spent many hours poring over the parchments and even Kara was impressed. “The wizard gives advice on cures for ailments and diseases which now result in death.”
The two of them and some of Kara’s women took to travelling the land finding the herbs, leaves, roots and barks they needed to make their medicines.
After a month Brigid said, “Jarl you should go and make the journey. I am settled now. I was afraid but I have thought about this and I have spoken to Deidra and Macha. They are not afraid and they, too, have told me that Kara has a power which they cannot explain. It is enough. I trust you and your daughter.”
I took only Aiden with me as I rode from my home. I headed first to the south for I wished to speak with Sigtrygg. He needed to know what had happened. It had been his land which had been attacked. I would then visit with my son, Windar, Ketil and finally Arne. I would be away some days but my jarls needed to see me and speak with me.
Sigtrygg had learned from the attack and now had a walled town with a double ditch. He had built towers across his land and he trained all of his farmers. He had been the finest warrior to have followed my wolf banner and he was a good leader. “When you find this Magnus let me know, Jarl, for I will come with you and end his life.”
“I will. And if your warriors wish to raid with me I will be honoured to take them with me.”
He nodded, “When I have built up my treasure again I will have Bolli make me a drekar. It will not be as large as yours but we will build one.”
The journey to my son’s home was pleasant for there were now more farmers living between the two strong jarls. My grandson, Ragnar, was growing in leaps and bounds. He and his mother had brought Wolf Killer and myself closer together. We had drifted apart and it was still not the same as it had been but it was better. He, too, was intrigued by the torc and the connection. “I cannot see how these threads join but I agree with you, Jarl Dragonheart, something binds them.” He and Aiden were as close as brothers, “Aiden, are there no writings that you can find?”
He gave me a curious look. “I have heard of a book by a Roman writer called Tacitus. It concerns the man who conquered Britannia, Agricola. If I could find that book then we would know more.”
“Where would we find one?”
“Miklagård.”
“That is a long way to go for a book.”
“If there is another on this island then it will be where there was a Roman fort. Lundenwic?”
“Egbert would dearly like to get his hands on me and he knows you too.”
“Then that leaves Caestir and Jorvik.”
“Again I am known in Jorvik and Caestir has been laid waste by us too many times. I fear this is one book that we will never see.”
Our next visit to Windar was sad for he was now a bloated and corpulent old man. He had never been much of a warrior but he had been a good leader. Since his son Ketil had taken over the north lands he seemed to have forgotten how to be a leader. I did not tarry long but headed instead for Ketil. He was the most exposed of my jarls. Unlike Arne he had no river for protection and he was close to the Northumbrians and the Scots yet he was a brave and clever leader. He kept a close watch on his land.
He had inherited a Roman fort which he had made stronger. It afforded him a fine view of the lands to the east. He proudly showed us around. As it was late we stayed with him and we told him of our finds and our journey.
“I miss the adventure of the sea but I am content with my land and my people. When my young men are stronger we will raid to the east for the Saxons are becoming weaker.”
I advised caution, “The only treasure they have in Northumbria are the slaves and the holy books of the White Christ.”
“Then I will take what I can.” He was confident. He quaffed his ale. He looked at the horn and frowned. “Have you seen my father?” I
The two of them and some of Kara’s women took to travelling the land finding the herbs, leaves, roots and barks they needed to make their medicines.
After a month Brigid said, “Jarl you should go and make the journey. I am settled now. I was afraid but I have thought about this and I have spoken to Deidra and Macha. They are not afraid and they, too, have told me that Kara has a power which they cannot explain. It is enough. I trust you and your daughter.”
I took only Aiden with me as I rode from my home. I headed first to the south for I wished to speak with Sigtrygg. He needed to know what had happened. It had been his land which had been attacked. I would then visit with my son, Windar, Ketil and finally Arne. I would be away some days but my jarls needed to see me and speak with me.
Sigtrygg had learned from the attack and now had a walled town with a double ditch. He had built towers across his land and he trained all of his farmers. He had been the finest warrior to have followed my wolf banner and he was a good leader. “When you find this Magnus let me know, Jarl, for I will come with you and end his life.”
“I will. And if your warriors wish to raid with me I will be honoured to take them with me.”
He nodded, “When I have built up my treasure again I will have Bolli make me a drekar. It will not be as large as yours but we will build one.”
The journey to my son’s home was pleasant for there were now more farmers living between the two strong jarls. My grandson, Ragnar, was growing in leaps and bounds. He and his mother had brought Wolf Killer and myself closer together. We had drifted apart and it was still not the same as it had been but it was better. He, too, was intrigued by the torc and the connection. “I cannot see how these threads join but I agree with you, Jarl Dragonheart, something binds them.” He and Aiden were as close as brothers, “Aiden, are there no writings that you can find?”
He gave me a curious look. “I have heard of a book by a Roman writer called Tacitus. It concerns the man who conquered Britannia, Agricola. If I could find that book then we would know more.”
“Where would we find one?”
“Miklagård.”
“That is a long way to go for a book.”
“If there is another on this island then it will be where there was a Roman fort. Lundenwic?”
“Egbert would dearly like to get his hands on me and he knows you too.”
“Then that leaves Caestir and Jorvik.”
“Again I am known in Jorvik and Caestir has been laid waste by us too many times. I fear this is one book that we will never see.”
Our next visit to Windar was sad for he was now a bloated and corpulent old man. He had never been much of a warrior but he had been a good leader. Since his son Ketil had taken over the north lands he seemed to have forgotten how to be a leader. I did not tarry long but headed instead for Ketil. He was the most exposed of my jarls. Unlike Arne he had no river for protection and he was close to the Northumbrians and the Scots yet he was a brave and clever leader. He kept a close watch on his land.
He had inherited a Roman fort which he had made stronger. It afforded him a fine view of the lands to the east. He proudly showed us around. As it was late we stayed with him and we told him of our finds and our journey.
“I miss the adventure of the sea but I am content with my land and my people. When my young men are stronger we will raid to the east for the Saxons are becoming weaker.”
I advised caution, “The only treasure they have in Northumbria are the slaves and the holy books of the White Christ.”
“Then I will take what I can.” He was confident. He quaffed his ale. He looked at the horn and frowned. “Have you seen my father?” I
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