Ragnvald Hrolfsson (Norman Genesis Book 6) Read online

  Ragnvald Hrolfsson

  Book 6 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.

  HROLF

  PART ONE

  The Gift of the Gods

  Prologue

  The Haugr

  I am Hrolf the Horseman. I came to the land of the Franks and carved out a land for myself and my family. When I came, we were the Raven Wing Clan. Now we are the Clan of the Horse, for many of my warriors now ride to war. A dream and a visit to a witch made this so. I was told that my blood would rule not only the land of the Franks but the land of the Angles too. Now that I had seen more than thirty summers we had a toe hold on the land the Franks called the Cotentin. My warriors and I fought hard to keep a part of the land of the Franks for us. It is called the land of the Northmen. The land we hold is not a large land. You can ride across it in half a day and the length of it in one. But it is a rich land. The grass is green and lush. The trees are laden with fruit and the wheat we grow is much sought after. The seas team with fish and we can hunt in the many woods and forests. It is a good life. After the last battle, the Franks gave up trying to retake their land. They built walls to protect their towns as the Saxons had and we raided much as we had before. I am not a fool and I do not believe that we are done with the Franks. We have been lucky that their king and his sons have been fighting each other for Charlemagne’s old empire.

  We had drawn to us others who wished to live in the land and to use it to raid. Jarls brought their drekar and followed my banner. They raided with me and some stayed for they liked the land and they liked the way I ruled. I was no king. I was not even a count. I did not order warriors to do my bidding but every warrior who came to my land swore to obey our laws and to defend it against all who try to wrest it from us. We built walls around our homes. The walls were made of stone and wood. They had small towers and I had men riding the borders to watch for enemies. We were well protected. The men who rode my borders had been Franks. Alain of Auxerre was the captain of the men we had rescued from south of the Liger. They did not farm or hold land as my Norse warriors did. They went around each of my towns and made sure that we had early warning of any danger. They wore dark blue cloaks with a white sword upon it. They all carried the same shields and they had the helmet with the nasal. They were oathsworn but they were not oar brothers. When we raided they watched the road from Rurik One Ear’s home in the south to Flambard the Fisherman’s home in the west. Then they rode to Bertrand of Ċiriċeburh in the north, east to Bárekr’s Haven and finally to the Haugr. In two days, they could ride around my land. It allowed us to raid.

  Jarl Thorbolt Sweynson and Jarl Sigtrygg the Left Handed were two jarls who had brought their warbands to join me. They had both chosen to live in my land and we had given their men farms. It was with these warriors that we raided. They had helped me to defeat Henry of Carentan and Jean of Caen. As the Franks built defences and gathered men to stop us raiding we looked to the north and the land of the Saxons. Jarl Thorbolt hated the Saxons more than any man I had ever known. They had almost taken him and his ship. Had we not arrived then he would have been in Valhalla already. Since King Egbert had defeated the Viking fleet led by Klakke Blue Cheeks and the men of Om Walum led by King Mordaf ap Hopkin, the King of Wessex had tightened his grip on his land. That did not deter us. We would raid them again. I had another reason to. I had been close to death after the last battle. A Saxon had almost ended my life. I think that I had visited the Otherworld but my son, Ragnvald Hrolfsson had kept faith with me and that had brought me back from the brink of death. He was to be married to the daughter of Flambard. He wanted his own hall and he wanted it with coin he collected himself. We would raid the land of the Saxons again and I would exorcise the ghost of the Saxon who had almost taken my life.

  Chapter 1

  Our knarr traded with Dorestad and it was from the men there that we learned our news. It had once been part of the Empire but Louis the Pious had lost his grip on it and now it was a free port. Ships could raid and then trade safely there. The port was inland on a mighty river. The land around it was swampy and some said that one day it would become landlocked. That was the future. The gods would decide that. For the present, it served our purpose to use it and its markets. There was an unwritten rule that there would be no fighting within its walls. All obeyed the rule for it would have been foolish to do otherwise. The men of Dorestad prospered. It was said they had begun to expand their land beyond the Walls of Dorestad. It did not concern us. We sent our knarr to sell our surplus and to buy that which we did not produce.

  Siggi Far Sighted returned from one such voyage. It was not a long one. A drekar could easily do it in a day and a night but a knarr, such as ‘Kara’ could sometimes take two or three days if the winds were not right. While his men unloaded his ship, he hurried to my hall. We had been warned of the arrival for the anchorage was not an easy one even for a skilled seaman such as Siggi. We did not mind it for it gave us protection from the sea. My son and I were at the gate waiting to speak with him. His gait showed that he was keen to deliver news.

  He nodded as he reached us, “Jarl Hrolf, I have news.”

  My son was growing into a man quickly but he was still impatient. “We can see that from the haste with which you joined us. Tell us your news.”

  Siggi gave me a sideways look. He had known Ragnvald since he had been a boy and he knew he was my heir but, like me, some of my son’s ways irritated him.

  “Of course. King Egbert and his son Æthelwulf made a journey to Cantewareburh. There they visited Ceolnoth. He is the holy man the Saxons call Archbishop.”

  Ragnvald looked disappointed, “And how does that profit us?”

  This time I shook my head, “I know, my son, that soon you are to be married. Mathilde will lie beneath you and sigh over every word you utter but learn to speak less and listen more. You should show respect to Siggi and allow him to speak.”

  He looked chastened, “I am sorry, Jarl.”

  We had raided the land of Cent before now. It lay to the south of Lundewic. That was a huge trading port. “It has a rich church there, is it not?”

  “It is Jarl and it is now richer. The king and his son have made a large donation to the church so that when King Egbert dies Archbishop Ceolnoth will ensure that Æthelwulf becomes king.”

  “And how did the men of Dorestad learn this?”

  “The holy men came to trade and to spend some of their new-found wealth. They like the pots made and traded by Dorestad. They also bought much of the linen and lace which they make in the lands of Frisia.”

  I saw realisation dawn on Ragnvald’s face. He had learned his lesson. He would listen more. “The burgh is a strong one, is it not?”

  “Aye jarl. They have appointed a thegn, Ethelbert, and he has a warband there. He has fifty men. The church pays them to
protect their church and the relics there.” Siggi knew that I would wish to raid and he was giving me as much intelligence as he had been able to gather. The priests would not have come alone. They would have had guards and servants. They would have talked over ale. Dorestad was a hive of gossip. Siggi was like Sven the Helmsman. He was a captain who knew how to listen and how to sift out the truth from the lies.

  Ragnvald said, “We should raid them.”

  I shook my head, “Ragnvald, it is not all about treasure and gold. Did you not hear Siggi’s words? That is but one part of the story. Kings play the game of thrones. King Egbert is preparing the way for his son to become king. That tells us that the king fears he has not long left.”

  “I do not understand.”

  “And that is because you have much to learn. Listen!” He nodded. “When a king dies, especially a strong king like Egbert, then there are always those close to the throne who will try to take advantage. There will be discord in the land. I did not say that we will not raid Cantewareburh, we will. The gods have given us this morsel and we will not waste it. However, when King Egbert dies that will be our opportunity to takes slaves and treasure.”

  “But the Franks!”

  “King Louis and King Egbert are allies. When King Egbert dies then King Louis will also be weakened. He will lose an ally. King Louis has problems with his sons. The gods are sending us sheep to be fleeced. Do not waste the gift of the gods.”

  “I understand. But are you well enough to raid? You were near to death.”

  “I am recovered. The wounds have healed. A raid will tell me how well.” I smiled, “Unlike you, my son, I do not have to row! I shall enjoy a pleasant sea voyage north. Now, send riders to Jarl Thorbolt and Jarl Sigtrygg to ask them to visit with me.”

  He was keen for something to do. I turned to Siggi. “We had good trades?”

  “We did. The Holy Books we sold are much in demand. I was able to get the pots the women crave. Of course, Jarl Hrolf, it might be easier to simply raid inland where they make them. It would be cheaper than trading for them.”

  “One day, Siggi, when my men are all competent riders, then we will do so. Gilles and Bertrand, along with Alain of Auxerre are the only leaders whom I would trust to lead men into battle on the back of a horse and if we raided further inland then we would need to be mounted. I think the seas and the rivers will be our roads for the foreseeable future.”

  He nodded, “That suits us. I prefer a wooden hull beneath my feet. I will go and ensure that the pots are unloaded properly. We cannot afford to have damage.” He smiled, “Your wife has a sharp tongue, jarl!” My wife had been the daughter of a Frankish noble. She liked well-made objects and it was she who had ordered Siggi to trade for the pots.

  After he had gone I headed back into my hall. I had been less than truthful with my son. I had recovered but I would not trust myself to battle yet. A raid against a church was something which I could manage but a raid or a battle might expose my weaknesses. I had had dizzy spells. I had felt a pain in my head, especially late at night. I had ridden Allfather’s Gift and Dream Strider but I had been too worried about falling off to enjoy the ride. I really needed to speak to a healer. I would have asked Father Michael but he was my wife’s priest. Perhaps he might tell her. I did not want her worrying. Perhaps I rode with my death in my own head. I knew not. What I needed was to speak with Aiden, Jarl Dragonheart’s healer. He was a wizard and he was gifted. He had removed part of Haaken One Eye’s skull and put in a metal plate. Perhaps that was what I needed. However, I had a clan to watch and my personal problems were secondary. If I died then Ragnvald would lead the clan. My jarls and others such as Alain of Auxerre, Gilles and Rurik could guide him. He was rough clay and he still had a journey to take but I was pleased with the way my son was growing.

  Mary was busy teaching our daughters how to read and sew. She was doing this by having them sew verses of scripture on to cloth. They would be displayed around my hall. I know that Mary thought that one day I would suddenly see the light and become a Christian. That would not happen. I followed the old ways and the old gods. They had given us much already and I could not see what this White Christ did for the Franks. If he was any kind of god he would not have allowed us to take their land so easily. She looked up when I entered. My daughters did too. “I did not tell you to stop just because your father entered. If you are going to be ladies then you must learn to read and to sew!”

  I smiled. She was a hard taskmaster. “Siggi Far Sighted has returned. He has pots.”

  That brought a smile to her face as I knew it would. It also meant that she would curtail the sewing and the reading lesson. My daughters would be able to go outside and play with the others girls! I went to my mail. I had not worn it since they had taken it from my body, thinking I was dead or dying. I had used sand and water to clean it. I had left it hanging from one of the rafters in my hall. Mary did not like it and the girls were frightened of it for they said it looked like a hanged man. It had not helped that Ragnvald had used a piece of rope to make it move one night as they were heading for bed. I needed it there so that I could see if the rust worm was eating into it. A weak suit of mail could spell the end of a warrior.

  I took my mail down and, after putting on my padded byrnie, donned it. It felt heavy but, then again, it had been some time since I had worn it. Self-consciously my hand went to my head. The wound had bled but Father Michael had had to cut away my hair. It was growing again and made my scalp itchy. He had cleaned the wound with vinegar and it had scabbed over. The scab was now gone but I could feel the scar. I wondered what was going on inside my head. My smith, Bagsecg Bagsecgson, had not repaired my helmet. He had told me that there would always be a weakness. Instead he was making me a new one. I walked over to his forge. If I was going to raid then I needed a helmet.

  He was beating out some iron. From its length, I guessed it was for a sword. He was sweating and he was red but he had that look of joy upon his face which accompanied the making of swords. He and his father made the finest of swords and they were highly prized. He looked up when he saw me approach. He frowned upon seeing that I wore mail.

  “Are you well enough for war, Jarl?”

  “I am. Bagsecg, and I am here to ask if my helmet is ready.”

  He nodded. “It has been ready for some time.” I frowned and he said, “If I am to be truthful with you, Jarl. I did not wish to tell you. I feared you might go to war. We almost lost you in the last battle. The clan cannot survive without the jarl.”

  “Your helmet saved me. Where is my new one?”

  He picked up the bucket of water which was next to his forge and poured it over his head. “Ah that is better. Firstly, I have changed it a little.” He went to a chest and took something out. “Put this on first.” He gave me a leather helmet. It was lined with sheepskin. I pulled it on. It was a tight fit. It rubbed a little against the scar. There was no pain but I was aware of it. My smith nodded as though satisfied. He adjusted it slightly. He made it square. He took a hessian sack from the chest and took out some mail. He handed it to me. “Put this on your head.”

  I saw that it was like a hood. I slid it over the leather helmet. It was a tight fit. The bottom half of the opening covered my chin and bottom lip. The top of the opening covered my eyebrows. Once again, he adjusted it. “I used Erik Long Hair to test the size. You and he have the same size heads.”

  He then took out the helmet. It was round but the top was more conical than my old one had been. I saw that he had made it cover my ears. There was a band of metal which went from my nose to the back of the helmet and a second one which went the other way. Finally, there was a third band which bound them and ran around the rim. He had used a different metal to the other two bands so that it stood out. The lighter coloured band ran around my eyebrow line.

  “Try it jarl and I can adjust it while you are here.”

  I put it on. It was a tight fit and I felt an ache in my wound. I was a warrior a
nd I gritted my teeth and bore it. Once it was on It felt good. Bagsecg seemed satisfied. “There are three layers of protection now and yet you have good vision. I have made it more conical so that the blow of an axe will be more likely to be deflected down. The top is protected by those two bands of metal. You cannot have a plume as I know the Franks favour. This is a helmet to protect you and not make you look pretty. The hood and the leather cap will absorb blows and the mail hood will prevent a blow to the throat.”

  I did not say that I could not hear as well as I would have liked. I was trading my hearing for the triple protection I would now enjoy. I took the helmet off and then the mail hood and the cap. I put the cap and the hood in the helmet. I reached into my purse. Bagsecg shook his head, “No Jarl. This is my gift to you.” He smiled. “Besides the young warriors, like your son, will see it and they will pay whatever I wish to be dressed as Hrolf the Horseman. You wearing it will make me a rich man.” He waved to his sons. “Already I have my boys making these hoods.” I saw that his sons were toiling to turn out mail hoods.

  He would accept no payment and I returned to my hall. I took off my mail. My wife said not a word. She and the three girls were examining the pots Siggi had brought to make sure that they were all perfect. She would say something when we were alone. That was her way. She did not like the way of the warrior. Her father had enjoyed the life of a noble. He had hunted. He had played politics and he had only gone to war when his king demanded it. I did not demand that my men raid. I offered them the opportunity. I poured myself a horn of ale and sat in my chair. I did my thinking there.

  Although we had lost men in the war we had young men who were now old enough to take an oar. Warriors still came to join us. Some had come after Klakke Blue Cheek had been defeated. I had heard that some had joined Jarl Dragonheart and we had taken a few of the warriors we felt would be of our mind. We rejected more than we accepted. We did not do it with any malice but we were firm. Most of those we rejected headed north to Frisia or the land of the East Angles where Danes were growing in numbers. Our clan grew. Warriors like Erik Long Hair and Beorn Fast Feet had sons of their own and one day they would become warriors.