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  I shouted, "Your chief gave his word! The gods will be angry at any more treachery!" There was tension which was almost visible and the warband just stared at me. I heard the horses hooves as they slowed to a walk and then there was silence. "Go home now or I will visit such disaster upon you, that the land north of the river will be fit only for carrion. I will leave no one alive!"

  Three of the warriors spoke together. One looked at Ulf and said, "It was a fair fight and our chief gave his word. We will return home." They walked up to the body and picked it up. Ulf kept the head. It was a trophy and would adorn his gate. They turned and headed north east towards the ford. They were beaten. We descended to congratulate Ulf. He had trounced his foes and gained two horses and three sets of mail. More importantly his people had seen him and knew they had a warrior to lead them.

  Chapter 6

  We returned home after a further four days. We made sure that the warband had gone by trailing them to the river. We burned their bodies and Ulf improved his defences. "A worthwhile journey Jarl. I am glad I came."

  "And I am too. I feel happier about our northern borders. When Jarl Thorkell the Tall ruled I did not worry but since Sven White Hair was killed it has always troubled me. Ulf Olafsson is the equal of our old comrade."

  "He is indeed. And now I can spend some time with my family. Who knows I might even increase its size!"

  My young warriors, Rollo and Rolf laughed. They had yet to start families although there were many maidens in Cyninges-tūn who would have happily taken them to their beds.

  Erik said, "Aye I will tend to my fields and thrash my lazy thralls. My son will soon be old enough to hold a seax. His training cannot start too soon."

  Haaken's face darkened a little. He had two daughters and desperately wanted a son. That was the real reason he would make Unn pregnant once more.

  "Jarl Dragonheart, when did you begin to train as a warrior?" Rollo was the youngest Ulfheonar.

  Haaken answered for me. "He did not. While the rest of us in the village were fighting with each other and wielding weapons Jarl Dragonheart was in the mountains with Old Ragnar. He hewed wood and watched over the old man. He learned to use a bow but it was not until he killed his first wolf that Old Ragnar showed him how to use a sword. The gods favoured the Jarl for the first time he had to fight," he gestured to his empty orb, "the day I lost my eye, he used his sword for the first time in anger and we all knew that he had a natural gift."

  I said, "I was lucky. You are right Erik to begin training your son as soon as you can. I did with Wolf Killer and he was Ulfheonar earlier than most."

  I saw my two young warriors taking all of this in. They just accepted my skills and there were many legends and stories of what I had done since I had become a warrior but few knew how I became one. Only Haaken now remained from the old days and only he knew the truth of the story. At my request he had not written a saga about it. There were enough stories of my deeds. The story of the sword alone was told from Miklagård to Dyflin, wherever Vikings gathered to tell tales.

  As we rode through the gates we were greeted as though we had been away for years rather than half a month. My son Gryffydd ran over to see me. He was growing so quickly now that I could barely keep up with his spurts of growth. He shouted, "Dragonheart!" I was away so much that he saw me as the jarl rather than a father. After Erik's words I felt guilty. I should be making him a warrior.

  "My fine young warrior; soon you will come to war with your father!"

  Brigid, nursing Erika, tutted, "There will be time enough for that. Let him grow first!"

  "Three more years and then he shall have his first sword. Prepare yourself, wife. He is a Viking and he will defend this land when I am dead and buried."

  She shook her head," I hope that will be a long time in the future. Come, enough talk of war. Let us eat and you can talk to your son."

  I hoisted him up and noticed just how much he was growing. Times past he would have felt like a feather. Now I could feel his strength as he gripped my arm.

  Aiden and Kara came, with Ylva to see me when I had greeted my wife and baby. I smiled when I saw them, "You dreamed?"

  "We did, father. The spirits are pleased. Our home and our land are safer."

  "You were right about Ulf, Aiden. He is the right leader. When you have time we made repairs on the baths there but there is a leak and our stone work left much to be desired. Have you the knowledge to see what is wrong?"

  "I can find out. I am still searching through the papers you brought last time. It would be useful to do so. When the rains come it makes the heart of Cyninges-tūn a muddy morass. The Romans built good drains. I will see what I can discover."

  "Have Wolf Killer and Elfrida made a visit yet?"

  "No, husband, but he asked for you to let him know when you returned."

  "Good I will send to him for it is almost half a year since I have seen my grandson. He will be growing."

  Kara laughed, "Father, we all grow!"

  "I know but when you are young you grow the most. Even Ylva looks different from fourteen nights ago. Besides I have yet to see Garth, my new grandson."

  The two women fussed over their children. I left with Aiden to walk by the Water. Gryffydd followed. I was about to send him back when Aiden said, "Children learn, Jarl, by watching elders. The more he is around you the more like you he will become."

  I held my hand out and my son grasped it. "But he will not understand that of which we speak."

  "When I looked in Haaken's head I saw his mind. It is a strange thing. Since then, when on the battlefield, I have oft times looked inside the heads of the dead. There is more inside our skulls than we know. Where do Kara and I get our power from? The spirits. And how do the spirits speak with us? Through our minds. Let your son listen to us and the words will dance around in his head." I must have looked dubious for he smiled, "It cannot hurt and you want no secrets from your son do you?"

  He was right. Aiden was always right, "Come then, son, and when you become bored you can skim stones across the water!"

  Surprisingly he did not. When we sat on the large stones he sat on my knee and cuddled in to me. Soon I forgot he was there but he remained awake and alert. "There are many young men who are restless, Jarl. Your success in Lundenwic has fuelled their desire for gold and for glory."

  "We both know, Aiden, that it would be a mistake to raid Lundenwic again so soon. We raided Wintan-ceastre last year. Where else is there?"

  "Neustria. Gunnar Thorfinnson was going to raid there. He thought that it was a place filled with riches."

  "But who would lead them?"

  "Perhaps your son, Wolf Killer. I am guessing that he will be envious of your success. We sent him gold but gold earned is always more valuable than gold given."

  "I am not unhappy about our warriors raiding but we have lost enough brethren for me to baulk at losing more."

  "You and I are not Norse born, lord. It is in their blood and they are happy to die in battle. You know that."

  "You are right and I should be used to the idea."

  We were silent for a while and I noticed that Gryffydd was asleep. It was a dreamless sleep for he moved not. Aiden looked at my son. "Perhaps, Jarl, it is time that you dreamed."

  There was more to Aiden's words than an idle comment. "Why, what do you know?"

  "The spirits have words for you, Jarl. Both your mother and Erika have visited our dreams of late and there is something else. There is a figure who hovers on the periphery of the spirit world. He will not approach us. We think he wishes to speak with you. It is an old man."

  "Ragnar?"

  "We never saw him so I do not know. It might be. You should dream."

  "I do dream, each night."

  Aiden shook his head, "You know what I mean. You need to lie alone in the steam hut and you should take one of Kara's potions. It will open the door to the spirit world. Now that you have a new daughter the time is right."

  "That is why th
e two of you came to speak with me."

  He nodded, "Since you have been away we have been visited each night. We cannot use all of our powers until he has spoken with you." He laughed, "Your daughter needs her sleep!"

  I carried my sleeping son back to my hall. Uhtric took him from me. It was obvious that Kara and Brigid had been speaking about me. Brigid had that frown which meant she was not happy about something. She did not approve of my communication with the dead. It went against her religion. Kara, however, had a way of making Brigid less angry. We could not rid her of what I called her 'pagan frown'.

  Kara smiled, "I have sent a messenger to my brother to tell him that you are home."

  Brigid recovered her composure. "And Asbjorn would speak with you about raiding. I told him to join us this evening. We have pike."

  "Good." Pike was one of my favourite dishes.

  When our company had gone she asked, "Do you have to dream? I like it not."

  "The dead will not hurt me for they are my ancestors."

  "It is not seemly and..."

  "And your priests do not like it either. Yet you believe that the White Christ did not die. He lives in your heaven, does he not?"

  She shifted uncomfortably, "We do not talk of such things."

  "But you do. At Easter you celebrate his death and then his ascent into the skies. Does his spirit not live?"

  "It is not the same."

  I smiled for I had her now, "When you die you will go to heaven?"

  "I believe so."

  "And your spirit will live there?" She nodded. "What is the difference?"

  She stood and laid Erika in her cradle. "It is not the same and I have too much to do than sit here and argue with a pagan!" She was flushed as she went to the kitchen. I heard her bark at the thralls. When she was herself again she would apologise. It was their lot to suffer the sharp edge of her tongue.

  When Gryffydd awoke I spent the rest of the day with him. We wrestled and had a play fight. Soon he would leave my hall and play outside with the other youngsters of Cyninges-tūn. It would not matter then that his father was Jarl. He would be treated as roughly as any. Bloody noses and bruises would toughen him up and prepare him for war.

  Asbjorn and Einstein arrived at my hall. They had brought a gift for Brigid. It was a pair of bone combs. They had both made them and one was carved with a wolf design while the other had a dragon. The two warriors had great skills and for such fierce men could be quite delicate. Brigid was touched. She was no longer cross; she was the hostess and the wife of the Jarl. She knew how to behave. She had been brought up in a Welsh court. She knew how such things were managed.

  After we had eaten she left us before my fire with a fine black ale. "Your wife keeps a fine table, Jarl."

  "You two should think of taking a wife. Cyninges-tūn needs young warriors and the ones from your loins would be most welcome."

  "That is the reason we have come this night. We would raid again. We made much on the last trip but when we are wed we will journey less often. We would both be comfortable."

  "Good. Then you have my permission."

  They looked at each other, "We would like to take 'The King's Gift' too, Jarl. There are many warriors who wish to go A-Viking with us. We need two drekar."

  "Are you happy about young Olaf as the captain?"

  "He has proved himself. I am more than happy."

  Einstein was normally the second in command to Asbjorn. I could see that he had his own warriors now. It was wyrd. "Then I am content. I have to tell you that I think my son may wish to join you. The 'Wild Boar' has not sailed for some time."

  "That is even better for it increases the places we could raid."

  "And where would you raid?" I held up my hand, "I advise only and it will be your decision but I would suggest that you avoid Wessex. We have visited that well too often and I think that King Egbert may well be waiting."

  "We were thinking of Olissipo."

  "We lost Trygg there and we laid it to waste."

  "They may have rebuilt it."

  I quaffed my ale, "Aiden has given thought to your dilemma."

  "How did he..." Asbjorn smiled, "a galdramenn! What was I thinking?"

  "He suggested Neustria. It is close enough and untouched. Gunnar Thorfinnson may have raided but he is but one drekar."

  They brightened, "That sounds like a good idea and if it comes from Aiden..."

  "He will have the charts for your captains. My son will be here soon. We will find out if he wishes to join you."

  Wolf Killer arrived three days later. He left his family at home. With young children Elfrida did not relish such long journeys. As he and his oathsworn rode up I could see a difference in my son. He had now filled out and become a huge warrior. He had always been tall but it had taken until now for him to become a warrior almost as big as Olaf Leather Neck. He strode over and clasped my arm, "Thank you for the treasure father but you had no need. I am more than capable of providing for my own family."

  I put my arm around his shoulder and led him into my hall, "You forget, Wolf Killer, that you are my family too. Indulge me!"

  He nodded, "Thank you."

  "Your new son, Garth, prospers?"

  "He has a pair of lungs on him that is for certain. Aye he prospers but he tires Elfrida."

  "And Ragnar?"

  "He is desperate to be a warrior. Two more summers and he may well be ready to come with us."

  "You should have brought your whole family. Kara and her women have a way with children."

  Some years Kara and Wolf Killer had been estranged. Even though they were now closer Wolf Killer still preferred to keep their lives separate. I knew I had spoken out of turn when he said nothing.

  "And what brings you from Elfridaby?"

  "I would go A-Viking. I should have come with you to Lundenwic but my new son demanded my attention."

  "This is wyrd for Asbjorn and Eystein wish to raid. They talk two drekar."

  "Wessex?"

  "No, for Aiden and I counselled against that. We suggested Neustria."

  He smiled, "Aiden is rarely wrong on these matters but you never are. I will do as you suggest. When do they wish to leave?"

  "They were waiting for your arrival."

  "You knew what was in my mind?"

  "Let us just say that I thought you might wish to raid."

  When Wolf Killer left to speak with Asbjorn I visited Kara. "When Wolf Killer sails with Asbjorn I will take your potion and dream."

  "That is good. The old man visits often. I saw him not far from here."

  "Saw him?"

  "In my dream. He was in the cave of the Lough Rigg, close to the Rye Dale. The place Wolf Killer killed his wolf."

  "Wyrd!"

  "Truly."

  After Wolf Killer had seen Asbjorn and Eystein he left. "I would stay but both jarls wishes to sail as soon as he can. They leave for Úlfarrston today. I must return and fetch my men."

  "Do you wish you wife and family to be here?"

  "I would not mind you keeping an eye on them but I will leave enough men to guard my home There are many warriors who wish to raid with me and I can choose the best."

  "When you return then bring your family here. I do not see enough of you."

  "I know and I have been at fault. I promise that I will bring them here."

  After he had gone I had Uhtric saddle my horse and I rode to the cave. I had not been here since the time of the wolf hunt. Not only had my son killed his first wolf, Beorn three fingers had been bitten by a wolf as had Karl. That day had been one we all remembered and now a spirit haunted it. I was never one to run away from spirits. I would visit the cave and see if he spoke with me.

  I rode up through the Rye Dale and, after speaking with Audun Thin Face, took the path through the forest which led up to the strange cave. The last time I had come I had been prepared and well armed and we had left our horses in the forest. Now I rode up and on to the rock ledge. I dismounted and tried to
lead my horse inside but he would not move. I tethered him to a stunted tree close to a large pool of rainwater.

  I walked in and, as I did so, realised what a huge cavern it was. The roof was so high that I could barely see it. There was another pool just inside the entrance but it could not be rainwater. Even as I looked at it I heard a plop as water fell from the roof. I moved further in and saw that it turned a little to the right. I followed it and it became darker. I stopped. I did not wish to fall down a hole or trip on a rock. I had told no one where I was going. Suddenly I felt a shiver down my neck. There was someone or something in the cave with me. The air became oppressively heavy and my eyes felt like they wanted to close. I could almost feel the breath of something there with me. I was in the presence of a spirit. I was frozen to the spot. I closed my eyes and found myself I had no idea how long I had been in this cave. This was not meant to be. When the dream came I was not supposed to be here. I was supposed to be close to my daughter. Who knew if this was a good or an evil spirit? I remembered the witch Angharad.

  I forced my hand to the hilt of Ragnar's Spirit. As soon as I did so the air became lighter and I could move my feet. I headed back to the entrance. When I reached the entrance I found that it was now dark outside. The sun had set. How long had I been in the cave? I mounted my horse and made my way through the forest. When I saw the glow from the hut of Audun Thin Face I breathed a sigh of relief. I was back in my world.

  Scanlan had organised a search party and they found me not far from the tarns. Since Ulf had moved north this was a deserted part of my land. "Jarl, Aiden and the Lady Kara told us to find you. We thought we had lost you."

  "No Scanlan but I was foolish. I have learned my lesson."

  Brigid and Kara both wore the worried faces of someone whose child has gone missing. I knew that I would have to endure their sharp tongues. Surprisingly Aiden came to my aid, "Jarl Dragonheart is unharmed. He needed to do this. He will now dream here where we can protect him."