Read Online Viking Treasure by Griff Hosker - Free Book Online

eyes. "Now do not tell your mother my words.  Women worry."
    His back stiffened. "I will be as your oathsworn, lord."
    Ketil was Jarl of Windar's Mere.  He had taken over from his father but he knew that his duty lay to protect the north.  I had liked his father but Windar had been no warrior.  His son was.  His second son, Harland, was more like his father. He stayed in the stad by the mere and ran it for his brother who lived on the border.  In that he did a fair job.  It was prosperous. That prosperity came from my protection and, as I headed there with Beorn and Haaken, I intended to collect payment for that prosperity. 
    At the bridge of Skelwith I said to Beorn.  "Ride to Ketil and tell him what we intend. If we light the beacons then he should bring all the men he can muster."
    Haaken said, "You are testing this new treaty then Jarl?"
    "The best time to test it is when we are on a war footing. Besides I believe that Prince Aethelred is on our side."
    Beorn rode off and the two of us rode down to the fine halls that made up this rich little stad. We passed the old Roman fort. Its stone walls had been repaired but none stood guard.  That would have to change. My visits were rare enough for me to cause a stir as we rode through the streets.  Here they made no swords but their craftsmen made delicate bone combs and needles. They spun wool and made fine clothes. Stone was so plentiful, as it was in Cyninges-tūn, that they had masons who turned the stone into building materials. It was a stad where men did not carry swords for they had no need to. The exception was Arne Thorirson.  Harland Windarsson might organise the stad but it was Arne, one of Ketil's most trusted men, who defended it.
    It was he who strode towards me. "Jarl, this is an honour."
    I had fought with Arne.  His arms had not only battle rings but the scars of a warrior. "I come with dire tidings.  We have had word that a war band of Frisians, Franks and Danes may be heading to lay waste to our land and to slay me."
    Harland arrived as I finished the sentence and he looked alarmed, "Kill you Jarl?  Who would be so foolish?"
    If Arne looked a warrior then Harland looked like a priest of the White Christ but Ketil trusted him.  I would not like to stand in a shield wall with him but he made sure there was enough food for the people of Windar's Mere.
    "There are many.  Now your people will be safe here, for a time at least but Wolf Killer may well need help.  We know not if they come by sea or land.  If they come by land then Wolf Killer will have to endure their attack." I pointed to the beacon. "The beacon is unmanned. From now on someone is there each moment of the day and night." Arne flashed an angry look at Harland who looked abashed. "Arne I want your men ready to ride at a moment's notice. You have horses and ponies aplenty.  Use them. Harland, you will mount a permanent guard on the fort.  That is your refuge when Arne takes the bondi to help Wolf Killer."
    It was only then that the seriousness of the threat sank in. "But what if they came here?"
    "Then those who remain would have to defend the walls of the fort. You have been spared the privations of raids and wars. Be thankful.  Arne here knows the dangers of enemies."
    Harland was silent. Arne held his arm out for me to grasp. "I will make sure that Wolf Killer is not left alone and I promise you that we will keep watch on the beacons."
    I nodded as I mounted Storm Rider, "And I will speak with the others who have beacons close by.  We have grown lax and lazy.  The Norns do not like complacency. Be vigilant and, Harland, if you do not wish to lose this fine life then strap on a sword and don a helmet.  There will be no spectators if Ragnar Ruriksson descends upon you."
    The beacons followed the track from the mere to Elfridaby.  They were maintained by the farmers who lived close by them. It took some time for us to speak with them all but once we had done so then they