Viking Treasure by Griff Hosker Page B

Tell him I need him to watch the waters off the Lune and to be ready to come to our aid. You know him well and you can tell him all.  Hide nothing. Speak of our visit with the Saxons."
    "Aye Jarl."
    "Haaken we will need Asbjorn and his men.  They are the closest to Úlfarrston.  I want them ready to go to Coen's aid. Raibeart you need to warn your brother.  I fear that you and your people may have to bear the brunt of a seaborne attack if Karl is correct." Karl shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
    "I shall take 'Red Snake' to sea. If I sail to Man and then Dyflin I can spot such a large number of sails."
    Although Raibeart was not Norse borne he had the heart of a Viking and a mind as sharp as any. "That is good.  Before you leave I would have words with you for I will send a message to Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer."
    I drank some more ale and silence filled the room until Haaken said, "And Wolf Killer? What of him Jarl?"
    "I will visit with him but I will travel to Windar's Mere first. That is the richest of our stad. They have had an easy time of late.  Ketil watches their northern borders.  They will have to provide men to go to Wolf Killer's aid.  I will visit with Wolf Killer myself. Beorn and Haaken I would have you come with me.  As for the rest; let us prepare for war.  This Ragnar Ruriksson will find out the true meaning of Samhain. He and his men will soon join the army of the dead!"
    After they had gone I was left with Aiden and Raibeart.  "Perhaps Karl is right and I am wrong, Jarl. My sight seems to focus too much on Cyninges-tūn.  I find it harder, these days, to see beyond the borders."
    "That is the effect of your daughter, Ylva. I was the same when Wolf Killer was first born. She will be a powerful witch when she grows.  She draws much power from you and from Kara."
    Aiden smiled, "You are becoming the wizard now, Jarl."
    I turned to Raibeart, "When you are in Dyflin I would have you buy two Saami bows for my son and grandson. I fear they will be with the clan when we go to war.  A bow might keep them out of danger.  I would have them learn to fight before they die." Raibeart nodded, "And ask Jarl Gunnstein Berserk Killer to keep watch for our foes.  I cannot think that they would be foolish enough to even think about seeking his help but the young are sometimes foolish."
    Raibeart shook his head, "Do not underestimate this warrior. He is of an age with Wolf Killer and men say he has been a warlord.  He is both cruel and cunning. He is being backed by Neustria because they see someone who can take the Land of the Wolf from you. I believe both Karl and Aiden are correct. It will be hard to keep a hired warband together but this Ragnar seems the man who could do that.  They talk of him being greater than his father. He has men who follow him like your Ulfheonar.  They are intensely loyal to him. That tells you something."
    "And we both know how dangerous Rurik was, Jarl Dragonheart."
    "Then it is a test for me." I looked at Aiden.  He knew my thoughts, "Can I hold on to this land and pass it down to my blood or will this be the end of Cyninges-tūn and our way of life?"
    "I have not dreamed the end, Jarl.  To answer honestly, I do not know."
    When they had left me Gruffyd crawled out from under the table.  I had forgotten that he had not left.  "So the little mouse was listening."
    "You sounded as though our world was coming to an end father.  Is it?"
    "All things end, my son. We pass through this land and we make a mark but in time the marks disappear and it was as though we never existed."
    "That is sad."
    "No, my son, you, Wolf Killer and Ragnar will carry on and, perhaps, your threads will take you to somewhere different.  Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson now has a home many leagues to the south where they know not snow. My thread began not far from Bebbanburgh.  We do not know where the journey will take us.  Life is an adventure.  Take it as such." I ruffled his hair and looked into his