Viking Sword by Griff Hosker Read Free Book Online Page B

at my shoulder.  We said nothing for sound travels long distances at night but he nodded and grinned.  It was still a game to him. We moved forwards towards the village we knew was over the headland.
    Snorri rose like a wraith from behind the rock. He pointed ahead and I could see the huts. There were ten of them. They should contain at least twenty who could be taken as miners.  I had already told them that we would only kill if they resisted.  I hoped that our wild and fierce appearance would drive all such thoughts from their terrified minds. I waved Arturus and his younger warriors to the far side of the huts where I knew Bjorn the Scout would be waiting. I led my Ulfheonar to the heart of the village.  Each dwelling was surrounded by five warriors. They were all watching for my signal.  The Gods were smiling as the moon appeared and bathed the beach and the village in a beautiful blue light.  I raised Ragnar's Spirit and we stepped into the huts.
    After the brightness from the moon it seemed incredibly dark in the hut.  There was just a glow from the embers of the fire. There were six people in the hut.  An old couple, two children and a man and woman.  I had my sword at the man's throat even as he was waking. Tostig picked him up and bound his arms.  The movement awoke the others and they screamed.
    Einar asked, "Do we take the children and the old man?"
    I looked at the old man.  He might not even survive the voyage and the children were less than six summers old.  It was not worth the effort. "No.  Just the man." They stared at us not understanding a single word but obviously terrified.
    The old man struggled to his feet and tried to grab Tostig's arm.  Einar drew his sword but I restrained him.  I looked at the old man and I shook my head. He said something I could not understand.  I pushed him to the floor.  He reached into his tunic and pulled a knife.  I stamped on his hand and took the knife.  I knew he would not understand my words but I said them anyway, "Stay here or you die!" To emphasise the threat I drew my hand across my throat.  The old woman seemed to understand and she threw her arms around him to prevent any more foolishness. The woman and the children were sobbing.
    "Take him out.  ' Heart ' should be here soon."
    The beach and the village were still bathed in light but it was no longer peaceful.  There were screaming women and struggling men. It was a futile struggle. We outnumbered them. They were like helpless sheep and we were the wolves.  Such sheep needed a dog to protect them and these had paid the price for having none. I saw that the two drekar were off shore. Their masts were now stepped. "Arturus!"
    He ran over to me. "No injuries, Jarl."
    "I would have been disappointed if there had been. Take the slaves back to Cyninges-tūn.  Then return and meet us at Lundenwic."
    "Are we not finished here yet? Why do we not both return home?"
    "I wish to advertise our presence and draw the hunters to us. Lundenwic has many traders and is close to the Danes who live amongst the East Angles. If they know where I am they may come south for me. I would rather we fought far from our home and keep our people safe."
    "You will wait for me?"
    I laughed, "Make a speedy voyage and you will miss nothing. I am hoping to meet with King Egbert and see how his war with Mercia is faring. We can trade a little while we wait for you."
    "We will fly, I promise you that!" He turned to shout to his men.  "Sven, get the slaves aboard our ship! Use the fishing ships to ferry them.  Why should we get wet?"
    The unfortunate captives were dragged somewhat unceremoniously over the sand to their own boats. "Haaken, get the men into the other fishing boats and we will return to our drekar."
    The old men and some of the older boys whom we had not taken were shouting at us and waving their fists.  The women restrained them.  We were being kind.  Had I chosen I could have slaughtered everyone in the