Viking Treasure by Griff Hosker Read Free Book Online

not dreamed it and I do not think we will. The Weird Sisters have been too kind to us and told us more than they should have. You are favoured by the Allfather but there are many gods in Asgard and some are jealous of you. Loki, for one, would resent someone who was not Norse born having the glory you have."
    That thought depressed me.  I had thought I would know of my own death for it would be dreamed and I would be prepared.  Now I knew that it could come at any time and it was a sobering thought.
    Dawn was worth the wait. The sun spread out like golden butter melting upon a deep blue sea.  It lit up the seal islands which littered the coast. Aiden and I watched as the white light rose slowly in the sky.  He turned to me and said, "This is a good omen, Jarl. I have never seen Ran have the sea so calm. This will be a good day."
    It was mid morning when Rollo Thin Skin shouted, "Riders leaving the castle."
    Haaken shouted back, "Do they come for war?"
    Ulf walked into the camp and laughed, "There are but twenty of them.  If they come for war we gain twenty horses and some fine mail."  Shaking his head he said, "They do not wear helmets and their shields are on their saddles."
    I nodded, "Then they either come to invite us within or to tell us to go home.  Either way we should mount and be ready."
    As the Saxons rode in they were greeted by a terrifying sight; fully armoured and armed Vikings. I knew how intimidating we were and this was our peaceful pose. The Saxons were led by the young warrior who had been at the walls the previous day.  I hid my smile as I saw the fear on the faces of the men who followed him.  Even our horses looked intimidating compared with theirs. The young man, however, seemed quite calm, almost pleased to see us. The warrior had golden hair tied in two pigtails. His armour was well made but only came to his waist.  It seemed to be the way the men of Northumbria liked it.
    "I am Prince Aethelred. My father King Eanred invites you to visit with him."
    "In his castle?"
    The Prince looked embarrassed, "No, Viking, he has had a shelter erected twixt the castle and here.  It is close to the village of Bebbanburgh." Apologetically he added, "There is food and ale but I think he fears admitting warriors with such a fierce reputation.."
    I smiled.  I was here to make peace not to visit a castle. "That is satisfactory. Lead on Prince Aethelred."
    "I will ride with you, if that is agreeable."
    "Very well."
    Haaken dropped back to ride with Aiden. As we rode the prince asked, "Why did you not wish to fight Coenred?"
    "You spoke with the men?" He nodded.  "They told you what happened?"
    "Aye.  They said you gave him many chances to leave the fight with honour and he refused.  He was once my friend and I knew him. He would never have backed down.  Yet they said you slew him with ease and could have done so far quicker than you did.  Why?"
    "I told your father. I come for peace."
    We descended towards the houses of the village.  "I find that hard to believe.  You are a fierce foe and we have many empty hearths because of you and your men."
    I stopped Storm Rider and looked at him. "Have my men ever invaded your land to conquer it?"
    "You came into my father's home!"
    "And killed renegade Vikings.  The only Saxons I slew were the ones who tried to kill me." I kicked my horse on. "We have killed many of your father's men but they came to do us harm. I defended my borders.  You do not poke a tethered wolf.  I live in the Land of the Wolf.  We wear the skin of the wolf and we are dangerous as the wolf. We choose whom we hunt and we hunt not outside our territory. If you fear us then that is not our fault. We have never tried to take your father's lands."
    He laughed, "You are not what I expected, Jarl Dragonheart. We grow up with stories of how you will come in the night and eat us if we misbehave."
    I heard his words but I was busy studying the men we would meet. I saw the King ahead with his