what they had done. I little realised that this would come back to haunt me.
We headed for Dyfed but most of the Ulfheonar were thinking of the witch as we passed the isles of Syllingar. We all breathed a sigh of relief when we navigated them without incident. Erik was also concerned about his repair. It was always nerve wracking to sail a ship you knew had a weakness. I suspected that the three captains of the knarr would be equally nervous. No ships surged from On Corn Walum as we headed for the Sabrina. Each stage was greeted with relief. When we saw the port ahead I almost felt like cheering. We would trade with our Welsh ally and take home the riches and rewards of our successful voyage; successful but not incident free.
Dyfed had been a small place but they had conquered the lands around them and Gwent now formed their eastern border. It was a prosperous country. We spent two nights in the port for the port was more primitive than either Amalfi or Bourde and it took longer to unload our precious cargo. We were paid in gold. There had a been a time we had traded for Welsh iron but now that we had our own we had no need. We still had goods in our holds but they were for our people. The oils, lemons and oranges from Italy would be welcome in our homeland. The wine would be kept to drink and to trade with our northern neighbours. We sailed triumphantly into Úlfarrston. The knarr preceded us so that by the time we entered all the ship yard workers had joined Pasgen's people to cheer us in.
I let the others land so that I could speak with Erik and Haaken. "You both did well. Erik, have the drekar taken out of the water. We will not raid again this year."
"Those were my thoughts too, Jarl."
"I will pay for the repairs and send you your share of the profits." As Jarl I had the lion's share of the profits and it would not hurt to be generous. "Haaken I want you and Sigtrygg to decide which of the new warriors we wish to sail with us again."
"I think the voyage decided that, Jarl. The four weak ones were weeded out already."
"Nonetheless I wish to take more men next time we voyage. I would take the best."
I stepped ashore last and every sailor and warrior banged their shields and stamped their feet as my name was chanted. These were my people and I would serve them until my dying day.
As we made our way north along the Water I had one thing on my mind. How would I tell the mothers of the four warriors that they had been outlawed? They would never see their sons again. I would not be able to rest in my hall knowing that they might hear the story from someone else. I was Jarl Dragon Heart and it was my responsibility. People came to greet us as we marched into the walls of Cyninges-tūn. We had shared the spoils in Úlfarrston and the young warriors who had left with us were now richer than they had ever been. Bjorn Bagsecgson would soon have many orders for swords, helmets and armour. The voyage had shown the younger warriors of the benefits of armour.
Kara came to the door of her hall. "Aiden, speak with Kara. I have mothers to see."
The four mothers and their families stood as a group, looking for their sons. They had come to us together and they lived as one family in the same large hut. Their faces were stoic for I think they thought their sons had met a warrior's death. There was no easy way to say what I had to say.
Hlif, the mother of Magnus Slender Legs nodded, "I know, Jarl Dragon Heart, our sons have perished."
I shook my head, "I know not if my words will be welcomed or not. Your sons were all foresworn and had been declared outlaw. We were bringing them back to say goodbye to you and they killed a man and wounded another. They are murderers who fled our justice."
Stoicism was replaced by shock and disbelief. Haaken and Sigtrygg knew what I was about and had joined me.
"This cannot be true, Jarl. Magnus was a brave warrior!"
"No one is questioning his bravery
We headed for Dyfed but most of the Ulfheonar were thinking of the witch as we passed the isles of Syllingar. We all breathed a sigh of relief when we navigated them without incident. Erik was also concerned about his repair. It was always nerve wracking to sail a ship you knew had a weakness. I suspected that the three captains of the knarr would be equally nervous. No ships surged from On Corn Walum as we headed for the Sabrina. Each stage was greeted with relief. When we saw the port ahead I almost felt like cheering. We would trade with our Welsh ally and take home the riches and rewards of our successful voyage; successful but not incident free.
Dyfed had been a small place but they had conquered the lands around them and Gwent now formed their eastern border. It was a prosperous country. We spent two nights in the port for the port was more primitive than either Amalfi or Bourde and it took longer to unload our precious cargo. We were paid in gold. There had a been a time we had traded for Welsh iron but now that we had our own we had no need. We still had goods in our holds but they were for our people. The oils, lemons and oranges from Italy would be welcome in our homeland. The wine would be kept to drink and to trade with our northern neighbours. We sailed triumphantly into Úlfarrston. The knarr preceded us so that by the time we entered all the ship yard workers had joined Pasgen's people to cheer us in.
I let the others land so that I could speak with Erik and Haaken. "You both did well. Erik, have the drekar taken out of the water. We will not raid again this year."
"Those were my thoughts too, Jarl."
"I will pay for the repairs and send you your share of the profits." As Jarl I had the lion's share of the profits and it would not hurt to be generous. "Haaken I want you and Sigtrygg to decide which of the new warriors we wish to sail with us again."
"I think the voyage decided that, Jarl. The four weak ones were weeded out already."
"Nonetheless I wish to take more men next time we voyage. I would take the best."
I stepped ashore last and every sailor and warrior banged their shields and stamped their feet as my name was chanted. These were my people and I would serve them until my dying day.
As we made our way north along the Water I had one thing on my mind. How would I tell the mothers of the four warriors that they had been outlawed? They would never see their sons again. I would not be able to rest in my hall knowing that they might hear the story from someone else. I was Jarl Dragon Heart and it was my responsibility. People came to greet us as we marched into the walls of Cyninges-tūn. We had shared the spoils in Úlfarrston and the young warriors who had left with us were now richer than they had ever been. Bjorn Bagsecgson would soon have many orders for swords, helmets and armour. The voyage had shown the younger warriors of the benefits of armour.
Kara came to the door of her hall. "Aiden, speak with Kara. I have mothers to see."
The four mothers and their families stood as a group, looking for their sons. They had come to us together and they lived as one family in the same large hut. Their faces were stoic for I think they thought their sons had met a warrior's death. There was no easy way to say what I had to say.
Hlif, the mother of Magnus Slender Legs nodded, "I know, Jarl Dragon Heart, our sons have perished."
I shook my head, "I know not if my words will be welcomed or not. Your sons were all foresworn and had been declared outlaw. We were bringing them back to say goodbye to you and they killed a man and wounded another. They are murderers who fled our justice."
Stoicism was replaced by shock and disbelief. Haaken and Sigtrygg knew what I was about and had joined me.
"This cannot be true, Jarl. Magnus was a brave warrior!"
"No one is questioning his bravery
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