Varangian (Aelfraed) by Griff Hosker Page A

hard to say.  I was pleased that the others had not been happy about the traitor and then I thought that was what a traitor would do to allay suspicion. I shook my head to clear it of the confusion.  The only ones I could really trust were Ragnar, Eric and, of course, Ridley.  It would take combat for me to truly assess the worth of my remaining five warriors; only then would I know the value of their oath. Ulf had condemned himself with his actions, he had broken his oath.  He would not enter Valhalla.
    When we finally stopped, in the middle of the lake, and the Captain dropped the anchor, I almost collapsed with exhaustion.   The others just slept at their oars but Jarl Gunnersson beckoned me forward. “I have set Eric to getting some food ready and you and I must stand guard for we are still not safe.”
    I remembered something Cnut had said as we sailed from Leith.   “Perhaps if we wait for other ships travelling the route we might have more safety with the larger numbers.”
    He shook his head, “That is an excellent plan but the last two ships sailed the day before we left.   We had to wait for Thor’s ship and the cargo to arrive.”
    And that was it, the Norns again.   The ship had delayed sailing from Hedeby to accommodate me and my party and that had meant we had missed the other ships.  We would be safer in their company. I hoped that the Norns planned a grander end for me than being killed by river pirates on the Lovat River which was our next waterway.
    It felt like I had been asleep for moments when Ridley woke me but he assured me I had had hours of sleep.   Certainly the sun was lower in the sky. “To oars.  We row.” The Jarl hoisted the sail and caught the little breeze that was available and we found it easier to row, despite our tiredness.  There was little current on the lake but, once we struck the Lovat then it would be hard going.  The Jarl kept watching the mast head pennant for a change in the wind’s direction because, if it swung too much, we would have to lower the sail and it would be hard work again. While we had been standing watch the Captain had told me of his plan.  “We will sail into the darkness and when we anchor I will not light a torch, we will rely on the eyes of your men.”
    The resourceful Eric had changed the duties so that one man had a night off watches and we watched with a different partner each night.   Now that we had all experienced watches it made sense and it allowed me to get to know the others of my company.  So far I had not detected any other with traitorous intent.
    I wondered how much further we would sail as dusk descended, when the Jarl suddenly shouted, “Back oars!” We had rarely had to do that manoeuvre; it was used to stop the boat quickly.  “Up oars! Saxon, get your warriors there are men in the reeds!”
    We quickly sprang into action.   The hatch was below the Weasel’s feet and he jumped away to allow Ridley to open it.  I grabbed my shield and sword and strode to the side, knowing the rest would follow when they could.  The river’s banks were covered in thick reeds, the perfect place for the nesting birds that lived there.  Suddenly one of them, a heron, fluttered noisily into the sky. It made me jump but, at the same time focussed me on the place it had left.  I too could see a face. “Ridley, get your bow.  There is someone out there.”
    The Jarl’s voice rang out. “Hold fast Aelfraed.   Let me give them a chance. Ho! You in the river.  Show yourselves or be prepared to die.”
    By now my men lined the sides and even Eric stood there with his sword and buckler.   I had never seen the boy fight but I doubted that he would be much use. Still it showed that he did not lack courage.
    A voice sounded from the reeds.   “Is that Jarl Gunnar Gunnersson?”
    Warily our captain replied, “Aye it is.”
    “It is Siggi Rosmusson and what remains of two crews.”
    The Jarl said quietly to me, “They may be friends