Horseman (Norman Genesis Book 2) Read online

  Horseman

  Book 2 in the

  Norman Genesis Series

  By

  Griff Hosker

  Published by Sword Books Ltd 2016

  Copyright © Griff Hosker First Edition

  The author has asserted their moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.

  All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

  Cover by Design for Writers

  Thanks to Simon Walpole for the Artwork.

  Prologue

  I am Hrolf Son of Gerloc although now they call me Hrolf the Horseman. It had been a year since we defeated Hermund the Bent and Black Teeth. They had tried to destroy us on our small island off the Frankish coast. It was a revenge raid; they hated me and Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson. We had thought we were safe so far from their home but we were not. We had come close to being destroyed. They had besieged us and it took courage from all of our warriors to defeat them, drive them into the bay and destroy their drekar. Our Jarl, Gunnar Thorfinnson, had been generous both in his praise and his gifts. He had said to the whole clan that we would not have won but for me and my horse, Dream Strider. That was not true. Others like Rurik One Ear, Alf the Silent and Ulf Big Nose had done as much. Alf the Silent had paid the ultimate price; he had died. I did not like the elevation to hero. Jarl Dragonheart of Cyninges-tūn in the land of the Wolf was a true hero, I just did the best that I could. However I still believed that I was destined for greater things. I had met a witch on a lonely island off the coast of On Walum while serving the Dragonheart and she had said, 'His family will be remembered long after you are dead, Jarl Dragonheart, but they will not know that they would have been nothing without the Viking slave who changed the world.' I had no family as yet and so I knew that I still had much to do.

  The year since the battle had been a quiet one. We recovered from the deaths we had endured. We repaired our palisades and our ship and we prepared to do that which was in our nature. We prepared to raid. We were warriors and we had left the land of the Wolf to make our own land. It would be the land of the Raven. The island was but a start. Since the battle we had learned that the Dragonheart's son, Wolf Killer, had fallen in battle defending the Land of the Wolf. It made me more apprehensive about my future. Wolf Killer had been a great warrior. He would have been a Jarl like his father and now he was gone. The Dragonheart was, from what we heard, distraught. It was as though his heart had been taken from him. Many other fine warriors had also fallen and I wondered what would have happened had I stayed there. I had left and joined this clan because of a prophesy but also because I did not see my future in the Land of the Wolf but in Frankia, the land of the horse.

  What set me apart from the rest of the clan on our little island was my love of horses. All Vikings could ride but I seemed to have a skill with them which others did not. My horse, Dream Strider, had been hurt in the attack. It had taken me six months to heal him. It had set me to thinking and I decided that I needed more horses. I wanted to breed them. I kept that thought to myself. I was just one of the clan. The decisions and where we would raid would be the Jarl's or his brother, Gunnstein Thorfinnson. He and his crew now lived on the island with us. We had two drekar now and our clan was growing. I would just seize my opportunity when it came along. In the meantime I practised riding my horse wearing the mail that our smith, Bagsecg Beornsson, had made for me. I had used much of the gold I had saved to buy it. Already it had proved its worth. Had I not worn it then I would have lost my leg during the battle for our island. Now, a year after I had first worn it, Dream Strider was comfortable carrying both me and my mail. Along with my dog, Nipper, we regularly rode around our island. I knew every rock and blade of grass. This was my land and I would defend it with my life.

  The other difference between the rest of the clan and me was that I lived alone. The rest lived close to the palisade and the hall of the Jarl. In order to help my horse to heal after his hurts in the battle with Hermund the Bent I had built a hut close by the haunted farmhouse overlooking the bay where the skeletons of the dead ships and their crews lay. The farmhouse was not haunted by the spirits of our enemies but the by those of the fishermen who had lived on the island before we came murdered by outlaws. I did not mind their spirits for I had not hurt them. I was not far from the others but it meant I could ride whenever I chose. Each night the gates of the clan's walls were closed. I sometimes like to ride at night or early in the dawn. I had built a hut, with the help of my comrades and I had built a stable and a store. With a pen for my horse to graze I felt I was in control of my own life. I enjoyed the freedom my lonely home brought. I had been a slave for many years and now I had my own home. I had my horse and my dog. I was content.

  Chapter 1

  I had just given Dream Strider his first ride of the morning. I put him in the pen I had made. He had enough room to run and yet it was too high for him to leap. I put water in his trough and left him. He would be happy enough. I walked, with Nipper in close attendance, south to the home of the clan. It was not a large island and it did not take me long. I stood at the gate and watched the activity inside the walls. After the silence of my home it always seemed to be a noisy, bustling place. Bagsecg, the smith, would be hammering away at his forge. Children would be running around making noises and the dogs would be barking at each other. Nipper, my dog, who walked next to me did not bark. He was a lonely dog. If any of the clan's dogs came near then he bared his teeth. He was very protective and they had all learned to keep their distance. He was an extremely good ratter. No vermin nested in Dream Strider's stable. He was my dog and Dream Strider and I were his priorities. I was lucky.

  "Hrolf! You must have something of the galdramenn in you." Siggi White Hair strode over to me from his turf covered house.

  "Why? I was here three days since. What has happened?"

  "The Jarl has decided that we need to raid again." I cocked a quizzical eye at him. "We had more fights two nights since. Eystein Arneson and Erik Long Hair got drunk and fought over a woman. Eystein lost an eye and Erik will limp for some time to come. The Jarl decided that a raid would let them be violent to those outside our clan."

  Fights such as this were normal but never welcome. Had one of the two men died then there might have been a blood feud. That could destroy a clan. One, Eystein, was Raven Wing and the other, Erik, came from the crew of 'Sea Serpent'.

  "Where does he think to raid?" I pointed back to my home. "The land to the east of us? The river there has many treasures."

  "He has not decided. We hold a Thing, at noon. That is why I said you must have the second sight. I was about to fetch you."

  "I am not important. Why does the Jarl need me?"

  He laughed, "You were a slave too long. All the men of the clan take part in a Thing. We have to have the views of all. It saves arguments. Come, Brigid the ale wife has a fresh brew." He added, confidentially, "Erik One Hand also asked the Jarl if we could raid for his wife needs more barley and grain for the ale. It would not do to run out. This island is a good home but we cannot keep up with Brigid's needs."

  Erik, along with Rurik One Ear, had helped me to defend the island from the band of murderers and outlaws. It made us close. As soon as he spied me Rurik One Ear came over. "You are like a he
rmit these days, Hrolf the Horseman!"

  "You both have your women for company what do you need of someone who smells of horse sweat and shit!"

  They laughed and Rurik said, "We put up with that for your wit, Hrolf. Are you here for the Thing?"

  "I was not but now that I know it is here I will stay."

  Erik put his good arm around me. "Then come to my home. Brigid will be pleased to speak with you. You should know you are the favoured one of all the women. I swear that if you asked her she would move in with you!"

  I shook my head, "I doubt that." Erik had been, like me, a slave. He gave Brigid, also a slave, so much attention that she would never take another.

  I enjoyed the rest of my morning as I sat drinking ale and catching up on the latest gossip and news. The two wounded warriors were being kept apart by the Jarl's hearth-weru. I guessed that would be part of the debate at the Thing. We would have to decide what to do about them. The Jarl could not afford to tolerate such dissension in his clan. Although only men could speak the women had an interest and they all gathered to watch. Few of them were Norse and this would be their first experience of our unique gathering. I had only seen one before and that was in the Land of the Wolf. Each clan did this slightly differently.

  The only hierarchy was that the hearth-weru gathered around Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson. The rest of us sat with friends and blood brothers. Siggi White Hair had told me of some clans where the debate became overheated and swords were drawn. That was expressly forbidden but the presence of the six hearth-weru ensured that all knew the rules. Anyone was allowed to speak. I decided to remain silent. Better to listen and let others give their views than make a statement which would fuel conflict.

  The Jarl stood and began to speak, "We have not raided for some time. We had no need to do so for we had a good store of all that we needed. The fight that we had with Black Teeth and Hermund the Bent cost us men. But now I think we need to raid. We need grain and we need iron." He sat on the large log we had fashioned into a chair.

  Ketil Eriksson, one of the Eriksson brothers, stood, "I care only that we find enemies to kill. My sword grows dull."

  Gunnstein Thorfinnson, the Jarl's brother stood. He had his own crew. "My men and I are ready to raid now, too. We joined this clan because they were victorious. Since last year we have been farmers and fishermen."

  I saw the Jarl flash his brother an angry look. Erik Long Hair was one of his men. This would just fuel the feud. Siggi White Hair saw the look and he stood. One of the oldest warriors he still had a fierce temper. I had seen him almost go berserk once. However, he was known as the voice of reason. His words, whilst quiet and considered were not conciliatory. "I think it is good that you wish to raid, Gunnstein Thorfinnson. I wonder why you have not done so before now. You have your own crew. What stops you sailing off and gaining great treasure, slaves and weapons? Go and find them and then boast to us, the men of 'Raven's Wing', that you are better warriors than we." He smiled, "I look forward to that."

  I could see that Gunnstein Thorfinnson was annoyed. He was young and he was not yet a jarl. He flushed and as he stood his hand went to his sword. Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson shouted, "Touch your weapon and brother of mine or not my men will cut you down! This is a Thing and men speak their minds however bluntly they phrase their words." The latter statement was a criticism of Siggi White Hair who nodded and sat.

  This was not going well. I could see angry glances being thrown like weapons between the two drekar crews. Ulf Big Nose was our scout. I had been with him on many of his scouting expeditions. If we raided then it would be he who would be responsible for finding our target and ensuring we got there safely. He stood. He commanded respect from all, not least because he was a powerful warrior. He often fought without mail and yet had few scars. That took skill.

  "It seems to me that we all want the same thing to happen. No one has said we should not raid." He scowled at everyone as he spun his head around. It seemed to make his nose even bigger! "Does anyone not wish us to raid?" No one said a word. "Then, Jarl, I think the decision is made and all we need is to decide where we raid." He smiled at Siggi White Hair, who was his friend. "And if one crew wishes to raid one place and the other does not then we can have two raids. It would be interesting to see how successful we both were."

  The Jarl rolled his eyes. Having brought the peace Ulf now fanned the flames of animosity. The Jarl quickly stood. "Thank you, Ulf Big Nose, we will raid. I choose the Issicauna. I know we have raided there before but we have not been there for almost two years. They may have forgotten us. They have many churches and many settlements. It is close by and we know the land." He pointed to me, "And Hrolf the Horseman came from there and speaks their language." There was a great deal of nodding.

  I turned to Rurik, "That is good. I had thought it might come to blows."

  Before Rurik could answer Gunnstein Thorfinnson stood, "Then I will take my drekar to the Liger. I have yet to raid there. I know that the crew of 'Raven's Wing' suffered losses there. I will avenge them!" It was a challenge to our crew as well as a veiled insult that we had, somehow, failed there. His men all cheered and brought angry growls from our crew.

  The Jarl stood again, "Brother come with me to my hall. There we will speak in private!" As his brother stood the Jarl said to his hearth-weru. "Keep the peace!"

  The six of them drew their weapons and stood between the two crews. Men had begun to stand. The Thing was over. Siggi White Hair was totally unrepentant, "That young fool nearly got all his crew killed on the second raid we had with him. Doesn't he know that his brother is the one who will bring us success. The Liger! Only a fool would go back there."

  "But isn't it better to raid with two ships?"

  Ulf Big Nose shook his head, "Only for the bigger places, Hrolf. We need grain. There are many smaller villages we can raid. The trouble is young Gunnstein is trying to prove that he is a great warrior. He wishes to be his brother. The Jarl served with the Dragonheart and learned much there. The younger Thorfinnson is barely finished sucking on his mammy's titties!"

  "There is nothing wrong with that Ulf but you need to know how to fight first and he doesn't. Why, Hrolf here is younger but a better warrior already because he listens and he watches."

  Just then we heard voices raised. We could not make out what they were saying but everyone in the settlement stopped talking and tried to listen. We did not have to wait long for the outcome. Gunnstein stormed out. He stood in the doorway of Gunnar Thorfinnson's hall and shouted, "Warriors of the 'Sea Serpent'! To our drekar. Oleg, prepare for sea! We will show these old men how to raid. We will come back with so much treasure that we will have to capture three knarr just to carry it!"

  His words did nothing to endear him to Siggi White Hair and the other original members of the crew. Gunnstein's men all followed him. Some made obscene gestures to our men. It was not a good leaving.

  Ulf nodded, "Well that solves one problem. We do not need to keep Erik and Eystein apart!"

  The Jarl was red faced and obviously not himself when he came out. He called over Sven the Helmsman, "Have the drekar prepared. We will sail on the morning tide."

  Sven nodded and then said, "Is your brother sailing now?" The Jarl nodded. "Then I am sorry, Jarl, but he is a fool. It will take me the rest of the day to make sure that my sheets and shrouds are in perfect condition. I am not even sure he has cleaned the weed form his hull."

  "It is not our problem now, Sven."

  During the winter we had hauled 'Raven's Wing' out of the waters and we had all scraped the weeds and barnacles from the hull before Sven had painted on the foul smelling liquid which slowed down their growth. It was not a pleasant task but we did it because we had to. The only task which was worse was ridding the hold of vermin. It was why I had trained Nipper to catch rats.

  I turned to Siggi White Hair, "Will the brothers be reconciled?"

  He shrugged, "Perhaps but it is in the hands of the Weird Sisters now, Hrolf. We can
not worry about that. We have our own journey to plan." He smiled, "Will you take your new horse mail?"

  I shook my head, "It is too heavy to use on foot. I will just use the mail shirt I used to use and try to be quick on my feet. When I have grown and built up my strength then I will wear it on foot."

  He laughed, "That is the spirit."

  I went to Erik One Arm, "I will leave Dream Strider to run about the island. There is nothing to harm him and the grass is rich at this time of year. Nipper may come to steal titbits."

  Erik nodded, "Brigid likes your dog. He keeps the rats from the grain. He is welcome here and he regards us as friend. I will look after your home while you are away. Take care, my young friend. Do not use all of your luck up at once."

  "I am still learning, Erik. I watch more than I do and I listen more than I say."

  I went back to my home and took out the old mail shirt I had. It only covered my chest and back but it would be enough for this raid. I had no doubt that I would be used as a scout again. As scout I had to move swiftly and silently. A full byrnie would encumber me too much. I found my leather jerkin. I would wear that beneath my mail shirt. Then I sharpened my sword and seax before finding as many arrows as I could. During the winter I had made my own arrows. I had a Saami bow. It had proved to be most useful as it had a longer range than ordinary bows. Then I went to Dream Strider. I did not bother to saddle him. I just jumped on his back and let him run. We would be away for up to five days and I wanted to enjoy the moment. He and I enjoyed a special bond. We were not horse and rider; we were one. Nipper raced along next to us. He loved the challenge. I did not return to my home until after dark. I rode Dream Strider down to the bay and we rode straight into the chilly sea. I enjoyed the salty water washing over me and Dream Strider seemed to enjoy it too. I did not ride him up to my home, I led him. These moments were special to me.