Viking Sword (15 page)

"But this is different. Arturus took her."

Aiden shook his head, "From what you told me she fled with you. He did not take her, she came to you.  That alone tells me that the Norns wish these two to be together."

"I am not so certain."

His voice became lower so that I had to lean in to hear him against the sound of the sea and the oars. "You have dreamed of your son taking a wife and giving you a grandchild." I looked up.  He had been in my mind again. "I have heard your dreams. The spirits know your dreams and they have made this happen.  This is naught to worry about.  This is a cause for celebration. The spirits listen to you and they grant you your wishes. You do as they command and they reward you. This is
wyrd
!"

I looked astern.  Arturus' ship was rising and falling in the waves behind us.  Perhaps Aiden was right.  Erik's voice sounded, "We are going to turn west.  Ran is being kind this night.  The wind is rising and is now coming from Norway.  He is speeding us on our way. Rowers, take in the oars but prepare for a bumpy ride.  We will ride a wild stallion until after dawn." He laughed.  He loved the sea and its wild side.  It was a challenge to him and he would meet it. I hoped that Arturus and his new bride would be as safe.  It would be just like the Norns to grant us both joy and then snatch it from me. They could be cruel.

I sat down between the chests at the stern, Aiden joined me.  He spread a cloak above us to give us some shelter from the spray and the wind.  My Ulfheonar were doing the same between the benches.  Haaken and Cnut joined us. No one said a word.

Eventually I broke the silence. "It seems that in taking the sword from Cyninges-tūn to protect my people I have now drawn more enemies upon us."

Haaken laughed again, "You, least of all, should be surprised at the Norns.  They have little else to do to amuse themselves.  Blame your mother and your ancestors.  They were talking under Wyddfa's snowy top long before you were even a thought."

"Are the Ulfheonar behind Arturus' actions?"

Cnut shook his head and snorted, "You need to ask that? We have just seen this King Egbert; the man would be High King, hiding behind your wolf cloak and quaking when his enemies came.  Had we not been there then there would be no King Egbert and King Coenwulf and his Danes would he High King! Of course they are behind you.  We have emerged from this richer. We have made more on this one voyage than in the last five years.  We are all rich beyond our wildest dreams. The men are eager to spend their treasure on armour and weapons.  Bjorn will do well from this and we have time enough to return. It is not yet midsummer. This is a cause for celebration, Jarl."

I looked at Aiden who smiled and nodded, "Aye Jarl, Midsummer, when you married Arturus' mother.
Wyrd
!"

With that thought we curled into our cloaks and slept while Erik wrestled the ship and the sea.

I had been dreaming and it was a turbulent dream.  I was being hunted by men on horses and they had long boar spears. I ran into the high places around my home but still they came after me and when I ran to the waters of Cyninges-tūn and stared at my reflection, I was a wolf.

"Jarl you must wake!" Aiden's urgent hand brought me back to the deck of the
'Heart of the Dragon
'.  The drekar was pitching violently. He pointed to the steering board where Erik and two of his boys were hanging on to it as they struggled in the maelstrom of water. The Ulfheonar were at their oars.  Waves were breaking over the sides. 

As I stood Erik shouted, "This came from nowhere.  We must find shelter." He and Aiden stared at me and I knew where Ran was sending us, Syllingar. I nodded.  I was a warrior and I was a tool to be used by the gods, the Norns and the spirits. We would visit with the witch and discover what she had to tell us.

As we sailed into the labyrinth of islands, shoals and rocks the winds suddenly abated and the motion of our ship became easier.  The first time this had happened we were surprised; now we expected it.  We frequently sailed through these waters and we always stared at the island where the witch had her cave.  We never saw either smoke or signs of habitation.  This time we saw the tendril of smoke spiralling in the wind eddies rising from her island.  It seemed to be a signal.

Erik pointed to the ropes. "I will have to replace some stays and shrouds. That was a fierce storm. It was fortunate that I bought new rope when we were in Lundenwic."

Arturus tied up astern of us.  I waded ashore with my Ulfheonar.  The storm seemed to be elsewhere as though these islands were protected from nature itself. They knew, without my words, that we might be here for some time and they lit a fire with dry kindling from the boat and began to search the rocks for shellfish. We had done this before.  For the crew of the
'Josephus
' this was a new experience.  Haaken and Cnut would tell them what to do.

Arturus carried the young Elfrida ashore followed by a fearful looking servant. When they were on the beach I approached them.  Behind me I knew that Haaken and Cnut were grinning.  They had known my son since he had been a baby and were as close as uncles to him. I said nothing. I could tell that Arturus was struggling to find the words and to explain his action. He was now a man and responsible for what he had done.  I would wait.

"I could not leave Elfrida with that man! It was not right."

"So shall we return her to her family?"

The two of them looked at each other.  I knew that they had not considered that nor would they. "No, father, for they agreed to the marriage." He paused as I waited for his words, "We would be wed."

I looked at Elfrida. "And you would agree to this even though you have been wed already? Are you a Christian?"

She looked at the ground, "My parents told me to say that I was Christian so that King Egbert would marry me but I follow the old ways." She took out a token from around her neck and showed it to me.  It had a bronze hart with a blue stone for its eye. 
Wyrd
.

"And would you marry my son?"

Her face lit up.  "I would! The moment we spoke I knew that I was meant to be with him.  The voices in my head told me so."

I shivered and it was not the cold. "How old are you child?"

"I have seen fourteen summers."

There were just three years between them.  I saw that the servant was still shivering. "And who is your servant?"

"She is a slave from Flanders, her name is Judith."

"She looks terrified."

"Her village was raided by Danes and she was the only survivor.  She hid in the woods.  Other slavers from Frisia captured her and sold her to King Egbert."

"Perhaps we should free her and release her from this torment.  If you come with us then she will see Vikings every day.  It is not fair that she pays the price for your happiness."

Aiden said, "Let me speak with her."

My Galdramenn led her away and spoke quietly to her.  He had a way with people the way some have with horses.  They talk to them in a unique language and speak to their hearts. I held the hands of Arturus and Elfrida.  "Then when we return you shall be married.  There will be weddings on Midsummer's Day and if the winds are with us we can return in time."

They hugged each other.

"Thank you, Jarl Dragon Heart.  I had heard that you were a fair man and a just ruler.  They were right."

"Perhaps but, Arturus, you have sown the breeze, let us hope you do not reap the whirlwind."

"Why?" He looked puzzled. His heart had blinded his head.

"King Egbert will not take kindly to having his bride taken from him.  There will be retribution."

I could see he had not thought of that.  "I am sorry father I did not think."

Haaken burst out laughing. "When did a warrior in love ever think?  They are contradictory. Do not worry, Arturus.  If Egbert comes with that rag tag army of his then we shall send him packing."

My son looked relieved, "We are here to see the witch?"

Elfrida clutched Arturus' arm, "Witch?"

"Fear not.  You need not come.  My men will watch over you.  Come son, Aiden."

Aiden brought back a now smiling Judith. "She is resolved and she is happier.  I explained that I too was once a slave and that the Danes and the Norse are as different as foxes and wolves."

"Good let us enter the cave then.  Haaken and Cnut watch over the women.  Perhaps teach them more of our words." We had spoken only Saxon until then but once we were in Cyninges-tūn the two of them would need our words or they would be isolated.  It would be like being in a cell if they did not.

We made our way up the path towards the entrance of the cave. We had been there before and knew its path.  The glow from within told us that the cave was occupied. We heard singing as we descended into the bowls of the earth. Each time we visited I wondered why the cave did not flood in high seas.  The floor was always dry as were the walls. The cave itself was around a bend and, as usual, I hesitated before turning to enter.  I could face any number of warriors in combat but this was the spirit world.  One day I would come and be devoured by a dragon.

"Come Jarl Dragon Heart, surely you who have defeated Magnus Skull Splitter does not fear an old woman who sings alone."

I entered and saw the same woman we had seen before.  She looked to be the same age as the last time I had seen her but how could that be?

"Come, sit. Drink some of this broth.  You must be cold."

We sat down and took the handmade pots with the oyster shell spoons. We ate the soup which was delicious.  While we ate she spoke.  "You are here because you need the advice of the spirits. They will come in the fullness of time." She smiled at us and took Arturus' hand in her own bony one. "Elfrida was meant for you, Arturus but there will be danger."

He nodded, unable to speak.

She began to sing.  I did not understand the words but it was a pleasant sound.  The exertions of the past days began to take their toll and I felt my eyelids drooping.

I was on the top of Mann.  I stood on the high place I had used when I first became a jarl.  I could see all the way to my new home across the sea. I saw a fleet of ships and they were heading towards Úlfarrston.  I tried to run but I could not move and then the fog swirled in.  It was a sea fret and it stopped me from seeing anything.  I dared not move for fear of falling down the mountainside. I could not even see my feet.  Then I felt a hand take my right hand.  I looked up and saw my mother. Before I could speak a hand took my left hand and it was Erika. They said nothing but I felt myself lifted from the ground and I was flying between them.

We landed on the mountain which looks over Ulla's Mere. Here there was no fog, neither were there any ships.  It was a land at peace.

"My son you have made a perfect land for our people here. Those who went before you are resting easy. So long as you hold this land then you need fear no enemies. What is was meant to be."

And then she was gone.

Erika took my hand in hers and kissed it, "Elfrida is right for our son.  She is fey and has the blood of your mother's people coursing through her veins.  She knows not yet what powers she has but Kara will teach her. In the darkest night, my husband, trust to your men, trust to our son but, most important of all, trust the sword. When the storm comes stand firm. You and the sword will have to go through fire and blood before our land and people will be safe. Your mother's spirit waits for you and watches over you. Remember that."

She lifted me up and we soared into the sky like an eagle and then, just as quickly as she had appeared, she was gone and I was spinning down to the earth.  It grew closer and closer until I was sure that I would crash and die.

I opened my eyes.  The fire was cold and the cave was empty. Arturus and Aiden slept still. I heard Arturus speaking, "Mother, come back to me, do not leave me, mother!"

I waited until he opened his eyes. Strangely, Aiden did so at the same time. They both looked around and took in the empty cave.  I said nothing. Arturus' eyes were wide. "I saw mother and another woman I did not know.  Aiden, you were with me and you saw."

Aiden nodded. "The spirits asked me to be your guide for they thought you might be afraid."

He nodded, "Who was the other woman who spoke with me? She was the one who said I would rule after you had joined her."

"That was your grandmother."

"It is good that you are to marry Elfrida.  I am happy now." I hesitated.  I did not wish to put a burden on Elfrida.  I chose not to reveal all to Arturus.  "Your mother wishes Kara and Elfrida to be close."

He looked up, startled, "She told me that too.  Were you there, father?"

"No, but she spoke to me." I saw Aiden give the slightest of nods. He understood. "Now come, I fear your Elfrida will be worried or possibly bored with Haaken's stories."

When we emerged it was broad daylight.  Elfrida threw herself at Arturus. "I thought you had been swallowed by the earth.  I did not believe Haaken when he said you would be safe."

Arturus looked gratefully at Haaken.  "You can trust any of our men with your lives. They are oathsworn and would give all to protect us."