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  That left the last two and they had closed with each other to provide mutual help. Although stronger they had no manoeuvrability. The two threttanessa danced around them like hounds around a bear. They were irritating more than deadly but it kept the attention of the Danes on them. I saw, as we neared them that the last ship had managed to grapple 'Odin's Breath'. That would not do.

  "Ulfheonar. We go to the aid of Jarl Asbjorn. Prepare to board the last drekar."

  They all went to the side.

  "Erik, we will board at the stern and cross to Asbjorn's drekar. Go alongside him."

  "Aye Jarl."

  It was not as risky as one might have thought. I would lead twelve warriors and attack the most vulnerable part of the ship. All attention would be on Asbjorn's drekar and we would have surprise; I hoped. Erik judged it well . Out sturdy side struck the stern and Olaf and Ulf led my Ulfheonar on to the deck of the Danish ship. It was smaller than ours and lower in the water. I was the fourth one on board. My men had slain the five who had been there. The steering board was next to me and I took the axe from the dead warrior's hand and hacked through the rudder boss. The drekar could not steer until it was repaired.

  There was just Rolf Wolf Killer behind me with his two handed axe as I ran to follow my men. Olaf, Haaken and Ulf were carving a path through the Danes to get to 'Odin's Breath'. The ship was rolling as it was beam on to the wind and the waves. Keeping your footing was difficult. Had I not done this many times before I would have fallen but I kept my balance. A Dane tried to swing his axe over his head and he overbalanced. I slashed across his neck with Ragnar's Spirit.

  Rolf was young and he was able to adapt. He had his shield over his back and he held his axe at the end and in the middle. He would not overbalance. He jabbed it forward and caught a Danish sailor in the middle. As he pulled it to one side he tore open the Dane's stomach.

  Ahead of us the Danish warriors had realised that we were aboard and our progress was halted. What they did not know was that we were Ulfheonar. Ridiculous odds do not matter. I heard a roar as Olaf launched himself at the three Danes who blocked our way. Haaken's sword darted out swiftly to hamstring one of them and Ulf used the fallen body to jump high into the air and crash down on the warriors pressing to get at Olaf. My Ulfheonar spread out and Danes were pushed over the side to be dragged down by their mail into the icy waters.

  I was almost knocked against the mast by a blow from a Danish axe. My shield took the blow and I stabbed at his head. Using an axe two handed meant you had no shield. Ragnar's Spirit went into his mouth and came out at the back of his neck. Asbjorn and his crew were given heart by our sudden attack and they fell upon the other side of the Danes. Rolf and I were suddenly without foes. "Rolf, hack a hole in the hull!"

  He grinned, "Aye Jarl."

  I shouted, "Back to 'Odin's Breath'!" Olaf and the others redoubled their efforts and soon joined up with Asbjorn. His archers picked off any Dane who looked likely to follow. I felt water at my feet. Rolf had succeeded. The drekar was sinking. "Back to the ship."

  I punched a warrior in the face with my shield as I swung Ragnar's Spirit sideways. I cleared a path and followed Rolf Horse Killer. The Dane was filling with water faster than I intended and I wondered if I would make the side of Asbjorn's drekar. Its deck was higher than the Dane's. I sheathed my sword and looked for a way off the doomed vessel. I saw a Danish body and I ran at it. I pushed off and leapt up. It was a leap of faith but it was rewarded as my Ulfheonar pulled me to safety. By the time I had turned around the Dane was almost sunk and we had beaten off the Danish attack.

  Chapter 4

  We caught up with the knarr the next morning. I only knew of Asbjorn's losses but I suspected that he had suffered the most. Eight of his men had gone to Valhalla. They had had a glorious death and we would honour them when we reached home. My Ulfheonar had suffered slight wounds but nothing to prevent them rowing. Haaken spent the whole of the next day composing his saga. He felt that our victory was so great that men would speak of it for years to come. "Three of those Danish ships will have survived. Think of how they will tell it."

  For Haaken it was all about the glory. I was not Norse born and for me it was the survival of as many of my men as possible and we had been lucky. We hove to close to Vectis. I was anxious to find out about our other losses. It turned out that Asbjorn had been unlucky. Our plan was a good one but the Norns had intervened. Two Danish drekar had closed with him and he had been attacked before he could escape. We did not go ashore for Vectis was Wessex but just rested on our ships. We had plenty of food; thanks to our raid.

  The winds abated and, when we left, it was a gentle voyage around the edge of Corn Walum. We had time to talk of the raid. "It was so successful Jarl Dragonheart that, perhaps, we could do it each year." Erik Ulfsson was keen for more riches.

  "It was successful because no one had done it before. King Egbert has almost conquered Corn Walum. He will build burghs. Besides they will be watching for us. We need to find places which have not been raided before. They are hard to find. For myself I am happy not to raid. If any of my Ulfheonar or other warriors wish to use my drekar to raid then they are welcome to do so but I have a daughter. I would like to see her grow."

  I could see that I had disappointed my younger warriors but my older ones had tales enough to tell their children. I listened while the young warriors planned further raids. I hoped that they were not letting success go to their heads. That could be fatal. Coen Ap Pasgen's knarr were heavily laden and waiting for us in the Sabrina. They joined our two knarr and my drekar were like sheepdogs patrolling the flock. We saw some Irish pirates as we neared Ynys Môn. The winds had taken us close and speeded our journey. We could not avoid the contact. There were three of them and they headed west as soon as they saw our drekar. They had learned that these dragon ships had teeth.

  Sigtrygg left us south of Úlfarrston. We would send his share of the profits by pack horse. He was keen to return to his land. Sigtrygg had fewer warriors than most of my jarls and it had been his sons who had stayed to guard his home with the older warriors. He would return with mail, pots, swords and spices. His people would prosper. Rather than dock at Úlfarrston the three drekar sailed up to the shipyard. There was damage to our two larger drekar and both Asbjorn and Erik were desperate for Bolli to repair them.

  Aiden took the younger warriors and they escorted him and his precious maps, parchments and the ingredients for his spells back to his hall. The rest of my crew marched down to Úlfarrston. The knarr would take some unloading and my warriors liked me to divide the spoils of war.

  As we walked Olaf Leather Neck reflected, "It is a pity we could not have taken the mail from those Danes on the ship we sank. It was fine mail. My blunted axe is testament to that."

  Ulf Olafsson said, "I like not battles at sea. A good warrior can be defeated by a lucky one. We were fortunate that the Norns were sleeping."

  He could mention them now for we were on solid ground and had returned home. A warrior never mentioned them when we were at sea. Haaken said, "But were they? When we left Tilaburg I through the adventure was over. We were lucky to have a galdramenn with us. Had Jarl Dragonheart not adopted the formation he did we might have lost a drekar."

  Erik Ulfsson shook his head, "Danes are becoming a problem, Jarl Dragonheart. When they just settled in the east that was one thing but hiring their axes out to Saxons is something else."

  He was right and he had voiced my thoughts. "You are right, Erik. Eoforwic is almost more Dane than Saxon. I am just grateful that the gods put the high mountains between us and Northumbria."

  The five knarr were already being unloaded at the jetty in Úlfarrston. The hundred men I brought would make short work of the unloading but the division would be hard. I smiled to myself. Aiden normally did that for me but he had been eager to return to Kara and Ylva. He had changed.

  I spoke with Coen as the goods were taken off and placed into five piles while the animals w
ere gathered in five herds. I had told Haaken how I wanted them divided. I told Coen of our raid and the attack. "It is lucky then that my knarr waited for you, Jarl. Those Irish pirates would have made short work of my three ships."

  "My jarls all wish to raid again. I will ask them to escort your ships to the Sabrina if that is where they go."

  "I think they would trade with your brethren in Ljoðhús. They are made welcome there and the seal oil is a valuable commodity as are the seal skins." He pointed at the pots and cloths his men were unloading. "They are desperate for such fine goods."

  I nodded, "Then I will see which of them wish to raid the monasteries on the west coast of Hibernia and the men of Strathclyde although I am reluctant to poke that wasp's nest. They can be defeated but there is little treasure to be had from them. Tell me, did the Danish spies return?"

  "No, Jarl, although some of my fishermen saw the wreckage of a fishing boat a week after you left. There was a violent storm. Perhaps it was they who perished."

  "Perhaps." I was not certain. I did not like such unanswered questions. "Have your men watch for them and if there is any sign then let me know."

  "I will."

  "Jarl Dragonheart we are done."

  I went over to join my jarls. The five piles were impressive. "Are you happy with the division? Does any man wish me to make changes?"

  The jarls and the hersir all shouted as one, "No, Jarl Dragonheart!"

  "Good," I turned to Coen. "I would have you watch over Jarl Sigtrygg's goods. He and his men will fetch horses tomorrow."

  "I will have my men guard it. It will be safe."

  I turned to Erik Ulfsson, "Have the horses loaded. I picked up one box of coins. It was not the largest but it was substantial. "Come Haaken, we will return to Erik."

  Each drekar had some of the captured goods in their holds. We had made one division when in Tilaburg. It was dark when we reached the shipyard but Erik had been busy. The hull had been emptied and they were already removing the mast so that they could repair the damage to the side where we had hit the stern of the Danish drekar.

  "Erik, here is your share."

  I handed him the chest, "Jarl, it is too much! I have never see such a chest of treasure."

  "You earned it and I do not think that 'Heart of the Dragon' will raid again this year; not unless my men wish it."

  "Good for I have some improvements to make and this coin will please Bolli."

  I shook my head, "It is my drekar and I will pay for the improvements." I took out a purse of coins. This was treasure I had taken from dead Saxons when we had first defeated them in Lundenwic. "Here, use this and if it is not enough then send to Scanlan and I will send more. It is not right for a captain to pay for work on the ship of another."

  "Thank you Jarl. Then my wife will be even happier!"

  Despite the lateness of the hour we made our way up the Water to Cyninges-tūn. We had been away long enough and all my men wished to see their families and their homes. They would become restless again but not for a month or two. When the summer waned they would seek the sea and they would raid but, for the next few months, they would enjoy their farms and their families.

  My men were noisy as we marched along the water and my sentries in my town roused the families. We were greeted like heroes by grateful wives and sleepy children. Aiden and his escort had warned them of our imminent arrival. Brigid had food ready for me when I entered my hall. She held a sleeping Erika in her arms and I kissed first my wife and then my daughter. Brigid wrinkled her nose, "You smell of the sea! And sweat!"

  I grinned and shook my head, "I am sorry my pungent smells offend you. I shall bathe before I return next time."

  She smiled, "No, but I am just saying that I will have Uhtric light the fire in the steam hut in the morning and then I will have a husband who does not smell like a fish!"

  "And I will happily enjoy the pleasures of the hut believe me."

  "The raid went well. Aiden told me. Does that mean you stay within these walls for a time? Will you see our daughter grow?"

  "I will not go to sea for a while and I will be in the hall but not for the whole summer. I must see my son and visit the Stad on the Itouna. You could come with me, if you wished."

  She laughed, "You will forgive me if I say no. I know how you and your men are happy to sleep on the ground and suffer horses' backs for days. Just so long as you are away for days and not months then I am happy."

  Uhtric had brought in a bowl of hot food and some freshly brewed ale. While Brigid nursed the babe I ate. After the food had gone and the ale was drunk I had a second horn. It was good ale. Brigid was a fine ale wife. "Have you heard from my son?"

  A frown crossed her face, "I am such a goose! You have a new grandson, Garth."

  My face must have lit into a smile for Brigid's frown disappeared. "He named him after me?"

  "Aye for he came out kicking and screaming. He fought for life and Elfrida said he was just like his grandfather. They said it was wyrd." She shook her head and crossed herself; it felt blasphemous for her to say such things.

  My wife was a Christian and said that she did not believe in superstition. Secretly I think she did but would never admit to it. That is the way of women. They like to have the last word. Old Ragnar has said that they liked the first word, the last word and as many others in between. He was afraid of no one but he would have rather faced a dozen warrior's than a woman's sharp tongue. I went to bed happy. I had a new grandson, my wife was happy and we had had a good raid. The world of Cyninges-tūn was in harmony.

  We had work to do the next day as my people waited for me to divide up the animals, treasure and goods we had brought back with us. Haaken and my men were always disappointed when I did not take a greater share. I did not need it and they could not understand that. I think that was the blood of my mother's people. My family would not suffer but why did I need extra gold and silver? I had plenty. I had never been defeated in battle and every time I slew a great warrior I was the richer. I took a ram and a ewe for I had an idea to crossbreed the animals. My own flock, which my thralls watched for me, were hardy but they had little meat and their wool was not high quality. The two I had taken were. I would have Scanlan begin to breed them.

  When they had all departed I sought out Bjorn Bagsecgson. I had gold for him but it was for a purchase I wished to make. "A good raid, Jarl. I shall do well for already every young warrior has been with gold and asked for a byrnie of mail! Some have even enough gold for a good sword. Some of the mail you brought can be repaired but much of it will need to be melted down and reused."

  "The Saxons and their churches are well endowed, Bjorn." I handed him my helmet. "I would have you attach mail around the bottom of my helmet."

  He frowned. He had made the helmet. "Is there a problem with the helmet, Jarl? Is it unsatisfactory?"

  "No, Bjorn, but I have seen warriors who have had their throats slashed in battle. It is too vulnerable a place. The weight will not be much."

  "No and it is a good idea." He smiled, "Of course as soon as you have it then Haaken and the others will all come in to copy the idea."

  "I know!"

  Once Scanlan knew what I intended for my sheep he was happy. "I have hired some shepherds, Jarl. They are building a hut on the fells close by Old Olaf."

  He was not asking permission but he had been a slave once and he was still deferential to me. He had yet to make a bad decision. "That is good. You have my permission to give them one lamb in four for themselves."

  "A wise decision Jarl. If we did not then they might take them anyway."

  "Scanlan, there were Danish spies at Úlfarrston. They have fled but I want all newcomers watched carefully until we know that we can trust them."

  "These shepherds are not from outside our land, Jarl. They lived up close to the Stad by the Itouna and they feared the raids from Strathclyde. They lost their flock last winter; some to the wolves and some to raiders."

  "Then, when my
men are rested, I will take a warband and we will scour the land north of the Itouna. It is time they learned to go elsewhere for their animals."

  Finally, I went to see my daughter and granddaughter,. Ylva would be a great volva one day; her mother and her grandmother had both been volvas and her father was a galdramenn. But to me she was just my first granddaughter. She giggled when she saw me. I took that as a good sign but my daughter assured me that it was just wind. We spoke of the treasures we had captured and how they would improve the lives of our people. Already those who lived in our town by the Water had better homes than any other in the land for they had much stone in their construction.

  "We have to do something about the cattle and sheep raids from north of the river. Arne Thorirson is a good hersir but he is not a warrior." Raids and wars had taken my jarls from the northern borders. I needed to put a warrior there who would be an effective leader.

  My son and daughter had a way of knowing what I thought. Aiden said, "Ulf and Erik are both good warriors. They have recently taken a wife each. Perhaps one of them might like to rule the northlands for you. Ketil has kept the east quiet. He was a good choice. Which one would you choose?"

  "I think Ulf for he is older and Erik is close to Rollo and Rolf. He has taken them under his wing. I do think it would be good for the Ulfheonar to separate them."

  "Then make him Jarl. Arne will appreciate that. He is a good farmer and a stout man in a shield wall. You need an Ulfheonar to guard the frontier." It was an easy decision to make. I knew why I had delayed in making it. Ulf Olafsson was one of the most reliable warriors I had. He would now be many leagues north if he accepted my offer.

  Macha and Deidra came through with freshly made bread and cheese along with a horn of ale. Although they had both been nuns of the White Christ and Christians, they had adapted well to our way of life. I doubted that they would admit it but both seemed content in my land. If they chose to leave then we would not stop them. Since my wife arrived they had a small community of Christians. They found comfort in each other's company.