Wulfric the Weapon Thane / A Story of the Danish Conquest of East Anglia

odbrok's, to Hubba at least, and we were good friends. As for Ingvar, he was friendly enough also, and

hat began on the day after I landed was the first of a great storm, fiercer and colder than any w

eems, that the terror and pain thereof was held back while I was on

and he was even beyond his father, my teacher, in the matter of weapon play; so that it

and then when his mood was lighter, but it was sel

eeds of the heroes of old. And some of those of whom they sang were men of the Angles of the old country; and one was my own

sea was always in our ears. And these Danes drank less than our people, if they ate more largel

had no word with her. And she was always glad to speak of her father and Halfden; for she was the youngest of all Lodbrok's childre

he came to Reedham, but yet thinking that he would be

age, and at last grew very daring. So one night a man ran in to say that a pack was round a cottage whe

uld settle the matter by fraying the beasts away. However, the man was urgent, and w

with the dog Vig, lost the rest, and before we found them we had the pack on us, and we must fight for our live

y two wolves, of which the dog slew one and I the other, while the other two men were back to back with me, and th

nd both he and the dog were a little hurt. However, my shoulder was badly torn by a wolf that leapt

were a long time before they healed, as wolf bites are apt to be, and we grew very friendly. So that,

cause that which I had used in the wolf hunt was sprung by the weight of one of the beasts, and while hi

here the hand grips the shaft, and a carved end--I saw that the head w

nd so I asked the jarl for one. And when he knew for whom

and simple minded, and because it showed that the surly jarl had some liking for me. Y

spear on the further wall, so taking me out of hearing of her mai

oke to me of

father's death, and I fear that he plans some terrible revenge for it, even as

knew what Ingvar's revenge was like. But as yet I could not think

s you talk to us. But there has grown up in his heart a hatred of all men in your land, save of yoursel

ght against my own land. I had said nothing of this to the jarls, for there was

way," she said, "he

back," I answered, and

a before the weather broke, and we could once more get into the woods, hunting,

ays of hunting, Ingvar, seeing me ride with the carven spear that was partly his gift, and with Lodbrok's hawk on my wrist, would speak more often with me, though now and again some chance word of mine spoken in the

hs, where the air was full of the wholesome scent of tar; and in their houses the women spun busily, making rope and weaving canvas that should carry the jarl's men "over the swan's bath;" while in the hall the courtmen sat after dark and feathered arrows and twined bowstring

n to keep from me. She would ask me of my mother and Eadgyth, as they would ask the jarl of her, and I told her all I could, though that was not much, for

and she left me. Nor could I find a chance of speaking to her ag

ade, Halfden. And it chanced that I was the first to see his sail from the higher land along the coast, south of the haven, wher

to find Ingvar in the ship garth

ow you she is Halfden'

lor know his own ship?

, and smiled at me fai

e said. "Come, let u

l was not so sure as I for half an hou

what welcome for Ha

und quickly, so that everywhere men and women alike put aside their work, and hurried down to the wharf side

us were the courtmen in their best array. And as we came to the place whe

or Halfden's ship came from the sea on no course that should have borne him from Reedham, and I feared

rrows, and to hinder boarders in a fight. And she was gaily decked with flags, and shone with new paint and gilding in all sea bravery. Not idle had her crew been in the place where they ha

ied Halfden on the fore deck, and Thormod at the helm, as ever. And when Osritha saw Halfden's gay

o Reedham, or it woul

been no sign of joy among those who ha

lone in my trouble, for nearer me crept Osritha, say

l we tell

at that I knew what had sprung up in my heart for Osritha, and that not in this only should I look for help from her

p you, what

ed, for now I held that I was repaid for all that had gone before, and save for that which had brought me h

at should haul her into her berth; and then the long gangplank was run out, and Halfden came striding along it, looking bright

ood news! Lodbrok

a silence, and then a groan--low and pitiful as of a mourning people who wail for the dead and the sorrowful

lear in the silence that had fallen, for all his men behi

could answer, meeting him first of all, an

s sake has been Wulfric, your friend. Yet he at least

rl threw himself, and there lay weeping as these wild Danes can weep, for their sorrow is as terrible as their rage, and they wi

ce, looking in one another's faces, and only t

he kissed the maiden, and grasped his brothers' hands, and then

ric, my brother-in-arms. Yet you are most welcome, for yo

l telling,"

eeing what is to be to

for now Halfden knew that into the story of the jarl's death, I

or now the men were at work again, a

here we wintered," he answered. "And I have been ove

let us speak of this h

in his own doings, told him that it had been good, an

osham bell had sunk, and who had been saved by Halfden's boats. He knew me, after scanning me idly for a moment, and

in silence, sorely cast down; an

leader I had been for a little while, with Halfden) held high revelling with their comrades. Many were the tales they told, and when a tale of fight a

sting was done, and the ale and mead began to flow, and he beckoned me

t," he growled; and I thanked

r, where Osritha would sit wit

loomy comrade at the board. Tell me all, and then what is do

jealousy at first. And when my tale was nearly done Osritha crept from her bower and cam

t that remembrance the maiden shivered, and Halfden's face showed that he

peaking, "had I gone to Reedham there wou

dham?"

tel lives, and maybe at one or two other places on the way thither. And I

e than I should have doubted his tal

no grudge against Earl Ulfky

e, and maybe meant kindly. Ingvar would have slain both guilty and innocent, and tol

o Osritha's heart, and that she feared somewhat for me. Nor could I tell what it was. But Halfden and I w

y plainly, of one thing that I dread

" he answered

iest of the White Christ who came from Ansgar at H

go and settle the matter with Odin whom

at so he would do to any man

remember tha

great sacrifice tomorrow, and Wulfri

had yet been through. Fire I had passed through, and water, and now it was like to be trial by steel. And the fi

nly not quite in our way, thus;" and he signed our holy sign all unknowing, or caring not. "And to eat of the horse that is sacr

could under cover of night at one time. But this of which Osritha spoke was that which Holy Writ will by no means suffer us to do--to eat of a

not do this. I may not honour the old gods, for so

alfden; "but if it troubles you, I will help you somehow,

I go h

nd to be away would but make things

th the matter, and so would have no more talk about it. But Osritha

s mourning would be likely to hinder my sister's wedding for a while. And then, to make a little more che

any reasons," he added more sadly, thinking how that all t

o back to the questi

good Dane and Thor's man, and bid

he upper story of that end of the great hall where her own place was. Whereat Halfden laughed quietly, look

y father's wish might easily come to

But I said that the jarl, his father, had himself shown me that no man should leave his old faith but for better reasons than those of gain,

said Halfden, "gladly would I ha

en said that were I to stand among the crowd of men on

was my wont among these heathen--I asked for that same help that had been given to

nded what our king had told me many a time: how that in the first christening of our people it had ever been held to be a denying of our faith to taste the heathen sa

led to speak of them by this very question as to sacrifice to the Danish gods. So I made up m

me weapon against shield on the walls with a clear ringing sound--but I woke with the voice of Bosham bell in my ears--and Rorik

s not far from me, and after that I had no more fear, but slept pe