Kueidu’ifr

                                                        Paris on the Seine

 

Bjorn stood close to Sigurd as their drakkar and the three others sailed past the mouth of the Ribe into the Wadden Sea with the islands in distant view. There anchored and waiting was a sight Bjorn was not prepared for.

“Sigurd did you know about this, how many are their?” Bjorn asked.

“I have heard there are about one hundred and twenty drakkars under Ragnor on the raid giving us almost eleven thousand men.” Sigurd answered. “I have never heard of such an undertaking in all the annals of men on a Viking.”

“Nor I Sigurd, but I am still new to this with it only being my third Viking.” Bjorn told him.

“You will do well my young friend but we will be gone quite a while this time. The trip down the coast, through the strait and to the Seine is longer than our trip to Gael, from there it is anyone’s guess how long and far we will attack and plunder up that river. I have never been up the Seine before but I hear it goes well inland.” Sigurd described.

“Thank you for telling me. I expected the voyage to be longer but had no idea it was to be such an impressive raid.” Bjorn said but then left the second in command to his duties.

Bjorn later stood looking about the length and breadth of fleet surrounding this drakkar and appreciated that there were ships here from every jarl he knew of and just as many as he did not recognize at all. This made him assume that there were men here from every Dane, Norj and Swedish territory possibly that was in favor with the Friesian chiefs who were known to be friends of Ragnor Lodbrock.

Over the next few days Bjorn and Sigurd talked many times they had passed the coast of Saxony at the beginning being closest to Jutland. Next they passed Harlingen sat along the Friesland coast and the Waddenzee islands. Then as they passed Utkerke along the coast of the county of Flanders Sigurd told Bjorn that they were nearing the straights where the North Sea met with the Channel, here Britannia and West Frankish Kingdom were at their closest and the open sea at its narrowest. Once through the straights he told Bjorn they would be coming close to where the Seine River joined the channel.

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Torunn and Blanaid had much to keep them busy around the farmstead after the departure of Bjorn and the drakkars for the Viking. As did William and Clive, especially since Clive was now spending much of his off time with the woman Ingrid from Ribe. Torunn had even asked him to bring her out to meet everyone and eat with them. Ingrid was now becoming as regular a visitor to the farmstead as Clive was visiting her, she had also made fast friends with Blanaid and was very respectful of Torunn.

Torunn had even made a couple of small humorous comments to Blanaid that before long Clive would have to get William to help him Construct a small house close in to the farmsteads other buildings for himself which she would agree to. Blanaid got the hint and they both laughed about it between just the two of them. Ingrid was a young widow, her husband having not returned from a Viking over a year ago. Torunn was happy with the match of the two and hoped eventually William would do the same. Married men made happier workers she thought and she liked the two men.

They talked very little about Bjorn though. The two women had heard that this raid was much larger than they originally thought, maybe the largest in anyone’s memory. That alone gave them reason to be concerned even more for Bjorn than before, such a raid would increase the dangers involved. So they did not like to talk about it to openly.

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The Seine was sighted and the fleet of one hundred and twenty drakkars started inland on the very navigable river. Now the fleet stretched a long ways along the river because of the fleet’s number of ships versus being spread out on the open seas.

At the first sighting of villages and monasteries the raiding and pillaging began in earnest, the Norsemen now primed for what this Viking was all about. Villages, towns and monasteries were sacked, looted and burned prisoners taken and many Frankish people killed in the process left behind for any survivors to deal with. That is except for monasteries where there was rarely any survivors left to deal with the carnage.

Honfleur fell then Caudebec and Les Andelys not to mention everything in between. The slow mournful woes of the captives was a dirge the Norse men became accustomed to, but even in that there were times men beat an offender who would just not be quiet enough.

Bjorn’s own personal plunder had already exceeded that which he took on both previous raids. He had taken no captives this time, preferring on booty to a body to be mindful of. His prowess had increased as well and not only Sigurd had noticed, men called him by name now. Some of the older ones who knew his father talked of how proud his looked down from Valhalla at his son now. His axe and the new sword he had taken in battle both were bloodied many times during the voyage up the Seine so far. He had garnered only one new wound of any note at all and to these hard men it was but a scratch. A few who had known him the longest now kidded between themselves that they should now maybe call him Raskifr rather than as in times gone by called him Kueidu’ifr (the quick wolf no longer the evening wolf).

In the coming days Rouen was sacked and in ruins as were Vernon and Giverny and so many of Rome’s monks and clerics now lay rotting in monasteries or on their churches ravaged and ransacked properties. Prisoners were tied or chained in all the dakkars by now and those left behind would be scavenging for food as even their fresh or stored food supplies now fed the attackers whose many thirsts and hungers were being slaked by the people they had conquered as the fleet made is deepening voyage up the Seine leaving little in its wake to counter attack on its way back to the sea later. Finally as Easter Sunday approached Paris came into sight and the siege so well planned by Ragnor Lodbrok started.

The Norsemen commanded by Thralls, Jarls and their seconds in command swarmed over both banks of the Seine, the Il de la Cite and Ile Saint Louis and much of the Franks Best Known of cities was burning being sacked and her citizens killed, maimed and or being ravaged. Finally in desperation her ruler King Louis Danegrid paid Ragnor Lodbrok seven hundred livre (pounds of silver) to stop short of completey razing the city.

The proud descendants of the Parissii tribe now called Parisians were in panic and total despair. Then before the attackers had left they were faced by the Frankish army led by Charles the Bald. In complete disregard and contempt for the ability of this army’s ability Ragnor had several of his commanders bring one hundred and eleven of their prisoners out in front of his nearly six thousand men who had built many scaffolds now and hanged all of them in view of his opponent’s men.

Now in complete decay of morale Charles the Bald paid Ragnor an additional seven thousand pounds of silver to leave Paris and the Kingdom of the Franks. Ragnor accepted and shortly thereafter the payment was on board his dakkars at which time he started his fleet back down the Seine to the sea and home for all.

Bjorn’s personal hoard of prize was far beyond anything he had ever imagined. His name was now entrenched with many on this Viking as a man to be sought after when later expeditions would be planned. Sigurd especially counted him now as one to allow in discussions of tact and planning as well as to lead certain aspects when planning stopped and execution began. He had been asked again if he wished to become a berserker as his father had been, but had told them he preferred to remain as he fought now instead. He knew too well of the nature of a berserker and the dedication to being on a Viking over and above all other concerns. He had other ideas of the future he wanted. Going a Viking was a means to an end not a way of life completely.

At night as the drakkar cruised its way down river to its mouth in the channel Bjorn’s thoughts were of home, trading in his cache of prize and the auburn haired Blanaid. He hoped he would find her still there when he returned. In the quiet of the voyage home now he had time to remember those enchanting eyes and the softness of that radiant hair flowing around her face. After his last sip of mead sleep came easily even if there was a need building in him he had now not quenched in quite a long time it seemed.

Days later as the fleet was again passing through the straights where the channel met with the open sea Bjorn and Sigurd stood and talked of the Wessex towns and villages along the coast to the west they could just make out and those in Flanders to the east as well. Here was one of the few places where they could see two coastlines of the continent and not just islands or open sea. For the remainder of the voyage it would only be the coastline to the east that they would see in the distance.

The open sea was rougher now and many of the prisoners were constantly sick moaning and having bad stomachs over take them, wretching on themselves if they were unable to reach the boats sides and thus get the fowl smelling liquid into the sea. It would take some time for their capturers to get some of them back into decent shape for selling as slaves.

Finally as the fleet sailed passed the Friesland coastline to the east some of the Danes felt as they were nearing home. And then as they came to the Wadden Sea Islands the fleet started breaking into separate , one such group was Ulf, Sigurd and Bjorns four Drakkars sailing for the Islands and sea for their access to the Ribe River and home.

As the drakkars docked it Ribe Blanaid and Torunn were among those who had come to the town’s harbor having heard the horn alerting the people of the ships returning home. Both women let silent sighs escape them as they saw Bjorn standing at the prow of the drakkar he and Sigurd sailed on. After all was completed at the docking and his personal equipment and prize unloaded Bjorn started for his mother and the Gaelic woman beside her.

After warm greetings from his mother and an examination of his physical health by both, Bjorn started to heave his shield on his back and reach for his two poki of spoils from the raids Blanaid now standing in front of him spoke.

“Tis a good thing Bjorn there be nothing to heal this time.” She said as she kissed him on the cheek welcome home. Then she took one of his poki herself to help him carry his load back to the farmstead.

“It is glad I am to see you are still here as well Blanaid.” He answered quickly.

“Then maybe you will stay at home with your mother longer this time Viking.” She said adding “Om’anam”

At this Torunn smiled and stifled a chuckle but not enough so that Bjorn did hear his mother understand what he did not. Torunn then took his axe in her hands to help with the walk home as well.

Once back at the farmstead William and Clive welcomed Bjorn home as well with smiles and warm strong handshakes. Bjorn asked them to come into the main house with him and the two women. When all were inside Torunn having put Bjorn’s axe by the door as Blanaid and Bjorn both put the two poki on the table Bjorn started untying the smallest of the poki.

“Allow me to look here quick. Yes here they are.” As he said this and pulled two dirks out of the bag and turned handing one to each of the men. “I kept both of these with you two in mind, I hope you like them.”

In unison both men replied with grateful thanks and then begged their leave so Bjorn, Torunn and Blanaid could continue in more privacy saying they had much to do that day yet.

Bjorn then turned back and digging back in the same poki pulled out a smaller from object wrapped separately from all the rest. Then untying it he took out two gold roped style bracelets and turned to his mother and Blanaid.

“I took these from a goldsmith in Rouen and thought of you both. I hope you won’t mind both of you getting identical bracelets.” He said.

“They are beautiful son. I don’t mind at all, in fact I think it is very thoughtful.” Torunn replied.

“Thank you Bjorn I am honored you thought of me at all. I will cherish it.” Blanaid said as she accepted the bracelet and put it on her left arm at the wrist.

“I do think of you Blanaid, it is why I said I was glad you are here.” Bjorn answered.

“Let us see the rest of your bounty my son. It looks as if you did very well indeed.” Torunn asked.

For the next half hour after Bjorn dumped everything from both poki onto the table the three of them appraised what he had brought back. At first when he opened the bags Blanaid started to turn and go to work but both Torunn and Bjorn asked to her to stay.

“My son this will bring you much when it is all traded or bartered off.” Torunn told him.

“I was thinking Mother that we should use some of it for things we need now, but hoard the rest safely for the future just in case. What do you think of that idea?” He asked.

“That is a splendid idea Bjorn. Don’t you think so Blanaid?” Torunn asked.

“Why yes I do but why ask Me, Torunn?” Blanaid asked.

“Because you are one of us now and your opinion counts to Me.” she replied.

“It does matter to me as well Blanaid.” Bjorn added.

“Thank you both. Yes I too think it is a wonderful idea, but you need to have a place for real safety where only you two know where it is.” She said

“We three you mean.” Torunn added in a tone leaving no room for descent.

Then they put everything back into the two poki for the present and Bjorn took them into his mother’s room for the present. Later all five sat down to their evening meal together. The conversation turned to Clive and Ingrid. Clive admitted he wanted to ask her to become his wife but was not sure what everyone would think in Ribe.

“You are a free man now Clive with a good job and have been here many years. Ingrid is a well thought of widow by everyone. Any idiot who would not like the marriage can keep it to himself. So are you going to ask her before long?” Torunn asked him.

“Yes I think I am, soon. But I need to ask if I can find a spot to build a small house for her and I here if she says yes.”

“Of course you can, I will help you build it too. How about you William?” Bjorn said.

“Oh yes please I have been listening to his woodcutting in the night for years.” William added starting to laugh. At which everyone did including Clive.

Later that evening after the meal was over and they had all sat outside a while Torunn excused herself for sleep, then both Clive and William did the same. Bjorn and Blanaid sat there a while longer looking at the stars in the night sky, Bjorn telling her what some of them were called here. Then Blanaid as well begged her leave of him and went to where she slept so Bjorn did the same.

A couple of hours later Bjorn thought he heard the door open and close quietly so he got up and went to see who it was. After silently opening the door and stepping outside he could just see Blanaid standing a short distance from the house leaning against a tree. So he quietly walked over to where she stood.

“Is everything alright Blanaid?” He asked.

“Oh, sorry if I woke you I was trying to be quiet. Yes I just couldn’t get to sleep yet. I was thinking about Clive marrying Ingrid, you haven’t seen them together yet. I know they will be very happy together.” She told him.

“You are sure she will say yes?” Bjorn asked.

“Yes I am, she loves him. Anyone who sees them together would see that.” She answered.

“Oh, I see. Is that something you think about as well? Love I mean.” He asked a little hesitation in his voice.

“Of course, I think every woman does. Unfortunately many settle for a marriage and never find the love.” She answered.

“I see, I never thought about love like that myself. Don’t get me wrong I love my mother and did my father too. But women I didn’t think about like that until I was gone on this Viking to the Seine.” Bjorn said in a quieter tone than usual.

“And why would you think about it while you are gone on a long voyage raiding the Franks?” she asked. “That does not seem to be what you would be concerned about to Me.”

“Probably not very normal I agree. When we started out I was just anxious about what and where we were going. Then when we started up the Seine with all the attacking of towns and villages up to and including our siege of Paris I was so preoccupied with what we were involved in that there was no time for thinking about anything else. But as we left Paris and started home that was a different matter.” Bjorn said.

“Well I suppose that makes a little more sense, but why then or now even. You did well and are home again. I would think you were not without having satisfied your lust at least at some time during your attacks, most of the men do.” She retorted a little sharply.

“No, I did not. Yes many do in the heat of battle many times. I think I should not have said anything at all. I am sorry goodnight.” He said and turned to walk away.

“Bjorn, stop please. I was cruel in what I said but I do not yet understand why such thoughts would preoccupy you then or now.” Blanaid said with pure honesty and question.

“You my Gaelic auburn haired Ho’ta, I did not know if you would still be here.” Bjorn said as he turned to face her. “I took you from all you loved and now that you are free I did not know if you would stay.”

“This would matter to you then truly Bjorn?” she asked.

“Yes it would. I have never felt like this about a woman before. What you do and feel matters to me.” Bjorn told her as he came to within touching distance from her.

“This is why I stayed Bjorn what happens to you matters to me as well. At first I hated you, would have made you feel all the pain and loss that I had. But, the you that you are changed all that. The monks say that the One God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.” Blanaid said as she raised her right hand slowly to touch the side of his face.

Bjorn stepped even closer and put his arms around her waist as she leaned into his body. Then as her arms went around his neck the two leaned their necks to the side and in unison pressed their eager lips together for very long moments.

Torunn awakened by all the openings and closings of the door was now standing in its open jamb. Seeing her son and Blanaid embraced in each other’s arms put a smile to her face. Now she thought to herself all is as I hoped. Another wedding and one day I will be a grandmother.