Viking Raid by Griff Hosker

give us any of your men. We will try to hire some here.  Who knows there may be some adventurous youths who wish to voyage with us."
    "Perhaps." I left two Ulfheonar to watch our four prisoners and then we went to see the Duke. He was delighted that we had returned and he threw us a feast to celebrate. I gave him the scimitar I had captured from the dhow's captain and his helmet.  The Duke was delighted with the gifts which made our alliance even stronger.
    We left Bourde two days later for we needed the two days to repair our ships.  The seas through which we would travel would test us. Siggi and Trygg did manage to hire a few seamen. The struggle with the Empire meant that they had less ships trading. Our cargo was now split between three knarr.  They rode higher in the water.  We had spare space.  If I did not have four prisoners then we would have been able to raid.  I was acutely aware that we had no slaves yet.
    With repaired ships we headed north. Aiden pointed to the knarr.  It was as though he had been reading my mind. "We still have spare hold space, Jarl."
    I nodded, "And we have four men to guard too."
    "They may give their word to behave and allow us to raid."
    "I would not trust Magnus the Foresworn. I gave him one chance.  He does not get a second."
    We headed north west across the dark grey seas which surrounded Britannia. We were able to use more sail as the three knarr rode higher in the water. I had thought to have a swift passage home but a sudden squall sprang up as we neared the island the Romans had called Vectis and the men of Wessex, Wight. The squally sea made our four ships toss and turn as they crested waves and dropped into deep troughs.  It ended as suddenly as it had sprung up. Our four ships could all see each other but we were spread over a large area.
    Erik left Karl on the steering board and went to inspect the ship. When he returned his face was grim. "What is the damage, Erik?"
    "I fear that our collisions have damaged our hull.  We are taking on water.  We need to beach her so that we can caulk her hull again."
    I looked to Aiden who had his charts out. "Could we make the islands of Syllingar?"
    Erik shook his head, "It is too far and too risky." He pointed to the sky.  The squall was heading to the west.
    "Then that means Wessex.  Vectis is the nearest place."
    "That is risky but it seems we have little choice. Head north and we will signal the other three ships when they draw near."
    Our three knarr returned, like lost sheep, to the safety of our stern. They too had damage and, like us, would need to repair.  As luck would have it we discovered a small beach which appeared deserted below a high set of cliffs. With no settlements in sight and dusk approaching it seemed a good place to land.  We were now two ship's boys short and Snorri and Bjorn the Scout stood at the prow to jump ashore and secure us to the beach.  As we neared the shore I saw that there was a sandy beach close to a path which twisted up the cliffs to the plateau above.  It looked to be just big enough for our four ships but it would be tight.  With our sail furled we went in under oars so that we just nudged the sand.
    Snorri and Bjorn raced ashore with the two ropes and tied them to two large rocks.  They then scurried up the path. They were scouts and would detect any dangers hidden to us on the beach.
    We jumped into the water, all save our four miscreants.  Erik too stayed aboard and directed us as we pulled the drekar sideways on. "Karl, Cnut, come and help me to lower the mast.  We do not want it damaging." While they took down the mast and laid it on the mast fish I watched the three knarr as they, too, beached themselves. My back was aching with the strain of holding the rope.  When the mast was taken down he said, "Everyone off now." He glared at the four sulky youths.  "That means you too!"
    Once we were all off we began to pull the ship on to its side.  Karl, Cnut and Erik ran along