my family safe?"

"Aye Jarl. We had a good voyage to the land of Corn Walum. When last I saw them the knarr was flying. The journey north was less pleasant. King Coenwulf is dead."

"That we know."

"And the Mercians attack Gwynedd."

"That we did not know."

"I heard naught of Ragnar Ruriksson. Jarl Thorfinnson has had some trouble.  Harald Black Teeth has stolen a drekar and left the islands with those warriors who disliked the rule of the Jarl.  It is said they have joined with the warriors who fled Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson. He now has two drekar. He told us to beware them for they have no honour."

"And that is it?  There are no other dangers to our land?"

"Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer has a tight hold on the lands of Hibernia.  None will dare raid this land from there.  The men of Man fight amongst themselves."

"And King Egbert?"

"King Egbert has designs upon Northumbria and Mercia."

"Has he heard of the treaty I made with Eanred?"

"None of those with whom I spoke knew of that yet. I suspect it will come as a surprise.  You have time, lord, to find a jarl for Seddes' Burgh and for us to make our land strong."

"You have done me a great service, Raibeart."

He laughed, "Lord, you let me do that which I most love." He shivered as a cold wind came from the north.  "But I hope that I do not need to do so again until the new grass grows."

"I hope so too.  And the rest of the world?"

"Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson had been in Dyflin. He had raided in Austrasia.  They captured a great deal of treasure there from the monastery at Jumièges. He is doing well.  His younger brother sails with him."

"Good.  I am happy for him. I wonder how their father fares without them."

"However there is also bad news from Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson. Some of his men murdered one of his crew and slaughtered some fishermen.  A price is now upon their heads."

"Who led these outlaws?"

"A man called Hermund the Bent."

"Then we will watch out for him.  Thank you once more."

I was quiet as we headed north.  I was pleased with Gunnar. I was happy for his success.  He was a good jarl. I had been lucky that he had chosen to serve with me. It was easier said than done to find a good jarl. Leaders like Sigtrygg, Ketil and Ulf were rare. We lived in an unforgiving land.  A leader had to fight the elements as well as his enemies. Once again I missed Aiden and his advice. We saw the Water to our right as we emerged from the forest.  There was a sheen of ice upon it.  It would be a hard winter.  The Water had frozen over before now but it was a rare event. We paused to let our horses rest and for them to drink some of the icy water from the stream which bubbled into the Water.

"You are quiet, father.  Did Raibeart say something to disturb you?"

I shook my head, "No it is just that I will need a jarl for Seddes' Burgh and it is a hard decision. The men from Cyninges-tūn would not wish to make a new home there.  Their roots are here."

He nodded as he pondered my words.  Eventually he said, "My brother, Wolf Killer, should make that choice.  After all he will be the closest neighbour of this new jarl."

My son was young but his innocent eyes had seen what I could not.  My son would make the jarl. It was the sort of decision he would make himself when he ruled in my stead.  "Thank you my son.  Your young eyes have seen what my old ones could not."

My son and his wife sometimes came over to visit with us at Yule. This  year, however, Elfrida was with child and so I took my family across the frozen land. Erika was old enough now to travel.  She was a quiet child and she clung to her mother. I thought it would be good for her to visit with her cousins. Garth was her age and a little roughness would not go amiss.  Ylva and she were both gentle creatures.  The Yule would be a chance for her to harden up. This was not a land for delicate flowers. The wild primroses which grew on the banks by the sea were as hard as Old Olaf's mountain.  The girls would need to be as hard.

Elfrida was delighted to be hostess.  Wolf Killer's men had laboured to build a dividing wall in his hall so that we had privacy for the four of us. She was also sensitive to Brigid's religion.  She had made a small alcove where my wife could pray. Yule was a festival for us all.  The main difference would be that my wife and daughter would mumble a prayer and kiss a cross before they ate.  We would remain silent while they performed the ritual. I smiled as I saw Garth look puzzled as they did so.  He was about to say something and I saw Ragnar lean over and whisper in his ear. The puzzled look was replaced by one of disappointment.

The feast was a fine one.  Elfrida had been keen to repay my wife for her hospitality. Brigid had brought gifts for them all.  It was something her Christian family had done in Wales. It was a ritual to do with a legend of men bearing gifts to the White Christ on the day of his birth. While they did do I sat with Wolf Killer.

"I think that you should choose the jarl who will rule at Seddes Burgh." He looked surprised. "This eastern part of the land is yours. I give it all to you.  When first you came here it was to protect Cyninges-tūn from the east.  You have done so.  This land is yours.  You should choose a jarl to protect the east for you now."

"You give me a great gift on this day of gifts. Thank you. Most fathers send their sons far away to make themselves safer."

He was thinking of Thorfinn Blue Scar.  He was right.  Many aging jarls had been overthrown by sons who wanted their lands. I suppose my background made me different.  "If I cannot trust you, my son, then I might as well go to the cave of Myrddyn, lie down and await death. If you wish to colonise the land east of you then do so.  I give you the land east of Grize's Dale."

He nodded, "I have a warrior in mind. He is the younger brother of Erik who died at Seddes' Burgh.  He would have been with him but I was loath to lose two of my oathsworn and kept one with me.  I see now that was a mistake.  Einar Thordson shall be jarl.  He has been both angry and sad at the same time since his brother died.  This will give him the chance to channel that anger into something positive. The walls and ditches have been repaired.  We shall select a garrison soon."

I wondered at the wisdom of placing an angry young man there but I had given the responsibility to my son and I would have to trust his judgement.  "Aiden will be fetching a mason from Miklagård. When we have more gold we will begin to build in stone. We start with Cyninges-tūn and Elfridaby."

"Where will you get the gold?"

"If Neustria has so much that it can afford to hire the likes of Ragnar Ruriksson then we shall go there and find it! I intend to take my ships after the feast of Eostre. You are more than welcome to come and enjoy the raid." I smiled, "But you rule your own lands now.  You make your own choices."

He laughed, "I am still oathsworn.  I was Ulfheonar once. But I will see how my land lies before I desert it once more.  Besides the
'Wild Boar'
needs work.  I will be using what little gold I have to pay Bolli to make her seaworthy again."

I knew my son had neglected his drekar.  I had mine cleaned and maintained each winter. Bolli and his shipwrights would, even now, be making her as good as new for the next year's raid.  In my view it was coin well spent. We headed home after the days began to grow longer and we knew that the new year was beginning.  The weather relented a little and the air was not as cold as we rode back. It had been good for Erika to play roughly with her brother and her cousins. There had been tears and even a bloody nose but that was like life. It did not always run smoothly.

Once back in my home at Cyninges-tūn we awaited the arrival of Kara and Aiden. He had said they would spend Yule in Miklagård. They would be leaving for home sometime soon. I knew that I would not be able to settle until they were heading back up the Water.

A month after Yule had passed and there was still no sign of my family.  I went with Haaken and Gruffyd down to the ship yard on the river to see how Bolli was coming along with my ship.  It was an excuse to be close to the sea in case news came.  It was foolish but now that I was getting older my family was becoming increasingly important. Gruffyd did not mind my distraction.  He pestered me to show him how to become a warrior and I had practised for a month with swords and bows.  His strength grew daily and he had leapt up a hand span since Samhain. He had a new, bigger horse and he was keen to ride him. A trip to the south was an adventure! As for Haaken, he had had three months with Anya, his wife and his three girls.  That was always too much for my oldest friend.  He was desperate for the company of men.

I had told him of my decision regarding Wolf Killer.  "I think that is wise.  Your son is a good leader.  A real Viking would not have done so. He would fear that his son would wish his title and his lands!"

"He can have both! So long as he does the job I do then my son can rule the land of the Wolf."

Gruffyd asked, "And what of me? Could I have it?"

"Ah so you were listening eh? Then if you were listening you would know that I said if he can do the job I do.  Could you fight in a shield wall and lead the Ulfheonar?"

"Not yet."

"Then when you can come back to me and ask me the same question."

"But by then you may have given the land to Wolf Killer!"

"True." I turned and looked at him, "Then what would you do?"

"I love this land." He pointed up at Old Olaf.  "I love the mountain and the Water."

"Then you would have to stay here and serve your brother." He was silent. Gruffyd was a deep one and often sat pensively.

We entered the forest.  In winter it felt like one of the dark churches of the White Christ. In many ways it was our church and I always felt close to the spirits of the land as we passed through it.

Gruffyd broke the silence, "But if he did not want the Land of the Wolf and if I was strong enough to lead the warriors would you let me be Jarl?"

I looked him in the eyes.  He was young but growing rapidly.  He was not like me.  I had had no ambition to be Jarl of the land of the Wolf.  It had just happened. I could see now that Gruffyd was ambitious. "If you are ready then I would let you rule this land. But before you begin to think of that you must begin to understand the responsibilities."

"Responsibilities?"

Haaken laughed, "Aye, Gruffyd son of the Wolf! I have no desire to be Jarl of the land of the Wolf and to rule.  Your father is responsible for all the people in this valley and the valleys beyond. If there is danger it is he who must deal with it.  If there is famine he must provide.  If the wolves howl and take the young it is he who must solve the problem. I can just  hide up in my farm and watch out for my own family.  The jarl of this land has to watch out for everyone.  Be careful what you wish for; it may come true."

He said no more and he thought on Haaken's words. 

Even though it was cold enough to make our words freeze in the air I heard banging from the river. Bolli and his men had my drekar out of the water and were replacing the gunwale on the steering board side of the ship. It was the part of the drekar which suffered the most damage. When my men clambered from the ship they sometimes had to rush and their mail would gouge lines in it.  We had to replace it every couple of years.

Despite the cold Bolli was sweating. He stopped working to approach me. "An unexpected visit, Jarl."

"This year we shall have every drekar at sea.  I came to make sure that the work was progressing. My son will be asking for much work on his drekar."

"Aye I know.  It is not seaworthy at the moment.  I would not sail her to Man and back."

I heard the criticism in his voice.  I had to defend my son.  "He lives far from the sea now, Bolli and he has been beset by enemies."

"I know, Jarl Dragonheart, and I meant not to be critical but you asked if the ships were sea worthy; that one is not."

"When will all of my drekar, my son's excluded, be ready for sea?"

"
'Red Snake'
has sailed the most and she will not be ready for a month or two.  After Eostre then you can have your fleet."

It was later than I would have wished but I could do nothing about that.  Bolli was right.  I had had Raibeart sailing when his ship should have been in the yard.  It was my fault. We spent the rest of the day examining the ship. I did not need to but it gave me an excuse to spend time in Úlfarrston.  I could wait a couple of days for Aiden and Kara.

I think Coen and Raibeart understood my concerns for they encouraged me to stay. It proved to be fruitful.  Raibeart was one of my younger jarls and he entertained Gruffyd and helped him to practise with his sword.
'Weregeld'
appeared two days after our arrival. The wind was from the north and we saw Erik Short Toe as he tacked back and forth towards us.  It took some time and did nothing to diminish my anxiety. When my family stepped ashore I swept Ylva up into my arms.  "Thank the Allfather you have returned safely."

Kara shook her head, "I told you, father, the spirits watched out for us."

Aiden turned, "And we have a mason and his family."

I looked in surprise at the Greek, his wife and three small children as they stepped from the knarr, "How did you manage to persuade him to come here from the warmth of the east."

Kara said, quietly, "He and his family were slaves.  We bought them.  It was not cheap but my husband felt it was money well spent.  We have freed them."

"
Wyrd
."

"Aye but I fear this cold will take some getting used to." The family huddled together, shivering in the cold air. She held her hand out and spoke very slowly, "Basil, Sophia, this is Jarl Dragonheart.  He rules this land."

I saw the three children hide behind their father.  They were terrified.  I saw fear in the woman's eyes too. It was my appearance and that of Haaken.  We were both grizzled warriors and Haaken's one eye did not help.  I smiled and said, "Welcome.  Tell your children we mean them no harm."

Basil looked puzzled and Kara said, "We have yet to teach them all of our words.  It will take some time.  They can live with me in my hall until the warmer weather comes."

Aiden said, "I fear we have little gold left for all the work we wished.  They were not cheap."

"It matters not.  I have heard that Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson found a great treasure in Austrasia.  Perhaps we will have as much success in Neustria. Come let us get home.  Brigid will worry."

All the way north Ylva chattered like a magpie about all that she had seen.  She was full of the wonders, the buildings, the books and the walls. Gruffyd pestered about the warriors and their arms.  I smiled when Ylva could not answer his questions.  She had not even noticed them.  For her it was about the great city.  Gruffyd was just concerned with being a warrior.

The land and the weather, like my mood, began to improve with the return of Kara and Aiden. Once the ground became less frozen Basil set to work building his own home, close to Aiden's using stone. We had plenty already quarried and we had the newly acquired slaves who were put to work. He was not a quick worker but he was meticulous and I saw that Aiden had done well. He would build solidly but we would have to be patient. I realised that we had no gold yet and so, perhaps, this was the work of the Weird Sisters. The gold would buy the stone we could neither quarry nor steal. Our knarr would have to sail to distant lands to buy suitable materials.

We were at the shipyard preparing to go to sea when a rider came from Úlfarrston.  "Lord Coen says a drekar is approaching."

I had my Ulfheonar with me and we mounted our horses.  This was not one of our drekar! When we reached the port the gates were closed and Coen had his walls manned.  I did not recognise the drekar but it was small.  It was a threttanessa and it was not fully manned. Olaf Leather Neck sounded disappointed as he said, "They come not to fight or else if they do then they have the wish for death in their heads."

The drekar took some time to reach the wooden quay.  A younger version of Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson leapt ashore. "I am Gunnstein Thorfinnson!"

I smiled, "Welcome.  You are brave to make this journey with such a small crew."

He nodded, "We lost men raiding in Frankia.  I come here to see if there are any men of Cyninges-tūn who would wish to sail with me."

"You can ask but most of the men are ready to sail with us."

He looked disappointed but nodded, "I have gold to buy a byrnie from Bjorn Bagsecgson so my time will not be wasted and I bring a gift from my brother." One of his men carried a small chest. "These are parchments we found in Frankia.  We were going to burn them but Hrolf the Horseman said that Aiden might be able to use them." He hesitated, "And that there may be a reward for us."

I smiled, "If that is Hrolf son of Gerloc of whom you speak then you are right. Rolf Horse Killer, take Gunnstein and his men to Cyninges-tūn."

After they had left Haaken said, "This is
wyrd
is it not? We should wait until Aiden has read the parchments.  I see the fingers of the sisters in this."

"As do I. Snorri ride to Sigtrygg and then Asbjorn.  Tell them I sail on a raid in the next month. Ask if they wish to come."

He leapt on his horse and left.  Haaken said, "And your son?"

"His ship is not ready but you ride to him and tell him our news.  Ragnar may wish to sail with us.  He is old enough now."

Gruffyd said, "Can I go with Haaken?"

"Of course." The fitting out of the drekar was not exciting.  A ride with Haaken to his cousin promised more.

The rest of the Ulfheonar stayed with me.  Although Bolli had finished the hull and the sails they were busy making it more comfortable for them. Over the years they had stopped bringing aboard a chest and left one which they just used when we were raiding.  We had fitted pieces of wood to hold them into place.  We could still lift the deck to store booty but it meant we could row in the roughest of weather. We had also saved all the sails which had been damaged over the years.  They provided covers for the deck. When we raided then
'Heart of the Dragon'
was our home. We liked to be comfortable.  Finally we began to store the barrels of dried fish and venison which would keep us fed on our voyage.  Beer would be the last thing we would take for it would grow stale.  We would take freshly brewed ale..

Aiden returned the day after Gunnstein had left us.  He was excited, "Jarl the Gods have sent this! It is better than we could have hoped."

I had rarely seen him as excited. "Why?  What can a piece of parchment tell us that will make us rich?"

"It gives us the dates when they will gather their treasure and when they will send it to Paris! A month from now it will be gathered at Rouen." I did not recognise the name. Aiden continued, "It used to be called Rotomagus by the Romans.  It is a long way from the sea but Gunnstein told me that they raided as far as Jumièges and the river was navigable and wide. "

Erik Eriksson was close by, "If Jarl Gunnar raided Jumièges will they not be prepared for us?"

"Perhaps but the Jarl will be taking more ships.  Jarl Gunnar had but two and one of them was small. We could have five if Sigtrygg and Asbjorn come with us."

"It is worth the risk and besides I wish to punish the men of Neustria. This will hurt them more than anything. We will raid." I looked at Aiden. "Will you come too?"

"Aye, Jarl.  I would not miss this opportunity.  Besides we may find more parchments and papers."

"Jarl Gunnar did well.  We should reward him."

"I have given him a golden wolf to give to his brother and Bjorn is making Gunnstein's armour for nothing. I said that you would pay him."

"If this is the tax for Neustria then it will be a fortune and a suit of mail will be as nothing."

"It is more than that, Jarl.  The taxes from Aquitaine are also sent both overland and by sea to Rouen. This will be the greatest Viking treasure ever when we capture it."

I shook my head, "Do not tempt the Weird Sisters, Aiden.  You of all people should know the dangers."

For once Aiden looked discomfited. "You are right, Jarl, I shall make a sacrifice.  I was carried away.  I was thinking of the buildings we could erect with the profits."

"We have no profits until we sail home." He nodded, "Did many men wish to join Gunnstein?"

"There were some warriors who had come from Windar's Mere. The younger ones have joined him.  The older ones seek berths with us."

"Good. We shall need them all."

"Cnut Cnutson will be here on the morrow with the men who will sail with us."

The son of the warrior who had been with me when the gods had touched my sword was now a fine warrior.  He had been one I could have made Jarl at Seddes' Burgh but I knew that he would be Ulfheonar. He had already killed his wolf but he wished to become more skilful before he joined our ranks.  It was commendable and showed that he knew what it meant to be one of my oathsworn.